Resilience and recovery-stress in competitive athletes / Resiliencia y recuperación-estrés en deportistas de competición / Resiliência e recuperação-estresse em atletas de competição

Resilience is an important construct in sport because athletes must constantly withstand a wide range of stressors to attain optimal performance. The aim of this study was to analyse how the resilient profile influences the recovery-stress levels of competitive athletes. Participants were 235 subjects (126 males and 109 females, M age = 20.7 years, SD = 4.3) who practiced different sports. They were evaluated on two occasions coinciding with the beginning of the last competitive mesocycle and after the most important competition of the season. Recovery-stress and resilience levels were studied by using the Spanish adaptations of the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) and the Resilience Scale. Resilience related positively to recovery factors and negatively to stress factors of the RESTQ-Sport. No significant difference was observed in resilience scores between evaluations performed during the last mesocycle or competition, but values for the different RESTQ-Sport stress factors increased during the second evaluation. Athletes with high resilience attained higher scores in recovery factors and lower scores in stress factors. Our results suggest that a higher level of resilience influences positively recovery-stress processes (AU)

La resiliencia es un constructo importante en el deporte ya que los atletas deben enfrentarse de manera continua a un amplio rango de factores estresantes para alcanzar un rendimiento óptimo. El propósito de este estudio fue analizar cómo influye el perfil resiliente en los niveles de recuperación-estrés del deportista de competición. La muestra estuvo formada por 235 deportistas (126 hombres y 109 mujeres) con edades entre los 15 y los 35 años (M edad = 20.7, SD = 4.3) de diferentes modalidades deportivas que fueron evaluados en dos ocasiones, al principio del último mesociclo competitivo e inmediatamente después de la competición más importante de la temporada. Se registraron los niveles de recuperación estrés y de resiliencia por medio de las versiones españolas del Cuestionario de Recuperación-Estrés (RESTQ-Sport) y de la Escala de Resiliencia. No se pusieron de manifiesto diferencias en la resiliencia entre las evaluaciones realizadas antes del último mesociclo o al final de la competición, pero las puntuaciones en los factores de estrés del RESTQ-Sport se incrementaron significativamente en la segunda evaluación. Los valores de resiliencia correlacionaron positivamente con los alcanzados en los factores de recuperación y negativamente con los correspondientes a los factores de estrés del RESTQ-Sport. Los sujetos con una resiliencia elevada eran quienes mostraban puntuaciones más altas en los factores de recuperación y más reducidas en los factores de estrés. A la vista de nuestros resultados, unos mayores niveles de resiliencia parecen influir de manera positiva sobre los procesos de recuperación-estrés (AU)

Resiliência é um constructo que é importante no esporte porque atletas devem enfrentar em uma base contínua para uma grande variedade de estressores para atingir o desempenho ideal. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar como o perfil resiliente influencia os níveis de estresse-recuperação dos atletas competitivos. Os participantes foram 235 individuos (126 homens e 109 mulheres), com idades entre 15 e 35 anos (idade M = 20,7 anos, SD = 4.3) que praticavam esportes diferentes. Eles foram avaliados em duas ocasiões, coincidindo com o início do último mesocycle competitiva e após a competição mais importante da temporada. Níveis de recuperação-estresse e resiliência foram estudos pelas versões espanholas do Questionário de Recuperação-Estress para Atletas (RESTQ-Sport) e o Escala de Resiliência. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi observada no golo de resiliência entre avaliações realizadas durante a última mesocycle ou concorrência, mas os valores para os diferentes factores de estresse do RESTQ-Sport aumentaram durante a segunda avaliação. Resiliência foi associada positivamente a fatores de recuperação e negativamente ao factores de estresse do RESTQ-Sport. Atletas com alta resiliência atingiram escores mais altos nos fatores de recuperação e menor pontuação nos fatores de estresse. Nossos resultados parecem mostrar que níveis mais altos de resiliência parecen influenziar positivamente os processos de recuperação-estresse (AU)

Actividad física y salud percibida en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria / Physical activity and perceived health in patients with coronary artery disease / Actividade física e saúde percebida em pacientes com doença coronaria

La enfermedad coronaria es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en el mundo y se asocia con importantes consecuencias emocionales y sociales. La actividad física parece ralentizar el inicio y la progresión de las enfermedades cardiovasculares pero también presenta beneficios sobre la salud psicosocial. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo el análisis de la relación entre la práctica de actividad física y la calidad de vida, el bienestar psicológico y la depresión en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria. La muestra estaba compuesta por 275 personas, con edades entre 54 a 98 años. Se aplicó un Cuestionario Sociodemográfico, el Cuestionario de Salud SF-36, la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica (GDS), la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico (EBP) y el Cuestionario de Actividad Física de Yale (YPAS). Los resultados obtenidos pusieron de manifiesto que la práctica de actividad física se asociaba en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria a una mejora en las distintas escalas del Cuestionario de Salud SF-36 y en la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica, confirmando su importancia para el mantenimiento de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en estos pacientes (AU)

Coronary artery disease is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the world and associates with important emotional and social consequences. Physical activity seems to slow down the start and the progression of the cardiovascular illnesses but also presents benfits on psychosocial health. The present study is amied to analyze the relationship between the practice of physical activity and quality of life, psychological wellbeing and depression in patients with coronary illness. The sample was composed by 275 subjects, aged between 54 to 98 years. They were applied a Sociodemograpahic Questionnaire, the Questionnaire of Health SF-36,the Scale of Geriatric Depression (GDS), the Scale of Psychological Welbeing (EBP) and the Yale Physical Activity Scale (YPAS). Results obtained indicated that the practice of physical activity associated in patients with coronary illness to an improvement in the distinct scales of the Questionnaire of Health SF-36 and in the Scale of Geriatric Depression, confirming his importance for the maintenance of health-related quality of life in these patients (AU)

A doença coronaria é uma das principais causas de morbilidad e mortalidade no mundo e associa-se com importantes consequências emocionais e sociais. A actividade física parece reduzir o início e a progressão das doenças cardiovasculares mas também apresenta benefícios sobre a saúde psicosocial. O presente estudo tem como objectivo a análise da relação entre a prática de actividade física e a qualidade de vida, o bem-estar psicológico e a depressão numa mostra de pacientes com doença coronaria. A mostra estava composta por 275 pessoas, com idades entre 54 a 98 anos. Aplicou-se um Cuestionario Sociodemográfico, o Cuestionario de Saúde SF-36, a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS), a Escala de Bem-estar Psicológico (EBP) e o Cuestionario de Actividade Física de Yale (YPAS). Os resultados obtidos puseram de manifesto que a prática de actividade física se associava em pacientes com doença coronaria a uma melhora nas difrentes escalas do Cuestionario de Saúde SF-36 e na Escala de Depressão Geriátrica, confirmando sua importância para a manutenção da qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde nestes pacientes (AU)

Substance abuse and health self-perception in Spanish children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze substance abuse and health self-perception in children and adolescents from the province of Cádiz (Spain). METHODOLOGY: Participants were 738 students, 50.9 boys and 49.1% girls, from elementary school to high school (1st to 12th grade, mean age 12.2. years), who responded a Spanish adaptation of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children Inventory. RESULTS: No difference was observed in percentage of boys and girls reporting to smoke or drink alcohol. Smoking and drinking habits increased with age, being higher in 11th and 12th grade students. Significant differences were observed among the percentage of smokers and non smokers recognizing to have parents, older brothers or friends who smoke. Rates of drug abuse were generally low, being cannabis the most frequently consumed illicit drug. Most respondents had a perception of excellent or good health, with no significant gender differences. About half of subjects considered that health exclusively depends on self behavior, but an important percentage also gave a relevant role to luck. Stomach-ache was the most frequent physical complaint, followed by headache. Psychological complaints mainly corresponded to nervousness and bad temper. Only a small percentage of subjects declared the use of medicines or tablets without prescription. No significant difference in the percentage of respondent who perceived an excellent or good health was observed among substance users and non users. CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse and health self-perception in children and adolescents are the result of the interaction of a complex series of individual and social factors. Activities aimed to improve health focusing on partial aspects of adolescents' lifestyle most probably will have limited results, and global programs are required.

Biological and psychological monitoring of training status during an entire season in top kayakers.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze changes in selected biological and psychological variables in a group of top level kayakers along a 42-week training season. METHODS: Eight top junior sprint kayakers (age=16.8±2.1) (5 men and 3 women) with international competitive experience participated in the research. During the 42-wk season the subjects were tested in three occasions: (T1) in the second week of the general training period, (T2) at the beginning of the specific training period, (T3) at the beginning of the competitive training period. Firstly, subjects were asked to complete the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaires, and Borg´s rate of perceived exertion scale (RPE). Immediately after, blood samples were collected and white blood cells, creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase protein levels (MPO) and glutathione status were determined. ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine the differences between tests. RESULTS: From the hematological and biochemical measures only total leukocytes changed significantly, increasing at T3 when compared to T1. There were no differences along the entire season in both RESTQ-Sport and POMS scores or indices. Concerning performance, the group improved their maximal strength (+17.4% in bench-press 1RM) and their specific-distance time (+9.8%). The main finding of the present study was that training was well-balanced between stress and recovery because while specific performance increased, signs of overtraining were not found. CONCLUSION: Training monitoring in athletes should be performed in a multilevel approach using measurements of performance as well as biological or psychological parameters.

Substance abuse and health self-perception in Spanish children and adolescents / Abuso de sustancias y percepción de la salud en niños y adolescentes españoles

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze substance abuse and health self-perception in children and adolescents from the province of Cádiz (Spain). Methodology: Participants were 738 students, 50.9 boys and 49.1% girls, from elementary school to high school (1st to 12th grade, mean age 12.2. years), who responded a Spanish adaptation of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children Inventory. Results: No difference was observed in percentage of boys and girls reporting to smoke or drink alcohol. Smoking and drinking habits increased with age, being higher in 11th and 12th grade students. Significant differences were observed among the percentage of smokers and non smokers recognizing to have parents, older brothers or friends who smoke. Rates of drug abuse were generally low, being cannabis the most frequently consumed illicit drug. Most respondents had a perception of excellent or good health, with no significant gender differences. About half of subjects considered that health exclusively depends on self behavior, but an important percentage also gave a relevant role to luck. Stomach-ache was the most frequent physical complaint, followed by headache. Psychological complaints mainly corresponded to nervousness and bad temper. Only a small percentage of subjects declared the use of medicines or tablets without prescription. No significant difference in the percentage of respondent who perceived an excellent or good health was observed among substance users and non users. Conclusions: Substance abuse and health self-perception in children and adolescents are the result of the interaction of a complex series of individual and social factors. Activities aimed to improve health focusing on partial aspects of adolescents' lifestyle most probably will have limited results, and global programs are required (AU)

Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio ha sido analizar el uso de sustancias tóxicas y la autopercepción del estado de salud en niños y adolescentes de la provincia de Cádiz. Metodología: Participaron 738 alumnos, 50.9% de chicos y 49.1% de chicas, que cursaban educación primaria y secundaria (desde 1o educación primaria a 2o de bachillerato, edad media 12,2 años), a los que se aplicó la versión española del Inventario de Conductas de Salud en Escolares. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias en el porcentaje de chicos y chicas que fumaban o bebían alcohol. Los hábitos de consumo de tabaco y alcohol se incrementaban con la edad, alcanzando sus máximos valores en los alumnos de bachillerato. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en el porcentaje de fumadores y no fumadores que reconocían el tener padres, hermanos mayores o amigos que fumaban. El consumo de drogas ilegales era generalmente reducido, predominando la utilización del cannabis. La mayoría de los sujetos tenían una percepción de su salud como excelente o buena. En torno a la mitad de los encuestados consideraban que la salud depende exclusivamente del propio comportamiento, aunque una parte importante también le otorgaba un papel relevante a la suerte. El dolor de estómago era el síntoma físico más frecuente, seguido del dolor de cabeza. Entre los síntomas psicológicos predominaban el nerviosismo y el estar irritado o enfadado. Solo un pequeño porcentaje declaraba consumir medicamentos o píldoras no prescritos. No se observaron diferencias significativas en el porcentaje de los que reconocían una salud excelente o buena entre los usuarios y no usuarios de sustancias tóxicas. Conclusiones: El abuso de sustancias tóxicas y la auto-percepción del estado de salud en niños y adolescentes es el resultado de la interacción de una compleja serie de factores individuales y sociales. Las actividades diseñadas para la mejora de la salud centradas en aspectos parciales del estilo de vida tendrán probablemente resultados limitados, requiriéndose el desarrollo de programas globales (AU)

Signs of overload after an intensified training.

This study investigated effects of a 9-week intensified aerobic training and 3-weeks of recovery on signs of overload in 9 healthy active young males. Blood and saliva samples were collected and psychological questionnaires were administered during baseline (T1), intermediate load (T2), maximal load (T3), and recovery (T4) periods. Maximal oxygen uptake increased and blood lactate concentration decreased in T3, while running time in a 3 000 m track field test was significantly shorter. No significant changes were found in hematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, lactate dehydrogenase, transaminases, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, myeloperoxidase and markers of oxidative stress in plasma, or salivary cortisol and testosterone. Increases in different negative affect scales and in the total mood disturbance score of the Profile of Mood States were observed during T3. Scores in the stress scales of the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes and in the State Anxiety Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory also showed significant increases during T3. The lack of effects in biomarkers together with the changes observed in psychological assessment indicates that an intensified training can produce psychological disturbances prone to early overreaching development. Additionally, it seems that psychological parameters are sensitive markers to detect stress produced by load increases.

[Health behaviour of school children at the province of Cádiz]. / Conductas de salud en escolares de la provincia de Cádiz.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze some characteristics of health-related behaviour in school children at the province of Cadiz, centering on engagement in sports and physical activity, and on dietary habits. METHODOLOGY: Participants were 738 students, mean age 12.2 years, from primary school o high school. 50.9% were boys and 49.1% girls, who responded a Spanish adaptation of the Health Behavior in Schoolchildren Inventory. RESULTS: Sex differences were observed in the percentage of subjects not engaged in sports, which was higher in girls. Boys practiced sports and physical activity at a higher intensity and more time than girls. A large number of subjects considered good or normal their physical fitness, with only and small percentage describing it as regular. More than half of participants felt a support by parents, and to a smaller extent by brothers and friends. An important part of the subjects did not have breakfast every day, and some even never. A high percentage of the sample ate candies 1 to 3 days per week, being also high the intake of chips, nuts, hamburgers and sausages. Near a quarter of subjects reported not to consume vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained confirm the necessity of an adequate lifestyle habits education and the development of intervention programs in children and youth, counseling on diet and physical activity and targeting on girls, who are less physically active and on risk of serious disorders.

Conductas de salud en escolares de la provincia de Cádiz / Health behaviour of school children at the province of Cádiz

Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio ha sido analizar algunas características de las conductas relacionadas con la salud en escolares de la provincia de Cádiz, centrándose en la práctica de deporte y actividad física y en los hábitos alimenticios. Metodología: Participaron 738 alumnos, con una media de edad de 12,2 años que cursaban desde primero de educación primaria hasta segundo de bachillerato. La muestra estaba compuesta por un 50,9% de chicos y un 49,1% de chicas, a los que se aplicó la versión española del Inventario de Conductas de Salud en Escolares. Resultados: Existían diferencias entre ambos sexos en cuanto al porcentaje de aquellos que afirmaban no practicar nunca deporte, mayor en el caso de las chicas. Los chicos practicaban deporte y realizaban actividad física de mayor intensidad que las chicas, siendo también mayor la duración de dicha práctica. Un porcentaje elevado consideraba su forma física buena o normal y solo regular en una pequeña parte. Más de la mitad de los sujetos percibían un apoyo para la práctica por parte de padres y madres, siendo menor el apoyo de hermanos y amigos. Una parte importante de los alumnos no desayunaba todos los días de la semana y algunos no realizaban esta primera comida del día. Un porcentaje muy alto de los sujetos consumía golosinas o dulces de forma habitual, siendo también elevado el consumo de patatas fritas, de frutos secos y de hamburguesas o salchichas. Cerca de una cuarta parte reconocía no consumir nunca verduras u hortalizas. Conclusiones: Los resultado obtenidos confirman la necesidad de una adecuada educación sobre hábitos de vida saludable y el desarrollo de programas de intervención en niños y jóvenes, aconsejando sobre dieta y actividad física y prestando especial interés a las chicas, que constituyen el grupo menos físico activamente y con mayor riesgo de padecer trastornos (AU)

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze some characteristics of health-related behaviour in school children at the province of Cadiz, centering on engagement in sports and physical activity, and on dietary habits. Methodology: Participants were 738 students, mean age 12.2 years, from primary school o high school. 50.9% were boys and 49.1% girls, who responded a Spanish adaptation of the Health Behavior in Schoolchildren Inventory. Results: Sex differences were observed in the percentage of subjects not engaged in sports, which was higher in girls. Boys practiced sports and physical activity at a higher intensity and more time than girls. A large number of subjects considered good or normal their physical fitness, with only and small percentage describing it as regular. More than half of participants felt a support by parents, and to a smaller extent by brothers and friends. An important part of the subjects did not have breakfast every day, and some even never. A high percentage of the sample ate candies 1 to 3 days per week, being also high the intake of chips, nuts, hamburgers and sausages. Near a quarter of subjects reported not to consume vegetables. Conclusions: Results obtained confirm the necessity of an adequate lifestyle habits education and the development of intervention programs in children and youth, counseling on diet and physical activity and targeting on girls, who are less physically active and on risk of serious disorders (AU)

Use of nutritional supplements in sports: risks, knowledge, and behavioural-related factors.

A large number of recreational and elite athletes use nutritional supplements in hopes of improving performance. These aids can be costly and potentially harmful, and the advertised ergogenic gains are often based on little or no scientific evidence. Due to the lack of regulation of the dietary supplement industry, an abundance of supplement products of dubious value, content, and quality are now available around the world. Many supplement products contain substances that are prohibited in sport or that have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. For athletes, lack of knowledge or misinformation has been established despite numerous sources of information being available, and the reasons for, and implications of, unsupervised and unrestricted supplement use require further attention. In addition to the necessity of an appropriate regulation of dietary supplements, nutritional education and scientifically sound guidance for athletes is required. Intervention and prevention efforts should be particularly targeted to adolescents.

Use of nutritional supplements in sports: risks, knowledge, and behavioural-related factors / Utilización de suplementos nutricionales en el deporte: riesgos, información y factores conductuales

A large number of recreational and elite athletes use nutritional supplements in hopes of improving performance. These aids can be costly and potentially harmful, and the advertised ergogenic gains are often based on little or no scientific evidence. Due to the lack of regulation f the dietary supplement industry, an abundance of supplement products of dubious value, content, and quality are now available around the world. Many supplement products contain substances that are prohibited in sport or that have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. For athletes, lack of knowledge or misinformationhas been established despite numerous sources of information being available, and the reasons for, and implications of, unsupervised and unrestricted supplement use require further attention. In addition to the necessity of an appropriate regulation of dietary supplements, nutritional education and scientifically sound guidance for athletes is required. Intervention and prevention efforts should be particularly targeted to adolescents (AU)

Una gran cantidad de deportistas, tanto recreacionales como de elite, utilizan suplementos nutricionales con la esperanza de incrementar el rendimiento. Estas ayudas pueden tener un coste económico elevado y ser potencialmente peligrosas para la salud, basándose muchas veces sus supuestos beneficios en un escaso o nulo apoyo científico. Debido a la falta de regulación de la industria de suplementos nutricionales, existe una enorme cantidad de productos en el mercado que son de valor, contenido y calidad dudosos. Muchos suplementos contienen sustancias prohibidas en el deporte y que se han asociado con morbilidades y mortalidades significativas. A pesar de la gran cantidad de datos disponibles, resulta llamativa la información escasa o errónea por parte de los deportistas y se debe prestar especial atención a las implicaciones de un uso de suplementos no supervisado correctamente. Además de la necesidad de una regulación adecuada, los deportistas deben recibir una correcta educación nutricional y una información sustentada en datos científicos rigurosos. Los esfuerzos de intervención y de prevención han de ser especialmente importantes en los adolescentes (AU)

El sobrenetrenamiento en el deporte de competición: implicaciones psicológicas del desequilibrio entre estrés y recuperación / Overtraining in competitive sport: psychological implications of unbalance between stress and recovery

En este trabajo se realiza una revisión de los aspectos más importantes relacionados con el sobreentrenamiento en el deporte de competición desde la perspectiva de la psicología del de-porte. En los sucesivos apartados se exponen las definiciones y enfoques encontrados en la literatura, los aspectos básicos a tener en cuenta, la tipología en relación al proceso de instauración durante el entrenamiento e indicadores seleccionados más característicos, los factores de índole deportivo y extradeportivo que intervienen en su manifestación, las líneas de investigación principales, así como las estrategias más adecuadas para su prevención

This article reviews the most important topics related with overtraining in high performance sport, from the sport psychology point of view. Definitions and approaches in the literature, basic elements, categories related to the training process and selected indicators of overtraining, specific and non-specific factors participating in its expression, main survey lines and adequate recornmendations for prevention are exposed in the different sections