Optimum training programme during pregnancy to prevent gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: a systematic review

Gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia are hypertensive disorders which are the world’s leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality. Currently, evidences support the benefit of moderate physical exercise (PE) during uncomplicated pregnancies in the prevention of HTG and pre-eclampsia. However, there is no evidence on which kind of training is more effective for its prevention. The aim of this study was to analyze which kind of exercise, duration of the intervention and session, frequency and intensity produce the greatest benefits in the prevention of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia in women with uncomplicated pregnancies. An exhaustive search of PubMed and Web of Science was carried out until October 21, 2020. From 705 studies found, we analyzed 14 original full-text intervention articles in English or Spanish, with a PE program in pregnant women without complications, evaluating BP and including in their methodology, at least, frequency, duration, intensity, or kind of exercise. Exercise training in healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies reduces the incidence of HTG and preeclampsia. The program with most benefits is concurrent training combined with flexibility, with a minimum duration of 29 weeks, from the 8th-9th gestational week to 36, but can be extended until the end of pregnancy. It’s recommended to get to a training frequency equal to or greater than 3 days a week, with sessions at 50-70% of the maximum heart rate and 10-14 on the Borg Scale, and a duration of 45 and 60 minutes per session

The effect of elbow position on the handgrip strength test in children: validity and reliability of TKK 5101 and DynX dynamometers

Purpose: One of the most widely applied methods to assess upper-body strength in children and adolescents is the handgrip strength test. While in adolescents it has been determined which elbow position, and which type of dynamometer are most appropriate for achieving the maximal grip strength, in children is still not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether elbow position and the type of dynamometer affect the handgrip strength in children. Material: Grip strength was measured by TKK and DynX dynamometers, and their validity and reliability were also analysed. A total of 60 children, 6 to 11 years old, participated in this study, and performed the handgrip strength test with their elbow extended and flexed at 90 degrees. Results: While using the TKK dynamometer, grip strength was significantly higher when the test was performed with elbow extended, in contrast to those obtained with elbow flexed (14.58 +/- 3.04 kg vs 12.97 +/- 2.99 kg, p<0.001 for right, and 14.25 +/- 3.05 kg vs 12.61 +/- 2.99 kg, p<0.001 for left hand). Likewise, when using the DynX dynamometer, the difference between the two elbow positions was smaller but still significant (13.84 +/- 3.22 kg vs 13.35 +/- 3.01 kg, p=0.035 for right, and 13.35 +/- 2.95 kg vs 12.77 +/- 2.96 kg, p=0.003 for left hand). Conclusions: Both dynamometers provided sufficient results in terms of their reliability and the TKK dynamometer showed to be more valid. Performing the handgrip strength test with elbow extended appears to be the most appropriate position in order to obtain maximal results in children

Physical Activity Levels of Chilean Children in a National School Intervention Programme. A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background. Recess is a great opportunity to interrupt sedentary behaviour and increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in schoolchildren. This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the levels of physical activity (PA) during the school day of children in a school intervention programme vs. those in a control group, and to determine compliance with MVPA recommendations.Methods.A sample of 154 schoolchildren (6-12 years old) was obtained from several schools (70 with the intervention and 84 controls). This programme was structured with a duration of 90 min/session and performed three times/week. PA levels were recorded with triaxial accelerometers during the school day: during recess, during a PA session or physical education session (PE), and during lunchtime. No pre-intervention evaluation was performed.Results.The MVPA of the control group was higher than that of the intervention group during the first recess (p< 0.001). None of the groups complied with the recommendations for steps during the PA or PE sessions. During the PA session, sedentary time was lower and MVPA was higher, in the intervention group than in the control group. Fifty percent of the children from the intervention group complied with the MVPA recommendations, vs. 22.7% of those in the control group.Conclusions.The schoolchildren in the intervention group performed more MVPA than those in the control group. Future interventions could include other periods, such as recess and lunchtime, which are opportunities for improving the MVPA levels of schoolchildren

Validez y fiabilidad del test de correr-caminar 1/4 de milla en niños y adolescentes físicamente activos

We investigated the criterion-related validity and the reliability of the 1/4 mile run-walk test (MRWT) in children and adolescents. A total of 86 children (n=42 girls) completed a maximal graded treadmill test using a gas analyzer and the 1/4MRW test. We investigated the test-retest reliability of the 1/4MRWT in a different group of children and adolescents (n=995, n=418 girls). The 1/4MRWT time, sex, and BMI significantly contributed to predict measured VO2peak (R2= 0.32). There was no systematic bias in the cross-validation group (P>0.1). The root mean sum of squared errors (RMSE) and the percentage error were 6.9 ml/kg/min and 17.7%, respectively, and the accurate prediction (i.e. the percentage of estimations within ±4.5 ml/kg/min of VO2peak) was 48.8%. The reliability analysis showed that the mean inter-trial difference ranged from 0.6 seconds in children aged 6-11 years to 1.3 seconds in adolescents aged 12-17 years (all P<0.001). In conclusion, the present study shows that the criterion-related validity of the 1/4MRW test is relatively low in the sample of children and adolescents studied. Beside the statistical significance, the reliability of the 1/4MRWT was considered acceptable, i.e. mean difference between tests ranged from half second to one second.El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la validez de criterio y la fiabilidad del test de correr-caminar 1/4 de milla en jóvenes. Participaron un total de 86 jóvenes (42 niñas). Los participantes realizaron un test máximo en tapiz rodante para determinar el consumo de oxígeno pico (VO2pico), así como el test de correr-caminar 1/4 de milla. La fiabilidad test-retest se estudió en un grupo distinto de jóvenes (n=995, n=418 niñas). El tiemplo empleado en realizar el test de correr-caminar 1/4 de milla, el sexo, y el índice de masa corporal contribuyeron de forma significativa a predecir el VO2pico (R2= 0.32). No se observó diferencia sistemática en el grupo de cross-validación (P>0.1). La suma de los errores al cuadrado fue de 6.9 ml/kg/min y el porcentaje de error fue del 17.7%. El porcentaje de estimaciones entre un ±4.5 ml/kg/min del VO2pico fue del 58.8%. El análisis de fiabilidad mostró que la diferencia entre test osciló entre 0.6 segundos en niños de 6-11 años a 1.3 segundo en adolescentes de 12-17 años (todos P<0.001). En conclusión, el presente estudio muestra que la validez de criterio del test de correr-caminar 1/4 de milla es baja en los jóvenes estudiados. La fiabilidad fue sin embargo aceptable.The study was funded by Centro Andaluz de Medicina del Deporte, Junta de Andalucía, Orden 4/02/05, BOJA nº 37 (Ref. JA-CTD2005-01) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RYC-2010-05957, RYC-2011-09011)

Suitability of the management of habitat complexity, acorn burial depth, and a chemical repellent for post-fire reforestation of oaks

Acorn sowing is a reforestation technique that can potentially render high-quality oak seedlings and high seedling survival, although it is often discarded due to high rates of seed predation. Predator activity can be modified by habitat complexity due to its effects on accessibility and protection for different predators. In this study we analysed how habitat complexity generated by different post-fire management treatments, sowing depth, and capsaicin (a chemical repellent) affect acorn predation by two guilds of post-dispersal predators that differ in size and foraging behaviour. We carried out two acorn predation experiments. In Experiment #1 we buried acorns at two depths (2 and 8 cm) in two post-fire burnt-wood management treatments of different habitat complexity, namely: (1) Salvage Logging (SL), where the burnt trunks were cut and piled and the branches were masticated (lower habitat complexity), and (2) Non-Intervention (NI), with no action after the fire and 100% of the trees naturally fallen by 2009, thus leaving a habitat with lying burnt logs and branches (higher habitat complexity). In Experiment #2 we repeated Experiment #1, with the addition of capsaicin as a mammal repellent treatment. Most acorns were consumed in both years (ca. 90%), mainly by rodents. In Experiment #1 predation by boars accounted for 4.1% of overall predation, and it was about twice as high in SL than in NI, likely due to the physical difficulty for large mammals to forage in an area with a complex structure created by lying logs and branches. In contrast, rodents consumed ca. 1.4 times more acorns in NI than in SL, which led to overall greater predation in NI in both experiments. This was likely due to the protection provided by the branches for the rodent community. Deeper burial reduced predation by small percentages, although in Experiment #1 it had a negligible effect in NI. Capsaicin did not reduce predation, and it reduced seedling emergence to half. This study suggests that habitat complexity created by trunks and branches reduced predation by wild boars, but favoured rodent acorn predation. We conclude that other methods for the protection of individual acorns need to be identified to increase the success of oak reforestation via seeding.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónComunidad de MadridMinisterio de Ciencia y EducaciónUnión Europe

GNSS Applications to Assess Performance in Olympic Sailors: Laser Class

Laser class is an Olympic sport in which technical and tactical variables are very important in the performance of the sailor. However, the variables that determine performance in a regatta have not been studied, and less so with Olympic sailors. Therefore, the main objectives of this study are to analyze the technical and tactical variables that differentiate sailors based on their level of performance and sex and determine the most important courses in a regatta. The sample consists of 159 Olympic sailors (67 females) of the Laser class, who participated in a World Cup. Velocity made good (VMG), distance, and maneuvers were evaluated using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) devices in the upwind, downwind, and broad reach courses. VMG in upwind and downwind is the technical variable that determines performance in the Laser class. The VMG is decisive in the performance of elite female sailors in the upwind, downwind, and broad reach courses, while in elite male sailors, performance is mainly influenced by speed in upwind and downwind and the distance covered in upwind. The maneuvers do not determine sailing performance in any of the courses of a regatta

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Fatness Are Associated With Health Complaints and Health Risk Behaviors in Youth

We examined the association of cardiorespiratory fitness and fatness with health complaints and health risk behaviors in 691 (323 girls) Spanish children aged 6 to 17.9. Methods: Health complaints and health risk behaviors were self-reported using items of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children questionnaire. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was computed. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the 20-m shuttle-run test, and youth categorized as fit/unfit. Results: Unfit youth were more likely to report health complaints sometime (OR: 2.556, 95% CI: 1.299–5.031; and OR: 1.997, 95% CI: 1.162–3.433, respectively) and health risk behaviors such as drinking alcohol sometime (OR: 5.142, 95% CI: 1.214–21.783; and OR: 2.413, 95% CI: 1.484–3.923) than their fit counterparts. Overweight-obese youth were more likely to report health complaints (OR: 1.732, 95% CI: 1.019–2.945; and OR: 1.983, 95% CI: 1.083–3.629, respectively). The analysis of the combined influence of fitness and fatness revealed that fit youth had lower health complaints index than the fat-unfit and unfat-unfit groups (all P < .05). Conclusions: Low fitness and overweight-obesity increased the risk of having health complaints in youth, yet high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness might overcome deleterious effects of overweight-obesity on health complaints

Changes in and the mediating role of physical activity in relation to active school transport, fitness and adiposity among Spanish youth: the UP&DOWN longitudinal study

Background Longitudinal changes in child and adolescent active school transport (AST), and the mediating role of different intensities of daily physical activity (PA) levels in relation to AST and physical fitness and adiposity indicators is unclear. This study aimed to: 1) describe longitudinal changes in AST, light PA (LPA), moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), physical fitness and adiposity indicators over three time-points; and 2) investigate the mediating role of LPA and MVPA levels on associations between AST and physical fitness and adiposity indicators over three time-points among children and adolescents. Methods This longitudinal study comprised 1646 Spanish children and adolescents (48.8% girls, mean age 12.5 years +/- 2.5) at baseline, recruited from schools in Cadiz and Madrid. Mode of commuting to school was self-reported at baseline (T0, 2011-12), 1-year (T1) and 2-year follow-up (T2). PA was assessed using accelerometers. Handgrip strength, standing long jump and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) assessed physical fitness. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness were measured. Multilevel linear regression analyses assessed changes in AST, PA levels, physical fitness and adiposity indicators over three time-points (T0-T1-T2). Additionally, longitudinal path analysis (n = 453; mean age [years] 12.6 +/- 2.4) was used to test the mediating effects of LPA and MVPA levels on the association between AST and physical fitness and adiposity indicators. Results Multilevel analyses observed decreases in LPA between T0-T1 (beta = - 11.27; p < 0.001) and T0-T2 (beta = - 16.27; p < 0.001) and decreases in MVPA between T0-T2 (beta = - 4.51; p = 0.011). Moreover, changes over time showed increases in handgrip between T0-T1 (beta = 0.78; p = 0.028) and T0-T2 (beta = 0.81; p = 0.046). Path analyses showed that AST was directly positively associated with MVPA at T1 (all, beta approximate to 0.33; p < 0.001). MVPA at T1 mediated associations between AST and CRF at T2 (beta = 0.20; p = 0.040), but not the other outcomes. LPA did not mediate any associations. Conclusions Results from longitudinal path analysis suggest that participation in more AST may help attenuate declines in MVPA that typically occur with age and improve CRF. Therefore, we encourage health authorities to promote AST, as a way to increase MVPA levels and CRF among youth

Active Commuting Behaviours from High School to University in Chile: A Retrospective Study

Objective: To compare the differences in the modes and distance of the displacements in high school and university stage in the same sample. Methods: A total of 1288 volunteer university students (614 males and 674 females) participated, with an average age of 22.7 5.8 years, belonging to four private and public universities in Chile where a validated self-report questionnaire was applied to the study, which included the modes, travel time, and distance at school and university. Results: The active commuting decreases from school to university when leaving home (males: 39.6% to 34.0%; p = 0.033 and females: 32.9% to 18.5%, p < 0.001), as well as when returning (males: 44.1% to 33.7%; p < 0.001 and females: 38.6% to 17.6%, p < 0.001). Conversely, non-active modes of transport increase, especially in females (go: 67.1% to 81.4%, return: 61.5% to 82.6%), affected by the increase in the use of public transportation in university. It was also defined that at both school and at university, the active commuting decreases the greater the distance travelled. Conclusion: The active modes of commuting decreased between high school and university and the non-active mode of commuting was the most frequent form of mobility to high school and university, observing that the active trips decreased when the distance from the home to high school or university increased. Public and private intervention policies and strategies are required to maintain or increase the modes of active commuting in the university stage for an active life in adulthood

Criterion-related validity and reliability of the 2-km walk test and the 20-m shuttle run test in adults: The role of sex, age and physical activity level

Objectives: To analyze the criterion-related validity and the reliability of fitness field tests for evaluating cardiorespiratory fitness in adults, by sex, age, and physical activity level. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: During 3 weeks, sociodemographic, anthropometric measurements, a treadmill maximal test, the 2-km walk test, and the 20-m SRT were performed in 410 adults aged 18–64 years. Measured and estimated VO2max (by Oja's and Leger's equations) were analyzed. Results: Measured VO2max was associated with estimated VO2max by the 2-km walk test and 20-m SRT (r = 0.784 and r = 0.875, respectively; both p < 0.01). Bland–Altman analysis showed a mean difference of −0.30 ml* kg−1 * min−1 (p < 0.001, d = −0.141) in the 2-km walk test, and 0.86 ml* kg−1 * min−1 (p = 0.051) in the 20-m SRT. Significant mean differences between test and retest were found in the time to complete the 2-km walk test (−1.48 ± 0.51 s, p = 0.004, d = −0.014) and in the final stage reached in the 20-m SRT (0.04 ± 0.01, p = 0.002, d = 0.015). Non-significant differences were found between test and retest in the estimated VO2max by Oja's (−0.29 ± 0.20 ml* kg−1 * min−1 , p > 0.05) and Leger's eqs. (0.03 ± 0.04 ml* kg−1 * min−1 , p > 0.05). Moreover, both test results and estimated VO2max equations showed a high test–retest reliability. Conclusions: Both tests were valid and reliable for evaluating cardiorespiratory fitness in adults aged 18–64 years, regardless of sex, age, and physical activity level