Time measurement validity and reliability of the 4 × 10-m shuttle run test in adult population: The ADULT-FIT project.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the time measurement validity and reliability (between raters and test-retest) of the 4 × 10-m shuttle run test to assess motor fitness in adults, according to gender, age, and physical activity levels. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. A total of 230 adults (86 women) aged 18-64 years participated in the study. METHODS: The time taken to complete the 4 × 10-m shuttle run test was recorded simultaneously by a trained and an untrained rater (inter-rater reliability) and by photoelectric cells (time measurement validity). 48-72 h later, the test was repeated under the same conditions (test-retest reliability). RESULTS: The systematic error for trained rater vs. photocell was close to zero (0.0125, p < 0.01), with an effect size of 0.006; and for both, untrained rater vs. photocell and trained rater vs. untrained rater was ∼0.2 s (p < 0.001) with an effect size of 0.09. For the test-retest reliability, the systematic error was 0.05 s (p < 0.001), with an effect size of 0.26, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.998 and the coefficient of variation reported a variability of 0.73 %. Results were not influenced by gender and age, while these improved for active vs. non-active participants. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that measurements with trained raters are a valid and reliable method for assessing the 4 × 10-m shuttle run test in adults. It is highly recommended that raters be trained to minimize the measurement error.

Influence of Volume and Bouts of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity on School-Aged Youth's Physical Fitness: The UP & DOWN Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine associations of total volume and bouts of sedentary time (ST) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with physical fitness (PF) in youth. METHODS: This was a 2-year follow-up study with 1418 children and adolescents (51.7% boys). Accelerometers were used to assess ST and MVPA. Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness values were objectively measured and combined in a global PF variable. Weight status was objectively obtained. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the cross-sectional (using scores at baseline) and longitudinal associations (using the change in the variables) of total volume and bouts of ST and MVPA with PF. RESULTS: Total ST was negatively associated with global PF (ß = -0.488, P < .001 in cross-sectional analysis; ß = -0.234, P = .003 in longitudinal analysis). However, this association was not independent of MVPA. Total volume of MVPA showed a positive association with global PF independently of ST and weight status (ß = 0.285, P < .001 in cross-sectional analysis; ß = 0.119, P = .001 in longitudinal analysis). Longitudinal associations found between ST and MVPA accumulated in bouts of various lengths and global PF became nonsignificant when their respective total volumes are included in the model. CONCLUSIONS: These results underline the need to accumulate minutes of MVPA, regardless of the bout duration, to increase PF levels in youth.

Criterion-Related Validity of Field-Based Methods and Equations for Body Composition Estimation in Adults: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Overweight and obesity are associated to health prognosis. Therefore, body composition assessment is an important health outcome, especially in adult population. We analyzed the criterion-related validity of existing field-based methods and equations for body composition estimation in adults aged 19-64 years. RECENT FINDINGS: One hundred studies met inclusion criteria. The field-based methods, waist circumference (WC), body adiposity index (BAI), and body mass index (BMI) are valid to indicate body adiposity. Likewise, several equations, including the classical Durnin/Womersley equation, Jackson/Pollock equation (males), and Jackson, Pollock, and Ward equation (females), are valid to estimate total body fat mass or body fat percentage. Anthropometric field methods can provide a simple, quick, and easy informative indicators of adiposity in adults. Classical equations, such as Durnin/Womersley equation, Jackson/Pollock equation, and Jackson, Pollock, and Ward equation, are still valid to estimate total body fat mass or body fat percentage in adult population. When choosing estimation equations, specific population characteristics, such as age, weight status, or race ethnicity, should be taken into account. (Trial Registration: Registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020194272)).

Predictive Validity of Motor Fitness and Flexibility Tests in Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Motor fitness and flexibility have been linked to several health issues. We aimed to investigate the predictive validity of motor fitness and flexibility tests in relation to health outcomes in adults and older adults. Web of Science and PubMed databases were screened for studies published from inception to November 2020. Two authors systematically searched, evaluated, and extracted data from identified original studies and systematic reviews/meta-analysis. Three levels of evidence were constructed: strong, moderate, and limited/inconclusive evidence. In total, 1182 studies were identified, and 70 studies and 6 systematic reviews/meta-analysis were summarized. Strong evidence indicated that (i) slower gait speed predicts falls and institutionalization/hospitalization in adults over 60 years old, cognitive decline/impairment over 55 years old, mobility disability over 50 years old, disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) over 54 years old, cardiovascular disease risk over 45 years old, and all-cause mortality over 35 years old; (ii) impaired balance predicts falls and disability in IADL/mobility disability in adults over 40 years old and all-cause mortality over 53 years old; (iii) worse timed up&go test (TUG) predicts falls and fear of falling over 40 years old. Evidence supports that slower gait speed, impaired balance, and worse TUG performance are significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes in adults.

Performance analysis of Paralympic 2.4mR class sailing.

Adapted sailing is a Paralympic sport in which sailors with different types of disabilities can compete in the same event. According to 2.4mR Class, eligible impairments include limb deficiency and vision impairment. However, it is still unknown the variables that determine performance. Thus, the objectives of this study were: (i) to identify the variables that determine the sailing performance, (ii) to analyse the influence of the type of impairment on sailing performance, and (iii) analyse the influence of the wind force on sailing performance. Thirty-three elite sailors with disabilities participated and were divided into three groups according to the type of impairment: affectation of upper, lower, or upper and lower limbs. Participants were evaluated during three 2.4mR class World Cups and the following variables were assessed: velocity made good, distance and manoeuvres in upwind-downwind courses and type of impairment. Those sailors with better performance travelled a shorter distance during downwind sailing. The results showed that performance was not affected by which category the sailor was placed according to the type of impairment. The sailors with a lesser disability perform better when the wind is medium and high.

Active Commuting to University and its Association with Sociodemographic Factors and Physical Activity Levels in Chilean Students.

Background and Objectives: Active commuting to and from university (ACU) could be a strategy to increase physical activity levels (PA) and promote health in young university students. We aimed to a) examine the patterns of commuting to university in Chilean students; b) the association between the mode of commuting to and from university and socio-demographic factors and PA-levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 496 university students (21.6 ± 2.4 years old) from two universities from Valparaíso (central coast of Chile) participated in this study. Personal data, home address, socio-economic status, PA, and the usual mode of commuting to and from the university were self-reported by a questionnaire. The commute distances were objectively measured using Google-Maps-software. Associations were examined using binary logistic regressions. Results: The main mode of commuting was by bus (to university: 55.2% vs. from university: 59.3%; p < 0.001). The least used mode was cycling (1.4% to and from university). Students living >5-km from university were less active commuters than those living in closer distances: (2-5 km, odds ratio (OR): 4.424, 95% and 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.443-8.011, p < 0.001; 2 km, OR: 143.052, 95% CI: 55.154-371.030, p < 0.001). Students with low PA-levels were less active commuters than those with medium (OR: 1.446; 95% CI: 0.864-2.421; p = 0.160) or higher levels (OR: 1.880; 95% CI: 1.880-1.094; p = 0.022). Students who lived between 2 and 5 km, presented a significant association to be active commuters when they showed medium PA-levels (OR: 5.244, 95% CI: 1.358-20.246; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Chilean university students from Valparaíso are mainly passive commuters using public transport as the main mode of commuting to and from university; longer distances from home to the university are associated with low PA levels. ACU in distances between 2-5 km (mainly walking) could contribute to having medium PA-levels in Chilean university students. Thus, promoting the ACU walking to and from the university in such distances could be an effective strategy to increase the overall PA levels in Chilean university students.

Influencia de las clases de educación física sobre el nivel de actividad física medido a través de una aplicación móvil en adolescentes / Influence of physical education classes on the level of physical activity measured through a mobile application in adolescents

La literatura científica ha demostrado a través de diversos métodos (cuestionarios y acelerómetros, principalmente) que las clases de educación física (EF) influyen positivamente en el logro de las recomendaciones de actividad física (AF) en la población escolar. Sin embargo, el uso de nuevas tecnologías como los teléfonos móviles o smartphone, parecen ser una interesante herramienta de bajo costo que también podrían ayudar a determinar el nivel de AF. Por tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue describir como influye la clase de EF en el número de pasos diarios en escolares que utilizaron una aplicación móvil “RuntasticPedometer” para monitorear dicha variable. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 50 estudiantes (edad media de 14.1 +/-1.6 años) pertenecientes al Instituto de Educación Secundaria “Melchor de Macanaz” de la localidad de Hellín (Albacete, España). Tras analizar los datos, se observaron diferencias significativas (p<0.05) durante los días en que los escolares realizaron la clase de EF y los que no (9.950 vs. 8.023 pasos/día,respectivamente). Además, la variación entre los días con y sin EF también fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre niños y niñas (2.644 vs. 1.579 pasos/día, respetivamente).Finalmente, se podría concluir que las clases de EF parecen influir positivamente en el aumento del número de pasos en escolares, lo que elevaría las posibilidades de que estos niños y niñas logren los parámetros mínimos de AF recomendada por las diversas organizaciones de salud. Por otro lado, cabe señalar que el uso de nuevas tecnologías de uso masivo como los smartphone, podrían ser una interesante herramienta a validar orientadas al monitoreo de la AF.

The scientific literature has demonstrated through various methods (questionnaires and accelerometers, mainly), the classes of physical education (PE) positively influence the achievement of the recommendations of physical activity (PA) in the school population. However, the use of new technologies such as mobile phones or smartphone, appear to be an interesting inexpensive tool that could also help determine the level of AF. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe as PE class influences in the daily number of steps in school who used a mobile application "Runtastic Pedometer" to monitor the variable. The sample consisted of 50 students (mean age 14.1 +/- 1.6 years) belonging to the Institute of Secondary Education "MelchorMacanaz" from the Hellín (Albacete, Spain). After analyzing the data, significant differences (p <0.05) were observed during the days when the school made PE class and those without (8,023 vs. 9,950 steps / day, respectively). Moreover, the variations between days with and without EF were also statistically different between boys and girls (2,644 vs. 1,579 steps/day,respectively). Finally, one could conclude that PE classes seem positively influence the increase in the number of steps in school raising the chances that these children achieve the minimum standards recommended HF various health organizations. On the other hand, it notes that the use of new technologies in widespread use as the smartphone could be an interesting tool to validate oriented monitoring AF.