[Effectiveness of two aerobic exercise programs in the treatment of metabolic syndrome: a preliminary study]. / Efectividad de dos modalidades de ejercicio aeróbico en el tratamiento de pacientes con síndrome metabólico (SM). Estudio preliminar.

The effectiveness of two aerobic exercise programs on the modification of the metabolic syndrome (MS) components and its influence in reducing cardiovascular risk was evaluated in 16 sedentary women (30-66 years old). Patients were randomly divided into two exercise groups: continuous training (CE: 45 minutes at 65-70% of heart rate reserve or HRR) or interval training (IE: 5 x 3 minute intervals at 80-85% HRR with two minutes of active recovery at 65-70% HRR), and each participant gave previous informed consent. The components of MS were assessed according to the criteria for women of the National Cholesterol Education/Third Treatment Adult Panel, and cardiovascular risk factors at baseline and 16 weeks later. Data analyses were performed with the Wilcoxon signed test and the Mann-Whitney U-test (SPSS v. 12.0 Windows: p < 0.05). Both exercise programs were effective in the modification of a number of MS components (triglycerides, systolic/diastolic blood pressure), however IE had a higher percentage of patients without MS diagnosis at the end of the study (62.5%). The CE improved the physical fitness by increasing the VO2peak and METs and decreasing heart rate recovery, which is reflected on the reduction of cardiovascular risk.

[Subclinical findings in the knees of taekwondo athletes: diagnostic ultrasound study]. / Hallazgos subclínicos en las rodillas de atletas de taekwondo: estudio ultrasonográfico.

UNLABELLED: Taekwondo is associated with an increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries such as tendinopathy, synovitis, chondropathy, and ligament and meniscus injuries that may have an asymptomatic course in their initial stages, especially those located in the knee. OBJECTIVE: To describe the presence of morphostructural abnormalities in asymptomatic taekwondo athletes' (TKD) knees through the use of diagnostic ultrasound (US). METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study. We evaluated 32 knees of 16 subjects (8 TKD and 8 recreational athletes). All subjects underwent sport-medical history and knee US. RESULTS: A variety of intra- and extra-articular morphostructural abnormalities were observed; the most frequent were synovitis, meniscal extrusion, and enthesopathy. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of Taekwondo abnormalities associated with an increased risk of knee injuries that may go unnoticed in the early stages. The use of US as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of these injuries and/or advisable since it can define in detail the anatomical structures subject to overuse, biomechanical stress, or repetitive trauma, and contribute to early detection of asymptomatic morphostructural alterations that may ensure timely preventive and therapeutic interventions.

[Isokinetic evaluation of the muscular strength and balance of knee extensor and flexor apparatus of taekwondo athletes]. / Valoración isocinética de la fuerza y balance muscular del aparato extensor y flexor de la rodilla en taekwondoines.

UNLABELLED: Lower limb strength and muscular balance are important attributes in the practice of Taekwondo. OBJECTIVE: To assess through isokinetic dynamometry the muscular strength and balance of knee extensor and flexor apparatus of elite Taekwondo athletes and to compare with recreational-type athletes. METHODS: The maximum torque, the angle of maximum torque, maximum torque work, total work of the series, average power, and flexor and extensor muscle apparatus balance of the knees were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 32 knees were studied. Significantly higher values in peak torque and total work of the series were present in the group of TKD athletes in the extensor muscles, while the maximum torque angle of extensor and flexor muscles was higher in controls. We found a muscular imbalance due to flexor muscle strength deficit in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of muscular strength and an imbalance between the knee flexor and extensor muscle groups characterized the predominant motor gesture of TKD athletes. These results are useful in the design and implementation of training programs, to optimize the value of muscular strength and muscle balance in TKD athletes directed to promote optimal athletic performance and prevent sport-related injuries.

[Decrease of liver fat content by aerobic exercise or metformin therapy in overweight or obese women]. / Disminucion del contenido de grasa hepatica mediante ejercicio aerobico comparado con met formina en mujeres con sobrepeso u obesidad.

INTRODUCTION: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by high intrahepatic triglyceride level. It is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, independently of underlying cardiometabolic risk factors. Metformin is used as a pharmacological treatment; the adherence is low because of the presence of adverse effects. Aerobic exercise could be an alternative therapy, but its effectiveness compared with metformin has not been established in the treatment of NAFLD. The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of aerobic exercise and its influence in reducing cardiovascular risk in overweight or obese women with NAFLD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sedentary women 25-60 years old with body mass index (BMI) > 24.9 kg/m2 and liver fat content < 50 HU, were randomly divided into two parallel groups: exercise group (EG) or metformin group (MG). The EG performed an aerobic exercise program of 60 min/5 days/ week at 60-85% of heart rate reserve; the MG took 1 g/day of metformin each morning. The duration of the intervention was 12 weeks. The liver fat content, metabolic and cardiorespiratory- fitness parameters were evaluated at the beginning and end of the program. The study complied with the Helsinki ethics codes for human research. RESULTS: The study included a sample of 16 women, with 8 per group. The treatments modified the liver fat content by 14.6% (CI95% 0.92, 28.36) and 10.37% (CI95% -1.74, 22.48) for the EG and MG, respectively. In the EG, the insulin levels and HOMA-IR decreased (P < 0.05), and the cardiovascular fitness improved. CONCLUSIONS: An aerobic exercise program of 12 weeks with a volume training of 300 min/week and a moderate to vigorous intensity (60-85% VO2peak) modified the liver fat content and improved cardiovascular risk factors during the intervention. Exercise contributed to a holistic approach by modifying a number of the components of metabolic syndrome, cardiorespiratory-fitness, and cardiovascular risk.