The relationship between relative age effects and sex, age categories and playing positions in Brazilian National Handball Teams

Abstract Aims: This study investigated the existence of Relative Age Effect (RAE) in the selection process of male and female athletes in the Brazilian national handball teams according to age categories (U-18, U-21, and senior) and playing position (wings, backs, pivots, and goalkeepers). Methods: In order to determine RAE, athletes were divided based on their months of birth; quarters Q1 (January-March), Q2 (April-June), Q3 (July-September), and Q4 (October-December). Data were collected from the official Brazilian Handball Confederation (CBHb) website and included the athletes that participated in training and/or competitions composing the Brazilian national teams from 2014 to 2018. To determine the RAE on playing positions, age categories of male and female groups were pooled. Chi-squared tests were performed to investigate the RAE. Results: An over-representation of players born in Q1 and Q2 in the U-18, U-20, and senior categories of male teams and the U-20, and senior female teams were found. In the male teams, as the age category increased, RAE decreased, but still existed. Such distribution was reversed in the female athletes, with a higher RAE magnitude in the senior category as compared to U-18 and U-21. Additionally, it seems that RAE is dependent on the playing position only for male athletes (wings and backs) whereas RAE was found for all playing positions in female athletes. Conclusion: Overall, RAE was found in Brazilian national handball teams, but its magnitude and form of manifestation seem to be influenced by sex, category, and playing position.

The relationship of finger length ratios (2D: 4D) with quantitative, verbal talent and anthropometric parameters / La relación de las proporciones de la longitud del dedo (2D: 4D) con el parámetro cuantitativo, talento verbal y parámetros antropométricos

SUMMARY: The aim of this study were to investigate the relationship between 2D:4D finger length ratios (the ratio of the second finger length to the fourth finger length) of students from verbal and quantitative weighted fields, and to determine the correlation of these ratios with some anthropometric measurements. For this purpose; hand length, hand width, lengths of second and fourth finger and waist, hip and neck circumferences were taken from totally 398 (199 female, 199 male) students aged 17-25 years by using millimetric callipers and non-elastic standard measuring tape. Demographic data were also taken. Moreover, Body Mass Index (BMI) and 2D:4D finger length ratios of the study group were also calculated. When we investigated the 2D:4D ratios for right, left and dominant hands among verbal and quantitative talented individuals in female students, there were statistically significant differences for right and dominant hand (p=0.032; p=0.042, respectively). On the other hand, there was no difference for left hand in female participants (p>0.05). Furthermore, there were positive correlations with 2D:4D and weight (r=0.38, p<0.001), BMI (r=0.34, p=0.01) of the male students in verballyweighted field and with hip and waist circumferences in male students in quantitatively-weighted field (r=0.30; p=0.002; r=0.41, p<0.001). In male students in quantitatively-weighted fields, there was a weak and positive correlation with 2D:4D finger length ratios and neck circumferences on the left hand, and this relationship was statistically significant (r=0.21; p=0.032). And also, there were no statistically significant correlations between anthropometric measurements and 2D:4D ratios among the female students in quantitatively weighted field. Whereas there were positive correlations with 2D:4D finger length ratios and waist circumference in female students in verbally weighted field (r=0.24, p=0.018). We believe that the data obtained in this study will be a guide for career planning goals of persons according to their quantitative and verbal talents.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio consistió en investigar la relación entre índices de longitud del dedo (2D:4D) (es decir, la relación de la longitud del segundo dedo a la cuarta longitud del dedo) de los estudiantes de campos ponderados verbales y cuantitativos, para determinar la correlación de estas proporciones con algunas medidas antropométricas. Para este propósito, se consideraron las siguientes mediciones: longitud de la mano, ancho de la mano, circunferencia del segundo y cuarto dedo y circunferencia de cintura, cadera y cuello. Se examinaron 398 estudiantes (199 mujeres, 199 hombres) de 17-25 años de edad, usando pinzas milimétricas y cinta métrica estándar no elástica. También se tomaron datos demográficos. Además, se calcularon las proporciones de índice de masa corporal (IMC) y 2D:4D del grupo de estudio. Cuando investigamos las proporciones 2D:4D para manos derechas, izquierdas y dominantes entre individuos talentosos verbales y cuantitativos en mujeres, hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas para la mano derecha y dominante (p = 0,032, p = 0,042, respectivamente). Por otro lado, no hubo diferencia para la mano izquierda en las mujeres (p> 0.05). Además, hubo correlaciones positivas con 2D:4D y peso (r = 0,38, p <0,001), IMC (r = 0,34, p = 0,01) de los hombres en el campo verbalmente ponderado y con circunferencias de cadera y cintura en hombres en campo ponderado cuantitativamente (r = 0,30, p = 0,002; r = 0.41, p <0,001). En los hombres, en campos cuantitativamente ponderados, hubo una correlación débil y positiva en 2D, relaciones de longitud de dedo 4D y circunferencias de cuello en la mano izquierda, y esta relación fue estadísticamente significativa (r = 0,21, p = 0,032). También, no hubo correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre las medidas antropométricas y las proporciones 2D:4D entre las estudiantes en el campo cuantitativamente ponderado. Mientras que hubo correlaciones positivas con 2D:4D, índices de longitud del dedo y circunferencia de la cintura en las mujeres en el campo ponderado verbalmente (r = 0,24, p = 0,018). Creemos que los datos obtenidos en este estudio serán una guía para los objetivos de planificación de carrera de las personas de acuerdo con sus talentos cuantitativos y verbales.

La educación en nuestro tiempo: ¿competencia o aptitud? El caso de la medicina. Parte II / Education in our time: competency or aptitude? The case for medicine. Part II

Resumen: Esta segunda parte se enfoca en la educación participativa (EPT), una forma radicalmente distinta de entender y practicar la educación en comparación con la educación pasiva. El núcleo de la EPT es desarrollar las potencialidades cognoscitivas inherentes a toda persona, que han sido secularmente mutiladas, relegadas, inhibidas o ignoradas. Se definen las bases epistemológicas y experienciales de la EPT: el concepto de crítica penetrante y creativa, la idea de conocimiento como elaboración propia del sujeto y la experiencia vital como objeto primario de reflexión y cognición. Con estas bases, se especifican los caracteres distintivos de la EPT que apuntan a la formación de sujetos con potencias cognoscitivas y creativas inéditas, capaces de aproximarse a un mundo hospitalario e incluyente. La última parte se dedica a la educación médica que, al adecuarse a la moda de las competencias profesionales, permanece dentro de la pasividad. Se enfatiza el papel clave de las aptitudes cognoscitivas metodológicas y prácticas (la aptitud clínica) en el progreso y superación de la educación y la práctica médicas. Finalmente, se argumenta sobre qué hacer y cómo hacerlo respecto a la educación, en la búsqueda de un mejor mundo a contrapelo de la degradación.

Abstract: Part II is focused on participatory education (PE), a distinctive way to understand and practice education in contrast to passive education. The core of PE is to develop everyone's own cognitive potentialities frequently mutilated, neglected or ignored. Epistemological and experiential basis of PE are defined: the concept of incisive and creative criticism, the idea of knowledge as each person's own construct and life experience as the main focus of reflection and cognition. The PE aims towards individuals with unprecedented cognitive and creative faculties, capable of approaching a more inclusive and hospitable world. The last part criticizes the fact that medical education has remained among the passive education paradigm. The key role of cognitive aptitudes, both methodological and practical (clinical aptitude), in the progress of medical education and practice is emphasized. As a conclusion, the knowhow of education is discussed, aiming towards a better world away from human and planetary degradation.

Dyslipidemia is Associated with Unfit and Overweight-Obese Children and Adolescents / Dislipidemia Associa-se com Falta de Aptidão e Sobrepeso-Obesidade em Crianças e Adolescentes

Abstract Background: Both poor aerobic fitness and obesity, separately, are associated with abnormal lipid profiles. Objective: To identify possible relationships of dyslipidemia with cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity, evaluated together, in children and adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,243 children and adolescents (563 males and 680 females) between 7 and 17 years of age from 19 schools. Obesity was assessed using body mass index (BMI) measurements, and cardiorespiratory fitness was determined via a 9-minute run/walk test. To analyze the lipid profile of each subject, the following markers were used: total cholesterol, cholesterol fractions (high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 20.0, via prevalence ratio (PR), using the Poisson regression. Results: Dyslipidemia is more prevalent among unfit/overweight-obese children and adolescents compared with fit/underweight-normal weight boys (PR: 1.25; p = 0.007) and girls (PR: 1.30, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of dyslipidemia is directly related to both obesity and lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Resumo Fundamento: Falta de aptidão aeróbica e obesidade, em separado, estão associadas com perfis lipídicos anormais. Objetivo: Identificar possíveis relações de dislipidemia com aptidão cardiorrespiratória e obesidade, combinadas, em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos: Estudo transversal incluindo 1.243 crianças e adolescentes (563 meninos e 680 meninas) entre 7 e 17 anos de idade oriundos de 19 escolas. Avaliou-se obesidade usando o índice de massa corporal (IMC). Aptidão cardiorrespiratória foi determinada com o teste de corrida/caminhada de 9 minutos. Os seguintes marcadores foram utilizados para compor o perfil lipídico de cada participante: colesterol total, frações de colesterol (lipoproteínas de alta densidade e de baixa densidade) e triglicerídeos. Os dados foram analisados com o programa SPSS v. 20.0, usando-se razão de prevalência (RP) e regressão de Poisson. Resultado: Dislipidemia é mais prevalente em crianças e adolescentes do tipo inapto/sobrepeso-obesidade em comparação a meninos e meninas do tipo apto/abaixo do peso-peso normal (RP: 1,25; p = 0,007 e RP: 1,30; p = 0,001, respectivamente). Conclusões: A prevalência de dislipidemia está diretamente relacionada a obesidade e baixos níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória.

Habilidades de comunicación en la relación médico-enfermera en la Atención Primaria de Salud / Abilities of communication in the physician-nurse relation in Primary Health Care

Objetivo: Proponer las habilidades de comunicación que deben desarrollar el médico-enfermera, en la atención primaria de salud. Metodología: Es una investigación descriptiva, de perspectiva metodológica cualitativa. Se realizó en el Policlínico Rampa del Municipio Plaza de la Revolución en el período comprendido enero a diciembre del 2010. El universo está conformado por 30 consultorios, se tomó como muestra cuatro consultorios constituido por cuatro médicos y cuatro enfermeras. Se utilizó el criterio de selección de inclusión y exclusión. Se realizó revisión bibliográfica o documental. Las técnicas utilizadas son una guía de observación del participante y grupo focal. Se procesó la información mediante lo percibido en la guía de observación y la interpretación de las opiniones recogidas en el grupo focal para el análisis de los resultados obtenidos. Resultados: Desarrollan las habilidades de observación y de empatía, no poseen dominio de los factores internos y externos que influyen en la comunicación. Conclusiones: Reconocen la habilidad de observación y de empatía, no así la habilidad de expresión(AU)

Objective: To propose the communication abilities developed by physician-nurse in the primary health care. Methodology: It is a qualitative, methodological, prospective and descriptive research conducted in the Rampa Polyclinic from Plaza municipality from January to December, 2,010. Universe included 30 consulting rooms with a sample of four of them where work four physicians and four nurses. The inclusion and exclusion criterion was used. A bibliographic or documentary review was carried out. Techniques used are an observation guidance of the participant and focal group. Information was processed according to features in the above guidance and the interpretation of opinions collected in the focal group for analysis of results obtained. Results: The abilities of observation and empathy, there is no domain of internal and external factors influencing in communication. Conclusions: The ability of observation and empathy are recognized but not the ability of expression(AU)

Caracterización de la salud familiar en familias de niños con éxito escolar / Characterization of health family members with school success children

Introducción: la salud familiar se concibe como la capacidad de la familia de cumplir con sus funciones, propiciar el desarrollo armónico de sus integrantes y afrontar constructivamente las crisis en determinado contexto. Objetivo: caracterizar la salud familiar en familias de niños con éxito escolar. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal en 40 familias nucleares de niños con éxito escolar de las escuelas seminternas del área de salud del Policlínico Universitario 26 de Julio, del municipio Playa, en La Habana. Se utilizó como referente el modelo teórico metodológico para la evaluación de la salud familiar. Para la obtención de los datos se aplicaron las técnicas entrevista familiar, la prueba de percepción de funcionamiento familiar y el inventario de características familiares de riesgo. Resultados: el 77,5 por ciento de las familias fueron funcionales; contribuyeron fundamentalmente los procesos cohesión (77,5 por ciento de las familias respondió en la categoría "casi siempre"), comunicación (72,5 por ciento), armonía (67,5 por ciento) y afectividad (65 por ciento); en el 77,5 por ciento de las familias hubo criticidad nula o leve; el 95 por ciento de estas se agruparon en el primer cuadrante de la matriz de salud familiar. Conclusiones: prevaleció la funcionalidad familiar, a expensas de la cohesión, la comunicación positiva, la armonía y la expresión afectiva; la criticidad familiar fue baja; predominó la situación de ajuste familiar frente a las exigencias de la vida cotidiana; y los afrontamientos fueron orientados a la priorización de las exigencias escolares y a la estimulación de la autonomía en la actividad intelectual

Introduction: health in a family is its ability to fulfill the duties, to create a harmonic development of the family members and to face in a constructive way the crises in a specific context. Objective: to characterize the health family members with school success children. Methods: a cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in 40 family nuclei of school success children from semi-internal centers of 26 de Julio University Polyclinic health area in the Playa municipality in La Habana. The theoretical and methodological model was used as reference to assess the family health level. To data collection were applied the techniques of family interview, the perception test of family performance and the risk family characteristic inventory. Results: the 77,5 percent of family were functional; contributing mainly with cohesion processes (the answer in the 77,5 percent of family was of "almost always"), communication (72,5 percent), harmony (67,5 percent) and affectivity (65 percent) and in the 77,5 percent of families there was not criticism if any it was slight; the 95 percent of these families were grouped within the first quadrant of family health matrix. Conclusions: there was predominance of family functional qualities at the expense of cohesion, a positive communication, harmony and the affective expression; the family criticism was low and predominance of a situation of family adjustment in face of the daily life demands and the facing were directed to priority of school demands and the autonomy stimulation in intellectual activity

Associação entre atividade física, aptidão cardiorrespiratória e síndrome metabólica em crianças e adolescentes: estado da arte / Association between physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic syndrome in youth: the state of the art

O presente estudo teve como objetivo sintetizar os principais resultados da associação entre atividade física (AF) e/ou aptidão cardiorrespiratória com a síndrome metabólica (SM) em crianças e adolescentes. Efetuou-se uma busca on-line nas bases de dados Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science e Lilacs para selecionar artigos que investigaram a relação entre AF e/ou aptidão cardiorrespiratória e SM em crianças e adolescentes, publicados entre os anos de 2004 e 2009. Foram localizados 20 estudos que atenderam aos critérios adotados, dos quais 19 compuseram a amostra. Uma associação negativa entre AF e/ou aptidão cardiorrespiratória e SM foi observada. Os valores da associação apresentaram oscilação, a qual pode ser relacionada aos métodos utilizados para recolha da informação, à inexistência de critérios unânimes para determinação da SM em crianças e adolescentes, ao tamanho e características amostrais. Os resultados sugerem que incrementos dos níveis de AF (odds ratio de 1,3 a 5,16, e b = -0.02 a -0.21) e aptidão cardiorrespiratória (odds ratio de 2,42 a 13,0, e b = -0.09 a -0,44) em jovens se apresentam como estratégias para prevenção de fatores de risco metabólico. Não obstante a representatividade dos dados, há a necessidade de estudos posteriores em populações de nações em transição, de forma a possibilitar uma melhor compreensão desta relação.

The present study aimed to summarize the main results of the association between physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness with metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents. An on-line search was made on Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Lilacs databases for published studies concerning the relationship between PA and/or cardiorespiratory fitness with MS in children and adolescents. Published studies covered a period from 2004 to 2009. Twenty studies were found showing according to inclusion criteria, but only 19 were included in the sample. In general a negative association between PA and cadiorespiratory fitness with MS was observed. The association was not equal across studies; a wide variability between them was found, and design of each study, sample size and characteristics, as well as the lack of a universal definition of MS in youth may account for such discrepancies. Improvement on PA levels (odds ratio between 1,3 to 5,16, and b = -0.02 to -0.21) and on cardiorespiratory fitness (odds ratio between 2,42 to 13,0, and b = -0.09 to -0,44) in youth is a potential strategy to overcoming the metabolic risk factors in this population. Notwithstanding data representativeness, it is necessary further studies in developing countries population for a better understanding for this relationship.

Niccoló Paganini virtuosismo y patología: (1782-1840) / Niccolo Paganini: virtuosism and pathology: (1782-1840)

En este trabajo se presentan rasgos biográficos de uno de los arquetipos del virtuosismo del violín, Niccoló Paganini (1782-1840), quien nació en la ciudad de Génova y falleció en la ciudad de Niza. Ha sido considerado como el "Padre de la moderna técnica del violín". Se hace una breve síntesis de la valiosa contribución de la escuela italiana del violín en la época pre-Paganini, integrada por destacados compositores y ejecutantes. Se destaca la influencia italiana en el desarrollo del arte de la ejecución del violín. En la biografía de Paganini se describen sus grandes habilidades que lo llevaran a ser considerado como el violinista asombroso, original único e irrepetible en la historia de la música. Las cualidades excepcionales de este músico se atribuyen a un factor genético, asociado a su capacidad intrínseca y a su entrenamiento. Se hace una descripción de las características somáticas peculiares que poseía Paganini basada en las descripciones médicas y de algunos músicos contemporáneos. Se ha planteado por diversos autores la hipótesis de que el músico sufría de un trastorno hereditario del tejido conectivo y se han propuesto dos posibilidades: la de un síndrome de Marfan o la de un síndrome de Ehlers-Landos. Se presenta un resumen de los criterios clínicos y bioquímicos que caracterizan a estas afecciones. Lo que parece bien fundamentado es que padecía de un "síndrome de hipermovilidad articular" cuya verdadera naturaleza es conjetural aun cuando cabe inclinarse por la hipótesis de un subtipo III, hipermóvil de Ehlers-Danlos. Este padecimiento lo afectó a lo largo de su existencia, pero contribuyó a que fuese el violinista irrepetible que es como es recordado en la historia de la música

Effect of training on the ability of dual-task coordination

Within the framework of the working memory model proposed by A. Baddeley and G. Hitch, a dual-task paradigm has been suggested to evaluate the capacity to perform simultaneously two concurrent tasks. This capacity is assumed to reflect the functioning of the central executive component, which appears to be impaired in patients with dysexecutive syndrome. The present study extends the investigation of an index ("mu"), which is supposed to indicate the capacity of coordination of concurrent auditory digit span and tracking tasks, by testing the influence of training on the performance in the dual task. The presentation of the same digit sequence lists or always-different lists did not differently affect the performance. The span length affected the mu values. The improved performance in the tasks under the dual condition closely resembled the improvement in the single-task performance. So, although training improved performance in the single and dual conditions, especially for the tracking component, the mu values remained stable throughout the sessions when the single tasks were performed first. Conversely, training improved the capacity of dual-task coordination throughout the sessions when dual task was performed first, addressing the issue of the contribution of the within-session practice to the mu index

Desarrollo neuromotríz en función del sexo / Neuromotor development in function of sex

Se realizó un estudio transversal en 1081 sujetos de doferentes puntos de la ciudad de México, con diferente nivel de estimulación física y edades de 2 a 46 años , a quiene se evaluó su desempeño físico a través de la Batería de Habilidades Motoras de Orpet. Se halló que los hombres presentan mejor coordinación, fuerza, agilidad, equilibrio y velocidad que las mujeres; estas últimas presentan mayor desarrollo en la habilidad motora de flexibilidad. Por lo tanto, el rendimiento físico es mayor en los hombres pero sólo en 2 por ciento.