Low Physical Performance Could Be Associated with Adverse Health Outcomes over Time: Results from a Cohort of Older Adults.

A few studies on physical performance (PP) decline among community-dwelling older adults have simultaneously evaluated various outcomes in Brazil. This longitudinal cohort study aimed to verify the association between PP and health outcomes (negative health self-perception-NHSP; consultations with health professionals; disability; falls; and hospitalization) in older Brazilians (N = 476, 68 ± 6.7 years). PP assessments included Gait Speed (GS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests, and changes were evaluated over time (2014 to 2019-2020). The association between the PP and the outcomes was estimated using Poisson's regression with robust variance. The physical tests were not associated with NSPH or with the number of consultations with health professionals. However, after adjustment (economic level, diet quality, physical activity, multimorbidity, depression, polypharmacy, and BMI), low PP at baseline (TUG and GS) was associated with disability at follow-up. A low TUG performance at baseline was also associated with subsequent falls (PR = 1.57, p = 0.007). A decline in GS was associated with hospitalization (PR = 1.86, p = 0.033). PP was associated with disability, falls, and hospitalization over a five- to six-year period in older Brazilians. Regular PP assessments should be conducted and low PP should be used as an indicator of the need for preventative measures to avoid poor health outcomes.

Sedentary behaviour among older adults residing in flat and hilly neighbourhoods and its association with frailty and chronic disease status.

BACKGROUND: Living in hilly neighbourhoods can be associated with sedentary behaviour, but no study has compared sedentary behaviour and its associations with frailty, chronic diseases, and poor health between flat and hilly neighbourhoods among older adults. This study, therefore, compared older adults' sedentary behaviour and its association with frailty, poor health, and chronic disease status between low and hilly neighbourhoods. METHODS: This study utilised a STROBE-compliant cross-sectional design with sensitivity analyses and a common methods bias assessment. The participants were 1,209 people aged 50+ years who resided in flat (Ablekuma North, n = 704) and hilly (Kwahu East, n = 505) neighbourhoods in Ghana. The data were analysed with the independent samples t-test and hierarchical linear regression. RESULTS: Older adults in the hilly neighbourhood were more sedentary than those in the flat neighbourhood. The association between sedentary behaviour and chronic disease status was significant in both neighbourhoods, but this relationship was stronger in the hilly neighbourhood. Older adults in the flat neighbourhood reported lower sedentary behaviour at higher frailty (ß = -0.18; t = -3.2, p < 0.001), but those in the hilly neighbourhood reported higher sedentary behaviour at higher frailty (ß = 0.16; t = 3.54, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults living in the hilly neighbourhood reported higher sedentary behaviour. In the hilly neighbourhood, sedentary behaviour was more strongly associated with frailty and chronic disease status. Older adults in hilly neighbourhoods may need extra support to avoid sedentary behaviour.

Use of Sensors for Fall Prediction in Older Persons: A Scoping Review.

The application of technological advances and clear articulation of how they improve patient outcomes are not always well described in the literature. Our research team investigated the numerous ways to measure conditions and behaviors that precede patient events and could signal an important change in health through a scoping review. We searched for evidence of technology use in fall prediction in the population of older adults in any setting. The research question was described in the population-concept-context format: "What types of sensors are being used in the prediction of falls in older persons?" The purpose was to examine the numerous ways to obtain continuous measurement of conditions and behaviors that precede falls. This area of interest may be termed emerging knowledge . Implications for research include increased attention to human-centered design, need for robust research trials that clearly articulate study design and outcomes, larger sample sizes and randomization of subjects, consistent oversight of institutional review board processes, and elucidation of the human costs and benefits to health and science.

Willingness of Older Adults From Culturally Diverse Populations to Participate in COVID-19 Related Treatment Trials and Associated Factors.

This survey study aimed to assess the willingness of culturally diverse older adults to participate in COVID-19 research. The majority of the 276 participants were women (81%, n = 223) and Black/African American (62%, n = 172) or White Hispanic (20%, n = 56). A key finding from the survey was less than 1 of 10 respondents would be likely to participate in COVID-19 related research if given the opportunity. There were no differences observed by gender, race or ethnicity. Implications of these findings are considered. These study findings indicate continued effort and better messaging strategies are required to increase awareness that COVID-19 related research needs to include culturally diverse older adults to ensure vaccines and treatments are efficacious in different populations.

Changes in Physical Performance among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Six Years.

Changes in physical performance (PP) occur with aging, and understanding the magnitude of these changes over time is important. This study evaluated changes in Gait Speed (GS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) performance and their association with related factors among community-dwelling older adults over a period of five to six years. A cohort study of 476 older adults with baseline assessment conducted in 2014 and reassessment in 2019-2020 was carried out. Associations between PP changes over time and sociodemographic, behavioral, and health variables were evaluated using mixed linear models. Approximately 68% of the participants declined PP; 20% had no relevant change in GS and 9% in TUG time (sustained PP); 12% increased GS, and 23% decreased TUG time (improved PP). Being male (p = 0.023), living without a partner/separated (p = 0.035), higher education (p = 0.019), and alcohol consumption in the prior month (p = 0.045) were associated with decreased GS, while older age (p < 0.001), having lower socioeconomic status (p < 0.004), physical inactivity (p = 0.017), and being overweight (p = 0.007) were associated with increased TUG time. PP declined for most participants. Factors most strongly associated with PP decline are non-modifiable. The high prevalence of PP decline over time signals the importance of including physical tests in yearly health assessments.

Usability and effects on gait of an optimized schoolchildren backpack.

BACKGROUND: Backpacks used by children is a global concern, because may cause musculoskeletal discomforts and pain. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the usability and effects on gait kinematics wearing the Trunkpack versus a traditional backpack and no backpack. METHODS: Twenty-four children (9 to 11 years old) from a public school participated in this study. The usability was evaluated after a five-week testing period using a questionnaire. Gait kinematics was evaluated (Vicon) when the children were wearing a standard backpack, an optimized backpack (Trunkpack), and no backpack. Both backpacks were loaded with 10% of body weight. RESULTS: Was observed more trunk, hip and knee flexion when the children carried a standard backpack in comparison using the Trunkpack and not carrying a backpack (p < 0.01). The Trunkpack and no backpack were similar. The Trunkpack was well accepted by the schoolchildren (81% positive responses), 79% liked the head opening, 88% liked the waist straps, and 83% liked the facility to put and take objects in and out of the Trunkpack. CONCLUSION: Trunkpack requires less postural adjustments during gait than a standard backpack. Gait kinematics with the Trunkpack was comparable to the gait without carrying a backpack.

Impacts of food consumption on biochemical markers and anthropometric variables of women with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases characterized by insulin resistance. MetS has high prevalence among women, which is impacted by food intake. MetS is related to high level of inflammation; however, the impacts of whole diets on biochemical and anthropometrical markers and the effects on MetS need to be further elucidated. In this case, the objective of this study was to assess the relationship between food intake, biochemical and anthropometrical markers in women with MetS. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, in which 1 hundred and 22 women participated in the assessment of biochemical (glycated hemoglobin, glycaemia, insulin, uric acid, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides, C-reactive protein) and anthropometrical (body mass, height, waist circumference - WC) variables. Participants also performed blood pressure and 24-hour dietary recall assessments. Out of the 122 participants, 44 (36%, age: 59 ± 11 years) had MetS and were included in the analysis. RESULTS: The consumption of monounsaturated fats had direct relationship with glycaemia (b = 7.48), whereas the consumption of fibers had inverse relationship with body mass (b = - 0.71) and WC (b = - 0.56). CONCLUSION: The intake of monounsaturated fats and fiber was related to higher blood sugar levels and lower body mass and WC, respectively. These relationships elucidate and highlight the significance and importance of adequate diet in women with MetS.

Predicting osteoarthritis in adults using statistical data mining and machine learning.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been considered a disease of older adults (⩾65 years old), but it may appear in younger adults. However, the risk factors for OA in younger adults need to be further evaluated. Objectives: To develop a prediction model for identifying risk factors of OA in subjects aged 20-50 years and compare the performance of different machine learning models. Methods: We included data from 52,512 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; of those, we analyzed only subjects aged 20-50 years (n = 19,133), with or without OA. The supervised machine learning model 'Deep PredictMed' based on logistic regression, deep neural network (DNN), and support vector machine was used for identifying demographic and personal characteristics that are associated with OA. Finally, we compared the performance of the different models. Results: Being a female (p < 0.001), older age (p < 0.001), a smoker (p < 0.001), higher body mass index (p < 0.001), high blood pressure (p < 0.001), race/ethnicity (lowest risk among Mexican Americans, p = 0.01), and physical and mental limitations (p < 0.001) were associated with having OA. Best predictive performance yielded a 75% area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Conclusion: Sex (female), age (older), smoking (yes), body mass index (higher), blood pressure (high), race/ethnicity, and physical and mental limitations are risk factors for having OA in adults aged 20-50 years. The best predictive performance was achieved using DNN algorithms.

Association between Domains of the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index and Falls History in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine which domains, sets, and isolated or combined questions of the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index (CFVI-20) are associated with falls history in older adults. Methods: Instruments used were the CFVI-20 assessment and reported falls during the last year. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves identified the performance of the CFVI-20 domains and questions in identifying older adults with and without falls history, while logistic regression identified relevant questions to identify fall history. Results: This study included 1725 individuals (71.9 ± 7.3 years). The area under the curve (AUC) between the CFVI-20 and fall history was 0.69. The mobility domain presented the largest AUC (0.71; p < 0.01), and most isolated domains showed low AUCs (0.51 to 0.58). Isolated questions were limited to identifying fallers. The regression analysis identified 7 questions of the CFVI-20 with falls. Conclusions: The CFVI-20 general score identified older adults with a fall history. When considered in isolation, most domains were limited to identifying falls, except for the mobility domain. Combining the CFVI-20 questions enabled identification of fallers.

Association between cognitive performance and sarcopenic obesity in older adults with Alzheimer's disease.

Sarcopenic obesity (SO), the co-occurrence of sarcopenia and obesity, is associated with functional loss, frailty, and incapacity in older adults. Recently, SO was associated with reduced cognitive performance in adults. However, no SO studies have been done with older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective: The objective of this study was to verify the occurrence of SO and associated factors in 43 older adults with AD. Methods: We applied the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). SO was verified by using dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry. Results: We found five women with SO. Women had higher body fat and lower muscle mass compared with men. There was a significant relationship between body fat and cognitive performance only in men (r=0.65; p<0.01) adjusted by age and education. Men with obesity and aged >75 years had better cognitive performance compared with non-obese men aged <75 years (p=0.010) and women with obesity aged >75 years (p=0.033). Conclusions: Women with AD had higher body fat and lower muscle mass than men. SO occurs in older women with AD. Men with higher body fat showed better cognitive performance, independent of age and education.

A obesidade sarcopênica (SO), coocorrência de sarcopenia e obesidade, está associada à perda funcional, à fragilidade e à incapacidade em idosos. Recentemente, verificou-se que a SO está associada ao desempenho cognitivo reduzido em adultos. No entanto, não foram feitos estudos de SO em idosos com doença de Alzheimer (AD). Objetivo: Verificar a ocorrência de obesidade sarcopênica e fatores associados em 43 adultos idosos com doença de Alzheimer. Métodos: Aplicamos o miniexame do estado mental (MEEM) e a avaliação clínica da demência (CDR). A SO foi verificada utilizando a absorciometria de dupla emissão de raios X. Resultados: Foram classificadas cinco idosas com SO. As mulheres idosas tinham maior gordura corporal e menor massa muscular em comparação com os homens. Houve relação significativa, ajustada por idade e educação, entre gordura corporal e desempenho cognitivo apenas nos homens (r=0,65; p<0,01). Os homens com obesidade e com mais de 75 anos tiveram melhor desempenho cognitivo em comparação com os homens não obesos <75 anos (p=0,010) e com as mulheres com obesidade >75 anos (p=0,033). Conclusões: As mulheres com AD tinham maior gordura corporal e menor massa muscular do que os homens. A SO ocorreu em mulheres mais velhas com AD. Os homens com maior gordura corporal apresentaram melhor desempenho cognitivo, independentemente da idade e da educação.

Balance Differences between North and South American Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional, Age and Sex Matched Study.

This study aimed to characterize the risk of falling in low-, moderate- and high-risk participants from two different geographical locations using a portable force-plate. A sample of 390 older adults from South and North America were matched for age, sex, height and weight. All participants performed a standardized balance assessment using a force plate. Participants were classified in low, moderate and high risk of falling. No differences were observed between South and North American men, nor comparing North American men and women. South American women showed the significantly shorter center of pressure path length compared to other groups. The majority of the sample was categorized as having low risk of falling (male: 65.69% and female: 61.87%), with no differences between men and women. Moreover, no differences were found between North vs. South Americans, nor between male and female groups compared separately. In conclusion, South American women had better balance compatible with the status of the 50-59 years' normative age-range. The prevalence of low falls risk was~61-65%; the prevalence of moderate to high risk was~16-19%. The frequency of fall risk did not differ significantly between North and South Americans, nor between males and females.

Age and Sex-Related Associations between Marital Status, Physical Activity and TV Time.

Marital status mediates an association between physical activity (PA) and TV time with health outcomes. However, population-based studies have revealed that the health effect of marriage or divorce is age-dependent and differs between women and men. The study aimed to identify the age and sex-related associations between marital status with PA and TV time. We used data from Vigitel, an annual telephone survey started in 2006 in Brazil. We applied a complex sample logistic regression model to estimate the odds for PA and TV time comparing marital statuses according to age and sex subgroups, independent of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, self-assessed poor health, and smoking. Our sample included 561,837 individuals from 18 to 99 years, with a TV time > 3 h/day (prevalence = 25.2%) and PA > 150 min/week (prevalence = 35%). Later, we divided our sample in seven age groups by marital status and sex. Compared to single individuals, married men and women were less likely to watch TV more than 3 h/day in participants >30 years old. When compared to single, married participants were less likely to do more than 150 min of PA/week at younger age groups. Married women older than 40 years were more likely to do more than 150 min of PA/week than the single ones, while there were no differences among married men by age group. In conclusion, our study suggests that the investments in public policies to encourage the practice of PA and reduction of TV time could be based on the marital status, sex, and age, prioritizing less active groups.

Associations between older African academics' physical activity, walkability and mental health: a social distancing perspective.

This study aimed to assess the moderating influence of neighborhood walkability on the association between physical activity (PA) and mental health among older African academics aged 50 years or more in cities with social distancing protocols in response to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 905 volunteer academics participated in the study. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was employed to conduct sensitivity analyses and test the study hypotheses. After controlling for sex, education and age, there was a positive association between PA and mental health. Neighborhood walkability moderated the relationship between PA and mental health, which suggests that during the pandemic PA was associated with higher mental health scores in more walkable neighborhoods. The study concludes that PA was beneficial to mental health in the social distancing context and was associated with higher mental health in more walkable neighborhoods, particularly in a social distancing context.

Effects of Exercise and Diet on Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Hispanics with Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM2) affects 9.3% of the U.S. population. Health disparities are evident in DM2; twice as many Hispanics as non-Hispanic Whites have DM2. The objective of this study was to pilot test the feasibility of implementing and evaluating trends of nutrition and exercise interventions to improve diabetes management and physical function in 29 disadvantaged older Hispanics with DM2. We delivered combined diet and exercise (n = 8) and diet-only (n = 6) interventions and compared the results to a control/no intervention group (n = 15). We cluster-randomized the participants into the three arms based on the senior center they attended. The interventions were delivered twice a week for 3 months (24 sessions) and assessments were conducted pre and post intervention. The results indicate the feasibility of implementing the interventions and slight improvements in both intervention groups compared to the control group. The diet-only group tended to have larger improvements on body composition measures (especially in muscle mass), while the diet + exercise group tended to have larger improvements on physical function (especially in chair stands). There was a high rate of attrition, especially in the diet + exercise group, but those who completed the intervention tended to have improvements in body composition and physical function.

Sustaining or Declining Physical Activity: Reports from an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Older Adults.

Over 80% of adults in the US fail to meet the ≥150 min weekly physical activity guideline; 40% age ≥ 75 are entirely inactive. The study purpose was to understand the reasons why community-dwelling older adults (age ≥ 60) from diverse backgrounds increase, sustain, or decline in their physical activity levels over time. Sixty-two older adults were interviewed. Two-thirds of the African Americans, 57% of the Afro-Caribbeans, and 50% of the European Americans reported being less active than 2-3 years ago. Reasons for activity decline included health issues (e.g., pain, shortness of breath), lack of time, interest, or motivation. Reasons for sustaining or increasing activity levels included meeting personal goals, having a purpose for remaining active, or feeling better when active (e.g., it is important to keep moving, good for the joints, going on a cruise). Themes identified were pride in maintaining activity, goal-driven activity, pushing oneself to get past pain or fatigue, and some confusion between social and physical activity in participant reports. The results indicate widespread acceptance that activity is beneficial, but that knowledge alone was insufficient to maintain activity levels over time unless individuals had a goal or purpose ("means to an end") and could overcome their physical and psychological barriers to physical activity.

Effects of wearing an ankle brace on ground reaction forces during jumps in basketball game simulation / Efectos del uso de órtesis de tobillo sobre las fuerzas de reacción del suelo durante los saltos en simulación de juego de baloncesto / Efeitos do uso de órtese de tornozelo sobre as forças de reação do solo durante saltos em simulação do jogo de basquetebol

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of ankle braces reduces the risk of ankle injuries in basketball players. However, the mechanisms of injury protection provided by the ankle braces in the basketball game are still unknown. Objectives: To analyze the effects of wearing a lace-up ankle brace, and to conduct an exercise protocol that simulated the intensity of the basketball game on ground reaction force (GRF) during basketball-specific vertical jumps. Methods: Eleven male younger basketball players aged under 18 completed 48 vertical jumps, with and without ankle braces, during an exercise protocol composed of four 10-minute periods, simulating the activity profile and intensity of the basketball game as well as the typical intervals between periods. Mediolateral (variables: the greatest medial and lateral peaks) and vertical (variables: vertical peak, impulse peak, impulse at 50 ms of landing, loading rate and jump height) GRF were measured during takeoff and landing for all the jumps performed in the exercise protocol. Results: The use of the ankle brace reduced mediolateral GRF in all periods of the exercise protocol during takeoff and landing ( P < 0.05), without affecting the vertical GRF ( P > 0.05). Mediolateral and vertical GRF (takeoff mediolateral vertical peaks, landing mediolateral peaks, landing impulse peak, takeoff and landing loading rate) increased significantly during four subsequent 10-minute periods ( P < 0.05). However, for mediolateral GRF, the increase overtime was higher without braces. Conclusions: The use of the ankle brace reduced the mediolateral GRF on the lower limb, while there was a progressive increase in the external load applied to the body during the vertical jumps in the subsequent periods of the exercise protocol performed at the same intensity of the basketball game. Level of evidence I; Randomized clinical trial .

RESUMEN Introducción: El uso de órtesis de tobillo reduce el riesgo de lesiones en el tobillo en jugadores de baloncesto. Sin embargo, los mecanismos de protección de lesión proporcionados por las órtesis durante el juego de baloncesto aún son desconocidos. Objetivos: Analizar el efecto del uso de órtesis de tobillo lace-up (con cordón) y de un protocolo de ejercicio que simuló la intensidad del juego de baloncesto sobre la fuerza de reacción del suelo (FRS) durante saltos verticales específicos del baloncesto. Métodos: Once jugadores de baloncesto del sexo masculino con menos de 18 años realizaron 48 saltos verticales, con y sin órtesis de tobillo, durante un protocolo de ejercicios compuesto por cuatro períodos de 10 minutos, que simularon el perfil de actividad e intensidad del juego de baloncesto, así como los intervalos típicos entre los períodos. Las FRS mediolaterales (variables: mayores picos medial y lateral) y verticales (variables: pico vertical, pico de impulso, impulso en 50 ms de aterrizaje, tasa de sobrecarga y altura del salto) fueron medidas durante las fases de despegue y aterrizaje de todos saltos realizados en el protocolo de ejercicio. Resultados: El uso de órtesis redujo la FRS mediolateral en todos los períodos analizados, durante las fases de despegue y aterrizaje (P < 0,05), sin afectar la FRS vertical (P > 0,05). La FRS mediolateral y vertical (picos mediolateral y vertical de despegue, picos mediolaterales de aterrizaje, pico de impulso de aterrizaje, tasa de sobrecarga en el despegue y aterrizaje) aumentaron significativamente durante cuatro períodos subsiguientes de 10 minutos (P < 0,05). Sin embargo, para la FRS mediolateral, el aumento a lo largo del tiempo fue mayor sin el uso de órtesis. Conclusiones: El uso de órtesis de tobillo redujo la FRS mediolateral en el miembro inferior, mientras que hubo un aumento progresivo de la carga externa aplicada al cuerpo durante los saltos en los períodos subsiguientes del protocolo de ejercicios con la misma intensidad del juego de baloncesto. Nivel de evidencia I; Ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

RESUMO Introdução: O uso de órtese de tornozelo reduz o risco de lesões no tornozelo em jogadores de basquetebol. No entanto, os mecanismos de proteção de lesão fornecidos pelas órteses durante o jogo de basquetebol ainda são desconhecidos. Objetivos: Analisar o efeito do uso de órtese de tornozelo lace-up (com cordão) e de um protocolo de exercício que simulou a intensidade do jogo de basquetebol sobre a força de reação do solo (FRS) durante saltos verticais específicos do basquetebol. Métodos: Onze jogadores de basquetebol do sexo masculino com menos de 18 anos realizaram 48 saltos verticais, com e sem órtese de tornozelo, durante um protocolo de exercícios composto por quatro períodos de 10 minutos, que simularam o perfil de atividade e intensidade do jogo de basquetebol, assim como os intervalos típicos entre os períodos. As FRSs mediolaterais (variáveis: maiores picos medial e lateral) e verticais (variáveis: pico vertical, pico de impulso, impulso em 50 ms da aterrissagem, taxa de sobrecarga e altura do salto) foram medidas durante as fases de decolagem e aterrissagem de todos os saltos realizados no protocolo de exercício. Resultados: O uso de órtese reduziu a FRS mediolateral em todos os períodos analisados, durante as fases de decolagem e aterrissagem (P < 0,05), sem afetar a FRS vertical (P > 0,05). A FRS mediolateral e vertical (picos mediolateral e vertical de decolagem, picos mediolaterais de aterrissagem, pico de impulso de aterrissagem, taxa de sobrecarga na decolagem e aterrissagem) aumentaram significativamente durante quatro períodos subsequentes de 10 minutos (P < 0,05). No entanto, para a FRS mediolateral, o aumento ao longo do tempo foi maior sem o uso de órtese. Conclusões: O uso de órtese de tornozelo reduziu a FRS mediolateral no membro inferior, enquanto houve um aumento progressivo da carga externa aplicada ao corpo durante os saltos nos períodos subsequentes do protocolo de exercícios com mesma intensidade do jogo de basquetebol. Nível de evidencia I; Estudo clínico randomizado .

Characterization of Reproductive and Morphological Variables in Female Elite Futsal Players.

We aimed to characterize the age of onset of training, age at menarche, menstrual periodicity, and performance perception during the menstrual cycle and examined the impact of these reproductive variables on body composition, morphology, and body weight satisfaction in Brazilian elite futsal players. The study consisted of 115 female Brazilian elite futsal players from the top national teams. Data were collected during the twentieth Women's Brazil Futsal Cup. Players were interviewed and self-reported their age of onset of training, age at menarche, menstrual periodicity, and the menstrual period, where they performed best. We also asked for what they considered to be their ideal body weight as well as information related to their training (i.e., volume and frequency). Subsequently, anthropometric measurements (i.e., body mass, height, circumferences, diameters, and skinfold thickness) were performed to estimate the body composition and determine morphological characteristics (e.g., somatotype). Fifty-nine (53.2%) players were postmenarche-trained and 52 (46.8%) were premenarche-trained. Eighteen (16.2%), 65 (58.6%), and 28 (25.2%) were classified as early, normal, and late menarche, respectively. Only 11 (9.6%) and 1 (0.9%) had irregular menstrual cycles and were amenorrheic, respectively. Seventy-three (69.5%), 23 (21.9%), and 9 (8.6%) reported that their game performance was the best at the follicular phase, menses, and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, respectively. No associations between the four reproductive-related variables were found. Postmenarche-trained players had significant lower age at menarche and higher percentage body fat. The somatotype profile registered lower ectomorphy rate for the postmenarche-trained participants after controlling for covariates. Early menarche group presented higher sum of six skinfold thickness and endomorphy rate compared to normal and late menarche groups. No differences were found when menstrual periodicity groups and best performance groups were compared, except for higher femur width in the regular menstrual cycle group compared to the irregular one. The association between body weight satisfaction and the four reproductive-related variables were not observed. Premenarche-trained Brazilian elite futsal players had the menarche later than the postmenarche-trained athletes. Most of the participants had menarche age classified as "normal," presented "regular" menstrual cycles and perceived to perform better during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

Strength development according with age and position: a 10-year study of 570 soccer players.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the isokinetic peak torque profiles from the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles during concentric and eccentric contractions in elite Brazilian soccer players across different field positions and age categories. Our hypothesis was that soccer players from different field positions are subjected to different ageing-related effects on their isokinetic peak torque. METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on professional elite-level soccer players between the years 2009 and 2019. It included 570 adult males who played for at least 5 years on first or second Brazilian divisions. Playing positions were divided as: goalkeepers, defenders, sidebacks, midfielders and forwards. Age categories were also divided as: G1 (17-20 years old), G2 (21-24 years old), G3 (25-28 years old), G4 (29-32 years old) and G5 (33 years old or more). RESULTS: The results indicate a moderate effect of age (F(4545)=8.197; p<0.001; η2=0.057) and a small effect of playing position (F(4545)=2.993; p<0.05; η2=0.021) on torque of concentric extensors; mainly from midfielders and goalkeepers with 29 years or more. CONCLUSIONS: Soccer players from different field positions are subjected to different ageing related effects on their muscular performance during their career special attention should be given to these players to avoid reduction in physical performance.

Effect of myofascial release on lower limb range of motion, sit and reach and horizontal jump distance in male university students.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of Myofascial release (MR) on lower limb ROM, sit and reach and horizontal jump distance in male university students. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. BACKGROUND: MR is a technique that aims to stretch fascia to increase range of motion (ROM), relieve pressure points and improve performance. However, there is limited evidence of its actual effects on flexibility and physical performance. METHODS: Twenty-one uninjured, male university students received MR (11 on the first session and the other 10 on the second session 24 h later), completed lower limb ROM assessments, the sit and reach and the horizontal jump tests in a randomized order. MR was performed before the tests with a myofascial stick in the anterior and posterior aspects of the right and left thigh and calf muscles. Each muscle group was massaged for 90 s, totaling 9 min of MR. The testing conditions with MR and without MR were compared using Student t-tests and the effect sizes (ES) were calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the testing conditions on horizontal jump distance. However, the sit and reach distance (28 ± 9 vs. 32 ± 9 cm, p = 0.001; ES = 0.44), left hip extension (10 ± 2 vs. 8 ± 2°, p = 0.006; ES = 1.00) and left plantar flexion (36 ± 7 vs. 39 ± 7°, p = 0.044; ES = 0.43) were higher with MR. CONCLUSIONS: MR increased sit and reach distance, left hip extension and plantar flexion, but it did not affect horizontal jump distance in uninjured, male university students.

Muscular Fitness and Work Ability among Physical Therapists.

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a validated and widely used tool in occupational research. However, normative values for physical therapists (PTs) by age and sex are lacking. Although the nature of PTs' work is physically demanding, it is unknown whether muscular fitness is associated with their WAI. This study sought to provide reference WAI data for Spanish PTs and to evaluate the association between PTs' muscular fitness and WAI. Data on WAI of 1005 PTs were collected using a questionnaire. A subgroup (n = 68) performed a battery of physical tests including grip strength, push-ups and back-extension endurance. Associations between muscular fitness and WAI were evaluated using logistic regression controlling for various confounders. PTs aged 50 years or older had lower WAI scores than their younger counterparts. PTs with high back-extension endurance scored 3.5 (95% CI) higher in the WAI than those with low endurance. No associations were found between grip strength or number of push-ups and WAI. Our findings seem to highlight the importance of muscular fitness in PTs, especially the back-extension endurance.