Efectos de un entrenamiento de fuerza de corta duración sobre la capacidad de salto vertical en jugadores de voleibol de elite durante la temporada

The aim of this study was to describe the effects of 6 weeks of combined strength and jump training which incorporated modera te loads and high intensity contractions on the vertical jump ability (VJ), loaded jumps and velocity of execution in full squat in a group of professional male volleyball players during the competition season. It was hypothesized that the VJ improved by cross combined strength and jump training both characterized by high velocity of execution (>1m/s). The participants in this study were twelve players who competed in the fir st national division of the Spanish National League during the 2011-2012 season. The neuromuscular performance was estimated by unloaded (CMJ) and load ed countermovement jumps (CMJ loaded ) height (cm); and by velocity of displacement in the concentric phase of full squat (FS) (m/s). There was a significant increase in CMJ and CMJ loaded after 6-week of training (5%, p<0.01; and 5.7%, p<0.05; respectively). These changes were accompanied by a small and moderate value of Effect Size (0.47, and 0.67; respectively). No significant differences were observed for velocity of displacement in FS. The linear correlation analysis showed a single moderate correlation statistically significant between the changes in CMJ-CMJ loaded and CMJ-FS (r=0.62 and r=0.59, p<0.05; respectively). Albeit speculative, our results suggest that the use of moderate loads could be enough to im prove the vertical jump performance, since in our study a load equivalent to 60% 1RM in the FS was not exceeded and jumping exercises were performed wi th light loads.El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los efectos de 6 semanas de entrenamiento combinado de fuerza y salto, el cual incorpora cargas moderadas e intensidades de contracción altas, sobre la capacidad de salto vertical, saltos con cargas y la velocidad de ejecución en el ejercicio de sentadilla en un grupo de jugadores profesionales de voleibol durante la temporada de competición. Se estableció la hipótesis de que el sa lto vertical mejoro por el uso combinado de entrenamiento de fuerza y salto, ambos caracterizados por una alta velocidad de ejecución (>1m/s). El rendimie nto neuromuscular fue estimado por la altura (cm) del salto sin cargas (CMJ), salto con cargas (CMJ loaded ), y por la velocidad (m/s) de desplazamiento en la fase concéntrica en la sentadilla completa (FS). Tuvo lugar un incremento significativo en CMJ y CMJ loaded después de 6 semanas de entrenamientos (5%, p<0.01; y 5.7%, p<0.05; respectivamente). Estos cambios fueron acompañados por un valor de Tamaño del Efecto pequeño y moderado (0.47, and 0.67 ; respectivamente). No se observaron diferencias significativas en la velocidad de desplazamiento en FS. El análisis de correlación lineal mostró una correlación moderada estadísticamente significativa entre los cambios en CMJ-CMJ loaded y CMJ-FS (r=0.62; y r=0.59, p<0.05; respectivamente). Aunque algo especulativo, nuestros resultados sugieren que el uso de cargas moderadas podría ser suficiente para mejorar el rendimiento del salto vertical, ya que en nuestro estudio no se excedió una carga equivalente al 60% de 1RM en FS y los ejercicios de saltos también fueron realizados con cargas ligeras

Restauración de templos religiosos: intervención en la iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Belén en Crevillente (Alicante)

Heritage conservation has raised historical problems usually centered in defects resulting from water leaks. Thus, any intervention is presented as a difficult task, both due to building techniques to be used and the lack of economic resources in many cases. In relation to the temples existing in Alicante (Spain), water drainage is solved with pitched roofs on slope formation (in vaulted naves) or directly supported on the vaulted elements (in the domes). Since those construction systems are composed by brick and plaster, the presence of moisture is problematic, and represents a risk of losing the strength capacity and therefore the stability of the dome. An example of this problem is the dome of the church “Nuestra Señora de Belén” in Crevillente, built with solid bricks, it has the highest diameter of the province (18th century). This historic building has been restored on several occasions in the recent years due to moisture, cracks or fissures. The study of these works give an idea of the difficulties of maintenance, conservation and proper restoration of such kind of buildings as unique and valued constructions in our heritage

3D teaching: the ideal complement for professionals in design and construction

Today, the requirement of professional skills to university students is constantly increasing in our society. In our opinion, the content offered in official degrees need to be nourished with different variables, enriching their global professional knowledge in a parallel way; that is why, in recent years, there is a great multiplicity of complementary courses at university. One of the most socially demanded technical requirements within the architectural, design or engineering field is the management of 3D drawing software, becoming an indispensable reality in these sectors. Thus, this specific training becomes essential over two-dimension traditional design, because the inclusion of great possibilities of spatial development that go beyond conventional orthographic projections (plans, sections or elevations), allowing modelling and rotation of the selected items from multiple angles and perspectives. Therefore, this paper analyzes the teaching methodology of a complementary course for those technicians in the construction industry interested in computer-aided design, using modelling (SketchupMake) and rendering programs (Kerkythea). The course is developed from the technician point of view, by learning computer management and its application to professional development from a more general to a more specific view through practical examples. The proposed methodology is based on the development of real examples in different professional environments such as rehabilitation, new constructions, opening projects or architectural design. This multidisciplinary contribution improves criticism of students in different areas, encouraging new learning strategies and the independent development of three-dimensional solutions. Thus, the practical implementation of new situations, even suggested by the students themselves, ensures active participation, saving time during the design process and the increase of effectiveness when generating elements which may be represented, moved or virtually tested. In conclusion, this teaching-learning methodology improves the skills and competencies of students to face the growing professional demands of society. After finishing the course, technicians not only improved their expertise in the field of drawing but they also enhanced their capacity for spatial vision; both essential qualities in these sectors that can be applied to their professional development with great success

Construction of Structures I in Moodle: a new teaching methodology in the Degree of Building Engineer

The subject of Construction of Structures I studies, from a constructive point of view and taking into account current legislation, reinforced concrete structures used in buildings, through the acquisition of knowledge and construction criteria required in the profession of a Technical Architect. The contents acquired in this course are essential for further professional development of technicians and are closely related to many of the subjects taught in the same or other courses of the Degree in Technical Architecture at the University of Alicante. The aim of this paper is to present, analyze and discuss the development of a new methodology proposed in the mentioned subject, as it supposed an important change in the traditional way of teaching Construction and Structures I. In order to incorporate new teaching tools in 2013-2014, the course has been implemented by using a Moodle software tool to promote blended learning with online exercises. Our Moodle community allows collaborative work within an open-source platform where teachers and students share a new and personalized learning environment. Students are easily used to the interface and the platform, value the constant connection with teachers or other fellows and completely agree with the possibility of making questions or share documents 24 hours a day. The proposed methodology consists of lectures and practical classes. In the lectures, the basics of each topic are discussed; class attendance, daily study and conducting scheduled exercises are indispensable. Practical classes allow to consolidate the knowledge gained in theory classes by solving professional exercises and actual construction problems related to structures, that shall be compulsorily delivered online. So, after the correction of the teacher and the subsequent feedback of students, practical exercises ensure lifelong learning of the student, who can download any kind of material at any time (constructive details, practical exercises and even corrected exams). Regarding the general evaluation system, goals achievement is assessed on an ongoing basis (65% of the final mark) along the course through written and graphic evidences in person and online, as well as a individual development of a workbook. In all cases, the acquisition of skills, the ability to synthesize, the capacity of logical and critical thinking are assessed. The other 35 % of the mark is evaluated by a complementary graphic exam. Participation in the computing platform is essential and the student is required to do and present, at least 90% of the practices proposed. Those who do not comply with the practices in each specific date could not be assessed continuously and may only choose the final exam. In conclusion, the subject of Construction of Structures I is essential in the development of the regulated profession of Technical Architect as they are considered, among other professional profiles, as specialists in construction of building structures. The use of a new communication platform and online teaching allows the acquisition of knowledge and constructive approaches in a continuous way, with a more direct and personal monitoring by the teacher that has been highly appreciated by almost 100% of the students. Ultimately, it is important to say that the use of Moodle in this subject is a very interesting tool, which was really well welcome by students in one of the densest and important subjects of the Degree of Technical Architecture

Personality and an internal enemy: understanding the popularity of Álvaro Uribe, 2002-2010

[EN] During two terms in office, Álvaro Uribe enjoyed very high approval ratings. This deviates from the typical approval patterns exhibited by most executives in the region and from prior Colombian presidents. In this paper we give elements to understand what explains Uribe’s eight-year honeymoon. Here we argue that Uribe’s popularity was the interplay of three factors: A ruling style that allowed him to build an affective link with citizens. Uribe’s ability to create a rally-around-the-flag atmosphere regarding the internal armed conflict. And a booming economy. Using regression models based on cross-national and survey data results indicate that: Uribe exhibited high approval ratings because he was part of a group of Latin American executives who developed a government style based on an emotional link with people, and that those citizens who saw the internal conflict as the main problem in Colombia and were more exposed to Uribe’s messages about the insurgent threat were more likely to support him