ABSTRACT Background. An adequate level of fitness is critical to achieving healthy ageing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of organized physical activity (PA) and the number of hours of practice on the fitness levels of the elderly. Method. A total of 3104 people over 65 years old from Spain, belonging to the EXERNET Multicenter Project (722 men and 2382 women, mean age: 72.1 ± 5.3 years) participated in the study. Fitness was evaluated by 8 specific tests for this population. Participation in organized PA was recorded through a questionnaire. Differences in fitness values depending on the participation in PA and the number of hours were measured with ANCOVA adjusting for age, hours of walking and sitting time. Results. Those who did not participate in this type of activity increased their risk of having a low level of fitness in most variables evaluated, with some differences between sexes (OR: from 1.6 to 2.6 in men and from 1.4 to 2.2 in women). In men, no significant differences were observed between practicing less than 2, 2-4 or more than 4 hours (P>0,05), with an exception in the strength of the left arm. However, women who performed more than 2 hours a week in organized PA had better balance, strength of lower and upper extremities, flexibility of lower extremities, walking speed and aerobic capacity than those who performed less than 2 hours of PA a week (P<0,05). Conclusions. The practice of organized PA produces a beneficial effect on the fitness of the elderly regardless of age, hours of walking and time sitting per day.

RESUMEN Fundamentos. Un nivel adecuado de condición física (CF) es fundamental para el logro de un envejecimiento saludable. El objetivo de este estudio consistió en evaluar el impacto de la actividad física (AF) organizada y el número de horas de práctica sobre el nivel de CF de las personas mayores. Método. En el estudio participaron 3104 personas mayores de 65 años de España, pertenecientes al Proyecto Multicéntrico EXERNET (722 hombres y 2382 mujeres; edad media: 72,1±5,3 años). La CF se evaluó mediante 8 test específicos para esta población. La participación en AF organizada se registró mediante un cuestionario. Las diferencias en la CF en función de la práctica y número de horas de AF se midieron con ANCOVA ajustando por edad, horas de caminar y de estar sentado. Resultados. Aquellos que no participaban en este tipo de actividad incrementaban su riesgo de tener un nivel bajo de CF en la mayoría de las variables evaluadas, observándose algunas diferencias entre sexos (OR: desde 1,6 hasta 2,6 en hombres y desde 1,4 hasta 2,2 en mujeres). En los hombres no se observó ninguna diferencia significativa entre practicar menos de 2, 2-4 o más de 4 horas (todos P>0,05), a excepción de la fuerza del brazo izquierdo; sin embargo, las mujeres que realizaban más de 2 horas de AF organizada a la semana tenían mayor equilibrio, fuerza de piernas y de brazos, flexibilidad de piernas, velocidad al caminar y resistencia aeróbica que aquellas que asistían a este tipo de sesiones menos de 2 horas a la semana (P<0,05). Conclusiones. La práctica de AF organizada produce un efecto beneficioso sobre la CF de las personas mayores independientemente de la edad, las horas que estén sentados o el tiempo que dediquen a caminar.

ABSTRACT Background. An adequate level of fitness is critical to achieving healthy ageing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of organized physical activity (PA) and the number of hours of practice on the fitness levels of the elderly. Method. A total of 3104 people over 65 years old from Spain, belonging to the EXERNET Multicenter Project (722 men and 2382 women, mean age: 72.1 ± 5.3 years) participated in the study. Fitness was evaluated by 8 specific tests for this population. Participation in organized PA was recorded through a questionnaire. Differences in fitness values depending on the participation in PA and the number of hours were measured with ANCOVA adjusting for age, hours of walking and sitting time. Results. Those who did not participate in this type of activity increased their risk of having a low level of fitness in most variables evaluated, with some differences between sexes (OR: from 1.6 to 2.6 in men and from 1.4 to 2.2 in women). In men, no significant differences were observed between practicing less than 2, 2-4 or more than 4 hours (P>0,05), with an exception in the strength of the left arm. However, women who performed more than 2 hours a week in organized PA had better balance, strength of lower and upper extremities, flexibility of lower extremities, walking speed and aerobic capacity than those who performed less than 2 hours of PA a week (P<0,05). Conclusions. The practice of organized PA produces a beneficial effect on the fitness of the elderly regardless of age, hours of walking and time sitting per day.

RESUMEN Fundamentos. Un nivel adecuado de condición física (CF) es fundamental para el logro de un envejecimiento saludable. El objetivo de este estudio consistió en evaluar el impacto de la actividad física (AF) organizada y el número de horas de práctica sobre el nivel de CF de las personas mayores. Método. En el estudio participaron 3104 personas mayores de 65 años de España, pertenecientes al Proyecto Multicéntrico EXERNET (722 hombres y 2382 mujeres; edad media: 72,1±5,3 años). La CF se evaluó mediante 8 test específicos para esta población. La participación en AF organizada se registró mediante un cuestionario. Las diferencias en la CF en función de la práctica y número de horas de AF se midieron con ANCOVA ajustando por edad, horas de caminar y de estar sentado. Resultados. Aquellos que no participaban en este tipo de actividad incrementaban su riesgo de tener un nivel bajo de CF en la mayoría de las variables evaluadas, observándose algunas diferencias entre sexos (OR: desde 1,6 hasta 2,6 en hombres y desde 1,4 hasta 2,2 en mujeres). En los hombres no se observó ninguna diferencia significativa entre practicar menos de 2, 2-4 o más de 4 horas (todos P>0,05), a excepción de la fuerza del brazo izquierdo; sin embargo, las mujeres que realizaban más de 2 horas de AF organizada a la semana tenían mayor equilibrio, fuerza de piernas y de brazos, flexibilidad de piernas, velocidad al caminar y resistencia aeróbica que aquellas que asistían a este tipo de sesiones menos de 2 horas a la semana (P<0,05). Conclusiones. La práctica de AF organizada produce un efecto beneficioso sobre la CF de las personas mayores independientemente de la edad, las horas que estén sentados o el tiempo que dediquen a caminar.

The present study examines the visual behavior of young volleyball players during block action. The aim was to analyze visual search behaviour and the main locations during the action, establishing relationships between them and the percentage of correct answers.29 female volleyball players (17,4 ± 0,9 years old) should decide the direction of the setting while the viewed video sequences projected in actual size. The players registered their decision through their movement, which was recorded by a video camera at 25 fps and analyzed frame by frame. Visual behavior of the players is obtained through a system of eye tracking (ASL Mobile Eye), and analyzed according to the two different ball destinations: Zone 3 and Zone 4. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated between the percentage of total hits and the different variables of visual behavior, and inferential statistics were applied to test for differences depending on the area. Players were more attuned to the information on the ball with that contained in the setter, and this is the source of information on which they based their decisions primarily. Fixing the ball-wrist area in early contact times may be the key to a correct anticipation in this action, as it would allow extracting information of the ball and the arm of the setter while using peripheral vision.

O presente estudo analisa o comportamento visual dos jogadores de vôlei jovens no fechamento ação. O objetivo foi analisar as estratégias de busca visual e as principais localizações dos elementos de fixação no curso da ação, estabelecendo relações entre eles ea porcentagem de acertos. 29 jogadores de voleibol (17,4 ± 0,9 anos de idade) deve decidir no sentido da colocação ao exibir sequências de vídeo projetadas tamanho real. Os jogadores inscritos a sua decisão através do seu movimento, que foi gravado por uma câmera de vídeo a 25 fps e analisadas quadro a quadro. O comportamento visual dos jogadores é obtido através de um sistema de rastreamento (ASL móvel do olho) do olho, e analisados de acordo com os dois sentidos de colocação: Zonas 3 e 4. O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson foi calculado entre a porcentagem do total de hits e as diferentes variáveis de comportamento visual e estatística inferencial foram aplicados para testar as diferenças, dependendo da área. Os jogadores estavam mais sintonizados com a informação sobre a bola com a contida no setter, e esta é a fonte de informação em que se basearam as suas decisões, principalmente. Fixação da área de bola-doll em tempos de contato próximos pode ser a chave para a antecipação correta nesta ação, uma vez que permitiria extrair informação da bola e no braço do setter ao usar a visão periférica.

El presente estudio examina el comportamiento visual de jóvenes jugadoras de voleibol en la acción del bloqueo. El objetivo fue analizar las estrategias de búsqueda visual y las principales localizaciones de las fijaciones en el transcurso de la acción, estableciendo relaciones entre éstas y el porcentaje de aciertos. 29 jugadoras de voleibol (17,4 ± 0,9 años de edad) debían decidir la dirección de la colocación durante la visualización de secuencias de vídeo proyectadas a tamaño real. Se registraba su decisión mediante el movimiento de las jugadoras, que fue grabado por una cámara de vídeo a 25 fps y se analizó fotograma a fotograma. El comportamiento visual de las jugadoras se obtuvo mediante un sistema de seguimiento de la mirada (Mobile Eye de ASL), y se analizó en función de las dos direcciones de la colocación: zona 3 y zona 4. Se calculó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson entre el Porcentaje de aciertos totales y las diferentes variables de comportamiento visual, y se aplicó la estadística inferencial para comprobar las diferencias en función de la zona. Las jugadoras estaban más sincronizadas con la información relativa al balón que con la contenida en la colocadora, siendo esa la fuente de información en la que principalmente basaron sus decisiones. La fijación de la zona Balón-Muñeca en los momentos cercanos al contacto puede ser la clave para lograr una correcta anticipación en esta acción, ya que permitiría extraer información del balón y del brazo de la colocadora al mismo tiempo mediante la visión periférica.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in physical fitness over two years of following up in octogenarian people and to check whether a sedentary lifestyle modify these variations. Methods: Physical fitness of 182 subject (48 men, 134 women) with a mean age of 82,3 ± 2,3 years were evaluated using 8 different tests. A repeated measures analysis was carried out to see the differences between the two evaluation periods and to see the physical fitness differences between sedentary people (sit > 4 hours/day) and non sedentary people (sit < 4 hours/day). Results: Between the two evaluation periods, we found a significant decrease in the agility test (p < 0.05), walking speed (p < 0.01) and endurance (p < 0.01). In relation to the subjects who spent sitting <4 hours/day, there was a slight increase in the arm strength test between the two evaluations (p < 0.05). In subjects who spent sitting >4 hours/day there was a decrease in the walking speed test between the two evaluations (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a decrease of walking speed and endurance between the two evaluation periods in both sedentary and nonsedentary people (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In two years of following up, there are adverse changes in the level of physical fitness in octogenarians. Long periods of sitting time may translate into a loss of agility. Walking speed and endurance seem to be the components of physical fitness more affected by the ageing process in this population; and this loss is not determined by the hours of sitting per day.

Objetivos: Determinar los cambios que se producen en la condición física a lo largo de dos años de seguimiento en octogenarios y comprobar si un estilo de vida sedentario modifica estas variaciones. Metodología: La condición física de 182 sujetos (48 hombres, 134 mujeres) con una media de edad de 82,3 ± 2,3 años se evaluó mediante 8 test (adaptados de las baterías "Senior Fitness Test" y "Eurofit"). Se realizó un análisis de medidas repetidas entre los dos periodos de evaluación y para ver las diferencias de condición física entre los sujetos considerados sedentarios (permanecían sentados > 4 horas/día) y no sedentarios (permanecían sentados < 4 horas/día) Resultados: Entre las dos evaluaciones encontramos un descenso significativo en los test de agilidad (p < 0,05), velocidad (p < 0,01) y resistencia (p < 0,01) y un ligero aumento de la fuerza de brazos en los sujetos que permanecían sentados < 4 horas/día (p < 0,05). Aquellos que permanecían sentados > 4 horas/día sufrieron un descenso de la agilidad (p < 0,05). Se produjo una pérdida de velocidad y resistencia tanto en sedentarios como en no sedentarios (p < 0,05). Conclusión: En dos años de seguimiento, se producen cambios negativos en el nivel de condición física en personas octogenarias. Periodos prolongados de sedestación se traducen en una pérdida de agilidad. La velocidad de la marcha y resistencia parecen ser los componentes de la condición física más afectados por el proceso de envejecimiento en este grupo poblacional y su pérdida no viene determinada por las horas diarias de sedestación.

The present paper studies the visual behavior and decision making of volleyball players in a blocking task, across two different types of setting: in backup and in jump. 7 volleyball players (M=25,14 ± 3,98 years) who plays in absolute federate category took part in this study. They are divided into two experimental groups in base of their performance in a decision making test. An eye tracker (Mobile Eye from ASL laboratory) was used for analyzed the gaze behavior of the volleyball players. Results reveal that successful players have a more visual search rate; also the ball-wrist fixation is the most repeated fixation, used in order to extract information for make the right decision, especially in jump setting.

O presente artigo refere-se ao estudo do comportamento visual e a toma de decisões de jogadores de voleibol na ação do bloqueio, diante de duas situações diferentes de colocação: em apoio no salto. A mostra esta composta por 7 jogadores (M=25,14 ± 3,98 anos de idade) que competiam de forma federada na categoria absoluta. Os grupos foram divididos em experimentais em função do êxito na toma de decisões. Foi utilizado um sistema de seguimento do olhar (Mobile Eye do laboratório ASL) para analisar o comportamento visual. Os resultados revelam que os jogadores com mais sucesso apresentam um maior ratio de campo visual e que a fixação da zona bola-munheca é a mais utilizada para extrair informação baseada na toma de decisão, principalmente quando a colocação é realizada no salto.

El presente trabajo aborda el estudio del comportamiento visual y la toma de decisiones de jugadores de voleibol en la acción del bloqueo, ante dos situaciones diferentes de colocación: en apoyo y en salto. La muestra está compuesta por 7 jugadores (M=25,14 ± 3,98 años de edad) que competían de forma federada en categoría absoluta. Éstos se han dividido en dos grupos experimentales en función de su éxito en la toma de decisiones. Se utilizó un sistema de seguimiento de la mirada (Mobile Eye de los laboratorios ASL) para analizar el comportamiento visual. Los resultados revelan que los jugadores más exitosos presentan un mayor ratio de búsqueda de visual y que la fijación de la zona Balón-Muñeca es la más repetida para extraer información en base a la cual tomar la decisión, sobre todo cuando la colocación se realiza en salto.

Comparative studies on fatty acid and protein composition of the endosperm and embryo of palmito (Euterpe edulis Martius) were conducted using gas-liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. On a dry weight basis, the embryo contained extremely lower amounts of lipids and proteins than did the endosperm, which was associated with the scarce lipid and protein bodies previously reported in axis and cotyledon. The fatty acid composition also exhibited differences between both tissues: (I) the fatty acid diversity was greater in embryo than in endosperm; (II) embryo and endosperm contained predominantly linoleic, palmitic, oleic and stearic acids even though the relative values were different for each tissue. As compared to other palm species, the higher fatty acid unsaturation in Euterpe edulis seed could be involved in the previously reported short longevity and recalcitrant behavior during storage. Proteins of both tissues were heterogeneous in molecular mass. Some proteins were tissue-specific, but other were common, among them a highly glycosylated protein which migrated at about 55 kDa. We hypothesize that the latter, also reported in all previously studied palm species, is one of the proteins characterizing the Arecaceae family.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar os teores de proteína, amido e açúcares totais durante a histodiferenciação e desenvolvimento dos embriões somáticos em Acca sellowiana Berg. Para as observações histológicas, as amostras foram desidratadas em uma bateria de etanol, emblocadas em historesina e coradas com azul de toluidina (morfologia), azul de coomassie (corpos proteicos) e reativo ácido periódico de Schiff (amido). As proteínas foram extraídas usando uma solução tampão, precipitadas usando etanol e quantificadas por meio do reativo de Bradford. Os açúcares totais foram extraídos usando uma solução metanol-clorofórmioágua (12:5:3) e quantificados pela reação com antrona a 0,2%. O amido foi extraído usando uma solução de ácido perclórico a 30% e quantificado pela reação com antrona a 0,2%. Durante a diferenciação e morfogênese in vitro da embriogênese somática, os teores de proteínas totais decresceram e os açúcares solúveis aumentaram durante os 30 primeiros dias em cultura e permaneceram constantes até os 120 dias. Por outro lado, os teores das proteínas totais apresentaram incremento de acordo com a progressão nos estádios de desenvolvimento dos embriões somáticos. Os teores de açúcares totais e de amido aumentaram nos estádios cordiforme e cotiledonar e diminuíram nos estádios torpedo e pré-cotiledonar. Esses compostos exercem papel central no desenvolvimento de embriões somáticos de Acca sellowiana.

The aim of this work was to quantify the protein, starch and total sugars levels during histodifferentiation and development of somatic embryos of Acca sellowiana Berg. For histological observations, the samples were dehydrated in a battery of ethanol, embedded in historesin and stained with toluidine blue (morphology), coomassie blue (protein bodies) and periodic acid-Schiff (starch). Proteins were extracted using a buffer solution, precipitated using ethanol and quantified using the Bradford reagent. Total sugars were extracted using a methanol-chloroform-water (12:5:3) solution and quantified by a reaction with anthrone at 0.2%. Starch was extracted using a 30% perchloric acid solution and quantified by a reaction with anthrone at 0.2%. During the somatic embryogenesis' in vitro morphogenesis and differentiation processes, the total protein levels decreased and the soluble sugars levels increased during the first 30 days in culture and remained stable until the 120th day. On the other hand, total protein levels increased according to the progression in the developmental stages of the somatic embryos. The levels of total sugars and starch increased in the heart and cotyledonary stages, and decreased in the torpedo and pre-cotyledonary stages. These compounds play a central role in the development of somatic embryos of Acca sellowiana.

O tegumento que recobre o embrião da semente de Centrolobium robustum está constituído por uma camada externa de macroesclereídeos e uma camada interna de osteoesclereídeos, seguida por células mortas. O endosperma é constituído por até três camadas de células vivas ricas em corpos lipídicos e proteicos. Todas as células embrionárias que compõem os diferentes tecidos dos cotilédones e do eixo embrionário, incluindo os ápices meristemáticos, armazenam principalmente lipídeos e proteínas na forma de corpos lipídicos e protéicos, polissacarídeos solúveis e amido. No tegumento, foram detectados lignina, fenóis simples e taninos hidrolisáveis.

Centrolobium robustum seed coat is made up of an external layer of macrosclereids and an internal layer of osteosclereids, followed by a layer of dead cells. The endosperm is closely united to the seed coat and is made up of up to three layers of living cells rich in lipid and protein bodies. All the embryonic cells that form the different tissues of the cotyledons and embryonic axis, including the apical meristematic tissues, are storage tissues since they accumulate mainly lipids and proteins, in the form of lipid and protein bodies, water-soluble polysaccharides, and starch. In the seed coat, lignin, simple phenols and hydrolysable tannins were chemically detected.

Information on desiccation sensitivity of Euterpe edulis seeds under two drying rates is presented. The sensitivity was studied during the course of germination and normal germination. The water content was evaluated for both seeds and embryos. Results showed the following: (a) For both drying treatments and for both germination and normal germination, desiccation sensitivity values were higher for measurements based on the water content of the embryo than for those of the seed. (b) For both drying treatments, desiccation sensitivity were higher for normal germination than for germination based on both the embryo and seed water contents. (c) Under the slow drying treatment and for measurements based on the seed water content, critical water content was visible for normal germination but not for germination; (d) Critical water contents for germination and normal germination were more clearly established in the fast drying treatment than they were in the slow drying method based on both the embryo and seed water contents. Critical water contents were not associated with changes in electrolyte leakage, which suggests that conductivity is not a good indicator of physiological seed quality. From the beginning of both drying treatments, changes in nuclei and vacuoles were observed, but, when seed water content was reduced to below critical values, the cells became severely plasmolyzed, the vacuoles highly distorted, and the nuclei formed an almost homogeneous mass with the chromatin and the nucleoplasm, which suggests irreversible DNA damages.

No presente trabalho foram investigadas as condições para a indução, estabilização e proliferação de culturas embriogênicas de A. angustifolia. Foram também descritos os padrões de morfogênese e histodiferenciação de culturas embriogênicas e embriões somáticos desta espécie em resposta a diferentes fontes e concentrações de carboidratos. Embriões zigóticos no estágio pré-cotiledonar, inoculados em meio de cultura BM, suplementados com 5 µM de 2,4-D, 2 µM de BAP e Kin e 3% de maltose ou sacarose resultaram em uma taxa de indução de 66,7%. A fonte de carbono afetou a taxa de indução, a multiplicação e a morfologia das culturas. Culturas embriogênicas mantidas em meio de cultura BM suplementado com maltose apresentaram morfologia bipolar. Embriões somáticos globulares foram obtidos em meio de cultura BM suplementado com PEG e maltose. Os resultados obtidos permitirão avançar na direção de um protocolo regenerativo in vitro visando à conservação e o melhoramento genético desta espécie.

The aim of the present work was to establish in vitro conditions for the induction, stabilization and proliferation of embryogenic cultures of A. angustifolia. Pre-cotyledonary staged zygotic embryos inoculated BM medium supplemented with 5 µM 2,4- D, 2 µM BAP and Kin, and 3% maltose or sucrose resulted in 66.7% induction rate. The rate of induction of embryogenic cultures was affected by the carbon source, as well the multiplication and morphology of the embryogenic cultures. Embryogenic cultures maintained in BM medium with maltose presented bipolar morphology. Globular somatic embryos were obtained BM medium with 9% (PEG) and (9%) maltose. These results could establish an in vitro regenerative protocol towards the conservation and improvement of this important species.