International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports (IJPEFS)
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Acute Effect of Resistance Training on Cognitive Function of Costa Rican Older Adults
Full text linkDifferent types of exercise interventions have shown to improve cognitive performance; however, there is scarce evidence on the acute effect of resistance training (RT) on cognitions in older adults. The purpose of this study is to determine the acute effect of RT on cognitive performance in healthy older adults. 45 adults (Mean age = 65.3 ± 3.7 yr.) were randomly allocated to one of three groups: high-intensity RT (G1), low-intensity RT (G2), or inactive control (G3). Participants completed cognitive tests assessing processing speed, visuospatial processing, executive function, and cognitive control, working memory and immediate memory. The RT protocol for G1 and G2 consisted of six exercises. A 3x2 ANCOVA was performed with education as a covariate. Significant improvements were found on visuospatial processing in G1 (Pre = 61.6 ± 2.1 vs. Post = 69.7 ± 2.4; 95%CI = 4.8, 11.4; p ≤ 0.001) and G2 (Pre = 62.4 ± 2.2 vs. Post = 67.0 ± 2.5; 95%CI = 1.2, 8.1; p = 0.009). Other tested cognitive abilities were unchanged by acute exercise or rest. Acute RT enhanced or maintained cognitive performance in older adults. It was possible to successfully perform 1RM tests with older adults. Additional evidence is needed to determine effective protocols to improve cognition in older adulthood
Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease as Predictors of Cardiomotor Profiles in Hispanic-Latinos Living with HIV
Full text linkBackground: People living with HIV are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease negatively impact cardiovascular and muscular function. Therefore, this study aims to determine if cardiovascular disease risk factors are predictors of cardiomotor profiles in Hispanic-Latinos living with HIV. Subjects: A total of 176 participants were enrolled in this study. There were 134 males and 42 females with a mean age of 53.34 +/- 10.31 years old. Methods: Data was collected retrospectively from people living with HIV in San Juan, Puerto Rico from 2000-2020. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were collected by interview. In addition, the cardiovascular and locomotor components were collected using the Ross submaximal exercise test. Results: Hyperlipidemia was a significant predictor of treadmill time (B= -1.882, p=.034) and heart rate (B= -6.878, p<.001), whereas hypertension was a predictor of heart rate (B= -12.903, p=.026) and systolic blood pressure (B=12.263, p<.001). Hyperlipidemia was also a significant predictor of inclination (B= -1.707, p=.034). In addition, 57.4 % of the sample had at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor. Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia and hypertension should be considered in managing people living with HIV. This study indicated that hyperlipidemia and hypertension negatively affect cardiovascular and locomotor performance during exercise. Clinicians should be aware that exercise tolerance may be reduced in people with HIV and CVD risk factors; therefore, exercise prescription should be tailored and monitored accordingly
Physical Disability and Physical Activity Involvement Portrayal in the Media
Full text linkDisability media studies articulates the formation of a new field of study, based in the rich traditions of media, cultural, and disability. Television, film, current periodicals, and other mass media are a part of our everyday lives. Attitudes regarding a variety of issues can be affected by these media, not the least of which are attitudes toward disability. Media is a significant part of contemporary society and culture and is subsequently crucial to our understanding of disability. The representation of disability in the media in the last ten years is pretty much the same as it has always been: clichéd, stereotyped, and archetypal. Media representation of and for the disabled has been recharged in recent years with the expansion of new media worldwide. Interactive digital communications [such as the Internet, new varieties of voice and text telephones, social media, and digital broadcasting] have created a need to explore the constructs of media and the media relationship with disability. To explore this topic, we asked the same questions posed by scholars, how exactly does the media interact with disability and vice versa? Does the media adequately reflect the lives of people with disabilities
Reference Interval of Muscle Damage Indices and Cortisol in Young Athletes of Various Sports Discipline
Full text linkCreatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cortisol are widely accepted as biological markers. The purpose of the study was to frame the reference interval for muscle damage indices (CK, LDH) and cortisol in the young athletic population of various sports disciplines. 260 young male players [i.e., football (n=62), hockey (n=60), gymnastics (n=36), swimming (n=28), table tennis (n=25), sprint-jump-throw (n=36) and middle-long distance running (n=13)] were recruited for the study (mean age = 15.6±1.59 yrs). Assay of LDH, CK and cortisol was done using the standard enzymatic protocol. The reference interval was calculated by following the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) C28-A3 guideline and “MedCalc” software (version 19) with a 90% confidence interval. Serum LDH range was from 148.00-324.00 IU/L with a mean of 233.2±34.74 and a median around 236.25. Serum CK ranged from 17.00-43.50 IU/L with a mean of 28.93±5.23 IU/L and a median around 28.00. Cortisol ranged from 4.99-15.78 µg/dl with a mean of 9.31±2.09 µg/dl and a median around 8.90. The present study confers 165.63 - 303.43 IU/L, 19.00 – 40.09 IU/L and 6.07-14.15 µg/dl as the reference interval values for LDH, CK and cortisol, respectively. The present finding will guide the researchers to avoid misinterpretation of muscle damage indices values during any phase of competitive training of sports person
Anteroposterior and mediolateral postural adaptations during single and duals tasks in healthy young adults
Full text linkDual tasks are fundamental and standard for daily walking and balance movements. However, further research is required to determine the comprehensive postural profile during challenging dual cognitive tasks. To distinguish the influence of dual cognitive tasks on anterior-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) jerk (direction of sway), velocity, and distance in young adults with normal balance systems. Nineteen subjects took part in this inquiry (2 males and 17 females), with a mean age of 23.9+\- 2.3 years. The participants were instrumented using a lumbar accelerometer and a dynamometer designed to capture sway. All subjects completed eight balance tests comprising four single and four dual-cognitive tasks involving counting backward by three, starting at the number 100 (dual-task). Postural modifications were prominent in the AP direction, with a faster jerk, velocity, and considerable distance than in the ML direction. The introduction to challenging balance situations, including dual tasks, provoke AP direction adaptations to preserve balance through variations in AP parameters, indicating the engagement of the sensory reweighting system
Perceptions of elementary teachers about physical activity breaks in the classroom
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to explore classroom teachers’ perceptions in providing physical activity breaks during their regular lessons in their classrooms. Twenty-two randomly selected school teachers (6 men and 16 women) from public urban elementary schools participated in this study. Data collection took place in the participating school settings during regular school time and included 30-minute semi-structured interviews, teachers’ reflective journals and field notes taken for classroom facilities, number of students in each class, available space in each class, etc. Data were analyzed inductively by conducting a systematic search for similar patterns that occurred across the collected data. According to the results, teachers identified barriers to implementation of activity breaks, such as a) had a hard time for class management when movement activities were included, b) did not have a minimum repertoire of activities to implement in class, c) had limited pedagogical knowledge in implementing the activity breaks, d) had difficulties in re-starting the class, e) had a limitation of time, due to the additional workload, beyond their regular teaching load in class and other school responsibilities and f) had limited space to implement physical activity breaks in the classroom. As far as the content, results showed that teachers prefer activity breaks relevant to the lesson, enjoyable to students, or waking up students to attend the rest of the lesson effectively. These findings may have practical implications regarding physical education teacher education and professional development for classroom teachers
Anthropometric characteristics, quality of life and functional capacity in adults living with HIV in Puerto Rico
Full text linkSurvival and longevity rates in people living with HIV (HIV+) have increased with the availability and use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, despite the above HIV+ adults treated with ART have a higher risk of developing dyslipidemia and high waist circumference. In addition, they have lower cardiorespiratory fitness, loss of muscle mass, reduced balance, and reduced functional capacity, which affects their quality of life. To explore the impact of balance perception, treadmill time, grip strength, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) on quality of life in Latino Hispanic people living with HIV. This study recruited twenty-five participants from a community-based center, La Perla de Gran Precio, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the medical diagnosis of HIV. Descriptive measures were obtained for all variables of interest, and correlation and regression analyses were used to assess the associations between functional capacity, quality of life, and anthropometric measures. Result: Men had greater left- and right-hand grip strength than women (86.9±18.8, 56.9±26.8 kg; p=0.003 and 87.6±15.1 vs. 61.4±26.6 kg; p =0.004). Two anthropometric variables showed a trend toward a moderate positive correlation with quality of life: WHtR (r= -0.38, p =0.12) and BMI (r= -0.38, p = p-0.14). Although gender differences in upper body strength are expected, handgrip strength is within the gender-specific average range of the general population. The integration of anthropometric characteristics and upper body strength when prescribing exercise must be considered since these factors influence functional capacity and quality of life among HIV+ adults
Effects of a preparatory training protocol on the movement and body stability of handball players
Full text linkHandball is a sport with a high risk of injury, The prevalence of injury is only obtainable through a thorough and comprehensive analysis. One of the most commonly used test batteries for interpreting the characteristics of an injury is the Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM). It makes possible to possible to identify movement limitations and asymmetries which are believed to impact injury risk in sports. The aim of this study is to use the FMSTM to determine whether an eight-week training protocol can predict and prevent injuries in handball. The study sample comprised the fifteen members of the Borac handball club youth team. The initial measurement showed that most players (80%) had an overall score in the test battery ranging from 15 to 20 points. In addition, three players were found to have asymmetry. Only one of the three players had an overall score in the FMSTM of ≤14. The participants scored the lowest in the initial measurement for Rotary Stability, followed by Deep Squat and Hurdle Step Left. They scored the highest in the Shoulder Mobility. After the implementation of the exercise protocol for improving body mobility and stability, the final measurements showed that all the participants had an overall score in the FMSTM of >14. The value of eta squared showed that training in between the two measurements had a significant impact. At the time of testing and protocol implementation no players sustained any injuries during matches or in training. This study confirmed that the FMSTM can be used to predict injuries in sports
The Impact of Coach Leadership Style on Resilience of Volleyball Players
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of coach leadership style on resilience level of volleyball players and to trace possible differences that exist between the two genders. Participants included 101 volleyball players (53 females and 48 males) and 31 coaches (11 females and 20 males), with the Self Evaluation Resilience test and the Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS) used as instruments. The data was analyzed with SPSS 21.0 using t-test for independent samples, and simple regression (stepwise) analysis. Results of t-test showed statistically significant differences between male and female volleyball players in ‘‘orientation on solution and aims’’ and ‘‘self-efficacy’’ variables, with no other statistically significant differences observed for the rest resilience variables. Additionally, no statistically significant differences were observed for the LSS variables between the two genders of volleyball coaches. The results of simple regression (stepwise) analysis suggest that the autocratic behavior of volleyball coach has a significant impact on volleyball players’ resilience. Future research should investigate whether variables such as anxiety affect the resilience level of volleyball players
Parents Shape their Children’s Physical Activity During Unstructured Recess Through Intrinsic Value the Children Possess
Full text linkParents beliefs processes has shown to relate to their children’s decisions making. Thus, grounded in the expectancy-value theory, the aim of this study was to examine parents’ role in shaping elementary school students’ beliefs and task values toward students’ school-time physical activity (PA) and their moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) behavior during unstructured recess. A convenience sample of 115 (Mage = 10.12±1.81) children and their parents/guardians were recruited, and their expectancy-beliefs and attainment, utility, and interest values toward school-time PA were assessed. In addition, children’s MVPA during recess was measured using waist-attached accelerometers. Results showed that parents impacted children’s recess PA in different ways depending on children’s gender. In girls, parents’ beliefs and values transferred directly to the subsequent values of their children, whereas parents’ beliefs were the central predictors of boys’ beliefs and values. Parents’ intrinsic value moderated girls’ MVPA via the intrinsic value of the participants possessed (Z = 1.73, p = .010, 90% CI [.36, 2.93]), whereas parents’ beliefs moderated boys’ intrinsic value – MVPA relationship (Z = .78, p < .001, 90% CI [.39, 1.10]). This study suggests applying gender-specific strategies when trying to understand how beliefs and task values impact PA-related behaviors