Predictive Validity of Motor Fitness and Flexibility Tests in Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review

This research was funded by Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness in the 2017 call for R & D Projects of the State Program for Research, Development and Innovation Oriented to the Challenges of the Company; National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and of Innovation 2013-2016 (DEP2017-88043-R); and the Regional Government of Andalusia and University of Cadiz: Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund (PPIT-FPI19).Motor fitness and flexibility have been linked to several health issues. We aimed to investigate the predictive validity of motor fitness and flexibility tests in relation to health outcomes in adults and older adults. Web of Science and PubMed databases were screened for studies published from inception to November 2020. Two authors systematically searched, evaluated, and extracted data from identified original studies and systematic reviews/meta-analysis. Three levels of evidence were constructed: strong, moderate, and limited/inconclusive evidence. In total, 1182 studies were identified, and 70 studies and 6 systematic reviews/meta-analysis were summarized. Strong evidence indicated that (i) slower gait speed predicts falls and institutionalization/hospitalization in adults over 60 years old, cognitive decline/impairment over 55 years old, mobility disability over 50 years old, disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) over 54 years old, cardiovascular disease risk over 45 years old, and all-cause mortality over 35 years old; (ii) impaired balance predicts falls and disability in IADL/mobility disability in adults over 40 years old and all-cause mortality over 53 years old; (iii) worse timed up&go test (TUG) predicts falls and fear of falling over 40 years old. Evidence supports that slower gait speed, impaired balance, and worse TUG performance are significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes in adults.Ministry of Economy, Industry and CompetitivenessNational Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and of Innovation DEP2017-88043-RJunta de AndaluciaUniversity of Cadiz PPIT-FPI1

Glyphosate and AMPA concentrations in wind-blown material under field conditions

Agricultural intensification in fragile arid and semiarid environments has led to an increase in soil degradation, mainly through wind erosion. Argentina is an agricultural and cattle-farming country, which has increased its productivity in the last few decades, widening the boundaries of farm land and the use of herbicides to control weeds. Glyphosate, which accounts for 65% of the Argentinian pesticides market, is strongly retained in soil. The World Health Organization concluded that there was evidence to classify glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans.’ In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the presence and concentration of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in wind-blown material in 3 areas in Argentine semiarid regions (Chaco, La Pampa, and San Luis). In 1-ha2 plots, left uncovered and levelled, the wind-blown material was collected at heights of 13.5, 50, and 150 cm during 18 erosion events. The wind-blown material carried by the wind at a height of 150 cm had concentrations of 247 and 218 μg kg−1 of glyphosate and AMPA, respectively. This material was enriched 60 times in glyphosate and 3 times in AMPA as compared with the original soil. This shows that the eroded material can, potentially, have a negative impact on the ecosystem and also on human health, depending on the proportion of this material released into the atmosphere in suspension as particulate matter. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to report concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA in wind-blown material under field conditions.Fil: Aparicio, Virginia Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aimar, Silvia Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: de Gerónimo, Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mendez, Mariano Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Jose Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentin

Desarrollo de una plataforma para la grabación y análisis de somniloquias : una aproximación usando técnicas de análisis de voz

La somniloquia es una parasomnia referida al hablar en voz alta durante el sueño. Esta parasomnia ocurre tanto en la fase de sueño REM como en la NREM. La grabación de estas parasomnias puede ser útil para ayudar en el diagnóstico de ciertas patologías psicológicas, dado que pueden reflejar el estado de ansiedad o algunos comportamientos que podrían ser identificados como criterios de diagnóstico psicológico. En este proyecto desarrollamos una plataforma móvil que únicamente graba los momentos en los que una persona habla mientras está dormida (excluyendo otros ruidos o sonidos) y los analiza para identificar la emoción principal de la voz, además de realizar una transcripción de la conversación que se presenta. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Somniloquy is a parasomnia that refers to talking aloud while sleep. This parasomnia occurs in REM and NREM sleep phase. The recording of these parasomnias could be useful to help in the diagnosis of certain psychological pathologies given that they can reflect anxiety status or some behaviors which could be identified as psychological diagnosis criterions. In this project we develop a mobile platform which only records sleep-talking (excluding other noises or sounds) and analyze them to identify the main emotion in the voice, allowing to make a transcription of the conversation is presented.Ingeniería en Informátic

Transición hacia la protección sostenible de las plantas en la agricultura: presentación del proyecto SPRINT

El uso de plaguicidas representa un riesgo para la salud humana y ambiental. Los hallazgos de investigaciones recientes sugieren una asociación entre la exposición a los plaguicidas y un mayor riesgo de problemas de salud.EEA BalcarceFil: Aparicio, Virginia Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina

Expansion of irrigation, soil type, slope and water quality in the southeast of the province of Buenos Aires

El objetivo de este trabajo es caracterizar el área agrícola bajo riego complementario en el Sudeste Bonaerense (SB) en cuanto al incremento del área ocupada, tipo de suelo, pendiente y calidad de agua. Mediante un proceso de digitalización visual sobre imágenes satelitales se identificaron áreas de riego con pivote central en seis partidos del sudeste bonaerense para el período 2017-2019. De la superficie total, 82.659 ha, Lobería y Balcarce registran el 60% y, junto con Tandil, registran el área de mayor expansión. El 94% de los círculos es menor a 100 ha. Las series de suelos “Mar del Plata” y “Tandil”, del tipo Argiudol típico, son las de mayor presencia del área estudiada, con 34,7% y 17,2% respectivamente. El 12,6% del área presenta algún sector con pendientes mayores a 5%. En relación con la aptitud agrícola del agua de riego, se observó una tendencia de aumento en los valores de Conductividad Eléctrica (CE) y Relación de Adsorción de Sodio (RAS) a medida que se aproximan a la costa del mar. El 18% del área se encuentra en zonas identificadas con alta CE (>1,3) y un 15% del área en zonas altas de RAS (>a 13). La expansión del riego con aguas con baja aptitud para la producción agropecuaria y en zonas con pendiente puede afectar la estructura del suelo, reducir la infiltración y acentuar los procesos de erosión hídrica.The objective of this work is to characterize the agricultural area under complementary irrigation in the Southeast of Buenos Aires (SB) in terms of the increase of the occupied area, type of soil, slope and water quality. Through a process of visual digitization on satellite images, the irrigation circles with a central pivot were identified in six districts of the southeast of Buenos Aires for the period 2017- 2019. Of the total area, 82,659 ha, Lobería and Balcarce register 60% and together with Tandil they register the area of greatest expansion. 94% of the circles is less than 100 ha. The “Mar del Plata” and “Tandil” series of soils, Typic argiudoll are the ones with the highest presence, with 34.7% and 17.2% respectively of the identified area. 12.6% of the area has a sector with slopes greater than 5%. In relation to the agricultural suitability of irrigation water, an increasing trend was observed in the values of Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) as they approach the coast. 18% of the area is in areas identified with high EC (>1.3) and 15% of the area in high areas of RAS (>to 13). The expansion of irrigation with waters with low agricultural aptitude and in sloping areas can affect the structure of the soil, reduce infiltration and accentuate water erosion processes.EEA BalcarceFil: Angelini, Hernán Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Costa, José Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Aparicio,Virginia Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Aparicio,Virginia Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Involució de la condició física per l'envelliment

El percentatge de població de gent gran s’està incrementant a Espanya. L’envelliment produeix una involució de les capacitats físiques, la qual cosa origina un deteriorament de l’estat físic i una reducció de la funcionalitat. Aquests fets condicionen greus problemes de salut pública per l’aparició de malalties degeneratives, amb el consegüent cost econòmic per al seu tractament. A mesura que l’edat avança es produeix una pèrdua de força de cames i força de braços, un descens no constant del VO2màx i una reducció progressiva no lineal i específica per articulació i moviment articular de la flexibilitat. A més, en persones grans els trastorns freqüents d’equilibri alteren el patró de la marxa. I finalment es produeixen modificacions substancials de la composició corporal amb disminució de la massa lliure de greix, fet que condiciona un descens de la despesa energètica en repòs i un increment de la massa greix

Involución de la condición física por el envejecimiento

El porcentaje de población mayor se está incrementando en España. El envejecimiento produce una involución de las capacidades físicas, lo que origina un deterioro del estado físico y una reducción de la funcionalidad. Estos hechos condicionan graves problemas de salud pública por la aparición de enfermedades degenerativas con el consiguiente coste económico para su tratamiento. Conforme avanza la edad se produce una pérdida de fuerza de piernas y fuerza de brazos, un descenso no constante del VO2máx y una reducción progresiva no lineal y específica por articulación y movimiento articular de la flexibilidad. Además, en personas mayores los frecuentes trastornos de equilibrio alteran el patrón de la marcha. Y por último se producen modificaciones sustanciales de la composición corporal con disminución de la masa libre de grasa, lo que condiciona un descenso del gasto energético en reposo y el incremento de la masa grasa

Assessment of physical fitness during pregnancy: validity and reliability of fitness tests, and relationship with maternal and neonatal health – a systematic review

Objectives To systematically review studies evaluating one or more components of physical fitness (PF) in pregnant women, to answer two research questions: (1) What tests have been employed to assess PF in pregnant women? and (2) What is the validity and reliability of these tests and their relationship with maternal and neonatal health? Design A systematic review. Data sources PubMed and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria Original English or Spanish full-text articles in a group of healthy pregnant women which at least one component of PF was assessed (field based or laboratory tests). Results A total of 149 articles containing a sum of 191 fitness tests were included. Among the 191 fitness tests, 99 (ie, 52%) assessed cardiorespiratory fitness through 75 different protocols, 28 (15%) assessed muscular fitness through 16 different protocols, 14 (7%) assessed flexibility through 13 different protocols, 45 (24%) assessed balance through 40 different protocols, 2 assessed speed with the same protocol and 3 were multidimensional tests using one protocol. A total of 19 articles with 23 tests (13%) assessed either validity (n=4), reliability (n=6) or the relationship of PF with maternal and neonatal health (n=16). Conclusion Physical fitness has been assessed through a wide variety of protocols, mostly lacking validity and reliability data, and no consensus exists on the most suitable fitness tests to be performed during pregnancy.University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)Junta de Andalucia, Consejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidades and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) SOMM17/6107/UG

Effects of a concurrent exercise training program on low back and sciatic pain and pain disability in late pregnancy

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of a concurrent exercise (aerobic + resistance) training program, from the 17th gestational week (g.w.) until birth on low back and sciatic pain, and pain disability. A total of 93 pregnant women divided into exercise (n = 49) and control (n = 44) groups followed a 60-min, 3 days/week, concurrent exercise training. Methods: Low back and sciatic pain were measured with a Visual Analogic Scale (VAS). The disability resulting from pain was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Measures were performed at the 16th and 34th g.w. Results: The exercise group increased 21.9 mm less the VAS low back (between-group differences (B): 95% CI: −33.6 to −10.2; p < 0.001) and 12.9 mm less the VAS sciatica score (between-group differences: 95% CI (B): −21.8 to −4.0; p = 0.005) than the control group. Regarding the ODI questionnaire, the exercise group increased 0.7, 0.5, and 0.7 less than the control group in pain while sleeping (between-group differences (B): 95% CI: −1.4 to −0.01; p = 0.025), pain while lifting weight (between-group differences (B): 95% CI: −0.9 to −0.01; p = 0.016), and limitations of the social life due to pain (between-group differences(B): 95% CI: −1.3 to −0.06; p = 0.032). Furthermore, the exercise group suffered 6.9% less pain than the control group in the ODI total score (between-group differences (B): 95% CI: −13.9 to 0.053; p = 0.052). Conclusion: This concurrent exercise training program adapted to pregnant women improved pain compared to controlsThe Regional Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucía (PI-0395- 2016)University of Granada, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and HealthJunta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y UniversidadesEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF), REF. SOMM17/6107/UGRMFA was additionally funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports (Grant number FPU17/03715