Background: Muscle quality index (MQI) is an emerging health indicator obtained by dividing handgrip strength by body mass index (BMI) that needs to be studied in morbidly obese patients (defined by BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2). Objective: To determine the association between MQI, metabolic syndrome (MetS) markers, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and as a second objective to determine the potential mediation role of MQI in the relationship between abdominal obesity and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in this sample. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 86 severely/morbidly obese patients (age = 41.1 ± 11.9 y, nine men). MQI, metabolic syndrome markers, CRF, and anthropometric parameters were measured. Two groups were developed according to MQI; High-MQI (n = 41) and Low-MQI (n = 45). Results: The Low-MQI group reported higher abdominal obesity (High-MQI: 0.7 ± 0.1 vs. Low-MQI: 0.8 ± 0.1 WC/height; p = 0.011), SBP (High-MQI: 133.0 ± 17.5 vs. Low-MQI: 140.1 ± 15.1 mmHg; p = 0.048), and lower CRF (High-MQI; 26.3 ± 5.9 vs. Low-MQI; 22.4 ± 6.1 mL/kg/min, p = 0.003) than the High-MQI group. Waist-to-height ratio (β: −0.07, p = 0.011), SBP (β: −18.47, p = 0.001), and CRF (β: 5.21, p = 0.011) were linked to MQI. In a mediation model, the indirect effect confirms that MQI is a partial mediator of the association between abdominal obesity with SBP. Conclusions: MQI in morbidly obesity patients reported an inverse association with MetS markers and a positive association with CRF (VO2max). It mediates the relationship between abdominal obesity and SBP.

The purpose of this cross-cultural study was to determine the association between the sociodemographic background of a child’s parents (i.e., their socioeconomic level, marital status, and educational level) with the child’s lifestyle (i.e., Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST)), and health markers. Material: This cross-sectional study included 1273 children, from Chile (n = 496), Colombia (n = 340), and Spain (n = 437). The sociodemographic information together with the lifestyle and health markers of the children were measured. There was an inverse association between a low or medium-low socioeconomic level for the parents of Chilean children and handgrip strength (β −0.61, p < 0.001); meanwhile, for Spanish children, an inverse association between a low or medium-low socioeconomic level and PA after school (β −0.58, p = 0.016), lifestyle (β −0.74, p = 0.015), and with MD adherence (β −0.86, p = 0.004) was found. The risk (i.e., by odd ratios (OR)) of being divorced/separated parents marital status showed an inverse association with abdominal obesity (OR 0.21, p = 0.045) in Spanish children; however, the parent’s marital status and a low educational level were risk factors for the suffering of a low nutritional level in Colombian children (OR 2.02, p = 0.048; OR 2.49, p < 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, a low educational level for parents reported for Chilean children had a positive association with ST of ≥4 h per day (OR 1.82, p = 0.020). In conclusion, in Spanish-speaking children, the lifestyle and health markers of the children are affected by the sociodemographic background of their parents; however, these effects could be moderated by the socio-cultural and economic status of their countries as members of the OCDE; therefore, it is essential to develop policies that decrease these gaps, so that children who are under-resourced can reach their full potential.

Objetivo: Analizar las características antropométricas de futbolistas profesionales del club deportivo Ñublense divididos de acuerdo a la posición que ocupan en el campo de juego. Método: Participaron ciento cincuenta y ocho (n=158) jugadores profesionales de Futbol divididos en Arqueros (AR) Defensas (DEF) Volantes (VOL) y Delanteros (DEL), todos pertenecientes al Club Deportivo Ñublense de la ciudad de Chillan, Chile. Se realizó una valoración de la composición corporal utilizando el fraccionamiento en 5 componentes, somatotipo, índice de masa corporal, suma de seis pliegues cutáneos y la relación músculo-óseo, siguiendo el protocolo de la International Society for the Advancements of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Resultados: En cuanto a la composición corporal se obtuvieron valores porcentuales de Masa Adiposa=21.7%, Masa Muscular=48.9%, Masa Residual=12.4%, Masa Osea=11.4% y Masa Piel=5.2%. En relación al somatotipo se obtuvo una clasificación mesomorfico balanceado con valores medios 2.5-5.4-2.1. Conclusión: Los jugadores profesionales del club de futbol Ñublense de acuerdo a la posición que ocupan en el terreno de juego, presentan un somatotipo similar al de otros futbolistas nacionales e internacionales, donde predomina el componente mesomórfico balanceado. Sin embargo, se observa una elevación de los porcentajes de masa adiposa (MA) y una menor talla, en comparación a futbolistas internacionales, lo que pueden determinar claras diferencias en el rendimiento respecto a las posiciones de juego en situaciones competitivas. Abstract. Objective: Analyze the anthropometric characteristics of Chilean professional soccer players divided according to the position they occupy in the field of play. Method: One hundred and fifty-eight (n = 158) professional soccer players divided into Archers (AR) Defenses (DEF) Volantes (VOL) and Forwards (FOR), with average Age values (24.2 ±4.76 years, body mass 75.0±7.28 kg and height 175.7±6.32 cm.), All belonging to the Ñublense Sports Club of the city of Chillan, Chile. An assessment of the body composition was made using the 5 component fractionation, somatotype, body mass index, sum of six skinfolds and the muscle-bone relationship, following the protocol of the International Society for the Advancements of Kinanthropometry. Results: Regarding body composition, mean values of Adipose Mass = 21.7%, Muscular Mass = 48.9%, Residual Mass = 12.4%, Bone Mass = 11.4% and Skin Mass = 5.2% were obtained. In relation to the somatotype, a balanced mesomorphic classification was obtained with mean values 2.5 - 5.4 - 2.1. Conclusion: According to the position they occupy on the pitch, the professional players of the Ñublense soccer club present a somatotype similar to that of other national and international soccer players, where the balanced mesomorphic component predominates. However, there is an increase in the percentages of adipose mass (AM) and a smaller stature, compared to international soccer players, which can determine clear differences in performance with respect to playing positions in competitive situations.

El rendimiento físico se ha asociado con diferentes variantes genéticas. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre características dermatoglíficas y los genotipos ACTN3 y ECA. La muestra la constituyen 82 seleccionados nacionales de diferentes modalidades deportivas de Brasil, Japón y Chile. Los marcadores ACTN3 y ECA se obtuvieron a través de una muestra de saliva y se analizaron mediante el empleo de cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real a partir del iQ5ThermalCycler, BioRad, mientras que para la configuración dermatoglifica se utilizó un lector de huella digital Verifier® 320 LC 2.0. Estos deportistas fueron clasificados en grupos de acuerdo a la configuración de sus patrones dermatoglíficos (A, L, W, D10 y SQTL) en los siguientes grupos: aeróbicos (n= 27); anaeróbicos (n= 55). En cuanto a la frecuencia de aparición de polimorfismos, para ambos grupos predomina el genotipo RX 48,0% y 49,1% de ACTN3, y DI 68,0% y 41,3% para ECA, en los grupos aeróbico y anaeróbico respectivamente. En el grupo aeróbico se observa una asociación muy alta entre ACTN3 con presilla, verticilo y D10 (r=0,90), en el grupo anaeróbico solo observa asociación alta en presilla (r=0,77), para el gen ECA se observan asociaciones moderadas entre presilla, verticilo y D10 (r=0,45), en el grupo aeróbico. Conclusión: Las características dermatoglíficas pueden estar asociados con la variante alélica del gen ACTN3 (RR) y ECA (DI), para perfiles deportivos de carácter anaeróbico.  Abstract. Physical performance has been associated with different genetic variants. The objective of this study was to determine the association between dermatoglyphic characteristics and the ACTN3 and ECA genotypes. The sample is established by 82 national teams from different sports modalities in Brazil, Japan and Chile. The ACTN3 and ECA markers were obtained through a saliva sample and was analyzed using the polymerase chain in real time from the iQ5ThermalCycler, BioRad, while a Verifier® 320 LC fingerprint reader was used for the dermatoglyphic configuration. These athletes were classified into groups according to the configuration of their dermatoglyphic patterns (A, L, W, D10 and SQTL) in the following groups: aerobics (n = 27); anaerobic (n = 55). Regarding the frequency in the appearance of polymorphisms, the RX genotype 48.0% and 49.1% of ACTN3 predominated for both groups and DI 68.0% and 41.3% for ACE, in the aerobic and anaerobic groups respectively. In the aerobic group a very high association is observed between ACTN3 with a clip, verticil and D10 (r = 0.90), in the anaerobic group only a high association was observed in the clip (r = 0.77), for the ACE gene they are observed moderate associations between clip, verticil and D10 (r = 0.45), in the aerobic group. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphic characteristics may be associated with the allelic variant of the ACTN3 (RR) and RCT (DI) gene, for sports profiles of an anaerobic nature.

One-year follow-up of the nutritional status of patients undergoing liver transplantation Seguimiento a un año del estado nutricional de los pacientes sometidos a trasplante hepático