Javier Sampedro

A Model of Heart Rate Kinetics in Response to Exercise

Abstract We present a mathematical model, in the form of two coupled ordinary differential equations, for the heart rate kinetics in response to exercise. Our heart rate model is an adaptation of the model of oxygen uptake kinetics of Stirling et al. [21]; a physiological justification for this adaptation, as well as the physiological basis of our heart rate model is provided. We also present the optimal fit of the heart rate model to a set of raw un averaged data for multiple constant intensity exercises for an individual at a particular level of fitness.

Integrative Exercise and Lifestyle Intervention Increases Leisure-Time Activity in Breast Cancer Patients:

Background. Physical activity has been demonstrated to increase survival in breast cancer patients, but few breast cancer patients meet the general recommendations for physical activity. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate if a supervised integrated counseling and group-based exercise program could increase leisure-time activity in women with breast cancer. Methods. This pilot project, designed as a single-arm study with pre-post testing, consisted of 24 classes of combined aerobic and strength exercise training as well as classes on dietary and health behavior. A total of 48 women with breast cancer who were undergoing or had recently completed anticancer treatment completed the study. Leisure-time physical activity, grip strength, functional capacity, quality of life (QoL), and depression were assessed at baseline, after intervention, and at the 12-week follow-up after intervention. Results. The breast cancer patients increased their leisure-time physical activity (P = .004), global strength (P = .004), functional capacity (P = .001), and QoL (P = .009), and their depression score (P = .004) significantly decreased. These improvements were independent of whether the patients were in ongoing therapy or had completed their treatment. Conclusion. This integrated intervention may produce lifestyle changes in breast cancer patients and survivors using the teachable moment to increase their leisure-time physical activity and, thereby, their QoL.

Body sway and performance at competition in male pistol and rifle Olympic shooters

Summary Study aim: We examine the body sway differences between a) pistol and rifle and b) elite and national level senior male Olympic shooters, as well as the possible relation between body sway and performance at competition in Olympic shooting. Material and methods: Two body sway tests (feet together and feet apart) were performed by 28 Spanish male senior Olympic shooters just before competition. Performance was measured as the actual score at competition. Total center of mass (COM) areas and average/maximum COM velocities were calculated from force platform data. ANCOVA tests were implemented with age as a covariable. The non-parametric test U of Mann Whitney was used to study the differences between national and elite shooters. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relation between performance and total COM area. Results: At the feet apart position, rifle and elite shooters were found to have statistically less body sway than pistol and national level shooters respectively (total COM areas: F1,25 = 6.7; p < 0.05, and Z = 2.36; p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were found regarding the feet together position, regardless the level or discipline (total COM areas: F1,25 = 1.49 ; p > 0.05; 1 – β = 0.22, average COM velocities: F1,25 = 0.58; p > 0.05; 1 – β = 0.11, maximum COM velocities: F1,25 = 0.03; p > 0.05; 1 – β = 0.05). No significant relation was found between body sway and performance at competition (feet together: r = 0.13, feet apart: r = 0.14, p > 0.05). Age and body sway were not found to be significantly correlated (F1,25 = 0.23; p > 0.05; 1 – β = 0.08). Conclusions: Easy to carry out, non-specific body sway tests can be used for the selection of novice shooters.

Detecting changes in the basin of attraction of a dynamical system: Application to the postural restoring system

A method that provides a three-dimensional representation of the basin of attraction of a dynamical system from experimental data was applied to the problem of dynamic balance restoration. The method is based on the density of the data on the phase space of the system under study and makes use of modeling and numerical curve fitting tools. For the dynamical system of balance restoration, the shape and the size of the basin of attraction depend on the dynamics of the postural restoring mechanisms and contain important information regarding the biomechanical, as well as the neuromuscular condition of the individual. The aim of this work was to examine the ability of the method to detect, through the observed changes in the shape and/or the size of the calculated basins of attraction, (a) the inherent differences between different systems (in the current application, postural restoring systems of different individuals) and (b) induced changes in the same system (the postural restoring system of an individual). The results of the study confirm the validity of the method and furthermore justify its robustness.

La termografía como nueva herramienta de evaluación en baloncesto: Estudio piloto realizado a un jugador profesional de la ACB

La termografia infrarroja (IFT) es una herramienta de analisis que no emite irradiacion y no es invasiva por lo que es adecuada para el estudio de las funciones fisiologicas relacionadas con el control de temperatura de la piel. OBJETIVOS: Establecer el comportamiento termografico de un jugador de baloncesto. MATERIAL Y METODOS: En el estudio ha participado un jugador profesional de la ACB. Tras respetar el periodo de aclimatacion y cumplir el protocolo de la International Academy of Clinical Thermology (IACT) se han tomado 4 imagenes termograficas, dos de la vision anterior (miembro superior e inferior) y dos de la vision posterior (miembro superior e inferior). RESULTADOS: Se han encontrado diferencias de mas de 0.5oC entre areas simetricas del cuerpo. CONCLUSIONES: La termografia es una herramienta valida, rapida y segura que nos permite cuantificar el estado termico del sujeto y controlar su evolucion