Activación cortical y fatiga del sistema nervioso después de una maratón de montaña

Ultraendurance research has focused on the study of physiological parameters and body composition. The study of the influence on cognitive function and central nervous system (CNS) using the Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold (CFFT) has not been measured in this event. The objective of this study was to analyzed changes in CFFT before and after a mountain marathon. We analysed 26 athletes (22 men and 4 women, 66.9 ± 10.0 kg, 171.4 ± 7.1 cm, 37.8 ± 9.9 years). Before and after the event the mountain marathon runners performed a CFFT test, and for every test each subject performed the CFFT test three times. In addition, blood lactate concentration was analysed before and after the race as well as measuring heart rate during the race. The results found that the CFFT decreased after the event, with non-significance shown (p < 0.05). The mean heart rate was150.9 ± 7.9 bpm and final lactate concentration was 4.5 ± 1.2 mmol/l. The mountain marathon event was not therefore, found to affect the CNS, fatigue was caused by other peripheral causes.La investigación en pruebas de ultra resistencia se ha centrado en el estudio de parámetros fisiológicos y la composición corporal. El estudio de la influencia sobre la función cognitiva y el sistema nervioso central (SNC), utilizando el umbral de frecuencia crítica de fusión (UFCF), no ha sido medido en estas pruebas. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los cambios en el UFCF antes y después de una maratón de montaña. Se analizaron 26 atletas (22 hombres y 4 mujeres, 66.9 ± 10.0 kg, 171.4 ± 7.1 cm, 37.8 ± 9.9 años). Antes y después del maratón de montaña los corredores realizaron una prueba para analizar el UFCF, también se analizó la concentración de lactato en sangre antes y después de la carrera y la frecuencia cardíaca durante la carrera. Los resultados muestran que el UFCF disminuyó no significativamente (p < 0.05) después de la maratón de montaña. La media de la frecuencia cardíaca fue de 150.9 ± 7.9 lpm y la concentración de lactato sanguíneo final fue de 4.5 ± 1.2 mmol / l. Una maratón de montaña no afectó negativamente al sistema nervioso central, la fatiga fue causada por otras causas periféricasActividad Física y Deport

Autonomic stress response of nurse students in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)

The aim of the present research was to analyze the autonomic stress response of nursing students in a nursing Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE). We analyzed, in 41 s-year nursing degree students (20.1 ± 2.3 years), modifications in heart rate variability (HRV) to monitor the autonomic stress response before, during and after the 18 different scenarios of a complete OSCE. Heart rate mean response of nurse students was consistent with an anticipatory anxiety response at the beginning of the OSCE, showing a sympathetic nervous system activation, but HRV parameters show contradictory results. The most stressful OSCE station was the CPR maneuver, the stress response varying according to the station’s demands

Differences between students and professors in difficulty, stress and performance in a nursing Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

The aim of the present research was to analyze those elements could influence on the learning process of the students, and the evaluation process of professors, during the development of clinical practices. For that, we analyze differences on the perception of difficulty, stress, and academic performance between students and teachers in a nursing Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). We analyze the different perceptions in 41 s-year nursing degree students (20.1 ± 2.3 years; 29 females and 12 males) and 21 nursing degree professors (39.1 ± 4.2 years) of the different scenarios that compose the OSCE, that were: BP+EKG, venipuncture, CPR, nutritional assessment, respiratory assessment, mobilization, and interprofessional scenario. After the statistical analysis we found that professors presented higher difficulty perceptions of venopunction, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and nutritional evaluation, as well as higher academic performance perception on all scenarios except nutritional evaluation than students. Students showed higher stress perceptions on venopunction, respiratory evaluation, mobility and interprofessional scenarios, as well as higher academic perception on nutritional evaluation than teachers. Professors presented higher difficulty and academic performance perceptions than students, and stress perception varies depending on the OSCE station between professors and students

Psychophysiological stress markers and behavioural differences between rural and city primary school students

Academic performance could be affected by multiple factors, including stress and learning environment location. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in psychophysiological stress markers, behavior and academic performance of rural and city students. A sample of 181 children (7.91 ± 2.29 years) from elementary schools were evaluated on their grades, subjective academic performance, heart rate variability, state anxiety, nutritional information and physical activity habits. Results presented significant higher values in parasympathetic modulation and physical education grades in rural students than in city students, who showed higher significant values in state anxiety, the ability to complete tasks, physical activity habits and several items relating to their food and drink habits. No significant differences were found in the average grades between the two groups. However, some correlations were found between school performance and stress, physical fitness and nutritional habits. Thus, school location may affect the stress and anxiety status, nutritional habits and physical activities of students, but there were no significant differences in academic performance. In addition, body mass index, quantity of food intake and stress markers may be related to the academic performance attained

Cognitive and psychophysiological impact of surgical mask use during university lessons

The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of surgical mask use in cognitive and psychophysiological response of university students during a lesson. We analyzed 50 volunteers university students (age 20.2 ± 2.9) in two 150 min lessons. i. personal class using a surgical mask and ii. online class with student at home without the mask. Blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and heart rate variability, mental fatigue and reaction time were measured before and immediately after both lectures. We found how both lesson produced an increase in mental fatigue, reaction time and autonomous sympathetic modulation, being heart rate significantly higher (77.7 ± 18.2 vs. 89.3 ± 11.2 bpm, not mask, mask respectively) and blood oxygen saturation significantly lower (98.4 ± 0.5 vs. 96.0 ± 1.8%, mask, not mask respectively) using the surgical mask. The use of surgical mask during a 150 min university lesson produced an increased heart rate and a decrease in blood oxygen saturation, not significantly affecting the mental fatigue perception, reaction time and time, frequency and nonlinear hear rate variability domains of student

Effectiveness of Reverse vs. Traditional Linear Training Periodization in Triathlon

The present research aimed to analyze the modification in performance, body composition, and autonomic modulation of reverse and traditional linear training periodization in amateur triathletes.We analyzed running and swimming performance, strengthmanifestation, body composition, and autonomic modulation before and after a traditional linear training periodization (four weeks of volume-based training plus four weeks of intensity-based training plus two-week tapering), a reverse linear training periodization (four weeks of intensity-based training plus four weeks of volume-based training plus two-week tapering), and a free training control physical active group (10-week free training) in 32 amateur athletes. Independently of the periodization model, the combination of two four-week mesocycles followed by a two-week taper is an e ciency strategy to avoid overreaching, obtaining an increase in parasympathetic modulation. Moreover, both types of training periodization proposed in this study do not modified body composition of amateur triathletes. Also, compared with traditional periodization, reverse periodization e ciently improves horizontal jump performance. Finally, reverse and traditional periodization were an e ective strategy to improve running biomechanical, performance, and physiological variables, as well as e cient periodization strategies to improve swimming technical ability, aerobic, and anaerobic swimming performance

Physical activity levels affect mental health and behavior in men

Psychological, nutritional, oral health, and physical activity habits are behavioral factors previously linked to depression. The objective of this study was to analyze differences in behavioral patterns, in terms of psychological, nutritional, oral health, and physical activity habits, in a sample of men. Six hundred and five men (36.7 ± 15 years, 25.7 ± 4.3 kg/m2) were interviewed through an online questionnaire due to the pandemic. A compendium of factors related to psychological parameters, oral health, nutritional habits, and physical activity was analyzed through a set of online questionnaires. We found that participants with higher levels of both aerobic and self-loading physical activity generally demonstrated better nutritional habits, including higher water intake (p < 0.001; Effect Size (ES) = 0.62 and p < 0.001; ES = 0.69, respectively), higher weekly consumption of meat (p = 0.007; ES = 3.10 and p < 0.001; ES = 0.40, respectively), fish (p < 0.001; ES = 3.13 and p = 0.023; ES = 0.22, respectively), eggs (p = 0.002; ES = 2.80 and p = 0.002; ES = 0.30, respectively), greater vitality (p < 0.001; ES = 0.50 and p = 0.006; ES = 0.21, respectively), and lower alcohol consumption, including beer (p = 0.007; ES = 0.25 and p < 0.001; ES = 0.36, respectively) and wine (p = 0.001; ES = 0.30 and p < 0.001; ES = 0.50), among other healthy habits compared to participants with lower levels of physical activity. We also found that participants with higher self-loading physical activity reported higher perceived stress (p = 0.003; ES = 0.02) and conscientiousness (p < 0.001; ES = 1.86)

Determining the psychophysiological responses of military aircrew when exposed to acute disorientation stimuli

Introduction: Exposure to enviromental flight conditions may impair performance and physical integrity, thus training in simulated environments it is a key factor. This research aimed to study the psychophysiological response, cortical arousal and autonomic modulation of pilots and medical aircrew personnel during disorientation exposure, considering gender, experience, flying hours and body mass index (BMI) as influencial variables. Methods: A total of 47 soldiers (37 men and 10 women, 22 medical aircrew personnel and 25 fighter pilots) of Spanish Air Forces faced 25 min of vestibular, proprioceptive and visual disorientation. Results: Disorientation exposure elicited an increased psychophysiological response, significant increases in isometric hand strength, cortical arousal, autonomic modulation, perceived stress and effort in both groups while a significant decrease in respiratory muscle capacity and blood oxygen saturation in the medical aircrew group were found. Cross-sectional analysis showed gender differences, males presented greater parasympathetic activity and strength. Larger BMI was associated with greater levels and perception of stress as well as lower cardiovascular performance and sympathetic modulation. Furthermore, experience, previous training and larger flying hours correlated with greater parasympathetic modulation. Conclusion: Disorientation exposure produces an increase in cortical arousal and decrease in the parasympathetic nervous system either in pilots and medical aircrew personnel. In addition, medical aircrew personnel are less adapted to disorientation stimulus presenting significantly higher psychophysiological stress response, thus complementary physical training should be mandatory

Airsoft: an efficient and motivating cardiovascular training choice

BACKGROUND: Obesity and sedentarism have reached pandemic levels, postulating World Health Organization physical exercise as an important key factor for the prevention and treatment. In order to find a motivating and effective physical activity, we conducted this research intending to analyze the physiological and mechanical demands of an airsoft game. METHODS: Cardiovascular and mechanical activity were analyzed by heart rate monitors and GPS in 32 sedentary subjects (27.3±6.2 years; 26.3±7.9 BMI). RESULTS: Participants performed moderate to vigorous aerobic intensity for 3 hours and 20 min of which 55.2% was between 60-70% of their maximal heart rate and 14.2% above 70% of it, turned into distance 9.5 km of which 91.5% was moderate and 8.5% vigorous intensity. CONCLUSIONS: A single airsoft game performed by sedentary subject exceed the international recommendation of physical activity and weekly physical activity of US adults’ citizens. This motivating and outdoor activity is an effective alternative to increase the population’s physical activity levels

Psychophysiological patterns related to success in a special operation selection course

Actual theaters of operations require fast actions from special operations units with a high level of readiness and survival. Mission accomplishment depends on their psychological and physiological performance. The aim of the present study was to analyze: (1) the physical parameters related with success in a special operation selection course; and (2) the modifications of the psychological profile of recruits before and after a special operation selection course. Fifty-five male soldiers of the Spanish Army (25.1 ± 5.0 years, 1.8 ± 0.1 cm, 76.8 ± 7.9 kg, 24.4 ± 2.5 kg/m2) undertaking a 10-week special operation selection course performed a battery of physiological and psychological tests. Results showed how successful soldiers presented higher leg strength, anaerobic running performance, and cardiovascular response than non-successful soldiers. The psychological values of life engagement test, acceptance and action questionnaire, coping flexibility scale, and perceived stress scale did not present significant differences after the selection course. We can conclude that success in a special operation selection course was related to higher anaerobic and cardiovascular fitness. This special operation selection course did not modify the psychological profile of successful soldiers.Universidad Europea de Madrid, Universidad de la Costa