Efecto de un programa de acondicionamiento físico supervisado virtualmente sobre la condición física y el estrés percibido en docentes universitarios durante el confinamiento por COVID-19

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of a virtually supervised fitness program on physical fitness and perceived stress in university teachers during lockdown due to COVID-19. A total of 15 university teachers participated in a virtual fitness program based on new fitness trends (4-weeks / 2-days / week / 45-minutes / session) during COVID-19 lockdown. Perceived physical fitness using the International-Fitness-Scale (IFiS) and perceived stress using the Perceived-Stress-Questionnaire (PSQ-30) were evaluated pre and post intervention. The virtual fitness program significantly improved the perception of general physical fitness (p = 0.011) and muscle strength (p = 0.024), and generated a significant decrease in the perception of stress (p <0.001). A virtually supervised fitness program based on the “whole-body HIIT” fitness trend could be an effective strategy to ensure healthy levels of physical fitness and stress in university teachers during confinement situations. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de un programa de acondicionamiento físico supervisado virtualmente sobre la condición física y el estrés percibido en docentes universitarios durante la situación de confinamiento por COVID-19. Un total de 15 docentes universitarios participaron un programa de acondicionamiento físico virtual basado en nuevas tendencias fitness (4-semanas/2-días/semana/45-minutos/sesión) durante el confinamiento por COVID-19. La condición física percibida mediante la International-Fitness-Scale (IFiS) y el estrés percibido mediante el Perceived-Stress-Questionnaire (PSQ-30) fueron evaluados pre y post intervención. El programa de acondicionamiento físico virtual mejoró significativamente la percepción de la condición física general (p=0,011) y de la fuerza muscular (p=0,024), y generó una disminución significativa de la percepción de estrés (p<0.001). Un programa de acondicionamiento físico supervisado virtualmente basado en la tendencia fitness “HIIT whole-body” podría ser una estrategia eficaz para garantizar niveles saludables de condición física y estrés en docentes universitarios durante situaciones de confinamiento.

Motivation Levels and Goals for the Practice of Physical Exercise in Five Different Modalities: A Correspondence Analysis

The identification of the practitioner’s profile regarding their motivation level for physical exercise engagement could be a behavioral strategy to increase exercise adherence. The present study investigates the associations between motivation levels, modalities practiced, and goals concerning the practice of physical exercise among physical exercise practitioners. A total of 100 physical exercise practitioners, of which 67 were women, took part in this study. The participants were engaged in extreme fitness program, strength training, fight training, Pilates, and functional training. Motivation level (BREQ-3) and expectations regarding regular physical exercise (IMPRAF-54) were assessed. A multiple correspondence analysis demonstrates preferential relationships between descriptive and non-inferential variables. Strength training and fight training practitioners seek these modalities with the goals of “Health” and “Aesthetics,” demonstrating low autonomy in relation to the behavior for the practice of physical exercise. Extreme conditioning program and functional training practitioners have as goal “Pleasure,” demonstrating medium and high levels of autonomy for such practice and Pilates practitioners have the goal of “Stress Control.” To promote and encourage the regular practice of physical exercise, this strategy could be used to take actions that increase the public’s intention to start or continue in a physical exercise program.

High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) Improves Fitness in Recruit Firefighters

Background: Firefighting is a strenuous profession requiring adequate levels of fitness for effective job performance. Providing firefighters with a safe and effective fitness program is essential for optimal performance. The purpose of this project was to examine changes in various parameters of physical fitness and firefighter ability following a 7-week high intensity functional training (HIFT) program. Methods: Participants were male firefighter recruits (N = 89; age = 27.1 ± 4.2 years, height = 1.78 ± 0.1 m, BMI = 28.1 ± 4.2) enrolled in a Basic Operations Firefighter Academy. Fitness and firefighting ability (via the Academy Firefighter Challenge) were assessed at Weeks 1 and 7 of the Academy. Results: Significant improvements in both fitness and firefighter ability were seen following the HIFT program. Specifically, fitness (BMI, cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance) improved significantly [Hotelling’s T2 = 8.98, F(5, 84) = 150.92, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.90]. Firefighter ability also improved significantly [Hotelling’s T2 = 3.95, F(7, 88) = 46.26, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.80]. Conclusions: Following a 7-week Basic Operations Firefighter Academy that included daily HIFT, significant increases in fitness and firefighting ability were observed. These findings suggest that HIFT appears to be an effective means of improving fitness and firefighting ability in recruit firefighters.

Role of Fitness Program in a Health Improvement of Adolescents

Summary Since physical activities affect the quality of life and activate a complete locomotor system, sports and physical activities can be treated as a determinant for a harmonious development of all child’s characteristics and anthropological characteristics. Because, childhood and youth are the most important formative periods, and some segments of development, for example, specific motor skills can be developed only with means used in sports, this research was conducted to find out do the fitness program (aimed at improving strength) after eight weeks had a positive effect on body composition and mobility and stability of subjects. A control group consisted of 11 female subjects and experimental group were 11 female subjects aged 16 years. The effects of the program on the fitness condition of the subjects were determined by assessing the body composition parameters (data obtained using the Body composition analyser TANITA BC-418) - the total percentage of fat tissue (FAT), the percentage of fat tissue segmentally (percentage of fat tissue of the left leg (FATll), right leg (FATrl), left arm (FATla), right arm (FATra) and body (FATb)) and estimation of mobility and stability levels - based on the application of Functional movement screening (FMS) method (seven tests) before and after the program is implemented. The success of the implemented program was confirmed because the program showed a statistically significant difference between the mobility groups of the subjects in the experimental in relation to the control group (deep squat t=3,464 p=0,006, step over a hurdle t=2,390 p=0,038, active lift of a stretched leg t=2,887 p=0,016, rotatory body stability t=3,130 p=0,011 and FMS t=5,721 p=0,000), and a positive effect on the composition of the body in terms of reduction of the percentage of fatty body has been shown segmentally.

Efficiency Evaluation of China’s Public Sports Services: A Three-Stage DEA Model

Improving the level of public sports services enhances citizens’ physical fitness by implementing the national fitness program. A systematic and scientific efficiency evaluation is a prerequisite for optimizing and improving the level of public sports services in China. Based on data of the Chinese Statistic Yearbook, this study adopted the three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to measure and analyze the efficiency of public sports services in 31 provinces in China in 2016. To analyze the efficiency of public sports services, technical efficiency was decomposed into pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency. Simultaneously, environmental variables were added to improve accuracy. The results showed that scale efficiency was overestimated, and external technical efficiency was underestimated, before the elimination of external factors and environmental variables. Environmental factors significantly impacted the efficiency of public sports services. Regional gross domestic product (GDP) had a potentially positive impact, while population size partially restricted public sports service efficiency. After eliminating the impact of environmental and random factors, the comprehensive efficiency, pure technical efficiency, and scale efficiency of public sports services all showed improvement in varying degrees. The results provide beneficial insights for the formulation of rational improvement policies for public sports services.

Health fitness as a means of formation in students of conscious motivation to physical activity

The article is devoted to finding new, effective ways to involve students in regular physical education and sports on the example of the use of health fitness. The expediency and significance of the introduction of health fitness in the educational process as one of the innovative types of physical activity in classes with female students is considered. It is emphasized that one of the main problems of physical education in higher education is insufficient interest of student‟s sports in general. Therefore, between the formation of a harmoniously developed, physically healthy personality of a young specialist and their lack of motivation for physical activity, there are contradictions and there is a problem, the solution of which is possible only with a change in the format of physical education classes. The urgency of the topic is due to the need to develop a health fitness program for the use of physical education teachers in physical education classes in Institutions of higher education. The problem of motivation among students is considered from a pedagogical, methodological and organizational point of view. Research of a number of works. However, a special pedagogical approach aimed at enhancing learning is possible only with the introduction of new forms and technologies, and the application of the principle of accessibility of educational material and the use of individual approach - is mandatory. Classes in any type of physical activity requires a special pedagogical campaign and special attention of teachers. This approach is based on the intensification of learning through the introduction of new forms and technologies, the principle of accessibility of educational material, an individual approach, self-education and self-education. This will increase and maintain interest in classes, activity during them, forming a conscious motivation. Modern analysis of the educational process, questionnaires, test results, pedagogical observations allow you to find and suggest effective ways to intensify training. The influence of health fitness classes on motivation, physical fitness and health status of female students is revealed. As a result of research it was concluded that the use of health fitness program in classes at the Law Academy helps to increase physical fitness, activity and interest of students, strengthen their health and the formation of conscious motivation for physical activity.

Generalized Joint Hypermobility: A Review

Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is a condition where most of an individual’s synovial joints are found to have a range of motion (ROM) beyond their normal limits. Like most human traits, joint hypermobility is multifactorial resulting from a combination of environmental factors (eg. age, trauma, injury, conditioning, infection, inflammation) and multiple genetic factors, each contributing a small amount to the total phenotype. Clinical features of JHS are mainly associated to the connective tissue and can either be articular or extra-articular. The Beighton 9-point scoring system – also referred to as the modified or revised Beighton score – is a widely accepted method used to define GJH. Management of Generalized Joint Hypermobility is multidisciplinary which requires a team of physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists, among others. Physical therapy rehabilitation comprising of core stabilizing, joint stabilizing, strengthening and proprioception enhancing exercise coupled with general fitness program form the basis of GJH management. Keywords: Generalized Joint Hypermobility, Beighton Score, Joint Hypermobility.