Comparison Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Functions of Cognitive Control in Adolescents: A Tracking Study of 3 Years

PURPOSE

Compare tracking groups with cognitive control functions and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations from childhood to adolescence.

METHODS

This is a prospective study with 3 years of follow-up. At baseline, data from 394 individuals were collected (11.7 y), and data were obtained from 134 adolescents (14.9 y) at the 3-year follow-up. At both time points, anthropometric and maximal oxygen uptake data were collected. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) groups were classified into high or low CRF. At follow-up, cognitive outcomes were collected via the Stroop and Corsi block test; plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Comparisons demonstrated that maintaining high CRF over 3 years results in shorter reaction time, better inhibitory control, and higher working memory values. Likewise, the group that moved from low to high CRF over 3 years presented better reaction time. Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations were higher for the group that increased its CRF over the 3 years in relation to the low-low group (90.58 pg·mL-1; P = .004). However, after scaling by an allometric approach, differences were only found for reaction time and working memory between high-high and high-low groups.

CONCLUSION

Maintaining high CRF over 3 years was positively related to reaction time and working memory in relation to adolescents that decreased their levels of CRF.

Maturity-associated variation in the body size, physical fitness, technical efficiency, and network-based centrality measures in young soccer players

This study aimed to observe the relationships between the maturity status on the network-based centrality measures of young athletes in small-sided soccer games (SSG). The study included 81 male players (14.4 ± 1.1 years). Measurements included height, sitting height, body mass, and bone age (TW3 method). The applied protocols were the following: Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1), Repeated Sprints Ability (RSA), observational analysis of techniques, and interactions performed by players in SSG. The relationship between the set of evaluated variables within each maturity status was obtained from the correlational analysis of networks (P < 0.05). The maturity status explained a significant portion of the variance in body mass (η² = 0.37), height (η² = 0.30), sitting height (η² = 0.30), and performance on the YYIRT1 (η² = 0.08), CMJ (η² = 0.14), and RSA (η² = 0.13). No effect of maturity status on network-based centrality measures of young athletes was identified (P > 0.05). For the late maturity group, there was a correlation between the degree of centrality and physical growth indicators (r_mean = 0.88). For players with maturation "on time", physical growth indicators relate to the degree of prestige (r_mean = 0.36). It is concluded that body size and bone age impact how late and on-time maturity groups interact within the match.

Interrelationship between muscle fitness in childhood and bone mineral density in adulthood: mediation analysis of muscle fitness in adulthood

BACKGROUND

This study was aimed to examine the relationship between muscular fitness indicators in childhood and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in adulthood and to verify whether the relationship is mediated by performance on muscular fitness indicators in adulthood.

METHODS

A sample of 138 healthy adults (69 males; 22.3 years) were followed after a previous assessment at the age of 7-10 years. Stature, body mass and muscular fitness indicators (handgrip strength, standing long jump and sit-ups tests) were assessed in childhood and adulthood. Additionally, total body, upper limbs, lower limbs, right femoral neck and lumbar spine aBMD was assessed in adulthood using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Analysis included descriptive statistics; t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test for comparison between males and females, multiple linear regression for the prediction aBMD from muscular fitness indicators in childhood, mediation analysis of the respective muscular fitness indicators in adulthood and the relationship between muscular fitness indicators in childhood and aBMD.

RESULTS

Males were stronger compared to females regarding muscular fitness indicators in childhood and adulthood, and presented higher mean values for aBMD in adulthood, except for lumbar spine (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that some muscular fitness indicators in childhood showed significant positive relationship with bone health indicators in adulthood, such as: handgrip strength and total body aBMD (β = 0.005; R² = 0.35; p = 0.040) and upper limbs aBMD (β = 0.005; R² = 0.55; p = 0.019); and sit-ups test was a significant predictors of lumbar spine BMD (β = 0.003; R² = 0.06; p = 0.039). Mediation analysis pointed out the following: adulthood handgrip strength mediated relationships between childhood handgrip strength and total aBMD (indirect effect (IE) = 0.0025; 95%CI = 0.0005-0.0048), and upper limbs aBMD (IE = 0.0040; 95%CI = 0.0017-0.0069).

CONCLUSIONS

Muscular fitness indicators in childhood showed significant relationship with bone health indicators in adulthood and the sit-ups test in childhood had direct effect on lumbar spine aBMD in adulthood. Adulthood handgrip strength mediated the relationship between childhood handgrip strength and total body and upper limb aBMD, pointing out that muscular fitness in childhood may be a aBMD determinant in adulthood, especially when higher muscle fitness performance is maintained in adulthood.

Using Social Network Analysis to Study Relationships Between Young Soccer Players' Bone Age, Body Size, and the Centrality of Their Pass Interactions

Prior research has suggested relevance to anthropometric variance of youth athletes at various stages of their maturation, and prior studies of youth players' soccer skills have failed to consider their interdependent interactions during play. Accordingly, to address both of these separate research omissions, we aimed in this study to analyze the relationships between young (U-13 and U-15 groups) soccer players' bone age and body size indicators and centrality measures of their pass interactions during small sided games. We included young 81 athletes (M age = 14.4, SD = 1.1 years) from whom we took anthropometric measurements of body mass, height, and trunk-cephalic height and obtained their bone age using the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 classification method. We also filmed small-sided games in the goal keeper/three player (GK3-3GK) format to analyze the centrality of their passing actions on the following measures: degree of centrality, closeness of centrality, degree of prestige, and proximity of prestige. There were no group differences in the prominence of passing actions across these three measures (t_mean = -3.13; p > .05). Canonical correlations of these relationships were significant only in the U-13 group, in which centrality in passing actions was related to body size (r = 0.71; R² = 0.21; ʌ = 0.28; p = .03). U-13 players who were physically larger and who presented higher bone age showed centralized main passing actions.

Association between cardiorrespiratory fitness and cognitive control: is somatic maturity an important mediator?

BACKGROUND

Recently some articles presented information related to the possible effect of maturity over the cognitive control and cardiorespiratory fitness, however little is known about the real effects of maturity in the relation of these variables. In this sense, the purpose of this study was to examine the potential mediating role of somatic maturity on the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and cognitive control.

METHODS

This three-year longitudinal research comprises two data collection groups: a baseline conducted in 2016 with 394 adolescents (aged 11.7 ± 0.6 years) and a follow-up in 2019 with 134 adolescents (aged 14.9 ± 0.7 years). Anthropometry data, 20-m shuttle run test and peak height velocity (PHV) to determine the maximum oxygen uptake (VO_2max) and somatic maturity, respectively, were collected at both sampling times. In parallel, the Sociodemographic and cognitive control function variables were included in the follow-up to evaluate the inhibitory control (by the Stroop test) and the visuo-spatial working memory (by the Corsi block-tapping test). Associations between CRF and cognitive functions were computed by multiple linear regression, with mediation as a function of PHV.

RESULTS

CRF exhibited transversal associations with reaction time in congruent (β = -0.004; p = 0.001) and incongruent (β = -0.005; p = 0.004) stimulus-responses. Meanwhile, the variation in VO_2max over the three year-study had a significant impact on the reaction time of congruent (β = -0.006; p = 0.001) and incongruent (β = -0.006; p = 0.012) responses at follow-up. However, PHV did not show a significant association with the cognitive functions, indicating no mediating role.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the associations between CRF and the cognitive functions exhibited great transversal and longitudinal impacts, somatic maturity did not affect the cognitive control functions, associating exclusively with CRF.

Combined effect of game position and body size on network-based centrality measures performed by young soccer players in small-sided games

This study verified the effects of body size and game position on interactions performed by young soccer players in small-sided games (SSG). The sample consisted of 81 Brazilian soccer players (14.4 ± 1.1 years of age). Height, body mass, and trunk-cephalic height were measured. SSG was applied in the GK + 3v3 + GK format, and Social Network Analyses were carried out through filming the games to obtain the following prominence indicators: degree centrality, closeness centrality, degree prestige, and proximity prestige, in addition to network intensity and number of goals scored. Factorial ANCOVA (bone age as covariate) was used to test the effects of game position, body size, and respective interaction on centrality measurements (p < 0.05). Similarity between game positions in body size indicators (p > 0.05) was observed. The game position affected degree centrality (p = 0.01, η² = 0.16), closeness centrality (p  = 0.01, η² = 0.11), and network intensity (p = 0.02, η² = 0.09), in which midfielders presented the highest network prominence values when compared to defenders and forwards. In conclusion, midfielders are players with high interaction patterns in the main offensive plays, which behavior is independent of body size.

WHAT TACTICAL DEFENSIVE BEHAVIORS WOULD HELP BRAZIL STOP GERMANY IN THE 7 TO 1?

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research was to verify which tactical behaviors can predict defensive efficiency among elite football players. The sample was composed of 533 defensive sequences from national teams that were semifinalists in the FIFA World Cup 2014. An ad-hoc instrument was built with the variables: “ball recovery zone”, “defensive pressure”, “removing depth”, “defensive time spent”, “number of occupied corridors”, “number of fouls committed”, and “number of times fouled”. The tactical sequences were analyzed using Match Vision Studio Premium software. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to predict the chances of success and failure of collective defensive actions (P < 0.05). Recovering the ball in the defensive zone of the field had a 19-times better chance of goal completion compared to recovering the ball in the middle offensive zone (OR = 19.39; P < 0.01). On the other hand, removing defensive depth resulted in a decrease of 71% in the chances of completing a goal (OR = 0.29; P < 0.01). Moreover, every foul committed increased the chances of failure in the defensive phase (OR = 5.39; P < 0.01). Teams that recovered the ball far from their own goals and coordinated their last defensive line to leave attackers in an offside position had success in getting the ball back. Level of Evidence IV; Case series.

Associations between strength, flexibility, and painful symptomology in university staff

BACKGROUND

In the adult population, the work environment and physical fitness levels are directly related to the onset of musculoskeletal pain, repetitive strain injuries, and decreased blood circulation. Although low levels of muscle strength and flexibility may lead to a higher prevalence of pain, specific anatomic regions are poorly addressed.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and the association between strength or flexibility and pain in university staff.

METHODS

The sample was composed of 110 members of staff from a university in Guarapuava-PR. Body mass and height values were obtained, from which the BMI was calculated. The pain evaluation was performed by means of a questionnaire, analyzing the intensity, frequency, and anatomical region. The subjects were then submitted to strength (right and left hand grip, lumbar traction, lower limb traction) and flexibility tests (sit and reach test).

RESULTS

The anatomical region with the highest prevalence of pain was the lumbar region (43.4%). When the association between the presence of pain and flexibility was performed, only the lumbar traction presented significant results, with the weakest group demonstrating pain (OR: 3.47 [1.27 - 9.49]).

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that low levels of strength in the lumbar region are associated with the presence of painful symptomatology.

Association between tracking of extracurricular sports practice and weight status during childhood: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic prevalences. Obesity control involves many factors and needs to begin early in childhood.

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain the association between tracked extracurricular sports practice and weight status; and to analyze tracking of overweight and obesity among school-aged children.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective cohort study conducted in 13 public schools in Cianorte, Paraná, in 2012-2016.

METHODS

The sample comprised 2459 schoolchildren in Cianorte, of mean age 6.3 years at baseline and 9.4 years at follow-up. Body mass index was calculated from body mass and height measurements. The children were grouped as normal weight, overweight or obese. Information on extracurricular sports practice was collected through the dichotomous question "Do you participate in any extracurricular sports?" ("yes" or "no").

RESULTS

Tracking of weight status showed that 75.5% maintained this, with kappa of 0.530. Tracking of extracurricular sports practice showed that 80.9% maintained this, with low concordance (kappa of 0.054). Weight status correlation between baseline and follow-up showed that overweight or obese individuals were 4.65 times (CI: 4.05-5.34) more likely to maintain the same classification or move from overweight to obese at follow-up. Correlation of extracurricular sports practice with overweight or obesity at follow-up was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that overweight or obese children were at higher risk of gaining weight than were normal-weight children. In addition, the proportion of these children who maintained extracurricular sports practices over the years was low. Maintenance of this variable was not associated with weight status.

TRACKING OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS BETWEEN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE IN SCHOOLCHILDREN

ABSTRACT Introduction: In view of the growing prevalence of childhood excess weight and obesity In Brazil In recent decades, it is necessary to observe how this phenomenon occurs in the period of transition to adolescence. Objective: To verify the tracking of excess weight between childhood and adolescence in schoolchildren of both sexes. Methods: The study has a longitudinal design and the data used are part of a prospective study carried out from 2002 to 2005. Participants included 397 schoolchildren of both sexes (211 boys and 186 girls). The nutritional status was determined by the body mass index, and the participants were divided into the following groups: Normal Weight to Normal Weight, Normal Weight to Excess Weight, Excess Weight to Excess Weight, Excess Weight to Normal Weight. The tracking was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Kappa (k) index. Results: A significant difference (P <0.05) was observed between all variables (age and anthropometric indicators) between 2002 and 2005 for boys and girls. The ICC indicated tracking classified as high (ICC = 0.87) for the BMI values, and the tracking percentage showed that 87% of the subjects remained in the same category of normal weight and excess weight. The values of k = 0.68 show good tracking (P <0.001), indicating a strong maintenance of the subjects in the normal and excess weight categories. Conclusion: The tracking percentage was high, indicating that both boys and girls maintained the classification of excess weight during the period analyzed. Level of Evidence II; Lesser quality prospective study (eg, patients enrolled at different points in their disease or <80% followup).