El uso del material alternativo en el aprendizaje del balonmano

El material alternativo, como recurso didáctico, en la sesión de balonmano es una solución creativa a la falta de medios que, por desgracia, sufren bastantes de los docentes y entrenadores que se dedican a la enseñanza de este deporte. Es una forma novedosa de contribuir al aprovechamiento de los múltiples productos de desecho que nuestra sociedad produce. A parte, y relacionado con diferentes ámbitos (formación, ocio y recreación, entrenamiento, etc.) la creación y construcción de material distinto al habitualmente empleado facilita, entre otras cuestiones, el acercamiento de posibles practicantes a este deporte; ya que se inician al mismo desde otras perspectivas. Por último, en este artículo se muestran algunas de las posibilidades de aplicación de este tipo de material a uno de los ámbitos anteriormente mencionados, el del entrenamiento deportivo

The Role of the Specific Strength Test in Handball Performance: Exploring Differences across Competitive Levels and Age Groups

The aim of this study was to determine if specific physical tests are sufficiently discriminant to differentiate players of similar anthropometric characteristics, but of different playing levels. Physical tests were conducted analyzing specific strength, throwing velocity, and running speed tests. Thirty-six male junior handball players (n = 36; age 19.7 1.8 years; 185.6 6.9 cm; 83.1 10.3 kg; 10.6 3.2 years of experience) from two different levels of competition participated in the study: NT = 18 were world top-level elite players, belonging to the Spanish junior men’s national team (National Team = NT) and A = 18 players of the same age and anthropometric conditions, who were selected from Spanish third league men’s teams (Amateur = A). The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two groups in all physical tests, except for two-step-test velocity and shoulder internal rotation. We conclude that a battery combining the Specific Performance Test and the Force Development Standing Test is useful in identifying talent and differentiating between elite and sub-elite players. The current findings suggest that running speed tests and throwing tests are essential in selecting players, regardless of age, sex, or type of competition. The results shed light on the factors that differentiate players of different levels and can help coaches in selecting players.FEDER/ Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities— State Research Agency (Dossier number: RTI2018-099723-B-I00

Exercise Training Program Improves Subjective Sleep Quality and Physical Fitness in Severely Obese Bad Sleepers

Background: Sleep quality is an important modulator of neuroendocrine function, as sleep problems are related to metabolic and endocrine alterations. Objective: The main objective was to determine the effects of an exercise training program on the sleep quality of severely obese patients with sleep problems. The secondary objective was to determine the relationship between fitness and anthropometric parameters with sleep quality scores. Methods: Thirty severely obese patients participated in 16 weeks of PA intervention (age: 39.30 +/- 11.62 y, BMI: 42.75 +/- 5.27 kg/m(2)). Subjective sleep quality, anthropometric parameters, and fitness (i.e., handgrip strength and cardiorespiratory fitness) were measured. Results: Two groups were defined as good sleepers (n = 15, 38.06 +/- 12.26, men = 1) and bad sleepers (n = 15, 40.53 +/- 11.23, men = 3). The good sleeper group reported improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (61.33 +/- 68.75 m vs. 635.33 +/- 98.91 m, p = 0.003) and handgrip strength (29.63 +/- 9.29 kg vs. 31.86 +/- 7.17 kg, p = 0.049). The bad sleeper group improved their cardiorespiratory fitness (472.66 +/- 99.7 m vs. 611.33 +/- 148.75 m, p = 0.001). In terms of sleep quality dimensions, the bad sleeper group improved their subjective sleep quality (p < 0.001), sleep latency (p = 0.045), sleep duration (p = 0.031), and habitual sleep efficiency (p = 0.015). Comparing the changes in both groups ( increment ), there were differences in subjective sleep quality scores ( increment = 2.23 vs. increment = -3.90, p = 0.002), where 86.6% of the bad sleeper group improved sleep quality (p = 0.030). An increase in handgrip strength was correlated to improving sleep quality scores (r = -0.49, p = 0.050). Conclusions: Severely obese bad sleepers improved their subjective sleep quality, the components of sleep, and cardiorespiratory fitness through an exercise training program. Improvement in subjective sleep quality was linked to an increase in handgrip strength.University de La Frontera, Chile Project DI21-0030 FRO 1895Universidad de Granada/Ministerio de Universidades y Fondos Next Generation de la Union Europe

The Social Distance Impacts from COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Two Orders of a Concurrent Training Programme for Morbidly Obese Patients

Background: Although there is relevant information regarding the consequences of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), little is known about the impact of the imposed social confinement (at home) on the development of exercise training programmes in populations with morbid obesity. Aim: To describe the effects of the imposed COVID-19 confinement on the cardiometabolic health benefits acquired through a concurrent training programme that started before the pandemic in populations with morbid obesity. Methods: This was an experimental randomized clinical study, in which sedentary morbidly obese women were assigned 1:1 to a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) plus resistance training (RT) group (HIIT + RT; n = 11; BMI 42.1 +/- 6.6) or to the same exercise dose, but in different order group of RT plus HIIT group (RT + HIIT; n = 7; BMI 47.5 +/- 8.4). Both groups undertook two sessions/week. When COVID-19 confinement at home started, a post-test was applied in January 2020 (Post1) and after 20 months (Post2). The main outcomes were waist circumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipids (HDL-c), triglycerides (Tg), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Results: In the HIIT + RT group, the WC showed significant increases from Post1 to Post2 (Delta + 3.1 cm, p = 0.035); in the RT + HIIT group, it decreased from Post1 to Post2 (Delta - 4.8 cm, p = 0.028). In the HIIT + RT group, SBP showed significant increases from Post1 to Post2 (Delta + 6.2 mmHg, p = 0.041); the RT + HIIT group decreased SBP from Pre0 to Post1 (Delta - 7.2 mmHg, p = 0.026) and increased DBP from Pre0 to Post1 (Delta + 8.1 mmHg, p = 0.015). Tg in the HIIT + RT group decreased from Pre0 to Post1 (Delta - 40.1 mg/dL, p = 0.023) but increased from Post1 to Post2 (Delta + 86.3 mg/dL, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 social confinement worsened metabolic syndrome (MetS) outcomes that had improved from 20 weeks' RT + HIIT during the training period, such as WC, SBP, and Tg from HIIT + RT, when, worryingly, SBP increased to another more serious clinical classification in both groups.University de La Frontera, Chile Project DI21-0030 FRO1895Universidad de Granada/Ministerio de Universidades y Fondos Next Generation de la Union Europe

Effects of the Type of Sports Practice on the Executive Functions of Schoolchildren

There is a close relationship between the development of complex motor skills and executive functions during childhood. This study aimed to analyze the differences in different dimensions of executive functions in children practicing an open-skill sport (handball) and a closed-skill sport (athletics) and controls who did not participate in sports activities after a 12-week intervention period. School-aged male and female subjects (n = 90; mean +/- standard deviation = 11.45 +/- 0.68 years) participated in a non-randomized controlled study. Data analysis was performed using the STATA V.15 statistical software. The athletics intervention promoted semantic fluency (p = 0.007), whereas handball increased inhibition (p = 0.034). Additionally, physical activity improved in both intervention groups (p = < 0.001), whereas sprint performance improved in the handball group following intervention (p = 0.008), lower body muscular power improved in athletics (p = 0.04), and evidence of improvement in upper body muscular strength was noted in handball (p = 0.037). In turn, an increase in the Physical Activity Questionnaire for older Children score showed an association with the Standard Ten scores of executive functions. In conclusion, compared to controls, both athletics and handball induced meaningful improvements in physical activity and executive functions. However, sport-specific adaptations were noted after athletics (i.e., semantic fluency and lower body muscular power) and handball (i.e., inhibition, sprint, and upper-body muscular strength)

Concurrent training and interindividual response in women with a high number of metabolic syndrome risk factors

The non-responders (NRs) after exercise training have been poorly studied in populations with morbid obesity. The purpose of this study was to determine the NR prevalence after 20 weeks of concurrent training of morbidly obese women with a high or low number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. Twenty-eight women with morbid obesity participated in an exercise training intervention and were allocated into two groups distributed based on a high (≥3, n = 11) or low number (<3, n = 17) of MetS risk factors. The main outcomes were waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high-density lipids (HDL-c), triglycerides (Tg), and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, and secondary outcomes were body composition, anthropometric and physical fitness, determined before and after 20 weeks of concurrent training. NRs were defined as previously used technical error cut-off points for the MetS outcomes. Significantly different (all p < 0.05) prevalences of NRs between the H-MetS vs. L-MetS groups (respectively) in WC (NRs 18.2 % vs. 41.1 %, p < 0.0001), SBP (NRs 72.7 % vs. 47.0 %, p = 0.022), DBP (NRs 54.5 % vs. 76.4 %, p < 0.0001), FPG (NRs 100% vs. 64.8 %, p < 0.0001), and HDL-c (NRs 90.9 % vs. 64.7 %, p = 0.012) were observed. In addition, the H-MetS group evidenced significant changes on ΔSBP (−10.2 ± 11.4 mmHg), ΔFPG (−5.8 ± 8.2 mg/dl), ΔHDL-c (+4.0 ± 5.9 mg/dl), and ΔTg (−8.8 ± 33.8 mg/dl), all p < 0.05. The L-MetS group only showed significant changes in ΔWC (−3.8 ± 5.0 cm, p = 0.009). Comparing H-MetS vs. L-MetS groups, significant differences were observed in ΔFPG (−5.8 ± 8.2 vs. +0.3 ± 3.2 mg/dl, p = 0.027), but not in other MetS outcomes. In conclusion, 20 weeks of concurrent training promotes greater beneficial effects in morbidly obese patients with a high number of MetS risk factors. However, the NR prevalence for improving MetS outcomes was significantly superior in these more-diseased groups in SBP, FPG, and HDL-c, independent of their major training-induced effects.Recualificacion del Profesorado UniversitarioUniversity de La Frontera, ChileModalidad Maria ZambranoUniversidad de Granada/Ministerio de Universidades y Fondos Next Generation de la Union Europea DI21-0030 FRO189

Analysis of grip specificity on force production in grapplers and its effect on bilateral deficit grip specificity and bilateral deficit in force production among grapplers

The use of strength training is important for athletes in combat sports such as judo and jiu-jitsu. Specificity is key when prescribing strength training programs for athletes, considering maximal strength, muscular power and strengthendurance. Grappling combat sports require grip control, which is necessary to execute throwing techniques and groundwork. The aim of this study was to verify the bilateral strength deficit in general and in grappling combat sportspecific action in the control group and grapplers. A sample of 73 subjects, divided into 2 groups, was used: the Student Group (15 females and 16 males) and the Grappler Group (29 males and 13 females). The male and female participants attended four laboratory sessions over a 48-hour interval, the first two to familiarize themselves with the Electromechanical Functional Dynamometer (EMFD), and the last two to collect maximal isometric strength data, using a standard grip and a judo/jiujitsu specific grip. Significant differences in mean and peak forces (p < 0.001) were found, with high performance combat sport athletes having greater maximal isometric strength compared to students both bilaterally and unilaterally (p < 0.001). All comparisons also indicated higher values for males compared to females (p < 0.001). The results suggest that specific training in combat sports as well as sex differences play a significant role in maximal isometric strength performance. The type of grip used affects the application of force in the upper limb isometric strength tests, finding a main effect of grip type (p < 0.001), with the standard grip obtaining higher levels. However, the dominance between hands remains constant. More research is needed on specific judogi/jiu-jitsu-gi grips and their impact on maximal isometric strength with the EMFD

Anthropometric Parameters, Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Executive Functions among Primary School Children

Physical activity during childhood and adolescence favors brain development and cognitive functioning, particularly the executive functions. This study aimed to assess potential associations between anthropometric parameters, physical activity, physical fitness, and executive functions among elementary school children returning to school after the COVID-19 lockdown in Chile. School-age male and female participants (n = 90; age, 10-12 years) participated in the study. To determine the association between variables, a multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. Higher fat-related anthropometric indexes were associated with lower working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, and attention (r = -0.55 to -0.22; p = 0.031 to <0.001). In contrast, higher physical activity levels, better sprint performance, higher lower-body muscular power, and greater upper-body muscular strength were associated with better working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, planning, and/or attention (r = 0.19 to -0.54; p = 0.04 to <0.001). Current results consistently suggest the need for adequate levels of physical activity, physical fitness, and anthropometric parameters among the school-age population to promote healthy and adequate executive functions

The cognitive benefits of basketball training compared to a combined endurance and resistance training regimen: a four‑month intervention study

Neurocognitive function, especially executive functioning, is positively associated with better fitness or higher levels of physical activity (PA). Previous research suggests that combined endurance and resistance (AER+R) training leads to greater improvements than training in either modality separately. Dynamic team sports with cognitive dimensions, such as basketball (BAS), may be an excellent context for improving cognition. This study compared the effects of following a four-month PA training program in BAS versus AER+R on executive functions along with a control group with low PA. Fifty participants completed the training period and were randomly distributed into three groups: BAS (16 participants), AER+R (18), and control (16). Participants in the BAS group showed improved inhibition and working memory and those in the AER+R group showed improved inhibition and cognitive flexibility, while inhibition deteriorated in the control group. There were significant differences between groups only in inhibition. It appears that following a four-month PA training program is enough to enhance executive functioning, and improvements in inhibition are more evident when the program includes an open sport such as BAS

Influencia de la fuerza isométrica máxima sobre el tiempo en sprints de 20 metros

Introduction: The squat is an exercise that is widely used for the development of strength in sports. However, considering that not all sports gestures are vertical, it is important to investigate the effectiveness of propulsive force stimuli applied in different planes. Objective: The main purpose of this study was to determine the influence of maximum isometric force (MIF) exerted on starting blocks over performance in 5, 10 and 20-meter sprints. Methods: Seven high-level male sprinters (mean age ± SD = 28 ± 5.77 years) participated in this study. The variables were: a) MIF in squats and on starting blocks (measured using a functional electromechanical dynamometer [FEMD]), b) time in 5, 10 and 20-m sprints and c) jump height (measured by the squat jump test). For data analysis, a Pearson correlation was performed between the different variables. The criteria for interpreting the strength of the r coefficients were as follows: trivial (<0.1), small (0.1−0.3), moderate (0.3−0.5), high (0.5−0.7), very high (0.7−0.9), or practically perfect (>0.9). The level of significance was p < 0.05. Results: There was very high correlation between MIF exerted on starting blocks and performance in the first meters of the sprint (5-m: r = -0.84, p = 0.01). However, there was small correlation between MIF in squats and performance in the first meters of the sprint (5-m: r = -0.22, p < 0.62). Conclusion: The MIF applied on starting blocks correlates very high with time in the first meters of the sprint in high-level athletes. In addition, the use of the FEMD provides a wide range of possibilities for evaluation and development of strength with a controlled natural movement. Level of evidence IV; Prognostic Studies - Case series.Introdução: O agachamento é um exercício amplamente utilizado para o desenvolvimento de força nos esportes. No entanto, considerando que nem todos os gestos esportivos são verticais, é importante investigar a eficácia dos estímulos de força propulsiva em diferentes planos. Objetivo: O principal objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a influência da força isométrica máxima (FIM) exercida em os blocos de largada sobre o desempenho em sprints de 5, 10 e 20 metros. Métodos: Sete velocistas de alto nível do sexo masculino (média ± DP = 28,0 ± 5,77 anos) fizeram parte deste estudo. As variáveis foram: a) FIM no agachamento e nos blocos de largada (avaliados com um dinamômetro eletromecânico funcional (DEF)), b) tempo de sprints de 5, 10 e 20 metros e c) altura do salto (medida pelo teste de squat jump). Para análise dos dados, foi usada a correlação de Pearson entre as diferentes variáveis. Os critérios para interpretar o coeficiente r foi: nulo (< 0,1), pequeno (0,1 a 0,3), moderado (0,3 a 0,5), alto (0,5 a 0,7), muito alto (0,7 a 0,9) ou praticamente perfeito (> 0,9). O nível de significância foi p < 0,05. Resultados: Houve correlação muito alta entre a FIM exercida nos blocos de largada e o desempenho nos primeiros metros do sprint (5-m: r = -0,84, p = 0,01). No entanto, a correlação entre o agachamento da FIM e os primeiros metros de sprint foi pequena (5-m: r = -0,22, p < 0,62). Conclusão: A FIM aplicada aos blocos de largada teve uma correlação muito alto com o tempo nos primeiros metros de sprint em atletas de alto nível. Além disso, o uso de um DEF oferece uma ampla gama de possibilidades para avaliar e desenvolver força com um movimento natural controlado. Nível de evidência IV; Estudos Prognósticos – Série de casos.Introducción: La sentadilla es un ejercicio ampliamente usado para el desarrollo de fuerza en los deportes. Sin embargo, considerando que no todos los gestos deportivos son verticales, es importante investigar la eficacia de los estímulos de fuerza propulsiva en diferentes planos. Objetivo: El principal objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la influencia de la fuerza isométrica máxima (FIM) ejercida en los bloques de salida sobre el rendimiento en sprints de 5, 10 y 20 metros. Métodos: Siete velocistas de alto nivel del sexo masculino (promedio ± SD = 28,0 ± 5,7 años) formaron parte de este estudio. Las variables fueron: a) FIM en la sentadilla y en los bloques de salida (evaluados con un dinamómetro electromecánico funcional [DEF]) b) tiempo de sprints de 5, 10 y 20-metros y c) altura del salto (medida a través del test de squat jump). Para el análisis de los datos se usó la correlación de Pearson entre las diferentes variables. Los criterios para interpretar el coeficiente r fueron: nulo (<0,1), pequeño (0,1 a 0,3), moderado (0,3 a 0,5), alto (0,5 a 0,7), muy alto (0,7 a 0,9) o prácticamente perfecto (>0,9). El nivel de significancia fue p < 0,05. Resultados: Hubo correlación muy alta entre a FIM ejercida en los bloques de salida y el rendimiento en los primeros metros del sprint (5-m: r = -0,84, p = 0,01). Sin embargo, la correlación entre la FIM en sentadilla y los primeros metros de sprint fue pequeña (5-m: r = -0,22, p < 0,62). Conclusión: La FIM aplicada a los bloques de salida tuvo una correlación muy alta con el tiempo en los primeros metros de sprint en atletas de alto nivel. Además, el uso de un DEF ofrece una amplia gama de posibilidades para evaluar y desarrollar fuerza con un movimiento natural controlado. Nivel de evidencia IV; Estudios pronósticos: Serie de casos.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness RTI2018-099723-B-I0