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To determine the prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated with portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.Cross-sectional study including a consecutive cohort of patients with liver cirrhosis enrolled in a screening program of oesophageal varices who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy from November, 2013, to November, 2018. Clinical predictors of endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.A total of 379 patients were included. The most frequent aetiology of liver disease was alcohol consumption (60.4%). The prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated with portal hypertension was 39.6% (n=150). Among 96 patients with peptic lesions, urease was obtained in 56.2% of patients (positive in 44.4% of them). The prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension was not associated with age, gender, liver function or ultrasound findings of portal hypertension. The prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension was not associated with age, gender, liver function or ultrasound findings of portal hypertension. Smokers had a trend to increased prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension (43.2% vs. 34.6%; p=0.09), particularly peptic ulcer (6.4% vs. 0.6%; p=0.05) and peptic duodenitis (17.3% vs. 6.3%; p=0.002). Active smoking was the only independent predictor of peptic ulcer or duodenitis (OR=2.56; p=0.017).Active smoking is a risk factor for endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension. This finding should be further investigated to reassess endoscopic screening programs in cirrhotic smokers.

Real Madrid was named as the best club of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. The aim of this study was to compare if players from Real Madrid covered shorter distances than players from the opposing team. One hundred and forty-nine matches including league, cup and UEFA Champions League matches played by the Real Madrid were monitored during the 2001-2002 to the 2006-2007 seasons. Data from both teams (Real Madrid and the opponent) were recorded. Altogether, 2082 physical performance profiles were examined, 1052 from the Real Madrid and 1031 from the opposing team (Central Defenders (CD) = 536, External Defenders (ED) = 491, Central Midfielders (CM) = 544, External Midfielders (EM) = 233, and Forwards (F) = 278). Match performance data were collected using a computerized multiple-camera tracking system (Amisco Pro®, Nice, France). A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for distances covered at different intensities (sprinting (>24.0 km/h) and high-speed running (21.1-24.0 km/h) and the number of sprints (21.1-24.0 km/h and >24.0 km/h) during games for each player sectioned under their positional roles. Players from Real Madrid covered shorter distances in high-speed running and sprint than players from the opposing team (p < 0.01). While ED did not show differences in their physical performance, CD (p < 0.05), CM (p < 0.01), EM (p < 0.01) and F (p > 0.01) from Real Madrid covered shorter distances in high-intensity running and sprint and performed less sprints than their counterparts. Finally, no differences were found in the high-intensity running and sprint distances performed by players from Real Madrid depending on the quality of the opposition.

Background: The analysis of the competition in real time is currently one of the most important aspects to develop the sport. The purpose of the analysis should be creating valid and reliable knowledge for coaches to make the best decisions in a situation of competition. Objectives: This study was to determine the inter-observer reliability of the real-time observation tool for handball. Methods: Two groups of two observers each one were required to analyze the men's handball final of the London 2012 Olympic Games (average age: 23.72 ± 2.16 years; experience as handball players: 14.69 ± 1.92 years; experience as coaches: 4.64 ± 4.04 years). The process of training of the observers lasted 22 days, accounting twelve hours of work distributed in 12 training sessions. Results: The reliability showed a very good agreement between the independent observers (Kappa values were 0.96 and 0.90) in the registered events of both teams, and a very good agreement (Kappa values were 0.85 and 0.94) of the registered actions of the goalkeepers. The high coefficient of intra-class correlation with a value of 0.98 and the low value of the standard error with a 0.11 of the actions of the players of both teams showed a high level of inter-observer reliability. Conclusions: These results showed that the tool of observation in handball is reliable for registering the events of a real time match by well-trained observers. With the help of the HandballTAS and using technology, large volumes of real-time data were collected in a simple and easily usable. Keywords: handball; reliability; performance indicators; real time; game analysis

The purpose of this study was to establish the anthropometric and physical profiles of elite young soccer players according to their playing position, and to determine their relevance for the selection process. One hundred and fifty-six young male soccer players participated in the study. Players were classified into the following groups: Goalkeepers (n=16), Central Defenders (n=26), External Defenders (n=29), Central Midfielders (n=34), External Midfielders (n=28), and Forwards (n=23). Anthropometric variables of participants (body height, body mass, body mass index, 6 skinfolds, 4 diameters, and 3 perimeters) were measured. Participants performed the Yo-Yo test, sprint tests (30 m flat sprint and Balsom agility test) and 2 jump tests (countermovement jump and the Abalakov test). At the end of the season, the technical staff of the club selected some of the players to continue playing on the same team and the rest were not selected. The results show that heavier and taller outfield players performed better in vertical jumps and sprint tests, whereas leaner outfield players performed better in the Yo-Yo test. Fat percentage of selected players was lower than that of the non-selected ones. The rest of the body components were similar in the selected and non-selected players within each playing position. Moreover, the selected players performed slightly better than the non-selected players in the physical test, but these differences were not statistically significant. The authors acknowledge financial support from the Spain Ministry of Science and Innovation, research project DEP2011-23338 1.029 JCR (2014) Q4, 56/81 Sport sciences UEM

The aim of the study is to analyze the differences between male and female handball players in terms of the response to visual reaction to stimuli located at different positions inside the visual field. The sample (N = 35) consists of 20 women and 15 men. The independent variables are gender and amplitude of the visual field under three experimental conditions (160º, 170º and 180º within the visual field). The dependent variable is the response to visual reaction. The error rate in a dual attention task is used as a control variable. For the error assessment of both the attention and visual field, a dual task procedure is used. ANOVA is used to evaluate differences in the response to visual reaction. Results show that the male players obtained similar values in the error rate of the dual task to those of the female players. There were no gender differences, although statistically significant differences (p < .01) in the responses to visual reaction depending on the experimental condition were found. Results show that gender is a variable which does not influences in the responses to visual reaction, but it does influence the degree of stimulus amplitude located within the player´s visual field. Resumen El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las diferencias entre jugadoras y jugadores de balonmano en la respuesta de reacción visual de estímulos situados dentro del campo visual. La muestra (N = 35) está formada por 20 mujeres y 15 hombres. Las variables independientes son el género y la amplitud del campo visual, bajo tres condiciones experimentales (160º, 170º y 180º dentro del campo visual). La variable dependiente es la respuesta de reacción visual. Como variable control se estableció la tasa de error en una tarea de doble atención. Se utilizó el procedimiento de tarea dual para el registro de errores de la tarea de atención y de la tarea de campo visual. Se aplicó un ANOVA para comprobar las diferencias en la respuesta de reacción visual. Los resultados mostraron que los jugadores obtuvieron valores similares en la tasa de error de la tarea dual que las jugadoras. No se mostraron diferencias de género, aunque sí hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < .01) en las respuestas de reacción visual según la condición experimental. Los resultados afirman que el género es una variable que no influye en las respuestas de reacción visual, pero sí influye el grado de amplitud de los estímulos situados dentro del campo visual del jugador.

The aim of the study is to analyze the differences between male and female handball players in terms of the response to visual reaction to stimuli located at different positions inside the visual field. The sample (N = 35) consists of 20 women and 15 men. The independent variables are gender and amplitude of the visual field under three experimental conditions (160º, 170º and 180º within the visual field). The dependent variable is the response to visual reaction. The error rate in a dual attention task is used as a control variable. For the error assessment of both the attention and visual field, a dual task procedure is used. ANOVA is used to evaluate differences in the response to visual reaction. Results show that the male players obtained similar values in the error rate of the dual task to those of the female players. There were no gender differences, although statistically significant differences (p < .01) in the responses to visual reaction depending on the experimental condition were found. Results show that gender is a variable which does not influences in the responses to visual reaction, but it does influence the degree of stimulus amplitude located within the player´s visual field.

Lago-Penas, C, Rey, E, Lago-Ballesteros, J, Casais, L, and Dominguez, E. The influence of a congested calendar on physical performance in elite soccer. J Strength Cond Res 25(8): 2111-2117, 2011-The aim of this study was to investigate recovery via analysis of activity profiles in a professional soccer team over an intense period of matches. A total of 172 outfield players from 27 Spanish League matches played by a professional team during the 2005-2006 season were analyzed using a multiple-camera match analysis system. The dependent variables were the distance covered by players at different intensities. Data were analyzed using an independentsample t-test and a linear regression analysis with 5 independent variables: the number of matches played per week (1 or 2), match status (i.e., whether the team was winning, losing or drawing), match location (i.e., playing at home or away), quality of the opponents (strong or weak), and the individual playing position of the players. The main finding of this study suggests that the activity profiles of professional soccer players were not influenced by short recovery between matches. Although those players who played 2 matches a week covered less distance at maximal (>23 km·h -1), submaximal (19.1-23 km·h -1), and medium (14.1-19 km·h -1) intensities than those players who played 1 match a week, no significant differences were found. Moreover, results from this study seem to confirm that the elite soccer players distance covered at various speeds is dependent on match contextual factors. The top-class players performed less high-intensity activity (>19.1 km·h -1) when winning than when they were losing (p < 0.05), but more distance was covered by walking and jogging when winning (p < 0.05). The home teams covered a greater distance than away teams at low intensity (,14.1 km·h -1) (p , 0.01). Finally, the better the quality of the opponent, the higher the distance covered by walking and jogging. © 2011 National Strength and Conditioning Association.

In several team sports, the game starting score-line may be understood as a measure of performance accomplishment and hence might have an effect on players' subsequent efforts. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of the starting score-line, game location, and quality of opposition on basketball game quarter final score. The sample comprised 504 game quarters from the Spanish Basketball Professional League and these were classified as balanced (difference in scores equal of 8 points or less, n=194) and unbalanced (difference in scores of more than 8 points, n=310) using k-means cluster procedures. The effects of the predictor variables on game quarter outcome (difference between points scored and points received) in the whole game and in the second, third, and fourth game quarters were analysed using linear regression analysis. The starting game quarter score-line was only significant in unbalanced situations with very similar effects among different game quarters. The greater the dif...

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a succession of matches on the physical performance of elite soccer players. Forty-two players of a professional team from the Spanish Soccer League in the 2005-2006 season who played 2 full matches with 3 days in between matches 1 and 2 were monitored using a multiple-camera match analysis system. Differences on work-rate profiles of soccer players were analysed for the following variables: distance covered for all of the above activity profiles, frequency of high-intensity activities, recovery time, average speed, and top speed. Data were analyzed using a paired samples t-test. Overall, the activity profiles were not statistically influenced by the short recovery periods between matches. Difference between halves in the total distance covered was slightly greater during the first match compared to the second match (-84.4 ± 354.0 v -41.3 ± 318.8 m, respectively). Although a higher difference between halves was found in the distance covered by players at high intensity activities during the second match than in the first match (-34.0 ± 193.1 v -14.3 ± 208.2 m, respectively) this difference was not significant. There were no differences in the number of sprints and high speed runs performed by players across successive games. Difference between halves in the recovery time tended to be greater in the second match compared to the first match (13.0 ± 58.9 v 28.4 ± 87.4 s, respectively). However, this difference was not significant.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of match location, quality of opposition, and match status on distance covered at various speeds in elite soccer. Twenty-seven Spanish Premier League matches played by a professional soccer team were monitored in the 2005–2006 season using a multiple-camera match analysis system. The dependent variables were the distance covered by players at different intensities. Data were analysed using a linear regression analysis with three independent variables: match status (i.e. whether the team was winning, losing or drawing), match location (i.e. playing at home or away), and quality of the opponents (strong or weak). The top-class players performed less high-intensity activity (>19.1 km · h−1) when winning than when they losing, but more distance was covered by walking and jogging when winning. For each minute winning, the distance covered at submaximal or maximal intensities decreased by 1 m (P

The paper provides a large-scale study into the motion characteristics of top class soccer players, during match play, according to playing position. A total of 127 top-class outfield soccer players were monitored during 18 Spanish Premier League using a computerized match analysis system (Amisco Pro®, Nice, France). Total distance covered in five selected categories of intensity (0–11 km/h (standing, walking, jogging); 11.1–14 km/h (low speed running); 14.1–19 km/h (moderate-speed running); 19.1–23 km/h (high-speed running); > 23 km/h (sprinting) and the mean percentage of playing time spent in each activity were analyzed according to playing position. Midfield players covered a significantly greater total distance than the groups of defenders and forwards did. Analyzing the different work rates showed significant differences (p < between 0.05 and 0.001) between the different playing positions. There were no significant differences between halves in the total distance covered, or in distances covered at ...

La problemática que suponen las lesiones es notable en el proceso de entrenamiento-competición, ya que implica su modificación o su interrupción. Cualquier incidencia lesional altera los planes de entrenamiento y es un factor importante en el control del entrenamiento. La intervención más común dentro del ámbito deportivo se centra en la recuperación de las lesiones para regresar al nivel de rendimiento deportivo anterior, y éste es un proceso costoso desde el punto de vista económico y deportivo. Sin embargo, las actuaciones orientadas a la prevención de lesiones, a pesar de haber mostrado elevada eficacia, no se han implementado de manera sistemática en muchas modalidades deportivas. En este trabajo se revisan algunas medidas y programas preventivos que, desde la actividad física, pueden integrarse en los programas de entrenamiento para minimizar los impactos de las lesiones.

Aim of study. Fire regimes are frequently dynamic and change as a function of the interactions between the three main fire drivers: fuels, ignitions and climatic conditions. We characterized the recent period (1974-2005) and performed estimates for the future fire regimeArea of study. We have considered five pine and another four woodland types by means of the analyses of 100 reference areas in peninsular Spain.Material and methods. The estimates of the expected alterations in fire frequency and the fire rotation period were based on models previously developed for the climatic scenarios SRES A2 and B2.Main results. The results point to the large variability in fire frequency and rotation periods between the woodland types as defined, and also among the reference areas delimited for each of them. Fire frequencies will increase for all woodland types while very relevant shortenings of the fire rotation periods are expected. For the 32 yr period analysed, rotation periods longer than 500 yr were obtained in 54% of the reference areas while this percentage would decrease to 31% in the B2 and to 29% in the A2 climatic scenario. In the most affected woodland type, P. pinaster, from a median rotation period of 83 yr it would decrease to 26 yr in the B2 and to 20 yr in the A2 climatic scenario.Research highlights. We conclude that the predicted increases in fire activity will have adverse effects on some of the main Spanish woodland types due to the expected future disruptions in the fire regime. Keywords: Forest fires; fire regime; fire frequency; fire rotation period; climatic change.Abbreviations used: SRES: Special Report on Emissions Scenarios; IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; RA: Reference Areas.

The Effect of Immediate Post-Training Active and Passive Recovery Interventions on Anaerobic Performance and Lower Limb Flexibility in Professional Soccer Players The capacity to recover from intense training, competition and matches is considered an important determinant in soccer performance. At present, there is no consensus on the effect of post-training recovery interventions on subsequent training session. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of active (12 min submaximal running and 8 min of static stretching) and passive recovery (20 min sitting on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on anaerobic performances (CMJ, 20 m sprint and Balsom agility test) and lower limb flexibility 24 h after the training. During two experimental sessions, 31 professional soccer players participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to evaluate the player's anaerobic performances and lower limb flexibility (pretest). After baseline measurements, participants performed a standardized soccer training during which heart rate and RPE were recorded to evaluate the training load. At the end of the training unit all players were randomly assigned to the active recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was organized to obtain the posttest values. Players performed the same test, administered in the same order than in the first trial. No significant differences between groups were observed in heart rate and RPE. No significant effect due to recovery interventions was found on lower limb flexibility and anaerobic performances except CMJ that posttest value was significantly greater in the active recovery group than in the passive group (p < 0.05).

Injuries are a serious problem in the training-competition process, since their occurrence leads to the modification or interruption of the activity. Any injury alters training plans and is an important factor in training monitoring. Within the sports community, the most common intervention focuses on recovering from injuries in order to return to previous performance levels; a process that is expensive from both the economic and sporting points of view. However, in many sports, strategies aimed at injury prevention have not been systematically implemented, despite their proven effectiveness. The present chapter reviews some of preventive programs that must be incorporated in training schedules to minimize the impact of injuries. With regard to the introduction of intervention strategies in sport, through preventive measures from physical activity, it is necessary to review the power of the proposed measures and assess their effectiveness. There are numerous published papers on the subject, although it requires a careful study of them, both from the standpoint of methodology as adequacy of proposals, so as to adequately inform such interventions.

The capacity to recover from intense training and matches is considered an important determinant in soccer performance. At present, there is no consensus on the effect of posttraining recovery interventions on subsequent training session. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of active (12 minutes of submaximal running and 8 minutes of static stretching) and passive recovery (20 minutes sit on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on muscle contractile properties using tensiomyography (TMG) and perceived muscle soreness 24 hours after the training. During 2 experimental sessions, 31 professional soccer players participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to collect the player's TMG and muscle soreness measurements (pretest). After baseline measurements, the participants performed a standardized soccer training during which the heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded to evaluate the training load. At the end of training unit, all the players were randomly assigned to the active recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was organized to obtain the posttest values. The players performed the same test, administered in the same order than in the first trial. The results showed that no differences between groups were observed in the HR and RPE. No significant effect because of recovery strategy was found on TMG parameters and perceived muscle soreness.

Lago-Peñas, C, Casais, L, Dellal, A, Rey, E, and Domínguez, E. Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of young soccer players according to their playing positions: relevance for competition success. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3358-3367, 2011-The aim of this study was to establish the anthropometric and physiological profiles of young soccer players according to their playing position and to determine their relevance for competition success. Three hundred and twenty-one young male soccer players participated in the study. Players, age 15.63 (±1.82) years, range 12-19 years, were classified into the following groups: Goalkeepers (n = 35), Central Defenders (n = 53), External Defenders (n = 54), Central Midfielders (n = 61), External Midfielders (n = 46), and Forwards (n = 72). The anthropometric variables of participants (height, weight, body mass index, 6 skinfolds, 4 diameters, and 3 perimeters) were measured. Also, their somatotype and body composition (weights and percentages of fat, bone, and muscle) were calculated. Participants performed the 20-m progressive run test to estimate their relative VO(2)max, a sprint test (30 m flat), and 3 jump tests (squat jump, countermovement jump, and Abalakov test). External Midfielders were the leanest and shortest. In contrast, Central Defenders and Goalkeepers were found to be the tallest and heaviest players. They also had the largest fat skinfolds. In general, the results show that heavier and taller young soccer players performed better in vertical jumps and 30-m sprint, whereas leaner players performed better in the 20-m progressive run test. Players were classified into 2 groups according to the final ranking of their teams at the end of the season. Players from successful teams performed slightly better than players from unsuccessful teams in the physiological test, but these differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, players from successful teams were found to be leaner and more muscular than their unsuccessful counterparts.

Resumen tomado de la publicación La celebración de la fase final de una competición europea de Baloncesto en Silla de Ruedas (BSR) -Willy Brinkmann Cup- ha permitido administrar una encuesta al grupo de 35 voluntarios que han colaborado con la celebración del evento, con el objetivo de analizar su perfil sociodemográfico, su experiencia previa en labores de voluntariado y su grado de conocimiento y cumplimiento de la ley 6-1996. Se evidencia un perfil coincidente con otros estudios previos, en cuanto a un mayor peso del género femenino, un nivel medio-alto de formación académica y un rango de edad que caracteriza a la muestra como de adultos-jóvenes. Algunas de las divergencias encontradas podrían explicarse a partir de las especiales características del deporte adaptado y el carácter puntual de la colaboración. El nivel de conocimiento de la ley 6-1996 que regula el voluntariado en nuestro país resulta muy bajo, por parte de voluntarios y entidades en las que colaboran, y esto puede explicar una cierta precariedad en el desempeño de esta labor que, sin duda, constituye una amenaza para su eficacia y continuidad. Cataluña Universidad Pública de Navarra. Biblioteca; Campus de Arrosadía; 31006 Pamplona; Tel. +34948169060; Fax +34948169069; bupna@unavarra.es ESP

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) may have an increased risk of developing hepatitis B virus (HB) infection. Invasive procedures such as colonoscopies and surgery might be some of the reasons for this. Moreover, the use of immunosuppressors may reactivate a latent infection. We assessed the immune status among IBD patients receiving HB vaccine and the circumstances that predicted its results.Serological markers of B and C hepatitis virus in patients with IBD who were referred for consultation were assessed since 2006. The subsequent determination of antibodies against superficial antigen (HBsAb) could differentiate between responders and non responders to the vaccine and an adequate immunity to HB was defined as higher than 10mUI/ml.One hundred and twenty nine patients were included in our study. Fifty-six (43,4%) patients had received immunosuppressive medication before the first vaccine dose. Notably, 85 (65.9%) patients had inadequate levels of HBsAb: 36 had no detectable levels and 49 had less than 10mUI/ml. Younger patients had a better immunity response than older patients (30.91+/-14.8 vs 39.91+/-14.2) (p0.001).More than half of the patients had a suboptimal serologic response after vaccination. Only the younger group showed a better rate of response. It was not demonstrated whether an additional fourth dose of vaccination or a complete revaccination improved the rate of responders.