Introducción: El envejecimiento se acompaña de factores de riesgo cuya reducción mejora la supervivencia. La actividad física incide sobre ellos, lo que realza su papel preventivo y su valor como tratamiento no-farmacológico. Dada la escasez de programas de entrenamiento específicos para ancianos pluripatológicos, sobre todo durante el periodo de inicio de resolución de la actividad clínica de una enfermedad aguda, o de la exacerbación de una o varias de las enfermedades crónicas, el presente estudio piloto analiza la viabilidad y efectos de un programa corto de entrenamiento neuromotor en estos pacientes ingresados en UHD (Unidad de Hospitalización Domiciliaria). Método: 11 ancianos pluripatológicos (82,2±6,9 años, 8 hombres) completaron 4 semanas de entrenamiento funcional con orientación neuromuscular y cognitiva, con evaluación pre-post sobre capacidad funcional (equilibrio, marcha, fuerza de tren inferior y agilidad), composición corporal y calidad de vida -6 semanas, incluida la evaluación-. Se realizaron dos sesiones domiciliarias supervisadas y una tercera autónoma semanalmente. Resultados: Los ancianos mejoraron en equilibrio y marcha (Tinetti-total: 14,0±9,0 vs 17,9±7,3 puntos; p =0,007), fuerza (test sentarse y levantarse 30-s: 3,0±3,7 vs 4,1±4,1 reps.; p =0,034), agilidad (TUG-test categorizado; p =0,001) y peso (82,2±14,0 vs 79,2±13,9 kg; p =0,036), aunque no en calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (SF-36-v2: 32,9±7,8 vs 31,2±7,7 puntos; p =0,722). La presencia del técnico aumentó el cumplimiento un 20%. Conclusiones: El dinamismo de UHD es idóneo para implantar programas de actividad física especializada que frenen los efectos devastadores del binomio envejecimiento-inactividad. Una corta duración no les resta eficacia.   Introduction: Aging is linked to a various risk factors whose reduction improves survival. Physical activity affects many of them, what enhances its preventive role and its value as a non-pharmacological treatment. Given the scarcity of specific training programs for elderly people with multiple pathologies, especially during the start period of resolution of the clinical activity of an acute disease, or the exacerbation of one or several of the chronic diseases, the present pilot study aims to analyze the feasibility and effects of a short neuromotor training program in these patients admitted to UHD (Home Hospitalization Unit). Methods: 11 elderly patients (82.2±6.9 years, 8 men; acute phase of disease) completed 4 weeks of a neuromuscular and cognitive orientated functional training program, with pre-post assessment of functional capacity (i.e. balance, gait speed, lower limb strength and agility), body composition and quality of life -6 weeks, including the evaluation-. There were 2 supervised sessions and a third autonomous session every week. Results: Significant improvements were found in balance and gait (Tinetti-total: 14.0±9.0 vs 17.9±7.3 points; p =0.007), strength (30-seconds Chair Stand Test: 3.0±3; p =0.001), agility (TUG-test categorized; p =0.001) and weight (82.2±14.0 vs. 79.2±13.9 kg; p =0.036), but not in health-related quality of life (SF-36-v2: 32.9±7.8 vs 31.2±7.7 points; p =0.722). The technician’s presence increased adherence to the program by 20%. Conclusions: The dynamism of UHD is ideal for implementing specialized physical activity programs that counteract the devastating effects of the binomial aging-inactivity. A short duration does not reduce effectiveness.

Running retraining programs focused on concurrent feedback of acceleration impacts have been demonstrated to be a good strategy to reduce running-related injuries (RRI), as well as to improve running economy and reduce acceleration impacts and injury running incidence. Traditionally, impacts have been registered by mean of accelerometers attached directly to the athletes, which is inaccessible to the entire population, because it requires laboratory conditions. This study investigated the validity and reliability of a new device integrated directly into the treadmill, compared to a traditional acceleration impact system. Thirty healthy athletes with no history of RRI were tested on two separate days over the instrumented treadmill (AccTrea) and simultaneously with an acceleration impact system attached to the participant (AccAthl). AccTrea was demonstrated to be a valid and reliable tool for measuring spatio-temporal parameters like step length (validity intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.94; reliability ICC = 0.92), step time (validity ICC = 0.95; reliability ICC = 0.96), and step frequency (validity ICC = 0.95; reliability ICC = 0.96) during running. Peak acceleration impact variables showed a high reliability for the left (reliability ICC = 0.88) and right leg (reliability ICC = 0.85), and peak impact asymmetry showed a modest validity (ICC = 0.55). These results indicated that the AccTrea system is a valid and reliable way to assess spatio-temporal variables, and a reliable tool for measuring acceleration impacts during running.

Compression garments are becoming increasingly popular among sportspeople who wish to improve performance and reduce their exercise discomfort and risk of injury. However, evidence for such effects is scarce. This paper presents the evidence following a review of the literature evaluating the effects of the application of compression garments on sports performance and recovery after exercise. The literature reviewed was the result of a search on the Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus electronic databases for studies which analysed the effect of compression garments on physiological, psychological, and biomechanical parameters during and after exercise. These search criteria were met by 40 studies. Most studies do not demonstrate any beneficial effect on performance, immediate recovery, or delay in the appearance of muscle pain. They do, however, show a positive trend towards a beneficial effect during recovery: the subsequent performance improved in five of the eight studies where it was measured, and the perception of muscle damage was reduced in five of six studies. In summary, the use of compression garments during recovery from exercise appears to be beneficial, although the factors explaining this efficacy have yet to be established. No adverse effects of the use of compression garments have been demonstrated.