A Systematic Review of Fitness Apps and Their Potential Clinical and Sports Utility for Objective and Remote Assessment of Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Key Points The validity and reliability of existing and/or underdevelopment fitness apps should be further investigated. Physiological signals should be incorporated into fitness apps, such as heart rate measures using a smartphone camera, during or after exercise testing. There is a need to develop interoperable fitness apps (e.g., different languages, apps integrated into both app markets, data that is device-independent). Fitness apps should incorporate evidence-based cutpoints of CRF, allowing interpretation of fitness testing resultsWe are grateful to Ms Carmen Sainz-Quinn for assistance with the English language.Background Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) assessment provides key information regarding general health status that has high clinical utility. In addition, in the sports setting, CRF testing is needed to establish a baseline level, prescribe an individualized training program and monitor improvement in athletic performance. As such, the assessment of CRF has both clinical and sports utility. Technological advancements have led to increased digitization within healthcare and athletics. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed to enhance the validity and reliability of existing fitness apps for CRF assessment in both contexts. Objectives The present review aimed to (1) systematically review the scientific literature, examining the validity and reliability of apps designed for CRF assessment; and (2) systematically review and qualitatively score available fitness apps in the two main app markets. Lastly, this systematic review outlines evidence-based practical recommendations for developing future apps that measure CRF. Data Sources The following sources were searched for relevant studies: PubMed, Web of Science®, ScopusTM, and SPORTDiscus, and data was also found within app markets (Google Play and the App Store). Study Eligibility Criteria Eligible scientific studies examined the validity and/or reliability of apps for assessing CRF through a field-based fitness test. Criteria for the app markets involved apps that estimated CRF. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods The scientific literature search included four major electronic databases and the timeframe was set between 01 January 2000 and 31 October 2018. A total of 2796 articles were identified using a set of fitness-related terms, of which five articles were finally selected and included in this review. The app market search was undertaken by introducing keywords into the search engine of each app market without specified search categories. A total of 691 apps were identified using a set of fitness-related terms, of which 88 apps were finally included in the quantitative and qualitative synthesis. Results Five studies focused on the scientific validity of fitness tests with apps, while only two of these focused on reliability. Four studies used a sub-maximal fitness test via apps. Out of the scientific apps reviewed, the SA-6MWTapp showed the best validity against a criterion measure (r = 0.88), whilst the InterWalk app showed the highest test–retest reliability (ICC range 0.85–0.86). Limitations Levels of evidence based on scientific validity/reliability of apps and on commercial apps could not be robustly determined due to the limited number of studies identified in the literature and the low-to-moderate quality of commercial apps. Conclusions The results from this scientific review showed that few apps have been empirically tested, and among those that have, not all were valid or reliable. In addition, commercial apps were of low-to-moderate quality, suggesting that their potential for assessing CRF has yet to be realized. Lastly, this manuscript has identified evidence-based practical recommendations that apps might potentially offer to objectively and remotely assess CRF as a complementary tool to traditional methods in the clinical and sports settings

Bright light therapy versus physical exercise to prevent co-morbid depression and obesity in adolescents and young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: The risk for major depression and obesity is increased in adolescents and adults with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adolescent ADHD predicts adult depression and obesity. Non-pharmacological interventions to treat and prevent these co-morbidities are urgently needed. Bright light therapy (BLT) improves day– night rhythm and is an emerging therapy for major depression. Exercise intervention (EI) reduces obesity and improves depressive symptoms. To date, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been performed to establish feasibility and efficacy of these interventions targeting the prevention of co-morbid depression and obesity in ADHD. We hypothesize that the two manualized interventions in combination with mobile health-based monitoring and reinforcement will result in less depressive symptoms and obesity compared to treatment as usual in adolescents and young adults with ADHD. Methods: This trial is a prospective, pilot phase-IIa, parallel-group RCT with three arms (two add-on treatment groups [BLT, EI] and one treatment as usual [TAU] control group). The primary outcome variable is change in the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology total score (observer-blinded assessment) between baseline and ten weeks of intervention. This variable is analyzed with a mixed model for repeated measures approach investigating the treatment effect with respect to all three groups. A total of 330 participants with ADHD, aged 14 – < 30 years, will be screened at the four study centers. To establish effect sizes, the sample size was planned at the liberal significance level of α = 0.10 (two-sided) and the power of 1-β = 80% in order to find medium effects. Secondary outcomes measures including change in obesity, ADHD symptoms, general psychopathology, health-related quality of life, neurocognitive function, chronotype, and physical fitness are explored after the end of the intervention and at the 12-week follow-up. This is the first pilot RCT on the use of BLT and EI in combination with mobile health-based monitoring and reinforcement targeting the prevention of co-morbid depression and obesity in adolescents and young adults with ADHD. If at least medium effects can be established with regard to the prevention of depressive symptoms and obesity, a larger scale confirmatory phase-III trial may be warranted.The trial is funded by the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020 (Project no. 667302). Funding period: January 2016–December 2020. This funding source had no role in the design of this study and will not have any role during its execution, analyses, interpretation of the data, or decision to submit results. Some local funds additionally contributed to carry out this study, especially for the preparation of the interventions: FBO research activity is by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness – MINECO (RYC-2011-09011) and by the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)

EFFECTS OF HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) INTERVENTION AMONGST SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS

Physical Education classes fail to reach the minimum levels of moderate-vigorous activity recommended by international policies (50% of the class duration). Although several methodological strategies have been suggested in scientific literature to combat this limitation, few proposals exist in educational practice in this context. In this sense, the objective of this work was to integrate the emerging high intensity interval training method into a traditional learning unit of Physical Education with the intention of increasing intensity. The results showed that the students analysed improve their body composition and some components of the physical condition, in a non-significant manner. In conclusion, it seems to be a priority to include methodological strategies during physical education classes in order to achieve adequate intensity. The method presented in this practical proposal shows a positive trend in improving health in schoolchildren, although future research is necessary to confirm or refute the results found

FAIR PLAY, CHEATING AND GAMESMANSHIP IN YOUNG BASKETBALL TEAMS

The aim of this study was to analyse young basketball players’ attitudes towards fair play, winning, enjoyment, hard play and the acceptability of antisocial behaviour in the context of sports teams, such as cheating and gamesmanship. The sample included 230 adolescents (139 boys and 91 girls) with a mean age of 12.5 years (Range: 10-15 years; SD = 2.09 years). Results showed the importance of fun in sports, and the greater acceptance of gamesmanship and cheating among female players

Efectos del trabajo de TRX en las clases de educación física

[spa] El objetivo principal de este estudio fue examinar los efectos de una intervención de trabajo en suspensión sobre la fuerza en adolescentes durante las clases de Educación Física. Alumnos de dos clases de primero de Bachillerato fueron aleatorizados en tres grupos difere ntes. Un grupo TRX® 1 (n=13), otro grupo TRX® 2 (n=15) y un grupo control (n=1 8). Los participantes del grupo TRX® 1 realizaron 5 semanas de trabajo en suspensión durante los primeros 25 minutos de la clase de Educación Física, aunque solo un a vez a la semana. Los participantes del grupo TRX® 2 llevaron a cabo 5 semanas de trabajo en suspensión durante los primeros 25 minutos de las dos sesiones de Educación Física programadas a la semana. El grupo control realizó las clases establecidas por el currículum de Educación Física al completo. Todos los participantes del estudio fueron evaluados mediante test de dinamometría, test de flexiones, salto vertical y plancha, antes y después de la intervención. Las variables fueron analizadas a través de la prueba T de Student para la comparación de medias . Se detectaron mejoras significativas (p ≤ 0.05) en la gran mayoría de los parámetros de fuerza medidos en los dos grupos experimentales. La incorporación de una intervención de trabajo en suspensión dentro de las clases de Educación Física con el objetivo de mejorar la fuerza muscular en adolescentes ha demostrado se r efectiva y viable en ámbito escolar

Estereotipos de género y tratamiento diferenciado entre chicos y chicas en la asignatura de educación física: una revisión narrativa

[spa] Esta revisión narrativa trata de investigar si existen estereotipos de género en Educación Física (EF), tanto en Educación Primaria (EP) como en Educación Secundaria (ES). Por ello, se ha llevado a cabo una recopilación y análisis de 33 estudios encontrados en cinco bases de datos (SPORTDISCUS, SCIELO, DIALNET, REDALYC y GOOGLE SCHOOLAR). La mayoría de la evidencia revisada se fundamenta en el contexto español, aunque en nuestra revisión también se encuentran integradas algunas referencias internacionales. Por lo tanto, se identificaron y analizaron posibles fuentes de transmisión de estereotipos de género en este campo, mediante el establecimiento de categorías. El estado de la cuestión mostró la existencia de desigualdades y discriminaciones hacia las chicas en las sesiones de EF, por lo que la necesidad de promover la formación en materia coeducativa, principalmente en docentes de EF, se encuentra más que justificada. Con todo ello, quedaría como perspectiva de futuro principal una intervención que utilice modelos pedagógicos específicos para tratar las desigualdades o estereotipos de género en las sesiones de EF

Intervención educativa en el tiempo de patio en un centro escolar para mejorar aspectos relacionados con la salud y el bienestar de los alumnos

[eng] El objetivo de este estudio ha sido comprobar cuáles han sido los cambios producidos tras intervenir durante el tiempo de patio en un centro público de infantil y primaria de Mallorca tras llevar a cabo una mejora desde un enfoque educativo y de salud. Para comprobar los resultados se seleccionó una muestra de 43 alumnos de segundo ciclo de primaria, concretamente de quinto y sexto curso en un centro público de la isla de Mallorca. Los principales resultados muestran un aumento en la realización de juegos más activos por parte del alumnado y éstos también sugieren que sus amigos optan por realizar juegos más activos, disminuyendo en ambos casos la elección en actividades más tranquilas. Otro de los resultados más destacados se sitúa en la disminución de los conflictos desde el punto de vista de los docentes. El presente trabajo confirma la necesidad de intervenir en la organización y en la estructura de los patios escolares para aumentar la actividad física de los alumnos y mejorar el clima del centro

Prevalence of Low Back Pain among School-Aged Children between 10 and 12 Years

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the biggest health problems worldwide that often begins during childhood. The existence of a previous episode of LBP is a premonitory sign of future back pain problems, therefore, prevention among youth will be essential. The main objective of the study was to determine the lifetime, point, and 7-day prevalence of LBP in children. This cross-sectional study evaluated 849 participants (47.1 boys and 52.9% girls) aged 10–12 from 10 primary schools using a self-administered questionnaire. The results demonstrated a lifetime prevalence of LBP of 73.6%, a last 7-days prevalence of 21.2%, and a point prevalence of 9.66%. LBP intensity reported in a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was 3.37 (SD 2.02). Chi-square analysis identified a significant difference between boys and girls in LBP lifetime prevalence (p &lt; 0.001), 7-day prevalence (p = 0.035), and point prevalence (p = 0.014). The Student’s t-test in pain intensity showed the same differences (p = 0.007). Studies on LBP prevalence in young primary school students are scarce. Therefore, future studies investigating the prevention of LBP should focus on school interventions since schools are the most suitable institutions to participate in back pain prevention and health promotion