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Aim Lung function is known to change with immersion and body position. However, little is known about these changes in endurance athletes, particularly regarding the influence of allergies and asthma in this population. This study aims to clarify related changes in trained endurance athletes’ lung function associated to different body positions and immersion, and allergies and asthma influence on those changes. Methods Athletes underwent spirometry testing at rest in four randomized positions: seated on land, prone on land, seated while immersed, and prone while immersed. The sample was comprised of 45 male athletes: 15 swimmers, 15 triathletes, and 15 runners. Data from the spirometry tests were collected in a pool and pool’s deck. Results All the lung function variables varied across the different positions (FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75% with p<0.001, and PEF with p=0.001), except for FEV1/FVC, which remained unchanged (p=0.207). Overall, athletes without self-reported allergies or asthma showed greater positional differences. Conclusions Endurance athlete’s FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75% appear to decrease primarily in response to hydrostatic pressure, while PEF decreases mainly in response to the change in body position. FVC in allergic athletes, and FEV1, and FEF25-75% in asthmatic athletes appear to decrease mainly in response to the change in body position, and PEF decreases mainly in response to hydrostatic pressure. The specific effects in response to allergy and asthma appear to accumulate with the overall effects, leading to differences from the on-land seated condition to the other three positions, but no difference among the later three positions.
This study investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer loyalty through a systematic review of 408 articles published between 2004 and 2024 in Web of Science and Scopus. A bibliometric analysis conducted with R and VOSviewer examined annual publication trends, leading journals, and highly cited articles, thematic developments, and term co-occurrence patterns. Results indicate consistent growth in research over the past two decades, with China emerging as the leading contributor, largely driven by government directives and firms' alignment with international sustainability standards. Prominent publication outlets include Sustainability , Journal of Marketing , and Journal of Business Ethics , with Bhattacharya and Sen identified in 2014 as the most influential authors. Thematic mapping positions “loyalty” as a motor theme and “CSR” as an emerging domain, while “innovation” and “customer perception” appear as central but underexplored areas. “Consumer behavior” is highlighted as a promising avenue for future inquiry. Building on these findings, further research could focus on the role of CSR in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, the underlying motivations for CSR engagement, the interplay between CSR and innovation, and the extension of sustainable practices within B2B contexts.
Hypertension is a global concern, as it is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors. There are many factors that can contribute to high blood pressure, and shift work may be one of them. Firefighters are exposed to shift schedules, this being only one of the multiple other occupational stressors, therefore increasing cardiovascular risk. Objectives: To evaluate the blood pressure profile of firefighters, assess the influence of shift work, and determine the prevalence of hypertension. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 41 firefighters, mean age 45.61 (± 7.98) years using an Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM). Results: We found 18 individuals with hypertension, of whom 6 were previously diagnosed. A positive correlation was found between the measurements before and after the shift and the mean daytime arterial pressure. Additionally, a statistically significant association was found between the circadian blood pressure variation and hypertension. Conclusions: Shift work has an influence on the blood pressure profile of these individuals, demonstrated not only from the correlation of measurements before and after the shift, but also due to the altered circadian blood pressure variation. These findings highlight the need for cardiovascular surveillance and preventive strategies in this occupational group.
Initial teacher training in early years education has shortcomings in the development of psychomotor skills. This study analyses a work-integrated learning programme designed to enhance these skills among 47 students on the Bachelor’s degree in Early Years Education, using a descriptive and qualitative design. The results show a high level of self-perceived theoretical and practical competence, as well as a positive assessment of the contextualised application of learning, the development of cross-curricular skills and the strengthening of the teaching vocation. Suggested improvements include a longer placement duration, more preparatory information and more intensive tutorial support.
