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Assessing the sprint force-velocity profile in international football payers with cerebral palsy: Validity, reliability and sport class’ profiles

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:08:34 GMT

Título : Assessing the sprint force-velocity profile in international football payers with cerebral palsy: Validity, reliability and sport class’ profiles Autor : Peña-González, Iván; Javaloyes, Alejandro; Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Moya-Ramón, Manuel Resumen : This study assessed and described the Sprint Force-velocity (SFv) profile, and its validity and reliability in international cerebral palsy (CP) football players. Twenty international male CP football players (age: 26.9±7.4) performed a 30-m sprint, a vertical jump (CMJ), a change of direction (MAT), a dribbling and an intermittent endurance (Yo-YoIR1) test. The SFv profile and physical performance variables were shown according to the players’ sport class with the estimation of the effect sizes between classes. The SFv showed high reliability (ICC=0.77 to 0.99; SEM=0.89 to 8.66%). Validity for the SFv was provided by its positive correlation with the players’ sport class (r=0.53 to 0.75; p=.02 to <.01) and the rest of the physical performance tests (r=0.45 to 0.99; p=.04 to <.01). The RFmax was the main SFv profile variable that explained players’ performance in the rest of the tests (β=0.77 to 1.0; p<.05; R2=0.59 to 0.99). The SFv profile seems to be an efficient test to assess international CP football players’ physical performance. This provides information about the players’ individual sprint mechanical characteristics and their sprint strengths and weaknesses, allowing coaches and conditioning trainers to individualize their training interventions to optimize sprint performance.

Effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:05:53 GMT

Título : Effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis Autor : Manresa-Rocamora, Agustín; Lopes, Susana; Fernández, Ana; Martins, Joana; Climent-Paya, Vicente; Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Ribeiro, Fernando Resumen : Background: Evidence supports the anti-inflammatory effect of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nonetheless, the influence of training variables on the effects of exercise training is debateable. Therefore, this systematic review with meta-analysis aims to i) estimate the effects of exercise-based CR on the circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with CVD based on the type of exercise, and ii) analyse the influence of other potential moderator variables. Methods: Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to October 2022. A random-effects models of standardised mean difference (SMD) were used. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were used to carry out heterogeneity analyses. Results: Aerobic exercise diminished the levels of C-reactive protein compared with the control group in patients with CVD (SMD+ = –0.33 [95% CI = –0.47, –0.20), as well as the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alfa exclusively in patients with chronic heart failure (SMD+ = –0.38 [95% CI = –0.59, –0.17]). Moreover, heterogeneity analyses showed that the effect of aerobic exercise on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 is higher in studies that carried out a CR programme based exclusively on exercise, as well as in studies that performed a shorter intervention period or carried out a lower number of exercise sessions (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings support the anti-inflammatory effect of aerobic exercise in patients with CVD. The low number of studies testing interventions using resistance or combined exercise precl

Does exercise training improve cardiac-parasympathetic nervous system activity in sedentary people? A systematic review with meta-analysis

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:04:20 GMT

Título : Does exercise training improve cardiac-parasympathetic nervous system activity in sedentary people? A systematic review with meta-analysis Autor : Casanova-Lizón, Antonio; Manresa-Rocamora, Agustín; Flatt, Andrew A.; Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Moya-Ramón, Manuel Resumen : The aim of this study was to investigate the training-induced effect on cardiac parasympa thetic nervous system (PNS) activity, assessed by resting heart rate variability (HRV) and post-exercise heart rate recovery (HRR), in sedentary healthy people. Electronic searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Random-effects models of between-group standardised mean difference (SMD) were estimated. Heterogeneity analyses were performed by means of the chi-square test and I2 index. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were performed to investigate the influ ence of potential moderator variables on the training-induced effect. The results showed a small increase in RMSSD (SMD+ = 0.57 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.23, 0.91]) and high frequency (HF) (SMD+ =0.21 [95% CI = 0.01, 0.42]) in favour of the intervention group. Heterogeneity tests reached statistical significance for RMSSD and HF (p ≤ 0.001), and the inconsistency was moderate (I2 = 68% and 60%, respectively). We found higher training-induced effects on HF in studies that performed a shorter intervention or lower number of exercise sessions (p ≤ 0.001). Data were insufficient to investigate the effect of exercise training on HRR. Exercise training increases cardiac PNS modulation in sedentary people, while its effect on PNS tone requires future study.

Effects of exergaming in patients with cardiovascular disease compared to conventional cardiac rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:02:32 GMT

Título : Effects of exergaming in patients with cardiovascular disease compared to conventional cardiac rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis Autor : Blasco-Peris, Carles; Fuertes-Kenneally, Laura; Vetrovsky, Tomás; Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Climent-Paya, Vicente; Manresa-Rocamora, Agustín Resumen : Background: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are used for improving prognosis and quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nonetheless, adherence to these programs is low, and exercise-based CR programs based on virtual reality (i.e., exergaming) have been proposed as an alternative to conventional CR programs. However, whether exergaming programs are superior to conventional CR programs in patients with CVD is not known. Objective: This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to explore whether exergaming enhances exercise capacity, quality of life, mental health, motivation, and exercise adherence to a greater ex tent than conventional CR programs in patients with CVD. Method: Electronic searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Lit erature databases up to June 2021. Meta-analyses were performed using robust variance estimation with small-sample corrections. The effect sizes were calculated as the mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD) as appropriate. The SMD magnitude was classified as trivial (<0.20), small (0.20–0.49), medium (0.50–0.79), or large (≥0.80). Heterogeneity was interpreted based on the I2 statistics as low (25%), moderate (50%), or high (75%). Results: Pooled analyses showed no differences between exergaming and conventional CR programs for enhancing exercise capacity (i.e., distance covered in the six-minute walk test) (MD+ = 14.07 m (95% confidence interval (CI) −38.18 to 66.32 m); p = 0.426) and mental health (SMD+ = 0.17 (95% CI −0.36 to 0.70); p = 0.358). The results showed a small, statistically nonsignificant improvement in quality of life in favor of exer gaming (SMD+ = 0.22 (95% CI = −0.37 to 0.81); p = 0.294). Moderate heterogeneity was found for exercise capacity (I2 = 53.7%), while no heterogeneity was found for quality of life (I2 = 3.3%) and mental health (I2 = 0.0%). Conclusions: Exergaming seems not to be superior to conventional CR pro grams for improving exercise capacity, quality of life, or mental health in patients with CVD.

Using decision trees to support classifiers’ decision-making about activity limitation of cerebral palsy footballers

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:00:42 GMT

Título : Using decision trees to support classifiers’ decision-making about activity limitation of cerebral palsy footballers Autor : Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Roldán, Alba; Henríquez, Matías; Reina, Raúl Resumen : This study aimed (1) to determine the appropriateness of using decision trees as a classi fication tool for determining the allocation of sport classes of para-footballers with “moderate vs. mild” cerebral palsy (CP) profiles of spastic diplegia/hemiplegia and ataxia/athetosis based on ob servational outcomes by international classifiers, and (2) to identify what key observational features were relevant to discriminating among different impairment levels. A sample of 16 experienced inter national classifiers from five world regions participated in this study, observing activity limitation of a final sample of 21 international CP footballers when performing 16 gross-motor and sports-specific tests for balance (n = 3), coordination (n = 5), running, accelerations and decelerations (n = 3), jumping (n = 4), and change of direction ability (n = 1). For the overall sample (336 observations), the model included eight decision nodes and 24 branches with 17 leaves, including side-step, side-stepping, and triple hop as the tests with the best sensitivity (precision = 67.0%). For those with spastic diplegia (64 observations: Two nodes, six branches with five leaves), the range of motion in the side-step test and the balance in the tandem walk tests correctly classified 89.1% of the observations. In those with athetosis and ataxia (96 observations), the model included five nodes, 15 branches, and 11 leaves (176 observations, precision = 86.5%). For those with spastic hemiplegia, a model containing two nodes, six branches, and five leaves had 90.9% accuracy, including observational features of balance in the side-step test and symmetry in the side-stepping test. The observational tool used in this study, based on the impact of specific impairment measurements of hypertonia, athetosis, and ataxia, can be used to determine which assessments are more appropriate for discriminating between functional profiles in para-footballers with CP.

Relationship between physical performance and match load and effects of two consecutive matches in cerebral palsy footballers

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:59:14 GMT

Título : Relationship between physical performance and match load and effects of two consecutive matches in cerebral palsy footballers Autor : Peña-Gónzalez, Ivan; Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Mancha-Triguero, David; Moya-Ramón, Manuel; Gamonales, José Resumen : The aims of the present study were to analyse the relationship between the physical performance and the match load in cerebral palsy (CP) football players, and to analyse the possible impact of the Spanish League format (playing two matches on two consecutive days) on the players’ match load. Data for a Spanish CP football team (n=10; age: 31.0 ± 8.9 years; weight: 66.1 ± 8.6 kg; height: 172.2 ± 7.8 cm; BMI: 22.5 ± 2.9 kg·m-2) included anthropometric (weight, height and BMI), physical performance (CMJ, 5, 10 y 20-m sprint y MAT) and match load variables (distance covered, accelerations and decelerations, heart rate, speed and player load) from two official matches. The players’ physical performance, but not their anthropometrical measurements, correlated to the match load variables (r = 0.76–0.95; p = 0.04–0.01), except for accelerations, decelerations and heart rate-related variables (p > .05). Players’ match load data were not statistically different between matches. The results suggest that players’ physical performance influences the match load variables, and these players’ load variables in competition do not seem to be affected by the fact of playing two matches on two consecutive days. The way in which the players’ physical performance and fatigue may affect the match load variables needs more research in CP football.; Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar la relación entre el rendimiento físico y la carga de partido en jugadores de fútbol con parálisis cerebral (PC), y analizar la posible influencia del formato de la Liga Española (en la que se juegan dos partidos en días consecutivos) en la carga de partido. Los datos obtenidos de un equipo español de fútbol PC (n=10; edad: 31.0 ± 8.9 años; peso: 66.1 ± 8.6 kg; altura: 172.2 ± 7.8 cm; IMC: 22.5 ± 2.9 kg·m-2) incluyó variables antropométricas (peso, altura e IMC), de rendimiento físico (CMJ, 5, 10 y 20-m sprint y MAT) y variables de carga de partido (distancia recorrida, aceleraciones y deceleraciones, frecuencia cardiaca, velocidad y carga del jugador) en dos partidos oficiales. El rendimiento físico de los jugadores, pero no las variables antropométricas correlacionaron con la carga de partido (r = 0.76–0.95; p = 0.04–0.01), excepto para las aceleraciones, deceleraciones y variables relacionadas con la frecuencia cardiaca (p > .05). Los datos acerca de la carga de partido no fueron significativamente distintos entre partidos. Los resultados sugieren que el rendimiento físico de los jugadores de fútbol PC influyen en la carga en competición y esas variables de carga de partido no parecen estar afectadas por el hecho de jugar dos partidos en días consecutivos. La manera en la que el rendimiento físico de los jugadores y la fatiga puede afectar en la carga de partido necesita mayor investigación en fútbol PC.

Heart rate-based indices to detect parasympathetic hyperactivity in functionally overreached athletes. A meta- analysis

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:56:31 GMT

Título : Heart rate-based indices to detect parasympathetic hyperactivity in functionally overreached athletes. A meta- analysis Autor : Manresa- Rocamora, Agustín; Flatt, Andrew A.; Casanova-Lizón, Antonio; Ballester-Ferrer, Juan A.; Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Vera-García, Francisco J.; Moya-Ramón, Manuel Resumen : Investigations into the sensitivity of heart rate- (HR) derived indices for tracking parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) changes in functionally overreached (F- OR) endurance- trained athletes have produced equivocal findings. Lack of clarity may be a result of methodological inconsistencies. Therefore, the aims of this system atic review and meta- analysis were (a) to determine the sensitivity of resting and post- exercise vagal- related HR variability (HRV) and HR recovery (HRR) indices to detect PNS modulation in F- OR and non- overreached (non- OR) athletes, and (b) to investigate the influence of methodological factors on the sensitivity of HR- based in dices to detect PNS hyperactivity in F- OR athletes. We searched CENTRAL, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to May 2020 for the following terms: male and female endurance- trained athletes, controlled and uncontrolled studies that car ried out an overload training period, and PNS modulation measured in resting and post- exercise, pre- and post- overload training period. A random- effects model of standardized mean difference (SMD) was estimated for each outcome measure based on the training- induced fatigue status (F- OR vs non- OR athletes), and the influence of methodological issues to detect PNS hyperactivity in F- OR was assessed by sub group analyses. Pooled analysis showed that resting vagal- related HRV indices did not detect PNS hyperactivity in F- OR athletes (SMD+ = −0.01; 95% confidence in terval [CI] = −0.51, 0.50), and no statistical difference (P = .600) was found with non- OR athletes (SMD+ = 0.15; 95% CI = −0.14, 0.45). However, subgroup analysis based on HRV parameter showed a moderate statistical increase in weekly averaged HRV in F- OR athletes (SMD+ = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.35, 1.26), while isolated HRV values did not reach statistical significance (SMD+ = −0.45; 95% CI = −0.96, 0.06). We observed a moderate and statistically significant increase in HRR indices among F- OR athletes (SMD+ = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.44, 0.87), no changes for non- OR ath letes (SMD+ = 0.10; 95% CI = −0.15, 0.34), and statistically significant differences between F- OR and non- OR athletes (P < .001). Insufficient data prevented meta- analysis for post- exercise vagal- related HRV indices. Our findings show that when methodological factors are considered, HR- based indices are sensitive to increased PNS modulation in F- OR.

Heart rate variability-guided training for enhancing cardiac-vagal modulation, aerobic fitness, and endurance performance: A methodological systematic review with meta-analysis

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:51:54 GMT

Título : Heart rate variability-guided training for enhancing cardiac-vagal modulation, aerobic fitness, and endurance performance: A methodological systematic review with meta-analysis Autor : Manresa-Rocamora, Agustín; Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Javaloyes, Alejandro; Flatt, Andrew A.; Moya-Ramón, Manuel Resumen : Purpose: This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to establish whether heart rate variability (HRV)-guided training enhances cardiac-vagal modulation, aerobic fitness, or Citation: Manresa-Rocamora, A.; Sarabia, J.M.; Javaloyes, A.; Flatt, A.A.; Moya-Ramón, M. Heart Rate Variability-Guided Training for Enhancing Cardiac-Vagal Modulation, Aerobic Fitness, and Endurance Performance: A Methodological Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 10299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph181910299 Academic Editor: Paul B. Tchounwou Received: 1 September 2021 Accepted: 27 September 2021 Published: 29 September 2021 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affil iations. Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). endurance performance to a greater extent than predefined training while accounting for method ological factors. Methods: We searched Web of Science Core Collection, Pubmed, and Embase databases up to October 2020. A random-effects model of standardized mean difference (SMD) was estimated for each outcome measure. Chi-square and the I2 index were used to evaluate the degree of homogeneity. Results: Accounting for methodological factors, HRV-guided training was superior for enhancing vagal-related HRV indices (SMD+ = 0.50 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.09, 0.91)), but not resting HR (SMD+ = 0.04 (95% CI = −0.34, 0.43)). Consistently small but non-significant (p > 0.05) SMDs in favor of HRV-guided training were observed for enhancing maximal aerobic capacity (SMD+ =0.20 (95% CI = −0.07, 0.47)), aerobic capacity at second ventilatory threshold (SMD+ = 0.26 (95% CI = −0.05, 0.57)), and endurance performance (SMD+ = 0.20 (95% CI = −0.09, 0.48)), versus predefined training. No heterogeneity was found for any of the analyzed aerobic fitness and en durance performance outcomes. Conclusion: Best methodological practices pertaining to HRV index selection, recording position, and approaches for establishing baseline reference values and daily changes (i.e., fixed or rolling HRV averages) require further study. HRV-guided training may be more effective than predefined training for maintaining and improving vagal-mediated HRV, with less likelihood of negative responses. However, if HRV-guided training is superior to predefined training for producing group-level improvements in fitness and performance, current data suggest it is only by a small margin.

Anthropometrical features of para-footballers according to their cerebral palsy profiles and compared to controls

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:47:58 GMT

Título : Anthropometrical features of para-footballers according to their cerebral palsy profiles and compared to controls Autor : Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Doménech, Carmen; Roche, Enrique; Vicente-Salar, Néstor; Reina, Raúl Resumen : Cerebral palsy (CP) football is a team para-sport practiced by para-athletes with eligible impairments of hypertonia, athetosis, and ataxia. This study aimed: (1) to describe the anthropometrical and body composition profiles of international CP para-footballers with di erent CP profiles (i.e., spastic diplegia, athetosis/ataxia, spastic hemiplegia, and minimum impairment); (2) to analyze the di erences between both a ected/nondominant and nona ected/dominant sides; and (3) to compare the sample of international-level CP para-footballers (n = 141) with a sample of highly trained able-bodied footballers (n = 39). Anthropometric measures included four breadths, nine girths, and six skinfolds, while body composition was measured through fat mass (including Carter’s, Faulkner’s, and Withers’ equations), muscle mass (Lee’s equation), and bone mass (Rocha’s and Martin’s equations). This study found di erences between the able-bodied footballers and the following impairment profiles: spastic diplegia (skinfolds); ataxia/athetosis (corrected calf of the nondominant side, and calf skinfolds for both sides); and spastic hemiplegia (all measurements excepting femur breadth, and thigh and ankle girths). Nodi erences were found between para-athletes with minimum impairment and the able-bodied footballers. This study demonstrates that football players with or without physical impairments of hypertonia athetosis or ataxia may be considered homogeneous in shape when dominant size is compared. Besides, the study provides reference scores on anthropometric measures and body composition of international-level CP para-footballers that can help sports coaches and physical trainers to monitor physical fitness of their para-athletes.

Inter-rater reliability, concurrent validity and sensitivity of current methods to assess trunk function in boccia players with cerebral palsy

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:38:03 GMT

Título : Inter-rater reliability, concurrent validity and sensitivity of current methods to assess trunk function in boccia players with cerebral palsy Autor : Roldán, Alba; Barbado, David; Vera-García, Francisco J.; Sarabia Marín, José Manuel; Reina, Raúl Resumen : Trunk function is a core factor to allocate Boccia players with cerebral palsy in BC1 and BC2 sport classes, according to the Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed). However, the appropriateness of the current test to assess trunk function has never been studied to determine its reliability, validity and sensitivity to discriminate between di erent levels of impairment. Thirty-six players (BC1 = 13 and BC2 = 23) took part in this study. Trunk control was assessed through the BISFed trunk function scale (TFS) and a posturographic test battery consisting of two static and three dynamic tasks. The inter-rater reliability for the BISFed TFS was set at 94.44% of agreement. Moderate-to-high correlations were obtained between posturographic tasks (0.39 < r < 0.96; p < 0.05–0.01), while the BISFed TFS only correlated with two of the dynamic tasks and the overall dynamic score (􀀀0.38 < r < 􀀀0.51; p < 0.05). The BISFed TFS was not able to discriminate between sport classes, whereas the static posturographic task did so (p=0.004). Even though the current BISFed TFS presented good inter-rater reliability, it does not seem to have enough sensitivity to discriminate between BC1 and BC2. Although the static posturographic tasks were able to discriminate between sports classes, it seems necessary to develop new field tests assessing participants’ trunk stabilization abilities.