Physiologic and Kinematical Effects of Water Run Training on Running Performance

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether trained competitive runners could maintain running kinematics, cardiorespiratory performance (VO2peak, ventilatory threshold, running economy) and on-land running performance by replacing 30% of conventional training with water run training during 8 weeks. Eighteen runners were divided in two groups: on-land run (OLR Group) and deep water run (DWR Group). The DWR Group replaced 30% of training volume on land with DWR and the OLR group trained only on land (both groups undertaken workouts 6-7 d.wk-1 for a total of 52 sessions). No significant intra- or intergroup differences were observed for VO2peak in the DWR Group and OLR Group. Similarly, ventilatory threshold second was unaltered in the DWR Group and OLR Group. Regarding running economy (at 14 km.h-1) also, no intra- or intergroup differences were found in the DWR Group (pre = 43.4 ± 5.0, post = 42.6 ± 3.85 ml.kg-1.min-1) and OLR Group (pre = 43.9 ± 2.5, post = 42.6 ± 2.6 ml.kg-1.min-1). Kinematic responses were similar within and between groups. Water running may serve as an effective supplementary training over a period of 8 weeks up to 30% of land training volume for competitive runners

Effects of Water-Gymnastics Training on Hemodynamic Variables in Pregnant Women at Rest

This study analyzes heart rate, blood pressure, and immersion bradycardia behavior at 19th, 29th and 39th gestational weeks and at three months postpartum, at sitting rest, and in the orthostatic position on land and in the orthostatic position in water in pregnant women trained in water aerobics. Significant differences were found in HR during the gestational period in the different positions. When results on land were compared to those in water, HR showed higher values on land in all gestational weeks and postpartum period, systolic BP was higher on land in 19th, 39th gestational weeks and postpartum period and diastolic BP was higher on land in 39th gestational week and postpartum period. These results suggest that throughout gestation in resting situation immersion bradycardia showed a progressive rise and BP didn’t change; however, HR and BP showed reduced values in water during gestation and postpartum period

Influência das variáveis antropométricas na economia de corrida e no comprimento de passada em corredoras de rendimento

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between running economy (ECO), step length (CP) and body dimensions. Five female were tested for one submaximal velocity, very close to usual training intensities (12 km.h-1), and one high submaximal velocity, near the anaerobic threshold (14 km.h-1). Body weight, body fat, height, leg length and relative low extremity length were determined. The test of Pearson´s correlation (pO objetivo do estudo foi investigar a relação entre economia de corrida (ECO), comprimento de passada (CP) e dimensões corporais. Cinco mulheres correram em duas intensidades submáximas: uma velocidade correspondente a velocidade utilizada em treino (12 km.h-1) e, uma velocidade próxima da velocidade no limiar anaeróbio (14 km.h-1). A massa corporal, o percentual de gordura, a estatura, o comprimento de passada e o comprimento de passada relativo ao comprimento de perna foram determinadas em ambas as velocidades. Foi feito o teste de correlação de Pearson (

Heart rate and blood pressure behavior throughout pregnancy, with training in water medium *

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the behavior of heart rate (HR) throughout gestation, before, during, and after the exercise in water, as well as the behavior of blood pressure (BP) before and after the same exercise. Methods: The sample was composed of seven pregnant women. The HR was measured in three moments: 1) in radial artery, in 15 seconds, with the women sitting; 2) after 20 to 30 minutes the beginning of exercise, which was performed varying from 13 to 14 based on the subject's perceived exertion (Borg's 6-20 scale), with women standing in a pool, with water at the level of their xiphoid process; 3) approximately 20 minutes after the end of the session, with women sitting. The measurement of BP was performed before and after exercise in the same conditions described above. Measurements were taken once a week throughout the gestational period. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA for repeated measures and the Bonferroni test were used, with p < 0.05 (SPSS version 11.0). Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the end of gestational trimesters and measurement conditions of variables evaluated. Conclusion: We conclude that pregnants that practice water exercises presented a constant behavior of HR and BP during the gestational period. That can probably evidence a water training effect in this population

Game location effect on pre-competition cortisol concentration and anxiety state : a case study in a futsal team

The main aim of this study was to investigate the game location effect on pre-competition salivary cortisol and state anxiety in professional futsal players. Fourteen male players from a U-20 futsal team were evaluated during four competitive matches played away (n=2) and home (n=2) venues. Saliva samples were collected in order to analyse the salivary cortisol concentrations (sal-C) by the ELISA assay and state anxiety was evaluated using the CSAI-2R questionnaire. All the data collection took place before the pre-match warm-up. Medium and clear increase on sal-C (ES= 0.67; CL= 0.20; 1.14) was observed from home to away venues. Trivial and unclear differences between away and home venues were observed in cognitive anxiety (ES= 0.12; CL= -0.34; 0.57); somatic anxiety (ES= 0.06; CL= -0.40; 0.51) and self-confidence (ES= 0.06; CL= -0.40; 0.51). In conclusion, the data suggested that game location affects hormonal responses; increases in sal-C suggest that playing away represents a more challenging situation in futsal athletes compared to their home venue.El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el efecto del lugar de juego sobre el cortisol y el estado de ansiedad precompetitivo en los atletas profesionales de futsal. Catorce atletas de un equipo de futsal masculino Sub-20 fueron evaluados durante cuatro juegos competitivos jugados afuera (n = 2) y en adentro (n = 2). Las muestras de saliva se recolectaron para el análisis de concentración de cortisol (sal-C) mediante análisis ELISA y el estado de ansiedad se evaluó mediante el cuestionario CSAI-2R. Todos los datos fueron recopilados antes de que el juego se calentara. Se observó un aumento claro y medio de la sal-C (ES= 0,67; CL = 0,20; 1,14) afuera en comparación con adentro. Se observaron diferencias triviales y poco claras entre jugar afora y adentro por la ansiedad cognitiva (ES= 0,12, CL= -0,34; 0,57); somático (ES= 0,06; CL= -0,40; 0,51) y confianza en sí mismo (ES= 0,06; CL= -0,40; 0,51). En conclusión, los datos sugieren que el lugar de juego afecta la respuesta hormonal; un aumento en sal-C sugiere que los juegos fuera representan uno situación más desafiante para los atletas de futsal en comparación con los juegos adentro.O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar o efeito do local de jogo no cortisol e estado de ansiedade pré-competitiva em atletas profissionais de futsal. Quatorze atletas de uma equipe Sub-20 de futsal masculino foram avaliados durante quatro jogos competitivos jogados fora (n=2) e dentro de casa (n=2). Amostras de saliva foram coletadas para análise da concentração de cortisol (sal-C) pela análise de ELISA e o estado de ansiedade foi avaliada pelo questionário CSAI-2R. Todos os dados foram coletados antes do aquecimento do jogo. Um aumento médio e claro na sal-C (ES= 0,67; CL= 0,20; 1,14) foi observado em casa comparado fora de casa. Diferença trivial e pouco clara entre fora e dentro de casa foram observados pela ansiedade cognitiva (ES= 0,12, CL= -0,34; 0,57); somática (ES= 0,06; CL= -0,40; 0,51) e autoconfiança (ES= 0,06; CL= -0,40; 0,51). Em conclusão, os dados sugerem que o local de jogo afeta a resposta hormonal; um aumento no sal-C sugere-te que jogos fora de casa representam uma situação mais desafiadora nos atletas de futsal comparado aos jogos em casa

Proposta metodológica para análise cinemática e fisiológica da corrida no triathlon

The running represents one essencial segment in terms of the final result for triathletes. The aim of the present study was to propose a method to analyze triathletes running over real competition conditions. To check the proposal protocol a experimental test was performed with one well-trained male triathlete. Three situations were compared: Triathlon Run (10 km after 40 km of cycling,), Isolated Run (10 km) and Prolonged Run (10 km after run with time corresponding to the 40 km of cycling). Kinematic (stride frequency and stride length, range of motion trunk, hip, knee and ankle, and hip trajectory) and physiological (oxygen uptake values) variables were obtained during the first, third and ninth kilometer. The data showed that this methodological proposal has reached satisfactory results, approximating the tests conditions to race situations, allowing appropriate comparison among runs.Para triatletas, a corrida representa um segmento essencial em relação aos resultados finais. O objetivo deste estudo foi propor uma metodologia para análise cinemática e fisiológica da corrida de triatletas, em condições de competição simulada. Para avaliar o protocolo proposto realizou-se ensaio experimental, com um triatleta experiente, do sexo masculino. Foram comparadas três situações: corrida do triathlon (10 km após 40 km de ciclismo); corrida isolada (10 km); e corrida prolongada (10 km após uma corrida com tempo correspondente aos 40 km de ciclismo). Os dados cinemáticos (freqüência e amplitude de passada; amplitude de movimento articular da coluna, quadril, joelho e tornozelo; e, trajetória do quadril) e fisiológicos (valores de consumo de oxigênio), foram obtidos no 1º, 5º e 9º km. Os dados permitem inferir que a metodologia proposta fornece resultados satisfatórios, aproximando as avaliações das condições reais de uma competição, o que viabiliza adequada comparação entre as corridas mencionadas

Modelling 5-km Running Performance on Level and Hilly Terrains in Recreational Runners

[EN] Incline and level running on treadmills have been extensively studied due to their different cardiorespiratory and biomechanical acute responses. However, there are no studies examining the performance determinants of outdoor running on hilly terrains. We aimed to investigate the influence of anthropometrics, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory and gait spatiotemporal parameters during level (0%) and inclined (+7%) running on performance in level and hilly 5-km races. Twenty male recreational runners completed two 5-km outdoor running tests (0% vs. +7% and −7%), and two submaximal (10 km·h−1) and incremental treadmill tests at 0 and 7% slopes, after complete laboratory evaluations. The velocity at maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) evaluated at 7% incline and level treadmill running were the best performance predictors under both hilly (R2 = 0.72; p < 0.05 ) and level (R2 = 0.85; p < 0.01) conditions, respectively. Inclusion of ventilatory and submaximal heart rate data improved the predictive models up to 100%. Conversely, none of the parameters evaluated in one condition contributed to the other condition. The spatiotemporal parameters and the runners’ strength levels were not associated to outdoor performances. These results indicate that the vVO2max evaluated at similar slopes in the lab can be used to predict 5-km running performances on both level and hilly terrains

L'influence allométrique dans les relations entre économie de course, rendement mécanique et performance chez des athlètes de longue distance : efficience métabolique et prédiction de la performance en course a pied de longue distance

The aim of this thesis was to use allometric models to analyze the relationship that running economy(ECO) and mechanical efficiency (Ef) have on the performance of middle- and long-distance runners.Based on the results of three original studies, we concluded that allometric scaling can improve therelationship between ECO and performance in recreational middle- and long-distance runners, mainlydue to morphofunctional aspects. Similarly, the mechanical works, especially the external mechanicalwork, may be considered to be predictive of running performance and a specific allometric exponentcan improve these predictions. The results also showed that Ef is an important predictor of theperformance of long-distance runners. However, when the specific allometric exponents were applied,there was no improvement in the prediction of this performance. The results also showed that it isimportant to consider the contribution of anaerobic energy expenditure when calculating Ef, becauseotherwise the results may be overestimated, as already reported in other studies. In general, when theobjective is to predict the performance of middle- or long-distance runners through metabolic ormechanical powers, it is useful to adopt a specific allometric exponent of the group investigated.However, when this prediction is performed considering the Ef, particularly in high-performance longdistancerunners, the allometric application is not necessary.Le but de cette thèse était d'analyser la relation entre l’économie de course à pied (ECO) et l'efficiencemécanique (Eff) dans la performance des coureurs spécialistes en moyenne et longue distance, utilisantdes modèles allométriques. Basé dans les résultats de trois études originales, nous avons conclu quel’échelle allométrique peut améliorer la relation entre ECO et performance dans la course à pied demoyenne et longue distance, principalement en coureurs amateurs, pour raison morpho-fonctionnelles.Également, pour cette même population, des travaux mécaniques, principalement le externe, peut êtreconsidérées comme prédicteurs de la performance de la course à pied de sujets spécialistes en longuedistance, et un exposant allométrique peut améliorer cette prédiction. En ce qui concerne à l’Eff, lesrésultats ont montré que cette variable est, aussi, une important variable de prédiction de laperformance. Toutefois, quand appliqué des exposant allométriques, il n'y avait aucune améliorationdans cette prédiction, principalement en coureurs de haut niveau. Les résultats ont montré, aussi, quepour le calcul de l’Eff, la contribution de la dépense énergétique anaérobie est important, parce que,contrairement, les résultats peuvent être surestimés. En général, lorsque l’objectif est prédit laperformance des coureurs amateurs de moyenne ou de longue distance, à travers des puissancesmétaboliques ou mécaniques, est suggéré d'adopter un exposant allométrique spécifique du groupeétudié. Toutefois, lorsque cette prédiction est réalisée avec la utilisation de l’Eff en un groupe decoureurs de haut niveau, l’échelle allométrique n’est pas indiquée