Eight weeks of Capoeira progressive training program increases flexibility of beginners

Abstract

Background No study has investigated the alterations in the flexibility of beginners using an experimental protocol with basic techniques of Capoeira. Purpose To analyze the effects of 8 weeks of Capoeira progressive training program on the flexibility of beginners. Methods Twenty-one individuals divided in two groups (Capoeira: n = 13; 26.1 ± 7.2 years; 22.7 ± 2.7 kg m 2(-1) and control: n = 08; 27.1 ± 0.5 years; 24.3 ± 3.3 kg m 2(-1) ) participated in the study. The Capoeira group performed 8 weeks of Capoeira progressive training program (two sessions per week lasting 60 min each). The experimental protocol used was exclusively based on the basic techniques of a programmed Capoeira training system. Before and after the intervention, measurements were performed aiming to analyze (1) trunk flexion flexibility through a sit-and-reach test using a Wells' Bench (WB tf ), (2) passive tension (PT hf ), and (3) maximum amplitude of hip flexion (MA hf ) through goniometry. Results A two-way ANOVA revealed a main effect of group by time interaction to PT hf (F = 11.797; P = 0.003; g p 2 = 0.383) and MA hf (F = 9.650; P = 0.006; g p 2 = 0.337).No significant main effect of group by time interaction occurred to WB tf (F = 3.320; P = 0.084; g p 2 = 0.149). The relative changes (D %) before and after the intervention in both groups showed that the Capoeira group significantly differed to the control group in the PT hf (Capoeira: 46.2 ± 29.9 % vs. control: 5.7 ± 27.6 %; P = 0.003) and MA hf (Capoeira: 22.4 ± 24.5 % vs. control: -6.1 ± 13.1 %; P = 0.006). Conclusion Eight weeks of Capoeira progressive training program resulted in a significant improvement in angular flexibility for beginners.

Anthropometric and functional profiles of elite athletes from different categories at ABADÁ Capoeira World Championship

“…Although it was not the objective of this study, the results verified that the variables associated with general health and cardiovascular condition in the sample are within recommended levels, according to their BF [23], WHR [27], and systolic and diastolic blood pressure [28]. Moreover, controlled studies have demonstrated chronic benefits in the flexibility [8] and cardiovascular system [7] of Capoeira practitioners. These findings together support that the practice of Capoeira in medium (8–10 weeks) [7, 8] and long term (11–35 years of practice; Table 1) results into a favorable functional capacity profile and cardiovascular health of an individual.…”

“…Maia et al (2010) [6] have compared anthropometric and cardiovascular variables among Capoeira practitioners and sedentary individuals. Additionally, some studies also have demonstrated that the practice of Capoeira can chronically reflect cardiovascular [7] and neuromuscular benefits [8] in beginner practitioners.…”

Psychophysiological characterization of different capoeira performances in experienced individuals: A randomized controlled trial

“…Our laboratory has demonstrated that the capoeira practice can chronically result in improvements of heart rate, cardiac autonomic indices [ 6 ] and angular flexibility [ 7 ], which are associated with cardiovascular health [ 8 ] and functional performance [ 9 ] of the practitioners. However, no systematic research has sought to highlight the physiological and metabolic responses after different capoeira performances.…”

“…However, no systematic research has sought to highlight the physiological and metabolic responses after different capoeira performances. Therefore, from the beginning of the scientific findings regarding capoeira ’s effects on physiological variables [ 5 – 7 , 10 ], the need to characterize the physiological demand of this modality has been seen. Thus, blood lactate responses as a primary marker of intensity [ 11 ], followed by secondary variables such as heart rate and cardiac autonomic modulation indicators [ 12 ], could suggest what intensity domains and physiological requirements are predominant during different capoeira rhythms, which would aid in the understanding of previous findings [ 6 ], as well as hypotheses for future studies in this modality.…”

“…Furthermore, the perceptual characteristics during the execution of various exercise methods have been recent objects of study [ 13 , 14 ], and research regarding the nature of the feelings in terms of the particular stress conditions has become relevant [ 15 ]. Hence, verifying the capoeira perceptual demand could contribute significantly to the interpretation of the psychophysiological integration and especially different rhythms imposed in this modality, which consequently could justify responses obtained with the training [ 6 , 7 ].…”