Introducción: el aprendizaje del estilo libre o crol requiere el dominio progresivo de habilidades acuáticas básicas que permitan al estudiante desenvolverse con seguridad, control postural y coordinación en el medio acuático. Objetivo: desarrollar y evaluar las habilidades técnicas básicas vinculadas con la enseñanza del estilo libre en estudiantes de la Carrera de Pedagogía de la Actividad Física y Deporte de la Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Metodología: se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, empírico y observacional, con medición pretest y postest en un solo grupo. Participaron 10 estudiantes sin conocimientos previos de crol, seleccionados intencionalmente de un grupo de 39; la muestra estuvo integrada por cinco mujeres y cinco varones. Se aplicó un instrumento observacional con escala de tres niveles: nulo, medio y bueno, para valorar adaptabilidad al entorno, flotabilidad, inmersión, control de la respiración y confianza en el instructor. La intervención se organizó mediante actividades progresivas en seco y en agua, con recursos didácticos, tareas lúdicas, ejercicios de patada, brazada, respiración y coordinación. Resultados: el porcentaje de participantes clasificados en nivel bueno pasó de 10 % a 90 % en adaptabilidad, de 0 % a 80 % en flotabilidad, de 0 % a 80 % en inmersión, de 0 % a 70 % en control respiratorio y de 90 % a 100 % en confianza con el instructor. Conclusión: la intervención mostró una mejora descriptiva consistente en las habilidades acuáticas básicas, especialmente en flotabilidad, inmersión, respiración y adaptabilidad, y reafirmó la relevancia del acompañamiento pedagógico y empático del instructor durante la iniciación al crol.

Área de estudio general: Educación. Área de estudio específica: Actividad física y deporte. Tipo de artículo: original.

Introduction: this study analyzes the transversal competencies of the personnel of the Fire Department of the Salcedo canton and their relationship with the perception of the training process received in risk and emergency management. Objectives: the objective was to determine the degree of association between the transversal competencies of the staff and their assessment of the training process, considering the performance of the instructor, the relevance of the contents and the conditions of the learning environment. Methodology: the methodological design had a quantitative, field, non-experimental approach, and descriptive-correlational scope. Data collection was conducted through surveys applied to 17 members of the institution, who were administered a structured questionnaire aimed at measuring the profile of transversal competencies and the perception of the training environment. Data analysis was performed in SPSS using frequencies, percentages, descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and Spearman correlation. Results: the findings showed that most of the staff were at a medium level of transversal competencies, with strengths in reliability (M = 8.88), optimism (M = 8.65), and decision-making (M = 8.53). Regarding the association between variables, Spearman's Rho coefficient was -0.108, with a significance of p = 0.679, which shows a very weak and statistically non-significant negative correlation. Conclusions: in conclusion, although the participants favorably valued the instructor's performance and the training contents, the data do not allow us to affirm that a positive perception of the teaching process translates into a greater development of transversal competencies. This scenario shows the need to restructure the institutional training offer towards practical, continuous schemes linked to the real demands of operational personnel. General Area of Study: Administration and economics for the sustainable development of organizations and society. Specific area of study: Public administration. Type of study: Original articles.

Introduction: At Santa Marianita Educational Unit, located in Manta, Ecuador, difficulties were identified among adult ninth-grade general basic education students enrolled in an extraordinary education program, particularly in operational hierarchy, procedural organization, and the contextual resolution of combined operations. These needs guided the design of a GeoGebra-mediated didactic strategy aimed at supporting the visualization of procedures, error analysis, and feedback during mathematical problem solving. Objective: To evaluate the changes observed in the learning of combined operations before and after the implementation of a GeoGebra-mediated didactic strategy among ninth-grade general basic education students enrolled in an extraordinary education program at Santa Marianita Educational Unit. Methodology: An applied study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach with quantitative predominance and a one-group pre-experiment pretest-post-test design. The participants were 28 adult students. Performance was assessed using a 20-item objective test administered before and after six intervention sessions. Subsequently, a 20-item satisfaction survey was conducted, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the principal, vice-principal, and Mathematics teacher. The didactic proposal was independently evaluated by five professionals. Normality of the difference scores was examined using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and pretest-post test scores were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The mean score increased from 5.54 (SD = 1.04) on the pre-test to 7.80 (SD = 0.86) on the post-test. Twenty-seven of the 28 participants obtained higher scores at post-test, while one participant obtained the same score. The difference was statistically significant (W = 0.00, p < .001), with a large effect size (r = .88). All four dimensions showed descriptive increases, although contextual problem solving remained the dimension with the lowest post-test score. The survey showed a predominantly favorable evaluation of the experience, particularly regarding motivation and interest, while the interviews provided complementary information on the visualization of procedures, student participation, teacher mediation, and implementation conditions. Conclusion: Implementation of the strategy was accompanied by a favorable pattern in subsequent performance and a positive evaluation of the educational experience. Given the pre-experiment design, absence of a comparison group, differences in the administration conditions of the two measurements, and psychometric limitations of the objective test, the findings should be restricted to the group and context studied and do not allow a definitive causal relationship to be established between the implemented strategy and the observed differences. Area of Study: Education. Specific area of study: Mathematics Education and Educational Technology. Type of study: Original article.

Introduction: The tanning industry generates complex effluents containing organic matter, salts, nutrients, and metals that can exceed discharge limits. Objectives: The aim was to compare the phytoremediation capacity of *Eichhornia crassipes* and *Chrysopogon zizanioides*—used individually and in polyculture—on secondary effluent from a tannery in Tungurahua, Ecuador. Methodology: The study employed a quantitative, applied approach using a longitudinal, comparative experimental design. The treatment factor was deliberately manipulated, comprising a plant-free control and three phytoremediation systems: *Eichhornia crassipes*, *Chrysopogon zizanioides*, and a combination of both species. Results: By day 45, treatment T3 reduced initial values ​​as follows: BOD5 by 83.6%, Cr(VI) by 75.0%, turbidity by 99.2%, color by 70.9%, total nitrogen by 71.1%, ammonium by 60.3%, and total suspended solids by 60.9%. Compared to the final control, T3 showed concentrations that were 50.0% lower for BOD5, 74.1% lower for Cr(VI), 47.8% lower for color, and 77.8% lower for nitrogen. However, COD, conductivity, ammonium, and total solids remained above applicable limits, and total solids increased by 20.7% relative to the initial value. Conclusions: Treatment-by-time interactions were significant for most parameters, except phosphorus and dissolved oxygen. Polyculture proved to be a promising complementary stage but was not a sufficient standalone treatment to ensure full regulatory compliance. General field of study: Environment. Specific field of study: Wastewater decontamination via phytoremediation. Article type: original article.

Introduction. Motor coordination integrates perceptual, motor and cognitive processes necessary to respond accurately and efficiently to the demands of physical education, so its relationship with neurocognitive performance acquires relevance in schoolchildren. Objective. To determine the predictive capacity of motor coordination on neurocognitive performance in students of General Basic Secondary Education during physical education classes. Methodology. A quantitative, observational, non-experimental and cross-sectional study was carried out, with correlational-predictive scope, in 43 students. Motor coordination was assessed using the 3JS Test and neurocognitive performance with Neural Trainer®, considering reaction time, total responses, correct answers, errors, accuracy, efficiency index and error-adjusted index (IAE). Spearman's Rho and simple linear regression were applied. Results. Global motor coordination was significantly associated with all neurocognitive indicators; locomotor coordination showed the most consistent pattern and object control was significantly related to errors and accuracy. The model was significant, F(1, 41) = 15.118; p < 0.001, and explained 26.9 % of the variability of the SAI (R² = 0.269). Conclusion. Global motor coordination was a significant statistical predictor of the SAI and provided relevant information to understand the neurocognitive performance of the students assessed, without establishing causality.  General area of study: Education Sciences. Specific area of study: Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. Article type: original.

Introduction. Low physical activity among adolescents requires school-based strategies capable of improving physical fitness through accessible and pedagogically applicable methods. Objective. To evaluate the effect of a functional exercise program on conditional physical capacities in first-year high school students at Unidad Educativa Rumiñahui. Methodology. A quantitative pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest study was conducted with 32 students aged 15–17 years. The EUROFIT battery was administered before and after an eight-week intervention (two 45-minute sessions per week). Shapiro-Wilk, paired-samples t test or Wilcoxon test, and effect sizes were used with α = .05. Results. Significant improvements were found in trunk flexion (p = .02), 10 × 5 m speed (p = .002), horizontal jump, 30-second abdominal curl-ups, handgrip dynamometry, and course navette (p < .001). Plate tapping and arm flexion improved without reaching statistical significance (p = .06). Conclusion. The program improved six of eight tests, with the strongest changes in abdominal muscular endurance, lower-limb explosive strength, handgrip strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance. These findings support its use as a complementary strategy in Physical Education, while recognizing the limitations of a design without a control group. General area of study: Education Sciences. Specific area of study: Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. Article type: original.

Introduction. Water stress generated by climate change drastically limits food production and its entire supply chain, as well as the germination, growth, photosynthetic development, and yield of bean crops. Objective. To evaluate the effects of foliar and root applications of silicon (Si) and salicylic acid (SA) on water deficit tolerance in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. 'INIAP 475 Belén'). Methodology. The research was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments (T1: Control 30% FC, T2: Foliar Si, T3: Root Si, T4: Foliar SA, and T5: SA + Si) and five replications. Water stress at 30% field capacity was maintained using the gravimetric method. Morphological, physiological (relative chlorophyll index), and plant extract chemical variables (°Brix, pH, EC, Na, K, Ca, NO₃⁻) were evaluated.

Results. Significant differences were observed for stem height (p < 0.001), where root Si (T3) exhibited the highest response (81.30 ± 3.97 cm). All treatments outperformed the control in leaf number and stem diameter, with root Si (5.97 ± 0.25 cm) and the SA + Si combination (4.92 ± 0.13 cm) showing the most notable results. In the foliar chemical characterization, the SA + Si combination increased potassium content by 118.8% and calcium content by 100% compared to the control. Conclusion. Root application of silicon and its combination with salicylic acid enhance physiological and nutritional performance, translating into greater water stress tolerance in Belén dry bean. General Area of Study: Agricultural Sciences. Specific area of study: Plant physiology. Type of study: Original article.

Introduction: motor coordination is a key aspect in the learning and execution of the technical fundamentals during the initiation of soccer. Objective: to determine the effect of a program of coordinating exercises with the ball on the oculo-pedal control in students of 5th, 6th, and 7th grade of basic general education of the Genesis Educational Unit located in the province of Tungurahua. Methodology: quantitative research of an applicative, descriptive-explanatory type, of pre-experimental design, longitudinal with a pre-test and a post-test was conducted. The 3JS Test was applied, and the information processing was conducted by descriptive statistics with the test of normality of the data and the verification of the significance of the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. Results: the number of the seven indicators were increasing: jumps, turns, throwing, kicking, displacement, dribbling, and driving. Wilcoxon's test points in the direction of significant differences in all indicators (p = 0.000). Conclusion: the program led to significant improvements in coordination skills and eye-pedal control, favoring the execution of the technical fundamentals of soccer in sports initiation. General area of study: Physical Education and Sport. Specific area of study: Sports Training – Sports Initiation. Type of item: original.

Introduction. The incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools into higher education has transformed various academic practices, creating opportunities to facilitate learning while also raising questions regarding their relationship with the development of critical thinking and cognitive autonomy. Objective. To determine the relationship between the use of AI tools and critical thinking among university students from the institutions and during the period defined for the study. Methodology. A non-experimental, cross-sectional study was conducted using a quantitative approach with a descriptive-correlational scope. The sample consisted of 150 university students selected through purposive non-probability sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a Likert scale. The information obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and Spearman's Rho correlation coefficient, considering a significance level of 0.05. Results. The results showed frequent use of AI tools. The dimensions of critical thinking presented elevated levels, including analytical ability (M=3.81), information evaluation (M=3.82), argumentation (M=3.82), and cognitive autonomy (M=3.77). The overall correlation between AI use and critical thinking was very weak and negative and was not statistically significant (ρ=−0.060; p=0.466). Conclusion. No, statistically significant relationship was observed between overall use of AI tools and critical thinking. However, the findings indicate that forms of AI use related to information verification, comparison, evaluation, and questioning are positively associated with different dimensions of critical thinking. General Study Area: Education. Specific Study Area: Artificial Intelligence. Type of Study: Original Research Articles.