Comparative study of two protocols of eccentric exercise on knee pain and function in athletes with patellar tendinopathy: randomized controlled study

INTRODUCTION: The eccentric squat on a slope has been proved effective in conservative treatment of patellar tendinopathy, especially in the athletic population. However, several aspects such as intensity and pain during therapy still differ among authors. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of two protocols of eccentric exercise (performed with and without pain), in the improvement of knee function and pain intensity in athletes with patellar tendinopathy. METHODS: 7 athletes of both genders with diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy were selected and randomly assigned to two treatment groups. The first group of volunteers performed eccentric squat exercises on a slope with pain in the patellar tendon. The second group of volunteers was instructed to perform the same exercise, but without presenting pain in the patellar tendon during performance. The treatment lasted 12 weeks and the evaluation of pain and function was performed by the VISA-P and VAS before starting treatment, at eight weeks of intervention, and at treatment completion. RESULTS: There was improvement in both groups when results of evaluations carried out after eight and 12 weeks of beginning of the treatment were compared with the initial evaluation; however, no significant difference between the group that performed exercise with pain and the group that performed exercises without pain was found. Analysis of the probability of obtaining clinical improvement for VISA and VAS scores at eight and 12 weeks, there was no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A program of eccentric exercise on an inclined plane using squat, performed with or without the presence of pain, was effective in improving pain and function in athletes with patellar tendinopathy.INTRODUÇÃO: O agachamento excêntrico em plano inclinado tem-se mostrado eficaz no tratamento conservador da tendinopatia patelar, especialmente na população atlética. Entretanto, diversos aspectos, como intensidade e dor durante a realização da terapia, ainda apresentam divergências entre autores. Objetivos: Comparar a eficácia de dois protocolos de exercício excêntrico (executado com e sem dor), na melhora da função do joelho e na intensidade da dor em atletas com tendinopatia patelar. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 17 atletas de ambos os gêneros com diagnóstico de tendinopatia patelar e aleatoriamente distribuídos em dois grupos de tratamento. Os voluntários do primeiro grupo realizaram exercícios de agachamento excêntrico em plano inclinado com dor no tendão patelar. Os voluntários do segundo grupo foram orientados a realizar o mesmo exercício, porém sem apresentar dor no tendão patelar durante a realização. O tratamento teve a duração de 12 semanas e a avaliação de dor e função foi realizada pelo VISA-P e pela EVA antes de iniciar o tratamento, com oito semanas de intervenção e ao término do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Houve uma melhora em ambos os grupos quando comparados os resultados das avaliações realizadas após oito e 12 semanas do início do tratamento com a avaliação inicial, porém não houve diferença significativa entre o grupo que realizou exercício com dor e o grupo que executou os exercícios sem dor. Na análise da probabilidade de obtenção de uma melhora clínica para os escores de VISA e EVA em oito e 12 semanas, não houve nenhuma diferença entre os dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Um programa de exercício excêntrico usando agachamento em plano inclinado, realizado com ou sem a presença de dor, foi eficaz na melhora da dor e da função em atletas com tendinopatia patelar.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Centro de Traumato-Ortopedia do EsporteUniversidade Cidade de São Paulo Programa de MestradoUNIFESP, Centro de Traumato-Ortopedia do EsporteSciEL

"Impact of aging on maximal oxygen uptake adjusted for lower limb lean mass, total body mass, and absolute values in runners"

Performance in endurance sports decreases with aging, which has been primarily attributed to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal aging; however, there is still no clear information on the factors that are most affected by aging. The aim of this study was to compare two groups of runners ( 50 years of age) according to their absolute, weight-adjusted maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O$_{2}$max), lower limb lean mass-adjusted V̇O$_{2}$max, ventilatory threshold, and respiratory compensation point (RCP). A total of 78 male recreational long-distance runners were divided into Group 1 (38.12 ± 6.87 years) and Group 2 (57.55 ± 6.14 years). Participants were evaluated for body composition, V̇O$_{2}$max, VT, and RCP. Group 1 showed higher absolute and body mass-adjusted V̇O$_{2}$max (4.60 ± 0.57 l·min$^{-1}$ and 61.95 ± 8.25 ml·kg$^{-1}$·min$^{-1}$, respectively) than Group 2 (3.77 ± 0.56 l·min$^{-1}$ and 51.50 ± 10.22 ml·kg$^{-1}$·min$^{-1}$, respectively), indicating a significant difference (p < 0.001, d =  - 1.46 and p < 0.001, d =  - 1.16). Correspondingly, Group 1 showed a significantly higher lower limb lean mass-adjusted V̇O$_{2}$max (251.72 ± 29.60 ml·kgLM$^{-1}$·min$^{-1}$) than Group 2 (226.36 ± 43.94 ml·kgLM$^{-1}$·min$^{-1}$) (p = 0.008, d =  - 0.71). VT (%V̇O$_{2}$max) (p = 0.19, d = 0.19) and RCP (%V̇O$_{2}$max) (p = 0.24, d = 0.22) did not differ between the groups. These findings suggest that both variables that are limited by central or peripheral conditions are negatively affected by aging, but the magnitude of the effect is higher in variables limited by central conditions. These results contribute to our understanding of how aging affects master runners

Effect of Two Years of COVID-19 Pandemic on Maximum Oxygen Uptake among Amateur Runners: A Prospective Study

In this prospective study we compared the maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O$_2$max), physical activity levels, and time spent on a sedentary lifestyle measured before the COVID-19 pandemic period (January 2020) with that measured two years after (January 2022). Thirty-four male runners (46.8 ± 11.7 years) answered a questionnaire that consisted of personal data, health conditions, and current level of physical activity. They participated in cardiopulmonary maximal exercise tests for V̇O$_2$max assessment between January 2020 and January 2022. We observed a significant decrease (16.7 ± 7.3%) in V̇O$_2$max in January 2022 compared to January 2020 (p<0.001, d=2.152). Despite no change in physical activity levels between the two evaluations (p=0.07, d=0.325) being recorded, there was a reduction in the time dedicated to performing vigorous-intensity activities (p=0.03, d=0.035), a significant increase in walking time (p=0.04, d= -0.42), and a significant increase in the weekly sitting time (p<0.001, d=0.77). The observed change in the physical activity pattern during the COVID-19 pandemic (increased sitting time and decreased vigorous activities) negatively impacted the functional capacity of the amateur runners, as shown by the V̇O$_2$max assessment. Therefore there is a need to reduce sedentary behavior, such as sitting time throughout the day, in addition to the importance to increase the physical activity pattern

Musculoskeletal injuries in young handball players: a cross-sectional study

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a população, as características do treinamento e o histórico de lesões musculoesqueléticas em atletas de handebol do gênero feminino e investigar possíveis associações entre as características de treinamento com lesões musculoesqueléticas relacionadas ao handebol. Participaram deste estudo transversal 220 atletas, que responderam a um questionário autorreportado que abordava dados pessoais, características do treinamento e lesões prévias relacionadas ao handebol nos últimos 12 meses. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e modelos de regressão logística. Os resultados demonstram que a maioria era constituída de atletas com idade aproximada de 15 anos, com índice de massa corpórea classificado como normal, que realizavam 3 treinos por semana, com carga horária semanal de aproximadamente 8 horas e 30 minutos. As principais lesões encontradas foram as entorses e as tendinopatias, sendo o tornozelo e o joelho as regiões mais acometidas. Somente a experiência no esporte acima de 6 anos mostrou relação estatística com lesões prévias (p=0,032). A prevalência de lesões nos últimos 12 meses nesta população foi de 53,60%.This study aimed to describe the population, training features and history of musculoskeletal injuries in young female handball players and to investigate possible associations between these features and previous musculoskeletal injuries related to handball. The subjects of this cross-sectional study were 220 athletes who completed a self-reported questionnaire about personal data, training features and previous injuries related to handball in the last 12 months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. The results showed that most of the athletes were approximately 15 years old, had a body mass index was classified as normal, worked out at an average of 3 times a week and their weekly workload was approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. The main injuries found were sprains and tendinopathies, with the ankle and knee being the most affected regions. Only the sport practice of over 6 years showed statistical relationship with previous injuries (p=0.032). The prevalence of injuries in the last 12 months in this population was 53.60%.Este estudio tuvo los propósitos de describir la población, las características de entrenamiento y el historial de lesiones musculo esqueléticas en atletas de balonmano del género femenino y de investigar posibles asociaciones entre las características del entrenamiento a este tipo de lesiones relacionadas con la práctica del balonmano. Han participado de este estudio transversal 220 atletas, que contestaron a un cuestionario auto reportado que contenían datos personales, características del entrenamiento y lesiones previas relacionadas con la práctica del balonmano en los últimos 12 meses. Se han evaluados los datos por estadística descriptiva y modelos de regresión logística. Los resultados muestran que la mayoría se constituía por atletas de edad cercana a los 15 años, con índice de masa corporal clasificado como normal, que hacían entrenamiento 3 veces por semana, con carga horaria semanal de cerca de 8 horas y 30 minutos. Se han encontrado las principales lesiones: esguinces y tendinopatías, en que el tobillo y la rodilla eran los más afectados. Se ha mostrado relación estadística con lesiones previas (p=0,032) solamente la experiencia de más de 6 años en la práctica del deporte. El 53,60% fue la prevalencia de lesiones en los últimos 12 meses en la población investigada

Landing Technique and Ankle-dorsiflexion Range of Motion are not Associated with the History of Lower Limb Injuries among Youth Basketball Athletes

# Background Lower limb injuries generate a significant health burden in basketball. Landing technique and ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion have been suggested as risk factors for lower limb injuries among youth athletes, but studies conducted specifically with basketball athletes are lacking. # Hypothesis/Purpose To describe the period prevalence of basketball-related injuries and to examine the association of the history of lower limb injuries with landing technique and ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion asymmetry among youth basketball athletes. # Study Design Cross-Sectional Survey. # Methods Youth basketball athletes were asked to complete a paper-based survey to investigate personal characteristics, training characteristics and their three-month history of basketball-related injuries. The Landing Error Scoring System and the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test were used to evaluate landing technique and ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion. Binary logistic regression was utilized to examine the association of the investigated variables with the presence of history of lower limb injuries among the athletes. # Results A total of 534 athletes participated. The three-month prevalence of basketball-related injuries was 23.2% (95% CI 19.7 -- 27), and the majority of the reported injuries affected the lower limbs (69.7%; n=110). Sprains were the most frequent type of injury (29.1%; n=46), and the ankle (30.4%; n=48) and knee (21.5%; n=34) were the most affected anatomic locations. Landing technique (p = 0.105) and ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion asymmetry (p = 0.529) were not associated with the history of lower limb injuries. # Conclusion The three-month prevalence of basketball-related injuries was 23.2%. Although ankle sprains were the most frequent injury, landing technique and ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion asymmetry were not associated with the history of lower limb injuries among youth basketball athletes. # Level of Evidence

TERCEIRA MIGRAÇÃO DO TALABARTE

Este estudo parte do questionamento de uma mulher sambista, de comunidade, que quer saber se um homem pode interpretar o papel de porta-bandeira em uma escola de samba. A partir desta pergunta, iniciou-se uma investigação sobre as tensões e negociações que giram no entorno das diversidades que hoje ocupam esse lugar de porta-bandeira, notando-se, assim, que o carnaval está vivendo uma terceira migração deste talabarte que, outrora, fora de responsabilidade do homem que lutava para proteger o pavilhão dos ataques da época; por um grande período fincou tradição sob a responsabilidade das mulheres cis e hoje está sendo assumido por mulheres trans e homens transformista, drag ou cross-dresser, que performam o gênero feminino.

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio