Influencia de los hábitos deportivos en el conocimiento, calidad e higiene del sueño adolescente / Influence of sports habits on adolescent sleep knowledge, quality and hygiene

El hábito deportivo resulta esencial para el descanso nocturno del adolescente de Bachillerato. Este estudio analiza la influencia de la práctica deportiva sobre tres variables: conocimiento, calidad e higiene del sueño. Los 145 adolescentes (M = 16.72; DE = 0.74) que componen la muestra reportaron un deficiente conocimiento en nociones del sueño (SBS = 12.04), una pobre calidad del sueño (AYA-PSQI-S = 8.36) y una perfectible higiene del sueño (ASHSr = 4.26). Sin embargo, el 83.6% de los estudiantes que realizaban actividad física demostraron puntuaciones medias totales más altas en las tres variables, asumiendo diferencias significativas (p < 0.05) en las dimensiones de duración y eficiencia del sueño, en comparación al alumnado sedentario. Además, según el estudio, el ejercicio actúa como protector ante la deficitaria calidad de sueño y como impulsor de la higiene del sueño. Por su parte, la alta intensidad de la práctica de ejercicio físico está relacionada con un mejor desempeño en la dimensión de duración de sueño y un mayor autoconcepto, teniendo en cuenta que horas de práctica tardías están relacionadas negativamente con la hora de cenar, postergando el descanso. El hábito deportivo influye positivamente en el conocimiento, la calidad y la higiene del sueño adolescente; apostando por el ejercicio de fuerza, a intensidades submáximas y alejadas en la medida posible de la hora de dormir (AU)

Sports habits are essential for the sleep of the adolescent in the high school. This study analyses the influence of sports practice on three variables: sleep knowledge, sleep quality and sleep hygiene. The 145 adolescents (M = 16.72; SD = 0.74) in the sample reported low sleep knowledge (SBS = 12.04), poor sleep quality (AYA-PSQI-S = 8.36) and improvable sleep hygiene (ASHSr = 4.26). However, 83.6% of physically active students showed higher total scores on all three variables, assuming significant differences (p < 0.05) in sleep duration and sleep efficiency compared to sedentary students. Moreover, exercise prevents poor sleep quality and enhance sleep hygiene. On the other hand, high intensity of physical activity correlates with better performance in the sleep duration dimension and a higher self-concept, considering that late practice hours are negatively related to dinner time, delaying rest. The sporting habit has a positive influence on the sleep knowledge, quality and hygiene of adolescents, betting on strength exercise, at submaximal intensities and as far as possible away from bedtime (AU)

Nurse-delivered sleep restriction therapy in primary care for adults with insomnia disorder: a mixed-methods process evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Sleep restriction therapy (SRT) is a behavioural therapy for insomnia. AIM: To conduct a process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial comparing SRT delivered by primary care nurses plus a sleep hygiene booklet with the sleep hygiene booklet only for adults with insomnia disorder. DESIGN AND SETTING: A mixed-methods process evaluation in a general practice setting. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a purposive sample of patients receiving SRT, the practice nurses who delivered the therapy, and also GPs or practice managers at the participating practices. Qualitative data were explored using framework analysis, and integrated with nurse comments and quantitative data, including baseline Insomnia Severity Index score and serial sleep efficiency outcomes to investigate the relationships between these. RESULTS: In total, 16 patients, 13 nurses, six practice managers, and one GP were interviewed. Patients had no previous experience of behavioural therapy, needed flexible appointment times, and preferred face-to-face consultations; nurses felt prepared to deliver SRT, accommodating patient concerns, tailoring therapy, and negotiating sleep timings despite treatment complexity and delays between training and intervention delivery. How the intervention produced change was explored, including patient and nurse interactions and patient responses to SRT. Difficulties maintaining SRT, negative attitudes towards treatment, and low self-efficacy were highlighted. Contextual factors, including freeing GP time, time constraints, and conflicting priorities for nurses, with suggestions for alternative delivery options, were raised. Participants who found SRT a positive process showed improvements in sleep efficiency, whereas those who struggled did not. CONCLUSION: SRT was successfully delivered by practice nurses and was generally well received by patients, despite some difficulties delivering and applying the intervention in practice.

Effects of a Sleep Hygiene Strategy on Parameters of Sleep Quality and Quantity in Youth Elite Rugby Union Players.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of a sleep hygiene strategy on parameters of sleep quality and quantity in youth elite rugby union players. METHOD: Eleven male players (age: 19.0 [1.4] y) undertook a sleep hygiene strategy composed of 2 theoretical sessions and 3 practical sessions over a 4-week period. Sleeping time, time in bed, total sleep time, sleep latency (SL), sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset, and wake bouts were recorded with an actigraphic device during the 4-week sleep hygiene strategy (baseline) and during 4 weeks after the last intervention (postintervention). RESULTS: At baseline, the overall group reported poor sleep quantity (total sleep time = 6:27 [0:30] min), but sleep quality was considered acceptable (SL = 0:18 [0:08] min and SE = 77.8% [5.8%]). Postintervention, the overall group showed a small improvement in SL (d = -0.23 [-0.42 to -0.04], P = .003) and SE (d = 0.30 [0.03 to 0.57], P = .0004). For individual responses, sleeping time, time in bed, and total sleep time were positively influenced in only 4, 3, and 5 players, respectively. For parameters of sleep quality, SL and SE were positively influenced in a majority of players (n = 7 and 8, respectively). The magnitude of difference between baseline and postintervention was strongly associated with baseline values in SE (r = -.86; P = .0005) and wake after sleep onset (r = -.87; P = .0007). CONCLUSION: A sleep hygiene strategy is efficient to improve sleep quality but not sleep quantity in young rugby union players. The strategy was more efficient in players with lower initial sleep quality and should be implemented prior to a high cumulative fatigue period.

Sleep physiology, pathophysiology, and sleep hygiene.

Despite sleep's fundamental role in maintaining and improving physical and mental health, many people get less than the recommended amount of sleep or suffer from sleeping disorders. This review highlights sleep's instrumental biological functions, various sleep problems, and sleep hygiene and lifestyle interventions that can help improve sleep quality. Quality sleep allows for improved cardiovascular health, mental health, cognition, memory consolidation, immunity, reproductive health, and hormone regulation. Sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and circadian-rhythm-disorders, or disrupted sleep from lifestyle choices, environmental conditions, or other medical issues can lead to significant morbidity and can contribute to or exacerbate medical and psychiatric conditions. The best treatment for long-term sleep improvement is proper sleep hygiene through behavior and sleep habit modification. Recommendations to improve sleep include achieving 7 to 9 h of sleep, maintaining a consistent sleep/wake schedule, a regular bedtime routine, engaging in regular exercise, and adopting a contemplative practice. In addition, avoiding many substances late in the day can help improve sleep. Caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals, and light exposure later in the day are associated with fragmented poor-quality sleep. These sleep hygiene practices can promote better quality and duration of sleep, with corresponding health benefits.

Impacto de los turnos de trabajo en la calidad del sueño del personal de enfermería en dos hospitales de tercer nivel de Canarias / Impact of shift work on the sleep quality of nursing staff attending two tertiary hospitals in the Canary Island

Fundamentos: Se sabe que las características de la actividad laboral influyen en la calidad del sueño de los trabajadores. Un elemento de la actividad laboral es la turnicidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la calidad del sueño del personal de enfermería de dos hospitales de tercer nivel en Canarias y su correlación con el turno de trabajo. Métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal, de una muestra no aleatoria de 275 enfermeros y técnicos en cuidados auxiliares de enfermería (TCAEs). Se midió calidad de sueño mediante el test de Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) y características sociodemográficas y laborales con un cuestionario creado ad hoc. Resultados: El 65,8% del personal de enfermería tiene una mala calidad del sueño. Se observó que la turnicidad laboral afecta a la calidad del sueño. Los trabajadores con turno antiestrés (D/N) tienen mejor calidad de sueño (M=7,31; ±DE=4,0) comparado con el turno rotatorio (M/T/N) (M= 9,06; ± DE=4,3); p=0,01. Conclusiones: Las alteraciones del sueño son frecuentes entre el personal de enfermería, siendo el turno antiestrés (D/N) el que menos afecta a la calidad del sueño (AU)

Sleep health composites are associated with the risk of heart disease across sex and race.

We examined whether subjectively and objectively measured sleep health composites have a relationship with heart disease. 6,820 adults (Mage = 53.4 years) from the Midlife in the United States study provided self-reported sleep characteristics and heart disease history. A smaller sample (n = 663) provided actigraphy sleep data. We tested two sleep health composites, based on self-report only and both self-report and actigraphy, across multiple sleep dimensions. We used a weighted sum approach, where higher scores indicated more sleep health problems. Modified Poisson regressions adjusted for sociodemographics and known risk factors. Having more sleep health problems was associated with a higher risk of heart disease using the self-report sleep health composite (aRR = 54%, P < .001) and the actigraphy/self-report composite (aRR = 141%, P < .001). Individual sleep dimensions of satisfaction, alertness, and efficiency (from the self-report composite) and regularity, satisfaction, and timing (from the actigraphy/self-report composite) were associated with the risk of heart disease. The effect size of each sleep health composite was larger than the individual sleep dimensions. Race moderated the association between the actigraphy/self-report sleep health composite and heart disease. There was no significant moderation by sex. Findings suggest poorer sleep health across multiple dimensions may contribute to heart disease risk among middle-aged adults.

The translational neuroscience of sleep: A contextual framework.

Sleep is entwined across many physiologic processes in the brain and periphery, thereby exerting tremendous influence on our well-being. Yet sleep exists in a social-environmental context. Contextualizing sleep health with respect to its determinants­from individual- to societal-level factors­would enable neuroscientists to more effectively translate sleep health into clinical practice. Key challenges and opportunities pertain to (i) recognizing and exploring sleep's functional roles, (ii) clarifying causal mechanisms in relation to key outcomes, (iii) developing richer model systems, (iv) linking models to known contextual factors, and (v) leveraging advances in multisensory technology. Meeting these challenges and opportunities would help transcend disciplinary boundaries such that social-environmental considerations related to sleep would become an ever-greater presence in the clinic.

Objective Sleep Efficiency Predicts Cardiovascular Disease in a Community Population: The Sleep Heart Health Study.

Background There was little evidence about the role of objective sleep efficiency (SE) in the incidence of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between objective SE and CVD based on polysomnography. Methods and Results A total of 3810 participants from the SHHS (Sleep Heart Health Study) were selected in the current study. CVD was assessed during an almost 11-year follow-up period. The primary composite cardiovascular outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events, defined as CVD mortality, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The secondary composite cardiovascular outcome was major adverse cardiovascular event plus revascularization. Objective measured SE, including SE and wake after sleep onset, was based on in-home polysomnography records. Cox regression analysis was used to explore the association between SE and CVD. After multivariate Cox regression analysis, poor SE (<80%) was significantly associated with primary (hazard ratio [HR], 1.338; 95% CI, 1.025-1.745; P=0.032) and secondary composite cardiovascular outcomes (HR, 1.250; 95% CI, 1.027-1.521; P=0.026); it was also found to be a predictor of CVD mortality (HR, 1.887; 95% CI, 1.224-2.909; P=0.004). Moreover, wake after sleep onset of fourth quartile (>78.0 minutes) was closely correlated with primary (HR, 1.436; 95% CI, 1.066-1.934; P=0.017), secondary composite cardiovascular outcomes (HR, 1.374; 95% CI, 1.103-1.712; P=0.005), and CVD mortality (HR, 2.240; 95% CI, 1.377-3.642; P=0.001). Conclusions Poor SE and long wake after sleep onset, objectively measured by polysomnography, were associated with the increased risk of incident CVD.

Longitudinal Impact of Frailty States and Sleep Duration on Subsequent Depressive Symptoms of Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of baseline and changes in frailty states on subsequent depressive symptoms, and whether sleep duration would modify these effects. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. SETTING: The 2011 baseline and 2013 follow-up waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling old adults who were aged 60 or above at baseline and participated in the 2011 and 2013 waves of the CHARLS (N = 5,026). MEASUREMENTS: Frailty was measured using the physical frailty phenotype (PFP) scale. Levels of depressive symptoms were measured by the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Using the generalized estimating equations (GEE), the effects of baseline and transitions in frailty states were examined on subsequent depressive symptoms, adjusting for a range of confounding variables. RESULTS: Baseline prefrail (b = 0.97, P < .05) and frail states (b = 0.35, P < .05) were associated with higher subsequent level of depressive symptoms 2 years later. Within individuals who were robust at baseline, transitioning into prefrail/frail (b = 3.04, P < .001) was associated with a higher subsequent level of depressive symptoms, and this association was accelerated by short sleep duration. Within individuals who were prefrail at baseline, transitioning into frail (b = 1.76, P < .001) was associated with higher subsequent levels of depressive symptoms, and this association was stronger among those who reported short sleep duration. CONCLUSION: Baseline and transitions in frailty states were significantly related with higher subsequent levels of subsequent depressive symptoms. Short sleep duration significantly moderated the effects of baseline or transitions of frailty on subsequent depressive symptoms. Targeted interventions could be implemented to improve sleep quality for prefrail and frail older adults.

Sleep of preschoolers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a significantly large number of psychological consequences, including sleep health. The present study evaluated sleep patterns, sleep disturbances, and associated factors in Chinese preschoolers confined at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Caregivers of 1619 preschoolers (aged 4-6 years) recruited from 11 preschools in Zunyi, Guizhou province completed the Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ) between 17th and 19th February 2020. Data were compared to a sociodemographically similar sample of preschoolers (included in the 11 preschools) in 2018. Compared to the 2018 sample, the confined preschoolers demonstrated changes in sleep patterns characterized by later bedtimes and wake times, longer nocturnal and shorter nap sleep durations, comparable 24-hr sleep duration, and fewer caregiver-reported sleep disturbances. Moreover, behavioural practices (sleeping arrangement, reduced electronic device use, regular diet) and parenting practices (harmonious family atmosphere and increased parent-child communication) were associated with less sleep disturbances in the confined sample. The present study provides the first description of the impact of prolonged home confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak on sleep patterns and sleep disturbances in preschoolers, as well as highlighting the importance of the link between sleep health and family factors. Given that disrupted and insufficient sleep has been linked to immune system dysfunction, our findings also have potential implications for resilience to infection in young children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies should further explore deficient sleep as a risk factor for coronavirus infection.

ADHERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN (1ST CYCLE).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in students from elementary schools in Porto and Maia and analyze its association with sleep hygiene, physical activity, cardiometabolic risk, and school performance. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 891 Portuguese students: 455 boys (51%) and 436 girls (49%), aged between 9 and 11 years old (mean [M]=9.2, standard deviation [SD]=0.4), with an average weight of 35.9 kg (SD=8.1), average height of 1.4 m (SD=0.1), average body mass index (standardized BMI Z score for the pediatric age group) of 0.76 (SD=1.21); 59.5% of them had normal weight and 15.9% were obese. The students filled a questionnaire on the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in Children and Adolescents [KIDMED]), participated in a socio-demographic interview, and had their anthropometric data collected after their parents signed the informed consent form. RESULTS: The results suggest high levels of adherence to the MD (77.6%) both in males and females. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we found that the Z score was positively associated to cardiometabolic risk and the starting age of an extracurricular physical activity, and negatively associated to the average hours of sleep on a typical day both in males and females. We also identified a negative relation between KIDMED and the starting age of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: This study has contributed to the knowledge of adherence to the MD among Portuguese elementary students and correlations with variables associated to a healthier lifestyle (MD, hours of sleep, and physical activity). Future studies should focus their attention on other countries and more heterogeneous samples.

Validation of the NoSAS score for screening sleep-disordered breathing: A sleep clinic- based study in Turkey

Background/aim: The NoSAS score is a new tool for the identification of high-risk patients for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The aim of this study was to validate the NoSAS score in a sleep clinical population in Turkey and compare its performance with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), STOP-Bang, and Berlin questionnaires for high-risk SDB. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study. Patients who had a full-night PSG examination between 01.03.2017 and 01.01.2018 at the sleep center of our hospital were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, anthropometrics measurements, ESS, STOP-Bang, and Berlin scores were collected from the existing data of the patients. The NoSAS score was subsequently calculated based on available data. Predictive parameters for each screening questionnaires were calculated to compare the discriminative power of those for high-risk SDB. Results: A total of 450 patients were included in the study. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the NoSAS score were 81%, 51.2%, 88.2%, and 37.5% for an AHI (apnea­hypopnea index) ≥ 5 event/h and 84.5%, 38.2%, 66%, and 63.4% for an AHI ≥ 15 event/h, respectively. AUC percentages for the NoSAS score, STOP-Bang questionnaire, Berlin questionnaire, and ESS were 0.740, 0.737, 0.626, and 0.571 for an AHI ≥ 5 events/h and 0.715, 0.704, 0.574, and 0.621 for an AHI ≥ 30 events/h. The NoSAS score had a false negative rate of 2.9% for severe SDB. Conclusion: The NoSAS score had a good degree of differentiation for SDB and can be used as an easily applicable, subjective, and effective screening tool in a sleep clinical population in Turkey. Not only in moderate to severe SDB but also in mild SDB, the NoSAS score performed better than the other 3 screening tools.

Turkish reliability and validity study of the medical outcomes study (MOS) sleep scale in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Background/aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the Turkish reliability and validity of the medical outcomes study (MOS) sleep scale in patients who have obstructive sleep apnea. Materials and methods: The data of the study were collected from 120 adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea and from 90 healthy individuals between March 04 and May 31, 2019. Results: The Cronbach's α internal consistency reliability coefficient of the MOS sleep scale was found as 0.82. The test-retest reliability was acceptable (r = 0.76-0.94). Six factors were identified by the factor analysis. These were the same as those in the original MOS-Sleep. The correlations between the MOS-Sleep and other instruments administered in this study provided evidence for structural validity. A significant relation was determined between MOS sleep scale and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) severity and the healthy group ( P < 0.05). In addition, the Cronbach α internal consistency reliability coefficient of the healthy group in MOS sleep scale was found as 0.78. The items of the six factors that were obtained with the confirmatory factor analysis for the MOS sleep scale of the healthy group were found to be the same as in the original MOS-Sleep. Conclusion: Turkish MOS sleep scale is a measurement tool that consists of 12 items and 6 subdimensions with adequate validity and reliability indicators.

Elaboração e validação da cartilha "Higiene do Sono para Crianças" / Elaboración y validación de la cartilla "Higiene del sueño para niños" / Development and validation of the "Sleep Hygiene for Children" booklet

Resumo Objetivo Elaborar e validar cartilha sobre higiene do sono para crianças escolares. Métodos Estudo de abordagem metodológica, realizado no período de setembro de 2018 a outubro de 2019, seguindo as etapas de levantamento bibliográfico, elaboração e validação de conteúdo da cartilha por especialistas. O instrumento para validação, encaminhado a três profissionais da área da saúde, foi composto por sete itens, divididos em subitens, com respostas dispostas em escala tipo Likert. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados em planilha do Excel. Considerou-se adequado os valores da proporção de concordância dos subitens entre os examinadores (índice de validade do conteúdo) acima de 80%. Resultados A cartilha foi validada após a segunda rodada de avaliação, atingindo índice de validade de 85,7% do conteúdo total e sendo composta por quatro temas: "O que é higiene do sono?", "Importância do sono", "Como realizar a higiene do sono?" e "Guia rápido de recomendações de higiene do sono". Conclusão A cartilha de higiene do sono para crianças, validada por especialistas na segunda rodada, poderá auxiliar a criança a entender a importância do sono para seu desenvolvimento e obter hábitos adequados de sono e de autocuidado.

Resumen Objetivo Elaborar y validar una cartilla sobre higiene del sueño para niños escolares. Métodos Estudio de enfoque metodológico, realizado en el período de septiembre de 2018 a octubre de 2019, que siguió las etapas de recopilación bibliográfica, elaboración y validación del contenido de la cartilla por especialistas. El instrumento para la validación, que fue enviado a tres profesionales del área de la salud, estaba compuesto por siete ítems, divididos en subítems, con respuestas dispuestas en escala tipo Likert. Los datos obtenidos fueron tabulados en planilla de Excel. Los valores de la proporción de concordancia de los subítems entre los examinadores (índice de validez de contenido) superiores a 80 % se consideraron adecuados. Resultados La cartilla fue validada después de la segunda ronda de evaluación, con un índice de validez del contenido total del 85,7 %. El material está compuesto por cuatro temas: "¿Qué es la higiene del sueño?", "Importancia del sueño", "¿Cómo realizar la higiene del sueño?" y "Guía rápida de recomendaciones de higiene del sueño". Conclusión La cartilla de higiene del sueño para niños, validada por especialistas en la segunda ronda, podrá ayudar a los niños a entender la importancia del sueño para el desarrollo y a obtener hábitos adecuados de sueño y de autocuidado.

Abstract Objective To develop and validate a booklet on sleep hygiene for school children. Methods Methodological study conducted from September 2018 to October 2019, following the steps of bibliographic survey, development and content validation of the booklet by experts. The instrument for validation, sent to three health professionals, was composed of seven items, divided into sub-items with responses arranged on a Likert-type scale. Data obtained were tabulated in an Excel spreadsheet. Values of the proportion of agreement of sub-items between experts (content validity index) above 80% were considered appropriate. Results The booklet was validated after the second evaluation round, reaching a validity rate of 85.7% of the total content. It comprised the following four themes: "What is sleep hygiene?", "Importance of sleep", "How to practice sleep hygiene?" and "Sleep hygiene recommendations quick guide". Conclusion The sleep hygiene booklet for children, validated by experts in the second round, can help children understand the importance of sleep for their development and obtain appropriate sleep and self-care habits.

Adherence to the mediterranean diet in elementary school children (1st cycle) / Adesão à dieta mediterrânica em crianças do 1º ciclo de escolaridade

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in students from elementary schools in Porto and Maia and analyze its association with sleep hygiene, physical activity, cardiometabolic risk, and school performance. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 891 Portuguese students: 455 boys (51%) and 436 girls (49%), aged between 9 and 11 years old (mean [M]=9.2, standard deviation [SD]=0.4), with an average weight of 35.9 kg (SD=8.1), average height of 1.4 m (SD=0.1), average body mass index (standardized BMI Z score for the pediatric age group) of 0.76 (SD=1.21); 59.5% of them had normal weight and 15.9% were obese. The students filled a questionnaire on the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in Children and Adolescents [KIDMED]), participated in a socio-demographic interview, and had their anthropometric data collected after their parents signed the informed consent form. Results: The results suggest high levels of adherence to the MD (77.6%) both in males and females. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we found that the Z score was positively associated to cardiometabolic risk and the starting age of an extracurricular physical activity, and negatively associated to the average hours of sleep on a typical day both in males and females. We also identified a negative relation between KIDMED and the starting age of physical activity. Conclusions: This study has contributed to the knowledge of adherence to the MD among Portuguese elementary students and correlations with variables associated to a healthier lifestyle (MD, hours of sleep, and physical activity). Future studies should focus their attention on other countries and more heterogeneous samples.

RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar a adesão à dieta mediterrânica de alunos de escolas primárias do Porto e Maia e analisar a sua associação com a higiene do sono, a atividade física, o risco cardiometabólico e o desempenho escolar. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 891 alunos portugueses: 455 meninos (51%) e 436 meninas (49%), entre 9 e 11 anos (média [M]= 9,2; desvio padrão [DP]= 0,4), peso médio 35,9 kg (DP= 8,1), estatura média 1,4 cm (DP= 0,1), índice de massa corporal médio (IMC padronizado por escore Z para a faixa etária pediátrica) 0,76 (DP= 1,2), 59,5% de pessoas com peso adequado e 15,9% de obesos. Os alunos completaram o Índice de Qualidade de Adesão à Dieta Mediterrânica em Crianças e Adolescentes (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in Children and Adolescents [KIDMED]) e uma entrevista sociodemográfica e dados antropométricos, após obtenção do consentimento informado dos pais. Resultados: Os resultados sugerem altos níveis de adesão ao padrão alimentar mediterrânico (77,6%), tanto nos meninos como nas meninas. Recorrendo ao coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, encontramos associação positiva entre o escore Z e o risco cardiometabólico, associação negativa entre o escore Z e a média de horas de sono em um dia típico nos meninos e nas meninas, associação positiva entre o escore Z e a idade de início de uma atividade física extracurricular e associação negativa entre o KIDMED e a idade de início da atividade física. Conclusões: Este estudo contribuiu para o conhecimento da adesão ao padrão alimentar mediterrânico de alunos do 1º ciclo de escolaridade do Porto e da Maia e correlações com variáveis associadas a um estilo de vida mais saudável (adesão à dieta mediterrânica, horas de sono e atividade física). Estudos futuros deverão focar a sua atenção em outros países e com amostras mais heterogêneas.

A Contemporary Approach to Patellofemoral Pain in Runners.

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is among the most common injuries in recreational runners. Current evidence does not identify alignment, muscle weakness, and patellar maltracking or a combination of these as causes of PFP. Rather than solely investigating biomechanics, we suggest a holistic approach to address the causes of PFP. Both external loads, such as changes in training parameters and biomechanics, and internal loads, such as sleep and psychological stress, should be considered. As for the management of runners with PFP, recent research suggested that various interventions can be considered to help symptoms, even if these interventions target biomechanical factors that may not have caused the injury in the first place. In this Current Concepts article, we describe how the latest evidence on education about training modifications, strengthening exercises, gait and footwear modifications, and psychosocial factors can be applied when treating runners with PFP. The importance of maintaining relative homeostasis between load and capacity will be emphasized. Recommendations for temporary or longer-term interventions will be discussed. A holistic, evidence-based approach should consist of a graded exposure to load, including movement, exercise, and running, while considering the capacity of the individual, including sleep and psychosocial factors. Cost, accessibility, and the personal preferences of patients should also be considered.

Evaluation of the Effects of an Intervention Intended to Optimize the Sleep Environment Among the Elderly: An Exploratory Study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this exploratory study was to evaluate the effects of a brief intervention intended to optimize the sleep environment in older people living in the community and to examine the way these effects change over time. METHODS: The sample was made up of 44 participants (19 men and 25 women) aged 65-85 years, with a mean age of 71.4. The intervention consisted in a group training session that covered the reasons for and ways to ("why" and "how") optimize a sleep environment. It comprises six themes: air quality and odors, luminosity, noises and sounds, comfort of the mattress, comfort of the pillow, and temperature. Participants completed a set of questionnaires before the intervention, and one month and four months later. RESULTS: Four months after the intervention, the replies to the questionnaires showed that the participants experienced reduced severity of insomnia, sleep latency and anxiety. The subjective quality of the participants' sleep along with their sleep efficacy also increased significantly during the same period. CONCLUSION: A brief intervention intended to optimize the sleep environment appears promising as an addition or alternative to the two other sleep improvement options generally offered to older people: medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Is poor self-rated sleep quality associated with elevated systemic inflammation in healthy older adults?

OBJECTIVE: Examine subjective sleep quality and inflammation among healthy older adults participating in the Australian Research Council Longevity Intervention (ARCLI). METHODS: Data was taken from a sub-set of 232 participants aged between 60-70 years (M = 65.88 ± SD 4.08 years) who participated in the baseline assessment phase of the Australian Research Council Longevity Intervention (ARCLI) study. Subjective sleep was assessed via the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ). Inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, hs-CRP) were derived from whole blood. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to examine associations between each of the four sleep outcome variables and inflammatory outcomes, examined as a group and following gender stratification. RESULTS: Difficulties getting to sleep were independently associated with higher IL-2 [F(1,156) = 4.62, adjusted R2 = 0.02, p = 0.03] and IL-1ß [F(1,141) = 8.52, adjusted R2 = 0.05, p = 0.004] (whole group). Difficulties getting to sleep were associated with greater IL-1ß [males: F(1,58) = 7.36, adjusted R2 = 0.097 p = 0.009; females: F (1,81) = 4.25, R2 = 0.038, p = 0.04], and negatively associated with hs-CRP (women) [F (1,129) = 4.71, R2 = 0.028, p = 0.032]. DISCUSSION: Subjective sleep-onset difficulties are associated with systemic inflammation.

Physical Activity, Sleep-related Behaviors and Severity of Symptoms in Schizophrenia.

The beneficial effects of a healthy sleep hygiene and regular physical activity have both been noted in improving psychopathology symptom severity. No study to date however, has evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of both sleep and exercise simultaneously in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. To examine the two variables concurrently, in the present report, patients with diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (n = 64), were administered assessments that measured both their physical activity and sleep-related behaviors. Additionally, patients' symptom severity and cognitive and daily functioning abilities were also assessed. It was found sleep hygiene and physical activity were associated with patients' symptom severity and cognitive capacities, but not with their daily functioning abilities. Further, no interaction effects were found between sleep hygiene and physical activity. These results suggest that physical activity and sleep hygiene should be considered, independently, in their contribution to psychopathology.