Abstract. The aim of the present study was to establish the effects of three conditions of post-activation potentiation (PAP) exercises on kicking frequency, fatigue rate (FR) and jump performance in novice and advanced taekwondo athletes. Secondarily, to establish if the PAP strength plus plyometrics exercises produced a significantly higher increase with respect to exercises of isolated strength and plyometrics. Eight university taekwondo athletes (n=4 novices and n=4 advanced) were randomized into four (one control and three experimental) intervention conditions. Kicking frequency and FR were evaluated with the Frequency Speed of Kicks Test (FSKT), and countermovement jump test (CMJ). Effect size (ES) was calculated and the significance level was stabilized at p<0.05. Advanced taekwondo athletes obtained significantly higher results when compared to novices in the control condition for the fifth FSKT-10s (p=0.019; ES=2.382); in the strength condition for the second FSKT-10s 2 (p=0.028; ES=2.590); and in the strength plus plyometrics condition for the first FSKT-10s (p=0.037; ES=1.805) and third FSKT-10s (p=0.027; ES=2.117). Furthermore, the control condition showed a difference when compared to strength plus plyometrics: on the first (p=0.040; ES=0.552) and second FSKT-10s (p=0.032; ES=0.687), respectively. The FR and CMJ did not significantly differ between the athletes nor between the intervention conditions. In conclusion, the PAP exercises did not improve kick frequency, FR and jump performance in the taekwondo athletes evaluated. However, these exercises did not produce adverse effects in the FR; thus, they could be used in taekwondo athletes with previous strength training.Resumen. El objetivo del presente estudio fue establecer los efectos de tres condiciones de ejercicios de potenciación post-activación (PAP) sobre la frecuencia de pateo, tasa de fatiga (TF) y saltabilidad en atletas de taekwondo novatos y avanzados. Secundariamente, establecer si los ejercicios de PAP de fuerza más pliometría producen un aumento significativamente mayor respecto a los ejercicios de fuerza y pliometría aislados. Ocho atletas universitarios de taekwondo (n=4 novatos y n=4 avanzados) fueron asignados aleatoriamente a cuatro condiciones de intervención (una control y tres experimentales). La frecuencia de pateo y TF se evaluaron con el Frequency Speed of Kicks Test (FSKT) y la saltabilidad con el salto contramovimiento (CMJ). Se calculó el tamaño del efecto (TE) y se estableció un nivel de significancia de p<0,05. Los atletas de taekwondo avanzados obtuvieron resultados significativamente mayores en comparación con los novatos en la condición control para el quinto FSKT-10 (p= 0,019; TE=2,382); en la condición de fuerza para el segundo FSKT-10s 2 (p=0,028; TE=2,590); y en la condición de fuerza más pliometría para el primer FSKT-10 (p=0,037; TE=1,805) y el tercer FSKT-10 (p=0,027; TE=2,117). Además, la condición control mostró diferencias al compararla con la condición de fuerza más pliometría en el primer (p=0,040; TE=0,552) y segundo FSKT-10s (p=0,032; TE=0,687), respectivamente. La TF y CMJ no presentaron diferencias significativas entre los atletas ni entre las condiciones de intervención. En conclusión, los ejercicios de PAP no mejoran la frecuencia de pateo, TF y saltabilidad en los atletas de taekwondo evaluados. Sin embargo, estos ejercicios no produjeron efectos adversos en la TF, lo que podría favorecer su uso con entrenamiento previo en fuerza.

The objective was to analyze anthropometric and physical performance variables as a function of chronological age and biological maturity in young Chilean tennis players. The study was observational, cross-sectional, with descriptive and analytical characteristics. Eighty-seven tennis players were evaluated (58 men 15.1 ± 0.8 years and 29 women, 15.3 ± 0.8 years). The measured anthropometric variables were a sprint test of 20m; a modified agility test; a sit-and-reach test and shoulder flexibility; manual grip strength; horizontal jump in feet; a medicine ball throw; a countermovement vertical jump; an abalakov vertical jump and a 20-m shuttle-run test. The growth velocity acceleration peak (APHV), skeletal muscle mass and fat mass were calculated, R2 and standard error of estimate (SEE) were examined. The results show that chronological age explained the anthropometric variables between 1 and 23% in men and 1 and 29% in women; by biological age, variables were explained between 3 and 53% in men and 2 and 42% in women. Of the physical performance variables, chronological age described between 2 and 24% of them in men and 1 and 29% in women; the same were explained by biological age between 1 and 19% in men and 1 and 26% in women. We conclude that anthropometric variables showed a better relationship with biological age, except for volume of fat tissue, while physical performance variables showed low association with both biological and chronological age.

The purpose of this study was to investigate healthy lifestyle behaviours across age categories in the older population in Chile. Data from 1,390 older adults (≥60 years), in the 2009-2010 Chilean National Health Survey were analyzed. We derived the following age categories: 60-65, 66-70, 71-75, 76-80 and >80 years. The association between age and compliance with healthy lifestyle behaviours (smoking, sitting time, physical activity, sleep duration and intake of salt, alcohol, fruit and vegetables) were investigated using logistic regression. The probability of meeting the guidelines for alcohol intake (OR trend: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.11; 1.64], p=0.001) and smoking (OR trend: 1.23 [95% CI: 1.13; 1.33], p<0.0001) increased with age, whereas spending <4 hours per day sitting time or engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week or sleep on average between 7 and 9 hours per day were less likely to be met with increasing age (OR trend: 0.77 [95% CI: 0.71; 0.83], p<0.000; OR trend: 0.73 [95% CI: 0.67; 0.79], p<0.0001, and OR trend: 0.89 [95% CI: 0.82; 0.96], p=0.002, respectively). No significant trend across age categories was observed for fruit and vegetables, and salt intake. The probability of meeting at least 3 out of 7 healthy lifestyle behaviours across the age categories was also lower in older age categories compared to those aged 60 to 65 years. Overall, in older adults the probability of having the healthy lifestyle behaviours of physical activity, sitting time and sleeping behaviours was low but not for smoking or alcohol consumption. With an increasingly ageing population, these findings could inform stakeholders on which lifestyle behaviours could be targeted in the older adults and therefore which interventions should take place to promote healthy ageing. ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Highlights• The proportion of the older population in Chile has increased from 6.6% in 1992 to 11.4% in 2017.• The probability of meeting the guidelines for alcohol intake and smoking increases with age • Chilean older adults were less likely to meet some healthy lifestyle guidelines such as performing 150 minutes of physical activity per week, spending less than 4 hours per day sitting, or sleeping on average between 7 and 9 hours per day.• The odds of meeting at least 3 out of 7 healthy lifestyle behaviours was also lower with increasing age.

In tennis, it is common for young male tennis players to spend several weeks away from their local training camps during the competition season, which could affect their performance. The purpose of the study was to analyze the effects of a six-week international tour on physical performance and body composition in young Chilean tennis players. Twenty-four men between the ages of 14 and 16 participated in this research. In body composition and anthropometric measurement, body weight, height, skinfolds, and perimeters were measured. Body fat percentage (BFP) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were calculated. For physical performance, 5-m and 10-m sprints, modified agility test (MAT test), countermovement jump (CMJ), and medicine ball throw (MBT) were evaluated. Results show that, in body composition, BFP and SMM significantly decreased post-tour (p < 0.05; effect sizes ranging from 0.23 to 0.33, respectively). In physical performance, agility and 5-m and 10-m sprints significantly decreased (p < 0.05, effect sizes ranging from −0.63 to 1.10). We conclude that after a six-week international tour, BFP, SMM, agility, and speed (linear sprint) tend to decrease significantly, with a greater effect in the sprint tests.

There has not been much study of risk profiles in older people according to different levels of practice in physical activity. For this reason, the aim of this research was to evaluate whether the elements that influence the quality of life and factors such as gender and education can predict the level of physical activity in the physically active elderly population. The Fernández–Ballesteros quality of life questionnaire and the WHO International Physical Activity Questionnaire were applied to a sample of 397 people with a mean age of 69.65 years (SD = 4.71). The results revealed the following predictive factors of practicing a low level of physical activity (p < 0.05): being a woman; having a low educational level; and low scores in activity and leisure and in functional skills. In conclusion, gender, education, functional skills, activity and leisure, and health are elements of quality of life that predict the level of physical activity performed by the elderly, where it is necessary to use leisure activities (visiting friends, playing games, running errands) as an indirect way to increase participation in physical activity.