Open Access
Are football managers as efficient as coaches? Performance analysis with ex ante and ex post inputs in the Premier league
(Routledge, 2019) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Iraizoz Apezteguia, Belén; Lera López, Fernando; Ekonomia; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE; Economía; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
There is a controversy on sport performance literature about what type of inputs might explain more deeply the performance of sports clubs (inputs specification controversy). By one side, several papers have analysed sports teams' performance using the match-related statistics or wages as inputs, well-known as ex post inputs. By other side, some authors have criticized the use of these ex post inputs, and recommend the use of ex ante inputs, as the market value of the players. We have analysed the performance of football teams estimating technical efficiency with three different inputs specification. The methodologies employed were data envelopment analysis (DEA) and a bootstrapped DEA. Our sample is composed by English Premier League football clubs, during three seasons (2012/13-2014/15). The DEA results indicate that the correlation between the three models is positive and significant. The DEA-bootstrapped results help to restate the robustness of the estimations and endorsed the inputs choices. The correlations of the estimations with market value and match-related statistics are the most striking (90% and 94%, DEA and bootstrapped DEA), which indicate that the existent discussion related to the use of match-related statistics as input is unjustified, because it does not affect significantly the efficiency estimations.
Open Access
Determinants of sport performance in European football: what can we learn from the data?
(Elsevier, 2018) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Ríos Ibáñez, Vicente; Lera López, Fernando; Economía; Ekonomia
Nowadays game-related statistics in the sports industry are demanded by coaches, players, managers, journalists, supporters, fans, video games developers, betting markets and academics. However, the employment of game related statistics to analyse performance in football (soccer) has inherent problems given it is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon. This study analyses the importance of a large number of possible determinants of sport performance in the 'Big Five' European football leagues during the period 2012/13-2014/15. To this end, Bayesian model averaging techniques and relative importance metrics are employed. The results obtained point to the existence of a set of robust determinants in sport performance. This set of drivers comprises (i) assists, (ii) shots conceded, (iii) saves made by the goalkeeper, (iv) the number of precise passes with respect to the total number of passes, and (v) shots on target. The results of the study support the idea that offensive actions are more relevant than defensive ones. In addition, we find the existence of some performance indicators that have usually been ignored by previous analyses, such as saves made by the goalkeeper and assists. These findings could help the decision-making process of the coaching, scouting and managerial units of football clubs. Finally, the modelling techniques employed in this context can be generalized to gain knowledge in other fields of knowledge to extract factors affecting complex problems from large data sets. This could be particularly interesting when previous research has not yet obtained a well-defined and robust set of factors explaining these complex problems.
Open Access
Postoperative physical rehabilitation in the elderly patient after emergency surgery: influence on functional, cognitive and quality of live recovery: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
(BMC, 2024) Esquiroz Lizaur, Irene; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Ollo Martínez, Iranzu; Casa Marín, Antón de la; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Recreo Baquedano, Ana; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; González Álvarez, Gregorio; Yárnoz Irazábal, María Concepción; Eguaras Córdoba, Inés; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background: the progressive aging of the population has meant the increase in elderly patients requiring an urgent surgery. Older adults, especially those with frailty, have a higher risk for complications, functional and cognitive decline after urgent surgery. These patients have their functional and physiological reserve reduced which makes them more vulnerable to the effects of being bedridden. The consequences are at multiple levels emphasizing the functional loss or cognitive impairment, longer stays, mortality and institutionalization, delirium, poor quality of life and increased use of resources related to health. We aim to determine whether postoperative physical rehabilitation can prevent functional and cognitive decline and modify the posterior trajectory. Methods/design: this study is a randomized clinical trial, simple blinded, conducted in the Department of Surgery of a tertiary public hospital in Navarra (Hospital Universitario de Navarra), Spain. Patients > = 70 years old undergoing urgent abdominal surgery who meet inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention will consist of a multicomponent physical training programme, which will include progressive and supervised endurance, resistance and balance training for 4 weeks, twice weekly sessions with a total of 8 sessions, and the group control will receive the usual care. The primary outcome measure is the change in functional (SPPB) and cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination) and the change of quality of life (EuroQol-5D-VAS) during the study period. The secondary outcomes are postoperative complications, length of stay, delirium, mortality, use of health resources, functional status (Barthel Index and handgrip strength tests), cost per quality-adjusted life year and mininutritional assessment. The data for both the intervention group and the control group will be obtained at four different times: the initial visit during hospital admission and at months 1, 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge. Discussion: If our hypothesis is correct, this project could show that individualized and progressive exercise programme provides effective therapy for improving the functional capacity and achieve a better functional, cognitive and quality of life recovery. This measure, without entailing a significant expense for the administration, probably has an important repercussion both in the short- and long-term recovery, improving care and functional parameters and could determine a lower subsequent need for health resources. To verify this, we will carry out a cost-effectiveness study. The clinical impact of this trial can be significant if we help to modify the traditional management of the elderly patients from an illness model to a more person-centred and functionally oriented perspective. Moreover, the prescription of individualized exercise can be routinely included in the clinical practice of these patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05290532. Version 1. Registered on March 13, 2022.
Open Access
Análisis del performance del fútbol inglés con inputs ex ante y ex post
(Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 2017) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Lera López, Fernando; Iraizoz Apezteguia, Belén; Economía; Ekonomia
Hace más de cuatro décadas, Scully (1974) definió la representación convencional del proceso productivo de los clubes profesionales de fútbol. El output se mide en términos de éxito del equipo (victorias) y el input es el talento/calidad de los jugadores. Posteriormente se han desarrollado otros enfoques. Actualmente se considera que dicho proceso productivo está compuesto por dos etapas, que se pueden analizar de forma conjunta o separada. En la primera, la plantilla y el cuerpo técnico entrenan para mejorar sus aptitudes técnicas, tácticas, físicas y psicológicas, con el objetivo de desarrollar y mejorar jugadas durante un partido de fútbol. En la segunda, dichas jugadas, que deberían ser culminadas con goles, pueden convertirse en victorias, empates o derrotas para los equipos. Todo el proceso produce unos resultados deportivos y económicos. La desagregación del proceso productivo en dos etapas ha generado una controversia en la literatura en relación a la especificación de los inputs a considerar. Diversos trabajos (e.g., Dawson, Dobson, & Gerrard, 2000; Lee, 2006) sostienen que la manera correcta de analizar el proceso productivo es utilizando los denominados inputs ex ante, medidas de la calidad de la plantilla previas al comienzo de la temporada deportiva, como el valor de mercado de los jugadores o la valoración de los jugadores en ligas fantásticas (del Corral, 2012; Zambom-Ferraresi, Lera-López, & Iráioz, 2016). Sin embargo, otros trabajos (Espitia-Escuer & García-Cebrián, 2006; Zambom-Ferraresi, García-Cebrián, & Lera-López, 2017) utilizan inputs ex post que, en su mayor parte, son estadísticas del rendimiento deportivo de los equipos durante un partido. El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir a esta discusión, para lo que se lleva a cabo un análisis empírico de las diferencias obtenidas en las estimaciones considerando ambos tipos de inputs.
Open Access
Impact of medication use on olfactory performance in older adults
(Frontiers Media, 2025-04-03) Izco-Cubero, Maite; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Fernández González de la Riva, María Luisa; Santamaría Martínez, Enrique; Fernández Irigoyen, Joaquín; Lachén Montes, Mercedes; Lasarte, Juan José; Uzcanga Lacabe, María Iciar; Fernández, Secundino; Sanjurjo San Martín, Gloria; Maravi Aznar, Enrique; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Introduction: Olfactory dysfunction impacts quality of life, safety, and nutrition. Despite its relevance among older adults, the role of medications in influencing olfactory performance remains understudied. This research investigates whether olfactory alterations in older adults are associated with the type or number of medications prescribed. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 participants (mean age of 86.1 ± 5.1 years). Olfactory performance was evaluated using the Sniffin’ Sticks Test (SST). Functional capacity, cognitive function and the number and type of medications were also assessed. Results: The analysis demonstrated a correlation between better olfactory performance and higher cognitive function. An inverse correlation was found between the age of participants and olfactory identification. While polypharmacy (intake of five or more medications) did not show a significant association with olfactory dysfunction, the intake of laxatives was associated with poorer olfactory threshold performance (−1.21, 95% CI −2.07 to −0.34; p = 0.008). In contrast, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (1.14, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.21; p = 0.04) and vitamin D (1.09, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.15; p = 0.04) intake were linked to improved olfactory identification. Discussion: These findings suggest that certainmedications influence olfactory performance; however, further research is needed to clarify the effects of different drug classes on olfaction.
Open Access
Olfactory characterization and training in older adults: protocol study
(Frontiers Media, 2021) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Fernández Irigoyen, Joaquín; Lachén Montes, Mercedes; Cartas Cejudo, Paz; Lasarte, Juan José; Casares, Noelia; Fernández, Secundino; Cedeño Veloz, Bernardo Abel; Maravi Aznar, Enrique; Uzcanga Lacabe, María Iciar; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Santamaría Martínez, Enrique; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
The aim of this article is to present the research protocol for a prospective cohort study that will assess the olfactory function and the effect of an intervention based on olfactory training in healthy very old adults (≥75 years old). A convenience sample of 180 older people (50% female) will be recruited in three different environments: hospitalized control group (CH) with stable acute illness (n = 60); ambulatory control group (CA) of community-based living (n = 60); and an experimental odor training group (EOT) from nursing homes (n = 60). The odor training (OT) intervention will last 12 weeks. All the volunteers will be assessed at baseline; CA and EOT groups will also be assessed after 12 weeks. The primary end point will be change in olfactory capacity from baseline to 12 weeks period of intervention or control. The intervention effects will be assessed with the overall score achieved in Sniffin Sticks Test (SST) – Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification (TDI) extended version. Secondary end points will be changes in cognitive tasks, quality of life, mood, immune status, and functional capacity. All these measurements will be complemented with an immune fitness characterization and a deep proteome profiling of the olfactory epithelium (OE) cultured ex vivo. The current study will provide additional evidence to support the implementation of olfactory precision medicine and the development of immunomodulatory nasal therapies based on non-invasive procedures. The proposed intervention will also intend to increase the knowledge about the olfactory function in very elderly people, improve function and quality of life, and promote the recovery of the health.
Open Access
Tailored prevention of functional decline through a multicomponent exercise program in hospitalized oncogeriatric patients: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
(Elsevier, 2023) Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Arrazubi, Virginia; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Morilla Ruiz, Idoia; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Casa Marín, Antón de la; Ollo Martínez, Iranzu; Gorospe-García, Itziar; Gurruchaga Sotés, Ibon; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Cedeño Veloz, Bernardo Abel; Martín-Nevado, L.; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Vera García, Ruth; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika
BACKGROUND: Cancer mostly affects older adults, causing a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. One of the most important moments in cancer patients is the hospitalization period, in which older patients usually remain bedridden for many hours and this may lead to the appearance of sarcopenia and disability. METHODS: We present the research protocol for a randomized controlled trial that will analyze whether an intervention applied to older patients (≥ 65 years) who are hospitalized for acute medical conditions in an Oncology Department improves function. A total of 240 hospitalized older patients will be recruited in the Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, and they will be randomized. The intervention consists of a multicomponent exercise training program that will take place for 4 consecutive days (2 sessions/day). The control group will receive usual hospital care, which will include physical rehabilitation when needed. The primary end point will be the change in functional capacity from baseline to hospital discharge, assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Secondary end points will be changes in cognitive and mood status, quality of life, fatigue, strength (dynamic and handgrip), pain, nutrition, length of stay, falls, readmission rate and mortality at 3 months after discharge. RESULTS: Basal data of the patients included in the RCT are described. The foreseen recruitment will not be achieved due to the context of the Covid pandemic and the significantly different responses observed during the clinical trial in oncogeriatric patients compared to our previous experience in older adults hospitalized for medical reasons. DISCUSSION: If our hypothesis is correct and shows that a multicomponent, individualized and progressive exercise program is an effective therapy for improving the capacity of acutely hospitalized older patients compared to usual care, a change in the current system of hospitalization may be justified in oncogeriatric patients.
Open Access
Effect of a Multicomponent Exercise Program with Virtual Reality (MEP-VR) versus standard approaches on functional and cognitive domains in hospitalised geriatric patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
(Elsevier, 2025-07-01) Ferrara, Maria Cristina; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Fernández González de la Riva, María Luisa; Izco-Cubero, Maite; García Baztán, Agurne; Capón Sáez, Amaya; Domínguez-Mendoza, Soledad ; Marín Epelde, Itxaso; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Antecedentes: Los modelos de atención convencionales para los adultos mayores a menudo ignoran los efectos negativos de la hospitalización y descuidan los beneficios potenciales de la tecnología. Este ensayo tiene como objetivo investigar los efectos del Programa de Ejercicio Multicomponente con Realidad Virtual (MEP-VR) sobre los resultados funcionales y cognitivos en adultos mayores hospitalizados, en comparación con el MEP solo o con los enfoques de atención habituales. Métodos: Este ensayo controlado aleatorizado de grupos paralelos de tres brazos incluirá 255 participantes de 75 años o más, con una puntuación del índice de Barthel de al menos 60, capaces de caminar y cooperar, con una estancia hospitalaria estimada de al menos cuatro días y que proporcionen consentimiento informado. Se excluirá a los pacientes con demencia grave, enfermedad terminal o inestabilidad clínica. Los participantes serán asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo de control o a uno de los dos grupos de intervención. Los grupos de intervención recibirán un programa MEP-VR o solo MEP, consistente en ejercicio aeróbico supervisado, entrenamiento de resistencia y entrenamiento del equilibrio, con o sin un componente de realidad virtual. La intervención tendrá lugar durante cuatro días consecutivos y cada sesión durará entre 30 y 40 minutos. La medida de resultado primaria serán los cambios funcionales en el momento del alta. También se evaluarán la cognición, el estado de ánimo, la calidad de vida y la usabilidad de la realidad virtual inmersiva (RVI). Discusión: Los avances tecnológicos están aumentando rápidamente con el envejecimiento de la población, creando beneficios potenciales para la integración de la tecnología en el cuidado de adultos mayores. Este estudio evalúa la implementación de RVI combinada con MEP. Si nuestra hipótesis resulta acertada, allanará el camino para modificar el sistema de hospitalización, ayudando a reducir la carga crítica para la atención sanitaria que supone la discapacidad adquirida en el hospital en la población de edad avanzada. Registro del ensayo: Este estudio fue aprobado por el Comité Ético de Investigación Clínica de Navarra el 14 de junio de 2021 (PI 2021 90). El ensayo se registró de forma retrospectiva en ClinicalTrials.gov,número de registro NCT06469554.
Open Access
Effectiveness of a multicomponent exercise training program for the management of delirium in hospitalized older adults using near-infrared spectroscopy as a biomarker of brain perfusion: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
(Frontiers Media, 2022) Lozano Vicario, Lucía; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Casa Marín, Antón de la; Ollo Martínez, Iranzu; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Cedeño Veloz, Bernardo Abel; Fernández Irigoyen, Joaquín; Santamaría Martínez, Enrique; Romero Ortuno, Román; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Delirium is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults admitted to hospital. Multicomponent interventions targeting delirium risk factors, including physical exercise and mobilization, have been shown to reduce delirium incidence by 30–40% in acute care settings. However, little is known about its role in the evolution of delirium, once established. This study is a randomized clinical trial conducted in the Acute Geriatric Unit of Hospital Universitario de Navarra (Pamplona, Spain). Hospitalized patients with delirium who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the intervention or the control group. The intervention will consist of a multicomponent exercise training program, which will be composed of supervised progressive resistance and strength exercise over 3 consecutive days. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) will be used for assessing cerebral and muscle tissue blood flow. The objective is to assess the effectiveness of this intervention in modifying the following primary outcomes: duration and severity of delirium and functional status. This study will contribute to determine the effectiveness of physical exercise in the management of delirium. It will be the first study to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent intervention based on physical exercise in the evolution of delirium.
Open Access
A feasibility study for implementation 'Health Arcade': a study protocol for prototype of multidomain intervention based on gamification technologies in acutely hospitalized older patients
(MDPI, 2020) Cuevas Lara, César; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Marín Epelde, Itxaso; Chenhuichen, Chenhui; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; García Hermoso, Antonio; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Capón Sáez, Amaya; Lozano Vicario, Lucía; Criado Martín, Irene; Sánchez Latorre, Marina; Antoñanzas Valencia, Cristina; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The aim of this article is to present the research protocol for a study that will evaluate the feasibility of implementation of Health Arcade prototype multidomain intervention based on physical and cognitive training using gamification technologies at improving care for older people hospitalized with an acute illness. A total of 40 older people will be recruited in a tertiary public hospital at Pamplona, Spain. The intervention duration will be four to nine consecutive days. Additionally, the patients will receive encouragement for maintaining active during hospital stay and for reducing sedentary time. Primary implementation-related outcomes will be the adherence to treatment (i.e., number of games and days completed during the intervention period), reaction or response time, and number of success and failures in each game per day. Secondary implementation-related outcomes will be self-perceived grade of difficulty, satisfaction, enjoyment per game and session, and self-perceived difficulties in handling the prototype hardware. Other health-related outcomes will also be assessed such as functional capacity in activities of daily living, mood status, quality of life, handgrip strength, physical activity levels, and mobility. The current study will provide additional evidence to support the implementation of multidomain interventions designed to target older persons with an acute illness based on friendly technology. The proposed intervention will increase accessibility of in-clinical geriatrics services, improve function, promote recovery of the health, and reduce economic costs.