Body Dissatisfaction among Young Girls in Recreational Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Body dissatisfaction is commonly associated with rhythmic gymnastics (RG) practice, but limited research exists on the prevalence of this issue among recreational level practitioners. This study examines body image dissatisfaction among young girls practicing RG recreationally. A total of 88 girls between six and eleven years of age, who participate in RG as an extracurricular activity, were measured and completed the Stunkard pictogram. To create a control group, 88 girls who did not practice RG were also recruited and matched to the gymnasts by age. Results revealed that the mean body mass index values in both groups were within the normal weight range. The mean score for body dissatisfaction was similar between the two groups, with slightly positive values (RG = 0.94; CG = 1.06). The Mann-Whitney U test showed that there was no significant difference in the ratings of actual body size, ideal body size, and body dissatisfaction between the RG and control groups. These findings suggest that practicing RG at a young age is not associated with body dissatisfaction among girls.

Alcohol use and family-related factors among Spanish university students: the unHicos project.

BACKGROUND: During adolescence and youth there are relevant changes in the consolidation, gain or loss of consumption habits and lifestyles and the family factors has a fundamental role to development these habits. The study of the consumption of toxins, such as alcohol intake, is crucial at this stage due to the repercussions that said consumption presents in adulthood. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the associations between alcohol consumption patterns and related family factors (family functioning, family history of alcohol consumption) in Spanish university students. METHODS: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study, carried out in first-year university students from 11 Spanish universities. Through an online questionnaire, alcohol consumption (risky consumption and intensive consumption or binge drinking), family functioning and history of alcohol in the family were evaluated. Risky alcohol consumption and binge drinking were assessed using the AUDIT test, and family functioning was assessed using the family APGAR questionnaire. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, as well as the Chi-Square test and Student's T-Test, and non-conditional logistic regression models were carried out to examine this association. RESULTS: The prevalence of risky alcohol consumption identified in the 10,167 respondents was 16.9% (95% CI = 16.2-17.6), and that of BD was 48.8% (95% CI = 47.9-48.8). There is a significant association between risky alcohol consumption and family functioning in students of both sexes, with greater consumption in the face of severe dysfunctional support (men OR = 1.72; p < 0.001 and women OR = 1.74; p < 0.001) and family history of consumption (p = 0.005). Regarding the binge drinking pattern, no statistically significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Risky alcohol consumption in university students is associated with dysfunctional family support, unlike the binge drinking pattern, where there is no such association. The findings of this study show the importance of creating prevention programs focused on the family approach in university students, which include alcohol screening in the population with a family history of this substance, and greater social support from health services.

Physical activity, dietary habits and sleep quality before and during COVID-19 lockdown: A longitudinal study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the health public authorities to impose a lockdown as an epidemiological containment strategy. This study aimed to provide information regarding the impact of the mandatory confinement on the physical activity, eating disorders risk, sleep quality and well-being on a Spanish sample. An online survey that included the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Eating Attitude Test-26, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was administered two days after the state of alarm was stablished in Spain and five days after such measures began to be eased. Out of the 693 people who answered the first questionnaire, 161 completed the second one. These participants spent a total of 48 days locked at home, a period during which a significant worsening in all the variables assessed except for the risk of developing eating disorders, was observed: weight (kg), 67.3 ± 14.8 vs 67.7 ± 15.1, p = 0.012; physical activity (MET minutes per week), 8515.7 ± 10260.0 vs 5053.5 ± 5502.0, p < 0.001; sleep problems (total score), 6.2 ± 3.5 vs 7.2 ± 3.9, p < 0.001; self-perceived well-being (score), 4 (3-4) vs 3 (3-4), p < 0.001. The confinement had a significant differential effect on physically active participants, who experienced a significant decline (p < 0.05) on their physical activity levels, quality of sleep and well-being; whereas physically inactive participants did not experience significant changes. Findings from this longitudinal study indicate that a lockdown period due to COVID-19 had a negative impact on the physical activity levels, sleep quality and well-being in a group of physically active Spanish adults. Public health authorities should be aware that people who usually lead an active lifestyle, might be particularly susceptible to such disruptions.

The Long-Term Benefits of a Multicomponent Physical Activity Program to Body Composition, Muscle Strength, Cardiorespiratory Capacity, and Bone Mineral Density in a Group of Nonagenarians.

Promotion of physical activity among older adults is considered to be one of the main actions that can result in more successful aging. Currently, there are few studies focusing on the effects of long-duration physical activity interventions in older adults. This study examined the effects of an 8-month multicomponent intervention on cardiorespiratory capacity (6-minute walking test), body composition (body-mass index), muscle strength (handgrip and knee extension), and bone mineral density (femoral neck) in a group of nonagenarians. A secondary aim was to determine the impact of the program according to the participant's way of life (institutionalized vs. community dwelling). A total of 14 institutionalized nonagenarians (years: 93.1 ± 1.6; female: 100%) and 16 community-dwelling nonagenarians (years: 93.1 ± 1.6; female: 75%) participated in this study. Our analysis suggested that the multicomponent program significantly improved the levels of strength in handgrip and leg extension in all participants. Intergroup analysis showed that the changes experienced were greater in community-dwelling people. Improvements in the cardiorespiratory capacity of older adults-more distance walked in 6 minutes-who were living in the nursing home (mean distance traveled: 238.5 ± 96.0 vs. 250.7 ± 99.0 m) were observed. Our findings found that an 8-month, multicomponent intervention program results in significant improvements in the levels of strength (handgrip and knee extension) in nonagenarians. This effect is greater in community-dwelling people.

Effects of two programmes of combined Land-Based and Water-Based exercise on the cognitive function and fitness levels of healthy older adults

Abstract Very little is known about the influence training programmes that combine land-based and water-based exercises might have on the cognitive function of healthy older people. Aim to analyze the combined effect of two physical exercise programs (water-based and land-based) on fitness level and cognitive function. Method 15 senior citizens carried out a water and land-based exercise program (EF group), while 22 senior citizens followed the same program with the addition of cognitive training performed in water (EC group). The effects of both programs were assessed by means of the Symbol Digit Modalities, the Two-minute step and the Timed-up-and-go tests. Results The data obtained showed that both programs had significant effects on the participants' fitness level and cognitive function, although only those in the EC group showed a significantly higher improvement. Conclusion The combination of water-based and land-based exercise may lead to improvements in cognitive functions and fitness levels in healthy older adults. The inclusion of cognitive exercises performed in water seems to maximise these effects.(AU)

Energy cost and motivation in a population of young swimmers / Custo energético e motivação em uma população de jovens nadadores / Costo energético y motivación en una población de jóvenes nadadores

Objective: To examine the relationship between the energy cost implied in competition in different swimming events and its relationship with motivation to practice this sport. Methods: A total of 389 swimmers (192 boys and 197 girls), aged 8-22 years, who competed in events with different energy demands responded to the Spanish versions of the Participation Motivation Inventory. Results: A multivariate analysis showed that the energy cost of the preferential event had a significant influence on the swimmer motivation (Wilk's λ=0.96, F7,388=6.29, P<0.005). A later univariate analysis showed that the motivation of swimmers in predominantly aerobic modalities, as compared to those in anaerobic ones, was significantly influenced by four motivational components: "Health/Fitness", "Fun/Friendship", "Competition/Skills" and "Significant Others". The motivational factors also varied according to gender and stage of sport development of the swimmers. Conclusion: The results of this study show signs that the motivational factors related to the practice of competitive swimming in young athletes behaves differently depending on the energy cost of the test carried out. .

Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre o custo energético implícito na competição em diferentes eventos de natação e sua relação com a motivação para a prática desse esporte. Métodos: Um total de 389 nadadores (192 meninos e 197 meninas), com idades entre 8 e 22 anos, que competiram em eventos com diferentes demandas de energia respondeu às versões em espanhol do Inventário de Motivação para a Participação. Resultados: A análise multivariada demonstrou que o custo energético do evento preferido teve influência significante sobre a motivação dos nadadores (Î" de Wilkis = 0,96, F7.388 = 6,29, P < 0,005). Uma análise univariada posterior mostrou que a motivação dos nadadores nas modalidades predominantemente aeróbias, em comparação com as anaeróbias, foi significativamente influenciada por quatro componentes motivacionais: "Saúde/Boa forma física", "Diversão/Amizade", "Competição/Habilidades" e "Pessoas significantes". Os fatores motivacionais também variaram de acordo com o sexo e o estágio de desenvolvimento desportivo dos nadadores. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo mostram sinais de que os fatores motivacionais relacionados com a prática da natação competitiva em jovens atletas comportam-se de forma diferente, dependendo do custo energético do teste realizado. .

Objetivo: Examinar el relacionamiento entre el costo energético implicado en la competición en diferentes eventos de natación y su relacionamiento con la motivación para la práctica de este deporte. Métodos: Un total de 389 nadadores (192 masculinos y 197 femeninos), con edad entre 8-22 años, que competían en eventos con diferentes demandas de energía respondieron a las versiones en Español del Inventario de Motivación para la Práctica. Resultados: Un análisis multivariado mostró que el costo energético del evento preferencial tuvo una influencia significativa en la motivación de los nadadores (WilkÂ's Î"=0,96, F7.388=6,29, P<0,005). Un análisis univariado posterior mostró que la motivación de los nadadores en modalidades predominantemente aeróbicas, comparada con aquellas anaeróbicas, fue significativamente influenciada por cuatro componentes motivacionales: "Salud/Aptitud", "Diversión/Amistad", "Competición/Habilidades", y "Otros Significativos". Los factores motivacionales también variaron de acuerdo al género y nivel de desarrollo deportivo de los nadadores. Conclusión: Los resultados en este estudio muestran señales del hecho de que los factores motivacionales en la práctica de natación competitiva en jóvenes atletas se comporta de formas diferentes, dependiendo del costo energético del test realizado. .

Prescription of physical exercise in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise may be potentially beneficial for recovering physical condition and improving quality of life in populations suffering from chronic conditions, but little is known about its effects on patients suffering from Crohn's disease. AIMS: To provide reasonable and conservative recommendations for exercise regimens that appear clinically safe and feasible in patients suffering from Crohn's disease. METHODS: Relevant clinical studies about the effects of physical exercise on Crohn's disease, written in English language and carried out with human subjects were reviewed. RESULTS: Few relevant clinical studies have evaluated the effects of an exercise intervention on patients experiencing Crohn's disease. There seem to be two main types of physical interventions that should be recommended: aerobic activity and muscular resistance training. CONCLUSIONS: Some basic guidelines about how to prescribe physical exercise in Crohn's disease can be provided. However, more research is needed as few studies have been carried out so far.

Benefits of physical exercise for older adults with Alzheimer's disease.

The physical and mental benefits of exercise are widely known but seldom available to persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD). This article presents information on the potential benefits of physical exercise for people with AD, discussing some of the metabolic and neuropathological changes regarded as underlying causes of AD, as well as some of the psychological and organic abnormalities that can be modified through exercise. The extent to which physical exercise programs can play a role in the treatment of AD is addressed in the second part of the article, describing the most relevant clinical studies in this field. Finally, the article provides information about how to prescribe physical exercise for AD patients, mainly by giving examples of structured physical programs designed for older adults with dementia.