The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the Brazilian Merchant Navy Academy doubles between initial enrollment and the beginning of the second school year. Females have consistently higher rates of symptoms than males, particularly reporting higher prevalence of knee and lower back pain which are the two most prevalent regions in this population. Prevention efforts should concentrate on the basic training period in an attempt to decrease the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in this population. Finally, prospective studies are required to verify the cause and effect relationship between training and musculoskeletal symptoms.

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The objectives were to provide normative data on commonly used physical performance tests that may be associated with musculoskeletal injuries in Navy cadets, and assess for sex and limb dominance differences. A large cohort of Navy cadets were assessed for physical performance tests of flexibility (ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and sit and reach), isometric hip strength, lower limb power (single leg hop), and trunk endurance (plank and side plank tests). Besides providing normative data tables, sex and limb dominance differences were assessed by a two-way mixed ANOVA. A total of 545 Brazilian Navy cadets (394 males) representing 79% of the cadets in the Academy participated. Normative reference values were reported as mean±SD, 95%CI and percentiles. For tests of muscle strength, power and endurance, males performed better than females (p<0.001). For flexibility tests, females achieved greater distances than males for the sit and reach test (p<0.001), but no difference for ankle dorsiflexion (p=0.51). Overall, there were no clinically relevant differences between limbs. In conclusion, normative data for commonly used physical performance tests were provided. Although no clinically relevant side-to-side differences were found, males presented higher values for lower limb strength and power, as well as trunk endurance than females, while females demonstrated increased flexibility. Valuable normative data are provided to professionals who work with young, active populations from the injury prevention or rehabilitation perspective; as the current study may help professionals to identify athletes or cadets whose performance is outside the normative values and may be at risk for injury.

Purpose: We analyzed the impact of sex, performance level and substantial speed reductions (SSR) on pacing in the VI Rio 24-h Marines Ultramarathon. This will provide insights into the importance of minimizing speed variations in relation to optimal pacing in endurance events.Methods: Runners (30 males and 21 females), classified as high-(HP) and low-performance (LP) ran the race while having their time recorded every 400 m. The pacing was analyzed as the first 10% (initial epoch), the following 80% (intermediate epoch) and the last 10% of the race (final epoch). The time percentage spent at speeds <3.5 km·h −1 (SSR), 3.5 to 5.9 km·h −1 (walking speed), 6.0 to 8.0 km·h −1 (walk-to-running transition speed) and > 8.0 km·h −1 (running speed) was calculated.Results: Runners showed a reverse J-shaped pacing (P < 0.001) regardless of sex and performance level, although male (P < 0.004) and HP runners (P < 0.001) have preserved a higher mean speed throughout the race. Male and HP runners spent more time at running speed (P < 0.001) and less time at SSR (P < 0.001) than female and LP runners. Total distance was inversely correlated with the number of SSR and speed CV in male (r = −0.47 and r = −0.64, respectively) and female (r = −0.61 and r = −0.47, respectively).Conclusion: Male, HP runners showed less SSR, conserving a higher mean speed with less variation throughout the race. Results suggest that conservative pacing strategies, with lower speeds in the beginning and higher speeds toward the end, may be the most adequate for different endurance running disciplines. Results also show different competition dynamics between men and women, which warrants further exploration in ultramarathons as well as other IAAF events.

Background Shoulder pain is common among patients with musculoskeletal pain and the prevalence of patients with subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) is high. Despite the high prevalence, there is a lack of an extensive evaluation of the proprioception acuity in patients with SAPS. Knowledge of the proprioceptive deficit would assist clinicians in the proper treatment and may offer an alternative explanation for the mechanisms underlying SAPS, which are poorly understood. Objective To compare the proprioceptive function of the shoulder in patients with SAPS and matched controls. Study Design Matched case‐control study. Setting Physical Functional Rehabilitation Service of an outpatient clinic. Participants A total of 32 consecutive patients with SAPS who sought physical therapy for shoulder pain and 32 healthy participants (control group) matched for age, sex, and handedness. Interventions All participants completed a questionnaire containing sociodemographic information, pain intensity and characteristics, the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. Main Outcome Measurements The proprioceptive assessment was performed through kinesthesia, passive joint position sense (PJPS), and the active joint position sense (AJPS). Results The groups showed no statistically significant differences in kinesthesia, PJPS, and AJPS for internal or external rotation. The proprioceptive acuity was not associated with pain intensity or functional disability in patients with SAPS. Conclusions Participants with SAPS did not present proprioceptive deficits in a pain‐free motion of medial and lateral rotation when compared to their matched controls. The proprioceptive deficit may not be involved with the mechanisms underlying SAPS and seems not to interfere with the clinical outcomes of patients with SAPS. Level of Evidence Level III.

The aim was to compare the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), duration and session-RPE (S-RPE) prescribed by the coaches to those perceived by the cyclists in training sessions. The classification of RPE, duration and S-RPE of 14 male road cycling and mountain biking athletes were compared with the planned values of five coaches. The results revealed no differences for average RPE (P = 0.586), duration (P = 0.717) and S-RPE (P = 0.738) between coaches and cyclists. When comparing the three categories of effort, the results of the intensity of training sessions designed to be easy were perceived as significantly harder by cyclists compared to coaches (3.0 [2.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0] a.u.; P = 0.013). In addition, the correlations between coaches and cyclists on RPE (r = 0.73), duration (r = 0.95) and S-RPE (r = 0.87) were large, almost perfect and very large (P < 0.0001) respectively. In conclusion, our results indicate a mismatch between coaches (prescription) and cyclists (perception) of easy RPE training sessions, where the cyclists perceived the session harder. However, the S-RPE can be used to prescribe and quantifying the internal training load of trained cyclists.

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The purpose was to compare 24 participants' acute physiological and affective responses to two aerobic prescriptions in three sessions. Anthropometry, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and VO2max were recorded. In subsequent visits two aerobic prescriptions were randomly applied: one based on VO2max (PBVO2max) and another based on physical activity level (PBPA). Physiological and affective variables were measured in each session. The PBVO2max showed lower risk for dropout than the PBPA. An effect size analysis showed higher ratings on the Feeling Scale in the PBVO2max session at the end of exercise. After categorizing participants by fitness (High, Medium, and Low) according to VO2max, significant differences were observed for the training impulse between Low and High fitness categories, indicating PBVO2Max were sensitive in distinguishing levels of fitness. The PBVO2max, compared to PBPA, seems to provide better physiological and affective responses. VO2max (even if estimated) is recommended as the basis for aerobic prescriptions.