https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/2475 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:07:17 GMT 2026-07-29T01:07:17Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/7339 Physical inactivity, a risk factor for mental disorders in Spanish youth: a cross-sectional study Pastor-Cisneros, Raquel; Pereira-Payo, Damián; Denche-Zamorano, Ángel; Mendoza Muñoz, María; Calzada-Rodríguez, José Ignacio; Franco-García, Juan Manuel Aim Mental health has become a major social issue, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, with raising levels of anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults and the subsequent higher prescription of antidepressants and anxiolytics. In this regard, while aspects such as obesity, sedentary behaviors and substance use are recognized risk factors, physical activity has been associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety. The study aimed (1) to investigate the associations between physical activity frequency (PAF) and self-reported depression and anxiety, as well as antidepressants and anxiolytics use, in the young Spanish population; (2) to identify potential risks factors for depression, chronic anxiety and use of antidepressants and anxiolytics concerning variables such as sex, age, BMI, smoking, study level and PAF. Subject and methods A cross-sectional study based on data from the European Health Survey in Spain (EHSS 2020) was conducted, including a final sample of 3,416 participants aged 15–34 years. Results Associations between PAF and self-reported depression and anxiety and use of antidepressants and anxiolytics were found, with physically inactive groups showing higher prevalence. Being female, physically inactive and smoker, among others, emerged as notable risk factors for depression and anxiety. Additionally, being female, older age and smoking increase the prevalence of antidepressant and anxiolytic use. Being in secondary school is associated with increased use of anxiolytics. Conclusion Physical inactivity is associated with a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and use of antidepressants and anxiolytics in the target population, with PA programs and initiatives being potential protective factors. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/7339 2026-06-02T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/7338 Improved Neuromuscular Performance in Low-Load vs. Moderate-Load Resistance Training Among Young Elite Swimmers Rodríguez-Rosell, David; Pereira Neiva, Henrique; Almeida Marinho, Daniel; Yáñez-García, Juan Manuel; Rojas-Jaramillo, Andrés; González-Badillo, Juan José; Cardoso Marques, Mário Resistance training (RT) is commonly used to enhance neuromuscular performance and sprint swimming outcomes. However, the optimal relative load for elite junior swimmers remains unclear. In particular, little is known about whether very low relative loads can elicit meaningful adaptations while minimizing neuromuscular fatigue in athletes exposed to high concurrent training demands. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of two land-based RT programs differing only in relative load intensity (40–50% vs. 55–65% 1RM), performed with maximal intended concentric velocity, on strength, jumping ability, and 50 m freestyle swimming performance in elite junior swimmers. Eighteen elite junior swimmers (15.6 ± 0.9 years) from a national high-performance program were randomly assigned to a low-load (40–50% 1RM; n = 9) or moderate-load (55–65% 1RM; n = 9) group. Both groups completed an 8-week RT program (2 sessions·week−1) with identical exercise selection, volume, execution velocity, and in-water training load. Neuromuscular performance (countermovement jump, squat, bench press, and pull-up strength) and swimming performance (50 m freestyle from the starting block and in-water start) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Both RT protocols improved squat and bench press strength and 50 m freestyle performance, whereas significant improvements in countermovement jump, pull-up strength, and maximal pull-up repetitions were observed only in the low-load group. Significant group × time interactions were found for countermovement jump, maximal number of pull-up repetitions, and 50 m freestyle performance from the starting block, indicating more favorable changes over time in the low-load group. In conclusion, both low- and moderate-load high-velocity RT improved neuromuscular and 50 m freestyle performance outcomes in elite junior swimmers. However, the low-load RT (40–50% 1RM) appeared to provide additional benefits in specific outcomes (i.e., jumping, pull-ups, and 50 m performance from the starting block). These findings suggest that relatively low loads may be a practical alternative to moderate-load RT in high-volume swimming training environments. Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/7338 2026-06-17T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/7337 European Electoral Disinformation: Analysing the Contribution of Spanish Fact-Checking to the Elections24Check Project Morejón Llamas, Noemí; Micaletto Belda, Juan Pablo Information disorders condition electoral processes, becoming a major institutional concern. In response, the European Union and various fact-checking organisations co-organised the Elections24Check project to curb disinformation in the 2024 European elections. This research analyses the activities, strategies, and editorial behaviour of the five Spanish fact-checking agencies that are integrated into the initiative. Through a content analysis applied to 3256 publications, the findings demonstrate the maturity of the Spanish ecosystem, which led the project by contributing 32.8% of the total content. Strategically, reactive action predominated, except for Newtral, which prioritised prebunking (62.6%). Political scrutiny was minor (6.6%), focusing on major coalitions and far-right leaders. Thematically, highlights included war conflicts, migration, and national/regional frameworks utilised for emotional polarisation, displacing the focus from the strictly European debate. In conclusion, Spain consolidates itself as a cornerstone of European fact-checking. However, the results reveal inefficiencies in the project’s extended timeframe, suggesting more constrained and effective frameworks for election campaigns. Furthermore, the persistence of narratives anchored to local agendas evidences a strategic fragmentation that hinders the construction of a fully pan-European public space. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/7337 2026-06-22T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/7328 Validation of the 15-Item and 5-Item Versions of the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument for Spanish Adolescents Aged 11–18: A Study Using the Original 18-Item Version Romero-Macarrilla, José Antonio; Bauer, Robert; Fernández-Sánchez, Javier; Fernández-Sánchez, Eva; González-Gutiérrez, Iván; Adsuar, José Carmelo; Pastor-Cisneros, Raquel; Mendoza Muñoz, María; Carlos Vivas, Jorge; Collado-Mateo, Daniel Background: Physical literacy is a multidimensional construct encompassing physical competence, confidence, motivation, knowledge, and lifelong engagement in physical activity. The Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (PPLI) has been widely used internationally; however, previous adolescent validations have been based on a reduced 9-item version originally developed for teachers. This study aims to evaluate the validity and test–retest reliability of a Spanish adaptation of the original 18-item PPLI in Spanish adolescents aged 11–18 years. Methods: A multi-phase validation study was conducted with 869 Spanish adolescents (421 females). The procedure included: (1) translation and cultural adaptation, (2) Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA; n = 290), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA; n = 579) and invariance analyses, and (3) test–retest reliability assessment. Results: EFA supported a three-factor solution comprising 15 items. CFA showed standardized factor loadings ranging from 0.62 to 0.89, indicating that the latent constructs were adequately represented. Although the 15-item model showed acceptable fit, a 5-item unidimensional short form was developed due to limitations in the three-dimensional models. This short form demonstrated good model fit (scaled RMSEA = 0.073; scaled CFI = 0.992; SRMR = 0.026), adequate convergent validity (AVE = 0.558), high reliability (. = 0.821), moderate test–retest stability (ICC = 0.69), and full configural, metric, and scalar longitudinal invariance. Conclusions: The 15-, 9-, and 5-item versions of the PPLI are valid and reliable options. The 15-item version allows comprehensive assessment and domain-level interpretation. The 9-item version facilitates comparability with previous international research. The 5-item version may be useful in contexts with time constraints but may not be the preferred choice for comprehensive assessment of physical literacy in clinical or detailed pedagogical diagnostic settings. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12412/7328 2026-04-09T00:00:00Z