Traditional games resulted in post-exercise hypotension and a lower cardiovascular response to the cold pressor test in healthy children

Measurement of stress-induced sympathetic nervous activity using multi-wavelength PPG

The onset of stress triggers sympathetic arousal (SA), which causes detectable changes to physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, dilation of the pupils and sweat release. The objective quantification of SA has tremendous potential to prevent and manage psychological disorders. Photoplethysmography (PPG), a non-invasive method to measure skin blood flow changes, has been used to estimate SA indirectly. However, the impact of various wavelengths of the PPG signal has not been investigated for estimating SA. In this study, we explore the feasibility of using various statistical and nonlinear features derived from peak-to-peak (AC) values of PPG signals of different wavelengths (green, blue, infrared and red) to estimate stress-induced changes in SA and compare their performances. The impact of two physical stressors: and Hand Grip are studied on 32 healthy individuals. Linear (Mean, s.d.) and nonlinear (Katz, Petrosian, Higuchi, SampEn, TotalSampEn) features are extracted from the PPG signal's AC amplitudes to identify the onset, continuation and recovery phases of those stressors. The results show that the nonlinear features are the most promising in detecting stress-induced sympathetic activity. TotalSampEn feature was capable of detecting stress-induced changes in SA for all wavelengths, whereas other features (Petrosian, AvgSampEn) are significant (AUC ≥ 0.8) only for IR and Red wavelengths. The outcomes of this study can be used to make device design decisions as well as develop stress detection algorithms.

Post-exercise hypotension effects in response to plyometric training of 7- to 9-year-old boys with overweight/obesity: a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity plays an important role on children with obesity. This study evaluated the effects of plyometric training on the anthropometry, body composition, and the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) of boys with obesity.

METHODS

Boys aged 7 to 9 years old were divided in: non-trained (N.=12) and trained (N.=29). The plyometric training program consisted of jumps on nonconsecutive days for twelve weeks. Anthropometry and body composition, BP and HR were evaluated. BP, HR and rate-pressure product were recorded at rest and 2 minutes after the section. Two-way repeated factors ANOVA was used.

RESULTS

Trained group had a reduction in skinfolds and an increase in free fat mass (within and between-groups) and a large effect size for most anthropometric and body composition variables. Late systolic response was reduced from 122±1.1 (immediately post-exercise at the first week) to 112±1.0 at the end of plyometric training period. Diastolic reduction was seen two minutes after each session of exercise (from 68±1.1 to 62±1.2). HR was reduced in response to plyometric training (108 bpm to 97 bpm).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings strengthen previous studies that suggest that intense exercise has significant adaptive effects on BP and HR.

Traditional Games as Cultural Heritage: The Case of Canary Islands (Spain) From an Ethnomotor Perspective

UNESCO in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development establishes respect for the environment and sustainability education as key elements for the challenges of society in the coming years. In the educational context, physical education can have a vital role in sustainability education, through Traditional Sporting Games (TSG). The aim of this research was to study from an ethnomotor perspective the different characteristics of two different groups of TSG (with and without objects) in the Canary Islands, Spain. The corpus of this investigation was made up of 513 TSG, identified by two analysis techniques and collected in a database. The categories corresponding to the variables of the internal logic of the game were the type of motor interaction, related to space, relationships with time (competition), and relationships with objects. The study also examined the variables of external logic or sociocultural conditions such as the protagonists, playing areas, and game moments. The data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics: cross-tables, effect sizes, classification trees (CHAID), and the identification of frequency areas. Of the total number of playful activities identified (n = 664), most were physical activities (n = 513/664; 77.26%) (non-physical activities: n = 151/664; 22.74%). These activities were Quasi-games without rules (n = 87) and TSG (n = 426) as well as activities with Objects (n = 299) and without material (n = 214). This research confirms that the TSG in the Canary Islands is a mirror of traditional culture and, from a pedagogical approach, shows great potential for material and social sustainability.

Playing Ludomotor Activities in Lleida During the Spanish Civil War: An Ethnomotor Approach

The traditional ludomotor activities (LA) are recognized by UNESCO as an intangible piece of cultural heritage. The ethnomotricity analyzes LA in its sociocultural context, taking into account the proprieties of rules or motor conditions (internal logic) and the link with local culture (external logic). The aim of this research was to identify and reveal the distinctive ethnomotor features of LA in order to understand the adaptations that occurred in the social scenario of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) in Lleida. The corpus of the research was constituted by 101 LA which were collected from the analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews. An “ad hoc” tool was designed and agreed upon by expert observers. It was comprised of a total of 27 ethnomotor variables related to LA. The experts achieved high reliability [Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) and Spearman’s correlation coefficient = 1] when the classification of LA was carried out on two different occasions. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations (Pearson’s chi-squared) effect sizes, and two-step clusters were performed by external and internal logic variables. The presence or absence of motor interaction (X² = 9.029; df = 1; p < 0.003; ES = 0.298) was enlightening when comparing LA with and without a war connotation. On the other hand, the hierarchy of variables rested primarily on IL-Domain (Psycho-Coop-Oppo-Coop/Oppo) (PI = 1). Among other singularities, while two-step cluster analysis revealed a corresponding ethnomotor silhouette with cluster 1, with the warlike connotation (n = 48; 96.0%), its homologous structure was expressed (Cluster 2) in the absence of the warlike character (n = 26; 50%).

Intracranial Vascular Responses to High-Intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Steady-State Exercise in Children

PURPOSE

To understand the extent different types of acute exercise influence cerebral blood flow during and following exercise in children.

METHODS

Eight children (7-11 y; 4 girls) completed 2 conditions: high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE; 6 × 1-min sprints at 90% watt maximum) and moderate-intensity steady-state exercise (MISS; 15 min at 44% watt maximum). Blood velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCAV) and heart rate were assessed continuously. The partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide and mean arterial pressure were assessed at baseline and following exercise.

RESULTS

Percentage of maximum heart rate during HIIE was 82% (4%), compared with 69% (4%) during MISS. MCAV was increased above baseline in MISS after 75 seconds (5.8% [3.9%], P × .004) but was unchanged during HIIE. MCAV was reduced below baseline (-10.7% [4.1%], P × .004) during the sixth sprint of HIIE. In both conditions, MCAV remained below baseline postexercise, but returned to baseline values 30-minute postexercise (P < .001). A postexercise increase in mean arterial pressure was apparent following HIIE and MISS, and persisted 30-minute postexercise. Partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide declined post HIIE (-3.4 mm Hg, P < .05), but not following MISS.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary findings show HIIE and MISS elicit differing intracranial vascular responses; however, research is needed to elucidate the implications and underlying regulatory mechanisms of these responses.

OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE DURING AND AFTER STREET GAMES, ACTIVE VIDEO GAMES AND TV

ABSTRACT Introduction: Physical activity has become less frequent since the 1980s, even among more active children. Objective: To analyze excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and total energy expenditure (TEE) in children during and after three different activities. Methods: Sixteen healthy children (9.6±0.1 yrs.) randomly underwent the following procedures lasting 30 minutes on different days: (a) traditional games (PLAY), (b) active video game (Dance Dance Revolution; DDR), and (c) watching television (TV). Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured at rest, at the 10th, 20th, and 30th minute of intervention, and for 40 minutes post-intervention. TEE was also measured. Results: At the end of intervention, VO2 had increased by 330% and 166% for PLAY and DDR, respectively, compared to the rest. EPOC in PLAY was seen to occur at the 10th, 20th, and 30th post-interventional minutes from 7.00±1.02 (at rest) to 10.83±0.94, 10.03±0.58, and 9.80±0.77mL.kg-1.min-1, respectively. However, EPOC in DDR occurred at only the 10th postinterventional minute (7.04 to 8.61 mL.kg-1.min-1; p<0.01). After intervention, TEE in PLAY was greater than in DDR and TV (112.08±19.45 vs 56.98±6.34 vs 36.39±4.5 kcal; p<0.01), respectively. Conclusions: PLAY induced children to reach a greater VO2 during activity and greater EPOC and TEE compared to DDR and TV. Level of evidence A1b; Crossover study.

Effects of a physical activity and nutritional intervention in overweight and obese children through an educational and recreational camp

BACKGROUND:

Educational camps have hosted millions of children around the world. However, few studies have described their benefits on weight control and health promotion for overweight and obese children.

AIM:

To investigate the impact of a health educational program for children composed of 5 days of camp and a 12-week follow up on the physical activity level, sedentary behaviour, anthropometric data and food intake in overweight and obese children.

METHODS:

12 children attended the Health Educational Program for Children divided into two phases. Phase 1 consisted of pre-assessments and Phase 2 corresponded to 12 weeks of follow up. Physical activity level, sedentary behaviour and food intake were assessed throughout the questionnaire.

RESULTS:

After the follow up, 25% of the children became active (>1500 and <3000 Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks per week). In contrast, the number of sedentary children (<600 Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks per week) decreased by 15% and insufficiently active (600-1500 Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks per week) increased by 15%. The physical activity level of leisure time increased significantly throughout weekdays (26.0%) and weekends (14.1%) after the follow up compared to before the camp. Sedentary behaviour showed a significant reduction of 177.14 and 41.43 minutes on weekdays and weekends, respectively. Before the camp, the consumption of sugar and sweets was out of control (100% inadequate), and after the intervention, 58.4% started to consume these foods in a balanced way.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Health Educational Program for Children (5-day camp and the 12 weeks of follow up) contributed to an increase in the physical activity level and a reduction in the sedentary behaviour and anthropometric measures in overweight and obese children.