Concurrent agreement between an anthropometric model to predict thigh volume and dual-energy X-Ray absorptiometry assessment in female volleyball players aged 14-18 years

A variety of performance outputs are strongly determined by lower limbs volume and composition in children and adolescents. The current study aimed to examine the validity of thigh volume (TV) estimated by anthropometry in late adolescent female volleyball players. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measures were used as the reference method. Total and regional body composition was assessed with a Lunar DPX NT/Pro/MD+/Duo/Bravo scanner in a cross-sectional sample of 42 Portuguese female volleyball players aged 14-18 years (165.2 ± 0.9 cm; 61.1 ± 1.4 kg). TV was estimated with the reference method (TV-DXA) and with the anthropometric method (TV-ANTH). Agreement between procedures was assessed with Deming regression. The analysis also considered a calibration of the anthropometric approach. The equation that best predicted TV-DXA was: -0.899 + 0.876 × log10 (body mass) + 0.113 × log10 (TV-ANTH). This new model (NM) was validated using the predicted residual sum of squares (PRESS) method (R2PRESS = 0.838). Correlation between the reference method and the NM was 0.934 (95%CI: 0.880-0.964, Sy∙x = 0.325 L). A new and accurate anthropometric method to estimate TV in adolescent female volleyball players was obtained from the equation of Jones and Pearson alongside with adjustments for body mass.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of the Match External Load in Soccer: Methods Comparison

Purpose:To test the interchangeability of 2 match-analysis approaches for external-load detection considering arbitrary selected speeds and metabolic power (MP) thresholds in male top-level soccer.Methods:Data analyses were performed considering match physical performance of 60 matches (1200 player cases) of randomly selected Spanish, German, and English first-division championship matches (2013–14 season). Match analysis was performed with a validated semiautomated multicamera system operating at 25 Hz.Results:During a match, players covered 10,673 ± 348 m, of which 1778 ± 208 m and 2759 ± 241 m were performed at high intensity, as measured using speed (≥16 km/h, HI) and metabolic power (≥20 W/kg, MPHI) notations. High-intensity notations were nearly perfectly associated (r = .93, P &lt; .0001). A huge method bias (980.63 ± 87.82 m, d = 11.67) was found when considering MPHI and HI. Very large correlations were found between match total distance covered and MPHI (r = .84, P &lt; .0001) and HI (r = .74, P &lt; .0001). Player high-intensity decelerations (≥–2 m/s2) were very largely associated with MPHI (r = .73, P &lt; .0001).Conclusions:The speed and MP methods are highly interchangeable at relative level (magnitude rank) but not absolute level (measure magnitude). The 2 physical match-analysis methods can be independently used to track match external load in elite-level players. However, match-analyst decisions must be based on use of a single method to avoid bias in external-load determination.</jats:sec

Fitness assessment in talented football referees: an academy based longitudinal field-study

Background: This study aim was to profile physical fitness in talented football referees (FR) with performance relevant field-tests across time. Methods: Thirty-eight male FR (age 28±1.5 years, height 178±5.1 cm, body mass 69.0±7.34 kg, body fat 17.2±2.87%) were observed for 15 months. Endurance was assessed with the yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIR1) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) with 5×30 m line-sprints with 30 s recovery (5×30 m). Long sprint endurance (LSA) and change of direction ability (COD) evaluated with novel field-tests. FR was tested six times (every three months) during the study. Results: YYIR1 performance showed large increments across testing occasions. Sprint time in the COD largely and significantly decreased across the testing occasions. Very large associations were reported between 5×30 m and LSA tests grand mean (r=0.89, 0.78-0.94, P<0.0001). A nearly perfect (r=0.97, 0.94-0.99, P<0.0001) association was observed between 5×30 m best sprint and 5×30 m grand means. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed ability-related variations in performance across time. The effect of training and competitions on the determinism of physical fitness in refereeing seem plausible. Interestingly, sprint endurance tests shared a very large variance proposing tests interchangeability and mutual physiological demands. This study information provides useful information for the development of sound field-tests batteries in talented FR

Joias da terra - o minério da Panasqueira: divulgar para preservar patrimónios e memórias

Em 2003/04, o Departamento de Minas da FEUP organizou uma exposição com o objectivo de divulgar técnicas de extracção de minérios e as vivências de quem nas minas trabalha, a partir da história e métodos de extracção de minério desenvolvidos na Mina da Panasqueira (Covilhã, Portugal).O Departamento de Mineralogia e Geologia do MNHN foi convidado a participar através do empréstimo de exemplares da colecção de minerais da Panasqueira.Desta parceria resultou uma edição da exposição em Lisboa (2004/06). Foram mantidos os mesmosobjectivos, embora se tenham desenvolvido os aspectos relativos à Geologia e à Mineralogia. Masdiferentes condições originaram diferentes museografias.In 2003/2004, the Department of Mines of FEUP organized an exhibition to promote knowledgeand positive public perception of mining and the miner's way of life, from the history and the technical resources developed at the Panasqueira Mine (Covilhã, Portugal). The Department of Geologyand Mineralogy of the MNHN was invited to participate lending specimens from its Panasqueiramineral collection.This partnership evolved into a second version of the exhibition, which took place in Lisbon(2004/06). The goals were the same but the aspects related with Geology and Mineralogy weredeveloped. Nevertheless, different conditions generated different museographies

Effects of a Short-Term Recreational Team Handball-Based Programme on Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health of 33-55-Year-Old Men: A Pilot Study

Recreational team handball is an intermittent high-intensity exercise mode with physiological demands in the range of those found to enhance health and physical fitness of sedentary adults. We examined the effects of a short-term team handball-based training programme on physical fitness and metabolic and cardiovascular health of sedentary 33-55-year-old former male team handball players. Twenty-four participants were divided into team handball (THG; n=15) and control groups (CG; n=9) and evaluated at baseline and postintervention. During 12 weeks, THG performed 2-3 60-min recreational team handball matches weekly (average: 2.2 ± 0.7), and CG maintained an inactive lifestyle. Average heart rate (HR) during matches was 80 ± 7%HRmax, with peak values of 91 ± 6%HRmax. A time-by-group interaction was shown in aerobic performance (p=0.016), postural balance (p=0.019), maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) (p=0.023), resting HR (p<0.001), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p=0.048), and fasting blood glucose (p=0.052) in favor of THG. THG improved aerobic performance (80%, p<0.001), VO2max (14%, p<0.001), and postural balance (27%, p=0.018). Decreases in resting HR (16%, p<0.001) and fasting blood glucose (7%, p=0.015) and increases in HDL cholesterol (11%, p=0.002) were found in THG. Recreational team handball practice shows positive physical fitness and health-related adaptations, with high attendance, which may contribute to the reduction of the risk of developing lifestyle diseases