IntroductionDespite the progress in the management of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, it is necessary to continue exploring and explaining how this situation affected the athlete population around the world to improve their circumstances and reduce the negative impact of changes in their lifestyle conditions that were necessitated due to the pandemic. The aim of this study was to analyze the moderating influence of physical activity (PA) and dietary habits on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic experience on sleep quality in elite and amateur athletes.Materials and methodsA total of 1,420 elite (40.1%) and amateur (59.9%) athletes (41% women; 59% men) from 14 different countries participated in a cross-sectional design study. Data were collected using a battery of questionnaires that identified sociodemographic data, sleep quality index, PA levels, dietary habits, and the athletes' perception of their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Means and standard deviations were calculated for each variable. The analysis of variances and the correlation between variables were carried out with non-parametric statistics. A simple moderation effect was calculated to analyze the interaction between PA or dietary habits on the perception of the COVID-19 experience effect on sleep quality in elite and amateur athletes.ResultsThe PA level of elite athletes was higher than amateur athletes during COVID-19 (p < 0.001). However, the PA level of both categories of athletes was lower during COVID-19 than pre-COVID-19 (p < 0.01). In addition, amateurs had a higher diet quality than elite athletes during the pandemic (p = 0.014). The perception of the COVID-19 experience as controllable was significantly higher (p = 0.020) among elite athletes. In addition, two moderating effects had significant interactions. For amateur athletes, the PA level moderated the effect of controllable COVID-19 experience on sleep quality [F(3,777) = 3.05; p = 0.028], while for elite athletes, the same effect was moderated by dietary habits [F(3,506) = 4.47, p = 0.004].ConclusionElite athletes had different lifestyle behaviors compared to amateurs during the COVID-19 lockdown. Furthermore, the relevance of maintaining high levels of PA for amateurs and good quality dietary habits by elite athletes was noted by the moderating effect that both variables had on the influence of the controllable experience during the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep quality.

Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) is one of the pedagogical models used for increasing health through physical education (PE), being associated with several psychological benefits. However, only few studies have studied the effect of TGfU on physical fitness. This study aims at assessing the changes in students’ physical fitness after a six-month TGfU-based program with primary school children. A total of eight schools from the state of Sonora (Mexico) were randomly distributed into experimental (EG) and control group (CG). The final sample consisted of 188 pupils (100 boys, 88 girls; age = 10.22 ± 0.76 years) from the 5th and 6th grade. Employing a quasi-experimental design, physical fitness was assessed by means of the Eurofit test battery. At post-test, EG obtained significantly higher scores than CG in flexibility, abdominals, speed (p < 0.001), handgrip (p = 0.002), low-limb power (p = 0.032), and cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.048). Our findings suggest that TGfU can be a valid alternative to traditional methodologies not only when the aim of a PE unit is to stimulate the cognitive domain, but also for the development of physical fitness attributes that may help pupils develop in a comprehensive manner.

La pandemia por COVID-19 tuvo gran impacto sobre la salud mental de la población universitaria, por lo que gestionar alternativas para adaptarse resulta fundamental. Objetivo. El propósito del estudio fue analizar el efecto moderador de la actividad física (AF) sobre los niveles de ansiedad generados por las vivencias durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en estudiantes universitarios. Método. Se realizó un estudio transversal, correlacional-explicativo en estudiantes universitarios (n = 922; 36.66% hombres y 63.34% mujeres; 19.97 ±2.92 años). Se aplicó un cuestionario ad hoc para medir el miedo al COVID-19, así como el CUXOS-D para los niveles de ansiedad y el IPAQ-s para evaluar la AF. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, inferenciales y de moderación, además del factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio para el CUXOS-D. Resultados. Se observa la influencia del miedo al COVID-19 sobre los niveles de ansiedad cognitiva, la cual es moderada por los niveles de AF alta (F [3,918] = 21.58; p < .001). Asimismo, se observa que las mujeres perciben mayor ansiedad y realizan menor AF que los hombres. El análisis factorial del CUXOS-D fue satisfactorio. Conclusión. La AF puede tener efectos positivos que moderen el impacto generado por el COVID-19 sobre la ansiedad en la comunidad universitaria. Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on the mental health of the university population, so managing alternatives to adapt is essential. Objective. The purpose of the study was to analyze the moderating effect of physical activity (PA) on the anxiety levels generated by the experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in university students. Method. A cross-sectional, correlational-explanatory study was carried out in university students (n = 922; 36.66% men and 63.34% women; 19.97 ± 2.92 years). An ad hoc questionnaire was applied to measure fear to COVID-19, as well as the CUXOS-D for anxiety levels and the IPAQ-s to assess PA. Descriptive, inferential and moderation analyzes were performed, in addition to the exploratory and confirmatory factorial for the CUXOS-D. Results. The influence of fear to COVID-19 on cognitive anxiety levels is observed, which is moderated by high PA levels (F [3,918] = 21.58; p <.001). Likewise, it is observed that women perceive greater anxiety and perform less PA than men. The factor analysis of the CUXOS-D was satisfactory. Conclusion. Physical activity can have positive effects that moderate the impact generated by COVID-19 over anxiety in the university community.

Purpose: To assess heart rate (HR) variability responses to various markers of training load, quantify associations between HR variability and fitness, and compare responses and associations between 1-minute ultrashort and 5-minute criterion measures among a girls’ field hockey team. Methods: A total of 11 players (16.8 [1.1] y) recorded the logarithm of the root mean square of successive differences (LnRMSSD) daily throughout a 4-week training camp. The weekly mean (LnRMSSDM) and coefficient of variation (LnRMSSDCV) were analyzed. The internal training load (ITL) and external training load (ETL) were acquired with session HR and accelerometry, respectively. Speed, agility, repeated sprint ability, and intermittent fitness were assessed precamp and postcamp. Results: Similar increases in the ultrashort and criterion LnRMSSDM were observed in week 3 versus week 1 (P < .05–.06, effect size [ES] = 0.28 to 0.36). The ultrashort and criterion LnRMSSDCV showed small ES reductions in week 2 (ES = −0.40 to −0.50), moderate reductions in week 3 (ES = −0.61 to −0.72), and small reductions in week 4 (ES = −0.42 to −0.51) versus week 1 (P > .05). Strong agreement was observed between the ultrashort and criterion values (intraclass correlation coefficient = .979). The ITL:ETL ratio peaked in week 1 (P < .05 vs weeks 2–4), displaying a weekly pattern similar to LnRMSSDCV, and inversely similar to LnRMSSDM. Changes in the ultrashort and criterion LnRMSSDCV from week 1 to 4 were associated with ITL (P < .01). The ultrashort and criterion LnRMSSDCV in week 4 were associated (P < .05) with postcamp fitness. Conclusions: The ultrashort HR variability parameters paralleled the criterion responses, and the associations with ITL and fitness were similar in magnitude.

Mantener un balance adecuado entre las demandas físicas y psicosociales de estrés a las que un atleta es sometido, con la capacidad y los recursos de recuperación con que éste cuenta es un objetivo primordial en la planificación del entrenamiento deportivo; por lo que dar seguimiento al balance de estrés-recuperación resulta fundamental para alcanzar los objetivos de rendimiento deportivo establecidos por los deportistas y entrenadores. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el comportamiento psicológico del balance de estrés-recuperación en voleibolistas universitarios durante el periodo de preparación física para la Universiada Nacional de México 2015. Fueron evaluados 12 voleibolistas (edad 20.75 ±1.94; años de experiencia 9.5 ±3.76) con experiencia nacional e internacional. Se utilizó la versión española del RESTQ-Sport en tres diferentes momentos. Se obtuvieron las medias y se realizó un análisis de comparación de medias a través de la prueba no paramétrica de Friedman y pruebas post-hoc de rangos con signo de Wilcoxon de las dimensiones y escalas del RESTQ-Sport. Los resultados reflejan diferencias significativas (p < .05) en la escala de “estrés general” entre la toma dos y la inicial. Los niveles de la dimensión de estrés general del RESTQ-Sport presentan un incremento en la toma dos con respecto a la inicial y asimismo una disminución en los niveles de recuperación en el deporte entre esas mismas tomas. De acuerdo con los resultados es importante monitorizar el balance estrés-recuperación en este grupo de jugadores de voleibol para prevenir un balance negativo y detectar posibles síntomas de sobreentrenamiento.Abstract. Maintaining an appropriate balance between athletes’ physical and psychosocial demands of stress by using their ability and recovery resources is a major objective in sports training planning; therefore, monitoring recovery-stress balance is essential in order to achieve performance objectives established by athletes and coaches. The aim of the present study was to analyze recovery-stress balance psychological response in university volleyball players during their physical preparation period for the 2015 Mexican National University Olympics. 12 volleyball players (age = 20.75 ±1.94; years of experience = 9.5 ±3.76) with national and international experience were evaluated. The Spanish version of RESTQ-Sport was applied in three different moments. Mean scores and comparisons analyses of RESTQ-Sport dimensions and scales were calculated using nonparametric Friedman and post-hoc Wilcoxon tests. Results showed significant differences in “general stress” scale between second and initial test (p < .05). Outcomes for “Levels of general stress” dimension indicated an increase in the second test compared to the initial test. Furthermore, a decrease of sport recovery levels from initial to second test was evidenced. Based on our results, we suggest that monitoring recovery-stress balance in this group of volleyball players is key to prevent a negative balance and to identify early symptoms of overtraining syndrome.

Queremos agradecer a los entrenadores del equipo de triatlón de la Comisión del Deporte del Estado de Sonora por permitirnos llevar a cabo este estudio. We want to thank Mexico´s Sonora State Sports Commission´s triathlon team coaches for allowing us to carry out this work.

The purpose of this study was to analyze cellular immune components and their association with heart rate variability in triathlon athletes. Twelve athletes were included (age 36.41 ± 5.57 years, body mass 81.84 ± 10.97 kg) and blood samples were taken one week before, immediately, at 2 and 48 hours, and one week after competition. Total lymphocytes and their subpopulations, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils and monocytes were analyzed. At the same time, heart rate variability was recorded for 30 minutes using Polar Team2®. A significant difference between lymphocyte subpopulations and heart rate variability was found in the different study periods. A positive correlation was found between total lymphocytes and rMSSD (r = .736, p <0.05), CD3+ and rMSSD (r = .785, p <0.05), and CD4+ and rMSSD (r = .795, p < 0.05) at the end of the competition. After one week of competition, a negative correlation was found between eosinophils and MRR, SDNN, pNN50, and rMSSD (p <0.01); and basophils and MRR, SDNN, pNN50, and rMSSD (p <0.01); while a positive correlation was found between CD19+ (B cells) and pNN50 (r = .678, p <0.05). Our results suggest that it is possible to predict the effect of training with regard to the athlete's performance.

Este proyecto fue financiado por PRODEP DSA/103.15/15/6797. Los autores agradecen al entrenador y los atletas por su apoyo para llevar a cabo la investigación.