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Purpose. The study aimed to analyse the methods and magnitudes of rapid weight loss (rWL) in judo team members in distinct periods before the biggest state competition in Southern Brazil. Methods. Twelve male judo athletes took part in the study. The data collection was performed in three periods: (1) three months before the biggest state competition, (2) one week before the competition, (3) the day prior to the event. Anthropometric assessment and the rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire were performed. Student's t-test and ANOVA were applied, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results. The main results showed that the majority of athletes reduced 7.1 ± 6.8 kg and started to lose weight to compete 13-16 years earlier. Increasing exercises (91.7%) and restricting fluid intake (41.7%) were the most frequent methods of weight loss. The judo coach/sensei was the person who most influenced the rWL procedure (58.3%). The athletes reduced 5% of their body weight (p < 0.01), 2.4% of their body fat (p < 0.01), and 2% of their fat-free mass (p = 0.04). Conclusions. We conclude that rWL was a common and premature practice in the athletes in the study. The most common methods were increasing exercise volume and restricting fluid and food intake. The coach/sensei was the most influential person in this practice. The judo athletes presented decreases in body fat and fat-free mass during the period prior to the competition.

BackgroundAmong combat sports, Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) present elevated physical fitness demands from the high-intensity intermittent efforts. However, information regarding how metabolic and neuromuscular physical fitness is associated with technical-tactical performance in Judo and BJJ fights is not available. This study aimed to relate indicators of physical fitness with combat performance variables in Judo and BJJ.MethodsThe sample consisted of Judo (n = 16) and BJJ (n = 24) male athletes. At the first meeting, the physical tests were applied and, in the second, simulated fights were performed for later notational analysis.ResultsThe main findings indicate: (i) high reproducibility of the proposed instrument and protocol used for notational analysis in a mobile device; (ii) differences in the technical-tactical and time-motion patterns between modalities; (iii) performance-related variables are different in Judo and BJJ; and (iv) regression models based on metabolic fitness variables may account for up to 53% of the variances in technical-tactical and/or time-motion variables in Judo and up to 31% in BJJ, whereas neuromuscular fitness models can reach values up to 44 and 73% of prediction in Judo and BJJ, respectively. When all components are combined, they can explain up to 90% of high intensity actions in Judo.DiscussionIn conclusion, performance prediction models in simulated combat indicate that anaerobic, aerobic and neuromuscular fitness variables contribute to explain time-motion variables associated with high intensity and technical-tactical variables in Judo and BJJ fights.

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Ballet stage performances are associated with higher cardiorespiratory demand than rehearsals and classes. Hence, new interest is emerging to create periodized training that enhances dancers' fitness while minimizing delayed exercise-induced fatigue and possible injuries. Finding out in what zones of intensity dancers work during different ballet movements may support the use of supplemental training adjusted to the needs of the individual dancer. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to describe dancers' oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) responses during the performance of nine isolated ballet exercise sets, as correlated with their first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2). Twelve female ballet dancers volunteered for the study. Their maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), VT1, and VT2 were determined by use of an incremental treadmill test. Nine sets of ballet movements were assessed: pliés, tendus, jetés, rond de jambes, fondus, grand adage (adage), grand battements, temps levés, and sautés. The sets were randomly executed and separated by 5 minute rest periods. ANOVA for repeated measurements followed by the Bonferroni Post-hoc test were applied (p < 0.05). VO2 responses were as follows: pliés (17.6 ± 1.6 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)); tendus and adage were not significantly greater than VT1; rond de jambes (21.8 ± 3.1 ml·kg(-1) ·min(-1)); fondus and jetés were higher than VT1 and the previous exercises; grand battements (25.8 ± 2.9 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) was greater than all the other exercises and VT1; and VT2 was significantly higher than all ballet sets. This stratification followed closely, but not exactly, the variation in HR. For example, rond de jambes (156.8 ± 19 b·min(-1)) did not show any significant difference from all the other ballet sets, nor VT1 or VT2. It is concluded that the workloads of isolated ballet sets, based on VO2 responses, vary between low and moderate aerobic intensity in relation to dancers' VT1 and VT2. However, ballet set workloads may be higher when based on HR responses, due to the intermittent and isometric components of dance.

THIS STUDY AIMED TO SYNTHESIZE FINDINGS CONCERNING TIME-MOTION ANALYSIS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES, AND PERFORMANCE AND PERCEPTUAL EXERTION IN BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COMBATS. THE EFFORT/PAUSE RATIO DURING MATCHES WAS 6:1 TO 13:1, WITH EFFORT PERIODS OF 85–290 SECONDS AND PAUSES OF 5–44 SECONDS. POSTMATCH LACTATE CONCENTRATION (∼10 MMOL/L) INDICATES MODERATE-TO-HIGH GLYCOLYTIC PATHWAY ACTIVATION. COMBATS TEND TO GENERATE CELL DAMAGE, MAINLY AFTER SUCCESSIVE BOUTS. RESULTS OF LOWER LIMB PERFORMANCE DIFFER AMONG STUDIES; HOWEVER, HANDGRIP STRENGTH IS REDUCED AFTER MATCHES. COMBATS ARE CLASSIFIED AS “HARD,” ALTHOUGH FOREARMS, FINGERS, WRIST, AND BICEPS BRACHII ARE THE MOST REPORTED FATIGUE AREAS.

Mixed martial arts" (MMA) is an umbrella term for a combat sport that encompasses athletes with backgrounds in several fighting disciplines that mainly involve standing strikes, grappling, and locking techniques. 9,11 Despite the increasing popularity of MMA worldwide, numerous medical associations around the globe have called for the banishment of the sport, mainly based on presumed risk of brain injury. 7,11,12 In response, a cooperative work at different levels has been developing to diagnose, recognize, and provide reliable recommendations to make the sport safer. 21 Because blows directly to the head are an effective way to achieve a win, MMA could report even higher rates of traumatic 827966S PHXXX10.

ObjectivesWe used objective assessment tools to detect subtle neurological deficits that accompany repetitive and mild head impacts in contact sport across a season.MethodsFemale participants (n=13, 21±1.8 years old; 167.6±6.7 cm; 72.8±6.1 kg) completed assessments pre and post the varsity rugby season. A commercial balance board was used to assess static balance and response to dynamic postural challenge. Spinal cord excitability via the soleus H-reflex was assessed in both legs. Video analysis was used to identify head impact exposures.ResultsA total of 172 potential concussive events were verified across 11 athletes (15.6±11; 95% CI: 6.5 to 19.8). Balance performance was worse at post-season for total centre of pressure which increased by 26% in the double stance on a stable surface (t(12)=-2.33; p=0.03; d=0.6) and by 140% in the tandem stance on a foam surface (t(12)=-3.43; p<0.01; d=0.9). Despite that, dynamic postural performance was improved after the season (p<0.01). Spinal cord excitability in rugby athletes did not change across the season but deviated from normative values at baseline.ConclusionQuantitative measures revealed that exposure to impacts across a competitive rugby season impair balance in two specific stances in female rugby athletes. Tandem-leg stance on an unstable surface and double-leg stance on firm surface are useful assessment conditions when performed over a low-cost balance board, even without clinically diagnosed concussion.