Narcis Gusi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Narcis Gusi

PubMed, Aug 10, 2013

Objectives: To test the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a web-based multidisciplinary interv... more Objectives: To test the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a web-based multidisciplinary intervention for office workers with subacute, nonspecific low back pain. Methods: The randomized controlled trial included 100 office workers with subacute low back pain. The intervention group had access to both the study intervention and standard care. The control group had access to standard care only. Standard care was defined as all existing non-web-based interventions offered by the University of Extremadura's Preventive Medicine Service. The web-based program was offered via the Preventive Medicine Service website. The participants in the intervention group were asked to engage in the web-based program at their work site for 11 minutes each day, 5 days a week. Primary outcomes were functional disability, as measured by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnarie, and health-related quality of life, as measured by the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-3 Levels. Secondary outcomes were the number of episodes of low back pain and trunk muscles endurance. Outcomes were measured before and after the 9-month intervention period. Results: Over the 9-month study, the score on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire for the participants in the web-based intervention group improved by a mean of -7.36 points (95% confidence interval [CI]:-8.41, -6.31) compared to a worsening of 1.89 points (95% CI: 0.71, 2.65) in the control group. The between-group difference in change on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnarie over the study period was -9.25 points (95% CI:-10.57, -7.89). Similarly, over the compared to the control group. Conclusions: A 9 month web-based intervention is feasible and effective to improve function and health-related quality of life and to decrease episodes of low back pain among office workers with a history of subacute, nonspecific low back pain.

Nutrients

Background: Physical fitness levels and the amount of accumulated adipose tissue (fatness) relate... more Background: Physical fitness levels and the amount of accumulated adipose tissue (fatness) relate to current and future individuals’ heath status. Nevertheless, the interrelationships of their combined patterns with polypharmacy and the types of medications consumed have not been sufficiently investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in six Spanish regions between 2008 and 2009 with a sample of older community-dwelling adults (≥65 years old) without dementia or cancer. Fitness was measured with one-leg balance and senior fitness tests, as well as by measuring weight and fat mass with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more medications. An analysis of variance was performed for comparisons between the physical fitness and fatness patterns and the medication consumed. Results: A total of 1709 elders were included in the study (72.1 ± 5.2 years). The two unfit patterns were those with the highest drug consumption. ...

European Journal of Public Health

Background Fibromyalgia is characterized by stiffness and widespread pain which cause a negative ... more Background Fibromyalgia is characterized by stiffness and widespread pain which cause a negative impact on health-related quality of life and activities of daily living. In this regard, these activities are usually presented as dual-task situations (execution of two tasks simultaneously). Some physical fitness tests have been used under dual-task condition in order to evaluate physical fitness under a more ecological approach. It is hypothesized that physical fitness test could provide more information than physical fitness test under single-task condition. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between 10m walking test performance under both single and dual- task conditions and the fear of falling and the intensity of pain in women with fibromyalgia. Methods A total of 38 women (55.65 [9.28] years-old) participated in the study. Participants performed the 10-m walking test where they have to walk on a 10 meters straight-line as fast as they can. Mor...

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Background Validation of self-reported tools, such as physical activity (PA) questionnaires, is c... more Background Validation of self-reported tools, such as physical activity (PA) questionnaires, is crucial. The aim of this study was to determine test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and the concurrent, construct, and predictive validity of the short semi-quantitative Physical Activity Unit 7 item Screener (PAU-7S), using accelerometry as the reference measurement. The effect of linear calibration on PAU-7S validity was tested. Methods A randomized sample of 321 healthy children aged 8–16 years (149 boys, 172 girls) from the nationwide representative PASOS study completed the PAU-7S before and after wearing an accelerometer for at least 7 consecutive days. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Cronbach alpha was calculated for internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was determined by intra-class correlation (ICC). Concurrent validity was assessed by ICC and Spearman correlation coefficient between moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) derived by the PAU-7S an...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022

The aim of this study was to explore the differences among between adherence to physical activity... more The aim of this study was to explore the differences among between adherence to physical activity (PA) and sociodemographic variables, body composition, and physical fitness levels in older adults (>65 years). A number of 2712 participants (2086 female; 76.92%) ranging from 65 to 92 years, participated in the study. Stages of change (SoC) for PA from the transtheoretical model of change (TTM), together with different sociodemographic variables, physical fitness tests (Senior Fitness Test), and waist and hip circumferences were evaluated. Significant differences were found in age, gender, educational level, current income, physical fitness test, and body composition (all of them, p < 0.05), according to the different SoC. Greater adherence to PA practice (action and maintenance stages) was related to better academic level, higher economic income, the male gender, better results in the physical fitness test, and healthier anthropometrics perimeters. Future research is needed to ...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022

Background: Age-related changes negatively affect physical fitness, body composition, and executi... more Background: Age-related changes negatively affect physical fitness, body composition, and executive function and produce a decrease in regucalcin level expression in blood. The square-stepping exercise (SSE) is a balance and lower-limb strength training programme used to prevent falls and stimulate cognitive function in older adults. This project aims to analyse the effects of SSE on executive function, regucalcin expression, fall prevention, body composition, and physical fitness in people over 65 years old. Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 90 older people over 65 years old will be recruited and randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental (n = 45) and control (n = 45). The experimental group will perform an SSE-based intervention for 6 months (2 times per week), while the control group do not follow any treatment. Results: The main outcome will be balance, but other motor (body mass index, upper- and lower-limb strength, flexibility, and speed-ag...

Additional file 2 Supplementary Table 2. Correlation coefficients and between-method agreement of... more Additional file 2 Supplementary Table 2. Correlation coefficients and between-method agreement of moderate to vigorous physical activity measurements derived by the Physical Activity Unit 7-item screener, noncalibrated and calibrated, and the reference method (accelerometer), stratified by age.

Revista Espanola De Salud Publica, 2018

RESUMEN Fundamentos. Un nivel adecuado de condicion fisica (CF) es fundamental para el logro de u... more RESUMEN Fundamentos. Un nivel adecuado de condicion fisica (CF) es fundamental para el logro de un envejecimiento saludable. El objetivo de este estudio consistio en evaluar el impacto de la actividad fisica (AF) organizada y el numero de horas de practica sobre el nivel de CF de las personas mayores. Metodo. En el estudio participaron 3104 personas mayores de 65 anos de Espana, pertenecientes al Proyecto Multicentrico EXERNET (722 hombres y 2382 mujeres; edad media: 72,1±5,3 anos). La CF se evaluo mediante 8 test especificos para esta poblacion. La participacion en AF organizada se registro mediante un cuestionario. Las diferencias en la CF en funcion de la practica y numero de horas de AF se midieron con ANCOVA ajustando por edad, horas de caminar y de estar sentado. Resultados. Aquellos que no participaban en este tipo de actividad incrementaban su riesgo de tener un nivel bajo de CF en la mayoria de las variables evaluadas, observandose algunas diferencias entre sexos (OR: desde...

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021

The aim of this study is to evaluate if screen time and parents’ education levels are associated ... more The aim of this study is to evaluate if screen time and parents’ education levels are associated with adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern. This cross-sectional study analyzed a representative sample of 3333 children and adolescents (8 to 16 years) included in the Physical Activity, Sedentarism, lifestyles and Obesity in Spanish youth (PASOS) study in Spain (which ran from March 2019 to February 2020). Data on screen time (television, computer, video games, and mobile phone) per day, Mediterranean diet adherence, daily moderate or vigorous physical activity, and parents’ education levels were gathered using questionnaires. A descriptive study of the variables according to sex and parents’ education level was performed. Logistic regression models (adjusted by sex and weight status) were fitted to evaluate the independent association between screen time and Kids’ level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED) index, as well as some of its items. A greater amount of scre...

Physiology & Behavior, 2021

Objective: To analyze the psychophysiological response during takeoff, landing, air-air attack an... more Objective: To analyze the psychophysiological response during takeoff, landing, air-air attack and air-ground attack maneuvers. Methods: A total of 11 expert pilots (age=33.36 (5.37)) from the Spanish Air Force participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants had to complete in a flight simulator the following missions: 1) takeoff; 2) Air-air attack; 3) Air-Ground attack, and 4) Landing. The electroencephalographic activity (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) were collected during all these maneuvers. Results: Significant higher values of theta (during takeoff, air-air attack and air-ground attack) EEG power spectrum were obtained when compared to baseline. Significant difference in the P3 scalp location was observed between landing and takeoff maneuvers in the beta EEG power spectrum. Furthermore, significant lower values of HRV were obtained during takeoff, landing, air-air attack and air-ground attack when compared to baseline values. Also, landing showed a higher sympathetic response when compared to takeoff maneuver. Conclusion: Takeoff, landing, air-air attack or air-ground attack maneuvers performed in a flight simulator produced significant changes in the electroencephalographic activity and autonomic modulation of professional pilots. Beta EEG power spectrum modifications suggest that landing maneuvers induced more attentional resources than takeoff. In the same line, a reduced HRV during landing was obtained when compared to takeoff. These results should be considered to training purposes.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2020

Background: Exergame-induced changes in the volume of brain gray matter have not been studied in ... more Background: Exergame-induced changes in the volume of brain gray matter have not been studied in fibromyalgia (FM). This study evaluates the effects of a 24-week exergame-based intervention on the gray matter volume of different brain structures in patients with FM through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A total of 25 FM patients completed 24 weeks of intervention program, and another 25 FM patients did not receive any intervention. T1-weighted MRI was used to assess brain volume, and FreeSurfer software was used to segment the brain regions. Results: No significant effects on gray matter volume of different structures and total gray matter were found. Conclusions: FM patients did not show significant changes in gray matter brain volume between the control and experimental groups after 24 weeks. FM patients showed significant relationships between peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) and the left and right regions of the hippocampus and the left and right regions of the amygdala.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire populations were instructed to live in home-confinement to p... more During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire populations were instructed to live in home-confinement to prevent the expansion of the disease. Spain was one of the countries with the strictest conditions, as outdoor physical activity was banned for nearly two months. This study aimed to analyse the changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Spanish university students before and during the confinement by COVID-19 with special focus on gender. We also analysed enjoyment, the tools used and motivation and impediments for doing physical activity. An online questionnaire, which included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and certain “ad hoc” questions, was designed. Students were recruited by distributing an invitation through the administrative channels of 16 universities and a total of 13,754 valid surveys were collected. Overall, university students reduced moderate (−29.5%) and vigorous (−18.3%) physical activity during the confinement and increased se...

BackgroundWe aimed to examine main changes in health behaviors, mental and physical health among ... more BackgroundWe aimed to examine main changes in health behaviors, mental and physical health among older adults under severe lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19.MethodsWe used prospective data from 3041 participants in four cohorts of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years in Spain. Data were obtained using validated questionnaires through a pre-pandemic face-to-face interview and a telephone interview conducted between weeks 7 to 15 after the beginning the COVID-19 lockdown. Lineal or multinomial, as appropriate, regression models with adjustment for the main confounders were used to assess changes in the outcome variables from the pre-pandemic to the confinement period, and to identify their associated factors.ResultsOn average, the confinement was not associated with a deterioration in lifestyle risk factors (smoking, alcohol intake, diet or weight), except for a decreased physical activity and increased sedentary time, which reversed with the end of confinement. Howev...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Informal caregivers of persons with dementia often report high levels of anxiety, depression and ... more Informal caregivers of persons with dementia often report high levels of anxiety, depression and burden. Nonetheless, other less evaluated psychological symptoms might also influence their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to comprehensively analyse other psychological symptoms and their influence on the health-related quality of life of informal caregivers. Fifty-four informal women caregivers and fifty-six women non-caregivers were recruited to participate in the study. Psychological symptoms were assessed using the Symptom Check-List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) questionnaire and the HRQoL with the EuroQoL-Five Dimensions and Three Levels (EurQoL-5D-3L) questionnaire. Significant between-group differences were found in the majority of scales in the SCL-90-R questionnaire (p < 0.01) and caregivers also reported a worse HRQoL than non-caregivers (p < 0.05). Several psychological symptoms such as obsession-compulsive (β = 0.47), hostility (β = 0.59), a...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that affects millions of people,... more Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that affects millions of people, and according to the International Diabetes Federation, 46.5% of people have undiagnosed diabetes. One of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus is loss of peripheral sensation. Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is a therapy, and it would be interesting to know if it can be considered as a training method to improve the Vibration Perception Threshold (VPT). The aim of the study is to verify whether there are really acute effects on the VPT after a WBV training session in people with T2DM. Methods: Ninety people with T2DM (56 men and 34 women) were randomly allocated to two groups: the WBV group and the placebo group. The ninety subjects went through a VPT training test before receiving the assigned intervention, and they performed the VPT test using the Vibratron II device. Results: After one session of WBV, an increase of the VPT in the WBV group was found, with respect to the pla...

MYOPAIN, 2015

Abstract Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of adding Ganoderma lucidum (GL) to standard car... more Abstract Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of adding Ganoderma lucidum (GL) to standard care for patients with fibromyalgia (FM), and to examine the costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from this nutritional supplementation. Materials and methods: This was a randomised controlled trial with a random allocation of participants to two groups; experimental group and active-placebo controlled group. A total of 26 women with FM participated in the experimental group. These participants were instructed to take 3 g of micromilled GL twice a day for six weeks. EQ-5D-5L was used to obtain the utilities and a non-parametric bootstrap was used to plot the acceptability curve. Results: Of the women initially recruited, over 81% completed the experimental treatment. The incremental QALY in the GL group was 0.177, and the incremental QALY in the active placebo group was 0.101. Therefore, the difference in terms of QALYs was 0.076 and the incremental cost-utility ratio was €1348.55/QALYs. The cost-utility acceptability curve showed 90% probability that the addition of GL to the standard care as a nutritional supplement is cost-effective. Conclusions: The GL as nutritional supplementation in patients with FM is cost-effective in women with FM. To authors’ knowledge, the current study reports the first cost-utility analysis of GL as a nutritional supplement.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Background and objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by ... more Background and objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. T2DM affects millions of people, and has a lot of complications such as impaired sensation in the feet. Moreover, it is important to know the health of the feet of people with T2DM. The aim of this study is to know the preliminary values of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) in people with T2DM. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 patients with T2DM with an average age of 65.56 years, divided in 54 men and 33 women, participated in this cross-sectional study. The main outcome was the health of the foot as measured by the FHSQ questionnaire. This questionnaire collects data on eight dimensions: Foot Pain, Foot Function, Shoe, General Foot Health, General Health, Physical Activity, Social Capacity, and Vigor. Results: Patients with T2DM have lower values in Foot Pain; median values in General Foot Health and high values in Foot Function, Shoe, Physical Activity and...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by fasting hyperglycemia. It aff... more Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by fasting hyperglycemia. It affects approximately 415 million people worldwide and involves a variety of complications. One of them is the loss of sensitivity to peripheral vibration. Objective: Our study aims to discover the test-retest reliability of a procedure for assessing vibration sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: 90 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (56 men and 34 women) performed the vibration perception threshold (VPT) test using the Vibratron II device. A re-test was completed seven days after the first reading. Results: The relative reliability of the VPT test result is excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96). The same applies to gender and obesity subgroups. Regarding absolute reliability, the standard error of measurement is 8.99%, and the small real difference is 24.94%. Conclusions: The relative and absolute reliability results of the vibration perceptio...

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 2019

Purpose: The study aimed to test whether improvement in fitness components, mediates the changes ... more Purpose: The study aimed to test whether improvement in fitness components, mediates the changes in Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) after exercise intervention in overweight and obese children. Methods and design: 170 obese and overweight children (121 exercise group and 49 control group) participated in a public exercise program based on sports practice for 6 months, 2 h per week. Anthropometry, physical fitness, and HRQoL were measured. Magnitudebased inferences and Cohen's effect size were performed to analyze the program effect. To know which physical fitness components mediated the improvement on children's HRQoL, multiple mediation analyses were performed. Results: the analysis showed a moderate effect on some fitness components and a moderate and small effect on HRQoL. The improvement of agility or cardiorespiratory fitness showed a significant indirect effect on the enhancements in some HRQoL dimensions. Conclusion: after a 6-months exercise program in overweight and obese children, all physical fitness components improved, being responsible for the improvement of the HRQoL, agility and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Quality of Life Research, 2019

Objective To assess the relationship between fitness levels and components, sitting time and heal... more Objective To assess the relationship between fitness levels and components, sitting time and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), over time among community-dwelling older adults. Methods Three different sitting trajectories were calculated: (i) no change; (ii) decrease; and (iii) increase in ST, between baseline and follow-up. Fitness was assessed using the aerobic capacity, upper and lower limb strength, and total fitness. Participants were classified into higher (75th percentile or above) or lower (below 75th percentile) fitness levels, using the fitness tests. HRQoL scores at follow-up were compared to the three different sitting time trajectories within and across both the higher and the lower fitness groups for each of the three fitness indexes. Results Greater HRQoL scores were observed in those participants that decreased their ST as compared with those increasing their sitting time over time for participants classified in the lower end of their aerobic capacity or total fitness index. No differences were detected in HRQoL scores in people classified in the higher fitness level group for any of the fitness indexes. Participants that increased or did not change their sitting time and who were classified in the higher fitness end of aerobic capacity and total fitness index self-reported higher HRQoL scores when compared with those in the lower fitness end. Conclusion Increased sitting time over time is associated with poorer HRQoL in older adults. Higher fitness levels could help attenuate the negative impact of sitting over time.

PubMed, Aug 10, 2013

Objectives: To test the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a web-based multidisciplinary interv... more Objectives: To test the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a web-based multidisciplinary intervention for office workers with subacute, nonspecific low back pain. Methods: The randomized controlled trial included 100 office workers with subacute low back pain. The intervention group had access to both the study intervention and standard care. The control group had access to standard care only. Standard care was defined as all existing non-web-based interventions offered by the University of Extremadura's Preventive Medicine Service. The web-based program was offered via the Preventive Medicine Service website. The participants in the intervention group were asked to engage in the web-based program at their work site for 11 minutes each day, 5 days a week. Primary outcomes were functional disability, as measured by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnarie, and health-related quality of life, as measured by the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-3 Levels. Secondary outcomes were the number of episodes of low back pain and trunk muscles endurance. Outcomes were measured before and after the 9-month intervention period. Results: Over the 9-month study, the score on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire for the participants in the web-based intervention group improved by a mean of -7.36 points (95% confidence interval [CI]:-8.41, -6.31) compared to a worsening of 1.89 points (95% CI: 0.71, 2.65) in the control group. The between-group difference in change on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnarie over the study period was -9.25 points (95% CI:-10.57, -7.89). Similarly, over the compared to the control group. Conclusions: A 9 month web-based intervention is feasible and effective to improve function and health-related quality of life and to decrease episodes of low back pain among office workers with a history of subacute, nonspecific low back pain.

Nutrients

Background: Physical fitness levels and the amount of accumulated adipose tissue (fatness) relate... more Background: Physical fitness levels and the amount of accumulated adipose tissue (fatness) relate to current and future individuals’ heath status. Nevertheless, the interrelationships of their combined patterns with polypharmacy and the types of medications consumed have not been sufficiently investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in six Spanish regions between 2008 and 2009 with a sample of older community-dwelling adults (≥65 years old) without dementia or cancer. Fitness was measured with one-leg balance and senior fitness tests, as well as by measuring weight and fat mass with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more medications. An analysis of variance was performed for comparisons between the physical fitness and fatness patterns and the medication consumed. Results: A total of 1709 elders were included in the study (72.1 ± 5.2 years). The two unfit patterns were those with the highest drug consumption. ...

European Journal of Public Health

Background Fibromyalgia is characterized by stiffness and widespread pain which cause a negative ... more Background Fibromyalgia is characterized by stiffness and widespread pain which cause a negative impact on health-related quality of life and activities of daily living. In this regard, these activities are usually presented as dual-task situations (execution of two tasks simultaneously). Some physical fitness tests have been used under dual-task condition in order to evaluate physical fitness under a more ecological approach. It is hypothesized that physical fitness test could provide more information than physical fitness test under single-task condition. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between 10m walking test performance under both single and dual- task conditions and the fear of falling and the intensity of pain in women with fibromyalgia. Methods A total of 38 women (55.65 [9.28] years-old) participated in the study. Participants performed the 10-m walking test where they have to walk on a 10 meters straight-line as fast as they can. Mor...

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Background Validation of self-reported tools, such as physical activity (PA) questionnaires, is c... more Background Validation of self-reported tools, such as physical activity (PA) questionnaires, is crucial. The aim of this study was to determine test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and the concurrent, construct, and predictive validity of the short semi-quantitative Physical Activity Unit 7 item Screener (PAU-7S), using accelerometry as the reference measurement. The effect of linear calibration on PAU-7S validity was tested. Methods A randomized sample of 321 healthy children aged 8–16 years (149 boys, 172 girls) from the nationwide representative PASOS study completed the PAU-7S before and after wearing an accelerometer for at least 7 consecutive days. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Cronbach alpha was calculated for internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was determined by intra-class correlation (ICC). Concurrent validity was assessed by ICC and Spearman correlation coefficient between moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) derived by the PAU-7S an...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022

The aim of this study was to explore the differences among between adherence to physical activity... more The aim of this study was to explore the differences among between adherence to physical activity (PA) and sociodemographic variables, body composition, and physical fitness levels in older adults (>65 years). A number of 2712 participants (2086 female; 76.92%) ranging from 65 to 92 years, participated in the study. Stages of change (SoC) for PA from the transtheoretical model of change (TTM), together with different sociodemographic variables, physical fitness tests (Senior Fitness Test), and waist and hip circumferences were evaluated. Significant differences were found in age, gender, educational level, current income, physical fitness test, and body composition (all of them, p < 0.05), according to the different SoC. Greater adherence to PA practice (action and maintenance stages) was related to better academic level, higher economic income, the male gender, better results in the physical fitness test, and healthier anthropometrics perimeters. Future research is needed to ...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022

Background: Age-related changes negatively affect physical fitness, body composition, and executi... more Background: Age-related changes negatively affect physical fitness, body composition, and executive function and produce a decrease in regucalcin level expression in blood. The square-stepping exercise (SSE) is a balance and lower-limb strength training programme used to prevent falls and stimulate cognitive function in older adults. This project aims to analyse the effects of SSE on executive function, regucalcin expression, fall prevention, body composition, and physical fitness in people over 65 years old. Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 90 older people over 65 years old will be recruited and randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental (n = 45) and control (n = 45). The experimental group will perform an SSE-based intervention for 6 months (2 times per week), while the control group do not follow any treatment. Results: The main outcome will be balance, but other motor (body mass index, upper- and lower-limb strength, flexibility, and speed-ag...

Additional file 2 Supplementary Table 2. Correlation coefficients and between-method agreement of... more Additional file 2 Supplementary Table 2. Correlation coefficients and between-method agreement of moderate to vigorous physical activity measurements derived by the Physical Activity Unit 7-item screener, noncalibrated and calibrated, and the reference method (accelerometer), stratified by age.

Revista Espanola De Salud Publica, 2018

RESUMEN Fundamentos. Un nivel adecuado de condicion fisica (CF) es fundamental para el logro de u... more RESUMEN Fundamentos. Un nivel adecuado de condicion fisica (CF) es fundamental para el logro de un envejecimiento saludable. El objetivo de este estudio consistio en evaluar el impacto de la actividad fisica (AF) organizada y el numero de horas de practica sobre el nivel de CF de las personas mayores. Metodo. En el estudio participaron 3104 personas mayores de 65 anos de Espana, pertenecientes al Proyecto Multicentrico EXERNET (722 hombres y 2382 mujeres; edad media: 72,1±5,3 anos). La CF se evaluo mediante 8 test especificos para esta poblacion. La participacion en AF organizada se registro mediante un cuestionario. Las diferencias en la CF en funcion de la practica y numero de horas de AF se midieron con ANCOVA ajustando por edad, horas de caminar y de estar sentado. Resultados. Aquellos que no participaban en este tipo de actividad incrementaban su riesgo de tener un nivel bajo de CF en la mayoria de las variables evaluadas, observandose algunas diferencias entre sexos (OR: desde...

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021

The aim of this study is to evaluate if screen time and parents’ education levels are associated ... more The aim of this study is to evaluate if screen time and parents’ education levels are associated with adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern. This cross-sectional study analyzed a representative sample of 3333 children and adolescents (8 to 16 years) included in the Physical Activity, Sedentarism, lifestyles and Obesity in Spanish youth (PASOS) study in Spain (which ran from March 2019 to February 2020). Data on screen time (television, computer, video games, and mobile phone) per day, Mediterranean diet adherence, daily moderate or vigorous physical activity, and parents’ education levels were gathered using questionnaires. A descriptive study of the variables according to sex and parents’ education level was performed. Logistic regression models (adjusted by sex and weight status) were fitted to evaluate the independent association between screen time and Kids’ level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED) index, as well as some of its items. A greater amount of scre...

Physiology & Behavior, 2021

Objective: To analyze the psychophysiological response during takeoff, landing, air-air attack an... more Objective: To analyze the psychophysiological response during takeoff, landing, air-air attack and air-ground attack maneuvers. Methods: A total of 11 expert pilots (age=33.36 (5.37)) from the Spanish Air Force participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants had to complete in a flight simulator the following missions: 1) takeoff; 2) Air-air attack; 3) Air-Ground attack, and 4) Landing. The electroencephalographic activity (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) were collected during all these maneuvers. Results: Significant higher values of theta (during takeoff, air-air attack and air-ground attack) EEG power spectrum were obtained when compared to baseline. Significant difference in the P3 scalp location was observed between landing and takeoff maneuvers in the beta EEG power spectrum. Furthermore, significant lower values of HRV were obtained during takeoff, landing, air-air attack and air-ground attack when compared to baseline values. Also, landing showed a higher sympathetic response when compared to takeoff maneuver. Conclusion: Takeoff, landing, air-air attack or air-ground attack maneuvers performed in a flight simulator produced significant changes in the electroencephalographic activity and autonomic modulation of professional pilots. Beta EEG power spectrum modifications suggest that landing maneuvers induced more attentional resources than takeoff. In the same line, a reduced HRV during landing was obtained when compared to takeoff. These results should be considered to training purposes.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2020

Background: Exergame-induced changes in the volume of brain gray matter have not been studied in ... more Background: Exergame-induced changes in the volume of brain gray matter have not been studied in fibromyalgia (FM). This study evaluates the effects of a 24-week exergame-based intervention on the gray matter volume of different brain structures in patients with FM through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A total of 25 FM patients completed 24 weeks of intervention program, and another 25 FM patients did not receive any intervention. T1-weighted MRI was used to assess brain volume, and FreeSurfer software was used to segment the brain regions. Results: No significant effects on gray matter volume of different structures and total gray matter were found. Conclusions: FM patients did not show significant changes in gray matter brain volume between the control and experimental groups after 24 weeks. FM patients showed significant relationships between peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) and the left and right regions of the hippocampus and the left and right regions of the amygdala.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire populations were instructed to live in home-confinement to p... more During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire populations were instructed to live in home-confinement to prevent the expansion of the disease. Spain was one of the countries with the strictest conditions, as outdoor physical activity was banned for nearly two months. This study aimed to analyse the changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Spanish university students before and during the confinement by COVID-19 with special focus on gender. We also analysed enjoyment, the tools used and motivation and impediments for doing physical activity. An online questionnaire, which included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and certain “ad hoc” questions, was designed. Students were recruited by distributing an invitation through the administrative channels of 16 universities and a total of 13,754 valid surveys were collected. Overall, university students reduced moderate (−29.5%) and vigorous (−18.3%) physical activity during the confinement and increased se...

BackgroundWe aimed to examine main changes in health behaviors, mental and physical health among ... more BackgroundWe aimed to examine main changes in health behaviors, mental and physical health among older adults under severe lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19.MethodsWe used prospective data from 3041 participants in four cohorts of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years in Spain. Data were obtained using validated questionnaires through a pre-pandemic face-to-face interview and a telephone interview conducted between weeks 7 to 15 after the beginning the COVID-19 lockdown. Lineal or multinomial, as appropriate, regression models with adjustment for the main confounders were used to assess changes in the outcome variables from the pre-pandemic to the confinement period, and to identify their associated factors.ResultsOn average, the confinement was not associated with a deterioration in lifestyle risk factors (smoking, alcohol intake, diet or weight), except for a decreased physical activity and increased sedentary time, which reversed with the end of confinement. Howev...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Informal caregivers of persons with dementia often report high levels of anxiety, depression and ... more Informal caregivers of persons with dementia often report high levels of anxiety, depression and burden. Nonetheless, other less evaluated psychological symptoms might also influence their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to comprehensively analyse other psychological symptoms and their influence on the health-related quality of life of informal caregivers. Fifty-four informal women caregivers and fifty-six women non-caregivers were recruited to participate in the study. Psychological symptoms were assessed using the Symptom Check-List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) questionnaire and the HRQoL with the EuroQoL-Five Dimensions and Three Levels (EurQoL-5D-3L) questionnaire. Significant between-group differences were found in the majority of scales in the SCL-90-R questionnaire (p < 0.01) and caregivers also reported a worse HRQoL than non-caregivers (p < 0.05). Several psychological symptoms such as obsession-compulsive (β = 0.47), hostility (β = 0.59), a...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that affects millions of people,... more Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that affects millions of people, and according to the International Diabetes Federation, 46.5% of people have undiagnosed diabetes. One of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus is loss of peripheral sensation. Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is a therapy, and it would be interesting to know if it can be considered as a training method to improve the Vibration Perception Threshold (VPT). The aim of the study is to verify whether there are really acute effects on the VPT after a WBV training session in people with T2DM. Methods: Ninety people with T2DM (56 men and 34 women) were randomly allocated to two groups: the WBV group and the placebo group. The ninety subjects went through a VPT training test before receiving the assigned intervention, and they performed the VPT test using the Vibratron II device. Results: After one session of WBV, an increase of the VPT in the WBV group was found, with respect to the pla...

MYOPAIN, 2015

Abstract Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of adding Ganoderma lucidum (GL) to standard car... more Abstract Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of adding Ganoderma lucidum (GL) to standard care for patients with fibromyalgia (FM), and to examine the costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from this nutritional supplementation. Materials and methods: This was a randomised controlled trial with a random allocation of participants to two groups; experimental group and active-placebo controlled group. A total of 26 women with FM participated in the experimental group. These participants were instructed to take 3 g of micromilled GL twice a day for six weeks. EQ-5D-5L was used to obtain the utilities and a non-parametric bootstrap was used to plot the acceptability curve. Results: Of the women initially recruited, over 81% completed the experimental treatment. The incremental QALY in the GL group was 0.177, and the incremental QALY in the active placebo group was 0.101. Therefore, the difference in terms of QALYs was 0.076 and the incremental cost-utility ratio was €1348.55/QALYs. The cost-utility acceptability curve showed 90% probability that the addition of GL to the standard care as a nutritional supplement is cost-effective. Conclusions: The GL as nutritional supplementation in patients with FM is cost-effective in women with FM. To authors’ knowledge, the current study reports the first cost-utility analysis of GL as a nutritional supplement.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Background and objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by ... more Background and objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. T2DM affects millions of people, and has a lot of complications such as impaired sensation in the feet. Moreover, it is important to know the health of the feet of people with T2DM. The aim of this study is to know the preliminary values of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) in people with T2DM. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 patients with T2DM with an average age of 65.56 years, divided in 54 men and 33 women, participated in this cross-sectional study. The main outcome was the health of the foot as measured by the FHSQ questionnaire. This questionnaire collects data on eight dimensions: Foot Pain, Foot Function, Shoe, General Foot Health, General Health, Physical Activity, Social Capacity, and Vigor. Results: Patients with T2DM have lower values in Foot Pain; median values in General Foot Health and high values in Foot Function, Shoe, Physical Activity and...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by fasting hyperglycemia. It aff... more Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by fasting hyperglycemia. It affects approximately 415 million people worldwide and involves a variety of complications. One of them is the loss of sensitivity to peripheral vibration. Objective: Our study aims to discover the test-retest reliability of a procedure for assessing vibration sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: 90 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (56 men and 34 women) performed the vibration perception threshold (VPT) test using the Vibratron II device. A re-test was completed seven days after the first reading. Results: The relative reliability of the VPT test result is excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96). The same applies to gender and obesity subgroups. Regarding absolute reliability, the standard error of measurement is 8.99%, and the small real difference is 24.94%. Conclusions: The relative and absolute reliability results of the vibration perceptio...

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 2019

Purpose: The study aimed to test whether improvement in fitness components, mediates the changes ... more Purpose: The study aimed to test whether improvement in fitness components, mediates the changes in Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) after exercise intervention in overweight and obese children. Methods and design: 170 obese and overweight children (121 exercise group and 49 control group) participated in a public exercise program based on sports practice for 6 months, 2 h per week. Anthropometry, physical fitness, and HRQoL were measured. Magnitudebased inferences and Cohen's effect size were performed to analyze the program effect. To know which physical fitness components mediated the improvement on children's HRQoL, multiple mediation analyses were performed. Results: the analysis showed a moderate effect on some fitness components and a moderate and small effect on HRQoL. The improvement of agility or cardiorespiratory fitness showed a significant indirect effect on the enhancements in some HRQoL dimensions. Conclusion: after a 6-months exercise program in overweight and obese children, all physical fitness components improved, being responsible for the improvement of the HRQoL, agility and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Quality of Life Research, 2019

Objective To assess the relationship between fitness levels and components, sitting time and heal... more Objective To assess the relationship between fitness levels and components, sitting time and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), over time among community-dwelling older adults. Methods Three different sitting trajectories were calculated: (i) no change; (ii) decrease; and (iii) increase in ST, between baseline and follow-up. Fitness was assessed using the aerobic capacity, upper and lower limb strength, and total fitness. Participants were classified into higher (75th percentile or above) or lower (below 75th percentile) fitness levels, using the fitness tests. HRQoL scores at follow-up were compared to the three different sitting time trajectories within and across both the higher and the lower fitness groups for each of the three fitness indexes. Results Greater HRQoL scores were observed in those participants that decreased their ST as compared with those increasing their sitting time over time for participants classified in the lower end of their aerobic capacity or total fitness index. No differences were detected in HRQoL scores in people classified in the higher fitness level group for any of the fitness indexes. Participants that increased or did not change their sitting time and who were classified in the higher fitness end of aerobic capacity and total fitness index self-reported higher HRQoL scores when compared with those in the lower fitness end. Conclusion Increased sitting time over time is associated with poorer HRQoL in older adults. Higher fitness levels could help attenuate the negative impact of sitting over time.