Temporal response of post-activation performance enhancement induced by a plyometric conditioning activity.

Introduction: To better understand the post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effect promoted by a plyometric conditioning activity (CA), the aim of this study was to investigate the temporal response of PAPE after a plyometric CA. Methods: Fourteen healthy and active adults visited the laboratory 3 times, with an interval of 7 days between each visit. On the first day they were familiarized with the countermovement jump (CMJ) test and plyometric CA. In the second and third visits, participants performed either plyometric CA or control (remaining seated) in a crossover design. The CMJ test was performed pre and 1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-min post the plyometric CA or control. The comparisons were performed using the repeated measure two-factor ANOVA and Bonferroni adjustment (significance level adopted P ≤ 0.05). Results: Time (P < 0.01), condition (P < 0.01), and interaction (P < 0.01) effects were reported for CMJ comparisons. For the control condition, CMJ increased at 3 min compared to pre (P = 0.03) and at 3 min compared to 1 min (P = 0.03). For the plyometric CA, CMJ increased at 1- (P < 0.01), 3- (P < 0.01), and 6-min (P = 0.02) compared to pre. For condition comparisons, CMJ was different at 1- (P < 0.01), 3- (P < 0.01), 6- (P < 0.01), and 9-min (P = 0.02). The Effect size of the comparisons of all moments compared to pre was null (d < 0.20) for control and small (d < 0.50) for plyometric CA. Discussion: It is possible to conclude that the plyometric CA promoted a PAPE effect for up to 9-min. Strength and conditioning coaches and practitioners may consider multiple sets of plyometric CA to produce immediate enhancement of power in the lower limbs.

A systematic review on physical function, activities of daily living and health-related quality of life in COVID-19 survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the published studies that investigated the physical function, activities of daily living and health-related quality of life in COVID-19 survivors. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and Cochrane Library for studies that evaluated the physical function, activities of daily living and health-related quality of life after COVID-19 from the earliest date available to July 2021. Two independent reviewers screened and selected the studies. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate methodological quality. RESULTS: We included 35 studies in this systematic review. Of the 35 studies included, 28 were cohort, and 7 cross-sectional studies The studies demonstrated that COVID-19 survivors had reduced levels of physical function, activities of daily living, and health-related quality of life. Furthermore, incomplete recovery of physical function, and performance in activities of daily living were observed 1 to 6 months post-infection. DISCUSSION: Physical disability and reduction in health-related quality of life is a common condition in post-COVID-19 and impairments may persist up to 1 to 6 months. Researchers and clinicians can use these findings to understand the potential disabilities and rehabilitation needs of people recovering from the COVID-19.

[Effect of a short-term functional training program on body composition in postmenopausal women]. / Efeito de um programa de treinamento funcional de curta duração sobre a composição corporal de mulheres na pós-menopausa.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of functional training on body composition in postmenopausal women. METHODS: The study was conducted on 38 postmenopausal women, divided into two groups: Training Group (TG) and Control Group (CG). TG women (n = 21) performed a program of physical exercise for a period of 8 weeks, 3 times a week on nonconsecutive days, with 90 minutes per session. For the same period, CG women (n = 17) did not perform any systematic physical activity. All participants were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. The evaluations were performed by the same trained raters. Analysis of body composition was performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), which allows estimation of body composition in the whole body and by segment. TG participants performed a functional exercise program 3 days a week (non-consecutive), with 11 stations consisting of exercises developed in circuit format sessions. The objectives of the exercises were the development of strength, agility, coordination and proprioception, followed by aerobic exercise (walking). After normality of the data was determined by the Shapiro-Wilk test (p < 0.05), we applied the Student t-test for independent samples to check for possible differences in anthropometric variables and body composition between groups at both times of intervention (pre and post-test). All analyses were performed using the SPSS software v. 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) with the level of significance set at 5%. RESULTS: At baseline, no significant difference was observed between groups regarding anthropometric body variables or age composition, indicating homogeneity of the groups. After 8 weeks of training, significant differences were observed between TG and CG regarding fat - CG = 0.2 ± 0.7 and TG = -0.4 ± 0.5, total body fat (kg) - CG = 0.2 ± 1.3 and TG = -0.7 ± 0.8, and total weight - CG = 0.4 ± 1.4 and TG = -0.6 ± 1.1. Percent body fat was reduced in terms of absolute values, although without significance: CG = 0.1 ± 1.5 and TG = -0.8 ± 1.5. CONCLUSION: Functional training in circuit format can be used as a strategy to alter body composition in postmenopausal women, particularly in terms of reduction of adipose tissue. This is a model that promotes high adhesion on the part of the participants, suggesting that it is an attractive proposal for the investigated age group.