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HighlightsResistance exercise (> 12 weeks) appears to increase in VO2max in diabetic patients.Resistance exercise didn’t decrease the glycemic level compared to aerobic exercises.The lipid profile of DM patients was the same in both types of exercise.

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Background: Capoeira is a cultural practice with Brazilian roots that combines several elements including dance, fighting and body rhythm. Because of the diverse elements involved in its practice, capoeira is excellent at developing the physical and social abilities of its players. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical profile of muscle strength, plantar pressure distribution, and postural balance between players and non-players of capoeira. Methods: We evaluated 51 subjects who were allocated into two groups: capoeira group and control group. Subjects were evaluated using a baropodometer (Diasu ®) and an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex ®). Results: When comparing plantar pressure distribution between groups and limbs, there were significant differences in mean load of forefoot (p=0.008) and total load (p=0.001). There were no significant differences between groups and limbs in balance and muscle strength; however, a significant difference was found in quadriceps torque peak (p=0.001) and agonist/antagonist ratio (p=0.001) when comparing these variables between the groups. Conclusion: Capoeira players displayed a tendency to have an asymmetric profile in plantar pressure distribution. No difference was found in balance between groups. Despite the fact that capoeira players showed increased strength of the quadriceps muscle, their agonist/antagonist ratio was more asymmetrical than the control group. Level of evidence: IV.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of swimming exercise, without overloading, on the biomechanical parameters of the calcaneal tendon of rats. 27 male Wistar rats (70 days) were distributed randomly into 2 groups, Control Group (CG; n=15) with restricted movements inside the cage and Swimming Group (SG; n=12), subjected to exercise training in a tank with a water temperature of 30±1°C, for 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. All animals were kept in a reversed light/dark cycle of 12 h with access to food and water ad libitum. After that, they were anesthetized and had their calcaneus tendons collected from their left rear paws. The tendon was submitted to a mechanical test on a conventional test machine. From the stress vs. strain curve, the biomechanical data were analyzed. For the statistical analysis, the Student-T test was used (p<0.05). Of the variables examined, the maximum tension (p=0.009), maximum force (p=0.03), energy of deformation/tendon cross sectional area (p=0.017) and elastic modulus of the tendon (p=0.013) showed positive outcomes in SG. There was no difference in the other parameters. The results indicate that the swimming exercise training, without overloading, was an important stimulus for improving the biomechanical parameters and structural properties of the calcaneal tendon.