Six-minute rowing test: a valid and reliable method for assessing power output in amateur male rowers.

Background: Standardized tests are currently available to assess power output in elite rowers. However, there are no valid and reliable tests to assess power output in amateur rowers. Objective: This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a 6-min rowing ergometer test (6-minRT) as a predictor of power output (PO) in amateur male rowers. Methods: Twelve male amateur rowers were part of the study. All participants were instructed to perform an incremental test (IT), a 6-minRT test, and a retest. The validity of the 6-minRT was determined by comparing maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and power output (PO) between the IT and 6-minRT. Reliability included the coefficient of variation (CV), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and mean standard error between the 6-minRT test and retest. The significance level was p < 0.05. Results: There was no significant difference in VO2max in both IT and 6-minRT (p = 0.18), while the mean power output (Pmean) generated in the 6-minRT equaled 91.96% of the maximal aerobic power (MAP) generated in the IT (p = 0.004). Reliability analysis for the 6-minRT showed a CV = 0.50% and ICC = 0.97 for distance, a CV = 1.85% and ICC = 0.96 for Pmean. Conclusion: From a ventilatory and mechanical point of view, the 6-minRT is a maximally valid test for establishing MAP in amateur rowers. Also, the 6-minRT evidences a high degree of agreement between days. Therefore, the 6-minRT is a valid and reliable test for assessing PO in amateur male rowers.

Intercostal Muscles Oxygenation and Breathing Pattern during Exercise in Competitive Marathon Runners.

The study aimed to evaluate the association between the changes in ventilatory variables (tidal volume (Vt), respiratory rate (RR) and lung ventilation (V.E)) and deoxygenation of m.intescostales (∆SmO2-m.intercostales) during a maximal incremental exercise in 19 male high-level competitive marathon runners. The ventilatory variables and oxygen consumption (V.O2) were recorded breath-by-breath by exhaled gas analysis. A near-infrared spectroscopy device (MOXY®) located in the right-hemithorax allowed the recording of SmO2-m.intercostales. To explore changes in oxygen levels in muscles with high demand during exercise, a second MOXY® records SmO2-m.vastus laterallis. The triphasic model of exercise intensity was used for evaluating changes in SmO2 in both muscle groups. We found that ∆SmO2-m.intercostales correlated with V.O2-peak (r = 0.65; p = 0.002) and the increase of V.E (r = 0.78; p = 0.001), RR (r = 0.54; p = 0.001), but not Vt (p = 0.210). The interaction of factors (muscles × exercise-phases) in SmO2 expressed as an arbitrary unit (a.u) was significant (p = 0.005). At VT1 there was no difference (p = 0.177), but SmO2-m.intercostales was higher at VT2 (p < 0.001) and V.O2-peak (p < 0.001). In high-level competitive marathon runners, the m.intercostales deoxygenation during incremental exercise is directly associated with the aerobic capacity and increased lung ventilation and respiratory rate, but not tidal volume. Moreover, it shows less deoxygenation than m.vastus laterallis at intensities above the aerobic ventilatory threshold.

Socio-Demographic Correlates of Total and Domain-Specific Sedentary Behavior in Latin America: A Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify socio-demographic correlates of total and domain-specific sedentary behavior (SB). METHODS: Cross-sectional findings are based on 9218 participants (15-65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health. Data were collected between September 2014 and February 2015. Participants reported time spent in SB across specific domains. Sex, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic (SEL), and education level were used as sociodemographic indicators. RESULTS: Participants spent a total of 373.3 min/day engaged in total SB. Men, younger adults, other ethnicities, higher SEL and educational level presented higher total SB when compared with women, older adults, white/Caucasian, and low SEL and educational level. Men spent more time on the playing videogames (b: 32.8: 95% CI: 14.6;51.1) and riding in an automobile (40.5: 31.3; 49.8). Computer time, reading, socializing or listening to music was higher in younger participants (<30 years) compared with those ≥50 years in the total sample. Compared to the low SEL and educational level groups, middle (11.7: 5.7; 17.6) and higher (15.1: 5.3; 24.9) SEL groups as well as middle (9.8: 3.6; 15.9) and higher (16.6: 6.5; 26.8) education level groups reported more time spent reading. CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic characteristics are associated with SB patterns (total and specific) across Latin American countries.

Relación entre la capacidad aeróbica y de salto como estrategia optimizadora del rendimiento atlético en corredores aficionados / Relação entre a capacidade aeróbica e de saltos como estratégia para otimizar o desempenho atlético dos corredores amadores / Relationship between aerobic capacity and jumping as strategy for optimizing athletic performance in amateur runners

Resumen Actualmente se han propuesto múltiples estrategias que logren garantizar mejores procesos de supercompensación al entrenamiento deportivo, no obstante, aún no existe un consenso debido al surgimiento de nuevos conocimientos relacionados a los procesos de interferencia relacionados a programas de entrenamiento concurrente y su impacto sobre la definición de estrategias para la planificación deportiva. Este trabajo se planteó como objetivo evaluar las variables de fuerza explosiva y su relación con la capacidad aeróbica como una herramienta para definir estrategias de planificación de deportiva. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo correlacional que constó con la participación seis corredores aficionados, valorados en su capacidad aeróbica y fuerza explosiva mediante la prueba de carrera de 2 km y los saltos squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ) y horizontal a pies juntos (SH) respectivamente. La mayor correlación encontrada fue entre la capacidad aeróbica y el salto SJ (p<0,001), lo que demuestra que la capacidad aeróbica y la fuerza muscular son pilares fundamentales en el entrenamiento y planificación atlética, del mismo modo, la no existencia de una relación entre el SH y el salto vertical CMJ (p=0,121) permiten establecer la importancia practica de dar un énfasis al desarrollo de la capacidad aeróbica y fuerza especifica en plano de carrera horizontal como una estrategia optimizadora que responde al rendimiento deportivo en corredores aficionados.

Resumo Atualmente, foram propostas múltiplas estratégias para garantir melhores processos de sobre compensação na parte do treinamento esportivo, mas ainda não há consenso devido ao surgimento de novos conhecimentos relacionados com os processos de interferência relacionados com programas de treinamento simultâneos e seu impacto na definição de estratégias para o planejamento esportivo. O objectivo deste estudo foi avaliar as variáveis da força explosiva e a sua relação com a capacidade aeróbica como ferramenta para definir estratégias de planeamento desportivo. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo correlacional com a participação de seis corredores amadores, que foram avaliados quanto à sua capacidade aeróbica e resistência explosiva por meio do teste de corrida de 2 km e do Salto de Agachamento (SJ), Salto de Contramarcha (CMJ) e Salto Horizontal a Pés (SH), respetivamente. A maior correlação encontrada foi entre a capacidade aeróbica e o salto SJ (p<0,001), o que demonstra que a capacidade aeróbica e a força muscular são pilares fundamentais no treino e no planejamento atlético. Da mesma forma, a ausência de relação entre SH e CMJ salto vertical (p=0,121) permite estabelecer a importância prática de dar ênfase ao desenvolvimento da capacidade aeróbica e da força específica no plano de corrida horizontal como estratégia de otimização que responde ao desempenho desportivo dos corredores amadores.

Abstract Currently, multiple strategies have been proposed to guarantee better processes of super compensation for sports training, however, there is still no consensus due to the emergence of new knowledge related to interference processes related to concurrent training programs and their impact on the definition of strategies for sports planning. The objective of this work was to evaluate the explosive strength variables and their relationship with aerobic capacity as a tool to define sports planning strategies. A descriptive correlational study was carried out that included the participation of 6 amateur runners, valued in their aerobic capacity and explosive strength through the 2-kilometer running test and the Squat Jump (SJ), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) and horizontal feet jump together (SH) respectively. The highest correlation found was between aerobic capacity and SJ jump (p <0.001), which shows that aerobic capacity and muscular strength are fundamental pillars in training and athletic planning, in the same way, the non-existence of a relationship between the SH and the CMJ vertical jump (p = 0.121) allow establishing the practical importance of giving an emphasis to the development of aerobic capacity and specific strength in the horizontal running plane as an optimizing strategy that responds to sports performance in amateur runners.

Efectos de la suplementación aguda con beta-alanina sobre una prueba de tiempo límite a velocidad aeróbica máxima en atletas de resistencia / Effects of acute supplementation with beta-alanine on a limited time test at maximum aerobic speed on endurance athletes

Introducción: la beta-alanina (BA) es una de las ayudas ergogénicas más utilizadas actualmente por deportistas, pero la mayoría de los estudios centran su investigación en la suplementación prolongada. Objetivos: determinar el efecto agudo de la suplementación con BA sobre una prueba de tiempo límite (PTL) a velocidad aeróbica máxima (VAM) en atletas de resistencia. Material y método: once atletas de resistencia (VO2máx 61,6 ± 9,5 mLO2·kg-1·min-1) fueron parte del estudio. El diseño fue doble ciego, cruzado intrasujeto, y la suplementación de BA fue de 30 mg·kg-1 o placebo (PL) 60 minutos antes de completar una PTL. Las variables fueron: tiempo y distancia en la PTL y concentraciones de lactato ([La]) postesfuerzo en los minutos 1, 3, 5, 7 y 9. Para el análisis se utilizó una prueba t de Student y el tamaño del efecto (TE) se realizó mediante la prueba d de Cohen. Resultados: el tiempo en la PTL evidenció diferencias significativas entre la BA y PL (p = 0,047; TE = 0,48). No se observaron diferencias significativas en distancia entre ambos grupos (p = 0,071; TE = 0,48) y las [La] evidenciaron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en los minutos 3, 5 y 7, respectivamente (p < 0,05). Conclusión: la suplementación aguda con BA evidenció aumentos significativos en el tiempo de ejecución en la PTL a intensidades correspondientes a VAM. Por lo anterior, la suplementación aguda con BA es una ayuda ergogénica que podría ser considerada por los atletas de resistencia para aumentar el rendimiento deportivo

Introduction: the beta-alanine (BA) is one of the ergogenic aid most used by athletes, but the majority of the studies center the research on chronic supplementation. Objectives: to determine the acute effect of BA supplementation on a limited time test (LTT) at maximum aerobic speed (MAS) on endurance athletes. Material and method: eleven endurance athletes (VO2max 61.6 ± 9.5 mLO2·kg-1·min-1) were part of the study. The study consisted of a double-blind, cross-over intra-subject design, and the BA supplementation was 30 mg·kg-1 or placebo (PL) 60 minutes before completing a LTT. The variables were: time and distance in LTT, and post-effort lactate concentrations ([La]) in minutes 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The Student's t test was used for the analysis and the size of the effect (SE) was measured through Cohen's d test. Results: the time on LTT showed significant differences between BA and PL (p = 0.047; SE = 0.48). No significant differences were seen between both groups (p = 0.071; SE = 0.48), and [La] showed significant differences between both groups in minutes 3, 5 and 7, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: acute supplementation with BA showed a significant increase in the execution time in LTT in the intensities connected to MAS. Hence, acute supplementation with BA is an ergogenic aid that could be considered by resistance athletes in order to increase the athletic performance

[Effects of acute supplementation with beta-alanine on a limited time test at maximum aerobic speed on endurance athletes]. / Efectos de la suplementación aguda con beta-alanina sobre una prueba de tiempo límite a velocidad aeróbica máxima en atletas de resistencia.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: the beta-alanine (BA) is one of the ergogenic aid most used by athletes, but the majority of the studies center the research on chronic supplementation. Objectives: to determine the acute effect of BA supplementation on a limited time test (LTT) at maximum aerobic speed (MAS) on endurance athletes. Material and method: eleven endurance athletes (VO2max 61.6 ± 9.5 mLO2•kg-1•min-1) were part of the study. The study consisted of a double-blind, cross-over intra-subject design, and the BA supplementation was 30 mg•kg-1 or placebo (PL) 60 minutes before completing a LTT. The variables were: time and distance in LTT, and post-effort lactate concentrations ([La]) in minutes 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The Student's t test was used for the analysis and the size of the effect (SE) was measured through Cohen's d test. Results: the time on LTT showed significant differences between BA and PL (p = 0.047; SE = 0.48). No significant differences were seen between both groups (p = 0.071; SE = 0.48), and [La] showed significant differences between both groups in minutes 3, 5 and 7, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: acute supplementation with BA showed a significant increase in the execution time in LTT in the intensities connected to MAS. Hence, acute supplementation with BA is an ergogenic aid that could be considered by resistance athletes in order to increase the athletic performance.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la beta-alanina (BA) es una de las ayudas ergogénicas más utilizadas actualmente por deportistas, pero la mayoría de los estudios centran su investigación en la suplementación prolongada. Objetivos: determinar el efecto agudo de la suplementación con BA sobre una prueba de tiempo límite (PTL) a velocidad aeróbica máxima (VAM) en atletas de resistencia. Material y método: once atletas de resistencia (VO2máx 61,6 ± 9,5 mLO2•kg-1•min-1) fueron parte del estudio. El diseño fue doble ciego, cruzado intrasujeto, y la suplementación de BA fue de 30 mg•kg-1 o placebo (PL) 60 minutos antes de completar una PTL. Las variables fueron: tiempo y distancia en la PTL y concentraciones de lactato ([La]) postesfuerzo en los minutos 1, 3, 5, 7 y 9. Para el análisis se utilizó una prueba t de Student y el tamaño del efecto (TE) se realizó mediante la prueba d de Cohen. Resultados: el tiempo en la PTL evidenció diferencias significativas entre la BA y PL (p = 0,047; TE = 0,48). No se observaron diferencias significativas en distancia entre ambos grupos (p = 0,071; TE = 0,48) y las [La] evidenciaron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en los minutos 3, 5 y 7, respectivamente (p < 0,05). Conclusión: la suplementación aguda con BA evidenció aumentos significativos en el tiempo de ejecución en la PTL a intensidades correspondientes a VAM. Por lo anterior, la suplementación aguda con BA es una ayuda ergogénica que podría ser considerada por los atletas de resistencia para aumentar el rendimiento deportivo.