Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With or Without Caffeine: Effects on Training Volume and Pain Perception.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of tDCS combined with caffeine intake on training volume and pain perception in the bench press in resistance-trained males. The correlation between training volume and pain perception was also assessed in all interventions. Methods: Sixteen healthy males (age = 25.2 ± 4.7 years, body mass = 82.8 ± 9.1 kg, and height = 178.3 ± 5.7 cm), advanced in RT, were randomized and counterbalanced for the following experimental conditions: Sham tDCS with placebo intake (Sham+Pla), Sham tDCS with caffeine intake (Sham+Caff), anodal tDCS with placebo intake (a-tDCS+Pla), and anodal tDCS with caffeine intake (a-tDCS+Caff). The caffeine or placebo ingestion (both with 5 mg.kg-1) occurred 40 minutes before the tDCS sessions. The tDCS was applied over the left DLPFC for 20 minutes, with a 2 mA current intensity. After the tDCS sessions, participants performed the bench press with an 80% of 1RM load, where training volume and pain perception were measured. Results: Training volume was higher in the 1st and 2nd sets in both a-tDCS+Caff and Sham+Caff conditions, compared to the Sham+Pla condition (P < .05). Both a-tDCS+Caff and a-tDCS+Pla showed an increased pain perception during the third set compared to the first set. Also, no correlation was found between the number of repetitions and pain perception in any condition (P > .05). Conclusion: This research revealed that caffeine intake alone could be used as an ergogenic aid during resistance training programs in resistance-trained males.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Improves Back-Squat Performance in Intermediate Resistance-Training Men.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of anodal tDCS applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on muscle endurance in the back-squat exercise. Methods: Eleven healthy males, intermediate in resistance training (RT), aged between 18 and 31 years (25.5 ± 4.4 years) were recruited. In the initial visits (1st and 2nd visits), participants performed a 1RM test to determine the load in the back-squat exercise. Following the two initials visits, participants attended the lab for the two experimental conditions (anodal tDCS and sham), which were completed a week apart, with sessions randomly counterbalanced. The stimulation was applied over the DLPFC for 20 minutes using a 2 mA current intensity. Immediately after the experimental conditions, participants completed three sets of maximum repetitions (80% of 1RM), with a 1-minute recovery interval between each set in the back-squat exercise. Muscle endurance was determined by the total number of repetitions and the number of repetitions in each set. Results: The total number of repetitions was higher in the anodal tDCS condition compared to sham condition (p ≤ .0001). Moreover, the number of repetitions performed in the first set was higher for anodal tDCS condition than in the sham condition (p ≤ .01). Conclusion: This study found improvement in back-squat exercise performance after the application of anodal tDCS. The effects of anodal tDCS applied over DLPFC may be a promising ergogenic resource on muscle endurance in the back-squat exercise.

Marcadores antropométricos de adiposidade e hipertensão arterial em academias de ginástica: um estudo exploratório / Anthropometric markers of adiposity and hypertension in Fitness Clubs: an exploratory study

Introdução: Há uma falta de conhecimento sobre o perfil de saúde das pessoas que frequentam as academias de ginástica. Objetivo: Investigar a prevalência de hipertensão arterial (HA) e sua associação com Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e Circunferência da Cintura (CC) em frequentadores de academias no município do Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída de 2836 mulheres e 1707 homens com idades entre 19 e 64 anos. A HA foi diagnosticada como pressão arterial ≥140/90 mm Hg. Todas as medidas antropométricas seguiram as diretrizes preconizadas pela International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Resultados: As prevalências de HA (10,9%), sobrepeso (30,3%) e obesidade (11,5%), foram significativamente maiores nos homens e associados com a idade, e a prevalência de CC elevada (56,6%) foi significativamente maior em mulheres e se associou com a idade (p<0,001). Apesar da prevalência de HA ter sido relativamente baixa, tanto o IMC quanto o CC mostraram-se marcadores associados a HA. Conclusão: Profissionais que trabalham em academias de ginástica devem ter conhecimento sobre a importância desses indicadores e principalmente sobre a sua relação com a HA.

Introduction: There is a lack of knowledge about the health profile of the people who attend fitness clubs. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Hypertension and its association with anthropometric markers such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) in Fitness Clubs of Rio de Janeiro City. Methods: The sample was composed of 2836 women and 1707 men (age range 19-64 years). The hypertension was diagnosed as ≥140/90 mm Hg. All anthropometric measures followed the guidelines recommended by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Results: The prevalence of hypertension (10.9%), overweight (30.3%) and obesity (11.5%) were significantly higher in men and associated with age and the prevalence of high WC (56.6%) was significantly higher in women and associated with age (p<0.001). Despite the relatively low hypertension prevalence, the BMI and WC were associated the hypertension. Conclusion: Fitness clubs professionals should be aware of the importance of these markers and their relation with the hypertension.