Validation of assessments to accurately analyze the body composition of highly trained sitting volleyball players: A pilot study.

Body composition is a fundamental component of physical fitness related to the performance of Sitting volleyball (SV) players. Also, establishing the best method for evaluating the body composition of these para-athletes would be highly necessary for this field. The purpose of this study was (1) to describe the body composition of male and female highly trained SV players, (2) to compare the values obtained from this population by two different methods and (3) to establish validity on one of these methods. Thirteen Brazilian SV national team players (five males and eight females) participated in this study. The air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) method as the criterion assessment and the skinfolds (SF) method were conducted for each player. Results showed that there were no significant differences between the values of all players, which ADP and SF measured for body fat percentage (BF%) and body density (BD) (p > 0.05). We found significantly different values between male and female players for BF% by SF (p = 0.04) and BD by SF (p = 0.04). A high degree of reliability was found between ADP and SF measures for BF% and BD. There were statistically significant positive correlations between BF% and BD in all values for both methods (p < 0.01). This pilot study suggests that considering the magnitude of space, expense, and other limitations related to the ADP method against the SF method, we recommend using the SF method, which is a valid, viable and reliable method for measuring body composition in elite SV players.

Asymmetry in glenohumeral muscle strength of sitting volleyball players: an isokinetic profile of shoulder rotations strength.

BACKGROUND: Sitting volleyball (SV) is a popular Paralympic game, in which shoulders of SV players are overloaded continuously during play. Nevertheless, shoulder girdle muscle function has never been measured in this population yet. The objective of this study was to investigate the dominant and non-dominant strength profile of male and female elite SV players on a glenohumeral level. METHODS: A total of 13 Brazilian SV national team players volunteered to participate in this study (male: N.=6, age 32.8±4.1 years, body mass 83.2±19.4 kg, seated height 1.47±0.04 m; female: N.=7, age 32.8±4.1 years, body mass 80.1±17.9 kg, seated height 1.36±0.05 m). A Biodex dynamometer was used to measure internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) of the glenohumeral muscle strength at 60°/s and 180°/s velocities in a concentric/concentric mode. RESULTS: It was observed that male SV players were stronger than the female players at both upper limbs. Concerning the side effects, significant differences were found for IR at 60°/s velocity (F=7.55, P=0.02) and ER at 180°/s velocity (F=5.91, P=0.03), with higher values on the dominant limb in comparison to the non-dominant limb for both the male and female players. There were significant gender differences for the IR inter-limb asymmetry at 180°/s velocity, with a greater asymmetry between both shoulders in the male players compared to the female players, preference for the dominant side in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The SV players have an asymmetrical rotational strength profile. As muscular imbalance is a common injury pattern among overhead players. The findings of this study may assist the SV coaches and physiotherapists for evaluation and training of strength of the ER and IR shoulders of these players.

Construção e validação do TQWL-42: um instrumento de avaliação da qualidade de vida no trabalho / Construction and validation of TQWL-42: a quality of work life measurement instrument / Construcción y validación del TQWL-42: un instrumento de medición de la calidad de vida en el trabajo

Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi construir um instrumento que avalia a qualidade de vida no trabalho de forma global, seguindo os moldes dos instrumentos de avaliação da qualidade de vida da Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHOQOL) e alicerçado nos modelos teóricos clássicos de qualidade de vida no trabalho, com direcionamento para a sociedade contemporânea brasileira. Metodologia A validação de conteúdo foi realizada através da análise por pesquisadores da área da qualidade de vida no trabalho, enquanto a verificação da consistência interna ocorreu por meio da utilização do coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, em uma aplicação a 143 indivíduos. Resultados A versão final do instrumento é constituída de 47 questões, sendo cinco para conhecimento da amostra e 42 seccionadas em cinco esferas que contemplam as dimensões da qualidade de vida no trabalho. O alfa de Cronbach obtido a partir da aplicação do instrumento foi de 0,8568. Para o cálculo dos resultados do instrumento fora desenvolvida a sintaxe SPSS e uma ferramenta no software Microsoft Excel que realiza os cálculos forma automatizada após a tabulação dos dados. Conclusão Conclui-se que o objetivo de validar um instrumento global de avaliação da qualidade de vida no trabalho validado a partir da cultura hodierna brasileira, com características psicométricas satisfatórias foi atingido, podendo este ser aplicado sem a obrigatoriedade de utilização do software SPSS.(AU)

Objective The objective of this study was to build an instrument that evaluates quality of working life (QW:) in a comprehensive way that is in line with the WHOQOL instruments and is based on QWL's classic theoretical models, directed toward contemporary Brazilian society. Methods The content validation was performed through analysis by researchers in the area of QWL, and the verification of internal consistency was performed with Cronbach's alpha. The instrument was administered to 143 individuals. Results The final version of the instrument consists of 47 questions, with five for sampling knowledge and the remaining 42 divided into five spheres that take into account the dimensions of QWL.. Cronbach's alpha obtained from the administration of the instrument was 0.8568. A SPSS syntax and a tool in Microsoft Excel that performs the automated calculation after data tabulation was developed to calculate the results. Conclusions We conclude that the goal of validating a comprehensive instrument with satisfactory psychometrical characteristics for the evaluation of QWL based on contemporary Brazilian culture was reached. This tool may be used without a need for SPSS utilization.(AU)

Objetivo El objetivo de esta investigación fue construir un instrumento para evaluar la calidad de vida en el trabajo (CVT) de manera global, siguiendo la línea de los instrumentos para medir la calidad de vida de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y con base en los modelos teóricos clásicos de la CVT, dirigido a la sociedad brasileña contemporánea. Metodología La validación del contenido se realizó a través del análisis llevado a cabo por investigadores en la área de la CVT. Se efectuó la verificación de la consistencia interna con el alfa de Cronbach. El instrumento se aplicó a 143 personas. Resultados La versión final del instrumento consta de 47 preguntas: 5 para el conocimiento de la muestra y las otras 42 divididas en cinco esferas que contemplan las diferentes dimensiones de la CVT. El alfa de Cronbach obtenido tras la aplicación del instrumento fue 0.8568. Para calcular los resultados del instrumento se desarrolló una sintaxis SPSS y una herramienta en Microsoft Word que realiza los cálculos automáticamente con base en la tabulación de los datos. Conclusiones Concluimos que el objetivo de validar un instrumento global con características psicométricas satisfactorias para medir la CVT con base en la cultura contemporánea brasileña se logró. Esta herramienta puede utilizarse sin necesidad de software SPSS.(AU)

[Construction and validation of TQWL-42: a quality of work life measurement instrument]. / Construção e validação do TQWL-42: um instrumento de avaliação da qualidade de vida no trabalho.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to build an instrument that evaluates quality of working life (QW:) in a comprehensive way that is in line with the WHOQOL instruments and is based on QWL's classic theoretical models, directed toward contemporary Brazilian society. METHODS: The content validation was performed through analysis by researchers in the area of QWL, and the verification of internal consistency was performed with Cronbach's alpha. The instrument was administered to 143 individuals. RESULTS: The final version of the instrument consists of 47 questions, with five for sampling knowledge and the remaining 42 divided into five spheres that take into account the dimensions of QWL.. Cronbach's alpha obtained from the administration of the instrument was 0.8568. A SPSS syntax and a tool in Microsoft Excel that performs the automated calculation after data tabulation was developed to calculate the results. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the goal of validating a comprehensive instrument with satisfactory psychometrical characteristics for the evaluation of QWL based on contemporary Brazilian culture was reached. This tool may be used without a need for SPSS utilization.

[A report of an error in the WHOQOL-HIV instrument syntax: proposed corrected syntax]. / Reportação de um erro na sintaxe do instrumento WHOQOL-HIV: proposta de uma sintaxe corrigida.

This study was aimed at analysing the distortion produced by an error in the WHOQOLHIV instrument's original syntax; syntax is proposed which would correct such error. SPSS software was used for testing the new syntax which was then sent to researchers regarding the topic being considered to verify the presence of errors. It was noted that the proposed syntax met its goal and no irregularity was found. It was thus concluded that the WHOQOL-HIV syntax had an error which jeopardised this instrument's fidelity. Using the syntax proposed in this study would enable superior precision in portraying the empirical reality of the quality of life for HIV-positive people.

Reportação de um erro na sintaxe do instrumento WHOQOL-HIV: proposta de uma sintaxe corrigida / A report of an error in the WHOQOL-HIV instrument syntax: proposed corrected syntax / Reporte de un error en la sintaxis del instrumento WHOQOL-HIV: propuesta de una sintaxis corregida

O presente estudo objetiva analisar as distorções produzidas por um erro presente na sintaxe original do instrumento WHOQOL-HIV, propondo uma sintaxe com correção ao referido erro. A nova sintaxe foi testada através do software SPSS e encaminhada para pesquisadores do tema em exame para a verificação da existência de erros. Foi constado que esta atendia ao seu propósito e nenhuma irregularidade foi encontrada. Concluise que a sintaxe do WHOQOL-HIV apresenta um erro que compromete a fidedignidade deste, sendo a sintaxe proposta nesse estudo uma possibilidade de contornar tal imbróglio, ofertando maior precisão ao retratar a realidade empírica da qualidade de vida dos portadores de HIV.

This study was aimed at analysing the distortion produced by an error in the WHOQOLHIV instrument's original syntax; syntax is proposed which would correct such error. SPSS software was used for testing the new syntax which was then sent to researchers regarding the topic being considered to verify the presence of errors. It was noted that the proposed syntax met its goal and no irregularity was found. It was thus concluded that the WHOQOL-HIV syntax had an error which jeopardised this instrument's fidelity. Using the syntax proposed in this study would enable superior precision in portraying the empirical reality of the quality of life for HIV-positive people.

El estudio se propuso analizar la distorsión producida por un error presente en la sintaxis original del instrumento WHOQOL-HIV, y proponer una sintaxis que corrigen tal error. La nueva sintaxis fue probada por medio del software SPSS y fue enviada a investigadores en el tema para verificar la presencia de errores. Se constató que la sintaxis propuesta logró su objetivo y no se encontraron irregularidades. Se concluyó que la sintaxis del WHOQOL-HIV presenta un error que compromete su fidelidad y que la sintaxis propuesta en este estudio permite una mayor precisión para determinar la realidad empírica de calidad de vida de los HIV positivos.