Analysis of velocity- and power-load relationships of the free-weight back-squat and hexagonal bar deadlift exercises.

The aim of this study was to analyse the load-velocity and load-power relationships in the free-weight back-squat (BSQ) and hexagonal bar deadlift (HBD) exercises. Twenty-five (n = 25) resistance-trained men (age = 23.7 ± 2.8 years) performed a progressive load test at maximal intended velocity to determine their BSQ and HBD one-repetition maximum (1RM). Mean propulsive velocity (MPV) during the concentric phase of the lift was recorded through a linear encoder. Load-velocity and load-power relationships were analysed by fitting linear regression and the second-order polynomial, respectively, to the data. Maximum strength (1RM), MPV (30-80% 1RM), and power output (30-90% 1RM) were higher for HBD compared to BSQ exercise (p < 0.05). A very strong relationship between MPV and relative intensity was found for both BSQ (R2 = 0.963) and HBD (R2 = 0.967) exercises. The load that maximizes power output (Pmax) was 64.6 ± 2.9% (BSQ) and 59.6 ± 1.1% (HBD) 1RM. There was a range of loads at which power output was not different than Pmax (BSQ: 40-80% 1RM; HBD: 50-70% 1RM). In conclusion, the load-velocity and load-power relationships might assist strength and conditioning coaches to monitor and prescribe exercise intensity in the BSQ and HBD exercises using the velocity-based training approach.

Does Varying Resistance Exercises for the Same Muscle Group Promote Greater Strength Gains?

ABSTRACT: Costa, BDV, Kassiano, W, Nunes, JP, Kunevaliki, G, Castro-E-Souza, P, Sugihara-Junior, P, Fernandes, RR, Cyrino, ES, and de Fortes, LS. Does varying resistance exercises for the same muscle group promote greater strength gains? J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3032-3039, 2022-Two of the foremost principles of progression are progressive overload and variation. A way to vary within a resistance training (RT) program is to perform different exercises for the same muscle group; however, this strategy is still overlooked. The purpose of the present study was to compare strength adaptations between an RT routine that maintained the exercises fixed (N-VAR) and another that varied the exercises for the same muscle group during the weekly sessions (VAR). Twenty-three young men (23.3 ± 4.1 years) were randomly allocated to N-VAR ( n = 11) and VAR ( n = 12) conditions. The RT was performed 3 times a week for 9 weeks and consisted of a whole-body routine (3 sets of 8-12 repetitions). Maximum dynamic strength was assessed using the 1-repetition maximum test (1RM), and the isometric strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer, before and after training. Following the training period, both groups increased the 1RM values in all exercises ( p ≤ 0.002), without significant differences between them ( p ≥ 0.20). In contrast, a greater increase ( p = 0.02) in isometric knee extension strength was showed to N-VAR (+12%) compared with VAR (+7%). There was no significant increase in both groups for isometric knee flexion strength (N-VAR, p = 0.10; VAR, p = 0.18). Our findings indicate that maintaining or varying the exercises for the same muscle group promotes similar adaptations in the maximum dynamic strength. In contrast, for the isometric strength in knee extension, maintaining the fixed exercises seems to be more interesting.

Does Performing Different Resistance Exercises for the Same Muscle Group Induce Non-homogeneous Hypertrophy?

The study aimed to compare the effect of performing the same or different exercises for a muscle group on resistance training (RT) sessions on muscle hypertrophy at different sites along muscle length. Twenty-two detrained men (23.3±4.1 years) were randomly allocated to the following groups: a group that performed the same exercises in all training sessions (N-VAR=11) or one that varied the exercises for the same muscle groups (VAR=11). All were submitted to 3 weekly sessions for nine weeks. Muscle thickness was assessed at the proximal, middle, and distal sites of the lateral and anterior thigh, elbow flexors, and extensors by B-mode ultrasound. The VAR group significantly increased all the sites analyzed (P<0.05). Furthermore, the proximal site of the lateral thigh showed a larger relative increase when compared to the middle site (P<0.05). In contrast, the N-VAR group were not revealed significant improvements only for the middle site of the lateral thigh and the proximal site of the elbow flexors (P>0.05). Our results suggest that to perform different resistance exercises can induce hypertrophy of all sites assessed in detrained young men.

Transcranial Stimulation Improves Volume and Perceived Exertion but does not Change Power.

This study aimed to analyze the acute effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) on the volume, perceived exertion, and neuromuscular performance measurements in trained and untrained adults. Twenty-four male adults (12 trained and 12 untrained) participated in this single-blind, randomized, and sham-controlled study. The participants performed three back squat repetitions using the 15RM load with maximal concentric velocity to assess neuromuscular performance before tDCS and 30-min after resistance exercise. Next, they were randomly assigned to a-tDCS over M1 or the sham condition. Participants performed ten sets of parallel back squat with 15RM load and repetitions sustained to momentary muscular failure. The total number of repetitions was higher (p<0.05) and perceived exertion was lower (p<0.05) after a-tDCS in both groups. Peak power, velocity, and force decreased in both groups after the RE session (p<0.05), but with a higher rate in untrained individuals (p<0.05). No significant effect was found for peak power, peak velocity, and peak force (p>0.05). This study suggests that using a-tDCS may improve the total volume of repetitions and perceived exertion in trained and untrained individuals.

Acute Effect of Drop-Set, Traditional, and Pyramidal Systems in Resistance Training on Neuromuscular Performance in Trained Adults.

ABSTRACT: Costa, BDV, Ferreira, MEC, Gantois, P, Kassiano, W, Paes, ST, de Lima-Júnior, D, Cyrino, ES, and Fortes, LS. Acute effect of drop-set, traditional, and pyramidal systems in resistance training on neuromuscular performance in trained adults. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 991-996, 2021-The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of resistance training (RT) systems on lower- and upper-limb performance in trained adults. Eighteen male young adults with experience in RT aged from 18 to 26 years underwent the 3 experimental conditions (drop-set [DS], decrescent pyramid [DP], and traditional [TR]). The subjects performed 2 exercises (bench press and leg press 45°). In the DS condition, they underwent 2 sets of 10 repetitions at 12RM, followed by 5 additional repetitions with an intensity of 15RM with 6-minute interval rest between sets. In the DP, it was performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 10RM, 12RM, and 15RM, respectively, and the rest interval was 3 minutes between sets. In the TR, the subjects performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 12RM with 3 minutes of rest between sets. Countermovement jump, peak power (Wpeak), and force (Fpeak) in the bench press were evaluated in the baseline, before, and 30 minutes after the experimental sessions. Countermovement jump performance decreased significantly only after the DS and DP conditions (-6.7 and -1.9%, respectively). The groups were significantly different in the post-intervention; the DS condition presented lower values when compared with the DP (p = 0.01) and TR (p = 0.001). According to Fpeak and Wpeak, only DS condition significantly decreased the performance (-3.8 and -4.1%, respectively). The results indicate the DS and DP conditions impair the neuromuscular performance of the lower limbs, whereas for upper limbs, only DS condition negatively affect upper-limb performance.

A socio-sports model of disordered eating among Brazilian male athletes.

The objective of this study was to develop a socio-sports model of disordered eating (DE) in Brazilian male athletes. Three hundred and twenty one athletes over 12 years of age from 18 different sports modalities were investigated. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was applied to evaluate DE. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was used to evaluate athlete dissatisfaction with body fat levels. The Muscularity Concern subscale of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) was used to evaluate athlete dissatisfaction with muscularity levels. To investigate the influence of sociocultural factors on body image, the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) was applied. Body fat was estimated by skinfold measurement. Demographic data were collected (competitive level and training regimen). Structural equation modelling was conducted to analyse the relationships between research variables and the factors that mediate them. The results indicated that the sociocultural factors and body fat dissatisfaction adhered to socio-sports model of DE (X(2) = 18.50, p = .001, RMSEA = .069, GFI = .97, AGFI = .91, TLI = .93). The BSQ accurately predicted the relationship between SATAQ-3 and EAT-26 (R(2) = .08, p = 0.001) scores. A direct relationship between the SATAQ-3 and EAT-26 (R(2) = .07, p = 0.01) and BSQ (R(2) = .10, p = 0.001) scores was identified. No relationship was found between structural equation model and Muscularity Concern (R(2) = .02, p = 0.14), competitive level (R(2) = .01, p = 0.19), training regimen (R(2) = .03, p = 0.11) or body fat (R(2) = .02, p = 0.14). The results suggest that sociocultural factors and body fat dissatisfaction follow the socio-sports model of DE in Brazilian male athletes.

Evaluating the Stroop Test With Older Adults: Construct Validity, Short Term Test-Retest Reliability, and Sensitivity to Mental Fatigue.

We conducted two studies to evaluate the construct validity, short term test-retest reliability, and sensitivity to mental fatigue of the Stroop task when used with older adults. In Study 1, 40 participants visited our lab on two separate days. On the first visit, they took five screening scales, and we measured their height and body mass. On the second visit, they completed the Stroop task twice with a 30-minute interval between assessments. In Study 2, 15 different participants took a 30-minute Flanker/Reverse Flanker task during the interval between the two administrations of the Stroop tasks and they gave subjective ratings of their mental fatigue on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) prior to taking either of the Stroop tasks. In Study 1, participants showed a ceiling effect on the Stroop accuracy measure, there was strong concurrent validity for the Stroop with significant score differences between the Stroop's congruent and incongruent conditions (p < .001), and there was excellent response time reliability (ICC = 0.926) on day two when participants took the Stroop twice within a 30-minute inter-test interval. However, there were significant test-retest performance differences with respect to cognitive inhibition (p < .001). In Study 2, mental fatigue from the Flanker/Reverse Flanker test resulted in a significantly worse second Stroop performance (p = .045). We concluded that the Stroop task demonstrated strong concurrent validity and response time reliability among older adults, but it showed sensitivity to mental fatigue, and repeated administrations within the short 30-minute test-retest interval revealed that the most important Stroop measure (cognitive inhibition) was unreliable. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Brain functional training: a perspective article.

Introduction: Physical exercise (PE) positively affects the nervous system, impacting morphology and physiology. It increases brain gray and white matter, improves cerebral blood flow, and stimulates neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and angiogenesis, promoting brain function. Although exercise already affects cognition, some training modalities place greater demands on the cognitive aspects of physical exercise, such as perceptual-motor and visual-motor training. This type of approach aims to emphasize the cognitive adaptations that occur chronically. Specifically for older people, functional training, a multi-component approach, is a promising exercise modality that stimulates functionality using multi-joint, multi-planar exercises mirroring daily activities. However, applying a greater focus on cognitive adaptations in line with the functional training proposal for maximal benefits remains underexplored. Aim: Thus, this perspective article initially explores different exercise approaches emphasizing cognitive adaptations and proposes Brain Functional Training to improve older adult's functionality. Methods: Furthermore, we explain how brain functional training can be explored to emphasize cognitive aspects based on increasing complexity to stimulate the executive function and its subdomains. Conclusion: This proposal is one alternative to combining motor and cognitive stimuli to promote autonomy and health in older people.

"Encephalapp Stroop": Validity and reliability of a smartphone app to measure cognitive performance in physically active subjects.

This study aimed to analyze the validity and reliability of a smartphone app (i.e., Encephalapp Stroop) to measure cognitive performance. Ten physically active individuals (mean age: 25.2 ± 4.3 years) participated in three laboratory visits. In a randomized sequence, subjects completed cognitive assessments using the app and a computer separately. The response times from 100 measurements for congruent and incongruent stimuli were compared between the two devices (app and computer) using the intraclass correlation coefficient, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r), Cronbach's alpha (α), and Bland-Altman plots. There was excellent agreement between the computerized Stroop and the app version for response times for congruent (ICC = 0.806, p < 0.001; Bland-Altman bias = 41.3 ± 56.4 ms, p < 0.001) and incongruent stimuli (ICC = 0.755, p < 0.001; Bland-Altman bias = 76.4 ± 75.1 ms, p < 0.001). In comparison to the computerized version, the app demonstrated a moderate correlation for response times of congruent (r = 0.678, p < 0.001) and incongruent (r = 0.623, p < 0.001) stimuli. The results of the present study indicate that the response times of congruent and incongruent stimuli can be easily, accurately, and reliably evaluated using a mobile app.

Do executive function performance, gaze behavior, and pupil size change during incremental acute physical exercise?

Several studies have investigated the interaction between acute physical exercise and cognitive performance. However, few studies have investigated this issue during acute high-intensity exercise. In the present study, we evaluated executive functions (EFs) during incremental exercise in three different intensities [below lactate threshold (LT), at LT, and above LT], measuring EFs performance, gaze behavior, and pupil diameter. Twenty subjects were familiarized with the EFs test and participated in a graded maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer on the first visit. On the second visit, they performed the EFs task at rest and while exercising at three different intensities using mobile eye-tracking glasses. Our results showed that the psychophysiological measures differed between the conditions. Regarding EFs performance, during exercise above LT, the subjects showed worse accuracy when compared with rest (p < .001) and below LT (p < .001). In addition, the response time (RT) at LT and above LT was shorter than in the rest condition (p < .050). Further, RT was faster (p = .002) in the above LT than in the below LT condition. In addition, the gaze behavior measures indicated that exercise, independently of the intensity, improves the number of fixations with shorter fixation durations compared to the rest condition (p < .050). Additionally, we found no significant differences in average and peak pupil diameter between conditions. In conclusion, exercise at LT improves the EFs performance while exercising above LT worsens EFs performance. However, there were no significant differences in average and peak pupil diameter between conditions.

Young Basketball Players' Multiple Object Tracking Skills Were Unaffected by Stroop-Induced Mental Fatigue.

We aimed to examine the acute effect of mental fatigue on young basketball players' three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) skills. Our participants were 12 adolescent basketball players (M age = 16.66, SD = 1.87 years; M years of practice = 2.66, SD = 1.07 years). In nine lab visits, we used visits 1 to 7 to familiarize participants with 3D-MOT, a subjective scale of mental fatigue, and a Stroop task involving mental set shifting. In the last two visits, participants performed in both experimental (EXP) and control (CON) conditions that were presented in randomized order. In the EXP condition, participants performed 3D-MOT pre- and post-60 minutes of induced mental fatigue; in the CON condition, they watched a documentary. After each condition, B participants performed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). 3D-MOT performance measures were the "score" and "fastest trial score success." The response time on the Stroop tasks increased throughout the mental fatigue inducement in the experimental condition (p = .0037). The NASA-TLX responses were higher following the EXP condition than following the CON condition for mental demand, temporal demand, and performance (all ps < .05). Still, there were no significant EXP versus CON differences on the 3D-MOT performance indicators.

Functional Training and Dual-Task Training Improve the Executive Function of Older Women.

Functional training (FT) is a type of multicomponent training with emphasis on activities of daily living that stimulate different physical capacities in only one session. Dual-task training (DTT) is a type of training that simultaneously applies cognitive and motor stimuli. We investigated the effects of sixteen weeks of FT and DTT and eight weeks of detraining on older women's inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Sixty-two older women (66.9 ± 5.4 years; 27.7 ± 3.9 kg/m2) completed a 16-week intervention program comprising the FT (n = 31) and DTT (n = 31), and 43 returned after the detraining period. We used the Stroop Color Word Color test to evaluate inhibitory control, the Corsi Block Test to assess working memory, and the Trail Making Test to evaluate cognitive flexibility. Only DTT reduced the congruent response time between the pre-test and post-test (d= -0.64; p < 0.001), with no difference between the post-test and the detraining values (d = 1.13; p < 0.001). Both groups reduced the incongruent response time between the pre-test and post-test (FT: d = -0.61; p = 0.002; DTT: d= -0.59; p = 0.002) without a difference between groups. There were no significant differences in working memory and cognitive flexibility. Sixteen weeks of FT and DTT increased the inhibitory control of older women but not the working memory and cognitive flexibility, and these effects persisted after eight weeks of detraining.

Development and reliability of a test for assessing executive functions during exercise.

Previous research suggests that performance on executive functions tests may be different at rest, versus when one is engaged in physical exercise. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop an integrated system that evaluates executive functions during exercise. We conducted two test-retest studies, with ten healthy male volunteers participating in each study. Participants visited the laboratory three (Study 1) or four (Study 2) times. During the first visit in both studies, questionnaires were administered, and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPT) was performed. In Study 1, during the second and third visits, participants exercised on a cycle ergometer at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes before starting the Flanker/Reverse Flanker test while they were still cycling. In Study 2, during the second visit, participants performed three sets of the executive functions test while sitting on the bike, with a 5 min interval between each set. On visits 3 and 4, participants performed the same exercise protocol as the one described in Study 1. In summary, our results indicated that the Flanker/Reverse Flanker test that we developed and conducted in exercising individuals has similar elements to previous versions and can be considered a reliable test for executive functions assessment during exercise.

Non-invasive brain stimulation over the orbital prefrontal cortex maintains endurance performance in mentally fatigued swimmers.

BACKGROUND: Using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) on frontal brain areas might be a promising strategy to mitigates mental fatigue and maintain endurance performance swimmers. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the effect of a-tDCS over the orbital prefrontal cortex (oPFC) on endurance performance of mentally fatigued female amateur swimmer. METHODS: Nineteen female amateur swimmers participated in this study. In two experimental visits, the swimmers completed the 3-min all-out tethered swimming after performing a 30-min Stroop test with a-tDCS or placebo (Sham) stimulation over the left-oPFC. The brain stimulation conditions (i.e., a-tDCS and Sham) were performed in a double-blinded and counterbalanced order. RESULTS: It was found lower critical force, mean force, force minimum, fatigue index, and aerobic impulse for Sham than a-tDCS (p < 0.05). There was no main effect of condition for peak force (p >  0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that a-tDCS applied over the left-oPFC in female amateur swimmers mentally fatigued maintained endurance performance. From a practical point of view, the use of a-tDCS should be considered to counteract harmful cognitive effects and maintain endurance performance during competitive race events.

Association between motor competence and executive functions in children.

Previous studies investigating the relationship between executive functions (EFs) and motor competence (MC) in typically developing children have produced inconsistent findings regarding the association's strength and nature. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between EFs and MC in typically developing children aged 6-11 years old. Additionally, we aimed to explore the relationship between EFs and MC in younger (6-8 years old) and older (9-11 years old) typically developing children. In total, 152 children of both sexes performed the Flanker/Reverse Flanker test, Tower of London, Raven's Colored Matrices, Körperkoordinations Test Für Kinder, and Test of Gross Motor Development. Using the global score of MC and EFs and controlling for age, our results showed a significant and medium correlation between MC and EFs (r = 0.380, p < .001). Moreover, the correlation in younger children (r = 0.470), as well as in older (r = 0.272) children were significant. The regression analysis also showed that MC predicts EFs performance in all participants, in younger children, and older children, although with less explained variance for older children. In short, our study suggests that it is needed to promote the development of MC and EFs in children, especially the younger ones.

Mental Fatigue From Smartphone Use Reduces Volume-Load in Resistance Training: A Randomized, Single-Blinded Cross-Over Study.

We investigated the acute effects of mental fatigue induced by 30-minute use of smartphone social network apps on volume load in resistance training among recreationally trained adults. Sixteen (n = 16) adults of both sexes performed three sets of a half back-squat exercise to failure with 80% of 15RM, interspersed with 3-minutes of passive recovery between sets, before and after two different cognitive tasks: (a) use of smartphone social network apps; and (b) watching a documentary. We assessed mechanical variables and ratings of perceived exertion during the strength exercise. Relative to the documentary-viewing control condition, a 30-minute exposure to smartphone social network apps led participants toward increased perception of mental fatigue (p = 0.004) and lower volume-load during the strength exercise (p = 0.006). There were no significant differences in perceived exertion between conditions (p = 0.54), participants' motivation (p = 0.277), intra-set mechanical variables (p > 0.05), or blood lactate concentrations (p = 0.36). Our findings of an isolated possible higher-than normal RPE without changes in physiological variables, accompanying the lower volume-load in the mentally-fatigued participants support psychological, rather than physiological, bases for mental fatigue effects.

Mental Fatigue Reduces Training Volume in Resistance Exercise: A Cross-Over and Randomized Study.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of mental fatigue (MF) on total training volume (TTV; number of repetitions x number of sets x load) and on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE; Borg, 1982) in the half-back squat exercise (HBSE). Nine male subjects (M age = 22.6 years, SD = 2.3; M height = 172.3 cm, SD = 6.8; M weight = 76.2 kg, SD = 9.8; M years of resistance training experience = 4.1, SD = 2.3 years) recruited from a university population were study participants in this participant-blind cross-over and randomized study. Participants underwent either the Stroop task - a highly demanding cognitive task (CT) - or a control condition (CON) in which they viewed a documentary exhibition for 30 minutes. Perception of MF and motivation were assessed after treatments using a visual analog scale of 100 mm. Participants then engaged in a countermovement jump (CMJ) test and three sets of HBSE until they reached momentary concentric failure, reporting RPE at the end of each exercise set. Following the CT, participants showed a significantly increased self-perception of MF in relation to the CON condition (p = 0.01; d = 1.2), but this did not affect their motivation to engage in subsequent tests (p = 0.99; d = 0.006). Neither the CMJ performances nor the RPE were statistically different between CT and CON conditions (p = 0.33; d = 0.09 and p = 0.20; η2 = 0.20, respectively). TTV was significantly lower in the CT relative to the CON experimental condition (Δ = -15.8%; p = 0.04; η2 = 0.48). Prolonged involvement in a CT was associated with reduced volume on a resistance exercise, though this effect was not associated with changes in CMJ performance or motivation to exercise.

Effects of mental fatigue on passing decision-making performance in professional soccer athletes.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of mental fatigue on passing decision-making in professional soccer athletes. A controlled and counterbalanced cross-over design was adopted consisting of three visits with a 1-week interval between sessions. Twenty professional soccer male athletes participated in three randomized conditions divided into three visits: control, 15-min Stroop task, and 30-min Stroop task. Inhibitory control was accessed by the Stroop task (accuracy and response time) before and after induced mental fatigue protocol. The athletes played a training match (90-min) following the experimental conditions. The Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI) was used for the passing decision-making analysis. The GPAI analysis showed impaired passing decision-making performance following the 30-min Stroop task compared with the 15-min and control condition (F (2,17) = 6.99, p = .01). Moreover, an increase in response time during the Stroop task was found following 30-min Stroop task condition (F (2,17) = 6.57, p = .03) compared to 15-min of Stroop task and control conditions. Prolonged cognitive tasks may be considered a mediating factor in passing decision-making performance in male professional soccer athletes throughout a full-length training match. Thus, athletes should avoid highly demanding-cognitive tasks before a soccer match. Future studies are required to explore more ecological cognitive tasks to induce mental fatigue (i.e. smartphones and video-games) and their effects on other performance indicators (e.g. physical, technical, tactical) in a full-length training match setting.

Physiological and Performance Impacts After Field Supramaximal High-Intensity Interval Training With Different Work-Recovery Duration.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has numerous external load control variables. The management of these variables makes the physiological responses and performance presented by athletes also modify. The present study aimed to assess the activity of CK and LDH enzymes, performance and metabolic responses caused by two HIIT protocols above the maximum in male recreational runners. Fifteen recreational male runners performed two HIIT protocols in randomized order with multiple conditions: 1) H15 (n = 15), with a HIIT protocol of 15:15 work-recovery duration, and 2) H30 (n = 15) with a HIIT protocol of 30:30 work-recovery duration. Both protocols were performed at similar intensity (130% vV̇O2 max ), one set until voluntary exhaustion. Blood samples were collected and used to capture the levels and activities of blood lactate (BLac: mmol⋅L-1), glucose (GLU: mg⋅dL-1), creatine kinase (CK: U⋅L-1), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH: U⋅L-1). BLac and GLU were collected at pre, five, and ten minutes after the H15 and H30 protocols were performed. Blood samples were used to measure the activities of CK and LDH enzymes, which were verified 24 h before and 48 h after the protocols. The distance traveled (m), total time (s), and bouts performed (rep) were also registered. Significant differences between conditions H15 and H30 were observed in the bouts performed (p = 0.001; ES = 1.19). Several statistical differences were found over time for BLac [pre vs. post 5 (both conditions: p = 0.001), pre vs. post 10 (both conditions: p = 0.001), and post 5 vs. post 10 (H30: p = 0.004)], CK [pre vs. post 24 (H15: p < 0.001; ES = 0.97 and H30: p = 0.001; ES = 0.74) post 24 vs. post 48 (H30: p = 0.03; ES = 0.56)], and LDH [pre vs. post24 (H15: p = 0.008; ES = 1.07 and H30: p = 0.022; ES = 0.85). No statistical differences between conditions were observed for any blood parameter. Thus, the volunteers exhibited equal performance in both protocols, which resulted in a similar physiological response. Despite this similarity, in comparison to H15, the H30 protocol presented lower CK activity post 48 and lactate levels after 10 min post protocol.

Sport and Exercise Psychology Studies in Brazil: Performance or Health?

The low professional insertion of psychologists in Brazilian sports teams, as well as the Sport Psychology course being seldom offered in undergraduate Psychology courses, may reflect in the current scenario of scientific research in Brazil. It is still not clear what Graduate Programs (GPs) have adopted directions regarding the development of studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology (SEP) research fields since an assessment or mapping of scientific knowledge production in this area has not yet been performed involving Exercise and Sport Science and Psychology GPs. This study aimed at investigating institutional research and their themes in SEP from these graduate programs. Studies were selected and retrieved from a national database (Sucupira Platform), that contains all registered researches from all Exercise and Sport Science (n = 31) and Psychology (n = 84) GPs in the country. Data were analyzed through R software using text mining techniques, latent semantic analysis and K-means clustering. Results revealed that research involving SEP is predominantly being developed at Exercise and Sport Science GPs (n = 171; p < 0.01) in comparison to psychology GPs (n = 39), mostly located in the south and southeast regions of Brazil. This research has focused on the effects of physical exercise and quality of life, while Psychology GPs have analyzed sport as associated with health and education, as a way to promote social support and to study sports' psychological aspects. It was concluded that Exercise and Sport Science GPs had the most significant contribution to SEP. Investigations were focused on the interface of exercise with quality of life, health and education, with gaps existing in programs advancing in the studies on sports and performance.