Background: This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of feedback modalities in the motor learning of complex tasks. Methods: This study examined sixty-one male university students randomised to three groups: group Verbal (VER) = 20 (body height 178.6 ± 4.3 cm, body mass 81.3 ± 3.7 kg, age 20.3 ± 1.2 years), group Visual (VIS) = 21 (body height 179 ± 4.6 cm, body mass 82 ± 3.4 kg, age 20.3 ± 1.2 years), and group Verbal–Visual (VER&VIS) = 20 (body height 178.6 ± 4.3 cm, body mass 81.3 ± 3.7 kg, age 20.3 ± 1.2 years). The duration of the experiment was 6 months. Training sessions were performed three times per week (on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). The participants were instructed to perform a vertical jump with an arm swing (with forward and upward motion). During the jump, the participants pulled their knees up to their chests and grabbed their lower legs. The jump was completed with a half-squat landing, with arms positioned sideward. The jumping performance was rated by three gymnastic judges on a scale from 1 to 10. Results: A Tukey post hoc test revealed that in the post-test, a significant difference in the quality of performance was found between the Verbal group concerning errors combined with visual feedback on how to correct them (VER&VIS), the Verbal group concerning errors (VER), and the Visual group with visual feedback on the correctness of task performance (VIS). The ratings observed in the post-test were significantly higher in group VER&VIS than in groups VER and VIS (9%; p < 0.01 and 15%; p < 0.001, respectively). All judges’ ratings observed in group VER&VIS and VIS decreased insignificantly, but in group VER the ratings improved insignificantly. Conclusion: Providing verbal feedback combined with visual feedback on how to correct errors made in performing vertical jumps proved more effective than the provision of verbal feedback only or visual feedback only.

Our goal in this paper is to analyse the impact of the implementation of M-Learning methodology on the motivation and assimilation of academic contents. A total of 283 university students participated in our study. They were assessed on two different occasions. For the assessment, a 10-question multiple-answer test set up in the Socrative mobile applications was used. To take into consideration the students’ opinion on the experiment a satisfaction survey was used. The results from the global satisfaction survey show that the M-Learning methodology is perceived as a motivating tool (74.6%) which generates a more pleasant environment in the classroom (71%), increases student satisfaction attending classes (80.5%) and helps students acquire learning contents better (72.5%). The repetition and frequency of use of the application increased the final score in all groups (initial-final assessment: 5.9 vs 7.4 points). Data obtained suggest that the M-Learning methodology as a facilitator of content assimilation is useful in the academic environment and is a useful tool for improving the teaching-learning process too.

La actividad física (AF) afecta de manera positiva en la salud de las personas a cualquier edad, de acuerdo con los resultados de diferentes estudios en cuanto a la salud cognitiva de las personas mayores, los beneficios son más evidentes. Por esa razón, se ha realizado una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica que aborda los efectos de la AF en las funciones cognitivas (FC) de las personas mayores. Se consultaron cuatro bases de datos: Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, y Pub Med, y el buscador Scholar Google. Tras aplicar los criterios de selección, quedaron 31 artículos, que fueron analizados en cuanto a) país, cantidad de individuos y edad, b) variables, y c) enfoque de investigación, duración y resultados. En general, la AF mejora diversas dimensiones de las funciones cognitivas de las personas mayores, donde median factores genéticos y ambientales que tienen que ver con el estilo de vida del individuo. Los tipos de AF se comportan de manera diferencial en cuanto a la dimensión de la función cognitiva que mejoran. La determinación de marcadores bioquímicos (BDNF, dopamina, péptido β-amiloide, gamma gap), de imagenología por resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) y cambios en la actividad eléctrica del cerebro, soportan la hipótesis de que la AF produce cambios en la forma y actividad cerebral, sin que ello suponga cambios significativos en la conducta observada y medible mediante test estandarizados de salud mental. Physical activity (PA) positively affects people's health at any age, and according to the results of different studies on the cognitive health of older people, the benefits are more evident. For this reason, a systematic review of the scientific literature addressing the effects of PA on the cognitive functions (CF) of older people has been conducted. Four databases were consulted to locate relevant literature: Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Pub Med, and the Scholar Google search engine. After applying the selection criteria, 31 articles were left, which were analyzed in terms of a) country, number of individuals and age, b) variables, and c) research approach, duration and results. In general, PA improves several dimensions of cognitive functions of older people, where genetic and environmental factors that have to do with the individual's lifestyle are mediated. Types of PA behave differently in terms of the dimension of cognitive function they improve. The determination of biochemical markers (BDNF, dopamine, amyloid peptide β, gamma gap), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR) and changes in the electrical activity of the brain support the hypothesis that PA produces changes in brain shape and activity, without significant changes in behavior observed and measurable by standardized tests of mental health.

Social isolation and widespread confinement in many countries has caused a decrease in physical activity (PA) and an increase in levels of stress, anxiety and depression. The purpose in life is part of the psychological well-being of people, and having a clear purpose allows them to face adversity. In this sense, the influence of PA on psychological well-being in confinement situations makes it necessary to study and promote it by educational and government entities. The objective of this work was to evaluate the incidence of an intervention program with PA (Move at home) on the purpose in life during a period of mandatory confinement due to COVID-19. 360 university students divided into three groups participated: control (Sedentary, Thirst), and experimental (group with low physical activity, BAct, and physically active, Act). The experimental groups underwent a PA intervention program for 11 weeks, from the beginning to the end of the mandatory confinement. A weekly online questionnaire was collected, recording the PA level (min/week) and the results of the PIL test (purpose in life). The PA level decreased significantly at the beginning of the confinement and increased significantly in the easing phases. The intervention program was able to contribute to maintaining the PA level in the participants. Physical activity has a positive effect on purpose in life and the practice of some physical exercise on a regular basis could be a crucial tool to face a state of mandatory confinement.Keywords: health, sport, coronavirus, life purpose, emotions

Preliminary studies have reported that motor control is negatively impacted following an infection of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on maintaining balance in highly skilled athletes. As part of a larger investigation that was initiated in 2019, twelve professional handball players were recruited to participate in a study that was designed to measure static balance performance. Following the initial pre-test, six participants (body height 184.8 ± 4.7 cm; body weight 85.5 ± 3.3 kg; age 21.3 ± 1.2 years) were infected with COVID-19. The remaining six participants (body height 188.7 ± 2.6 cm; body weight 92.3 ± 3.7 kg; age 26.3 ± 3.3 years) never tested positive for COVID-19 and were presumably not infected with the virus. The experimental design required all the participants to complete an initial balance assessment (pre-test) and a later balance assessment (post-test). To fully analyze our data, we conducted a 2 (condition: COVID, no-COVID) X 2 (test: pre-test, post-test) ANOVA with repeated measures on the second factor. Our analysis revealed that the skilled athletes who contracted COVID-19 had a significant decrease in balance performance from the pre-test that occurred prior to being infected with COVID-19 relative to the post-test that occurred following the COVID-19 infection. Additionally, the skilled athletes who were not infected with COVID-19 did not demonstrate the same deterioration in balance performance in the same period. This study highlights the impact COVID-19 has on static balance performance in a group of highly skilled handball players. Longitudinal studies are needed to fully understand the lasting impacts COVID-19 has on motor behavior.