Pensar en Movimiento: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud

The emotional impact of tennis on young players and their parents – a feelings-based approach

Ana Piquer-Piquer — 2025-05-07

Emotions and feelings are present in all areas of human life—not least in sports and physical activity. Tennis, mainly due to the fact that it is an individual sport and to the characteristics of the game, lends itself to a great variety of emotions. Young or school-age players, in addition, are heavily influenced by their parents in terms of their emotions. In order to carry out an analysis of the feelings and emotions related to playing tennis that is more reliable and objective than those carried out up to now, the methodology of feelings analysis combined with a qualitative analysis was applied, in order to increase the quality of the results obtained. For this purpose, personal interviews of 9 tennis players and 8 parents were conducted, which were transcribed and analyzed with the Syuzhet package in the R programming language. The results showed that the emotions most frequently reported by players and their parents were positive (in this case, confidence and anticipation). These emotions were linked to the social relationships experienced in tennis, as well as to the practice of the sport and values it conveys. On the other hand, negative emotions such as sadness and fear were reported, related to the contexts of competition, disappointment with performance and the parents’ empathy towards their children’s nervousness. Generally speaking, the practice of tennis brings with it many emotional benefits, although it can involve certain risks at an early age when it is carried to an extreme.

[English translation] Maximum heart rate prediction equations fail key external validation test

Priscilla Portuguez Molina — 2025-04-09

Maximum heart rate equations (HRmax) have been used due to their easy availability and practicality, as compared to stress tests. However, the best-known equation, “220 – age”, shows low reliability and deviations of up to 12 beats/min. New formulae have been proposed, but they have not been correctly validated. The purpose of this study was to validate 7 prediction equations by using an independent data set. A data base of 634 subjects (474 men and 160 women) 18–85 years of age, obtained within a health service developed at the University of Michigan from 1990–1992, has been used. The subjects performed a VO2max test on a treadmill, following a free protocol. A linear regression technique was used in which the appropriate equations were those that met the two hypotheses: slope = 1 and constant = 0. According to the results, none of the equations analyzed for the full sample accepted both hypotheses. When doing the analysis by sex, six of the equations met the two hypotheses for the women, but none of them for the men; and when the analysis was done by age group, 4 of the equations met the hypotheses for the group 40 years old or younger, but not for those above 40. The HRmax seems to be difficult to predict through a single equation. Therefore, it is recommended that, when a valid measure for this variable is needed, a stress test be used.

Health- and skill-related physical fitness in Costa Rican special operations police units

Jorge Cervantes-Sanabria — 2025-02-13

The aims of this study were: a) to provide a detailed health- and skill-related physical fitness profile of a cohort of Costa Rican Special Operations Police (SOP) units and b) to compare selected physical measures by age groups: body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, body fat percentage, lean mass, resting heart rate, blood pressure, grip strength, flexibility, vertical jump height, muscular resistance, agility, anaerobic resistance and cardiorespiratory capacity were measured in SOP active members. Seventy-nine officers (age = 37.68 ± 7.86 years, height = 172.58 ± 5.35 cm, body weight = 80.49 ± 10.69 kg, BMI = 27.05 ± 3.34 kg∙m-2) participated in the study. Health- and skill-related physical fitness results of the participants were sub-optimal. Statistically significant differences were observed between age subgroups in lean mass in kg (F = 6.581, p = 0.002), A/G ratio (F = 10.078, p = 0.000), right- and left-hand grip (F = 5.680, p = 0.005; F = 8.386, p = 0.001), vertical jump (SQJ , F = 8.047, p = 0.001; CMJ , F = 8.167, p = 0.001), muscular resistance (F = 4.063, p = 0.021), agility (F = 9.055, p = 0.000), anaerobic resistance (F = 7.572, p = 0.001), and cardiorespiratory capacity (F = 5.034, p = 0.009). Police officers should review their strength and conditioning programs because their fitness profile is currently below general fitness standards. Age was shown to be an important factor in SOP units’ strength and conditioning performance.

Age, sex and adiposity correlates of physical fitness in Costa Rican police academy cadets

Jorge Cervantes-Sanabria — 2025-02-06

This study had the following objectives: (i) to characterize pre-academy physical fitness, (ii) to analyze differences by age and sex, and (iii) to examine the associations between body fat percentage (BF%) and physical fitness in Costa Rican police cadets. A total of 393 cadets participated (age = 24.98 ± 4.65 years, weight = 72.78 ± 12.39 kg, height = 1.70 ± 0.09 m). Data were stratified into groups of 20-29 and 30-39 years of age and analyzed by sex and BF%. The tests were performed between 1 and 3 weeks during the basic training, evaluating body composition, grip strength, flexibility (S&R), vertical jump (VJ), agility (Illinois test), speed (30 m), as well as anaerobic (300 m) and aerobic (2.4 km) capacity. Physical fitness varied by sex (p < 0.05), except for BMI and S&R. In men, each 1% increase in body fat (%) was associated with a loss of +0.034 s in agility (p = 0.004), +0.025 s in 30 m-sprint (p = 0.000), -0.20 kg, and -0.19 kg in grip strength (p = 0.010; p = 0.021), -0.64 cm in VJ (CMJ, p = 0.000), and -0.36 ml∙kg-1∙min-1 in VO2 max (p = 0.000). In women, it was associated with a loss of agility (+0.089 seconds, p = 0.000), VJ (CMJ = -0.39 cm, p = 0.000), 30 m sprint (+0.046 seconds, p = 0.000), 300 m sprint (+1.02 seconds; p = 0.000) and VO2 max (-0.33 ml∙kg-1∙min-1, p = 0.000). The police cadets showed a suboptimal initial physical condition. Age, sex, and body fat (%) are key factors that affect their performance.

Joint associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and smartphone screen time with inhibitory control performance in adolescents

Romilton Victal Gomes — 2025-05-28

This cross-sectional study investigated the joint associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and smartphone screen time (ST) with inhibitory control performance in 210 Brazilian school adolescents. MVPA level was assessed using the Global School-based Student Health Survey questionnaire, categorized as inactive (<60 min/day) or active (60+ min/day). Weekly ST was measured using participants’ smartphones, categorized as low (<7 h/day) or high (7+ h/day) based on the median. Participants were divided into four groups: inactive + high ST, inactive + low ST, active + high ST, and active + low ST. Inhibitory control performance was evaluated using the Flanker task, measuring reaction time and accuracy in congruent/incongruent stimulus. A generalized multiple gamma model revealed that only the inactive + high ST group showed a higher reaction time in the incongruent phase compared to the active + low ST group (β = 41.1 ms; 95% CI 2.3, 79.9; p = .038). No differences were found in the accuracy (p > .05). In conclusion, physical inactivity combined with high smartphone ST is associated with poorer inhibitory control performance in school adolescents.

Evidence of direct and indirect relationship of the conceptual model of motor development in children

Isaac Estevan — 2025-05-22

Studies examining the relationship between actual and perceived motor competence (MC), physical fitness (PF) and the practice of physical activity (PA) are limited. The objective of the present study is to examine the direct and indirect reciprocal relationship between these four factors of the conceptual model of motor development. Volunteer participants included fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students (n = 679; 50.8% girls). Actual and perceived MC was measured by using the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment (CAMSA) and Perceived Movement Skill Competence (PMSC), respectively; PF was measured through the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test, and PA was measured through the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C). Correlation, multiple regression and mediation analyses were carried out. The results showed a reciprocal relationship between the variables being studied (r = .237 – .477; p < .01), explaining between 28-30% of variance between actual MC and PA. PF and perceived MC mediated the relationship between actual MC and PA and vice-versa. Physical education teaching programming should focus on and enhance learning and motor experience of students not just at a physical level, but paying attention to psychological aspects such as competence perception.

Prevalence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and teleworking conditions in employees of a public company in Costa Rica

Adela Mora Marín — 2025-01-01

The COVID-19 pandemic forced organizations to take extreme measures in order to contain the disease. As a result, teleworking emerged as one of the major actions taken to mitigate transmission. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and the main teleworking conditions associated with them. By using a self-fill data gathering tool, based on the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, which was distributed through the institutional mail, a general prevalence was found of at least one symptom in 70.4% (71.9% of the women and 68.6% of the men). The upper limb zone was the one with the highest prevalence, namely 50%. People who exercise the most are the ones that showed the best self-reported physical health χ2 (3, n = 108) = 10.8, p = .01. The study found a relationship between the presence of symptoms in the neck and people who indicated left-hand dominance χ2 (1, n = 108) = 4.10, p = .04, as well as in women χ2 (1, n = 108) = 9, p = .003. The relationship in lower limbs was found in people who reported a high level of stress χ2 (4, n = 108) = 10.7, p = .03, and also in those that reported a less than good self-perception of physical health χ2 (1, n = 108) = 12.1, p < .001.

Physical activity and sedentary time in Puerto Ricans with the sleep apnea / hypopnea syndrome

Alexis González Rodríguez — 2025-04-23

The objectives of this study are to describe physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in adults with the sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) in Puerto Rico, to explore possible sex-based differences, and to evaluate the link between PA, ST, anthropometric characteristics and pulmonary function. Fifteen adults (10 M and 5 F, with average age 44.3  9.4 years) with an SAHS diagnosis completed the measurements of height, weight and spirometry, and used an accelerometer for 7 days in order to assess PA and ST. The Wilcoxon test was used for identifying sex-based differences, and Spearman correlation tests were carried out in order to evaluate the association between PA, ST and anthropometric and lung function characteristics. The results indicate that the average of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was 276.8  196.3 min/week, ST was 8.8  1.3 hrs/day, IMC was 34.7  5.9 kg/m2, waist circumference (WC) was 109.5  15.8 cm, and the percentage of prediction of forced exhalation volume in one second related to forced vital capacity (%FEV1/FVC) was 107.4  7.8%. No sex-based differences were observed, nor significant correlations between MVPA and IMC (ρ = -0.39, p = 0.15), MVPA and WC (ρ = -0.12, p = .07), ST and IMC (ρ = 0.05, p = .86) or ST and WC (ρ = -0.03, p = .92). The MVPA was correlated to %FEV1/FVC (ρ = 0.60, p = .02). The conclusion is that, even though MVPA was within the recommended minimum, obesity and ST were concerning characteristics in participants. In addition, the results suggest that those with higher MVPA have a better pulmonary function.

Data base of Joint associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and smartphone screen time with inhibitory control performance in adolescents

Romilton Victal Gomes — 2025-05-28

This cross-sectional study investigated the joint associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and smartphone screen time (ST) with inhibitory control performance in 210 Brazilian school adolescents. MVPA level was assessed using the Global School-based Student Health Survey questionnaire, categorized as inactive (<60 min/day) or active (60+ min/day). Weekly ST was measured using participants’ smartphones, categorized as low (<7 h/day) or high (7+ h/day) based on the median. Participants were divided into four groups: inactive + high ST, inactive + low ST, active + high ST, and active + low ST. Inhibitory control performance was evaluated using the Flanker task, measuring reaction time and accuracy in congruent/incongruent stimulus. A generalized multiple gamma model revealed that only the inactive + high ST group showed a higher reaction time in the incongruent phase compared to the active + low ST group (β = 41.1 ms; 95% CI 2.3, 79.9; p = 0.038). No differences were found in the accuracy (p > 0.05). In conclusion, physical inactivity combined with high smartphone ST is associated with poorer inhibitory control performance in school adolescents.

Data base of Benefits of Hydrotherapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: additional results from a randomized controlled trial

Bruna Gallo-Silva — 2025-05-08

The objective of this article was to assess the effect of hydrotherapy on the functional status, dyspnea, BODE index, and quality of life in patients with COPD. Randomized, controlled clinical trial consisting of 24 patients with COPD randomly divided into two groups: 1) aquatic training group (ATG), participating in an intermittent aquatic training (AT) program in a moderate/high intensity three times a week, for 8 weeks; 2) control group (CG), which received guidance on healthy lifestyle and not supervised exercises. The variables functional status, dyspnea, BODE index, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention period. The level of significance was established in 5%. Results shows that the ATG presented significant improvement in the activity of daily living (LCADL total Δscore: -10.1, p=0.01), in the functional status (PFSDQ-M, total Δscore: -16.9, p=0.01), dyspnea (ΔMRC: -1.37, p=0.003), BODE index (Δ: -1.25, p=0.048) and quality of life (total Δscore: -7.4, p=0.02). Similar changes were not observed in the CG. As a conclusion, the intermittent aquatic aerobic training of moderate/high intensity promoted a significant and clinically relevant improvement for most patients with COPD in their quality of life, in the limitations of their activities of daily living, dyspnea, and in the BODE mortality predictor index.

Data base of Health- and skill-related physical fitness in Costa Rican special operations police units

Jorge Cervantes-Sanabria — 2025-02-13

Data base of Effect of physical and physical-recreational activity programs on the quality of life of adults and seniors

Adriana Obando-Piedra — 2025-02-13

The aim of this study was to identify the effect size (ES) of the physical-recreational activity programs on the perceived quality of life of adults and senior adults, and to analyze possible moderating variables through the meta-analysis technique. Thirty-two studies met the previously established eligibility criteria. The quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis was assessed by using the PEDro scale. Under the random effects model, the ES of the difference of standardized mean was calculated, to find out the impact generated by physical-recreational activities on the quality of life perception of the participants. Data heterogeneity (Cochran’s Q) and inconsistency (I2) of the data were examined. It was found that participating in physical-recreational activities improves quality of life perception (ES = 0.382, p < .001., n = 224), whereas the control group did not improve its quality of life perception (ES = 0.031, p = .285, n = 116). Age, sex, health conditions, level of physical activity and the amount of sessions in the programs have no influence on quality of life perception, whereas the duration of sessions does influence quality of life perception.

Data base of Age, sex and adiposity correlates of physical fitness in Costa Rican police academy cadets

Jorge Cervantes-Sanabria — 2025-02-06

Australian guidelines for physical activity in pregnancy and postpartum

Wendy J. Brown — 2025-05-30

Objectives. To develop Australian guidelines on physical activity/exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Design. Critical ‘umbrella’ reviews of the scientiﬁc evidence, combined with adaptation of recently published guidelines. Methods: A ﬁve stage approach included: identiﬁcation of key source documents (including national physical activity/exercise guidelines and position statements from professional organizations, published since 2010); narrative review of evidence relating to 27 health outcomes; summarizing the evidence; development of draft guidelines and supporting information; and review and consultation to ﬁnalize the guidelines. Results. Our evidence review found that physical activity/exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period is safe, has health beneﬁts for the woman and her unborn child, and may reduce the risks of some pregnancy related complications. Four speciﬁc guidelines were developed. These encourage all women without pregnancy complications to: (1) meet the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Guidelines for Adults before, during and after pregnancy; (2) modify activities to accommodate the physical changes that occur as pregnancy progresses; (3) do pelvic ﬂoor exercises during and after pregnancy; and (4) take an active role in shared decision-making about their physical activity/exercise during and after pregnancy. The review also identiﬁed warning signs and contraindications for physical activity/exercise during pregnancy. Conclusions. All women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should be aware of the beneﬁts of physical activity/exercise, and health professionals should encourage safe levels of activity and be familiar with the contraindications, signs and symptoms which suggest that physical activity/exercise should be modiﬁed or avoided.

[Spanish translation] Analysis of Technical and Physical Variables According to the Outcome of the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup Game

Moisés Arturo Cabrera Hernandez — 2025-04-30

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with a growing number of professional players every year. In addition, it is complex and unpredictable with multiple physical, technical, tactical and psychological problems that are critical for performance. In the 90’s, tool-based performance analysis included global positioning systems and optical tracking systems for each player. For this reason, the aim of this study was to analyze physical and technical variables related to the outcome of the game, and the fact that a team qualifies for the different phases of FIFA’s 2018 Russia World Cup. The analysis encompassed all the games played during the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup—up to 64 games of the 32 participating national teams. A goal score could be insufficient for defining a team’s success, since this variable depends on different and multiple factors. The teams that qualified for the knockout stage showed significantly better performance in some technical variables. On the other hand, regarding physical variables, the most successful teams covered shorter distances with and without the ball, presenting more significant distances in intensity zones 1 and 5 and ball possession. These different aspects are worth analyzing in order to determine their relationship to success in a game.

[English original] Analysis of Technical and Physical Variables According to the Outcome of the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup Game

Moisés Arturo Cabrera Hernandez — 2025-01-29

Aquatic therapy in population groups of economically vulnerable adults as a strategy for health prevention

Grettel Rodríguez Ramírez — 2025-04-24

The present opinion article intends to disseminate the work being carried out by the project ED 3532 Aquatic therapy in economically vulnerable adults for health prevention, which promotes health and the treatment of osteo-muscular injuries in vulnerable populations, via Aquatic Therapy interventions at the Hydrotherapy Laboratory of the School of Health Technologies of Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR). Health promotion is one of the contributions UCR makes to Costa Rican society, and this project has offered this contribution for the last three years through the aforementioned interventions. This strategy of non-pharmacological treatment involves several benefits for this kind of population, and that is why spaces such as this are relevant and should be more widely promoted in the different bodies dealing with public health.

[Spanish original] Benefits of hydrotherapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: additional outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

Bruna Gallo-Silva — 2025-05-08

The objective of this article was to assess the effect of hydrotherapy on the functional status, dyspnea, BODE index, and quality of life in patients with COPD. A randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out with 24 COPD patients, randomly divided in two groups: 1) aquatic training group (ATG), participating in an aquatic training (AT) program of intermittent (moderate/high) intensity that took place three times a week, for 8 weeks; and 2) control group (CG), which received guidance on a healthy lifestyle and did not participate in supervised exercises. The variables (functional status, dyspnea, BODE index, and quality of life) were assessed before and after the intervention period. The level of significance was established in 5%. Results show that the ATG presented significant improvements in daily life activities (LCADL total Δ score: -10.1, p = .01), in functional status (PFSDQ-M, total Δ score: -16.9, p = .01), dyspnea (ΔMRC: -1.37, p = .003), BODE index (Δ: -1.25, p = .048) and quality of life (total Δ score: -7.4, p = 0.02). The CG did not show any significant changes. As a conclusion, intermittent aquatic aerobic training of moderate/high intensity fostered a clinically relevant improvement for most patients with COPD in terms of quality of life, limitations in daily life activities, dyspnea, and in the BODE mortality predictor index.

Effect of physical and physical-recreational activity programs on the quality of life of adults and seniors

Adriana Obando-Piedra — 2025-02-13

Anthropometric and cardiometabolic characteristics of an obese adolescent in a weight control program

Farah A Ramirez Marrero — 2025-01-01

Pediatric obesity is a global epidemic associated with the early development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this case study is to present and compare initial and final results of assessments carried out at an exercise physiology unit on a 15-year-old adolescent girl with obesity that had spent one year participating in a multidisciplinary program for clinical management of pediatric obesity. This multidisciplinary program includes initial, follow-up and final visits in physiology of exercise, nutrition, psychology, cardiology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, body mass index, percentage of fat mass and lean mass. Muscular strength was measured with a hand dynamometer, and the cardiorespiratory fitness test was conducted with a metabolic system, using a ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer up to the voluntary maximum. The results showed that no changes had occurred in weight and body mass index. However, there was an increase in lean mass, a reduction in the percentage of fat, an increase in hand grip strength, cardiorespiratory power and fitness, all of which suggests a positive impact on health. In conclusion, pediatric obesity control programs that include physical activity and exercise should stress not just body weight but the benefits derived from the reduction of body mass, the increase in lean mass and improvements in cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular health.