Iñaki Llodio

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a 12-week program of a healthy back school (HBS) on functional capacity and musculoskeletal pain perception in adult women. Nine women between 36 and 61 years old participated in a 12-week healthy back gravity program. At the beginning of the program (T1), at 6 (T2) and 12 weeks (T3), a functional assessment was carried out using the functional movement screen (FMS™) and the passive straight-leg-raise test (PSLR), and participants completed the brief pain inventory (BPI). After 6 weeks of intervention, there were significant differences in 5 of the 10 functional variables analyzed (P <0.01 and P <0.05; η² = 0.30 to 0.77, small to large), and in 7 of the 10 variables analyzed at 12 weeks of intervention (P <0.01 and P <0.05; η² = 0.48 to 0.88, medium to large). In addition, the pain reported by the participants decreased in all pain areas analyzed. In BPI, the program was effective between T1 and T2 for the improvement of Sleep (P <0.05; η² = 0.30 to 0.77, small to large), and between T1 and T3 total pain at work, work as cause of pain, and degree of pain at work increased (P <0.01 and P <0.05; η² = 0.40 to 0.69 medium to large). The analyzed HBS program appears to effectively improve functionality and reduce pain perception in adult females.

The purpose was to design and validate a battery of physical tests, called EFEPD-1.0, adapted to assess functionality in people with disabilities. In addition, we sought to analyze the validity and reliability of this battery both for the total group and differentiated by sex. A total of 43 adults with disabilities (32 women and 11 men) participated (57.11 ± 10.12 years). The battery was composed of five blocks of functionality: neuromuscular, combined actions, acceleration, balance, and cardiovascular. The neuromuscular functionality was measured by the vertical and horizontal jump test using the optical system (Opto Jump Next^®, Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) as well as the Hand Grip (HG) test using a (5030J1, Jamar^®, Sammons Preston, Inc, Nottinghamshire, UK) hand dynamometer. The combined actions and balance functionality were assessed with the Time Up and Go (TUG) test, the 30 s Chair Stand (30CTS) test, and the One-Leg Stance (OLS) test measured by a manual stopwatch (HS-80TW-1EF, Casio^®, Tokyo, Japan). The acceleration functionality was evaluated through 20 m sprints and the 505 change of direction (COD505) test, using the (Microgate, Witty^®, Bolzano, Italy) photocell system. The cardiovascular functionality was evaluated with the Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), where heart rate was monitored using the (Polar Team Sport System^®, Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland), and additional walking mechanics were recorded with Stryd (Stryd Everest 12 Firmware 1.18 Software 3, Stryd Inc., Boulder, CO, USA). The results showed that the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged from moderate to almost perfect (ICC = 0.65–0.98) between test repetitions. Some tests could significantly differentiate (p < 0.05) men and women, highlighting better neuromuscular capacity in men and better balance in women. The correlations between tests showed significant convergent validity. The Evaluation of Functionality in the Disabled Population (EFEPD-1.0) battery not only consistently measures functional capacities in people with disabilities, but it can also discriminate between different subgroups within this population.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the repeatability and validity of different methods to determine the anaerobic threshold through a maximal multistage cycling test; Methods: In total, 17 male endurance-trained athletes [7 cyclists and 10 triathletes, age 33.2 ± 6.9 yr, workload at maximal lactate steady state (MLSS_W) 268 ± 27 W] participated in the study. The participants performed a maximal multistage cycling test twice to analyze the repeatability of the anaerobic threshold (AT) using nine different methods. In the remaining sessions, several 20 min constant load tests were performed to determine MLSS_W (gold standard); Results: The workload corresponding to 73% of the maximal power (AT_73Pmax) showed the best repeatability followed by the Dmax method calculated from the blood lactate concentration ([La⁻]) associated with the Minimum Lactate Equivalent and final [La⁻] (Dmax_LE). Validity analyses showed that all AT determined in the present study were strong predictors of MLSS_W, however, AT_73Pmax and the workloads at 1.5 mmol·L⁻¹ above the first lactate threshold significantly underestimated MLSS_W. The use of correction equations for these variables lowered their absolute mean bias to LE and workload associated with the 86% of the maximal heart rate showed the narrowest limits of agreement to estimate MLSS_W closely followed by corrected AT_73Pmax; Conclusions: AT_73Pmax, using the correction equation and Dmax_LE, stand out as powerful predictors of MLSS_W among the variables analyzed in the present study in trained cyclists or triathletes. Sports physiologists and coaches can use corrected AT_73Pmax and Dmax_LE to accurately assess athletes’ endurance capacity and prescribe their training.

Background: The objective of this systematic review is to analyze the influence of carbohydrate (CHO) intake on physical and technical aspects, glucose and muscle glycogen levels, fatigue, cognition, and gastrointestinal comfort involved in the performance of soccer players, as well as to examine whether there are any differences between men and women. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SportDiscus, resulting in 61 selected articles. The PRISMA recommendations and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews guidelines were followed. Results: The results indicate that CHO intake before and during the match improves speed and the number of sprints, attenuates the decrease in shooting accuracy and speed, increases time to fatigue, and enhances cognitive function. There is no consensus on passing, dribbling, jumping, or agility improvements. Glucose levels drop during the first 15 min of the second half without affecting performance. Conclusions: It is recommended that players ingest 6–8 g/kg/d of CHO the day before, a meal with 1–3 g/kg 3–4 h before, and 30–60 g/h during the match. Muscle glycogen drops drastically at the end of the match, remaining low at 48 h. Hence, 1–1.5 g/kg/h is recommended during the first 4 h, starting from the first 20 min. Female soccer players have a similar physical demand to men, and energy availability is low, especially in the post-match periods, as they underestimate their energy expenditure and do not consume enough CHO. Therefore, the recommended guidelines should be followed, individualized, and periodized according to each athlete’s energy needs.

Background: Sleep is essential for health, especially during adolescence. However, most adolescents do not obtain the recommended 8 to 10 h of sleep, and their health is significantly affected. While both physical activity (PA) and diet have been shown to help improve the sleep quality and duration, the combined association of these two factors with sleep has yet to be analysed. Objectives: Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the evidence on the combined association of PA and diet with the quality and duration of sleep in adolescents. Secondary objectives were to analyse the evidence on the single association of PA with the quality and duration of sleep in adolescents and to analyse the single association of diet with the quality and duration of sleep in adolescents. Methods: To this end, a scoping review was conducted with a structured search in four online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ERIC). Results: The findings suggest that the amount of PA (time/week) and healthy dietary patterns, characterised by meal regularity and high consumption of fruits and vegetables, favour a better quality and a longer duration of sleep. Conversely, less weekly PA and the intake of less healthy foods, such as ultra-processed foods, are associated with decreasing the sleep quality and duration. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results underscore the importance of considering PA and diet as an appropriate approach to investigating sleep quality and duration in adolescents. Studies analysing the interplay between PA, diet and sleep in adolescents are scarce.

(1) Background: The main goals of this study were to describe the physical activity (PA) and sleep habits of 8–12-year-old children according to their gender and to evaluate the relationship between PA and sleep habits (i.e., duration and timing). (2) Methods: A total of 236 children (114 boys and 122 girls) completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and an ad hoc sleep habits questionnaire. (3) Results: Boys were more physically active than girls (2.62 ± 0.51 vs. 2.46 ± 0.48, p = 0.026) and enacted higher PA levels in school recess (3.82 ± 1.36 vs. 3.56 ± 1.38, p = 0.003), during the afternoon (3.37 ± 1.20 vs. 2.89 ± 1.12, p = 0.003), and during weekends (3.54 ± 1.20 vs. 3.18 ± 0.48, p = 0.009). Per sleep habits, boys had a significantly later bedtime (21:53 ± 2:08 vs. 21:34 ± 2:14, p = 0.009) and a significantly smaller total sleep duration (9.64 ± 0.86 vs. 9.89 ± 0.87 h, p = 0.023) than girls. No significant correlations between PA and sleep habits were found. (4) Conclusions: We found differences in the PA and sleep habits between school-age boys and girls. Institutions and entities should consider designing specific interventions to improve PA and sleep habits according to gender.

Testuingurua:Adineko pertsonek pairatzen dituzten erorikoak munduko osasun publikoko arazo nagusi bat dira. Ariketa fisikoa aukera erabilgarria eta potentzialki errentagarria izan daiteke adinekoen erorketa kopurua gutxitzeko. Hala ere, eztabaidagai da adineko pertsonen artean erorketak gutxitzera bideratuta dagoen ariketa fisikoez osatutako programak zer-nolako ezaugarriak izan behar dituen. Helburua:Osagai anitzeko ariketa-programen eragina aztertu duten ikerketak sistematikoki berrikustea, adineko pertsona osasuntsuen erorketa-intzidentzian eta arrisku-faktoreetan. Metodoa:2005. urtetik aurrera argitaratutako ikerketen bilaketa sistematiko bat egin zen PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library eta Dialnet-eko datu-baseetan inklusio- eta kanporatze-irizpideak kontuan izanda. Emaitzak:Guztira 17 artikuluk osatu zuten berrikuspen sistematikoa, gehienak (% 88) ausazko kontrol-saiakuntzak izanik. Artikuluetako parte-hartzaileen batez besteko adina 65,4 eta 83,4 urte bitartekoa izan zen. Aztertutako 17 ikerketetatik 15 ikerketatan talde esperimentalek emaitza positiboak izan zituzten erorketa-intzidentzian edo erorketen arrisku-faktoreetan. Sei ikerketatan jarduera fisikodun esku-hartzeak emaitza positiboak ekarri zituen erorketa-intzidentzian, bost ikerketak, ordea, ez zuten eragin esanguratsurik aurkitu. Hamahiru ikerketatan osagai anitzeko ariketak egiteak eragin positiboa izan zuen erorketen arrisku-faktoreetan. Ondorioak:Orokorrean osagai anitzeko ariketen programak baliagarriak izan ziren adineko pertsonen erorketak edo erorketa-arriskuak murrizteko. Hala ere, astean saio gutxi egitea iraupen laburreko programa batean emaitza positiboak ez lortzearen arrazoia izan daiteke. Gainera, badirudi osagai anitzeko ariketa-programak ez direla hain eraginkorrak adin altua (80 urte ingurukoa) duten pertsona nagusien artean erorketa-intzidentzia murrizteko.

The aim of the present research was to describe the changes in the locomotor competence [i.e. sprint, change of direction ability (CODA) and jump capacity] of young runners from an athletic training school after one season, according to runners’ sex and age. Two hundred and forty-one young runners from an athletic training school were divided by sex (boys, n = 107, and girls, n = 134) and age [under 8 years old (U8, n = 70), under 10 years old (U10, n = 68), under 12 years old (U12, n = 45), under 14 years old (U14, n = 39) and under 16 years old (U16, n = 19)]. At the start of the training season (PRE) and at the end of the season (POST), the runners performed different tests in order to assess their locomotor competence. The results showed that boys and girls improved their performance during the season in the 5 m sprint (p = 0.000, ES = -0.58 to -0.74) and horizontal countermovement jump (HCMJ) (p = 0.000, ES = 0.51 to 1.02), and decreased it in the 15 m sprint test (p = 0.011 or p = 0.006, ES = 0.27 to 0.31), and only girls improved in change of direction ability (CODA) (p = 0.000, ES = -0.22 to -0.27). In addition, with respect to age categories, all groups improved their performance in the HCMJ (p = 0.000 - 0.005, ES > 0.40) and the 5 m sprint tests (p = 0.000 - 0.002, ES = -0.68 to -1.24). Although in the 505 test no group improved its result (p = 0.184 - 0.314, ES = -0.25 to 0.01), the U8 and U10 groups improved in the modified agility test (MAT) (p = 0.000 or p = 0.003, ES = -0.38 to -0.41). In conclusion, there are differences in the changes in the locomotor competence according to runners’ sex and age, so perhaps age- and sex-dependent specialization in training is necessary.