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En el presente trabajo se analizan las distintas características que definen la decisión de estudiar Medicina. A través de una encuesta respondida por los estudiantes de segundo curso de Medicina se ha evaluado el momento de la decisión, los factores que han influido en la misma, los motivos por los que se ha elegido y el patrón de selección. Se presenta un análisis descriptivo de las variables indicadas y de la relación existente entre ellas, así como de la posible influencia del sexo en cada una. Entre los resultados obtenidos se observa que un gran porcentaje de estudiantes toman la decisión de estudiar Medicina antes que el resto de población preuniversitaria opta por la carrera a estudiar. Entre los estudiantes de Medicina, los que se deciden antes presentan diferencias significativas respecto a los factores de influencia, los motivos de la decisión y el patrón de selección. Por otro lado, se encuentra que los principales motivos por los que se elige esta carrera son los de tipo altruista y humanitario. Las mujeres presentan diferencias respecto a la especialidad que les gustaría hacer y en ellas los motivos instrumentales son significativamente inferiores respecto a los varones. En conclusión, los estudiantes de Medicina presentan un alto grado de vocación social, que se ha visto incluso reforzada por la masiva incorporación de la mujer a esta carrera.Palabras clave: carrera de Medicina, estudiantes de Medicina, elección, factores de influencia, motivos, patrones de selección y sexo.

This study analyzes the relationship between hormonal changes induced by exercise and variations in trace elements associated with oxidative stress during incremental exercise. Nineteen well-trained endurance athletes performed a cycle ergometer test: after a warm-up of 10 min at 2.0 W kg(-1), workload increased by 0.5 W kg(-1) every 10 min until exhaustion. The analysis was controlled for prior diet and activity patterns, levels of exercise training, and time of day (circadian rhythms). Whole blood lactate concentration and plasma concentrations of ions (Zn, Se, Mn, and Co), insulin, glucagon, aldosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured at rest; at the end of each stage; and 3, 5, and 7 min post-exercise. The statistical analysis involved paired non-parametric tests and correlation coefficients. No significant differences were found in Mn or Co levels as a function of exercise intensity. Zn and Se levels at the end of the exercise protocol and over the recovery time were significantly different to baseline. Further, Zn levels were significantly correlated with aldosterone, calcitonin, and PTH levels, while Se levels were associated with aldosterone, calcitonin, and TSH levels. Our results indicate several different patterns of association between acute changes in hormone concentrations and variations in trace element concentrations related to oxidative stress during submaximal exercise.

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The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of oral iron supplementation on hematological and iron metabolism in elite soccer players. Thirty-five members of the Real Zaragoza SAD soccer team took part in this study: group A (GA, n = 24; Spanish Premier League) took an oral iron supplement of 80 mg day(-1) for 3 weeks, and group B (GB, n = 11; Spanish Third Division League) did not receive any supplementation. In GA, the parameters were measured before and after giving the iron supplements, while in GB, measurements were only made at the time of collecting the second set of data from GA. After supplementation, GA showed an increase in serum iron (SI) (P < 0.05), serum ferritin (Ftn) (P < 0.01), and transferrin saturation (Sat) (P < 0.01) with respect to the basal values. In addition, GA showed higher values of hematocrit (P < 0.01), mean corpuscular volume (P < 0.01), Ftn (P < 0.01), and Sat (P < 0.01) than GB. No significant differences were found in any other parameters. More specifically, a higher percentage of players had Ftn levels above upper limits in GA vs. GB (P < 0.05), and GB had a higher incidence of Ftn below lower limits with respect to subjects in GA (P < 0.01). Further, after treatment, 58.3% of GA had >800 mg of SI, while all players in GB presented levels below the lower limits. In conclusion, iron supplementation with 80 mg·day(-1) for 3 weeks, before the start of the soccer season, can be recommended for elite soccer players.