No abstract

Garcia-Hermoso, A, Cofre-Bolados, C, Andrade-Schnettler, R, Ceballos-Ceballos, R, Fernández-Vergara, O, Vegas-Heredia, ED, Ramírez-Vélez, R, and Izquierdo, M. Normative reference values for handgrip strength in Chilean children at 8-12 years old using the empirical distribution and the lambda, mu, and sigma statistical methods. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The aim of this study was 2-fold (a) to provide sex- and age-specific handgrip reference standards for Chilean children aged 8-12 years and (b) to compare the levels of handgrip strength of Chilean children with those of children from other countries. This cross-sectional study enrolled 2,026 schoolchildren (boys n = 1,334 and girls n = 692, mean age 10.18 [1.16] years old). Handgrip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer with an adjustable grip. Relative handgrip strength was calculated by dividing handgrip strength by body mass (handgrip strength kg per mass kg). Smoothed centile curves and tables for the 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, and 90th centiles were calculated using Cole's lambda, mu, and sigma method. The results indicate that mean handgrip strength was greater among boys than girls. Handgrip strength peaked at 16.25 (5.03) kg in boys and 14.90 (4.32) kg in girls. In addition, relative handgrip strength peaked at 0.38 (0.08) in boys and 0.34 (0.07) in girls. Chilean children of both sexes scored higher than their South American counterparts from Colombia and Peru but showed lower handgrip strength than European and Australian children. Our results provide, for the first time, sex- and age-specific handgrip reference standards for Chilean children aged 8-12.9 years. These normative reference values could help identify the levels of handgrip strength that need attention to provide appropriate feedback and advice to children about how to best improve their overall physical fitness.

Resilience is a psychological characteristic which enhances personal assets and protects individuals from potential negative effects of various stressors. While this topic has been considered in the separate context of sports injuries and anxiety states, these issues have rarely been considered together. The objective of this study is to analyse the association between motivation to overcome injuries in football and the state of anxiety caused by those injuries. One hundred and eighty-five footballers from Spain were analysed by way of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires, and an injury self-registration sheet. Statistical analyses were performed using structural equations. Results showed a direct and positive relationship between the capacity to face up to injuries or potential injuries and to adapt successfully to them for injured footballers, especially when anxiety was considered as a transitory emotional state. In addition, this relationship was stronger in non-injured sportspersons because their resilience capacity was not being impaired by the experience of an injury.

Sedentarism, overweight and malnutrition generate an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species leading to a state of chronic oxidative stress. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress alters pancreatic insulin secretion and the actions of the hormone on target cells, contributing to the development of micro and macrovascular complications. During physical exertion a state of transient oxidative stress occurs. As a consequence, the organism generates multiple physiological adaptations to these repetitive stimuli. Physical exercise is beneficial for type 2 diabetes mellitus but there is a paucity of information about the effects of physical exercise on biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with the disease. We herein try to elucidate if the effects of exercise on oxidative stress can help in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and which is the most effective modality of physical exercise to reduce oxidative stress markers.

Introduction: Society is currently experiencing significant reductions in physical activity levels and increases in sedentary behavior are associated with obesity. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a group of school children in Santiago, Chile and explore the relationship between body composition, physical activity and physical fitness. Material and methods: Research was conducted with a representative sample of 515 students (10.6 ± 0.5 age-old). Data included their anthropometric measurements (BMI and fat percentage), physical activity, and physical fitness (aerobic capacity, lower-body and upper-body explosive strength). Results: About 55% of the sample was overweigh/obesity. Male students and students with normal body weight fared better in physical fitness tests than females and those who suffered from overweight or obesity. We found inverse relationships between the PAQ-C score and anthropometric parameters and between anthropometric parameters and physical fitness. Conclusion: Given the alarming levels of childhood overweight and obesity detected in Santiago and the relationship between physical fitness and body composition it is important to design interventions which can induce improvements in physical fitness, and specifically target females and children with obesity.