The genetic and environmental contributions to determine digital dermatoglyphic traits were investigated by using female dizygotic and monozygotic twin pairs to estimate heritability indexes (h²). The evaluated sample was composed by 20 monozygotic twin pairs and 13 dizygotic twin pairs. A significant heritability (h²= 0.65 to 0.96) was observed for 12 dermatoglyphic characteristics (delta indexes and ridge counts for right hand, left hand and both hands, and ridge counts for most individual fingers). A negative correlation between the ridge counts and heritability indexes from individual fingers was found for the left hand, which appears to be associated to a higher arch pattern frequency in most left-hand fingers, since this frequency was negatively correlated with ridge counts and positively correlated with heritability indexes. Heritability indexes of right-hand fingers were positively correlated with loop pattern frequency and negatively correlated with whorl pattern frequency. The low heritability of ridge counts from left thumb, ring and little fingers (h²= 0.11 to 0.32) indicates a higher chance that the chorion type had an influence in the intra-pair variance of monozygotic twins. Results confirmed the predominant genetic influence on the total ridge count. The heritability indexes varied in up to 8 times between different fingers and its association to ridge counts and pattern frequency was very variable between hands, evidencing that the use of dermatoglyphic traits from individual fingers as indicators of genetic influences to other human traits should consider this variability.

The influence of genetics on human physique and obesity has been addressed by the literature. Evidence for heritability of anthropometric characteristics has been previously described, mainly for the body mass index (BMI). However, few studies have investigated the influence of genetics on the Heath-Carter somatotype. The aim of the present study was to assess the heritability of BMI and somatotype (endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy) in a group of female monozygotic and dizygotic twins from childhood to early adulthood. A total of 28 females aged from 7 to 19 years old were studied. The group included 5 monozygotic and 9 dizygotic pairs of twins. The heritability was assessed by the twin method (h2). The anthropometric measures and somatotype were assessed using standard validated procedures. Significant differences between monozygotic and dizygotic pairs of twins were found for height, endomorphy, ectomorphy, and mesomorphy, and the heritability for these measures was high (h2 between 0.88 and 0.97). No significant differences were found between monozygotic and dizygotic twins for weight, and the BMI and the heritability indexes were lower for these measures (respectively 0.42 and 0.52). The results of the present study have indicated that the somatotype may be more sensible to genetic influences than the BMI in females.

Nos últimos anos, o desenvolvimento do esporte paraolímpico nacional e internacional tem estimulado maior participação dos portadores de deficiência em atividades desportivas, exigindo dos atletas incremento na intensidade e freqüência nos treinamentos e competições, o que impulsiona, ainda mais, os índices de lesões traumato-ortopédicas. Objetivou-se neste estudo de caráter descritivo-analítico verificar a prevalência de lesões traumato-ortopédicas em 82 atletas paraolímpicos selecionados de forma não probabilística intencional pertencentes às modalidades: natação = 37; tênis de mesa = 19; atletismo = 19; halterofilismo = 7, sendo 60 do sexo masculino e 22 do feminino, na faixa etária de 15 a 51 anos, participantes dos campeonatos mundiais nas referidas modalidades esportivas no ano de 2002. Utilizando-se como instrumento o prontuário médico do Departamento Médico do Comitê Paraolímpico Brasileiro preenchidos nesses eventos (técnica da observação através da história clínica - esportiva do atleta/anamnese (entrevistas com os atletas) e exame físico), os resultados revelaram prevalência de lesões nos atletas de atletismo (MMII = 64,9%, coluna = 19,3% e MMSS = 15,8%); halterofilismo (coluna = 54,5%, MMSS = 36,4% e MMII = 9,1%); natação (MMSS = 44,4%, coluna = 38,9 e MMII = 16,7%) e tênis de mesa (MMSS = 56%, coluna = 36% e MMII = 8%). Tais resultados nos permitem concluir que a prática esportiva de atletas paraolímpicos, pela intensidade de esforços na tentativa de superação, provoca lesões dessa natureza, o que recomenda diagnóstico e tratamento precoces, além de fortalecer as medidas preventivas dos atletas.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has high metabolic activity and secretes a larger number of adipokines that are related to the inflammatory process. Quantifying VAT could estimate the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). This study was designed to determine the VAT cut-off points assessed by DXA associated with MetS in military men. In total, 270 (37.5 ± 6.9 years) military men from the Brazilian Army (BA) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, assessment of body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), hemodynamics and biochemical tests were performed. The Student’s t test, independent samples, Person’s correlation, ROC curve, Youden Index and positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were used. The MetS prevalence was 27.4%, which means that 74 (38.0 ± 7.3 years) military men had at least three risk factors of MetS present. The cutoff point of VAT with the highest balance between sensitivity (77.0%) and specificity (69.9%) was 1025.0 cm³ (1086.0 g). An area on the ROC curve was 0.801 (p < 0.000), which was very good precision. VAT ≥ 1025.0 cm³ (1086.0 g) is associated with the risk factors of MetS and is, therefore, a predictor of the disease with good indicators of sensitivity and specificity and a robust indicator of MetS.

Introducción: en el campo de la evaluación antropométrica, la validación y precisión de los calibres de pliegues cutáneos son fundamentales en el conocimiento efectivo de la composición corporal.Objetivo: el objetivo del estudio fue evaluar y comparar 5 modelos de calibre de pliegues cutáneos, uno de ellos digital -Prime Vision (PV), y los mecánicos Harpenden (HP), Sanny (SN), Cescorf (CE) y Lange (LA)-, a través de la densidad y grasa corporal.Material y métodos: formaron parte del estudio 35 hombres (21,5 ± 2,7 años; 72,22 ± 8,04 kg; 1,76 ± 0,06 m). Fueron medidos 9 pliegues cutáneos (tríceps, bíceps, subescapular, pectoral, axilar medio, suprailiaca iliaca, abdominal, muslo y pantorilla medial) y utilizadas 4 ecuaciones predictivas de la grasa corporal (Durnin y Womersley, Pollock de 3DC, Pollock 7DC y Petroski). Para la evaluación de los pliegues cutáneos fueron utilizados 5 modelos de calibres de pliegues cutáneos. Para verifi car la distribución de la muestra fue utilizado el test de Shapiro Wilk. Para realizar la comparación de la densidad y grasa corporal en los diferentes calibres, se utilizó el test estadístico ANOVAdos vías con un post hoc de Scheffe. Para la comprobación estadística fue adoptado un p < 0,05.Resultados: no fue posible identifi car diferencias significativas entre la densidad y la grasa corporal en los 5 calibres utilizados.Conclusión: los 5 calibres de pliegues cutáneos evaluados son precisos y eficientes para evaluar y cuantificar la DC y la grasa corporal.

Objetivo: Analizar las características antropométricas de futbolistas profesionales del club deportivo Ñublense divididos de acuerdo a la posición que ocupan en el campo de juego. Método: Participaron ciento cincuenta y ocho (n=158) jugadores profesionales de Futbol divididos en Arqueros (AR) Defensas (DEF) Volantes (VOL) y Delanteros (DEL), todos pertenecientes al Club Deportivo Ñublense de la ciudad de Chillan, Chile. Se realizó una valoración de la composición corporal utilizando el fraccionamiento en 5 componentes, somatotipo, índice de masa corporal, suma de seis pliegues cutáneos y la relación músculo-óseo, siguiendo el protocolo de la International Society for the Advancements of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Resultados: En cuanto a la composición corporal se obtuvieron valores porcentuales de Masa Adiposa=21.7%, Masa Muscular=48.9%, Masa Residual=12.4%, Masa Osea=11.4% y Masa Piel=5.2%. En relación al somatotipo se obtuvo una clasificación mesomorfico balanceado con valores medios 2.5-5.4-2.1. Conclusión: Los jugadores profesionales del club de futbol Ñublense de acuerdo a la posición que ocupan en el terreno de juego, presentan un somatotipo similar al de otros futbolistas nacionales e internacionales, donde predomina el componente mesomórfico balanceado. Sin embargo, se observa una elevación de los porcentajes de masa adiposa (MA) y una menor talla, en comparación a futbolistas internacionales, lo que pueden determinar claras diferencias en el rendimiento respecto a las posiciones de juego en situaciones competitivas. Objective: Analyze the anthropometric characteristics of Chilean professional soccer players divided according to the position they occupy in the field of play. Method: One hundred and fifty-eight (n = 158) professional soccer players divided into Archers (AR) Defenses (DEF) Volantes (VOL) and Forwards (FOR), with average Age values (24.2 ±4.76 years, body mass 75.0±7.28 kg and height 175.7±6.32 cm.), All belonging to the Ñublense Sports Club of the city of Chillan, Chile. An assessment of the body composition was made using the 5 component fractionation, somatotype, body mass index, sum of six skinfolds and the muscle-bone relationship, following the protocol of the International Society for the Advancements of Kinanthropometry. Results: Regarding body composition, mean values of Adipose Mass = 21.7%, Muscular Mass = 48.9%, Residual Mass = 12.4%, Bone Mass = 11.4% and Skin Mass = 5.2% were obtained. In relation to the somatotype, a balanced mesomorphic classification was obtained with mean values 2.5 - 5.4 - 2.1. Conclusion: According to the position they occupy on the pitch, the professional players of the Ñublense soccer club present a somatotype similar to that of other national and international soccer players, where the balanced mesomorphic component predominates. However, there is an increase in the percentages of adipose mass (AM) and a smaller stature, compared to international soccer players, which can determine clear differences in performance with respect to playing positions in competitive situations.