Pacing in World-Class Age Group Swimmers in 200 and 400 m Individual Medley

The present research investigated pacing for world-class age group swimmers competing in individual medley in 200 m and 400 m. Data on 3,242 unique finishers (1,475 women and 1,767 men) competing in four Master World Championships [XV FINA WMC held in Montreal (Canada) in 2014, the XVI FINA WMC held in Kazan (RUS) in 2015, the FINA WMC held in Budapest (HUN) in 2017, and the XVIII FINA WMC held in Gwangju (KOR] in 2019) were analyzed. Men were faster than women among all age groups in both 200 and 400 m. Additionally, differences were found between almost all adjacent age groups, with the exception (p > 0.05) of age groups 25–29 to 30–34, 35–39 to 40–44 years in 200 m races and 25–29 to 30–34, 30–34 to 35–39, 35–39 to 40–44, and 45–49 to 50–54 years in 400 m races. Men showed a higher pacing variation in 200 m among all male age groups and all female age groups up to 69 years. Pace-variation pairwise comparisons between men and women showed no consistencies throughout age groups, with the exception of a higher variation in men in age groups ≥55-year-old. Men were faster for all splits and strokes in both 200 and 400 m, and significant changes were identified for each split and stroke for both men and women in both 200 and 400 m. Front crawl (freestyle, 4th split) was the fastest butterfly (1st split), backstroke (2nd split), and breaststroke (3rd split). In summary, men were faster than women for all age groups in both 200 and 400 m. Men showed a higher pacing variation in 200 m in all age groups, where women had a higher variation in age groups up to 69 years. The fastest stroke for the final spurt was front crawl, followed by butterfly, backstroke, and breaststroke. Based on these findings, coaches should advise their master athletes to focus on the final spurt in both 200 and 400 m individual medley for a fast final race time

Isometric handgrip does not elicit cardiovascular overload or post-exercise hypotension in hypertensive older women

Background: Arterial hypertension is a serious health problem affecting mainly the elderly population. Recent studies have considered both aerobic and resistance exercises as a non-pharmacological aid for arterial hypertension treatment. However, the cardiovascular responses of the elderly to isometric resistance exercise (eg, isometric handgrip [IHG]) have not yet been documented. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate cardiovascular responses to different intensities of isometric exercise, as well as the occurrence of post-isometric exercise hypotension in hypertensive elderly people under antihypertensive medication treatment. Patients and methods: Twelve women volunteered to participate in the study after a maximal voluntary contraction test (MVC) and standardization of the intervention workload consisting of two sessions of IHG exercise performed in four sets of five contractions of a 10-second duration. Sessions were performed both at 30% of the MVC and 50% of the MVC, using a unilateral IHG protocol.\ud Both intensities were compared with a control session without exercise. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at rest (R), during peak exercise (PE), and after 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes of post-exercise recovery were evaluated. Results: No significant changes were observed after isometric exercise corresponding to 30% MVC for either SBP (R: 121 ± 10; PE: 127 ± 14; 5 min: 125 ± 13; 10 min: 123 ± 12; 15 min: 122 ± 11; 30 min: 124 ± 11; 45 min: 124 ± 10; 60 min: 121 ± 10 mmHg) or DBP (R: 74 ± 9; PE: 76 ± 6; 5 min: 74 ± 5; 10 min: 72 ± 8; 15 min: 72 ± 5; 30 min: 72 ± 8; 45 min: 73 ± 6; 60 min: 75 ± 7 mmHg). Similarly, the 50% MVC did not promote post-isometric exercise hypotension for either SBP (R: 120 ± 7; PE: 125 ± 11; 5 min: 120 ± 9; 10 min: 122 ± 9; 15 min: 121 ± 11; 30 min: 121 ± 9; 45 min: 121 ± 9; 60 min: 120 ± 7 mmHg) or DBP (R: 72 ± 8; PE: 78 ± 7; 5 min: 72 ± 7; 10 min: 72 ± 8; 15 min: 71 ± 7; 30 min: 72 ± 8; 45 min: 75 ± 10; 60 min: 75 ± 7 mmHg). Conclusion: Our data reveal that cardiovascular overload or post-exercise hypotension did not occur in elderly women with controlled hypertension when they undertook an IHG session. Thus this type of resistance exercise, with mild to moderate intensity, with short time of contraction appears to be safe for this populationFAPESP 2011/03528-0CAPE

Pacing in World-Class Age Group Swimmers in 100 and 200 m Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly

Pacing in swimming has been investigated in pool swimming for elite-standard and age group freestyle swimmers, but little is known about pacing in age group swimmers competing at world class level in backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. The aim of this study was to investigate pacing for age group swimmers competing at world class level in 100 and 200 m in the four single disciplines (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly). Data on 18,187 unique finishers competing in four FINA Master World Championships between 2014 and 2019 were analyzed. The sample included 3334 women and 14,853 men. Swimming speed decreased with increasing age (p < 0.05). Freestyle was the fastest and breaststroke the slowest (p < 0.05) stroke. Women and men were faster in 100 m (p < 0.05) than in 200 m. Backstroke was the stroke with the lowest and butterfly with the highest coefficient of variation in swimming speed. One hundred meters had a higher coefficient of variation in swimming speed than breaststroke (p < 0.05). For 100 m, swimming speed decreased for all strokes and all age groups during the second lap. For 200 m, swimming speed was the fastest for all strokes and all age groups during the first lap. In summary, the FINA World Masters Championships presented the unique characteristic that, when all competitors were considered, (i) swimming speed decreased with increasing age, (ii) women and men were faster in 100 m than in 200 m, (iii) freestyle was the fastest stroke and (iv) the largest increase in swimming time for 100 m all strokes and all age groups occurred during the second (out of two) lap and for 200 m, swimming speed was the fastest for all strokes and age groups during the first lap. These findings should help coaches to develop age- and event-tailored pacing strategies

What Is the Best Discipline to Predict Overall Triathlon Performance? An Analysis of Sprint, Olympic, Ironman® 70.3, and Ironman® 140.6

Objective: To analyze the proportion of dedication in each triathlon discipline (swimming, cycling, and running) and the importance of each separate discipline to predict overall performance of elite triathletes across different triathlon distances.Methods: Data from 2015 to 2020 (n = 16,667) from official races and athletes in Sprint, Olympic distance, IM 70.3 (Half-Ironman distance), and IM 140.6 (Full-Ironman distance) competitions were included. The proportion of each discipline was calculated individually and compared using general linear models by event distance, sex, and performance level. Automatic linear regression models were applied for each distance considering overall performance as the dependent variable.Results: A within-distance analysis showed that the best predictor for Sprint is cycling, for Olympic is swimming, for IM 70.3 is cycling, and for IM 140.6 is running. A between-distance analysis revealed that swimming is a better predictor in Olympic distance than in other triathlon distances. Cycling is a poor predictor for overall performance in IM 140.6, and the importance of running to predict overall performance is the highest in IM 140.6 and diminishes with decreasing race distance.Conclusion: Each discipline represents a different relative portion and importance to predict overall performance depending on the triathlon distance. Swimming is the most important predictor discipline in Sprint- and Olympic-distance triathlon, cycling in IM 70.3, and running in IM 140.6

Hydration status after an ironman triathlon: a meta‐analysis

The Ironman is one of the most popular triathlon events in the world. Such a race involves a great number of tactical decisions for a healthy finish and best performance. Dehydration is widely postulated to decrease performance and is known as a cause of dropouts in Ironman. Despite the importance of hydration status after an Ironman triathlon, there is a clear lack of review and especially meta-analysis studies on this topic. Therefore, the objective was to systematically review the literature and carry out a meta-analysis investigating the hydration status after an Ironman triathlon. We conducted a systematic review of the literature up to June 2016 that included the following databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, Science Direct and Web of Science. From the initial 995 references, we included 6 studies in the qualitative analysis and in the meta-analysis. All trials had two measures of hydration status after a full Ironman race. Total body water, blood and urine osmolality, urine specific gravity and sodium plasma concentration were considered as hydration markers. Three investigators independently abstracted data on the study design, sample size, participants’ and race characteristics, outcomes, and quantitative data for the meta-analysis. In the pooled analysis, it seems that the Ironman event led to a moderate state of dehydration in comparison to baseline values (SMD 0.494; 95% CI 0.220 to 0.767; p = 0.001). Some evidence of heterogeneity and consistency was also observed: Q = 19.6; I2 = 28.5%; τ2 = 2.39. The results suggest that after the race athletes seem to be hypo-hydrated in comparison to baseline values

Perda de peso no período pré-competitivo de atletas de Judô e Jiu Jitsu

In fighting sports athletes usually resort to strategies in order to compete with lower weight in order to benefit athletes competing with lighter athletes, reducing its weight before the official weigh-in and trying to get it back in a short period of time between weighing and fight. The aim of this study was to compare the methods and strategies used for weight loss among judo and jiu jitsu athletes, as well as the prevalence and perception of the athlete in relation to this procedure. Participants comprised 55 judo athletes (20.14 ± 6.27 years) and 19 jiu jitsu athletes (22.52 ± 3.83 years) of both sexes, aged 15-30 years. All completed a questionnaire with questions regarding the use or not of methods and strategies for weight loss often used in the pre-competition period. 80% of judo athletes and 63% of the athletes reported using jiu jitsu methods of rapid weight loss prior to competition, and this was accompanied by a low adherence to strict diets, reflecting 14.5 and 21.1% of athletes judo and jiu jitsu respectively, was reported feelings of "tiredness" and "lack of focus" between both groups conclude that the higher prevalence of weight loss occurs in pre-competition judo athletes in relation to jiu-jitsu, but the prevalence was high in both sports.No esporte de luta usualmente os atletas recorrem a estratégias com finalidade de competir em categorias de menor peso, visando se beneficiar competindo com atletas mais leves, reduzindo seu peso antes da pesagem oficial e tentando recuperá-la em curto período de tempo entre a pesagem e la lucha. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar los métodos y estrategias utilizados para la pérdida de peso entre los competidores de judo y jiu jitsu, así como la prevalencia y percepción del atleta en relación a este procedimiento. El estudio incluyó a 55 atletas de judo (20,14 ± 6,27 años) y 19 atletas de jiu-jitsu (22,52 ± 3,83 años) de ambos sexos. Todos respondieron un cuestionario con preguntas sobre el uso o no de métodos y estrategias de pérdida de peso frecuentemente utilizados en el período previo a la competencia. Los resultados mostraron que el 80% de los atletas de judo y el 63% de los atletas de jiu-jitsu utilizan métodos de adelgazamiento rápido antes de la competencia, hecho acompañado de una baja adherencia a las dietas estrictas, reflejándose en el 14,5 y el 21,1% de los atletas de judo y jiu-jitsu respectivamente. También se informaron sentimientos de "cansancio" y "falta de concentración" entre ambos grupos. Concluimos que la mayor prevalencia de pérdida de peso precompetición ocurre en los atletas de judo en relación a los atletas de jiu-jitsu, sin embargo, la prevalencia fue alta en ambos deportes.Negli sport da combattimento, gli atleti di solito ricorrono a strategie per competere in categorie di peso inferiore, al fine di trarre vantaggio dalla competizione con atleti più leggeri, riducendo il loro peso prima del peso ufficiale e cercando di recuperarlo in un breve periodo di tempo tra le pesate e La lotta. L'obiettivo del presente studio era confrontare i metodi e le strategie utilizzate per la perdita di peso tra i concorrenti di judo e jiu jitsu, nonché la prevalenza e la percezione dell'atleta in relazione a questa procedura. Lo studio ha incluso 55 atleti di judo (20,14 ± 6,27 anni) e 19 atleti di jiu jitsu (22,52 ± 3,83 anni) di entrambi i sessi. Tutti hanno risposto a un questionario con domande sull'utilizzo o meno di metodi e strategie dimagranti frequentemente utilizzati nel periodo pre-gara. I risultati hanno mostrato che l'80% degli atleti di judo e il 63% degli atleti di jiu jitsu utilizzano metodi di rapida perdita di peso prima della competizione, un fatto accompagnato da una scarsa aderenza a diete rigide, che si riflette rispettivamente nel 14,5 e 21,1% degli atleti di judo e jiu jitsu. Sono stati segnalati anche sentimenti di "stanchezza" e "mancanza di concentrazione" in entrambi i gruppi. Concludiamo che la più alta prevalenza di perdita di peso pre-gara si verifica negli atleti di judo rispetto agli atleti di jiu-jitsu, tuttavia, la prevalenza era alta in entrambi gli sport.No esporte de luta usualmente os atletas recorrem a estratégias com finalidade de competir em categorias de menor peso, visando se beneficiar competindo com atletas mais leves, reduzindo seu peso antes da pesagem oficial e tentando recuperá-la em curto período de tempo entre a pesagem e a luta. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar os métodos e estratégias utilizados para perda de peso entre competidores de judô e jiu jitsu, bem como a prevalência e percepção do atleta em relação a esse procedimento. Participaram do estudo 55 atletas de judô (20,14 ± 6,27 anos) e 19 atletas de jiu jitsu (22,52 ± 3,83 anos) de ambos os sexos. Todos responderam um questionário com perguntas referentes à utilização ou não de métodos e estratégias de perda de peso frequentemente utilizada no período pré-competitivo. Os resultados apontaram que 80% dos atletas de judô e 63% dos atletas de jiu jitsu utilizam métodos de rápida perda de peso previamente à competição, fato este acompanhado por uma baixa adesão a dietas rígidas, refletindo em 14,5 e 21,1% dos atletas de judô e jiu jitsu respectivamente. Sensação de “cansaço” e “falta de foco” entre ambos os grupos, também foram relatados. Concluímos que a maior prevalência de perda de peso pré-competição ocorre em atletasde judô em relação aos atletas de jiu-jitsu, porém, a prevalência foi elevada nos dois esportes.No esporte de luta usualmente os atletas recorrem a estratégias com finalidade de competir em categorias de menor peso, visando se beneficiar competindo com atletas mais leves, reduzindo seu peso antes da pesagem oficial e tentando recuperá-la em curto período de tempo entre a pesagem e a luta. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar os métodos e estratégias utilizados para perda de peso entre competidores de judô e jiu jitsu, bem como a prevalência e percepção do atleta em relação a esse procedimento. Participaram do estudo 55 atletas de judô (20,14 ± 6,27 anos) e 19 atletas de jiu jitsu (22,52 ± 3,83 anos) de ambos os sexos. Todos responderam um questionário com perguntas referentes à utilização ou não de métodos e estratégias de perda de peso frequentemente utilizada no período pré-competitivo. Os resultados apontaram que 80% dos atletas de judô e 63% dos atletas de jiu jitsu utilizam métodos de rápida perda de peso previamente à competição, fato este acompanhado por uma baixa adesão a dietas rígidas, refletindo em 14,5 e 21,1% dos atletas de judô e jiu jitsu respectivamente. Sensação de “cansaço” e “falta de foco” entre ambos os grupos, também foram relatados. Concluímos que a maior prevalência de perda de peso pré-competição ocorre em atletasde judô em relação aos atletas de jiu-jitsu, porém, a prevalência foi elevada nos dois esportes