Effects of Modified Invasion Games on Motor Competence and Self-Assessed Physical Condition in Elementary School Students in the Physical Education Classroom.

Modified invasion games promote the development of real and perceived motor competence. Children with higher motor competence are more likely to participate in physical activity practice and to remain in it, both in adolescence and adulthood. (1) Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of modified invasion games on the real motor competence and self-assessment of the physical condition fifth-grade students from a private school in Viña del Mar, Chile. (2) Methods: 40 girls and boys with an average age of 11.47 years (SD = 0.554) participated in this study during a 12-week intervention. The MOBAK 5-6 battery was used to assess actual motor competence, the SEMOK questionnaire was used to determine perceived motor competence, the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) self-assessment questionnaire was used to assess perceived physical fitness, and the weight/size ratio was used to determine BMI. A Friedman's nonparametric ANOVA analysis was applied to determine the effect of the intervention, in addition to an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to identify the influence of the covariates on motor competence. (3) Results: No statistically significant differences were established between weight, BMI, and waist circumference. There was a statistically significant difference after the intervention in the actual motor competence of object control (p = 0.005) and perceived motor competence of object control (p ≤ 0.001) (4) Conclusions: An intervention based on modified invasion games is effective for the improvement of actual and perceived motor competence of object control. It was not possible to identify a positive effect on the self-assessment of muscle strength after the intervention.

Análisis de Datos Antropométricos y Madurativos para la Selección de Talentos en Voleibol / Analysis of Anthropometric and Maturational Data for Talents Selection in Volleyball

El proceso madurativo tiene una gran influencia sobre los factores antropométricos y las capacidades físicas del atleta, y por tanto, sobre el proceso de selección de talentos deportivos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar el estado madurativo y las características antropométricas junto con la comparación de estos datos por sexo en una muestra de 39 jugadores jóvenes de voleibol dentro de un proceso de selección de talentos (19 damas de 14,88±1,05 años y 13 varones de 15,1 años). Se obtuvieron datos de edad cronológica, altura, peso, altura sentado, altura de la madre y padre, la edad pico de crecimiento, el "timing" o periodo de tiempo por encima o por debajo de la edad pico, altura al final del proceso madurativo, el porcentaje actual de altura máxima, los centímetros restantes y el estado madurativo (pre-púber, púber o pos-púber). Los jugadores mostraron una mayor altura en el momento de las mediciones (179,92±6,87 vs 171,05±4,80; p<0,001), así como una mayor altura final calculada (189,46±3,73 vs 178,52±5,17; p<0,001), en comparación a las jugadoras. El pico en la velocidad de crecimiento también fue superior en los jugadores (14,56±0,44 vs 12,60±0,57; p<0,001), aunque su timing era inferior al de las jugadoras (0,531±1,19 vs 2,27±0,64; p<0,001). Esto se debió a un mayor porcentaje de jugadores masculinos en estados puberales, incluyendo un jugador en estadio pre-puberal, mientras que fue abundante la presencia de jugadoras en estado pospuberal. Estos datos reflejan la gran cantidad de jugadores que tienden a estar en periodos avanzados de maduración en procesos de selección de talentos. Por tanto, entrenadores y seleccionadores deben contemplar estas variables para evitar sesgos en el proceso de identificación del talento deportivo.

SUMMARY: The maturation process has a great influence on the anthropometric factors and physical capabilities of the athlete, and therefore, on the selection process of sporting talents. The objective of this work was to analyze the maturational state and anthropometric characteristics together with the comparison of these data by sex in a sample of 39 young volleyball players within a talent selection process (19 ladies of 14.88±1. 05 years old and 13 males aged 15.1 years). Data were obtained on chronological age, height, weight, sitting height, height of the mother and father, peak age of growth, timing or period of time above or below the peak age, height at the end of the process. maturation, the current percentage of maximum height, the remaining centimeters and the maturation status (pre-pubertal, pubertal or post-pubertal). The players showed a greater height at the time of the measurements (179.92±6.87 vs. 171.05±4.80; p<0.001), as well as a greater final calculated height (189.46±3.73 vs. 178.52±5.17; p<0.001), compared to the female players. The peak in growth speed was also higher in male players (14.56±0.44 vs 12.60±0.57; p<0.001), although their timing was lower than that of female players (0.531±1.19 vs 2.27±0.64; p<0.001). This was due to a higher percentage of male players in pubertal states, including one player in a pre-pubertal stage, while the presence of female players in a post-pubertal stage was abundant. These data reflect the large number of players who tend to be in advanced periods of maturation in talent selection processes. Therefore, coaches and selectors must consider these variables to avoid biases in the process of identifying sporting talent.

Relación entre la Composición Corporal, Condición Física y Capacidad Operativa en Militares Chilenos / Relationship Between Body Composition, Physical Condition and Operational Capacity in Chilean Military

La composición corporal engloba una serie de variables relacionadas con la salud e influye en la condición física. A pesar de ello, existe poca evidencia sobre sus efectos en la capacidad operativa en militares. El objetivo de este estudio fue relacionar la composición corporal, la condición física y la capacidad operativa de militares chilenos. Participaron 57 militares chilenos (26,9 ± 4,8 años), con especialización operativa en infantería. La composición corporal fue evaluada con bioimpedancia octopolar estimando masa libre de grasa, tejido muscular y tejido adiposo, entre otras variables. También se realizaron las siguientes pruebas de condición física: 5000 m planos, dominadas, abdominales y flexibilidad, así como cuatro pruebas específicas de actividades operativas militares específicas (situación de combate simulado). Los resultados mostraron un porcentaje de tejido muscular de 45,4 ± 2,9 % (IC95%: 44,6 - 46,2), mientras que el porcentaje de tejido adiposo fue de 20,3 ± 4,9 % (IC95%: 14,7 - 17,3). Se encontraron correlaciones negativas de pequeña magnitud entre el tiempo de carrera (5000 m) y el tejido muscular (%) (r = -0,275) y positiva con el tejido adiposo (%) (r = 0,294). Sin embargo, se observaron correlaciones de alta magnitud entre dominadas y tejido muscular (%) (r = 0,517) y tejido adiposo (%) (r = -0,558). El tejido adiposo se relacionó negativamente con la capacidad aeróbica, fuerza de brazos(??) y fuerza resistencia abdominal, mientras que el tejido muscular se relacionó positivamente con estas mismas variables. No se apreciaron correlaciones entre la composición corporal y la capacidad operativa militar (p<0,05). Se concluye que la composición corporal y la condición física no se relacionan con la capacidad operativa militar en situación de combate en especialistas en infantería, pero si la composición corporal se relaciona con la fuerza y la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria.

SUMMARY: Body composition encompasses a series of variables that are health-related and influence physical condition. Nevertheless, there is little evidence on its effects on the operational capacity of the military. The objective of this study was to relate the body composition, the physical condition and the operational capacity of the Chilean military. Fifty-seven Chilean soldiers (26.9 ± 4.8 years) participated, with operational specialization in infantry. Body composition was evaluated with octopolar bioimpedance, estimating fat- free mass, muscle tissue, and adipose tissue, among other variables. The following physical condition tests were also carried out: 5000 m flat, pull-ups, abdominals and flexibility, as well as four specific tests of specific military operational activities (simulated combat situation). The results showed a percentage of muscle tissue of 45.4 ± 2.9 % (95%CI: 44.6 - 46.2), while the percentage of adipose tissue was 20.3 ± 4.9 % (95%CI). : 14.7-17.3). Negative correlations of small magnitude were found between race time (5000 m) and muscle tissue (%) (r = -0.275) and positive with adipose tissue (%) (r = 0.294). However, high magnitude correlations were observed between pull-ups and muscle tissue (%) (r = 0.517) and adipose tissue (%) (r = -0.558). Adipose tissue was negatively related to aerobic capacity, arm strength, and abdominal endurance strength, while muscle tissue was positively related to these same variables. No correlations were found between body composition and military operational capacity (p<0.05). It is concluded that body composition and physical condition are not related to military operational capacity in combat situations in infantry specialists, but body composition is related to strength and cardiorespiratory capacity.

A comparative study between traditional and sports school uniforms on cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and waist-height-to-ratio in adolescents.

Background: Improving health of children and adolescents is crucial for their overall development. Therefore, it is essential to explore factors that may influence their health at both the public health and school system levels. Objective: This study compares physical fitness components and waist-height-to-ratio (WHtR) in adolescents according to school uniforms, namely the traditional uniform (i.e., shirt and school necktie in boys and skirt and blouse in girls) and the sports uniform (i.e., polo shirts or t-shirts and sport or short trousers). Additionally, it seeks to investigate potential differences in these measures based on sex and school type (i.e., public, subsidized, and private). Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Chilean national learning outcome assessment system (SIMCE)-2014 and involved 8,030 adolescents. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness (MF) were measured. WHtR was assessed as a health cardiovascular indicator. Mixed models and ANCOVA were performed to compare uniform types, adjusting for multiple covariates. value of p and effect size (ES) was used to establish significant results. Results: Overall, sports uniforms (SU) were linked to higher CRF (p < 0.001) than the traditional uniform (TU). Boys from private schools wearing SU presented higher CRF (p = 0.016; ES = 0.37), and a positive trend was observed for MF (p = 0.645; ES = 0.21). In subsidized, a trend was found in CRF (p = 0.005; ES = 0.16). Girls wearing SU from private schools showed a positive trend in CRF (p = 0.167; ES = 0.28). Trends in WHtR were found in both sexes from private (p = 0.555; ES = 0.24; p = 0.444; ES = 0.25, respectively). Conclusion: Wearing SU seems a promissory alternative to promote healthy physical fitness and body composition at the educational level. However, the relationship between higher physical activity and CRF, MF, and lower WHtR due to SU must be verified. Finally, when deciding to implement this measure, special attention must be paid to boys from public schools and girls from all types of schools.

An active break program (ACTIVA-MENTE) at elementary schools in Chile: study protocol for a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical inactivity is prevalent in childhood. Schools can be an ideal context to promote the regular practice of physical activity since children spend there a large part of the day. In this sense, an emerging and current trend is active breaks at school. This article presents a study protocol that seeks to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention with active breaks (ACTIVA-MENTE program) in a school context on physical activity, on-task classroom behavior, and the physical activity enjoyment in schoolchildren. Methods: The protocol includes children aged 10 to 11 years. Two groups will be randomized (intervention and control groups). The intervention group will use the active break program, ACTIVA-MENTE, which consists of the application of a 4-min, 30-s video with moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity. These breaks will be taken 6 times a day in the classes for 6 weeks. The total physical activity will be measured with accelerometers (Actigraph wGT3X-BT), the on-task behavior through the Direct Behavior Rating Scale and the level of enjoyment through the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Discussion: Previous research reported that active breaks have positive results in physical activity levels. This study will be one of the few to design active breaks through videos without depending on the presence of a physical education teacher and it can also provide new findings on the effectiveness of an active break's structure (e.g., types of exercises and intensity) on the indicated outcomes. Expected results: It is expected that the ACTIVA-MENTE program can be a suitable program for school settings, potentially increasing physical activity levels, and the commitment to the task, as well as be a pleasant moment for the students. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05403996.

Efecto de un método de Entrenamiento Intervalado de Alta Intensidad sobre el consumo máximo de oxígeno en escolares chilenos / Effect of a High-intensity Interval Training method on maximum oxygen consumption in Chilean schoolchildren

Resumen Introducción: Los bajos niveles de Consumo Máximo de Oxígeno (VO2max) evaluados en escolares chilenos, sugieren la puesta en marcha de entrenamientos que mejoren la capacidad aeróbica. Objetivo: Analizar el efecto de un método de Entrenamiento Intervalado de Alta Intensidad sobre el Consumo Máximo de Oxígeno en escolares chilenos. Materiales y métodos: Treinta y dos escolares de octavo año básico divididos en dos grupos fueron parte del estudio (grupo experimental = 16 y grupo control = 16). La principal variable analizada fue el Consumo Máximo de Oxígeno a través del Test de Course Navette. Se aplicó un método de Entrenamiento Intervalado de Alta Intensidad basado en la Velocidad Aeróbica Máxima obtenida a través del Test. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó un ANOVA Mixto. Resultados: El grupo experimental presentó un aumento significativo en el Consumo Máximo de Oxígeno entre el pre test y post test al ser comparado con el grupo control (p < 0.0001). Conclusión: Los resultados del estudio mostraron un efecto positivo del Entrenamiento Intervalado de Alta Intensidad sobre el Consumo Máximo de Oxígeno. Al término del estudio, se concluye que el Entrenamiento Intervalado de Alta Intensidad es una buena metodología de estimulación para escolares chilenos.

Abstract Introduction: The low levels of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) evaluated in Chilean schoolchildren suggest the startup of trainings that improve the aerobic capacity. Objective: To analyze the effect of a High-intensity Interval Training method on maximum oxygen consumption in Chilean schoolchildren. Materials and methods: Thirty-two high school students from the eighth grade, who were divided into two groups, were part of the study (experimental group = 16 students and control group = 16 students). The main analyzed variable was the maximum oxygen consumption through the Course Navette Test. A High-intensity Interval training method was applied based on the maximum aerobic speed obtained through the Test. A mixed ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: The experimental group showed a significant increase in the Maximum Oxygen Consumption between the pretest and posttest when compared with the control group (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The results of the study showed a positive effect of the High-intensity Interval Training on the maximum consumption of oxygen. At the end of the study, it is concluded that High-intensity Interval Training is a good stimulation methodology for Chilean schoolchildren.