We compare the effects of Nordic walking training (NW) and Free walk (FW) on functional parameters (motor symptoms, balance) and functional mobility (Timed Up and Go at Self-selected Speed - TUGSS, and at forced speed, TUGFS; Self-selected Walking Speed, SSW; locomotor rehabilitation index, LRI) of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The study included 33 patients with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD, and staging between 1 and 4 in the Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y) randomized into two groups: NW (N = 16) and FW (N = 17) for 6 weeks. Baseline characteristics were compared trough a one-way ANOVA. Outcomes were analyzed using the Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE) with a Bonferroni post-hoc. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.20.0. Improvements in UPDRS III (P < 0.001), balance scores (P < 0.035), TUGSS distance (P < 0.001), TUGFS distance (P < 0.001), SSW (P < 0.001), and LRI (P < 0.001) were found for both groups. However, the NW group showed significant differences (P < 0.001) when compared to the FW group for the functional mobility. We conclude the NW improves functional parameters and walking mobility demonstrating that NW is as effective as the FW, including benefits for FW on the functional mobility of people with PD.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance exercise in water and on land on blood levels of creatine kinase (CK), a known indirect marker of muscle damage. Nine men (age: 23 +/- 1.58 years; weight: 79.37 +/- 11.15 kg; height: 176.33 +/- 4.09 cm), who had not practiced resistance training for at least 6 months before this experiment, performed 3 sets of maximum elbow flexion and extension exercises in water and on land, separated by 2-minute periods of rest. A 10-repetition maximum test was used to load control on land with free weights, and in water the exercise was performed at maximum velocity with aquatic resistance equipment. The duration of the exercise in water was the same as that performed on land, to reproduce the same metabolic route. Plasma CK activity was determined using a commercially available kit (Labtest Enzymatic-UV) before exercise, after exercise, and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise. Significant increases in CK were found at 48 hours postexercise on land (preexercise land: 160.75 +/- 96.05 UxL; 48 hours: 326.87 +/- 240.84 UxL), and significant differences were found between land and water (preexercise water: 147.75 +/- 46.48 UxL; 48 hours: 121.75 +/- 30.86 UxL) for this measure. However, no significant differences were found in water. In conclusion, the water environment influenced the absence of significant muscle damage. This type of exercise protocol may be appropriate for situations in which limited muscle tissue damage is desired.

This study aimed to compare the components of force-velocity (F-V) and power-velocity (P-V) profiles and the mechanical effectiveness of force application (or force ratio–RF) among various sled-towing loads during the entire acceleration phase of a weighted sled sprint. Eighteen sprinters performed four 50-m sprints in various conditions: unloaded; with a load corresponding to 20% of the athlete’s body mass (BM); with a load of 30% BM; and with a load of 40% BM. Data were collected with five video cameras, and the images were digitised to obtain velocity from the derivation of the centre-of-mass position. F-V and P-V components and RF were estimated from sprinting velocity-time data for each load using a validated method that is based on an inverse dynamic approach applied to the sprinter’s centre-of-mass (it models the horizontal antero-posterior and vertical ground reaction force components) and requires only measurement of anthropometric and spatiotemporal variables (body mass, stature and instantaneous position or velocity during the acceleration phase). The theoretical maximal velocity decreased with load compared with the unloaded condition (for 20% BM: -6%, effect size (ES) = 0,38; for 30% BM: -15%, ES = 1.02; for 40% BM: -18%, ES = 1.10). The theoretical maximal horizontal force (F0) and maximal power were not different among conditions. However, power at the end of the acceleration phase increased with load (40% BM vs 0%: 72%; ES = 2.73) as well as the maximal mechanical effectiveness (12%; ES = 0.85). The linear decrease in RF was different between 30 or 40% BM and the unloaded condition (-23%; ES = 0.74 and 0.66). Better effectiveness may be developed with 40% BM load at the beginning of the acceleration and with the various load-induced changes in the components of the F-V and P-V relationships, allowing a more accurate determination of optimal loading conditions for maximizing power.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the agreement between heart rate (HR) and treadmill velocity corresponding to the anaerobic threshold measured by second ventilatory threshold (VT 2 ) and the HR deflection point (HRDP) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: Thirty-two sedentary patients (56.1 ± 7.7 years) were evaluated. To determine the threshold values, patients performed an incremental treadmill test, with an initial velocity of 3 km h −1 for 3 min, which was then increased by 1 km h −1 every 2 min. The degree of agreement between VT 2 and HRDP was analyzed using the Bland---Altman test. Results: Patients had a HR of 133 ± 16 bpm at VT 2 and 133 ± 18 bpm at HRDP. Mean velocity corresponding to VT 2 was 6.3 ± 0.7 km h −1 , and that corresponding to HRDP was 6.4 ± 1.1 km h −1 . There were no significant differences between the methods evaluated (HR: p = 0.78; mean velocity: p = 0.57). Conclusions:The present investigation concludes that there is an agreement between VT2 and HRDP methods for HR and treadmill velocity, and thus, either method may be used for these patients. © 2014 Consell Català de l'Esport. Document downloaded from http://www.apunts.org, day 24/12/2015. This copy is for personal use. Any transmission of this document by any media or format is strictly prohibited. Document downloaded from http://www.apunts.org, day 13/01/2016. This copy is for personal use. Any transmission of this document by any media or format is strictly prohibited. R.S. Delevatti et al. PALABRAS CLAVEUmbral ventilatorio; Segundo umbral ventilatorio; Punto de desviación de la frecuencia cardiaca; Ejercicio; Diabetes tipo 2 Punto de desviación de la frecuencia cardíaca es una alternativa de método para identificar el umbral anaeróbico en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 Resumen Objetivos: El propósito de este artículo fue evaluar la concordancia entre frecuencia cardíaca (FC) y velocidad en la cinta de correr correspondiente al umbral anaeróbico medido por el segundo umbral ventilatorio (VT 2 ) y por el punto de deflexión de la FC (PDFC) en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Métodos: Se evaluaron treinta y dos pacientes sedentarios (56,1 ± 7,7 años) para determinar los valores de los umbrales, los pacientes realizaron una prueba de esfuerzo incremental a una velocidad inicial de 3 km h −1 durante 3 min, con incrementos de 1 km h −1 cada 2 min. Se analizó el grado de concordancia entre VT 2 y PDFC mediante el test de Bland---Altman. Resultados: Los pacientes mostraron una FC de 133 ± 16 lpm en VT 2 y 133 ± 18 lpm en PDFC.La velocidad media correspondiente a VT 2 fue 6,3 ± 0,7 km h −1 y la correspondiente a PDFC fue 6,4 ± 1,1 km h −1 . No hubo diferencias significativas entre los métodos evaluados (FC: p = 0,78; velocidad media: p = 0,57). Conclusión: Esta investigación concluye que existe correspondencia entre los métodos VT 2 y PDFC en FC y la velocidad media en la cinta de correr, por lo tanto, cualquiera de estos dos métodos puede ser usado en estos pacientes.

A long-lasting running practice seemed to preserve the bouncing mechanism of master athletes, yet their energy cost was higher when compared with younger runners, which might have been associated with a lower muscle power.

In addition to lower neuromuscular force, velocity, and power outputs, masters sprinters had a comparatively lower effectiveness of force application, especially at the beginning of the sprint.

Adventure racing athletes need run carrying loads during the race. A better understanding of how different loads influence physiological determinants in adventure racers could provide useful insights to gauge training interventions to improve running performance. We compare the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), the cost of transport (C) and ventilatory thresholds of twelve adventure running athletes at three load conditions: unloaded, 7 and 15% of body mass. Twelve healthy men experienced athletes of Adventure Racing (age 31.3 ± 7.7 years, height 1.81 ± 0.05 m, body mass 75.5 ± 9.1 kg) carried out three maximal progressive (VO2max protocol) and three submaximal constant-load (running cost protocol) tests, defined in the following quasi-randomized conditions: unloaded, 7% and, 15% of body mass. The VO2max (unload: 59.7 ± 5.9; 7%: 61.7 ± 6.6 and 15%: 64.6 ± 5.4 ml kg-1 min-1) did not change among the conditions. While the 7% condition does neither modify the C nor the ventilatory thresholds, the 15% condition resulted in a higher C (5.2 ± 0.9 J kg-1 m-1; P = 0.001; d = 1.48) than the unloaded condition (4.0 ± 0.7 J kg-1 m-1). First ventilatory threshold was greater at 15% than control condition (+15.5%; P = 0.003; d = 1.44). Interestingly, the velocities on the severe-intensity domain (between second ventilatory threshold and VO2max) were reduced 1% equivalently to 1% increasing load (relative to body mass). The loading until 15% of body mass seems to affect partially the crucial metabolic and ventilatory parameters, specifically the C but not the VO2max. These findings are compatible with the concept that interventions that enhance running economy with loads may improve the running performance of adventure racing’s athletes.

Berriel, GP, Schons, P, Costa, RR, Oses, VHS, Fischer, G, Pantoja, PD, Kruel, LFM, and Peyré-Tartaruga, LA. Correlations between jump performance in block and attack and the performance in official games, squat jumps, and countermovement jumps of professional volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S64–S69, 2021—The jump used in performance tests must be chosen according to the specificity. The aims of the present study were to analyze the correlations between height and reach of block and attack jumps and the effectiveness of such actions in official games and also the relationship between height and reach of attack and block jumps and the height achieved in squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and CMJ with an arms swing (CMJA). Thirteen, male, professional volleyball players who competed in the Brazilian Volleyball Super League participated in this study. Evaluations of height and reach of attack and block jumps and height of SJ, CMJ, and CMJA were performed. Attack and block effectiveness were evaluated in 8 official games. Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient was used, and the significance level was set at α ≤ 0.05. Attack jump height correlated with attack effectiveness in the games (r = 0.57; p = 0.05). Block jump height presented a very large correlation with SJ height (r = 0.82; p < 0.01), and attack jump height presented a very large correlation with CMJ height (r = 0.86; p < 0.01). Success in attack actions is directly associated with the athlete's ability to perform a vertical jump. Moreover, SJ, CMJ, and CMJA tests provided information of great applicability for the volleyball players' needs. Because of the relevance of the results, these tests should be included in the assessment routine of professional volleyball players.