Browsing by Author "Beunen, Gaston P."
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- Cross-validation of the Beunen–Malina method to predict adult heightPublication . Beunen, Gaston P.; Malina, Robert M.; Freitas, Duarte L.; Maia, José A.; Claessens, Albrecht L.; Gouveia, Élvio R.; Lefevre, JohanThe purpose of this study was to cross-validate the Beunen–Malina method for non-invasive prediction of adult height. Three hundred and eight boys aged 13, 14, 15 and 16 years from the Madeira Growth Study were observed at annual intervals in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and re-measured 7–8 years later. Height, sitting height and the triceps and subscapular skinfolds were measured; skeletal age was assessed using the Tanner–Whitehouse 2 method. Adult height was measured and predicted using the Beunen–Malina method. Maturity groups were classified using relative skeletal age (skeletal age minus chronological age). Pearson correlations, mean differences and standard errors of estimate (SEE) were calculated. Age-specific correlations between predicted and measured adult height vary between 0.70 and 0.85, while age-specific SEE varies between 3.3 and 4.7 cm. The correlations and SEE are similar to those obtained in the development of the original Beunen–Malina method. The Beunen– Malina method is a valid method to predict adult height in adolescent boys and can be used in European populations or populations from European ancestry. Percentage of predicted adult height is a non-invasive valid method to assess biological maturity.
- Functional fitness and bone mineral density in the elderlyPublication . Gouveia, Élvio R.; Maia, José A.; Beunen, Gaston P.; Blimkie, C. J. R.; Rodrigues, António L.; Freitas, Duarte L.Summary Bone quality has been associated with genetic factors and several environmental influences. This study suggests that although functional fitness should be consid ered in clinical assessments of bone health, body composi tion appears to have a higher relevance in the explanation of bone health/strength in older people. Purpose This study aims to describe the association be tween functional fitness (FF), other constitutive factors, and bone health/strength in a large community-dwelling sample of elderly active Portuguese. Methods This cross-sectional study included 401 males and 401 females aged 60–79 years old. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the total body, lumbar spine (LS), and hip region was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In addition, femur strength index (FSI) was deter mined. FF was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Demographic information and a health history were obtained by telephone interview through questionnaire. Results Aerobic endurance and body strength were pos itively related with hip BMD region in males (0.10
- Functional fitness and physical activity of portuguese community-residing older adultsPublication . Gouveia, Élvio R.; Maia, José A.; Beunen, Gaston P.; Blimkie, Cameron J.; Fena, Ercília M.; Freitas, Duarte L.The purposes of this study were to generate functional-fitness norms for Portuguese older adults, to determine age and sex differences, and to analyze the physical activity–associated variation in functional fitness. The sample was composed of 802 older adults, 401 men and 401 women, age 60–79 yr. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Physical activity level was estimated via the Baecke questionnaire. The P50 values decreased from 60 to 64 to 75 to 79 yr of age. A significant main effect for age group was found in all functional-fitness tests. Men scored significantly better than women in the chair stand, 8-ft up-and-go, and 6-min walk. Women scored significantly better than men in chair sit-and-reach and back scratch. Active participants scored better in functional-fitness tests than their average and nonactive peers. This study showed a decline in functional fitness with age, better performance of men, and increased proficiency in active participants.