Behaviour of salivary testosterone and cortisol in men during an Ironman Triathlon
Endurance exercise induces notable acute hormonal responses on the gonadal and adrenal hormones. The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in salivary testosterone (Ts), salivary cortisol (Cs) and T/C ratio during long-distance triathlon. Ten well-trained male triathletes participated in the study and were assessed for hormonal changes at four time-points (pre-competition, post-swimming, post-cycling, and post-running phases). Ts decreased from pre-competition to post-swimming (from 93.37 pg/mL to 57.63 pg/mL; p < .01) and increased during two other parts of the competition to almost pre-competition values (cycling: 79.20 pg/mL, p = .02; running: 89,66 pg/mL, p = .04, respectively…
Estereotipos asociados al cuerpo humano: análisis de aplicaciones móviles usadas en la educación físico-deportiva
Institutions and educators are massively and uncritically integrating digital curricular materials in their teaching praxis. This article aims to uncover whether health and fitness APP images convey or legitimize stereotypes linked to bodies, focusing on gender, race, somatotype and physical activity practice. We also analyse whether these apps are adequate for the recommended age or whether they are designed by physical education professionals. For that purpose, we designed a descriptive, comparative study based on content analysis on a sample of 373 images from 128 apps selected through a PRISMA review and a pilot test. Our results report that bodies reproduce a series of stereotypes: of …
Tactical behavior of high‐level male marathon runners
This study analyzes the strategy used by the best male runners who participated in one of the major city marathons (Frankfurt Marathon, 2008-2018), the all-time performances <2:04:00, the male world records achieved during the 21st century and the Nike Breaking2 Project and INEOS 1:59 Challenge (total = 235 races). The races of the best runners in the Frankfurt Marathon (top 10) were analyzed (n = 110 runners, range: 2:03:42-2:14:05 hours); the runners were divided into two groups according to the tactical used. The pace of Group A (stable pace) remained steady throughout the race, while in Group B (decrease in running speed toward the end of the race) a moderate, but significant drop in sp…
Effects of short inter-repetition rest periods on power output losses during the half squat exercise
BACKGROUND: Cluster training is being increasingly used to develop muscular power. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of short inter-repetition rest (IRR) periods on the capacity to maintain maximal levels of power output. METHODS:In afirst session, 16 active-duty soldiers performed a progressive loading test toestablish the load linked tomaximal power (optimal load, OL), and the half squat 1-repetition maximum. In Session 2, six individual sets of repetitions performed to failure (or a maximum of 20 repetitions) were conducted using the loads OL, low (LL, 15% below OL), and high (HL, 15% above OL) as quickly as possible. For each load, participants performed one set without rest between r…
Evaluation of visual-motor reaction time and quality of response in rugby sevens players after the application of a neurocognitive training programme
This work proposes a neurocognitive training (NCT) programme that seeks to optimise the mechanisms of visual perception, the processing of information and decision making. Also, to evaluate the eff...
A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Service-Learning on Physical Education Teacher Education Students
Research examining Service-Learning (SL) in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) is ample. However, long-term investigations are still scarce and literature demands the application of this type of design to uncover the effects of SL on the long run. This study followed a longitudinal quantitative approach; thus, the participants completed the Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ) in three occasions (pretest-postest1-postest2). Results show that there exist significant differences between mean values of the global outcomes of the CASQ; concretely, there was an improvement in the first interval followed by a decrease in the second period. Regarding the different dimensions of…
The use of Polar Coordinates in the analysis of motor interaction in football according to the result.
The interactions of a Spanish football team of the Second A (10 official games) are analyzed, evaluating possible behavioral patterns that appear in a regular way in high level football. Observational methodology was used, by Polar Coordinates Analysis, to discover and evaluate the relationships generated between a considered focal behavior and the different conditioned categories, describing behavioral masses among the players. The matches were observed and recorded with an ad hoc observation instrument. The relations of dual character between the players taken as (focal behaviors) right midfielder and forward and the other players (conditioned conducts) were analyzed. The results show dif…
Effects of work-interval duration and sport specificity on blood lactate concentration, heart rate and perceptual responses during high intensity interval training.
The aim of this study was to examine the impacts on blood lactate concentration, measured heart rate and assessment of perceived exertion during split sessions of equal relative load, as also their relationship to the specific sport practised. Nineteen regional-level athletes (nine middle and long-distance runners (cyclic group) and ten field-sport team players (acyclic group)) performed four high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions with work-interval durations of 10 s, 50 s, 90 s and 130 s. The sessions were carried out at their usual training sites with a separation of at least 48 hours. Blood lactate concentration was measured at rest and 3 min after the completion of each protoc…
Sustainable service-learning in Physical Education teacher education: examining postural control to promote ASD children’s well-being
As classrooms become more and more diverse, it is imperative to provide physical education teacher education (PETE) students with opportunities to develop competencies that promote quality education for all students. In this study, PETE students applied a physical education servicelearning (SL) program aimed at enhancing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children’s motor domain and general well-being—objectives that are connected to the third focus of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Traditionally, research on SL has focused on students’ outcomes, and there is a call to examine SL’s effects on service receivers, which is the gap this paper aspires to fill. The aim of t…
Analysis of effectiveness of free segment actions and antero-posterior and lateral body displacements during the take-off phase of high jump (flop style)
The aim of this study is to analyse frontal and lateral displacements, as well as free segment actions in a sample of 10 athletes (7 in national categories and 3 at an international level) in order...
Socio-Ecological Correlates of Physical Activity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study in Spain
This study aims to analyse the Physical Activity(PA) levels of a group of children with ASD and explore certain socio-ecological variables that may be correlated with these levels. The participants of this cross-sectional study were 20 boys and 5girls with ASD, aged between 4 and 14 years. A socio-demographic questionnaire was designed expressly to obtain socio-demographic data, and PA levels were measured with a triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph, wGT3X-BT).After performing a descriptive analysis, we analysed the relationship between the variables through Spearman correlations and performed the Kruskal Wallis test to compare the results of moderate, vigorous and very vigorous PA according t…
EFFECT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF PAUSES BETWEEN REPETITIONS IN THE CAPACITY TO SUSTAIN MAXIMAL MAGNITUDES OF PEAK VELOCITY DURING BENCH PRESS
Background An important number of sport modalities sustain its performance in the capacity to repeat efficiently a sport movement without fatigue. However, it is a fact that this mechanism will appear and affect the athletes9 velocity magnitudes. The aim of this study was to compare the Peak Velocity (PV) in two protocols: Traditional Training (TT) vs. 20 s inter-repetition rest (IRR) with the Optimal Load (OL) for the maximal Power output (OL: 50.7±8.0% of 1-RM). Methods Fifteen male, physical education students, participated in this study (age: 23.1±1.6 years; height: 177.1±7.7 cm; mass: 76.2±9.2 kg; 1-RM: 93.8±14.3 kg; 1-RM/mass: 1.24±0.21). After the validation of the bench press 1-RM a…
Nonlinear pedagogy and its application in a volleyball didactic unit: a practical approach (La pedagogía no lineal y su aplicación en una unidad didáctica de voleibol: un enfoque práctico)
Abstract. Introduction: The current holistic demands of the curriculum for the students’ Secondary education require further methodologies that do not only focus on the simple acquisition of physical and motor skills. The implementation of contemporary models such as the non-linear pedagogy understand the teaching-learning process as a complex and nonlinear system, in which students, group-classroom, environment and teachers interact between each other, therefore negotiating the barriers of the acquisition of motor skills. Objective: The aim of this study was to design, implement and observe the motor response to a volleyball Didactic Unit based on non-linear pedagogy principles, such as th…
Gender differences in motivation and barriers for the practice of physical exercise in adolescence
A total of 852 adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age were evaluated (M = 14.86, SD = 1.67), randomly selected among a population of secondary school and Baccalaureate students. We applied an &ldquo
EFFECT OF THE INTER-REPETITION REST LENGTH IN THE CAPACITY TO REPEAT PEAK POWER OUTPUT
Background High volumes of work affect the movement technical quality, reducing the muscular capacity to develop high magnitudes of force. One of the most important parameters that we can use to regulate the training loads are the inter-repetition rests (IRR). The purpose of this study was to compare the Peak Power output (PP) magnitudes in three different inter-repetition length sets with Optimal Load (OL) in Bench Press (BP). Methods Our sample was formed by 16 male physical education students (age: 23.6±2.1 years; height: 178.2±6.9 cm; mass: 78.3±7.2 kg; 1RM: 90.2±13.9 kg; 1RM/mass: 1.15±0.16), who performed the BP test with different IRR with OL (48.8±7.2% of 1RM; 44.2±11.5 kg). After e…
Effect of a Service-Learning Program on the Active Lifestyle of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study
Background: active lifestyles and Physical Activity (PA) are closely related to health. Healthy habits such as being physically active should be consolidated during childhood. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) present fewer opportunities to be involved in PA. For this reason, we conducted a Service-Learning (SL) program to enhance the possibility of participating ASD children enjoying PA sessions. The aim of this study was to analyze and describe the evolution in terms of the frequency and intensity of PA performed by ASD children who participated in the SL program. Methods: we used a quasi-experimental design. The sample was formed by 26 children with ASD (Experimental group: n…
Impact of a physical education service-learning programme on ASD children: A mixed-methods approach
Abstract Background. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have few opportunities to engage in physical activity, which affects their already limited social and motor skills. Different Service-Learning (SL) proposals designed to meet this need have started to emerge, and research is required to better understand the services provided. Objective. Two objectives were established in this study: (1) to understand the impact of a physical education SL programme from the viewpoints of Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) students and the families of the children with ASD involved; and (2) to analyse the programme’s effects on the motor domain of children with ASD (physical activity …
Estrategias emocionales en educación física a través del aprendizaje servicio: aplicación del programa siente jugando en alumnado de primaria
Las emociones, la inteligencia emocional y la competencia socioemocional son algunos de los contenidos transversales que podemos desarrollar desde la Educación Física escolar. El juego motor es una fuente de estímulos y vivencias que favorece el desarrollo de las estructuras físicas y cerebrales que el alumnado de Primaria utilizará en su presente y futuro. El objeto de este estudio fue analizar las estrategias utilizadas para la resolución de conflictos tras la puesta en práctica de un programa de intervención denominado “Siente Jugando”, haciendo uso de la metodología Aprendizaje Servicio. La muestra estuvo formada por 93 participantes de Educación Primaria Obligatoria (EPO), de edades co…
Age as a determining variable in the practice or abandonment of physical exercise among young people
Background Numerous studies have reported a gradual decline in the practice of physical exercise with age, confirming high dropout rates in the adolescent period. The aim of this study was to investigate the motivation or barriers that lead to greater or lesser adherence to physical exercise among children and adolescents. Methods In this study, 1,081 individuals volunteered to participate [239 children (age: 10.89 ± .66 years) and 842 adolescents (age: 14.9 ± 1.75 years)]. For this purpose, we used the Self-Report on Motivation for Exercising (AMPEF) and Self-Report on Barriers to Exercising (ABPEF) questionnaires. Results The most significant motivational factors in the practice of physi…