José Joaquín Muros Molina - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by José Joaquín Muros Molina
Journal of Human Sport and Exercise - 2018 - Spring Conferences of Sports Science
The time devoted to Physical Education classes is limited, but for many children and young people... more The time devoted to Physical Education classes is limited, but for many children and young people these classes are the only occasions on which they engage in physical activity and exercise. Since exercise is vital for health, it is important to use indices that provide information about the effectiveness of time invested specifically in the practice of motor activities during PE classes. We have proposed certain effectiveness indices that relate the time planned to the time actually spent in different categories: time for information, time for organisation, time for physical or motor activity and time for physical or motor activity fulfilling an objective. Various sessions of Motor Games have been evaluated, all of them corresponding to the university degree of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. The results show that the proposed effectiveness indices could be very useful in managing time devoted to motor activity during PE lessons more effectively and in improving time planning in terms of the content of PE lessons.
Sustainability
(1) Background: Different authors have established that each type of motivation to sports can fav... more (1) Background: Different authors have established that each type of motivation to sports can favor healthy habits in men and women, being important to promote more self-determined motivations. (2) Methods: The present study was designed to assess selected psychometric properties of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire and study the relationship between motivational climate, physical activity and gender in adolescents. Research was conducted with a sample of 2134 Spanish children (12.5 ± 1.4 years). (3) Results: The final scale was formed of two factors. The fit of factor 1 (ego climate) was 0.867, the fit for factor 2 was 0.851 (task climate) and the overall fit was 0.765. Structural equation modelling identified a negative relationship between ego climate and task climate. This relationship was strong in women. A direct relationship was found between the ego climate and task climate in relation to physical activity in men and women. Nevertheless, this positive relationship was stronger in men. (4) Conclusions: PMCSQ-2 test is a good instrument to measure the motivation towards sports practice. Moreover, it is important to promote adaptive types of motivation in physical education classes in order to generate pleasure for learning and long-term physical activity engagement.
Nutrición Hospitalaria
ResumenIntroducción: La etapa escolar representa un periodo de riesgo en el desarrollo de hábitos... more ResumenIntroducción: La etapa escolar representa un periodo de riesgo en el desarrollo de hábitos como el ocio digital sedentario, el cual favorece patologías futuras como la obesidad. La práctica de actividad física y el nivel de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea permiten su prevención, siendo esencial promover climas motivacionales hacia el deporte que favorezcan un estilo de vida saludable.Material y métodos: El presente estudio, realizado en una muestra de 692 escolares de la provincia de Granada, tiene como objetivo desarrollar un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que permita analizar las relaciones entre clima motivacional, hábitos físico-saludables y capacidad aeróbica máxima. Como principales instrumentos se emplean los cuestionarios PMCSQ-2, KIDMED, PAQ-C y CERV.Resultados: Los resultados muestran una relación directa entre la práctica de AF y el Clima Tarea y Ego. La realización de AF correlacionó positivamente con el uso de videojuegos y con la potencia aeróbica máxima....
Sustainability
(1) Background: Several studies have shown how certain types of motivation for sports can favour ... more (1) Background: Several studies have shown how certain types of motivation for sports can favour healthy habits or can cause risk behaviours. (2) Methods: The aim of this study was to establish and verify an explanatory model for motivational climate in sport which considers other possible influential variables related to health. This research was conducted with a sample of 490 university students from Spain. The 33-item Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2) was used to assess perceived motivational climate. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Questionnaire of Experiences Related to Video Games (QERV), the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), and the KIDMED test were used to assess healthy habits; (3) Results: Findings revealed that task-involved climate and ego-involved climate were both positively associated with physical activity with the strongest relationship emerging for a task-involved climate. Furthermore, task climate was positively associated with a good adherence to a Mediterranean diet. A direct relationship was found between ego climate and alcohol intake and problematic use of video games; (4) Conclusions: The findings imply that students who have greater intrinsic motivation to participate in sport and perceive a task-involved climate also report healthier habits. This highlights the importance of creating task-involved motivational climates in sport and physical education lessons.
Revista medica de Chile, 2017
Obesity is a worldwide epidemic disease and a problem for the Chilean society. To analyze the rel... more Obesity is a worldwide epidemic disease and a problem for the Chilean society. To analyze the relationship between physical condition, body mass index (BMI), level of physical activity and self-esteem. Material ad Methods: Questionnaires to assess self-esteem (Rosemberg scale) and levels of physical activity (Physical Activity Questionnaire for older Children, PAQ-C) were answered by 515 children aged 10.5 ± 0.5 years from 27 schools of Santiago de Chile. BMI was calculated. Course-Navette test was carried out, vertical jump and hand dynamometry were measured. For statistical analysis, structural equations were used. An acceptable goodness of fit for the models was found. There was a positive relationship between BMI and hand dynamometry, as well as a negative relationship between BMI and maximal oxygen consumption, jumping ability, physical activity and self-esteem. Finally, self-esteem was positively related to physical activity engagement. In these children, self-esteem was relat...
Nutrición Hospitalaria, 2016
Introducción: la dieta mediterránea (DM) representa uno de los modelos dietéticos más completos y... more Introducción: la dieta mediterránea (DM) representa uno de los modelos dietéticos más completos y sanos según expresan numerosos estudios. En este sentido, la etapa universitaria supone un cambio sustancial en los hábitos alimentarios de los adultos jóvenes, alejándose de los estándares asociados a la DM. Objetivo: determinar el nivel de adherencia a la DM de un sector de población universitaria, estableciendo patrones de relación con el tipo de población en el que reside y hábitos de ocio digital asociados a videojuegos. Material y métodos: en esta investigación de diseño descriptivo y corte transversal participaron 490 estudiantes universitarios (M = 22,8 años; DT = 3,639), realizándose la recogida de datos mediante los cuestionarios KIDMED, Cuestionario de Experiencias Relacionadas con los Videojuegos (CERV) y Cuestionario sobre los Hábitos de Consumo de Videojuegos (CHCV). Resultados: más del 70% de la muestra necesitaba mejorar su alimentación y solo un 26,1% se alimentaba adec...
Recent studies show that the elderly have increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant def... more Recent studies show that the elderly have increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense systems. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of EVOO in the healthy institutionalized elderly. We studied anthropometric, biochemical and antioxidant parameters in 62 subjects aged 65-96 years after a 6-week daily intake of polyphenol-rich EVOO with high oleuropein derivative contents. Subjects were divided into a control group (CG) who maintained their dietary habits (n = 39) and an olive group (OG) who consumed EVOO as the only added fat, plus a daily dose of 50 ml (n = 23). We found a significant reduction of total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL and TGs in OG subjects and a significant increase of HDL levels. There was no significant variation in the CG parameters. In OG the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma increased with significant differences over CG. Plasma hydroxytyrosol (OH-Tyr) concentration showed a significant increase after EVOO intervention. Daily consumption of EVOO was found to have positive effects on lipid profiles, OH-Tyr levels and TAC. The results also show a significant increase of catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes and a decrease (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GH-PX) activity after EVOO intake. To our knowledge, no other study has examined the effects of EVOO consumption on biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme activity in healthy elderly subjects. In conclusion, our results show that nutritional intervention with EVOO improves antioxidant status in healthy elderly people.
Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2015
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nutritional education and vigor... more Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nutritional education and vigorous physical activity on health-related parameters. Methods: The sample group consisted of 134 children from 5 rurally located schools. Participants were divided between 5 different experimental groups: control group (CG), physical activity group (PA), nutritional education group (NE), combined intervention group (PA+NE), and a combined intervention group with additional substitution of normally used oil for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO; PA+NE+EVOO). The intervention consisted of 60 minute sessions of physical activity held twice a week as well as nutritional education sessions held over 6 months. Results: Students in the groups receiving physical activity reduced their fat percentage and increased their muscle mass post intervention. At post-test the lipid profile improved in all intervention groups. The proportion of macronutrients and dietary cholesterol improved in the groups receiving nutritional education. The post-test comparison showed significantly lower fat percentage, sum of skinfolds and waist circumference in NE relative to CG and PA relative to CG. Diastolic blood pressure and glycaemia were significantly lower in PA+NE+EVOO relative to CG. Conclusion: A school-based program consisting of nutritional education or nutritional education plus a physical activity program showed a positive effect on health-related parameters in children.
Jornal de Pediatria, 2017
Objective The aim of this research was to examine the association between body mass index, physi... more Objective
The aim of this research was to examine the association between body mass index, physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and health‐related quality of life in a sample of Spanish adolescents.
Method
The study involved 456 adolescents aged between 11 and 14 years. They completed questionnaires on the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED), physical activity (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children [PAQ‐C]), and quality of life (KIDSCREEN‐27). Body mass index was calculated. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to determine whether health‐related quality of life could be predicted by the measured variables. The variables were analyzed in a stepwise manner, with Mediterranean diet entered in the first step, body mass index in the second, and physical activity in the third.
Results
Mediterranean diet accounted for 4.6% of the variance in adolescent's health‐related quality of life, with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet predicting higher health‐related quality of life‐scores. Body mass index accounted for a further 4.1% of the variance, with a higher body mass index predicting lower health‐related quality of life scores. Finally, physical activity explained an additional 11.3% of the variance, with a higher level of physical activity being associated with higher health‐related quality of life scores. Together, these variables explained 20% of the variance in the adolescents’ health‐related quality of life.
Conclusions
Physical activity, body mass index, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet are important components to consider when targeting improvements in the health‐related quality of life of adolescents, with physical activity representing the component with the greatest influence.
Nutrition, 2017
Objective The aim of this study was to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) within a ... more Objective
The aim of this study was to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) within a population of children from Santiago, Chile. A secondary aim was to examine the relationship between MD adherence, body composition, physical fitness, self-esteem, and other lifestyle factors.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study of a sample of children (N = 515; 10.6 ± 0.5 y) was conducted. Weight, body mass index, skinfolds, and waist circumference were measured. Physical fitness was determined using aspects of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity health fitness test battery for children. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents questionnaire. Self-esteem was evaluated using the Rosenberg scale and the Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire measured self-concept. Participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and also were asked to report the number of hours per day they spent watching various screen-based devices.
Results
All findings were significant at the level P < 0.001. Adherence to an MD was consistently and negatively associated with percentage body fat (r = −0.302) and subscapular skinfold thickness (r = −0.329). Positive associations were found with PAQ-C (r = 0.277), self-esteem (r = 0.301) and self-concept (r = 0.234), and for physical fitness, especially for explosive power of the legs (r = 0.355). Positive correlations with handgrip strength were found in boys (r = 0.323), whereas negative correlations with screen time were found in girls (r = −0.511).
Conclusion
Given its relation to a healthier body composition, physical fitness, healthier lifestyle behaviors, and mental wellness, the MD should be promoted amongst youngsters.
Journal of Public Health, 2017
Aim: Healthy habits are influenced by several factors such as geographical location. The aims of ... more Aim: Healthy habits are influenced by several factors such as geographical location. The aims of this study were to describe and compare healthy habits within two populations of sixth grade primary school children (aged 11–12 years) from northern and southern Spain.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study using two representative samples of school children was conducted. Participants came from Logroño (n = 329) in the north and Granada (n = 284) in the south of Spain. Socio-demographic and anthropometric variables, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, aerobic fitness, and healthy lifestyles were recorded.
Results: Boys reported a higher level of physical activity and aerobic fitness than girls (p = 0.000). Southern school children reported significantly higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (♀: p = 0.041; ♂: p = 0.008), lower aerobic fitness (♀: p = 0.000; ♂: p = 0.042) and hours of nightly sleep (♀: p = 0.008, ♂: p = 0.007) than northern school children. Southern boys also reported lower levels of physical activity (p = 0.013). There were slight or moderate correlations among all habits measured (physical activity, diet, screen and sleep time). Additionally, the physical activity level was inversely related to weight status. Overweight and obese northern boys reported less physical activity than healthy-weight northern boys (p = 0.020) and overweight and obese southern girls reported less physical activity than healthy-weight southern girls (p = 0.024).
Conclusions Results showed differences in physical activity, eating and sleep habits, and aerobic fitness according to geographical location. The relationships found among lifestyle habits indicate the need for health promotion interventions nationally and considering the differences discussed here.
Health and Addictions, 2018
Aims. This study aims to identify the relationship between problematic consumption of substances ... more Aims. This study aims to identify the relationship between problematic consumption of substances and video games use with sex and place of residence in a sample of Spanish university students. Methods. The research was conducted with a sample of 490 university students (M = 22.8 years; SD = 3.63). The main instruments used were the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (ftnd), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Questionnaire of Experiences Related to Video Games (QERV) and the Questionnaire of Habits of Video games Consumption (QHVC). Findings. The results show a relatively low tobacco consumption and video game use and a high alcohol consumption. With regards to sex, women hardly ever drink alcohol and play with video games less often than men. Participants’ place of residence influenced their habits regarding video games, but not regarding tobacco and alcohol consumption. Additionally, regression analyses identified that males were five times more likely to exhibit problematic video game use. Conclusion. Technology and problematic consumption of substances can cause health problems, which must
International Journal of Sport Psychology, 2016
The present research sheds light on the importance of physical activity with regards to self-co... more The present research sheds light on the importance of physical activity with
regards to self-concept in Spanish adolescents and considers physical exercise, family and academic variables. An explanatory and relational study was conducted. A total of 2,134 teenagers aged between 15 and 18 years old participated in the study. A descriptive and relational analysis by means of the ANOVA Test was also undertaken. The results obtained are discussed here taking into account the relevant specialised literature. It was found that two thirds of the students sampled did exercise regularly, team sports being the most popular. These learners presented a high degree of self-concept, particularly for the social and family dimensions. It can also be concluded from this study that better physical condition and appearance are related to sport engagement, and that physical activity is related to improved self image and to fostering social and family relationships.
Archives of Budo, 2016
Background & Study Aim: At achievement goal theory states that the way in which individuals demon... more Background & Study Aim: At achievement goal theory states that the way in which individuals demonstrates competence can influence their motivation to enact behaviour in training, or in performance. The general aim of this study is the relationship between motivational climate, physical self-concept and resilience based on the competitive level of judo athletes.
Material & Methods: Research was conducted with a representative sample of 148 judokas (86 males and 62 females) from Santiago de Chile. We used the 33-item PMCSQ-2 alongside the Spanish validation form to assess the motivational climate, the CD-RISC to assess resilience and one of the five dimensions of self-concept from the AF-5 to measure self-concept of the judokas.
Results: There was negative correlation between task-involved climate and ego- involved climate at semi-professional and amateur performance levels. The task involved climate perceived by individuals performing at different levels how a stronger correlation at semi-professional level (–0.63) followed by amateur level (–0.42). The relationship between ego-involved climate and physical self-concept was particularly prominent at the professional performance level in relation to the other levels. The positive relationship between task-involved climate and physical self-concept is only significant at the amateur performance level. We found a positive relationship between physical self-concept and resilience at the professional, semi-professional and amateur performance levels (0.52, 0.50 and 0.52, respectively).
Conclusions: The findings of this study have practical implications especially for the role of the psychologist in sport that may benefit the athletes they work with by targeting approaches to the physical self-concept of the judo athletes.
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 2017
During adolescence individuals experience a number of cognitive, physical, psychological and emot... more During adolescence individuals experience a number of cognitive, physical, psychological and emotional changes which can impinge on their health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to identify associations with five components of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children. Data were collected from 456 children attending one of five schools in Granada, Spain in a cross-sectional design.
Females reported engaging in less physical activity than males. Females reported lower HRQoL in terms of lower physical well-being, family relationships and autonomy and perceived school environment in secondary school. Males only reported lower perceptions of their school environment in secondary school. Physical activity was strongly associated with HRQoL, whereas Mediterranean diet was not. Physical activity interventions should be prioritised when positive HRQoL of children is a main target. Special consideration should be given to support the positive development of females, especially during the early years of secondary school.
European Journal of Pediatrics, 2017
The present research examined the association of Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activi... more The present research examined the association of Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity with self-esteem through five components of health related quality of life. Data were collected from 456 adolescents attending one of five schools in Granada, Spain using a cluster-randomised design. Participants completed questionnaires on Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity, self-esteem and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Models were constructed to identify associations between Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity on self-esteem. Mediational analysis using bootstrapped confidence intervals examined possible mediation by five components of HRQoL. Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity engagement were associated with four components of HRQoL: more positive physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, family relationships and autonomy support and perceptions of the school environment. Both lifestyle behaviours were positively associated with self-esteem. Both relationships were mediated through positive psychological wellbeing and perceptions of the school environment. Physical wellbeing was also a mediator of the relationship between physical activity and self-esteem.
Conclusion: Interventions promoting Mediterranean diets or physical activity to adolescents may facilitate improvements in self-esteem in addition to wider health benefits previously identified. Approaches within such interventions targeting improvements in physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing and positive perceptions of the school environment may improve their efficacy.
Journal of Human Sport and Exercise - 2018 - Spring Conferences of Sports Science
The time devoted to Physical Education classes is limited, but for many children and young people... more The time devoted to Physical Education classes is limited, but for many children and young people these classes are the only occasions on which they engage in physical activity and exercise. Since exercise is vital for health, it is important to use indices that provide information about the effectiveness of time invested specifically in the practice of motor activities during PE classes. We have proposed certain effectiveness indices that relate the time planned to the time actually spent in different categories: time for information, time for organisation, time for physical or motor activity and time for physical or motor activity fulfilling an objective. Various sessions of Motor Games have been evaluated, all of them corresponding to the university degree of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. The results show that the proposed effectiveness indices could be very useful in managing time devoted to motor activity during PE lessons more effectively and in improving time planning in terms of the content of PE lessons.
Sustainability
(1) Background: Different authors have established that each type of motivation to sports can fav... more (1) Background: Different authors have established that each type of motivation to sports can favor healthy habits in men and women, being important to promote more self-determined motivations. (2) Methods: The present study was designed to assess selected psychometric properties of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire and study the relationship between motivational climate, physical activity and gender in adolescents. Research was conducted with a sample of 2134 Spanish children (12.5 ± 1.4 years). (3) Results: The final scale was formed of two factors. The fit of factor 1 (ego climate) was 0.867, the fit for factor 2 was 0.851 (task climate) and the overall fit was 0.765. Structural equation modelling identified a negative relationship between ego climate and task climate. This relationship was strong in women. A direct relationship was found between the ego climate and task climate in relation to physical activity in men and women. Nevertheless, this positive relationship was stronger in men. (4) Conclusions: PMCSQ-2 test is a good instrument to measure the motivation towards sports practice. Moreover, it is important to promote adaptive types of motivation in physical education classes in order to generate pleasure for learning and long-term physical activity engagement.
Nutrición Hospitalaria
ResumenIntroducción: La etapa escolar representa un periodo de riesgo en el desarrollo de hábitos... more ResumenIntroducción: La etapa escolar representa un periodo de riesgo en el desarrollo de hábitos como el ocio digital sedentario, el cual favorece patologías futuras como la obesidad. La práctica de actividad física y el nivel de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea permiten su prevención, siendo esencial promover climas motivacionales hacia el deporte que favorezcan un estilo de vida saludable.Material y métodos: El presente estudio, realizado en una muestra de 692 escolares de la provincia de Granada, tiene como objetivo desarrollar un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que permita analizar las relaciones entre clima motivacional, hábitos físico-saludables y capacidad aeróbica máxima. Como principales instrumentos se emplean los cuestionarios PMCSQ-2, KIDMED, PAQ-C y CERV.Resultados: Los resultados muestran una relación directa entre la práctica de AF y el Clima Tarea y Ego. La realización de AF correlacionó positivamente con el uso de videojuegos y con la potencia aeróbica máxima....
Sustainability
(1) Background: Several studies have shown how certain types of motivation for sports can favour ... more (1) Background: Several studies have shown how certain types of motivation for sports can favour healthy habits or can cause risk behaviours. (2) Methods: The aim of this study was to establish and verify an explanatory model for motivational climate in sport which considers other possible influential variables related to health. This research was conducted with a sample of 490 university students from Spain. The 33-item Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2) was used to assess perceived motivational climate. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Questionnaire of Experiences Related to Video Games (QERV), the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), and the KIDMED test were used to assess healthy habits; (3) Results: Findings revealed that task-involved climate and ego-involved climate were both positively associated with physical activity with the strongest relationship emerging for a task-involved climate. Furthermore, task climate was positively associated with a good adherence to a Mediterranean diet. A direct relationship was found between ego climate and alcohol intake and problematic use of video games; (4) Conclusions: The findings imply that students who have greater intrinsic motivation to participate in sport and perceive a task-involved climate also report healthier habits. This highlights the importance of creating task-involved motivational climates in sport and physical education lessons.
Revista medica de Chile, 2017
Obesity is a worldwide epidemic disease and a problem for the Chilean society. To analyze the rel... more Obesity is a worldwide epidemic disease and a problem for the Chilean society. To analyze the relationship between physical condition, body mass index (BMI), level of physical activity and self-esteem. Material ad Methods: Questionnaires to assess self-esteem (Rosemberg scale) and levels of physical activity (Physical Activity Questionnaire for older Children, PAQ-C) were answered by 515 children aged 10.5 ± 0.5 years from 27 schools of Santiago de Chile. BMI was calculated. Course-Navette test was carried out, vertical jump and hand dynamometry were measured. For statistical analysis, structural equations were used. An acceptable goodness of fit for the models was found. There was a positive relationship between BMI and hand dynamometry, as well as a negative relationship between BMI and maximal oxygen consumption, jumping ability, physical activity and self-esteem. Finally, self-esteem was positively related to physical activity engagement. In these children, self-esteem was relat...
Nutrición Hospitalaria, 2016
Introducción: la dieta mediterránea (DM) representa uno de los modelos dietéticos más completos y... more Introducción: la dieta mediterránea (DM) representa uno de los modelos dietéticos más completos y sanos según expresan numerosos estudios. En este sentido, la etapa universitaria supone un cambio sustancial en los hábitos alimentarios de los adultos jóvenes, alejándose de los estándares asociados a la DM. Objetivo: determinar el nivel de adherencia a la DM de un sector de población universitaria, estableciendo patrones de relación con el tipo de población en el que reside y hábitos de ocio digital asociados a videojuegos. Material y métodos: en esta investigación de diseño descriptivo y corte transversal participaron 490 estudiantes universitarios (M = 22,8 años; DT = 3,639), realizándose la recogida de datos mediante los cuestionarios KIDMED, Cuestionario de Experiencias Relacionadas con los Videojuegos (CERV) y Cuestionario sobre los Hábitos de Consumo de Videojuegos (CHCV). Resultados: más del 70% de la muestra necesitaba mejorar su alimentación y solo un 26,1% se alimentaba adec...
Recent studies show that the elderly have increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant def... more Recent studies show that the elderly have increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense systems. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of EVOO in the healthy institutionalized elderly. We studied anthropometric, biochemical and antioxidant parameters in 62 subjects aged 65-96 years after a 6-week daily intake of polyphenol-rich EVOO with high oleuropein derivative contents. Subjects were divided into a control group (CG) who maintained their dietary habits (n = 39) and an olive group (OG) who consumed EVOO as the only added fat, plus a daily dose of 50 ml (n = 23). We found a significant reduction of total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL and TGs in OG subjects and a significant increase of HDL levels. There was no significant variation in the CG parameters. In OG the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma increased with significant differences over CG. Plasma hydroxytyrosol (OH-Tyr) concentration showed a significant increase after EVOO intervention. Daily consumption of EVOO was found to have positive effects on lipid profiles, OH-Tyr levels and TAC. The results also show a significant increase of catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes and a decrease (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GH-PX) activity after EVOO intake. To our knowledge, no other study has examined the effects of EVOO consumption on biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme activity in healthy elderly subjects. In conclusion, our results show that nutritional intervention with EVOO improves antioxidant status in healthy elderly people.
Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2015
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nutritional education and vigor... more Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nutritional education and vigorous physical activity on health-related parameters. Methods: The sample group consisted of 134 children from 5 rurally located schools. Participants were divided between 5 different experimental groups: control group (CG), physical activity group (PA), nutritional education group (NE), combined intervention group (PA+NE), and a combined intervention group with additional substitution of normally used oil for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO; PA+NE+EVOO). The intervention consisted of 60 minute sessions of physical activity held twice a week as well as nutritional education sessions held over 6 months. Results: Students in the groups receiving physical activity reduced their fat percentage and increased their muscle mass post intervention. At post-test the lipid profile improved in all intervention groups. The proportion of macronutrients and dietary cholesterol improved in the groups receiving nutritional education. The post-test comparison showed significantly lower fat percentage, sum of skinfolds and waist circumference in NE relative to CG and PA relative to CG. Diastolic blood pressure and glycaemia were significantly lower in PA+NE+EVOO relative to CG. Conclusion: A school-based program consisting of nutritional education or nutritional education plus a physical activity program showed a positive effect on health-related parameters in children.
Jornal de Pediatria, 2017
Objective The aim of this research was to examine the association between body mass index, physi... more Objective
The aim of this research was to examine the association between body mass index, physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and health‐related quality of life in a sample of Spanish adolescents.
Method
The study involved 456 adolescents aged between 11 and 14 years. They completed questionnaires on the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED), physical activity (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children [PAQ‐C]), and quality of life (KIDSCREEN‐27). Body mass index was calculated. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to determine whether health‐related quality of life could be predicted by the measured variables. The variables were analyzed in a stepwise manner, with Mediterranean diet entered in the first step, body mass index in the second, and physical activity in the third.
Results
Mediterranean diet accounted for 4.6% of the variance in adolescent's health‐related quality of life, with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet predicting higher health‐related quality of life‐scores. Body mass index accounted for a further 4.1% of the variance, with a higher body mass index predicting lower health‐related quality of life scores. Finally, physical activity explained an additional 11.3% of the variance, with a higher level of physical activity being associated with higher health‐related quality of life scores. Together, these variables explained 20% of the variance in the adolescents’ health‐related quality of life.
Conclusions
Physical activity, body mass index, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet are important components to consider when targeting improvements in the health‐related quality of life of adolescents, with physical activity representing the component with the greatest influence.
Nutrition, 2017
Objective The aim of this study was to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) within a ... more Objective
The aim of this study was to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) within a population of children from Santiago, Chile. A secondary aim was to examine the relationship between MD adherence, body composition, physical fitness, self-esteem, and other lifestyle factors.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study of a sample of children (N = 515; 10.6 ± 0.5 y) was conducted. Weight, body mass index, skinfolds, and waist circumference were measured. Physical fitness was determined using aspects of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity health fitness test battery for children. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents questionnaire. Self-esteem was evaluated using the Rosenberg scale and the Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire measured self-concept. Participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and also were asked to report the number of hours per day they spent watching various screen-based devices.
Results
All findings were significant at the level P < 0.001. Adherence to an MD was consistently and negatively associated with percentage body fat (r = −0.302) and subscapular skinfold thickness (r = −0.329). Positive associations were found with PAQ-C (r = 0.277), self-esteem (r = 0.301) and self-concept (r = 0.234), and for physical fitness, especially for explosive power of the legs (r = 0.355). Positive correlations with handgrip strength were found in boys (r = 0.323), whereas negative correlations with screen time were found in girls (r = −0.511).
Conclusion
Given its relation to a healthier body composition, physical fitness, healthier lifestyle behaviors, and mental wellness, the MD should be promoted amongst youngsters.
Journal of Public Health, 2017
Aim: Healthy habits are influenced by several factors such as geographical location. The aims of ... more Aim: Healthy habits are influenced by several factors such as geographical location. The aims of this study were to describe and compare healthy habits within two populations of sixth grade primary school children (aged 11–12 years) from northern and southern Spain.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study using two representative samples of school children was conducted. Participants came from Logroño (n = 329) in the north and Granada (n = 284) in the south of Spain. Socio-demographic and anthropometric variables, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, aerobic fitness, and healthy lifestyles were recorded.
Results: Boys reported a higher level of physical activity and aerobic fitness than girls (p = 0.000). Southern school children reported significantly higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (♀: p = 0.041; ♂: p = 0.008), lower aerobic fitness (♀: p = 0.000; ♂: p = 0.042) and hours of nightly sleep (♀: p = 0.008, ♂: p = 0.007) than northern school children. Southern boys also reported lower levels of physical activity (p = 0.013). There were slight or moderate correlations among all habits measured (physical activity, diet, screen and sleep time). Additionally, the physical activity level was inversely related to weight status. Overweight and obese northern boys reported less physical activity than healthy-weight northern boys (p = 0.020) and overweight and obese southern girls reported less physical activity than healthy-weight southern girls (p = 0.024).
Conclusions Results showed differences in physical activity, eating and sleep habits, and aerobic fitness according to geographical location. The relationships found among lifestyle habits indicate the need for health promotion interventions nationally and considering the differences discussed here.
Health and Addictions, 2018
Aims. This study aims to identify the relationship between problematic consumption of substances ... more Aims. This study aims to identify the relationship between problematic consumption of substances and video games use with sex and place of residence in a sample of Spanish university students. Methods. The research was conducted with a sample of 490 university students (M = 22.8 years; SD = 3.63). The main instruments used were the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (ftnd), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Questionnaire of Experiences Related to Video Games (QERV) and the Questionnaire of Habits of Video games Consumption (QHVC). Findings. The results show a relatively low tobacco consumption and video game use and a high alcohol consumption. With regards to sex, women hardly ever drink alcohol and play with video games less often than men. Participants’ place of residence influenced their habits regarding video games, but not regarding tobacco and alcohol consumption. Additionally, regression analyses identified that males were five times more likely to exhibit problematic video game use. Conclusion. Technology and problematic consumption of substances can cause health problems, which must
International Journal of Sport Psychology, 2016
The present research sheds light on the importance of physical activity with regards to self-co... more The present research sheds light on the importance of physical activity with
regards to self-concept in Spanish adolescents and considers physical exercise, family and academic variables. An explanatory and relational study was conducted. A total of 2,134 teenagers aged between 15 and 18 years old participated in the study. A descriptive and relational analysis by means of the ANOVA Test was also undertaken. The results obtained are discussed here taking into account the relevant specialised literature. It was found that two thirds of the students sampled did exercise regularly, team sports being the most popular. These learners presented a high degree of self-concept, particularly for the social and family dimensions. It can also be concluded from this study that better physical condition and appearance are related to sport engagement, and that physical activity is related to improved self image and to fostering social and family relationships.
Archives of Budo, 2016
Background & Study Aim: At achievement goal theory states that the way in which individuals demon... more Background & Study Aim: At achievement goal theory states that the way in which individuals demonstrates competence can influence their motivation to enact behaviour in training, or in performance. The general aim of this study is the relationship between motivational climate, physical self-concept and resilience based on the competitive level of judo athletes.
Material & Methods: Research was conducted with a representative sample of 148 judokas (86 males and 62 females) from Santiago de Chile. We used the 33-item PMCSQ-2 alongside the Spanish validation form to assess the motivational climate, the CD-RISC to assess resilience and one of the five dimensions of self-concept from the AF-5 to measure self-concept of the judokas.
Results: There was negative correlation between task-involved climate and ego- involved climate at semi-professional and amateur performance levels. The task involved climate perceived by individuals performing at different levels how a stronger correlation at semi-professional level (–0.63) followed by amateur level (–0.42). The relationship between ego-involved climate and physical self-concept was particularly prominent at the professional performance level in relation to the other levels. The positive relationship between task-involved climate and physical self-concept is only significant at the amateur performance level. We found a positive relationship between physical self-concept and resilience at the professional, semi-professional and amateur performance levels (0.52, 0.50 and 0.52, respectively).
Conclusions: The findings of this study have practical implications especially for the role of the psychologist in sport that may benefit the athletes they work with by targeting approaches to the physical self-concept of the judo athletes.
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 2017
During adolescence individuals experience a number of cognitive, physical, psychological and emot... more During adolescence individuals experience a number of cognitive, physical, psychological and emotional changes which can impinge on their health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to identify associations with five components of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children. Data were collected from 456 children attending one of five schools in Granada, Spain in a cross-sectional design.
Females reported engaging in less physical activity than males. Females reported lower HRQoL in terms of lower physical well-being, family relationships and autonomy and perceived school environment in secondary school. Males only reported lower perceptions of their school environment in secondary school. Physical activity was strongly associated with HRQoL, whereas Mediterranean diet was not. Physical activity interventions should be prioritised when positive HRQoL of children is a main target. Special consideration should be given to support the positive development of females, especially during the early years of secondary school.
European Journal of Pediatrics, 2017
The present research examined the association of Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activi... more The present research examined the association of Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity with self-esteem through five components of health related quality of life. Data were collected from 456 adolescents attending one of five schools in Granada, Spain using a cluster-randomised design. Participants completed questionnaires on Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity, self-esteem and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Models were constructed to identify associations between Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity on self-esteem. Mediational analysis using bootstrapped confidence intervals examined possible mediation by five components of HRQoL. Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity engagement were associated with four components of HRQoL: more positive physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, family relationships and autonomy support and perceptions of the school environment. Both lifestyle behaviours were positively associated with self-esteem. Both relationships were mediated through positive psychological wellbeing and perceptions of the school environment. Physical wellbeing was also a mediator of the relationship between physical activity and self-esteem.
Conclusion: Interventions promoting Mediterranean diets or physical activity to adolescents may facilitate improvements in self-esteem in addition to wider health benefits previously identified. Approaches within such interventions targeting improvements in physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing and positive perceptions of the school environment may improve their efficacy.