Movimiento Humano y Salud

1-11

Authors: Braulio Sánchez-Ureña; Felipe Araya-Ramírez; Luis Blanco-Romero;Carmen Crespo-Coco

Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of professional soccer players per playing position have been studied extensively in order to determine their relevance in competitions. However, comparing methods to assess body composition is uncommon for Costa Rican soccer players. Purpose: compare body composition using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and the skinfold method in Costa Rican professional soccer players. Methods: 106 Costa Rican professional soccer players, 24.53 ± 4.77 years of age, participated in the study. Results: On average body fat was 13.34 ± 4.1 %, fat free mass 62.1±5.5 kg and bone mineral content 3.6 ± 0.4 g/cm2 using DEXA, while body fat recorded using the skindfold method was 12.58 ± 3.0 %. When comparing body fat using both methods significant differences were recorded(p=0.005). In addition, there were differences on fat free mass by extremity in the upper right component (p=0.001) and lower (p=0.037) extremities. Fat free mass per playing position showed differences in the arms (p<0.05). There was a strong positive correlation(r=0.75, p < 0.001) between body fat obtained using DEXA and the skinfold methods. Conclusion: When comparing fat percentages using both methods significant differences were recorded. Body fat measured with both methods was very similar; consequently, both techniques may be used in this population.

25-36

Authors: Guillermo Felipe López Sánchez;MD Dilsad Ahmed;Francisco José Borrego Balsalobre; Laura López Sánchez1 Arturo Díaz Suárez

The level of physical activity of people is a very important issue internationally. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the level of habitual physical activity in 8-9 years old schoolchildren from Spain and India. With this purpose, it was administered the questionnaire PACE (Physician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise) in a sample of 85 schoolchildren (44 from Spain and 41 from India). The results showed that the sample studied does not do enough physical activity, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, as they do at least 60 minutes of physical activity; only an average of 3.13 days/week (SD=1.91). 8-year-old schoolchildren do more physical activity than 9-year-old schoolchildren in both countries; boys do more physical activity than girls in both countries; schoolchildren from India do more physical activity than schoolchildren from Spain. Therefore, it is concluded that the level of physical activity is insufficient, decreases slightly with the age and is higher in India.