Physical activity and COVID-19. The basis for an efficient intervention in times of COVID-19 pandemic

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has shocked world health authorities generating a global health crisis. The present study aimed to analyze the different factors associated with physical activity that could have an impact in the COVID-19, providing a practical recommendation based on actual scientific knowledge. We conducted a consensus critical review using primary sources, scientific articles, and secondary bibliographic indexes, databases, and web pages. The method was a narrative literature review of the available literature regarding physical activity and physical activity related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main online database used in the present research were PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar. COVID-19 has negatively influenced motor behavior, levels of regular exercise practice, eating and nutritional patterns, and the psychological status of citizens. These factors feed into each other, worsening COVID-19 symptoms, the risk of death from SARS-CoV-2, and the symptoms and effectiveness of the vaccine. The characteristics and symptoms related with the actual COVID-19 pandemic made the physical activity interventions a valuable prevention and treatment factor. Physical activity improves body composition, the cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and mental health of patients and enhancing antibody responses in vaccination.

Medición de la motivación deportiva en primaria a través de una escala pictórica

El objetivo fue diseñar y validar psicométricamente una escala pictórica sobre la motivación hacia la práctica deportiva en niños de 6 a 11 años de edad. Se llevaron a cabo dos estudios utilizando diferentes muestras (132 y 156 estudiantes, de 6 a 11 años, respectivamente). En el estudio 1 se diseñó la Escala Pictórica de Motivación Deportiva Infantil (EPMDI) comprobando su estructura factorial exploratoria y consistencia interna. En el estudio 2 se cumplimentaron la Escala Pictórica de Motivación Deportiva Infantil (EPMDI) y la Escala de Competencia Motriz Percibida Infantil. Los resultados confirmaron una adecuada estructura psicométrica para la EPMDI, quedando nueve ítems (imagen y frase) en tres dimensiones de tres ítems cada una (motivación intrínseca, motivación extrínseca y desmotivación). Este instrumento se presenta válido y fiable para evaluar la motivación hacia la práctica físico-deportiva en edades tempranas, siendo necesarios más estudios que corroboren los resultados obtenidos.

Metabolic and Functional Profile of Premenopausal Women With Metabolic Syndrome After Training With Elastics as Compared to Free Weights

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a strength training program (STP) using free weights (FW) versus elastic tubing (ET) in 62 premenopausal, sedentary women diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MS). Participants were randomly assigned to the FW or ET experimental group (EG) or a control group whose members remained sedentary. Members of each EG followed their assigned STP for 12 weeks, and biomarkers (BMs) related to MS and motor function (MF) parameters were evaluated. Both EGs showed a significant reduction in C-reactive protein level and a positive trend in the other BMs. Almost all MF parameters increased significantly in both EGs. No positive changes were found in the CG. These results indicate that the implementation of an STP, with either FW or ET, improves both metabolic health and MF and should be considered part of the basic approach to health care in women.