Sports Teaching, Traditional Games, and Understanding in Physical Education: A Tale of Two Stories.

Unlike Dickens's novel, this is not a tale of light and darkness, order and chaos, good and evil…It is, though, a story worth to be told about two standpoints about games and sports, teaching and research, physical education simply put, that have pursued similar interests on parallel tracks for too long, despite their apparent closeness and shared cultural grounds. The objective of this conceptual analysis is to try and reconcile two perspectives, namely motor praxeology and teaching games for understanding (TGfU), born in the last third of the XX century in France and England with the intention to rethink the foundations of physical education (PE) and sports teaching. Pierre Parlebas, from the French side of the English Channel, claimed in 1967 that sports make part of PE, that team sports must be considered from a specific, sociomotor point of view, and that motor conducts (i.e., the significative organisation of motor behaviour), not sports techniques, are the corner-stone of PE and sports coaching. In the early 1980s, from the English side of La Manche, Almond, Thorpe, and Bunker made a plea for a shift in the way to teach games (sporting collective duels mostly), deeply concerned by the negative impact of the traditional technics-centred approach on motivation, competence and attained level of the least able in school situations. Our conclusion is that TGfU, or game-based approaches to sports coaching and teaching, can take great advantage of the motor-praxeological rationale for three reasons: firstly, because concepts like understanding, game sense and action principles are operatively, semiotically linked to the reality of the playing process; secondly, because the inner structures of the games that constrain players and guide their motor conducts, permit to integrate games in the general system of sporting games, no matter their level of institutionalisation; finally, because any motor intervention process is better thought of and more systematically developed upon the operational concepts of internal logic and expected practical effects of game playing. This time, Paris could be the place to go to in search of solutions, not the city to run away from in hope of consolation.

Assessing Change of Direction Ability in a Spanish Elite Soccer Academy.

The aims of the study were: a) to analyze the reproducibility of the Modified Agility Test (MAT) according to two types of displacement (i.e. constrained [MATtop] vs. free [MATfree]), b) to examine the explanatory capacity of anthropometric characteristics and neuromuscular performance on the ability to change the direction (CODA), c) to look into the practical consequences of the types of displacement from the perspective of an elite soccer academy. 118 male soccer players (age: 16 (13-25) years old) from the same elite Spanish soccer academy (U13 to senior) were tested twice on two versions of the MAT (MATtop and MATfree), with 48 hours between testing sessions. Moreover, they were tested on linear-sprint performance, over 5 m (S5m) and 15 m (S15m), and the vertical jump (VJ) (countermovement jump with [ACMJ] and without an arm swing [CMJ]). The main findings were: a) the type of displacement did not affect the reliability of the CODA test; b) weight, S15m, ACMJ and CMJ variables explained close to 60% of CODA performance; c) MATtop (i.e. constrained displacement) and MATfree (i.e. free-displacement) CODA tests could show different profiles of development along the age groups; and d) the impact of the task's constraints was relatively higher in U16 and U17 groups. CODA seems to have a variable meaning depending on the characteristics of the test and the age of the participants.

Spanish Elite Soccer Reserve Team Configuration and the Impact of Physical Fitness Performance.

The aim of this study was threefold: 1) to assess the configuration of an elite reserve soccer team, 2) to compare physical fitness performance of promoted and new players according to the playing position, and 3) to analyze the level of competitive participation attained by these players. We considered physical fitness tests (5 m and 15 m sprint, countermovement jump [CMJ] and aerobic endurance) performed by 192 players (age = 20.2 ± 2.3 years) enrolled in the reserve team of a Spanish La Liga club from 1994 to 2013. The players were classified according to the previous club criterion (promoted from the soccer academy and new players signed from other clubs), b) their playing position, and c) the competitive level attained until the 2016/2017 season (Spanish 1st and 2nd Divisions and the remaining competition levels). The proportion of promoted and new players was similar (p = 0.47). Overall, no substantial differences (unclear-small) were found in physical fitness performance between promoted and new players. Considering the playing position, promoted lateral defenders (LDs) showed better sprinting (ES = moderate) and CMJ (ES = moderate) performance than new LDs. In addition, promoted central midfielders (CMs) demonstrated better performance in the 5 m sprint and the CMJ (ES = moderate) than new CMs. The percentage of players who later competed in the Spanish 1st and 2nd Divisions was greater in promoted players compared to new players (p = 0.006). Physical fitness performance did not determine the selection of new players in a soccer elite reserve team. We may conclude that soccer academies should prioritize the selection and the training process of youth soccer players.

Aerobic endurance performance does not determine the professional career of elite youth soccer players.

BACKGROUND: Physical characteristics have been widely analyzed in order to understand why some soccer players are more successful than others. Therefore, the aims of this study were: 1) to describe the evolution of aerobic endurance performance across 18 years in a Spanish elite soccer academy; 2) to know if the playing position could affect physical testing performance; and 3) to look into the alleged impact of this factor on the professional career of soccer players. METHODS: We considered 162 players belonging to the reserve team of an elite Spanish soccer club from 1994 to 2012. The percentage of players that played in the reserve team for at least five matches in Third Division (2nd B) and later promoted to the Spanish First or Second Division was 32%. The participants were classified in three six-year periods and according to their highest competitive level attained until the 2014/2015 season and their regular tactical position. All the players performed a four-stage submaximal intermittent running test with the running speeds 12 km/h (10 min), 13 km/h (10 min), 14 km/h (10 min), and 15 km/h (5 min) in order to assess the individual velocities associated with a [La]b of 3 mmol/L (i.e., V3). RESULTS: No differences (P>0.05) in aerobic fitness were found between the three six-year periods groups (P>0.05), between the tactical positions nor among the competitive levels attained. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that aerobic endurance performance (i.e., V3) is not a pertinent trait when identifying players from different seasons, tactical positions and competitive levels.

Lógica temporal del tiro libre en A. C. B / Temporal logic of free throwing in the Spanish A. C. B Basketball competition

A partir de datos play-by-play de nueve temporadas de la liga ACB de baloncesto (2929 partidos, 119338 intentos) se describen las propiedades estadísticas básicas de los tiros libres a partir de los factores temporales de lógica interna del juego (el tiempo de la temporada y el partido, el valor de las interacciones de marca, el estado del marcador). En este estudio se identifican por primera vez las series de tiros libres realizadas por un jugador cada vez que va a la línea de tiro libre. Las principales conclusiones son: la competencia en tiro libre parece estable a lo largo de la temporada; el rendimiento en tiro libre depende del acierto en los primeros tiros de las series; el tamaño de algunos de los efectos estadísticos encontrados parece ir demasiado en contra de las intuiciones prácticas, lo que nos debe hacer reflexionar sobre la conexión entre las decisiones del científico y las decisiones de los entrenadores (AU)

Based on play-by-play data from nine full seasons of ACB basket league (2929 games, 119338 efforts) the fundamental statistical properties of free throwing are described taking into account several time factors of the internal logic of the game (i.e. season periods and playing time of the match, the value of the different scoring interactions, score). FIn addition, and for the first time, it is possible to identify the sets of free shots taken by a player every time he goes to the line. The main conclusions were: the competence in free throwing seems stable along the season; free throwing performance depends on the success at the first shot of the series; some of the statistical effects seem practically too counterintuitive, what must make us reflect about the links between scientists’ decisions and the coaches’ decisions (AU)

Sprint and jump performances do not determine the promotion to professional elite soccer in Spain, 1994-2012.

The aims of this study are (a) to describe the evolution of neuromuscular performance over an 18 year period within a Spanish elite reserve team; (b) to check if there were any relation between the playing position and sprint and jump performances and (c) to look into the alleged impact of this factor on the top playing level attained by the soccer players. We considered the physical tests (5 m and 15 m sprint times and countermovement jump (CMJ) height) made by 235 players enrolled in the reserve team of the Club from 1994 to 2012 and the highest competitive-level they achieved: Spanish first (n = 39) and second divisions (n = 36) and semi-professional (n = 160). Furthermore, the players were classified according to their playing positions. The main findings were a very-likely/most-likely lower neuromuscular performance (ES = 0.48-0.68, small to moderate) in the last six-season term (2006-2012) than in the first term (1994-2000); possibly/very-likely lower performances in sprinting and CMJ (ES = 0.22-0.55, small) by central defenders (CDs) and midfielders than by other playing positions; very-likely better performances in sprinting and jumping by first and second divisions central defenders than by semi-professional central defenders (ES = 0.90-1.02, moderate). Sprint and jump performances are not a relevant physical parameter to promote to the top level of soccer in Spain except for one in six of the playing positions: CDs.

Respiratory and Muscular Perceived Exertion During Official Games in Professional Soccer Players.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the respiratory and muscular session ratings of perceived exertion (PE) after official soccer matches over an extended period of time (ie, 2 competition seasons) in relation to playing time (>20, 20-45, 45-70, and >70 min) and to determine the between-matches variability of both scores in young professional soccer players. METHODS: Forty players belonging to the same reserve team of a Spanish La Liga club participated in this study. Respiratory and muscular PE were collected 10 min after every game. A total of 841 individual PE ratings were undertaken on outfield players. RESULTS: The differences between match respiratory and muscular load differ depending on the playing time, the respiratory PE being greater for the players that competed less than 45 min (effect size = -0.45 ± 0.45 for the 20- to 45-min group) and the muscular PE greater for players that played more than 45 min (effect size = 0.23 ± 0.30, for the 45- to 70-min group). Match-to-match PE variability was considerable (CV = 14-54%) for all levels of participation, but it was lower the longer the players participated. CONCLUSIONS: Playing time influenced the relative exertion that players' respiratory and leg musculature were exposed to during a game, suggesting that differential PE scores might provide a more accurate evaluation of match-imposed internal load. However, the small-magnitude differences between respiratory and muscular session ratings of PE observed in the current study might question the practical relevance of assessing both scores.

Evolución de las capacidades físicas en jugadores jóvenes de baloncesto de medio nivel / Evolução de habilidades físicas na juventude jogadores de basquetebol de nível médio / Evolution of physical characteristics in mid level young basketball players

El objetivo de estudio fue analizar la evolución de las capacidades físicas de jugadores de medio nivel a lo largo de 2 años (categoría: cadete y júnior). Método. 15 jugadores fueron evaluados durante 2 años: en el último año de la etapa cadete (U16) y el primer año de la etapa junior (U18). Los tests fueron realizados en 4 momentos (M) de cada temporada [1. Septiembre (pre-temporada), 2. Diciembre, 3. Abril y 4. Julio, para un total de 8 pruebas]. La batería consistió en un test de 20 m sprint (MST), un test de agilidad T (AGIT), un lanzamiento de balón medicinal de 5 kg (5KGT), un salto (CMJ), un test Sit and Reach (SAR) y la Course Navette (CN). Resultados. Los principales resultados fueron: los jugadores mejoraron en MST: [1º M: 3.16 ± 0.27 m/s Vs. 4º M: 2.87 ± 0.17 m/s; (p<0.05)]; en CMJ, observamos diferencias estadísticas entre el 1º y 8º M [1º M: 32.57 ± 2.8 cm Vs. 8º M: 42.14 ± 3.8 cm;(p<0.05)]; los resultados en SAR mostraron que los valores decrecieron (1º M: 13.14 ± 12.27 cm al 8º M: 6.42 ± 7.36 cm); finalmente, observamos diferencias significativas entre 1º M y el 8º M en CNT [1º M: 10.36 ± 1.7 paliers Vs. 8º M: 12.5 ± 1.4 paliers; (p<0.05)]. Conclusiones. Se constataron mejoras significativas en las capacidades neuromusculares, la potencia aeróbica y la flexibilidad (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a evolução das capacidades físicas de jogadores de nível médio mais de dois anos (categoria: cadete e júnior). Método. 15 jogadores foram testados por 2 anos no último ano do cadete fase (U16) e do primeiro ano do estágio junior (U18). Os testes foram realizados em 4 momentos (M) de cada estação [1. Setembro (pré-temporada), 02 de dezembro, 03 de abril, e 4. Julho, para um total de 8 testes]. A bateria consistiu de um teste de 20 m de sprint (MST), um teste de agilidade T (STIR) Um lance bola de medicina de 5 kg (5KGT), um salto (CMJ), um teste de sentar e alcançar (SAR) e o Curso Navette (CN). Resultados. Os principais resultados foram: os jogadores melhoraram no MST: [1 M: 3,16 ± 0,27 m / s vs. 4 M: 2,87 ± 0,17 m / s; (P<0,05)]; no CMJ, observou-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os dias 1 e 8 M [M 1: 32,57 ± 2,8 cm vs. 8 M: 42.14 ± 3,8 cm (p<0,05)]; os resultados mostraram que os valores diminuíram em SAR (M 1: 13,14 ± 12,27 cm-8 m: 6,42 ± 7,36 cm); Finalmente, observamos diferenças significativas entre 1 M e 8 M em CNT [M 1: 10,36 ± 1,7 vs paliers 8 M: 12,5 ± 1,4 driveshafts; (P<0,05)]. Conclusões. Melhorias significativas foram observadas capacidades neuromusculares, potência aeróbica e flexibilidade (AU)

The aim of the study was to analyse the evolution of physical abilities of mid level basketball players during a 2 year period (age groups: cadet and junior). Method. 15 male basketball players were observed during 2 years: in the last year of cadet age group (U16) and in the first year of junior age group (U18). The test trials were performed 4 times (M) along the season. [1. September (pre-season), 2. December, 3. April and 4. July, for 8 different tests in total]. The test set was as follows: 20 m sprint test (MST), agility test (AGIT), medicinal ball throwing 5 kg (5KGT), vertical jump (CMJ), flexibility Sit and Reach test (SAR) and the Course Navette (CN). Results. The players improved their MST: [1º M: 3.16 ± 0.27 m/s Vs. 4º M: 2.87 ± 0.17 m/s; (p<0.05)]; in CMJ, statistical differences were observed between 1º and 8º M [1º M: 32.57 ± 2.8 cm Vs. 8º M: 42.14 ± 3.8 cm;(p<0.05)]; the results of SAR test showed a decrease (1º M: 13.14 ± 12.27 cm to 8º M: 6.42 ± 7.36 cm); other significant differences were also oberved when 1º M and 8º M were compared for CNT [1º M: 10.36 ± 1.7 stages Vs. 8º M: 12.5 ± 1.4 stages; (p<0.05)]. Conclusions. Significant improvements were unvealed for neuromuscular ability, aerobic power and flexibility (AU)

Negative Associations between Perceived Training Load, Volume and Changes in Physical Fitness in Professional Soccer Players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of the rating of perceived exertion training load for monitoring changes in several aerobic fitness and neuromuscular performance variables during 9 weeks of soccer training in young professional players. Nineteen male soccer players (20.2 ± 1.9 years) belonging to the same reserve team of a Spanish La Liga Club participated in this study. Countermovement jump (CMJ), CMJ arm swing, single leg CMJ, a sprint running test (i.e., 5 m and 15 m times) and an aerobic fitness running test were performed at the start of the pre-season (Test 1) and 9 weeks later (Test 2). During 9 weeks, after each training session and match, players reported their rating of perceived exertion (RPE) separately for respiratory (RPEres) and leg musculature (RPEmus) effort. The training load (TL) was calculated by multiplying the RPE value by the duration in minutes of each training session or match. Accumulated RPEmus, and associated TL, as well as accumulated training volume were negatively correlated with the changes in most physical fitness attributes after 9 weeks of training (r = -0.51 to -0.64). Present results suggest that a high perception of leg muscular effort associated with training sessions and matches, as well as an excessive accumulation of training volume (time), can impair the improvement in several physical fitness variables believed to be relevant for on-field soccer performance. Therefore, the independent assessment of leg muscular effort to quantify TL can be an interesting additional monitoring measure in soccer training. Key pointsThe purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of the perceived exertion-derived TL for monitoring changes in several aerobic fitness and neuromuscular parameters during 9 weeks of soccer training in young professional players.A high perception of leg muscular effort associated with training and matches, as well as an excessive accumulation of training volume (time), can impair several physical fitness factors believed to be relevant for on-field soccer performance.The independent assessment of muscular effort to quantify TL can be an interesting additional monitoring measure in soccer training.

Factors of disagreement between coaches and players of a high-level basketball team when assessing individual session perceived exertions / Factores de sesgo de los entrenadores de baloncesto de elite en la estimación de los esfuerzos de los jugadores

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the concordance between the coaches and the players of a Spanish highlevel female basketball team when evaluating the hardness of practice sessions looking into the factors that could modulate the alleged biases of the coaches. The three staff members severely underestimated the players’ session perceived exertion, which meant that, as a group, they were not capable of planning the desired intensity along the registered period. Furthermore, this study allowed us to detect what aspects of coaching knowledge should deserve more attention with each staff members if we desired less biased judgments about the players’ perceptions, who were the most relevant and common source of bias

El principal objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la concordancia entre los entrenadores y los jugadores de un equipo femenino español al valorar la dureza de las sesiones de entrenamiento, prestando especial atención a los factores moduladores de los posibles sesgos en el cuerpo técnico. Los tres entrenadores infravaloraban notablemente los valores de fatiga declarados por los jugadores tras las sesiones, lo que implicaba que, en conjunto, no eran capaces de planificar correctamente la intensidad del ejercicio propuesto en cada periodo. En este sentido, esta investigación nos permitió detectar en qué aspectos del pensamiento de cada entrenador se debía incidir para reducir sus sesgos particulares y el más común entre los tres: los jugadores mismos

Variability of objective and subjective intensities during ball drills in youth soccer players.

The aim of this study was to examine the intrasubject (intraclass coefficient correlation [ICC]) and intersubject variability (coefficient of variation [CV]) of soccer ball drills (BD) involving or not opposition in male youth soccer. For this purpose, a collective ball dribbling (DB) exercise and a 7-a-side ball game without coach encouragements were considered. Exercise intensity was assessed as heart rate (HR), training load (TL), and perceived exertion scales. Fourteen U-14 male soccer players (age, 14.79 ± 0.43 years and experience, 6.5 years) of a Spanish First Division club academy participated in the study. Ball drills were examined for variability over 5 successive training sessions in similar field conditions. Results showed that 7-a-side was significantly (p = 0.000) more demanding than DB. Indeed the TL, HRmax, HRmean, overall perceived exertion, and leg muscular perceived exertion (MPE) resulted 141, 8.7, 11, 56, and 72%, higher in 7-a-side than in DB, respectively. In the 7-a-side condition, good intersubject (CV < 10%) and low intrasubject (ICC < 0.7) variability were observed. In the DB condition, CVs were below 10% CV only for HR variables and the ICC values were higher than 0.7 only for MPE. Despite the moderate reproducibility of BD not considering opponents, this condition did not reveal to induce homogeneous physiological responses in young soccer players. Therefore, the use of this kind of drills may be questionable when considered as alternative of moderate intensity generic aerobic training. Despite the higher interaction between players variability in the opposition drills resulted lower, this suggests their use as a specific conditioning exercise.

Collective efficacy, cohesion and performance in spanish amateur female basketball

El objetivo de este estudio fue el de examinar las relaciones entre la eficacia colectiva, la cohesión y el rendimiento en el baloncesto español amateur femenino. Para ello, 68 jugadoras amateurs de ocho equipos diferentes completaron las versiones españolas del Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sport y del Group Environment Questionnaire for Sports al final de la temporada 2011/2012. Los resultados mostraron que la eficacia colectiva declarada por las jugadoras es un potente factor de explicación de rendimiento, a diferencia de la cohesión de grupo general. Sin embargo, y en consonancia con la primera conclusión, las jugadoras de los equipos exitosos declararon mayores niveles de atracción e integración con el grupo en relación a la tarea (AU)

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between collective efficacy, cohesion and team performance in the Spanish amateur female basketball. Players (N = 68) from 8 basketball teams completed the Spanish versions of the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sport and the Group Environment Questionnaire for Sports at the end of the 2011/20112 season. Collective efficacy was a powerful explanatory factor of success whereas general group cohesion was not. Even though, the players from successful teams declared higher levels of attraction to and integration with the group in relation to the task (AU)

Sedentarismo, obesidad y salud mental en la población española de 4 a 15 años de edad / Inactivity, obesity and mental health in the spanish population from 4 to 15 years of age

Fundamento: Un estilo de vida activo y el mantenimiento de un peso saludable son dos de los principales determinantes del bienestar desde una perspectiva de salud pública. El objetivo del trabajo es evaluar el grado de asociación entre la actividad física y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) con el bienestar emocional y la salud mental de los escolares en España. Método: Se evaluó el estado de salud mental a través del Cuestionario de Capacidades y Dificultades (SDQ), la práctica de actividad física durante el tiempo libre y el IMC en un total de 6.803 escolares de 4 a 15 años de edad, participantes en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de España 2006. El grado de asociación entre variables fue estimado a través de un análisis de regresión logística multinomial. Resultados: Entre los escolares sedentarios son más frecuentes los problemas de salud mental (OR 2,10), en concreto problemas emocionales (OR 1,84), los problemas de conducta (OR 1,53), los problemas con los compañeros (OR 2,35) y las dificultades de relación social (OR 1,36). Un índice de masa corporal (IMC) que denota obesidad se asocia a peor salud mental general (OR 1,58), mostrando los escolares obesos en mayor medida problemas emocionales (OR 1,52) y problemas con compañeros (OR 2,43). Conclusiones: En los escolares españoles un IMC saludable se asocia con mayor bienestar psicológico, aunque un estilo de vida activo es en mayor grado un buen indicador del estado de salud mental(AU)

Background: An active lifestyle and a good weight status are two major health determinants from a public health perspective. Aim: To evaluate the degree of association between physical activity, weight status and the emotional and mental health of Spanish schoolchildren. Method: Mental health status was assessed through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), also leisure time physical activity and body mass index (BMI) in a total of 6 803 children from 4 to 15 years participating in the Spanish National Health Survey 2006. The degree of association between. these variables was estimated by a multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Among sedentary schoolchildren are more common mental health problems (OR 2.10), emotional problems (OR 1.84), conduct problems (OR 1.53), problems with peers (OR 2.35) and social relationship difficulties (OR 1.36). Obesity is associated with poor general mental health (OR 1.58), and obese schoolchildren show more often emotional problems (OR 1.52) and problems with peers (OR 2.43). Conclusions: In the Spanish schoolchildren, a healthy BMI is associated with increased mental well-being, although an active lifestyle is the best indi ator of a good mental health status(AU)

Actividad física durante el tiempo libre y su relación con algunos indicadores de salud mental en España / Leisure time physical activity and its relationships with some mental health indicators in Spain through the National Health Survey

Introduction An active lifestyle, characterized by a regular pattern of leisure time physical activity along the lifespan, improves cognitive functioning and mental health. To join in sports activities or exercise programs is associated with a better quality of life, and people who engage in these activities show not only a better physical fitness, but a better psychological and emotional wellbeing. An active lifestyle provides an apparent protective effect against the incidence of disorders such as anxiety or depression. However, in this regard, the dose-response in terms of what type, amount, duration and intensity of physical activity is necessary for achieving improvements has not been well established in studies with large samples. Objetives The aim of this study is to provide evidence that, from a descriptive point of view, shows the association between different indicators of mental health in the Spanish adult population and leisure time physical activity practice, also assessing the level of this leisure time physical activity. Methods Data were obtained from the last Spanish National Health Survey, a cross-sectional study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Social Policy Institute for Health Information-Spain, between June 2006 and June 2007. The sample was representative of the Spanish adult population. Persons over 16 years took part in this study, being the reference population available in the last official census (January 1, 2006). A total of 29 478 persons (11 645 men and 1 7 833 women, older than 1 6 years) were interviewed using the National Health Survey Questionnaire 2006. It was designed as multistage sampling, stratified cluster in which the first units were census tracts distributed by population size; the second stage units are the main family dwellings, and the last unit was selected as a person over 1 6 years from each dwelling. The census tracts studied were selected within each stratum with proportional probability to size with the goal of this whole procedure would lead to self-weighting samples in each stratum, and households and individuals were selected by a random procedure, taking into account sampling quotas for age and sex. The sampling error for a confidence interval was 95.5% ± 0.6%. To minimize seasonal biases in the study, in terms of morbidity and lifestyle, the questionnaire was administered in four phases over the year: each stage involved 15 days, and the reference period of each variable explored comprised two weeks one year from the day of data collection. The gathering of information was conducted by trained interviewers. Leisure time physical activity pattern was obtained through this questionnaire by the question: «Usually, do you engage in any leisure time physical activity such as walking, sports, gymnastics ...?¼ This question could be answered «yes¼ or «no¼. Those who responded affirmatively were asked to describe the amount of physical activity in the last two weeks, in bouts of 20 or more minutes, in response to three levels of physical activity: light (<3.0 times resting energy expenditure), moderate (3.0 to 5.9 times resting energy expenditure) or vigorous (>6.0 times resting energy expenditure), providing the interviewer at least five examples of each level of activity. People who reported any amount of leisure time physical activity were classified into three groups based on the recommendations of physical activity practice for adults from the American Heart Association: insufficiently active (people who engage in some kind of physical activity, but do not meet the minimum recommendation to maintain health), moderately active (150 or more minutes of moderate physical activity, weekly) and vigorously active (60 or more minutes of vigorous physical activity, weekly). To assess mental health, we used a subjective mental health index obtained through a 12 items questionnaire (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12) designed for diagnosing psychiatric disorders, widely used in international literature and validated for Spanish adult population. The score ranges from 0 to 1 2 points, from the better mental health to the worse mental health. To facilitate statistical comparison, individuals are grouped into percentiles, containing the 95th percentile for people with worse mental health. Other variables included in this study were: age group, gender, perceived health status, history of depression or mental illness throughout life, depression or mental illness in the last 12 months, diagnosed depression, anxiety or other mental disorders at some time, psychiatrist attendance in the last 12 months, and finally, use of antidepressants, anxiolytics or other mental drugs for the past 12 months. We used a multinomial logistic regression to model the association between variables and calculating the odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval 95% (CI) to determine the degree of association between leisure time physical activity and mental-health related factors, taking into account gender and age group. Also, the association between the level of practice and mental health-related factors as studied in both sexes. The statistical treatment of data was performed trough the SPSS statistical package software (15.0 version). Results Leisure time physical activity is associated with a higher prevalence of perceived good or very good health status, and with a better assessment on the GHQ scale of subjective mental health (50th percentile). In terms of levels of practice, it seems that any amount of leisure time physical activity was associated with a higher probability of showing better perceived health status (p<0.001) and good GHQ index (p<0.001 ) in both sexes, although the degree of association grows proportionally to the level of practice of physical activity achieved. In both sexes, vigorous activity level is strongly associated with the studied variables, showing that there are more positive indicators of mental well-being in more vigorously active subjects, being the only exception psychiatrist attendance for females. For men, there is an association at this level of vigorous physical activity with a smaller number of psychiatrist attendance (p<0.05), but this association is less than the relationship with other variables, in which there is a higher significance level (p<0.001). For the lower levels of physical activity, the relationship of practice with these variables is not significant on many occasions. Sometimes, there is no difference between those classified as insufficiently actives (not reaching the minimum) and those who have a pattern of physical activity considered as moderate, and even the differences are in favour of those individuals insufficiently active. Such is the case of the use of medication for mental health in men or psychiatrist attendance in the case of women, less probable in insufficiently active group than in the other two groups (moderate and vigorous leisure time physical activity). Conclusion Practicing a physical activity during leisure time is associated with a lower prevalence of negative mental health indicators.

Introducción La práctica de actividad física a lo largo de la vida favorece el mantenimiento de las funciones cognitivas y se asocia habitualmente a una mejor salud mental. Invertir tiempo en realizar deporte o hacer ejercicio físico se asocia con una mejor calidad de vida en las personas que realizan regularmente estas actividades, y participar en programas de ejercicio físico dirigidos puede mejorar diferentes dimensiones del bienestar psicológico y emocional. Un estilo de vida activo otorga un aparente efecto protector ante la incidencia de trastornos como la ansiedad o la depresión; no obstante, la relación dosis-respuesta en términos de qué tipo, cantidad, duración e intensidad de la actividad física es necesaria para lograr mejorías en este sentido, no ha sido muy bien establecida en estudios con grandes muestras, y aún menos en los que se describa la relación con la actividad física durante el tiempo libre. Objetivo El objetivo del presente trabajo es aportar datos que desde un punto de vista descriptivo permitan contrastar la asociación entre diferentes indicadores de salud mental en la población española y la práctica de actividad física durante el tiempo libre, valorando también el nivel de actividad física realizado habitualmente. Métodos Los datos empleados en este artículo forman parte de un estudio transversal llevado a cabo por el Ministerio de Sanidad y Política Social-Instituto de Información Sanitaria de España, comenzado en el año 2006. La muestra estaba compuesta por sujetos mayores de 16 años, siendo la población de referencia el último censo oficial disponible. Fue entrevistado un total de 29 478 personas (11 645 hombres y 1 7 833 mujeres mayores de 1 6 años) con el Cuestionario Nacional de Salud del año 2006. Se evaluó la práctica de actividad física durante el tiempo libre y el nivel de práctica, de acuerdo a las recomendaciones existentes para mantener la salud, y se obtuvo un índice de salud mental por medio de un cuestionario de 12 ítems (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12), además de otras variables relacionadas con la salud mental. Resultados Se puede observar tanto en hombres como en mujeres de los diferentes grupos de edad, que realizar actividad física se asocia con una mejor valoración en la escala GHQ-1 2. En función del nivel de práctica, cualquier cantidad de ejercicio físico durante el tiempo libre se relaciona con una mayor probabilidad de mostrar mejor estado de salud percibida (p<0,001) y mejor puntuación en el cuestionario GHQ-12 (p<0,001) en ambos sexos, aunque el grado de asociación estimado (OR) crece proporcionalmente al nivel de práctica de actividad física alcanzado. Conclusiones Practicar actividad física durante el tiempo libre se asocia con una menor prevalencia de indicadores negativos de salud mental. Por medio de los diferentes indicadores estudiados se observa una mejor salud mental en las personas de ambos sexos que realizan práctica de actividad física vigorosa.

[Inactivity, obesity and mental health in the Spanish population from 4 to 15 years of age]. / Sedentarismo, obesidad y salud mental en la población española de 4 a 15 años de edad.

BACKGROUND: An active lifestyle and a good weight status are two major health determinants from a public health perspective. AIM: To evaluate the degree of association between physical activity, weight status and the emotional and mental health of Spanish schoolchildren. METHOD: Mental health status was assessed through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), also leisure time physical activity and body mass index (BMI) in a total of 6 803 children from 4 to 15 years participating in the Spanish National Health Survey 2006. The degree of association between. these variables was estimated by a multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among sedentary schoolchildren are more common mental health problems (OR 2.10), emotional problems (OR 1.84), conduct problems (OR 1.53), problems with peers (OR 2.35) and social relationship difficulties (OR 1.36). Obesity is associated with poor general mental health (OR 1.58), and obese schoolchildren show more often emotional problems (OR 1.52) and problems with peers (OR 2.43). CONCLUSIONS: In the Spanish schoolchildren, a healthy BMI is associated with increased mental well-being, although an active lifestyle is the best indicator of a good mental health status.

Health-related fitness in school children: compliance with physical activity recommendations and its relationship with body mass index and diet quality / Condición física relacionada con la salud en escolares: observancia de las recomendaciones de práctica de actividad física y su relación con el índice de masa corporal y la calidad de la dieta

This study establishes the relationship between the compliance with the governmental physical activity guidelines (at least a minimum of one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity, MVPA, five times a week), health-related physical fitness and different health related lifestyle variables in a representative sample of Spanish children. Subjects were a representative group of scholars from five schools randomly selected in Extremadura, a mainly rural region with a very low population density. Statistical analysis comprises a t-test to calculate physical fitness differences between groups, according to the compliance with the mentioned physical activity guidelines. A multinomial logistic regression coefficient is established to determine the differences between the better physical fitness status group (= percentile 75) and the poorer physical fitness status group (= percentile 25) for each fitness test and gender, body mass index, physical activity, Mediterranean diet index and population size. Main findings show that the compliance with physical activity guidelines result in a better handgrip strength in left hand (p<0.05), leg strength (p<0.000), speed-agility run (p<0.000) and 20 m endurance shuttle run (p<0.000). Being a girl, being overweighed and living in an urban setting are associated with a lower physical fitness (= percentile 25), whereas there is no relationship between diet quality and subjects’ performance in all physical fitness test evaluated. As a conclusion, this study emphasizes the need to promote an active lifestyle in which physical activity suppose a minimum of one hour of regular MVPA, at least five times a week, to achieve a healthy fitness status.

Este estudio establece la relación entre el cumplimiento de las directrices gubernamentales de actividad física (una hora de actividad física moderada o vigorosa, MVPA, cinco veces a la semana), la condición física saludable, la calidad de la dieta y otras variables en una muestra de escolares de Extremadura (España). Se ha utilizado un t-test para calcular las diferencias de condición física entre los grupos, de acuerdo con el cumplimiento de las mencionadas directrices de actividad física. Se ha establecido un coeficiente de regresión logística multinomial para determinar las diferencias entre el grupo con mejor condición física (= percentil 75) y el grupo con peor condición física (= percentil 25), en función del sexo, índice de masa corporal, actividad física, índice mediterráneo de calidad de la dieta y tamaño de la población. El cumplimiento de las directrices de actividad física se relaciona con mejor fuerza de prensión en la mano izquierda (p <0,05), mayor potencia de las piernas (p <0,000), mejor agilidad (p <0,000) y mayor aptitud cardiorrespiratoria (p <0,000). Ser niña, tener exceso de peso y vivir en un entorno urbano se asocia con peor condición física (= percentil 25), mientras que no existe relación entre calidad de la dieta y la actuación de los sujetos en las pruebas de condición física realizadas. Este estudio enfatiza la necesidad de promover un estilo de vida activo en el que exista al menos una hora de actividad física (MVPA) durante cinco días a la semana, para alcanzar un estado físico saludable.

Health-related fitness in school children: compliance with physical activity recommendations and its relationship with body mass index and diet quality.

This study establishes the relationship between the compliance with the governmental physical activity guidelines (at least a minimum of one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity, MVPA, five times a week), health-related physical fitness and different health related lifestyle variables in a representative sample of Spanish children. Subjects were a representative group of scholars from five schools randomly selected in Extremadura, a mainly rural region with a very low population density. Statistical analysis comprises a t-test to calculate physical fitness differences between groups, according to the compliance with the mentioned physical activity guidelines. A multinomial logistic regression coefficient is established to determine the differences between the better physical fitness status group (= percentile 75) and the poorer physical fitness status group (= percentile 25) for each fitness test and gender, body mass index, physical activity, Mediterranean diet index and population size. Main findings show that the compliance with physical activity guidelines result in a better handgrip strength in left hand (p < 0.05), leg strength (p < 0.000), speed-agility run (p < 0.000) and 20 m endurance shuttle run (p < 0.000). Being a girl, being overweighed and living in an urban setting are associated with a lower physical fitness (= percentile 25), whereas there is no relationship between diet quality and subjects' performance in all physical fitness test evaluated. As a conclusion, this study emphasizes the need to promote an active lifestyle in which physical activity suppose a minimum of one hour of regular MVPA, at least five times a week, to achieve a healthy fitness status.

Analysis and comparison of competitive balance in the spanish ACB basketball league: a preliminary study

Regardless its relevance in sports economics, competitive balance has not been studied neither in Spanish nor inEuropean professional basketball. In this preliminary study we measured the competitive balance in the Spanish ACB Leaguefrom seasons 1983/1984 to 2003/2004 using the well-known winning percentage standard deviation index. Results showed greatdifference between seasons and a general low competitive balance index. In addition, tournament designing did not seem toaffect the competitive balance in ACB(AU)