Inflammation in COVID-19 and the Effects of Non-Pharmacological Interventions during the Pandemic: A Review.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that hit the health systems worldwide hard, causing a collapse of healthcare systems. One of the main problems of this new virus is the high inflammatory response it provokes, which is the cause of much of the symptoms. Different pharmacological approaches tried to stop the advance of the pandemic, but it seems that only vaccines are the solution. In this line, different nonpharmacological approaches have been made in order to improve symptomatology, contagion, and spread of COVID-19, the principal factors being the physical activity, nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, and life patterns. The SARS-CoV-2 virus produces a disproportionate inflammatory response in the organism of the guest and causes complications in this that can end the life of the patient. It has been possible to see how different nonpharmacological interventions based on physical activity, nutritional, psychological, and physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can be functional tools to treat this inflammation. Thus, in the present review, we aim to provide an overview of the role of inflammation in COVID-19 and the nonpharmacological interventions related to it.

Psychophysiological Response to Disorientation Training in Different Aircraft Pilots.

Disorientation is one of the most important hazards in flights, but there is a need for a deeper analysis of its effect on the psychophysiological response of pilots. This study aimed to analyse the effect of disorientation training in cortical arousal, autonomic modulation, muscle strength, and perception. We analysed 39 male pilots of the Spanish Army and Air Force (27 Helicopter Pilots, 7 Transport Pilots and 5 F-18 Fighter Pilots) before and after disorientation training. Disorientation training produced an increase in perceived stress and effort in Helicopter Pilots (HP) and Transport Pilots (TP), and lower Heart Rate Variability (RMSSD) in all pilots. Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and Handgrip Strength were more negatively affected among HP than in TP. RPE was more negatively affected in HP than among Fighter Pilots (FP). Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1) were significantly higher in FP (FVC 5.44 ± .407 l, FEV1 4.57 ± .407 l) than in HP (FVC 4.73 ± .547 l, FEV1 3.79 ± .712 l). Disorientation training affects the psychophysiological response of pilots, and different responses are depending on each job profile. These results could help to improve specific training for better preparation of pilots that face disorientation threats.

Psychophysiological response in night and instrument helicopter flights.

Instrument and night flights are sources of mishaps: they produce stressful contexts to aircrews in which operability can be affected. This study aimed to analyse the effect of night and instrument flights in cortical arousal, autonomic modulation, muscle strength, and stress perception. 23 people were analysed (8 helicopter pilots, 4 helicopter mechanics - Spanish Air Forces - and 11 controls) before and after instrument and night flight exposition. Lactate and perceived exertion rose after flights. Anxiety was higher in instrument than in night flights. Pilots had a higher sense of anxiety before a flight compared to mechanics, although mechanics experienced a higher raise of heart rate during flight, with lower heart rate variability. Breath capacity was affected in pilots. Cortical arousal was more affected in unexperienced than in experienced aircrew during flights. These data suggest differences in their previous training. Practitioner summary: Night and instrument helicopter flights produced a different psychophysiological response of aircrew. These results could help to design specific training for aircrew that usually face instrument and night manoeuvres. Specific training based on high-intensity interval training integrated with reverse periodisation could improve their preparation. Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; BOS: blood oxygen saturation; BT: body temperature; CA: cognitive anxiety; CFFT: critical flicker fusion threshold; ES: effect size; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC: forced vital capacity; HF: high frequency; HR: heart rate; HRV: heart rate variability; HIS: isometric handgrip strength; LF: low frequency; NVG: night vision googles; PEF: peak expiratory flow; pNN50: proportion of differences between R-R intervals higher than 50 ms; RMSSD: square root of the mean of the sum of the squared differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals; RPE: rated of perceived exertion; SA: somatic anxiety; SC: self confidence; STAI: state trait anxiety inventory.

Psychophysiological response of different aircrew in normobaric hypoxia training.

Hypoxia remains the most important hazard in high altitude flights, but there is still a need for deeper analysis of the effect of hypoxia exposition in the psychophysiological and cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to study the effect of hypoxia training in cortical arousal, autonomic modulation, muscle strength and cognitive function. We analysed 23 male aircrew personnel of the Spanish Army and Air Force (10 Helicopter Pilots, 7 Transport Aircrew, 3 Transport Pilots and 3 F-18 Fighter Pilots) before, during and after a normobaric hypoxia exposition. Hypoxia produced an increase in perceived stress and effort, a higher Heart Rate and a decreased function of breath muscles. Working memory and pattern recognition were impaired after hypoxia exposition. Significant differences were found in cognitive tests performance among aircrew groups, suggesting differences on their previous training. These results can improve specific training for better preparation of pilots and aircrews for hypoxic threats. Practitioner summary: Distinct aircrew preparation produces a different hypoxia exposition effect on psychophysiological response and cognitive functions. Hypoxia produced an increase in Heart Rate, a decreased function of breath muscles, being more negatively affected in Transport Pilots. Cognition abilities were impaired after hypoxia exposition, independently of the aircrew group.

Pre and post-competitive anxiety and self-confidence and their relationship with technical-tactical performance in high-level men's padel players.

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the variations in pre- and post-competitive anxiety and self-confidence considering match outcomes, the performance according to the result and the correlation among performance and psychological variables. Methods: The sample consisted on 12 matches in which 11 high-level padel players from Finland (top 24) voluntarily participated. CSAI-2R and STAI-S were used to assess psychological variables and technical-tactical performance was evaluated by a certified padel coach. Results: Losing players presented higher cognitive (p = .004), somatic (p = .020) and state (p = .001) anxiety and lower selfconfidence (p = .014), and winning players showed higher state anxiety (p = .022), after than before the matches. Post-match, winning players exhibited higher self-confidence (p = .015) than losing players. Winning players made more winners (p = .010) than losing players. There are direct correlations between unforced errors and post-state anxiety (p = .015), unforced errors and state anxiety (p = .009) and winners and cognitive anxiety (p = .033), in winning players; between generators of forced error and post-cognitive anxiety (p = .034), forced errors and cognitive anxiety in losing players (p = .001). There are indirect correlations between forced errors and pre-cognitive anxiety (p = .009), winners and somatic anxiety (p = .046), unforced errors and state anxiety (p = .042) in losing players. Discussion: The outcomes imply the need for intervention programs to equip players, especially those facing defeat, with tools for anxiety management and self-confidence enhancement. Likewise, coaches are advised to incorporate exercises that promote the occurrence of winners.

Position and ranking influence in padel: somatic anxiety and self-confidence increase in competition for left-side and higher-ranked players when compared to pressure training.

This study aimed to analyze the differences in the precompetitive anxiety and self-confidence according to the side of play, the ranking and the match outcome, under different competitive scenarios, in high level men's padel players from Finland who trained under pressure prior to the competition. 10 men's padel players (28.60 (4.17) years old) from the highest category participated in the research. The CSAI-2R (Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised) and STAI-S (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State) questionnaires were used and descriptive and inferential analyzes were performed, including Mann-Whitney's U tests. The findings illuminate that, across the player spectrum, somatic anxiety and self-confidence levels are higher before competition compared to training matches. This trend holds true for left-side, higher-ranked and match winning players. Even lower-ranked players exhibit heightened self-confidence preceding competitions. These insights offer valuable considerations for players, coaches, and sports psychologists, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between pressure training, competition, and the athlete's psychological landscape.

Analysis of the most demanding passages of play in elite youth soccer: a comparison between congested and non-congested fixture schedules.

This study aimed to examine the most demanding passages of play in elite youth soccer for congested and non-congested fixture schedules. Seventeen elite youth male soccer players (18.2 ± 1.3 years old) participated in this study across 30 competitive matches. Assessed matches included congested (n = 12, three matches within eight consecutive days or less) and non-congested matches (n = 18, at least 5 days between matches). The players' activity profiles during matches were analysed using global positioning measurement units (GPS). Players activity included: distance covered, distance covered at different velocities, high-intensity accelerations and decelerations, and player load. The most demanding passages (MDP) of match play was calculated using a moving average method within three-time windows (i.e., 1, 5, and 10 min). Data were analysed using a Bayesian ANOVA. During congested fixtures, the players' distance covered and player load declined, with the former decreasing across all the MDP time windows, whereas the latter exclusively into the long-time windows (i.e., 5 and 10 min). Conversely, statistical differences in the remaining variables were anecdotal and in favour of the null hypothesis (i.e., Bayes factor <1), suggesting a non-influence of the competition fixture schedule. These findings provide insight into the MDP of youth soccer, helping practitioners to periodize training and recovery strategies during different competitive fixture schedules.

Corrigendum: Pre-shot combinations and game-related statistics discriminating between winners and losers depending on the game location during the NBA COVID-19 season.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.949445.].

Precompetitive anxiety and self-confidence during the 2023 Finnish Padel championship in high level men's players.

The aim of the current study was to assess precompetitive anxiety and self-confidence in high level men's padel players from Finland. Twenty eight men's padel players from the highest category participated in the research (87.5% of the target population). The CSAI-2R (Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised) and STAI-S (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State) questionnaires were used and descriptive and inferential analyzes were performed, including the Kruskal Wallis's H and Mann-Whitney's U tests. The results show that seeded players presented lower levels of cognitive anxiety (η2 = 0.111). Moreover, losers of first round presented more state anxiety than winners (η2 = 0.302). Before the first match, state anxiety was higher than prior to the second match (η2 = 0.148). Furthermore, lower ranked players of first round, compared to second, presented more state anxiety and somatic anxiety (η2 = 0.487 and η2 = 0.277, respectively). However, according to the results obtained, self-confidence was not affected by any of the variables analyzed (ranking, seed, result or round). These findings may be of great interest to players, coaches and sports psychologists, as they allow an enhanced comprehension of the player's level of anxiety and self-confidence.

Antioxidants and Sports Performance.

The role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant response in training adaptations and sports performance has been a large issue investigated in the last few years. The present review aims to analyze the role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant response in sports performance. For this aim, the production of reactive oxygen species in physical activities, the effect of reactive oxygen species on sports performance, the relationship between reactive oxygen species and training adaptations, inflammation, and the microbiota, the effect of antioxidants on recovery and sports performance, and strategies to use antioxidants supplementations will be discussed. Finally, practical applications derived from this information are discussed. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during physical activity greatly influences sports performance. This review concludes that ROS play a critical role in the processes of training adaptation induced by resistance training through a reduction in inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress, as well as appropriate molecular signaling. Additionally, it has been established that micronutrients play an important role in counteracting free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species, which cause oxidative stress, and the effects of antioxidants on recovery, sports performance, and strategies for using antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, selenium, and curcumin to enhance physical and mental well-being.

Body Composition of Female Air Force Personnel: A Comparative Study of Aircrew, Airplane, and Helicopter Pilots.

This research aimed to analyze the body composition (BC) of different groups of women aircrew units in the Spanish Air Forces for a better understanding and improvement of their operability. Specifically, 184 female aircrew members were analyzed and classified into specialties (38 airplane pilots, age: 32.8 ± 10.8; 26 helicopter pilots, age: 32.0 ± 9.18; and 120 transport aircrew, age: 36.9 ± 8.18). The women's BC was analyzed with an InBody720 bioimpedance device previously used in the military population. There were differences in the BC among specialties, although there were similarities between airplane and helicopter pilots. Airplane (24.0% ± 10.4%) and helicopter pilots (22.6 ± 6.32%) had a smaller percentage of body fat mass than transport aircrew (26.3 ± 7.51%), but there was uniformity among groups in skeletal muscle mass and soft lean mass. We found no differences in body water among specialties. Differences in BCs were previously reported for men in the air force, and these results in women showed similarities for different job entry requirements, different training needs, and different occupational behaviors among units in the Air Force. These results help to deepen the previous knowledge of women's BC standards in military units. Although pilots are primarily responsible for the aircraft, healthy habits should be encouraged to keep fit and improve the performance of all aircrew members both in flight and when they are deployed.

Pre-shot combinations and game-related statistics discriminating between winners and losers depending on the game location during the NBA COVID-19 season.

Basketball in performance depends on numerous factors, where a stable trend was identified by winning teams with better performances in shooting effectiveness and rebounding. However, there is a need for a better understanding of pre-shot combinations that lead to these performance trends. This study aimed to analyze NBA teams' game-related statistics, pre-shooting combinations, and pick-and-roll differences between winning and losing teams (considering the context: playing at home, away, or in a neutral court) during the COVID-19 season. A retrospective cross-sectional study on the 2019-2020 NBA season (906 games) was carried out. Game-related statistics were gathered from the private company InStat (https://basketball.instatscout.com/). The discriminant analysis and binary logistic regression models were run in order to discriminate the most important features of winning teams depending on the game location. The results showed that defensive rebounds and three-point shooting percentage remained the most important variables that best discriminated winners and losers independently of the game location context. The main results showed that winning teams had a better shooting percentage based on three-pointers, catch-and-shot actions, cuts, pick-and-roll efficacy, and uncontested shots based on a better collective behavior after a successful space creation dynamic through a tactical functional unit. At the same time, teams would need players with the ability to clear those possessions in which the opponents force to an isolation or a contested shot. From a practical application perspective, coaches should focus on composing a team with good shooters, skilled players in isolations, and a good game-time pick-and-roll strategy.

Infancy Dietary Patterns, Development, and Health: An Extensive Narrative Review.

Correct dietary patterns are important for a child's health from birth to adulthood. Understanding a child's health as a state of entire physical, mental, and social well-being is essential. However, reaching adulthood in a complete health proper state is determined by feeding and dietary habits during preconception, pregnancy, or children infancy. Different factors, such as the mother's lifestyle, culture, or socioeconomic status, are crucial during all these phases. In this review, we aimed to assess the long-term associations between infancy dietary patterns and health and their influence on development and growth. To reach this objective, a consensus critical review was carried out using primary sources such as scientific articles, and secondary bibliographic indexes, databases, and web pages. PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar were the tools used to complete this research. We found that high-income countries promote high-calorie foods and, consequently, obesity problems among children are rising. However, undernutrition is a global health issue concerning children in low- and middle-income countries; thus, parental socioeconomic status in early life is essential to children's health and development, showing that biological, social, and environmental influences are increased risk factors for chronic diseases. This narrative review is aimed to collect evidence for early nutritional intervention and future disease prevention.

Mis-Dis Information in COVID-19 Health Crisis: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: In this narrative review, we address the COVID-19 pandemic mis-dis information crisis in which healthcare systems have been pushed to their limits, with collapses occurring worldwide. The context of uncertainty has resulted in skepticism, confusion, and general malaise among the population. Informing the public has been one of the major challenges during this pandemic. Misinformation is defined as false information shared by people who have no intention of misleading others. Disinformation is defined as false information deliberately created and disseminated with malicious intentions. OBJECTIVE: To reach a consensus and critical review about mis-dis information in COVID-19 crisis. METHODS: A database search was conducted in PsychINFO, MedLine (Pubmed), Cochrane (Wiley), Embase and CinAhl. Databases used the MeSH-compliant keywords of COVID-19, 2019-nCoV, Coronavirus 2019, SARS-CoV-2, misinformation, disinformation, information, vaccines, vaccination, origin, target, spread, communication. RESULTS: Both misinformation and disinformation can affect the population's confidence in vaccines (development, safety, and efficacy of vaccines, as well as denial of the severity of SARS-CoV infection). Institutions should take into account that a great part of the success of the intervention to combat a pandemic has a relationship with the power to stop the misinformation and disinformation processes. The response should be well-structured and addressed from different key points: central level and community level, with official and centralized communication channels. The approach should be multifactorial and enhanced by the collaboration of social media companies to stop misleading information, and trustworthy people both working or not working in the health care systems to boost the power of the message. CONCLUSIONS: The response should be well-structured and addressed from different key points: central level and community level, with official and clearly centralized communication channels. The approach should be multifactorial and enhanced from the collaboration of social media companies to stop misleading information, and trustworthy people both working and not working in the health care systems to boost the power of a message based on scientific evidence.

Body Composition Differences in Military Pilots and Aircrew.

BACKGROUND: This research aimed to analyze the body composition (BC) of different military units in the Spanish Armed Forces.METHODS: We studied 179 male aircrew members (86 airplane pilots, 15 helicopter pilots and 78 transport aircrew) using bioimpedance.RESULTS: Airplane pilots (AP) had higher means than transport aircrew (TA) in height (179.56 cm vs. 173.90 cm), total body water (46.72 L vs. 42.96 L), intracellular body water (29.45 L vs. 26.89 L), extracellular body water (17.27 L vs. 16.07 L), proteins (12.72 kg vs.11.63 kg), minerals (4.50 kg vs. 4.15 kg), soft lean mass (60.21 kg vs. 55.29 kg), fat free mass (63.95 kg vs. 58.74 kg), skeletal muscle mass (36.41 kg vs. 33.07 kg), and lower means in body mass index (24.01 kg vs. 25.49 kg), body fat mass (BFM) (13.53 kg vs. 18.81 kg) and percentage of body fat (PBF) (16.83 kg vs. 23.79 kg). Helicopter pilots also had significantly lower means in BFM (13.21 kg vs. 18.81 kg) and PBF (17.11 kg vs. 18.81 kg) than TA.DISCUSSION: The different types of activity between AP (active coping with G forces) and TA (inactive) during operational flights negatively affects the body composition of TA. These results suggest differences in aircrews training and job tasks. Specific training is needed for each unit: it should be individualized, prevent injuries, and be directed by qualified personnel.Bustamante-Sánchez Á, Clemente-Suárez VJ. Body composition differences in military pilots and aircrew. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(7):565-570.

Effect of Stress on Autonomic and Cardiovascular Systems in Military Population: A Systematic Review.

Stress is regulated by the autonomous nervous system, increasing the sympathetic modulation when a threat is perceived. A multifactorial response usually leads to significant behavioural modifications and alterations on homeostasis and physical and psychological status. Moreover, stress is an emotional response that can lead to psychosocial and psychophysiological adversity. Regarding military population, military operations and combat exposure are important stressors that influence acute and chronic stress response in soldiers, affecting their performance and health. A bibliographic search was carried out between April and May 2019, focusing on recent studies (2013-2019) that analysed psychophysiological response, stress, stress regulation, heart rate, heart rate variability, and posttraumatic stress disorder in military population. Autonomic and cardiovascular chronic stress seems to be modulated by experience and previous specific training of each military unit. Physical exercise, music embedded with binaural beat technology, bidirectional sensory motor rhythm training, heart rate variability biofeedback, and transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation are the main techniques applied to balance stress and to recover body homeostasis. Since military population are usually exposed to multiple stressors, knowing previous training and experience, together with developing techniques to balance stress, is the main practical application in this field of study to balance autonomic and cardiovascular systems.