Mediation Effect of Age Category on the Relationship between Body Composition and the Physical Fitness Profile in Youth Handball Players

The aims of the present study were (1) to determine the differences in body composition and the physical and physiological profile of handball youths across age categories, and (2) to analyze the mediation effect of different categories on the relationship between lean mass or fat mass and specific physical handball capacities. Fifty-four young handball players aged 13 to 18 were assigned to U14 (13- and 14-year-olds), U16 (15- and 16-year-olds), and U18 (17- and 18-year-olds). Body composition was measured using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance (Inbody®, 230). Handball physical fitness was assessed using handgrip force, jumping tests (squat jump, countermovement jump, countermovement jump with aimed arms), a 30-m sprint, a change-of-direction test (T-half agility test and modified Illinois test), and a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1. Simple mediation analysis was performed to analyze whether the category mediated the relationship between lean mass or fat mass and physical capacities. No significant differences were observed according to category for the majority of the measured parameters, except for height, lean body mass, and arm span. Lean body mass increased significantly as player category increased (p < 0.05; ∆ = 4.66–9.38; effect size (ES) = 0.96–1.92). The increase in handball category enhanced the majority of the physical capacities evaluated; however, these differences were reduced between the U16 vs. U18 categories. The indirect mediation effect suggests that handball category mediated the relationship between lean mass and upper and lower strength, velocity, agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness. In contrast, an indirect effect suggests that category mediated the relationship between fat mass only in agility and cardiorespiratory fitness. We conclude that U18s showed better body composition parameters, as well as better physical performance scores. Handball category clearly mediated the relationship between body composition through lean mass and fat mass and the physiological profile in handball youth, but lean mass proved to be more relevant when mediating physical performance

Effect of 8-week of dietary micronutrient supplementation on gene expression in elite handball athletes

Purpose A study was made of the changes in gene expression in elite handball athletes, comparing gene modulation before, after and in the absence of an 8-week nutritional intervention with multivitamin/mineral supplements. Methods Thirteen elite handball athletes (aged 22.9 ± 2.7 years) and 13 sedentary controls (aged 20.9 ± 2.8 years) were included. Three timepoints were established: T0 (baseline conditions); T8 (after 8 weeks of supplementation with a multivitamin/mineral complex); and T16 (after 8 weeks in the absence of supplementation). The expressions of a total 112 of genes were evaluated by RT-qPCR analysis with the QuantStudioTM 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System. Results The analysis revealed different gene regulation profiles of genes implicated in cell communication, cell energy metabolism, inflammation and the immune system, oxidative stress and muscle function in athletes compared to sedentary controls under resting conditions (upregulated genes: effect size = large, η2 = 1.011 to 1.398, p < 0.05; downregulated genes: effect size = large, η2 = 0.846 and 1.070, p < 0.05, respectively). The nutritional intervention encouraged gene upregulation in elite athletes (p < 0.05). In a follow-up investigation, the IRAK1, CD81, ITGB1, ACADS PDHA2 and GPX1 genes were downregulated in athletes, with a moderate main effect for time-by-group interaction (ηP2 = 0.099 to 0.133; p < 0.05). Additionally, nutritional genes such as MTHFR and THTPA revealed a moderate effect over all the timepoints and group interaction in the study (ηP2 = 0.070 to 0.092; p < 0.05). Conclusions Elite handball athletes showed a different expression profile in reference to key genes implicated in several sports performance-related functions compared to the sedentary controls, in addition to modulation of gene expression after multivitamin/mineral supplementation.J.M.L was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education (grant number AP2009- 3701) and E.P was supported by the FIS Project PI10/1993 form the Carlos III Health Institute

A neural model of hand grip formation during reach to grasp

In this paper, we investigate the spatio temporal dynamics of hand pre-shaping during prehension through a biologically plausible neural network model. It is proposed that the hand grip formation in prehension con be understood in terms of basic motor programs that can be resealed both spatially and temporally to accommodate different task demands. The model assumes a timing coordinative role to propioceptive reafferent information generated by the reaching component of the movement, moidiiig the need of a pre-organized firnctional temporal structure for the timing of prehension as some previous models have proposed. Predictions of the model in both Normal and Altered initial hand aperture conditions match key kinematic features present in human data. The differences between the proposed model and previous models predictions are used to tiy to identifi the majorprinciples underlying prehensile behavior

The Influence of Functional Movement and Strength upon Linear and Change of Direction Speed in Male and Female Basketball Players

The present study aimed to analyse the relationship between functional movement and strength variables upon linear speed (Ls) and change of direction (COD) based on gender. It also aimed to identify the determinants of performance of Ls and COD according to gender. Fifty basketball players (54% female) completed the assessment in which the weightbearing dorsiflexion test, the Y-balance test, the unilateral countermovement jump, the unilateral drop jump, the unilateral triple hop test, Ls and CODs were performed. Speed variables were divided according to time execution into "low-performance" and "high-performance" to establish a comparison between performance groups. Strength variables significantly influenced speed tests’ performance in both genders (p < 0.05). For males, the greater the Ls, the higher the change of direction deficit (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that a long and vertical stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) was the most influential physical ability for speed performance in females (45–65% variance explained; p < 0.001), while in males, a short and horizontal SSC played a significant role (30–61% variance explained; p < 0.022). These results suggest that gender should be considered in programming strength training to improve speed, as each gender will benefit most from the application of different force-orientations and different SSC. Also, the faster the male players were in Ls, the less efficient they were in the COD performance. This is why for men, it would be recommended to perform eccentric exercises along with deceleration and technique drills to improve COD speed.This paper is part of the first author's doctoral thesis carried out in the Doctoral Programme of the University of Huelva (Spain), thanks to the support and funding of the Formación del Profesorado Universitario Programme (FPU22/01057), run by the Ministerio de Ciencias, Innovación y Universidades, Government of Spain. This study was also supported by the Grupo de Educación, Motricidad e Investigaciónonubense (HUM643) and by the Centro de Investigación en Pensamiento Contemporáneo e Innovación parael Desarrollo Social (COIDESO) of the University of Huelva (Spain)

Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentration and association with training in handball players

[Background] Strenuous physical activity can alter the status of folic acid, a vitamin directly associated with homocysteine (Hcy); alterations in this nutrient are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Handball players are a population at risk for nutrient deficiency because of poor dietary habits. [Objective] The aims of this study were to evaluate nutritional status for macronutrients and folic acid in members of a high-performance handball team, and determine the effect of a nutritional intervention with folic acid supplementation and education. [Design] A total of 14 high-performance handball players were monitored by recording training time, training intensity (according to three levels of residual heart rate (RHR): 80%), and subjective perceived exertion (RPE) during a 4-month training period. Nutritional, laboratory and physical activity variables were recorded at baseline (Week 0), after 2 months of dietary supplementation with 200 μg folic acid (50% of the recommended daily allowance) (Week 8) and after 2 months without supplementation (Week 16). We compared training load and analyzed changes in plasma concentrations of Hcy before and after the intervention. [Results] Bivariate analysis showed a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01) between Hcy and folic acid concentrations (r = −0.84) at Week 8, reflecting a significant change in Hcy concentration (P < 0.05) as a result of hyperhomocysteinemia following the accumulation of high training loads. At Week 16 we observed a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01) between Hcy concentration and training time with an RHR <60%, indicating that aerobic exercise avoided abrupt changes in Hcy and may thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular accidents in high-performance athletes. [Conclusion] Integral monitoring and education are needed for practitioners of handball sports to record their folic acid status, a factor that directly affects Hcy metabolism. Folic acid supplementation may protect athletes against alterations that can lead to cardiovascular events related to exertion during competition.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education (grant number AP2009- 3701) and by FIS Project PI07/1228 form the Carlos III Health Institute

Organización administrativa para la prestadora de servicios de transporte interno, empresa de transporte organizado en Corabastos Etoc S.A.S.

Organización empresarial para la prestadora de servicios de transporte interno, empresa de transporte organizado en Corabastos ETOC S.A.S. es una propuesta que surge en la Corporación de Abastos de Bogotá, uno de los centros de acopio de alimentos más grande e importante de esta ciudad, allí convergen, comerciantes, amas de casa, transportadores y público en general, con el fin de satisfacer necesidades de primer orden

Relationship between Body Composition and Biochemical Parameters with Antioxidant Status in a Healthy Cohort of Postmenopausal Women

An adequate prooxidant-antioxidant balance-which may be influenced by body composition and biochemical status-is essential to maintain human health, especially in circumstances under which the antioxidant defense decreases, such as menopause. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between body composition and biochemical parameters with antioxidant status in a healthy cohort of postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a cohort of 78 postmenopausal women aged 44-76 years. The body composition profile was assessed through bioelectrical impedance. The determination of the total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity was conducted by the colorimetric method, and glutathione peroxidase activity was determined by the enzymatic immunological method. The vitamin D levels were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The mineral status was assessed through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The rest of the biochemical parameters were assessed through an immunoassay. The total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant gap were negatively influenced by body composition (all p <= 0.049) and positively related to protein metabolism parameters (all p <= 0.048), whereas circulating levels of different micronutrients (all p <= 0.048) and enzymes (all p <= 0.047) appeared to play an important role in the glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. In conclusion, the menopause-related antioxidant status changes may be influenced by key body composition and biochemical profiles. To confirm this statement, further trials aiming to evaluate the body composition and biochemical intervention-induced changes upon antioxidant defense are needed.Spanish Ministry of Education and Professional Formation FPU18/03655 FPU18/0370

GRAPHIC ANALYSES OF THE CHURCH OF SAN MIGUEL DE FOCES IN IBIECA (HUESCA)

El objetivo general de ésta investigación ha sido el estudio de la arquitectura desarrollada en la iglesia de San Miguel de Foces (Huesca), construida en el siglo XIII como panteón familiar y donada posteriormente a la Orden de San Juan del Hospital de Jerusalén. Partiendo de una exhaustiva y metodológica toma de datos y el posterior levantamiento de los planos, se ha analizado la metrología empleada en la construcción de las diferentes partes que componen el templo, así como la geometría y de los trazados reguladores empleados en su diseño. A través de estos estudios se ha puesto de manifiesto la importancia que los análisis metrológicos y geométricos tienen en la investigación de las arquitecturas históricas. En este caso en concreto han contribuido a establecer una serie de conclusiones relativas a la organización espacial del templo, las etapas constructivas e historiografía del conjunto arquitectónico del edificio, aportando información novedosa desconocida hasta el momento, reconduciendo determinadas creencias no verificadas documentalmente.Navarro García, ML.; López González, C.; Rodrigo Molina, Á.; García Valdecabres, J. (2011). LOS ANÁLISIS GRÁFICOS DE LA IGLESIA DE SAN MIGUEL DE FOCES DE IBIECA (HUESCA). EGA. Revista de Expresión Gráfica Arquitectónica. 16(17):152-163. doi:10.4995/ega.2011.1039SWORD152163161

Accumulation and distribution of diterpenic acids in leaves of Montanoa tomentosa

Montanoa tomentosa has been used for at least last five centuries in traditional medicine in Mexico as a remedy for reproductive impairments. The accumulation of diterpenic acids in M. tomentosa leaves was determined. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, the type and distribution of glandular trichomes (GTs) was observed on the abaxial and adaxial sides of leaves. GTs and non-glandular trichomes (NGTs) were observed on leaf surface, but the latter are confined to the leaves abaxial side. On the adaxial surface, only non-glandular trichomes were observed. Accumulation in GTs and leaf lamina of kaurenoic (KA) and grandiflorenic (GFA) acids was determined by Gas Chromatography coupled to an Electron Impact Mass Spectrometric Detector (GC/EI-MSD). GC-MSD analysis indicated that GTs accumulated KA and GFA, with KA accumulation being at a higher level than GFA in these structures. Attention on GFA and KA is due to their importance as plant growth regulator precursors with potential pharmacological applications.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Accumulation and distribution of diterpenic acids in leaves of Montanoa tomentosa

Montanoa tomentosa has been used for at least last five centuries in traditional medicine in Mexico as a remedy for reproductive impairments. The accumulation of diterpenic acids in M. tomentosa leaves was determined. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, the type and distribution of glandular trichomes (GTs) was observed on the abaxial and adaxial sides of leaves. GTs and non-glandular trichomes (NGTs) were observed on leaf surface, but the latter are confined to the leaves abaxial side. On the adaxial surface, only non-glandular trichomes were observed. Accumulation in GTs and leaf lamina of kaurenoic (KA) and grandiflorenic (GFA) acids was determined by Gas Chromatography coupled to an Electron Impact Mass Spectrometric Detector (GC/EI-MSD). GC-MSD analysis indicated that GTs accumulated KA and GFA, with KA accumulation being at a higher level than GFA in these structures. Attention on GFA and KA is due to their importance as plant growth regulator precursors with potential pharmacological applications.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire