The aim of this paper is to make a descriptive analysis of Problematic Internet Use in college students, evaluating the possible association with health problems and addictive behaviors, as well as gender differences in user types. A total of 2,780 students participated in the study between 2011 and 2014, 29% of them being males (age 20.8 ± 5.1 years) and 71% females (age 20.3 ± 4.4 years). The prevalence of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) assessed by the Internet Addiction Test was 6.08%. Being under 21 years of age and studying for degrees in subjects other than the health sciences were associated factors with a higher frequency of this problem, no differences by gender or type of address were found. The results show a significant association with some health problems (migraines, back pain, excess weight or obesity, insufficient rest), psychological aspects (risk of eating disorders, risk of mental disorder, depression), family problems and discrimination; with no associations with substance use (alcohol, cannabis or tobacco) being found. Concerning the time of Internet use, weekly hours were significantly higher in women than in men, both the total time as for leisure. The analysis of the profile use in problematic users revealed that males are related to aspects of entertainment such as games or shopping online and females are related to aspects of socialization, such as chats and social networks. Uso problemático de internet en estudiantes universitarios: factores asociados y diferencias de géneroProblematic Internet Use in University Students: associated factors and differences of gender Tania Fernández-Villa*, Juan Alguacil Ojeda**,***, Ana Almaraz Gómez****, José María Cancela Carral*****, Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez**,******, Miguel García-Martín*******, Eladio Jiménez-Mejías*******, Javier Llorca**,********, Antonio José Molina*,*********, Rocío Ortíz Moncada**********, Luiz Félix Valero-Juan***********, Vicente Martín*,**,********* *Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas. Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. Universidad de León; **Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP); ***Centro de Investigación en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CYSMA). Universidad de Huelva; ****Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Valladolid; *****Grupo de Investigación Healthy Fit. Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación y el Deporte. Universidad de Vigo; ******Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. Universidad de Jaén; *******Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. Universidad de Granada; ********Universidad de Cantabria -IDIVAL; *********Grupo de Investigación de Interacción Gen-Ambiente-Salud (GIIGAS). Universidad de León; **********Grupo de Investigación Alimentación y Nutrición, Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. Universidad de Alicante.; ***********Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. Universidad de Salamanca.

This study aimed at comparing the effects of three chair-based exercise programs on people older than 80 years. Thirty-six participants (87.91 ± 4.70 years) were randomly allocated to an aerobic, muscular resistance, or joint mobility exercise program. The participants exercised 3 days per week during 3 months. A hand-held dynamometer, the Tinetti Gait Balance, the Barthel Index, and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) (assessed by means of the Wiva science sensor) were used to evaluate the effects of the programs on the participants' strength, balance, functional independence, and functional mobility, respectively. After the intervention, it was observed that only the elastic-band program resulted in significant improvements in strength and balance. These results imply that when choosing a low-cost exercise program for very old people, the use of elastic bands stands as a far better option than pedaling on a pedal exerciser or performing mobility exercises.

Background: Many studies have sought to assess the effects of physical exercise on older people, but there is little scientific evidence concerning its effects on subjects’ quality of life and cognitive function. Besides, there is a need to know how well the elderly can tolerate combined exercise programs of great intensity and frequency, without risking their health. Objectives: To determine whether older people are able to do a high-intensity combined program of physical exercise, and to analyze its effects at a conditional, cognitive and functional level as well as on their quality of life. Methods: Sixty-two community-dwelling women older than 65 took part in a randomized trial, with subjects assigned to a combined program of aquatic exercise plus high-intensity strength training (group 1), or plus calisthenic training (group 2). Group 2 training consisted of several aerobic, mobility and flexibility exercises; group 1 training consisted of 7 exercises targeting the major muscle groups of the body, performed on exercise machines at an intensity of 75% of 1 repetition maximum. Both groups trained 5 days a week during 5 months. Quality of life, cognitive function, and functional level were assessed by means of validated questionnaires. Conditional evaluations included static and dynamic strength, balance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. Results: No participant withdrew for adverse effects during the program or at the end. Both groups obtained a significant improvement in their quality of life and cognitive function, as well as in their balance and flexibility level, whereas only group 1 improved their static and dynamic strength significantly. Conclusion: Older women can take part in high-frequency, high-intensity training programs with no risk to their health while experiencing improvements to their quality of life, cognitive function, degree of independence and physical fitness.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a physical exercise program based on Mat Pilates (MP) with TheraBand on the dynamic balance of a sample population diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). After random selection, 26 participants were allocated to a MP group or a control group where they performed calisthenics exercises. Both interventions lasted 12 weeks and involved 2 weekly sessions of 60 minutes. Assessments took place at baseline, 12 weeks after the intervention started and 4 weeks after the intervention was completed using the body mass index (BMI), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test with Wiva sensors, the 30 Second Chair Stand test, and the Five Times Sit to Stand test. The group that completed the MP program presented significant improvements in BMI (F = 3.986; p = 0.038), the 30 Second Chair Stand test (F = 6.716; p = 0.014), the Five Times Sit to Stand test (F = 5.213; p = 0.032), and the time required to complete the TUG dynamic balance test (F = 5.035; p = 0.035). The MP program performed by a sample population with PD led to improvements in dynamic balance, and participants in the MP group showed increased strength in the lower limbs, but such improvements were not permanent after the activity ceased.

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Life expectancy has increased in recent years. Physical activity has been postulated as a key element in active aging strategies. However, adherence to physical exercise programs has traditionally been low among the elderly, and the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has added extra impediments. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) devices could motivate this population to practice exercise. This study aimed to analyse the use of IVR exergames as a tool to facilitate physical exercise in older people. Four healthy older adults (males, 65–77 years) participated in the study. They carried out two exergaming sessions with HTC Vive ProTM. Outcomes were evaluated using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), System Usability Scale (SUS), Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ post-game module), an ad hoc satisfaction questionnaire, and perceived effort. All participants completed the sessions without adverse effects, with no SSQ symptoms reported. SUS scores were high in both sessions (SUS > 85/100). Post-game GEQ scores were 3.08–3.41/4 (positive experiences) and 0.08–0.16/4 (negative experiences). Opinions showed high levels of satisfaction with the experience. Exergaming programs, based on commercial head-mounted displays, are a feasible alternative to traditional senior exercise, and could be a solution to the current situation that has arisen from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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