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Background Physical fitness and body composition are important health indicators; nevertheless, their combined pattern interrelationships and their association with mortality are poorly investigated. Methods This longitudinal study is part of the Spanish EXERNET-Elder project. Person-months of follow-up were calculated from the interview date, performed between June 2008 and November 2009, until the date of death or censoring on March 2018 (whichever came first). In order to be included, participants had to fulfill the following criteria: (a) be older than 65 years, (b) live independently at home, (c) not suffer dementia and/or cancer, and (d) have a body mass index above 18.5. Body fat and weight were assessed by a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Fitness was measured with the Senior Fitness and the one-leg static balance tests. The Spanish Death Index was consulted for the death’s identification. Cluster analysis was performed to identify Fat–Fit patterns and traditional cut-points and percentiles to create the Fat–Fit groups. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) of death in clustered Fat–Fit patterns and in traditional Fat–Fit groups. Results A total of 2299 older adults (76.8% of women) were included with a baseline mean age of 71.9 ± 5.2 years. A total of 196 deaths (8.7% of the sample) were identified during the 8 years of follow-up. Four clustered Fat–Fit patterns (Low fat–Fit, Medium fat–Fit, High fat–Unfit, and Low fat–Unfit) and 9 traditional Fat–Fit groups emerged. Using the Low fat–Fit pattern as the reference, significantly increased mortality was noted in High fat–Unfit (HR: 1.68, CI: 1.06–2.66) and Low fat–Unfit (HR: 2.01, CI: 1.28–3.16) groups. All the traditional Fit groups showed lower mortality risk when compared to the reference group (obese–unfit group). Conclusion Physical fitness is a determinant factor in terms of survival in community-dwelling older adults, independently of adiposity levels.

Rodríguez-Fernández, A, Sanchez-Sanchez, J, Ramirez-Campillo, R, Nakamura, FY, Rodríguez-Marroyo, JA, and Villa-Vicente, JG. Relationship between repeated sprint ability, aerobic capacity, intermittent endurance, and heart rate recovery in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3406-3413, 2019-To investigate the relationship between repeated sprint ability (RSA) and several aerobic and anaerobic-related soccer-performance indicators, 45 youth soccer players (age 16.8 ± 0.1 years) were classified into "high" (HAF) or "low" aerobic fitness (LAF) (VO2max ≥ or60 ml·kg·min, respectively) and completed an RSA test measuring best (RSAbest), mean (RSAmean), total sprint time (RSAtotal), and percent sprint decrement (Sdec). A laboratory VO2max test (LabTest) together with anaerobic threshold (VT) and peak speed was measured (vLabTest). In addition, a 20-m multistage shuttle run test (MSRT) and a soccer-specific test (TIVRE-Soccer test-TST) were completed. Heart rate (HR) and HR recovery (HRR) were measured during all tests. High aerobic fitness presented greater (p ≤ 0.05) performance in LabTest, MSRT and TST, at maximal effort, at VT, as well as faster HRR. RSA was similar between HAF and LAF. Contrary to HAF, LAF showed negative correlation between vLabTest with RSAmean (r = -0.6, p = 0.000) and Sdec (r = -0.4, p = 0.044). Also, LAF showed negative correlation between TST end speed (vTST) and RSAmean (r = -0.5, p = 0.005) and Sdec (r = -0.5, p = 0.003). In LAF, RSA was strongly correlated with locomotor factors (e.g., vTST; VT) in both laboratory and field tests. Athletes with high total HRR (12.5%) in TST presented better (p ≤ 0.05) Sdec in the RSA test. The multiple regression revealed that the LAF vLabTest explained 44.9, 40.0, and 13.5% of the variance in RSAbest, RSAmean, and Sdec, respectively. Practitioners may consider these findings to optimize youth athletes' assessment and preparation processes.

La malformación vascular más común del tracto digestivo son las angiodisplasias gastrointestinales. Se caracterizan por una dilatación venocapilar con elevada fragilidad vascular, estado patológico que deriva en sangrados gastrointestinales. La prevalencia aumenta en pacientes de edad avanzada y pluripatológicos, lo que condiciona el tratamiento y pronóstico de las angiodisplasias./nEl objetivo es evaluar la eficacia del tratamiento de las angiodisplasias con análogos de somatostatina, siendo estos el Octreótido y el Lanreótido (fuera de ficha técnica para la indicación), en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual. Además, se tratará de relacionar la respuesta terapéutica con la localización de las lesiones, comorbilidades, reingresos, transfusiones sanguíneas y prescripción de anticoagulantes. /nSe llevó a cabo un estudio observacional retrospectivo con datos obtenidos de pacientes tratados en el Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León. Tras el análisis estadístico de los datos, se concluyó que no existen diferencias significativas entre los fármacos. Tampoco se encontró asociación significativa del éxito con las localizaciones de las angiodisplasias, ni con las comorbilidades coexistentes, ni con la toma de anticoagulantes. Sólo tratamientos de larga duración (> 11 meses) se relacionan con indicadores objetivos de éxito, como la reducción del número de transfusiones y de reingresos. The most common vascular malformation of the digestive tract are gastrointestinal angiodysplasias. They are characterized by a venocapillary dilation with high vascular fragility, a pathological state that results in gastrointestinal bleeding. The prevalence increases in elderly and multi-pathological patients, which conditions the treatment and prognosis of angiodysplasias./nThe objective is to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment of angiodysplasias with somatostatin analogues, being these Octreotide and Lanreotide (outside of the technical data sheet for the indication), under conditions of usual clinical practice. In addition, we will try to relate the therapeutic response with the location of the lesions, comorbidities, readmissions, blood transfusions and prescription of anticoagulants. /nA retrospective observational study was carried out with data obtained from patients treated at the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León. After the statistical analysis of the data, it was concluded that there are no significant differences between the drugs. There was also no significant association of success with the locations of the angiodysplasias, nor with the coexisting comorbidities, nor with the taking of anticoagulants. Only long-term treatments (> 11 months) are related to objective indicators of success, such as reducing the number of transfusions and re-admissions.

The aim of this study was to analyze dietary intake and body composition in a group of elite-level competitive rhythmic gymnasts from Spain. We undertook body composition and nutritional analysis of 30 elite gymnasts, divided into two groups by age: pre-teen (9–12 years) (n = 17) and teen (13–18 years) (n = 13). Measures of height, weight, and bioimpedance were used to calculate body mass index and percent body fat. Energy and nutrient intakes were assessed based on 7-day food records. The two groups had similar percentages of total body fat (pre-teen: 13.99 ± 3.83% vs. teen: 14.33 ± 5.57%, p &gt, 0.05). The energy availability values for pre-teens were above the recommended values (&gt, 40 kcal/FFM/day) 69.38 ± 14.47 kcal/FFM/day, while those for the teens were much lower (34.7 ± 7.5 kcal/FFM/day). The distribution of the daily energy intake across the macronutrients indicates that both groups ingested less than the recommended level of carbohydrates and more than the recommended level of fat. Very low intakes of calcium and vitamin D among other micronutrients were also noted. The main finding is that teenage gymnasts do not consume as much energy as they need each day, which explains their weight and development. Moreover, they are at a high risk of developing low energy availability that could negatively impact their performance and future health.

The Pack Test (PT) is a widely used test to establish readiness for work in wildland firefighting. It is common to perform this test dressed in regular exercise clothing. However, wildland firefighters (WFF) have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during their deployments, which increases the physiological strain and reduces their work capacity. This study aimed to analyse the impact of full PPE on PT performance. Nine male professional WFF performed in random order a PT walking at the fastest possible self-pace wearing two different clothing configurations: (i) traditional short sports gear (SG) and (ii) the PPE currently used by Spanish WFF. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion and lap time were recorded during the PT. In addition, oxygen uptake (VO2) was estimated through the individual VO2–HR relationship previously obtained during a graded exercise test. There was a significant decrease in the PT performance (i.e., completion time) (~12%, p &lt, 0.05) in PPE. The physiological demands with this configuration were significantly higher (~10%, p &lt, 0.05). WFF spent ~13 min above the anaerobic threshold in PPE vs. ~4 min in SG. A multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that PT performance variation might be explained by the maximal aerobic velocity (84.5%) in PPE and the VO2max (75.9%) in SG. In conclusion, wearing complete PPE increases WFF’s physiological strain, which translates into a significant PT performance reduction. Performing the test walking at the fastest possible self-pace wearing the PPE would better reflect the high-intensity effort periods reported in real scenarios.

With aging, bone density is reduced, increasing the risk of suffering osteoporosis and fractures. Increasing physical activity (PA) may have preventive effects. However, until now, no studies have considered movement behaviors with compositional data or its association to bone mass and structure measured by peripheral computed tomography (pQCT). Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate these associations and to describe movement behavior distribution in older adults with previous falls and fractures and other related risk parameters, taking into account many nutritional and metabolic confounders. In the current study, 70 participants above 65 years old (51 females) from the city of Zaragoza were evaluated for the EXERNET-Elder 3.0 project. Bone mass and structure were assessed with pQCT, and PA patterns were objectively measured by accelerometry. Prevalence of fear of falling, risk of falling, and history of falls and fractures were asked through the questionnaire. Analyses were performed using a compositional data approach. Whole-movement distribution patterns were associated with cortical thickness. In regard to other movement behaviors, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) showed positive association with cortical thickness and total true bone mineral density (BMD) at 38% (all p &lt, 0.05). In addition, less light PA (LPA) and MVPA were observed in those participants with previous fractures and fear of falling, whereas those at risk of falling and those with previous falls showed higher levels of PA. Our results showed positive associations between higher levels of MVPA and volumetric bone. The different movement patterns observed in the groups with a history of having suffered falls or fractures and other risk outcomes suggest that different exercise interventions should be designed in these populations in order to improve bone and prevent the risk of osteoporosis and subsequent fractures.

Background: Physical fitness levels and the amount of accumulated adipose tissue (fatness) relate to current and future individuals’ heath status. Nevertheless, the interrelationships of their combined patterns with polypharmacy and the types of medications consumed have not been sufficiently investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in six Spanish regions between 2008 and 2009 with a sample of older community-dwelling adults (≥65 years old) without dementia or cancer. Fitness was measured with one-leg balance and senior fitness tests, as well as by measuring weight and fat mass with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more medications. An analysis of variance was performed for comparisons between the physical fitness and fatness patterns and the medication consumed. Results: A total of 1709 elders were included in the study (72.1 ± 5.2 years). The two unfit patterns were those with the highest drug consumption. The High-Fat–Unfit pattern was the one that had the most significant consumption and had the highest percentage of polymedicated subjects. The Low-Fat–Fit pattern had a significantly lower percentage of people that did not consume any medications. The highest percentages of drug consumption in 7 of the 10 groups that were included were concentrated in the two unfit patterns. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of fitness in older adults, as it is at least as important as the avoidance of accumulation of excess fat with respect to the consumption of a smaller number of medicines., This research was funded by the Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales—IMSERSO (104/07), University of Zaragoza (UZ 2008-BIO-01), Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad—IMSERSO (147/11), Centro Universitario de la Defensa de Zaragoza (UZCUD2016-BIO 01 and UZCUD2017-BIO-01), Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Red EXERNET DEP2005-00046), Biomedical Research Networking Center on Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), Biomedical Research Networking Center on Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), FEDER funds from the European Union (CB16/10/00477), and the 4IE+ project (0499_4IE_PLUS_4_E) funded by the Interreg V-A España-Portugal (POCTEP) 2014–2020 program. In addition, D. N. received a grant from “Gobierno de Aragón” (DGAIIU/1/20).

ObjectivesTo assess the influence of muscle power and adiposity on all-cause mortality risk and to evaluate the ‘fat but powerful’ (F+P) (or ‘fat but fit’) paradox in older adults.MethodsA total of 2563 older adults (65‒91 years old) from the EXERNET multicentre study were included. Adiposity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat percentage (BF%) and fat index), allometric and relative power (sit-to-stand muscle power test) and various covariates (age, sex, hypertension, smoking status and walking and sitting times per day) were registered at baseline. All-cause mortality was recorded during a median follow-up of 8.9 years. Participants were classified into four groups: lean and powerful (L+P), F+P, lean but weak and fat and weak (F+W). Cox proportional hazard regression models and adjusted HRs were calculated.ResultsAccording to BMI and waist circumference, all-cause mortality risk was reduced in the F+P (HR=0.55 and 0.63, p=0.044 and 0.049, respectively) and L+P (HR=0.57 and 0.58, p=0.043 and 0.025, respectively) groups. According to BF%, all-cause mortality decreased in the L+P group (HR=0.53; p=0.021), and a trend for a reduction was reported in the F+P group (HR=0.57; p=0.060). According to fat index, a survival benefit was only noted in the L+P group (HR=0.50; p=0.049). Higher levels of relative power reduced all-cause mortality risk among older people (HR=0.63 and 0.53, p=0.006 and 0.011, respectively).ConclusionPowerful older people exhibited a reduced 9-year all-cause mortality regardless of BMI, waist circumference and BF%. Obesity according to fat index blunted the survival benefits of being powerful.

ObjectivesTo assess the influence of muscle power and adiposity on all-cause mortality risk and to evaluate the ‘fat but powerful’ (or ‘fat but fit’) paradox in older adults.MethodsA total of 2563 older adults (65‒91 years old) from the EXERNET Multi-center study were included. Adiposity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat percentage (BF%) and fat index), allometric and relative power (sit-to-stand muscle power test) and various covariates (age, sex, hypertension, smoking status, and walking and sitting times per day) were registered at baseline. All-cause mortality was recorded during a median follow-up of 8.9 years. Participants were classified into four groups: lean and powerful (L+P), fat but powerful (F+P), lean but weak (L+W) and fat and weak (F+W). Cox proportional hazard regression models and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were calculated.ResultsAccording to BMI and waist circumference, all-cause mortality risk was reduced in the F+P (HR=0.55 and 0.63, respectively; p≤0.049) and L+P (HR=0.57 and 0.58, respectively; p≤0.043) groups. According to BF%, all-cause mortality decreased in the L+P group (HR=0.53; p=0.021), and a trend for a reduction was reported in the F+P group (HR=0.57; p=0.060). According to fat index, a survival benefit was only noted in the L+P group (HR=0.50; p=0.049). Higher levels of relative power reduced all-cause mortality risk among older people (HR=0.63 and 0.53, respectively; p≤0.011).ConclusionPowerful older people exhibited a reduced 9-year all-cause mortality regardless of BMI, waist circumference and BF%. Obesity according to fat index blunted the survival benefits of being powerful.

The aims of the present study were (1) to describe the changes in physical fitness during an 8 year follow-up in a large sample of Spanish adults aged 65 or over that are initially engaged in organized physical activity (OPA), (2) to compare fitness changes according to different age groups (65 to 69 vs. 70 to 74 vs. &ge, 75 years-old), (3) to evaluate the independent and combined effects of changes in OPA engagement and sitting time (ST) on physical fitness. A total of 642 (147 males) non-institutionalized over 65 years-old participants completed the EXERNET battery fitness tests and completed a validated questionnaire from which information regarding OPA and ST were collected. All participants completed evaluations in 2008&ndash, 2009 and in 2016&ndash, 2017. An impairment of fitness-related variables happens after 65 years of age in both males and females, with the older participants (&ge, 75), showing the largest decreases. Males who continued performing OPA demonstrated lower decreases in balance, leg flexibility and agility when compared to those who stopped performing OPA during the follow-up. Females who continued performing OPA demonstrated lower decreases of all variables except for balance when compared to those who stopped performing OPA during the follow-up.

Older adults spend most of their waking hours performing sedentary activities. The influence of these lifestyle patterns on the physical fitness (PF) levels of this population has not yet been sufficiently investigated.The aim of the study was to examine whether sedentary behavior (SB) (h•d-1sitting) is associated with PF, and specifically to analyze whether sitting4 h•d-1 is associated with higher risk of having lower levels of fitness in seniors.EXERNET multi-center study.A representative sample of 3136 non-institutionalized elderly (aged 72.2±5.3 years), from 6 Regions of Spain were included in the study.PF was assessed using 8 different tests from the EXERNET battery. Lifestyle patterns were collected using a validated questionnaire. ANOVA was used to compare the groups according to the hours of sitting. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate the association between the SB and low levels of fitness.For both genders, those who spent sitting4 h•d-1 had lower levels of balance, agility, walking speed and aerobic endurance (p0.001). Sedentary men also had less strength of lower extremities (p0.05), whereas, sedentary women were less flexible in the lower extremities (p0.001). More than 4 h•d-1 sitting was associated, in men, to higher odds for having low strength (lower extremities), agility, flexibility (lower extremities) and aerobic endurance (p0.05); and in women, to higher risk of low balance, strength (lower and upper extremities), flexibility (lower extremities), agility, walking speed and aerobic endurance (p0.05).Seniors that sit4 h•d-1 have lower levels of fitness and this behavior is related with an increased risk of having low levels of PF in this population.

Objetivos: se analizaron la condición cardiorrespiratoria y la intensidad de esfuerzo durante la práctica recreativa del esquí náutico de slalom. Metodología: participaron tres esquiadores náuticos con paraplejia moderadamente activos. Realizaron un test incremental en un ergómetro de brazos para determinar su VO2pico y los umbrales ventilatorios y completaron 3 sesiones de práctica de esquí náutico, separadas por 48h, registrándose la FC cada 5 s. Resultados: obtuvieron un VO2pico de 22,3 ± 0,6 mL·kg-1·min-1 y los umbrales ventilatorios se analizaron al ~80 y ~50% del VO2pico. La FC media en las sesiones de esquí náutico fue de 111 ppm, lo que representó una intensidad de ~45% de la FC de reserva (FCR), permaneciendo por encima del 40% de la FCR ~12 min. Conclusión: la intensidad moderada de la práctica recreativa de esquí náutico de slalom podría servir para mantener o mejorar la condición cardiorrespiratoria en estas tres personas con paraplejia, Objectives: the cardiorespiratory fitness and the intensity of effort were analyzed during the recreational practice of slalom water skiing. Methodology: three moderately active water skiers with paraplegia participated. They performed an incremental test on an arm ergometer to determine their VO2peak and ventilatory thresholds and completed 3 sessions of water skiing, separated by 48h, where the HR was recorded every 5 s. Results: they obtained a VO2peak of 22.3 ± 0.6 mL·kg-1·min-1 and the ventilatory thresholds were analyzed at ~80 and ~50% of the VO2peak. The average heart rate in the water ski sessions was 111 bpm, which represented an intensity of ~45% of the heart rate reserve (HRR), remaining above 40% of the HRR ~12 min. Conclusion: the moderate intensity of recreational slalom skiing could serve to maintain or improve the cardiorespiratory fitness in these three people with paraplegia

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La prevalencia de la obesidad infantil ha aumentado en las ultimas decadas. El objetivo fue determinar si una intervencion durante 3 meses de actividad fisica desarrollada en la escuela puede reducir la tendencia al sobrepeso y los factores de riesgo derivados de la obesidad en ninos. Metodos Participaron voluntariamente en el estudio (descriptivo-transversal) 137 ninos (media de edad, 12 ± 1 anos). Los ninos se distribuyeron de manera voluntaria en uno de los siguientes grupos: a ) grupo sedentario (2 h/semana de educacion fisica en la escuela); b ) grupo activo (2 h/semana de educacion fisica en la escuela, mas 3 h/semana extra), y c ) grupo de deportes (2 h/semana de educacion fisica en la escuela, mas 5 h/semana extra). Se determinaron las caracteristicas antropometricas, la presion arterial, la condicion fisica (estimada por la prueba de Course-Navette) y los parametros bioquimicos relacionados con factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Resultados El peso, el indice de masa corporal, la circunferencia de la cintura, la suma de pliegues cutaneos, el porcentaje de grasa corporal y el indice de masa grasa de los ninos disminuyeron en funcion del nivel de actividad, mientras que el contenido en agua aumento con la actividad. Los parametros relacionados con el riesgo cardiovascular trigliceridos, insulina, presion arterial sistolica e indice homeostatic model assessment presentaron valores mas bajos en el grupo de deportes. El consumo maximo de oxigeno y la frecuencia cardiaca maxima (prueba de Course-Navette) aumentaron progresivamente con la actividad. Los ninos que hicieron un total de 7 h/semana de actividad fisica presentaron una odds ratio significativamente menor de tener elevados los siguientes factores de riesgo cardiovascular: circunferencia de cintura, indice de masa grasa e indice homeostatic model assessment . Conclusiones La actividad fisica es esencial para que los ninos mantengan un buen estado metabolico de salud. Los ninos con mayores niveles de actividad fisica presentan mejores perfiles antropometricos y bioquimicos.

Coupled with the growth of the older population, an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in this age group has occurred in the last decades. The main aims of the present study were (i) to provide an updated prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of the Spanish elderly population; (ii) to calculate the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity (SO) and (iii) to analyse the relationships between adiposity measurements and lifestyle. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 3136 persons representative of the non-institutionalized population ≥65 years of age. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standardized techniques and equipment. Overall, 84% of the population can be categorized as overweight and/or obese. The present study indicates that 67% of the Spanish elderly population has an increased percentage of fat mass and more than 56% suffer from central obesity. Moreover, SO is present in 15% of the Spanish elderly population. Finally, a strong relationship between both physically active and sedentary lifestyles and the level of adiposity was found. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among elderly people in Spain is very high and is still increasing. Lifestyle seems to be a determinant factor in the development of obesity among elderly people.

The objectives of this study were: 1) to evaluate the method used for estimating the neuromuscular fatigue threshold from surface electromyographic amplitude (the PWCFT test) during a single incremental cycling workout using 1-minute exercise periods, and 2) to investigate the possible associations between PWCFT and metabolic (onset of blood lactate accumulation [OBLA]) and ventilatory (ventilatory threshold [VT] and respiratory compensation point [RCP]) variables.Sixteen cyclists performed incremental cycle ergometer rides to exhaustion with bipolar surface sEMG signals recorded from the vastus lateralis. Subsequently, participants performed one constant-workload exercise test at 100% of their PWCFT.During the incremental test, the power output at PWCFT was not correlated with that of OBLA (P>0.05), but it was positively correlated with those of VT and RCP (P0.05). The average duration of the constant-workload exercise was 8-9 minutes.The application of the PWCFT method using 1-min exercise periods could lead to overestimation of the neuromuscular fatigue threshold most likely because this stage duration allows insufficient time for the sEMG response to manifest.

The aims of this study were to examine the changes in plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines induced by training and competition in professional cyclists. We report the serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), tumour necrosis factor receptors I and II (TNFR-I and -II) in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial involving the administration of AM3 (Inmunoferon), an oral booster immunomodulator, or placebo to 16 professional cyclists (n = 8 in each group) for 65 consecutive days. Serum was collected just before treatment began (baseline), at the end of pre-competition training, before the mountain stage of the competition (60 days), 4 h after finishing this stage (62 days), and 18 h after the fifth and last day of competition (65 days). To determine the normal levels of cytokines and soluble TNF receptors, individual samples from 14 moderately trained healthy controls were studied. After 60 days of training, the serum concentrations of IL-6 did not differ significantly from those at the beginning of the study for either group of cyclists (placebo and AM3). A significant rise was seen in IL-6 concentrations in both the AM3 and placebo groups at 62 days, 4 h after finishing the mountain stage. The increase was significantly greater in the placebo group than in the AM3 group. At 65 days of treatment, 18 h after the fifth and last day of competition, IL-6 concentrations were similar to those recorded at the end of the training, but were significantly higher in the placebo group than in the AM3 group. At the end of training, serum TNFR-I concentrations in both groups of cyclists were significantly lower than at baseline. The concentrations of serum TNFR-I and -II both 4 h after finishing the mountain stage and 18 h after the fifth and last day of competition were significantly higher than those recorded after training in both groups. Professional cycling competition is associated with increases in serum IL-6 and TNFR-I and -II concentrations. Inmunoferon treatment reduced significantly the concentrations of IL-6 but not those of TNFR-I and -II.

In this paper, we examine the association between polymorphisms of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and muscle-specific creatine kinase (CKMM) genes, and the actual performance status observed in professional cyclists capable of completing a classic tour stage race such as the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, or Vuelta a España. To accomplish this, we compared the frequencies of the ACE and CKMM genotypes/alleles in 50 top-level Spanish professional cyclists that have completed at least one of these events to 119 sedentary controls, and 27 elite (Olympic-class) Spanish runners. The genetic polymorphism at the CK-MM locus was detected with the NcoI restriction endonuclease. The results of our study showed that the proportion of the DD genotype was higher in cyclists (50.0 %) than in the other two groups (p < 0.05), the proportion of the ID genotype was higher in controls (46.2 %) than in the other two groups (p < 0.05), and the proportion of the II genotype was higher in runners (40.7 %) than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). The proportion of the D allele was higher in both cyclists (65.0 %) and controls (57.6 %) than in runners (46.3 %) (p < 0.001), whereas the proportion of the I allele was higher in runners than in the other two groups (p < 0.001). No statistical differences were found for CKK-MM-NcoI. We conclude that in top-level professional cyclists capable of completing a classic 3-wk tour race, the frequency distribution of the D allele and the DD genotype seems to be higher than in other endurance athletes such as elite runners (in whom the I allele is especially frequent). Sin financiación 1.433 JCR (2005) Q2, 21/70 Sport sciences UEM

The aim of this study was to analyze the competition load using the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during different professional cycling races and to assess its validity using the competition load based on heart rate (HR). During 2 consecutive seasons, 12 professional cyclists (mean ± SEM: age 25 ± 1 years, height 175 ± 3 cm, body mass 65.9 ± 2.0 kg, and V(O2)max 78.5 ± 1.7 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) competed in 5-, 7-, and 21-day cycling races. The HR response and session RPE were measured during the races to calculate the competition load based on the training impulse of the HR (TRIMP(HR)) and RPE data (TRIMP(RPE)). The highest (p < 0.05) TRIMP(RPE) was observed in 21-day races. However, the higher (p < 0.05) TRIMP(HR) was found in 5- and 7-day races. When TRIMP(HR) and TRIMP(RPE) were normalized by competing distance, neither TRIMP(HR) · km(-1) nor TRIMP(RPE) · km(-1) was significantly different between the analyzed cycling races. We found significant (p < 0.001) correlations between TRIMP(HR) and TRIMP(RPE) (r = 0.75) and between TRIMP(HR) · km(-1) and TRIMP(RPE) · km(-1) (r = 0.90). In conclusion, this study showed that the session RPE can be used to quantify the competition load during professional cycling races. This method can be a useful and noninvasive tool for coaches to monitor and control the training load in cyclists.

Background: Physical fitness is gaining in importance in all population groups, including elderly, but data are still scarce. The aim of this study was to report gender and age specific physical fitness levels in non-institutionalized Spanish elderly. Methods: A representative sample of 3136 elderly (≥65 y), 724 men and 2412 women, from 6 Regions of Spain: Madrid, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Canarias were assessed in the elderly EXERNET multi-center study between 2008 and 2009. The authors assessed static balance, muscular strength, flexibility, agility, walking speed and cardiorespiratory fitness using eight different fitness tests: one leg balance, chair stand, arm curl, chair sit-and-reach, back scratch, 8-foot up-and-go, 30-m walk, and 6 min walk tests. Results: The authors derived gender and age-specific normative values for physical fitness in the non-institutionalized Spanish elderly. The figures showed greater physical fitness in the elderly men than in women, except for the flexibility test, and a trend toward decreased physical fitness in both genders as their age increased. Conclusions: The normative values hereby provided will enable evaluation and correct interpretation of independent non-institutionalized Spanish elderly fitness status.

A B S T R A C T Introduction and objectives: The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased in recent decades. The aim was to determine whether a 3-month intervention on daily physical activity at school could affect body weight and cardiovascular risk factors associated with childhood obesity. Methods: A total of 137 children (12(1) years old) volunteered to participate in an observational cross-sectional study. Children were allowed to join one of the following groups: a) sedentary group (2 h/week of physical education at school); b) active group (2 h/week of physical education at school plus 3 h/week extra physical activity), and c) sports group (2 h/week of physical education at school plus 5 h/week extra physical activity). Anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, physical condition (estimated by the Course-Navette test), and biochemical parameters related with cardiovascular risk factors were determined. Results: Body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, sum of skinfold thickness, body fat percentage, and fat mass index of children were decreased with high physical activity level, whereas body water content significantly increased with activity. Parameters related with cardiovascular risk — triglycerides, insulin, systolic blood pressure, and homeostatic model assessment index— presented lower values in the sports group. Maximal oxygen uptake and maximum heart rate (Course Navette test) progressively increased with activity. Children participating in a total of 7 h/week of physical activity presented significantly lower oddsratio of having high levels of the following cardiovascular risk factors: waist circumference, fat mass index, and homeostatic model assessment index. Conclusions: Physical activity is important for metabolic health in children. Children with higher levels of physical activity presented better anthropometric and biochemical profiles.

The Z-disk protein alpha-actinin-3 is only expressed in type II muscle fibres, which are responsible for generating forceful contractions at high velocity. Despite the evolutionary conservation of alpha-actinin-3, approximately one in every five Caucasians of European ancestry is totally deficient in this protein, due to homozygosity for a R577X polymorphism in the ACTN3 gene. This, together with the results of recent research on elite athletes, suggests that the "null" XX polymorphism might confer some advantage to endurance performance events. To test this hypothesis, we studied the frequency distribution of R577X genotypes in a group of 50 top-level male professional cyclists (26.9 +/- 0.4 yrs [mean +/- SEM]; VO2max: 73.5 +/- 0.8 ml x kg (-1) x min (-1)). Their results were compared with those of a group of 52 Olympic-class male endurance runners (26.8 +/- 0.6 yrs; VO2max: 73.3 +/- 0.8 ml x kg (-1) x min (-1)) and 123 healthy, sedentary male controls. All subjects were Caucasian, and of European ancestry. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between groups: RR: 28.5 %; RX: 53.6 % and XX: 17.9 % in controls; RR: 28.0 %; RX: 46.0 % and XX: 26.0 % in cyclists; and RR: 25.0 %; RX: 57.7 %; XX: 17.3 % in runners). No differences were found in indices of endurance performance (VO2peak or ventilatory thresholds) between athlete carriers of each R577X genotype. In summary, although the alpha-actinin-3 deficient XX genotype may be detrimental for sprint performance in humans, the R577X polymorphism of the ACTN3 gene does not appear to confer an advantage on the ability of male athletes to sustain extreme endurance performance.

Objectives—To evaluate the hormonal response to strenuous endurance exercise performed by elite athletes.Methods—Nine professional cyclists (mean (SD) age 28 (1) years; mean (SD) Vo2max75.3 (2.3) ml/kg/min) who participated in a three week tour race (Vuelta a España 1999) were selected as subjects. Morning urinary levels of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) and morning serum levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and cortisol were measured in each subject at t0(before the competition), t1(end of first week), t2(end of second week), and t3(end of third week). Urine samples of aMT6s were also evaluated in the evening at t0, t1, t2, and t3.Results—Mean urinary aMT6s levels had increased significantly (pv683 (68) ng/ml at t1; 955 (19)v473 (53) ng/ml at t2; 647 (61)v337 (47) ng/ml at t3). Both morning and evening aMT6s levels decreased significantly during the study. A similar pattern was observed for morning serum levels of cortisol and testosterone.Conclusions—The results suggest that the basal activity of the pineal gland, adrenal glands, and testis may be decreased after consecutive days of intense, long term exercise.