A Multidimensional Approach to Assessing Anthropometric and Aerobic Fitness Profiles of Elite Brazilian Endurance Athletes and Military Personnel.

INTRODUCTION: Military personnel must remain physically active to meet operational requirements. Military physical training not only provides the performance capabilities required for performing occupational tasks but also fosters the development of sport. Thus, Armed Forces across the world have historically invested in developing elite- and Olympic-level athletes. This study aimed to assess the anthropometric and physiological differences among groups of Brazilian military athletes (MA), non-military athletes (A), and military non-athletes (M). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five individuals participated in the study: 17 MA (23.7 ± 4.8 years), 27 A (24.7 ± 5.3 years), and 31 M (26.9 ± 3.3 years). MA and A individuals specialized in endurance sports, and had a mean weekly training volume of (100.0 ± 34.8 and 106.3 ± 40.5 Km; F = 0.894, p = 0.6), respectively. Anthropometric measures and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2máx) were assessed in all participants. Ergospirometry and anthropometry variables were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for independent measures. Comparisons of weekly training volume (km) and training experience (years) were performed only between the A and MA using the Student's t-test for independent samples. For a multidimensional approach, Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed for all variables using the online tool MetaboAnalyst. RESULTS: We found no differences in anthropometric and physiological profiles between A and MA, but significant differences between M and MA/A in body mass index (kg/m2) (BMI), body fat percentage, fat mass (kg), waist circumference (cm) (WC), somatotype, and V̇O2máx (mL min-1 kg-1). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, military endurance athletes have similar anthropometric and physiological profiles to non-military athletes and superior levels to non-athlete military. These findings indicate that the Brazilian Armed Forces scouting system has been successful in identifying endurance athletic talent in line with their historic role of developing sport in Brazil.

Influência do protocolo ergométrico na ocorrência de diferentes critérios de esforço máximo / Influence of the ergometric protocol in the onset of diferent criteria for maximal effort

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVO: Neste estudo investigamos a influência de diferentes protocolos ergométricos na ocorrência dos critérios de esforço máximo. MÉTODOS: Nove sujeitos fisicamente ativos (23 ± 4 anos, 177 ± 10cm, e 77,1 ± 16kg) realizaram três testes de esforço (PR1 - 15W·min-1, PR2 - 50W·3 min-1, e PR3 - 50W·5 min-1) no cicloergômetro. O consumo de oxigênio foi medido em circuito aberto e integrado a cada 20s. Adotaram-se como critérios de esforço máximo: o platô no consumo de oxigênio < 150 mL·min-1; frequência cardíaca máxima (FCmáx) > 95 por cento prevista pela idade; lactato > 8,0 mM; e RER > 1,1. RESULTADOS: O VO2máx não apresentou diferenças entre os protocolos (2,68 ± 1,0; 2,58 ± 1,0 e 2,99 ± 1,3L·min-1 para PR1, PR2 e PR3, p = 0,72). A maior ocorrência do platô foi observada em PR1 (cinco sujeitos). O critério da frequência cardíaca máxima foi satisfeito em três sujeitos em PR3, e o critério do lactato em seis sujeitos, no mesmo protocolo (PR3). O RER > 1,1 foi observado em seis sujeitos em PR1. CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que a ocorrência de diferentes critérios de esforço máximo é influenciada pela escolha do protocolo ergométrico, não indicando, contudo, valores distintos de VO2máx.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different exercise protocols in the onset of maximal effort parameters. METHODS: Nine healthy individuals (23 ± 4 year old; 177 ± 10 cm; and 77.1 ± 16 kg) participated in three progressive exercise tests (PR1 - 15 W•min-1, PR2 - 50 W•3 min-1, and PR3 - 50 W•5 min-1) in a cycle ergometer. Oxygen consumption was measured in open circuit and was calculated at 20 s intervals. The maximal effort parameters considered here were: plateau in oxygen consumption < 150 mL•min-1; maximal heart rate > 95 percent predicted by age; blood lactate concentration (8.0 mM; and RER > 1.1. RESULTS: The VO2max was not different among exercise tests (2.68 ± 1.0; 2.58 ± 1.0 and 2.99 ± 1.3 L•min-1 for PR1; PR2 and PR3, p = 0.72). The highest plateau occurrence was in PR1 (5 individuals). The heart rate criterion was observed in 3 individuals in PR3, while the lactate criterion was fulfilled in 6 subjects in the same PR3 protocol. Regarding the RER parameter, only 6 subjects in PR1 achieved values > 1.1. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the maximal effort parameters evaluated in this study are influenced by the exercise test, even when there are no differences in the VO2max.