Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and technology use among Chilean amateur athletes.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was a health problem which affected the entire world. Sports were strongly affected, especially outdoors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on training and technology use among Chilean amateur athletes. Method: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out during the 2021-2. Nonprobabilistic convenience sample of people over 18 years. Data were obtained via online survey and analyzed with Stata 16.0 statistical program for runners, triathletes, cyclists. Results: The sample was 179 athletes, average age was 42.5 years ±10.2; males were 58.6%. 22.65% of the sample were triathletes, 58% runners, and 18.2% cyclists. Training habits were measured during Pre-Pandemic (PP), Pandemic With Quarantine (PWQ), and Pandemic Without Quarantine (PWOQ). In total sample, a decrease was observed in variables of average training frequency of 1.28 sessions per week (p = 0.001; d = 0.648); weekly average training time of 189.63 min (p = 0.005; d = 0.293); days per week with high and medium intensity training of 0.95 (p = 0.001; d = 0.833) and 0.37 (p = 0.001; d = 0.327) respectively; and days per week with cardio training of 1.01 (p = 0.001; d = 0.678), comparing the PP and PWQ periods. When comparing PWQ and PWOQ, an increase was observed in the same variables mentioned above of 1,57 sessions per week (p = 0.001; d = 0.513); 162.68 min per week (p = 0.020; d = -0.245); days per week with high of 0.82 (p = 0.001; d = -0.714) and medium intensity training of 0.46 (p = 0.001; d = -0.412); days per week with cardio training of 1.14 (p = 0.001; d = -0.730); and included strength training of 0.42 (p = 0.012; d = -0.312). For technology incorporation, over 78% (p = 0.023) claimed to used devices to measure training, with the watch being the preferred device in over 72% (p = 0.002) during the three timeframes. Highlighted the rise in use of training software during and after the lockdown period of more than 23% (p < 0.001). Discussion: All variables related with training habits decreased comparing PP and PWQ and all variables rose between PWQ and PWOQ; however, comparing PP and PWOQ, there are small differences, which do not always favor the PWOQ, reflecting how athletes have not yet been able to recover their training rhythms. Finally, we should note that the use of technology increased, in all periods.

Entrenamiento de fuerza con restricción parcial del flujo sanguíneo en adultos mayores con sarcopenia / Strenght training with partial restriction of blood flow in older adults with sarcopenia

Introducción: El progresivo envejecimiento poblacional se estima a nivel mundial como un indicador de mejora de la salud. No obstante, al vivir más años se le asocian problemas sanitarios que se van posicionando en el tiempo, y uno de ellos es la sarcopenia, la que se considera una condición común en los adultos mayores y se asocia a la inactividad física, baja resistencia, baja velocidad de marcha y disminución de la movilidad. Estos factores contribuyen a un aumento del riesgo de caída y a una disminución de la funcionalidad y de la calidad de vida. Objetivo: Mostrar evidencia actualizada respecto a los resultados del entrenamiento de fuerza con restricción parcial del flujo sanguíneo en población adulto mayor con sarcopenia, como estrategia costo-efectiva para la dependencia asociada al envejecimiento. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos científicas EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Web of Science y en el buscador PubMed. Se utilizaron los siguientes términos de búsqueda: entrenamiento con restricción parcial del flujo sanguíneo, sarcopenia, adulto mayor. Los artículos analizados incluyeron revisiones y artículos de investigación, principalmente ensayos clínicos controlados y revisiones sistemáticas con metanálisis. Conclusiones: El entrenamiento con restricción parcial del flujo sanguíneo en el adulto mayor surge como una herramienta útil para intervenir en la sarcopenia asociada al envejecimiento, constituyendo una alternativa para inducir la ganancia de fuerza muscular, con la disminución de los riesgos del entrenamiento de alta intensidad. Además, es una técnica económica y fácil de implementar en centros de salud de asistencia masiva(AU)

Introduction: Progressive population aging is estimated globally as an indicator of health improvement. However, when living is extended, health issues appear; one of them is sarcopenia, which is consider a common condition in older adults and it is associated to physical inactivy, low resistance, low walk speed and a decrease in mobility. These factors contribute to an increase of falls risk and to a decrease of functionality and life quality. Objective: To show updated evidence on the results of the strength training with partial restriction of blood flow in older adults populations with sarcopenia, as a cost-effective strategy for dependence associated to aging. Methods: Search was done in scientific databases as EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed searcher. Following terms were used: training with partial restriction of blood flow, sarcopenia, older adult. The analyzed articles included reviews and research articles, mainly controlled clinical trials and systematic reviews with meta-analysis. Conclusions: Training with partial restriction of the blood flow in older adults emerges as an useful tool to intervene in sarcopenia associated to aging, being an alternative to induce muscle force´s gain, and decreasing the risks of high intensity training. In addition, it is an economic and easy to implement technique in health centers with massive audiences(AU)