A decade beyond the economic recession: A study of health-related lifestyles in urban and rural Spain (2006-2017).

The 2008 economic recession may have affected health-related indicators differently depending on the living environment. We analyze health-related indicators in Spain using data from four Spanish health surveys (2006, 2011, 2014, and 2017, 95 924 individuals aged ≥16 years). In 2006-2011, physical activity decreased among men and women, while in 2006-2017, physical activity only decreased among urban women. Daily vegetable intake, except in rural women, increased in 2006-2011 but decreased in 2006-2017 in all groups. Smoking decreased among urban women in 2006-2011 and 2006-2014 but only decreased among men, and even increased among rural women, in 2006-2017. In 2006-2017, obesity increased among men and urban women, good self-rated health status increased in all groups and flu vaccination declined. Blood pressure and cholesterol control decreased in urban women in 2006-2011 but increased in 2006-2017 in all groups, as well as mammographic and cytological control. Our findings highlight the differential impact of the economic recession on health-related lifestyles according to sex and place of residence, underscoring the need for targeted health policies to address evolving health disparities over time.

Urban-rural differences in perceived environmental opportunities for physical activity: a 2002-2017 time-trend analysis in Europe.

Urban-rural disparities in resources, services and facilities not only impact daily living conditions but also contribute to inequalities in physical activity, which may be associated with variations in basic public resources between urban and rural areas. This study aims to examine the evolution of perceived opportunities for physical activity in European urban and rural environments from 2002 to 2017 and their association with an active lifestyle. Data from four waves (2002, 2005, 2013 and 2017) of cross-sectional Eurobarometer surveys were collected (n = 101 373), and multilevel binomial logistic regressions were conducted. Firstly, the time trend of perceived opportunities for physical activity between urban and rural environments was explored, and secondly, the effect of urban-rural perceived opportunities on achieving an active lifestyle over the years was estimated. The findings revealed that individuals residing in rural settings encountered less opportunities to be physically active. Conversely, urban settings experienced an increase in perceived opportunities. The significance of health promotion through perceived physical activity opportunities lies in the increased likelihood of being physically active, regardless of place of residence or individual socioeconomic factors [in the area: odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.34-1.47; provided by local sport clubs: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.23-1.35]. Modifying environmental aspects, such as enhancing the quantity, quality and accessibility of physical activity opportunities in both rural and urban areas, may lead to improved physical activity and health promotion, particularly among individuals who are more physically inactive.

Association between Covid-19 sources of information, beliefs, and vaccination rates: an EU-wide survey.

BACKGROUND: Misinformation hampers vaccine uptake. The European Union (EU) employed a coordinated effort to curb misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this context, we investigated relationships between sources of information, vaccine safety/effectiveness, satisfaction with government vaccination strategy, and vaccination intent. METHODS: We used cross-sectional survey data (May 2021) from Flash Eurobarometer 494, a population-adjusted dataset comprised of a representative sample of those ≥15 years from 27 EU nations. We employed a latent class analysis to create clusters of information sources as the independent variable and beliefs in vaccine safety/efficacy, satisfaction with government vaccination strategy, and vaccine intent as four outcome variables. We first estimated the association between source clusters and each of the first three outcomes separately. Then, using these three as intermediate variables, we employed structural equation modeling to estimate the relationship between sources and vaccine intent. We adjusted for individual and country-level variables. RESULTS: Among 23 012 respondents, four clusters of information sources emerged: (1) national authorities/health professionals (n = 9602; 42%), (2) mostly health professionals (6184; 27%), (3) mixed (n = 1705; 17%) and (4) social media/family/friends (n = 5524; 24%). Using cluster (3) as the referent, we found decreasing odds of beliefs in vaccine safety/effectiveness, satisfaction and vaccine intent across clusters (1), (2) and (4), respectively. Demographics played a role. CONCLUSION: In the context of the Covid pandemic, these results provide the first EU-wide estimates of the association between sources of information about vaccine safety/effectiveness, satisfaction and vaccine intent. The coordinated approach promulgated by the EU to minimize misinformation provides a model for managing future pandemics.

Rats conserve passive avoidance retention level throughout the light phase of diurnal cycle.

Emotions and memory formation are sensible to circadian rhythm. Here we study whether the time of day during the light phase of the diurnal cycle affects emotional memory in male Wistar rats using the passive avoidance (PA) test. Experiments were conducted at the beginning of Zeitgeber time (ZT) (ZT0.5-2), mid-time (ZT5-6.5), and end (ZT10.5-12) of the light period. Our results suggest that time of day has no impact on emotional response during acquisition trials, but slightly influences cognitive response during the 24-hour retention trial. Retention response was highest for ZT5-6.5, followed by ZT0.5-2, and lowest for ZT10.5-12.

Moderate Beer Consumption Is Associated with Good Physical and Mental Health Status and Increased Social Support.

There is little large-scale evidence on the effect of alcoholic beer consumption on physical, mental and, above all, socio-emotional health. Here, we conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2012 and 2017 National Health Surveys with 33,185 individuals aged 18 years and older to assess beer consumption in relation to self-perceived health, functional limitations, mental health, and social support. Logistic regression models assessed the association of alcohol consumption (abstainers, ex-drinkers, occasional drinkers, moderate beer drinkers, and heavy beer drinkers) with self-perceived health (poor or good), limitations of type (none, physical, mental, or both) and intensity (none, mild, or severe), mental health (poor, average, or good) and social support (poor, average, or good). Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, occupational social class, educational level, place of residence, survey, part-time physical activity, dietary information, smoking, and body mass index. Compared to abstainers, occasional and moderate beer drinkers were associated with better mental and self-perceived health and social support, and were less likely to report mild or severe physical limitations. In contrast, former drinkers were associated with worse indicators of self-perceived health, physical health, mental health, and social support than abstainers. Alcoholic beer consumption showed a J-shaped relationship with self-perceived, physical, mental, and social-emotional health, with better values at moderate levels.

The Socioeconomic Paradox of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Europe.

BACKGROUND: A low socioeconomic status (SES) presents lower physical activity; however, the relationship between SES and sedentary behavior (SB) remains unclear. We aimed to assess this association of SES with physical activity (PA) and SB. METHODS: We employed representative self-reported data of the European Union from the cross-sectional survey Eurobarometer 2017, comprising a final sample of 13,708 citizens (18-64 y old), to assess the association of SES (education, occupation, and economic issues) with PA and sitting time quartiles, and to describe inequalities in vigorous, moderate, and walking activity and sitting time. RESULTS: Multinomial regressions revealed that people from higher SESs were more likely to report higher PA; nonetheless, higher educational attainment and occupations were also associated with higher sitting time but not with lower economic issues. The inequality, shown by Gini coefficients, describes a socioeconomic gradient in vigorous and moderate activity, from higher inequality in lower statuses to lower inequality in higher statuses. The Gini coefficients also indicated higher socioeconomic inequalities in PA than SB. CONCLUSIONS: Higher SESs showed paradoxically more PA and SB; however, sitting time presented smaller differences and a more homogeneous distribution across the population.

How socioeconomic status affects weight status through health-related lifestyles: a latent class analysis.

AIMS: Obesity levels have increased worldwide with serious public health concerns. However, weight status is related to socioeconomic status (SES), which may also influence health-related lifestyles. Here, we study the association between SES and obesity mediated by diet and physical activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using cross-sectional data from 2006, 2011, 2014, and 2017 Spanish health surveys (the final sample consisted of 61 768 adults aged between 18 and 64 years), we conducted a latent class analysis to estimate health-related lifestyle clusters (based on dietary patterns and physical activity) and mediation analyses to evaluate the association of SES and obesity through the clustering of health-related lifestyles. In both men and women, SES was inversely related to obesity (P < 0.001) and positively related to healthier lifestyle classes (P < 0.001). Obesity was inversely related to healthier lifestyle classes (P < 0.001). A small-although significant-proportion mediated by the clustering of lifestyles was found as follows: 4.9%, 95% CI (6.6%, 3.2%) in men and 2.3%, 95% CI (3.4%, 1.3%) in women for educational attainment, 5.3%, 95% CI (7.2%, 3.6%) in men and 2.0%, 95% CI (2.9%, 1.1%) in women for occupational social class, and 4.9%, 95% CI (6.5%, 3.1%) and 1.9%, 95% CI (2.9%, 1.1%) combining the above two SES indicators. CONCLUSIONS: SES is related to obesity through clustering health-related lifestyles, with greater emphasis on men. However, the complex relationship between SES and weight status also suggests other indicators that contribute to the social gradient of obesity.

Exploring the Role of Physical Activity in Mediating the Association between Educational Level and Health-Related Quality of Life in an Adult Lifespan Sample from Madeira Island.

Background: People more socioeconomically vulnerable tend to have a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies are trying to analyse the factors that may condition this relationship, including physical activity (PA), which may influence the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and HRQoL. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between SES and HRQoL through specific domains of PA. Methods: A total of 381 adults (≥18 years) from the Autonomous Region of Madeira completed the measurements. Mediation analyses using bootstrapping methods adjusted for confounding variables were performed to relate SES and HRQoL; the latter was evaluated using the physical component score (PCS) of the SF-12, the mental component score (MCS) of the SF-12, and the total score in the SF-12 questionnaire (SF-12 score), through physical activity. Results: Educational level was positively related to PCS and SF-12 score. Leisure-time PA (not including sports PA) and PA at work, as single mediating variables, did not mediate the relationship between SES and HRQoL. The total PA suppressed the socioeconomic gradient of HRQoL by 8-10%, 39-46%, and 15-16%, respectively, for the PCS, MCS, and the SF-12 score; sports PA mediated the relationship by 13-16%, 50%, and 15-21%, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that sports PA contributes to reducing the socioeconomic gradient of HRQoL.

Analysis of Intensities Using Inertial Motion Devices in Female Soccer: Do You Train like You Compete?

Intensity research in female soccer is limited. This study aimed to investigate whether female professional soccer players train with external and internal intensities similar to those recorded in real competition. The specific players' position, the game situation and training task type were analyzed in a total of 18 female players (26.25 ± 3.89 years). The empirical, descriptive and associative study was structured into two parts. Part 1: characterizing the training sessions (n = 13) and official matches (n = 3) using the Integral Analysis System of Training Tasks. The association between sports planning variables was evaluated using adjusted standardized residuals from contingency tables, Chi-Square and Fisher tests, as well as the Phi and Cramer's V coefficients. The main findings show that the coach and/or physical trainer predominantly planned training sessions using small-sided games, which integrate physical fitness and tactical-technical behaviors of the game and imply a medium-high subjective external intensity (20.63 ± 5.79 points). The subjective external intensity of the matches was very high (30.00 ± 0.00 points). Part 2: quantifying the external and internal intensity through the inertial motion devices and heart rate monitors. Differences in the intensities according to the type of session (training session and match), specific position of the players, game situation and type of the training task were assessed through different statistical tests. By specific position (Kruskal-Wallis H and one-factor ANOVA tests), defenders performed fewer accelerations/min and decelerations/min, while they recorded higher heart rates in training sessions and official matches. In contrast, the wingbacks performed higher accelerations/min and decelerations/min in training sessions and official matches. The wingers had the lowest heart rate in official matches. Regarding the game situation (Kruskal-Wallis H test) measured during training sessions, the unopposed tasks recorded higher accelerations/min and decelerations/min, while the small-sided games and full games recorded higher values in the rest of the intensities (both subjective and objective). With regard to the type of training task (Kruskal-Wallis H test), the simple application exercises recorded higher accelerations/min and decelerations/min. Distance in meters/min was greater in the complex application exercises. High-intensity activity/min and player load/min were higher in the simple specific game. In addition, modified sport and real game recorded higher subjective external intensity*min, sprints/min and heart rate. Furthermore, training sessions differed statistically (Mann-Whitney U test) from official matches in terms of subjective intensity and the objective external and internal intensity variables weighted by minutes. For all these reasons, female players do not train (training sessions) as they compete (official matches). The use of inertial motion devices has made it possible to quantify intensities during training sessions and real competition in soccer.

Gender inequality is associated with gender differences and women participation in physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Living standards determine population's physical activity (PA); however, more women are systemically insufficiently active, suggesting social gender inequality factors. Thus, we assessed the association between gender inequality, PA differences between genders, and total PA. METHODS: We used three independent cross-sectional databases at country-level: PA prevalence (i.e., Active Lifestyle) from the World Health Organization with 1.9 million individuals from 168 countries; daily steps (smartphone registers) of 693 806 people from 46 countries and sport participation in the 2016 Summer Olympics with 11 191 athletes. Gender Inequality Index was used to evaluate aspects surrounding gender equality controlling for overall economic and health status. RESULTS: Higher gender inequality was associated with gender differences in PA (Active Lifestyle, 0.402, P < 0.001; Steps, 0.542, P < 0.001; Olympic participation, 0.346, P = 0.001). Likewise, lower gender inequality was associated with increased women activity (Active Lifestyle, -0.838, P < 0.001; Steps, -0.81, P < 0.001; Olympic participation, -0.577, P < 0.001), and men activity (Active Lifestyle, -0.453, P < 0.001; Steps, -0.461, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Lower women PA levels could be influenced by gender inequality. Public health policies aimed to improve women living conditions which may promote their participation in PA and sport.

Analysis and Reliability of Anthropometric Measurements during Pregnancy: A Prospective Cohort Study in 208 Pregnant Women.

Anthropometric assessment during pregnancy is a widely used, low-technology procedure that has not been rigorously evaluated. Our objective is to investigate fat mass distribution during pregnancy by examining changes in anthropometrics measures, in order to evaluate the reliability of these measures. An observational, longitudinal, prospective cohort study was performed in 208 pregnant women. Anthropometric measurements were taken following the ISAK protocol during the three trimesters and a generalized linear model for repeated measures was used to evaluate differences. Variability was assessed using the coefficient of variation, and Propagated Error (PE) was used to sum of skinfold thicknesses (SFT). SFT showed a general increase in fat mass during the three trimesters of pregnancy (∑SFT7 p = 0.003), and was observed in specific anatomical locations as well: arms (∑Arm SFT, p = 0.046), trunk (∑Trunk SFT, p = 0.019), legs (∑Leg SFT, p = 0.001) and appendicular (∑Appendicular SFT, p = 0.001). Anthropometric measures for skinfold thickness were taken individually during pregnancy and were reliable and reproducible during the three trimesters, which could help to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Body Composition and Characterization of Skinfold Thicknesses from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotypes. A Preliminar Case-Control Study.

To describe whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes vary in their body composition and skinfold (SKF) thicknesses and if they differ from women without PCOS, a preiminar case-control study was performed. A total of 117 cases were diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria. Gynecological examinations and transvaginal ultrasound were performed in all women (266 women). Anthropometric measurements including SKF thickness were taken according to the restricted profile protocol of the international standards for the anthropometric evaluation according to the International Society of the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Women with PCOS had higher body mass index and percentage of fat mass with respect to controls. The endomorphy component was also significantly higher in women with PCOS than in controls. Each PCOS phenotype displayed a different representation in the somatochart respect to the others phenotypes and also compared to controls. Women with PCOS had significantly higher ∑7 SKF (p = 0.013), ∑appendicular SKF (p = 0.017) and ∑arm SKF (p = 0.019) than controls. H-O-POM phenotype had higher 7∑ SKF (p = 0.003), ∑appendicular SKF (p = 0.01), ∑arm SKF (0.005), ∑leg SKF, and ∑trunk SKF (0.008) and also a higher fast mass percentage than controls (p = 0.011). In conclusion, body composition evaluated by ISAK protocol is different in women with PCOS, especially in the complete phenotype (H-O-POM). This could have relevant implications in terms of clinical evaluation and follow-up of these women, although more researches in this field are needed.

Urban-rural differences in trajectories of physical activity in Europe from 2002 to 2017.

Here we evaluate the time trends of urban-rural differences in physical activity in the European Union between 2002 and 2017 and the contribution of urbanization on total physical activity changes, using four Eurobarometer surveys (n = 101,373). Trajectories of urban-rural differences in physical activity varied considerably among EU-28 countries. Hierarchical linear regression models revealed that inactivity increased in both urban and rural settings, although it was higher in the latter. Thereby, the urban-rural gap diminished and was even eliminated in some countries. Also, national changes across time were driven by urban places, showing little contribution from urbanization. Our findings suggest that inactivity has risen in Europe regardless of living environments and with regional urbanization development having little influence.

Inequalities in the long-term impact of the economic recession on preventive healthcare use and health-related lifestyle in Spain (2006-2017).

Study of the long-term impact of economic recession on lifestyle according to socioeconomic groups is scarce. This study examines health-related lifestyle and preventive medical attendance in different socioeconomic groups in the Spanish adult population (18-64 years of age) before, during and after an economic recession. Data were collected from three waves of the Spanish National Health Survey (2006, 2012 and 2017). Self-perceived health, health-related lifestyle and common preventive medical attendance were evaluated by means of multivariate logistic models. The increase in good self-perceived health in 2006-2012 was 7.1%, 6.9% and 8.3% for the high, middle and low group, respectively, and 5.2%, 5.9% and 7.9% for the high, middle and low group, respectively, in 2006-2017. In 2006-2012 and 2006-2017, the gap increased between people of the high and low groups in smoking prevalence (2.8%-4.7%), physical activity (2.0%-4.0%), daily fruit (1.0%-6.3%) and vegetable intake (2.5%-6.1%). The probability of women´s gynaecological attendance increased statistically significant for cytology in three groups in 2006-2012 and 2006-2017 (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.08-1.67; OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.18-1.7; OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.21-1.47 for the high, middle and low groups, respectively, in 2006-2012 and OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.08-1.67; OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.35-1.95; OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.37-1.66 for the high, middle and low groups, respectively, in 2006-2017), but not for mammography. This study reveals long-term socioeconomic inequalities in lifestyle behaviours after the economic recession. Health policies must be emphasised in these population subgroups and in more disadvantaged populations.

[Physical activity and health-related lifestyle in the Spanish population living with musculoskeletal disease]. / Actividad física y estilo de vida relacionado con la salud en la población española con enfermedad musculoesquelética.

INTRODUCTION: Background: physical activity is a health-related behavior that is associated with increased well-being in people living with musculoskeletal disease. Objective: we assessed the association of different health and lifestyle factors with physical activity in the Spanish population living with musculoskeletal disease. Method: we used data from the 2014 European Health Survey for Spain. The population was classified according to their musculoskeletal disease (including osteoarthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, or several of these diseases) diagnostic status. The survey collected data on habitual physical activity and other health-related behaviors (diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption, among others) and other health indicators (self-perceived health status, perceived pain, mental health, physical limitations, among others). We used multivariate logistic regression models to analyze the relationship between the different variables studied in the population living with musculoskeletal disease. Results: physical activity is associated with daily fruit and vegetable intake, regardless of age and sex, and with daily fish consumption in women aged 45 years and older. Tobacco smoking is higher in inactive women and men, while weekly consumption of alcohol is associated with more physical activity (except in women aged 15-44 years). Conclusions: physical activity is a behavior associated with a better health status and healthier lifestyle in the Spanish population living with musculoskeletal disease.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la actividad física es una conducta relacionada con la salud que se asocia a un mayor bienestar de la población que padece enfermedades musculoesqueléticas. Objetivo: el objetivo es evaluar la asociación de diferentes factores de salud y estilo de vida con la actividad física en el tiempo libre de la población española que padece enfermedades musculoesqueléticas. Métodos: hemos utilizado datos de la Encuesta Europea de Salud en España de 2014. La población se clasificó en función del diagnóstico médico o no de enfermedad musculoesquelética (artrosis, dolor de espalda, osteoporosis o varias de estas enfermedades). La encuesta recoge datos sobre la actividad física y otras conductas relacionadas con la salud (alimentación, consumo de alcohol y tabaco, entre otras) y otros indicadores de salud (estado de salud percibido, dolor percibido, salud mental, limitaciones físicas, entre otros). Hemos empleado modelos de regresión logística multivariante para analizar la relación entre las diferentes variables estudiadas en la población con diagnóstico de enfermedad musculoesquelética. Resultados: la actividad física se asocia a la ingesta diaria de fruta y verdura, independientemente de la edad y el sexo, y al consumo diario de pescado en las mujeres mayores de 45 años. El consumo de tabaco es mayor en las mujeres y los hombres inactivos, mientras que el consumo semanal de alcohol se asocia a una mayor actividad física (excepto en las mujeres de entre 15 y 44 años). Conclusiones: la actividad física habitual es una conducta que se asocia a un mejor estado de salud y un estilo de vida más saludable en la población española con enfermedad musculoesquelética.

Physical activity barriers according to social stratification in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse relationships of social stratification on physical activity (PA) prevalence and barriers in the European population. METHODS: Data were retrieved from Eurobarometer 88.4, a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2017 with 28,031 over 15-year-old inhabitants of the European Union. PA prevalence was calculated along with the probability to be physically inactive by social stratification. Logistic regressions were run in the inactive population to show the social class effect on each barrier adjusted by sociodemographic factors employing a propensity score matched method. RESULTS: Low social class presented higher inactivity prevalence (43.11%), whilst the high social class reported the lowest prevalence (23.30%). Also, the low (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.47-0.58) and middle (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.64-0.79) social classes were less likely to be active compared to high social class. In the inactive population, the low social class had mostly higher odds to report each barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Social class is a relevant factor for low PA, with more barriers in the lower social classes. Public health institutions should implement strategies on more influential PA barriers and disadvantaged social groups.

The diurnal variation of open-field habituation in rats.

The present study aimed to establish the effect of time of the day on habituation in the open-field test, one of the most elementary forms of non-associative hippocampal-dependent learning. Open-field test was performed in young adult male Wistar rats at the beginning (08:30-10:00 h; defined as Zeitgeber time (ZT) ZT0.5-2), mid-time (13:00-14:30 h, ZT5-6.5) and at the end (18:30-20:00 h, ZT10.5-12) of the light period. Our results revealed that in the acquisition trial there were no significant differences among the six parameters recorded through tested periods. In contrast, the level of habituation in the ambulation and rearing rose as followed: ZT0.5-2 < ZT10.5-12 < ZT5-6.5. In both trials, the principal component analysis highlights two components: component 1 was mainly loaded by ambulation in the outer and inner area, rearing and freezing behaviors, whereas component 2 was mostly loaded on grooming activity and defecation. The correlation between parameters varied across the period of day and trial. Animals that expressed a higher level of grooming, defecation (ZT5-6.5) and freezing behavior (ZT0.5-2 and ZT5-6.5) at acquisition trial habituated better on those parameters on the retention trial. In conclusion, habituation outcomes to the open-field test and correlation between tested parameters highly depend on daytime.

[Rural-urban differences in physical activity levels during the transition from primary education to high school.] / Diferencias entre el medio rural y urbano en el nivel de actividad física en la transición de la educación primaria a la educación secundaria.

OBJECTIVE: Sedentarism rates are increasing at school age, and it is necessary to know how it affects both rural and urban contexts. The present study aimed to identify whether the place of residence, rural or urban, influenced the level of physical activity that schoolchildren had in Primary Education and in Secondary Education. METHODS: A longitudinal study was carried out using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) for data collection. The sample consisted of 542 students (272 boys and 270 girls), aged between 11 and 13 years, who were interviewed at two different times: during the sixth year of primary education, and later in the first year of secondary education. A descriptive analysis of the items and final score of the PAQ-C in the rural and urban environment were carried out in both educational periods and an ANCOVA analysis of the final score; The association between the level of physical activity and the variables used was studied through corrected typified residuals and Cramer's V. The effect size was calculated. RESULTS: The results obtained confirmed that there are significant differences in the course variable (f=63,757; p<0.001; η2sup>=0.056) but not in the type of locality (p>0.05), nor in the locality x course interaction. (p>0.05) when the sex variable was controlled (f=27,325; p<0.001; η2=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The transition to Secondary Education implies the increase of a sedentary lifestyle, both in rural and urban areas.

OBJETIVO: Las tasas de sedentarismo están aumentando en la edad escolar siendo necesario conocer cómo afecta tanto al contexto rural como el urbano. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar si el lugar de residencia, rural o urbano, influía en el nivel de actividad física que tenían los escolares en Educación Primaria y en Educación Secundaria. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal utilizando para la recogida de datos el cuestionario Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C). La muestra estaba formada por 542 alumnos (272 chicos y 270 chicas), con edades comprendidas entre 11 y 13 años, que fueron entrevistados en dos momentos diferentes: durante el sexto curso de educación primaria, y posteriormente, en primero de educación secundaria. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los ítems y puntuación final del PAQ-C en el entorno rural y urbano en ambos periodos educativos y un análisis ANCOVA de la puntuación final; a través de los residuos tipificados corregidos y la V de Cramer se estudió la asociación entre el nivel de actividad física y las variables empleadas. Se calculó el tamaño del efecto. RESULTADOS: Los resultados obtenidos confirmaron que existen diferencias significativas en la variable curso (f=63.757; p<0,001; η2=0,056) pero no en el tipo de localidad (p>0,05), ni en la interacción localidad x curso (p>0,05) cuando se controló la variable sexo (f=27.325; p<0,001; η2=0,025). CONCLUSIONES: La transición a la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria supone el incremento de un estilo de vida sedentario, tanto en el medio rural como en el medio urbano.

Concurrent and Convergent Validity of a Single, Brief Question for Physical Activity Assessment.

An extensive number of self-reported methods for physical activity (PA) measurement are available, including short and long recall questionnaires ranging from a few to tens of questions. Due to the fact that simple, time-saving methods could be more practical and desirable for use in a busy clinical context, as well as in public health surveys, we evaluated how a single-item question might be a useful and cost-effective method for assessing compliance with PA guidelines. Using multiple receiver operating characteristics (ROC), we assessed the classification performance of a single brief question, employing the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire as criterion instrument, in a total of 55,950 people (30,601 women and 25,349 men). Both those who practice PA almost daily and a few times a week presented an upper threshold (1042.5 metabolic equivalent minutes (MET) minutes/week) to the established compliance PA guidelines (600 MET minutes/week) with high specificity and sensitivity, using a sedentary group as reference. Otherwise, the occasionally physically active group did not reach the minimum (349.5 MET minutes/week) and obtained a poorer classification performance. A single brief question is a pragmatic and alternative method for assessment of compliance with PA guidelines.

Influence of Contextual Variables in the Changes of Direction and Centripetal Force Generated during an Elite-Level Soccer Team Season.

The study of the contextual variables that affect soccer performance is important to be able to reproduce the competition context during the training sessions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of match outcome as related to goal difference (large win, >2 goals, LW; narrow win, 1-2 goals, NW; drawing, D; narrow loss, 1-2 goals, NL; or large loss, >2 goals, LL), match location (home, H; away, A; neutral, N), type of competition (international, INT; national, NAT; friendly, F), phase of the season (summer preseason, SPS; in-season 1, IS1; winter preseason, WPS; in-season 2), and the field surface (natural grass, NG; artificial turf, TF) on the change of direction (COD) and centripetal force (CentF) generated during official games. Thirty male elite-level soccer players (age: 26.57 ± 5.56 years) were assessed while using WIMU PROTM inertial devices (RealTrack Systems, Almeria, Spain) in 38 matches during the 2017-2018 season, selecting for analysis the number of COD at different intensities and the CentF, depending on the turn direction. Statistical analyses comprised a one-way ANOVA with the Bonferroni post-hoc and t-test for independent samples. The main results showed that the match outcome (ωp² = 0.01-0.04; NW = D = NL > LL), match location (ωp² = 0.01-0.06; A = N > H), type of competition (ωp² = 0.01-0.02; INT > NAT > F), and period of the season (ωp² = 0.01-0.02; SPS = IS1 = WPS > IS2) all exert some influence. No effect was found for the playing surface. Therefore, match outcome, match location, type of competition, and period of the season influence the demands of centripetal force and changes of direction. These aspects should be considered in the design of training sessions and microcycle workload planning during the season to improve competitive success.