Anthropometric characteristics according to the role performed by World Tour road cyclists for their team.

Certain anthropometric characteristics are required for athletes to successfully perform in elite endurance sports. The present study aims to analyse the anthropometric characteristics of professional cyclists according to their specialty. Anthropometric measurements were conducted of the body composition of 76 male professional road cyclists in line with International Society for Advancement of Kinanthropometry protocol. Fat mass did not differ (p > 0.05) between climbers, all-rounders and flat specialists, although the following anthropometric variables did differ according to the role played within the team (p < 0.05): Body mass (climbers: 63.8 ± 3.6, all-rounders: 68.8 ± 5.3, flat specialists: 74.5 ± 5.6 kg) skeletal body mass (climbers: 29.7 ± 1.6, all-rounders: 31.4 ± 1.9, flat specialists: 33.5 ± 2.4 kg); body surface area (climbers: 1.78 ± 0.07, all-rounders: 1.89 ± 0.10, flat specialists: 1.96 ± 0.1 m2); frontal area (climbers: 0.33 ± 0.01, all-rounders: 0.35 ± 0.02, flat specialists: 0.36 ± 0.02 m2). Anthropometric characteristics differ between world-class cyclists depending on their specialty. These differences could influence performance in relation to different types of road cycling competitions. The present study identified characteristics that could be used by coaches to evaluate their athletes in the context of elite or professional road cycling.HighlightsNormative reference values of a large sample of professional cyclists of the highest category are presented.Anthropometric characteristics differ between world-class cyclists depending on their specialty.Body mass, BMI, height and skeletal muscle mass are determining factors to determine the role of the cyclist.

The colored Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect.

The Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect is one of the celebrated phenomenologies of modern physics that accommodates equally well classical (interferences of waves) and quantum (correlations between indistinguishable particles) interpretations. The effect was discovered in the late thirties with a basic observation of Hanbury Brown that radio-pulses from two distinct antennas generate signals on the oscilloscope that wiggle similarly to the naked eye. When Hanbury Brown and his mathematician colleague Twiss took the obvious step to propose bringing the effect in the optical range, they met with considerable opposition as single-photon interferences were deemed impossible. The Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect is nowadays universally accepted and, being so fundamental, embodies many subtleties of our understanding of the wave/particle dual nature of light. Thanks to a novel experimental technique, we report here a generalized version of the Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect to include the frequency of the detected light, or, from the particle point of view, the energy of the detected photons. Our source of light is a polariton condensate, that allows high-resolution filtering of a spectrally broad source with a high degree of coherence. In addition to the known tendencies of indistinguishable photons to arrive together on the detector, we find that photons of different colors present the opposite characteristic of avoiding each others. We postulate that fermions can be similarly brought to exhibit positive (boson-like) correlations by frequency filtering.

Nutritional intake and anthropometric changes of professional road cyclists during a 4-day competition.

Appropriate nutrition through adequate dietary intake of total calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients is an essential component of optimizing the performance of all elite athletes. The aim of this study was to describe the food intake, body composition, and biochemical profile of professional cyclists during the Tour of Andalusia, a four-stage race covering a total distance of 647.6 km. Nutritional data were collected by trained investigators who weighed all of the food and fluid ingested by the cyclists. The nutritional intake of the cyclists was as follows: CHO, 12.8 ± 1.7 g/kg of body weight (BW; 62.3%); fat, 2.1 ± 0.2 g/kg BW (23.2%); proteins, 3.0 ± 0.3 g/kg BW (14.5%); total kcal was 5644.3 ± 593.1. Intake of all micronutrients, except for folate and potassium [which were 93.7% and 91.3% of Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)] exceeded the RDA/I. Percentage of body fat and fat weight significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while weight of muscle mass remained unchanged after the Tour. Concentrations of urea, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, myoglobin, and high-density lipoproteins significantly increased (P < 0.05) after the Tour. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe both nutritional intake and the body and biochemical composition of a sample of professional road cyclists during a top-class cycling race.

Exciting Polaritons with Quantum Light.

We discuss the excitation of polaritons-strongly coupled states of light and matter-by quantum light, instead of the usual laser or thermal excitation. As one illustration of the new horizons thus opened, we introduce "Mollow spectroscopy"-a theoretical concept for a spectroscopic technique that consists of scanning the output of resonance fluorescence onto an optical target-from which weak nonlinearities can be read with high precision even in strongly dissipative environments.

Acute effect of Snus on physical performance and perceived cognitive load on amateur footballers.

Smokeless tobacco (Snus) is a substance that contains nicotine, which has been placed on World Anti-Doping Agency's 2014 Monitoring Program. A proliferation of nicotine use in sport has been observed in recent years, but little is known regarding its effects, especially on football players' performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of Snus on physical performance, heart rate variability, subjective activation, mental fatigue, and perceived readiness before a physical test in non-smoker, non-Snus user, amateur football players. Participants were administered either Snus or placebo 40 min prior to a fitness test battery (handgrip test, countermovement jump, agility test, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test). Results showed that Snus intake (compared with placebo) increased perceived mental fatigue level and mental load, and reduced perceived readiness level and heart rate variability. No significant differences between the two experimental conditions were found in either performance in the physical tests or perceived physical fatigue levels. In light of these results, Snus could not be considered an ergogenic substance. On the contrary, based on the extant evidence linking mental load and fatigue with physical performance, we argue that the observed negative effects on mental fatigue, perceived readiness, and heart rate variability should be considered.

[Effect of an 8-week aerobic training program during physical education lessons on aerobic fitness in adolescents]. / Efecto de un programa de entrenamiento aeróbico de 8 semanas durante las clases de educación física en adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a high intensity aerobic training program of 8 weeks, developed during physical education classes, on the aerobic capacity of adolescents aged 15 to 18 years. METHODS: A total of 84 adolescents (51 boys and 33 girls) participated in this study. The aerobic capacity (VO(2)max) was measured directly with a portable gas analyzer (K4b², Cosmed) during the performance of the 20 Meters Shuttle Run Test (20mSRT). The sample was divided into 2 experimental groups (G2S and G3S) and 1 control group. The training program was composed of aerobic physical activity (75-80% VO(2)max.). The G2S developed 2 sessions per week while the G3S made 3. RESULTS: The G2S increased VO(2)max (boys: from 55.7 to 56.6 ml/kg/min; girls: from 37.8 to 38.7 ml/kg/min; p < 0.001) and the number of stages in the 20mSRT (9.0% boys, p < 0.001; 20.0% girls, p < 0.001). The G3S also increased VO(2)max (boys: from 54.9 to 56.0 ml/kg/min; girls: from 36.0 to 38.7 ml/kg/min) and the number stages in the 20mSRT (10.4% boys, p < 0.001; 32.3% girls, p < 0.001). In G2S and G3s, girls showed greater improvement than boys. CONCLUSIONS: A high intensity aerobic training program developed during 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, improves aerobic capacity of the students. An extra session of intense exercise for week is a greater improvement in girls, but do not produce such effects in boys.

Efecto de un programa de entrenamiento aeróbico de 8 semanas durante las clases de educación física en adolescentes / Effect of an 8-week aerobic training program during physical education lessons on aerobic fitness in adolescents

Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de un programa de entrenamiento aeróbico de alta intensidad de 8 semanas, desarrollado durante las clases de Educación Física, sobre la capacidad aeróbica de adolescentes de 15 a 18 años. Método: Un total de 84 adolescentes (51 chicos y 33 chicas) participaron en el presente estudio. La capacidad aeróbica (VO2max) se midió directamente con un analizador de gases portátil (K4b2, Cosmed) durante la realización del 20 Meter Shuttle Run Test (20mSRT). La muestra fue dividida en 2 grupos experimentales (G2S y G3S) y 1 grupo control. El programa de entrenamiento consistió en la práctica de actividad física aeróbica con una intensidad equivalente al 75-80% del VO2max. El G2S realizó 2 sesiones semanales mientras que el G3S realizó 3 sesiones. Resultados: El G2S incrementó el VO2max (de 55,7 a 56,6 ml/kg/min los chicos; de 37,8 a 38,7 ml/kg/min las chicas, p < 0,001) y el n.o stages en el 20mSRT (9,0% los chicos, p < 0,001; 20,0% las chicas, p < 0,001). El G3S también aumentó el VO2max (de 54,9 a 56,0 ml/kg/min los chicos; de 36,0 a 38,7 ml/kg/min las chicas) y el n.o stages en el 20mSRT (10,4% los chicos, p < 0,001; 32,3% las chicas, p <0,001). En G2S y G3S, las chicas mostraron una mayor mejora que los chicos. Conclusiones: Un programa de entrenamiento aeróbico de alta intensidad de 8 semanas, 2 días por semanas, mejora la capacidad aeróbica de los alumnos. Una sesión extra de ejercicio intenso por semana supone una mayor mejora en las chicas, no produciendo tales efectos en los chicos (AU)

Objective: To determine the effect of a high intensity aerobic training program of 8 weeks, developed during physical education classes, on the aerobic capacity of adolescents aged 15 to 18 years. Methods: A total of 84 adolescents (51 boys and 33 girls) participated in this study. The aerobic capacity (VO2max) was measured directly with a portable gas analyzer (K4b2, Cosmed) during the performance of the 20 Meters Shuttle Run Test (20mSRT). The sample was divided into 2 experimental groups (G2S and G3S) and 1 control group. The training program was composed of aerobic physical activity (75-80% VO2max.). The G2S developed 2 sessions per week while the G3S made 3. Results: The G2S increased VO2max (boys: from 55.7 to 56.6 ml/kg/min; girls: from 37.8 to 38.7 ml/kg/min; p < 0.001) and the number of stages in the 20mSRT (9.0% boys, p < 0.001; 20.0% girls, p < 0.001). The G3S also increased VO2max (boys: from 54.9 to 56.0 ml/kg/min; girls: from 36.0 to 38.7 ml/kg/min) and the number stages in the 20mSRT (10.4% boys, p < 0.001; 32.3% girls, p < 0.001). In G2S and G3s, girls showed greater improvement than boys. Conclusions: A high intensity aerobic training program developed during 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, improves aerobic capacity of the students. An extra session of intense exercise for week is a greater improvement in girls, but do not produce such effects in boys (AU)

Physical profile of elite young motorcyclists.

The aim of the study was to describe anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite young road-race motorcyclists (MC). 27 riders (15.6±1.1 years, 54.6±6.9 kg, 166.9±6.7 cm) competing at international elite level participated in this study. Anthropometric variables, hand grip and lumbar isometric strength, and lower-body muscular strength were measured. Comparisons of the MC and a reference group of Spanish physically active adolescents (16.0±0.6 years) showed that the riders were significantly lighter (-12.5 kg), and smaller (-4.7 cm). Riders also had significantly lower values for almost all skinfolds, and for all the measured girths (except forearm) than the reference group. Motorcyclists showed significantly less percent body fat (%BF) and higher muscle mass, and differences were observed for somatotype components compared to the reference group, except for the ectomorphy. Somatotype could be defined as mesomorphic-ectomorph (2.5-4.4-3.7). Mean (±SD) values of all riders were 34.8±5.0 cm for vertical jump height, 402.1±74.5 N for the right hand and 370.7±77.5 N for the left hand strengths, and 120.6±19.3 kg for lumbar isometric strength, respectively. Results demonstrate that MC are small and light, with lower body mass index, skinfolds, girth and breadth dimensions, and %BF than a reference group and other athletes, with high values of hand grip and lumbar isometric strength.

[Analysis of the feeding habits in cyclists of the SpanishNational Mountain Bike Team]. / Estudio de los hábitos alimentarios de los ciclistas de la selección española de mountain bike.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the feeding habits of the cyclists of the Spanish mountain bike (MTB) national team. METHOD: Forty cyclists were distributed in two categories according to time spent in training and competing category (25 Cadet/junior (C/J) -16.68 +/- 0.99 years-, and 15 Under-23/elite (U23/E) -25.33 +/- 4.25 years-. All the subjects completed a specific questionnaire about their feeding habits. Descriptive and contrast (Mann-Whitney) statistic was carried out in the 2 studied groups. RESULTS: Seventy Six per cent of the subjects of the C/J group showed incorrect feeding habit, and significantly less (36%) than the U23/E showed also incorrect patterns (p = 0.003). Seventy six per cent of the C/J and 60% of the U23/E do 3 intakes/day (p = 0.348), while 20% of C/J and 26.7% of the U23/E do 5 intakes/day. Sixty four per cent of the C/J and 26% of the U23/E eat between meals (p = 0.024). Also, 56% of C/J group and 20% of the U23/E group eat "fast food" (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Feeding habits of the C/J cyclists of the Spanish national team are considered inadequate, being significantly better for the U23/E group, although also in this older group there are basic aspects to improve.

Estudio de los hábitos alimentarios de los ciclistas de la selección española de mountain bike / Analysis of the feeding habits in cyclists of the Spanish national mountain bike team

Objetivo: Conocer los hábitos alimentarios de los integrantes de la selección nacional de ciclismo en la disciplina de mountain bike (MTB) para mejorar su rendimiento. Método: Cuarenta ciclistas fueron distribuidos en dos grupos atendiendo al nivel de dedicación mostrado y categoría (25 Cadetes/juniors (C/J) -16,68 ± 0,99 años- y 15 sub23/élites (S23/E) -25,33 ± 4,25 años-. Todos los sujetos completaron un cuestionario específico acerca de sus hábitos alimentarios. Se realizó una estadística descriptiva y de contraste (Mann-Whitney) entre los grupos establecidos. Resultados: El 76% de los sujetos pertenecientes al grupo de C/J muestran un incorrecto hábito alimenticio, siendo este porcentaje del 36% en el grupo de S23/E (p = 0,003). El 76% de los C/J y el 60% de los S23/E realizan 3 ingestas al día (p = 0,348), mientras que el 20% de los C/J y el 26,7% de los S23/E afirman realizar 5 tomas al día. El 64% de los C/J y el 26% de los S23/E manifiestan "picar" entre horas (p = 0,024). Por último, el 56% de los C/J y el 20% de los S23/E manifiestan ingerir alimentos precocinados (p = 0,028). Conclusiones: Los hábitos alimentarios de los ciclistas C/J de la selección española de MTB no eran los adecuados, considerándose mejores los de los S23/E, aunque con importantes aspectos básicos a mejorar (AU)

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the feeding habits of the cyclists of the Spanish mountain bike (MTB) national team. Method: Forty cyclists were distributed in two categories according to time spent in training and competing category (25 Cadet/junior (C/J) -16.68 ± 0.99 years-, and 15 Under-23/elite (U23/E) -25.33 ± 4.25 years-. All the subjects completed a specific questionnaire about their feeding habits. Descriptive and contrast (Mann-Whitney) statistic was carried out in the 2 studied groups. Results: Seventy Six per cent of the subjects of the C/J group showed incorrect feeding habit, and significantly less (36%) than the U23/E showed also incorrect patterns (p = 0.003). Seventy six per cent of the C/J and 60% of the U23/E do 3 intakes/day (p = 0.348), while 20% of C/J and 26.7% of the U23/E do 5 intakes/day. Sixty four per cent of the C/J and 26% of the U23/E eat between meals (p = 0.024). Also, 56% of C/J group and 20% of the U23/E group eat "fast food" (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Feeding habits of the C/J cyclists of the Spanish national team are considered inadequate, being significantly better for the U23/E group, although also in this older group there are basic aspects to improve (AU)

Composición corporal y cálculo del gasto energético total (GET) en alumnos de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte de Granada. Comparación del GET mediante fórmulas predictivas / No disponible

Introducción: las actividades desarrolladas por las personas a lo largo de un día conllevan un gasto energético conocido como gasto energético total (GET), y se define como la cantidad de energía que un individuo necesita para mantener y realizar todas sus actividades en un tiempo limitado de 24 h. Objetivo: en el presente estudio se ha determinado la composición corporal y se han comparado diferentes fórmulas predictivas para el cálculo del gasto energético total en un grupo de alumnos de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y Deporte de la Universidad de Granada que practica deporte de forma regular. Los métodos usados para la comparación fueron los siguientes: Múltiplos de equivalentes metabólicos (METs); Método Factorial (MF); Factor Compensado(FC); Factor Recomendado (FR); Suma de Componentes (SC); DRIs y FAO. Resultados: la talla de los hombres y mujeres y el peso de los hombres estaban dentro de los valores normales, el peso de las mujeres y el porcentaje de grasa de hombres y mujeres estaban por debajo de los valores medios. El GET medio utilizando el METs fue de 3251 kcal/día para hombres y 2629 kcal/día para mujeres, lo que corresponde a una actividad entre moderada e intensa. Los métodos: METs, MF y SC, y DRIs, FCy FR presentaron valores medios semejantes. Los métodos: METs – MF, FR – SC, METs –SC, DRIs – FC y DRIs – FR para hombres y mujeres; y METs – FAO, FAO – FR, FAO – SC, FAO– MF, FC – FR y SC – MF para mujeres, poseen una alta correlación y fueron estadísticamente iguales. Conclusiones: los métodos: MF y METs; FR y SC resultaron estadísticamente iguales para toda la muestra y poseen una correlación muy alta por lo que pueden ser utilizados en esta muestra deforma indiferente (AU)

Introduction: the activities developed by people along one day carry an expenditure energy called total energy expenditure. It was explained like the energy expended by an individual in 24 hours. Objective: in the present study was compared the different prescriptive formules to calculate the total energy expenditure (EE) in a students group of the Faculty of Physical Activities and Sports Sciences from the University of Granada. The methods used to estimate EE were indirect methods based in physical activity records: METs, factorial (MF), recommended factor (FR),compensated factor (FC), sum of components(SC), DRIs and FAO. Results: The height of men and women and the weight of men were inside the normal values of Spanish population. The weight of women and the percentage of body fat were under the normal values of Spanish population. The mean value of EE using the METS method was 3251Kcal/day for men and 2629 kcal/day for women. These values correspond to an activity between moderate and hard. The mean values obtained by METs, MF and SC and DRIs, FC and FR were similar. The methods METs – MF, FR – SC, METs –SC, DRIs – FC y DRIs – FR in women and men; and METs – FAO, FAO – FR, FAO – SC, FAO –MF, FC – FR y SC – MF in women had a high correlation and were statistically similar. Conclusions: the methods MF and METs; and FR and SC were statistically similar to all groups and had a very high correlation (AU)

[Causes of non-compliance and associated factors in non-attendance of scheduled consultation]. / Causas de incumplimiento y factores asociados en una consulta concertada.

OBJECTIVE: To find the degree of non-attendance at scheduled consultations and associated factors, with the aim of introducing the necessary corrective measures. DESIGN: An analytic observational study. SETTING: Sillería Health Centre, Toledo. PATIENTS: People on a medical list with scheduled medical and/or nursing appointments over the period of a year. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 253 cases of non-attendance (13.16%) out of a total of 1,922 scheduled consultations. Different variables were analysed, with statistically significant results being found in user's age and profession (p < 0.01), season of the year (p = 0.00067), the number of previous appointments (p < 0.01) and the number of previous non-attendances (p < 0.001). A profile of the non-attender emerged as: a young person, unemployed or student, single or separated, with average or higher education and who makes an appointment for control of risk factors cardiovascular, to open a medical history or for pregnancy monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The level of attendance using present appointment methodology is acceptable. Nevertheless we believe a change of strategy, which would involve the community more both in preventive activities and in taking responsibility for their own attendance is needed.

[Treatment of pain and anxiety in terminal oncologic patients in the Castilla-La Mancha community]. / Tratamiento del dolor y la ansiedad en el paciente oncológico terminal en la comunidad de Castilla-La Mancha.

OBJECTIVE: To find what palliative treatment, in particular for pain and anxiety, terminal cancer patients in the Community of Castilla La Mancha receive. DESIGN: A descriptive, retrospective study by means of a questionnaire. SETTING: Primary Care. Autonomous Community of Castilla La Mancha. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A survey of 157 doctors with data referring to their last cancer patient deceased in the period from January to August, 1994. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data on 157 patients were received. Of all the tumours, lung cancer was the most common (22.93%). Pain was the symptom most often mentioned (92.91%); anxiety appeared in 70.06%. The most commonly used non-opiate analgesic was Paracetamol (58.22%). Morphine was used in 46.48%, for an average period of 2.35 months (SD = 2.21). Side-effects due to morphine appeared in 22.06%. Complementary drugs to treat pain were used in 13.01% of cases. 12% were referred to specialists for analgesic control. Doctors used pain measurement tables in 5.48% of cases. 19.09% of patients suffering anxiety received no type of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We think that analgesic tables to monitor the treatment should be used. Attention should be paid to the appearance of side-effects of morphine, the circulation of pain graduation tables and the evaluation of anxiety in this category of patient.