Cardiorespiratory Fitness as Mediator of the Relationship of Recreational Screen Time on Mediterranean Diet Score in Schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet as well as lower recreational screen time. Similarly, higher screen time has been negatively linked to a lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. However, the mediator effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on the influence of screen time on adherence to the Mediterranean diet is still unknown. The aim of this study was two-fold: first, to assess the combined association of recreational screen time and cardiorespiratory fitness with adherence to Mediterranean diet among Spanish schoolchildren, and second, to elucidate whether the association between recreational screen time and adherence to the Mediterranean diet is mediated by cardiorespiratory fitness. METHODS: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 370 schoolchildren aged 6-13 years from six schools in the Region of Murcia (Spain) were included. RESULTS: The mediation analysis showed that once screen time and cardiorespiratory fitness were included together in the model, cardiorespiratory fitness was positively linked to adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p = 0.020) and although screen time remained negatively related to adherence to the Mediterranean diet, this association was slightly attenuated (indirect effect = -0.027; 95% CI = (-0.080, -0.002)). CONCLUSIONS: This research supports that cardiorespiratory fitness may reduce the negative association between screen time and Mediterranean dietary patterns.

Meeting the Physical Activity Recommendations and Its Relationship with Obesity-Related Parameters, Physical Fitness, Screen Time, and Mediterranean Diet in Schoolchildren.

The up-to-date scientific evidence suggests that adequate levels of physical activity provide essential health benefits for children and adolescents and help to maintain a healthy body weight. In this sense, children and adolescents should at least accumulate 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in a daily basis to achieve these benefits and be considered active. Likewise, some lifestyle-related elements may interact with each other in an antagonistic or synergistic way to modify physical activity status. Thus, a better understanding of how meeting physical activity recommendations influences these potentially modifiable lifestyle factors (obesity-related parameters, physical fitness, dietary habits, or sedentary behaviour) would significantly reinforce the importance of complying with those recommendations from a health perspective and support the establishment of strategies for the promotion of diminishing the lower trends of physical activity among the young population. This study seeks to verify the association of meeting physical activity international recommendations with obesity-related parameters, global physical fitness, screen time, and Mediterranean diet in Spanish schoolchildren aged 8 to 13. A cross-sectional study was performed including 250 schoolchildren (41.2% girls) aged 8-13 (9.7 ± 1.2) from six primary schools in the Region of Murcia (Spain). Results: A higher proportion of children who complying with physical activity recommendations shows normal weight, no abdominal obesity, and low adiposity in comparison to other with different obesity-related parameters categories. Higher values in global physical fitness score were found in those who meet the physical activity international recommendations in both sexes. These higher values were also shown for adherence to the Mediterranean diet in both sexes; not being so in the case of screen time. Notwithstanding, none of these mean differences were statistically significant. To conclude, the proportion of schoolchildren meeting the physical activity recommendations in our study is low. A higher proportion of children who meet with physical activity recommendations present normal weight, no abdominal obesity and low adiposity in comparison to other obesity-related parameters categories in both sexes. Likewise, those considered as active children seem to have higher global physical fitness score and adherence to the Mediterranean diet than children who do not meet the recommendations.

Joy in Movement: Traditional Sporting Games and Emotional Experience in Elementary Physical Education.

Through games a motivating learning climate is provided, generating mainly positive emotions among the students by the very nature of the game. However, while the early stages are the most important for emotional well-being development, research about scientific knowledge of emotional physical education in children is still scarce. The aims of this study were to analyze the intensity of emotions (positive or negative) produced when players took part in games of different social structure, with or without competition (winner or loser), with or without sport experience and to examine the explanations given by the participants for these emotional experiences. Participants (N = 152) were recruited from two Spanish elementary school. We applied Student's t-test and one-factor ANOVA. Students' subjective comments were classified through content analysis in macro-categories and we used the Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID, implemented in SPSSTM Answer Tree® 13.0). The application of a mixed-methods approach identified statistically significant differences in four variables: (a) the type of emotion, (b) motor domain, (c) type of outcome (winning, losing, and non-competitive), and (d) sport experience. The intensity of positive emotions was higher (M = 3.71, SD = 0.893) than negative emotions (M = 1.18, SD = 0.253, p < 0.001). Furthermore, negative emotions were felt with different intensities (F 3 = 3.82, p = 0.011, ES = 0.071), depending on the motor action domain. Comments referring to negative emotions were more frequent in individual games. Winning was associated significantly (p < 0.05) with the highest intensity ratings of positive emotions, whereas losing produced the highest values for negative emotions. The intensity ratings for positive or negative emotions not were different between non-competitive games and competitive games. The sport experience relativizes the mean of emotional intensity, both positive and negative. The present study brings the value of considering games as a key role to promote a physical education addressed to the education of social-emotional well-being in schoolchildren, as the basis of academic training. Furthermore, the results could benefit teachers as well as coaches have scientific input to organize teaching content, generating the desired motor behaviors together with positive experiences.

Meeting international screen-time guidelines is associated with healthy dietary patterns in Spanish schoolchildren.

INTRODUCTION: Objective: the aim of this research was to explore the relationship between dietary pattern habits and compliance with screen-time guidelines in Spanish schoolchildren. Material and methods: a cross-sectional and associative study was performed in a total of 370 schoolchildren (44.9 % girls) aged 6-13 (8.7 ± 1.8) years. Results: for boys, those who did not meet these guidelines presented lower chances of eating vegetables regularly (OR = 0.50; 95 % CI = 0.28-0.89) or more than once a day (OR = 0.43; 95 % CI = 0.22-0.85). In girls, it was observed that those who did not meet the guidelines presented a lower probability of eating one piece of fruit (OR = 0.43; 95 % CI = 0.19-0.99) as well as a second piece (OR = 0.22; 95 % CI = 0.22-0.81), vegetables more than once a day (OR = 0.39; 95 % CI = 0.19-0.80), fish (at least 2-3 times/week) (OR = 0.40; 95 % CI = 0.20-0.78) and nuts (at least 2 or 3 times per week) (OR = 0.46; 95 % = 0.24-0.87). Conclusion: some healthy eating patterns, such as the consumption of fruits and vegetables, appeared to be more prevalent in those children who met the international screen-time guidelines.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Objetivo: el objetivo de esta investigación fue explorar la relación entre los hábitos de alimentación y el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de tiempo de pantalla en escolares españoles. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal y asociativo con un total de 370 escolares (44,9 % niñas) de 6 a 13 años (8,7 ± 1,8). Resultados: en los niños, aquellos que no cumplían con las recomendaciones presentaron menos probabilidades de comer verduras regularmente (OR = 0,50; IC 95 % = 0,28-0,89) y de ingerirlas más de una vez al día (OR = 0,43; IC 95 % = 0,22-0,85). En las niñas se observó que las que no cumplían las recomendaciones presentaban una menor probabilidad de comer una pieza de fruta (OR = 0,43; IC 95 % = 0,19-0,99) así como una segunda pieza (OR = 0,22; IC 95 % = 0,22-0,81), verduras más de una vez al día (OR = 0,39; IC 95 % = 0,19-0,80), pescado (al menos 2-3 veces por semana) (OR = 0,40; IC 95 % = 0,20-0,78) y frutos secos (al menos 2 o 3 veces por semana) (OR = 0,46; IC 95 % = 0,24-0,87). Conclusión: algunos patrones de alimentación saludable, como el consumo de frutas y verduras, parecen ser más prevalentes en los niños que cumplen con las recomendaciones internacionales de tiempo de pantalla.

Sociodemographic Correlates of Obesity among Spanish Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Some studies have been conducted in order to assess the association between weight status (assessed by body mass index) and socio-demographic factors. Nevertheless, only a few of them have indicated these associations by other anthropometric parameters (e.g., skinfolds). The aim of this study was to determine, compare, and examine the influence of age, sex, type of the schooling, per capita income, area of residence, and immigrant status on obesity parameters in schoolchildren aged 6-13 from the Region of Murcia. A cross-sectional study was carried out in six different Primary schools of the Region of Murcia (Spain). A total sample of 370 children (166 girls) aged 6-13 (8.7 ± 1.8) were selected. In order to determine participants' body composition, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and skinfold measurements were calculated. Higher associations of excess of weight (OR = 1.96; 95%CI = 1.19-3.20) and abdominal obesity (OR = 3.12; 95CI% = 1.49-6.94) were shown in the case of children from public schools. A greater association of high trunk fat mass was found in children from municipalities with high per capita income (OR = 3.20; 95%CI = 1.05-9.77). Therefore, lower association of having an inadequate %BF was found in the participants aged 6-9 (OR = 0.38; 95%CI = 0.24-0.54), and immigrant students (OR = 2.63; 95%CI = 1.69-4.10). Our study suggested that overweight/obesity among schoolchildren in the Region of Murcia is higher than the overall prevalence of Spain. The results of the adjusted analyses showed that age, type of schooling, per capita income, and immigrant status were associated with obesity parameters.

Clustering Patterns of Physical Fitness, Physical Activity, Sedentary, and Dietary Behavior among School Children.

Background: Some healthy lifestyle behaviors may have a greater impact on childhood obesity in combination, compared to the independent effects of those behaviors in an isolated manner. The present study aimed to identify the different healthy lifestyle patterns of children according to their physical fitness, physical activity (PA) patterns, screen time, and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, as well as to examine the association between anthropometric indicators and the membership to a certain cluster. Methods: A final sample of 353 Spanish school children (45.9% females) from the Region of Murcia (Spain) was included in this study (aged 6-13). First, we conducted a hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward's method; based on squared Euclidean distances. Second, we used the k-means cluster analysis to get the final cluster solution. Results: Three different clusters were established: Cluster 1 [high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), PA, and Mediterranean Diet], Cluster 2 (low CRF, PA, and Mediterranean Diet + high muscular strength), and Cluster 3 (low physical fitness and PA). Cluster 3 had negative values in all the health-related variables analyzed. Regarding the anthropometric parameters analyzed (BMI, tri-ponderal mass index, waist-to-height ratio, and body fat percentage), Cluster 3 presented the highest values in all anthropometric parameters than the other two clusters (p < 0.001), while Cluster 1 showed the lowest values. Conclusions: The study has identified three clusters respect to health-related variables with the higher prevalence in the cluster established as the unhealthiest lifestyle. Also, cluster classification is associated to obesity indicators such as BMI, tri-ponderal mass index, waist-to-height ratio, and body fat percentage.

Weight Status Is Related to Health-Related Physical Fitness and Physical Activity but Not to Sedentary Behaviour in Children.

Purpose: The aim of this research was to describe, examine, and compare the level of physical fitness, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour in pupils aged 6-13 in the Region of Murcia, Spain, in accordance with weight status. Methods: A total of 370 children (166 girls and 204 boys) aged 6-13 (M = 8.7; DT = 1.8) from the Region of Murcia participated in this descriptive and cross-sectional study. Some anthropometric parameters such as body mass index, waist circumference, as well as skinfold measurements were determined. ALPHA-FIT Test Battery was used to evaluate physical fitness. Krece Plus Short Test was used to measure physical activity level and sedentary behaviour. Results: 52.4% of the children presented excess weight (according to the World Health Organization growth references). Regarding boys, statistically significant differences were found for cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001), relative handgrip strength (p < 0.001), lower muscular strength (p < 0.001), speed-agility (p < 0.001), as well as sport activities hours (p = 0.001) among the three weight status groups (normal weight, overweight, and obesity). As for girls, statistically significant differences were found for cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.004), relative handgrip strength (p < 0.001), lower muscular strength (p < 0.001), sport activities hours (p = 0.005), as well as physical activity level (assessed by Krece Plus Test) (p = 0.017). A negative statistically significant correlation was found between body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness (rho = -0.389), lower muscular strength, (rho = -0.340), and relative handgrip strength (rho = -0.547). At the same time, a positive statistically significant relationship between body mass index and the time spent in speed-agility (rho = 0.263) was shown. Regarding waist circumference and body fat percentage, similar relationships were identified. Moreover, a greater probability of having higher cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 1.58; CI95% = 1.38-1.82), relative handgrip strength (OR = 1.25; CI95% = 1.19-1.31), more hours of sport activities (OR = 1.40; CI95% = 1.19-1.66), and physical activity level (assessed by Krece Plus Test) (OR = 1.23; CI95% = 1.07-1.42) was noted in the normal weight group. Conclusions: Children that presented normal weight achieved higher results for health-related physical fitness and physical activity than those with excess weight; this was, however, not found to be the case for sedentary behaviour. The authors emphasise the need for changes in public policies and school-based intervention programmes to develop higher levels of both PF and PA in overweight and obese children.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Related with Physical Fitness and Physical Activity in Schoolchildren Aged 6-13.

The relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and both physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) level has been analysed in several studies. The aim of this research was to describe, compare and analyse the level of PF and PA in schoolchildren aged 6-13 in the Region of Murcia, according to adherence to the MD. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 370 schoolchildren (44.9% girls) aged 6-13 (8.7 ± 1.8) from six primary schools in the Region of Murcia (Spain). Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and teenagers (KIDMED) was used to determinate the adherence to the MD. The ALPHA-FIT Test Battery was applied for assess body composition and PF. PA level was determined using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Only 25.9% of the schoolchildren had optimal adherence to the MD. Regarding the scores of the different PF tests in MD groups, only statistically significant differences were found for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (p = 0.048) in boys. PA level showed statistically significant differences in both boys (p = 0.040) and girls (p = 0.016). A positive relationship was found between the KIDMED and PA level (p = 0.235). A higher probability of having a greater CRF (OR = 1.17; CI = 1.02-1.34) and PA level (OR = 7.84; CI = 2.84-21.60) was found in high MD group. These results suggest that an optimal adherence to the MD is associated with higher CRF and PA level in the selected schoolchildren.

The Effect of Traditional Opposition Games on University Students' Mood States: The Score and Group Type as Key Aspects.

Playing traditional games has a direct impact on the mood states of the players, and this is the reason why physical education is an ideal setting for teaching how to recognize them and be aware about how they can swing. The objective of the study was to determine if participating in traditional opposition games causes changes to the participants' mood states. A total of 102 students participated. Each participant recorded the intensity of the mood state experienced at the beginning and at the end of the sessions, using the validated Profile of Mood States (POMS) instrument. The pedagogical experience was planned as 4 sessions with 6 and 5 opposition games each: (a) with competition in mixed groups, equally and unequally mixed; (b) without competition in mixed groups, equally and unequally mixed; (c) with competition in same-gender groups; and (d) without competition in same-gender groups. When comparing the different mood states according to session (with or without competition), the mood states of the depression, fatigue, and vigor dimensions were significantly different (p < 0.05), with higher scores in the sessions with competition for the mood states of vigor (Mcompetition = 7.27 and Mno_competition = 3.10) and fatigue (Mcompetition = 4.08 and Mno_competition = 1.80). Also, when comparing the mood states depending on session grouping and group type, the results showed differences in the scores obtained for the dimensions fatigue and anger, and general mood state (p < 0.05). These differences were found at the start of the session and at the end, with the dimension fatigue being the only one with differences in both situations when comparing the same-gender, equally-mixed, and unequally-mixed groups for the two types of traditional opposition games compared. In addition, after an analysis of the mood states depending on gender was performed, the results and therefore the significant differences found, were very similar to those obtained according to group type. Lastly, it was concluded that the type of group (equal, mixed & same gender), and gender were decisive, causing variations in the mood states of the students. This provides valuable information for teaching professionals about the structuring and organization of PE sessions, aiming to promoting positive motor experiences.

Ingesta de líquidos y deshidratación en jugadores profesionales de fútbol sala en función de la posición ocupada en el terreno de juego / Fluid intake and dehydration in professional indoor football players depending on the specific position on the field

Introducción y objetivosLa deshidratación es una de las causas principales de la reducción del rendimiento de los deportistas, debido a una insuficiente ingesta de líquidos durante la práctica. En deportes de equipo, la ingesta de líquido así como el nivel de deshidratación alcanzado por un jugador puede estar influenciado por la posición que ocupe en el campo. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido cuantificar la cantidad de líquido ingerido y el nivel de deshidratación en porteros, defensores y atacantes de fútbol sala durante la disputa de tres partidos oficiales.MétodosLa cantidad de líquido ingerido y el porcentaje de peso perdido fue medido en 3 porteros, 5 defensores y 6 atacantes, pertenecientes a la primera plantilla de Elpozo Murcia Turística Fútbol Sala, durante la disputa de 3 partidos correspondientes a la Liga Nacional de Fútbol Sala.ResultadosLos resultados mostraron como son los porteros quienes menos líquido ingirieron (1.205±333,32ml) frente a defensores (1.446±735,88ml) y atacantes (1.747,33±789,28ml). Porteros y atacantes alcanzaron un porcentaje mayor de pérdida de peso (1,27±0,61% y 1,27±1,1%), seguidos por defensores (0,55±1,1%). La ingesta de líquido en porteros y atacantes fue insuficiente para compensar las pérdidas producidas por sudoración, alcanzando niveles de deshidratación que suponen una reducción del rendimiento, mientras que los defensores mantuvieron niveles de euhidratación.ConclusionesLas estrategias de reposición hídrica deberán estar basadas en las características individuales de cada jugador, puesto que existe gran variabilidad en los resultados dentro de un mismo deporte, e incluso dentro de un mismo puesto específico(AU)

Introduction and objectivesDehydration is one of the leading causes of the reduction in physical and mental performance, due to an insufficient fluid intake whilst playing. In team sports, fluid intake and level of dehydration can be influenced by the specific position of player. The objective of this work has been to determine the quantity of fluid intake and level of dehydration of goalkeepers, defenders and forwards.MethodsFluid intake and body mass loss was measured in 3 goalkeepers, 5 defenders and 6 forwards from Elpozo Murcia Fútbol Sala during three official matches in the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Sala (LNFS).ResultsResults showed that goalkeepers drank the least amount of liquid (1205±333.32ml) opposite defenders (1446±735.88ml) and forwards (1747.33±789.28 ml). Goalkeepers and forwards reached the highest dehydration (1.27±0.61% and 1.27±1.1%), followed by defenders (0.56±1.04%). Fluid intake by goalkeepers and forwards was insufficient to compensate for losses caused by sweating, finishing the matches with levels of dehydration which gave rise to a reduction of performance, while defenders maintained their hydration.ConclusionsFluid replacement strategies should be based on individual characteristics of players. It has been shown that there is variability of results within the same sport, even within a specific position(AU)

Validez de los test dedos-planta y dedos-suelo para la valoración de la extensibilidad isquiosural en piragüistas de categoría infantil / Validity of the sit-and-reach and toe-touch tests in the evaluation of hamstring muscle length in young paddlers

Introducción y objetivos: La reducción de la extensibilidad de la musculatura isquiosural es frecuente en la población deportista. Para su detección es importante utilizar test válidos y específicos. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la validez de los test de distancia dedos-planta y dedos-suelo para valorar la extensibilidad isquiosural en piragüistas jóvenes. Método: A un total de 64 piragüistas de categoría infantil (media de edad, 13,35 ± 0,59 años) se les valoró, en un orden aleatorio, la extensibilidad isquiosural mediante el ángulo de flexión coxofemoral en el test de elevación de pierna recta (en ambas piernas) y mediante la distancia alcanzada en los test de distancia dedos-planta y dedos-suelo. Resultados: Los valores de correlación entre los test lineales y el test de elevación de pierna recta fueron moderados en chicos (r = 0,66-0,77) y en chicas (r = 0,74-0,85). En base a las referencias de normalidad, hubo un mayor porcentaje de casos de cortedad isquiosural al utilizar el test de elevación de pierna recta (63,6%) respecto a la distancia alcanzada en los test lineales (25,0-34,0%), pero sólo en los chicos. Conclusiones: La validez de la distancia alcanzada en los test lineales como medio de valoración de la extensibilidad isquiosural es moderada, y es mayor en las chicas. No obstante, cuando se utiliza alguno de los test lineales analiza-dos como prueba de valoración de la extensibilidad isquiosural en piragüistas de categoría infantil, se produce un considerable número de falsos negativos en los chicos

Introduction and objectives: Decreased hamstring muscle length is frequent in athletes. To measure hamstring muscle length, valid and specific tests are required. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of the sit-and-reach and toe-touch tests as measures of hamstring muscle length in young paddlers. Methods: Sixty-four young paddlers (mean age: 13.35 ± 0.59 years) performed the straight leg raise test (in both legs), the sit-and-reach and the toe-touch tests in a random order. For the straight leg raise, the angle of the straight leg to the horizontal was measured. For the sit-and-reach and toe-touch tests, the maximal distance reached was measured. Results: Correlation values between sit-and-reach and toe-touch scores with respect to the straight leg raise were moderate in both boys (r = 0.66-0.77) and girls (r = 0.74-0.85). In comparison with the normal reference range, boys showed a greater frequency of decreased hamstring muscle length in the straight leg raise (63.6%) than in the sit-and-reach and toe-touch tests (25.0%-34.0%). No differences were found in girls. Conclusions: The validity of sit-and-reach and toe-touch scores for measuring hamstring muscle length is moderate, although girls showed higher values than boys. However, when sit-and-reach or toe-touch scores were used to measure hamstring muscle length in young canoeists, we found a greater number of false negative results in boys