Negative Training Responses During The Runners’ Career Could Cooperate in an Early Career Termination: A Case Study in Top-Level Female Runners From the Slovakian National Team

Purpose: The early drop-out in professional youth athletes is a complex and multi factors process and seems to be more common in individual sports with higher physical demands, such as the running disciplines. Also, it has previously been reported that youth female athletes presented a higher drop-out rate compared with males. The present study, therefore, investigated the causes of early-career termination and possible association with wellness and low energy availability in youth female runners. Methods: Data from four female runners (aged from 22 to 24 years) from the Slovakian national team in running disciplines who have ended their careers early were collected. A semi-structured interview was performed to explore multiple factors (advent athletics, training, regeneration, sleep, diet, health, emotions, motivation, communication, environmental pressure, coach, habits, reasons for ending an athletic career and a better relationship with the sport) and the questionnaire about wellness and low energy availability in females (LEAF-Q).   Results: The interview shows that the most common factors of early-career termination of a former runner were: an early specialization in the discipline, inadequate training dose-response (e.g., high intensity and insufficient recovery), pathological nutritional behaviour, health problems, psychological factors, and loss of motivation. The factors reported during the interview were associated with negative results of the wellness questionnaire (score 10±1.9) and with LEAF-Q (score 12±2.9). Conclusion: The study highlights the multi factors involved in early career termination. Based on the athletes’ reports, was possible to notice that the early sports specialization in running disciplines affected negatively their health, nutrition and psychological aspects, and could be triggered by higher training loads and insufficient recovery. Caution should be taken by coaches and professionals involved during the sports specialization, in order to minimize the negative impact of training routine on youth athletes and consequently avoid an early drop-out

Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team

The aim of the study was to describe the menstrual status and perception, risk of low energy availability (LEA) and the presence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in youth female from a soccer team. Also, verify the possible effect of LEA and ON on physical performance. Data from 19 female players (14.6 ± 1.42 yr) belonging to a soccer team from Cyprus was taken during pre-season. The menstrual cycle status was evaluated by specific questions, LEA by the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), ON by the ORTO-R questionnaire and physical performance by jump, handgrip and cardiorespiratory exercise tests. Players were separated into the risk of LEA and ON. Comparison and correlation tests were performed with a significance set at p < 0.05. As the main results, 66.7% of players perceived that the menstrual period affects their performance in the game, 83.3% did not communicate with coaches about their menstrual cycle; the prevalence of risk of LEA was 26.3%; players with risk of LEA also presented higher scores ON; neither LEA nor ON presented a significant association with players performance. The findings highlighted that youth players perceived an impact of the menstrual period on performance, but did not communicate with the coach about it. Players with the risk of LEA and high values of ON seem not to be associated with a decrease in physical performance during the pre-season evaluation. Attention is required as the players were assessed once. Monitoring these parameters throughout the sports season is recommended to obtain better clarification about the topic

Game location effect on pre-competition cortisol concentration and anxiety state : a case study in a futsal team

The main aim of this study was to investigate the game location effect on pre-competition salivary cortisol and state anxiety in professional futsal players. Fourteen male players from a U-20 futsal team were evaluated during four competitive matches played away (n=2) and home (n=2) venues. Saliva samples were collected in order to analyse the salivary cortisol concentrations (sal-C) by the ELISA assay and state anxiety was evaluated using the CSAI-2R questionnaire. All the data collection took place before the pre-match warm-up. Medium and clear increase on sal-C (ES= 0.67; CL= 0.20; 1.14) was observed from home to away venues. Trivial and unclear differences between away and home venues were observed in cognitive anxiety (ES= 0.12; CL= -0.34; 0.57); somatic anxiety (ES= 0.06; CL= -0.40; 0.51) and self-confidence (ES= 0.06; CL= -0.40; 0.51). In conclusion, the data suggested that game location affects hormonal responses; increases in sal-C suggest that playing away represents a more challenging situation in futsal athletes compared to their home venue.El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el efecto del lugar de juego sobre el cortisol y el estado de ansiedad precompetitivo en los atletas profesionales de futsal. Catorce atletas de un equipo de futsal masculino Sub-20 fueron evaluados durante cuatro juegos competitivos jugados afuera (n = 2) y en adentro (n = 2). Las muestras de saliva se recolectaron para el análisis de concentración de cortisol (sal-C) mediante análisis ELISA y el estado de ansiedad se evaluó mediante el cuestionario CSAI-2R. Todos los datos fueron recopilados antes de que el juego se calentara. Se observó un aumento claro y medio de la sal-C (ES= 0,67; CL = 0,20; 1,14) afuera en comparación con adentro. Se observaron diferencias triviales y poco claras entre jugar afora y adentro por la ansiedad cognitiva (ES= 0,12, CL= -0,34; 0,57); somático (ES= 0,06; CL= -0,40; 0,51) y confianza en sí mismo (ES= 0,06; CL= -0,40; 0,51). En conclusión, los datos sugieren que el lugar de juego afecta la respuesta hormonal; un aumento en sal-C sugiere que los juegos fuera representan uno situación más desafiante para los atletas de futsal en comparación con los juegos adentro.O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar o efeito do local de jogo no cortisol e estado de ansiedade pré-competitiva em atletas profissionais de futsal. Quatorze atletas de uma equipe Sub-20 de futsal masculino foram avaliados durante quatro jogos competitivos jogados fora (n=2) e dentro de casa (n=2). Amostras de saliva foram coletadas para análise da concentração de cortisol (sal-C) pela análise de ELISA e o estado de ansiedade foi avaliada pelo questionário CSAI-2R. Todos os dados foram coletados antes do aquecimento do jogo. Um aumento médio e claro na sal-C (ES= 0,67; CL= 0,20; 1,14) foi observado em casa comparado fora de casa. Diferença trivial e pouco clara entre fora e dentro de casa foram observados pela ansiedade cognitiva (ES= 0,12, CL= -0,34; 0,57); somática (ES= 0,06; CL= -0,40; 0,51) e autoconfiança (ES= 0,06; CL= -0,40; 0,51). Em conclusão, os dados sugerem que o local de jogo afeta a resposta hormonal; um aumento no sal-C sugere-te que jogos fora de casa representam uma situação mais desafiadora nos atletas de futsal comparado aos jogos em casa

Dança e síndrome de down

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo principal revisar a literatura acerca de estudos com intervenções de dança na população com Síndrome de Down (SD) e seus possíveis benefícios. Método: A seleção dos artigos contou com as recomendações do PRISMA. Então foram realizadas buscas em diferentes bases de dados, com as palavras “dança” e “síndrome de down” em português e inglês. Resultados: A seleção final contou apenas com artigos que apresentaram análise de variáveis pré e pós-intervenção de dança, compreendendo ao final nove artigos. Conclusão: Como conclusão nota-se que programas de intervenção de dança, aplicados de diferentes maneiras, podem atuar positivamente na população SD. Esses benefícios se estendem desde a melhora no componente motor e gasto calórico até os domínios questões como interação social, autoconfiança e consciência corporal

Reliability of heart rate variability in futsal players

The main aim the present study was evaluated the reliability of the heart rate variability (HRV) indices in futsal players. Additionally the study verifi ed the reliability of different approaches for 5 min interval selection of recording. Eighteen under-20 futsal players underwent 15 min of pre-training RR interval recordings in two different day. Time and frequency domain and Poincaré Plot indices were tested. The indices were calculated using: 1) fi nal 5 min of recording; 2) 5 min of lower variance of recording, by a mathematical algorithm; 3) 5 min segment of lower variance, by an experienced operator. The HRV indices presented a wide range reliability [e.g. RRmean (ICC=0.96, SEM=3.4ms, CV=2.6%), lnRMSSD (ICC=0.88, SEM=5.9ms, CV=4.3%), lnHF (ICC=0.89, SEM=7.5ms, CV=5.9%), LFnu (ICC=0.84, SEM=13ms, CV=9.4%), LF (ICC=0.47, SEM=65.2ms,CV=38.5%) and LF/HF (ICC=0.63, SEM=83.7ms, CV=54.5%)]. The fi nal 5 min of recording was the most reliable. The results suggest that most of HRV indices presented acceptable reliability, however the RRmean, lnRMSSD, lnHF and LFnu were the most reliable

Ansiedade pré-competitiva e desempenho em jovens atletas de ginástica rítmica: um estudo de caso

INTRODUÇÃO: A ginástica rítmica é caracterizada pela participação precoce das atletas em treinamento e competição. Essa participação pode causar altos níveis de ansiedade, podendo impactar negativamente no desempenho esportivo.OBJETIVO: Verificar as respostas de ansiedade pré-competitiva e de desempenho em atletas da ginástica rítmica. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 2 atletas de ginástica rítmica, com idade de 11 e 12 anos, nos aparelhos individuais de maças e corda, durante uma competição simulada e uma competição oficial. A ansiedade pré-competitiva foi avaliada pelo questionário CSAI-2R e o desempenho foi avaliado pela percepção da atleta e o score da arbitragem para cada apresentação.RESULTADOS: Os dados descritivos sugerem que na competição oficial, as atletas apresentaram maiores valores de ansiedade somática e cognitiva; seguido de uma maior percepção de desempenho. Para a pontuação da arbitragem, as atletas apresentaram maiores valores para o aparelho maças e menores valores no aparelho corda na competição oficial quando comparado a competição simulada.CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que, a ansiedade pré-competitiva tende a ser maior em situações mais estressantes (competição oficial vs. simulada), porém esse comportamento parece não influenciar negativamente o desempenho das ginastas nas apresentações individuais.ABSTRACT. Precompetitive anxiety and performance in young rhythmic gymnastics athletes: a case study.BACKGROUND: Rhythmic gymnastics is characterized by an athlete’s early participation in training and competition. This participation can cause high levels of anxiety and may impact negatively on sports performance.OBJECTIVE: To verify the precompetitive anxiety and performance responses in rhythmic gymnastics athletes.METHODS: Two rhythmic gymnastics athletes, aged 11 and 12 years old, were evaluated in individual clubs and rope apparatus, during a simulated and official competition. Precompetitive anxiety was assessed by CSAI-2R questionnaire, and performance was assessed by the athlete´s perception and jury score for each presentation. RESULTS: The descriptive data suggest that in the official competition, the athletes presented higher values of somatic and cognitive anxiety, followed by a greater perception of performance. For the jury score, the athletes presented higher values in clubs and lower values in the rope apparatus during the official competition than the simulated competition.CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that precompetitive anxiety tends to be higher in more stressful conditions (official vs. simulated competition), but this behavior does not seem to influence the performance of gymnasts in individual presentations negatively

Affect and Emotion Regulation in Children with and without Sexual Abuse History

O abuso sexual infantil (ASI) é um fator de risco para o surgimento de dificuldades emocionais. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o afeto positivo e negativo e as estratégias de regulação emocional em crianças de 8 a 12 anos vítimas de abuso sexual (G-ASI) e seus pares sem histórico de abuso (G-Não-ASI). Das 26 crianças participantes, 12 vivenciaram pelo menos um episódio de abuso sexual ao longo da vida, enquanto as outras 14 não foram vitimizadas. Foram utilizados os instrumentos Questionário Sociodemográfico, Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire, Teste de Compreensão das Emoções e Escala de Afeto Positivo e Negativo. Os resultados demonstraram que a média de afeto negativo das crianças vítimas de abuso sexual foi maior do que a dos participantes do outro grupo, sendo vergonha, raiva, nervosismo e tristeza os afetos mais relatados. Em relação à regulação emocional, as crianças pertencentes ao G-ASI empregaram mais frequentemente estratégias regulatórias consideradas inadequadas para a faixa etária quando comparadas ao G-Não-ASI.  Os resultados sugerem que a exposição ao ASI pode contribuir em diferenças nas respostas emocionais manifestadas pelas crianças. O conhecimento destes possíveis impactos é fundamental para o desenvolvimento de intervenções clínicas alinhadas às demandas das vítimas e baseadas em evidências.Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a risk factor for the emergence of emotional difficulties. As such, the aim of this study was to investigate the positive and negative affect and emotion regulation of children aged 8 to 12 victims of sexual abuse (G-CSA) and their peers without history of abuse (G-Non-CSA). Of the twenty-six participating children, 12 experienced at least one episode of sexual abuse during the life, while the other 14 were not victimized. Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Scale and Test of Emotion Comprehension were used. The results showed that the negative affect of children victims of sexual abuse was higher comparing with participants from the other group, shame, anger, nervousness and sadness were the most reported emotions. Regarding emotional regulation, it was found that G-CSA used more frequently regulatory strategies considered inappropriate for their age when compared to the G-Non-CSA. The results suggest that exposure to CSA may contribute in differences in the emotional responses expressed by children. The knowledge of these possible impacts is essential for the development of clinical interventions aligned to the needs of victims and based on evidence