Movimiento Humano y Salud

8

Authors: Delgado Acosta Henry; Acuña Corrales Ernesto

The objective of this study was to determinate the effect of an aerobic exercise program and a weight circuit program on the quality of life, dyspnea and cardiorespiratory resistance in subjects with Chronic Pulmonary Disease (CPD). Methodology: the rehabilitation program was conducted for eight weeks, including a pre-test and a post-test, one on-site supervised session per week and two home sessions with direct telephone communication. Instruments: the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire was used to measure quality of life, the Borg Scale to measure dyspnea, and the Six Minute Walk Test to measure cardiorespiratory resistance. Subjects: 38 patients previously diagnosed with CPD, 18 men and 20 women; 27 subjects with an obstructive pathology and 11 with a restrictive pathology, with an average age of 69.8 ± 9.34 years. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: one did aerobic exercises (22 subjects) and the other one did aerobic exercises and resistance training (16 subjects). Statistical Analysis: Four-Way ANOVA (2x2x2x2) for the variables sex, treatment, and pathology. Results: significant differences were found between measurements of the following variables: dyspnea (pre-test: 7.18 ± 0.69 points and post-test: 4.89 ± 0.68 points) (F = 228.770; p <0.05), quality of life (pre test: 59.68 ± 7.50 points and post-test 81.75 ± 7.33 points ) (F = 228.770; p < 0.05), cardiorespiratory resistance (pre-test 384.95 ± 51.02 mts. and post-test 432 ± 37.41 mts.) (F: 59.9; p<0.01). However, no differences were found in sex, activity program or disease (p>0.05), or any interaction between variables p>0.05). Conclusion: aerobic and anaerobic exercises improve the degree of dyspnea, the quality of life, and the cardiorespiratory resistance in CPD patients.

11

Authors: María Morera-Castro

The purpose of this article is to offer the design and infrastructure parameters necessary to have safe playgrounds since they represent a unique opportunity to foster an integral development, particularly in children. In these public places, children learn to resolve conflicts to continue playing, having fun, and developing. These recreational areas then become learning places that foster the formation process and provide great social, emotional, physical, cognitive, intellectual, and spiritual benefits. However, such benefits are diminished by the lack of interest of the communities and the adult population to optimize playground conditions and by unscrupulous developers, who design playgrounds in inappropriate places putting the population at risk. Therefore, the following must be taken seriously into consideration before, during, and after the construction of a playground: design, construction, materials, equipment, components and the procedures to meet the necessary safety requirements and the objective for which they were created, that being an area designed, equipped, and located exclusively for playing that facilitates the integral development of the population. Consequently, it is urgent for Costa Rica to enact clear regulations that guarantee the construction, design, and use of playgrounds that do not put the population’s health at risk, prevent accidents, and guarantee the inalienable rights of each Costa Rican.

20

Authors: María Morera Castro y Lic. Ariana Serrano Madrigal

Obstacle courses are an activity that brings a group of people together, in which teams are organized to navigate an established route during a set period of time, completing tasks (clues, riddles, or challenges) to meet a defined goal. Rules and safety norms are explained to all participants; however, they are not informed of the location of the clues, riddles, or challenges. The following should be considered when organizing an obstacle course: objective, topic to be developed, location, materials needed, clues, riddles or challenges that may be included, and how to supervise that all teams pass the checkpoints. Like any other activity with a touch of competitiveness, fair play and respect should be above any interest. If, for any reason, any of the teams has an emergency, solidarity should prevail, and the activity can be used to teach values. An adventurous spirit is also essential in this activity. The desire for the unknown and the new challenges individuals and groups. This activity helps groups of friends, children, adults, families, etc. share a nice and healthy day together in contact with nature, rescuing concepts such as cooperation, cleverness and, particularly, team work.