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Efectos de un programa de entrenamiento combinado de fuerza en el rendimiento físico en jugadores juniors de pádel
Get PDFEl presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto del entrenamiento de fuerza combinado con ejercicios pliométricos y de velocidad en la aceleración de jugadores juveniles de pádel. Métodos: Doce jóvenes jugadores de pádel (16,92 ± 0,90 años) fueron divididos aleatoriamente en grupo control (GC, n=6) y grupo experimental (GE, n=6). El GE continuó con su entrenamiento habitual, además de la implementación de un programa de fuerza combinado de entrenamiento pliométrico y de velocidad, realizándolo dos veces por semana durante 6 semanas. Las variables de rendimiento físico se midieron antes y después de la intervención mediante una prueba de salto con contramovimiento bilateral (CMJ), pruebas de salto horizontal bilateral y unilateral, un sprint de 10 metros y un sprint de 5 + 5 metros con un cambio de dirección de 180º con ambas piernas. Resultados: El GE mostró mejoras significativas en los saltos verticales y horizontales (p= 0.01 - 0.03), pero no en la velocidad de sprint ni en el cambio de dirección, lo que indica una mejora general en su rendimiento tras la intervención. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos destacan los posibles beneficios de incorporar un programa de entrenamiento combinado de seis semanas para mejorar de manera efectiva las habilidades de salto vertical y horizontal en jugadores jóvenes de pádel.The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of strength training combined with plyometric exercises and speed on junior padel players’ acceleration. Methods: Twelve young padel players (16,92 ± 0,90 years) were randomly divided in control group (CG, n=6) and experimental group (EG, n=6). The EG continued with their usual training, in addition to the implementation of a strength combined plyometric and speed training program, performing it twice a week for 6 weeks. Physical performance variables were measured before and after the intervention through various assessments: a bilateral countermovement jump test (CMJ), bilateral and unilateral horizontal jump tests, a 10-meter sprint, and a 5 + 5-meter sprint with a 180º change of direction with both legs. Results: The EG showed significant improvements in vertical and horizontal jumping (p= 0.01 - 0.03), but not in sprinting speed and change of direction, indicating an overall improvement in their performance after the intervention. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating a six-week combined training program to effectively improve vertical and horizontal jumping skills in young padel players
Effect of active breaks on stress and musculoskeletal discomfort during work in office workers
Get PDFBackground Musculoskeletal disorders and stress are a common problem for office workers.
Aims Evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of intervention with active breaks via video call in musculoskeletal discomfort and
stress in office workers.
Methods Thirty-one office workers completed an-8-week active break program with 2 weekly sessionss with exercise
(15 min) implemented via video call. Stretching, mobility, and body weight resistance exercises were prescribed and implemented
by a sports scientist. Participants recorded musculoskeletal discomfort using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort
Questionnaire at the beginning and end of the intervention. In addition, perceived stress was evaluated using the 14-item
perceived stress scale (PSS-14). Differences between pre and post-evaluations were analyzed using the paired t test of Student
for age, BMI, and perceived stress variables. For discomfort variables, which did not present a normal distribution, the
Wilcoxon rank test was employed.
Results The workers had an average adherence of 82% to the active break intervention. At the end of the intervention, the
workers significantly decreased the perception of discomfort in the neck, lower back, and total body score (p < 0.05). Perceived
stress did not decrease significantly in the entire group.
Conclusions Performing active breaks via video call with stretching and body weight strength exercises reduces the perception
of neck and low back discomfort in office workers.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. Not applicable
Physical Training Considerations for Futsal Players According to Strength and Conditioning Coaches: A Qualitative Study
Get PDFThe professionalization of futsal requires greater physical demands on players, requiring strength and conditioning coaches to manage loads, optimize performance, and prevent injuries. This study aimed to describe the current practices of high-level strength and conditioning coaches and determine the elements needed to optimize their performance. Two video-recorded focus groups consisting of eight strength and conditioning coaches from the Spanish futsal league’s first and second divisions were transcribed, translated, and analyzed using a content analysis approach with open-ended questions on physical preparation and current practices. Results showed that strength and conditioning coaches prioritized five main areas: (1) competitive demands, (2) training load control and monitoring, (3) injury risk mitigation strategies, (4) contextual factors and interpersonal relationships, and (5) training methodologies to optimize performance. However, they also claim to deal with several limitations such as lack of time, limited resources and access to facilities, insufficient staff, problems related to combining sport with other activities (e.g., work), or the difficulty to individualize, which limits the optimization of their practices. Based on these findings, practical applications include implementing neuromuscular and strength training sessions at least twice a week, using cost-effective load monitoring
tools (e.g., RPE and wellness questionnaires) to manage workloads, individualizing training programs to address the specific demands and characteristics of each player, and fostering close multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize performance and reduce injury risks. These insights can guide current and aspiring strength and conditioning coaches toward optimized practices. This study can assist novice strength and conditioning coaches in identifying the key focus areas of elite physical trainers and understanding their challenges and limitations, fostering collaboration among sports professionals to create a more optimized environment
Preclinical research in obesity-associated metabolic diseases using in vitro, multicellular, and non-mammalian models
No full textAddressing the physiological effects of bioactive compounds in metabolic diseases (i.e., obesity, diabetes, liver steatosis) and establishing their mechanisms of action have been a major interest for the last decades. However, methodologies that can be applied to achieve this can vary greatly, leading to a limited type of information. Thus, the accuracy, robustness, reliability and potential (human) translation are highly reliant on the experimental design and selected methodological models. This review presents an update exploring the main features, advantages and disadvantages of most important pre-clinical models used at the present time to study the effects of bioactive compounds on metabolic diseases. Moreover, future challenges in developing new methods are also depicted. In vitro models (enzyme assays and standard two-dimensional cultures of adipocytes, skeletal muscle cells) are intrinsically well established and constitute the first choice and most widely used methods to study bioactive compounds in metabolic diseases. However, novel models such as three-dimensional cultures (spheroids, organoids) are also starting to emerge and complement traditional culture systems. Models of small organisms (C. elegans, D. melanogaster) and non-mammal vertebrates (D. rerio) represent a scientific advantage and a middle-step before traditional mammalian models (rats and mice). This article provides extensive information and a critical overview of a wide range of methods that represent present and future avenues towards a further understanding of metabolic diseases. Combining and developing new methods will be key for future progression on the effects of bioactive compounds on metabolic diseases, as well as to minimize the use of mammalian models due to ethical reasons
Vasorelaxant effects of the edible flowers Tagetes erecta L. and its possible mechanism of action
No full textContext: Tagetes erecta is widely cultivated for its ornamental flowers and has traditionally been used as a diuretic and antihypertensive. However, its effects on blood pressure have not yet been studied.
Objective: To evaluate the vasorelaxant potential of ethanolic extract of T. erecta from two cultivars of edible flowers, yellow and orange.
Materials and Methods: The pharmacological effects of T. erecta extracts as vasorelaxant agents were evaluated using isolated rat aorta rings in an organ bath and by measuring the pharyngeal pumping rate in the Caenorhabditis elegans model.
Results: The extracts induced relaxation in endothelium-intact aortic rings pre-contracted with different agents. Vasorelaxant effect was attenuated by endothelial removal and by pretreatment with L-NAME or ODQ, but not by indomethacin. Statistically significant effects were observed only at low concentrations. Atropine and H-89 reduced the extract-induced response, whereas okadaic acid had no effect. In a calcium-free medium, the extracts reduced contractions induced by CaCl2 and phenylephrine. Relaxation was significantly attenuated by iberiotoxin, glibenclamide, BaCl2, and 4-aminopyridine, while apamin and TRAM-34 had mild effect. The extracts also significantly decreased the
pharyngeal pumping rate in C. elegans.
Discussion and Conclusion: The extracts induced concentration-dependent vasorelaxation though both endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms. At low concentrations, relaxation was mediated by nitric oxide, while at higher
concentrations it involved inhibition of intracellular Ca2+, opening of K+ channels, and
activation of protein kinase A. In C. elegans, the extracts significantly reduced pharyngeal
pumping. This study is the first to suggest that T. erecta could be beneficial in treating
pathologies associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as hypertension.This research was funded by Government of Aragon (financial support of the group B44_20D-Phyto-Pharm: Principios vegetales bioactivos y ciencias farmacéuticas), Universidad de Zaragoza (JIUZ-2018-BIO-09 and JIUZ-2021-BIO-08) and Universidad San Jorge (Proyecto Interno 2425013)
Effectiveness of physiotherapy techniques on depressive symptoms in older adults: a systematic review
No full textIntroduction: The older adult population suffers from a high prevalence of depression, representing an increasing burden on healthcare systems. In this context, this systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of physiotherapy for the management of depressive symptoms in this population. The population aged 65 and over is increasing in developed countries such as Spain, currently accounting for 19.09% and projected to reach 25.2% within the next decade. Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in this group, affecting 5% of community-dwelling individuals and 25% in institutional settings, significantly reducing quality of life and increasing the risk of dementia. While the pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments are standard, they present adverse effects and limitations in this population, prompting the exploration of physiotherapy as a non-pharmacological alternative.
Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of combining conventional treatments with physiotherapy techniques for symptomatic improvement in older patients with depression, and to identify the most effective physiotherapy technique, when combined with conventional treatment, for depressive symptoms in older adults.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, and we performed searches in PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus and Cochrane Library databases. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool.
Results: Eight randomized controlled trials, encompassing a total of 1,368 older participants diagnosed with depression or depressive symptoms who received physiotherapy, were included. The findings indicate that physiotherapy techniques, particularly therapeutic exercise, in combination with conventional treatments, may improve depressive symptoms in this population.
Conclusion: Although we observed positive trends in the effectiveness of physiotherapy for depression in older adults, further research is required to validate its clinical efficacy and inform evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251079161
Cristina de Diego-Alonso; Julia Blasco-Abadía; Víctor Doménech-García; Pablo Bellosta-López
Get PDFLa infografía muestra los resultados de un estudio psicométrico del International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) Cuestionario de percepción sobre la realización de actividad física en supervivientes de un accidente cerebrovascular.
El IPAQ-SF recoge la actividad física autopercibida durante los 7 días anteriores en bloques de ≥ 10 minutos. Los 7 ítems están organizados en cuatro grupos: Actividades vigorosas, actividades moderadas, tiempo sentado y tiempo caminando.
La infografía aporta datos sobre la interpretación de los resultados del cuestionario para conocer si los valores de actividad física autopercibida son altos, moderados o bajos.
Los resultados de las propiedades psicométricas respaldan el uso del cuestionario IPAQ-SF a nivel clínico por su bajo coste, rápida administración y utilidad en el entorno clínico y de investigación como herramienta de cribado del cumplimiento de recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud sobre el nivel de actividad física. Los datos aportados por IPAQ-SF están correlacionados con los aportados por dispositivos objetivos.
Para más información sobre el estudio de investigación:
de Diego-Alonso, C., Blasco-Abadía, J., Doménech-García, V., & Bellosta-López, P. (2024). Validity and stability of the international physical activity questionnaire short-form for stroke survivors with preserved walking ability. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 32(5), 562–571.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2024.2417645
Artículo disponible en:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10749357.2024.2417645
https://repositorio.usj.es/handle/123456789/161
El coraje de educar hoy: Compromiso y esperanza
Get PDFResultado de la lección inaugural del curso académico 2025-2026 de la Universidad San Jorge.
La Educación tiene como fin último la formación de la persona en su totalidad para que llegue a ser lo que está llamada a ser, y por tanto no puede ser asimilada a ningún tipo de actividad productiva, y es más bien una labor de artesanía, un acto de esperanza.
En el vínculo que establecen alumno y docente tiene el potencial de transformar a las personas y a la sociedad que ellas generan, y las Universidades tenemos el deber de contribuir a la formación de estudiantes capaces de comprometerse con la construcción de una sociedad más fraterna para todos
Reference Equations for Maximal Respiratory Pressures in Healthy Children and Adolescents
Get PDFObjectives
Maximal respiratory pressures are key indicators of respiratory muscle strength; however, reference equations and cut-offs to define respiratory muscle weakness are scarce in the European paediatric population. The aim was to create sex-specific reference equations for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (PImax/PEmax) in a large sample of healthy children and to objectively establish cut-offs to define respiratory muscle weakness.
Methods
A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted across 14 Spanish centres. Healthy children aged 6–18 years, stratified by sex and age, were recruited. Maximal respiratory pressures were measured following standardized methodology in accordance with international guidelines. Reference equations were developed through multiple linear regression analyses. Age- and sex specific cut-offs for respiratory muscle weakness were determined using Z-scores ≥ 1.645 standard deviation (SD) below group means.
Results
The final sample included 513 subjects (257 boys; 11.5 [SD3.5] years). Reference equations are: (1) PImax: boys = −41.41 + 10.21 * age + 6.26 * body mass index (BMI) − 0.37 * age * BMI; girls = 125.96–0.34 * age − 0.41 * age2 − 5.75 * BMI + 0.63 * age * BMI; (2) PEmax: boys = 20.93 + 5.23 * age + 2.93 * BMI; girls = −12.67 + 11.98 * age − 0.39 * age2 + 2.57 * BMI. Cut-offs for respiratory muscle weakness are higher in boys and increase with age (p < .001). Depending on age, PImax cut-offs range from 46 to 85 cmH2O in boys and from 45 to 68 cmH2O in girls, while PEmax cut-offs span 54–98 cmH2O in boys and 57–85 cmH2O in girls.
Conclusions
This study provides new reference equations for PImax and PEmax derived from the largest dataset of normative values in European children and adolescents. It also establishes age-specific cut-offs to define respiratory muscle weakness. These findings will facilitate the identification of respiratory muscle weakness and the selection of candidates for targeted training programmes
Libro de resúmenes del III Congreso de Iniciación a la Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud
Get PDFEl Congreso de Iniciación a la Investigación es un evento emocionante y enriquecedor diseñado para estudiantes que están llevando a cabo proyectos de fin de grado, proyectos de iniciación a la investigación o incluso en primero años del doctorado. Durante este congreso, los estudiantes tienen la oportunidad de presentar sus investigaciones a un público diverso de académicos, profesionales y estudiantes de las diferentes áreas. Además de las presentaciones, se llevan a cabo charlas de profesionales del los diferentes sectores, así como de los diferentes grupos de investigación de la Facultad de ciencias de la Salud. Los estudiantes pueden compartir ideas, recibir retroalimentación constructiva y establecer contactos con otros investigadores en su área. Este congreso fomenta el crecimiento académico y el intercambio de conocimientos, brindando una plataforma invaluable para los jóvenes investigadores mientras dan los primeros pasos en su trayectoria profesional.
The Research Initiation Congress is an exciting and enriching event designed for students who are carrying out final degree projects, research initiation projects, or even in the first years of their doctoral studies. During this congress, students have the opportunity to present their research to a diverse audience of academics, professionals, and students from different fields. In addition to presentations, there are talks by professionals from various sectors, as well as from the different research groups at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Students can share ideas, receive constructive feedback, and establish connections with other researchers in their area. This congress fosters academic growth and knowledge exchange, providing an invaluable platform for young researchers as they take their first steps in their professional careers.IX Convocatoria de proyectos de innovación docente 2024-202