METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six postmenopausal Malaysian women from Semenyih and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia participated in the study. Muscle mass and body fat percentages (BFP) were assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyser. Bone density was assessed using quantitative calcaneal ultrasonography. Handgrip strength (HGS) was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer. Gait speed was assessed using the 6-m walk test. The sarcopenia stage was classified into pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of participants with various stages of 'sarcopenia' was 29.4%. The rates of low bone density were 13.7%, 12.5%, 17.4% and 85.7% in the non-sarcopenic, pre-sarcopenic, sarcopenic and severe sarcopenic groups, respectively (P < 0.000). Age, adiposity, muscle mass, gait speed and bone density differed significantly between the reference (non-sarcopenic) and 'severe sarcopenic' groups. The 'sarcopenic' and 'severe sarcopenic' groups had common impairments whereby no significant differences were found in HGS and gait speed between them.
CONCLUSION: The results showed significant correlations between sarcopenia stages and age, body weight, adiposity and bone density. Individuals with 'sarcopenia' had the same level of HGS and gait speed as those with severe forms of the disorder, implying that individuals with sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia were at the same level in terms of strength and endurance.
METHODS: The study included 141 post-menopausal Malaysian women and 118 young Malaysian women between 18 years old and 32 years old of age. Body composition, bone density, handgrip strength and physical performance were assessed using bio-electrical impedance analyser, calcaneal quantitative ultrasound, hand dynamometer and modified short physical performance battery test, respectively.
RESULTS: There was a higher prevalence of 'low muscle mass' among the younger age group compared to their older counterparts (48 young women [40.0%] versus 44 post-menopausal women [31.2%]). Conversely, there was a higher prevalence of 'obesity' and 'low bone density' among the older age group compared to their younger counterparts. Mean broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) for both age groups was ≥ 70.0 dB/MHz. The majority of post-menopausal women had a 'minor functional decline' (40.6%), followed by moderate (28.1%), major (22.7%), severe (6.3%) and the lowest percentage for 'no decline' (2.3%).
CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of obesity with poor musculoskeletal health in older Malaysian women, which may lead to frailty and higher incidences of falls and fractures at an advanced age. The screening of musculoskeletal conditions among Malaysian women may aid in early detection of abnormalities and timely intervention.
METHODS: Twenty-nine male and 25 female athletes participated in this study. Participants were Malaysian undergraduate students whose ages ranged from 18 to 24 years old. Their heights were measured using a stadiometer. The subjects were weighted using digital scale. Body mass index was calculated by kg/m(2). Waist-hip ratio was measured from the ratio of waist to hip circumferences. Body fat % was obtained from the sum of four skinfold thickness using Harpenden callipers. The highest vertical jump from a stationary standing position was recorded. The maximum grip was recorded using a dynamometer. For standing back strength, the maximum pull upwards using a handle bar was recorded. Multiple linear regression was used to obtain the relationship between vertical jump height and explanatory variables with gender effect.
RESULTS: Body fat % has a significant negative relationship with vertical jump height (P < 0.001). The effect of gender is significant (P < 0.001): on average, males jumped 26% higher than females did.
CONCLUSION: Vertical jump height of martial arts athletes can be predicted by body fat %. The vertical jump for male is higher than for their female counterparts. Reducing body fat by proper dietary planning will help to improve leg power.
Objective: This study investigated the safety and efficacy of Eurycoma longifolia in combination with multivitamins (EL+MV) versus placebo on improving quality of life (QoL), mood and stress in moderately stressed healthy participants.
Methods: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 24-week study enrolled 93 participants aged 25-65 years, with a body mass index of 18-30 kg/m2, scoring ≤18 in tension and ≤14 in fatigue subscale of Profiles of Mood Scores (POMS) questionnaire and supplemented with EL+MV or placebo. The primary endpoints were QoL measured by 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaire and mood measured by POMS. The secondary endpoint was stress measured by Multi-Modal Stress Questionnaire (MMSQ). The safety of the intervention product was measured by complete metabolic panel, lipid and renal analysis including several immune parameters.
Results: While there were no significant between-group differences, within-group improvements were observed in the SF-12 QoL, POMS and MMSQ domains. In the SF-12 domain, improvements were seen in role limitation due to emotional health (P = 0.05), mental component domain (P < 0.001), emotional well-being (P < 0.001), social functioning (P = 0.002) as well as vitality (P = 0.001) at week 12. An increasing trend in POMS-vigour domain was also observed in the EL+MV group at week 12. A 15% decrease in physical stress domain (P < 0.05) compared with 0.7% in the placebo group was also observed in MMSQ. When the subjects were subgrouped according to age, 25-45 and 46-65 years of age, for primary outcomes, between-group significance was observed in the 25-45 year group in the social functioning domain of SF-12 (P = 0.021) and POMS-vigour (P = 0.036) in the 46-65 year group. No significant changes were observed in vital signs and complete metabolic panel. Regarding immune parameters, the lymphocytes increased significantly in the active group (P≤0.05). In total, 13 adverse events were reported: six on placebo and seven on EL+MV.
Conclusion: EL+MV may support the QoL, mood, stress and immune parameters in healthy participants.
Trial registration: This study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02865863).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 898 students from 21 schools across comprehensive- and partial-SFL states were recruited. SHS exposures and respiratory symptoms were assessed via questionnaire. Prenatal and postnatal SHS exposure information was obtained from parental-completed questionnaire.
RESULTS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was: 11.9% ever wheeze, 5.6% current wheeze, 22.3% exercise-induced wheeze, 12.4% nocturnal cough, and 13.1% self-reported asthma. SHS exposure was most frequently reported in restaurants. Hierarchical logistic regression indicates living in a comprehensive-SFL state was not associated with a lower risk of reporting asthma symptoms. SHS exposure in public transport was linked to increased risk for wheeze (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 16.6; 95%confidence interval (CI), 2.69-101.7) and current wheezing (AOR 24.6; 95%CI, 3.53-171.8).
CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents continue to be exposed to SHS in a range of public venues in both comprehensive- and partial-SFL states. Respiratory symptoms are common among those reporting SHS exposure on public transportation. Non-compliance with SFL appears to be frequent in many venues across Malaysia and enforcement should be given priority in order to reduce exposure.