Efeitos do treino e do destreino específicos na força explosiva : um estudo em jovens basquetebolistas do sexo masculino

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram os seguintes: a) identificar os efeitos do treino pliométrico nos indicadores da força explosiva (velocidade, agilidade, salto a partir de uma posição estática, salto com contra-movimento e potência mecânica média dos membros inferiores) de jovens basquetebolistas; e b) perceber os efeitos do destreino específico e da aplicação de um treino pliométrico reduzido, nos ganhos anteriormente obtidos. A amostra foi constituída por 19 jovens basquetebolistas do sexo masculino (idade 14 e 15 anos). A estrutura adaptada para a consecução do presente estudo acentou em duas partes fundamentais. Numa primeira parte, os indivíduos foram sujeitos a um programa de treino pliométrico (saltos no lugar, saltos com deslocamento, saltos em profundidade e saltos com carga adicional), com a duração de oito semanas e uma freqüência de três vezes por semana. No final deste período, o teste-t de medidas repetidas revelou incrementos estatisticamente significativos em todos os indicadores da força explosiva (p < 0,05). Na segunda parte, imediatamente após as oito semanas de treino, os sujeitos foram aleatoriamente distribuídos por dois grupos: o primeiro (Gi, n= 10), respeitou um período de treino específico de quatro semanas mantendo, contudo, os treinos regulares de basquetebol; os indivíduos restantes (G2, n= 9) cumpriram um programa de treino pliométrico reduzido em simultâneo com os treinos regulares de basquetebol. A estrutura de treino adaptada foi idêntica à da fase inicial, com os mesmos níveis de intensidade, mas com uma redução na freqüência (uma vez por semana) e no volume. No final deste período, o teste-t de medidas repetidas permitiu verificar: no Gi, melhorias estatisticamente significativas na velocidade, no salto a partir de uma posição estática e no salto com contra-movimento (p < 0,05), mantendo praticamente inalterados os valores referentes à agilidade e à potência mecânica média; no G2, incrementos estatisticamente significativos para a velocidade e agilidade (p < 0,05), tendo as restantes variáveis mantido os níveis anteriormente atingidos. Posteriormente, o teste-t de medidas independentes (Gj vs. G2), revelou a semelhança entre os grupos relativamente às variáveis, em estudo. Em conclusão: a) os resultados evidenciam a eficácia do desenho do treino pliométrico aplicado; b) o programa de treino reduzido e o destreino específico concorrem, indistintamente, para a manutenção dos níveis de força explosiva; c) o treino de basquetebol revela um poder inequívoco de manutenção e sustentação da “performance” motora (através dos valores dos indicadores da força explosiva), pelo menos a partir do quadro de pressupostos do programa de treino aplicadoThe purposes of this study were: a) the identification of the effects of plyometric training on the levels of explosive strength (velocity, agility, squat jump, countermovement jump and power developed in rythmical jumping in 15”) in young basketball players; b) to assess the effects of detraining and the reduced plyometric training program on the gains previously obtained. The sample comprised 19 young male basketball players (aged 14 and 15 years). The structure adapted for the construction of our study was based upon two different parts: On the first one, the subjects were submitted to a plyometric training program (eight weeks, three workouts per week). At the end of this period, the repeated-measures t-test showed significant gains in all the explosive strength indicators (p < 0.05). On the second part, immediatly after eight weeks of training, the subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups as follows: one group (Gi, n= 10) accomplished a four weeks detraining period maintaining, however, the regular basketball workouts; the other group (G2, n= 9) performed a reduced plyometric training during the same period, simultaneously with the regular basketball training. The adapted training structure was similar to the first one, with the same levels of intensity but a reduction in frequency (once a week) and volume. At the end of this period, Student t-test for repeated measures evidenced: in Gi, significant improvements in velocity, squat jump and countemovement jump (p > 0.05), maintaining pratically unaltered the values referring to the agility and power developed in rythmical jumping in 15”; in G2 significant increases in velocity and agility (p < 0.05) maintaining, on the remaining variables, the gains previously attained. Student t-test for independent measures results for between-groups (Gi vs. G2), showed no statistical diferences (p < 0.05). In conclusion: a) the results evidenced the efficacy of the plyometric training adapted; b) the reduced plyometric training and the detraining contribute indistinctly to the maintenance of the explosive strength levels; c) basketball training showed a unique power on the support and maintenance of motor performance (indicators of explosive strength), at least in what concerns the present training progra

Establishment of Tanzania Grass Pasture Using Millet as a Companion Crop

Forage yield and quality of millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] and tanzania grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania I) were evaluated when grown in mixture. The treatments evaluated were four seed mixture combinations, based on a standard sowing density of 8 kg.ha-1, of tanzania grass/millet (08/00; 05/03; 04/04 and 03/05 kg.ha-1) and three cutting frequencies (1 cutting – 100th day after sowing; 2 cuttings – 50th and 100th days after sowing and 3 cuttings – 40th, 70th and 100th days after sowing), in a randomized complete block design, with four replications, in a split-plot scheme. Sowing densities were allocated in the main plots (5.0 x 12.0 m, each) and cutting frequencies in the subplots (5.0 x 4.0 m, each). The yields of DM of millet combined with tanzania grass were higher than that for pure tanzania grass stand. The CP increased whereas NDF and ADF decreased for both millet and tanzania grass with increasing cutting frequency. There was a small decrease in CP content when millet was in association with tanzania grass. According to these results, it was concluded that it is feasible the establishment of tanzania grass pasture using millet as a companion crop

Performance of Millet Cultivars in Succession to Field Crop of Beans in Southern Portion of State of Minas Gerais - Brazil

This trial was carried out at the Department of Animal Science - Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), from February to June, 1997. It was evaluated the performance of three millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] cultivars, as a second crop (Common, BN 2 and CMS 02) and four sowing dates (02/22, 03/14, 04/03 and 04/23). The three millet cultivars were sown after a cropping of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by the end of the rainy season, with no additional fertilization. It was used the randomized block design in a split-plot scheme, allocating the sowing dates on the main plots and the cultivars on the subplots. There was a significant effect of sowing dates upon tiller height and density of millet cultivars. The residual fertilization of the rainy season beans’ crop was not enough to allow a millet to reach high yields. The average yield value for the three cultivars and four sowing dates was 3.27 t.ha-1 of DM. For the region of Lavras-MG, millet can be used in a succession cultivation, as the second crop, using cultivars Common and BN 2 sowed up to mid-March and it is necessary to use at least nitrogen and potassium for topdress fertilization

Gross motor coordination and weight status of Portuguese children aged 6-14 years

Objectives: To construct age- and gender-specific percentiles for gross motor coordination (MC) tests and to explore differences in gross MC in normal-weight, overweight and obese children. Methods: Data are from the "Healthy Growth of Madeira Study", a cross-sectional study carried out in children, aged 6–14 years. All 1,276 participants, 619 boys and 657 girls, were assessed for gross MC (Korperkoordinations Test fur Kinder, KTK), anthropometry (height and body mass), physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) and socioeconomic status (SES). Centile curves for gross MC were obtained for boys and girls separately using generalized additive models for location, scale and shape. Results: A significant main effect for age was found in walking backwards and moving sideways. Boys performed significantly better than girls on moving sideways. At the upper limit of the distributions, interindividual variability was higher in hopping on one leg (girls) and jumping and moving sideways (boys and girls). One-way ANCOVA, controlling for age, physical activity and SES, indicated that normal-weight children scored significantly better than their obese peers in all gross MC tests. Overweight boys and girls also scored significantly better than their obese colleagues in some MC tests. Conclusions: These centile curves can be used as reference data in Portuguese children and youth, aged 6–14 years. Being overweight or obese was a major limitation in MC tests and, therefore, of the children’s health- and performance related physical fitness

Molecular detection of Leishmania infantum, filariae and Wolbachia spp. in dogs from southern Portugal

Background: Leishmaniosis caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum and dirofilariosis caused by the nematodes Dirofilaria immitis or Dirofilaria repens are vector-borne zoonoses widely present in the Mediterranean basin. In addition, some studies reported that the endosymbiont Wolbachia spp. play a role in the biology and pathogenesis of filarial parasites. The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency of mono-and co-infections by L. infantum, filariae and Wolbachia spp. and their association with clinical signs in dogs from the south of Portugal. Leishmanial, filarial and Wolbachia spp. DNA were evaluated by specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays in blood samples from 230 dogs.Findings: One hundred and thirty-nine (60.4 %) dogs were qPCR-positive for L. infantum and 26 (11.3 %) for filariae (24 for D. immitis only, one D. immitis and for Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and another one for Acanthocheilonema reconditum only). Wolbachia spp. DNA was amplified from 16 (64.0 %) out of the 25 D. immitis-positive dogs. Nineteen (8.3 %) dogs were co-infected with L. infantum and D. immitis, including the one (0.4 %) A. drancunculoides-positive animal. In dogs without clinical signs consistent with leishmaniosis and/or dirofilariosis, L. infantum prevalence was 69 %, whereas in those dogs with at least one clinical manifestation compatible with any of the two parasitoses prevalence was 42.7 %. Leishmania prevalence was significantly higher in apparently healthy mongrels (77.2 %) and pets (76.9 %) than in defined-breed dogs (including crosses; 58.8 %) and in dogs with an aptitude other than pet (i.e. farm, guard, hunting, shepherd or stray), respectively, whereas in those dogs with at least one clinical sign, the detection of L. infantum DNA was higher in males (53.3 %) and in those dogs not receiving insect repellents (52.8 %).Conclusions: The molecular detection of canine vector-borne disease (CVBD) agents, some of which are zoonotic, reinforces the need to implement efficient prophylactic measures, such as insect repellents and macrocyclic lactones (including compliance to administration), in the geographical areas where these agents are distributed, with the view to prevent infection and disease among mammalian hosts including humans

Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report

Objectives: Ayahuasca (AYA), a natural psychedelic brew prepared from Amazonian plants and rich in dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmine, causes effects of subjective well-being and may therefore have antidepressant actions. This study sought to evaluate the effects of a single dose of AYA in six volunteers with a current depressive episode. Methods: Open-label trial conducted in an inpatient psychiatric unit. Results: Statistically significant reductions of up to 82% in depressive scores were observed between baseline and 1, 7, and 21 days after AYA administration, as measured on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Anxious-Depression subscale of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). AYA administration resulted in nonsignificant changes in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores and in the thinking disorder subscale of the BPRS, suggesting that AYA does not induce episodes of mania and/or hypomania in patients with mood disorders and that modifications in thought content, which could indicate psychedelic effects, are not essential for mood improvement. Conclusions: These results suggest that AYA has fast-acting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in patients with a depressive disorder

Índice de sustentabilidade agroambiental para o perímetro irrigado Ayres de Souza.

Uma análise integrada do atual uso dos recursos naturais do Perímetro Irrigado de Ayres de Souza, localizado no Vale do Acaraú, Ceará, foi realizada através do desenvolvimento de um índice de sustentabilidade agroecológica. Os dados dessa pesquisa foram oriundos de questionários aplicados a 33 produtores agrícolas beneficiados pelo projeto de irrigação. Os indicadores de sustentabilidade foram estimados pelo emprego de análise fatorial, método da análise fatorial/análise de componentes principais. O índice de sustentabilidade estimado a partir dos indicadores selecionados registrou uma situação de sustentabilidade fragilizada ou de insustentabilidade reversível. As unidades produtivas apresentaram um porcentual de 60,6% com alguma sustentabilidade; e os demais 39,4% estão em condições de insustentabilidade. Os resultados também mostraram que os fatores dominantes do índice de sustentabilidade foram: nível da atividade agrícola praticada, agricultura familiar, condições atuais do sistema água-solo e infraestrutura,fontes alternativas de renda e experiência em tratos culturais

Abnormal thyroid hormone status differentially affects bone mass accrual and bone strength in C3H/HeJ mice: a mouse model of type I deiodinase deficiency

C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice are deficient of type I deiodinase (D1), an enzyme that activates thyroid hormone (TH), converting thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3). Nevertheless, C3H mice present normal serum T3 and a gross euthyroid phenotype. To investigate if a global D1 deficiency interferes in the TH effects on bone, we compared bone growth, bone mass accrual and bone strength of C3H and C57BL/6J (B6) mice under abnormal TH status. Four-week-old female mice of both strains were grouped as Euthyroid, Hypothyroid (pharmacologically-induced), 1xT4 and 10xT4 (hypothyroid animals receiving 1- or 10-fold the physiological dose of T4 /day/16 weeks). Hypothyroidism and TH excess similarly impaired body weight (BW) gain and body growth in both mice strains. In contrast, whereas hypothyroidism only slightly impaired bone mineral density (BMD) accrual in B6 mice, it severely impaired BMD accrual in C3H mice. No differences were observed in serum and bone concentrations of T3 between hypothyroid animals of both strains. Interestingly, treatment with 10xT4 was less deleterious to BMD accrual in C3H than in B6 mice and resulted in less elevated T3 serum levels in B6 than in C3H mice, which is probably explained by the lower D1 activity in C3H mice. In addition, hypothyroidism decreased bone strength only in C3H but not in B6 mice, while TH excess decreased this parameter in both strains. These findings indicate that D1 deficiency contributes to the TH excess-induced differences in bone mass accrual in C3H vs. B6 mice and suggest that deiodinase-unrelated genetic factors might account for the different skeleton responses to hypothyroidism between strains