Steadiness of technical variables as a determinant factor of performance in a virtual simulated regatta.

The aim of this investigation is to explore the relationship between Optimist sailing performance with boat steadiness as well as the steadiness of cyclic variables related to sailors' technique, in the upwind leg of a regatta. Thirty-two sailors from the optimist class (16 bottom level and 16 top level) performed a regatta in a semi-immersive simulator which measures the instantaneous velocity, heading, boom, heel, and rudder angle and hiking effort. It was calculated the mean values as well as the short-term steadiness and long-term steadiness throughout the test. Top level and bottom level sailors were compared and the correlation between these variables and mean velocity were analysed. Significant differences were found between groups on mean values, STS values and LTS values as well as significant correlations ranging r values between 0.385 and 0.768. If the steadiness of sailing variables is considered, they appear as determinants of performance in Optimist class while this is not observed when analysing mean values.

Stroke Steadiness as a Determinant Factor of Performance in 100 m Freestyle in Young Swimmers.

The classical kinematic variables in swimming are based on the calculation of mean values. Stroke steadiness determines the relationship between the duration of all consecutive strokes throughout a test. The aims of the current investigation were to examine differences in stroke-to-stroke steadiness according to swimmers' performance level on both body sides (breathing and non-breathing) and to analyse the interrelationship with kinematics during a 100 m front-crawl test. Thirty-two young, experienced swimmers voluntarily participated in the present study and were divided into two groups, national level (n = 15) and local level (n = 17), according to their competitive status within the national age-rankings. All participants performed a 100 m maximal test in a 50 m pool where they were laterally recorded. Kinematic variables such as mean velocity, stroke rate, stroke length, and stroke index, as well as long-term steadiness and short-term steadiness, were calculated. The two 50 m sections were analysed independently. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in the classical kinematic variables and in stroke steadiness (p < 0.05). In addition, stroke steadiness showed moderately high correlations with velocity (r = [-0.61-(-0.749)]) and stroke index (r = [-0.356-(-0.582)]). Maintaining a more stable inter-stroke period appears to be a determinant of performance in young, high-level national swimmers.

Relationship between Physical Fitness and Cyberbullying Patterns (Cybervictimization and Cyberperpetration) in Spanish Adolescents.

(1) Background: Cyberbullying is a growing problem among adolescents, and deeper knowledge of this phenomenon could facilitate the implementation of adequate prevention and intervention strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between victimization and aggression patterns in cyberbullying and physical fitness levels in Spanish adolescents. (2) Methods: A total of 741 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years from two high schools in Andalusia, Spain (mean = 14.52 ± 1.96 years; 50.9% girls, 49.1% boys) participated in the study. The participants underwent the EUROFIT battery test and completed the Spanish version of the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (ECIPQ) scale. T-test, bivariate correlations and a linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. (3) Results: The study results indicated positive relationships between cyberbullying patterns, especially cybervictimization, and age, as well as several physical fitness measures, including BMI, sit-ups, sit-and-reach, and handgrip tests. On the other hand, cyberperpetration was positively related only to age and the specific grip strength test. Further statistical analysis revealed that cybervictimization was primarily influenced by age, while cyberperpetration was mainly influenced by age and performance in a functional test (sit-and-reach). (4) Conclusions: Cyberbullying roles, both as victims and aggressors, may not be strongly influenced by isolated physical fitness factors. Thus, in order to reach a more comprehensive understanding and better explanations of individual involvement in cyberbullying behavior, future studies should analyze psychological and social factors along with the variables considered in this study.

Assessment of Intercostal Muscle Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Estimating Respiratory Compensation Point in Trained Endurance Athletes.

This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of estimating the respiratory compensation point (RCP) in trained endurance athletes by analyzing intercostal muscles' NIRS-derived tissue oxygenation dynamics. Seventeen experienced trail runners underwent an incremental treadmill protocol on two separate occasions, with a 7-day gap between assessments. Gas exchange and muscle oxygenation data were collected, and the oxygen saturation breakpoint (SmO2BP) measured in the intercostal muscles was compared to the RCP, which was identified by the increase in the VE/V.CO2 slope and the point at which the PetCO2 started to decrease. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two methods for any of the variables analyzed. Bland-Altman analysis showed significant agreement between the NIRS and gas analyzer methods for speed (r = 0.96, p < 0.05), HR (r = 0.98, p < 0.05), V.O2 relative to body mass (r = 0.99, p < 0.05), and %SmO2 (r = 0.98, p < 0.05). The interclass correlation coefficient values showed moderate to good reliability (0.60 to 0.86), and test-retest analysis revealed mean differences within the confidence intervals for all variables. These findings suggest that the SmO2BP measured using a portable NIRS device in the intercostal muscles is a reliable and valid tool for estimating the RCP for experienced trail runners and might be useful for coaches and athletes to monitor endurance training.

Assessment of Nutrient Levels Provided by General Hospital Patient Menus: A Cross-Sectional Study Carried Out in the Region of Murcia (Spain).

Disease-related malnutrition remains a health problem with a high prevalence that increases the risk of poor patient outcomes, in addition to an elevation of healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional quality of the menus at Ribera Molina Hospital, including their adequacy regarding recommended daily nutrient intakes and the agreement with the theoretical nutrition information provided by catering. The mean levels of energy, macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals provided by the basal, diabetic, and soft diets were calculated through the weighing of plated food served throughout the first 14 days of February 2020. A nutritional overestimation was seen in the nutrition information provided by the catering compared to the values derived from weighing foods (p < 0.01). Despite this, the nutritional content calculated by weighing satisfied the energy and protein requirements of 203 hospitalized patients previously studied in the internal medicine area of the hospital. The mean age of these patients was 62 years, and the main causes of admission were lung, cardiovascular, renal, and digestive diseases. There seems to be an insufficient amount of vitamins E and D, as well as magnesium, on all the menus. A possible insufficient amount of calcium, potassium, zinc, and copper was observed in some of the menus studied. It is necessary to update the hospital prescription manual so the nutritional contents of the diets are accurate and based on the weighted and calculated values to improve the adequacy of diets prescribed to patients.

Phase Angle, Handgrip Strength, and Other Indicators of Nutritional Status in Cancer Patients Undergoing Different Nutritional Strategies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Malnutrition in cancer patients is one of the most influential factors in the evolution and mortality of such patients. To reduce the incidence of malnutrition, it is necessary to establish a correct nutritional intervention. For this purpose, precise tools and indicators must be developed to determine the patient's condition. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the relationship between different nutritional strategies, phase angle (PA), and handgrip strength in patients with cancer, with the secondary objectives being the modification of other indicators of nutritional status, such as weight and body mass index (BMI). A systematic review of randomized clinical trials was carried out in March 2023 in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus. As a risk-of-bias tool, RoB 2.0 was utilized. A total of 8 studies with a total of 606 participants were included in the analysis. A significant increase in PA was observed after the different nutritional strategies (SMD: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.77; p = 0.01; I2 = 65.63%), also detecting a significant increase in handgrip strength (SMD: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.47; p = 0.01; I2 = 30.70%). A significant increase in PA and handgrip were observed in cancer patients subjected to different nutritional strategies. These results suggest that these indicators could be used in the nutritional and functional assessment of the patients.

Influence of Competition on Anxiety and Heart Rate Variability in Young Tennis Players.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of competition on anxiety and heart rate variability (HRV) in tennis players. Thirty tennis players (15 boys and 15 girls) were included in the study. In boys, the mean age was 14.53 years, mean height was 169.20 cm and mean weight was 60.60 kg. In girls, the mean age was 13.60 years, mean height was 164.07 cm and mean weight was 53.33 kg. Competitive anxiety was measured using the Competitive Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). HRV was also analyzed using a validated HR chest band (Polar H7). These measurements were performed at two different times, before training and before competing, both times maintaining the same conditions for the participants. In addition, a gender differentiation was carried out. Somatic anxiety and state anxiety were significantly higher at the pre-competition time compared to the pre-training time (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the rest of the variables did not present significant differences between conditions (p > 0.05). On the other hand, no correlation was observed between anxiety and heart rate variability either before competition or before training. As for gender differentiation, significant differences were obtained between males and females in state anxiety and heart rate, identifying higher values in females.

Effects of fast-velocity concentric resistance training in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effects of a fast-velocity concentric resistance training (FVCRT) program on maximum strength of upper and lower limb, gait speed, walking endurance, fatigue, physical self-perception, and catastrophizing pain in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were randomized to either an experimental [EG] (n = 18) or a control [CG] (n = 12) group. The EG carried out 10-weeks of lower limb FVCRT. The CG did not perform any intervention. The maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MVIC) during knee extension, hand-grip strength, gait speed, walking endurance, fatigue, physical self-perception, and catastrophizing pain were measured. RESULTS: Inter-group differences after intervention were found on the right and left sides in MVIC (p = .032; ES = -0.7 and p = .009; ES = -0.9), and hand grip strength (p = .003; ES = -1.0 and p = .029; ES = -0.7). After FVCRT, there was in increase in MVIC (p < .001; ES = -1.7 and p < .001; ES = -1.3) and hand grip strength (p < .001; ES = -1.3 and p < .001; ES = -1.3) on both right and left sides, respectively. In addition, gait speed (p = .023; ES = 1.3), walking endurance (p < .001; ES = -1.0), symptomatic fatigue (p = .004; ES = 0.6), and catastrophizing pain (p < .001; ES = 1.0) improved in EG. CONCLUSION: Lower limb FVCRT improved the upper and lower limb strength, walking, symptomatic fatigue, and catastrophizing pain in MS participants.

Inter-stroke steadiness: a new kinematic variable related to 200m performance in young canoeists.

Traditionally, canoeing analyses have always been carried out by calculating mean values over a certain distance. However, a simple analysis of mean values in cyclic actions, such as canoe paddling, can lead to the loss of decisive data. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether the relationship between the periods of consecutive strokes can be an important aspect in all-out 200-m canoeing performance. A total of 22 young male canoeists aged 13.51 ± 0.43 years old voluntarily participated in the present study. Lateral recordings were taken from all participants when performing an all-out 200 m to subsequently analyse the kinematic variables of time, speed and cycle frequency, length and index. The time of each stroke was calculated by the frame differencesbetween two successive paddles. Likewise, short-term and long-term steadiness of consecutive strokes were analysed. Positive correlations were observed between all-out 200-m time and inter-stroke steadiness, identifying significant associations with long-term (r ≈ 0.8; p < 0.05) and short-term steadiness (r ≈ 0.7; p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present investigation defines and identifies inter-stroke steadiness as a new original kinematic variable that might be considered for performance analysis since it seems to be a key factor in all-out 200-m canoeing.

The Consumption of a Synbiotic Does Not Affect the Immune, Inflammatory, and Sympathovagal Parameters in Athletes and Sedentary Individuals: A Triple-Blinded, Randomized, Place-bo-Controlled Pilot Study.

This investigation aimed to identify the effect of a synbiotic in athletes and sedentary people, and their potential varying responses regarding the immune system, autonomic regulation and body composition. Twenty-seven participants were involved in the protocol: 14 sedentary and 13 semi-professional soccer players. Both groups were randomly divided into an experimental and control group. A synbiotic (Gasteel Plus®, Heel España S.A.U.) comprising a blend of probiotic strains, including Bifidobacterium lactis CBP-001010, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036, and Bifidobacterium longum ES1, was administered to the experimental group, and a placebo was given to the control group for 30 days. Heart rate variability, body composition, and immune/inflammatory cytokines were determined. Statistically significant differences were observed between sedentary individuals and athletes in heart rate variability but not between the experimental and control groups. A difference between the athletic and sedentary group is observed with the influence of training on the effects of the synbiotic on the levels of fat mass and body-fold sum. No significant differences were shown in cytokines after the protocol study. No changes occur with the synbiotic treatment between the athlete and sedentary groups, while no negative effect was produced. Further research will be necessary to see chronic effects in the analyzed biomarkers.

10-Weeks of resistance training improves sleep quality and cardiac autonomic control in persons with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To examine the acute and chronic effects of 10-weeks of progressive resistance training on sleep quality and sleeping heart rate variability in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). METHODS: Eighteen pwMS (age = 44.8 ± 10.6 years; EDSS = 3.1 ± 1.7) completed a 10-week of resistance training, with three training sessions per week. Each session consisted of 4 lower body exercises, performing 2-4 sets of each exercise, with 8-15 repetitions each set, at an intensity ranging from 60 to 75% of 1-repetition maximum. Subjective and actigraphic sleep quality and sleeping heart rate variability were carried out at 4 different times: (1) Before the starting of the intervention on a rest day; (2) the night after training week 1 (3) the night after training week 10 and 4) after completing the resistance training program on a rest day. RESULTS: Regarding subjective sleep quality, significant main effects were observed on the variables of sleep quality, sleep comfort, easy of falling sleep, easy of waking up and felling of rest. Sleep quality, sleep comfort and easy of falling sleep were greater in rest night in week 1 vs. rest night in week 10. Actigraphic sleep quality also improved after the training program (rest night in week 1 vs. rest night in week 10). In the pair-wise comparison showed an acute effect in the session after the training program (rest night in week 10< training night in week 10) on HF, pNN50 and RMMSD. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training is a non-pharmacological treatment that has the capacity to improve the regulation of autonomic system and, consequently, the sleep quality in pwMS.Implications for rehabilitation10 Weeks of resistance training improves the sleep quality of persons with multiple sclerosis.Resistance training can modulate autonomic cardiac control in this population.Improving the sleep quality is essential for persons with MS because of its close relationship to other variables, such as symptomatic fatigue.

Impact of Lockdown during COVID-19 Pandemic on Central Activation, Muscle Activity, Contractile Function, and Spasticity in People with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from symptoms related to neural control, such as reduced central activation, lower muscle activity, and accentuated spasticity. A forced 9-week home confinement related to COVID-19 in Spain may have worsened these symptoms. However, no study has demonstrated the impact of home confinement on neuromuscular mechanisms in the MS population. This study was aimed at analyzing the effects of a 9-week home confinement on central activation, muscle activity, contractile function, and spasticity in MS patients. METHODS: Eighteen participants were enrolled in the study. Left and right knee extensor maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), maximal neural drive via peak surface electromyography (EMG) of the vastus lateralis, central activation ratio (CAR), and muscle contractile function via electrical stimulation of the knee extensor muscles, as well as spasticity using the pendulum test, were measured immediately before and after home confinement. RESULTS: Seventeen participants completed the study. CAR significantly decreased after lockdown (ES = 1.271, p < 0.001). Regarding spasticity, there was a trend to decrease in the number of oscillations (ES = 0.511, p = 0.059) and a significant decrease in the duration of oscillations (ES = 0.568, p = 0.038). Furthermore, in the left leg, there was a significant decrease in the first swing excursion (ES = 0.612, p = 0.027) and in the relaxation index (ES = 0.992, p = 0.001). Muscle contractile properties, MVIC, and EMG variables were not modified after confinement. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a home confinement period of 9 weeks may lead to an increase in lower limb spasticity and a greater deficit in voluntary activation of the knee extensors.

Desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad, parámetros funcionales y costes asociados en un hospital general / Disease-related malnutrition, functional parameters, and associated costs in a genaral hospital

Introducción: la desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad (DRE) afecta en Europa a más de 30 millones de personas, lo que supone cada año unos 170.000 millones de euros. Es necesario implantar protocolos multidisciplinares para el abordaje de la DRE. Objetivo: estudiar la proporción de pacientes afectados o en riesgo de DRE al ingreso, la duración y el coste de su estancia en un hospital general.Métodos: estudio observacional de corte transversal con un tamaño muestral de 203 sujetos. De junio a diciembre de 2018 se realizó un cribado nutricional conforme al Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), se hizo un diagnóstico según los criterios de la Iniciativa de Liderazgo Mundial en Desnutrición (GLIM), se registró la duración del ingreso y se efectuó una estimación del coste de la estancia de todos los pacientes que ingresaron en medicina interna y cumplían los criterios de selección. Resultados: la proporción de personas en riesgo de DRE fue del 28 % (57/203; IC 95 %: 22 % a 34 %). La proporción de pacientes con diagnóstico de DRE fue del 19 % (36/192; IC 95 %: 13 % a 24 %). Los pacientes clasificados con riesgo o diagnóstico de DRE al ingreso tuvieron una estancia 3 días mayor que la de los normonutridos (p < 0,01) y un coste mayor que el de los normonutridos en 1.803,66 euros (p < 0,01). Conclusiones: se hace necesario un abordaje integral y multidisciplinar de la DRE coordinada desde la Comunidad, la Atención Primaria y los hospitales, especialmente en las mujeres de ≥ 70 años con patología pulmonar. (AU)

Introduction: disease-related malnutrition (DRM) affects more than 30 million people in Europe, representing about 170 billion euros each year. Despite the growing consensus for the diagnosis of DRM, it is still necessary to implement multidisciplinary and coordinated protocols for a comprehensive approach to DRM in hospitals. Objetive: to study the proportion of patients affected by DRM upon admission, as well as the duration and the cost of their stay in a general hospital. Methods: an observational cross-sectional study with a sample size of 203 subjects. From June to December 2018, a nutritional screening was carried out according to the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002); diagnoses were made according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, length of stay was recorded, and the cost of stay was estimated for all patients admitted to Internal Medicine who met the selection criteria. Results: the proportion of people at risk of DRM was 28 % (57/203; 95 % CI: 22 % to 34 %). The proportion of patients diagnosed with DRM was 19 % (36/192; 95 % CI: 13 % to 24 %). Patients classified with risk or diagnosis of DRM upon admission had a longer stay than those with normal nutrition by 3 days (p < 0.01), and a higher cost by €1,803.66 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to DRM coordinated from Primary Care to hospitals is necessary, especially in women aged ≥ 70 years with pulmonary disease. (AU)

Cardiac Parasympathetic Withdrawal and Sympathetic Activity: Effect of Heat Exposure on Heart Rate Variability.

(1) Background: Research on heart rate variability has increased in recent years and the temperature has not been controlled in some studies assessing repeated measurements. This study aimed to analyze how heart rate variability may change based on environmental temperature during measurement depending on parasympathetic and sympathetic activity variations. (2) Methods: A total of 22 volunteers participated in this study divided into an experimental (n = 12) and control group (n = 10). Each participant was assessed randomly under two different environmental conditions for the experimental group (19 °C and 35 °C) and two identical environmental conditions for the control group (19 °C). During the procedure, heart rate variability measurements were carried out for 10 min. (3) Results: Significantly changes were observed for time and frequency domains as well as Poincaré plot variables after heat exposure (p < 0.05). These findings were not observed in the control group, whose conditions between measurements did not change. (4) Conclusions: The reduction of heart rate variability due to exposure to hot conditions appears to be produced mostly by a parasympathetic withdrawal rather than a sympathetic activation. Therefore, if consecutive measurements have to be carried out, these should always be done under the same temperature conditions.

The impact of COVID-19 home confinement on neuromuscular performance, functional capacity, and psychological state in Spanish people with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global confinement of more than 2 months in Spain. As a result, the general population has significantly decreased their physical activity levels. The consequences of this abrupt, sedentary lifestyle in Spanish people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) were unknown. Our aim was to examine the impact of COVID-19 home confinement on neuromuscular performance, functional capacity, physical self-perception, and anxiety in pwMS. METHODS: Eighteen pwMS (8:10 men/women, age: 43.41±10.88 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2.85±1.34) participated in the study. Rate of force development (RFD) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction during knee extension in both legs, Timed-Up and Go test (TUG), sit-to-stand test, 6 min walk test, 10 m walk test, Physical-Self Perception Questionnaire (PSPQ) and State-Train Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were performed just before and after home confinement. RESULTS: A non-significant moderate effect (p = 0.07; ES = -0.48) was observed in the time in the sit-to-stand test compared to pre-home confinement. There was a significant increase in the time in TUG (p = 0.02; ES = -0.67). The PSQP score decreased (p = 0.01; ES = 0.79) and STAI-state increased (p = 0.01; ES = -0.65) following home confinement. CONCLUSION: Home confinement had an impact on functional capacity, physical self-perception and state anxiety. However, neuromuscular performance was not altered after home confinement.

[Disease-related malnutrition, functional parameters, and associated costs in a genaral hospital]. / Desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad, parámetros funcionales y costes asociados en un hospital general.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: disease-related malnutrition (DRM) affects more than 30 million people in Europe, representing about 170 billion euros each year. Despite the growing consensus for the diagnosis of DRM, it is still necessary to implement multidisciplinary and coordinated protocols for a comprehensive approach to DRM in hospitals. Objetive: to study the proportion of patients affected by DRM upon admission, as well as the duration and the cost of their stay in a general hospital. Methods: an observational cross-sectional study with a sample size of 203 subjects. From June to December 2018, a nutritional screening was carried out according to the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002); diagnoses were made according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, length of stay was recorded, and the cost of stay was estimated for all patients admitted to Internal Medicine who met the selection criteria. Results: the proportion of people at risk of DRM was 28 % (57/203; 95 % CI: 22 % to 34 %). The proportion of patients diagnosed with DRM was 19 % (36/192; 95 % CI: 13 % to 24 %). Patients classified with risk or diagnosis of DRM upon admission had a longer stay than those with normal nutrition by 3 days (p < 0.01), and a higher cost by €1,803.66 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to DRM coordinated from Primary Care to hospitals is necessary, especially in women aged ≥ 70 years with pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad (DRE) afecta en Europa a más de 30 millones de personas, lo que supone cada año unos 170.000 millones de euros. Es necesario implantar protocolos multidisciplinares para el abordaje de la DRE. Objetivo: estudiar la proporción de pacientes afectados o en riesgo de DRE al ingreso, la duración y el coste de su estancia en un hospital general. Métodos: estudio observacional de corte transversal con un tamaño muestral de 203 sujetos. De junio a diciembre de 2018 se realizó un cribado nutricional conforme al Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), se hizo un diagnóstico según los criterios de la Iniciativa de Liderazgo Mundial en Desnutrición (GLIM), se registró la duración del ingreso y se efectuó una estimación del coste de la estancia de todos los pacientes que ingresaron en medicina interna y cumplían los criterios de selección. Resultados: la proporción de personas en riesgo de DRE fue del 28 % (57/203; IC 95 %: 22 % a 34 %). La proporción de pacientes con diagnóstico de DRE fue del 19 % (36/192; IC 95 %: 13 % a 24 %). Los pacientes clasificados con riesgo o diagnóstico de DRE al ingreso tuvieron una estancia 3 días mayor que la de los normonutridos (p < 0,01) y un coste mayor que el de los normonutridos en 1.803,66 euros (p < 0,01). Conclusiones: se hace necesario un abordaje integral y multidisciplinar de la DRE coordinada desde la Comunidad, la Atención Primaria y los hospitales, especialmente en las mujeres de ≥ 70 años con patología pulmonar.

Differential Health Effects on Inflammatory, Immunological and Stress Parameters in Professional Soccer Players and Sedentary Individuals after Consuming a Synbiotic. A Triple-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.

The main objective of this research was to carry out an experimental study, triple-blind, on the possible immunophysiological effects of a nutritional supplement (synbiotic, Gasteel Plus®, Heel España S.A.U.), containing a mixture of probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium lactis CBP-001010, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036, and Bifidobacterium longum ES1, as well as the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, on both professional athletes and sedentary people. The effects on some inflammatory/immune (IL-1ß, IL-10, and immunoglobulin A) and stress (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol) biomarkers were evaluated, determined by flow cytometer and ELISA. The effects on metabolic profile and physical activity, as well as on various parameters that could affect physical and mental health, were also evaluated via the use of accelerometry and validated questionnaires. The participants were professional soccer players in the Second Division B of the Spanish League and sedentary students of the same sex and age range. Both study groups were randomly divided into two groups: a control group-administered with placebo, and an experimental group-administered with the synbiotic. Each participant was evaluated at baseline, as well as after the intervention, which lasted one month. Only in the athlete group did the synbiotic intervention clearly improve objective physical activity and sleep quality, as well as perceived general health, stress, and anxiety levels. Furthermore, the synbiotic induced an immunophysiological bioregulatory effect, depending on the basal situation of each experimental group, particularly in the systemic levels of IL-1ß (increased significantly only in the sedentary group), CRH (decreased significantly only in the sedentary group), and dopamine (increased significantly only in the athlete group). There were no significant differences between groups in the levels of immunoglobulin A or in the metabolic profile as a result of the intervention. It is concluded that synbiotic nutritional supplements can improve anxiety, stress, and sleep quality, particularly in sportspeople, which appears to be linked to an improved immuno-neuroendocrine response in which IL-1ß, CRH, and dopamine are clearly involved.

Effect of COVID-19 home confinement on sleep monitorization and cardiac autonomic function in people with multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study✰,✰✰.

BACKGROUND: Low sleep quality, cardiac autonomic dysfunction and poor quality of life are some of the most prevalent symptoms in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In addition to the progression of the disease, these symptoms are aggravated by physical inactivity. Therefore, home confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions could further worsen these symptoms. This study aims to analyze the effect of home confinement on objective and subjective sleep quality, cardiac autonomic control based on heart rate variability (HRV), and health-related quality of life in people with MS. METHODS: Actigraphic and subjective sleep quality (Karolinska Sleep Diary, KSD), HRV (Polar-H7), and quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54) were measured before and after 2 months of home confinement in 17 people with MS (7:10 men/women; age: 43.41±10.88 years; body mass index: 24.87±3.31 kg/m2; Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2.85±1.34 a.u.). RESULTS: Actigraphic sleep quality (sleep efficiency: ES=1.27, p = 0.01, sleep time: ES=0.81, p = 0.01) and subjective sleep quality (sleep quality: ES=-0.34, p = 0.05), sleep comfort: ES=0.60; p = 0.03, ease of falling asleep: ES=0.70; p = 0.01, ease of waking up: ES=0.87, p<0.01, and having enough sleep: ES=0.87, p<0.01) significantly decreased after home confinement. No differences were observed in HRV or quality of life variables (p ≥ 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Home confinement has worsened the sleep quality, but not in cardiac autonomic control or quality of life, in people with MS. These data highlight the importance of implementing home physical training programs in this population when situations similar to home confinement occur, thus minimizing the negative effects of physical inactivity and their associated comorbidities.

Movement Velocity as A Measure of Exercise Intensity in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A Validity Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyse the validity (agreement between two methods) of the movement propulsive velocity (MPV) as an indicator of relative load in leg press (LP) and bench press (BP) exercises in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: 18 persons with MS (sex = 55% male; age (mean SD) = 44.88 10.62 years; body mass = 67.19 10.63 kg; height = 1.66 0.07 m; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) = 3.12 1.73) performed an incremental loading test in BP and LP exercises in two separate sessions. Individual determination of the one-repetition maximum (1RM) and full load-velocity profile were obtained for each participant. RESULTS: a significant linear relationship was observed between the %1RM load and the MPV in LP (%1RM = -133.58 × MPV + 117.44; r2 = 0.84; standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 9.38%1RM) and BP (%1RM = -95.66 × MPV + 115.26; r2 = 0.86; SEE = 9.82%1RM). In addition, no significant differences were found between the %1RM achieved directly and the %1RM obtained by the equation calculated from the linear regression (LP, p = 0,996; BP, p = 0,749). CONCLUSIONS: these results indicate that movement velocity can estimate the relative load in bench press and leg press exercises in persons MS.

Accidental doping. Prevention strategies / Dopaje accidental. Estrategias de prevención

There is growing consumption of nutritional supplements aimed at improving performance because the number of athletes, mainly amateurs, is growing very significantly. This great demand supposes a market of huge proportions, supposing an economic activity that in Spain reached 920 million Euros in the year 2018.This consumption occurs at all levels of sport, from 13% in global numbers, to 100% in some groups of professional sportsmen and women. However, the use of these substances in very few circumstances is done under the advice of a professional, and the athlete takes them on their own. This fact, with the possibility that the product to be taken may contain prohibited substances that do not appear on the labeling, means that an adverse analytical finding can occur in a doping control through so-called accidental doping, which is the use of adulterated or contaminated nutritional supplements containing substances prohibited in sport that have not been declared on the labeling. Between 11.6% and 25.8% of nutritional supplements contaminated with anabolic androgenic steroids have been found to exist. This paper describes the various causes of accidental doping, the substances most frequently used, paying particular attention to the ways of preventing this type of doping based on information and education, product certification and information, the form of prescription, criteria for use and safety of the origin of the products, and precautions followed in case of consumption

Hay un consumo creciente de suplementos nutricionales destinados a mejorar el rendimiento porque el número de deportistas, fundamentalmente aficionados, está creciendo de forma muy importante. Esta gran demanda supone un mercado de proporciones gigantescas, suponiendo un actividad económica que en España alcanzó los 920 millones de euros en el año 2018.Este consume se produce en todos los niveles deportivos, desde el 13 % en cifras globales, hasta el 100 % en algunos grupos de deportistas profesionales. Sin embargo, el uso de estas sustancias en muy pocas circunstancias se realiza bajo al asesoramiento de un profesional y el deportista los toma por su cuenta. Este hecho, junto a la posibilidad de que el producto que se vaya a tomar pueda contener sustancias prohibidas que no figuran en el etiquetado supone que se pueda producir un hallazgo analítico adverso en un control de dopaje a través del denominado dopaje accidental que consiste el que se produce por consumir suplementos nutricionales adulterados o contaminados que contienen sustancias prohibidas en el deporte que no se han declarado en el etiquetado. Se ha comprobado que existe entre el 11,6 y el 25,8% de suplementos nutricionales contaminados con esteroides androgénicos anabolizantes. En este trabajo se describen las diversas causas de dopaje accidental, las sustancias más frecuentemente utilizadas prestando una especial atención a las formas de prevención de este tipo de dopaje que se basan en la información y educación, en la certificación e información de los productos, en la forma de prescripción, en los criterios de uso y seguridad del origen de los productos y en las precauciones que se deben tomar en caso de consumirlos