Enhancing performance: unveiling the physiological impact of submaximal and supramaximal tests on mixed martial arts athletes in the -61 kg and -66 kg weight divisions.

This study delves into the intricate details of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) by examining key variables such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), aerobic energy (EAER), anaerobic energy (EAN), and accumulated O2 deficit (DOA). By investigating associations and comparing athletes in the -61 kg bantamweight and -66 kg featherweight weight divisions, we aim to shed light on their physiological characteristics. The sample consisted of 20 male volunteers separated into two paired groups: ten athletes in the category up to 61 kg (age: 27.7 ± 5.9 years old, height: 170.9 ± 3.4 cm, body mass: 72.8 ± 1.4 kg, fat percentage: 9.5% ± 3.0%, professional experience: 7.5 ± 7.1 years) and ten athletes up to 66 kg (age: 27.6 ± 2.9 years old, height: 176.0 ± 5.5 cm, body mass: 77.0 ± 1.5 kg, fat percentage: 7.85% ± 0.3%, professional experience: 5.5 ± 1.5 years). Remarkably, our findings revealed striking similarities between the two weight divisions. Furthermore, we discovered a negative correlation between VO2 peak and the number of MMA fights, indicating a potential impact of professional experience on aerobic capacity (r = -0.65, p < 0.01). Additionally, the number of fights exhibited negative correlations with anaerobic energy (r = -0.53, p < 0.05) and total energy cost (r = -0.54, p < 0.05). These results provide valuable insights for designing training programs in the context of MMA. While training both weight divisions together can be beneficial, it is equally crucial to incorporate specific weight-class-focused training to address each division's unique physical demands and requirements.

Influence of Advancing Biological Maturation on Aerobic and Anaerobic Power and on Sport Performance of Junior Rowers: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: Researches are linking Biological Maturation (BM) with the performance of adolescent rowers from both genders. Despite this, there is still not enough information about the influence of BM advancement correlating to sports, aerobic and anaerobic performance in adolescent athletes at the sport modality rowing. Objective: Investigate the influence of Biological Maturation on sports performance and aerobic and anaerobic power in adolescent rowing athletes. Methods: A longitudinal observational study, developed over 3 years, with a sample of 52 adolescents, rowing athletes, of both genders (61% male and 39% female) mean age of 16.0 ± 0.5 years old at the start and 18.4 ± 0.5 years old at the end of the study. Analysis was performed once a year. BM was evaluated through maturational groups generated from Age Peak Height Velocity; maximum aerobic power [VO2Max (ml/kg/min)] and mean anaerobic power (Watts) through the ergometer test (indoor rowing); peak anaerobic power (Watts) through a mathematical model derived from competition time, to determine sports performance analyzed the race time during world championship tryouts. Results: The advancement of BM influenced the reduction of the test time and increase of the mean anaerobic power (Watts) in indoor rowing (η2p > 0.36, p < 0.05), as well as an improvement in performance in sports competition (η2p > 0.35, p < 0.05). However, the advancement of BM did not affect VO2Max (ml/kg/min) in young elite rowing athletes of both sexes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Advances in biological maturation have been shown to influence the anaerobic and sports performance (reduction of the execution time in 2,000-m) of adolescent rowing athletes of both genders.

Abnormal average increase in sea surface temperature may promote the first documented mortality event of a marine sponge in the Southeastern Brazil / Aumento na temperatura média do mar pode ter causado o primeiro evento registrado de mortalidade de esponjas marinhas no Sudeste do Brasil

Abstract Frequent heat waves and mass mortality events on marine biota are positively correlated to ocean warming. Although literature has indicated some species of marine sponges, and some oceanic regions, like the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone, may be less affected or seem to be more resilient under future scenarios of climate changes, few studies have focused on the species responses on the climate change issue along Brazilian coast. This paradigm was undone throughout 2019 after an exceptional average increase of 2 °C in the sea surface temperature (SST) and on precipitation values since 2015 at Ilha Grande Bay (IGB, SE Brazil). The combination of SST and precipitation average increase possibly favored an environmental context for the unprecedented strong population decline and mass mortality rate of the marine sponge species Desmapsamma anchorata in the austral spring. The species used to be one of the most frequent benthic species at IGB however it was only recorded in 41.7% sites (n = 12). From 162 individuals recorded at Abraãozinho along 180 m rocky shore, 83 individuals (51.2%) were healthy, 74 (45.7%) were intensively covered by cyanobacteria and locally bleached, and five (3.1%) were completely bleached or died. Desmapsamma anchorata population deterioration in a biogeographic transition zone (Rio de Janeiro state) may reflect a shift in the marine community of IGB, opening space for opportunistic species establishment and coverage increase, since IGB has a high species turnover. The three-dimensionality, the shelter for several species, the high competitive ability and the potential to indicate polluted or not polluted areas make D. anchorata a key species for IGB monitoring in a climate change scenario.

Resumo Ondas de calor e eventos de mortalidade em massa da biota marinha são cada vez mais frequentes e estão positivamente correlacionados ao aquecimento do oceano. Embora a literatura tenha indicado que algumas espécies de esponjas marinhas e algumas regiões oceânicas, como a Zona Econômica Exclusiva do Brasil, podem ser menos afetadas ou serem mais resilientes em cenários futuros de mudanças climáticas, poucos estudos focaram na resposta das espécies à problemática das mudanças climáticas na costa brasileira. Esse paradigma foi desfeito em 2019 após um excepcional aumento médio de 2 °C na temperatura da superfície do mar e nos valores de precipitação, desde 2015 na Baía da Ilha Grande (BIG, SE Brasil). Essa combinação de fatores possivelmente favoreceu um contexto ambiental sem precedentes, levando ao forte declínio populacional e alta taxa de mortalidade da esponja marinha Desmapsamma anchorata na primavera austral. A espécie costuma ser uma das espécies bentônicas mais frequentes na BIG, mas só foi observada em 41,7% dos sítios (n = 12). De 162 indivíduos registrados em Abraãozinho ao longo de 180 m de costão rochoso, 83 indivíduos (51,2%) estavam saudáveis, 74 (45,7%) estavam cobertos por cianobactéria e localmente branqueados e cinco (3,1%) estavam completamente branqueados ou mortos. A deterioração da população de D. anchorata na zona de transição biogeográfica (estado do Rio de Janeiro) pode refletir em uma alteração na comunidade marinha da BIG, abrindo espaço para o estabelecimento de espécies oportunistas, uma vez que a BIG possui alto turnover. A tridimensionalidade, o abrigo a diversas espécies, a alta capacidade competitiva e o potencial de indicar áreas poluídas ou não tornam D. anchorata uma espécie chave no monitoramento da BIG em um cenário de mudanças climáticas.