ACTN3 R577X polymorphism related to sarcopenia and physical fitness in active older women.

BACKGROUND: As the population is getting older, physical activity promotion becomes a good strategy to increase quality of life in the elderly; but genetic condition also plays an important role. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism with physical fitness and muscle mass in physically active older women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with two groups of older women who practiced physical exercise regularly. The first cohort comprised 164 women (age 69.7 ± 3.2 years) and the second cohort 131 women (age 78.5 ± 3.0 years). The main outcome measures were anthropometric measures with assessment of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, self-reported physical activity EXERNET questionnaire (EEPAQ), evaluation of physical fitness (muscle strength and flexibility test), and ACTN3 genotyping. RESULTS: Women above 75 years old with allele R presented a higher risk of experiencing sarcopenia compared to ACTNR XX homozygous women (odds ratio 0.356, 95% confidence interval 0.139-0.915, p = 0.026). Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found in the chair stand test (p = 0.04), as well as in the sit and reach test (p = 0.01), with better results for women below 75 years old with the ACTN3 XX genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia and physical fitness show differences based on the ACTN3 R577X genotype in active older women.

Influencia del comportamiento visual en las decisiones en el bloqueo de voleibol / Visual Behavior Influence on Decision in Volleyball Blocking

El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer la influencia del comportamiento visual (localización, número y duración de las fijaciones visuales) sobre la toma de decisiones en la acción del bloqueo en voleibol. Se analizó el comportamiento visual de 38 jugadoras de voleibol (23.9 ± 4.2 años), que competían de manera federada, mediante el sistema de registro de movimientos oculares (Mobile Eye) durante la visualización de secuencias de video proyectadas a tamaño real. Los modelos de regresión obtenidos muestran que se obtienen mayores porcentajes de acierto cuando la duración de las fijaciones es reducida en las zonas HC y CB, y cuando aumenta el número de fijaciones en la zona BM y disminuye en la zona CB

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of visual behaviour (visual fixation location, number and duration) on decision-making in volleyball blocking. The visual behavior of 38 volleyball players (23.9 ± 4.2 years), who took part in federated competition, was analyzed with the eye tracking system (Mobile Eye) during visualization of real size video sequences. Regression models show that higher success percentages were obtained when the duration of fixations is low in HC and CB areas, and when the number of fixations increases in BM zone and decreases in CB zone

Does fitness attenuate the relationship between changes in sitting time and health-related quality of life over time in community-dwelling older adults? Evidence from the EXERNET multicenter longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between fitness levels and components, sitting time and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), over time among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Three different sitting trajectories were calculated: (i) no change; (ii) decrease; and (iii) increase in ST, between baseline and follow-up. Fitness was assessed using the aerobic capacity, upper and lower limb strength, and total fitness. Participants were classified into higher (75th percentile or above) or lower (below 75th percentile) fitness levels, using the fitness tests. HRQoL scores at follow-up were compared to the three different sitting time trajectories within and across both the higher and the lower fitness groups for each of the three fitness indexes. RESULTS: Greater HRQoL scores were observed in those participants that decreased their ST as compared with those increasing their sitting time over time for participants classified in the lower end of their aerobic capacity or total fitness index. No differences were detected in HRQoL scores in people classified in the higher fitness level group for any of the fitness indexes. Participants that increased or did not change their sitting time and who were classified in the higher fitness end of aerobic capacity and total fitness index self-reported higher HRQoL scores when compared with those in the lower fitness end. CONCLUSION: Increased sitting time over time is associated with poorer HRQoL in older adults. Higher fitness levels could help attenuate the negative impact of sitting over time.

Is Sitting Time Related with Physical Fitness in Spanishelderly Population? The EXERNET Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Older adults spend most of their waking hours performing sedentary activities. The influence of these lifestyle patterns on the physical fitness (PF) levels of this population has not yet been sufficiently investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine whether sedentary behavior (SB) (h•d-1sitting) is associated with PF, and specifically to analyze whether sitting >4 h•d-1 is associated with higher risk of having lower levels of fitness in seniors. DESIGN: EXERNET multi-center study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS: A representative sample of 3136 non-institutionalized elderly (aged 72.2±5.3 years), from 6 Regions of Spain were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS: PF was assessed using 8 different tests from the EXERNET battery. Lifestyle patterns were collected using a validated questionnaire. ANOVA was used to compare the groups according to the hours of sitting. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate the association between the SB and low levels of fitness. RESULTS: For both genders, those who spent sitting >4 h•d-1 had lower levels of balance, agility, walking speed and aerobic endurance (p<0.001). Sedentary men also had less strength of lower extremities (p<0.05), whereas, sedentary women were less flexible in the lower extremities (p<0.001). More than 4 h•d-1 sitting was associated, in men, to higher odds for having low strength (lower extremities), agility, flexibility (lower extremities) and aerobic endurance (p<0.05); and in women, to higher risk of low balance, strength (lower and upper extremities), flexibility (lower extremities), agility, walking speed and aerobic endurance (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Seniors that sit >4 h•d-1 have lower levels of fitness and this behavior is related with an increased risk of having low levels of PF in this population.

El entrenamiento perceptivo de bloqueadoras juveniles de voleibol / Perceptive training of youth volleyball blockers

Este estudio analiza la eficacia de un programa de entrenamiento perceptivo basado en la orientación de la atención para la mejora de la toma de decisiones y el rendimiento en la acción de bloqueo de voleibol. 16 jugadoras juveniles fueron distribuidas en tres grupos: vídeo (n=6), que recibió ocho sesiones de entrenamiento en vídeo; mixto (n=5), que recibió 4 sesiones en vídeo y 4 sesiones de práctica en campo; y control (n=5), que completó las pruebas de evaluación. Los resultados muestran cómo el programa de entrenamiento mejoró la toma de decisiones de las jugadoras, ya que redujeron su tiempo de reacción (F(1,13)=9,237, p=0,009, ηp2=0,415) manteniendo el mismo porcentaje de aciertos. Sin embargo, es necesaria la práctica en campo para lograr transferir dichos aprendizajes al juego real, ya que sólo el grupo mixto mejora el porcentaje de aciertos en el test de rendimiento en campo (F(2,13)=8,608, p=0,004, ηp2=0,570; t(4) =-6,216, p=0,003) (AU)

This study examines the effectiveness of a training program based on perceptual orientation of attention for improving decision-making and performance in the blocking action of volleyball. 16 youth players were divided into three groups: video (n=6), which received eight perceptual training sessions by video; mixed (n=5), which received only half of the sessions by video, combined with practical training in the field; and control (n=5), which just completed pre-test and post-test tests. Results show how orientation of attention to relevant areas of information improved decision-making of the youth volleyball players because they reduced their reaction time (F(1,13)=9,237, p=0,009, ηp2=0,415) maintaining the same percentage of success. However, the practice on the field is necessary to achieve transfer those learning to the real game, because only mixed group improves the percentage of success in the field performance test (F(2,13)=8,608, p=0,004, ηp2=0,570; t(4)=-6,216, p=0,003) (AU)

[Relation between educational level and body composition in non-institutionalized elderly: The elderly EXERNET multi-center study.] / Relación entre el nivel educativo y la composición corporal en personas mayores no institucionalizadas: proyecto multi-céntrico EXERNET.

OBJECTIVE: There is an inverse association between educational level and body composition; however this association has strongly focused in young and adults population. The aim of this study was to analyze the educational levels attained in overweight and obesity Spanish elderly and to investigate if there was a correlation between having a low educational level and the risk of having overweight, central obesity or excess fat mass during the aging process. METHODS: A representative sample of 2706 elderly (629 men and 2077 women; mean age of 72.1 ± 5.3 years) from Spain were assessed in the elderly EXERNET multi-center study between 2008 and 2009. Body composition was assessed in all subjects by bioelectrical impedance. ANCOVA was used to compare the averages between the groups. Logistic regression was used to calculate the association between educational level and the risk of having overweight, central fat or obesity. RESULTS: We observed significances between waist circumference and educational level in both sex (men 96.6 cm, women 86.3 cm); (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respective). There is an inverse association between the academic level, fat mass (29.5 kg) and percentage of body fat (40.8%) in women (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01, respectively). No differences were observed in men. CONCLUSIONS: low educational level increases the possibility of having overweight or obesity in women and to have an increased waist circumference in both sexes.

OBJETIVO: El nivel educacional se ha relacionado inversamente con la composición corporal, sin embargo esta asociación ha sido evidenciada mayoritariamente en población joven y adulta. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la composición corporal de las personas mayores de 65 años y su nivel educativo, y determinar si tener un nivel educativo alto puede prevenir el riesgo de padecer sobrepeso, obesidad central o exceso de grasa durante la senectud. METODOS: El estudio se realizó entre los años 2008-2009, sobre una muestra representativa de personas mayores de España (2.706; 629 varones, 2.077 mujeres; edad media 72,1 ± 5,3 años), pertenecientes al Proyecto Multi-céntrico EXERNET. La composición corporal se evaluó mediante bio-impedancia eléctrica. Se utilizó ANCOVA para determinar las diferencias entre grupos. La asociación entre el nivel educativo y el riesgo de padecer sobrepeso, obesidad central o exceso de grasa se analizó mediante regresión logística. RESULTADOS: En el perímetro de cintura, los hombres y mujeres con mayor nivel de estudios presentaron 96,6 cm y 86,3 cm, respectivamente (pmenor de 0,05 y p menor de 0,01, respectivamente). Las mujeres con menor nivel de estudios presentaron 29,5 kg de masa grasa total y 40,8% de masa grasa (p menor de 0,05 y p menor de 0,01, respectivamente). Los varones no presentaron diferencias en estas mediciones. CONCLUSIONES: Poseer un bajo nivel de estudios aumenta las posibilidades de padecer sobrepeso y obesidad en las mujeres y de tener mayor perímetro de cintura en ambos sexos.

Relación entre el nivel educativo y la composición corporal en personas mayores no institucionalizadas: proyecto multi-céntrico Exernet / Relation between educational level and body composition in non-institutionalized elderly: the elderly EXERNET multi-center study

Fundamentos: El nivel educacional se ha relacionado inversamente con la composición corporal, sin embargo esta asociación ha sido evidenciada mayoritariamente en población joven y adulta. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la composición corporal de las personas mayores de 65 años y su nivel educativo, y determinar si tener un nivel educativo alto puede prevenir el riesgo de padecer sobrepeso, obesidad central o exceso de grasa durante la senectud. Métodos: El estudio se realizó entre los años 2008-2009, sobre una muestra representativa de personas mayores de España (n= 2,706; 629 varones, 2,077 mujeres; edad media 72,1 ± 5,3 años), pertenecientes al Proyecto Multi-céntrico EXERNET. La composición corporal se evaluó mediante bio-impedancia eléctrica. Se utilizó ANCOVA para determinar las diferencias entre grupos. La asociación entre el nivel educativo y el riesgo de padecer sobrepeso, obesidad central o exceso de grasa se analizó mediante regresión logística. Resultados: En el perímetro de cintura, los hombres y mujeres con mayor nivel de estudios presentaron 96,6 cm y 86,3 cm, respectivamente (p<0,05 y p<0,01, respectivamente). Las mujeres con menor nivel de estudios presentaron 29,5 kg de masa grasa total y 40,8% de masa grasa (p<0,05 y p<0,01, respectivamente). Los varones no presentaron diferencias en estas mediciones. Conclusiones: Poseer un bajo nivel de estudios aumenta las posibilidades de padecer sobrepeso y obesidad en las mujeres y de tener mayor perímetro de cintura en ambos sexos (AU)

Background: There is an inverse association between educational level and body composition; however this association has strongly focused in young and adults population. The aim of this study was to analyze the educational levels attained in overweight and obesity Spanish elderly and to investigate if there was a correlation between having a low educational level and the risk of having overweight, central obesity or excess fat mass during the aging process. Methods: A representative sample of 2706 elderly (629 men and 2077 women; mean age of 72.1 ± 5.3 years) from Spain were assessed in the elderly EXERNET multi-center study between 2008 and 2009. Body composition was assessed in all subjects by bioelectrical impedance. ANCOVA was used to compare the averages between the groups. Logistic regression was used to calculate the association between educational level and the risk of having overweight, central fat or obesity. Results: We observed significances between waist circumference and educational level in both sex (men 96.6 cm, women 86.3 cm); (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respective). There is an inverse association between the academic level, fat mass (29.5 kg) and percentage of body fat (40.8%) in women (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). No differences were observed in men. Conclusions: A low educational level increases the possibility of having overweight or obesity in women and to have an increased waist circumference in both sexes (AU)

The Spanish version of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-R21 for children and adolescents (TFEQ-R21C): Psychometric analysis and relationships with body composition and fitness variables.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of the present study is to assess the factor structure and reliability of the Spanish version of the 21-item Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R21C) in children and adolescents and to analyze the relationships between eating behaviors, body composition and cardiovascular fitness. SUBJECTS: A total of 192 children and adolescents took part in this study (89 boys and 103 girls; aged from 8.8 to 16.8years old and with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 13.2 to 41.1kg/m(2)). None of them had either a history of psychological or eating disorders. MEASUREMENTS: Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-DXA), anthropometrics (body mass, height and BMI), cardiovascular fitness (cyclo-ergometer incremental test) and eating behaviors (TFEQ-R21C) were determined in all participants. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the same three factors of the original TFEQ-R21: Uncontrolled Eating (UE), Emotional Eating (EE) and Cognitive Restraint (CR). The internal-consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) for the questionnaire was 0.73. Significant differences were found in BMI (F2,189=3.50, p=0.032) and total fat mass (TFM) (F2,189=3.60, p=0.029) between tertiles of the CR scale (children who had the lowest scores, also had lower BMI and fat mass). Cardiovascular fitness (measured by relative VO2 peak) differs depending on the UE and CR scores. The "healthy" group (those who were normal-weight and had also the highest relative VO2 peak) showed a significant lower CR (F3,160=3.07, p=0.030) and higher UE (F3,160=3.86, p=0.011) than the "unhealthy" group (those who were neither normal-weight nor had adequate relative VO2 peak). CONCLUSIONS: According to the psychometric analysis of the questionnaire, the TFEQ-R21C is a valid and useful tool to assess eating behaviors in Spanish child population. Further research is necessary to understand the links between eating behaviors and other health-related behaviors such as physical activity time or cardiovascular fitness.

Intercepción de un lanzamiento de córner en fútbol: análisis de la tarea / Interception of a corner kick in football: a task analysis

Debido a la inexistencia de estudios previos, la presente investigación tiene como objetivo realizar un análisis de la tarea, que es atrapar un balón procedente de un lanzamiento de córner. Para ello se analizó el rendimiento, el comportamiento motor y los movimientos oculares de jóvenes porteros cuando realizaban esta tarea. Además se compararon las variables en función de los aciertos o fallos durante el blocaje. Los resultados muestran que los fallos en el blocaje se deben a que los porteros iniciaron su carrera demasiado pronto y además utilizaron un patrón inadecuado del movimiento de sus manos y salto. El análisis de los movimientos oculares muestra que el balón es la zona informativa más importante, pero no se obtienen diferencias entre los aciertos y los fallos en el blocaje (AU)

Due to the inexistence of previous studies, the present research is aimed at performing an analysis of the task of intercepting a ball coming from a corner kick. With that objective in mind, the motor behaviour and eye movements of young goalkeepers were analysed when performing the aforementioned task. Also, variables dependent on the number of right and wrong movements during the interception were compared. Results show that errors in blocking are due to the fact that goalkeepers began their run too early and also used an inadequate pattern of hand movement and jump. The analysis of eye movements shows that the ball is the most important informational zone, but no differences were found between hits and misses in the interception (AU)

Higher levels of physical fitness are associated with a reduced risk of suffering sarcopenic obesity and better perceived health among the elderly: the EXERNET multi-center study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations between physical fitness levels, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and sarcopenic obesity (SO) and to analyze the usefulness of several physical fitness tests as a screening tool for detecting elderly people with an increased risk of suffering SO. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based sample. SETTING: Non-institutionalized Spanish elderly participating in the EXERNET multi-centre study. PARTICIPANTS: 2747 elderly subjects aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Body weight, height and body mass index were evaluated in each subject. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Four SO groups were created based on percentage of body fat and relative muscle mass; 1) normal group, 2) sarcopenic group, 3) obesity group and 4) SO group. Physical fitness was evaluated using 8 tests (balance, lower and upper body strength, lower and upper body flexibility, agility, walking speed and aerobic capacity). Three tertiles were created for each test based on the calculated scores. HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Participants with SO showed lower physical fitness levels compared with normal subjects. Better balance, agility, and aerobic capacity were associated to a lower risk of suffering SO in the fittest men (odds ratio < 0.30). In women, better balance, walking speed, and aerobic capacity were associated to a lower risk of suffering SO in the fittest women (odds ratio < 0.21) Superior perceived health was associated with better physical fitness performance. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of physical fitness were associated with a reduced risk of suffering SO and better perceived health among elderly. SO elderly people have lower physical functional levels than healthy counterparts.

[Aging and body composition: the sarcopenic obesity in Spain]. / Envejecimiento y composición corporal: la obesidad sarcopénica en España.

The increase in life expectancy occurred during the last decades has resulted in a growth of the elderly population, being estimated that a third of the Spanish population will be elderly (> 65 years) in the year 2050. Human aging involves many changes, such as a variation in body composition. Different factors work together leading to an increase in fat mass, decreased muscle mass and reduced bone mass among seniors. These characteristic changes among elderly people may lead to suffer several diseases such as obesity, sarcopenia and osteoporosis and may result in decreased quality of life, increased dependence and increased risk of mortality in this population. In the late 90's, "sarcopenic obesity" was a concept that emerged in order to define those people who simultaneously have an excess of body fat and a significant loss of muscle mass. Recently, for the first time in Spain (the elderly EXERNET multi-centre study), it has been shown that the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in a representative sample of non-institutionalized seniors reaches values of 15%.

Envejecimiento y composición corporal: la obesidad sarcopénica en España / Aging and body composition: the sarcopenic obesity in Spain

El aumento de la esperanza de vida producido en las últimas décadas ha provocado un importante crecimiento de la población mayor, estimándose que en el año 2050 casi un tercio de la población española estará compuesta por personas mayores de 65 años. El envejecimiento en el ser humano lleva consigo numerosos cambios, entre los que se encuentra la composición corporal, destacando el incremento de la masa grasa, el descenso de la masa muscular y la reducción de la masa ósea entre las personas de edad avanzada. Estos cambios pueden conllevar el desarrollo de diversas enfermedades como la obesidad, la sarcopenia y la osteoporosis, asociadas a una disminución de la calidad de vida, un mayor grado de dependencia y un riesgo aumentado de mortalidad en este grupo de población. A finales de la década de los 90 comenzó a utilizarse el término "obesidad sarcopénica" con el fin de poder definir y diagnosticar a aquellas personas que de forma simultánea presentan un exceso de grasa corporal y una significativa pérdida de masa muscular. Recientemente, y por primera vez en España (Estudio Multi-céntrico EXERNET) se ha conocido que la prevalencia de obesidad sarcopénica en una muestra representativa de personas mayores no institucionalizadas alcanza valores medios del 15% (AU)

The increase in life expectancy occurred during the last decades has resulted in a growth of the elderly population, being estimated that a third of the Spanish population will be elderly (> 65 years) in the year 2050. Human aging involves many changes, such as a variation in body composition. Different factors work together leading to an increase in fat mass, decreased muscle mass and reduced bone mass among seniors. These characteristic changes among elderly people may lead to suffer several diseases such as obesity, sarcopenia and osteoporosis and may result in decreased quality of life, increased dependence and increased risk of mortality in this population. In the late 90's, "sarcopenic obesity" was a concept that emerged in order to define those people who simultaneously have an excess of body fat and a significant loss of muscle mass. Recently, for the first time in Spain (the elderly EXERNET multi-centre study), it has been shown that the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in a representative sample of non-institutionalized seniors reaches values of 15% (AU)