Olga Molinero

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of the EO SwimBETTER^® (EoLab, Sydney, Autralia) device for measuring kinetic and kinematic variables during 50 m and 200 m freestyle trials. Methods: Ten swimmers (seven males and three females, 20 ± 3.5 years) participated. Each completed three sets of 50 m using EO SwimBETTER^® on non-consecutive days, with a 200 m test performed during the third session after recovery to complete the Critical Swim Speed Test (CSS-T). All tests were conducted at maximal intensity. Results: The results showed high reliability for both kinetic and kinematic parameters. Regarding validity, the EO SwimBETTER^® demonstrated strong agreement with the reference device in measuring stroke frequency (SF). In addition, higher mean force values were found in the 50 m compared with the 200 m trial (Δ% = 8.75%, p = 0.099), suggesting sensitivity of the device to different exertion demands. Conclusions: Based on these findings, the EO SwimBETTER^® appears to be a useful and promising tool for monitoring technical and performance-related variables in swimming, although further research is needed.

Sport climbing has evolved into a demanding discipline where lower limb performance is increasingly relevant, particularly in indoor bouldering. This exploratory study aimed to identify trends in strength and flexibility variables of the lower limbs in 24 recreational climbers (17 males, seven females), classified by sex and climbing level. Male climbers showed significantly greater performance in all measures of strength and power, including vertical and horizontal jumps, pull-ups, and handgrip strength. In contrast, female climbers demonstrated superior lower-limb flexibility and hip mobility, with significant differences observed when normalized to height. They also showed slightly better ankle dorsiflexion, although this difference was not statistically significant. Climbing level (mean: 6c+) correlated significantly with pull-ups (r = 0.598, p = 0.002), relative grip strength (r = 0.440, p = 0.032), and fat mass (r = −0.415, p = 0.043). Despite the lack of association between lower-limb performance and climbing grade, unilateral tests such as the Hop Test and hip mobility assessments may hold value for injury prevention and movement control. These findings highlight that lower-limb training, particularly strength, unilateral control, and flexibility, should not be excluded from physical preparation in climbing. Preventive strategies focusing on joint stability are especially recommended for female climbers due to their higher joint laxity and increased ACL injury risk. Future research should incorporate climbing-specific assessments and explore these variables in other climber profiles, such as elite, youth, or injured athletes.

The age difference among individuals of the same group is known as Relative Age. Relative Age Effect refers to the consequences derived from it, such as delayed physical, cognitive and mental development of children born later in the year. The aim of this study was to observe the Relative Age Effect by analyzing players’ dates of birth throughout three seasons in the two professional football competitions in Spain based on the game positions and the teams' classification at the end of the season. The sample was made up of players (n=4097) from both professional competitions (nLaLiga Santander=1864), and (nLaLiga Smartbank=2233). The data were collected from two public-access football statistics websites. The cut-off date was established on January 1, the year was divided into four quartiles (Q1: January-March, Q2: April-June, Q3: July-September and Q4: October-December). Results confirmed significant differences on dates of births’ distribution (p<0.05) for the competitions — LaLiga Santander and LaLiga Smartbank — during three seasons, as well as for player position, with a larger effect observed for goalkeepers and defenders. Significant difference was also observed depending on classification. Results show a clear decreasing percentage of those born in quartile 4 in relation to those born in quartile 1, it can be concluded that the Relative Age Effect phenomenon is present in the Spanish professional football which may lead to an inappropriate talent selection technique in football, with recruitment oriented to the short term, to immediate results, and possibly caused by the early start of the player selection process.

El viraje es uno de los componentes esenciales de las pruebas de natación, siendo el gesto técnico que deberá realizar un nadador para llevar a cabo el cambio de sentido de desplazamiento en el momento que llega al final del vaso. El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue diseñar y poner en práctica un programa de entrenamiento específico que permitiera el perfeccionamiento de la técnica de los virajes de estilo crol. Participaron 14 nadadores (ocho hombres y seis mujeres), edad media 15.29 ± 2.32 años, que fueron divididos en tres grupos: control, experimental 1 y experimental 2. Se realizó una primera sesión de grabación de virajes (Toma 1), analizando los tiempos y velocidades de aproximación y separación, así como el lugar de contacto con la pared y la posición adoptada por los pies en el momento del impulso. Posteriormente, ambos grupos experimentales, realizaron durante ocho semanas, un Programa de Entrenamiento Intensificado de Virajes de Estilo Crol (PEIVEC). Además, el grupo experimental 2, recibió un feedback sensorial intrínseco a través de unos sensores de viraje (SV). Finalizado el programa, se llevó a cabo una segunda grabación (Toma 2), a fin de comprobar los efectos del mismo. Los resultados obtenidos permiten afirmar que tras intervención se produjeron mejoras cuantitativas a favor de los grupos experimentales, fundamentalmente en lo referido a la fase de separación, y cualitativas, al analizar el lugar de contacto de los pies en la pared. El mayor porcentaje de mejora entre tomas se produjo en el grupo experimental 2 (PEIVEC + SV). The crawl flip turn is one of the essential components of the swimming tests, and it is the technical skill that a swimmer must perform to carry out the change of direction of displacement at the moment he reaches the end of the pool. The main aim of this research was to design and implement a specific training program that would improve the technique of front crawl flip turns. 14 swimmers participated (eight men and six women), mean age 15.29 ± 2.32 years, which were divided into three groups: control, experimental 1 and experimental 2. A first session of turns recording (Data 1) was carried out, analyzing times and speeds of approach and separation, as well as the place of contact with the wall and the adopted position by feet at the moment of impulse. Afterwards, both experimental groups performed an Intensified Training Program for Front Crawl Turns (ITPFCT) during eight weeks. In addition, experimental group 2 received intrinsic sensory feedback through flip-turning sensors (FTV). At the end of the program, a second recording was made (Data 2), in order to check its effects. The results obtained allow us to affirm that the intervention produced quantitative improvements in experimental groups separation phase, and qualitatively in the place of contact of the feet on the wall. The highest percentage of improvement between intakes occurred in experimental group 2 (ITPFCT + FTV).

Osteoarticular diseases are one of the effects of aging, and they are related to physical, psychological, and social functions. Physical activity seems to slow the start and progression of these kinds of illnesses and presents benefits for psychosocial health. The main aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of physical activity level (Yale Physical Activity Survey) on quality of life (SF-36 Health Questionnaire), subjective psychological well-being (Psychological Well-being Scale), and depression levels (Geriatric Depression Scale), depending on osteoarticular illness. The sample consisted of 263 Spanish adults aged 65 to 98 years who had high or low physical activity (assessed by YPAS Questionnaire) and osteoarticular disease. Results show that physical activity influences the perceived quality of life, depression levels, and subjective well-being in older adults regardless of osteoarticular disease. The present study suggests the need for promoting physical exercise due to its proven positive impact on older adults’ mental health, entailing a significant reduction in the risks of suffering from a variety of frequent diseases and disorders.

The aim of the present research was to observe the relative age effect on professional soccer players of the ten best leagues of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), according to the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics). The sample consisted of 5201 professional players who participated in the professional leagues during the 2016-2017 season. The birth date of each player was classified in four quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4). The frequencies (fr) and percentages (%) of the birth quartiles were analyzed. The chi square test (X-2) and degrees of freedom (gl) were performed to check the differences in the intergroup distribution. Likewise, odd ratios were calculated for the different quartiles, where Q4 was the reference group according to the different leagues studied, playing positions (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward) and classification (first four places, half-of the table and four last places). To calculate the size of the effect on the nominal variables, the Cramer V test was carried out. The results confirmed a greater representation of players born in Q1 and Q2, indicating statistically significant values (p < 0.05) for all the leagues studied, except in the Eerste Klasse A (Belgium). This significance was repeated for the demarcation variables in the field, with a greater effect in the case of the midfielders. Finally, the RAE also affected the three groups according to teams' classification. The conclusions confirm the effect of the RAE in the sample studied, which would require a review of the talent selection processes in football in order to balance the chances of success of players born at the end of the year.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir las respuestas de ansiedad y las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas por judokas de competición de diferente categoría de sexo, nivel de rendimiento, experiencia y categoría de edad deportiva. El estudio se llevó a cabo con 58 judokas españoles de competición. Se les aplicó una batería de test compuesta por un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos, el CSAI-2R y el ISRA-B versión respuestas para evaluar la ansiedad y autoconfianza. Por último, el cuestionario ISCCS para evaluar estrategias de afrontamiento en competición. Los resultados mostraron que las mujeres, los judokas de bajo rendimiento, los judokas más experimentados y las categorías superiores (junior y sénior) son los que presentaron mayores niveles de ansiedad y menor autoconfianza. Los resultados correlacionales mostraron que las estrategias más utilizadas por los judokas eran las orientadas a la tarea (TOC), aunque ante la presencia de ansiedad ponían en marcha estrategias orientadas a la emoción (EOC), las cuales no se asocian en la literatura con un buen rendimiento en competición. Además, altos niveles de autoconfianza correlacionaron de forma positiva con estrategias orientadas a la distracción (DOC). La implicación práctica de este trabajo radica en la utilidad de esta información para la mejora y optimización de estrategias de afrontamiento en judokas de competición.

Resilience is important in sport performers to withstand the pressure they experience. This study analyzed the relationship among resilient qualities and coping strategies in 235 Spanish athletes (126 males, 109 females; M age = 20.7 yr) who practiced different sports (79.1% team sports, 20.9% individual sports). They were evaluated at the beginning of the last competitive mesocycle and after an important competition. Coping strategies and level of resilient qualities were measured by the Coping Inventory for Competitive Sport and the Resilience Scale. There was no significant difference in resilience scores between evaluations performed during the last mesocycle or competition. A significant increase occurred in the scores for emotion-oriented and distraction-oriented coping during competition. Resilience scores correlated positively to task-oriented coping and negatively to disengagement- and distraction-oriented coping during both periods. Analysis of variance indicated that athletes with high individual resilient qualities reached higher scores in task-oriented coping, using to a lower extent disengagement- and distraction-oriented coping. Results obtained suggest that resilient characteristics may associate in athletes to the use of more potentially adaptative coping strategies.