Anthropometric Characteristics, Body Composition and Somatotype of Elite Male Young Runners

The authors would like to thank the Andalusian Athletics Federation for their permission to set up this study and for their full support and collaboration during the investigation. The authors also wish to thank all runners for their participation and cooperation in this study, and Francisco B. Ortega Porcel for his technical support.The purpose of the present study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of elite male young runners (EYR), and to compare these variables according to the specialty in which they engaged (middle-distance vs. long-distance). This will enable an anthropometric profile chart to be established for them. Ninety EYR aged 17 to 23 years (18.4 ± 2.0) participated in the study. Athletes were divided into two groups according to the event in which they participated: middle-distance runners (MDR, n = 56) and long-distance runners (LDR, n = 34). Sixteen anthropometric variables were recorded for each participant: Weight, height, eight skinfolds, four girths, and two breadths. Body mass index (BMI), body composition and somatotype were calculated. Comparing MDR with the group of LDR, significant differences were found to exist for height, weight, relaxed upper arm girth, flexed and tensed upper arm girth, total upper arm area, upper arm muscle area, and thigh muscle area. No significant differences were observed in the other variables. MDR are taller, heavier and have larger girths than LDR. Coaches and sports scientists can use the data obtained to better control training, as well as for talent identification and athlete selection

Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Profiles of World-Class Male Padel Players

The aims of this study were to describe and compare the anthropometric and physical fitness attributes of male padel players according to their competitive level, and to establish a functional anthropometric and physical profile. A total of 60 males participated in the present study. Athletes were grouped according to competition level, forming an elite group (n = 25) and a subelite group (n = 35). Anthropometric variables, hand grip and lumbar isometric strength, flexibility, and lower-body muscular strength were measured. Elite padel players were significantly older and showed significantly lower values for the thigh and calf skinfolds, the sum of six and eight skinfolds, and the sum of lower-limb skinfolds than the subelite group. Elite padel players also had significantly lower values than subelite players for body fat percentage and thigh fat area, whilst showing significantly higher values for lumbar isometric strength. Somatotype of the elite padel players could be defined as endo-mesomorphic. Results suggest that training and talent identification of padel players should focus on their anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness, with these being different between elite and subelite athletes. Normative data could help coaches throughout the talent identification process and in the design of training programs when seeking to optimise sports performance

Efecto de un programa de intervención sobre el estrés percibido, autoestima y rendimiento en jóvenes pilotos de motociclismo de elite

In the motorcycling sport specialty, scientific literature has focused on technology, safety or even on injury variables; however there is little information regarding psychological variables. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of a technical and physical intervention on psychological variables such as self-esteem, self-assessment, appraisal of others and, finally, performance. The sample was made up of twenty-seven young elite road-race motorcyclists who competed in the Red Bull Moto GP Rookies Cup. 16 of whom completed an intervention program (Experimental Group, EG), while the other 14 belonged to the Control Group (CG). We collected the measurements in the first and last race of the season. Our results indicate the EG had controlled the stress level, had a better technique, physical, and psychological conditions, besides better competition performance, in comparison with the CG. We conclude that our intervention program has been effective at maintaining stress levels, bettering technical, tactical and psychological skills, and also improving performance throughout the competition period

Nutritional Habits of Professional Cyclists during Pre-Season

The first aim of the present study was to assess the dietary intake of professional cyclists during pre-season. The second aim was to assess the dietary habits of this population during a complete season. Fifteen elite male (age: 23.2 +/- 5.4 years) and twenty-three elite female (age: 20.1 +/- 7.0 years) cyclists volunteered to participate in the study. Dietary nutrient intake during pre-season was assessed using a 72 h dietary recall interview, and a 136-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary habits during the year. Protein intake exceeded the PRI's recommendation of 0.83 g/kg/day for all cycling groups. Fat exceeded RI recommendations in females in both road (43.3%) and CXO (39.8%) cycling groups, whilst males were found to follow recommendations for fat intake. CHO intake was below recommendations in all groups. Intake of all vitamins exceeded recommendations, with the exception of B9 in female road cyclists (77.8% RDA) and vitamin D in all groups. With regards to mineral intake, consumption exceeded RDA/AI recommendations in all groups except for iodine in male XCO cyclists (61.6%), female road cyclists (61.6%), and female XCO cyclists (58%) and potassium in female road cyclists (74.6%). Males consumed greater amounts of eggs and non-processed foods than females. Road cyclists consumed greater amounts of fish and seafood and had a lower intake of coffee and tea than XCO cyclists. Better knowledge of food guidelines in terms of serving and food variety is important for professional cyclists at may impact health and performance

A bicicleta na sala de aula. Uma proposta prática para melhorar a qualidade de vida e o ambiente

Introducción: Los bajos niveles de actividad física actuales son uno de los grandes problemas que amenazan a nuestra sociedad. En niños y adolescentes, esta reducción de la actividad física se ha visto afectada en los últimos años por unos cambios en el estilo de vida. Entre estos cambios, los desplazamientos a o desde el centro escolar en transporte motorizado, además de reducir los niveles de actividad física, favorecen la congestión del tráfico en los entornos escolares, lo que conlleva aumentos en los niveles de contaminación. La realización de una unidad didáctica de ciclismo puede comportar numerosos beneficios y favorecer un cambio de hábitos entre los adolescentes, ya que se verán obligados a ir al centro educativo en bicicleta los días que tengan Educación Física. Ello podría suponer que algunos valoren positiva la experiencia y la integren en su vida diaria. Objetivos: Realizar una propuesta educativa, acorde a la normativa actual de Educación Secundaria en España. Métodos: Se facilita una propuesta para la iniciación a la bicicleta en Educación Secundaria. Concreción curricular: Se detallan objetivos, competencias clave, contenidos, criterios de evaluación y estándares de aprendizaje relacionados con la normativa vigente. Se indican otros aspectos relacionados con la metodología, interdisciplinariedad y transversalidad, temporalización y evaluación de la propuesta. Conclusiones: El ciclismo debería practicarse en las sesiones de Educación Física en Educación Secundaria, tanto por aspectos propios de la normativa como por los beneficios adicionales que podía aportar al favorecer cambios en los hábitos de vida.Introduction: Today's low levels of physical activity are one of the main problems threatening our society. In children and adolescents, this drop in physical activity has been affected in recent years by changes in lifestyle. Among these changes, commuting to and from school by motorised transport not only reduces levels of physical activity, but also increases traffic congestion in school environments, leading to increased levels of pollution. The development of a cycling lesson can bring many benefits and encourage a change of habits among teenagers, as they will be forced to cycle to school on days when they have Physical Education. This could lead some of them to value the experience positively and integrate it into their daily lives. Aim: To develop an educational proposal, in accordance with current regulations in Spain. Methods: A proposal for the introduction to cycling in secondary education is provided. Curriculum specification: Objectives, key competences, contents, assessment criteria and learning standards related to current regulations are detailed. Other aspects related to methodology, interdisciplinarity and transversality, timing and assessment of the teaching unit are indicated. Conclusions: Cycling should be practised in Physical Education sessions in Secondary Education, both because of aspects related to the regulations and because of the additional benefits it could bring by favouring changes in lifestyle habits.Introdução: Os actuais baixos níveis de atividade física são um dos principais problemas que ameaçam a nossa sociedade. Nas crianças e adolescentes, esta redução da atividade física tem sido afetada nos últimos anos por alterações no estilo de vida. Entre estas alterações, as deslocações de e para a escola em transportes motorizados não só reduzem os níveis de atividade física, como também conduzem ao congestionamento do tráfego no meio escolar, resultando num aumento dos níveis de poluição. A implementação de uma unidade de ciclismo pode trazer muitos benefícios e incentivar uma mudança de hábitos entre os adolescentes, uma vez que estes serão obrigados a ir de bicicleta para a escola nos dias em que têm educação física. Isto pode levar alguns deles a valorizar positivamente a experiência e a integrá-la no seu quotidiano. Objectivos: Realizar uma proposta educativa, de acordo com a atual regulamentação do Ensino Secundário em Espanha. Métodos: É apresentada uma proposta para a introdução do ciclismo no ensino secundário. Especificação curricular: São detalhados os objectivos, as competências-chave, os conteúdos, os critérios de avaliação e os padrões de aprendizagem relacionados com a regulamentação atual. São indicados outros aspectos relacionados com a metodologia, a interdisciplinaridade e a transversalidade, a calendarização e a avaliação da proposta. Conclusões: O ciclismo deve ser praticado em sessões de Educação Física no Ensino Secundário, tanto por aspectos relacionados com os regulamentos como pelos benefícios adicionais que poderia trazer ao favorecer mudanças nos hábitos de vida

LIFT front-contact metallization of silicon solar cells

© 2021 Elsevier. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) is a very versatile technique, allowing the selective transfer of a wide range of materials with no contact and high accuracy. This work includes the analysis of heterojunction silicon solar cells with the frontal grid deposited by LIFT, and the electric characterization of the deposited lines.Partial financial support for this work has been provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the projects CHENOC (ENE2016-78933-C4-1-R and ENE2016-78933-C4-4-R) and SCALED (PID2019-109215RBC41 and PID2019-109215RB-C44).Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Laboratorios vivientes universitarios: nuevas posibilidades para tecnologías asistivas y el desarrollo sostenible

En los últimos años, las universidades han tomado un rol protagónico en innovación y transferencia tecnológica en las comunidades. El objetivo de este artículo es una reflexión teórica a través de una breve actualización en torno a la figura de laboratorios vivientes en un espacio universitario como una herramienta para expandir las posibilidades de diseño, fabricación y distribución de tecnologías asistivas de forma sostenible, a través de la revisión de literatura reciente sobre los tópicos planteados. Los resultados denotan que, desde talleres de diseño industrial universitarios, pueden surgir espacios de diálogo entre las tecnologías asistivas alternativas, la industria, el emprendimiento y la comunidad, al potenciar cuatro elementos claves de los laboratorios vivientes: financiamiento, valores, comunicación e infraestructura. Se concluye que, considerar los laboratorios vivientes como el siguiente paso evolutivo de talleres universitarios potenciarían el desarrollo de tecnologías asistivas en un entorno sostenible

Influence of wavelength and pulse duration on the selective laser ablation of WOx, VOx and MoOx thin films

© 2022 Elsevier. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/In this paper, we present a study of the laser scribing of WOx, VOx, and MoOx films, deposited onto crystalline silicon, with three different wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm) and in two temporal regimes in pulse width, picosecond and nanosecond. For each case, we measure the fluence threshold to remove the transition metal oxides (TMO) film and the fluence threshold to induce damage in the crystalline silicon substrate. The relation between the process parameters and the morphological changes produced in the oxide films is also analysed. The selection of the proper laser source allows a wide parametric window, leading to the complete removal of the TMO films without alteration of the crystalline silicon substrate. Morphological changes of the ablated regions were characterized through confocal microscopy and the relationships between the dimensions of the craters and the ablation parameters were analysed. Finally, we present results on the isolation of diodes and their electrical characteristics, showing the quality of the laser scribing processes.Partial financial support for this work has been provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the projects CHENOC (ENE2016–78933-C4–1-R and ENE2016–78933-C4–4-R) and SCALED (PID2019–109215RB-C41 and PID2019–109215RB-C44).Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Patterning of WOx, VOx, and MoOx thin-films with picosecond and nanosecond laser sources

© 2022 Elsevier. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Transition metal oxide (TMOs) layers have interesting properties as selective contacts, i.e., hole or electron transport layers for novel semiconductor devices. Especially, oxides of molybdenum (MoO3), vanadium (V2O5), and tungsten (WO3) show good bahaviour acting as front hole-selective contacts for n-type crystalline-silicon heterojunction solar cells. Laser scribing has been widely used for thin-film ablation and seems the appropriate technology for device manufacturing with such non-conventional materials. In this work, we study the laser scribing of non-stoichiometric evaporated WOx, VOx, and MoOx films with three different wavelengths (1064, 532, and 355 nm) with pulse duration in the nanosecond and picosecond regimes. The selection of the proper laser source allows a wide parametric window, with complete removal of the TMO films and no alteration of the silicon substrate. The results on the isolation of diodes and their electrical characteristics show the quality of the laser scribing processes.Partial financial support has been provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the projects CHENOC (ENE2016–78933-C4–1-R and ENE2016– 78933-C4–4-R) and SCALED (PID2019–109215RB-C41 and PID2019–109215RB-C44).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version