Acute anodal transcranial direct current stimulation improves the performance of professional rowers.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of acute transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on physical and subjective responses in professional rowing during the 2,000-m time trial test. Methods: Seven rowers (age 20.86 ± 4.49 years; weight 71.66 ± 7.97 kg) participated in this randomized triple-blind trial with a crossover experimental design. The protocol consists of 2 days with different conditions (anodal and sham). The tDCS anodic stimulation conducted was 2 mA for 20 min in the left temporal cortex (2.5 cm from the F7 zone and 2.5 cm from the T3 zone), targeting the left insular cortex. In the sham moment, the participants experienced 30 s of stimulation. Afterward, they performed a standardized progressive warm-up for 15 min, following the Brazilian Rowing Confederation's assessment protocols, and rested for 3 min before the test started. All procedures were made on an indoor rowing machine, which allowed the capture of performance variables such as time performed, power in watts (W), pace (m/min), and stroke rate (strokes/min). The ratings of perceived exertion [Borg scale (CR-20)] were recorded in each 2-min during the test. Results: The results presented differences in power [Z: -2.371; p = 0.018; effect size (ES) = -0.896 (large)] and pace [Z: -2.371; p = 0.018; ES = -0.896 (large)] and time performance [Z: -1.612; p = 0.107; ES = -0.609 (large)] throughout the protocol for the anodal moment. Discussion: However, no differences for the other variables were found. According to the results, the current tDCS with the present protocol improved the physical performance at the 2,000-m time trial Test providing ergogenic aid.

Effects of bi-hemispheric anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on soccer player performance: a triple-blinded, controlled, and randomized study.

The search for increased performance and physical performance are linked to the use of ergogenic resources. The vertical jump is one of the measures commonly used to evaluate the performance of lower limbs in athletes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, safe, economically viable technique that can modulate cortical excitability, which can influence the increase in the performance of athletes in general. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of tDCS on the primary motor cortex (M1) improves the performance of soccer players. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-seven players were randomized into three groups: Active tDCS group (n = 9), Sham group (n = 9), and control group (n = 9). Stimulation was applied at 2 mA for 15 min using a cephalic mount. Visual Pain Scale (VAS) and Subjective Recovery Scale (SRS) were monitored before and after tDCS. In addition, the participants performed the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) before and after the stimulation intercalated with Heart Rate (HR) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE CR-10). No differences were found in any of the performance variables analyzed (p > 0.05) nor in the responses of HR (p > 0.05), RPE (p > 0.05), VAS (p > 0.05), and SRS (p > 0.05) between groups. The tDCS in M1 did not change the performance of the vertical jump, and there was no improvement in the subjective scales. New studies should also be developed with different stimulus intensities in different cortical areas and sports modalities.

Effects of kettlebell training and detraining on mood status and sleep and life quality of healthy women.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Kettlebell exercise have become popular because of its ability to simultaneously train aerobic/anaerobic systems, low cost and easy access, and the great potential for physical fitness programs with a focus on public health. However, little is known about its effects on mood status, sleep, and quality of life (QOL) parameters. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of kettlebell training/detraining on the prevention of depressive and anxiety symptoms and QOL and sleep quality. METHODS: The sample was composed of 17 healthy women (age: 26.0 ± 5.0 years; body mass: 60.9 ± 12.5 kg; height: 164.6 ± 5.5 cm). The study was organized into four consecutive phases: pre-intervention (PRE), intervention (kettlebell training, 12 weeks, three times/week), post-intervention (POST) and detraining (D, four weeks). The questionnaires SF-36 (QOL), Beck (depressive symptoms), State-Anxiety Inventory (acute anxiety symptoms), POMS (mood state) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep quality) were administered at PRE/POST/D phases. RESULTS: QOL, anxiety, sleep quality, and mood state exhibited no differences between PRE/POST/D. Levels of depressive symptoms significantly decreased (22.0%, p = 0.003) between PRE and POST phases, and remained low and similar to POST levels after D. CONCLUSION: Twelve weeks of kettlebell training was able to reduce and prevent depressive/anxiety symptoms in healthy women and these results were maintained after short-term detraining. Thus, kettlebell training might be considered an alternative method on the promotion of mental health and prevention of mood disorders and consequently can improve QOL even in health people.

Efeitos de um programa de exercícios aquáticos na atividade de vida diária de idosos portadores de transtornos motores / Effects of a program of aquatic exercises in the activity of daily life of old bearers of movement disorders

Introdução: as alterações relacionadas com a idade que ocorrem no sistema musculoesquelético, em especial, constituem maior fonte de preocupação para os indivíduos idosos, pois a diminuição da força muscular, associada à redução da flexibilidade articular, implica diretamente perda da capacidade funcional, limitando a realização das atividades de vida diária (AVDs) e comprometendo o bem-estar do indivíduo. Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos de um programa de exercícios aquáticos nas AVDs de idosos portadores de transtornos motores. Metodologia: participaram do estudo 29 idosos de ambos os sexos, com média de idade correspondente a 71,1 anos, portadores de transtornos motores que completaram um programa de exercícios aquáticos de cinco meses. A comparação dos resultados do pré-teste com o pós-teste de AVD foi feita pelo teste t de Student pareado, com nível de significância de p ≥ 0,05. Resultados: foram notadas melhorias significativas no tempo médio de execução em 44,3% para o teste “levantar-se do solo”, 25,5% para “sentar, levantar-se da cadeira e locomover-se pela casa” e 8,31% para “caminhar/correr de 800m”. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que o programa de atividades aquáticas contribuiu para a melhoria no tempo de execução dos testes aplicados, indicando um possível auxílio desse programa para a realização das AVDs de idosos portadores de transtornos motores.

Background: the skeletal muscle degeneration constitute greater source of concern for the aged individuals, since the reduction of the muscular strength, associated to reduction of the flexibility to articulate in the loss of the functional capacity, limiting the accomplishment of the activities of daily living (ADL’s) and compromising well-being of the individual. Purpose: to evaluate the effect of a program of aquatic exercises in the ADL’s in aged with movement disorders. Methods: twenty-nine individuals (mean age = 71.1 years) with movement disorders who completed a program of aquatic exercises of five months. The comparison of the results of ADL’s test before and after the program was made through paired Student’s t-test, with level of significance of p ≤ 0.05. Results: significant improvements were noticed in the middle time of execution in 44,3 % for test of “get up from the floor”, 25,5 % for it of “sitting and to stand up of the chair and to move around for the house”, and 8,31 % for it of “walk/race of 800m”. Conclusion: the results suggest that the program of aquatic activities contributed for the improvement in the time of execution of the applied tests, indicating a possible aid of this program for the accomplishment of the ADL’s of aged carriers of movement disorders.