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Introduction: childhood obesity is a worldwide health concern. For this issue different intervention have being planned to increase physical activity patterns and reduce the excess of weight in children with limited or no success.Objective: the aim of this study is to evaluate the results of a pilot intervention consisting in three 15-minute breaks conducted by educators and supervised by physical education teachers on motor skills and nutritional status in preschool children.Methods: sample was 70 preschool children (32 boys and 38 girls), age 4 ± 0,6 years. The physical activity classes were performed three times a week, 45 minutes daily, distributed in three 15 minutes breaks. The circuits were planned to have; jumps, sprints, carrying medicinal balls, gallops and crawling. Motor skill tests that were performed Standing long jump (SLJ) and Twelve meter run.Results: with the intervention no significant differences in nutritional status where found on mean Z score (boys p = 0.49, girls p = 0.77). An increment on weight and height was fount after the intervention (p < 0.0001). Regarding the 12 meter run test, we found significant changes after the intervention when we normalize by weight in boys (p = 0.002) and girls (p < 0.0001). Our results have shown than boys significantly increased their SLJ and SLJ normalized by weight (p < 0.0001); a similar result was found in girls after the intervention (p < 0.0001) suggesting the increment of power independent of weight gain.Conclusions: in conclusion, this pilot study found that an intervention with more intense activities in small breaks (15 minutes), and guided by the educators could improve essential motor skills (running and jumping) in preschool children of a semi-rural sector independent of nutritional status. This gaining in motor skills is the first step to increase physical activity levels in preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: there is a lack of studies concerning hydration status before training in professional soccer player. Purpose: to describe hydration status before regular training practices in professional soccer players. Methods: a total of 156 male soccer players (age 25.4 ± 5.2 y) from six professional Chilean clubs were included. No hydration or food intake recommendations were made before experiment, with the aim to assess hydration status under athlete's regular “real" conditions. Body mass, height and urine specific gravity (USG) measurements were performed before training practices. Results: 98% of athletes showed dehydration (between moderate and severe) before regular training practices. Discussion: dehydration is the most prevalent hydration status in professional Chilean soccer players before training, which may negatively affect athlete's performance and may increase their risk of heat-related injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Heart rate variability and resting metabolic rate are commonly to assess athlete´s physiological status and energy requirements. Exercise-induced dehydration can reach up to 5% of body mass per hour. Consequently, dehydration may have a profound physiological effect on human's homeostasis. Objectives: To compare the effects of dehydration and rehydration after exercise on heart rate variability and resting metabolic rate in college athletes. Methods: 14 college athletes were divided into a dehydration group (n=7) and a rehydration group (n=7), both submitted to basal (T1) heart rate variability and resting metabolic rate measurements. After basal measurements both groups were actively dehydrated (-3.4 ± 0.4% of body mass for both groups). Afterwards, dehydration group rested, while rehydration group receive a fluid intake (during a 3 h period) equivalent to 150% of body mass loss achieved during active dehydration. Four hours after active dehydration heart rate variability and resting metabolic rate were re-assessed (T2). Results: At T2 both rehydration group (+13%) and dehydration group (+30%) achieve a significant (p<0.05) increase in resting metabolic rate, however, only dehydration group ..showed a significant reduction in heart rate variability. More so, the change in resting metabolic rate was significantly higher in dehydration group compared to rehydration group. Discussion: Hydric homeostasis after exercise affects resting metabolic rate and heart rate variability, highlighting the necessity to control hydration state before resting metabolic rate and heart rate variability assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]