RESUMO
Tai chi is a fundamental tool that has a significant influence on balance, motor function and fear of falling among older adults. The objective of the study was to verify functional fitness and fall risk in older adults (OA) practitioners and non-practitioners of Tai Chi. An ex-post-facto study was carried out in practicing and non-practicing OA of Tai chi. The sample selection was non-probabilistic (convenience). Thirty-one adults with an age range of 65 to 80 years were studied. Two study groups were formed: Group practicing Tai Chi [GPT (n= 15 subjects)] and Group not practicing Tai Chi [GNPT (n= 16 subjects)]. Age, weight, height, waist circumference were assessed. Body mass index (BMI) and fat mass (FM) were calculated. Five functional fitness tests were assessed: biceps curl (30sec), Chair stand (30sec), agility (sec), 2min walk (#rep) and 6min-1 walk (m). Fall risk was measured using a 13-item scale. The GPT showed better performance in all five functional fitness tests (biceps curl, Chair stand, agility, 2min gait and 6min walk) compared to the GPT. The effect size (ES: ~0.20 to 0.48) and Cohen's d (~ 0.39 to 1.10) between both groups were medium to large. There were also differences between the mean values in fall risk between both groups (GNPT: 2.1±1.7points and GNPT: 4.7±1.9points, p<0.05). This study demonstrated that the group of OA practicing Tai Chi presented better levels of functional fitness and less risk of falling in relation to their counterparts who did not practice Tai Chi. These results suggest including this type of old-time exercise in physical activity programs that promote functional fitness wellness and fall prevention among OA.
RESUMO
A soccer player should possess a reasonable level of different skills and abilities, so the playing position, level of training, style of play, physical and physiological demands can influence his performance. The objective was to identify the intervention programs that have been applied in search of generating positive effects on explosive strength and speed in young soccer players, as well as to identify the percentage of improvement among soccer players. A bibliographic study of systematic review was carried out. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, bibliographic searches were performed in the PubMed database. The following descriptors were used: Explosive Strength, soccer players, jump performance, CMJ, SJ, VJ, Plyometrics, power, speed, sprint, kicking speed, change of direction speed, soccer player, football and training, intervention. Articles were included only if they were original articles, studied populations of young soccer players and showed an intervention program related to explosive strength and speed. Six studies were identified that applied intervention programs to look for changes in speed and explosive strength in young soccer players. In the 5m speed tests, significant changes were observed, improving from (0.26 to 0.53m/s), 10m speed (0.07 to 0.27m/s), 20m speed (0.08 to 1.92m/s) and 40m speed (0.25 to 0.62m/s). In explosive strength, performance in the test squat jump SJ (4.1 to 8.6cm), countermovement jump CMJ (1.0 to 8.8cm), horizontal jump HJ (12.17 to 24.4cm) and vertical jump VJ (5.0 to 11.0cm). Speed and explosive strength are relevant components of athletic performance and can be improved through training programs that include 20 to 40min sessions, training two to five times per week over a period of approximately 6 to 9 weeks.