Subjective well-being, perceived effort, learning and fun in inclusive water skiing

Este estudio investigó la percepción de bienestar subjetivo (BS), aprendizaje, diversión y esfuerzo en un curso de esquí náutico inclusivo. Cinco adultos con discapacidades físicas con edades comprendidas entre 45 y 63 años (M = 52.6, DE = 7.7), procedentes de un Centro de Referencia Estatal de Discapacidad y Dependencia, participaron en un curso de seis sesiones de esquí náutico inclusivo (ENI) en el medio natural de un embalse. La metodología del curso siguió un enfoque basado en capacidades, en torno a un espectro de inclusión aplicado al esquí náutico (Suárez-Iglesias y Suárez-García, 2016). El BS de los participantes se midió antes y después del curso con el cuestionario Well-being Index (WHO-5) (WHO, 1998). En cada sesión, la percepción de aprendizaje y diversión se valoró con el instrumento del “semáforo”, elaborado por Palao y Hernández (2012), mientras que la intensidad se evaluó a través de la escala de percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo de Borg (1982). Los resultados muestran que el BS aumentó tras la realización del curso, y en la mayoría de sesiones los participantes consideraron haber aprendido y haberse divertido mucho, percibiendo generalmente el esfuerzo entre “bastante ligero” y “algo duro”. En definitiva, la práctica de ENI por parte de adultos institucionalizados que envecejen con discapacidades podría promover su BS y servir como una actividad física de tiempo libre que disfrutan, donde aprenden y que no requiere gran esfuerzo.</jats:p

Functional Capacity of Tai Chi-Practicing Elderly People

[EN] Research shows that ageing is modifiable or modulable, attending to external modifications and lifestyle factors: physical activity has a unique contribution to functional health and energy balance. Extensive research shows Tai Chi (TC) produced a major physical condition. To determine the impact of lifestyle on functional capacity, comparing the impact of continued long-life practice. 113 individuals (±71.53 years old): (a) PTC (n = 27); senior competitors, life-long training; (b) TC (n = 27); ±4 years; (c) Keep-Fit (KF n = 36); ±4 years; and the control group (d) sedentary individuals (SI n = 23). Five tests from the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) were used to assess the physical condition. The TC group showed significantly better results than the KF group: 30-s chair stand (23.22 ± 3.08 * rep vs. 17.17 ± 2.96 rep), chair sit-and-reach (2.19 ± 4.85 * cm vs. −1.93 ± 5.46 cm) and back scratch (1.02 ± 4.46 * cm vs. −2.43 ± 5.78 cm). The TCP group showed better results than the TC group: 30-s chair stand (27.70 ± 4.98 * rep vs. 23.22 ± 3.08 rep), 30-s arm curl (30.22 ± 4.36 * rep vs. 23.48 ± 3.42 rep), chair sit-and-reach (13.07 ± 4.00 * cm vs. 2.19 ± 4.85 cm) and back scratch (5.48 ± 3.51 * cm vs. 1.02 ± 4.46 cm). Among the different activities analysed, TC showed better results in SFT tests; in particular considering the long-life training of this martial art.S

Boccia as a Rehabilitation Intervention for Adults With Severe Mobility Limitations Due to Neuromuscular and Other Neurological Disorders: Feasibility and Effects on Upper Limb Impairments.

Purpose Scant research exists regarding the effects of playing Boccia as a rehabilitation strategy for people with severe mobility limitations due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders. This study is aimed at identifying the feasibility and effects of playing Boccia on the upper limb impairments of people with severe mobility limitations due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders. Materials and Methods Seven people played Boccia three times per week for 20 weeks as part of the rehabilitation process, while other seven kept up with their usual rehabilitation schedule. Attrition, adherence, adverse effects, participation and completion rate were registered to assess feasibility. The effects of the program on grip, pinch strength and upper-limb active range of motion were assessed by means of a dynamometer and a goniometer. Results and Conclusions The program was feasible, although no effects were observed after its completion on variables assessed, except for hand flexion and ulnar deviation active range of motion. In a group of people with severe disability due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders, playing Boccia as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program was shown to be a feasible therapy. However, practicing this game did not lead to significant improvements in upper limb impairments, except for wrist flexion and ulnar deviation active range of motion.post-print268 K

Boccia as a Rehabilitation Intervention for Adults With Severe Mobility Limitations Due to Neuromuscular and Other Neurological Disorders: Feasibility and Effects on Upper Limb Impairments

[EN] Purpose: Scant research exists regarding the effects of playing Boccia as a rehabilitation strategy for people with severe mobility limitations due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders. This study is aimed at identifying the feasibility and effects of playing Boccia on the upper limb impairments of people with severe mobility limitations due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders. Materials and Methods: Seven people played Boccia three times per week for 20 weeks as part of the rehabilitation process, while other seven kept up with their usual rehabilitation schedule. Attrition, adherence, adverse effects, participation and completion rate were registered to assess feasibility. The effects of the program on grip, pinch strength and upper-limb active range of motion were assessed by means of a dynamometer and a goniometer. Results and Conclusions: The program was feasible, although no effects were observed after its completion on variables assessed, except for hand flexion and ulnar deviation active range of motion. In a group of people with severe disability due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders, playing Boccia as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program was shown to be a feasible therapy. However, practicing this game did not lead to significant improvements in upper limb impairments, except for wrist flexion and ulnar deviation active range of motion.SIMinistry of Education, Culture and Sports, Government of Spain (FPU12/05828

Body Composition, Dietary Intake and the Risk of Low Energy Availability in Elite-Level Competitive Rhythmic Gymnasts

[EN] The aim of this study was to analyze dietary intake and body composition in a group of elite-level competitive rhythmic gymnasts from Spain. We undertook body composition and nutritional analysis of 30 elite gymnasts, divided into two groups by age: pre-teen (9–12 years) (n = 17) and teen (13–18 years) (n = 13). Measures of height, weight, and bioimpedance were used to calculate body mass index and percent body fat. Energy and nutrient intakes were assessed based on 7-day food records. The two groups had similar percentages of total body fat (pre-teen: 13.99 3.83% vs. teen: 14.33 5.57%; p > 0.05). The energy availability values for pre-teens were above the recommended values (>40 kcal/FFM/day) 69.38 14.47 kcal/FFM/day, while those for the teens were much lower (34.7 7.5 kcal/FFM/day). The distribution of the daily energy intake across the macronutrients indicates that both groups ingested less than the recommended level of carbohydrates and more than the recommended level of fat. Very low intakes of calcium and vitamin D among other micronutrients were also noted. The main finding is that teenage gymnasts do not consume as much energy as they need each day, which explains their weight and development. Moreover, they are at a high risk of developing low energy availability that could negatively impact their performance and future health.S

Efecto de la práctica de slalom sobre la fuerza de pensión manual en esquiadores náuticos con paraplejia

[ES] En el esquí náutico, las personas que experimentan paraplejía adoptan una posición sentada, y la fuerza de prensión manual (FPM) les permite agarrar el palonier y ejecutar las pasadas en la disciplina de slalom. Este estu- dio evaluó los efectos inmediatos en la FPM máxima tras la práctica de esquí náutico adaptado, aspecto aún des- conocido. En mano dominante se midió la FPM máxima mediante dinamometría manual tras 14 entrenamien- tos de cuatro esquiadores náuticos varones con lesión medular completa que participaron en un campeona- to nacional, con edad media (desviación estándar) de 37.2 (7.3) años y 2.5 (1.3) años de experiencia en esquí náutico. Tras la práctica, la FPM máxima se redujo (pre- entrenamiento: 48.4 (3.6) kg; post-entrenamiento: 39.1 (8.7) kg) (p < 0.001), con un gran tamaño del efecto (dz de Cohen > 1.15). Se observó la menor disminución por- centual, de un 9.8 (8.3)%, para el único esquiador con nivel avanzado y el de mayor FPM máxima pre-entrena- miento, mientras el esquiador con menor FPM máxima pre-entrenamiento y un nivel intermedio mostró una reducción del 38.9 (10.6)%. En el conjunto de entrena- mientos de los cuatro esquiadores, la reducción de FPM máxima tras un tiempo de agarre medio de 20.5 min fue del 18.5%, sin correlación entre estas variables (r = 0.49, p = 0.076). La práctica de esquí náutico sentado en la disciplina de slalom por personas que experimentan paraplejia conlleva una disminución en la FPM máxima de la mano dominante, pudiendo influir el nivel com- petitivo y la condición física de los esquiadores en el porcentaje de reducción[EN] In water skiing, people who experience paraplegia ski in a sitting position, and they rely on hand grip strength (HGS) to grab the tow rope handle and run slalom passes. This study evaluated the immediate effects on maximum HGS after the practice of disabled water skiing, a still unknown aspect. In the dominant hand, maximum HGS was measured by hand-grip dynamometry after 14 practices of four male water skiers with complete spinal cord injury participating in a national championship, with mean age (standard deviation) of 37.2 (7.3) years and 2.5 (1.3) years of experience in water skiing. After practice, maximum HGS was reduced (pre-practice: 48.4 (3.6) kg; post- practice: 39.1 (8.7) kg) (p <0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen dz> 1.15). The lowest percentage decrease, 9.8 (8.3)%, was observed for the only skier with advanced level and highest maximum HGS pre-practice, while the skier with lowest maximum HGS pre-practice and an intermediate level showed a reduction of 38.9 (10.6)%. In the set of practices of the four skiers, the maximum HGS reduction after a mean grip time of 20.5 min was 18.5%, with no correlation between these variables (r = 0.49, p = 0.076). Practising slalom water-skiing in sitting position by people experiencing paraplegia leads to a decrease in the maximum HGS of the dominant hand, the percentage decrease may be in relation to competitive level and physical fitness of the skiersS

Efecto de la práctica de slalom sobre la fuerza de prensión manual en esquiadores náuticos con paraplejia

En el esquí náutico, las personas que experimentan paraplejía adoptan una posición sentada, y la fuerza de prensión manual (FPM) les permite agarrar el palonier y ejecutar las pasadas en la disciplina de slalom. Este estudio evaluó los efectos inmediatos en la FPM máxima tras la práctica de esquí náutico adaptado, aspecto aún des-conocido. En mano dominante se midió la FPM máxima mediante dinamometría manual tras 14 entrenamientos de cuatro esquiadores náuticos varones con lesión medular completa que participaron en un campeona-to nacional, con edad media (desviación estándar) de 37.2 (7.3) años y 2.5 (1.3) años de experiencia en esquí náutico. Tras la práctica, la FPM máxima se redujo (pre-entrenamiento: 48.4 (3.6) kg; post-entrenamiento: 39.1 (8.7) kg) (p 1.15). Se observó la menor disminución porcentual, de un 9.8 (8.3)%, para el único esquiador con nivel avanzado y el de mayor FPM máxima pre-entrena-miento, mientras el esquiador con menor FPM máxima pre-entrenamiento y un nivel intermedio mostró una reducción del 38.9 (10.6)%. En el conjunto de entrenamientos de los cuatro esquiadores, la reducción de FPM máxima tras un tiempo de agarre medio de 20.5 min fue del 18.5%, sin correlación entre estas variables (r = 0.49, p = 0.076). La práctica de esquí náutico sentado en la disciplina de slalom por personas que experimentan paraplejia conlleva una disminución en la FPM máxima de la mano dominante, pudiendo influir el nivel competitivo y la condición física de los esquiadores en el porcentaje de reducciónIn water skiing, people who experience paraplegia ski in a sitting position, and they rely on hand grip strength (HGS) to grab the tow rope handle and run slalom passes. This study evaluated the immediate effects on maximum HGS after the practice of disabled water skiing, a still unknown aspect. In the dominant hand, maximum HGS was measured by hand-grip dynamometry after 14 practices of four male water skiers with complete spinal cord injury participating in a national championship, with mean age (standard deviation) of 37.2 (7.3) years and 2.5 (1.3) years of experience in water skiing. After practice, maximum HGS was reduced (pre-practice: 48.4 (3.6) kg; post-practice: 39.1 (8.7) kg) (p 1.15). The lowest percentage decrease, 9.8 (8.3)%, was observed for the only skier with advanced level and highest maximum HGS pre-practice, while the skier with lowest maximum HGS pre-practice and an intermediate level showed a reduction of 38.9 (10.6)%. In the set of practices of the four skiers, the maximum HGS reduction after a mean grip time of 20.5 min was 18.5%, with no correlation between these variables (r = 0.49, p = 0.076). Practising slalom water-skiing in sitting position by people experiencing paraplegia leads to a decrease in the maximum HGS of the dominant hand, the percentage decrease may be in relation to competitive level and physical fitness of the skiers.Actividad Física y Deport

Perceptions of Heat Stress, Heat Strain and Mitigation Practices in Wildfire Suppression across Southern Europe and Latin America

This study aimed to assess current perceptions of heat stress, heat strain, acclimatisation and recovery practices in wildland fire suppression. A total of 1459 wildfire and structural firefighters, all involved in wildland fire suppression, completed an 18-question survey. Most participants (81.3%) reported heat strain as one of the main risks faced during wildland firefighting. Thermal strain is considered an important risk for health and safety in wildland firefighting. The best-valued heat strain mitigation strategies were those traditionally recommended in wildland fire suppression: (i) an adequate work/rest ratio (79.0%), (ii) acclimatisation (71.6%), (iii) enhancing body ventilation by opening protective clothing or removing helmets or gloves (63.5%), and (iv) drinking water and food supplementation (52.1%). Despite these results, only 22% of the participants reported carrying out acclimatisation in the workplace. The vast majority of the respondents (87.4%) consider active cooling strategies (i.e., ice slurry ingestion, ice vests, etc.) impractical in combating heat strain during wildfire suppression. We identified a gap between knowledge about heat strain, its mitigation strategies and the level of actual implementation of these practices in the workplace. Our results highlight the need to improve heat strain management and implement operational directives for acclimatisation and active cooling interventions

Cambios en el nivel de condición física relacionada con la salud en mujeres participantes en un programa municipal del baile aeróbico

Las relaciones entre actividad física y salud pueden estudiarse a través de los cambios que se producen en el nivel de condición física. Diferentes estudios llevan a la conclusión de que, tanto el incremento de la práctica de actividad física habitual como la condición física de los participantes, están asociados a una mejora de los índices de salud. Los diferentes programas de prescripción de ejercicio físico varían en función de la intensidad, duración, frecuencia y tipo de actividad. En este trabajo hemos analizado un tipo de actividad física, el baile aeróbico -también conocido como aerobic-, con el objeto de examinar los efectos que la participación en un programa con tal contenido de seis meses de duración produce en diferentes componentes de la condición física relacionados con la salud. Los componentes de la condición física valorados han sido: el consumo máximo de oxígeno, la composición corporal, la fuerza y resistencia muscular y la flexibilidad. Los resultados obtenidos muestran cambios significativos en algunos de los componentes de la condición física relacionados con la salud, tales como disminución del porcentaje de grasa y aumento de la fuerza y resistencia muscular de los miembros inferiores y de la musculatura abdominal

Gender differences in elite Olympic distance triathlon performances

To analyze the overall Olympic distance triathlon performances at elite male and female World Championship and Olympic Games events from 2000 to 2008. Time, lost time and partial position for each segment and transition, gender differences in performance for the three disciplines, and overall times of the males and females were analysed. The only significant difference between the sexes with regard to the percentage time used in the swimming segment (16.3±0.6M versus 15.6±0.6F). The gender (SD) difference in power output for the winners in swimming, cycling, running were 13.7±16.1%, 67.1±4.3%, 29.8±8.4%, respectively. The correlation coefficients between the lost time for each segment and transition, and the final overall classification were (0.4 M versus 0.48 F) for swimming, (0.28 M versus 0.3) for T1, (0.34 M versus 0.31 F) for Lost Time T1, (0.63 M versus 0.77 F) for cycling, r=0.33 (0.33 M versus 0.34 F) for T2, (0.43 M versus 0.29 F) for Lost Time T2 and (0.83 M versus 0.84 F) for running. The running segment is the most decisive, having a more obvious correlation for males because there are less breakaways or hilly segments that break up the main pack, while the level of performance is similar for most competitors. With females, performance is more varied and there are further variables that make the running segment less decisive. However, small differences in seconds that occurred in the swimming segment and transitions can have a significant impact on the outcome of the competition