Generally, cardiovascular anatomy and dysfunction is not well described in Morquio A disease. The publication identifies increased carotid elasticity in Morquio A patients, which is an unexpected contrast to the reduced elasticity observed in other Mucopolysaccharidosis (MSP) patients.
The co-author of the article is Nick Evanoff, doctoral student in the School and member of LIHP.
The 4-year grant, “Prolonged Daily Fasting As A Viable Alternative to Caloric Restriction In At-Risk Obese Humans,” examines the role of prolonged fasting in metabolic changes that are associated with timed restricted eating.
The article examines a handheld method, electrical impedance myography (EIM), that determines regional and total body composition against dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The study comprised of 69 young individuals, and each participant’s total and regional (i.e. upper arms and upper legs) body fat percentage was estimated using EIM and DXA. The study found that EIM produces similar values of total body fat percentage, but was not accurate in the measurement of regional measures of body fat percentage.
Co-authors include Donald R. Dengel, PhD, kinesiology professor and director of the LIHP, and Katie Bisch and Christiana Raymond-Pope, PhD, graduates from the School of Kinesiology.
Co-authors of the publication include kinesiology doctoral student Kristin Wood, Andrew White, PhD, undergraduate kinesiology alumnae Amanda Wambach, and former visiting Fulbright Scholar Professor Victor Rubio of the University of Autonoma Madrid.
The award recognizes high-quality research that challenges current thinking, offers novel insights about a topic, and/or provides relevancy to a timely topic focused on women and girls in physical activity settings. It is given annually to a scholar of non-student status who has had an original research article published in the WSPAJ during the previous 12 months which makes a significant contribution to the field.
The article references the University of Wisconsin-Madison head football coach Paul Chryst‘s salary, and how 90 percent of his annual income is funded by private donors through the University of Wisconsin Foundation. King says, “It is not uncommon for some big-time schools to pay their coaches through a combination of private donations, booster clubs and from its department budgets.”
Kyota Takami, School of Kinesiology visiting scholar, will present in the CEHD International Speaker Series on Thursday, February 27 in Burton Hall 227 from 12 – 1 p.m. The talk, “Physical fitness and physical activity environment of preschool children in Japan,” introduces a longitudinal study of changes in physical fitness in preschool children, and an intervention study.
The research found that children’s physical fitness highly correlates with physical development. However, exercise that require skills, and those that require muscle endurance, have different periods of improvement between boys and girls. Therefore, although it is not necessary to provide children with training for each physical fitness element, these factors need to be taken into account when making childcare plans related to physical activity in kindergarten.
The study analyzes surface properties of turfgrass athletic fields regarding field-variability, and how global positioning system (GPS) impacts athlete performance. Additional authors include Chase M. Straw, Emily L. Kurtz, and Brian P. Horgan. The article is published in the Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology.
The meeting is an international hub for biologists, engineers, clinicians, surgeon-scientists, orthopaedic surgeons, veterinarians, and those in the field of musculoskeletal science and orthopaedic care. Co-authors of the poster include SMPRL members Jacob R. Sorensen, Trevor K. Johnson, Daniel B. Hoffman, as well as research collaborator Benjamin T. Corona.
The School of Kinesiology’s China Champions Program (CCP) is just one of the many collaborations between the University of Minnesota and China. CCP invites a group of elite Chinese athletes to the U of M to attend custom courses in the School, while touring professional athletic facilities and local cultural sites.
Participants in the U of M’s China Champions Program took in a Timberwolves game last month.
The program fosters an exchange of culture, education, and sport.
According to a recent StarTribune article, “Betting on China: Part One. Risk and Reward at the U,” Chinese students make up 45 percent of all international students. The U of M has a strong presence in Beijing high schools to recruit prospective students, and “records show that U leaders and faculty have made more than 700 trips to China in the past three years to recruit, pursue research collaborations, nurture relationships with alumni and sign partnership deals with Chinese universities.”
The publication discusses the positive effects of international research partnerships, and addresses federal concerns that China is repurposing science and technology from US campuses. According to Dr. Gao, the benefits of the collaboration are indisputable. “Partner researchers at a hospital in southern China were able to recruit hundreds of breast cancer survivors for a joint study on the benefits of sports watches — something that would have been challenging in the much less populous United States.”
Each new year, thousands of people commit to a few resolutions, and often, exercise if one of them. Research proves many individuals abandon their goals before February, however, Dr. Barr-Anderson emphasizes the importance of regular exercise and overcoming obstacles. “Choose an activity you like, or something you’ve been interested in or curious about. People are more likely to engage in an activity they enjoy or look forward to participating in,” recommends Barr-Anderson. “People often aren’t supportive because they don’t like to “exercise” or don’t like what “exercise” represents (i.e., working out hard, lots of sweating, running, doing movement that a person who is not currently moving will find intimidating). Exercise is really just moving your body, so try getting your friends and family engaged in activities that they find fun, not laborious or boring as exercise is often perceived to be, and promotes engagement between people.”
King recognizes the significance football has on colleges and universities throughout the United States. “Usually people identify their schools by their football programs,” says King. Although the UMN admission deadline has passed, the University may see an increase in applications in the future.
The 2019-2020 China Champion athlete-scholars will attend custom courses in the School of Kinesiology–including seminars, workshops, and lectures. During the spring semester, they will also engage with other international students in English as a Second Language classes. The China Champions cohort will attend university and professional sporting events and tour facilities. They are eager to meet young athletes and visit local schools, integrating themselves into the Twin Cities community. Touring Minnesota businesses, museums, and cultural sites will round out their experiences this year.
Xiao Han (Hannah) is a short track speed skater, and was a member of the China Short Track Speed Skating team until 2015. She was awarded a gold medal in the Ladies Short Track Speed Skating World Championship in 2012, and was Relay Champion in Shanghai and Sheffield, England in 2011-2012.
“After arriving in the US, the most exciting experience I’ve had was spending Thanksgiving with a local family. Although it made me miss home, I had the opportunity to meet new people and get acclimated to American culture.”
“When I watch ice hockey in Minnesota, it reminds me of being on the ice with China’s National Team. I hope I have a chance to participate in a friendly competition in the United States, and that more youth seek interest in short track speed skating, says Han.”
Shi Lyuchang (Rachel) is a Beijing Sport University volleyball player, originally from the Hebei province. She was most recently awarded the China Women’s Volleyball League Championship No. 1 title in 2019. Lyuchang began training at 10-years-old, and won her first championship game 3 years later.
“During my time in Minnesota, I hope to improve my English and learn from the U of M’s women’s volleyball team through different training methods. I wish them great luck at the national tournament!”
“When we are not in class, it has been wonderful to attend cultural and sporting events. Ice hockey is very enjoyable. It is an honor to be together as audience members while we watch this game with great passion! Perhaps I will try this sport during my time here.”
Dong Jiahui (Amy) is a member of the National Women’s Wrestling Team and a student in Beijing Sport University’s Affiliated School of Competitive Sports. After a series of first-place awards in the 55kg class of the National Women’s Freestyle Wrestling Tournaments, Jiahui was awarded first place in the 2015 Women’s Freestyle Wrestling French Class A Series.
“I have been very lucky to attend two sports games, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL) events. The atmosphere of the games and the audience’s desire for victory was unforgettable. When I arrived, all the fans who loved their team infected my emotions. I especially liked the feeling of cheering for the home team.”
“On Thanksgiving, Minnesota families hosted China Champions athletes, and we all had a wonderful time cooking and enjoying each other’s company. I’m very excited about this study abroad experience, says Jiahui.”
Liu Zhao (Zoey), a freestyle swimmer, has competed both locally and nationally on the Beijing Swimming team and China Swimming team. In 2016, Zhao was the China Swimming Champion in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay. “There’s an old saying in swimming—being away from the water for more than three days equals one month of training,” says Zhao. Good thing the University RecWell aquatic center is adjacent to the School of Kinesiology’s Cooke Hall!
“The NBA is very popular in China. It is a great honor for me to stand on an NBA court and experience American sports culture. Although the Minnesota Timberwolves lost their game, they never gave up. As for ice hockey, I have not seen this live or even broadcasted before coming to Minnesota. I don’t fully understand the rules, but the sport’s energy makes me enthusiastic!”
When Liu Siwen (Sarah) was 10-years-old, she left her hometown of Qigihaer, close to the Russian border, and professionally trained to enter the China Swimming team. While competing with the national team in 2015, Siwen won third place in the FINA Swimming World Cup Women’s 4x50m Medley Relay and first place in the China Swimming Championships Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay.
“I have seen three sports events in Minnesota, and all were new experiences for me. I will never forget the thrill of cheering the Gopher Men’s Basketball team to a win at [the University of Minnesota’s] Williams Arena. Next, I look forward to watching Gopher swim meets, and to gain insight into their training process. I love everything about swimming, from the practices, coaching, and social atmosphere. After I graduate from Beijing Sport University, I hope to coach women’s teams.”
Lin Yue (Ada) is a short track speed skater and was an athlete on the China Short Track Speed Skating team from 2014-2018. Among various awards, Yue was the 2016-2017 3000m winner of the Short Track Speed Skating World Championship.
“Since I arrived in Minnesota, I have already had a variety of amazing experiences, including having Thanksgiving with an American family of 14. I also love learning about the U of M’s history. I am very excited to watch a sports event live. Next weekend we have tickets for the Gopher Women’s Basketball match. I will shout my words of encouragement with people around me! This is one of the many charms of competitive sports.”
Wang Yuyan (Kay) was a member of the Chinese National Boxing team from 2012-2016, and currently serves on the Beijing Sport University Women’s Boxing team. In 2016, Yuyan earned second place title at the World Women’s Boxing Championship (class 48 kg), and in 2019 won first place in the National Women’s Boxing Championship.
“When I first arrived, I was amazed by the buildings, libraries, and resources at the U of M. The class atmosphere is academic-driven, with opportunities for fun and social events. The instructors encourage me to take diverse classes, which helps me feel more involved in the community.”
“I was extremely lucky to attend the Gopher Men’s Basketball game against Ohio State. The experience was simply fantastic! I am proud to wear maroon and gold, beams Yuyan.”
Liu Tianyue (Taylor) is a boxer on the Beijing Sport University team. Tianyue earned first place in the 2017 National Boxing Championship, and third in the 2018 National Championship.
“After watching my first NBA game, I was invited to the Minnesota Timberwolves court to try a free throw! Although I missed, it felt great. I also think ice hockey is the perfect combination of speed and power. They even boxed on the ice!”
“I hope to make new friends in Minnesota and meet others that are as passionate about sports as I am. If any Minnesotans are interested in boxing, I would love to train with you,” laughs Tianyue.
Welcome, China Champions! We look forward to not only teaching you about the U of M and local sports, but to also learn from you and your experiences.
The grant funds Dr. Dengel’s research studies on diabetes, and how the disease impacts an individual’s overall health and wellness. Co-Investigators of the project include Drs. Elizabeth R. Seaquist, Lisa D. Coles, and Lynn E. Eberly.
Greising presented “Optimizing Skeletal Muscle Function After Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury by Leveraging the Pathophysiology,” which featured SMPRL innovative research.
Michelle Harbin, MS doctoral student in the School of Kinesiology, recently published new research on secondhand smoke impacts on children and adolescents’ cardiovascular health. Harbin and colleagues studied the carotid artery in the neck brachial artery in the upper arm and abdominal aorta right above the belly button in 298 nonsmoking youth, ranging from 8 – 18 years old.
The study found that the carotid and brachial artery had no impact from secondhand smoke exposure, however, stiffness in the abdominal aorta increased. “Stiffness in this particular artery has been previously reported to exhibit increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of plaques that can restrict blood flow,” says Harbin.
