Is it possible to identify physical-motor profiles of preschool children on their association with selected biosocial factors?

Biosocial factors play a crucial role in the physical-motor development (PMD) of children during the preschool age. The present study aims to identify physical-motor profiles throughout preschool age (3-6 years) and explore associations between profiles and selected biosocial factors such as age, sex, prematurity, weight, height, BMI, and participation in extracurricular physical activities. Data from 412 typically developing children (46.6% girls and 53.4% boys), aged 35-71 months (M = 51.21, SD = 10.47) was collected using the Psychomotor Activities Checklist and specifically the scale of Psycho-Motor Aspects. Cluster analysis made it possible to define four different childhood PMD profiles. High PMD; High PMD except left laterality; medium-low PMD; and low PMD. High PMD profile includes older children, with anthropometric measurements closer to the WHO recommendations, fewer preterm children, and greater participation in extracurricular physical activities. Low PMD profile includes younger children, with weight slightly above and height slightly below the WHO recommendations and low participation in extracurricular physical activities. This study allows us to identify specific trends that may be decisive for the motor development of children throughout preschool age, highlighting selected biological variables and participation in extracurricular physical activities.

Mapping energy citizenship in the south of Europe.

The adoption of new global approaches in the field of energy democratization requires inquiring into how people act to shape the energy system. This is where the concept of energy citizenship (ENCI) appears as a constellation of actors that enable and/or support citizens to became active participants in the debates and energy systems both in private and public sphere, or as a collective citizen that contributes to change (Pel et al., 2021). The aim of this paper is to explore the concept of ENCI in Southern Europe. Using a mixed approach, an extensive mapping of 43 ENCI initiatives in Spain (n = 29) and Portugal (n = 14) was conducted through desktop research, and a stakeholder consultation workshop (n = 7) was carried out through a focus group. Results revealed the major presence of collective ENCI types, with the citizen-based/hybrid one standing out (e.g., energy cooperatives). Most of them were motivated by the interest to contribute to energy transition or to produce and/or use renewable energy, and aimed at promoting energy saving, energy justice and reducing the carbon footprint. The general tendency is towards active participation (in Spain) and transformative forms (in Portugal). The possibilities for citizen control in the initiatives analysed is still limited. These results were confirmed by stakeholders who, additionally, pointed out the major political, social, economic, and geographical factors related to ENCI forms. In short, various types of ENCI could be validated in the Spanish and Portuguese context, showing a commitment to sustainability, democracy, and energy justice. Other non-evidenced forms may be raised as a challenge to further in-depth research on latent forms of ENCI in Southern Europe.

Hidratación combinada y efectos en la salud vocal en estudiantes de logopedia / Combined hydration and effects on the vocal health in speech language pathology students

Objetivo: Evaluar si la hidratación combinada (sistémico y superficial) disminuye síntomas vocales y mejora la eficiencia glótica en una muestra de estudiantes de Logopedia. Material y Métodos: Estudio cuasi-experimental con grupo Hidratación (N=20) y grupo Control (N=19) con valoración pre y post-hidratación (ingesta de agua 1.500 ml/día e inhalaciones dos veces/día durante una semana). Se analizaron factores deshidratantes relacionados con la voz (uso vocal, tabaco, alcohol, café, respiración bucal), síntomas vocales y eficiencia glótica a través del Tiempo Máximo Fonación, Fo, Jitter % y Shimmer %, usando Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP). Resultados: Grupo Hidratación disminuyó significativamente sequedad (p = 0,013), carraspeo (p = 0,005), fatiga vocal (p = 0,015), dolor faríngeo (p = 0,009), Shimmer % (p = 0,048) frente al grupo Control que sólo disminuyó el carraspeo (p = 0,02). Conclusiones: La hidratación combinada puede ser una medida útil para mejorar la salud vocal de los futuros logopedas. (AU

Objective: To evaluate if a combined hydration (systemic and superficial) decreases the vocal symptoms and improves the glottic efficiency in a sample of university students of Speech therapist. Material and Methods: Quasi-experimental study with Hydration group (N=20) and Control group (N=19) with pre and post-hydration assessment (water intake 1.500 ml/day and steam twice/day for a week). Voice-related dehydrating factors (vocal use, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, oral breathing), vocal symptoms and glottic efficiency through Maximum Phonation Time, Fo, Jitter % and Shimmer %, using Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP) were analyzed. Results: Hydration group significantly decreased dryness (p = .013=, throat clearing (p = .005), vocal fatigue (p = .015), pain throat (p = .009) and Shimmer % (p = .048) compared to the Control group, which only decreased throat clearing (p = .02). Discussion: The combined hydration may be a useful measure to improve vocal health for future speech-language-pathologists. (AU)

Assessment of Adaptive Behavior in People with Autism Spectrum Disorders through the ICAP.

Evaluating adaptive behavior in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) requires attending to a set of cognitive processes associated with social interaction skills and functional communication that are altered. This paper presents the analysis of an instrument to assess and diagnose adaptive behavior in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), given the need for rigorous, standardized, and statistically reliable tools to address this dimension, incorporated into the diagnosis since 1992. The Inventory for Service Planning and Individual Programming (ICAP) was applied to n = 209 children with ASD. Its psychometric properties were studied to provide statistical criteria for its usefulness in assessing adaptive behavior. Results highlighted variations in its original structure, reducing the number of items from 77 to 60 by eliminating those with little discriminative power, and of dimensions from four to three given their greater congruence with the results of the exploratory analysis: daily life skills (α = 0.892-0.935), communication and linguistic skills (α = 0.860-0.931), and motor skills (α = 0.828-0.857). This again raises questions about the use of instruments similar in their dimensions, and about the interaction between variables and items, a frequent issue in the field of mind, social, and health sciences.

Family quality of life and autism spectrum disorder: Comparative diagnosis of needs and impact on family life.

BACKGROUND: Families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face ongoing challenges that can affect their family life. Helping those families cope with the impact of ASD and promote more positive family and child outcomes requires research to better understand the differential aspects of quality of life for those families. AIM: This article examined the quality of life of 77 families (n = 45 families with children with ASD aged 0-12 years old, and n = 32 families with other developmental disabilities). METHODS AND PROCEDURE: The Family Quality of Life Scale (FQOL) was applied. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The relationships between importance and satisfaction were analyzed, contrasting differences between families, and studying the influence of age. Results show the presence of common needs, as the higher ratings in importance versus satisfaction evidenced, but also specific and more evident needs in families of children with ASD, motivated by the differential characteristics of the disorder and their environment. Age was relevant to focus support on priority areas. CONCLUSION: The need to adapt to family individualities to promote their quality of life was concluded. IMPLICATIONS: Those findings reinforce the importance of bringing together theoretical knowledge and evaluation of professional practice as a framework for converting the latter into good practices and quality actions.

Motor Development among Spanish Preschool Children.

The purpose of this study was to analyze motor development of Spanish preschoolers, taking into account sex and age, being an only child, prematurity, and the practice of extracurricular activities. The sample was composed of 300 preschoolers (132 girls, 168 boys) ages 3 to 6 years. Preschoolers were tested on 12 fundamental motor skills (locomotor and object control) through the Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition (TGMD-2). Nonparametric analysis indicated that there are differences between girls and boys in locomotor and object control skills in the age range of 3-4 years. However, boys and girls scored similarly at the age of 5 years in locomotor development. There were not differences between only children and those who are not only children. Similarly, prematurity was not associated with locomotor and object control development. Nevertheless, those preschoolers who practice extracurricular physical activities scored significantly higher in comparison with those children do not. Further research is needed to shed light on the differences between boys and girls in object control. It may be explained by the types of extracurricular activities.

[Relationship among sleep quality, sleep habits and school adjustment in adolescents from an urban district of Galicia.] / Interrelacion entre calidad, hábitos de sueño y ajuste escolar en adolescentes de un distrito urbano de Galicia.

OBJECTIVE: The duration and the sleep quality are related to the emotional status and the academic performance in adolescents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of sleep in a group of adolescents, and to explore its relationship with school adjustment and performance. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was made with 56 adolescents aged 13-17 years from a high school institute in an urban district of La Coruña city was performed during the scholar´s year 2016-2017. The participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (ICSP) and the Brief School Adjustment Scale, and a brief questionnaire about their sleep habits and school scores. Descriptive analysis and different comparative parametric or not parametric statistical tests were applied according to type of variable; statistical significant value was considerate for p<0.10. RESULTS: The 35.7% of sample was poor sleepers and sleepiness was the most altered variable in ICSP. The female participants tended to sleep less than the male participants, and all of them went to sleep 100 minutes later on the weekend. Being a good or bad sleeper did not affect academic performance. Globally the school adjustment was satisfactory. Diurnal dysfunction was related to a worse adolescent-teacher and adolescent-classmate relationship. Diurnal dysfunction was also related to a poor motivation to perform academic tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Sleepiness is the most relevant problem in poor sleepers. Sleepiness has a negative influence on school adjustment and motivation for school activities of all adolescents; it is frequent and underestimated in most of the cases.

OBJETIVO: La duración y calidad del sueño están relacionadas en los adolescentes con su estado emocional y rendimiento académico. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la calidad del sueño en un grupo de jóvenes y explorar su relación con el ajuste y rendimiento escolar. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-transversal, con 56 adolescentes entre 13 y 17 años de un instituto de educación secundaria de un distrito de La Coruña, durante el curso 2016-2017. Los participantes cumplimentaron el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh (ICSP), la Escala Breve de Ajuste Escolar y un breve cuestionario sobre hábitos de sueño y calificaciones académicas. Realizamos el análisis descriptivo y diferentes pruebas comparativas o de asociación estadística por métodos paramétricos o no paramétricos según cada variable, considerándose significativos valores de p<0,10. RESULTADOS: El 35,7% de la muestra se clasificó como mala durmiente y la somnolencia fue la variable más alterada del ICSP. Las mujeres dormían significativamente menos que los varones, aunque ambos retrasaban 100 minutos el sueño durante el fin de semana. Ser buen o mal durmiente no afectó al rendimiento académico. El ajuste escolar fue satisfactorio globalmente. Las variables que expresaron desajuste en la interacción con los profesores y compañeros de clase, así como la realización de tareas escolares, se relacionaron con la disfunción diurna. CONCLUSIONES: La somnolencia es el problema más relevante en el grupo de malos durmientes. Esta puede influir negativamente en el ajuste escolar y en la motivación para las actividades escolares de todos los adolescentes, siendo frecuente y subestimada en la mayoría de los casos.

Interrelacion entre calidad, hábitos de sueño y ajuste escolar en adolescentes de un distrito urbano de Galicia / Relationship among sleep quality, sleep habits and school adjustment in adolescents from an urban district of Galicia

FUNDAMENTOS: La duración y calidad del sueño están relacionadas en los adolescentes con su estado emocional y rendimiento académico. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la calidad del sueño en un grupo de jóvenes y explorar su relación con el ajuste y rendimiento escolar. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivotransversal, con 56 adolescentes entre 13 y 17 años de un instituto de educación secundaria de un distrito de La Coruña, durante el curso 2016-2017. Los participantes cumplimentaron el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh (ICSP), la Escala Breve de Ajuste Escolar y un breve cuestionario sobre hábitos de sueño y calificaciones académicas. Realizamos el análisis descriptivo y diferentes pruebas comparativas o de asociación estadística por métodos paramétricos o no paramétricos según cada variable, considerándose significativos valores de p < 0,10. RESULTADOS: El 35,7% de la muestra se clasificó como mala durmiente y la somnolencia fue la variable más alterada del ICSP. Las mujeres dormían significativamente menos que los varones, aunque ambos retrasaban 100 minutos el sueño durante el fin de semana. Ser buen o mal durmiente no afectó al rendimiento académico. El ajuste escolar fue satisfactorio globalmente. Las variables que expresaron desajuste en la interacción con los profesores y compañeros de clase, así como la realización de tareas escolares, se relacionaron con la disfunción diurna. CONCLUSIONES: La somnolencia es el problema más relevante en el grupo de malos durmientes. Esta puede influir negativamente en el ajuste escolar y en la motivación para las actividades escolares de todos los adolescentes, siendo frecuente y subestimada en la mayoría de los casos

BACKGROUND: The duration and the sleep quality are related to the emotional status and the academic performance in adolescents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of sleep in a group of adolescents, and to explore its relationship with school adjustment and performance. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was made with 56 adolescents aged 13-17 years from a high school institute in an urban district of La Coruña city was performed during the scholar's year 2016-2017. The participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (ICSP) and the Brief School Adjustment Scale, and a brief questionnaire about their sleep habits and school scores. Descriptive analysis and different comparative parametric or not parametric statistical tests were applied according to type of variable; statistical significant value was considerate for p < 0.10. RESULTS: The 35.7% of sample was poor sleepers and sleepiness was the most altered variable in ICSP. The female participants tended to sleep less than the male participants, and all of them went to sleep 100 minutes later on the weekend. Being a good or bad sleeper did not affect academic performance. Globally the school adjustment was satisfactory. Diurnal dysfunction was related to a worse adolescent-teacher and adolescent-classmate relationship. Diurnal dysfunction was also related to a poor motivation to perform academic tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Sleepiness is the most relevant problem in poor sleepers. Sleepiness has a negative influence on school adjustment and motivation for school activities of all adolescents; it is frequent and underestimated in most of the cases