Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in enormous changes in people’s daily life activities. The levels of physical activity have decreased, time in front of the computer has increased, and this has caused physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles in schoolchildren. The authors’ objective was to determine the direct relationship between physical activity, time in front of the computer and sleep hours, on the one hand, and, on the other, body mass index in adolescents of ages 12-17 in the region of Puno, Peru. The approach used is quantitative, and the type of research undertaken is non-experimental with a cross-cutting design. An intentional non-probabilistic sample was applied, consisting of 485 adolescents (241 females and 224 males) with an average age of (14.14 ± 1.34). The instruments used were the physical activity questionnaire, the time in front of the computer with Cronbach’s Alpha reliability analysis of .918 and .862, plus the self-report of body weight and standing height. Results: 20.65% of females show a low physical activity level, while high physical activity is predominant in 9.87% of males; 14.19% of females spend more time in front of the computer during the week (6-7 hours per day), in contrast with males (12.26%); 23.66% of females show overweight and 5.81% of them show obesity, while for males these percentages are 20% and 3.23%. An inversely proportional Spearman Rho correlation of -0.167 and p < .01 exists. The conclusion is that the body mass index increases with less physical activity.

The main objective was to compare the effects of 35-minute HIIT session, in both virtual and face-to- face modes, on the mood and the perceived effort of overweight people. A total 13 people (5 men and 8 women) were recruited, in an average age of 37.85 ± 13.20 years (17-60 year range), who were randomly assigned to each of the three conditions (control, face-to-face training, virtual training). Prior to and immediately after each of the interventions, the POMS test was applied in order to measure mood. The measuring of perceived effort (PE) was carried out at the end of each of the HIIT exercises (it was not assessed during warm-up or return to calm). When a 2-way repeated-measure ANOVA was applied (condition [3] x measurement [2]), it was found that both stress and vigor after applying face-to-face treatment showed a significant increase. In addition, stress increased in the virtual session. For their part, the PE values reported in the measurements of the face-to-face and virtual sessions were above those suggested in the literature. In conclusion, a HIIT session for overweight people, whether face-to-face or virtual, shows similar results in their moods, except for vigor, which only increases in the face-to-face situation. The other variables showed a similar behavior.

Scientific journals have become one of the most consulted and preferred means to share knowledge in all areas. The publication of scientific documents involves a number of processes to guarantee the quality of the information that will be available to journal readers. The objective of this editorial is to present readers with a description of the editorial process of the journal Pensar en Movimiento and the advantages brought to the editorial team, as well as authors and readers in general.

Actions taken during the defensive phase in handball can determine match results; therefore, analyzing this phase helps identify key aspects that can assist in team training and planning. The aim of this paper was to analyze the influence of numerical relations on closed and open defense systems in top level handball matches. Twelve matches of the European handball club championship were analyzed, which allowed us to identify the numerical relationship of the game (defensive superiority or equality) and quantify results (GO: goal; NG: non-goal; PP: loss of ball possession) and the sections of the court where offensive actions ended up. A chi-squared test was used for data analysis. Results showed similarities in terms of the attack’s conclusion in numerical equality situations, when defense used closed systems (GO = 47.3%; NG = 33.6%; PP = 19.1%) and open systems (GO = 46.0%; NG = 34.3%; PP = 19.7%). For this situation, using closed systems results in losing ball possession further from the goal (9m- = 56.9%; 9m+ = 43.1%), when compared to open systems (9m- = 64.5%; 9m+ = 35.5%). In defensive numerical superiority, using open systems (GO = 28.6%; NG = 53.6%; PP = 17.9%), compared to closed systems (GO = 49.3%; NG = 29.6%; PP = 21.1%) gives more efficient results. In addition, sequences end further from the goal when open systems were used (9m- = 42.9%; 9m+ = 57.1%), compared to closed systems (9m- = 68.3%; 9m+ = 31.7%). It was concluded that the selection of the defensive system should be based on the team’s game model and game relationships, especially in situations of numerical equality (more frequent). However, when in defensive numerical advantage, limiting the space and time for attackers to make decisions seems to be an effective strategy.

Practice is a key element in the process of acquiring motor skills, because it facilitates learning. This practice can be of either of two types—physical or mental. The objective of the present study is to determine the extent of effect of physical practice (PF), mental practice (PM) and combined practice (PC) throughout the process of acquisition and retention in the performance of motor skills, using a meta-analytical approach and the analysis of possible moderating variables. The random effect model was used to calculate the extent of the effect (TE). A total 24 studies were included, and a total of 150 TE was obtained, separated in four groups. In the phase of acquisition, it was found that the PF (TE = 1.75; n = 36; IC = 0.96,3.55; Q = 113; I2 = 92%), the PM (TE = 0.80; n = 36; IC = 0.50,1.09; Q = 108; I2 = 74%) and the PC (TE = 1.78; n = 22; IC = 1.39,2.18; Q = 167; I2 = 79%) improved their performance; in addition, the control group (GC) improved the performance in acquisition (TE = 0.18; n = 22; IC = 0.02,0.35; Q = 19; I2 = 0%). A meta-regression indicated that only physical, mental and combined practice significantly predict the TE. In the retention phase, neither the PF (TE = -0.97; n = 9; IC = -0.41,0.02; Q = 12; I2 = 29%), the PM (TE = 0.62; n = 6; IC = -0.19,1.45; Q = 22; I2 = 83%), the PC (TE = -0.01; n = 14; IC = -0.26,0.25; Q = 23; I2 = 46%) or the GC (TE = -0.15; n = 5; IC = -0.75,0.44; Q = 11; I2 = 66%) showed a significant change. Possible moderating variables were analyzed. The results suggest that the three types of practice improve performance in the acquisition phase, while in the retention phase they help to keep what has been learned. The PM does not replace PF; however, PF can be complemented with PM under some conditions.

The main purpose was to compare the effects of a 35-minute HIIT session, in virtual and face-to-face modalities, on mood states and perceived effort in overweight individuals. A total of 13 subjects (5 men and 8 women) with a mean age of 37.85 ± 13.20 years (range, 17 to 60 years) were randomly assigned to each of the three conditions (control, face-to-face training and virtual training). Prior to and immediately after each intervention, the POMS test was applied to measure mood states. Regarding perceived effort (PE) was measured at the end of each of the HIIT exercises (not during the warm-up and cool-down exercises). A 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures (condition [3] x measurement [2]) showed that both, tension and vigor after completing the face-to-face training had a significant increase; also, vigor increase in the virtual session. On the other hand, the PE values reported in the measurements of the face-to-face and virtual conditions were above those suggested in the literature. In conclusion, a HIIT session for overweight people in a face-to-face or virtual manner leads to similar changes in mood states, except for vigor, which increased only on face-to-face, the other variables showed a similar behavior.

Scientific practices are a pillar in the formation of professionals in Human Movement Science (HMS), which brings students closer to identifying and solving context problems. While practical and research experiences are inherent to the process of pedagogic mediation and formation, a factor linked to this process is the development of the final graduation paper (FGP). Thanks to the self-evaluation processes in study curricula, it has been possible to identify that the FGP is one of the factors why terminal efficiency is increasingly lower. This problem has been remedied, among other ways, with the use of other evaluation modes such as the degree exam, which requires less time and is very on-spot for the same factor. While this meets to a certain extent the need to increase the rates of terminal efficiency, it is not considered to be the best academic exercise for the identification and solution of context problems related to HMS. In this respect, it is urgent to re-signify the FGP as a process of teaching/learning of the knowledge, values and skills related to the practice of this profession, instead of reducing it to a homework at the end of the educational stage. For this purpose, it is necessary to link the FGP to course practices, resulting in a gradual construction of the research process, and thus implementing the plans for the design, management and follow-up of the FGP.

University student training, and in particular the rigor applied to the supervision of theses, have a direct impact on the quality of professionals graduating from school. For this reason, and because it is highly desirable to prevent problems in the teacher-student relationship during thesis work, a proposal of good practices for supervision is considered valuable. The purpose of this essay is to identify sensitive aspects of the process and to offer recommendations to supplement the work performed by teachers, considering that most mentors or thesis directors have not received formal training for this particular job but learn through trial and error; mistakes abound and have a negative impact on students. It is possible to identify practical elements of thesis supervision which are amenable of improvement, especially those having to do with deadlines and the process of document review performed by the thesis committee, with authorship of resulting publications, and with the role of the thesis committee members, their selection, and compensation. Managing expectations of all people involved, supervising a thesis with two or more students, the breadth and depth of supervision required of the mentor, and grading each undergraduate and graduate thesis are also considered. Instead of attempting to impose rules which will necessarily be intrusive and imperfect, a few good practices are recommended, derived from both the authors’ good and bad experiences in their work as thesis mentors for over 40 students. The goal is to strengthen the academic integrity of university teachers and to improve the training of new professionals.

The purpose of this article is to present the evolution of the Human Movement Module (HMM) of the IPSA and the impact this has had on the attention to senior adults (SA). The first university for senior adults originated in Toulouse, France, in the early 70’s, and it is thanks to Dr. Alfonso Trejos Willis that the Institutional Program for Adults and Senior Adults (IPSA) has existed for 35 years at Universidad de Costa Rica. Based on the premise of “education throughout life,” the University offers to Costa Rican citizens a valuable return in opening opportunities to this age group. Over time, the Program underwent a transformation in response to the needs and social changes of the Costa Rican population, in which the importance of keeping adults and senior adults active is expressed. As a result, the Human Movement Module (HMM) emerged, headed by facilitators that offer their courses pro bono. In this module, the courses were adapted to a virtual format in order to make them available to the senior adult population, a group that has been considered at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this section abstracts are published in Spanish, these manuscripts have been published by Costa Rican scientists. We make a short description for each study with its corresponding citation.