Influência da forma de indução à acidose na determinação da intensidade de lactato mínimo em corredores de longa distância

O objetivo principal deste estudo foi verificar se diferentes formas de indução à acidose interferem na determinação da intensidade do lactato mínimo (LACmin) em corredores de longa distância. Desse modo, 14 corredores de provas fundas do atletismo participaram do estudo. Os atletas realizaram três protocolos: 1) teste incremental em esteira rolante, com incrementos de 1km.h-1 a cada três minutos até a exaustão, para a determinação das intensidades de limiar anaeróbio (OBLA), de limiar aeróbio (Laer), consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max) e intensidade de consumo máximo de oxigênio (vVO2max); 2) teste de lactato mínimo em pista de atletismo (LACminp), que consistiu de dois esforços máximos de 233m na pista de atletismo com intervalo de um minuto entre cada repetição, com oito minutos de recuperação passiva, seguido de um teste incremental semelhante ao do protocolo 1; e 3) teste de lactato mínimo em esteira rolante (LACmine), constituído de dois esforços máximos de um minuto e 45 segundos com intervalo de um minuto, na intensidade de 120% da vVO2max, seguido dos mesmos procedimentos do protocolo 2. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue do lóbulo da orelha ao final de cada estágio em todos os protocolos e no 7º minuto de recuperação passiva dos testes de LACmine e LACminp. A análise de variância (ANOVA) mostrou que ocorreram diferenças significativas entre as intensidades de LACmine (13,23 ± 1,78km.h-1) e OBLA (14,67 ± 1,44km.h-1). Dessa maneira, a partir dos resultados obtidos no presente estudo, é possível concluir que a determinação da intensidade correspondente ao lactato mínimo é dependente do protocolo utilizado para a indução à acidose. Além disso, o LACmine subestimou a intensidade correspondente ao OBLA, não podendo ser utilizado para a mensuração da capacidade aeróbia de corredores fundistas.

Variáveis fisiológicas e neuromusculares associadas com a performance aeróbia em corredores de endurance: efeitos da distância da prova

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a validade do consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max), velocidade associada ao VO2max (vVO2max), tempo de exaustão na vVO2max (Tlim), limiar anaeróbio (LAn), economia de corrida (EC) e força explosiva (FE) para predizer a performance aeróbia de corredores de endurance nas distâncias de 1.500m, 5.000m e 10.000m. Participaram deste estudo 11 corredores de endurance moderadamente treinados (28,36 ± 6,47 anos) que realizaram os seguintes testes: provas simuladas em uma pista de 400m em diferentes dias, nas distâncias de 10.000m, 5.000m e 1.500m; teste incremental máximo para determinar os índices VO2max, vVO2max, e LAn; um teste submáximo de carga constante para determinar a EC, seguido por um teste máximo também de carga constante a 100% da vVO2max para determinar o Tlim; e um teste de salto vertical para determinar a FE. de acordo com a análise de regressão múltipla, a vVO2max utilizada de forma isolada explicou 57% da variação de performance na prova de 1.500m. No entanto, quando o Tlim, a FE e a vVO2max foram analisados em conjunto, a explicação para a performance nessa prova foi de 88%. Nos 5.000m, o Tlim, a vVO2max e o LAn responderam por 88% da variação de performance (p < 0,05). Diferentemente, na prova de 10.000m, o LAn foi a única variável que apresentou capacidade de predição de performance. em conclusão, a predição da performance aeróbia de corredores moderadamente treinados por meio de variáveis fisiológicas e neuromusculares é dependente da distância da prova (1.500m, 5.000m e 10.000m)

Thermography and ultrasonography in back pain diagnosis of equine athletes

The object of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of thermography and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar lesions in Quarter Horse athletes and associate the different types of lesions found with the athletic modality practiced. Twenty-four horses were admitted to the Surgery Service for Large Animals of the Veterinary and Animal Science Faculty, UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil, with complaints of back problems. All the horses were submitted for physical examinations to confirm the existence of thoracolumbar alterations and then for thermography and ultrasonography Thermography was used to map the lesioned areas of this region and ultrasonography for lesion characterization. The lesions found were supraspinous desmitis, interspinous desmitis, dorsal intervertebral osteoarthritis, and impingement of the spinous processes or kissing spines. The existence of a relation between the type of event practiced by the horse and the type of lesion found was determined. In horses that competed in the barrel race, a predominance of lesions in the thoracic caudal, thoracolumbar, and cranial lumbar regions occurred, with intervertebral osteoarthritis and interspinous desmitis being the most common. In cutting horses, most of the lesions were observed in the caudal lumbar region, whereas horses competing in reining showed a preferential location for lesions in the middle lumbar, with a predominance of supraspinous desmitis and myositis. Thermography associated with ultrasonography was shown to be efficient in the diagnosis of the thoracolumbar lesions of these horses.

The Lactate Minimum Test protocol provides valid measures of cycle ergometer VO2 peak

Aim. The aim of the present study was to investigate the validity of the Lactate Minimum Test (LMT) for the determination of peak VO2 on a cycle ergometer and to determine the submaximal oxygen uptake (VO2) and pulmonary ventilation (VE) responses in an incremental exercise test when it is preceded by high intensity exercise (i.e., during a LMT).Methods. Ten trained male athletes (triathletes and cyclists) performed 2 exercise tests in random order on an electromagnetic cycle ergometer: 1) Control Test (CT): an incremental test with an initial work rate of 100 W, and with 25 W increments at 3-min intervals, until voluntary exhaustion; 2) LMT: an incremental test identical to the CT, except that it was preceded by 2 supramaximal bouts of 30-sec (similar to120% VO(2)peak) with a 30-sec rest to induce lactic acidosis. This test started 8 min after the induction of acidosis.Results. There was no significant difference in peak VO2 (65.6+/-7.4 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); 63.8+/-7.5 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) to CT and LMT, respectively). However, the maximal power output (POmax) reached was significantly higher in CT (300.6+/-15.7 W) than in the LMT (283.2+/-16.0 W).VO2 and VE were significantly increased at initial power outputs in LMT.Conclusion. Although the LMT alters the submaximal physiological responses during the incremental phase (greater initial metabolic cost), this protocol is valid to evaluate peak VO2, although the POmax reached is also reduced.

Effects of aerobic endurance training status and specificity on oxygen uptake kinetics during maximal exercise

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of exercise mode, training status and specificity on the oxygen uptake ((V)over dot O-2) kinetics during maximal exercise performed in treadmill running and cycle ergometry. Seven runners (R), nine cyclists (C), nine triathletes (T) and eleven untrained subjects (U), performed the following tests on different days on a motorized treadmill and on a cycle ergometer: (1) incremental tests in order to determine the maximal oxygen uptake ((V)over dot O-2max) and the intensity associated with the achievement of (V)over dot O-2max (I(V)over dot O-2max); and (2) constant work-rate running and cycling exercises to exhaustion at I(V)over dot O-2max to determine the effective time constant of the (V)over dot O-2 response (tau(V)over dot O-2). Values for (V)over dotO(2max) obtained on the treadmill and cycle ergometer [R=68.8 (6.3) and 62.0 (5.0); C=60.5 (8.0) and 67.6 (7.6); T=64.5 (4.8) and 61.0 (4.1); U=43.5 (7.0) and 36.7 (5.6); respectively] were higher for the group with specific training in the modality. The U group showed the lowest values for VO2max, regardless of exercise mode. Differences in tau(V)over dot O-2 (seconds) were found only for the U group in relation to the trained groups [R=31.6 (10.5) and 40.9 (13.6); C=28.5 (5.8) and 32.7 (5.7); T=32.5 (5.6) and 40.7 (7.5); U=52.7 (8.5) and 62.2 (15.3); for the treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively]; no effects of exercise mode were found in any of the groups. It is concluded that tauVO(2) during the exercise performed at I(V)over dot O-2max is dependent on the training status, but not dependent on the exercise mode and specificity of training. Moreover, the transfer of the training effects on tau(V)over dotO(2) between both exercise modes may be higher compared with (V)over dot O-2max.

Effects of Strength Training on Running Economy

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different strength training protocols added to endurance training on running economy (RE). Sixteen well-trained runners (27.4 +/- 4.4 years; 62.7 +/- 4.3 kg; 166.1 +/- 5.0 cm), were randomized into two groups: explosive strength training (EST) (n = 9) and heavy weight strength training (HWT) (n = 7) group. They performed the following tests before and after 4 weeks of training: 1) incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to determine of peak oxygen uptake and the velocity corresponding to 3.5 mM of blood lactate concentration; 2) submaximal constant-intensity test to determine RE; 3) maximal countermovernent jump test and; 4) one repetition maximal strength test in leg press. After the training period, there was an improvement in RE only in the HWT group (HWT = 47.3 +/- 6.8 vs. 44.3 +/- 4.9 ml.kg(-1) -min(-1); EST = 46.4 +/- 4.1 vs. 45.5 +/- 4.1 ml.kg(-1) .min(-1)). In conclusion, a short period of traditional strength training can improve RE in well-trained runners, but this improvement can be dependent on the strength training characteristics. When comparing to explosive training performed in the same equipment, heavy weight training seems to be more efficient for the improvement of RE.

EFFECTS of 14-WEEK SWIMMING TRAINING PROGRAM on THE PSYCHOLOGICAL, HORMONAL, and PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS of ELITE WOMEN ATHLETES

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Aerobic fitness level typical of elite athletes is not associated with even faster VO2 kinetics during cycling exercise

The aim of this study was to address the question if the VO2 kinetics is further improved as the aerobic training status increases from trained to elite level athletes. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max), work-rate associated to VO(2)max (IVO(2)max) and VO2 kinetics of moderate (Mod) and maximal exercise (Max) were determined in fifty-five subjects. Then, they were assigned into three groups: low (LF), intermediate (IF) and high (HF) aerobic fitness level. In average, the VO(2)max of LF, IF and HF groups were, respectively, 36.0 +/- 3.1, 51.1 +/- 4.5 and 68.1 +/- 3.9 ml . kg . min(-1) (p <= 0.05 among each other). VO2 kinetics mean response time of both exercise intensities were significantly faster (p <= 0.05) in HF (Mod, 27.5 +/- 5.5 s; Max, 32.6 +/- 8.3 s) and IF (Mod, 25.0 +/- 3.1 s; Max, 42.6 +/- 10.4 s) when compared to LF (Mod, 35.7 +/- 7.9 s; Max: 57.8 +/- 17.8 s). We can conclude that VO2 kinetics is improved as the fitness level is increased from low to intermediate but not further improved as the aerobic fitness level increases from intermediate to high.

Electromyographic fatigue threshold of erector spinae muscle induced by a muscular endurance test in health men

Purpose: To identify the electromyographic fatigue threshold in the erector spinae muscle. Methods: Eight 19 to 24-year-old male volunteers participated in this study, in which surface electrodes were used, as well as a biological signals acquisition module (Lynx) with a sampling frequency of 1000Hz, a 1000 times gain, a 20Hz high pass filter and a 500Hz low pass filter. The test consisted of repeated isometric contractions of the erector spinae muscle in a 45° hip flexion posture, with 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Results: A positive correlation of the RMS (root mean square) value as a function of time was found for most of the subjects with 40% (N = 6), 50% (N = 7) and 60% (N = 8) loads of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Conclusions: It was concluded, from this study, that the proposed protocol provides evidence, through the electromyographic signal, of the development of fatigue in the erector spinae muscle with loads of 40%, 50% and 60% of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. The protocol also allows the electromyographic fatigue threshold and its probable applicability in the diagnosis of this phenomenon during repetitive activities to be determined.

Critical speed and endurance capacity in young swimmers: Effects of gender and age

This study analyzed the relationship between critical speed (CS) and maximal speed for 30 min (S30) in swimmers of ages 10-15 years. Fifty-one swimmers were divided by chronological age (10-12 years = G10-12, 13-15 years = G13-15), sexual maturation (pubic hair stages; P1-P3 and P4-P5), and gender (M = boys, F = girls). The CS was determined through the slope of the linear regression between the distances (100, 200, and 400 m) and participants' respective times. CS and S30 were similar in the younger (G10-12M = 0.97 vs. 0.97 m/s, and G10-12F = 1.01 vs. 0.97 m/s, respectively), and older swimmers (G13-15M = 1.10 vs. 1.07 m/s and G13-15F = 0.93 vs. 0.91 m/s, respectively). In conclusion, the CS can be used in young swimmers for the evaluation of aerobic capacity, independent of gender and age. © 2005 Human Kinetics, Inc.

Electromyographic fatigue threshold of the biceps brachii: The effect of endurance time

Muscle fatigue can be a limiting factor to determine index as the electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) due the alterations in motivation and disconfots. This way, the purpose of this study was to identify the right biceps brachii and left biceps brachii obtained from repetitive elbow flexions at each 10% of total time. Nine healthy subjects performed the exercise named biceps curl until exhaustion with 25%, 35%, and 45% of one repetition maximum, in three different days. EMG amplitude (root mean square - RMS) was obtained for concentric contractions during these load levels and correlated with time to determine the slope values for each load and them detemine the EMGFT. The EMGFT was obtained within of each 10% of total time and they were compared by analysis of variance. The results showed a progressive increase in RMS with time, for both muscles in all loads, characterizing the muscle fatigue process, and for the EMGFT values ware not found predominantly significant differences between the execution time, as well as between muscles (right biceps × left biceps). This protocol allowed to identify the EMGFT to both muscles during the biceps curl, which was similar at different percentage of total time, indicating the possibility to reduce the length of the contraction test without the need to maintain the contraction until exhaustion. Further studies are needed to evaluate the applicability of this method to determining the effects on performance.

Sudden cardiac death athletes: a systematic review

Previous events evidence that sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes is still a reality and it keeps challenging cardiologists. Considering the importance of SCD in athletes and the requisite for an update of this matter, we endeavored to describe SCD in athletes. The Medline (via PubMed) and SciELO databases were searched using the subject keywords sudden death, athletes and mortality. The incidence of SCD is expected at one case for each 200,000 young athletes per year. Overall it is resulted of complex dealings of factors such as arrhythmogenic substrate, regulator and triggers factors. In great part of deaths caused by heart disease in athletes younger than 35 years old investigations evidence cardiac congenital abnormalities. Athletes above 35 years old possibly die due to impairments of coronary heart disease, frequently caused by atherosclerosis. Myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction are responsible for the most cases of SCD above this age (80%). Pre-participatory athletes' evaluation helps to recognize situations that may put the athlete's life in risk including cardiovascular diseases. In summary, cardiologic examinations of athletes' pre-competition routine is an important way to minimize the risk of SCD. © 2010 Ferreira et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Endurance swimming periodized training in rats

The aim of this study was to develop an experimental protocol for endurance swimming periodization training in rats similar to high performance training in humans, and compare it to continuous training. Three groups of male Wistar rats (90 days old) were allocated to Sedentary Control (SC); Continuous Training (CT); and Periodized Experimental Training (PET) groups. PET and CT trained 5 days/week, over five weeks, CT: continuous training supporting a 5% body mass (bm) load for 40 min/day; PET: training subdivided into basic, specific, and taper periods, with overload changed daily (volume-intensity, continuous, and interval training). Total training overload was quantified (% bm X exercise time in training session) and equalized for the two trained groups. Glucose ([ 3H]2-deoxyglucose) uptake, incorporation to glycogen (synthesis), glucose oxidation (CO 2 production), and lactate production from [U- 14C]glucose by soleus muscle strips incubated in presence of insulin (100μU/mL) were evaluated 48h after the last training session. The load equivalent at 5.5mM blood lactate concentration ([La-5.5]) was determined in the incremental test. Lactate production was similar in all groups. PET presented higher glucose uptake (59%) than SC, and higher glycogen synthesis (51 and 22%) and glucose oxidation (147 and 178%) than SC and CT, respectively. CT presented higher glycogen synthesis rates (23%) than SC. Load [La-5.5] was similar between trained groups and higher than SC. PET presented higher values for glucose metabolism than CT and SC. These results open up new perspectives for studying training methods used in high performance sport through swimming exercise in rats.