Upper-Body Muscular Endurance and Its Association with Aerobic Capacity in University Students of Physical Culture, Sport, and Recreation / Fuerza resistencia de miembros superiores y su asociación con la capacidad aeróbica en universitarios de cultura física, deporte y recreación / Resistência Muscular do Corpo Superior e sua Associação com Capacidade Aeróbica em Estudantes Universitários de Cultura Física, Esporte e Recreação

Abstract Introduction: Upper-body muscular endurance (UBME) and aerobic capacity (AC) are essential components of physical fitness. Low levels of these components are related to cardiovascular disease. Purpose: To assess the association between UBME and AC levels in college students of physical culture. Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional study carried out in 192 students (169 men, 23 women; median age 20 years). Every participant of the study signed written consent. UMBE was the dependent variable assessed by the push-up test, and AC was the main independent variable assessed using the 20 m shuttle run test. To analyze differences by sex, and academic semester, Fischer exact, Student's T, and U Mann-Whitney tests were applied. Descriptive, as well as bivariate and multivariate analysis, were realized using logistic regression models. Results: 82.29 % of participants had healthy levels of UBME. Respecting the academic semester, students had a higher probability of having healthy levels of UBME as semesters increased (OR: 1.23, 95 % CI: 1.06 to 1.44, p = 0.007). Concerning AC, 58.33 % of participants registered healthy levels. After adjusting by sex, age, socioeconomic level, and academic semester, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), was associated with healthy levels of UBME (OR: 1.157, CI 95 %: 1.O71 - 1.249, p=<0.001). Conclusions: Students had a higher probability of presenting healthy levels of UBME as semesters of study increased, and those with a higheVO2max were more likely to have healthy levels of UBME.

Resumen Introducción: La fuerza resistencia de miembros superiores (FRMS) y la capacidad aeróbica (CA) son componentes esenciales de la condición física. Bajos niveles de estos componentes están relacionados con la enfermedad cardiovascular. Propósito: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre los niveles de FRMS y la CA en estudiantes universitarios de cultura física. Metodología: Estudio transversal analítico realizado en 192 estudiantes (169 hombres, 23 mujeres; mediana de edad, 20 años). Cada participante firmó el consentimiento informado. FRMS fue la variable dependiente y se valoró con la prueba de flexiones de brazo, y la CA fue la variable independiente y se evaluó usando la prueba de ida y vuelta de 20 m. Para analizar las diferencias por sexo y semestre académico, fueron utilizadas las pruebas exacta de Fischer, T de Student y U de Mann-Whitney. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, bivariados y múltiples, usando modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: El 82.29 % de los participantes registraron niveles saludables de FRMS. Respecto al semestre académico, se evidenció una probabilidad más alta de tener niveles saludables de FRMS al incrementarse los semestres de estudio (OR: 1.23, 95 % CI: 1.06 to 1.44, p = 0.007). En lo concerniente a la CA, el 58.33 % de los participantes registro niveles saludables. Después de realizar ajustes por sexo, edad, nivel socioeconómico y semestre académico, el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2máx), estuvo asociado con niveles saludables de FRMS (OR: 1.157, CI 95 % 1.O71 - 1.249, p=<0.001). Conclusiones: Los participantes presentaron una mayor probabilidad de tener niveles saludables de FRMS, a medida que incrementaron los semestres de estudio, y aquellos con niveles de VO2máx más alto, fueron más proclives a tener niveles saludables de FRMS.

Resumo Introdução: A resistência muscular do corpo superior (UBME) e a capacidade aeróbica (AC) são componentes essenciais da aptidão física. Baixos níveis desses componentes estão relacionados a doenças cardiovasculares. Propósito: Avaliar a associação entre os níveis de UBME e AC em estudantes universitários de cultura física. Metodologia: Estudo transversal analítico realizado com 192 estudantes (169 homens, 23 mulheres; idade média 20 anos). Todos os participantes do estudo assinaram consentimento por escrito. UBME foi a variável dependente avaliada pelo teste de flexão de braço, e AC foi a principal variável independente avaliada pelo teste de corrida de vaivém de 20 m. Para analisar diferenças por sexo e semestre acadêmico, foram aplicados testes exatos de Fischer, t de Student e U de MannWhitney. Análises descritivas, bivariadas e multivariadas foram realizadas usando modelos de regressão logística. Resultados: 82,29 % dos participantes apresentaram níveis saudáveis de UBME. Respeitando o semestre acadêmico, os estudantes tiveram uma probabilidade maior de ter níveis saudáveis de UBME conforme os semestres aumentavam (OR: 1,23, IC 95 %: 1,06 a 1,44, p = 0,007). Em relação à AC, 58,33 % dos participantes registraram níveis saudáveis. Após ajuste por sexo, idade, nível socioeconômico e semestre acadêmico, o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max) foi associado a níveis saudáveis de UBME (OR: 1,157, IC 95 %: 1,071 - 1,249, p <0,001). Conclusões: Os estudantes tiveram uma probabilidade maior de apresentar níveis saudáveis de UBME conforme os semestres de estudo aumentaram, e aqueles com um VO2max mais alto tiveram maior probabilidade de ter níveis saudáveis de UBME.

Effects of Self-Myofascial Release on Athletes' Physical Performance: A Systematic Review.

Therapists and strength and conditioning specialists use self-myofascial release (SMR) as an intervention tool through foam rollers or massage rollers for soft tissue massage, with the purpose of improving mobility in the muscular fascia. Moreover, the use of SMR by professional and amateur athletes during warm-ups, cool downs, and workouts can have significant effects on their physical performance attributes, such as range of motion (ROM) and strength. The purpose of this study was to analyse the literature pertaining to these types of interventions and their effects found in different physical performance attributes for athletes. A systematic search was carried out using the following databases: PUBMED, ISI Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane, including articles up to September 2023. A total of 25 articles with 517 athletes were studied in depth. SMR seems to have acute positive effects on flexibility and range of motion, without affecting muscle performance during maximal strength and power actions, but favouring recovery perception and decreasing delayed-onset muscle soreness. Some positive effects on agility and very short-range high-speed actions were identified, as well. In conclusion, although there is little evidence of its method of application due to the heterogeneity in that regard, according to our findings, SMR could be used as an intervention to improve athletes' perceptual recovery parameters, in addition to flexibility and range of motion, without negatively affecting muscle performance.