Does fatigue affect the kinematics of endurance running? / ¿Afecta la fatiga a la cinemática de la carrera de resistencia?

The purpose of this study was to determine the foot strike pattern (FSP), inversion (INV) and spatial-temporal variables in a large sample of recreational runners during a long-distance competition, according to sex and changes in the classification race. A total of 368 men and 67 women, who participated in the XVII International Half Marathon of Cordoba (Spain) were analysed. It was recorded at km 5 and km 15, where high-speed camcorder and 2D-photogrammetric techniques were used to measure FSP, INV, contact time (CT) and flight time (FT). The group that worsened their classification at km 15 increase RFS prevalence and INV asymmetry. A Pearson analysis indicates that variation of the classification in the race between the marks km 5 and km 15 is related with CT (r=0.429, p<0.001) and FT (r=-0.360, p<0.001). RFS prevalence and spatial-temporal parameters showed different patterns depending on whether the runners improved or worsened their ranking. (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el patrón de pisada, inversión y variables espaciotemporales para una amplia muestra de corredores amateurs, durante una carrera de larga distancia, según sexo y posición de clasificación. Se analizaron 368 hombres y 67 mujeres, que participaron en la XVII Media Maratón Internacional de Córdoba (España). Se registró el km 5 y km 15, utilizando técnicas de fotogrametría 2D de alta velocidad para medir la pisada, la inversión, el tiempo de contacto (TC) y el tiempo de vuelo (TV). El grupo que empeoró su clasificación en el km 15 aumentó la prevalencia de FSP y la asimetría del INV. Un análisis de Pearson indica que la variación de la clasificación en la carrera está relacionada con TC (r=0,429, p<0,001) y TV (r=-0,360, p<0,001). La prevalencia de retropié y los parámetros espaciotemporales mostraron diferentes patrones dependiendo de si los corredores mejoraron o empeoraron su clasificación. (AU)

Asimetría entre los miembros superiores en jóvenes padelistas de competición / Upper Limbs Asymmetries in Young Competitive Paddle-Tennis Players

Existe escasa literatura sobre las asimetrías en el pádel, un deporte de naturaleza asimétrica. Para estudiar el desarrollo de asimetrías en este deporte se evaluó, con bioimpedancia, la masa magra de ambos miembros superiores de 96 jugadores de pádel jóvenes y de 76 esquiadores (grupo control) y se calculó el índice de simetría. Los jugadores de pádel tuvieron una asimetría entre ambos miembros superiores mayor que los esquiadores, cuando se consideró toda la muestra (7.2 ± 5 % vs. 1.4 ± 3.2 %; p < 0.001), en jugadores con un estado de madurez negativo (5,7 ± 3,2 % vs. 1,5 ± 3,8 %; p < 0,001) y en aquellos con un estado de madurez positivo (8,3 ± 5,8 % vs. 1,3 ± 2,4 %; p < 0,001). Este estudio revela que el pádel genera asimetrías de masa magra en los miembros superiores, incluso antes de la edad de crecimiento pico. (AU)

There is little literature on asymmetries in paddle tennis, a sport of an asymmetrical nature. To study the development of upper limb asymmetries, 96 young paddle players and 76 skiers (control group) were evaluated via bioimpedance. The lean mass symmetry index was then compared, considering the sport (paddle tennis players and skiers) and the maturity offset (positive or negative). Paddle-tennis players had a systematically greater upper limbs asymmetry than skiers (7.2 ± 5 % vs. 1.4 ± 3.2 %; p < 0.001). This also occurs when comparing only the subsamples with a negative maturity offset (5.7 ± 3.2 % vs. 1.5 ± 3.8 %; p < 0.001) or with a positive maturity offset (8.3 ± 5.8 % vs. 1.3 ± 2.4 %; p < 0.001). The study reveals that paddle tennis generates asymmetries of lean mass in upper limbs, even before growth spurt. (AU)

Navigating the complexities of coordinated conservation along the river Nile.

The river Nile flows across 11 African countries, supporting millions of human livelihoods, and holding globally important biodiversity and endemism yet remains underprotected. No basin-wide spatial conservation planning has been attempted to date, and the importance of coordinated conservation planning for the Nile's biodiversity remains unknown. We address these gaps by creating a basin-wide conservation plan for the Nile's freshwater fish. We identify priority areas for conservation action and compare cross-boundary collaboration scenarios for achieving biodiversity conservation targets, accounting for river connectivity. We found that collaborative conservation efforts are crucial for reducing conservation costs, saving 34% of costs compared to an uncoordinated, business-as-usual scenario. While most Nile basin countries benefit from coordinating conservation planning, costs and benefits are unequally distributed. We identify "hot spots" consistently selected as conservation priority areas across all collaboration scenarios, and provide a framework for improving return on conservation investment for large and complex river systems globally.

Acute effects of high-intensity intermittent training on kinematics and foot strike patterns in endurance runners.

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate running kinematic characteristics and foot strike patterns (FSP) during early and late stages of actual and common high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT): 5 × 2000 m with 120-s recovery between runs. Thirteen healthy, elite, highly trained male endurance runners participated in this study. They each had a personal record in the half-marathon of 70 ± 2.24 min, and each had a minimum experience of 4 years of training and competition. Heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored during HIIT. High levels of exhaustion were reached by the athletes during HIIT (HRpeak: 174.30 bpm; RPE: 17.23). There was a significant increase of HRpeak and RPE during HIIT; nevertheless, time for each run remained unchanged. A within-protocol paired t-test (first vs. last run) revealed no significant changes (P ≥ 0.05) in kinematics variables and FSP variables during HIIT. There were no substantial changes on kinematics and FSP characteristics in endurance runners after fatigue induced by a HIIT. Only the minimum ankle alignment showed a significant change. The author suggests that these results might be due to both the high athletic level of participants and their experience in HIIT.

Variability of gait, bilateral coordination, and asymmetry in women with fibromyalgia.

PURPOSE: To analyze how fibromyalgia affected the variability, asymmetry, and bilateral coordination of gait walking at comfortable and fast speeds. METHODS: 65 fibromyalgia (FM) patients and 50 healthy women were analyzed. Gait analysis was performed using an instrumented walkway (GAITRite system). Average walking speed, coefficient of variation (CV) of stride length, swing time, and step width data were obtained and bilateral coordination and gait asymmetry were analyzed. RESULTS: FM patients presented significantly lower speeds than the healthy group. FM patients obtained significantly higher values of CV_StrideLength (p=0.04; p<0.001), CV_SwingTime (p<0.001; p<0.001), CV_StepWidth (p=0.004; p<0.001), phase coordination index (p=0.01; p=0.03), and p_CV (p<0.001; p=0.001) than the control group, walking at comfortable or fast speeds. Gait asymmetry only showed significant differences in the fast condition. CONCLUSION: FM patients walked more slowly and presented a greater variability of gait and worse bilateral coordination than healthy subjects. Gait asymmetry only showed differences in the fast condition. The variability and the bilateral coordination were particularly affected by FM in women. Therefore, variability and bilateral coordination of gait could be analyzed to complement the gait evaluation of FM patients.

The effect of school trolley load on spatiotemporal gait parameters of children.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated spatiotemporal gait parameters in children when they were carrying school trolleys of different weights. METHODS: We assessed four conditions: without trolley, 10%, 15% and 20% of the subject's body weight. Fourteen students from a primary school (aged 11.43±0.51 years) participated in this study. Velocity, cadence, stride length, stance phase, swing phase, single support phase and double support phase were analysed using an electronic walkway. RESULTS: Compared with normal walking, the three load conditions produced significant decreases in swing phase (p<0.001) and single support phase (p<0.001) and significant increases in cadence (p=0.019), stance phase (p<0.001) and double support phase (p<0.001). No statistically-significant differences were found between the three load conditions. CONCLUSION: Compared with normal walking, walking while carrying a trolley produced significant changes in most of the spatiotemporal gait parameters measured, perhaps due to the load-mediated changes in stability and balance. The spatiotemporal gait parameters were similar between the load conditions, indicating that the amount of load did not affect gait.

Influence of shod/unshod condition and running speed on foot-strike patterns, inversion/eversion, and vertical foot rotation in endurance runners.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of barefoot running on foot-strike patterns, eversion-inversion, running speed and vertical foot rotation in endurance runners. Eighty healthy recreational runners (age = 34.11 ± 12.95 years old, body mass index = 22.56 ± 2.65 kg · m(-2)) performed trials in shod/unshod running conditions on a treadmill at comfortable and competitive self-selected speeds. Data were collected by systematic observation of lateral and back recordings at 240 Hz. McNemar's test indicated significant differences between shod/unshod conditions and foot strike at comfortable and competitive speeds (P < 0.001). Speed was related to vertical foot rotation type for shod (P < 0.01) and unshod conditions (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found between shod/unshod conditions in foot rotation at comfortable running speeds (P < 0.001) and competitive running speeds (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in inversion or eversion (P ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that running kinematics, in terms of foot-strike patterns and vertical foot rotation, differ between shod/unshod conditions, while the inversion or eversion degree remains unchanged.

Selecting cost-effective areas for restoration of ecosystem services.

Selection of areas for restoration should be based on cost-effectiveness analysis to attain the maximum benefit with a limited budget and overcome the traditional ad hoc allocation of funds for restoration projects. Restoration projects need to be planned on the basis of ecological knowledge and economic and social constraints. We devised a novel approach for selecting cost-effective areas for restoration on the basis of biodiversity and potential provision of 3 ecosystem services: carbon storage, water depuration, and coastal protection. We used Marxan, a spatial prioritization tool, to balance the provision of ecosystem services against the cost of restoration. We tested this approach in a mangrove ecosystem in the Caribbean. Our approach efficiently selected restoration areas that at low cost were compatible with biodiversity targets and that maximized the provision of one or more ecosystem services. Choosing areas for restoration of mangroves on the basis carbon storage potential, largely guaranteed the restoration of biodiversity and other ecosystem services.

Analysis of the performance of women with fibromyalgia in the six-minute walk test and its relation with health and quality of life.

UNLABELLED: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain that causes a significant reduction in functional capacity, affecting thus health and quality of life (QOL). AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of FM patients in the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and its relation with health and QOL. METHODS: Thirty-six FM patients (all women), differentiated by degree of severity of disease, and 14 healthy women were evaluated. Distance walked in the 6MWT, cardiorespiratory responses, heart rate responses, kinematic parameters of gait, the results of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and the results of the Short-Form Healthy Survey (SF-36) were analyzed. RESULTS: Women with FM covered a shorter distance in the 6MWT, had a lower cardiorespiratory response, and had lower spatio-temporal parameters of gait than healthy women. No correlation was found in FM patients between the total FIQ score and the distance walked in the 6MWT. CONCLUSION: The analysis of performance parameters in the 6MWT may be an element of clinical relevance in FM patients.

[Body composition related with health in veteran athletes]. / Composición corporal relacionada con la salud en atletas veteranos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the corporal composition of veteran athletes of resistance and his relation with the health and quality of life. METHODOLOGY: It is a question of a descriptive and transverse study with a sample of 91 males (44.1 ± 6.9 years) and 16 women (41.4 ± 5.5 years) healthy medical instructors of career of resistance. For the analysis of the corporal composition there has been used an eight-electrode impedance meter (Inbody 720). The health and quality of life was analyzed by means of the scale SF-36, Spanish version. There were registered the values of athletic practice as for number of weekly meetings and duration of the session. RESULTS: The IMC, the abdominal fat and the percentage of fat place in healthy values, for below even of the normative values. Significant differences do not exist in any parameter of the corporal composition in relation with the number of weekly meetings of athletic practice. A negative correlation exists between the percentage of fat and the social function of the scale SF-36. The health and quality of life perceived of the veteran athletes presents superior values to the Spanish modals normative. CONCLUSION: The practice of four weekly meetings of 60 minutes of career of resistance allows to keep healthy parameters of composition corporal in spite of the age.

Sarcomas óseos de superficie. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Bony surface sarcomas. A case report and review of the literature

Los osteocarcomas que crecen a partir del periostio no conforman una única entidad, sino un grupo de neoplasias que comparten un lugar de origen común, pero cuyo comportamiento biológico es desigual, clasificándose a partir de los hallazgos clínicos, radiológicos y microscópicos en osteosarcomas parostales y osteosarcomas periósticos, así como otras variantes más raras. Presentamos un caso de osteosarcomas perióstico de predominio condroblástico y revisamos las características clínico-biológicas de este tipo de tumores, así como la actitud terapéutica frente a los mismos (AU)

Reconstrucción mandibular asociada a grandes defectos de partes blandas. Versatilidad del colgajo osteofasciocutáneo escapular / Mandibular reconstruction in huge soft tissue defects. Versatility of the osteofasciocutaneous scapular

El uso de los colgajos microquirúrgicos se ha introducido como práctica habitual para la reconstrucción de defectos oncológicos de cabeza y cuello. Entre los diversos colgajos disponibles, la tendencia actual es la utilización de un número limitado, quedando el resto de segunda elección o para caso muy específicos. En aquellos casos en los que sea preciso el aporte de un gran volumen de partes blandas junto a un segmento óseo, se plantea un problema reconstructivo en el que la alternativa a la utilización conjunta de dos colgajos independientes sería la de un único colgajo que aporte una combinación adecuada a hueso y partes blandas. El colgajo osteofsciocutáneo escapular es en nuestra opinión de elección en estos casos. Debido a la escasa frecuencia de esta indicación, presentamos una serie de cuatro pacientes que sufrieron resercciones oncológicas que incluían un defecto mandibular asociado a un gran defecto de partes blandas, reconstruidos de forma inmediata por medio de un colgajo osteofasciocutáneo escapular en el Instituto de Cirugía Maxilofacial de Madrid, entre 1995 y 1998. Todos los colgajos fueron viables y no se registró ninguna complicación postoperatoria. El resultado estético y funcional fue satisfactorio en todos los casos (AU)