Effects of a Tapering Period on Physical Condition in Soccer Players

The aim of this research was to analyze the effects of a 2-week step tapering period on lower-limb muscle power, change of direction (COD) and acceleration capacities, and on the stress-recovery state in an amateur soccer team. Twenty-two male players were included in the study. After a 6-week progressive training, the sample was divided into experimental group (EG) (n = 11), which did a 2-week period of taper in which training volume was 50% reduced (intensity was kept high) and control group (CG) (n = 11), which kept on with the training. Muscle power (countermovement jump test), acceleration (10-m sprint test), COD (Illinois test), and stress and recovery perceptions (RESTQ questionnaire) were evaluated before training, at the end of it (pretapering, PRE-TP) and after the tapering period (posttapering, POST-TP). After the taper, the EG in comparison with the CG showed significantly improved power (1,029.71 ± 108.51 W·kg−1 vs. 1,084.21 ± 110.87 W·kg−1; p ≤ 0.01), acceleration (1.72 ± 0.09 seconds vs. 1.67 ± 0.07 seconds; p ≤ 0.05), and lower stress levels (1.9 ± 0.5 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5; p ≤ 0.01) (PRE-TP vs. POST-TP, respectively). Change of direction did not show significant changes. In conclusion, a 2-week step tapering program was found to be an effective periodization strategy to increase muscle power and acceleration, and to reduce stress perception in soccer amateur players

Valoració de la condició física en Educació Infantil: orientacions per a l’aplicació a l’aula

La condició física constitueix un potent marcador de l’estat de salut des de les primeres edats. Malgrat que la seua valoració durant l’etapa d’Educació Infantil resulta complexa i de vegades poc fiable, estudis recents han permés establir proves adaptades amb òptims resultats de validesa i fiabilitat. El present treball pretén recollir els principals avanços científics en aquest àmbit de coneixement, al mateix temps que planteja estratègies per a la seua aplicació dins de l’aula durant l’etapa d’Educació Infantil.La condición física constituye un potente marcador del estado de salud des de edades tempranas. Si bien su valoración durante la etapa de Educación Infantil resulta compleja y a veces poco fiable, estudios recientes han permitido establecer pruebas adaptadas con resultados óptimos de validez y fiabilidad. El presente trabajo pretende recoger los principales avances científicos en este ámbito de conocimiento, al tiempo que plantea estrategias para su aplicación dentro del aula durante la etapa de Educación Infantil.La condition physique constitue un tableau d’affichage puissant d’un état de santé depuis le plus jeune âge. Quoique sa valorisation pendant l’étape d’Éducation pré primaire soit complexe et parfois peu fiable, sa validité et fiabilité ont été établies par des études récentes moyennant des résultats optimaux. Ce travail-ci prétend collecter les plus importantes avancées scientifiques dans ce domaine de connaissance, en même temps qu’il aborde des stratégies en vue de son application dans les classes pendant l’étape d’Éducation pré-primaire.Physical condition is a strong indicator of children’s state of health from an early age. Although its assessment during early childhood education is complex and sometimes unreliable, recent studies have developed adapted assessment methods that provide valid and highly reliable results. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the main scientific advances in this field and to propose strategies for its application in the classroom during early childhood education

The use of game and the CLIL methodology as innovative resources in secondary educatio

The aim of t his didactic proposal was to improve the learning of the elements of the periodic table in students of 3rd grade of secondary educationusing innovative resources (the Chemical Bingo) and the CLIL ( Content and Language Integrated Learning) methodology, which teaches jointly a foreign language (English) and specific content of the subject. The experience was car ried out in the subject of Physics and Chemistry with 16 students using an interactive periodic table in English. The proposed activity increased the students’ motivation and facilitated the learning of the elements of the periodic table. In conclusion, th e implementation of new methodologies and the use of this kind of activity could help to achieve a more efficient teaching - learning process by connecting the theory taught in class with the students’ real everyday environment .El objetivo de esta propuesta didáctica fue mejorar el aprendizaje de los elementos de la tabla periódica en alumnos de 3º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoriamediante el uso de l juego como recurso innovador ( el Bingo Químico ) y la metodología CLIL( Content and LanguageIntegratedLearning ) , que trabaja conjuntamente una lengua extranjera (inglés) y contenido específico de la asignatura . L a experiencia se llevó a cabo en la asignatura de Física y Química en un grupo - clase de 16 alumnos u tilizando una tabla periódica interactiva en inglés . La actividad propuesta aumentó la motivación del alumnado por la asignatura y fa cilitó el aprendizaje de los elementos de la tabla periódica . En concl usión, la implementación de metodologías novedosas y la utilización de actividades de este tipo puede nlograr un proceso de enseñanza - aprendizaje más eficaz que conect a la teoría en el aula con la realidad del entorno cotidiano del alumn

Inflammation and Cognition in Children and Adolescents: A Call for Action

Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, which promotes tissue survival, remodeling, and repair, as well as adaptation to stress and restoration of the homeostatic state (1). In the acute phase of an inflammatory response, which could persist for a few days, inflammatory factors such as cytokines/chemokines, immune-related effectors, acute phase proteins, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are released, thereby triggering coordinated biological events (1). However, a prolonged inflammatory response, also known as chronic low-grade inflammation (1), may contribute to the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer) (2, 3) as well as to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunctions (4). Cognition involves a set of mental processes that shape perception, memory, intellect, and action, including executive functions (e.g., cognitive inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory), and other cognitive domains (e.g., verbal fluency and comprehension) (5). Although it has been suggested that the immune system might modulate brain functioning, how inflammatory factors could influence cognition is poorly understood. Here, we provide context and three open questions that need to be answered to move the field forward

Reallocating time spent in physical activity intensities: Longitudinal associations with physical fitness (DADOS study)

Objectives Firstly, to investigate the longitudinal associations between accelerometer-derived physical activity (PA) intensities and physical fitness (PF) at 24-month follow-up in adolescents. Secondly, to examine how substituting time spent in low or moderate PA intensities with vigorous PA at baseline was related to PF at 24-month follow-up. Design Longitudinal observational study Method The DADOS (Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud) study is a 3-year longitudinal research project carried out between years 2015–2017. The analyses included 189 adolescents (91 girls) aged 13.9 ± 0.3 years at baseline. PA was assessed by a wrist-worn GENEActiv triaxial accelerometer and expressed as minutes/day of light, moderate and vigorous PA. Cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and motor fitness were assessed by field tests and a global fitness z-score was calculated as the mean of the z-scores values of each fitness test. Association between PA intensities and PF were determined using linear regression. Isotemporal analyses estimating the association of reallocating PA intensities with PF were performed. Results Baseline vigorous PA was positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and global fitness score at follow-up in boys (β = 0.234;p = 0.002, β = 0.340;p < 0.001) and girls (β = 0.184;p = 0.043, β = 0.213;p = 0.004). In boys, baseline vigorous PA was also positively associated with musculoskeletal and motor fitness (β = 0.139;p = 0.035, β = 0.195;p = 0.021). The substitution of 10 min/day of light PA or moderate PA with 10 min/day of vigorous PA at baseline was positively associated with all PF components and global fitness score in boys (p < 0.001), and with global fitness score girls (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings highlight the need of promoting vigorous PA due to its specific influence on adolescent's PF

Association Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Plasma BDNF in Adolescents: DADOS Study

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is suggested to play a key role in moderating the benefits of physical activity (PA) on cognition. Previous research found that PA may have an impact on peripheral BDNF expression. The aim of our study was to analyze the association between objectively measured PA with circulating BDNF in a group of active adolescents. Two hundred thirty-four adolescents (132 boys) aged 13.9 ± 0.3 years old from the DADOS study were included in this cross-sectional analysis. PA was assessed by GENEActiv triaxial accelerometer. Participants wore the accelerometer on their non-dominant wrist for 6 consecutive 24-h days, including weekends. PA was expressed as the average (min/day) of light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Fasting plasma BDNF concentrations at rest were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Partial correlations and linear regression analyses were performed with a significance level established at p < 0.05. No correlations were found between BDNF and PA variables. Plasma levels of BDNF at rest were not significantly associated with daily PA in either boys or girls ( p > 0.05). Based on previous research and our own data, the association between daily PA and baseline levels of BDNF remains inconclusive. Further research is needed to shed light on the relationship between regular PA and BDNF in adolescents

Circulating inflammatory biomarkers and academic performance in adolescents: DADOS study

Objective The present study aimed (1) to examine the association between circulating inflammatory biomarkers and academic performance in adolescents, and (2) to identify the ability of circulating inflammatory biomarkers to predict low academic performance. Methods A total of 244 adolescents (13.9±0.3 years, 112 girls) from the DADOS study were included in the analysis. Four inflammatory biomarkers were quantified: white blood cell (WBC) count, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Academic performance was assessed through academic grades and the Spanish version of the Science Research Associates Test of Educational Abilities. Results TNF-α was inversely associated with math, Spanish and grade point average (β ranging from -0.166 to -0.124; all p<0.05), while CRP was inversely associated with verbal ability (β = -0.128; p<0.05). Overall, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analyses showed discriminatory ability of WBC and TNF-α in identifying low academic performance (all p<0.05). Moreover, logistic regression analyses indicated that students with levels of WBC and TNF-α above the ROC cut-offs values showed between 78% to 87% increased likelihood of lower academic performance (p<0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggested that some circulating inflammatory biomarkers were associated with academic performance in adolescents. Further larger longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to clarify the short-term and long-term relationship between inflammation and academic performance in youths

Longitudinal Associations of Healthy Behaviors on Fitness in Adolescents: DADOS Study

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the individual and combined associations of physical activity, sedentary time, diet, and sleep at baseline on cardiorespiratory fitness at 24-month follow-up in adolescents. Methods: The DADOS (Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud) prospective cohort study was performed between 2015 and 2017. Analyses were conducted in 2020 and included 189 adolescents aged 13.9 (SD=0.3) years at baseline. Vigorous physical activity, total sedentary time, and sleep duration were evaluated by GENEActiv accelerometer. Sleep quality and adherence to a Mediterranean diet were evaluated by questionnaires. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the 20-meter shuttle run test. A healthy lifestyle index was created by including positive scores for each individual behavior, and 3 categories of achievement (≤1, 2, ≥3) were established. Results: Performing high vigorous physical activity and low screen time at baseline were individually associated with the likelihood of achieving high cardiorespiratory fitness at follow-up (OR=3.33 and 3.09, respectively). ANCOVA indicated that adolescents with a healthy lifestyle index ≥3 at baseline showed higher cardiorespiratory fitness at follow-up than those with a healthy lifestyle index of 2 and ≤1 (74.4 [SE=1.5] vs 68.9 [SE=1.4] and 67.8 [SE=1.5] laps, respectively; p<0.01). Adolescents with a healthy lifestyle index ≥3 at baseline were more likely to have high cardiorespiratory fitness at follow-up (OR=3.10) than their peers with ≤1. Conclusions: The results showed a cumulative impact of baseline health-related behaviors on cardiorespiratory fitness at 24-month follow-up in adolescents. These findings underline the key role of promoting a healthy lifestyle to improve adolescents’ health.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume IThe DADOS study is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (DEP2013–45515-R) and by the University Jaume I of Castellón (P1•1A2015-05 and UJI-A2019-12). MRBV is supported by a mobility grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (CAS19/00032)

The bidirectional longitudinal association between health-related quality of life and academic performance in adolescents: DADOS study

- Purpose: Although previous evidence has suggested a relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and academic performance, the directionality of this association is understudied and remains to be clarified. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to explore the bidirectional association between HRQoL and academic performance in adolescents between two timepoints with a 24-month interval. A secondary aim was to analyze whether this association varies between boys and girls. - Methods: This is a bidirectional longitudinal analysis with 257 adolescents (13.9 ± 0.3 years at baseline) from the DADOS study. HRQoL was measured using the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Academic performance was assessed through academic grades and the Spanish version of the Science Research Associates Test of Educational Ability. - Results: Cross-lagged analyses revealed that HRQoL at baseline was not associated with academic performance 24 months later, while all the academic grades and the overall score of academic abilities at baseline were positively associated with HRQoL at follow-up in adolescents. Results of the stratified analyses by sex were largely similar. Specifically, in girls, math, language, physical education, and grade point average at baseline were positively associated with HRQoL 24 months later, while in boys, all the academic grades indicators (except physical education), numeric ability, and the overall score of academic abilities at baseline were positively associated with HRQoL at follow-up. - Conclusion: These findings suggest that academic performance in early adolescence may predict HRQoL 24 months later. Health and education professionals could benefit from collaborating to achieve both improved academic performance and HRQoL in youth

Health Related Quality of Life in Adolescents: Individualand Combined impact of health-related behaviors (DADOS Study)

Purpose.To investigate the individual and combined effect of physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, sleep quality, sleep duration and screen time on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents. Methods. This is a cross-sectional analysis with 262 adolescents (13.9±0.3 years) from DADOS (Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud) study. Physical activity was assessed with a wrist-worn GENEActiv triaxial accelerometer. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated by the KIDMED questionnaire. Sleep patterns were self-reported through the Spanish version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. Screen time was assessed through the HELENA sedentary behavior questionnaire. HRQoL was measured using the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Scores werecategorized into low and high using a normative cut-off used to identify factors associated with being in a high HRQoL group.A healthy lifestyle index was created including positive scores for each individual behavior, and five categories of achievement were stablished (0, 1, 2, 3, ≥4). Results. Sleep patterns and screen time revealed a significant individual relationship with HRQoL (p<0.05). Adolescents achieving ≥3 positive health-related behaviors showed higher HRQoL levels compared to those fulfillingnone (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed an increased likelihood of high HRQoL according to the number of positive health-related behaviors achieved (p<0.05). Conclusions.Our results reveal higher levels of HRQoL in those adolescents achieving ≥3 health-related behaviors compared to their peers achieving none. Moreover, our findings show a cumulative effect of health-related behaviors on HRQoL. These findings underline the key role of promoting a healthy lifestyle in order to improve adolescent's health and well-being