This study evaluated energy cost and energy sources of a ballet exercise (grand adage) in young female dancers with different technical ability, and then related the energy sources to the subject's VO(2max) and anaerobic threshold (IAT). Twenty-five dancers (13-16 years) were divided into two different technical ability groups: low-level (n = 13) and high-level (n = 12). The overall energy requirement of dance exercise (VO(2eq)) was obtained by adding the amount of VO(2) during exercise above resting (aerobic source or VO(2ex)) to the VO(2) up to the fast component of recovery (anaerobic alactic source or VO(2al)) and to the energy equivalent of peak blood lactate accumulation (anaerobic lactic source or VO(2la) of recovery. VO(2eq) of exercise amounted to 81 +/- 10 and 94 +/- 9 ml kg(-1) in low-level and high-level groups, respectively. VO(2ex) represented the higher fraction (65 +/- 4% and 77 +/- 5%) in low-level and high-level groups, respectively, of VO(2eq )in both the groups. In the low-level group the remaining fractions were: 23 +/- 2 % for VO(2al) and 12 +/- 1% for VO(2la). In high-level group the remaining fractions were: 18 +/- 2 % for VO(2al) and 4 +/- 1% for VO(2la). Between two groups, significant differences were found in VO(2ex )(P < 0.01), VO(2al) (P < 0.01), and VO(2al )(P < 0.05). IAT was 55 and 60% of VO(2max) for low-level and high-level dancers, respectively. Low-level dancers performed more exercise above IAT than high-level. For these reasons, it should be better to define exercise intensity according to the IAT parameter and not only to VO(2max).

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 12 weeks of step aerobics (SA) training on the functional fitness of apparently healthy older women. Thirteen previously sedentary elderly women (mean age 63.14 years) participated in this study. Subjects performed 3 training sessions per week for 30-60 minutes per session. All measurements were assessed at baseline, after 12 weeks of training (posttest), and after 1 month of detraining. Assessments included the evaluation of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), strength of the upper (arm-curl [AC] test) and lower body (30-second chair-stand test [CS]), dynamic balance and agility (8 foot up and go [8 ft]), flexibility (chair sit-and-reach [CSR]), and cardiorespiratory fitness (6-minute walk test [6MW]). Step aerobics significantly improved all functional fitness components except for BMI. The 12 weeks of SA promoted a large effect size in the following measurements: WC (d = 1.6); CSR (d = 1.51); CS (d = 1.49); AC (d = 1.41); 8 ft (d = 1.32); and 6MW (d = 1.06) (p < 0.05). These results indicate that 12 weeks of SA had a positive effect on the functional fitness components of these older women. Furthermore, these findings were confirmed by the reverse effect observed after 1 month of detraining, except for upper body strength (AC test). In conclusion, 12 weeks of SA training can promote improvements in the functional fitness of apparently healthy older women. Therefore, SA can be considered an effective exercise modality to prevent the loss of functional fitness and its associated consequences.

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As age progresses, a decrease of daily activities and reduction of functionality where the cardiorespiratory capacity may be considered one of the most affected components, is faced. The aim of this study was to examine the association between level of physical activity and cardiorespiratory capacity in older women. Nine hundred and sixty women age above 60 years, non-institutionalized, divided in five age groups were evaluated: F1 (60-64 years; n = 286); F2 (65-69 years; n = 295); F3 (70-74 years; n = 207); F4 (75-79 years; n = 120) and F5 (> 80 years; n = 52). The level of physical activity was determined from the Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Older Adults, consisting of domestic, sports and recreational activities, in which the level of total physical activity was classified by the sum of these three components. The cardiorespiratory capacity was measured with the Six-Minute Gait Test. The cardiorespiratory capacity decreased an average of 24.5% and the level of physical activity 18.0% in this study. When examining the influences of the terciles of the level of physical activity concerning the cardiorespiratory capacity, the analysis of variance demonstrated that the superior tercile of the total physical activity level was the one which presented the lowest decrease in the cardiorespiratory capacity of 16.7%. However, the sports category of the physical activity level demonstrated differentiated values in the reduction of the cardiorespiratory capacity, where the non-practitioner of physical exercises sub-group presented the highest decrease of 18.6%, while the moderate practitioner sub-group decreased 16.3%, revealing hence the positive influence of moderate physical exercises practice over the cardiorespiratory capacity (p < 0.05). Higher physical activity, especially higher sports physical activity, may attenuate the decrease of cardiorespiratory capacity in older women, since women practitioners of moderate physical activities presented lower reduction of such capacity. Increase of physical activities is recommended, especially regular physical exercises, in order to attenuate the decrease of cardiorespiratory capacity, consequently aiding the maintenance of an independent life.

The training load imposed and perceived by coaches and soccer players, respectively, was compared for three weeks of the basic preparatory period of a professional soccer team through session ratings of perceived exertion (S-RPE). Participants were 24 professional Brazilian soccer players (all males, age: 24.1 ± 3.4 years) and their coaches. Athletes responded to the scale of perceived exertion (scores from 0 to10) after the training, while the coaches completed the scale prior to the training session, based on prior planning. The t-test for independent samples was used to compare S-RPE responses, and the Pearson correlation test was used to examine possible correlations between the parameters analyzed. There were no statistical differences between perceptions of prescribed (coaches) and experienced (players) S-RPE, and moderate correlations were found between these parameters ( r = .60; p = .003). No statistically significant group differences were found in the perceived exertion during any of three types of training: physical, technical, or tactical. The results suggest that the S-RPE prescribed during the preseason period (by coaches) was not different from that perceived by professional soccer players.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade geral e central em uma amostra representativa da população de mulheres idosas do município de Curitiba, Paraná. MÉTODOS: Este estudo apresentou delineamento observacional, transversal e descritivo. As variáveis índice de massa corporal e da circunferência de cintura foram obtidas para a determinação do sobrepeso e obesidade geral e central, respectivamente. Medidas de tendência central, variabilidade, freqüências relativas e absolutas em cada faixa etária, dentro das categorias de índice de massa corporal e circunferência de cintura, foram verificadas. RESULTADOS: Participaram deste estudo 1069 mulheres com idade superior a 60 anos (média=69,5, desvio-padrão=6,1 anos). Em relação às categorias do índice de massa corporal, a maioria dos sujeitos teve seu estado nutricional classificado como sobrepeso (43,5%), seguido por obesidade (34,0%) e normalidade (22,5%). Por sua vez, a obesidade (45,1%) foi a condição nutricional prevalente em relação às categorias para a circunferência de cintura, seguida por sobrepeso (33,1%) e normalidade (21,8%). Além disso, o sobrepeso e a obesidade geral diminuíram da primeira para a última faixa etária (-20,4% e -11,6%, respectivamente), enquanto a normalidade elevou-se substancialmente (+75,3%). Resultados similares foram verificados em relação à adiposidade central, nos quais as condições de sobrepeso e obesidade declinaram 14,3% e 8,3%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Uma elevada prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade geral e central foi verificada entre as mulheres idosas da cidade de Curitiba (PR), independentemente da idade. Programas públicos visando à prevenção e à redução do excesso de adiposidade corporal a partir de intervenção nos padrões de ingestão dietética e gasto energético, como a prática regular de exercício físico, tornam-se necessários nesta população.

Artículo recibido el 10/03/09; revisado recibido el 16/06/09; aceptado el 24/09/09. ResumenFundamento: La aterosclerosis es la enfermedad coronaria que afecta con mayor frecuencia a la población adulta brasilera. Aún cuando se trata de una enfermedad predominantemente de adultos, los factores de riesgo asociados pueden surgir en individuos jóvenes.Objetivo: Verificar la asociación del nivel de actividad física (NAF) y el consumo de lípidos con los factores de riesgo para aterosclerosis en adolescentes.Métodos: Fueron evaluados 260 niños y 237 niñas con edades entre 10 y 18 años. El nivel de actividad física fue estimado a través del recordatorio propuesto por Bouchard et al. El consumo de lípidos fue evaluado mediante una encuesta alimentaria desarrollada por Sichieri y Everhart. La presión arterial se midió utilizando un esfigmomanómetro de columna de mercurio. El colesterol total, el HDL-C y los triglicéridos fueron determinados por el método enzimático-colorimétrico. El LDL-C se calculó mediante la fórmula de Friedewald. En el análisis estadístico, se empleó la regresión logística, con nivel de significancia estipulado en p < 0,05.Resultados: En cuanto al NAF, el 17,3% de los niños y el 22,6% de las niñas fueron clasificados como sedentarios. En los hábitos alimentarios, el 54% y el 48,6% de los niños y niñas, respectivamente, presentaron consumo de lípidos por encima de las recomendaciones. Niños con niveles elevados de colesterol total y de LDL-C tuvieron mayor razón de chances de ser sedentarios que sus pares más activos. La aparición de niveles elevados de LDL-C estuvo asociada al consumo excesivo de grasa saturada en ambos sexos. a una menor predisposición a los factores de riesgo para enfermedades cardiovasculares en adultos 2,4 . Sin embargo, no todos estos resultados hallados fueron confirmados en poblaciones pediátricas [5][6][7] . Estudios de prevalencia recientes han demostrado que la exposición a los factores de riesgo para aterosclerosis no se restringe a la población adulta 8,9 , contrariando, de esta forma, la creencia generalizada de que niños y adolescentes están al margen de este tipo de riesgo para la salud. ConclusiónCon datos del Bogalusa Heart Study, Berenson et al 10 demostraron la presencia de factores de riesgo, como el aumento del índice de masa corporal, presión arterial, LDL-C y triglicéridos y relataron que estos aumentos están relacionados a lesiones ateroscleróticas, aún en individuos jóvenes.Salvo en trastornos congénitos, en los que los cambios de conducta pueden no ser suficientes para la normalización metabólica de los portadores, algunos factores de riesgo son receptivos a cambios comportamentales 11 . Así, estos cambios IntroducciónLa aterosclerosis es la enfermedad coronaria que afecta con mayor frecuencia a la población adulta brasilera, y la hipertensión arterial y las dislipidemias son los principales factores de riesgo para su desarrollo 1 . Estudios publicados refieren que, independientemente del origen étnico, individuos que consumen grandes cantidades de grasas, pr...

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of musical tempo on physiological, affective, and perceptual responses as well as the performance of self-selected walking pace. [Subjects] The study included 28 adult women between 29 and 51 years old. [Methods] The subjects were divided into three groups: no musical stimulation group (control), and 90 and 140 beats per minute musical tempo groups. Each subject underwent three experimental sessions: involved familiarization with the equipment, an incremental test to exhaustion, and a 30-min walk on a treadmill at a self-selected pace, respectively. During the self-selected walking session, physiological, perceptual, and affective variables were evaluated, and walking performance was evaluated at the end. [Results] There were no significant differences in physiological variables or affective response among groups. However, there were significant differences in perceptual response and walking performance among groups. [Conclusion] Fast music (140 beats per minute) promotes a higher rating of perceived exertion and greater performance in self-selected walking pace without significantly altering physiological variables or affective response.