Effectiveness of Start to Run, a 6-week training program for novice runners, on increasing health-enhancing physical activity: a controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The use of the organized sports sector as a setting for health-promotion is a relatively new strategy. In the past few years, different countries have been investing resources in the organized sports sector for promoting health-enhancing physical activity. In the Netherlands, National Sports Federations were funded to develop and implement "easily accessible" sporting programs, aimed at the least active population groups. Start to Run, a 6-week training program for novice runners, developed by the Dutch Athletics Organization, is one of these programs. In this study, the effects of Start to Run on health-enhancing physical activity were investigated. METHODS: Physical activity levels of Start to Run participants were assessed by means of the Short QUestionnaire to ASsess Health-enhancing physical activity (SQUASH) at baseline, immediately after completing the program and six months after baseline. A control group, matched for age and sex, was assessed at baseline and after six months. Compliance with the Dutch physical activity guidelines was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were the total time spent in physical activity and the time spent in each physical activity intensity category and domain. Changes in physical activity within groups were tested with paired t-tests and McNemar tests. Changes between groups were examined with multiple linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: In the Start to Run group, the percentage of people who met the Dutch Norm for Health-enhancing Physical Activity, Fit-norm and Combi-norm increased significantly, both in the short- and longer-term. In the control group, no significant changes in physical activity were observed. When comparing results between groups, significantly more Start to Run participants compared with control group participants were meeting the Fit-norm and Combi-norm after six months. The differences in physical activity between groups in favor of the Start to Run group could be explained by an increase in the time spent in vigorous-intensity activities and sports activities. CONCLUSIONS: Start to Run positively influences levels of health-enhancing physical activity of participants, both in the short- and longer-term. Based on these results, the use of the organized sports sector as a setting to promote health-enhancing physical activity seems promising.

Genetic profiles and prediction of the success of young athletes' transition from middle- to long-distance runs: an exploratory study.

The aim of the study was to assess whether an aerobic-favoring genetic profile can predict the success of a shift from middle- to long-distance running. Thirteen elite middle-distance runners were divided into successful and nonsuccessful groups in their shift toward long-distance runs. All the runners began their training program at the age of 14-15, and after 6-7 years, changed focus and adjusted their training program to fit longer running distances. The participants' personal records in the longer events were set at the age of 25-27, about 3-5 years after the training readjustment took place. The endurance genetic score based on 9 polymorphisms was computed as the endurance genetic distance score (EGDS9). The power genetic distance score (PGDS5) was computed based on 5 power-related genetic polymorphisms. The mean EGDS9 was significantly higher among the successful group than the nonsuccessful group (37.1 and 23.3, respectively, p < .005, effect size 0.75), while the mean PGDS5 was not statistically different between the 2 groups (p = .13). Our findings suggest the possible use of genetic profiles as an added tool for determining appropriate competitive transition and specialization in young athletes involved in early phases of talent development.

Six hundred meter-run and broken 800's contribution to pacing improvement in eight hundred meter-athletics: role of expertise and training implications.

Little is known about the influence of speed endurance workouts on the improvement of pacing strategies in the 800-m running event. This study aims to analyze it, comparing continuous repetitions vs. interval training workouts. Because we hypothesize that pacing is susceptible to expertise, there might be age differences. Nineteen male 800-m runners (age: 21.36 ± 5.26, season best [SB]: 117.14 ± 5.18 seconds) were tested. Athletes were asked to run 1 × 600 m (6r) at 100% (SB) and 2 × 4 (200 m per 30 seconds) per 15 minutes (B8) at 102% (SB), counterbalanced and randomized within 1 week of difference. Pacing strategy (velocity dynamics) was analyzed by means of time differences in 200-m segments (T200), whereas age category was considered a grouping factor (younger than 23 years-senior, n = 10; vs. juvenile-junior, n = 9; 25.29 ± 4.32, 17.00 ± 0.66 years). Blood lactate was registered after 6r, B(8)1, and B(8)2 bouts. Univariate contrast analysis revealed a significant decrease in velocity during 6r (p < 0.001; 9.33% between first and third segment), thus a positive pacing, whatever the age category. B8 shared this final significant impairment (p < 0.001), although it was smaller (5.73% drop for B(8)1; 8.47% for B(8)2), and neither linear nor significant among consecutive T200. B8 also showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the interaction sampling condition × age category. The T test added blood lactate significant differences (B(8)2: 15.42 ± 1.16, B(8)1: 12.25 ± 2.03 and 6r: 13.58 ± 1.82 mmol·L(-1)). Summarizing, both methods share a positive pacing, confirming to be related to enhancing energy systems and coping final fatigue in the 800 m. Continuous 6r preserves the nature and tempo of the 800 m, although 1 repetition is metabolically limited. Interval B8 allows larger amounts of high intensity running, enhancing neuromuscular benefits jointly with higher lactate productions. Significant age category differences in B8 indicate that pacing capacity may improve with expertise and interval workouts may be appropriate methods to manage it.

Concurrent training in elite male runners: the influence of strength versus muscular endurance training on performance outcomes.

Much recent attention has been given to the compatibility of combined aerobic and anaerobic training modalities. However, few of these studies have reported data related to well-trained runners, which is a potential limitation. Therefore, because of the limited evidence available for this population, the main aim was to determine which mode of concurrent strength-endurance training might be the most effective at improving running performance in highly trained runners. Eighteen well-trained male runners (age 23.7 ± 1.2 years) with a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) more than 65 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) were randomly assigned into 1 of the 3 groups: Endurance-only Group (n = 6), who continued their usual training, which included general strength training with Thera-band latex-free exercise bands and endurance training; Strength Group (SG; n = 6) who performed combined resistance and plyometric exercises and endurance training; Endurance-SG (ESG; n = 6) who performed endurance-strength training with loads of 40% and endurance training. The study comprised 12 weeks of training in which runners trained 8 times a week (6 endurance and 2 strength sessions) and 5 weeks of detraining. The subjects were tested on 3 different occasions (countermovement jump height, hopping test average height, 1 repetition maximum, running economy (RE), VO2max, maximal heart rate [HRmax], peak velocity (PV), rating of perceived exertion, and 3-km time trial were measured). Findings revealed significant time × group interaction effects for almost all tests (p < 0.05). We can conclude that concurrent training for both SG and ESG groups led to improved maximal strength, RE, and PV with no significant effects on the VO2 kinetics pattern. The SG group also seems to show improvements in 3-km time trial tests.

The effect of warm-ups incorporating different volumes of dynamic stretching on 10- and 20-m sprint performance in highly trained male athletes.

Recently, athletes have transitioned from traditional static stretching during warm-ups to incorporating dynamic stretching routines. However, the optimal volume of dynamic drills is yet to be identified. The aim of this repeated-measures study was to examine varying volumes (1, 2, and 3 sets) of active dynamic stretching (ADS) in a warm-up on 10- and 20-m sprint performance. With a within-subject design, 16 highly trained male participants (age: 20.9 ± 1.3 years; height: 179.7 ± 5.7 cm; body mass: 72.7 ± 7.9 kg; % body fat: 10.9 ± 2.4) completed a 5-minute general running warm-up before performing 3 preintervention measures of 10- to 20-m sprint. The interventions included 1, 2, and 3 sets of active dynamic stretches of the lower-body musculature (gastrocnemius, gluteals, hamstrings, quadriceps, and hip flexors) performed approximately 14 times for each exercise while walking (ADS1, ADS2, and ADS3). The active dynamic warm-ups were randomly allocated before performing a sprint-specific warm-up. Five minutes separated the end of the warm-up and the 3 postintervention measures of 10- to 20-m sprints. There were no significant time, condition, and interaction effects over the 10-m sprint time. For the 0- to 20-m sprint time, a significant main effect for the pre-post measurement (F = 10.81; p < 0.002), the dynamic stretching condition (F = 6.23; p = 0.004) and an interaction effect (F = 41.19; p = 0.0001) were observed. A significant decrease in sprint time (improvement in sprint performance) post-ADS1 (2.56%, p = 0.001) and post-ADS2 (2.61%, p = 0.001) was observed. Conversely, the results indicated a significant increase in sprint time (sprint performance impairment) post-ADS3 condition (2.58%, p = 0.001). Data indicate that performing 1-2 sets of 20 m of active dynamic stretches in a warm-up can enhance 20-m sprint performance. The results delineated that 3 sets of ADS repetitions could induce acute fatigue and impair sprint performance within 5 minutes of the warm-up.

Music-based biofeedback to reduce tibial shock in over-ground running: a proof-of-concept study.

Methods to reduce impact in distance runners have been proposed based on real-time auditory feedback of tibial acceleration. These methods were developed using treadmill running. In this study, we extend these methods to a more natural environment with a proof-of-concept. We selected ten runners with high tibial shock. They used a music-based biofeedback system with headphones in a running session on an athletic track. The feedback consisted of music superimposed with noise coupled to tibial shock. The music was automatically synchronized to the running cadence. The level of noise could be reduced by reducing the momentary level of tibial shock, thereby providing a more pleasant listening experience. The running speed was controlled between the condition without biofeedback and the condition of biofeedback. The results show that tibial shock decreased by 27% or 2.96 g without guided instructions on gait modification in the biofeedback condition. The reduction in tibial shock did not result in a clear increase in the running cadence. The results indicate that a wearable biofeedback system aids in shock reduction during over-ground running. This paves the way to evaluate and retrain runners in over-ground running programs that target running with less impact through instantaneous auditory feedback on tibial shock.

Training volume and personal best time in marathon, not anthropometric parameters, are associated with performance in male 100-km ultrarunners.

We investigated the relation between selected anthropometric and training variables and the personal best time in a marathon with total race time in 66 Caucasian male nonprofessional ultrarunners in a 100-km run. In the multiple linear regression analysis, the average weekly training volume in kilometers (r2 = 0.224, p < 0.01) and the personal best time in a marathon (r2 = 0.334, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with total race time, whereas no anthropometric variable was related to race performance (p > 0.05). We conclude that high training volume and a fast time in a marathon were more important for a fast race time in male 100-km runners than any of the determined anthropometric variables.

Velocity, agility, and flexibility performance after handball training versus physical education program for preadolescent children.

The performance on velocity, agility, and flexibility after six months of specific handball training or a mainstream physical education program was examined in participants (handball, n = 51; physical education, n = 70) who engaged in 3 sessions per week (60 min./sesson) including ball-handling exercises, horizontal and vertical jump shots, fast breaks, and several defensive skills. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups on velocity, agility, and flexibility with differences favouring the handball group. Handball training could significantly improve preadolescents' physical performance.

Themes Depicted in Running-Related Films: An Opportunity for Co-Viewing and Active Mediation.

Sport participation is an important part of the development of children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify themes depicted in a select number of running-related films. Thirty-one running-related films were independently viewed and analyzed by 4 reviewers. The number of positive and negative themes was 29.5 (95% confidence interval = 26.1-33.4) and 9.0 (95% confidence interval = 7.9-10.2) mean events per hour for all included films, respectively. The most common positive themes were "overcoming physical limitations," "overcoming mental obstacles," and "encouragement from family/friends/fans" (2.6, 2.4, and 2.3 mean events per hour, respectively). The most common negative themes were "giving up/losing confidence," "ignoring injuries," and "discouragement/ridicule from coach/athletic trainer" (1.2, 1.1, and 0.66 mean events per hour, respectively). In conclusion, the co-viewing of running-related films with pediatric athletes in order to focus on "teachable moments" may encourage the acquisition and development of positive themes and the avoidance and de-emphasis of negative themes.

Knowledge and Belief Toward Heat Safety and Hydration Strategies Among Runners: A Preliminary Evaluation.

CONTEXT: Little is known about how educating runners may correct common misconceptions surrounding heat safety and hydration strategies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate (1) beliefs and knowledge about heat safety and hydration strategies among recreational runners and (2) the effectiveness of an educational video in optimizing performance in the heat. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2091 (25.1%) of 8319 runners registered for the 2017 Falmouth Road Race completed at least 1 of the 3 administered surveys. INTERVENTION(S): A 5.3-minute video and an 11-question survey regarding heat safety and hydration strategies were developed, validated, and implemented. The survey was e-mailed to registrants 9 weeks before the race (PRERACE), after they viewed the video (POSTEDU), and the afternoon of the race (POSTRACE). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The total score for responses to 2 multiple choice questions and nine 5-point (response range = strongly agree to strongly disagree) Likert-scale questions. RESULTS: The PRERACE results showed that more than 90% of respondents recognized the importance of staying hydrated beginning the day before the planned activity, correctly identified that dark color urine is not a sign of euhydration, and believed that dehydration may increase the risk for heat syncope. Conversely, fewer than 50% of respondents knew the number of days required to achieve heat acclimatization, the role of sweat-rate calculation in optimizing one's hydration strategy, or the risk of water intoxication from drinking too much water. An improvement in survey score from PRERACE to POSTEDU was observed (mean difference = 2.00; 95% confidence interval = 1.68, 2.33; P < .001) among runners who watched the video, and 73% of the improvement in their scores was retained from POSTEDU to POSTRACE (mean difference = -0.54; 95% confidence interval = -0.86, -0.21; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The video successfully shifted runners' beliefs and knowledge to enable them to better optimize their performance in the heat.

[The value of preventive advice and examination focusing on cardiovascular events and injury for novice runners]. / De waarde van preventieve adviezen en keuringen bij beginnende hardlopers met het oog op cardiovasculaire gebeurtenissen en blessures.

Novice runners often seek advice from a physician about training responsibly. Common concerns include sudden cardiac arrest, advice on running injuries and how to avoid these events. Cardiologic screening and ergometry are only beneficial if the athlete has a high-risk profile. In the world of running, there are many myths regarding the prevention ofinjuries. Many recommendations on the use of running shoes, supportive insoles, running on soft or hard surfaces and the value of stretching have been made based on empirical evidence. The actual effects of these recommendations on injury prevention, however, have not been evaluated sufficiently. The value of preventive examination of structural and locomotor elements is also unclear at this time. Progression of training load in which the duration and intensity of training increases by less than 10% per week, appears to be the most reasonable way to prevent running injuries.

The GRONORUN study: is a graded training program for novice runners effective in preventing running related injuries? Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Running is a popular form of recreational exercise. Beside the positive effects of running on health and fitness, the risk of a running related injury has to be considered. The incidence of injuries in runners is high and varies from 30-79%. However, few intervention studies on prevention of running related injuries have been performed and none of these studies involved novice runners. METHODS: GRONORUN (Groningen Novice Running) is a two armed randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of two different training programs for novice runners on the incidence of running related injuries. Participants are novice runners, who want to train for a four mile running event. The control group will train according a standard 8 week training program. The intervention group will use a more gradual, 13 week training program which is based on "the ten percent training rule". During the thirteen week follow up participants register information on running and RRI's in an internet based running log. The primary outcome measure is RRI. An injury is defined as a musculoskeletal ailment of the lower extremity or back, causing a restriction of running for at least one week. DISCUSSION: The GRONORUN trial is the first randomized controlled trial to study a preventive intervention in novice runners. Many different training programs for novice runners are offered, but none are evidence based.

Evaluación del impacto social de la carrera de estomatología / Evaluation of the social impact of the dental medicine major

Introducción: El impacto y la pertinencia social han constituido elementos relevantes al momento de conocer el desempeño de la educación superior en un país. En el caso de las universidades de ciencias médicas, que se encargan de la formación integral de los profesionales de la salud, el mejoramiento continuo de la calidad de los procesos académicos representa una prioridad para cumplir con el encargo social. Objetivo: Reflexionar sobre la evaluación del impacto social de la carrera de estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana. Posicionamiento de los autores: La carrera de estomatología tiene una tradición de más de cien años. Ha sido reconocida su calidad y excelencia a través de evaluaciones externas que han mostrado fortalezas en la variable pertinencia e impacto social. Sin embargo, es necesario evaluar el impacto social no solo desde el punto de vista de la satisfacción de egresados y empleadores por la formación recibida, sino en aspectos como desempeño profesional, trabajo en equipo, impacto en la salud bucal de la población, entre otros. Conclusiones: La carrera de estomatología tiene un alto reconocimiento, que se demuestra en el vínculo de los profesores y estudiantes en la solución de los problemas de salud bucal. No obstante, no se ha estimado evaluar otros impactos vinculados al desarrollo de los egresados en la investigación científica, sus expectativas, sus motivaciones y su superación profesional, los cuales, definitivamente, contribuyen al perfeccionamiento, la pertinencia y la calidad de la carrera(AU)

Introduction: Social impact and pertinence have been relevant elements at the time of knowing the performance of higher education in a country. In the case of universities of medical sciences, responsible for the comprehensive training of health professionals, the continuous improvement of the quality of academic processes represents a priority for accomplishing the social task. Objective: To reflect about the evaluation of the social impact of the dental medicine major of the University of Medical Sciences of Havana. Authors' stance: The dental medicine major has a tradition of more than a hundred years. Its quality and excellence have been recognized through external evaluations that have shown strengths in the variable social impact and pertinence. However, it is necessary to evaluate social impact not only from the point of view of the graduates' and employers' satisfaction with the offered training, but also in terms of professional performance, teamwork, impact on the oral health of the population, among others. Conclusions: The dental medicine major has a high recognition, demonstrated thought the connection among professors and students for the solution of oral health problems. However, it has not been considered to evaluate other impacts associated to the development of graduates in scientific research, their expectations, their motivations and professional upgrading, which definitely contribute to the improvement, relevance and quality of the major(AU)

EXAMEN CLÍNICO OBJETIVO ESTRUCTURADO como innovación pedagógica y como parte del Examen Final de competencias de la carrera de Medicina. Universidad Nacional Nordeste-Corrientes, Argentina / STRUCTURED OBJECTIVE CLINICAL EXAMINATION as a pedagogical innovation and as part of the Final Competency Exam of the Medicine degree. National Northeast University-Corrientes, Argentina

Actualmente la tendencia en educación médica, es construir los proyectos pedagógicos basados en competencias. El aprendizaje en competencias posibilita la articulación teoría y práctica, y favorece la adquisición de aprendizajes significativos, lo que permitevalorar los procesos cognitivos de orden superior, tales como, razonamiento clínico, resolución de problemas, pensamiento crítico y habilidades de comunicación. Esta investigación se desarrolló en la Práctica Obligatoria Final de la Carrera de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional del Nordeste,situada en la provincia de Corrientes, Argentina.Tuvo como objetivo determinar lavalidez y confiabilidad del Examen Clínico Objetivo Estructurado (ECOE), como instrumento de evaluación, para constatar la adquisición de las competencias del egresado. Para ello se utilizó el Examen denominado (ECOE), Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE por las siglas en inglés). Lainvestigación fuedescriptiva y de corte transversal. La población en estudio estuvo constituida por302estudiantes, que rindieron su examen final profesional, en el período diciembre 2005 a septiembre de 2008, desarrolladosen 14 turnos.Los resultadosmuestranla correlación entre el promedio de calificaciones de los 6 años de la carrera yel de competencia clínica (ECOE) en cada turno de examen y en cada área evaluada: Clínica, Cirugía, Pediatría y Obstetricia. Los resultados muestran que los exámenes, son de alta confiabilidad, con un rango entre 0,45 y 0,82 deAlfa de Cronbach. El promedio entre las correlaciones es de 0,65 lo que demuestra significancia estadística. Se demostró además, la validez en los catorce exámenes aplicados, con las pruebas de Anova, pruebas de Mann Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis lo cual indica que el número de estaciones fueron suficientes para lograr lo esperado de los estudiantes. Conclusión: el ECOE es una alternativa de evaluación de las competencias del futuro profesional médico que demostró confiabilidad y validez.Currently the trend in medical education is to build pedagogical projects based on competencies. Competency learning enables the articulation of theory and practice, and favors the acquisition of significant learning, which makes it possible to assess higher order cognitive processes, such as clinical reasoning, problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills. This research was developed in the Final Compulsory Practice of the Medicine Course of the National University of Norwest, located in the province of Corrientes, Argentina. Its objective was to determine the validity and reliability of theStructured Objective Clinical Exam (ECOE), as an evaluation instrument, to verify the acquisition of the graduate's competencies. For this, the so-called Test (ECOE), Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was used. The investigation was descriptive and cross-sectional. The study population consisted of 302 students, who took their final professional exam, in the period December 2005 to September 2008, developed in 14 career and the clinical competence (ECOE) in each exam shift and in each area evaluated: Clinic, Surgery, Pediatrics and Obstetrics. The results show that the exams are highly reliable, with a range between 0.45 and 0.82 of Cronbach's Alpha. The average between the correlations is 0.65 which demonstrates statistical significance. In addition, the validity of the fourteen exams applied was demonstrated, with the Anova tests, Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, which indicates that the number of stations was sufficient to achieve what was expected of the students. Conclusion: ECOE is an alternative for evaluating the competencies of the future medical professional who demonstrated reliability and validity.Atualmente, a tendência na educação médica é construir projetos pedagógicos baseados em competências. O aprendizado por competência possibilita a articulação entre teoria e prática e favorece a aquisição de aprendizado significativo, o que possibilita avaliar processos cognitivos de ordem superior, como raciocínio clínico, resolução de problemas, pensamento crítico e habilidades de comunicação. Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida na Prática Compulsória Final do Curso de Medicina da Universidade Nacional del Nordeste, localizada na província de Corrientes, Argentina. O seu objetivo foi determinar a validade e a confiabilidade do Exame Clínico Objetivo Estruturado (ECOE), como instrumento de avaliação, para verificar a aquisição das competências do graduado. Para isso, foi utilizado o chamado Teste (ECOE), Exame Clínico Objetivo Estruturado (OSCE). A investigação foi descritiva e transversal. A população do estudo foi composta por 302 alunos, que fizeram o exame profissional final, no período de dezembro de 2005a setembro de 2008, desenvolvido em 14 turnos.Os resultados mostram a correlação entre a média de notas da carreira de 6 anos e a competência clínica (ECOE) em cada turno de exame e em cada área avaliada: Clínica, Cirurgia, Pediatria e Obstetrícia. Os resultados mostram que os exames são altamente confiáveis, com intervalo entre 0,45 e 0,82 do Alpha de Cronbach. A média entre as correlações é de 0,65, o que demonstra significância estatística. Além disso, foi demonstrada a validade dos quatorze exames aplicados, com os testes Anova, Mann Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, o que indica que o número de estações foi suficiente para atingir o que era esperado dos alunos. Conclusão: o ECOE é uma avaliação alternativa das competências do futuro profissional médico que demonstrou confiabilidade e validade

Differential effects of main error correction versus secondary error correction on motor pattern of running.

The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of how the run pattern varies as a consequence to main error correction versus secondary error correction. Twenty-two university students were randomly assigned to one of two training-conditions: 'main error' (ME) and 'secondary error' (SE) correction. The rear-foot strike at touchdown was hypothesized as the 'main error', whereas an incorrect shoulder position (i.e., behind the base of support) as the 'secondary error'. In order to evaluate any changes in run pattern at the foot touchdown instant, the ankle, knee and hip joint angles, the height of toe and heel (with respect to the ground), and the horizontal distance from the heel to the projected center of mass on the ground were measured. After the training-intervention, the ME group showed a significant improvement in the run pattern at the foot touchdown instant in all kinematic parameters, whereas no significant changes were found in the SE group. The results support the hypothesis that the main error can have a greater influence on the movement patterns than a secondary error. Furthermore, the findings highlight that a correct diagnosis and the correction of the 'main error' are fundamental for greater run pattern improvement.

Jogos escolares da rede pública do estado da bahia: análise das edições 2009 a 2017 / Bahia state public schools championship: analysis of editions from 2009 to 2017

RESUMO A partir da análise documental de 210 relatórios dos Jogos Escolares da Rede Pública da Bahia (JERP), este estudo teve por objetivo descrever a evolução histórica do JERP de 2009 a 2017, considerando as modalidades comuns e inovadoras ofertadas, número de escolares, número de escolas, número de professores e recursos financeiros descentralizados. Verificamos que as modalidades inovadoras foram numericamente superiores às modalidades comuns e apresentaram maior diversificação das práticas esportivas; o número de escolares, escolas e professores na primeira etapa dos jogos (dentro das escolas) foi superior a terceira etapa (regional), além de aumentar ao longo dos anos em ambas as etapas; e que o valor financeiro descentralizado tendeu a crescer no período histórico analisado. Concluímos que o JERP se apresenta como uma oportunidade dos alunos vivenciarem diferentes modalidades esportivas, entretanto esta oportunidade é ressaltada apenas na primeira etapa. Em relação aos recursos financeiros descentralizados para o JERP, parece não haver planejamento prévio com relação a proporção destes recursos e a proporção de escolares participantes deste programa. Sugerimos maior concentração de recursos em competições locais do que estaduais, uma vez que atendem mais crianças e jovens e favorecem a valorização da diversificação de modalidades e respeito à cultura esportiva local.

ABSTRACT Based on the documentary analysis of 210 reports of the Scholars Games of the Bahia State Public System (JERP), this study aimed to describe the historical evolution of the JERP from 2009 to 2017 considering the common and innovative modalities offered, number of school children, number of schools , number of teachers and decentralized financial resources. It was verified that the innovative modalities were numerically superior to the common modalities and presented a greater diversification of the sports practices; the number of students, schools, and teachers in the games' first stage (inside of the schools) was superior to the third stage (regional), besides increase over the years in both stages; and that the decentralized financial value tended to grow in the historical period analyzed. It is concluded that the JERP presents itself as an opportunity for students to experience different sports modalities, however this opportunity is highlighted only in the first stage. Regarding the decentralized financial resources for the JERP, there seems to be no prior planning regarding the proportion of these resources and the proportion of students participating in this program. We suggest a higher concentration of resources in local rather than state competitions, since the local competitions serve more children and young people and support the modalities diversification and respect to the local sports culture.

Influence of strength training on sprint running performance. Current findings and implications for training.

Today, it is generally accepted that sprint performance, like endurance performance, can improve considerably with training. Strength training, especially, plays a key role in this process. Sprint performance will be viewed multidimensionally as an initial acceleration phase (0 to 10 m), a phase of maximum running speed (36 to 100 m) and a transition phase in between. Immediately following the start action, the powerful extensions of the hip, knee and ankle joints are the main accelerators of body mass. However, the hamstrings, the m. adductor magnus and the m. gluteus maximus are considered to make the most important contribution in producing the highest levels of speed. Different training methods are proposed to improve the power output of these muscles. Some of them aim for hypertrophy and others for specific adaptations of the nervous system. This includes general (hypertrophy and neuronal activation), velocity specific (speed-strength) and movement specific (sprint associated exercises) strength training. In developing training strategies, the coach has to keep in mind that strength, power and speed are inherently related to one another, because they are all the output of the same functional systems. As heavy resistance training results in a fibre type IIb into fibre type IIa conversion, the coach has to aim for an optimal balance between sprint specific and nonspecific training components. To achieve this they must take into consideration the specific strength training demands of each individual, based on performance capacity in each specific phase of the sprint.

The gender difference in distance running performance has plateaued: an analysis of world rankings from 1980 to 1996.

PURPOSE: Annual world rankings from 1980-1996 were used i) to determine if the gender difference in distance running events has stabilized, and ii) to examine whether the relative decline in pace as race distance increases is different between men and women. World best (WB) and 100th best times in the 1500 m and the marathon (42 km) for each of the 17 years were the indices used to represent overall trends in men's vis-à-vis women's distance running. METHODS: These data were analyzed using regression analyses to develop and compare gender-specific equations. In the 1500 m, the gender difference in WB times (11.1 +/- 1.1%) was consistent from 1980 to 1996, and the slight rate of improvement in event depth (i.e., 100th rankings) was similar for men and women. RESULTS: In the marathon, the gender difference in WB times (11.2 +/- 0.9%) was essentially the same as for the 1500 m. In 1980, the marathon was a fairly new event for the women, having only just been sanctioned by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF). As a consequence, the depth of the field increased quickly from 1980 to 1984. Since the mid-1980s, the rate of improvement for women in 100th-ranked times has leveled off to equal that of men. The average declines in relative pace for men and women from the 1500 m to the 10 km to the marathon were found to be remarkably similar with no diminishing of the gender difference as race distance increased. CONCLUSIONS: Based on worldwide indices of competitive distance running, the gender difference in distance running performance has plateaued in recent years. Concomitantly, over the past decade, opportunities for women to train and compete have approached parity with those of men. It is likely that the current gender difference in performance will remain fairly constant because of biological differences between men and women that give men an advantage in distance running.

Predicting competition performance in long-distance running by means of a treadmill test.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the power of 16 parameters beside the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) in predicting performance in various competition distances. METHODS: This study examined 427 competitive runners to test the prediction probability of the IAT and other parameters for various running distances. All runners (339 men, 88 women; ages, 32.5 +/- 10.14 yr; training, 7.1 +/- 5.53 yr; training distance, 77.9 +/- 35.63 km.wk-1) performed an increment test on the treadmill (starting speed, 6 or 8 km.h-1; increments, 2 km.h-1; increment duration, 3 min to exhaustion). The heart rate (HR) and the lactate concentrations in hemolyzed whole blood were measured at rest and at the end of each exercise level. The IAT was defined as the running speed at a net increase in lactate concentration 1.5 mmol.L-1 above the lactate concentration at LT. RESULTS: Significant correlations (r = 0.88-0.93) with the mean competition speed were found for the competition distances and could be increased using stepwise multiple regression (r = 0.953-0.968) with a set of additional parameters from the training history, anthropometric data, or the performance diagnostics. CONCLUSIONS: The running speed at a defined net lactate increase thus produces an increasing prediction accuracy with increasing distance. A parallel curve of the identity straight lines with the straight lines of regression indicates the independence of at least a second independent performance determining factor.