Several studies have demonstrated an acute and chronic increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in relation to different types of physical exercise. Currently, many individuals seek physical training strategies that present different types of stimulation and volume/intensity. Thus, the extreme conditioning methodology has gained great notoriety in the scientific and non-scientific environment. Knowing that BDNF values increase in an effort-dependent manner, it is necessary to study the effects of this strategy on BDNF levels. This study aimed to evaluate the acute response of BDNF in trained men submitted to an extreme conditioning program (ECP) session. Ten volunteers underwent an acute ECP session using the “as many reps as possible” (WOD-AMRAP) method, including three types of exercise (clean, wall ball and double or single-unders) for 9 min. BDNF was measured in the plasma, being collected baseline and immediately after the session. Total load of the clean exercise was five times greater than wall ball exercise (p < 0.05; 2096.1 ± 387.4 kg vs 415.8 ± 81.03 kg), which influenced little in the total load (p < 0.05, 2511.9 ± 358.52 kg) used. For the total volume, practitioners averaged 1.7 times more repetitions in the wall ball exercise compared to clean (46.2 ± 9 vs 29.5 ± 3.8 repetitions). The volunteers averaged 75.7 ± 12.6 double-unders repetitions, bringing the total volume of training to 151.4 ± 23.7 repetitions. Regarding the BDNF values, there was a significant difference (p = 0.05) between the pre- vs post-moments (11209.85 ± 1270.4 vs 12132.96 ± 1441.93 pg/ml). Effect size for this change as moderate (ES = 0.79). We found a positive correlation between total volume of clean exercise and delta BDNF values (p = 0.049). In conclusion, a single extreme conditioning session, through the practice of the WOD-AMRAP method, is capable of increasing the acute concentrations of plasma BDNF. In practical terms, we may suggest that future studies evaluate the effect of ECP as a strategy in the treatment of disorders associated with central degenerative changes.

Introduction: The search for strategies aimed at reducing daily stress is increasing in the current literature. As a result, several types of fitness training are constantly being investigated for their influence on mood states. However, we know little about strategies that use higher intensities. Objective: To investigate the acute effects of an extreme conditioning training (ECT) session on the mood states of individuals with or without prior experience in this type of training. Methods: Volunteers were divided into TRAINED (n = 10) and CONDITIONED (n = 10) groups, undergoing a single 9-minute ECT session. Mood states (BRUMS scale) were analyzed at baseline, immediately afterwards, and after 30 minutes. Results: Anger, confusion and tension were significantly reduced in both groups immediately afterwards and post 30 minutes. The TRAINED group showed a significant reduction in fatigue 30 minutes after the end of the session. Effect size for all variables was considered small to moderate. The TRAINED group had significantly increased vigor immediately after the end of the session compared to baseline. However, the CONDITIONED group had significantly reduced vigor 30 minutes afterwards, in comparison to baseline. The increase in vigor in the TRAINED group was considered moderate (ES = 0.68), while the decrease in vigor in the CONDITIONED group was considered major (ES = −0.88). Conclusion: An ECT session is powerful enough to induce significant, albeit small and moderate, changes in mood states in both trained and untrained individuals in this particular type of exercise. Level of evidence II, Therapeutic studies-investigation of treatment results.

ResumoOs avanços da ciência proporcionaram o aumento da longevidade e refletem o crescimento do contingente de idosos na sociedade atual. O aumento da idade cronológica traz perda progressiva da funcionalidade e altera o processo de fornecimento de informações sobre a percepção corporal, resultando na interpretação distorcida dos parâmetros corporais. Estudos comprovam que o movimento e atividade física são capazes de influenciar positivamente a percepção corporal. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos de atividades de estimulação corporal perceptual sobre o esquema corporal dos idosos. A avaliação foi realizada através do teste de projeção de pontos, o IMP (Image Marking Procedure), que é capaz de predizer o grau de distorção entre a imagem real e percebida nos diferentes pontos do corpo. As medidas de percepção das dimensões corporais foram mensuradas antes e depois de um programa de estimulação perceptual corporal. Os resultados do estudo demonstraram que o programa de intervenção corporal pode trazer benefícios para os sujeitos participantes, mas é necessário que a estimulação tenha um foco mais particular conforme as características perceptivas de cada indivíduo. AbstractAdvances in science have resulted in increased longevity and reflect the growing number of elderly individuals in society today. The increase in chronological age brings progressive loss of functionality, and changes the process of providing information on body awareness, resulting in the misinterpretation of body parameters. Studies have shown that movement and physical activity are able to positively influence body perception. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of perceptual body stimulation activities on the body schema of the elderly. The evaluation was performed with the IMP Palavras-chave: Envelhecimento. Imagem Corporal. Atividade Motora. Cinésica. Idoso. Atividade física.

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a Imagem Corporal (IC) de mulheres inativas (IN) e praticantes de exercícios físicos: Body Combat (BC) e Yoga (Y). Foram selecionadas 24 mulheres de 18 a 45 anos, praticantes de Yoga (n=8), praticantes de Body Combat (n=8) e Inativas (n=8), que foram avaliadas por meio de uma Escala de Silhuetas. Observamos que a média da silhueta atual, para todos os indivíduos foi sempre superior à média da silhueta ideal, demonstrando insatisfação corporal. A análise estatística apontou diferenças entre as mulheres que praticam Yoga e as Inativas (p<0,01) e houve diferenças entre a silhueta atual e ideal do grupo Inativo (p<0,05). Nesse estudo observou-se que o exercício físico interferiu positivamente no grau de satisfação corporal, evidenciando que os profissionais de Educação Física devem estar atentos e preparados para planejar atividades e programas de exercício que atendam os indivíduos em suas mais diversas necessidades.