Obesity as a Risk Factor for Complications and Mortality in Individuals with SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to analyze the available studies that identified overweight and/or obesity as a risk factor for mortality, use of respiratory support, and changes in biochemical markers in adults hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2. The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched using PRISMA guidelines until January 2024. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (code: CRD42024501551). Of the 473 articles, only 8 met the inclusion criteria (e.g., adult individuals aged 18 or over diagnosed with COVID-19 individuals with overweight and/or obesity). In addition, the Downs and Black tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. The studies analyzed totaled 9782 adults hospitalized for COVID-19, indicating that overweight and obesity are present in more than half of adults. Diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension are more prevalent in adults with obesity. The systematic review also highlighted that a higher incidence of respiratory support is related to a higher incidence of hospitalization in intensive care units and that adults with overweight and obesity have a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19. Biochemical markers such as procalcitinin, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 are associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection. This systematic review exposed overweight and/or obesity as a risk factor for worse COVID-19 disease, as well as for the need for intensive care, respiratory support, mortality, and changes in essential blood markers.

Effect of rapid weight loss on mood states and burnout of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes during a competitive process.

The current study aimed to analyze the psychological alterations resulting from rapid weight loss in the mood states and burnout of male Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. For the purpose of this study, 31 Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes participated, divided into two groups (RWLG: rapid weight loss group and CG: control group). Data collections were performed at three moments (1: baseline, before weight loss; 2: weigh-in, during the official competition; and 3: recovery, 7 to 10 days after the competition), with application of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Considering the outcomes, for body mass, the athletes from RWLG presented mean reductions of 3.5 kg (4.2% of the initial body mass). For mood states, both groups (RWLG and CG) presented a moment effect for tension and confusion, with higher levels during weigh-in compared to baseline and recovery (p < 0.05). For burnout, both groups showed low levels of burnout, with no effect of moment, group, or interaction in the analyses (p > 0.05). Based on these results, it is concluded that weight loss, in the magnitude performed in this study, did not generate an additional impact on mood or level of burnout in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes during a competitive process.

Proposal of a normative table for classification of body fat percentage in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes / Propuesta de tabla normativa para la clasificación del porcentaje de grasa corporal en atletas de jiu-jitsu brasileño

SUMMARY: Previous evidence indicates that body fat can distinguish Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) athletes according to the competitive level. However, propositions of cut-off points for establishing classifications of body fat percentage for combat sports athletes and, specifically, for BJJ athletes are still incipient in the literature. In this sense, the main aim of the present study was to establish a normative table for the classification of body fat percentage in BJJ athletes. As a secondary aim, athletes were compared according to competitive level. Ninety male BJJ athletes (aged: 29.0 ± 8.2 years; practice time: 6.0 ± 2.1 years; body mass: 82.1 ± 12.7 kg; height: 175.9 ± 6.5 cm; fat mass: 16.0 ± 8.9 kg; bone mineral content: 3.7 ± 0.6 kg; muscle mass: 37.9 ± 5.4 kg; body fat percentage: 17.3 ± 6.8 %; basal metabolic rate: 1811.4 ± 193.4 kcal) from different competitive levels: state (n= 42), national (n= 26) and international (n= 22) took part in this study. All athletes had their body composition measured via tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance. Percentiles p10, p25, p50, p75, and p90 were used to establish the classification. As a result, the following classification was obtained: <7.7 % (very low); ≥7.7-11.5 % (low); 11.6-17.0 % (medium); 17.1-24.0 % (high) and ≥24.1 % (very high). State-level athletes had a higher fat percentage than national and international-level athletes (p<0.05). The proposed cut-off points can help professionals responsible for sports training and nutritional prescription in monitoring the body fat of BJJ athletes.

RESUMEN: La grasa corporal puede distinguir a los atletas de jiu-jitsu brasileño (BJJ) según el nivel competitivo. Sin embargo, las propuestas de puntos de corte para establecer clasificaciones de porcentaje de grasa corporal para deportistas de deportes de combate y, específicamente, para deportistas de BJJ son aún incipientes en la literatura. En este sentido, el objetivo principal del presente estudio fue establecer una tabla normativa para la clasificación del porcentaje de grasa corporal en atletas de BJJ. Secundariamente, comparar a los deportistas según el nivel competitivo. Participaron noventa atletas masculinos de BJJ (edad: 29,0 ± 8,2 años; tiempo de práctica: 6,0 ± 2,1 años; masa corporal: 82,1 ± 12,7 kg; estatura: 175,9 ± 6,5 cm; masa adiposa: 16,0 ± 8,9 kg; contenido mineral óseo: 3,7 ± 0,6 kg; masa muscular: 37,9 ± 5,4 kg; porcentaje de grasa corporal: 17,3 ± 6,8 %; tasa metabólica basal: 1811,4 ± 193,4 kcal) de diferentes niveles competitivos: estatal (n= 42), nacional (n= 26) e internacional (n= 22). Se evaluó la composición corporal a través de bioimpedancia tetrapolar. Para establecer la clasificación se utilizaron los percentiles p10, p25, p50, p75 y p90. Como resultado se obtuvo la siguiente clasificación: <7,7 % (muy bajo); ≥7,7-11,5 % (bajo); 11,6-17,0 % (medio); 17,1-24,0 % (alto) y ≥24,1 % (muy alto). Los atletas de nivel estatal tenían un porcentaje de grasa corporal más alto respecto a los atletas de nivel nacional e internacional (p <0.05). Los puntos de corte propuestos pueden ser útiles para monitorizar la grasa corporal de los atletas de BJJ.

The Salivary Concentration of Chemical Elements in Response to Training Loads in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes / Concentração Salivar de Elementos Químicos em Resposta a Cargas de Treinamento em Atletas de Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

The saliva analysis by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) for monitoring training loads could be useful due to the ease of sample analysis and a large range of chemical elements can be detected. Twelve BJJ athletes were submitted to 7 weeks of training scheduled with high training loads (weeks 1 to 4) and tapering (weeks 5 to 7). Saliva samples were collected before (Pre), at week 4, and at week 8 (Post), to quantify chemical element concentrations by TXRF. The internal training load was monitored using the session rating of perceived exertion of session (RPE) method for physical and technical tactical training sessions. All the saliva samples presented Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S), Chlorine (Cl), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Zinc (Zn), Bromine (Br), and Rubidium (Rb) at Pre, 4 weeks and Post time points. Salivary concentrations of Cl, K, Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Br, and Rb significantly decreased in 4 weeks (p<0.05); and K, Cu, and Rb concentration remained at low levels at Post (p<0.05). Medium to large Cohen´s effect sizes for decrements in element concentrations from Pre to 4 weeks was observed for all the elements except Zn. Reduced S concentration at 4 weeks was negatively correlated to high training load period (r=-0.56, p=0.05). The results suggest that BJJ training modulates salivary electrolyte composition and salivary P, S and Rb are correlated with training loads in BJJ athletes. (AU)

A análise de saliva por meio de Fluorescência de Raios-X de Reflexão Total (TXRF) para monitorar cargas de treinamento pode ser útil devido à facilidade de análise da amostra e a ampla variedade de elementos químicos detectados. Doze atletas de BJJ foram submetidos a 7 semanas de treinamento programado com altas cargas de treinamento (semanas 1 a 4) e polimento (semanas 5 a 7). Amostras de saliva foram coletadas antes (Pré), na semana 4 (Meio) e na semana 8 (Pós), para quantificar as concentrações dos elementos químicos por TXRF. A carga interna de treinamento foi monitorada por meio do método de percepção subjetiva de esforço da sessão (PSE) nas sessões de treinamento físico e técnico-tático. Todas as amostras de saliva apresentaram Fósforo (P), Enxofre (S), Cloro (Cl), Potássio (K), Cálcio (Ca), Zinco (Zn), Bromo (Br) e Rubídio (Rb) no momento Pré, 4 semanas e Pós. As concentrações salivares de Cl, K, Manganês (Mn), Cobre (Cu), Br e Rb diminuíram significativamente em 4 semanas (p <0,05); e a concentração de K, Cu e Rb permaneceram em níveis baixos no Pós (p <0,05). Os tamanhos de efeito de Cohen médio a grande para decréscimos nas concentrações de elementos, de Pré a 4 semanas, foram observados para todos os elementos, exceto para Zn. A redução da concentração de S em 4 semanas foi negativamente correlacionada com o período de alta carga de treinamento (r = -0,56, p = 0,05). Os resultados sugerem que o treinamento de BJJ modula a composição eletrolítica salivar e o P, S e Rb salivares estão correlacionados com as cargas de treinamento no BJJ. (AU)

Effects of resistance training on the mental health of patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterized by generalized skeletal muscle pain and the presence of mental disorders is common among patients. As there is no cure, several treatment alternatives have been investigated, including the practice of resistance training. Thus, the aim of the current study is to analyze the effects of resistance training on the mental health of patients with fibromyalgia. This is a systematic review of the literature that followed the recommendations of the PRISMA statement. The search for articles occurred in May 2020 in the databases PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, Web of Science, PEDro, and CINAHL, as well as Google Scholar for gray literature. The protocol was recorded in PROSPERO and assessment of quality was performed using the Cochrane tool. In total, 481 studies were found in the database searches, of which seven were included in the analysis. The only variables investigated in studies related to mental health were depression and anxiety. The results demonstrate that resistance training reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with fibromyalgia. It is concluded that resistance training is efficient to improve the mental health of patients with fibromyalgia, reducing depression and anxiety. The main limitation is that few variables related to mental health were analyzed. Key Points • Resistance training improves the mental health of patients with FM. • The most commonly studied variables related to mental health are depression and anxiety. • The study protocols are similar, starting with low-intensity training and gradually increasing the intensity.

High-Intensity Interval Training: Methodological Considerations for Interpreting Results and Conducting Research.

In recent years, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained prominence in the health and fitness area, becoming a worldwide trend. Given the positive results of HIIT, researchers have compared it with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). However, much of that research has presented methodological challenges. Therefore, the aim of this opinion article is to address an important risk of bias common in research comparing HIIT and MICT: the lack of equalisation among protocols. This limitation can be considered a risk of bias that limits the conclusions of many studies. Thus, it is necessary to achieve the equalisation of sessions in some way such as using equalisation by energy expenditure, by workload performed in the session, or by duration of the session.

The influence of age and overweight or obesity on foot sensitivity and postural control: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review on the influence of age and overweight-or obesity-on foot sensitivity, as well as its relationship with balance and postural control. METHODS: Publications in the following databases were searched up to December 2018: Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science. Both randomised controlled and non-randomised trials, plus cross-sectional studies that evaluated foot sensitivity and balance in adults and/or older people, were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 152 studies were found, 14 studies were included and 506 people of both sexes were involved in the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Increased age represented a detrimental effect on foot sensitivity. Most studies showed that decreased foot sensitivity was related to worse balance and/or postural stability. Overweight or obesity was associated with plantar sensitivity, with lower sensitivity and decreased postural stability observed in obese people.

Effect of yoga on the quality of life of patients with rheumatic diseases: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

AIM: To analyze the effects of yoga on the quality of life of patients with rheumatic diseases through a systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS: This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted following the recommendations of the Declaration of PRISMA. The searches were carried out on the databases PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus, and Cochrane until August 2018. Experimental studies evaluating the effect of yoga on the quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases were included. RESULTS: After data searches, 483 studies were found, 23 of which were included in our analysis. We found that yoga improves the overall quality of life (d= -0.64; 95% CI: -0.91 to 0.038) of patients with rheumatic diseases, as well as the following domains: functional capacity (d = 16.43; 95% CI: 13.37-19.49), physical aspects (d = 27.11; 95% CI: 19.40-34.83), emotional aspects (d = 26.00; 95% CI: 18.87-33.13), general health (d = 16.61; 95% CI: 12.66-20.55), and social aspects (d = 7.01 ; 95% CI: 5.57-9.45). CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests weak recommendations can be made for the use of yoga in the management of RD patients.

Does moderate-intensity continuous training result in greater total energy expenditure compared to high-intensity interval training?

Recently in the Journal of Sports Sciences, Schaun et al. published a study on the comparison of energy expenditure between high-intensity interval training and moderate continuous training performed in water. With this Letter to the Editor, we would like to comment on the methodological aspects that should be considered to analyze the results presented, as well as the conclusions. Abbreviations: CONT, moderate-intensity continuous training; EPOC, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption; HIIT, high-intensity interval training; VO2max, maximal oxygen consumption.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine supplementation on cellular damage and oxidative stress indicators in volleyball athletes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplementation on cellular damage and oxidative stress indicators in volleyball athletes. Twenty male volleyball athletes at national level performed a physical training session and were divided into 2 groups, which for 7 days took the placebo substance or NAC. After 7 days the athletes repeated the same training session. In both sessions, blood samples were collected 30 min before and immediately after the training session to measure cellular damage and oxidative stress markers. The main results show that, although higher concentrations of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were observed in post-session 1 than those in postsession 2, the other markers showed an increase in antioxidant action after supplementation of NAC, once the effect of experimental conditions (P=0.030) were observed in: time effect (P<0.001) and interaction (P=0.019) for total glutathione; time effect (P<0.001) and interaction (P<0.001) for reduced glutathione; and time effect (P<0.001) for ferric-reducing antioxidant potential. The oxidant action indicated by the protein carbonyl was higher in the placebo group than in the NAC group (P=0.028), but a time effect (P<0.001) for the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances showed lower values in presession 1 than in presession 2. For the cellular damage markers, antagonistic results between markers were found. Based in the results, the supplementation of NAC during a short period was effective in reducing oxidant action and increasing antioxidant action. However, conclusive alterations in the responses of the cellular damage markers were not obtained.

Influence of exercise on oxidative stress in patients with heart failure.

Reactive oxygen species play an important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF). In contrast, regular physical exercise can promote adaptations to reactive oxygen species that are beneficial for patients with HF. We completed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that evaluate the influence of exercise on oxidative stress in patients with HF. Articles were searched in the PubMed, Cochrane, SciELO, and LILACS databases. The search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. We selected 12 studies with a total of 353 participants. The included patients had a left ventricle ejection fraction of < 52% and New York Heart Association functional class II or III disease. A significant increase was observed in peak oxygen consumption (between 10 and 46%) in the group that underwent training (TG). There was an improvement in the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscles in the TG, related to the positive activity of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (between 27 and 41%). An increase in the expression of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (41%), catalase (between 14 and 42%), and superoxide dismutase (74.5%), and a decrease in lipid peroxidation (between 28.8 and 58.5%) were observed in the TG. Physical training positively influenced the cardiorespiratory capacity and enhanced the benefits of oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in patients with HF. High-intensity training promoted a 15% increase in the plasma total antioxidant capacity, whereas moderate training had no effect.

Physical and Physiological Profiles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling combat sport that has intermittency as its core element; in other words, actions of high, moderate and low intensity are interspersed during matches, requiring a high level of conditioning to support optimal levels of performance for the total match time. The athletes perform from four to six matches during a day of competition, and this number may increase if the open-class competition, which is held parallel to the competition by weight class, is considered. This systematic review examined the physical and physiological profiles of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. METHODS: Only scientific researches dealing with the major fitness components of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes (i.e. body composition and somatotype, aerobic and anaerobic profiles, muscular strength and power) and using accepted methods that provided relevant practical applications for a Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete's fitness training and/or performance were included in the current review. A computer literature search was carried out of the PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, SportDiscus and Scopus databases (up to January 2016). RESULTS: The database research generated 205 articles. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 58 studies were included for the present systematic review. A total of 1496 subjects were involved in all the selected investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Body fat is generally low for these athletes and the mesomorphic component is predominant. The different studies showed VO2max values between 42 and 52 mL/kg/min, and it seems that aerobic fitness does not discriminate among Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes of different competitive levels. There is a lack of scientific studies that have investigated anaerobic responses both in lower and upper limbs. Maximal dynamic, isometric and endurance strength can be associated with sporting success in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. Although decisive actions during Brazilian jiu-jitsu matches are mainly dependent on muscular power, more specific studies are necessary to describe it. Studies involving the female sex should be conducted. In addition, further research is needed to analyse whether there are differences between sex, belt ranks and competitive level, and among the different weight categories for different variables.