The Mediation Effect of Self–Report Physical Activity Patterns in the Relationship between Educational Level and Cognitive Impairment in Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Chilean Health National Survey 2016–2017

The aims of this cross-sectional study were (i) to determine the association of educational level attained with cognitive impairment and (ii) to investigate the mediating effect of different self-report physical activity (PA) patterns in a large sample of older Chileans. A sample of 1571 older adults from the National Chilean Survey (2016–2017) was included. The educational level attained, PA levels, mode of commuting, sedentary time, and leisure-time PA were self-reported through validated questionnaires. Cognitive impairment was determined by Mini-Mental State Examination (modified version). Association between educational level attained and cognitive impairment was examined using logistic regression models. Counterfactual mediation models were used to test the mediating effect of self-reported PA patterns. A lower educational level was consistently associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment (OR range 2.846 to 2.266, all p < 0.001), while leisure-time PA was the only PA pattern that partially mediated this association (proportion mediated 8.0%). In conclusion, leisure-time PA was the solely PA pattern that partially mediated the association between the educational level and cognitive impairment. The rest self-reported PA patterns did not modify this association.P.S.-U. was supported by a grant from ANID/BECAS Chile/72180543. J.P.-D. is part of the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES). We thank the Research Results Transfer Office (OTRI) of the University of Granada for its publication support (C-4393 to F.A.-M.). We thank all participants for their cooperation and the Chilean Health Ministry and Department of Public Health, The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile for designing and conducting the third National Health Survey 2016–2017

Association between Fractional Oxygen Extraction from Resting Quadriceps Muscle and Body Composition in Healthy Men

[EN] This study aimed to associate body composition with fractional oxygen extraction at rest in healthy adult men. Fourteen healthy adults (26.93 ± 2.49 years) from Chile participated. Body composition was assessed with octopole bioimpedance, and resting muscle oxygenation was evaluated in the vastus lateralis quadriceps with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during a vascular occlusion test, analyzing the muscleVO2, resaturation velocity during reactive hyperemia via the muscle saturation index (%TSI), and the area above the curve of HHb (AACrep). It was observed that the total and segmented fat mass are associated with lower reoxygenation velocities during hyperemia (p = 0.008; β = 0.678: p = 0.002; β = 0.751), and that the total and segmented skeletal muscle mass are associated with higher reoxygenation velocities during hyperemia (p = 0.020; β = −0.614: p = 0.027; β = −0.587). It was also observed that the total and segmented fat mass were associated with a higher area above the curve of HHb (AACrep) during hyperemia (p = 0.007; β = 0.692: p = 0.037; β = 0.564), and that total and segmented skeletal muscle mass was associated with a lower area above the curve of HHb (AACrep) during hyperemia (p = 0.007; β = −0.703: p = 0.017; β = −0.632). We concluded that fat mass is associated with lower resaturation rates and lower resting fractional O2 extraction levels. In contrast, skeletal muscle mass is associated with higher resaturation rates and fractional O2 extraction during reactive hyperemia. The AACrep may be relevant in the evaluation of vascular adaptations to exercise and metabolic health.S

Perfil de Composición Corporal en Militares Élite Chilenos

[ES] La Bioimpedancia Eléctrica (BIA), al ser una técnica no invasiva pero de elevada precisión, se ha convertido en la actualidad en una herramienta valiosa para determinar la composición corporal en militares, facilitado el control de las distintas variables que se asocian a cada especialidad. El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir el perfil de composición corporal en militares de elite al momento de finalizar un curso de especialización. Participaron 11 militares con un rango de edad entre 22 y 29 años. Se evalúo la composición corporal a través de BIA, inmediatamente después de finalizado un curso de especialización para militares de élite. Las evaluaciones en los militares sobre las variables de la composición corporal a través de BIA mostraron: peso corporal de 84,3 ± 4,52 kg, talla 1,78 ± 0,06 m, índice de masa corporal (IMC) 26,5 ± 1,09, tejido adiposo de 13,7 ± 3,65 %, tejido muscular 49,5 ± 2,34 %, masa libre de grasa 72,7 ± 5,23 kg y 53,2 ± 3,78 l de agua corporal total. Conclusiones: Los militares de elite presentaron elevados niveles de masa libre de grasa, tejido muscular y bajos niveles de tejido adiposo lo que favorece el desarrollo de las actividades militares especializadas y disminuye el riesgo de lesiones. Los datos aquí recogidos sirven como marco de referencia para futuros estudios.S

A single bout of whole-body vibration improves hamstring flexibility in university athletes: A randomized controlled trial

Hamstring muscle injuries are one of most frequent injuries in team sports. Whole-body vibration (WBV) has an important effect on flexibility that could prevent shortening of the hamstrings. To investigate both acute and residual effect of a single bout of WBV on hamstring flexibility in a group of university athletes from team sports 70 athletes (81% men, age 21 ± 1.9 years old) were separated into three groups; control group (CG; n=24), hamstring flexibility group without vibration (-V; n=23), and hamstring flexibility group with vibration (+V; n=23). Both -V and +V groups performed the same experimental protocol, composed of 6 sets of 30 seconds of passive hamstring flexibility over a vibration platform with both legs alternately (full-length 6 minutes; 3 minutes per leg). A high-magnitude vibration loading was applied only in +V group (40 Hz and 4 mm). Hamstring flexibility was evaluated through the Modified Sit and Reach (MSR) and Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR) test before (baseline), immediately after (acute effect), and after 72 h (residual effect) intervention. Both experimental groups showed a significant improvement in flexibility compared to CG in all measures (p<0.05). No statistical differences were found between +V and –V, however, MSR, right PSLR, and left PSLR residual effect size (Cohen's d) were greater in +V. In conclusion, adding a WBV stimulus to flexibility training improves acute and residual hamstring flexibility in university athletes from team sports

The Mediation Effect of Self-Report Physical Activity Patterns in the Relationship between Educational Level and Cognitive Impairment in Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Chilean Health National Survey 2016-2017

The aims of this cross-sectional study were (i) to determine the association of educational level attained with cognitive impairment and (ii) to investigate the mediating effect of different self-report physical activity (PA) patterns in a large sample of older Chileans. A sample of 1571 older adults from the National Chilean Survey (2016-2017) was included. The educational level attained, PA levels, mode of commuting, sedentary time, and leisure-time PA were self-reported through validated questionnaires. Cognitive impairment was determined by Mini-Mental State Examination (modified version). Association between educational level attained and cognitive impairment was examined using logistic regression models. Counterfactual mediation models were used to test the mediating effect of self-reported PA patterns. A lower educational level was consistently associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment (OR range 2.846 to 2.266, all p < 0.001), while leisure-time PA was the only PA pattern that partially mediated this association (proportion mediated 8.0%). In conclusion, leisure-time PA was the solely PA pattern that partially mediated the association between the educational level and cognitive impairment. The rest self-reported PA patterns did not modify this association.P.S.-U. was supported by a grant from ANID/BECAS Chile/72180543. J.P.-D. is part of the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES).Ye

Study protocol and rationale of the “Cogniaction project” a cross-sectional and randomized controlled trial about physical activity, brain health, cognition, and educational achievement in schoolchildren

Background: Education and health are crucial topics for public policies as both largely determine the future wellbeing of the society. Currently, several studies recognize that physical activity (PA) benefits brain health in children. However, most of these studies have not been carried out in developing countries or lack the transference into the education field. The Cogni-Action Project is divided into two stages, a cross-sectional study and a crossover-randomized trial. The aim of the first part is to establish the associations of PA, sedentarism, and physical fitness with brain structure and function, cognitive performance and academic achievement in Chilean schoolchildren (10–13 years-old). The aim of the second part is to determinate the acute effects of three PA protocols on neuroelectric indices during a working memory and a reading task. Methods: PA and sedentarism will be self-reported and objectively-assessed with accelerometers in a representative subsample, whilst physical fitness will be evaluated through the ALPHA fitness test battery. Brain structure and function will be assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a randomized subsample. Cognitive performance will be assessed through the NeuroCognitive Performance Test, and academic achievement by school grades. In the second part 32 adolescents (12–13 year-old) will be cross-over randomized to these condition (i) “Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training” (MICT), (ii) “Cooperative High-Intensity Interval Training” (C-HIIT), and (iii) Sedentary condition. Neuroelectric indices will be measures by electroencephalogram (EEG) and eye-tracking, working memory by n-back task and reading comprehension by a reading task

Efecto de dos programas de entrenamiento con diferente distribución deintensidad (polarizada vs umbral) en el rendimiento aeróbico en ciclistas entrenados

Currently there are two most used training models that condition the work methodology in endurance athletes: ThresholdTraining (UMB) and polarized training (POL). The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of both programs on theaerobic performance of trained cyclists. The research included 18 athletes who were randomly distributed in the BMU group (n= 9; age38 ± 7 years; height 171.8 ± 6.9 cm; body weight 74.10 ± 10.94) and the POL group (n= 9; age 31.4 ± 12.2 years; height 167.5 ± 6.7 cm;weight 63.88 ± 5.37) who completed 4 weeks of training. Both methodologies were executed under similar characteristics in terms of totaltraining time (BMU; 1085 min / wk; POL; 1024 min/wk) but with different intensity distribution (BMU= 70% in zone 1; 30% in zone2; 0% in zone 3; POL= 88% in zone 1; 0% in zone 2; 12% in zone 3). Body weight (kg) and functional threshold power (PUF) weremeasured before and after each programming. Only group with POL load reduced their body weight after the program (POL= -1.38%;p = 0.003). Also, group POL improved their PUF (5.48%; p= 0.012) and by default the watt values per kilogram of weight (V/kg) theywere increased (7.17%; p= 0.015). Compared to UMB intensity distribution, 4 weeks of POL training improves aerobic performance intrained cyclists.En la actualidad son dos los modelos de entrenamiento más utilizados que condicionan la metodología de trabajo en atletas deresistencia: i) Entrenamiento al umbral (UMB) y ii) Entrenamiento polarizado (POL). El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar elefecto de dos programaciones de entrenamiento con diferente distribución de intensidad (polarizada vs umbral) en el rendimiento aeróbicode ciclistas entrenados en un período de 4 semanas. En la investigación participaron 18 ciclistas entrenados que fueron distribuidosaleatoriamente en grupo UMB (n= 9; edad 38 ± 7 años; altura 171,8 ± 6,9 cm; peso corporal 74,10 ± 10,94) y grupo POL (n= 9; edad31,4 ± 12,2 años; altura 167,5 ± 6,7 cm; peso corporal 63,88 ± 5,37) quienes realizaron 4 semanas de entrenamiento. Ambas metodologíasse ejecutaron bajo similares características en cuanto al tiempo total de entrenamiento (UMB: 1085 min/sem; POL: 1024 min/sem) perocon diferente distribución de intensidad (UMB= 70% en zona 1; 30%en zona 2; 0% en zona 3; POL= 88% en zona 1; 0% en zona 2; 12%en zona 3). Peso corporal (kg) y potencia al umbral funcional (PUF) fueron medidos antes y después de cada programación. Sólo grupocon carga POL redujo su peso corporal después del programa (POL= -1,38%; p= 0,003). También, grupo POL mejoró su PUF (5,48%;p= 0,012) y por defecto los valores de vatios por kilogramo de peso (V/kg) se vieron incrementados (7,17%; p= 0,015). En comparacióna distribución de intensidad UMB, cuatro semanas de entrenamiento POL mejora el rendimiento aeróbico en ciclistas entrenados

Impact of Exercise on Gut Microbiota in Obesity

Julio Plaza-Diaz is part of the “UGR Plan Propio de Investigación 2016” and the “Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES), University of Granada”. Patricio Solis-Urra was supported by a fellowship from the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) BECAS Chile/72180543. Julio Plaza-Diaz is supported by a fellowship awarded to postdoctoral researchers at foreign universities and research centers from the “Fundación Ramón Areces”, Madrid, Spain. Jerónimo Aragón-Vela was funded by a Postdoctoral fellowship from the ‘Fundación Alfonso Martín Escudero’ (Spain). Francisco Javier Ruiz-Ojeda is supported by a fellowship from Spanish Government “Agencia Estatal de Investigación-Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación” program (IJC2020-042739-I). We are grateful to Belén Vázquez-González for her assistance with the illustration service.Physical activity, exercise, or physical fitness are being studied as helpful nonpharmacological therapies to reduce signaling pathways related to inflammation. Studies describing changes in intestinal microbiota have stated that physical activity could increase the microbial variance and enhance the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, and both actions could neutralize the obesity progression and diminish body weight. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the literature describing the relationship between physical activity profiles and gut microbiota and in obesity and some associated comorbidities. Promoting physical activity could support as a treatment to maintain the gut microbiota composition or to restore the balance toward an improvement of dysbiosis in obesity; however, these mechanisms need to be studied in more detail. The opportunity to control the microbiota by physical activity to improve health results and decrease obesity and related comorbidities is very attractive. Nevertheless, several incompletely answered questions need to be addressed before this strategy can be implemented.ANID BECAS Chile/72180543Agencia Estatal de Investigación-Juan de la Cierva-IncorporaciónNational Agency for Research and DevelopmentUniversity of GranadaFundación Alfonso Martín EscuderoFundación Ramón ArecesAgencia Estatal de Investigación IJC2020-042739-

Efectos del entrenamiento con movimientos de halterofilia en el rendimiento de esprint, salto y cambio de dirección en deportistas: Una revisión sistemática

The ability to generate maximum power is the most important and determining neuromuscular function in sports performance. Therefore, weightlifting training (WT) and its derivatives is one of the most widely used methods, generating superior strength-power adaptations compared to traditional strength training, jumping and kettlebell training. Objective: To identify the effects of WT on the ability to jump, sprint and change of direction (COD) in athletes. Method: An exhaustive search was carried out in different databases, such as PUBMED, Sportdiscus (EBSCO), Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) under the PRISMA model. The reviewed papers were experimental with and without a control group, between the years 2000 and 2020. Results: The WT produces significant improvements in jump, sprint and in change of direction capacities in the sport population. Conclusion: WT generates significant improvements in jumping, running and change of direction performance under different protocols. There is evidence supporting the use of WT, suggesting its derivatives focused on the second pull and those that use the stretch-shortening cycle in their hanging variants.La capacidad de generar máxima potencia neuromuscular es el factor más importante y determinante en el rendimiento atlético. Debido a esto, el entrenamiento con movimientos de Halterofilia (EMH) y sus derivados es uno de los métodos más usados, ya que la evidencia muestra que genera adaptaciones de fuerza-potencia superiores comparadas con el entrenamiento de fuerza tradicional, de salto y de kettlebells. Objetivo: Identificar los efectos del EMH en la capacidad de salto, esprint y cambio de dirección (COD) en población deportista. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda exhaustiva en diferentes bases de datos, como PUBMED, Sportdiscus (EBSCO), Scopus y Web of Science (WOS) bajo modelo PRISMA. Los trabajos revisados fueron experimentales con y sin grupo de control, entre los años 2000 y 2020. Resultados: El EMH produce mejoras significativas en las capacidades de salto, de esprint y de COD en población deportista. Conclusión: El EMH genera mejoras significativas en el rendimiento de salto, carreras y cambio de dirección bajo distintos protocolos. Existe evidencia que sustenta la aplicación de EMH, recomendando sus derivados centrados en el segundo tirón y aquellos que utilicen el ciclo de estiramiento-acortamiento en sus variantes colgantes

Insights into the Impact of Microbiota in the Treatment of NAFLD/NASH and Its Potential as a Biomarker for Prognosis and Diagnosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing cause of chronic liver illness associated with obesity and metabolic disorders, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type 2 diabetes mellitus. A more severe type of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is considered an ongoing global health threat and dramatically increases the risks of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several reports have demonstrated that liver steatosis is associated with the elevation of certain clinical and biochemical markers but with low predictive potential. In addition, current imaging methods are inaccurate and inadequate for quantification of liver steatosis and do not distinguish clearly between the microvesicular and the macrovesicular types. On the other hand, an unhealthy status usually presents an altered gut microbiota, associated with the loss of its functions. Indeed, NAFLD pathophysiology has been linked to lower microbial diversity and a weakened intestinal barrier, exposing the host to bacterial components and stimulating pathways of immune defense and inflammation via toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, this activation of inflammation in hepatocytes induces progression from simple steatosis to NASH. In the present review, we aim to: (a) summarize studies on both human and animals addressed to determine the impact of alterations in gut microbiota in NASH; (b) evaluate the potential role of such alterations as biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis of this disorder; and (c) discuss the involvement of microbiota in the current treatment for NAFLD/NASH (i.e., bariatric surgery, physical exercise and lifestyle, diet, probiotics and prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation)