Cross-Sectional Study of the Anthropometric Profile and Nutrient Status of Elite Female Ice Hockey Players: Differences by Play Position

Both the characteristics of ice hockey and the environmental conditions in which it is played affect the maintenance of the player’s nutritional status and, therefore, their state of health and performance. The primary aim of this work was to examine the anthropometric profile, estimated energy expenditure, and macronutrient and micronutrient dietary intake of elite female ice hockey players by play position. As a secondary aim, their dietary intakes were compared with the recommendations. Hypotheses suggest variations in body composition based on ice hockey players’ positions, with the expectation that these athletes may not align with energy and nutrient recommendations. Fifteen elite female ice hockey players were anthropometrically measured, basal metabolic rate and total energy expenditure were estimated, a 3-day, 24 h recall questionnaire was registered, and the results were compared with the recommended dietary intake for the Spanish population. Each player’s position on the field requires an individualized physical and nutritional approach. There are no significant imbalances (p > 0.05) between energy and nutrient intake in relation to the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI); however, increasing the consumption of vegetables and seafood while reducing meat and fat intake would assist these athletes in maintaining a healthier energy balance, optimizing body composition, and aligning with nutritional parameters that are better suited to enhance physical performance.High Council for Sports (CSD), Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport, through the NESA NETWORK “Spanish Network of Sports Care at Altitude (RADA),” Ref. 19/UPB/23Instituto de Salud Carlos III through CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038, which is cofounded by the European Regional Development Fun

Association between Functional Fitness and Health-Related Quality of Life in the Balearic Islands’ Old Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

Research assessing the relationship between functional fitness (FF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is still scarce. The objective of this research is to assess the association between FF and HRQoL in older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) from Balearic Islands (Spain). The design is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative study involving 209 participants (42.2% women). The sociodemographic data and medical history of the participants were collected. Physical activity was evaluated using the Spanish version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were measured. Glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride plasma levels were measured. A battery of functional fitness tests was applied. HRQoL was measured with the Spanish version of the SF-36 questionnaire. Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern was assessed. In older subjects with MetS, a higher FF score and, within it, endurance, lower body strength, one-leg balance, and agility are positively associated with lower physical function (p < 0.001; d = 0.56), better general health (p = 0.019; d = 0.35), and better summary physical component of HRQoL (p < 0.001; d = 0.57). The FF score and HRQoL physical component are both positively associated with high levels of physical activity (ORadj = 10.3, IC 4.19–28.2, p < 0.001; ORadj = 3.25, IC 1.44–7.72, p < 0.005). Older adults with MetS should consider practicing physical activity above the general recommendations to improve their functional fitness and health status and quality of life

Passive damped deployment of full composite structures

A new material, currently used in non-spatial applications, with interesting properties has been identified: a flexible epoxy resin with lower stiffness and higher damping than the space used resins and that is miscible with these ones. Such a mixed material could be used in CFRP components which properties (stiffness and damping) could be customised. One possible application has been selected for this study: the deployment of full CFRP structures composed of thin-walled composite deployable booms with tape-spring hinges on them. These kind of passive springs have been shown to be very powerful, but they have also shown a hard dynamic behaviour that can produce damages to the deployed items or their hosting structure. The partial use of flexible epoxy resins in the CFRP hinges can introduce an efficient damping in the deployment and relief of this dynamic effect. The objective of this activity is to verify the feasibility of the use of a mixture of rigid and flexible epoxy resins for obtaining better dynamic performances of CFRP tape springs. The results of this study are very promising. They show that it is possible to customise the properties of some components by finding the adequate mixture of resins. However, additional studies are necessary to assess good performances in space environment. The validation of this material can open the door to new space applications where the proper combination of stiffness and damping is crucial

Modular deployable structures

Large aperture antennas and telescopes, long baselines and long focal lengths in space have important applications for Telecommunications, Earth Observation and Science missions. Within this context, an ESA TRP activity is currently under development, carried out by COMET Ingeniería, PROSIX Engineering and Airbus DS (CASA Espacio), with the aim of designing overall structural assemblies based on unit cells developing representative parts of deployable masts (linear structures) and rings (antenna or radiotelescope aperture). This paper presents the current status of this project and the results obtained until the date of presentation of this paper. The results of these paper will be confirmed during next PDR to be celebrated at ESA-ESTEC

Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Pattern, Physical Activity, and Physical Self-Concept in Spanish Older Adults

Background: The aging world population is accelerating rapidly. Physical self-concept (PSC) is one of the psychosocial factors with the greatest influence on an individual’s well-being and health. The traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) is considered one of the healthiest dietary models, as it is nutritionally complete and easy to follow. Objective: To assess the adherence to MDP and its association with the practice of physical activity (PA) and PSC levels in the older adult Spanish population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of Spanish older adults (n = 342; older than 55 years old). Their PSC was assessed using a previously validated PSC questionnaire. Adherence to an MDP was assessed using a validated Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener questionnaire. Their PA was measured using the Spanish version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data on age, sex, hypertension, cholesterol or diabetes suffered in the last 12 months, as well as weight, height, and BMI, were collected. Results: At the lowest levels of PSC, the percentage of individuals who were non-active and non-adhering to the MDP was lower compared to the highest levels (75.0% vs. 19.6; p = 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.414, and 83.3% vs. 57.9%; p = 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.221, respectively). This sample showed an abandonment of the most classic habits of the MDP, such as the consumption of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish. Conclusions: Non-adherence to the MDP and low levels of PA are associated with low levels of PSC in older adults