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Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women have a high prevalence of obesity and alterations in cardiovascular autonomic control, mainly modifications in heart rate variability (HRV) autonomic modulation. However, there are few studies about other autonomic control parameters, such as blood pressure variability (BPV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). In addition, there are still doubts about the obesity real contribution in altering autonomic control in these women. Objective To investigate BPV and BRS autonomic modulation alterations in PCOS women, as well as, to evaluate whether these alterations are due PCOS or increased body fat. Methods We studied 30 eutrophic volunteers [body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m 2 ] without PCOS (control group) and 60 volunteers with PCOS divided into: eutrophic (BMI < 25 kg/m 2 , N = 30) and obese women (BMI > 30 kg/m 2 , N = 30). All volunteers were submitted to anthropometric evaluation, hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory parameters record at rest and during physical exercise, analysis of HRV, BPV and spontaneous BRS. The differences in p less than 5% (p < 0.05) were considered statistically significant. Results Related to eutrophics groups, there were no differences in autonomic parameters evaluated. The comparison between the PCOS groups showed that both PCOS groups did not differ in the BPV analysis. Although, the obese PCOS group presented lower values of spontaneous BRS and HRV, in low frequency and high frequency oscillations in absolute units. Conclusion Our results suggest that obesity did little to alter HRV in women with PCOS, but it may influence the spontaneous BRS.

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The regular practice of physical exercise as a nonpharmacological treatment of arterial hypertension (AH) has been encouraged due to causing a series of physiological responses in the cardiovascular system, such as the production of vasoactive substances, including nitric oxide (NO). NO is a relaxation factor released by the endothelium, and the decrease in its bioavailability is related to coronary and arterial diseases, such as AH. This study aimed to perform an integrative literature review to elucidate the effect of physical training on NO levels in patients with AH and to establish a relationship between these levels and blood pressure (BP) control. A literature review was was performed by searching PubMed / MEDLINE, Lilacs, Scielo, Cinahl and Embase databases. The search string used was ("arterial hypertension" OR hypertension) AND (exercise OR "physical exercise" OR "aerobic exercise" OR "exercise training" or "physical activity") AND ("nitric oxide"). We included fully available controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials published in English and Portuguese languages in the last 10 years. The review consisted of 16 articles, of which 13 reported an increase in NO production after the physical training intervention, and three studies found no change. In addition, 15 studies observed a reduction in BP after the intervention. In conclusion, regular practice of physical exercises, advocating moderate intensity, can improve NO bioavailability in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive individuals, which seems to be one of the mechanisms responsible for BP reduction.

Cardiac rehabilitation is supported by the highest level of scientific evidence. However, less than 25% of those eligible to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program initiate it; and of these, 50% drop out prematurely. A modified Spanish Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS) has been translated, culturally adapted and validated in Colombia, however, the reliability remains to be evaluated. This study aimed to determine the internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the CRBS in a Colombian population. In total, 193 patients (67% men, average age = 65 ± 12 years) completed the scale twice, with an average of eight days between applications. Cronbach’s Alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. The internal consistency of the Colombian version of the CRBS was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84). The ICC of the CRBS was 0.69 (95% CI 0.61–0.76); 0.78 (95% CI 0.71–0.84) when the CRBS was completed by interview; and 0.47 (95% CI 0.21–0.67) when the CRBS was self-reported. The reliability of the interview version of the CRBS was substantial in the Colombian population; however, the reliability of the self-report version was lower. The use of this scale will allow developing strategies to increase participation and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programs.

The prescription of physical training as a therapeutic measure in the treatment and control of chronic degenerative diseases, mainly cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease, is an increasingly used clinical approach, often preceding the pharmacological prescription. Despite the advances in exercise physiology and cardio functional performance in recent decades, the main challenge is to identify the most appropriate modality, intensity, and training volume for each pathophysiological situation. In this case, the superiority of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) over moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) has been questioned, since many studies have shown similar results in the different physiological parameters evaluated, especially regarding cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular autonomic control, and cardiac morpho functionality. The cause of conflicting results observed by different studies may be related to standardization, application, and comparison of the two protocols. HIIT would have a higher number of heartbeats compared to MICT, when maintaining high heart rate is disregarded. In this since, our hypothesis for the greatest gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and in the autonomic and cardiovascular adaptations promoted by HIIT is based on the higher volume of training performed as a function of the higher number of heartbeats per unit of time, since the intermittence was calculated based on a percentage of maximum heart rate or reserve heart rate. Nevertheless, the intermittency between the established heart rate percentages is not necessarily accompanied by the intermittent heart rate. Therefore, considering and matching the number of heartbeats performed per training session in both models seems to be a more appropriate way to compare the two training protocols.

Introducción: Existe poca evidencia que detalle el comportamiento de cada variable espacio-temporal del patrón de carrera utilizando diferentes superficies. Objetivo: Comparar las variables espaciotemporales del patrón de carrera de futbolistas adolescentes en superficie natural y artificial. Método: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal con 18 jugadores de fútbol masculino (edad mediana= 12 años; Rango intercuartílico [RIC] 12-13). Mediante un sistema de medición óptico de 5 metros de longitud se analizó velocidad, aceleración, tiempo de contacto (Tc), tiempo de vuelo (Tv), fase de contacto, fase de apoyo, propulsión, zancada y cadencia. Las valoraciones fueron inicialmente desarrolladas en Superficie Artificial (SA) y 24 horas después en Superficie Natural (SN). Se utilizaron las pruebas Rangos con signos de Wilcoxon para datos pareados y el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: La SA mostró una fase de apoyo fue superior a la SN (SN: Me=0,05 RIC:0,03; 0,06; SA: Me=0,09 RIC 0,08;0,10; p <0,001). El Tv (SN: Me=0,16 RIC:0,14;0,19; SA: Me=0,04 RIC: 0,04;0,05; p<0,001), la fase de contacto (SN: Me=0,02 RIC:0,02;0,03; SA: Me=0,02 RIC: 0,01;0,02; p=0,040) y la propulsión (SN: Me=0,14 RIC:0,09;0,17; SA: Me=0,07 RIC:0,06;0,09; p=<0,001) fueron mayores en SN que en SA. Se encontró una relación indirecta entre velocidad y fase de contacto en SN. El Tv y la zancada se asociaron indirectamente con la aceleración en SA. Conclusión: el patrón de carrera varía según la superficie utilizada. La fase de contacto puede explicar la velocidad en la SN; mientras que el Tv y la zancada pueden explicar la aceleración en la SA.Abstract. Introduction: There is little evidence that details the behavior of each spatial-temporal variable of the running pattern using different surfaces. Objective: To compare the spatial-temporal variables of the running pattern over two surfaces in adolescent soccer players. Method: A cross-sectional study involving 18 male soccer players was conducted (median [Me] age = 12 years; Interquartile range [IQR] 12-13). Speed, acceleration, contact time (Ct), flight time (Ft), contact phase, support phase, propulsion, stride, and cadence were evaluated through a 5-meter long optical measurement system. The assessments were initially carried out on Artificial Surface (AS) and, 24 hours later, on Natural Surface (NS). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired data and the Spearman correlation coefficient were used. Results: The support phase was greater in AS than NS (NS: Me = 0.05 IQR: 0.03; 0.06; AS: Me = 0.09 IQR 0.08; 0.10; p <0.001). The Ft (NS: Me = 0.16 IQR: 0.14; 0.19; AS: Me = 0.04 IQR: 0.04; 0.05; p <0.001), the contact phase (NS: Me = 0.02 IQR: 0.02; 0.03; AS: Me = 0.02 IQR: 0.01; 0.02; p = 0.040) and propulsion (NS: Me = 0.14 IQR: 0.09; 0.17; AS: Me = 0.07 IQR: 0.06; 0.09; p = <0.001) were greater in NS than AS. An indirect relationship between speed and contact phase in NS was found. The Ft and the stride were indirectly associated with acceleration in AS. Conclusion: The running pattern varies according to the surface used. The contact phase can explain the speed in the NS; while the Ft and the stride can explain the acceleration in AS.

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