Reliability and criterion-related validity of the Cooper test in pre-adolescents and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The Cooper test (CT) is used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in pre-adolescents and adolescents, although it was originally developed to assess healthy adults. The aim of this study is to examine the available scientific evidence on the reliability and criterion validity of CT when administered to pre-adolescents and adolescents. Systematic searches were performed in three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscuss and Scopus). To examine reliability and validity, four separate meta-analyses were implemented, finding high heterogeneity in studies with low methodological quality. There was a paucity of research regarding absolute reliability, while studies attempting to develop or cross-validate VO2max/VO2peak equations were almost non-existent. Information on the psychometric properties of CT in pre-adolescents under 12 years of age is scarce. The findings of this review cast doubt on the usefulness of CT both in identifying CRF and in determining the impact of strategies developed to improve CRF among pre-adolescents and adolescents.

Efectos de un programa de rehabilitación temprana en el desarrollo y adquisición de hitos motores en un niño con síndrome de Down: un estudio de caso / Effects of an early rehabilitation program on the development and acquisition of motor milestones in a child with Down syndrome: A case study

Antecedentes y objetivo: La rehabilitación temprana en el síndrome de Down (SD) es una estrategia fisioterápica de utilidad, si bien la evidencia científica al respecto no es muy amplia. Este estudio de caso tuvo como objetivo aportar información sobre los efectos de un programa de rehabilitación temprana en el perfil de desarrollo y adquisición de hitos de un niño con SD. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de caso único de medidas repetidas, en el que un niño con SD de 22 meses de edad realizó un programa de rehabilitación psicomotriz. Los contenidos incluyeron actividades de motricidad gruesa y fina, así como tareas de estimulación cognitiva. Para determinar los efectos del programa en el perfil de desarrollo y la adquisición de hitos motores, se emplearon el Inventario de Batelle y la batería «Peabody Motor Developmental Scale», respectivamente. Resultados: Tras completar un total de 10 sesiones se observó una evolución en las áreas personal/social, motoras, comunicativas y cognitiva del niño. El programa tuvo efectos positivos en la motricidad gruesa, si bien su impacto en la motricidad fina fue mucho menor (mejoras en 4 de los 8 ítems valorados). Conclusiones: La realización de un programa de rehabilitación temprana se tradujo en cambios positivos en el desarrollo y en la adquisición de hitos de la motricidad gruesa en un niño de 22 meses de edad con SD. Las mejoras en la motricidad fina son más complejas de lograr mediante este tipo de programas. (AU)

Background and objective: Early rehabilitation in Down syndrome (DS) is a useful physiotherapy strategy, although the scientific evidence in this respect is not very extensive. This case study aimed to provide information on the effects of an early rehabilitation program on the developmental profile and milestones’ acquisition in a child with DS. Materials and methods: A single case study of repeated measures was conducted, in which a 22-month-old child with DS underwent a psychomotor rehabilitation program. Sessions’ contents included gross and fine motor activities, as well as cognitive stimulation tasks. The Batelle Inventory and the Peabody Motor Developmental Scale Battery were used to determine the effects of the program on the developmental profile and the acquisition of motor milestones, respectively. Results: After completing a total of 10 sessions, a progressive evolution was observed in the personal/social, motor, communication and cognitive areas of the child. The program had positive effects on gross motor skills, although its impact on fine motor skills was minor (improvements in 4 of the 8 items assessed). Conclusions: The implementation of an early rehabilitation program resulted in positive developmental changes and in the acquisition of gross motor milestones in a 22-month-old child with DS. Improvements in fine motor skills are more complex to achieve through this type of programs. (AU)

Feasibility of a dance and exercise with music programme on adults with intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: Research regarding the feasibility and effects of dancing and exercise with musical support programmes on the physical fitness of adults with intellectual disability (ID) is scarce. The purpose of this study was to provide scientific evidence regarding the feasibility of a training programme consisting of dancing and exercise with music designed for adults with ID, as well as to assess its impact on their body composition and cardiovascular and muscular fitness. METHODS: A total of 30 adults (mean age 36.37 ± 11.24 years) with mild (n = 13), moderate (n = 16) or severe (n = 1) ID took part in a 10-week dancing and exercise with music programme. Recruitment and completion rate, adherence to the programme, participation and adverse effects were registered as measures of feasibility. The body mass index, cardiovascular endurance (6-min walk test) and muscular strength (standing long jump test) of the participants were assessed in order to determine the effects of the programme on their fitness level. RESULTS: A 92.5% recruitment rate and a 90% completion rate were achieved. Adherence to the programme stood at 76.6%, and no adverse effects were registered. The comparison between the values obtained in the initial and final evaluations indicated the existence of positive changes in all the fitness dimensions measured. CONCLUSION: A training programme combining dancing and exercise with music proved to be feasible when performed by adults with ID. These kind of programmes can have a positive effect on the fitness level of this specific group.

Efectos del ejercicio físico en personas con lupus eritematoso sistémico: revisión sistemática / Effects of physical exercise in a population with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review

Esta revisión sistemática tuvo como objetivo analizar la evidencia científica existente sobre los efectos que el ejercicio físico tiene en la sintomatología, actividad de la enfermedad y condición física de personas con lupus eritematoso sistémico. Siguiendo la lista de verificación «PRISMA», se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed, PEDro y Sportdiscus, empleándose las escalas PEDro y MINORS para determinar la calidad metodológica de las mismas. Se localizaron en total 14 investigaciones, 10 estudios controlados y 4 comparativos. La práctica de ejercicio produjo mejoras significativas en la condición física y la fatiga, no registrándose efectos adversos derivados de su práctica. Ningún estudio reportó efectos positivos en la actividad de la enfermedad. Los resultados obtenidos indican que la práctica de ejercicio físico es segura en personas con lupus eritematoso sistémico, si bien sus beneficiosos se reducen principalmente a mejoras en su forma física y en su nivel de fatiga percibida

This systematic review was aimed at analysing the existing scientific evidence regarding the effects of physical exercise on the symptomatology, disease activity, and fitness level in a population with systemic lupus erythematosus. Following the PRISMA checklist, a search was carried out on PubMed, PEDro, and Sportdiscus databases. The PEDro and MINORS checklists were used in order to identify the methodological quality of the studies selected. A total of 14 studies were found, of which 10 were randomised controlled trials, and 4 were comparative studies. The performance of physical exercise led to significant improvements in fitness and fatigue. No adverse effects were registered. None of the studies found reported positive effects on the disease activity. The obtained results imply that the performance of physical exercise is safe for people with systemic lupus erythematosus, although its benefits are reduced mainly to improvements in their fitness and perceived level of fatigue

[Effects of physical exercise in a population with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review]. / Efectos del ejercicio físico en personas con lupus eritematoso sistémico: revisión sistemática.

This systematic review was aimed at analysing the existing scientific evidence regarding the effects of physical exercise on the symptomatology, disease activity, and fitness level in a population with systemic lupus erythematosus. Following the PRISMA checklist, a search was carried out on PubMed, PEDro, and Sportdiscus databases. The PEDro and MINORS checklists were used in order to identify the methodological quality of the studies selected. A total of 14 studies were found, of which 10 were randomised controlled trials, and 4 were comparative studies. The performance of physical exercise led to significant improvements in fitness and fatigue. No adverse effects were registered. None of the studies found reported positive effects on the disease activity. The obtained results imply that the performance of physical exercise is safe for people with systemic lupus erythematosus, although its benefits are reduced mainly to improvements in their fitness and perceived level of fatigue.

Physical activity questionnaires for Spanish children and adolescents: a systematic review / Cuestionarios de actividad física para niños y adolescentes españoles: una revisión sistemática.

Questionnaires aimed at assessing the prevalence of physical activity are tools frequently used by health professionals. It is important to provide them with information about the characteristics and quality of these questionnaires. This systematic review aimed to identify and analyse the characteristics and psychometric properties of this type of questionnaires when administered to Spanish children and adolescents. A total of 14 questionnaires were found. Accurate validity values were obtained in two of them. Only two questionnaires obtained a score >5 in the "Qualitative Attributes and Measurement Properties of Physical Activity Questionnaires" checklist. Among the available questionnaires, the APALQ (9-18 years) and the ENERGY (12-14 years) seem to be the most accurate tools for assessing physical activity prevalence in Spanish children and adolescents, albeit with limitations that should be taken into account.