Investigating academic performance and perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses among undergraduate students of physical education at a Brazilian public university.

PURPOSE: To compare the academic performance of undergraduate students in physical education who studied exercise physiology before and after studying human physiology and investigate students' perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses. METHODS: This study included 311 undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree in physical education. Participants were divided into two groups: those who had previously attended and completed the human physiology course (group 1, n = 212, 68.2%) and those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course (group 2, n = 99, 31.8%). The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using a Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator. The second aim comprised 67 students with bachelor's degrees in physical education who completed an electronic questionnaire about their perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology curriculum. RESULTS: Compared with those who attended human physiology and passed, those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course have a higher PR of 2.37 (95% CI, 1.68-3.34) for failing exercise physiology. Regarding the students' perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses, most students reported that they were challenging (58.2% and 64.2%, respectively), but they also recognized the importance of these courses for professional practice (59.7% and 85.1%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Human physiology should be considered a prerequisite for an undergraduate course leading to a bachelor's degree in physical education. Furthermore, students considered human physiology and exercise physiology courses important yet challenging. Therefore, continuous student assessment is vital for improving the teaching-learning process.

Acute effects of moderate-intensity continuous physical exercise performed with different amounts of muscle mass on executive function in healthy young adults: a randomized trial.

We examined the effect of amount of muscle mass involved in moderate-intensity continuous physical exercise on executive function. To this end, fifty-five participants completed two acute physical exercise sessions on an airbike ergometer using the upper and lower limbs simultaneously and only the upper limbs, and a resting control session in a randomized order. The physical exercise session lasted 30 min and was performed at moderate intensity (between 64 %-76 % of maximal heart rate evaluated in graded maximal exercise testing). Participants took the Stroop test (congruent and incongruent trials) before and after the sessions to assess executive performance. For the congruent trial, both physical exercise interventions improved executive function performance (pre vs. post, p-value = 0.002 and 0.003 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). Furthermore, executive function performance was higher after the physical exercise interventions than after the control session (p-value = 0.002 and 0.004 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). For the incongruent trial, both physical exercise interventions also improved executive function performance (pre vs. post, p-value < 0.001 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). However, there were no significant differences after both physical exercise interventions and resting control session (p-value = 0.175). Executive function (congruent trial) was positively impacted by acute aerobic physical exercise regardless of the amount of muscle mass involved (upper limbs or upper plus lower limbs). Therefore, we recommend aerobic physical exercise with less or more muscle mass involved to improve cognitive function.

The Decision-Making of High-Level Volleyball Setters in the 2021-2022 Volleyball Men's Superliga: Does the Opponent Matter?

Our primary objective in this study was to investigate the offensive strategies employed in the attack phase of men's volleyball, specifically focusing on side-out as stratified by the type of confrontation that was determined by the opponent's team performance. We analyzed 5524 attacking actions during 22 games of the 12 teams that participated in the Volleyball Men's Superliga (season 2021-2022). Based on their final rankings in the championship, we classified these teams into three tiers: high-performance, intermediate-performance, and low-performance. Subsequently, we examined the dynamics of these matches using Social Network Analysis. We found that the opponent teams' performance levels did not influence the game dynamics. Notably, the eigenvector values were prominently higher for Attack Zones 2 and 4, wherein the middle-blocker jumped to attack close to the setter across all networks. Thus, setters opted for traditional and low-risk strategies to minimize errors, disregarding available information about the skill level of the opposing team, making their offensive tactics predictable.

Technology and Sleep Quality: Friend or Foe? Let the Exergames Come into Play!

Low sleep quality is associated with many health problems. Although physical exercise is a nonpharmacological tool that positively impacts sleep quality, there are many barriers (lack of energy, lack of motivation, lack of skills, lack of resources, and fear of injury) for people to adopt an active lifestyle. Exergames are an alternative way of physical exercise that are funnier and more attractive than traditional forms of physical exercise and, therefore, has the potential to increase adherence to a physical exercise program. Given that previous studies showed that exergames presents similar physiological and psychological outcomes to traditional forms of exercise, we aimed to discuss in this narrative review potentials applications, limitations and perspectives of using exergames to improve sleep quality.

Presence of exercise physiology or similar coursework in the curricula of Brazilian health science undergraduate programs.

Bolstered by evidence of the health benefits of exercise, health professionals advise their patients about it. Thus these professionals should have a basic knowledge of exercise physiology. In Brazil, a graduate degree is not mandatory, so for many health providers, the only opportunity to receive information on exercise physiology content is during their undergraduate study. Therefore, it is imperative that health science undergraduate programs include content on exercise physiology. The aim of the study was to verify the presence of exercise physiology (or similar coursework) in the curricula of seven health science undergraduate programs (biomedicine, physical education, nursing, physiotherapy, medicine, nutrition, and psychology). The study was divided into three phases: 1) a survey of the total number of undergraduate programs (n = 4,940) through an electronic system of the Brazilian Ministry of Education (e-MEC); 2) a random selection of 10% of the total undergraduate programs (n = 494) for further analysis of the curriculum; and 3) analysis of the curricula of the selected undergraduate programs. Of 494 undergraduate programs, we did not find curricula for 77 of them. Therefore, the final sample consisted of 417 undergraduate programs. In total, 65.9% of the undergraduate programs did not offer coursework in exercise physiology. The chi-square test revealed a significant association between undergraduate curricula in health science and the presence or absence of exercise physiology coursework [X2(6, n = 417) = 293.0, P < 0.0001]. We did not find exercise physiology coursework in most of the analyzed undergraduate programs. Alternatives to solve the lack of exercise physiology coursework would be the inclusion of content related to exercise physiology in professional/graduate education or in continuing education programs.

Multi- and Single-Joint Resistance Exercises Promote Similar Plantar Flexor Activation in Resistance Trained Men.

The present study aimed to compare soleus, lateral, and medial gastrocnemius muscles activation during leg press and calf raise exercises in trained men. The study involved 22 trained men (27.1 ± 3.6 years, 82.7 ± 6.6 kg, 177.5 ± 5.2 cm, 3.6 ± 1.4 experience years) who performed one set of each exercise using a 10-repetition maximum (10RM) load in a counterbalanced randomized order and separated by 10 min of rest. The electromyographic signal was measured for the three major plantar flexors: soleus, medial, and lateral gastrocnemius. A comparison between exercises showed that the mean adjusted by peak values during the leg press were 49.20% for the gastrocnemius lateralis, 51.31% for the gastrocnemius medialis, and 50.76% for the soleus. Values for calf raise were 50.70%, 52.19%, and 51.34% for the lateral, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus, respectively. There were no significant differences between exercises for any muscle (lateral gastrocnemius (p = 0.230), medial gastrocnemius (p = 0.668), and soleus (p = 0.535)). The present findings suggest that both leg press and calf raises can be used with the purpose to recruit triceps surae muscles. This bring the suggestion that one can chose between exercises based on personal preferences and practical aspects, without any negative impact on muscle activation.

Sports bra but not sports footwear decreases breast movement during walking and running.

Running is a modality that has a large number of adepts, including women. Therefore, it is important to understand how sportswear can help women, with special attention to the breast movement. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of different combinations of breast support and footwear on the breast movement during walking and running. Twenty women performed treadmill walking (5 km/h) and running (7 and 10 km/h) combining different footwear (barefoot, minimalist, and traditional) and breast support conditions (bare breast, everyday bra, and sports bra). Three-dimensional data from breast and trunk markers were tracked for 10 stride cycles. Relative breast displacement was calculated and derived for velocity. An interaction effect was observed between support, footwear, and speed conditions. The bare breast conditions presented differences from the other conditions in the majority of the kinematic variables, presenting higher breast displacement and velocity values. On the other hand, the sports bra conditions presented the lowest values for the kinematics variables. In the vertical component of breast displacement during running (10 km/h) we verified that the sports bra presented reductions of 56% and 43% in relation to the bare breast and everyday bra conditions, respectively. Despite this, no differences were found between footwear within each breast support condition. A sports bra is efficient to decrease breast movement. In addition, neither of the tested footwear was able to decrease these movements.

Studies of Classical Ballet Dancers' Equilibrium at Different Levels of Development and Versus Non-Dancers: A Systematic Review.

In classical ballet, the execution of extreme movements on small bases of support causes the dancers constantly to seek balance. The objective of this systematic literature review was to evaluate the effects of classical ballet training on static and dynamic balance in order to emphasize the differences between dancers and non-dancers and between dancers with different levels of experience. Searches for scientific papers were conducted by two independent researchers in the PubMed, Science Direct, and LILACS databases. A secondary search was carried out by "snowballing" references in the selected studies. A modified Downs and Black checklist and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) scale were used to evaluate the methodological quality and evidence strength of the included studies, respectively. From 364 initial studies, nine were found to be eligible (five did analyses in static situations, two in dyna- mic situations, and two in both). With a maximum potential of 10 points, the methodological quality ranged from 6 to 8 on the Downs and Black checklist. It was found that the level of experience in ballet makes for better balance. However, there are indications that classical ballet dancers become more dependent on vision to control balance compared to non-dancers.

Effects of sports bra and footwear on vertebral posture during walking and running.

Little attention has been given to factors which affects women running, such as proper footwear and breast support and their effects on spine. The objective of study was to analyse the influence of different breast support and footwear on vertebral posture during walking and running. Seventeen women (x¯ = 23.51; SD = 3.70 years) performed a treadmill walking (5 km/h) and running (7 and 10 km/h) with different footwear (barefoot, minimalist and traditional) and breast support (bare breast, everyday bra and sports bra) conditions. Spine movements were analyzed using three cameras in grayscale video mode, positioned behind the participant to register reflective markers fixed in the vertebrae. From the 3D coordinates of the trunk markers we computed, for the whole gait cycle (C) and for the average gait posture (neutral curve-NC) the maximal (M) thoracic (T) kyphosis and lateral flexion, and the maximal lumbar (L) lordosis and lateral flexion. Frontal plane: bare breast presented higher lumbar NC than the everyday bra and sports bra, higher MLC than the sports bra and lower MTC than the everyday bra and sports bra. Barefoot presented higher MTC than minimalist. Sagittal plane: bare breast presented lower MTC than the sports bra. Barefoot presented higher lumbar NC than the minimalist and traditional footwear and higher MLC than the minimalist and traditional ones. The sports bra increased curvatures in the thoracic spine that were rectified during bare breast conditions. In addition, both footwears were able to maintain the natural curvatures of the spine in the lumbar.

Analysis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension content in exercise physiology textbooks.

The textbook is a pedagogical tool that provides students and professionals with scientific information. As exercise is an important strategy for the prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and arterial hypertension, the presence of correct and up-to-date scientific information in exercise physiology textbooks is important. Our aim was to analyze T2DM and arterial hypertension content in exercise physiology textbooks and compare this content with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) position stands. Comparative descriptions were made between information regarding T2DM and arterial hypertension found in textbooks (n = 10) and similar information contained in the official ACSM position stands. The quality of the content was compared with current scientific information present in the ACSM position stands. In regards to T2DM, eight textbooks provided information regarding the purpose and benefits of exercise, two provided information regarding exercise prescription, seven provided information regarding the type of exercise, six provided information regarding general care and recommendations, and five provided information regarding the mechanisms involved. In regards to arterial hypertension, all textbooks provided information regarding the purpose and benefit of exercise, six provided information regarding exercise prescription, nine provided information regarding the type of exercise, two provided information regarding general care and recommendations, and seven provided information regarding the mechanisms involved. All textbooks analyzed contained information related to physical exercise for patients with T2DM and arterial hypertension. However, the textbooks differed in terms of the quality of the contents, especially in regard to exercise prescription.

Frequency and intensity of gastrointestinal symptoms in exercisers individuals at rest and during physical exercise: an internet-based survey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite the evidence of a modest to high prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in recreational runners and endurance athletes, the frequency and intensity of GI symptoms in exercisers, but nonathletes, individuals from different modalities have been less investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of GI symptoms in individuals that practice moderate or vigorous physical exercise, at rest and during physical exercise training session. METHODS: The sample consisted of 142 exercisers individuals (64 women and 78 men with mean age of 32.9 ± 10.7 years). Out of the 142 participants, 71 reported to perform moderate physical exercise and 71 reported to perform vigorous physical exercise. Participants were assessed by an internet-based questionnaire designed to assess the frequency and intensity (at rest and during physical exercise training session) of 18 GI symptoms. RESULTS: The GI symptoms most frequently reported by the respondents (during rest and physical exercise training session, respectively) were flatulence (90.8% and 69.7%), abdominal noise (77.5% and 41.5%), and eructation (73.9% and 52.1%). Overall, the frequency and intensity of symptoms were higher (P< 0.050) during rest than physical exercise training session for who perform moderate and vigorous physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that GI symptoms in exercisers, but nonathletes, individuals are more prevalent during rest than during physical exercise training session, suggesting that moderate and vigorous physical exercise may act as a regulator of the GI tract.

Improving Academic Performance of Sport and Exercise Science Undergraduate Students in Gross Anatomy Using a Near-Peer Teaching Program.

Peer and near-peer teaching programs are common in medical undergraduate courses. However, there are no studies that have investigated the effectiveness of a near-peer teaching program on the academic performance of undergraduate students pursuing sport and exercise science coursework. This study was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of such a program for students who participated in a course on the functional anatomy of the locomotor apparatus. A total of 39 student participants were divided into two groups: students in one group voluntarily attended at least one session of a near-peer teaching program, and students in the other group attended no sessions. The final grade (range 0-100%) was recorded and used as an indicator of academic performance. The final grade of students who attended the near-peer teaching program (69.5 ± 16.0%) was 38.7% higher (P = 0.002, d = 1.06) than those who did not (50.1 ± 20.4%). When the academic performance of the same students was evaluated in another course (exercise physiology) that did not offer a near-peer teaching program, there were no significant differences between the groups (students who attended or did not attend the near-peer teaching program). A significant positive association was found between near-peer teaching program frequency and the number of students approved and not approved in the course (P = 0.041). A significant difference (P = 0.001) was found in the attendance at regular classes between the group who participated in the near-peer teaching program (median: 62 hours; IQR [interquartile ranges]: 4.0 hours) and those who did not (median: 58 hours; IQR: 4.0 hours). Gender was not a moderating factor on academic performance or near-peer teaching program attendance. These results highlight the effectiveness of a near-peer teaching program on the academic performance of students from a sport and exercise science degree program while enrolled in an anatomy course. Anat Sci Educ. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.

"NO LOAD" resistance training increases functional capacity and muscle size in hospitalized female patients: A pilot study.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of resistance training performed with no external load (NLRT) versus resistance training performed with elastic bands (RTEB) on muscle hypertrophy and functional performance in hospitalized patients. Twenty hospitalized females (age, 59.05±3.2 years; height 163.6±2.5 cm; body mass 70.2±3.6 kgs) were randomly assigned to RTEB or NLRT. Both groups trained three times a week for five weeks. RTEB was performed with elastic bands, while NLRT involved maximum voluntary contractions with no external loads. Biceps brachii, triceps brachii and pectoralis muscle thickness (MT) were measured by ultrasound. Functional performance was measured by the 30s elbow flexion test. MT significantly increased in all muscles tested for both groups, with no differences between groups. Changes ranged from 14 to 38%. Functional performance significantly improved by 42.7% for NLRT and 52.1% for RTEB, with no difference between them. The present results suggest that NLRT might be an efficient, feasible and low-cost strategy to promote morphological and functional benefits in the upper limb of hospitalized patients.

Profiling the Use of Dietary Supplements by Brazilian Physical Education Professionals.

A survey was designed to examine the use of dietary supplements by Brazilian physical education professionals. The study included 131 Brazilian physical education professionals (83 men and 48 women). A descriptive statistical analysis was performed (mean, standard deviation, and absolute and relative frequencies). A chi-square test was applied to evaluate differences in use of dietary supplements according to particular variables of interest (p < .05). Forty-nine percent of respondents used dietary supplements. Approximately 59% of dietary supplement users took two or more kinds of supplements. Among users of supplements, men professionals (73%) consumed more dietary supplements than women (27%). The most-consumed dietary supplement was whey protein (80%). The results showed a higher use of dietary supplements by men. The most-consumed supplements were rich in protein. The consumption of dietary supplements by almost half of the participants in this study suggests that participants did not consider their dietary needs to be met by normal diet alone.

Association between effect of reception and game procedures in high-level Brazilian volleyball: The case of the women's "Superliga" champion team / Análise da associação do efeito da recepção com os procedimentos de jogo no voleibol de alto nível brasileiro: O caso da equipe campeã da Superliga Feminina

Abstract The present study aimed to analyze the association between effect of reception and game procedures practiced by the women's "superliga" champion team in the side-out, as well as the behavior of the opposing central blocker, according to the performance level of the opposing team. The sample was composed of the observation of 21 games of the 2015-2016 Women's "Superliga" champion team. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, SPSS software version 20.0 for Windows and significance of p≤0.05. The results showed that there was an association between performance level of the opposing team with the effect of reception (χ2=12.96 and ɸ =0,14, p=0,01), as well the effect of reception with the central blocker disposal (χ2=13.70 and ɸ =0.14, p=0.01), with the attack tempo (χ2=353.27 and ɸ =0.72, p<0.001), with the attack site (χ2=91.05 and ɸ =0.36, p<0.001) and the attack effect (χ2=30.11 and ɸ =0.21, p<0.001) according to the performance level of the opposing team. Together, the results showed that there were differences in the game procedures according to the opposing team classification, contributing to a better understanding of the game played in high-level women's volleyball.

Resumo O presente estudo objetivou analisar a associação entre o efeito da recepção e os procedimentos de jogo praticados pela equipe campeã da superliga feminina no side-out, bem como o comportamento do bloqueador central adversário, segundo o nível de desempenho da equipe adversária. A amostra constituiu-se pela observação de 21 jogos da equipe campeã da Superliga Feminina 2015-2016. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se o teste de Qui-Quadrado, software SPSS versão 20.0 para Windows e significância de p≤0,05. Os resultados mostraram que houve associação do nível de desempenho da equipe que sacou com o efeito da recepção (χ2=12,96 e ɸ =0,14, p=0,01), bem como do efeito da recepção com à disposição do bloqueador central (χ2=13,70 ɸ =0,14, p=0,01), com o tempo de ataque (χ2=353,27 e ɸ =0,72, p<0,001), com o local do ataque (χ2=91,05 e ɸ =0,36, p<0,001) e com o efeito do ataque (χ2=30,11 e ɸ =0,21, p<0,001), segundo o nível de desempenho do adversário. Em conjunto, os resultados mostraram que houve diferença nos procedimentos de jogo conforme a classificação da equipe adversária, contribuindo para melhor compreensão do jogo praticado no voleibol feminino de alto nível.

Anxiolytic Effects of a Single Session of the Exergame Zumba® Fitness on Healthy Young Women.

OBJECTIVE: Exergames appear to be a promising tool to increase energy expenditure and physical fitness. However, less is known about the effect of a single session of an exergame on anxiety state. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single session of the exergame Zumba® Fitness (Xbox 360 Kinect®) on the anxiety state of healthy young women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy young women (22.9 ± 3.7 years; 62.43 ± 8.75 kg; 1.64 ± 0.06 m; 23.05 ± 2.75 kg/m2; [Formula: see text]O2max of 41.23 ± 10.61 mL/kg/min) performed ∼20 minutes of the exergame Zumba Fitness using the Xbox 360 Kinect. The state anxiety (State Anxiety Inventory) and level of enjoyment (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale) were evaluated before and after intervention. Rating perceived exertion (Borg scale) and heart rate (HR) were also tracked and collected. RESULTS: A single exergame session significantly reduced the state anxiety of the participants (P = 0.0230, effect size = 0.62, CI 0.34-0.90). However, no statistically significant correlation was found between enjoyment and absolute (r = -0.10, P = 0.5345) or relative change in state anxiety (r = -0.17, P = 0.2869). A moderate positive correlation was found between enjoyment and performance in the exergame Zumba Fitness (r = 0.59, P = 0.0001). The mean HR during exergames was 137 ± 19 bpm (∼70% of predicted HRmax). CONCLUSIONS: The exergame Zumba Fitness seems to be a useful tool to reduce state anxiety in a nonclinical sample of healthy women.

Chronic Effects of Resistance Training in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Objective. To analyse effects of resistance training (RT) in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and how protocols and acute variables were manipulated. Methods. Search was made at PubMed, Science Direct, and LILACS. All articles published between 2000 and 2016 were considered. Studies that met the following criteria were included: written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese; BCS who have undergone surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy; additional RT only; analysis of muscle performance, body mass composition (BMC), psychosocial parameters, or blood biomarkers. Results. Ten studies were included. PEDro score ranged from 5 to 9. Rest interval and cadence were not reported. Two studies reported continuous training supervision. All reported improvements in muscle strength, most with low or moderate effect size (ES), but studies performed with high loads presented large ES. Five described no increased risk or exacerbation of lymphedema. Most studies that analysed BMC showed no relevant changes. Conclusions. RT has been shown to be safe for BCS, with no increased risk of lymphedema. The findings indicated that RT is efficient in increasing muscle strength; however, only one study observed significant changes in BMC. An exercise program should therefore consider the manipulation of acute and chronic variables of RT to obtain optimal results.

Muscle activation during resistance training with no external load - effects of training status, movement velocity, dominance, and visual feedback.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the acute effects of training status, movement velocity, dominance, and visual feedback on muscle activation and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during resistance training with no external load (no-load resistance training; NLRT). METHODS: Thirty-three men (17 untrained and 16 trained), performed elbow flexions in four NLRT sessions: 1) slow velocity with EMG visual feedback, 2) slow velocity without EMG visual feedback, 3) fast velocity with EMG feedback, and 4) fast velocity without EMG feedback. RPE was measured using the Borg Discomfort scale. EMG for the biceps and triceps were recorded for both arms. RESULTS: EMG feedback had no influence on RPE. The peak and mean EMG values were not different for the biceps (93.8±11.5% and 50±13.1%) and triceps (93.7±23.9% and 49.6±16.2%). The results revealed a difference in the training status, with higher peak EMG for untrained than for trained participants (96.9±20% vs. 90.2±15.6%). However the values for mean EMG were not different between the untrained and trained (50.3±15.7% vs. 49.2±13.7%) participants. There was no difference in the peak (92.8±19% vs. 94.7±20.4%) and mean (49.8±15.0% vs. 49.7±14.5%) EMG values for the dominant and non-dominant sides. Peak EMG values were not different between faster and slower velocities (93.6±19.6% and 93.9±17.8%). However, mean EMG was higher for slower (50.5±14.4%) than for faster (48.5±15.4%) velocities. The peak and mean EMG during contractions with (93.3±17.5% and 49.5±14.1%) and without visual feedback (94.2±19.9% and 50±15.4%) were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: NLRT produces high levels of muscle activation independent of training, status, dominance, movement velocity, and visual feedback.

High intensity interval training does not impair strength gains in response to resistance training in premenopausal women.

PURPOSE: To compare the increases in upper- and lower-body muscle strength in premenopausal women performing resistance training (RT) alone or alongside concurrent high-intensity interval training (CT). METHODS: Sixteen women (26-40 years) were randomly assigned into two groups that performed either RT or CT. Both groups performed the same RT program; however, CT performed additional high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a bicycle ergometer before RT. The study lasted 8 weeks and the participants were tested for ten repetition maximum (10RM) load in elbow flexion (barbell biceps curl) and knee extension exercises pre- and post-intervention. RT was performed with 10-12 repetitions to self-determined repetition maximum in the first four weeks and then progressed to 8-10. During CT, HIIT was performed before RT with six 1-min bouts at 7-8 of perceived subjective exertion (RPE) and then progressed to eight bouts at 9-10 RPE. RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed significant increases in upper and lower body strength for both the RT and CT groups. Biceps barbell curl 10RM load increased from 12.9 ± 3.2 kg to 14 ± 1.5 kg in CT (p < 0.05) and from 13 ± 1.8 kg to 15.9 ± 2.5 kg in RT (p < 0.05), with no significant between-groups differences. Knee extension 10RM increase from 31.9 ± 11.6 kg to 37.5 ± 8.5 kg for CT (p < 0.05) and from 30.6 ± 8.6 kg to 41.2 ± 7.4 kg for RT (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, performing HIIT on a cycle ergometer before resistance training does not seem to impair muscle strength increases in the knee extensors or elbow flexors of pre-menopausal women. This information should be considered when prescribing exercise sessions, since both activities may be combined without negative effects in muscle strength.

The geometric curvature of the spine during the sirshasana, the yoga's headstand.

This study analysed the behaviour of the geometric curvature of the spine during sirshasana. The position of dorsal retroreflective markers was computed via stereophotogrammetric analysis in six males and five females (29.4 ± 8.8 years, 63.0 ± 11.4 kg, 1.66 ± 0.08 m [average ± standard deviation]). The spinal points were projected onto the sagittal and frontal planes of the trunk, a polynomial was fitted to the data and the two-dimensional geometric curvature was quantified. The inferior lumbar lordosis decreased compared to the orthostatic position and gait, which may favour the posterior protrusion of the lumbar spinal nucleus pulposus in people with posterior herniation. The lateral deviation at the middle of the thoracic spine increases during sirshasana, which may reflect increased difficulties for postural control and spinal loads. It could be useful for promoting positive spinal structural and functional chronic adaptations for healthy participants, if the yoga programme is carefully planned and the spinal alignment is carefully monitored during a headstand. However, it may aggravate some spinal diseases, especially scoliosis.