The effectiveness of a basic exercise intervention to improve strength and balance in women with osteoporosis

Objective: To determine the effects of a simple exercise program on the balance and strength of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: This program was based on low intensity strength and balance exercises, and was carried out with simple, readily available equipment. Sixty five women were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG; n=33, age: 57.4+/-4.8 years) or the control group (CG; n=32, age: 58.8+/-4.5 years). Participants in the EG underwent balance and strength training for 60 min, three times/week for 6 months. Each session consisted of warm-up exercises (10 min), balance training (20 min), strength training (20 min), and cooldown (10 min). Participants from the CG were asked not to modify their usual habits during the course of the study. Static balance was evaluated using the blind monopodal stance static balance test. In contrast, dynamic balance was assessed using the "8-foot up and go" test, whereas the strength of the upper and lower limbs was measured using the "arm curl" and "30 s chair stand" tests, respectively. All these variables were assessed at baseline and upon program completion. Results: The EG showed significant improvements (P<0.001) in static balance (21%), dynamic balance (36%), and in the strength of the upper (80%) and lower (47%) limbs in comparison to the CG after the sixth month. Participants in the CG showed significantly lower values (P<0.001) in the four tests. In addition, a significant inverse relationship between static balance and the strength of the upper (r=-0.390; P=0.001) and lower (r=-0.317; P=0.01) limbs was found. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that a physical exercise program based on balance and strength exercises, carried out with simple and readily available equipment, is capable of significantly improving the strength and balance of women with osteoporosis.The authors would like to express their thanks to Dr JL Balenciaga for his help and collaboration in this study, as well as to all the participants for their commitment to facilitating the research. Acknowledgements are also due to the Basque Government for having provided a predoctoral grant to Izaro Esain, enabling her participation in the present study

Health-related quality of life, handgrip strength and falls during detraining in elderly habitual exercisers

Background: The effects of regular exercise on physical functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have been thoroughly studied. In contrast, little is known about the changes which occur following cessation of activity (detraining). Here, we have investigated the effect of a 3 month detraining period on HRQOL and on handgrip strength in elderly people who had regularly exercised, and examined the association of these variables with falls. Methods: Thirty-eight women and 11 men (mean age, 75.5 +/- 5.7 years) took part in a supervised physical exercise program for 9 months, followed by a 3 month detraining period. Participants completed the SF-36 HRQOL questionnaire at the beginning of detraining (baseline) and 3 months later. Handgrip strength and number of falls were also recorded. Results: Participants had been exercising for 12.1 +/- 8.7 years. After the detraining period, we found a significant (p < 0.001--0.05) decline in all SF-36 dimensions, with the exception of handgrip strength. Women presented a larger decline (p < 0.05) in more items than men. During the detraining period, 18.4% participants had a fall incident. HRQOL declined in both fallers and non-fallers during detraining. Interestingly, fallers already had at baseline significantly lower values in physical functioning (p < 0.05), emotional role (p < 0.05) and mental health (p < 0.01), than non-fallers. Conclusions: An important decline was found in most items of the SF-36 following a 3 month detraining period, particularly in women. In contrast, strength of the upper limb was not affected by the detraining. The prior lower HRQOL values of those who will subsequently fall suggest that this criterion should be studied as a candidate risk factor for falls. Efforts should be made to encourage the elderly to continue with exercise activities and/or to shorten holiday break periods, in order to maintain their quality of life.Esain I was supported by a grant from the Basque Government (Pre_2014_1_137). This work was supported by the Basque Government (IT922-16)

Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults Who Regularly Exercise

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of social distancing on physical activity (PA) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in active Spanish older adults according to their physical functionality. The study included 58 older adults aged 76.24 ± 6.00 years who were enrolled in a supervised physical exercise program before the COVID-19 outbreak. Anthropometric, physical function, physical activity and HRQoL were measured at baseline (October 2019). After the two-month lockdown due to the COVID-19, questionnaires were collected again during de-escalation (May 2020). Participants were divided into high- (n = 29) and low-functionality (n = 29) groups. Total PA, walking and cleaning significantly decreased (p < 0.001) whilst exercising or dancing increased (p < 0.001). General health, social and emotional role functioning dimensions and overall mental component scores worsened (p < 0.01–p < 0.05). Low-functionality participants had significantly lower physical functioning scores at baseline (p < 0.01) and lower bodily pain scores at de-escalation (p < 0.01). Emotional role functioning dimension and overall mental component significantly decreased only in low-functionality participants (p < 0.05). Although PA levels decreased significantly, older adults continued being active regardless of their functionality. While mental HRQoL in participants with higher physical functionality remained unchanged, participants with lower functional capacity had a higher risk of mental health concerns. Therefore, attention should focus on strategies to mitigate the negative effects of distancing measures on older people’s mental health, especially in those with lower functionality.This work was supported by the Basque Government (IT1288-19)

The relative age effect in young athletes: a countywide analysis of 9–14-year-old participants in all competitive sports

[EN] The relative age effect (RAE) has primarily been investigated in male athletes involved in popular sports and high-level competitions. However, occurrence of RAE in other types of sports at the grassroots level, particularly in female athletes, is less well-studied. Thus, we examined the RAE in a large cohort of young athletes who participated in all competitive sports in Bizkaia, Spain, according to gender and specificity of the sport. The birth dates of 38,381 participants (65.1% males and 34.9% females) aged 9–14 years old in 37 competitive sports were analyzed. Birth dates were divided into four birth-quarters and compared to those of all children born in the same period using a χ2 goodness-of-fit test and standardized residuals. The effect size Cramer’s V was measured, and odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the odds of athletes born in January playing in the highest leagues. In the total sample, in boys RAE was evident in football, but only in highercompetition leagues (p<0.001, large effect size). In girls, RAE was evident in the most popular team sports: basketball (p<0.001, large effect size in basketball 1st league), handball and football (p<0.05, both small effect sizes). Players born in January were 3.23- and 2.89-times more likely to play in the 1st leagues than those born in December, for boys (football) and girls (basketball) respectively. In the overall analysis and in the remaining sports, presence of RAE was negligible. Therefore, the date of birth does not seem to be a constraint to participating in most sports in Bizkaia. The potential mechanisms for RAE are multifactorial and complex, yet a combination of factors, such as the popularity of a sport and the depth of competition, physicality and social influences may be involved. We discuss these mechanisms and potential measures to mitigate RAE.This work was partially supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) (https://www.ehu.eus/es/) under grant PPGA19/53 and the Basque government (https://www.euskadi. eus/gobierno-vasco/inicio/) under grant IT922-16. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Influence of nutrient intake on antioxidant capacity, muscle damage and white blood cell count in female soccer players

11 p.Background: Soccer is a form of exercise that induces inflammatory response, as well as an increase in free radicals potentially leading to muscle injury. Balanced nutritional intake provides important antioxidant vitamins, including vitamins A, C and E, which may assist in preventing exercise-related muscle damage. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of macro/micronutrient intake on markers of oxidative stress, muscle damage, inflammatory and immune response in female soccer players.-- Methods: Twenty-eight female players belonging to two soccer teams of the same professional soccer club participated in this study after being informed about the aims and procedures and after delivering written consent. Each team completed an 8-day dietary record and played one competition match the same week. Participants were divided into two groups: the REC group (who complied with recommended intakes) and the NO-REC group (who were not compliant). Laboratory blood tests were carried out to determine hematological, electrolytic and hormonal variables, as well as to monitor markers of cell damage and oxidative stress. Blood samples were obtained 24 h before, immediately after and 18 h after official soccer matches. Student t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test was used to compare both groups throughout the match.-- Results: At rest, we observed that the REC group had higher levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and lower levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in comparison to the NO-REC group. Immediately after the match, levels of TAS, GPx, superoxide dismutase (SOD), LDH and % lymphocytes were higher and the % of neutrophils were lower in the REC group compared to the NO-REC group. These differences were also maintained 18 h post-match, only for TAS and GPx.-- Conclusions: Our data reveal an association between nutritional intake and muscle damage, oxidative stress, immunity and inflammation markers. The benefit of the intake of specific nutrients may contribute to preventing the undesirable physiological effects provoked by soccer matches.This study was partially supported by the University of The Basque Country (UPV/EHU), research project EHU09/44

A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol to Test The Efficacy of a Dual-TaskMulticomponent Exercise Program in the Attenuation of Frailty in Long-Term Nursing Home Residents: Aging-ONDUAL-TASK Study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the Aging-ONDUAL-TASK study is to determine if a supervised dual-task program carried out in long-term nursing homes is able to attenuate frailty in a greater extent than the same multicomponent exercise program alone. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial will include 188 participants who will be randomly allocated to either a multicomponent exercise program or to the same multicomponent program with simultaneous cognitive training (dual-task training). Inclusion criteria are as follows: ≥ 70years, ≥ 50 on the Barthel Index, ≥ 20 on the Mini Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC-35) who are able to stand up and walk independently for 10m. Subjects in the multicomponent group will attend a twice-a-week multicomponent exercise program of 1-h duration per session, consisting of strength and balance exercises. Participants in the dual-task group will perform the same multicomponent exercise program with concurrent individually tailored cognitive tasks. Study assessments will be conducted at baseline and at 3months. The primary outcome measure will be gait speed under dual-task conditions and secondary outcomes will include physical fitness measurements, gait spatiotemporal parameters, cognition and emotional assessments, several frailty scales and objectively measured physical activity. DISCUSSION: The present research will add valuable information to the knowledge around the effects of the dual-task program in long-term nursing home residents, taking altogether physical, cognitive and emotional variables linked to frailty. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) with the identifier: ACTRN12618000536268 . Registration date: 11/04/2018.This research is supported by a research grant from the Basque Government (RIS3 316/07; ELKARTEK17/61; N°. EXPT.: KK-2017/00085; “Etorkizuna Erakiz”). This research was partially supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) (PPG17/34) and the Basque Government (IT922–16). Chloe Rezola and Haritz Arrieta are supported by two fellowships from University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)

Hazkundea, heltzea eta lesioak gizonezkoen goi-mailako futbolari gazteetan

Injuries are very frequent in elite male football academies and have a negative impact on players’ development and health. Thus, identifying injury risk factors is vital. According to recent research, growth and maturity are related with injury occurrence. Nonetheless, the effects are not clear and results are controversial. In this article, we explain the main concepts of growth and maturity and their possible relationship with injury epidemiology.; Lesioak oso ohikoak dira gizonezkoen goi-mailako futbol taldeetan, eta jokalarien garapenean eta osasunean ondorio negatiboak dituzte. Hori dela eta, futbolarien lesioetan eragina izan dezaketen arrisku-faktoreak identifikatzea ezinbestekoa da. Azken urteotan egindako ikerketen arabera, hazkundeak eta heltzeak lesioen agerpenarekin erlazioa dutela aztertu arren, eragina ez dago guztiz argi eta kontraesanak daude. Lan honetan, hazkundearen eta heltzearen kontzeptu nagusiak laburbildu eta horien eta lesioen arteko harreman posibleak azaltzen dira

Garapenean dauden futbolarien ezaugarri antropometriko eta fisiologikoak

Futbolari buruzko ikerlan gehienak punta-puntako jokalari nagusiei buruzkoak dira, horrela informazio gutxiago dago futbolari gazte eta ez-elitekoei buruz. Ikerlan honen helburua adin ezberdinetako futbolarien ezaugarri antropometrikoak eta fisiologikoak ikertzea izan zen. Bestetik, futbolarien aukeraketa prozesua aztertu genuen. @@ Horretarako, bost mailatako 241 futbolarik parte hartu zuten. Talde bakoitzaren batezbesteko adina 14.6, 15.4, 16.2, 17.8 eta 21.5 izan zen. Jokalariei neurri antropometrikoak hartu genien; besteak beste, pisua eta altuera, gantz tolesturak, hezur diametroak eta gorputz-adarren perimetroak. Horrela, gantz, hezur eta gihar pisuak, eta portzentajeak, kalkulatzeko. Horretaz gain, bakoitzaren somatotipoa estimatu genuen; endomorfia, mesomorfia eta ektomofia, alegia. Bestetik, parametro fisiologikoak neurtu genizkien: 1- Erresistentzia: oxigeno kontsumo maximo absolutua eta erlatiboa kalkulatzeko, Astrand-en test zikloergometrikoaren bidez, 2- Abiadura: 30 m. leuneko frogarekin, 3- Bizkortasuna: zigi-zagako froga baten bidez (30 m. gehi 10 kono) eta 4- Indarra: hiru jauzi mota egin zituzten Boscoren Plataforman (makurtutako jauzia, mugimenduaren aurkako jauzia eta erorketa jauzia). @@ Ikerlanean futbolarietan hazkunde prozesu normala gertatzen dela ikusi genuen; baina, futbolariak populazio orokorreko gazteak baino handiagoak ziren. Ziur asko futbolerako handienak aukeratzen direlako: genetikoki handienak, heltze goiztiarra dutenak edota urtearen hasieran jaioak. Adinean zehar somatotipoa egonkor mantentzen zen, mesomorfia nagusi izanik. Salbuespena jokalari gazteenetan zegoen: meso-ektomorfoak ziren eta. Hau muskulu kantitatea oraindik guztiz garatu gabe dutelako izan daiteke, eta horrela ere gertatzen da populazio orokorrean. Bestetik, populazio orokorreko gazteen endomorfia altuagoa da (hau da, gantza) eta mesomorfia baxuagoa (muskulua). @@ Erresistentzia, abiadura eta indar esplosiboa adinarekin hobetzen zihoazen; aldiz, bizkortasuna heldutasuna amaitzean hobetzen zen, bakarrik. Antza denez, heldutasun neuromuskular osoa beharrezkoa da bizkortasunaren mailarik altuena lortzeko; eta hau, heldutasunarekin dator. @@ Gantzak proba guztietan eragin negatiboa zuen, bereziki behealdeko gorputz-adarretako gantz kantitateak. Abiaduran eta jauzietan muskuluak, eta batez ere, behealdeko gorputz-adarretakoak zuen eragin positiboa, hau adinarekin erlazionaturik bazegoen ere, adinak ez zuen hobekuntza guztia azaltzen. @@ Adin talde batetik hurrengora pasatzeko aukeratuak ziren futbolariak tamainaz handiagoak eta bizkorragoak ziren, erresistentzia hobeagoa zuten eta gantz gutxiago; kanporatuak ziren jokalarien aldean. @@ Futbolarien %68-a urtearen lehenengo seihilean jaioak ziren. Berezitasun hau maila guztietan ikusi genuen. Urtearen lehen seihilean jaiotakoak altuagoak, handiagoak, eta gihartsuagoak ziren bigarrenekoak baino; batez ere, 14 urtekoen taldean. Horrez gain abantaila kognitiboa ere duten ikertzea interesgarria litzateke. @@ Horrela, futbolean aukeraketa prozesu zorrotza gertatzen da: futbolerako gazterik handienak aukeratzen direlako: genetikoki handienak direnak, garapenean aurreratuak daudenak edota kronologikoki nagusienak (urtearen lehenengo hileetan jaio direnak). Beraz, aukeraketa prozesuak arretaz hartu beharko lirateke batez ere adin erabakigarri hauetan. Entrenatzaileak adin talde berdineko jokalarien artean zaharrenak, edota, hazkunde aurreratuagoa dutenak (hazkunde goiztiarra) aukeratzen egon daitezkeelako. Eta, gazteago edo hazkunde berantiarra duten jokalariak, nahiz eta talentudunak izan kanporatu eta baztertu daitezke, euren aukera guztiak murriztuz. @@ Ikerlan hau Basurtuko Institutu Medikoa (UPV-EHU) eta Arenas Club de Getxo-ren arteko hitzarmenari ezker egin zen, Bizkaiko Foru Aldundiko Bizkaia-Bizkaialde Fundazioaren babesareki

Efecto de los partidos de pretemporada en la planificación deportiva: variabilidad en las sesiones de entrenamiento

The aim this study was to determine the extent of the influence of football matches and their distribution during a pre-season training programme planning. For this purpose, 21 male semi-professional players (20.9 ± 1.7 years; 1.8 ± 0.05 m.; 73.1 ± 5.3 kg.; 8 ± 0.9% fat; VO2max. 56.06 ± 2.68 ml./kg./min.) participated in this study. The variables analysed during the matches were: total distance covered; average and maximum speed; game intensity classified in several speeds: running (14-19 km./h.), high intensity running (19-24 km./h.) and sprinting (> 24 km./h.); and distance at high intensity (sum of running, high intensity running and sprinting). After analysing the external load of the 6 microcycles and 9 matches composing the pre-season, we have observed that the distribution and the number of football matches during a pre-season have influenced the training sessions planning. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the design of the volume and intensity of the first and last week of training, avoiding on the one hand, any harmful situation that could take the player apart from the training sessions and on the other hand, avoid the accumulated fatigue during the preparatory period, as it may cause a drop in performance at the beginning of the season due to the selection of tasks, the number of matches and the limited recovery time during the preparatory period.El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer en qué medida influyen los partidos de fútbol y su distribución durante una pretemporada en la planificación del entrenamiento. Para ello, 21 jugadores semi-profesionales masculinos (20.9 ± 1.7 años; 1.8 ± 0.05 m.; 73.1 ± 5.3 kg.; 8 ± 0.9 % graso; VO2máx. 56.06 ± 2.68 ml./kg./min.) participaron en este estudio. Las variables analizadas durante los partidos fueron: la distancia total recorrida; la velocidad media y máxima; la intensidad de juego clasificada según su velocidad en varias zonas: carrera (14-19 km./h.), carrera intensa (19-24 km./h.) y sprint (>24 km./h.); así como la carrera a alta intensidad (sumatorio de la carrera, carrera intensa y sprint). Tras analizar la carga externa de los 6 microciclos que componían la pretemporada se ha podido observar que la distribución y el número de partidos de fútbol durante una pretemporada han podido influir en la planificación de las sesiones de entrenamiento. Por tanto, se debería prestar especial atención al diseño del volumen e intensidad de la primera y última semana de entrenamiento, evitando, por un lado, cualquier situación lesiva que pudiera apartar al jugador de las sesiones de entrenamiento y, por otro lado, evitar la fatiga acumulada durante el periodo preparatorio ya que podría provocar un descenso del rendimiento al comienzo de la temporada debido a la selección de tareas, al número de partidos disputados y al escaso tiempo de recuperación durante el periodo preparatorio

Incorporation of a high-level soccer player into the team after a muscle injury: a case study

The aim of the study was to observe the evolution of the external load of a soccer player who just joined the team after a recovered injury.13 male football players of a soccer team (20.9 ± 1.7 years, 1.80 ± 0.05 m, 73.1 ± 5.3 kg) belonging to the 2nd division B participated in this study. After 30 days off following a hamstring injury a player started to train with the team. The next week his injury relapsed, so he had to stop training for another week. Finally he was re-incorporated to the team. External load was measured in the injured player (P) and the rest of the players of the team (T) using GPS devices (GPSport) during week 1 and week 2. The variables measured were: distance at high intensity (DHI; >14 km/h) and distance at sprint (S; >24 km/h). Besides, the number of times they entered the different acceleration rates: (Acc) 1 (0-2 m/s/s), Acc2 (2-3 m/s/s) and Acc3 (3-5 m/s/s) and the number of times they entered the different deceleration rates: (Dec) 1 (0-2 m/s/s), Dec2 (2-3 m/s/s) and Dec3 (3-5 m/s/s). During the first week of training, P performed longer DHI and S than T. Moreover, P performed higher acc1, acc2, acc3, dec1, dec2 and dec3 than T. In contrast, during the second week, T performed longer DHI and S than P. However, P performed higher acc1, acc2, acc3, and dec1 than T. However, similar values were found in dec2 and dec3 in P and T. It was observed that the acc and dec in both weeks indicated a higher peripheral muscle work in P. Therefore, according to the nature of the injury a modification or even avoidance of certain exercises should be considered especially those exercises that directly impact on the repaired musclesEl objetivo del estudio fue observar la evolución de la carga externa de un futbolista al reincorporarse al equipo después de una lesión. 13 jugadores masculinos de fútbol (20.9±1.7 años, 1.80±0.05 m, 73.1±5.3 kg) de un equipo de 2ª división B participaron en este estudio. Después de 30 días de baja tras una lesión en el músculo isquiotibial un jugador comenzó a entrenar con el equipo. Tras la primera semana, la lesion recidivó y se volvió a incorporar al equipo tras una semana de baja. La carga externa se evaluó en el jugador lesionado (P) y en el resto de los jugadores del equipo (T) utilizando dispositivos GPS (GPSport). Las variables medidas fueron: Distancia a alta intensidad (DHI; >14 km/h) y la distancia a Sprint (S; >24 km/h). Además, el número de aceleraciones (Acc) 1 (0-2 m/s/s), Acc2 (2-3 m/s/s) y Acc3 (3-5 m/s/s) y deceleraciones (Dec) 1 (0-2 m/s/s), Dec2 (2-3 m/s/s) y dec3 (3-5 m/s/s). Durante la primera semana de entrenamiento P realizó mayor DHI y S que T. Por otra parte, P realizó mayor cantidad de acc1, acc2, acc3, dec1, dec2 y dec3 que T. Por el contrario, durante la segunda semana, T realizó mayor DHI y S que P. Sin embargo, P realizó mayor cantidad de acc1, acc2, acc3 y dec1 que T. Valores similares fueron encontrados en dec2 y dec3 en P y T. En ambas semanas se observó un mayor trabajo muscular periférico en el jugador lesionado. Por lo tanto, de acuerdo con la naturaleza de la lesión una modificación o incluso la exclusión de ciertos ejercicios deben ser considerados; especialmente aquellos ejercicios que impactan directamente en los músculos recuperado