AbstractSignificant factors affecting body composition and consequently professional and amateur bodybuilders’ performance are both training loads and diet.The aim was to assess dissimilarities in anthropometrical traits and body composition between males practicing bodybuilding professionally and as amateurs, considering their diet and training.The study comprised 55 athletes, i.e. 29 professionals attending national championships and 26 amateur bodybuilders. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements involving body height, waist, arm and thigh circumferences and skinfolds covering trunk and extremities. The original nutritional behavior questionnaire and a 24-hour survey were used. An electronic scale was used to measure body weight and body composition was analyzed with the BIA method. In statistical analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk (W-test), t-student and Mann-Whitney U test were applied.An adipose tissue, assessed on the basis of skinfolds was significantly lower in professionals (p<0.05), whereas lower mean values of body fat free mass (FFM) were found in amateur bodybuilders (p<0.01). Diet survey presented differentiation both in the amount of consumed protein in the diet (1.98 g/kg), in its percentage participation in the diet (21.2%) in favor of the professionals (p<0.05). Significant differentiation was between the groups in the amount of consumed fats (p<0.05). In case of resistance trainings time, energy expenditure and number of trainings were higher for professionals (p<0.05).Bodybuilders feature better developed muscle mass of extremities and a smaller share of percentage of fat mass in body composition in comparison to amateurs. Professional bodybuilders consume proper amount of carbohydrates and fats and significantly higher level of protein, fiber and energy in diet compared to amateur group. In contrary, higher intake of fats is typical for amateur bodybuilders.

Irisin (IR) is a biomarker that is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the available evidence on the association of IR, physical activity, and MetS status are contradictory. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise intervention on IR and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and indicators of carbohydrate metabolism in males with MetS. The study included 62 males with MetS (age 36.6 ± 6.9 years, BMI 33.6 ± 4.4 kg/m2) randomly assigned to: examined group 1 (EG1, n = 21) with aerobic exercise intervention, examined group 2 (EG2, n = 21) with combined aerobic and resistance exercise intervention, both for 12 weeks, and the control group (CG, n = 20) without intervention. Anthropometric measurements, body composition (body fat [BF], fat free mass [FFM]) as well as a biochemical blood analysis (irisin [IR], interleukin-6 [IL-6], insulin [INS] and glucose [GL]) were performed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks of intervention, and 4 weeks after ending the intervention (follow-up). Intergroup and intragroup comparisons were performed. In EG1, an increase in IR level was observed as well as decreases in IL-6, BF, and GL levels in relation to the initial measurement. In EG2, decreases in IL-6, BF, and INS levels were observed as well as an increase in FFM level. In CG, no changes were found. Aerobic-resistance exercise led to a greater reduction in the concentrations of IL-6 and INS and more favorable changes in body composition (BF and FFM) than the use of aerobic training alone in males with MetS.

Adiponectin (ADIPO) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are proteins that play a significant, albeit opposing, role in metabolic syndrome (MetS). The reported data on the effect of physical activity on the levels of these hormones in the population of people with MetS are conflicting. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in hormone concentrations, insulin-resistance indices and body composition after two types of training. The study included 62 men with MetS (age 36.6 ± 6.9 years, body fat [BF] = 37.53 ± 4.5%), randomly assigned to: an experimental group EG1 (n = 21) with aerobic exercise intervention, an experimental group EG2 (n = 21) with combined aerobic and resistance exercise intervention, both for 12 weeks, and a control group CG (n = 20) without interventions. Anthropometric measurements and body composition (fat-free mass [FFM], gynoid body fat [GYNOID]), as well as a biochemical blood analysis (adiponectin [ADIPO], interleukin-8 [IL-8], homeostatic model assessment—adiponectin (HOMA-AD) and homeostatic model assessment—triglycerides (HOMA-TG) were performed at baseline, and at 6 and 12 weeks of intervention and 4 weeks after the intervention (follow-up). Intergroup (between groups) and intragroup (within each group) changes were statistically evaluated. In the experimental groups EG1 and EG2, no significant changes were observed in the ADIPO concentration, but a decrease of GYNOID and insulin-resistance indices was confirmed. The aerobic training led to favorable changes in IL-8 concentration. The use of combined resistance and aerobic training led to improved body composition, decreased waist circumference and better insulin-resistance indices in men with MetS.

A lot of attention has been focused on obesity, however, the other extreme—thinness—may lead to inhibition of physical and intellectual development. The aim was to assess the prevalence of thinness and determine the associated factors in children from rural populations. We used data from the cross-sectional sample of 3048 children, examined in schools from a district in southern Poland. The sample included 89% of the district departments, and included a proportion of rural and small town populations—a representative one for the region. Thinness was determined based on the criteria proposed by Cole and Lobstein. Biological, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were analysed. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of thinness was 11.5% in boys and 13.5% in girls. In the younger group, it was similar in boys and girls at 11.8%; whereas in the older group, it was 11.1% and 14.5%, respectively. The prevalence of thinness Grade 3 in girls was two times higher than in boys. The increased index of leisure time physical activity was connected with thinness in prepubertal boys. The mechanism determining the development of thinness is very complex and further exploration of this trend is recommended.

Leptin (LEP) and omentin (OMEN) are proteins whose concentrations change with the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). There are few intervention studies using various forms of physical activity in people with MetS that aim to determine the impact of physical exercise on the fluctuations of the presented hormones, and their results are contradictory. The present study aimed to examine the effect of two types of exercise intervention on LEP and OMEN concentrations and indicators of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in males with MetS. The study included 62 males with MetS (age 36.6 ± 6.9 years, body mass 110.31 ± 17.37 kg), randomly allocated to EG1, the examined group with aerobic training (n = 21); EG2, the examined group with combined aerobic and resistance training (n = 21), both for 12 weeks, and the control group (CG) without interventions (n = 20). Anthropometric measurements, body composition (body fat [BF], android body fat [ANDR]), as well as a biochemical blood analysis (omentin [OMEN], leptin [LEP], quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and nonHDL-C) were performed at baseline, and at 6 and 12 weeks of interventions and after 4 weeks after ending intervention (follow-up). Intergroup and intragroup comparisons were performed. In the intervention groups EG1 and EG2, a decrease in BF was observed as well as an improvement in carbohydrate metabolism parameters. In the EG1 group, the level of ANDR was reduced. In EG2 a decrease in LEP concentration between measurements was confirmed. However, no significant changes were found in the concentration of OMEN in any groups. Combined aerobic and resistance exercises led to a higher reduction of LEP concentration than applying only aerobic training in males with MetS.