The study aimed to investigate physiological and psychological states prior to competition and prior to training in three different demanding activities. Eighteen canoe athletes, 18 street runners and 18 jiu-jitsu fighters were included in this study (n=54). The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), salivary cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at two time points (pre-training and pre-competition). Somatic anxiety (F1,42 = 15.29, p = 0.0003), HRV (F1,42 = 23.24, p < 0.0001) and salivary cortisol (F1,42 = 22.96, p < 0.0001) were significantly greater at the pre-competition measurement point than at the pre-training point, but without a main effect of the type of athlete on these variables. A main effect of the type of athlete was found on somatic anxiety (F2,42 = 6.58, p = 0.0033), cognitive anxiety (F2,42 = 10.69, p = 0.0002) and self-confidence (F2,42 = 5.42, p = 0.0080). Correlations between most CSAI-2 and physiological parameters were not significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that both emotional indices and psychophysiological indices of stress are higher before competition than before training, with differences between emotional states between these sports. Although correlations between emotional states and psycho-physiological states before competition and before training were largely non-significant, these findings reinforce the importance of psychological monitoring of athletes in association with traditional physiological markers such as cortisol and HRV in sportive training programmes as complementary resources to improve both competition performance and the training routine.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the acute cardiovascular responses during a session of Zumba® Fitness in a virtual reality environment. [Subjects] Eighteen healthy volunteers were recruited. [Methods] The following cardiovascular variables: heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and double product were assessed before and after the practice of virtual Zumba®, which was performed as a continuous sequence of five choreographed movements lasting for 22 min. The game Zumba Fitness Core®, with the Kinect-based virtual reality system for the XBOX 360, was used to create the virtual environment. Comparisons were made among mean delta values (delta=post-Zumba® minus pre-Zumba® values) for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and double product using Student’s t-test for paired samples. [Results] After a single session, a significant increase was noted in all the analyzed parameters (Systolic blood pressure=18%; Diastolic blood pressure=13%; Heart rate=67%; and Double product=97%). [Conclusion] The results support the feasibility of the use of Zumba Fitness Core® with the Kinect-based virtual reality system for the XBOX 360 in physical activity programs and further favor its indication for this purpose.

The present study examined whether the running speed at the lactate threshold estimated by the maximal deviation method (LT (Dmax)) is highly correlated and in agreement with 10-km road race performance (S (10 km)) in middle-aged female runners. Additionally, the LT (Dmax) was compared with the visual detection of the inflection point (LT (Visual)), the fixed lactate level of 4 mmol.L (-1) (LT (4)) and the peak speed (S (peak)) in relation to performance. Sixteen middle-aged, recreational female runners performed a discontinuous, incremental treadmill test. The initial speed was set at 7 km.h (-1), and this speed was increased every 3 min by 1 km.h (-1) with a 30-s rest between the stages used for earlobe capillary blood sample collection. All of the participants took part in the same local 10-km road race, and S (10 km) mean speed was calculated. The speeds (mean ± SD) were 10.5 ± 1.0 (S (10 km)), 10.5 ± 1.0 (LT (Visual)), 10.9 ± 0.9 (LT (Dmax)), 11.4 ± 1.3 (LT (4)) and 13.5 ± 1.1 km.h (-1) (S (peak)). The LT (Dmax) had the narrowest limits of agreement (0.3 ± 0.4 km.h (-1)) and was the most highly correlated with the S (10 km) ( R=0.98), followed by the S (peak) ( R=0.95), LT (4) ( R=0.85) and LT (Visual) ( R=0.81). In conclusion, the LT (Dmax) should be more widely used to estimate long-distance performance and to verify improvements in training.

This study was conducted to correlate and compare values for variables determined in indirect testswith the values determined directly in youth soccer players. The study subjects were 27 youth soccer players (age 16.77 ± 0.75 years; body mass 63.29 ± 7.37 kg; body height 174.14 ± 8.46 cm)

[Purpose] This investigation evaluated the acute cardiovascular responses that occur while playing virtual games (aerobic and balance) emulated by Nintendo Wii®. [Subjects] Nineteen healthy male volunteers were recruited. [Methods] The ergospirometric variables of maximum oxygen consumption, metabolic equivalents, and heart rate were obtained during the aerobic (Obstacle Course, Hula Hoop, and Free Run) and balance (Soccer Heading, Penguin Slide, and Table Tilt) games of Wii Fit Plus® software. To access and analyze the ergospirometric information, a VO2000 analyzer was used. Normalized data (using maximum oxygen consumption and heart rate) were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Scheffe’s test. [Results] Significant differences were found among the balance and aerobic games in all variables analyzed. In addition, the Wii exercises performed were considered to be of light (balance games) and moderate (aerobic games) intensity in accordance with American College Sports Medicine exercise stratification. [Conclusion] Physical activity in a virtual environment emulated by Nintendo Wii® can change acute cardiovascular responses, primarily when Wii aerobic games are performed. These results support the use of the Nintendo Wii® in physical activity programs.

A new class of video game called exergame (EXG) has been used to promote physical activity and cardiovascular fitness, but EXGs are not as efficient as traditional aerobic exercises. However, auxiliary tools, such as the mini trampoline (MT), may enhance the physiological responses obtained by the EXG. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic and cardiovascular responses of a stationary running EXG with and without an MT. Nineteen healthy males performed a treadmill test for the determination of VO2max and HRmax. In sequence, the VO2, HR, and METs were measured during the Free Run, a Nintendo Wii’s stationary running EXG, according to two distinct protocols. One protocol used the traditional EXG (EXG-PT), and the other protocol used an MT during the EXG (MT-PT). The normalized data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS 20.0 using a t-test and ANOVA for repeated measures (p < 0.05). The results supported that stationary running EXG performed on an MT showed an increased intensity, in all variables analyzed, when compared with the traditional EXG. Furthermore, the MT-PT was classified as a vigorous-intensity exercise and EXG-PT as a moderate to vigorous intensity exercise. In conclusion, these findings support that the MT is a feasible auxiliary tool to enhance physiologic responses during a stationary running EXG.

Artigo originAl RESUMO O objetivo principal deste estudo foi verificar se diferentes formas de indução à acidose interferem na determinação da intensidade do lactato mínimo (LACmin) em corredores de longa distância. Desse modo, 14 corredores de provas fundas do atletismo participaram do estudo. Os atletas realizaram três protocolos: 1) teste incremental em esteira rolante, com incrementos de 1km.h-1 a cada três minutos até a exaustão, para a determinação das intensidades de limiar anaeróbio (OBLA), de limiar aeróbio (Laer), consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO 2 max) e intensidade de consumo máximo de oxigênio (vVO 2 max); 2) teste de lactato mínimo em pista de atletismo (LACminp), que consistiu de dois esforços máximos de 233m na pista de atletismo com intervalo de um minuto entre cada repetição, com oito minutos de recu-peração passiva, seguido de um teste incremental semelhante ao do protocolo 1; e 3) teste de lactato mí-nimo em esteira rolante (LACmine), constituído de dois esforços máximos de um minuto e 45 segundos com intervalo de um minuto, na intensidade de 120% da vVO 2 max, seguido dos mesmos procedimentos do protocolo 2. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue do lóbulo da orelha ao final de cada estágio em todos os protocolos e no 7º minuto de recuperação passiva dos testes de LACmine e LACminp. A análise de variância (ANOVA) mostrou que ocorreram diferenças significativas entre as intensidades de LACmine (13,23 ± 1,78km.h-1) e OBLA (14,67 ± 1,44km.h-1). Dessa maneira, a partir dos resultados obtidos no pre-sente estudo, é possível concluir que a determinação da intensidade correspondente ao lactato mínimo é dependente do protocolo utilizado para a indução à acidose. Além disso, o LACmine subestimou a intensidade correspondente ao OBLA, não podendo ser utilizado para a mensuração da capacidade aeró-bia de corredores fundistas. Palavras-chave: corrida, limiar anaeróbio, consumo máximo de oxigênio. ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to verify if different induction forms to the acidosis can interfere in the determination of the minimum lactate (LACmin) intensity in endurance runners. Fourteen male endurance runners took part in as subjects of this study. The athletes accomplished three protocols: 1) a incremental exercise test in treadmill running, with increments of 1 km.h-1 at each 3 minutes, to determine the running velocity of anaerobic threshold (OBLA), aerobic threshold (Laer), maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) and maximum consumption speed of oxygen (vVO 2 max); 2) a lactate minimum test with inducing lactic acidosis in athletics track (LACminp), that it constituted of two maximum efforts of 233m with interval of 1 minute, with 8 minutes of passive recovery, followed by a incremental exercise test similar to the first protocol , and 3) a lactate minimum test with inducing lactic acidosis in treadmill running (LACmine), constituted by two maximum efforts of 1 minute and 45 seconds with interval of 1 minute, in the running speed of 120% of the vVO2max, followed by the same procedures of the second p...

Purpose The present study aimed to determine whether supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid (N-3) contributes to improving body composition, strength performance, and neuromuscular fatigue resistance in physically active men. Methods The study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo controlled. 15 males were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups, N-3 supplementation (GN-3; N = 7) and placebo supplementation (GP; N = 8). Supplementation with N-3 or a placebo (safflower oil) was administered for 28-days at 1.4 gÁday-1. During this period, physical activity was monitored (internal load = volume 9 perceived exertion scale). Before and after the supplementation period, body composition, one maximum repetition of knee extension (1RM), and maximum repetitions of knee extension with 70 % of 1RM load (RMs) pre and post an incremental running protocol until exhaustion were measured. Results ANOVA two way (p \ 0.05) revealed a decrease in body fat mass (GP before: 8.3 ± 2.1 kg 9 after: 7.7 ± 2.4 kg; GN-3 before: 12.8 ± 9.4 kg 9 after: 11.8 ± 9.3 kg), increase in lean mass (GP before: 61.8 ± 4.1 kg 9 after: 62.7 ± 3.9 kg; GN-3 before: 64.2 ± 5.8 kg 9 after: 66.2 ± 6.0 kg), and 1RM (GP before: 111.3 ± 29.1 kg 9 after: 111.3 ± 25.9 kg; GN-3 before: 115.0 ± 36.2 kg 9 after: 129.1 ± 39.9 kg) in the GN-3, without significant alterations in the GP and no interactions between-groups. Moreover, the absolute variation of the RMs pre and post the incremental running protocol were not significantly altered for both group (GP before:-1.1 ± 2.9 repetitions 9 after:-1.1 ± 2.6 repetitions; GN-3 before:-3.9 ± 2.9 repetitions 9 after:-5.0 ± 4.6 repetitions), with no interactions between-groups. Conclusion Four weeks of N-3 supplementation seems to improved body composition and maximal strength of knee extension, without influencing neuromuscular fatigue resistance.