Monitoring internal training load, stress-recovery responses, and immune-endocrine parameters in Brazilian jiu-jitsu training. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 723-731, 2022-This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between training loads, stress, and immune-endocrine markers during a precompetitive period in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) athletes. For this, 12 athletes were submitted to 1 physical and 1 technicaltactical training session per day, 5 days a week, for 7 weeks. The saliva sampling and physical tests (countermovement jump [CMJ] and squat jump [SJ]) were performed before starting the training period (pre) and at the fourth week (4-week) and eighth week (post). Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) and the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire-Sport (RESTQ) were applied, and the training load was calculated weekly. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and the Friedman test were used, with significance levels set at p , 0.05. Increased training loads were recorded by the sRPE method in technical-tactical training sessions (p , 0.05). Higher physical loads were reported by athletes during weeks 1-4, contributing to overall higher training load, monotony, and strain during this period (p , 0.05). Increased perception of stress, by the RESTQ, and cortisol were detected, whereas decreased salivary testosterone and salivary immunoglobulin A were observed at 4 weeks (p , 0.05). No significant differences were detected in CMJ and SJ tests, suggesting that training neither elicited significant fatigue and underperformance nor improved strength performance. However, decreasing physical training loads appeared to reduce symptoms of stress and improved recovery, favoring immune recovery and anabolic balance. Thus, the sRPE seems to be a reliable and simple method to monitor training loads in BJJ athletes because variation in values was related to the RESTQ and physiological responses to training loads.

The aim of this study was to test, between two bouts of exercise, the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) therapy and cryotherapy regarding muscle damage, inflammation, and performance. Male Wistar rats were allocated in four groups: control, passive recovery (PR), cryotherapy (Cryo), and LED therapy. The animals were submitted to 45 min of swimming exercise followed by 25 min of recovery and then a second bout of either 45 min of exercise (muscle damage analysis) or time to exhaustion (performance). During the rest intervals, the rats were kept in passive rest (PR), submitted to cold water immersion (10 min, 10 °C) or LED therapy (940 nm, 4 J/cm(2)) of the gastrocnemius muscle. Blood samples were collected to analyze creatine kinase activity (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte counts. The soleus muscles were evaluated histologically. Time to exhaustion was recorded during the second bout of exercise. After a second bout of 45 min, the results demonstrated leukocytosis in the PR and Cryo groups. Neutrophil counts were increased in all test groups. CK levels were increased in the Cryo group. CRP was increased in PR animals. The PR group presented a high frequency of necrosis, but the LED group had fewer necrotic areas. Edema formation was prevented, and fewer areas of inflammatory cells were observed in the LED group. The time to exhaustion was greater in both the LED and Cryo groups, without differences in CK levels. CRP was decreased in LED animals. We conclude that LED therapy and cryotherapy can improve performance, although LED therapy is more efficient in preventing muscle damage and local and systemic inflammation.

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effects of photobiomodulation on performance in the 30-second Wingate test: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.