Biomedical subjects

M A Rivera

Publications and source records attributed to M A Rivera.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

[Anthropometric and physiologic profile of Puerto Rican athletes: female softball].

This study was conducted to describe and compare various anthropometric, body composition, cardiorespiratory, metabolic and neuromuscular characteristics of 12 female athletes, members of the Puerto Rico national softball team. The subjects were divided into three categories according to their game specific requirements (game position): infielders (n = 5), outfielders (n = 4), and pitchers (n = 3). The mean and standard deviations of all the variables in each group was calculated. These athletes demonstrated high levels of body fat and below optimal levels of flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, and muscular strength and endurance. The results revealed deficiencies in the health related fitness components and in the physical preparation for sports competition. These results also suggest that the subjects are at risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases, sport injuries, and poor sport performance.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of Puerto Rican cyclists].

This study was conducted to describe various anthropometric, body composition, cardiorespiratory, metabolic and neuromuscular characteristics of 31 athletes (F = 5, M = 26) members of the Puertorrican Cycling Federation's national pre-selection. The athletes were divided into four categories according to their sex and age. The mean and standard deviation of all the variables in each category was computed. An Analysis of Covariance was conducted to determine significant differences between the mean's of the four categories. Male cyclists showed superior results compared to female cyclists in all the variables studied except body mass, ectomorphy, VO2 max, max HR, max power (W), and neuromuscular function in which they showed no statistical differences. The anthropometric, body composition, max power (W) and cardiorespiratory characteristics of our cyclists compared with those reported for international cyclists. The groups means for push ups, sit ups and flexibility were below the excellent classification when compared to the general population's health related physical fitness norms.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[Age of menarche and menstruation characteristics of Puerto Rican women athletes].

The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the chronological age, age at menarche (AM), age at initiation of training (AIT), years dedicated to training (YDT), selected menstrual characteristics, use of oral contraceptives, family size (FZ), birth order (BO), martial status, and number of children relative to sport of Puerto Rican women athletes. Fifty five (55) women athletes (track and field n = 6, basketball n = 7, gymnastics n = 5, synchronized swimming n = 9, swimming n = 5, softball n = 14, tennis n = 4 [field tennis n = 2, table tennis n = 2], and volleyball n = 5) members of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee delegation to the XV Central American and Caribbean Games were interview. The M +/- sd of the variables were as follows: age = 21.0 +/- 5.3 years, AIT = 11.4 +/- 4.3 years, YDT = 9.6 +/- 4.4 years, AM = 13.2 +/- 1.6 years, BO = 2.7 +/- 1.3, y FZ = 3.7 +/- 1.9. Five percent of the sample (gymnasts = 2, swimmers = 1) had not attained menarche at the time of the study. The prevalence for menstrual irregularity and dysmenorrhea was 44.2 and 40.4%, respectively. With respect to the degree of certainty in the recall of age of menarche: 61.5% were very certain, 25% certain, and 13.5% uncertain. The prevalence of the use of oral contraceptives was 7.3%. In conclusion, the results are within the range of those reported for olympic athletes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

The somatotype of Puerto Rican male athletes at the X Pan American Games: a brief descriptive report.

The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the Health-Carter anthropometric somatotype and other selected anthropometric characteristics of top class Puerto Rican athletes. One hundred and forty seven (147) male athletes, members of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee delegation to the X Pan American Games were evaluated. The sample represented 84% of the total number of male athletes. Nineteen different sports were represented. The results indicated that gymnasts (18.3 +/- 4.0 years), swimmers (18.5 +/- 2.9 years) and table tennists (19.3 +/- 3.5 years) were the group with the minimum age. The maximal age was demonstrated by shooters (40.2 +/- 7.8 years). The height range was 158.1 +/- 6.3 cm (judoists) to 193.8 +/- 15.2 cm (basketball players). The minimum weight was demonstrated by the group of gymnasts (57.8 +/- 10.3 kg) and the maximal by basketball players (94.2 +/- 18.6 kg). The endomorphy ratings for track and field-jumpers [TF JUMPS] (1.8 +/- 0.6), gymnasts (1.8 +/- 0.4) and rowers (1.9 +/- 0.5) were low. The group with the maximal endomorphy rating was the shooters (5.4 +/- 1.6). The minimum and maximal ratings for mesomorphy was 3.8 +/- 0.8 (TF JUMPS) and 8.9 +/- 1.9 (weight lifters), respectively. The range of the ectomorphy rating was 0.4 +/- 0.6 (weight lifters) to 3.8 +/- 0.9 (TF JUMPS). In conclusion, the results seem to indicate that the somatotypes of the Puerto Rican top class athletes are within the range demonstrated by international top class athletes.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Morphofunctional profile of Puerto Rican gymnasts].

This study described the body composition, somatotype, physiological maturity, flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance of 30 gymnasts (feminine; n = 12 and masculine; n = 18) pre selected for the puertorican national team and compared the results with those reported in the literature. There were significant differences between the sexes in body fat, lean body mass, ISA, CMB, AMB, endomorphy, mesomorphy, sum of skinfolds, flexibility and VO2max (L.min-1), (p less than .05). The results are within the range reported in the literature for elite gymnasts.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986