Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Cardiovascular Health in University Students.

BACKGROUND: A decrease in physical activity levels among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic is well-documented in the literature. However, the effect of lockdown restrictions on cardiovascular fitness has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS: The aim of the study was to assess the possible changes in cardiovascular fitness among university students during a 14-week period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirteen female and seven male tourism and recreation students participated in the study. Examinations were conducted in November 2020 and in February/March 2021. Students performed the PWC170 test on a cycling ergometer. Maximal oxygen consumption was calculated based on the PWC170 test results. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at rest, as well as in the 1st and 5th minute of post-exercise recovery. RESULTS: No substantial changes were observed in maximal oxygen consumption level when comparing autumn and winter indices. Male students presented elevated blood pressure whereas female students presented normal blood pressure. Heart-rate and blood-pressure indices did not show substantial alternations in examined students during analyzed period. CONCLUSIONS: Fourteen weeks of lockdown had little effect on the cardiovascular health of tourism and recreation students.

Perceived Versus Real Swimming Skills of Adolescents Under Standard and Challenging Conditions: Exploring Water Competencies as an Approach to Drowning Prevention.

In this study, we compared adolescents' actual (expert assessed) front crawl swimming skills to their self-assessment in two conditions: in standard swimming (wearing a swimsuit and goggles) and in a simulated risk scenario (swimming in plain clothes without goggles). We postulated that education focused on water competencies is fundamental in preventing drownings. Experts evaluated the skills of 21 female and 21 male adolescents in both standard and challenging conditions. All were low-skilled swimmers aged 14-15 years. Participants were asked to self-assess their skills before and after each trial. Boys and girls covered the same distance in both trials. Their self-assessment did not change regardless of the difficulty of the conditions. Girls assessed themselves more accurately than boys. However, boys who underestimated their skills showed greater ability to utilise the experience gained from performing the task for a more accurate self-assessment. In conclusion, adolescents should be educated in total water competencies, and not merely in swimming skills. For girls, "water readiness" is thought to broaden their ability to adapt their swimming skills to nonstandard conditions. Aquatic education for boys should focus on developing self-reflection in order to create a long-lasting responsibility using their own swimming skills.

The influence of Aqua Power aerobics on body mass reduction in middle-aged, overweight women.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of Aqua Power exercises on the body composition and cardiovascular response in middle- aged, overweight women after a six-month intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 2013 and May 2014, a total of 37 middle-aged, overweight women (mean age 42.6 years, range 36 to 57 years) participated in the Aqua Power aerobic sessions twice per week for six months. The body composition was evaluated using the near-infrared method. The heart rate was self-controlled by the participant during the exercise. RESULTS: The majority of the body composition elements decreased after six months of the Aqua Power aerobic training. The heart rate values decreased in the females after the intervention period. CONCLUSION: Aqua Power aerobics can be recommended for middle-aged females for the treatment of overweight and in the process of cardiopulmonary fitness improvement.