Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity from a comprehensive perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the prevalence of physical activity in the population aged ≥16 years integrating sedentarism and physical inactivity. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using data from the Galician Risk Behavior Data System (n=12,928) was conducted. The population was classified into four categories: physically active (active and non-sedentary), active but sedentary (active and sedentary), lightly active (inactive and non-sedentary), and extremely sedentary (inactive and sedentary). Prevalences were calculated for each category and a multinomial logistic regression model was fitted. RESULTS: 58.0% of the population was physically active and the remaining 42.0% presented some degree of sedentarism and/or physical inactivity. Men were more likely to be extremely sedentary. The risk of sedentarism decreased with age, and workers and/or students were prone to a higher risk of extreme sedentarism in comparison to those who reported other status. Extremely sendentary behaviors were also more common in people with higher educational levels, individuals living alone, residents of urban environments, and smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Joint evaluation of sedentarism and physical inactivity provides a more comprehensive and realistic picture of population behaviors related with physical activity. Since sedentarism is the most prevalent behavior, this study recommends that interventions be conducted at work and at academic environments.

[Short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire for general population: MLTPAQ 9+2]. / Versión reducida del Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire para población general: MLTPAQ 9+2.

The aim of this study was to propose a short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) to estimate the prevalence of physical inactivity. MLTPAQ was included in the Galician Risk Behavior Information System survey. Each activity was associated with an intensity code, in multiples of 1 MET, and a weekly energy expenditure of less than 1000kcal was defined as physically inactive. The prevalence of physical inactivity was calculated with the complete and short list (nine activities are performed by at least 10% of the population). The complete and short list classify physical inactivity with an agreement of 98,8%. Misclassified people do one or two more activities, so two open response items were included. This study proposes a short version (9+2 items), suitable for inclusion in a general adult population health survey.

[Perception of dating violence among adolescents. Transversal study.] / Percepción de violencia en el noviazgo entre los adolescentes. Estudio transversal.

OBJECTIVE: The violence produced in the context of dating is known as dating violence. Currently, it is a widespread problem in adolescence and there is a great lack of knowledge about the beliefs/attitudes that help perpetuate this phenomenon. This study aimed to assess how adolescents perceive dating violence. Additionally, to estimate the observed frequency of exposure of adolescents to different dating violence items, assessing the differences according to sex and educational level. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2022 among high school students coming from Spain (Galician Region) The data was collected by means of an anonymous online questionnaire. A descriptive analysis of the data obtained was conducted. The observed frequency of adolescents' exposure to different items of dating violence and identification of violence was estimated. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the proportions according to sex and educational level. RESULTS: 410 students were included. 99% of the women perceived that it is not normal to control their partner's clothing compared to 88% of the men; in relation to the control of friendships these percentages were 87.6% and 73.1% and with respect to criticism of the partner 54.7% vs 67.9%, respectively in women and men. 46.8% of the students admitted knowing of cases in which they sent several messages a day to find out what their partner was doing. 21.7% referred to be aware of cases who felt fear of the partner. CONCLUSIONS: The perception of dating violence by women is higher. The largest differences between men and women are in the items of the control domain.

OBJETIVO: La violencia en la pareja que se produce en adolescentes se conoce con el nombre de violencia en el noviazgo. Actualmente, es un problema generalizado en la adolescencia y existe un gran desconocimiento al respecto de las creencias/actitudes que están ayudando a perpetuar este fenómeno. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la percepción de los adolescentes sobre esta violencia y estimar la frecuencia observada de exposición a diferentes ítems de violencia en el noviazgo, valorando las diferencias según sexo y nivel educativo. METODOS: Se realizó en 2022 un estudio transversal en cuatro centros educativos públicos de Galicia (España) que impartían Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y Bachillerato. El muestreo de los centros fue de conveniencia. Se invitó a los estudiantes a contestar un cuestionario anónimo. Se estimó la frecuencia observada de exposición del estudiantado a diferentes ítems de violencia en el noviazgo y de identificación de la violencia. Para comparar las proporciones en función del sexo y del nivel educativo se empleó la prueba exacta de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 410 estudiantes. El 99% de las mujeres percibieron que no es normal controlar la vestimenta de la pareja frente al 88% de los hombres; en relación con el control de las amistades, estos porcentajes fueron del 87,6% y el 73,1%, en mujeres y hombres, respectivamente. Con respecto a las críticas a la pareja, estos porcentajes fueron del 54,7% frente al 67,9%, respectivamente en mujeres y hombres. El 46,8% del estudiantado admitió conocer casos que enviaban varios mensajes al día para saber qué estaba haciendo la pareja. El 21,7% refirió conocer casos que sentían miedo de su pareja. CONCLUSIONES: La percepción de violencia en el noviazgo es mayor por parte de las mujeres. Las mayores diferencias entre hombres y mujeres se observan en los ítems del dominio control.

Face Masks at the Gymnasium: Physiological Responses and Mechanical Performance Are Not Compromised by Wearing Surgical or Filtering Facepiece 2 Masks in Healthy Subjects.

ABSTRACT: Rial-Vázquez, J, Nine, I, Guerrero-Moreno, JM, Rúa-Alonso, M, Fariñas, J, Márquez, G, Giráldez-García, MA, Méndez-Bouza, KY, López-Pillado, H, Coutado-Sánchez, E, Losada-Rodríguez, A, and Iglesias-Soler, E. Face masks at the gym: physiological responses and mechanical performance are not compromised by wearing surgical or filtering facepiece 2 masks in healthy subjects. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1404-1410, 2023-This study explored the effects of wearing 2 types of face masks on mechanical performance and physiological responses during high-intensity resistance exercise. Twelve healthy men performed 3 workout protocols in a randomized order: wearing a surgical or filtering facepiece 2 (FFP2) mask or without a mask. Each workout consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions of bench press (BP) and parallel squat (SQ) with a 12 repetition maximum load, including 2 minutes of recovery between sets and exercises. Mechanical performance was evaluated through the mean propulsive velocity and the number of repetitions completed during each session. Physiological responses were the oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood lactate concentration, heart rate (HR), and HR variability. Perceived exertion was recorded after each set, and The Beck Anxiety Inventory scale was completed at the end of each workout. The number of repetitions completed and the session mean propulsive velocity {(BP [m·s-1]: surgical: 0.35 ± 0.05; FFP2: 0.36 ± 0.04; nonmask: 0.38 ± 0.06) and (SQ: surgical: 0.43 ± 0.05; FFP2: 0.40 ± 0.07; nonmask: 0.41 ± 0.05)} were similar between conditions (p > 0.05). Heart rate recorded during sessions was similar across conditions: surgical: 119 ± 14, FFP2: 117 ± 13, and nonmask: 118 ± 10 bpm (p = 0.919). Face masks had no effect on SpO2, blood lactate concentration, HR variability, perceived exertion, and anxiety values (p > 0.05). Face masks do not compromise strength performance, physiological parameters, and perceived comfort of young and healthy individuals during a high-intensity resistance training session.

[Physical activity in the regional health plans in Spain: a review of proposals]. / La actividad física en los planes de salud autonómicos de España. Una revisión de propuestas.

OBJECTIVE: To identify if the regional government health plans in Spain include specific objectives and measures related to physical activity. METHOD: Institutional websites were scanned to identify the most recent health plan of each regional government. The information included in the health plans on objectives and measures and the population groups targeted by these measures was extracted. The search was completed on 24 January 2022. RESULTS: Sixteen health plans were identified of which six are in force in 2022; 15 of these have incorporated specific objectives and measures on physical activity. Most of the actions are focus on general population, children-adolescents and elderly population. The plans of Cantabria, the Comunitat Valenciana and País Vasco cover physical activity more widely, proposing measures for seven of the eight identified population groups. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the health plans include measures related to physical activity and target two or more population groups. The objectives, specific measures and population groups were highly heterogeneous. This study could serve to prompt regional governments to review their health plans, update them and improve them in terms of physical activity. It seems advisable that the different health plans should have a homogeneous framework of proposals related to the promotion of physical activity.

Actividad física en el embarazo y puerperio: prevalencia y recomendaciones de los profesionales sanitarios / Physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum: prevalence and healthcare professionals recommendations

Objetivo: Valorar los cambios en la realización de actividad física (AF) en el embarazo y después del parto y explorarlo en función de la edad y el nivel de estudios. Analizar si los profesionales sanitarios dieron recomendaciones sobre la AF. Diseño: Estudio observacional. Sitio: La información procede del Sistema de Información sobre Conductas de Riesgo de Galicia. Participantes: La población objetivo fueron mujeres gallegas (18-49 años) que dieron a luz entre septiembre-2015 y agosto-2016. Medidas principales: Se estimó la prevalencia de realización de caminatas, ejercicio físico (EF) y recomendaciones de realización de la AF en tres momentos (pre-embarazo, embarazo y tras parto). Resultados: Las caminatas aumentaron 34,0% durante el embarazo y el ejercicio disminuyó 21,0%. Tras el parto las caminatas disminuyeron 37,0% y el ejercicio 32,0%, en comparación con el embarazo. Las mujeres de menor edad y con menor nivel educativo son las que realizan menos AF; 72,6 y 22,1% de las mujeres declaró que un profesional sanitario les recomendó AF durante el embarazo y tras el parto, respectivamente. Conclusión: La AF realizada durante el embarazo es fundamentalmente la caminata, y preocupa su abandono tras el parto. Los profesionales sanitarios recomiendan AF principalmente durante el embarazo, pero poco tras el parto. Para mejorar estas prevalencias sería conveniente el refuerzo de la acción sanitaria.(AU)

Objective: To assess changes in physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and after giving birth and to explore this according to age and educational level. To analyze whether the health professionals gave recommendations on PA. Design: Observational study. Site: Information is derived from the Galician Risk Behavior Information System. Participants: The target population was Galician women (aged 18-49 years) who delivered between september-2015 and august-2016. Main measurements: The prevalence of walking, physical exercise and PA recommendations were estimated for three moments (pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and after delivery). Results: Walking during pregnancy increased by 34,0% and the performance of physical exercise decreased by 21,0%. After delivery, walking decreased by 37,0% and physical exercise decreased by 32,0% compared to pregnancy. Women of younger age and lower educational level were those who performed less PA. 72,6% and 22,1% of women declared that a healthcare professional recommended PA during pregnancy and after delivery, respectively. Conclusion: The PA performed by women during pregnancy is mainly walking, and there is a concern about the abandonment of PA practice after delivery. Healthcare professionals recommend PA mainly during pregnancy, but little is recommended after delivery. It may be desirable for the improvement of this prevalence to reinforce health action.(AU)

[Physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum: prevalence and healthcare professionals recommendations]. / Actividad física en el embarazo y puerperio: prevalencia y recomendaciones de los profesionales sanitarios.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and after giving birth and to explore this according to age and educational level. To analyze whether the health professionals gave recommendations on PA. DESIGN: Observational study. SITE: Information is derived from the Galician Risk Behavior Information System. PARTICIPANTS: The target population was Galician women (aged 18-49 years) who delivered between september-2015 and august-2016. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The prevalence of walking, physical exercise and PA recommendations were estimated for three moments (pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and after delivery). RESULTS: Walking during pregnancy increased by 34,0% and the performance of physical exercise decreased by 21,0%. After delivery, walking decreased by 37,0% and physical exercise decreased by 32,0% compared to pregnancy. Women of younger age and lower educational level were those who performed less PA. 72,6% and 22,1% of women declared that a healthcare professional recommended PA during pregnancy and after delivery, respectively. CONCLUSION: The PA performed by women during pregnancy is mainly walking, and there is a concern about the abandonment of PA practice after delivery. Healthcare professionals recommend PA mainly during pregnancy, but little is recommended after delivery. It may be desirable for the improvement of this prevalence to reinforce health action.

Cross education is modulated by set configuration in knee extension exercise.

OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to determine the effects of set configuration during five weeks of unilateral knee extension resistance training on untrained knee extensors performance. METHODS: Thirty-five subjects were randomly assigned to traditional training (TTG; n=14), rest-redistribution (RRG; n=10) and control group (CON; n=11). TTG and RRG groups trained the dominant knee extensors twice a week with the 10-repetition maximum (RM) load. TTG performed four sets of eight repetitions with three min-rest between sets and RRG 32 repetitions with 17.4 seconds of rest between each one. Before and after interventions, anthropometry, muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), 1RM, number of repetitions with 10RM pretest load (N10RM), maximum propulsive power (MPP) and maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) were measured. RESULTS: 1RM of the untrained leg increased only in the TTG group (p<0.001, 10.3% compared with Pre-test). 1RM, MPP and N10RM increased in the trained leg in both TTG (p<0.001) and RRG (p<0.001). No changes occurred in MT or PA. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, when it is not possible to perform bilateral exercises (e.g., leg injury), traditional set configurations should be recommended to improve maximal voluntary force in the untrained leg.

Heart Rate Responses and Cardiovascular Adaptations to Resistance Training Programs Differing in Set Configuration: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: This study explored the changes in blood pressure and cardiac autonomic modulation after training programs differin in set configuration. Methods: Thirty-nine individuals were randomly assigned to a traditional, rest-redistribution, or control group. Throughout five weeks, the traditional and rest-redistribution groups performed 10 sessions of four exercises with the same load, number of repetitions, and total rest time, but with different inter-set rest duration and frequency (traditional group: 4 sets of 8 repetitions, 10 repetition maximum load, 5 min rest between sets and exercises; rest-redistribution group: 16 sets of 2 repetitions, 1 min rest between sets, 5 min rest between exercises). Heart rate and heart rate recovery were recorded during each training session, and heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity and effectiveness, blood pressure, and blood pressure variability were evaluated at rest bedore and after the interventions. Results: During the sessions, traditional sets entailed greater peak heart rate compared to rest-redistribution (P = .018) but mean heart rate, minimum heart rate, and heart rate recovery were similar between training programs (P >.05). Baroreflex effectiveness was reduced after the traditional intervention (P = .013). No changes were detected for the rest of the cardiovascular variables obtained at rest after intervention (P > .05). Conclusions: Despite some differences in heart rate response during exercise, neither traditional nor rest-redistribution resistance training protocols produced changes in cardiac autonomic modulation, sympathetic vasomotor tone, and cardiac baroreflex sensitivity of young healthy active individuals. However, traditional sets affected the baroreflex effectiveness.

Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity from a comprehensive perspective / Sedentarismo e inactividad física desde una perspectiva integral

Objective: To characterize the prevalence of physical activity in the population aged ≥16 years integrating sedentarism and physical inactivity. Method: A cross-sectional study using data from the Galician Risk Behavior Data System (n = 12,928) was conducted. The population was classified into four categories: physically active (active and non-sedentary), active but sedentary (active and sedentary), lightly active (inactive and non-sedentary), and extremely sedentary (inactive and sedentary). Prevalences were calculated for each category and a multinomial logistic regression model was fitted. Results: 58.0% of the population was physically active and the remaining 42.0% presented some degree of sedentarism and/or physical inactivity. Men were more likely to be extremely sedentary. The risk of sedentarism decreased with age, and workers and/or students were prone to a higher risk of extreme sedentarism in comparison to those who reported other status. Extremely sendentary behaviors were also more common in people with higher educational levels, individuals living alone, residents of urban environments, and smokers. Conclusions: Joint evaluation of sedentarism and physical inactivity provides a more comprehensive and realistic picture of population behaviors related with physical activity. Since sedentarism is the most prevalent behavior, this study recommends that interventions be conducted at work and at academic environments.(AU)

Objetivo: Caracterizar la prevalencia de actividad física en la población ≥16 años integrando sedentarismo e inactividad física. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal con datos del Sistema de Datos de Conductas de Riesgo de Galicia (n = 12.928). La población se clasificó en cuatro categorías: físicamente activa (activa y no sedentaria), activa pero sedentaria (activa y sedentaria), poco activa (inactiva y no sedentaria) y extremadamente sedentaria (inactiva y sedentaria). Se calcularon las prevalencias para cada categoría y se ajustó un modelo de regresión logística multinomial. Resultados: El 58,0% de la población era físicamente activa y el 42,0% restante presentaba algún grado de sedentarismo o inactividad física. Los hombres eran más propensos a ser extremadamente sedentarios. El riesgo de sedentarismo disminuía con la edad, y los trabajadores o estudiantes eran propensos a un mayor riesgo de sedentarismo extremo en comparación con los que declaraban otra condición. Los comportamientos extremadamente sedentarios también fueron más frecuentes en personas con niveles educativos más altos, personas que vivían solas, residentes en entornos urbanos y fumadores. Conclusiones: La evaluación conjunta del sedentarismo y la inactividad física proporciona una imagen más completa y realista de los comportamientos de la población relacionados con la actividad física. Dado que el sedentarismo es el comportamiento más prevalente, este estudio recomienda que se realicen intervenciones en el ámbito laboral y académico.(AU)

Versión reducida del Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire para población general: MLTPAQ 9 + 2 / Short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire for general population: MLTPAQ 9 + 2

El objetivo de este estudio fue proponer una versión reducida del Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) que permita estimar prevalencias de inactividad física. Se incluyó el MLTPAQ en la encuesta del Sistema de Información sobre Conductas de Riesgo de Galicia. A cada actividad se le asoció un código de intensidad, en múltiplos de 1 MET, y se definió como físicamente inactivo un gasto energético semanal < 1000 kcal. La prevalencia de inactividad física se calculó con las listas completa y reducida (nueve actividades realizadas por al menos el 10% de la población). Las listas completa y reducida clasifican la inactividad física con una concordancia del 98,8%. Los mal clasificados hacen una o dos actividades a mayores, por lo que se propone incluir dos ítems de respuesta abierta. Este trabajo propone una versión reducida (9 + 2 ítems), apta para ser incluida en una encuesta de salud de población general adulta.(AU)

The aim of this study was to propose a short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) to estimate the prevalence of physical inactivity. MLTPAQ was included in the Galician Risk Behavior Information System survey. Each activity was associated with an intensity code, in multiples of 1 MET, and a weekly energy expenditure of less than 1000 kcal was defined as physically inactive. The prevalence of physical inactivity was calculated with the complete and short list (nine activities are performed by at least 10% of the population). The complete and short list classify physical inactivity with an agreement of 98,8%. Misclassified people do one or two more activities, so two open response items were included. This study proposes a short version (9 + 2 items), suitable for inclusion in a general adult population health survey.(AU)

La actividad física en los planes de salud autonómicos de España. Una revisión de propuestas / Physical activity in the regional health plans in Spain: a review of proposals

Objetivo: Conocer si en España los planes de salud autonómicos incluyen objetivos y medidas específicas relacionados con la actividad física. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda en las páginas web institucionales para identificar el plan de salud más reciente de cada comunidad autónoma. Se extrajo la información que incluían los planes de salud sobre objetivos y medidas, y grupos poblacionales a los que se dirigían dichas medidas. La búsqueda se completó el 24 de enero de 2022. Resultados: Se identificaron 16 planes de salud, de los cuales seis están vigentes en 2022; de estos, 15 incorporaban objetivos y medidas específicas sobre actividad física. La mayor parte de las acciones van destinadas a población general, población infanto-juvenil y personas mayores. Los planes de Cantabria, la Comunidad Valenciana y el País Vasco incluyen la actividad física de forma más extensa, proponiendo medidas para siete de los ocho grupos poblacionales identificados. Conclusiones: La mayor parte de los planes de salud incluyen medidas en relación con la actividad física y las dirigen a dos o más grupos poblacionales. La heterogeneidad en cuanto a objetivos, medidas específicas y grupos poblacionales es alta. Este estudio puede ayudar a las comunidades autónomas a revisar su plan de salud, actualizarlo y mejorarlo en materia de actividad física. Es conveniente que los diferentes planes de salud tengan un marco de propuestas homogéneo relacionado con la promoción de la actividad física. (AU)

Objective: To identify if the regional government health plans in Spain include specific objectives and measures related to physical activity. Method: Institutional websites were scanned to identify the most recent health plan of each regional government. The information included in the health plans on objectives and measures and the population groups targeted by these measures was extracted. The search was completed on 24 January 2022. Results: Sixteen health plans were identified of which six are in force in 2022; 15 of these have incorporated specific objectives and measures on physical activity. Most of the actions are focus on general population, children-adolescents and elderly population. The plans of Cantabria, the Comunitat Valenciana and País Vasco cover physical activity more widely, proposing measures for seven of the eight identified population groups. Conclusions: Most of the health plans include measures related to physical activity and target two or more population groups. The objectives, specific measures and population groups were highly heterogeneous. This study could serve to prompt regional governments to review their health plans, update them and improve them in terms of physical activity. It seems advisable that the different health plans should have a homogeneous framework of proposals related to the promotion of physical activity. (AU)

Hemodynamic Response During Different Set Configurations of a Moderate-load Resistance Exercise.

We aimed to determine the cardiovascular responses to two different set configuration resistance-exercise protocols during a knee extension composed of 40 repetitions with a 15RM load and a total resting time of 360 seconds. Twenty-four healthy sport science students randomly performed two sessions: (a) a long set configuration (LSC: 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 2 min rest between sets), and (b) a short set configuration (SSC: 8 sets of 5 repetitions with 51 s rest between sets). Before and during exercise, peak and mean values of heart rate, blood pressure, rate pressure product, and pulse pressure were obtained. Results showed that both protocols increased the overall peak and mean blood pressure values (p<0.001). However, LSC entailed a higher peak blood pressure response at the last set (p=0.041) and an increase throughout the first 30 repetitions (p≤0.007), whereas SSC kept steady after the first 20 repetitions. Additionally, LSC caused higher overall peak and mean heart rate and rate pressure product values (p≤0.003). Summarily, although both protocols raised blood pressure, SSC reduced the extent of the pressure and chronotropic response during resistance exercise.

Comparison of Physical Fitness Profiles Obtained before and during COVID-19 Pandemic in Two Independent Large Samples of Children and Adolescents: DAFIS Project.

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions might have negatively affected the health-related physical fitness of children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to contrast the body composition and physical fitness data of two independent samples of children and adolescents obtained from an online database (DAFIS project) before (n = 15,287) and during (n = 2101) the first academic year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results revealed higher values for the body mass index (p = 0.002), waist circumference (p < 0.001), and waist to hip and waist to height ratios (p < 0.001) during than before the pandemic, particularly in the case of boys. On the other hand, lower muscular fitness was observed for girls during the pandemic. Quantitative and qualitative analysis did not detect relevant changes in cardiorespiratory fitness in children or adolescents (p > 0.05). Our data suggested that pandemic constraints might have affected body composition and muscular fitness of children and adolescents. These results might be of interest for designing specific interventions oriented toward counteracting the negative effects of pandemic restrictions on health-related physical fitness.

Cluster vs. traditional training programmes: changes in the force-velocity relationship.

This randomised controlled study examined the force-velocity relationship changes (force and velocity axis intercepts, slope and estimated maximum power) in response to 5-week training programmes differing in the set configuration. For each session, the traditional group performed 4 sets of 8 repetitions with 5 min of rest between sets and exercises, while the cluster group completed 16 sets of 2 repetitions with 1 min of rest between sets and 5 min between exercises. Both programmes were performed with the 10-repetition maximum load, including bench press, parallel squat, lat pull-down and leg curl exercises. Individual force-velocity profiles were obtained for bench press and squat using a linear velocity transducer before and after the intervention, along with lactate and mechanical performance during the intervention. Results showed in bench press similar changes of the force-velocity profile after both protocols (no shift of the slope and higher force and velocity axis intercept values). For the squat, significant changes in the slope (P = 0.001) and the velocity intercept (P = 0.002) towards a velocity profile were observed after cluster but not after traditional training. These results suggest that set configuration may modulate changes of force-velocity relationship, especially for squat.

Percentiles and Principal Component Analysis of Physical Fitness From a Big Sample of Children and Adolescents Aged 6-18 Years: The DAFIS Project.

Assessing physical fitness has emerged as a proxy of the health status of children and adolescents and therefore as relevant from a public health point of view. DAFIS is a project included in Plan Galicia Saudable (Healthy Galicia Plan) of the regional government of Galicia (Spain). DAFIS consists of an on-line software devoted to record the results of a standard physical fitness protocol carried out as a part of the physical education curriculum. The aims of this study were: to obtain normative values of physical fitness of the Galician school population evaluated in the DAFIS project, and to identify a reduced number of components and tests able to capture a significant amount of the variability in the physical fitness of children and adolescents. From an initial sample of 27784 records, 15287 cases (7543 males, 7744 females) were considered after filtering. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape were used for obtaining percentile curves and tables for each sex. Furthermore, a principal components analysis was performed, selecting the number of components by applying the Kaiser's rule and selecting a subset of variables considering the correlation between each variable and the components. Percentile curves and normative values are reported for each test and sex. Physical fitness was better in boys than in girls throughout age groups, except for flexibility that was consistently higher in girls. Two main components were detected throughout age groups: the first one representing body composition and partially cardiorespiratory fitness and the second one muscular fitness. For boys and girls, waist to height ratio had the highest correlations with the first component in four out of six age groups. The highest correlation with the second component, was most frequently observed for the handgrip test both in boys and girls (four out of six age groups). This study provides evidence about the utility of school community actions like DAFIS aimed to track the health-related fitness of children and adolescents. The results suggest that fat mass distribution (i.e., waist to height ratio and waist circumference) and muscular performance (mainly handgrip) concentrate a high proportion physical fitness variance.

Set Configuration in Strength Training Programs Modulates the Cross Education Phenomenon.

ABSTRACT: Fariñas, J, Mayo, X, Giraldez-García, MA, Carballeira, E, Fernandez-Del-Olmo, M, Rial-Vazquez, J, Kingsley, JD, and Iglesias-Soler, E. Set configuration in strength training programs modulates the cross education phenomenon. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2414-2420, 2021-This study aimed to compare the strength gains in the nontrained arm after 2 independent unilateral training programs differing in the set configuration. Thirty-five subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: traditional training (TT; n = 12), cluster training (CT; n = 11), or control (CON; n = 12). The experimental groups performed a 5-week training program of a unilateral biceps curl exercise with the dominant limb using the 10 repetition maximum (10RM) load. Traditional training performed 5 sets of 6 repetitions and 135 seconds of rest between sets. Cluster training completed 30 repetitions with 18.5 seconds of rest between each repetition. Anthropometry (ANT), muscle thickness (MT), 1RM, the number of repetitions with 10RM (n10RM), and isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were measured before and after the intervention. Regarding the nontrained arm, TT improved 1RM (7.3%, p < 0.001). No changes were observed in CT. Regarding the trained arm, TT improved 1RM (9.1%, p < 0.001), n10RM (p = 0.005), and MVC (p = 0.011), whereas CT only showed a trend for improvement of 1RM (3.4%, p = 0.052). These results suggest that when total volume and repetition-to-rest ratio are equated, a more fatiguing set configuration causes a higher effect on the non-trained limb.

Inter-individual variability in the load-velocity relationship is detected by multilevel mixed regression models.

The main aim of this study was to explore the variability in the load-velocity relationship through the use of multilevel mixed regression models. The relationship between relative load (% of one repetition maximum: %1RM) and velocity was obtained in a sample of high-level judokas and rugby players (8 women and 13 men) for the bench press (BP) and parallel squat (SQ). The load-velocity relationship for the squat was obtained for the external load (barbell load) and for the system mass (barbell plus body mass). The data were fitted by different multilevel mixed regression models. Including the sex factor in the models improved the goodness of fit for the BP but not for the squat exercises. All the models detected significant inter-individual variability in both intercepts and slopes (p < 0.05 in all the cases). A decrease of 0.15, 0.10 and 0.16 m/s of velocity for each 10% of increment in the relative load were estimated for BP and squat considering the external load and the system mass, respectively. The multilevel mixed regression models detected significant inter-individual variability in the slope and intercept of the load-velocity relationship what entails differences in the velocity associated with a fixed percentage (%) of the one-repetition maximum load.

Load-velocity Profiles Change after Training Programs with Different Set Configurations.

This study explored the changes in load-velocity relationship of bench press and parallel squat exercises following two programs differing in the set configuration. A randomized controlled trial was carried out in a sample of 39 physically active individuals. Participants were assigned to rest redistribution set configuration, traditional set configuration, or control groups. Over 5 weeks, the experimental groups completed 10 sessions with the 10 repetitions maximum load of both exercises. Rest redistribution sets consisted in 16 sets of 2 repetitions with 60 s of rest between sets, and 5 min between exercises, whereas traditional sets entailed 4 sets of 8 repetitions with 5 min of rest between sets and exercises. The load-velocity relationships of both exercises were obtained before and after the training period. For bench press, an increase of the velocity axis intercept, and a decrease of the slope at post-test were observed in both rest redistribution (p<0.001, G=1.264; p<0.001; G=0.997) and traditional set (p=0.01, G=0.654; p=0.001; G=0.593) groups. For squat, the slope decreased (p<0.001; G=0.588) and the velocity axis intercept increased (p<0.001; G=0.727) only in the rest redistribution group. These results show that rest redistribution sets were particularly efficient for inducing changes in the load-velocity relationship.