This study describes the patterns of objectively measured sitting, standing and stepping in obese children using the activPALTM and highlights possible differences in sedentary levels and patterns during weekdays and weekends. Sixty-five obese children, aged 9-11 years, were recruited from primary schools in Terengganu, Malaysia. Sitting, standing and stepping were objectively measured using an activPALTM accelerometer over a period of 4-7 days. Obese children spent an average of 69.6% of their day sitting/lying, 19.1% standing and 11.3% stepping. Weekdays and weekends differed significantly in total time spent sitting/lying, standing, stepping, step count, number of sedentary bouts and length of sedentary bouts (p < 0.05, respectively). Obese children spent a large proportion of their time sedentarily, and they spent more time sedentarily during weekends compared with weekdays. This study on sedentary behaviour patterns presents valuable information for designing and implementing strategies to decrease sedentary time among obese children, particularly during weekends.

This study investigated the effects of combined aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation on blood bone metabolism markers and muscular power in adult women. METHODS: Forty-four healthy sedentary women (25-40 year-old) were age and weight matched, and subsequently being assigned into four groups with n=11 per group: Control (C), honey supplementation (H), aerobic dance exercise (Ex) and combined aerobic dance exercise with honey supplementation (HEx) groups. Aerobic dance exercise was carried out for one hour per session, three times per week for eight weeks. Blood samples were taken to determine the concentrations of serum total calcium, osteocalcin (bone formation marker), serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP) (bone resorption marker), and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Meanwhile, subjects' lower limb muscular power was measured. RESULTS: At the end of 8-weeks of experimental period, serum 1CTP concentration was significant greater in post-test than pre-test in Ex group. The percentage increment in 1CTP was the highest in Ex group. Meanwhile, the percentages of increment in 1CTP and PTH concentrations in HEx group were the lowest compared to the other experimental groups. Regarding muscular performance, Ex and HEx exhibited more discernable beneficial effects on lower limb average power compared to the H and C groups. CONCLUSION: Combination of aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation has potential to reduce the increment in bone resorption resulting from exercise, and this combination could enhance lower limb muscular power in sedentary women.

To date, information on the effectiveness of combined aerobic dance exercise with honey supplementation on immune function in women is lacking. The present study investigated the effects of 8 weeks of combined aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation on blood immune function parameters in adult women. In this study, forty four healthy sedentary women (25–40 year-old) were assigned into four groups with n = 11 per group: sedentary without supplementation control (Con), honey supplementation (H), aerobic dance exercise (D) and combined aerobic dance exercise with honey supplementation (HD) groups. Aerobic dance exercise was carried out for one hour per session, three sessions per week for eight weeks. Honey drink was consumed by H and HD groups, in a dosage of 20 g of honey diluted in 300 ml of plain water, consumed 7 days a week for 8 weeks. In HD group, the participants were required to consume honey drink 30 min before performing exercise. Before and after 8 weeks of experimental period, blood samples were taken to determine the concentrations of immune parameters which include full blood counts and immunophenotyping measurements. It was found that after 8 weeks of experimental period, there were statistically significant increases in T cytotoxic (CD8) (p < 0.05) in HD group. Additionally, the percentages increase in total lymphocyte counts, T helper (CD4), and T cytotoxic (CD8) counts after 8 weeks were the highest in HD group among all the groups. As conclusion, combined aerobic dance and honey supplementation may have potential to enhance immune functions in women.

Precise information on the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on biochemical status in humans is still lacking. Hence, this study investigated the effectiveness of three or six sessions of low energy ESWT on serum bone metabolism markers in individuals who have undergone post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Participants with ACL injuries were assigned into three groups (n=10 per group), i.e. physiotherapy alone without ESWT (control), three sessions of ESWT combined with physiotherapy (3ESWT), and six sessions of ESWT combined with physiotherapy (6ESWT) groups. Serum bone metabolism markers, i.e. osteocalcin (OCN), human Cross Linked C-telopeptide of Type 1 Collagen (CTX1), calcium, and phosphorus were measured at weeks 0, 2, 9, 12, and 6 months post ACL reconstruction. Serum OCN and CTX1 concentrations within the 3ESWT and 6ESWT groups across the five measurements were not significantly different. However, serum calcium concentrations at weeks 2, 9, and 12 were significantly higher compared to their respective baseline values for all three groups. Shockwave therapy had no significant effect on bone resorption and formation markers postoperatively. Six sessions of shockwave therapy (6ESWT) elicited the highest serum calcium level at week 12 post-operatively among all the groups. More studies are warranted to substantiate these findings.

A major health threat for children in the 21st century is physical inactivity in conjunction with the elevated prevalence of obesity. In Malaysia, low physical activity among children is a major concern. The objective of the study was to analyze the day to day variation of step count in a sample of obese children using the activPAL TM monitor. This was a cross sectional study conducted in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. The sample compromised 41 boys and 24 girls between the ages of 9-11 years. Number of steps was objectively measured using an activPAL TM accelerometer over a period of 4-7 days and had their height and weight measured.Mean step count from this sample of obese children was 8861 ± 3157steps. Steps per day were significantly higher for boys compared to girls (p=0.034). Obese children took significantly more steps at weekdays than on weekends (p=0.001).