Determining cut-off scores for simulated tasks in Brazilian Air Force military personnel.

INTRODUCTION: Combat readiness assessments through simulated tasks (STs) have been developed for the Brazilian Air Force (BAF) to establish physical employment standards. Previous research has established BAF critical combat tasks with STs developed based on the physical demands of these tasks. Before implementing these STs, the standards required of BAF personnel must be established. The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off scores for five previously established STs. METHODS: Eighty-eight cadets attended three different testing batteries in order to complete the five STs, being: Battery 1 (foot march), Battery 2 (plane crash on water and water survival skills) and Battery 3 (plane crash on land, obstacle course) with their times recorded. Cut-off scores were set at the 85th percentile of the data distribution with these values and then analysed by four subject matter experts (SMEs) using subjective criteria through criterion analysis. RESULTS: All 88 cadets were submitted to the five assessments. After analysing the performance results on the STs, the SMEs discussed and agreed on the following cut-off scores: obstacle course (3:21 min:s), foot march (31:00 min:s), plane crash on land (1:25 min:s), plane crash on water (1:12 min:s) and water survival skills (4:03 min:s). CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this research allow for the five STs to be implemented in BAF cadets and qualified BAF personnel with the established cut-off scores used to monitor the operational capability of these personnel (be it for cadet training outcomes or unit preparedness assessments) and to guide conditioning practices if personnel are below standards.

Alteração da velocidade em jovens futebolistas brasileiros no período competitivo e sua relação com o conteúdo de treinamento / / Alteraciones de la velocidad en jóvenes futbolistas brasileños en el periodo competitivo y su relación con el contenido del entrenamiento / Velocity changes in Brazilian young soccer players during the in-season competitive phase and its relationship to training

Objective. The aim of the present study was to determine the change in velocity in young soccer players during the competitive period and its relation to the training content. Method. Participants were 17 soccer players (16.3 ± 0.4 years old, 70.2 ± 6.1 kg, 176 ± 6.4 cm). The team was analyzed for 17 weeks during competitive period. Evaluations were made of the velocity at 10 m (V10 m) and 30 m (V30 m) in three distinct moments (M1= 1st, M2= 10th and M3= 17th week). Results. The main results show a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of M1 (7.25 ± 0.2 m/s) to M3 (7.05 ± 0.2 m/s) for variable V30 m and significant increase in V10 m. Conclusion. We conclude that the applied training in the competitive period analyzed for V10 m caused a significant improvement and a decrease in V30 m for young soccer players in the study (AU)

Objetivo. O presente estudo busca determinar a alteração da velocidade em jovens futebolistas no período competitivo e sua relação com o conteúdo de treinamento. Método. Participaram da pesquisa 17 jovens futebolistas (16.3 ± 0.4 anos, 70.2 ± 6.1 kg, 176 ± 6.4 cm). A equipe foi analisada durante 17 semanas no período competitivo de treinamento. Foram realizadas avaliações da velocidade em 10 m (V10 m) e 30 m (V30 m) em 3 momentos distintos (M1 = 1a, M2 = 10a e M3 = 17a semana do estudo). Resultados. Os principais resultados apontam decréscimo significativo (p < 0.05) de M1 (7.25 ± 0.20 m/s) para M3 (7.05 ± 0.20 m/s) para a variável V30 m e sensível aumento em V10 m. Conclusão. Conclui‐se que o treinamento aplicado no período competitivo analisado provocou melhoria sensível para V10 m e decréscimo para V30 m para os jovens futebolistas do estudo (AU)

Objetivo. El presente estudio pretendió determinar las alteraciones de la velocidad en jóvenes jugadores de fútbol durante periodo competitivo y su relación con el contenido del entrenamiento. Método. Participaron 17 jugadores (16.3 ± 0.4 años, el 70.2 ± 6.1 kg, 176.0 ± 6.4 cm). El equipo fue analizado durante 17 semanas en periodo competitivo. Se realizaron evaluaciones de la velocidad a 10 m (V10 m) y 30 m (V30 m) en 3 momentos distintos (M1 = 1a, M2 = 10a y M3 = 17a semana del estudio). Resultados. Los principales resultados muestran una disminución significativa (p < 0.05) de M1 (7.25 ± 0.20 m/s) en comparación con M3 (7.05 ± 0.20 m/s) para V30 m y un sensible aumento de V10 m. Conclusión. Se concluye que el entrenamiento aplicado en periodo competitivo analizado ha provocado una mejora significativa de V10 m y una disminución de V30 m en jóvenes futbolistas del estudio (AU)

Effects of training in physical fitness and body composition of the brazilian 5-a-side football team / Efectos del entrenamiento en la aptitud física y composición corporal de atletas de fútbol 5 de la selección brasileña

Objective. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of 16 weeks of training on the parameters of physical fitness and body composition in athletes of the Brazilian 5-a-side football team. Method. The sample consisted of six athletes - four outfield players with functional classification B1 and two goalkeepers without visual impairment -, all male, mean age of 27.33 ± 5.5 years. The athletes underwent two evaluations: before and after 16 weeks of training. We measured the levels of cardiorespiratory fitness through the 20m Shuttle Run and the anaerobic parameters through the Rast Test, while the subjects' body composition was assessed by anthropometric technique. Results. Statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) levels were found for VO2peak before (44.7 ± 4.7 ml.(Kg.min)-1) and after (50.3 ± 3.2ml.(Kg.min)-1), for anaerobic parameters of Medium Power before (442.8 ± 47W) and after (491 ± 72.9W), Low Power before (328.9 ± 26.7W) and after (405.4 ± 79.6W) and for fatigue index before (39.8 ± 10.3%) and after (29.2 ± 12.7%). Conclusion. The 16 weeks of training were enough to show significant improvements in the components of aerobic and anaerobic fitness of the Brazilian 5-a-side football team players; the same effect was not observed in the indicators of body composition(AU)

Objetivo. El presente estudio tiene por objetivo analizar el efecto de 16 semanas de entrenamiento en los parámetros de la condición física y la composición corporal en atletas del equipo de fútbol 5 de la selección brasileña. Método. La muestra estuvo formada por seis atletas, cuatro jugadores de campo con la clasificación funcional B1 y dos porteros sin discapacidad visual, con una media de edad de 27,3 ± 5,5 años. Los atletas realizaron dos evaluaciones: antes y después de 16 semanas de entrenamiento. Se midieron los niveles de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria a través de la realización del test de Shuttle Run 20m y las variables anaeróbicas a través del Rast Test, mientras que la medición de la composición corporal de los sujetos se realizó mediante la técnica antropométrica doblemente indirecta. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p ≤ 0,05) entre los niveles de VO2pico previos (44,7 ± 4,7ml.(kg.min)-1) y posteriores al entrenamiento (50,3 ± 3,2ml.(Kg.min) -1). Los mismos resultados fueron observados en los valores de potencia media (pre = 442,8 ± 47W, post = 491 ± 72,9W), en la potencia mínima (pre = 328,9 ± 26,7W, post = 405,4 ± 79,6W) y en el índice de fatiga (pre = 39,8 ± 10,3 %, post = 29,2 ± 12,7 %). Conclusión. Las 16 semanas de entrenamiento fueron suficientes para demostrar mejoras significativas en la condición física de los jugadores del equipo de fútbol 5 de la selección brasileña, sin embargo, no se obtuvieron los mismos efectos en los indicadores de la composición corporal(AU)

Neuromuscular and metabolic characteristics of elite basketball referees.

AIM: The dynamics of Basketball refereeing has changed and more recently the championships started to use the participation of three referees, but there is still a lack of information about the physical characteristics and performance of the referees. The aim of this study was to characterize the neuromuscular and metabolic performances and body composition of Brazilian elite basketball referees, with a level of national and international refereeing. METHODS: Thirty-seven referees participated in the study (international level N.=17 and national level N.=20). We evaluated anthropometric and body composition variables, among them: height, body mass, body mass index (BMI) and body fat (%); metabolic parameters: lactate at rest and post-exercise; and neuromuscular performance: speed, explosive lower limbs strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity. The main results showed a statistically significant difference in age, in which the international referees were older than the national level (41.94±6.71; 37.30±7.23; P=0.036). RESULTS: There were not significant differences between the levels for neuromuscular and metabolic parameters and body composition. Comparing the results with athletes, the referees showed lower neuromuscular and metabolic parameters and the body composition showed higher body fat than basketball players. CONCLUSION: These data may represent physiological parameters to be considered in the prescription of physical training during the preparation and competition period.

Somatostatin receptor regulation of gastric enterochromaffin-like cell transformation to gastric carcinoid.

BACKGROUND: Although somatostatin is recognized as an inhibitor of neuroendocrine cell secretion, its effect on cell proliferation has not been well defined. Generation of low acid and hypergastrinemia through irreversible H2-receptor blockade (loxtidine) in the African rodent mastomys results in gastric carcinoids (ECLomas) within 4 months. This study was undertaken to evaluate and characterize the precise somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtype on the mastomys enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell and to define its role in the regulation of ECL cell secretion and proliferation. METHODS: A pure preparation (approximately 90%) of ECL cells was derived by a combination of pronase digestion and density gradient separation. We assessed the effect of somatostatin (10(-15) to 10(-7) mol/L) on gastrin-stimulated ECL cell histamine secretion and DNA synthesis (bromodeoxyuridine uptake). SSTR2 subtype was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using gene specific primers and mRNA isolated from normal and hypergastrinemia-induced ECLoma. The polymerase chain reaction product was confirmed by Southern analysis, subcloned, and sequenced. RESULTS: Somatostatin inhibited both gastrin-stimulated histamine secretion (IC50, 5 x 10(-13) mol/L) and DNA synthesis (IC50, 10(-10) mol/L). SSTR2 was identified in the mastomys' brain, and both normal and tumor ECL cells and comparison of the brain and ECL cell SSTR2 nucleotide sequences revealed homology of 99%. CONCLUSIONS: The SSTR2 is expressed by the mastomys' ECL cell and ECLoma. Receptor activation inhibits both ECL cell secretory and proliferative functions.