The Intention to be Physically Active in Sedentary Obese Children: A Longitudinal Study.

Obese children are usually less active than their normal-weight counterparts, although the reasons for this remain unclear. The objective of the present study was to determine how a long-term program (3 years of intervention and 6 months of follow-up detraining) of physical exercise with or without a low calorie diet influenced sedentary obese children's intention to be physically active. The participants were 27 children, ages from 8 to 11 years, who formed two groups according to the program that they followed. One group followed an exercise program (three 90-min sessions per week), and the other this same exercise program together with a hypocaloric diet. The intention to be physically active was assessed via the Measurement of Intention to be Physically Active (MIFA) questionnaire. The subjects' scores at different times of the program (baseline, Year 3, and detraining) were compared using a repeated-measures ANOVA, and a post-hoc Tukey's test was applied to confirm the differences. After both the intervention and detraining, both groups showed greater intention to be physically active. This suggests the suitability of long-term physical exercise to generate greater intention to be physically active and thus establish healthy life habits including increased levels of physical activity.

Exercise-based interventions and C-reactive protein in overweight and obese youths: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: One of the most commonly measured markers of inflammation in clinical settings is C-reactive protein (CRP). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on modifying the levels of serum CRP in children and adolescents with excess of weight. METHODS: Two independent reviewers assessed articles from seven databases. Studies were limited to physical exercise interventions in children and adolescents diagnosed as overweight or obese, and including a comparison control group. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated using random-effects model and potential moderators were explored (i.e., weight status, ages, duration of study, frequency of exercise per week, and duration of session). The heterogeneity of the studies was estimated using Cochran's Q-statistic and I(2). RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria (n = 427 youths). Overall, results suggest a nonsignificant trend toward a reduction CRP levels (WMD = -0.72 mg/l; 95% confidence interval: -1.52 to 0.08; P = 0.077). Also, there were not significant moderators of exercise effects on CRP. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that exercise programs in children and adolescents not mitigate the inflammatory effects of excess weight, although there was a trend toward reduction.

Effects of exercise on functional aerobic capacity in adults with fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Patients with fibromyalgia present a reduced capacity of upper and lower limb physical performance and affect their independence in performing everyday activities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present systematic review was to summarize evidence for the effectiveness and structure of exercise programs on functional aerobic capacity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. METHODS: Keyword searches were made of seven databases. The systematic review was limited to English language studies of people with FM that evaluated the effects of exercise programs on functional aerobic capacity (6-minute walk test). RESULTS: The criteria for inclusion were satisfied by 12 randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies. The main cumulative evidence indicates that the programs based on aerobic exercise alone and on aquatic exercises have large (effect size = 0.85) and moderate (effect size = 0.44) effects. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic and aquatic exercises at the proper intensity favour the increased functional aerobic capacity of fibromyalgia patients; however, most works do not adequately detail the intensity of the exercises. Moderate intensity exercise (aerobic and aquatic exercise) performed at least two times per week and 30-60 minutes a day is effective for increasing functional aerobic capacity, favouring the daily activities of daily living in this population.

Ejercicio físico, desentrenamiento y perfil lipidico en niños obesos: una revisión sistemática / Physical exercise, detraining and lipid profile in obese children: a systematic review

Introducción. El desentrenamiento es la pérdida de las mejoras obtenidas por el ejercicio físico/ entrenamiento tras su cese, aspecto poco estudiado en población infantil obesa. Así, el propósito del presente estudio fue evaluar los efectos del desentrenamiento sobre el perfil lipídico (HDL, LDL, colesterol total y triglicéridos) en niños obesos. Población y métodos. Los estudios fueron recuperados mediante la búsqueda en siete bases de datos. Dicha búsqueda se limitó a programas de ejercicio físico de, al menos, ocho semanas de duración y su desentrenamiento, y se evaluó el perfil lipídico de niños obesos. Se calculó el tamaño del efecto (TE), sus intervalos de confianza del 95% y la heterogeneidad de los estudios a través de la Q de Cochrane (modelo de efectos aleatorios). Resultados. Cinco estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y fueron seleccionados para su revisión (n= 330). En general, los resultados intragrupo (postest vs. desentrenamiento) mostraron que, tras el desentrenamiento, el nivel en sangre del colesterol HDL (TE= 0,12) y el colesterol total aumentaron (TE= 1,41). Del mismo modo, los resultados intergrupo (grupo experimental vs. grupo control) confirmaron el aumento del colesterol HDL tras el desentrenamiento (TE= 0,49). Conclusiones. Los resultados de esta revisión sistemática sugieren que el desentrenamiento tras un programa de ejercicio físico no genera una pérdida significativa de los beneficios obtenidos sobre el perfil lipídico de los niños obesos. No obstante, debido al número de estudios analizados y a la heterogeneidad observada en los análisis y en el tiempo considerado como desentrenamiento (de 12 a 48 semanas), se requiere un mayor número de estudios de calidad para obtener resultados más concluyentes.

Introduction. Detraining is the loss of improvements obtained through the participation in physical exercise/training after training cessation, an aspect that has been poorly studied in obese child population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of detraining on the lipid profile (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides) of obese children. Population and Methods. Studies were collected through a search across sevendatabases. The search was limited to physical exercise programs that lasted, at least, eight weeks and the corresponding detraining, with an assessment of obese children lipid profile. Effect size (ES), 95% confidence intervals and study heterogeneity were estimated using Cochran's Q test (random effects model). Results. Five studies complied with the inclusion criteria and were selected for review (n= 330). In general, intra-group results (posttest versus detraining) indicated that, following detraining, blood levels of HDL cholesterol (ES= 0.12) and total cholesterol (ES= 1.41) were increased. Likewise, inter-group results (experimental group versus control group) confirmed the increase of HDL cholesterol following detraining (ES= 0.49). Conclusions. The results of this systematic review suggest that detraining after a physical exercise program does not lead to a significant loss of the benefits gained in relation to the lipid profile of obese children. However, given the number of analyzed studies and the heterogeneity observed in the analyses and the period defined as detraining (12 to 48 weeks), a higher number of well designed studies is required to obtain more conclusive results.

Ejercicio físico, desentrenamiento y perfil lipidico en niños obesos: una revisión sistemática / Physical exercise, detraining and lipid profile in obese children: a systematic review

Introducción. El desentrenamiento es la pérdida de las mejoras obtenidas por el ejercicio físico/ entrenamiento tras su cese, aspecto poco estudiado en población infantil obesa. Así, el propósito del presente estudio fue evaluar los efectos del desentrenamiento sobre el perfil lipídico (HDL, LDL, colesterol total y triglicéridos) en niños obesos. Población y métodos. Los estudios fueron recuperados mediante la búsqueda en siete bases de datos. Dicha búsqueda se limitó a programas de ejercicio físico de, al menos, ocho semanas de duración y su desentrenamiento, y se evaluó el perfil lipídico de niños obesos. Se calculó el tamaño del efecto (TE), sus intervalos de confianza del 95% y la heterogeneidad de los estudios a través de la Q de Cochrane (modelo de efectos aleatorios). Resultados. Cinco estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y fueron seleccionados para su revisión (n= 330). En general, los resultados intragrupo (postest vs. desentrenamiento) mostraron que, tras el desentrenamiento, el nivel en sangre del colesterol HDL (TE= 0,12) y el colesterol total aumentaron (TE= 1,41). Del mismo modo, los resultados intergrupo (grupo experimental vs. grupo control) confirmaron el aumento del colesterol HDL tras el desentrenamiento (TE= 0,49). Conclusiones. Los resultados de esta revisión sistemática sugieren que el desentrenamiento tras un programa de ejercicio físico no genera una pérdida significativa de los beneficios obtenidos sobre el perfil lipídico de los niños obesos. No obstante, debido al número de estudios analizados y a la heterogeneidad observada en los análisis y en el tiempo considerado como desentrenamiento (de 12 a 48 semanas), se requiere un mayor número de estudios de calidad para obtener resultados más concluyentes.(AU)

Introduction. Detraining is the loss of improvements obtained through the participation in physical exercise/training after training cessation, an aspect that has been poorly studied in obese child population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of detraining on the lipid profile (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides) of obese children. Population and Methods. Studies were collected through a search across sevendatabases. The search was limited to physical exercise programs that lasted, at least, eight weeks and the corresponding detraining, with an assessment of obese children lipid profile. Effect size (ES), 95% confidence intervals and study heterogeneity were estimated using Cochrans Q test (random effects model). Results. Five studies complied with the inclusion criteria and were selected for review (n= 330). In general, intra-group results (posttest versus detraining) indicated that, following detraining, blood levels of HDL cholesterol (ES= 0.12) and total cholesterol (ES= 1.41) were increased. Likewise, inter-group results (experimental group versus control group) confirmed the increase of HDL cholesterol following detraining (ES= 0.49). Conclusions. The results of this systematic review suggest that detraining after a physical exercise program does not lead to a significant loss of the benefits gained in relation to the lipid profile of obese children. However, given the number of analyzed studies and the heterogeneity observed in the analyses and the period defined as detraining (12 to 48 weeks), a higher number of well designed studies is required to obtain more conclusive results.(AU)

Physical exercise, detraining and lipid profile in obese children: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Detraining is the loss of improvements obtained through the participation in physical exercise/training after training cessation, an aspect that has been poorly studied in obese child population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of detraining on the lipid profile (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides) of obese children. POPULATION AND METHODS: Studies were collected through a search across seven databases. The search was limited to physical exercise programs that lasted, at least, eight weeks and the corresponding detraining, with an assessment of obese children lipid profile. Effect size (ES), 95% confidence intervals and study heterogeneity were estimated using Cochran's Q test (random effects model). RESULTS: Five studies complied with the inclusion criteria and were selected for review (n= 330). In general, intra-group results (posttest versus detraining) indicated that, following detraining, blood levels of HDL cholesterol (ES= 0.12) and total cholesterol (ES= 1.41) were increased. Likewise, inter-group results (experimental group versus control group) confirmed the increase of HDL cholesterol following detraining (ES= 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review suggest that detraining after a physical exercise program does not lead to a significant loss of the benefits gained in relation to the lipid profile of obese children. However, given the number of analyzed studies and the heterogeneity observed in the analyses and the period defined as detraining (12 to 48 weeks), a higher number of well designed studies is required to obtain more conclusive results.

Relationship Between Break-Time Physical Activity, Age, and Sex in a Rural Primary Schools, Wales, UK.

The aim of this study was to examine the physical activity during the break-times of primary school children in rural areas, and its relationship with age and sex. 380 children (192 boys and 188 girls; age=9.5±1.1 years) participated in the study. Break-time physical activity in the morning and lunch breaks was measured by accelerometry. An ANOVA was used to determine differences by sex in each age group, together with the respective confidence intervals and effect sizes. The results showed that 8-year-olds performed more physical exercise than 11-year-olds during the two breaks (p=0.005). For the boys, the 8-year-olds did more physical activity than the 10-year-olds, while, for the girls, those aged 8 and 9 years did more PA than girls aged 11 years (p<0.001). The only difference between boys and girls was for the 10-year-olds (p=0.043), with the boys doing more physical activity. Teachers might find it useful to take these findings into account to design physical activity programmes aimed at increasing the playground physical activity of older children.

Endocrinology and Adolescence: aerobic exercise reduces insulin resistance markers in obese youth: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of aerobic exercise interventions on reducing insulin resistance markers in obese children and/or adolescents. A secondary outcome was change in percentage of body fat. METHODS: A computerized search was made from seven databases: CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Science Citation Index. The analysis was restricted to randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of aerobic exercise on insulin resistance markers in obese youth. Two independent reviewers screened studies and extracted data. Effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and the heterogeneity of the studies was estimated using Cochran's Q-statistic. RESULTS: Nine studies were selected for meta-analysis as they fulfilled the inclusion criteria (n=367). Aerobic exercise interventions resulted in decreases in fasting glucose (ES=-0.39; low heterogeneity) and insulin (ES=-0.40; low heterogeneity) and in percentage of body fat (ES=-0.35; low heterogeneity). These improvements were specifically accentuated in adolescents (only in fasting insulin), or through programs lasting more than 12 weeks, three sessions per week, and over 60 min of aerobic exercise per session. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides insights into the effectiveness of aerobic exercise interventions on insulin resistance markers in the obese youth population.

Relationship between exchange block time in swim starts and final performance in relay races in international championships.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between relay exchange block time and final performance in 4 × 100-m and 4 × 200-m freestyle and 4 × 100-m medley relays as a function of sex (men and women) and classification (medallists and non-medallists) in international competitions. Nineteen international competitions covering a 13-year period (2000-2012) were analysed retrospectively. The data corresponded to a total of 827 team relay histories (407 men, 420 women). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were performed to determine any differences by sex, classification, and event. Similarly, the relationship between the exchange block times and final performance was examined by means of a Pearson correlation analysis. In the three events, the men's exchange block times were shorter than those of the women (η(2) = 0.049-0.109; P < 0.001). The exchange block time was especially relevant for the women's relay medallists in the 4 × 100-m freestyle (r = 0.306, P = 0.021) and 4 × 100-m medley (r = 0.385, P = 0.011), while for men the relationship was clearer for the non-medallists. These results suggest that the exchange block time should be considered as one of the performance parameters of swimming relay starts, and thus should be included explicitly as part of training. In particular, the coach could design training targeted at standardising an optimal exchange block time equal to or less than that expected for other teams in the competition.

Effects of a long-term physical exercise program with and without diet on obese boys after six-month detraining.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on physical fitness and detraining have been conducted on normal-weight children. Their results indicate that any gains regress to the untrained control values during the detraining period. It, therefore, seems necessary to determine how detraining affects the different fitness parameters in obese children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of detraining (6 months) on kinanthropometry and the components of physical fitness after an intervention (31 months) consisting of a program of exercise and/or diet for obese boys. METHODS: The participants were 18 boys, aged between 8 and 11 years, divided into E and E+D groups according to the program they followed. The E group followed a physical exercise program (three 90-minute sessions/ week), and the E+D group the same physical exercise program plus a low calorie diet. Physical fitness was assessed by the European physical fitness test battery including flamingo balance, plate tapping, sit-andreach, standing broad jump, hand-grip strength, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, 10 × 5-metre shuttle run, and 20-metre endurance shuttle run. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to reveal overall intergroup differences (E and E+D groups), and measurements showing significant differences were further analysed for differences between individual groups by the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: In both groups, changes were observed in various physical fitness parameters, especially limb speed (E group, P=0.001; E+D group, P=0.002), agility (E group, P<0.001; E+D group, P<0.001), and aerobic fitness (E group, P=0.009; E+D group, P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Detraining after a long-term intervention based on the combination of exercise program and exercise program plus diet in obese boys does not affect the changes attained during the intervention.

Playground designs to increase physical activity levels during school recess: a systematic review.

School recess provides a major opportunity to increase children's physical activity levels. Various studies have described strategies to increase levels of physical activity. The purpose of this systematic review is therefore to examine the interventions proposed as forms of increasing children's physical activity levels during recess. A systematic search of seven databases was made from the July 1 to July 5, 2012, leading to a final set of eight studies (a total of 2,383 subjects-599 "preschoolers" and 1,784 "schoolchildren") meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies were classified according to the intervention used: playground markings, game equipment, playground markings plus physical structures, and playground markings plus game equipment. The results of these studies indicate that the strategies analyzed do have the potential to increase physical activity levels during recess. The cumulative evidence was (a) that interventions based on playground markings, game equipment, or a combination of the two, do not seem to increase the physical activity of preschoolers and schoolchildren during recess and (ii) that interventions based on playground markings plus physical structures do increase the physical activity of schoolchildren during recess in the short to medium term.

Physical exercise, detraining and lipid profile in obese children: a systematic review. / Physical exercise, detraining and lipid profile in obese children: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Detraining is the loss of improvements obtained through the participation in physical exercise/training after training cessation, an aspect that has been poorly studied in obese child population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of detraining on the lipid profile (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides) of obese children. POPULATION AND METHODS: Studies were collected through a search across seven databases. The search was limited to physical exercise programs that lasted, at least, eight weeks and the corresponding detraining, with an assessment of obese children lipid profile. Effect size (ES), 95

confidence intervals and study heterogeneity were estimated using Cochrans Q test (random effects model). RESULTS: Five studies complied with the inclusion criteria and were selected for review (n= 330). In general, intra-group results (posttest versus detraining) indicated that, following detraining, blood levels of HDL cholesterol (ES= 0.12) and total cholesterol (ES= 1.41) were increased. Likewise, inter-group results (experimental group versus control group) confirmed the increase of HDL cholesterol following detraining (ES= 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review suggest that detraining after a physical exercise program does not lead to a significant loss of the benefits gained in relation to the lipid profile of obese children. However, given the number of analyzed studies and the heterogeneity observed in the analyses and the period defined as detraining (12 to 48 weeks), a higher number of well designed studies is required to obtain more conclusive results.

The cadence and water temperature effect on physiological responses during water cycling.

The aim of the study was to compare the maximal physiological responses during three protocols: maximal test on land cycle ergometer, maximal test on water cycling in an indoor pool at 27 °C (WC27) and at 31 °C (WC31). Moreover, the submaximal physiological responses were compared according cycling cadences and water temperatures during the water protocols. Ten young men were included and performed the protocols in separate days. Blood lactate (BL) concentration, heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), ventilation (VE) and thermal comfort (TC) were collected during the exercise. The maximal HR and VO2 showed no significant differences between the protocols: HRmax: 189 ± 7 (Land), 188 ± 14 (WC27), 185 ± 9 bpm (WC31) and VO2max: 4.2 ± 0.4 (Land), 4.1 ± 0.5 (WC27) and 4.3 ± 0.5 l min(-1) (WC31). However, the maximal BL demonstrated significant lower values during the water protocols compared to the land protocol (p=0.018). All the submaximal physiological responses showed significant differences between the cadences (60, 70, 80 and 90 rpm). The effect of water temperature was significant for TC response (p=0.001) showing higher values at 31 °C than 27 °C (TCW27: 7 ± 1 and TCW31:9 ± 1). In conclusion, higher physiological responses were showed by increasing the cadence by 10 rpm and the subjects were more comfortable when cycling in the lower water temperature.

Sport nutrition and doping factors in swimming; parallel analysis among athletes and coaches.

The sport nutrition and doping are known to be important issues in sports, but there is evident lack of studies which investigated those issues in swimming, especially with regard to parallel analysis of coaches and athletes. The first aim of this study was to compare knowledge of swimming coaches and their athletes about nutrition and doping. Also, we have identified interrelationships between studied sociodemographic-, sport-; nutrition- and doping-related-factors. The sample of subjects comprised 55 athletes (20.3 +/- 2.2 years of age; 24 females) and 22 coaches (mean age 36.5 +/- 7.8 years; 4 females) from Croatia (98% of respondents). In the first phase of the investigation we have validated specific questionnaires to determine the knowledge of sport nutrition (KSN), and knowledge on doping (KD). The test-retest correlation and percentage of equally responded queries revealed both questionnaires as reliable. The discriminative validity was proven also since coaches scored better than their athletes on both questionnaires. Athletes declared their coaches as the primary sources of knowledge about nutrition and doping. Among coaches, formal and self-education are equally important sources of information about doping and nutrition. The age is negatively, while the formal education is positively correlated to KD and KSN scores among coaches. Consequently, permanent educational programs about nutrition and doping are emphasized, especially among older coaches and younger athletes.

Differences and discriminatory power of water polo game-related statistics in men in international championships and their relationship with the phase of the competition.

The aims of this study were (a) to compare water polo game-related statistics by context (winning and losing teams) and phase (preliminary, classification, and semifinal/bronze medal/gold medal), and (b) identify characteristics that discriminate performances for each phase. The game-related statistics of the 230 men's matches played in World Championships (2007, 2009, and 2011) and European Championships (2008 and 2010) were analyzed. Differences between contexts (winning or losing teams) in each phase (preliminary, classification, and semifinal/bronze medal/gold medal) were determined using the chi-squared statistic, also calculating the effect sizes of the differences. A discriminant analysis was then performed after the sample-splitting method according to context (winning and losing teams) in each of the 3 phases. It was found that the game-related statistics differentiate the winning from the losing teams in each phase of an international championship. The differentiating variables are both offensive and defensive, including action shots, sprints, goalkeeper-blocked shots, and goalkeeper-blocked action shots. However, the number of discriminatory variables decreases as the phase becomes more demanding and the teams become more equally matched. The discriminant analysis showed the game-related statistics to discriminate performance in all phases (preliminary, classificatory, and semifinal/bronze medal/gold medal phase) with high percentages (91, 90, and 73%, respectively). Again, the model selected both defensive and offensive variables.

Relationship between final performance and block times with the traditional and the new starting platforms with a back plate in international swimming championship 50-m and 100-m freestyle events.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between block time and final performance for each sex in 50-m and 100-m individual freestyle, distinguishing between classification (1st to 3rd, 4th to 8th, 9th to 16th) and type of starting platform (old and new) in international competitions. Twenty-six international competitions covering a 13-year period (2000-2012) were analysed retrospectively. The data corresponded to a total of 1657 swimmers' competition histories. A two-way ANOVA (sex x classification) was performed for each event and starting platform with the Bonferroni post-hoc test, and another two-way ANOVA for sex and starting platform (sex x starting platform). Pearson's simple correlation coefficient was used to determine correlations between the block time and the final performance. Finally, a simple linear regression analysis was done between the final time and the block time for each sex and platform. The men had shorter starting block times than the women in both events and from both platforms. For 50-m event, medalists had shorter block times than semi- finalists with the old starting platforms. Block times were directly related to performance with the old starting platforms. With the new starting platforms, however, the relationship was inverse, notably in the women's 50-m event. The block time was related for final performance in the men's 50- m event with the old starting platform, but with the new platform it was critical only for the women's 50-m event. Key PointsThe men had shorter block times than the women in both events and with both platforms.For both distances, the swimmers had shorter block times in their starts from the new starting platform with a back plate than with the old platform.For the 50-m event with the old starting platform, the medalists had shorter block times than the semi-finalists.The new starting platform block time was only determinant in the women's 50-m event.In order to improve performance, specific training with the new platform with a back plate should be considered.

Actividad física en el ámbito escolar / Physical activity in the scholar field

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Improvement of the lipid profile with exercise in obese children: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of different physical exercise interventions on the lipid profile (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG)) of obese children. METHOD: A computerized search was made of seven databases using keywords. Effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and the heterogeneity (I(2)) of the studies was estimated using Cochran's Q-statistic applied to the effect size means. The studies were grouped according to the intervention program-aerobic alone or combined (aerobic fitness, strength, and flexibility). RESULTS: Seven studies were selected for review as satisfying the inclusion criteria. Six were randomized controlled trials (n=318) and one was a controlled clinical trial (groups not randomly assigned) (n=38). The main cumulative evidence indicates that the programs based on aerobic exercise alone have a moderate (ES=-0.49; I²=87) and a large effect (ES=-0.55; I²=77) on LDL-C and TG concentrations, respectively; and the programs based on combined exercise have a moderate effect (ES=0.50; I²=0) on HDL-C concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The programs based on aerobic exercise (60 min, 3 times/week, ≤75% maximum heart rate) improve the LDL-C and TG concentrations. Moreover, the programs based on combined exercise (≥60 min, >75% maximum heart rate) also improve the HDL-C concentration.

A 12-year analysis of pacing strategies in 200- and 400-m individual medley in international swimming competitions.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the pacing strategies employed in 200- and 400-m individual medley events and which style was the most determinant for the final performance as a function of sex and classification in international competitions. Twenty-six international competitions covering a 12-year period (2000-2011) were analyzed retrospectively: Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan Pacific Games, U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and Australian Olympic Trials. The data corresponded to a total of 1,643 swimmers' competition histories (821 men, 822 women). A 2-way analysis of variance (sex [2 levels: men, women] × classification [3 levels: 1st to 3rd, 4th to 8th, 9th to 16th]) was performed for each stroke (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle). The Bonferroni post hoc test was used to compare means. Pearson's simple correlation coefficient was used to determine correlations between the style (sections time) and the final performance (total time). The men employed a smaller percentage of their event times in the breaststroke than did the women and a greater percentage in the freestyle in both the 200- and 400-m distances, with the fastest style for both sexes being the butterfly. Considering only the medalists, in men (200 and 400 m), the backstroke was the style that most determined their final performance, whereas in women, it was the backstroke (200 m) or freestyle (400 m). It was concluded that in general the men apply a positive pacing strategy in the 200- and 400-m individual medley events, whereas the women apply a negative pacing strategy. The practical application of the study is that it suggests the need for a differentiated approach in training men and women individual medley swimmers.