Bilateral deficit in the countermovement jump and its associations with Judo-specific performance

This study aimed to describe the bilateral deficit (BLD) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) in judo athletes and determine the relationship between the BLD and judo-specific performance. Fourteen male judo athletes participated. The athletes performed tree specific judo tests: Maximal Sprint Speed Judo Test, Maximal Aerobic Speed Judo Test, Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT), and double-and single-leg CMJ. The follow CMJ variables were used: jump height JH, mean – MPO and peak – PPO power output, peak force – PF, peak velocity – PV and impulse – IMP. The Pearson’s or Spearman’s test were used (p<0.05). The results show that the BLD is found in all CMJ parameters (27% in JH; 20% in MPO; 22% in PPO, 61% in PF, 41% in PV and 31% in IMP). Negative correlations between first set of SJFTTT (total throws) and BLD in PF (r=-0.60; p=0.022) and between the second set of SJFTTT and BLD in MPO (r=-0.74;p=0.002), PV (r=-0.59;p=0.025) and IMP (r=-0.55; p=0.040) were found. Also, negative correlations between SJFTTT and the BLD in all CMJ parameters (r=-0.53 to -0.85;p<0.05) were found. The BLD in most CMJ variables is negatively correlated (large to very large) to the SJFTTT. So, high BLD values are related to poor SJFTTT performance

Situação do controle da transmissão vetorial da doença de Chagas nas Américas Current situation with Chagas disease vector control in the Americas

Este trabalho identifica e descreve distintas situações do ponto de vista epidemiológico em relação à transmissão natural da doença de Chagas no continente. A importância relativa das principais espécies de vetor na veiculação da doença e o nível de controle que se pode pretender em cada caso são examinados. Apresentam-se as estimativas existentes no que concerne à população sob risco, bem como ao número de casos de infecção e de doença crônica. Por fim discutem-se as perspectivas do controle, com base nos resultados obtidos e que podem ser colhidos com a introdução de espécies ­ como Triatoma infestans, no Cone Sul, e Rhodnius prolixus, em parte da América Central ­ e com as demais espécies, autóctones das áreas onde são encontradas. Além disso, questiona-se o papel que os demais mecanismos de transmissão poderão representar na manutenção da endemia chagásica.<br>This article identifies and describes various epidemiological aspects in the natural transmission of Chagas disease in the Americas. It also examines the relative importance of the principal vector species in the disease's transmission and the control levels that are feasible in each instance. Estimations of the population at risk, number of infected cases, and number of chronic cases are presented. Prospects for control are discussed on the basis of past results to predict the expected results with introduced species like Triatoma infestans in the Southern Cone and Rhodnius prolixus in Central America and with the other autochthonous species in areas where they are found. Finally, the article discusses the role of other transmission mechanisms in the maintenance of endemic Chagas disease