Effects of a mobility and dynamic strength intervention program on the range of motion, strength, and strength asymmetry in people with neck or low back pain

The purpose was to ascertain the effects of a 12-week intervention program based on exercises of mobility and dynamic strength on the stabilization of neck and trunk muscles in people with neck or low back pain according to gender. Forty-two subjects (n = 25 males and n = 17 females; age 49.62±8.82 years) with neck or low back pain completed a recovery-training program focused on improving mobility and strength in the stabilizing muscles of the trunk and neck. A range of motion test, a strength (maximum voluntary contraction) test and the muscle strength asymmetry of the muscle groups analyzed were assessed at the beginning (T1), after six (T2) and after 12 (T3) weeks of intervention. Improvements were seen in nine out of the 12 range of motion variables at T2 (ES=0.52 to 1.26, moderate-high; p<.05) and T3 (ES=-0.28 to -0.44, low; p<.05 or p<.01). Improvements were also evident in all the strength variables at T2 (ES=-0.81, high; p<.01) and T3 (ES=-1.08 to -0.95, high; p<.01). In contrast, in the strength asymmetry variables improvements were found in one out of the five variables analyzed at T2 (ES=-0.81, high; p<.01) and two out of five at T3 (ES=- 1.08 to -0.95, high; p<.01). In conclusion, the intervention was effective for improving range of motion and strength. However, to improve muscle strength asymmetry it may be necessary to include specific exercises

Associations between Well-Being State and Match External and Internal Load in Amateur Referees

The main aim of this paper was to examine the association between prematch well-being status with match internal and external load in field (FR) and assistant (AR) soccer referees. Twenty-three FR and 46 AR participated in this study. The well-being state was assessed using the Hooper Scale and the match external and internal loads were monitored with Stryd Power Meter and heart monitors. While no significant differences were found in Hooper indices between match officials, FR registered higher external loads (p < 0.01; ES: 0.75 to 5.78), spent more time in zone 4 and zone 5, and recorded a greater training impulse (TRIMP) value (p < 0.01; ES: 1.35 to 1.62) than AR. Generally, no associations were found between the well-being variables and external loads for FR and AR. Additionally, no associations were found between the Hooper indices and internal loads for FR and AR. However, several relationships with different magnitudes were found between internal and external match loads, for FR, between power and speed with time spent in zone 2 (p < 0.05; r = −0.43), ground contact time with zone 2 and zone 3 (p < 0.05; r = 0.50 to 0.60) and power, speed, cadence and ground contact time correlated with time spent in zone 5 and TRIMP (p < 0.05 to 0.01; r = 0.42 to 0.64). Additionally, for AR, a relationship between speed and time in zone 1 was found (p < 0.05; r = −0.30; CL = 0.22). These results suggest that initial well-being state is not related to match officials’ performances during match play. In addition, the Stryd Power Meter can be a useful device to calculate the external load on soccer match officials

Engagement of people diagnosed with schizophrenia in a five-month exercise program: CORTEX-SP study

Exercise programs represent useful non-pharmacological resources in preventing and treating mental disorders such as schizophrenia (SZ), but there are aforementioned reasons, (i.e., low rates of participation). The study aimed to explore the engagement of people diagnosed with SZ in a five-month exercise program. Therefore, purposive criterion sampling was utilized to recruit 35 participants who were diagnosed with SZ. Qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews; these were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified from the analysis: intrapersonal factors (characteristics and clinical consequences of the SZ and pharmacotherapy), interpersonal factors (relationships with people that participate, health professionals, and family and friends), and environmental factors (exercise program organization and participants’ perception regarding the program). In conclusion, the symptoms and pharmacological treatments for the illness were perceived to be the primary barriers to engaging in exercise for the participants. Participants gave great importance to interpersonal factors, they perceived the group atmosphere and the program environment to be fundamental axes of the program. The presence of healthcare professionals, as well as the support, were also perceived to facilitate engagement in the exercise program

Effects of the psychological stress, fatigue, muscle damage and rest perception in pre-match warm-up of amateur handball players

Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar los efectos de un protocolo de calentamiento en el rendimiento físico, en el esfuerzo percibido diferenciado (dRPE) y en la percepción de estar preparados para afrontar un partido (PREP), y analizar la influencia del nivel inicial de percepción del estrés, descanso/sueño, fatiga y dolor muscular (escala Hooper) de los jugadores en el rendimiento físico. Doce jugadores sénior de balonmano respondieron a la escala de Hooper, después, realizaron su calentamiento estándar pre partido de 30 min y antes (pretest) y después (postest) del mismo realizaron una batería de test físicos y declararon PREP. Al finalizar declararon el dRPE. No hubo diferencias significativas ni en el rendimiento físico ni en la PREP, pero los jugadores con un mayor estrés o una peor percepción del nivel de sueño obtuvieron un peor resultado en el pretest CODA 505, y los jugadores con un mayor estrés o un mayor daño muscular de miembros superiores obtuvieron una mayor carga percibida respiratoria. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el calentamiento puede ser positivo para paliar los efectos adversos especialmente en los jugadores que perciben mayores niveles de estrés y ausencia de descanso/sueño.The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a warm-up protocol on the physical performance, the differentiated perceived exertion (dRPE) and on the perception of being prepared to play a match (PREP) in handball players. Moreover, the influence of the initial level of perception of stress, rest/sleep, fatigue and muscular pain of the players in the physical performance was also analyzed. Twelve senior handball players performed a pre-match standard warm-up for 30 min. At the beginning of the study players' perception of rest/sleep, stress level, level of fatigue, as well as muscle pain was recorded. Before (pretest) and after (post-test) the warm-up all players complete a physical tests battery and declared how prepared they felt to face a match. The results showed that the performed warm-up did not significantly modify the physical performance of the players and there was no significant change either in the value of the perception of being prepared to face the match. However, the players who reported greater stress or worse perception of sleep level at the beginning of the session obtained a worse result in the CODA 505 pretest. Likewise, the players who declared greater stress or greater muscle damage of upper limbs obtained a higher respiratory load perception. Although the pre-game warm-up protocol used in this study did not improve the physical performance or the perception the players had of being prepared to play the match, the results obtained show that the warm-up can be positive to alleviate the adverse effects especially in players who at the beginning of the session perceive higher levels of stress and absence of rest/sleep.peerReviewe

Effects of the psychological stress, fatigue, muscle damage and rest perception in pre-match warm-up of amateur handball players

Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar los efectos de un protocolo de calentamiento en el rendimiento físico, en el esfuerzo percibido diferenciado (dRPE) y en la percepción de estar preparados para afrontar un partido (PREP), y analizar la influencia del nivel inicial de percepción del estrés, descanso/sueño, fatiga y dolor muscular (escala Hooper) de los jugadores en el rendimiento físico. Doce jugadores sénior de balonmano respondieron a la escala de Hooper, después, realizaron su calentamiento estándar pre partido de 30 min y antes (pretest) y después (postest) del mismo realizaron una batería de test físicos y declararon PREP. Al finalizar declararon el dRPE. No hubo diferencias significativas ni en el rendimiento físico ni en la PREP, pero los jugadores con un mayor estrés o una peor percepción del nivel de sueño obtuvieron un peor resultado en el pretest CODA 505, y los jugadores con un mayor estrés o un mayor daño muscular de miembros superiores obtuvieron una mayor carga percibida respiratoria. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el calentamiento puede ser positivo para paliar los efectos adversos especialmente en los jugadores que perciben mayores niveles de estrés y ausencia de descanso/sueño.The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a warm-up protocol on the physical performance, the differentiated perceived exertion (dRPE) and on the perception of being prepared to play a match (PREP) in handball players. Moreover, the influence of the initial level of perception of stress, rest/sleep, fatigue and muscular pain of the players in the physical performance was also analyzed. Twelve senior handball players performed a pre-match standard warm-up for 30 min. At the beginning of the study players' perception of rest/sleep, stress level, level of fatigue, as well as muscle pain was recorded. Before (pretest) and after (post-test) the warm-up all players complete a physical tests battery and declared how prepared they felt to face a match. The results showed that the performed warm-up did not significantly modify the physical performance of the players and there was no significant change either in the value of the perception of being prepared to face the match. However, the players who reported greater stress or worse perception of sleep level at the beginning of the session obtained a worse result in the CODA 505 pretest. Likewise, the players who declared greater stress or greater muscle damage of upper limbs obtained a higher respiratory load perception. Although the pre-game warm-up protocol used in this study did not improve the physical performance or the perception the players had of being prepared to play the match, the results obtained show that the warm-up can be positive to alleviate the adverse effects especially in players who at the beginning of the session perceive higher levels of stress and absence of rest/sleep.peerReviewe

Health and Wellness Status Perception of Half-Marathon Runners: Influence of Age, Sex, Injury, and Training with Qualified Staff

The aim of this study was to analyze the health and wellness status perception in amateur half-marathon runners according to sex, age, being injured or not during the two months prior to the race, and having the support or not of qualified staff for race preparation. Six hundred and twenty-four amateur level half-marathon athletes (515 men and 107 women; 41.5 ± 10.1 years) participated in the study. One week before competing in a half-marathon, participants answered the Hooper Index and the SF-36 questionnaire. Women stated higher stress before competing in the race (p 40 years. Women showed a better quality of life in physical and emotional role dimensions (p 40 years showed a better quality of life in the emotional role dimension (p < 0.05). The group that had suffered an injury (InjuryYes) declared greater muscle soreness (MusclSore; p < 0.01), and the group that had qualified staff (QualifStaffYes) declared a higher level of stress (p < 0.05) and fatigue (p < 0.01). The Injury No (InjuryNo) group showed a better quality of life in the physical function dimension (p < 0.01). The group that did not have qualified staff (QualifStaffNo) showed a better quality of life in the dimensions of body pain, general health, vitality, social function (p < 0.05), and mental health (p < 0.01), while the QualifStaffYes group showed better results in the dimensions of physical function and emotional role (p < 0.05). Sex, age, being injured or not during the two months prior to the race, and having the support or not of qualified staff for the race preparation can influence the health and wellness status perception.The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Spanish government subproject Integration ways between qualitative and quantitative data, multiple case development, and synthesis review as the main axis for an innovative future in physical activity and sport research (PGC2018-098742-B-C31) (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema I + D + i), that is part of the coordinated project—New Approach to Research in Physical Activity and Sport from a Mixed Methods Perspective (NARPAS_MM) (SPGC201800X098742CV0)

Design and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess the Leisure Time Physical Activity of Adult Women in Gipuzkoa

Inactivity is higher among women than among men, and there are few specific questionnaires used to assess physical activity (PA) in women that are truly meaningful to them. This article tackles the design and validation process of an ad hoc multidimensional questionnaire to assess leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among adult women of Gipuzkoa. The questionnaire was completed by 3595 adult women (43.5 ± 12.1 years), 32% of which were inactive and 68% of which were active. Content validation, ecological validation, and internal consistency analysis results were satisfactory. The Gipuzkoa Women’s Physical Activity Questionnaire (GWPAQ) consists of four dimensions and 21 items. Barriers to PA were found related to intrapersonal, environmental, and socio-cultural aspects. The importance of family and spousal support in increasing PA levels was also observed. It is concluded that the GWPAQ is valid for obtaining evidence that can be used by public institutions to optimise women-specific PA promotion policies.This research was funded by GIPUZKOA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL—DIPUTACIÓN FORAL DE GIPUZKOA in the frame of “Investigación aplicada para la promoción de la actividad física en la población de Guipuzcoa” (2020.0662)

Young women’s leisure time physical activity determinants: a mixed methods approach

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to analyze the habits, motives and barriers related to Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) among young women of Gipuzkoa, from a mixed approach.MethodsA total of 526 women aged 18–29 (24.60 ± 3.30 years) responded to the Gipuzkoa Women’s Physical Activity Questionnaire (GWPAQ), seven of which were later interviewed.ResultsThe main motives for LTPA were intrapersonal — related to health and enjoyment — and to interpersonal networks. However, the main barriers facing LTPA were mostly intrapersonal, such as lack of time, tiredness, and laziness. Contextual factors such as the availability of safe spaces, previous negative experiences, or negative self-perception of motor competence also emerged as conditioning factors in young women’s LTPA habits.DiscussionThis study may help to promote policies aimed at incentivizing LTPA for young women based on their needs and interests, by addressing the diversity of factors

Percepción del alumnado de Educación Secundaria sobre las personas con discapacidad y el personal de apoyo educativo en las clases de Educación Física

The main goal of this study was to understand the perception of the secondary school students concerning the relationship they have with people with disability in physical education classes, as well as the role played by the assistant teacher. 260 students from Secondary and Bachelor Education answered an ad hoc questionnaire. The results showed that almost all the students know someone with a disability (77.6%), but the percentage decreases a lot when asked if they had relation with any person with disability (48.1%). Students think that the assistant teacher is a really important and positive person (8.5 out of 10) and that its presence does not constitute a barrier for them to interact with disable schoolmates (3 out of 10). Finally, most of them think that it would be a great idea and they would be willing to help students with a disability in physical education lessons (7.9 out of 10).El presente estudio tuvo por objeto&nbsp;conocer la percepción que tienen los estudiantes de Educación Secundaria de las personas con discapacidad, de las relaciones que mantienen con ellas en las clases de Educación Física y del papel que desempeña en las mismas el personal de apoyo educativo. Participaron 260 estudiantes de ESO y Bachillerato, a los que se les administró un cuestionario ad hoc. Los resultados mostraron que la mayoría de los estudiantes conocían a alguna persona con discapacidad (77,6%), pero sólo la mitad se relacionaba con ellas (48,1%). Los estudiantes valoraron la presencia y el trabajo del personal de apoyo educativo como importante y positivo (8,5 sobre 10), sin que su presencia supusiese una barrera para relacionarse con las personas con discapacidad (3 sobre 10). Finalmente, la mayor parte de los estudiantes cree que sería interesante y estarían dispuestos a prestar ayuda a las personas con discapacidad en el ámbito de la Educación Física (7,9 sobre 10).&nbsp