Rol de las Federaciones Nacionales de Natación en la promoción de la salud: Comparación países desarrollados vs en vía de desarrollo / Roles of National Swimming Federations in Health Promotion: An International Comparison- Developed vs Developing Countries

Objetivos: Determinar el tipo de personal médico, las prioridades y actividades para la protección y promoción de la salud de las Federaciones Nacionales de Natación (FNN) según su nivel económico y determinar si aplicaban los programas relacionados con la salud de la Federación Internacional de Natación (FINA).Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal mediante una encuesta confidencial distribuida a las 208 FNN adscritas a la FINA. La encuesta fue validada y se obtuvo su fiabilidad estadística (coeficiente α de Cronbach de 0,8642 para n = 15). Las FNN se dividieron según su nivel económico en FNN de países desarrollados (n=66) y FNN de países en desarrollo (n = 142) siguiendo la clasificación de la Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2016). Análisis: Se realizó una comparación estadística de las medias mediante la prueba U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Respondieron 80 FNN en desarrollo (56,3 %) y 55 desarrolladas (83,6 %). Hubo diferencias en la presencia de fisioterapeutas (FNN en desarrollo: 31,2%, desarrolladas: 58,1%, p < 0,005) y psicólogos (11,2% vs 21,8%; p = 0,096). La máxima prioridad para ambos grupos fue el Máximo rendimiento de los nadadores de élite, aunque Aumentar el número de nada-dores de élite era de mayor importancia para las FNN en desarrollo (4,1 vs 3,95; p < 0.05). Los Programas de Prevención de ahogamiento fueron los más frecuentes en ambos grupos, pero con diferencias significativas entre ellos (FNN En desarrollo: 58,7% vs FNN Desarrolladas: 74,5%; p = 0,058). Conclusiones: Las FNN no disponían del personal necesario para promover la salud de sus nadadores. La mayor prioridad de las FNN en desarrollo era Aumentar el número de atletas de élite, pero tenían bajos niveles de Prevención de lesiones, Vuelta a competir tras una lesión y de Exámenes médicos preparticipación, aunque en las FNN desarrolladas también eran bajos. La Prevención de ahogamiento fueron los programas más frecuentes pero la Salud de la población en general, la del atleta recreativo y el "Deporte Seguro" (sin acoso sexual) eran cuestiones de baja prioridad para todas

Purposes: To determine the profile of the medical personnel, the priorities and the activities/ researches of the National Swimming Federations of Developing and Developed countries with respect to the athletes' health protection and the promotion of health in the general population. Method: A descriptive transversal study through a confidential survey that was circulated to the 208 FINA National Member Federations. A statistical validity and reliability was obtained (Cronbach α coefficient of 0.8642 for n = 15). The NFs were divided based on their economic level, NFs of developed (n = 66) and developing countries (n = 142) following the classification of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, (2016). Analysis: A statistic comparison of measures with the test U of Mann- Whitney was executed. Results: 80 of the NFs from developing countries (56.3%) responded and 55 NFs from developed countries (83.6%). Evident differences were found in Presence of physiotherapists (Developing NFs: 31.2%, Developed NFs: 58.1%; p<0.005) and psycho-logists (11.2% vs 21.8%; p = 0.096). Top priority for both groups was Performance of the elite athletes, however Increasing the numbers of elite athletes was of major importance for the Developing NFs (4.1 vs 3.95, p < 0.05). The programs based around drowning prevention are the most prevalent of the programs run by both (58.7% vs 74.5%; p = 0.058). Conclusion: The NFs did not have the necessary personnel to promote the health of their athletes. Top priority for the Developed NFs was to Increase the numbers of elite athletes but they have low levels of Prevention of injuries programs. Coming back after an injury and Medical examination preparation were also low in Developed and in Developing NFs. Prevention of drowning program was the most frequent program/activity for health of general population, for the recreational athlete and "Save Sport" (without sexual abuse) they were questions of low priority for all of them

Prevention of Drowning.

Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death in children. In 2017, drowning claimed the lives of almost 1000 US children younger than 20 years. A number of strategies are available to prevent these tragedies. As educators and advocates, pediatricians can play an important role in the prevention of drowning.

Influencia de la longitud del vaso sobre las pruebas de socorrismo acuático profesional / The effect of pool length on the results of professional lifeguard saving tests

En este estudio se ha seleccionado a 2.528 aspirantes a la certificación de socorrista acuático (1.798 hombres y 730 mujeres). Todos ellos han realizado las cuatro pruebas físicas de agua cronometradas que se exigen para trabajar de socorrista en piscinas, instalaciones acuáticas y medio natural en la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (España). Del total de los participantes, 1.887 aspirantes realizaron dichas pruebas en vaso de 25 metros y 641 lo hicieron en vaso de 50 metros. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la influencia de la longitud del vaso en el que se desarrollan estas pruebas físicas, sobre el porcentaje de aprobados y sobre las marcas de tiempo que emplean los participantes para realizarlas. Los resultados de esta investigación demuestran que la longitud del vaso en el que se evalúa a los aspirantes a socorrista, influye significativamente sobre las marcas de tiempo que obtienen y también sobre el número de aprobados

In this study 2.528 aspirants for aquatic lifeguard certification (1.798 men and 730 women) were selected. All the participants of the study have performed the four physical tests of chronometric water required in order to work as a lifeguard for swimming pools, aquatic and open water in the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain). Of the whole participants, 1.887 aspirants were tested in a 25-meter pool and 641 were done so in a 50-meter pool. The aim of this study is to know the influence of the length of the pool in which these physical tests are developed, on the pass rate and on the time needed by the sample to carry them out. The results of this research show that the length of the pool in which the aspirants are evaluated, influences on the time marks obtained by them and also on the number of approved ones

Investigation of the Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of Curcumin, a Compound From Turmeric (Curcuma longa), in the Adult Male Sprague-Dawley Rat.

As the use of herbal medications continues to increase in America, the potential interaction between herbal and prescription medications necessitates the discovery of their mechanisms of action. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of curcumin, a compound from turmeric (Curcuma longa), and its effects on the benzodiazepine site of the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor A (GABAA) receptor. Utilizing a prospective, between-subjects group design, 55 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 1 of the 5 intraperitoneally injected treatment groups: vehicle, curcumin, curcumin + flumazenil, midazolam, and midazolam + curcumin. Behavioral testing was performed using the elevated plus maze, open field test, and forced swim test. A 2-tailed multivariate analysis of variance and least significant difference post hoc tests were used for data analysis. In our models, curcumin did not demonstrate anxiolytic effects or changes in behavioral despair. An interaction of curcumin at the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor was also not observed. Additional studies are recommended that examine the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of curcumin through alternate dosing regimens, modulation of other subunits on the GABAA receptor, and interactions with other central nervous system neurotransmitter systems.

Influencia de la práctica deportiva sobre la huella plantar en atletas españoles / Influence of sport practice on the footprint in Spanish athletes

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la asociación entre el entrenamiento de atletas con las características de cada pie. Se midieron y compararon las huellas plantares de tres grupos de deportistas (28 velocistas, 29 fondistas, 47 nadadores) y de 67 sujetos no entrenados (GC). Para la captura de parámetros plantares se empleó una plataforma de escaneado podálico Podoscanalycer®. El índice podálico, metatarsal, medio podálico, y calcáneo fue inferior en GC respecto a corredores de velocidad, fondo, y nadadores (p<0.001). El riesgo relativo de tener un pie cavo o un tipo de pié específico por pertenecer a una determinada modalidad atlética no resulto significativo (todos p>0.05). Se concluye que los años de entrenamiento y la edad en atletas españoles no se asocian significativamente con la curvatura y tipología del pie ni sobre ningún índice plantar específico. Sin embargo, sexo e IMC se asocia significativamente con los índices plantares según la modalidad atlética (AU)

The aim of the present study was to determine the association between athletic training and characteristics of each foot. Plantar foot print of three groups of athletes (28 sprinters, 29 distance runners, 47 swimmers) and 67 sedentary subjects (CG) were measured and compared. A scanning platform breech Podoscanalyzer was employed to obtain plantar pressure measurements. The breech, metatarsal, middle breech, and calcaneus index, were lower in CG compared to sprinters, long-distance runners, and swimmers (p<0.001). The relative risk of having a cavus foot or any specific type of foot as a result of practicing a particular athletic discipline was not significant (all p>0.05). We conclude that the years of training and the age are not significantly associated neither with the curvature and the type of the foot nor with any specific plantar arch index in Spanish athletes. Nevertheless, sex and BMI are significantly associated with the plantar arch indexes according to the athletic discipline (AU)

Orientaciones de meta, satisfacción, creencias de éxito y clima motivacional en nadadores / Goal orientations, satisfaction, beliefs in sport success and motivational climate in swimmers

En el presente estudio se plantearon varios objetivos; comprobar las relaciones existentes entre las orientaciones de meta, la satisfacción, las creencias sobre las causas del éxito en el deporte y el clima motivacional percibido en nadadores; examinar el efecto que tiene la orientación de meta en las diferentes dimensiones analizadas; y, por último, predecir la orientación de meta. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 163 nadadores. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron las versiones validadas al castellano del TEOSQ, SSI, BACSSQ y PMCSQ-2. Se realizaron tres tipos de análisis estadísticos: análisis de correlaciones bivariadas, análisis multivariante (MANOVA 2x2) y análisis de regresión lineal múltiple multivariado por pasos. Los resultados mostraron que la capacidad y el aburrimiento son variables predictoras de la orientación de meta hacia el ego, mientras que el esfuerzo y la diversión lo son de las orientaciones de meta hacia la tarea (AU)

The present study had several objectives; to check the relationships between goal orientations, satisfaction, beliefs about the causes of success in sport and motivational climate perceived in swimmers; to examine the effect of goal orientation in different dimensions analyzed, and finally to predict goal orientation. The sample consisted of 163 swimmers. The instruments used were validated to Castilian versions of TEOSQ, SSI, BACSSQ and PMCSQ-2. There were three types of statistical analyzes: bivariate correlation analysis, multivariate analysis (MANOVA 2x2) and multiple linear regression analysis stepwise multivariate. The results showed that capacity and boredom are predictors of goal orientation towards the ego, while effort and fun are the goal orientations to the task (AU)

Examen de requisitos de seguridad de piscinas asociados con accidentes a través de la jurisprudencia / Survey of safety requirements for swimming pools associated with accidents through jurisprudence

La jurisprudencia tiene un notable valor interpretativo para comprender cómo se aplican los reglamentos sanitarios sobre piscinas. Por ello es de indudable interés fijarse en los aspectos más sobresalientes que han tenido que ser resueltos judicialmente por su impacto en la salud de los usuarios de este tipo de instalaciones acuáticas. El examen comparativo de 23 conflictos judiciales nos permitió indagar en la valoración de los principales requisitos técnico-sanitarios que sirven como fundamento a los tribunales de justicia, para admitir su nexo causal con las lesiones derivadas de accidentes ocurridos en piscinas. El perfil típico de la víctima por accidente en una piscina quedó caracterizado por un adulto sano que sufre lesiones en la extremidad inferior, después de caerse por un resbalón en una zona de tránsito en el entorno del vaso. También se observaron lesiones derivadas de un comportamiento irreflexivo o culposo del bañista. En este trabajo se cuestionan diversas apreciaciones en sede judicial y proporcionamos criterios técnicos fiables sobre requerimientos sanitarios para piscinas de uso colectivo de Andalucía implicados en la producción de accidentes, analizando conceptos técnicos e incumplimientos normativos esgrimidos en los pronunciamientos jurisprudenciales más recientes. De las resoluciones judiciales examinadas en el contexto de la seguridad de las piscinas surge la conveniencia de revisar los criterios valorativos acerca de los parámetros científico-técnicos asociados con las causas de las lesiones, procurando dotar mayor grado de concreción con la incorporación de normas internacionales asentadas que aporten mayor seguridad jurídica en la protección de los derechos de los usuarios

Jurisprudence has considerable interpretive value in understanding how health regulations are applied to swimming pools. As such, it is of unarguable interest to focus on the most outstanding aspects that have required legal resolution due to the impact on the health of swimming pool users. A comparative examination of 23 legal disputes has allowed us to explore the assessments of the main technical-health requirements that the courts of justice draw from when acknowledging a causal link between these and the injuries incurred at swimming pools. The typical profile of a swimming pool accident victim was identified to be a healthy adult suffering injury to the lower extremities following a slip and subsequent fall on a walkway area around the swimming pool. Injuries were also observed following thoughtless or negligent behaviour by the swimmer. In this study, various legal appraisals were investigated and we offer reliable technical criteria regarding health requirements for publically used swimming pools in Andalusia involved in the occurrence of accidents, analysing technical concepts and non-compliance with regulations put forward in the most recent jurisprudential rulings. From the court rulings examined in the context of swimming pool safety, it would appear highly advantageous to review the assessment criteria regarding the scientific-technical parameters associated with the causes of injuries, with the aim of proffering a greater degree of specification by incorporating established international rules that contribute a higher level of legal safety in protecting the rights of users

Can you really swim? Validation of self and parental reports of swim skill with an inwater swim test among children attending community pools in Washington State.

BACKGROUND: Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among US children. Multiple studies describe decreased drowning risk among children possessing some swim skills. Current surveillance for this protective factor is self/proxy-reported swim skill rather than observed inwater performance; however, children's self-report or parents' proxy report of swim skill has not been validated. This is the first US study to evaluate whether children or parents can validly report a child's swim skill. It also explores which swim skill survey measure(s) correlate with children's inwater swim performance. METHODS: For this cross-sectional convenience-based sample, pilot study, child/parent dyads (N=482) were recruited at three outdoor public pools in Washington State. Agreement between measures of self-reports and parental-reports of children's swim skill was assessed via paired analyses, and validated by inwater swim test results. RESULTS: Participants were representative of pool's patrons (ie, non-Hispanic White, highly educated, high income). There was agreement in child/parent dyads' reports of the following child swim skill measures: 'ever taken swim lessons', perceived 'good swim skills' and 'comfort in water over head'. Correlation analyses suggest that reported 'good swim skills' was the best survey measure to assess a child's swim skill-best if the parent was the informant (r=0.25-0.47). History of swim lessons was not significantly correlated with passing the swim test. CONCLUSIONS: Reported 'good swim skills' was most correlated with observed swim skill. Reporting 'yes' to 'ever taken swim lessons' did not correlate with swim skill. While non-generalisable, findings can help inform future studies.

Análisis multidimensional de la estructura de las rutinas competitivas en natación sincronizada / Análise multidimensional da estrutura das rotinas competitivas na natação sincronizada / Multidimensional analysis of the structure of competitive routines in synchronized swimming

El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar la estructura de las rutinas de solo y dúo de natación sincronizada. Para ello se utilizó un diseño observacional puntual, nomotético y multidimensional. El instrumento observacional ad hoc fue validado por 12 especialistas. Se utilizó como instrumento de registro el programa LINCE. La fiabilidad en la observación se determinó mediante el grado de concordancia intra e interobservador. Dieciocho nadadoras (seis medallistas olímpicas) participaron en el estudio. Se analizaron 39 rutinas: solo técnico (n = 9), solo libre (n = 11), dúo técnico (n = 10) y dúo libre (n = 9). El 61.6 ± 6.4 %) del tiempo de competición las nadadoras estaban con la cara dentro del agua, con apneas máximas de 21.1 ± 4.0 s. La posición más utilizada en el conjunto de rutinas fue la inferior (43.2 ± 5.3 %), siendo la fase de inmersión alta inferior la más reproducida (35.3 ± 5.0 %). En conclusión: 1) se dispone de una herramienta válida para el análisis de la estructura de las rutinas en natación sincronizada, 2) existen diferencias significativas en la estructura de las rutinas atendiendo a la duración total, las fases relativas de apnea y a la inmersión en distintas posiciones corporales

The aim of this study was to characterize the structure of solo and duet-based synchronized swimming routines. This was done using a specific nomothetic multidimensional observational design. The ad hoc observational instrument was validated by 12 specialists. The data was recorded using LINCE software, and observational reliability was determined by calculating the degree of intra-observer and inter-observer agreement. The participants were 18 female swimmers (including six Olympic medallists), and 39 routines were analysed: technical solos (n = 9), free solos (n = 11), technical duets (n = 10) and free duets (n = 9). The swimmers spent 61.6 ± 6.4 % of the competition time with their faces immersed in the water, with maximum apnea of 21.1 ± 4.0 s. The inverted-vertical position was the most widely taken in routines (43.2 ± 5.3 %), with the phase of deep immersion in that position being the most commonly reproduced (35.3 ± 5.0 %). In conclusion: 1) the observational instrument is a valid tool for analysing the structure of routines in synchronized swimming; and 2) there are significant differences in the structure of routines as regards their total duration, episodes of apnea, and the degree of immersion in different body positions

Natação sincronizada, Metodologia observacional, Apneia, Posição corporal, Imersão. RESUMO: O objectivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a estrutura das rotinas individuais e duplas de natação sincronizada. Para tal foi utilizado um delineamento observacional pontual, nomotético e multidimensional. O instrumento observacional ad hoc foi validado por 12 especialistas. Utilizou-se como instrumento de registo o programa LINCE. A fidelidade na observação foi determinada mediante o grau de concordância intra e interobservador. Dezoito nadadoras (seis medalhistas olímpicas) participaram no estudo. Foram analisadas 39 rotinas; solo técnico (n = 9), solo livre (n = 11), duo técnico (n = 10) e duo livre (n = 9). As nadadoras estavam totalmente imersas na água em 61.6 % (± 6.4 %) do tempo de competição, com apneias máximas de 21.1 ± 4.0 s. A posição mais utilizada no conjunto de rotinas foi a imersão inferior (43.2 ± 5.3 %), sendo a fase de imersão total a mais reproduzida (35.3 ± 5.0 %). Em suma: 1) dispõem-se de uma ferramenta válida para a análise da estructura das rotinas na natação sincronizada, 2) existem diferenças significativas na estructura das rotinas atendendo à duração total, às fases relativas de apneia e à imersão em distintas posições corporais

Effects of moderate-intensity aerobic cycling and swim exercise on post-exertional blood pressure in healthy young untrained and triathlon-trained men and women.

Aerobic exercises such as running, walking and cycling are known to elicit a PEH (post-exercise hypotensive) response in both trained and UT (untrained) subjects. However, it is not known whether swim exercise produces a similar effect in normotensive individuals. The complex acute physiological responses to water immersion suggest swimming may affect BP (blood pressure) differently than other forms of aerobic exercises. We tested the hypothesis that an acute bout of swimming would fail to elicit a PEH BP response compared with an equivalent bout of stationary cycling, regardless of training state. We studied 11 UT and ten triathlon-trained young healthy normotensive [SBP/DBP (systolic BP/diastolic BP) <120/80 mmHg)] men and women (age 23±1 years) who underwent 30 min of intensity-matched cycling and swimming sessions to assess changes in BP during a 75-min seated recovery. CO (cardiac output), SV (stroke volume), TPR (total peripheral resistance), HR (heart rate), HRV (HR variability) and core and skin temperature were also assessed. In UT subjects, PEH was similar between cycling (-3.1±1 mmHg) and swimming (-5.8±1 mmHg), with the greater magnitude of PEH following swimming, reflecting a significant fall in SV between modalities (P<0.05). Trained individuals did not exhibit a PEH response following swimming (0.3±1 mmHg), yet had a significant fall in SBP at 50 min post-cycling exercise (-3.7±1 mmHg) (P<0.05). The absence of PEH after swimming in the trained group may reflect a higher cardiac sympathetic outflow [as indicated by the LF (low-frequency) spectral component of HRV) (25 and 50 min) (P<0.05)] and a slower return of vagal tone, consistent with a significant increase in HR between modalities at all time points (P<0.05). These results suggest that training may limit the potential for an effective post-exertional hypotensive response to aerobic swimming.

Programa de natación adaptada para personas mayores dependientes: beneficios psicológicos, físicos y fisiológicos / Adapted aquatics program for senior dependents: psychological, physical and physiological benefits

El objetivo del presente estudio se centró en examinar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico, basado en la práctica de la natación adaptada, sobre la autoestima, la reducción del peso, el equilibrio y la movilidad articular. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 33 personas dependientes mayores de 60 años. El programa de intervención motriz basado en la práctica de la natación adaptada se aplicó durante ocho meses. Se evaluaron los niveles de autoestima con la Escala de Rosenberg, y las demás variables: peso, equilibrio y movilidad articular, tanto al inicio como a la finalización del programa. Se realizaron diferentes análisis descriptivos e inferenciales que permitieron concluir que se habían obtenido mejoras significativas en autoestima, reducción de peso, optimización del equilibrio y de la movilidad articular. El programa de intervención motriz de natación adaptada ha influido significativamente en la salud y mejora del bienestar de las personas de la muestra (AU)

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of an adapted swimming-based exercise programme on self-esteem, weight reduction, balance and joint mobility. The sample consisted of 33 participants over 60 years of age from Almeria. The adapted swimming-based motor intervention programme was applied for eight months. Levels of self-esteem and the other variables -weight, balance and joint mobility- were assessed with the Rosenberg Scale at the beginning and the end of the programme. Various descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted and it was found that significant improvements had been achieved in self-esteem, weight reduction, optimization of balance and joint mobility. The adapted swimming-based motor intervention programme significantly influenced the health and betterment of the people in the sample (AU)

Notational analysis of elite and sub-elite water polo matches.

This study aimed at comparing elite (i.e., Euro League and Italian "Serie A1") and sub-elite (Italian "Serie B") matches. A notational analysis was performed on 17 men's water polo matches during the 2005-2006 season to evaluate the following technical and tactical parameters of the offensive play: frequency of occurrence of the actions; mean clock-time duration; mean number of players involved and passes; frequency of occurrence of the turnovers; and frequency of occurrence of the number, outcome, position, and type of the shots. All the indicators were analyzed in relation to even (i.e., equal number of offensive and defensive players), counterattack (i.e., higher number of offensive players than that of the defense), and power play (i.e., a team defending for 20 seconds without a player because of an exclusion foul) situations. A multivariate approach (multivariate analysis of variance) was applied to the playing situations (even, counterattack, and power play) as dependent variables and competition levels (Final Four of Euro League Championship, Serie A1 Championship, and Serie B Championship) as between factor (p < 0.05). Significant differences among competition levels emerged in (a) the frequency of occurrence of counterattack and power play actions, (b) the duration of even situations, (c) the mean number of players directly involved during power play actions, (d) the mean number of the passes during even and power play actions, (e) the frequency of occurrence of the shots during counterattack and power play actions, (f) the frequency of occurrence of goals during even actions, (g) the frequency of occurrence of shots originating from different zones of the court, and (h) the type of shots performed. The present results showed that the competition level has a relevant impact on the occurrence of technical and tactical indicators especially in relation to even, counterattack, and power play situations. Thus, notational analysis proved to be a valuable tool for better coaching through the interpretation of technical and tactical aspects of water polo in relation to its competition level.

Urban minority youth swimming (in)ability in the United States and associated demographic characteristics: toward a drowning prevention plan.

OBJECTIVE: To examine swimming ability and variables associated with swimming for US inner-city, minority children. Empirical research on minority children's swimming ability is non-existent, and drowning rates for this population are high. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey research. Descriptive statistics were produced. Multiple regression was applied using significant demographic variables by swimming ability. SETTING: Six US cities were chosen (Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Miami, Florida; Oakland, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) facilities were used to solicit subjects. SUBJECTS: A large sample (n = 1680) was gathered, which targeted poor, minority children. Parents of children aged 4-11 years and adolescents (12-17 years) completed surveys that research team members or trained YMCA staff supervised during non-swimming YMCA programmes. RESULTS: African-American respondents reported a 57.5% "at risk" (unable to swim or uncomfortable in deep end of pool) swimming ability. Hispanic/Latino children confirmed a 56.2% "at risk" level as compared with 30.9% for white subjects. Age, sex, child's lunch programme, parental education and race variables were all significantly (p<0.05) related to swimming ability. Regression analysis revealed that all demographic variables fell into a significant model (p<0.001) as predictor variables. CONCLUSIONS: Poor minority children, specifically African-American and Hispanic/Latino, are at a significant disadvantage concerning swimming ability. Female subjects were notably more "at risk" regarding their swimming ability than male subjects. Age, race and socioeconomic factors (lunch programme and parental education) were significantly associated with children who have low swimming ability.

A sea change ahead for recreational water quality criteria.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is committed to developing new recreational water quality criteria for coastal waters by 2012 to provide increased protection to swimmers. We review the uncertainties and shortcomings of the current recreational water quality criteria, describe critical research needs for the development of new criteria, as well as recommend a path forward for new criteria development. We believe that among the most needed research needs are the completion of epidemiology studies in tropical waters and in waters adversely impacted by urban runoff and animal feces, as well as studies aimed to validate the use of models for indicator and pathogen concentration and health risk predictions.

Una experiencia única: 24 horas a nado. A propósito de un caso / An unic experience: 24 hours swimming. A case

Se presenta la experiencia de un nadador paralímpico de élite que nadó durante 24 horas seguidas una distancia de 58,5 km en una piscina climatizada de 50 metros. En los últimos tres meses se realizó un control nutricional y médico, incluidas analíticas. Inmediatamente antes de la pruebas se controlaron parámetros fisiológicos. Asimismo se realizó antes y después de la prueba una valoración del estado de ánimo del nadador. Durante la prueba se cuantificaron la cantidad de nutrientes y líquidos que el nadador iba ingiriendo. Se dispusieron paradas de 5 minutos cada hora, momentos utilizado para ingestión de alimentos,toma de frecuencias cardíacas, valoracióndel grado de cansancio, aplicación de vaselina y evaluar y solucionar cualquier problema que se presentase. Se disminuyó la cloración del agua de la piscina, y se aumentó a 30 grados su temperatura. Observamos un paralelismo entre la frecuencia cardiaca y la sensación subjetiva de fatiga, con valores altos al principio (145 lpm y 9 de fatiga) y una estabilización en valores inferiores (105 lpm y 6 de fatiga) a partir de las 6 h. de la prueba. Hubo un incremento de la actividad CPK (166U/L) y una leucocitosis (16400/mcl) con neutrofilia (82,7%). El deportista ingirió 3621 Kcal (93% CH, 6% Prot. 1% Lip.) y 6524 ml de agua. Las puntuaciones obtenidas en la escala de vigor antes (p=70) y después de la prueba (p=67) están por encima de las consideradas óptimas, en cambio las de fatiga están dentro de los valores óptimos

We expose the experience of a elit paralimpic swimmer who swan for 24 hours a distance of 58,8 km at a 50 m. acclimated swimming-pool. Three months before the event it was made a medical and nutritional control, blodd test included. Physiologic parameters were controlled just before the event. A psicological control was also made to asses the mood of the swimmer before and after the event. During the event we quantified the nutrients and liquid the swimmer was having. We program breaks of 5 minutes per hour to ear and take heart rate, assess the grade of fatigue, put some vaseline on the skin of the swimmer and assist and solve any problem. The chlorination of the water of the swimming-pool was reduced and the temperature was increased up to 30 grades C. We observed parallelism between the heart rate and the subjective feeling of fatigue, with high values at the beguinning (145 bpm and 9 of fatigue) and a stabilization at low values (105 bpm and 6 of fatigue) from the sith hour of the event. There was a increase of the CK activity (1661 U/L) and a leukocytosis (16400/mcl) with neutrophilia (82,7%). The swimmer ingested 3621 Kcal (93% Carbohydrates, 6% Proteins., 1% Lipids.) and 6524 ml. of water. the scoring obtained in the vigor scale before (p=70) and after the event (p=67) were higher up than the values believed optimun, however, the scoring in fatigue were just optimun

Scaling laws and forecasting in athletic world records.

In this study, we analysed running world records and found that the mean speed of the race, mu, as a function of the record time, tau, can be described asymptotically by two well-defined scaling laws of the form mu approximately tau(-beta). There is a break in the scaling laws (approximately 1000 m) between the shorter and the longer races at a characteristic time of around 150-170 s, after which a new scaling regime emerges. This is the first occasion that this characteristic time has been clearly found in physical terms; we interpreted it as the transition time between the anaerobic and the aerobic energy expenditure of athletes. This phenomenon is independent of the athletes' sex and is also found in swimming races with similar values of the characteristic time. We also investigated the forecasting of world records using historical data. Using an approach based on the identification of non-Poissonian events for a sequence of temporal point processes, we found that the sequence of improvements in all athletic records from 1900 to the present day cannot be considered as a sequence of completely random events.

Ahogamiento o casi ahogamiento en la infancia. Resultados del Hospital La Fe de Valencia / Drowning or near-drowning in childhood. Result of La Fe Hospital in Valencia

Objetivo: Analizar las características epidemiológicas de los ahogamientos y casi ahogamientos en nuestro medio con vistas a la prevención. Método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo con componente analítico. Hospital Infantil La Fe de Valencia, que cubre una población pediátrica de 164.127 niños de 0-14 años. Pacientes con ahogamiento o casi ahogamiento, atendidos en el servicio de urgencias u hospitalizados, durante 1993.Resultados: 13 pacientes en total, 12 (92,3 por ciento) por casi ahogamiento y 1 por ahogamiento; 2 se remitieron a su domicilio y 11 (84,6 por ciento) se hospitalizaron. Incidencia anual de 4,3/100.000 niños de 0-14 años. Predominio de varones (76,9 por ciento) y de 0-4 años (53,9 por ciento para el total de pacientes y 63,6 por ciento en los ingresados). 61,5 por ciento en los meses de julio y agosto. Lugar del accidente de los pacientes ingresados: piscina 72,7 por ciento, mar 18,2 por ciento, acequia 9,1 por ciento. 76,9 por ciento del total había recibido atención médica previa. Duración de la hospitalización (mediañDE) 55,1ñ89,4 horas. 81,8 por ciento permanecieron ingresados < 50 horas. Precisaron intensivos el 27,3 por ciento. Un varón de tres años se ahogó en una acequia. Ningún paciente presentó secuelas. Conclusiones. Predominio de varones y en menores de cinco años. Variación estacional. Piscina como lugar de riesgo. Corta estancia hospitalaria. Una adecuada reanimación puede modificar la evolución de los pacientes. Necesidad de prevención (AU)