mas para qualquer pessoa portadora de necessidades especiais.Palavras-chave: Ergoespirometria. Consumo máximo de oxigênio.Limiar anaeróbio. Atleta paraolímpico. Atleta portador de deficiência. ABSTRACT Ergometric evaluation in Brazilian paralympic athletesThe purpose of the present article is to discuss the use of incremental exercise test as an important method of functional evaluation of disabled individuals, based on the presentation of the results of the Brazilian athletes that participated in the Sydney Paralympic Games. In addition to the presentation of the analyzed parameters (maximal oxygen uptake -VO 2 max -and ventilatory anaerobic threshold) for athletes from various sports and types of disability, the physiological basis and methodology used are described. Certain characteristics pertaining to disabled athletes, such as specificity, safeguards, understanding and motivation are explained in the text. Finally, the publication of data regarding this specific group will help the implementation of more effective actions, not only in competitive sports, but also for the rehabilitation of the great contingent of persons with physical and/or mental disabilities in Brazil.

Introduction: Road running has been increasing dramatically in Brazil and worldwide for years. However, research into this practice has privileged high performance athletes while neglecting recreational runners, even though they constitute a significant majority of participants. Objectives: This study analyzed the associations between demographic and training characteristics of recreational runners in 5 km, 10 km and half marathon events, and the occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries. Methods: The study used data from 395 adult runners (229 men and 166 women, respectively aged 37.9 ± 9.5 and 37.1 ± 8.7 years, body weight 77 ± 10.5 and 61 ± 9 kg, and height 1.75 ± 0.07 m and 1.62 ± 0.07 m), who voluntarily and anonymously answered a questionnaire available on the Internet. Results: Plantar fasciitis, chondromalacia patellae (runner's knee) and tibial periostitis were the most frequently mentioned injuries in both sexes. Predisposing factors for injury (longer running time, average weekly mileage, maximum mileage and average speed in a workout) predominated in the male group, which had more types of injury and longer layoffs for this reason. Most respondents (63.3% men and 60.2% women) did not perform isolated stretching exercises; in those who did perform these exercises, and in those who stretched before and/or after training for races or competitions, there was no reduction in the incidence of injuries. Conclusion: Men showed a tendency towards greater intensity and volume of race training, in addition to longer running time, which are predisposing factors for injury. This may explain the greater number of different injuries reported in the male group, as well as the longer layoff periods. Level of evidence II; Prognostic studies - Investigating the effect of patient characteristics on disease outcome.

Introduction: The National Rower Evaluation System [Sistema Nacional de Avaliação do Remador] (SNAR), adopted by the Brazilian Rowing Confederation, aims to establish a national ranking, and is a prerequisite to participation in National Championships and Selective Games, in its different categories, as well as for joining the Brazilian Rowing Team. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship and the prediction of the SNAR results with competitors’ times in a Brazilian Rowing Championship (CBR). Methods: The investigation involved 11 female rowers (18.00 ± 0.89 years) and 16 male rowers (18.18 ± 0.91 years), participants in a CBR, in the junior category. The research was qualitative, with content analysis of the data available on the Confederation's website. Results: In the junior female category, of the ten variables studied, three showed a correlation r≥0.50; in the junior male category, nine showed a correlation r≥0.50. The multiple linear regression equation, with all the variables studied, showed R2 = 0.86 and SEE = 5.30, in the female category; and R2 = 0.90 and SEE = 3.56, in the male category. Conclusion: Based on our results, the tests indicated by SNAR can be an important source of information, offering significant support for managers, athletes and coaching staff, for use in performance diagnosis and in particular, competition prognosis. It can also be used to adapt training schedule where necessary. Level of evidence I; Diagnostic studies-Investigation of a diagnostic test.

Introduction Infrared thermography has been used in several areas, mainly in sports training, and specifically in soccer. Objectives The objectives of the study were to verify the acute effect of a displacement speed test on the skin temperature of elite female soccer players, to observe pre- and post-test thermal asymmetries, and to compare responses in the anterior and posterior regions of lower limbs. Methods Cross-sectional study that evaluated 17 soccer players of the 2018 Brazilian Championship. They were submitted to thermography before and 10 minutes after performing the displacement speed test. Thermographic images were collected using a FLIR® model 8 thermal imager and changes in skin temperature in the anterior and posterior regions of the lower limbs were analyzed, according to the areas of interest. Descriptive statistics were performed and mean and standard deviation of the temperatures of the areas of interest were analyzed. The normality of the data was verified, and then the Student’s t test for normal paired and independent samples and the Mann-Whitney test for non-normal samples were conducted, with p <0.05 being adopted for significance level. Results It was possible to observe that after the test there was an increase in skin temperature in all the regions analyzed, both on the dominant and non-dominant sides (p <0.05). Regarding the analysis of the anterior region, it was possible to observe a higher temperature (p <0.05) in the region of the tibial muscles than in the region of the quadriceps muscles. Conclusion It is concluded that thermography helps to understand the thermal responses of lower limbs after applying the displacement speed test. The study shows that thermographic evaluation can guide the organization of the training session when motor tests have previously been applied, and in the detection of abnormal overloads, helping to prevent injuries. Level of evidence IV; Therapeutic studies - Investigation of treatment results.