Using Anthropometric Data and Physical Fitness Scores to Predict Selection in a National U19 Rugby Union Team.

The purpose of this study was to compare measures of anthropometry characteristics and physical fitness performance between rugby union players (17.9 ± 0.5 years old) recruited (n = 39) and non-recruited (n = 145) to the Portuguese under-19 (U19) national team, controlling for their playing position (forwards or backs). Standardized anthropometric, physical, and performance assessment tests included players' body mass and height, push up and pull-up test, squat test, sit-and-reach test, 20 m shuttle run test, flexed arm hang test, Sargent test, handgrip strength test, Illinois agility test, and 20-m and 50-m sprint test. Results showed that recruited forwards players had better agility scores (p = 0.02, ES = -0.55) than the non-recruited forwards, whereas recruited backs players had higher right (p < 0.01, ES = 0.84) and left (p = 0.01, ES = 0.74) handgrip strength scores than their counterparts. Logistic regression showed that better agility (for the forwards) and right handgrip strength scores (for the backs) were the only variables significantly associated with an increased likelihood of being recruited to the national team. In sum, these findings suggest that certain well-developed physical qualities, namely, agility for the forwards players and upper-body strength for the back players, partially explain the selection of U19 rugby players to their national team.

Social support and sport injury recovery: An overview of empirical findings and practical implications

Los estudios epidemiológicos han demostrado que, cada año, un número considerable de atletas y de practicantes de actividad física sufre una lesión causante de discapacidad y de otras repercusiones negativas para el bienestar físico, psicológico y social. Además, las investigaciones actuales revelan que la prevalencia de las lesiones asociadas a los deportes varía según el género, la edad, el deporte, el nivel competitivo, la posición en el juego, entre otros. Aunque los factores físicos constituyen las principales causas de las lesiones más comunes, varios estudios han sugerido que los factores psicológicos y sociales también ejercen un efecto significativo en la prevención y rehabilitación de las lesiones deportivas. Entre los factores psicosociales estudiados, el apoyo o soporte social percibido por el propio deportista se ha destacado como un importante mecanismo para controlar el distrés emocional y afrontar mejor las dificultades inherentes al proceso de recuperación de las lesiones deportivas. Sin embargo, la investigación también indica que las fuentes de apoyo social tienden a no satisfacer las expectativas y necesidades de soporte social de los atletas, siendo insuficientes en determinadas fases de la rehabilitación. Igualmente, algunos estudios han sugerido que el apoyo social puede inducir efectos perjudiciales en determinadas circunstancias. Por lo tanto, los entrenadores y profesionales de la salud (médicos, fisioterapeutas, psicólogos, etc.) deben tener conocimiento de estos factores influyentes y implementar intervenciones desde un punto de vista más integral con el fin de promover la recuperación de los atletas y mejorar su bienestar (AU)

Epidemiologically-based evidence has demonstrated that a substantial number of athletes and exercisers are injured each year, which can result in physical disability as well as other negative physical, social and psychological consequences. Accumulated research has indicated that the prevalence of sport and physical activity-related injuries varies based on gender, age group, type of sport, level of participation, and role on the team, among other considerations. Although physical causes are the primary contributors to injury, a considerable number of studies have suggested that psychological and social factors also have importance in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Among the psychosocial factors investigated, social support has emerged as a significant buffering and coping resource in the recovery process from athletic injuries. However, research has also indicated that sources of social support tend to be less frequently available to athletes during some stages of rehabilitation and do not necessarily meet the athletes’ expectations and needs. Moreover, some studies have suggested that social support may have detrimental effects under certain circumstances. As such, coaches, athletic trainers and health care professionals should be aware of these complex forms of influence and develop and implement injury rehabilitation processes that are based on a holistic approach in order to promote the athletes’ recovery and well-being (AU)

Relationship between anthropometric variables and body image dissatisfaction among fitness center users

En este trabajo se estudió la relación entre las dimensiones antropométricas y la insatisfacción corporal en socios de gimnasios. Los participantes fueron 276 personas de Brasil socios de centros de fitness (168 varones y 108 mujeres) de una edad comprendida entre los 17 y 39 años (m = 23.93, sd = 5.17). después de la medición de la masa corporal (Mc), del índice de masa corporal (IMc) y de la porcentaje de grasa corporal (% Gc), los participantes indicaran las siluetas más semejantes a su apariencia corporal (silueta real – sr) y a su apariencia corporal ideal (silueta ideal – sI), lo que permitió el cálculo de la insatisfacción corporal como la discrepancia entre la sI y la sr. IMc y % Gc fueron agrupados por categorías de insatisfacción corporal y analizados por medio de ANoVA univariada y de medidas repetidas. Los resultados revelaron que sólo 1.2% de los hombres y 6.5% de las mujeres se consideraban satisfechos con su cuerpo. Las comparaciones de las sr por sexo indicaran que los hombres y mujeres consideran sus actuales sr significativamente menos corpulentas que las sI (p < .001), aunque el grado de insatisfacción fue semejante en ambos sexos. Además, los resultados demostraron que la relación entre la composición corporal y la insatisfacción corporal sólo se demuestra en personas que se sienten muy insatisfechas con su imagen y apariencia corporal (AU)

The purpose of this study was to identify the anthropometric dimensions related with body image dissatisfaction among fitness center users. Participants were 276 Brazilian members of fitness centers (168 males and 108 females) with ages between 17 and 39 years (mage = 23.93, sd = 5.17). After body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI) and body fat (% BF) were measured, participants indicated their current (cs) and ideal (Is) silhouettes, allowing the calculation of body dissatisfaction as the difference between Is and cs. BMI and % BF were grouped by body dissatisfaction category and analyzed using one-way and repeated measures ANoVA. results revealed that only 1.2 % of men and 6.5 % of women considered themselves satisfied with their body. comparisons of global ratings of their cs and Is revealed that male and female individuals reported that their current bodies were significantly less muscular than their ideal bodies (p < .001), although the degree of dissatisfaction revealed no significant difference between sexes. Moreover, results demonstrated that the relationship between body composition and body dissatisfaction only occurs in individuals that feel very dissatisfied with their body image and appearance (AU)