We compare the speed with which a sexual, respectively an asexual, population is able to respond to a biased selective pressure. Our model focuses on the Weismann hypothesis that the extra variation caused by crossing-over and recombination during sexual reproduction allows a sexual population to adapt faster. We find, however, that the extra variation amongst the progeny produced during sexual...

We study the evolution of mutation rates for an asexual population living on a static fitness landscape, consisting of multiple peaks forming an evolutionary staircase. The optimal mutation rate is found by maximizing the diffusion towards higher fitness. Surprisingly the optimal genomic copying fidelity is given by Qopt = e − 1 ln ν (where ν is the genome length), independent of all other para...

BACKGROUND State school physical education (PE) programmes are common throughout Greece. However, it is not known if the main objectives of the Greek PE curriculum are achieved. OBJECTIVE To assess the current national PE curriculum in relation to selected motor and cardiovascular health related fitness parameters. METHODS A sample of 84 Greek schoolboys (mean (SD) age 13.6 (0.3) years, hei...

BACKGROUND Most studies on physical fitness and detraining have been conducted on normal-weight children. Their results indicate that any gains regress to the untrained control values during the detraining period. It, therefore, seems necessary to determine how detraining affects the different fitness parameters in obese children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of detr...

The prolongation of the average life span of women has been associated with the rapidly aging society. However, serious problem have arisen as a result, such as an increase in the number of bed-ridden elderly patients with osteoporosis-associated femoral neck fracture. As preventive measures against osteoporosis for middle-aged to elderly women, 10,000 steps per day and intense exercise have be...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Several studies have demonstrated that physical fitness in childhood and adolescence is related to cardiovascular risk in adulthood. Current data on the physical fitness of Spanish adolescents are not available. Therefore, the aims of this study were: a) to assess the physical fitness of Spanish adolescents and establish reference values for use in health and educati...

in korea, hypertension has become more prevalent with the westernization of korean diets and lack of exercise. this study aimed at investigating the associations between physical fitness variables and hypertension status in korean women.the subjects were 9,216 women aged >20 years who visited a public health promotion center for physical fitness tests. cardiovascular respiratory fitness was eva...

Crops producing insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely planted and enable management of key insect pests while reducing the use of conventional insecticides. However, the evolution of Bt resistance could diminish these benefits. Fitness costs of Bt resistance occur in the absence of Bt toxin when individuals with resistance alleles show a reduction in fitn...

Aging induces decrease of locomotor capacity and its decrease is associated with an increased risk of falls. Several lines of evidence indicate that both change in muscle power and aerobic fitness are causative. Mobility tests are usually based on a maximal exercise stress test; however, this test is often difficult and sometimes frightening to older persons. Therefore, the objective of this st...