Carlos Ayán

• University of Vigo

Objectives: This systematic review aims to critically analyze the available evidence on the effects of hemsball interventions in children and adolescents. Methods: This study followed PRISMA guidelines for identifying, selecting, and analyzing investigations. Systematic searches were conducted in five electronic databases (Web of Science, SportDisc...

Introduction: This systematic review aimed to analyze the literature on the effects of dance program as a strategy to improve fundamental motor skills in preschool children. Methods: Randomized clinical trials and comparative studies were searched in three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) until March 2025. The methodologica...

Background: We aim to evaluate the effect of the Nordic Walking program on the quality of life and functionality of individuals with intellectual disabilities; Methods: The NORDIN-JOY study is designed as a multicenter, randomized crossover trial. Participants in the experimental group will engage in a Nordic Walking intervention, while those in th...

Background: The aim of the study was to identify and critically evaluate the best available evidence on the impact of physical exercise on patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome. Methods: Studies were searched in four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SportDiscus) from their inception up to September 2024. The methodologic...

Context: This study aims to provide data on the reliability and validity of an adapted Spanish version of the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) when administered to Spanish athletes. Design: A cross-sectional study was developed. Methods: Data were collected from 128 athletes (males n = 71; females n = 57). The tools used in th...

RESUMEN La disminución de la participación deportiva en jóvenes sugiere la necesidad de promover deportes alternativos como la vela. No obstante, la falta de estudios sobre la exposición solar en estos deportistas evidencia una importante área de investigación. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los niveles de forma física relacionados con la s...

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la evidencia científica actual sobre los efectos del ejercicio acuático en variables relacionadas con la composición corporal de niños y adolescentes. Material y método: Se identificaron artículos publicados hasta marzo de 2022 en seis bases de datos utilizando la siguiente estrategia de búsqueda y...

Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of exercise training programs on sleep quality in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Methods: Studies were searched in five electronic databases until March 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy E...

Objective: In this study, the objective is to analyze the efficacy of different aquatic physical exercise programs in the treatment of osteoarthritis in older people. Material and Methods: The systematic review was conducted until April 2024 and updated in November 2024 in five electronic databases. Randomized controlled studies in people over 60 y...

This systematic review aimed to analyse the literature on the effects of stretching exercise as a strategy to improve walking performance and balance in older adults. A literature search was performed in five databases up to October 2023 for randomized clinical trials addressing the effects of stretching exercise programs in older adults. The metho...

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of boxing interventions on people with Parkinson disease. Methods: Four electronic databases were searched systematically from their inception until December 2023. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiothera...

Abstract Purpose This study aimed at identifying the reliability and validity of the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment (CAMSA), when assessed in real-time. Method A sample of 70 primary and 356 secondary students participated voluntarily. Anthropometric variables, CAMSA, 10 × 5-m shuttle run test and 10 × 4-m shuttle run test results o...

Background To revise and critically summarize the available scientific evidence regarding the effect of exercise on sleep quality in people with diabetes. Methods Three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro Database and Scopus) were searched systematically from their inception until February 2024. The methodological quality of the included s...

We aimed to analyse the available scientific evidence on the effects of exercise programs on sleep quality in autism spectrum condition. Studies were searched in five electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost Environment Complete, Dialnet Plus and Scopus) until February 2024 (updated in August 2024). A total of ten randomized...

This scoping review aimed to explore the characteristics and performance factors of competitive Para-cyclists. A systematic search for studies on competitive Para-cycling on WOS, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Scopus was performed until December 2023. Five methodological phases were followed: (i) identifying the research question, (ii) identifying relevan...

The aim of this study is to examine the available scientific evidence on the reliability and criterion validity of 6-minute run walk field-based test when administered to children and adolescents. Systematic searches were performed in three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscuss and Scopus) from their inception until February 2024, with...

Background An evident reduction in flexibility has been observed among young individuals, highlighting the imperative requirement for strategies dedicated to the enhancement of flexibility. Assessing flexibility in children is of paramount importance owing to its intrinsic connection with motor competence, postural health, and the prevention of hea...

Introduction Surfing, a leisure activity known for its positive physical and mental health effects, has emerged as a potential therapeutic intervention. This study aims to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of surfing on mental health in active military personnel and veterans. Methods Studies were searched across four elec...

Due to limited studies, we systematically reviewed evidence on the impact of physical exercise on intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Using MEDLINE/Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, we selected English, Portuguese, or Spanish studies excluding case reports and yoga-based interventions. From 1001 records...

This study aims to review the scientific evidence regarding the effects of table tennis practice on children and adolescents. Studies were searched in three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and SportDiscus) from their inception up to May 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the 10-point Physiotherapy Evid...

(1) Background: This study explores the potential energy expenditure associated with participation in after-school sports activities among primary school children. (2) Methods: The study involved 129 children age (11.35 ± 0.55 years) recruited from eight different public after-school sport programs. (3) Results: Data analyses revealed significant d...

Background: This study aims to analyze the influence of relative age effects, siblings, and digit ratio on the agility of children and adolescents. Methods: The study included 283 children (9.54 ± 1.36 years) and 296 adolescents (14.68 ± 1.36 years) from four different schools. The analyzed variables included anthropometric data, the presence of si...

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore sleep patterns and the potential relationship between sleep and tryptophan intake among Spanish university students. A total of 11,485 students self-reported their sleep and dietary patterns and habits. Tryptophan intake was calculated using a food intake matrix and results were presented a...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prevalence rates and self-reported changes in patterns of alcohol use among first-year university students in Spain, considering the risk of problematic alcohol use. A serial cross-sectional study based on the uniHcos project was carried out. Data from 10,518 firs...

Purpose Recreational and competitive slalom waterskiing is increasingly popular among individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), particularly for those with paraplegia using sit-skis. A key component of slalom skiing is the deep-water start (DWS), yet little is known about the physiological and physical demands of this activity when the athlete i...

Objective: We aimed to analyze and summarize the available scientific evidence on the benefits of Nordic walking for people with chronic pain and fatigue. Literature Survey: This systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and conducted a comprehensive search across five databases using the PICO strategy. Methodology: Inclusion criteria encompas...

Body dissatisfaction is commonly associated with rhythmic gymnastics (RG) practice, but limited research exists on the prevalence of this issue among recreational level practitioners. This study examines body image dissatisfaction among young girls practicing RG recreationally. A total of 88 girls between six and eleven years of age, who participat...

Introduction: Limited research has explored the influence of quality of life (QoL) and disease severity on physical activity (PA) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, and the sources of PA prescription and advice for this population. This study aims to expand scientific knowledge on these topics. Patients and methods: Two-hundred eleven PD patient...

Introduction: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) have physiological, emotional, and economic consequences in the lives of affected people. Resistance training (RT) is efficient in improving several physiological factors, quality of life, and body composition. Due to the scarce literature on the analysis of isolated RT, the objective of this systematic revi...

Background: The school can be a favorable context to prevent childhood obesity, so that the pattern of school snacks can contribute to the adoption of healthy habits. The aim of this study was twofold: a) to analyze the degree of compliance with the prescribed snacks; b) to compare the characteristics of the snacks according to whether they were pr...

This study aimed to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of Pilates training programs on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Randomized clinical trials and comparative studies were searched in four electronic databases until September 2023 (updated December 2023). The methodological quality of included studies was assess...

Antecedentes y objetivos: Los pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis (HD) son particularmente vulnerables debido a las comorbilidades y a los fármacos inmunosupresores. En respuesta, este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar un programa alternativo de ejercicio en casa implementado para mantener la forma física de los pacientes en HD. Métodos: Se propuso...

Background Basketball referees are a vital part of the organised competition system, although they remain an “outgroup” in sport. While physical development and fitness programming are deemed necessary for basketball officiating excellence, there is a paucity of literature exploring strategies for physical fitness management in this population. Me...

This study aims to investigate the potential relationship between energy expenditure, physical fitness level, physical activity, and body mass index among children taking part in a 30 min school recess. A total of 259 participants from three schools were included in this study. Data on energy expenditure during recess, age, gender, anthropometric m...

Objectives: This study aimed to provide information on the training profile and characteristics of injuries sustained by obstacle course racing competitors. Methods: This research is a nationwide cross-sectional, self-administered online survey conducted in 2023. Results: We analyzed the data collected from 201 obstacle course racing participa...

This study aimed to systematically revise the available evidence on the effects of physical exercise training programmes on people with hypothyroidism. Comparative studies were searched in six electronic databases until April 2023. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies were used to determine the...

Objective To examine the joint associations between physical activity and abdominal obesity with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Methods We included 70 830 UK Biobank participants (mean age±SD=61.6 ± 7.9 years; 56.4% women) with physical activity measured by wrist-worn accelerometers and without major chronic diseases. Participant...

Background and objectives: Injuries involving ankle stability and range of motion are among the most frequent in athletes and in the general population. In response, this study aimed to assess the immediate effects of toe separators on dynamic stability and ankle range of motion in healthy young individuals. Methods: Among the 68 eligible partic...

This scoping review aimed to summarize the literature on Para judo comprehensively. A systematic search on WOS, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Scopus was carried out up to July 2022, combining the keywords "judo" and "visual impairment", "visual disability", "visual deficiency", "visually handicapped", "low vision", "sight loss", "blind", "disability" "de...

To analyze the effectiveness of a teletraining teaching-learning methodology based on smart glasses in the performance of laymen when faced with simulated cardiac arrest.

Background and objective To revise and critically summarize the available scientific evidence regarding the effect of exercise on sleep quality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative studies was conducted, searching MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus us...

This review aimed to systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the available data on the effects of Brain Gym (BG) on cognitive function in older people. Six electronic databases were searched systematically using: "Brain Gym" AND "elderly, "Brain Gym" AND "older people". The PEDro and MINORS scales were used to evaluate methodological quality. For...

The World Health Organization estimates that one fifth of university students have experienced major depressive disorder at some point in their lives. Nutrition may be one of the modifiable factors that influence the development of depression. Specifically, low omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin D levels, both nutrients found in high quantities in fish...

The objective of this research was to study the relationship between the body weight and diet, physical activity, and other habits among freshmen students by sex, and to determine whether these habits have changed during the post-era of the COVID-19 pandemic. A serial cross-sectional study with data from 11 Spanish universities was carried out. In...

Introduction: adolescents are the group most vulnerable to distortions in the perception of their image. This often leads to body dissatisfaction that can negatively affect their self-esteem. The practice of physical activity (PA) could help solve this problem. Objectives: to analyze the influence that the amount of PA performed has on the self-...

Background: There is a need for promoting exercise practice among people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Aquatic exercise (AE) could be a viable option in this regard. Objective: To identify and critically analyze the best available evidence concerning the effects of AE in the physical and mental health of people with ID. Methods: A systematic...

Objectives: The present research has a double fold objective. Firstly, it aims at determining whether incorporating blow darts as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) is feasible and safe. One secondary objective is to provide information regarding its effects on their respiratory function. E...

Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities often experience mobility limitations. Baduanjin, a mindfulness-based exercise intervention, can exert positive effects on functional mobility and balance. This study examined the impact of Baduanjin on physical functioning and balance of adults with intellectual disabilities. Method: Twenty-nine...

There is evidence that elite soccer players live longer than general population, but there is no information on soccer coaches and referees. We aimed to analyze the longevity of both professionals, comparing them with soccer players and with general population. In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 328 male Spanish soccer coaches, 287 refe...

Re-warm-up activities are recommended in team sports due to loss of muscle temperature during half-time. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a half-time re-warm-up strategy on female basketball players. Ten players U14, separated into two teams of five players, performed either a passive rest condition or repeated sprints (5×14 m) plus 2 mi...

Problem Statement: Passive rest during basketball games could reduce athletes' performance and increase the risk of injury during the second half of the game due to loss of muscle temperature. Approach: The re-warm-up activities during half-time could help avoid this problem, but there is a lack of research on their efficacy, especially in basketba...

This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on healthy habits in a sample made up of Chilean international elite female handball players. Participants filled in an online survey regarding their physical activity levels, eating attitudes, sleep quality and psychological well-being, twice. The survey was sent within four weeks afte...

Introduction: We aimed to identify the utility, reliability, and validity of an adapted version of the OMNI self-perceived exertion (PE) rating scale in preschoolers. Population and methods: Firstly, 50 (mean age ± standard deviation [SD] = 5.3 ± 0.5 years, 40% girls) performed a cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) test twice, with a one-week interval...

This study aimed to identify the GPS-based external training load variables that influence the internal training loads (RPE-derived parameters: RPE and session RPE – sRPE), and generate a model to predict GPS-based external load variables from RPE and perceived wellness values. Training load data for 21 elite young players were collected over 72 tr...

Este estudio de carácter psicométrico tuvo como objetivo evaluar la fiabilidad y validez de las pruebas V-Sit and Reach (VS) y Toe –Touch (TT) en población preescolar. De un total inicial de 158 participantes, 132 realizaron las pruebas en tres ocasiones. La prueba de elevación pasiva de la pierna recta (PSLR) se usó como indicador de validez. Amba...

Objective: Research suggests that an active re-warm-up (RW-U) during half-time improves performance capacity in team sports, despite limited evidence in basketball. This study aimed to identify the practice of RW-U activities during the half-time period in elite and sub-elite Spanish men's and women's basketball teams. Methods: We asked strength a...

Background Studies suggest that physical exercise lead to improvements in the psychosocial dimension, associated comorbidities as well as to a higher quality of life (QoL) in people with epilepsy. However, there is a need to provide evidence-based guidelines for its prescription. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically evaluate and meta-anal...

This study aimed to evaluate the relative, absolute reliability, and concurrent validity of the ADR-Jumping system. Fifty-two participants performed three countermovement jumps (CMJ) and three squat jumps (SJ) with a 1-week interval for test and retest reliability; Chronojump contact-mat was used while simultaneously measuring with the ADR-Jumping...

Purpose Yoga may be a beneficial treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, no studies have critically reviewed and meta-analyzed the scientific evidence for yoga’s benefits regarding motor and non-motor symptoms. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of yoga as a rehab...

Objective This systematic review aimed at analysing the reliability and validity of field-based tests for assessing physical fitness in gymnasts. Method Three electronic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus) were searched up to March 2022, in order to identify studies that assessed the psychometric properties of field-based physical fitness...

Objective: Self-perception questionnaires are considered a useful alternative to assess the level of physical fitness (PF) of a specific population. However, very few questionnaires of this type have been validated in the Spanish population. The aim of this study was to identify the reliability and validity of the Perceived Physical Fitness Scale...

Among university students there has been evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic increased their psychological distress, exacerbated by social restrictions. The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use among university students, in contrast to previous trends since 20...

Purpose: This study focuses on exploring the feasibility and the effects of practicing chair-based yoga for 10 weeks on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and interoceptive body awareness (BA) in adults with neurodisability and moderate to severe physical dependence. Materials and Methods: A pre- and post-testing control group design was follow...

Nordic walking (NW) may be a beneficial treatment for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Since high-quality research has been published on the effects of NW on people with PD by now, an actualised and comprehensive, in-depth review is recommended to guide practitioners in prescribing this exercise modality. The purpose of this study was to condu...

Health-related physical fitness (HRPF) has emerged as an important marker of health among children. It is usually defined as a multidimensional construct consisting of cardiorespiratory endurance; muscular strength and endurance; and flexibility. Currently, health policies are aimed at getting children to increase their HRPF levels. Understanding t...

Handball is a team sport involving a great physical demand from its practitioners in which a high number of injuries occur, affecting individual and collective performance. Knowledge of the injuries is of great importance for their prevention. The objective of the present study was to identify, locate and compare the most frequent injuries and inju...

Background: During adolescence and youth there are relevant changes in the consolidation, gain or loss of consumption habits and lifestyles and the family factors has a fundamental role to development these habits. The study of the consumption of toxins, such as alcohol intake, is crucial at this stage due to the repercussions that said consumptio...

Background: Students spend a high number of hours being seated while at school. In order to find the correct adjustment between school furniture and the anthropometric characteristics, specific knowledge and tools are necessary. Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the measurers with different inst...

This systematic review was aimed at identifying the psychometric properties of field-based tests for assessing physical fitness in soccer referees. Electronic databases were searched up to May 2020 for studies that informed about the reliability and/or validity of at least one field-based physical fitness test for soccer referees. A total of 13 stu...

Resumen Antecedentes y objetivo La rehabilitación temprana en el síndrome de Down (SD) es una estrategia fisioterápica de utilidad, si bien la evidencia científica al respecto no es muy amplia. Este estudio de caso tuvo como objetivo aportar información sobre los efectos de un programa de rehabilitación temprana en el perfil de desarrollo y adquis...

Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity and type of urinary incontinence (UI) in female and male CrossFit® practitioners. Study Design The study design is an online cross-sectional survey distributed to CrossFit® practitioners across all Spanish regions. The questionnaire included categorical questions related to CrossFit®...

Introduction and hypothesis Studies on the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) among CrossFit practitioners are on the rise. This systematic review with meta-analysis was aimed at determining the prevalence of UI among CrossFit practitioners. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and S...

Objective: Las estrategias restrictivas de movilidad derivadas de la pandemia por COVID-19 podrían afectar negativamente al estado de salud de la población debido a la disminución de los niveles de actividad física. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar el aumento del tiempo de sedentarismo durante los confinamientos en comparación con la situaci...

The aim of the study was to examine the association of alcohol consumption patterns (hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking) and the use of emergency services and primary care consultations in university students. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at eleven Spanish universities collaborating within the uniHcos Pro...

Scientific evidence regarding whether intellectually gifted children show similar physical activity habits and physical fitness levels in comparison to typically developed children, is inconclusive. This is in part due to the scant research that has directly compared both groups of people. In this study, physical activity prevalence, self-perceived...

Background: Efforts to synthesise existing knowledge concerning the effects of exercise interventions on obesity (i.e. changes in body weight and composition) have been made, but scientific evidence in this matter is still limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify and critically analyse the best available evidence regardin...

Purpose To compare the effects of upper versus the lower-body resistance exercise on cognitive and physical functions of institutionalized older people. Methods This was a non-randomized multi-center comparative and crossover study (clincialtrials.gov code NCT03831373). Two experimental groups performed a 12-week intervention of resistance exercis...

Background: The feasibility and reliability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) battery for predicting injury risk have been widely studied in athletic, military, public service and healthy populations. However, scant research has been carried out in people with disabilities. This study aimed at identifying the feasibility and reliability of t...

Objetivo: evaluar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico con soporte musical, basado en el Breaking, en la condición física de un grupo de personas con discapacidad intelectual. Método: un grupo de siete personas entre 14 y 21 años con un nivel de discapacidad intelectual entre medio y severo comenzaron un programa de ejercicio físico con s...

Introduction: School furniture affects the sitting position of students in the classroom, as well as their health and learning. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the existence of a potential mismatch between school furniture dimensions and students' anthropometric characteristics, as well as to propose dimensions based on classroom actuality...

Fundamentos: La discriminación durante los momentos vitales, como el periodo universitario, puede generar un alto impacto en la conducta y en el estado de salud de las personas. El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la posible asociación de la discriminación con la salud percibida y con distintas conductas de riesgo, así como describir las diferen...

Objective: Discrimination during vital moments, such as the university period, can generate a high impact on people's behavior and health. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible association of discrimination with perceived health and with different risk behaviors, as well as to describe gender differences in Spanish university students....

Background Scientific evidence has shown that equine-assisted therapies (EAT) lead to improvements in the physical function and the quality of life (QoL) of people with disabilities through the practice of hippotherapy or therapeutic riding (TR). There is a need to confirm whether people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) can also benefit from its prac...

Background and Objectives: The passive nature of rest breaks in sport could reduce athletes’ performance and even increase their risk of injury. Re-warm-up activities could help avoid these problems, but there is a lack of research on their efficacy. This systematic review aimed at analyzing the results of those randomized controlled trials (RCTs)...

This systematic review aimed to identify and summarize the reliability and validity of the questionnaires that have been designed for assessing self-perceived physical fitness (PF) in elderly people. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscuss and Scopus) were searched systematically from their inception until March 2021 in order to fi...

Videogames have been applied to improve health-related outcomes in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). For this purpose, it seems necessary to make available the best scientific information concerning the feasibility and potential benefits of playing videogames within this population. This study aimed to systematically review the existing s...