Complete paucity of any data regarding the influence of habitual dance on cardiovascular-pulmonary fitness and body composition of female dancers prompted this study in which 12 female dancers and 12 sedentary female students of the same age range participated as subjects. Maximal oxygen intake was determined on the treadmill, body composition was calculated from skinfolds and vital signs were determined besides measurements of height and weight. Dancers had significantly lower weight, lower resting heart rate, and lower diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure was also lower in dancers but the difference between the means did not reach statistical significance. Maximal oxygen intake was higher in dancers when expressed in relative terms. Dancers had also significantly lower total body fat. In conclusion, it seems tha, dance with all the variations, should be encouraged in schools as a suitable behavioral modifier of sedentary habits and for maintenance of physical fitness and ideal weight.

Background Prader-Willi-Syndrome (PWS) is characterized by hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. Recent research suggests starting growth hormone-treatment (GHT) as soon as possible. The aim of this study is to analyze possible differences in auxological parameters, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism between two groups of children with PWS that started GHT either during or after their first year of life. Study design Retrospective longitudinal study of 62 children (31 males) with genetically confirmed PWS. Upon diagnosis all children were offered GHT, some started immediately, others commenced later. Cohort A (n = 21; 11 males) started GHT at 0.3–0.99 yrs. (mean 0.72 yrs) and Cohort B (n = 41; 20 males) commenced GHT at 1.02–2.54 yrs. (mean 1.42 yrs) of age. Fasting morning blood samples and auxological parameters were obtained before the start of therapy and semi-annually thereafter. Differences between the two cohorts were estimated with a linear mixed-effect model. Results Mean length/height-SDSPWS differed significantly between the groups [1 yr: A: 0.37 (±0.83) vs B: 0.05 (±0.56); 5 yrs.: A: 0.81 (±0.67) vs B: 0.54 (±0.64); p = 0.012]. No significant differences were found in BMI, lean body mass or body fat. Low-density cholesterol was significantly lower in A than in B [LDL: 1 yr: A: 79 (±20) mg/dl vs B: 90 (±19) mg/dl; 5 yrs.: A: 91(±18) mg/dl vs 104 (±26) mg/dl; p = 0.024]. We found significant differences in the glucose homeostasis between the groups [fasting insulin: p = 0.012; HOMA-IR: p = 0.006; HbA1c: p < 0.001; blood glucose: p = 0.022]. Conclusions An early start of GHT during the first year of life seems to have a favorable effect on height-SDS and metabolic parameters.

Introduction: Prader-Willi-Syndrom (PWS) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder characterized by hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. Various characteristic clinical features and several endocrinological problems such as hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, Growth hormone (GH) and adrenal deficiency have been described. Since GH-Therapy (GHT) was approved the physical benefits of the treatment have been established in many studies. It is now recommended to start treatment as soon as possible. The aim of this study is to shed light on possible differences in height, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism between children with PWS in whom GHT was initiated either during or after their first year of life. Patients and Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study included 62 children (31 males) with genetically confirmed PWS in whom fasting morning blood samples and auxological parameters were obtained before start of therapy and semi-annually thereafter. The early treatment cohort A consisted of 21 (11 males) infants who were recruited at 0.3–0.99 yrs (mean 0.72 yrs) for GHT. The later treatment cohort B entailed 41 individuals (20 males) in whom GHT was initiated at 1.02–2.54 yrs (mean 1.42 yr). Results: Auxology: Mean length/height-SDSPWS differed significantly throughout the entire observation period between the groups: 1 yr: A: 0.37 (±0.83) vs B: 0.05 (±0.56); 5 yrs: A: 0.81 (±0.67) vs. B: 0.54 (±0.64); p=0.012). No significant differences were found in BMI, lean body mass or percent body fat. Endocrinological Parameters: Mean IGF-I SDS in group A did not differ significantly from group B and mean IGF-I SDS were mostly below 0 SDS (within normal range) in both groups.Lipid Metabolism: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was statistically significantly lower in Group A than in Group B during the entire course of the study (LDL: 1 yr: A: 79 (±20) mg/dl vs. B: 90 (±19) mg/dl; 5 yrs: A: 91(±18) mg/dl vs. 104 (±26) mg/dl; p=0.024).Carbohydrate Metabolism: Significant differences in mean fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR between the two groups were found (fasting insulin p=0.012; HOMA-IR p=0.006). Significant differences in HbA1c and blood glucose levels were also determined between the two groups (HbA1c: p&lt;0.001; blood glucose: p=0.022). Conclusion:Our analysis shows that early GHT had a statistically significant favorable effect on height-SDS, LDL, HOMA-IR and fasting insulin. The two groups did not significantly differ in BMI-SDS, body composition or IGF-I SDS.