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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.

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Copyright of International Journal of Medicine & Science of Physical Activity & Sport / Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte is the property of Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Fisica y del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: In this study, the objective is to analyze the efficacy of different aquatic physical exercise programs in the treatment of osteoarthritis in older people. Material and Methods: The systematic review was conducted until April 2024 and updated in November 2024 in five electronic databases. Randomized controlled studies in people over 60 years of age with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis were included. Water-based exercise interventions were assessed for their impact on osteoarthritis symptoms, walking ability, muscle strength, depressive symptoms, range of motion, body composition, fear of falling, fall risk, quality of life, range of motion, and dual task function. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Results: A total of 12 studies were included, with sample sizes ranging from 35 to 312 participants. The presence of osteoarthritis in the sample was manifested in different joints. The methodological quality of the included studies varied from fair to good. Based on the results of this review, aquatic exercise significantly improved balance, stiffness, pain, and walking ability compared to non-exercise controls ( p < 0.05). Compared with land-based exercise groups, only one study found significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: Water-based exercise programs do not provide significantly superior benefits compared to other exercise modalities and appear to have limited effectiveness in the management of OA. However, the feasibility and high adherence make these programs a recommendable option for older people with OA. Future studies should investigate the impact of exercise intensity on the short- and long-term efficacy of aquatic therapy.

This systematic review aimed to analyse the literature on the effects of stretching exercise as a strategy to improve walking performance and balance in older adults. A literature search was performed in five databases up to October 2023 for randomized clinical trials addressing the effects of stretching exercise programs in older adults. The methodological quality was evaluated through the PEDro scale. A total of 29 studies were included. Methodological quality was good in 16 publications and fair in 13 investigations. Improvements on balance and walking ability following stretching programs were reported in different studies. The meta-analysis pooling 139 participants from 6 studies showed that stretching interventions increased gait speed in comparison with control groups that were not assigned to any exercise programs (standardized mean difference=0.56; 95 % confidence interval: 0.21, 0.90; I-squared = 0 %, p=0.520). These findings indicate potential benefits of stretching exercises to enhance walking ability in older adult population., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: This scoping review aimed to explore the characteristics and performance factors of competitive para-cyclists. A systematic search for studies on competitive para-cycling on WOS, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus was performed until December 2023. The following five methodological phases were followed: (i) identifying the research question, (ii) identifying relevant studies, (iii) study selection, (iv) charting the data, and (v) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. A systematic search across multiple databases was performed until March 2024. Five methodological phases were employed: identifying the research question, relevant studies, study selection, charting data, and summarizing results. A total of 36 relevant studies were selected. Three main research themes emerged: sport performance ( n = 15), biomechanics ( n = 12), and physical and mental health ( n = 9). Despite progress, gaps were identified, particularly in physiological response to exercise, fitness, and training. Biomechanics studies focused on prosthetic use and aerodynamics, mostly involving lower-limb amputees and simulated tandem competition. Injury risk in para-cycling appeared comparable to able-bodied cycling, but comprehensive studies considering confounding variables are needed. Overall, while research on para-cycling is growing, more studies with larger and diverse samples across all sport classes are essential to advance scientific understanding in this field., Competing Interests: Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: To revise and critically summarize the available scientific evidence regarding the effect of exercise on sleep quality in people with diabetes., Methods: Three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro Database and Scopus) were searched systematically from their inception until February 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After Studies with No Control Group scales., Results: A total of 7 randomized controlled trials and 3 single-arm studies were included. Most of the studies included patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 8). Self-reported sleep quality (n = 9) and objective sleep status (n = 1) were the main outcomes analysed. A variety of training programs were assessed over durations ranging from 4 to 16 weeks in the studies included. Data from eleven interventions demonstrated a significant improvement in self-reported sleep quality among patients with type 2 diabetes (Hedges' g -1.45; 95% CI -2.6; -0.29, p = 0.005). However, data synthesis indicated that participants who exercised did not obtain significant improvements on their self-reported sleep quality compared to those in the control groups (Hedges' g 1.40; 95% CI -1.36; 4.18, p = 0.111)., Conclusions: Preliminary evidence suggests that exercise can be prescribed to manage self-reported sleep quality in this population, although its effects may not surpass those of usual care., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. Conflict of interest: All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prevalence rates and self-reported changes in patterns of alcohol use among first-year university students in Spain, considering the risk of problematic alcohol use. A serial cross-sectional study based on the uniHcos project was carried out. Data from 10 518 first-year university students (73.3% female, mean age 19 (SD = 1.6)) collected between 2012 and 2022 were analysed. The evolution of the pooled prevalence rates during the time series was analysed and the risk of problematic alcohol consumption was assessed using the AUDIT. Also, self-reported changes in alcohol use patterns during the pandemic were assessed. According to the results, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of alcohol use in the past 30-days was reduced (76.3% in 2019 vs. 63.7% in COVID-19) increasing again in the New Normal period. Thus, a similar pattern in the practice of binge drinking was observed. Regarding the AUDIT score, 21.7% (95%CI 20.9, 22.6) of the students had harmful alcohol consumption, with a higher proportion among males. In the multivariable logistic models, a higher AUDIT score was significantly associated (p-value < 0.001) with being male and living with roommates. According to self-reported changes in consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher proportion of participants with harmful use reported an increase in alcohol consumption compared to those at low-risk (43% vs 19%). Finally, despite the overall reduction in drinking prevalence during COVID-19, changes were not equal for all students and depended on their previous level of problematic drinking, highlighting that this should be considered in the development of strategies against alcohol use in this population., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Surfing, a leisure activity known for its positive physical and mental health effects, has emerged as a potential therapeutic intervention. This study aims to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of surfing on mental health in active military personnel and veterans., Methods: Studies were searched across four electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, SportDiscus and Scopus) until May 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies and the Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After Studies with No Control Group scales., Results: A total of seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Depression and anxiety symptoms (n=7), positive affect (n=5) and pain (n=3) were the main outcomes analysed. Overall, the studies reviewed generally reported beneficial effects of surfing on depression, anxiety and positive affect. However, none of the four studies that examined pain as an outcome observed any positive effects of surfing., Conclusion: There is evidence indicating that surfing may positively influence the management of anxiety, depression and overall positive affect among military personnel. Nonetheless, it cannot be definitively concluded that surfing provides superior benefits compared with other forms of exercise., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Objectives: This study aimed to provide information on the training profile and characteristics of injuries sustained by obstacle course racing competitors., Methods: This research is a nationwide cross-sectional, self-administered online survey conducted in 2023., Results: We analyzed the data collected from 201 obstacle course racing participants (mean age: 33.8 ± 7.1 years; 60.7% men). On average, athletes had 2.9 ± 2.4 years of obstacle course racing experience and participated in approximately four races in the previous year. Most of these races covered distances of 5-10 km (65.2%). Among the participants, 28.4% reported injuries, with the upper extremities being the most frequently affected. Approximately 19% of these injuries required medical supervision, and 2% led to hospitalization., Conclusion: Injury risk in obstacle course racing participants was associated with participation in a higher number of obstacle course racing competitions, reduced time between these competitions and having performed specific obstacle training.

This study aims to review the scientific evidence regarding the effects of table tennis practice on children and adolescents. Studies were searched in three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and SportDiscus) from their inception up to May 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the 10-point Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). A total of twelve studies were examined, with interventions involving children with intellectual disabilities, ADHD, DCD, ASD, and typically developing children. A variety of training programs were assessed over durations ranging from 6 weeks to 1 year in the studies included. Table tennis was shown to positively impact various domains, including executive function, motor skills, visual perception, graphomotor function, gross motor skills, coordination capacity, behavioral inhibition, and social behavior. Nonetheless, it is imperative to expand the number of studies on children and adolescents with diverse conditions to more comprehensively evaluate the benefits of table tennis for each specific condition.

(1) Background: This study explores the potential energy expenditure associated with participation in after-school sports activities among primary school children. (2) Methods: The study involved 129 children age (11.35 ± 0.55 years) recruited from eight different public after-school sport programs. (3) Results: Data analyses revealed significant differences between the eight sports in total calories per session, calories per minute, and METs ( p < 0.05). All sports showed higher energy expenditure compared to chess ( p < 0.05), with soccer and rugby exhibiting the highest energy expenditure per session. Team sports showed elevated energy consumption per session ( p < 0.01, r > 0.30), calories per minute ( p = 0.01, r > 0.40), and METs ( p < 0.01, r > 0.40) in comparison with individual sports. (4) Conclusions: These findings enhance our understanding of the energy expenditure observed in primary school children following various after-school sports activities. The results indicate that team sports, in particular, are pivotal in elevating physical activity levels, thereby playing an essential role in fostering healthier lifestyles among children.

Background and Objectives: Injuries involving ankle stability and range of motion are among the most frequent in athletes and in the general population. In response, this study aimed to assess the immediate effects of toe separators on dynamic stability and ankle range of motion in healthy young individuals., Methods: Among the 68 eligible participants, 50 healthy and active subjects completed all trials. The impact of the intervention was evaluated using the Weight Bearing Lunge Test and Y-Test. The control condition performed the tests without toe separators, while the experimental condition performed the tests with toe separators. All participants performed both conditions with a wash-out period of at least 7 days between trials., Results: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in dynamic balance ( p  > 0.05) and range of motion ( p  > 0.05) between the two conditions. Additionally, no asymmetries were detected between the lower limbs in both tests ( p  > 0.05)., Conclusions: The results of this pilot study indicate that using toe separators does not have an immediate effect on ankle range of motion and dynamic balance in young, healthy individuals. Future research should consider evaluating intervention programs of longer duration and exploring different populations.

Background: This study aims to analyze the influence of relative age effects, siblings, and digit ratio on the agility of children and adolescents., Methods: The study included 283 children (9.54 ± 1.36 years) and 296 adolescents (14.68 ± 1.36 years) from four different schools. The analyzed variables included anthropometric data, the presence of siblings, relative age effect, and results from the 10 × 5 m shuttle run test., Results: The findings indicated no significant association between agility and either the 2D:4D ratio or the relative age effect in both children and adolescents ( p > 0.05). Additionally, having siblings did not have a notable impact on agility. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that relative age did not influence this lack of association (quarter of birth: p = 0.345, β = 0.039; siblings: p = 0.100, β = -0.069). However, boys showed higher performance than girls in the 10 × 5 m shuttle run test, and higher body mass index was related to lower agility., Conclusions: These findings contribute to existing knowledge on the relative effects of age and provide valuable information for physical education teachers on the influence of the 2D:4D ratio and the presence of siblings on the physical fitness of children and adolescents.

This study aimed to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of Pilates training programs on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Randomized clinical trials and comparative studies were searched in four electronic databases until September 2023 (updated December 2023). The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies scales. A total of 4 randomized clinical trials and 7 comparative studies were included, showing a low (n = 1), hight (n = 6), and good (n = 4) methodological quality. Data synthesis indicated that participants who performed Pilates program obtained significantly reduces on systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, of -4.76 mmHg (95% CI: -6.55 to -2.97, p < 0.001) and -3.43 mmHg (95% CI: -4.37 to -2.49, p < 0.001), respectively, in comparison with those included in the comparison groups. When the analysis was performed by comparing hypertensive, and normotensive patients, the results remained non-significant for blood pressure (systolic blood pressure: 0.96 mmHg (95% CI: -2.85 to 4.77, P = 0.49); diastolic blood pressure: 1.18 mmHg (95% CI: -1.23 to 3.58, P = 0.34); mean blood pressure: 1.73 mmHg (95% CI: -1.96 to 5.42, P = 0.36). Evidence suggests Pilates is safe for hypertensive patients and can be part of their rehabilitation, but it may not necessarily offer superior results or improve exercise adherence compared to other modalities., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

This study aims to investigate the potential relationship between energy expenditure, physical fitness level, physical activity, and body mass index among children taking part in a 30 min school recess. A total of 259 participants from three schools were included in this study. Data on energy expenditure during recess, age, gender, anthropometric measurements, global physical fitness, and physical activity index were recorded. The evaluation sessions occurred twice a week on alternate days over two weeks. A significant gender difference was observed in energy expenditure during recess, favoring boys ( p < 0.01). The participants classified as very active exhibited significantly higher scores compared to those categorized as sedentary and moderately active, respectively ( p < 0.01), with a poor but significant correlation (rho: 0.208; p < 0.001). There were significant differences between energy expenditure and cardiorespiratory fitness and energy expenditure and global physical fitness ( p < 0.01) with fair (rho: 0.289; p < 0.001) and poor (rho: 0.196, p = 0.001) correlation, respectively. In contrast, there were no significant differences by body mass index categories ( p = 0.571). These results suggest that gender, physical activity index, and global physical fitness were found to influence energy expenditure during a 30 min recess. However, no significant relationships were found with the body mass index.

This study aimed to systematically revise the available evidence on the effects of physical exercise training programmes on people with hypothyroidism. Comparative studies were searched in six electronic databases until April 2023. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies were used to determine the methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials and comparative studies respectively. A total of 10 studies were found showing a low to moderate methodological quality. Most of them were performed in women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Exercise seemed to be safe, with aerobic and resistance training leading to improvements in outcomes related to physical and mental health. The performed meta-analysis with data from 120 participants indicated that exercise showed a non-significant trend towards reducing thyroid-stimulating hormone levels (Hedges'g -0.96; 95% CI -2.71; 0.79, p  = 0.160; I2 = 92%). When the analysis was performed by comparing the experimental, and control groups with data from 180 participants the results remained non-significant (SMD -1.09; CI 95% -2.88; 0.70, p  = 0.23; I2 = 95%). Similar findings were obtained when pooling data for FT3 and FT4 levels. Exercise does not have a significant impact on thyroid function, although its practice can lead to secondary outcomes related to physical and mental health.

Introduction: Introduction: adolescents are the group most vulnerable to distortions in the perception of their image. This often leads to body dissatisfaction that can negatively affect their self-esteem. The practice of physical activity (PA) could help solve this problem. Objectives: to analyze the influence that the amount of PA performed has on the self-perception of body image in the pre and adolescent population while taking into account confounding factors that could affect this relationship. Methods: a cross-sectional study of 822 participants aged 9 to 16 years was conducted. The prevalence of PA, their body mass index (BMI), and their objective and perceived physical condition (PC) were determined. The Stunkard pictogram was used to determine the degree of body dissatisfaction. Results: a generalized satisfaction with own body image was found regardless of age and sex. Low-magnitude significant associations were found between perceived body image and the amount of PA, perceived PC, and objective PC. PA did not influence body satisfaction when adjusted for BMI, which was the variable that presented the highest correlations with self-perception (r = 0.713) and self-satisfaction (r = 0.576). Conclusions: a generalized satisfaction with one's own body image was identified in the pre and adolescent population under study. The amount of PA was not shown to be a variable with great influence on self-perception and body satisfaction, contrary to BMI.

The objective of this research was to study the relationship between the body weight and diet, physical activity, and other habits among freshmen students by sex, and to determine whether these habits have changed during the post-era of the COVID-19 pandemic. A serial cross-sectional study with data from 11 Spanish universities was carried out. In total, 10,096 first-year university students (73.2% female, mean age = 19.0 ± 1.5 years) completed an online self-administered questionnaire between 2012 and 2022. For some analyses, questionnaires were categorized by the year in which the survey was filled out as Before COVID-19, Lockdown, and New Normal. In total, 72.9% of participants were within the normal weight range, and 17.7% of men and 11.8% of women were overweight ( p < 0.001). The students who did not meet the WHO criteria of physical activity, spent more than 7 h per day sitting, and skipped breakfast had a higher prevalence of obesity ( p < 0.05). According to the period of study, the prevalence of overweight/obesity Before COVID-19 was 16.1% (95% CI: 15.4-16.9%), while in Lockdown the prevalence was significantly higher (20.2, 95% CI: 17.1-23.8) and in New Normal it was 18.9% (CI: 15.7-22.5). Moreover, the study suggests that during the Lockdown period, there was a reduction in the practice of physical activity and an increase in the prevalence of a healthy diet. For all these, it is necessary to propose public health interventions that improve the lifestyles of university students.

This study aimed to identify the GPS-based external training load variables that influence the internal training loads (RPE-derived parameters: RPE and session RPE - sRPE), and generate a model to predict GPS-based external load variables from RPE and perceived wellness values. Training load data for 21 elite young players were collected over 72 training sessions and 23 matches from the same competitive season, and 564 observations (training sessions, 462; matches, 102) were analysed. Considering all observations (training sessions and matches), significant moderate and large correlations (p < 0.01) were detected between RPE values and EL measures. The correlation between the GPS outcomes with both the RPE and sRPE values was higher during training sessions than during matches. Moreover, increased RPE and perceived wellness measures had a significant positive effect on external load variables (p < 0.001). The present work provides preliminary evidence of the utility of the RPE and sRPE method to quantify the training loads in young soccer players since most of the GPS-based EL indicators were moderate to highly correlated with the RPE-derived parameters. Additionally, EL variables may be estimated when combining perceived IL and subjective wellness indicators in young soccer players.

Among university students there has been evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic increased their psychological distress, exacerbated by social restrictions. The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use among university students, in contrast to previous trends since 2012. Data from 10,522 first-year university students (73.3% female, M age 19 (SD = 1.6)) from eleven Spanish universities collected between 2012 and May 2022 was analysed. Prevalences of cannabis use and their differences by sex were studied, as well as changes in patterns of use and its use for coping during the pandemic. It was found that during lockdown, all prevalence rates of cannabis use decreased in both sexes, showing no statistically significant differences and increasing again in the new normal period in both. Among regular cannabis users, 79.7% reported maintaining or increasing their cannabis use during the pandemic, and of these, half reported using cannabis to cope. Moreover, cannabis use in the usual household increased during the lockdown. These results show that although the overall prevalence of cannabis use was reduced during the lockdown, regular users tended to maintain or increase cannabis use. This could imply two different patterns of use among students, one social and occasional versus the other regular, providing new lines of research for prevention and the implementation of social policies.

Purpose: This study focuses on exploring the feasibility and the effects of practicing chair-based yoga for 10 weeks on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and interoceptive body awareness (BA) in adults with neurodisability and moderate to severe physical dependence. Materials and Methods: A pre- and post-testing control group design was followed. Participants were 34 service users at a rehabilitation center. The intervention group (IG, n  = 17, 53% men, mean age of 48.6 ± 11.4 years) took part in the 10-week chair-based yoga program. The control group (CG, n  = 17, 53% men, mean age of 53.1 ± 11.0 years) received usual care. The outcome measures were feasibility (recruitment rate, attrition, completion rate, adherence, participation, safety and tolerability), HRQoL (WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire), and BA (the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, MAIA). Participants in the IG completed a questionnaire to measure their personal experience of participating in the program. Results and Conclusions: This study provides implications for a 10-week chair-based yoga program as a feasible, well-tolerated, and safe intervention, reinforced by the participants' retrospective judgment. Compared to the CG, the program produced statistically significant improvements over BA, such as subscales of MAIA Noticing ( p = .031, Hedges g s = 0.76), Emotional Awareness ( p < .001, Hedges g s = 1.68), and Trusting ( p = .036, Hedges g s = 0.74), but not HRQoL, for the IG. Chair-based yoga programs could be a rehabilitation strategy in the socio-health care of a varied population with physical mobility impairments leading to wheelchair use.Implications for RehabilitationA 10-week chair-based yoga intervention was shown to be a feasible, well-tolerated, and safe therapy which allowed people of varying abilities to participate equitable.Chair-based yoga can help people with moderate to severe physical dependence due to neurodisability to improve their interoceptive body awareness.Chair-based yoga does not have a significant impact on the health-related quality of life of this sample of participants.

This systematic review was aimed at identifying the psychometric properties of field-based tests for assessing physical fitness in soccer referees. Electronic databases were searched up to May 2020 for studies that informed about the reliability and/or validity of at least one field-based physical fitness test for soccer referees. A total of 13 studies analysed the psychometric properties of the field-based physical fitness tests proposed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) (aerobic endurance, n = 8; anaerobic endurance, n = 3; and speed, n = 8), while seven investigations focused on field-based physical fitness tests specifically designed for assessing aerobic endurance (n = 1) or change of direction (COD) (n = 6). According to the observed reliability and validity values, the Assistant Referee Intermittent Endurance test (ARIET), the 50-m sprint test and the Modified Agility test (MAT) seem, respectively, the best available options for assessing aerobic endurance, speed, and COD in soccer referees. Future investigations should consider the lack of research focusing on assistant and female referees. Further studies on the psychometric properties of anaerobic endurance and short distance speed tests are also needed.

The aim of the study was to examine the association of alcohol consumption patterns (hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking) and the use of emergency services and primary care consultations in university students. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at eleven Spanish universities collaborating within the uniHcos Project. University students completed an online questionnaire that assessed hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking using the AUDIT questionnaire and evaluated the use of emergency services and primary care. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, as well as the chi-squared test and Student’s t-test and nonconditional logistic regression models to examine this association. Results: There were 10,167 participants who completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of hazardous alcohol use was 16.9% (95% CI: 16.2−17.6), while the prevalence of binge drinking was 48.8% (95% CI: 47.9−49.8). There were significant differences in the use of emergency services in those surveyed with hazardous alcohol use (p < 0.001) or binge drinking pattern (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in terms of attendance during primary care visits in individuals with hazardous alcohol use (p = 0.367) or binge drinking pattern (p = 0.755). The current study shows the association between university students with a pattern of hazardous alcohol use or binge drinking and greater use of emergency services. However, no significant association was observed between the said consumption patterns and the use of primary care services.

Background: The aim of the study was to identify the reliability and validity of the SAPF questionnaire and the Stunkard rating scale in determining self-perceived physical appearance and the degree of body dissatisfaction in a group of elderly Spanish people., Methods: Both instruments were adapted to Spanish people and were administered twice to a group of 86 elderly people. Their reliability and validity were assessed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Cronbach's alpha and Spearman's rho coefficient, from the physical fitness level of the participants and their body mass index (BMI). ANOVA test was carried out to compare the variables with normal distribution., Results: The questionnaire and the Stunkard rating scale showed a good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.78 and ICC=0.8, respectively). SAPF and fitness level showed a significant, albeit weak, association (rho=0.424), while the association between self-perception of body composition and BMI was moderately strong (rho=0.727). The self-perceived physical appearance of 59.5% of the sample was acknowledged to be normal, 11.4% perceived it as bad and 29.1% as good. Only 27.1% were satisfied with their body image, while the other participants showed a desire to lose the equivalent weight of one (47.06%), two (22.35%) or three or more (3.5%) points in the Stunkard scale., Conclusion: The versions of both instruments adapted to Spanish persons showed reliability and validity, and showed that it was possible to determine that a large part of the sample was dissatisfied with their body image. BMI had a significant influence in this regard.

Objective: Discrimination during vital moments, such as the university period, can generate a high impact on people's behavior and health. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible association of discrimination with perceived health and with different risk behaviors, as well as to describe gender differences in Spanish university students. Discrimination during vital moments, such as college, can have a high impact on people's behavior and health., Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with data from first-year university students from 11 Spanish universities (n=9,862). Discrimination, perceived health, alcohol consumption, smoking, consumption of illegal substances, leisure time connected to the Internet, risky sexual relations, family function, risk of mental health problems and risk of eating disorders were assessed. Prevalences with their 95% confidence intervals were obtained and for quantitative variables the mean and standard deviation were calculated. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the relationship between discrimination and the other variables., Results: An association was found between discrimination and fair or poor perceived health (OR: 1.7; p=0.0001), consumption of illegal substances (OR: 1.3; p=0.002), problematic internet use (OR: 1.3; p=0.004), family dysfunction (OR: 1.8; p=0.0001), risk of mental health problems (OR: 1.9; p=0.0001) and eating disorders (OR: 1.5; p=0.0001). Regarding gender differences, higher prevalence of discrimination was observed in men with health status perceived as fair or worse (OR: 2.2; p=0.0001), family dysfunction (OR: 1.8; p=0.0001), risk of mental health problems (OR: 2.2; p=0.0001) and eating disorders (OR: 1.9; p=0.002). Women, apart from the previous variables, presented association of discrimination with consumption of illegal substances (OR: 1.3; p=0.005) and problematic internet use (OR: 1.4; p=0.002)., Conclusions: The study findings underline that there is an association between discrimination and risk behaviors among Spanish university students. In turn, discrimination was associated with poor or fair perceived health, this relationship being similar in both men and women., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Videogames have been applied to improve health-related outcomes in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). For this purpose, it seems necessary to make available the best scientific information concerning the feasibility and potential benefits of playing videogames within this population. This study aimed to systematically review the existing scientific evidence regarding the effects of videogaming on the physical and mental health of people with ID. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus up to June 2020. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to rate the methodological quality of the included investigations. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. Data synthesis examined physical health, including anthropometrics, physical fitness, and motor skills, and mental health and cognitive function. Intervention protocols were based on videogames of different nature (i.e., exergames and computerized cognitive training) and showed substantial heterogeneity in duration. Session length varied from 15 to 60 minutes. Five studies achieved a high intervention adherence rate, whereas a low drop-out rate was reported in eight RCTs. Videogaming is a useful therapy for improving physical and cognitive function in people with ID. Exergaming seems to be an interesting physical intervention for increasing fitness and motor skill levels, while sedentary videogaming has shown potential for stimulating cognitive function. Further research to analyze its feasibility and its impact on body composition and mental health is needed.

Background and Objectives : The passive nature of rest breaks in sport could reduce athletes' performance and even increase their risk of injury. Re-warm-up activities could help avoid these problems, but there is a lack of research on their efficacy. This systematic review aimed at analyzing the results of those randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that provided information on the effects of re-warm-up strategies. Materials and Methods : Four electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus) were searched from their inception to January 2021, for RCTs on the effects of re-warm-up activities on sports performance. Interventions had to be implemented just after an exercise period or sports competition. Studies that proposed activities that were difficult to replicate in the sport context or performed in a hot environment were excluded. Data were synthesized following PRISMA guidelines, while the risk of bias was assessed following the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration. Results : A total of 14 studies (178 participants) reporting data on acute or short-term effects were analyzed. The main outcomes were grouped into four broad areas: physiological measures, conditional abilities, perceptual skills, and sport efficiency measures. The results obtained indicated that passive rest decreases physiological function in athletes, while re-warm-up activities could help to improve athletes' conditional abilities and sporting efficiency, despite showing higher fatigue levels in comparison with passive rest. The re-warm-up exercise showed to be more effective than passive rest to improve match activities and passing ability. Conclusions : Performing re-warm-up activities is a valuable strategy to avoid reducing sports performance during prolonged breaks. However, given that the methodological quality of the studies was not high, these relationships need to be further explored in official or simulated competitions.

Background: There is a need for promoting exercise practice among people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Aquatic exercise (AE) could be a viable option in this regard. Objective: To identify and critically analyze the best available evidence concerning the effects of AE in the physical and mental health of people with ID. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative studies was performed after searching within several databases up to March 2021. Results: A total of 4 RCTs and 3 comparative studies were found. Their methodological quality ranged from high to low. Aquatic interventions had positive effects on cardiorespiratory, muscular fitness and balance. Mixed effects were seen on parameters related to obesity and cognition. Scant information regarding feasibility and intervention fidelity was provided. In general, interventions details were not discussed in deep. Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that aquatic exercise can be prescribed to people with ID in order to improve their physical health. The impact of aquatic exercise on motor skills, cognitive function and mental health remains unclear. Further research on this topic should provide a detailed description of the interventions carried out, including information on the feasibility and intervention fidelity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© The British Society of Developmental Disabilities 2021.)

Menstrual problems affect many young women worldwide, conditioning both their academic performance and quality of life. This study sought to analyse the prevalence of menstrual problems and their possible relationship with lifestyle among Spanish university women, as part of a research project (UniHcos Project) involving a cohort of 11 Spanish universities with 7208 university students. A descriptive analysis was performed using the bivariate chi-square test and the Student's t -test together with a binary logistic regression, in which the dependent variable was 'suffering from menstrual problems'. Menstrual problems were identified in 23.8% of the students, representing women who paid more visits to the doctor and to emergency rooms, and who consumed more painkillers and contraceptives. In relation to dietary preferences, menstrual problems were 1.39 (CI 95% 1.22-1.61; p = 0.000) times more likely among women classified as high-risk alcohol users according to the AUDIT questionnaire, and 1.187 (CI 95% 1.029-1.370; p = 0.019) times greater among those who consumed sweets daily, 1.592 (CI 95% 1.113-2.276; p = 0.011) times more frequent among those who eat fish daily, and 1.199 (CI 95% 1.004-1.432; p = 0.045) times greater among those who were dieting. Menstrual problems affect many college students and potentially modifiable lifestyle variables exist which may influence their prevalence. It would be interesting to develop programmes to promote women's health in the university context.

Ayán Pérez, C, Martínez de Quel, Ó, Álvarez Pérez, S, and González Baamonde, S. Influence of the box dimensions on the reliability and validity of the sit and reach in preschoolers. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2683-2692, 2020-This study aimed at analyzing the reliability and validity of the sit and reach (SR) test, when it was performed with a standard SR (SSR) or an adapted SR (ASR) box in preschoolers. To accomplish this, both tests were administered 3 times (familiarization, test, and retest) to a group of 148 children (mean age, 4.99 ± 0.94 years; 49.3% girls), with a week interval between each assessment. The obtained results in each test were compared with those obtained in the passive straight leg raise (PSLR) test with the aim of identifying their construct validity. The internal consistency was found to be between good and excellent for the SSR (α: 0.83-0.92) and excellent for the ASR (α: 0.92-0.96). The SSR showed a good and a fair reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.71-0.86), whereas the ASR showed an excellent reliability (ICC, 0.90-0.94) except for the 3-year-old children group (ICC, 0.84). Absolute reliability was excellent for the ASR, whereas the SSR yielded higher SEM and minimum detectable change percentage values. Regarding the criterion-related validity, statistically significant fair correlations were observed between both SR tests and the PSLR test. The ASR yielded higher levels of statistical significance as well as greater correlation coefficients than the SSR. This finding indicates that when it comes to assess flexibility through a low cost and easy-to-implement lineal test in preschoolers, it is advisable to use the SR with a box of reduced dimensions.