Match performance comparison in top English soccer leagues.

The purpose of this study was to compare motions of soccer players in the English Premier (1st) and Championship (2nd) League. A total of 26 449 observations were obtained from players during 4 seasons (2006-2010) in the 2 leagues. Time-motions of all players (attackers, central defenders, central midfielders, wide defenders, wide midfielders) were recorded during each match using the Prozone® System, (Leeds, UK), and categorized by speed intensity. Number of actions, total distance and the mean distance covered at each speed intensity were measured. Players in the Championship league covered a total match distance of 11.1±0.9 km compared with 10.8±1.0 km for players from the Premiership (p<0.001). Championship players also covered greater distances during jogging, running, high-speed running, and sprinting. Premiership players covered more distance walking. Players in the Soccer League Championship had more instances of each condition. Although these differences were statistically significant, they were negligible in practical terms, suggesting match-related activities do not explain the general superiority of Premiership players over Championship players in England.

Maximal fat oxidation rate and cross-over point with respect to lactate thresholds do not have good agreement.

The present cross-sectional study was designed to assess the agreement between maximal fat oxidation rate (maxFAT (OXR)) VS. Lactate Threshold (LT), and CROSS-OVER point (CO (P)) VS. Individual Anaerobic Threshold (IAT) in well-trained athletes. 2 groups of male, well-trained endurance athletes (short-distance triathletes (ST) (n=11), and road cyclists (RC) (n=11)) performed a graded cycle ergometer test to exhaustion, with 4-min stages and 30-W increments. LT, IAT, maxFAT (OXR) and CO (P) were determined for each group. FAT (OXR) and CHO (OXR) were estimated by means of indirect calorimetry and stoichiometric equations. The agreement between maxFAT (OXR) VS. LT, and CO (P) VS. IAT were determined using the Bland-Altman methodology. In spite of the low systematic error (bias) (high accuracy) for CO (P) VS. IAT, the variable error (limits of agreement) was moderate (moderate precision). For maxFAT (OXR) VS. LT the systematic error was moderate (moderate accuracy), and the variable error was moderate to high (moderate to low precision). In conclusion, the data obtained from this study shows that maxFAT (OXR) and CO (P) do not exhibit good agreement with LT and IAT, in male endurance well-trained athletes. Consequently, it is not possible to assume that maxFAT (OXR) VS. LT and CO (P) VS. IAT occurs at the same exercise intensity.

Diseño e implementación de una práctica de metacognición en la asignatura de Fisiología Humana (Facultad de Medicina) / Designing and implementing a practical on metacognition as part of the subject of Human Physiology (Faculty of Medicine)

Objetivo. Presentar el diseño y los resultados obtenidos enana práctica sobre metacognición en Fisiología Humana(Facultad de Medicina). Sujetos y métodos. Ciento diecinueveestudiantes (95 mujeres y 24 varones) asistieron a una práctica sobre metacognición en la asignatura de Fisiología Humana (Facultad de Medicina). La práctica se dividió en dos partes: en la primera, los estudiantes se determinaron el estilo de aprendizaje (test de Kolb) para poner de manifiesto que no todos aprenden de la misma manera, y se les hizo reflexionar sobre las características esenciales de cada estilo encontrado; en la segunda, escribieron las recomendaciones que harían a su mejor amigo/a sobre cómo estudiar fisiología y, posteriormente, las expusieron ante el resto. Resultados y conclusiones. Los resultados respecto a los modos de aprender mostraron dos hechos: uno, que la mayor puntuación se obtuvo en la conceptualización abstracta, tanto para varones como para mujeres, y, otro, referente a la segunda opción, que las mujeres señalaron la experimentación activa (significativamente mayor que en los varones), mientras que para éstos fue la observación reflexiva. Los estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes fueron convergentes y asimiladores, con escasa diferencia entre ambos. Por sexos, se observó que en los varones predominó el estilo asimilador (13 frente a 8),mientras que en las mujeres fue más frecuente el convergente(44 frente a 36). En la segunda parte de la práctica(metacognición) ambos grupos manifestaron utilizar las mismas estrategias, con independencia del estilo al que pertenecían. Determinadas estrategias fueron utilizadas por los estudiantes con niveles de sofisticación diferentes (AU)

Aim. To present the design and results found in a practical lecture on met cognition in the subject of Human Physiology(School of Medicine). Subjects and methods. The practical lecture was attended by 119 students (95 women and 24men). This one was divided into two parts: in the first, students determined by themselves their learning style (Kolb test) in orderto show that not everyone learns the same way and makes them reflect on the essential features of each style found; in the second, they wrote on the recommendations made to his/her best friend on how to study the Physiology and then put them to rest. Results and conclusions. The results respect to the learning modes showed two facts: one, the highest score was obtained by abstract conceptualization, for both men and women; and another, in relation to the second option the active experimentation was reported by women (significantly greater than men) versus reflective observation indicated by men. Regarding learning styles of students, these were assimilator and converger, with little difference between them. By gender, the following fact was found: in men predominated assimilator style (13 versus 8), whereas women were the most converge one (44 versus 36). In the second part of the practical lecture(metacognition) both groups expressed to use the same learning strategies, independently of the learning style. Some strategies were used by students with different sophistication levels (AU)

Maximal lipidic power in high competitive level triathletes and cyclists.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the fat-oxidation rate in triathlon and different modalities of endurance cycling. METHODS: 34 endurance athletes (15 male triathletes, 4 female triathletes, 11 road cyclists and 4 male mountain bikers) underwent a progressive cycloergometer test until exhaustion. Relative work intensity (VO(2max)), minimal lactate concentration (La(-)(min)), lactic threshold, individual lactic threshold (ILT), maximal fat-oxidation rate (Fat(max), Fat(max) zone) and minimal fat-oxidation rate (Fat(min)) were determined in each of the groups and were compared by means of one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: No significant differences were found for Fat(max), Fat(min) or for the Fat(max) zone expressed as fat oxidation rate (g/min). Intensities -20%, -10% and -5% Fat(max) were significantly lower for mountain bikers with respect to road cyclists and female triathletes, expressed as % VO(2max). Intensities 20%, 10% and 5% Fat(max) were significantly lower for mountain bikers with respect to male triathletes and female triathletes, and for male triathletes in comparison with female triathletes, expressed as % VO(2max). Lactic threshold and La(-)(min) did not show significant differences with respect to Fat(max). Lactic threshold was found at the same VO(2max) with respect to the higher part of the Fat(max) zone, and La(-)(min) at the same VO(2max) with respect to the lower part of the Fat(max) zone. CONCLUSIONS: The VO(2max) of Fat(max) and the Fat(max) zone may explain the different endurance adaptations of the athletes according to their sporting discipline. Lactic threshold and La(-)(min) were found at different relative work intensities with respect to those of Fat(max) even though they belonged to the Fat(max) zone.

Validation of a field test to determine the maximal aerobic power in triathletes and endurance cyclists.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a field test to assess the maximal and submaximal exercise aerobic adaptation under specific conditions, for endurance modality cyclists and triathletes. METHODS: 30 male and 4 female endurance modality cyclists and triathletes, with heterogeneous performance levels, performed three incremental tests: one in the laboratory and two in the field. Assessment of the validity of the field protocol was carried out by the Student's t test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) of the maximal variables (maximal aerobic speed (MAS), maximal aerobic power (MAP), maximal heart rate (HR(max)), maximal blood lactate concentration ([La(-)](max)) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max))) and submaximal variables (heart rate, HR) measured in each one of the tests. The errors in measurement were calculated. The repeatability of the field tests was assessed by means of the test-retest of the two field tests, and the validity by means of the test-retest of the laboratory test with respect to the mean of the two field tests. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two field tests for any of the variables studied, but differences did exist for some variables between the laboratory tests with respect to the field tests (MAP, [La(-)](max), humidity (H), barometric pressure (Pb) and some characteristics of the protocols). The ICC of all the variables was high and the CV for the MAP was small. Furthermore, the measurement errors were small and therefore, assumable. CONCLUSIONS: The incremental protocol of the proposed field test turned out to be valid to assess the maximal and submaximal aerobic adaptation.