Anthropometrical and Physical Fitness Predictors of Operational Military Test Performance in Air Force Personnel.

The objective of this study was to verify the relationships between the anthropometrical and physical fitness parameters (measured by the Physical Conditioning Assessment (PCA) of the Aeronautics Command), with the operational performance in the simulated military task performance (SMTP) performed by the infantry military of a Brazilian Air Force (BAF) unit. These evaluations were performed on two distinct days, interspersed by 48h, with PCA on the first day and the SMTP in the second. The distribution of the dependent variable was not normal (Shapiro-Wilk test, p = 0.001). Data are presented as mean and standard deviation, median and interquartile, for variables normally and non-normally distributed, respectively. The correlation between variables was determined using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. A regression model to predict performance in the SMTP, based on the anthropometrical, physiological and performance variables, was performed. The significance level was set at 5%. Based on the results, there was an association between all the PCA and SMTP variables: weight, lean body mass, trunk flexion, and estimated VO2max based on the distance covered in the 12-minute test. The following equation was generated: SMTP (s) = 350.611 - 1.556 (fat-free mass, in kg) - 0.34 (12-min running distance, in m) - 0.632 (sit-up, in repetitions). The explained variance of the SMTP was 72.3% with an estimated standard error of 3.6s. It was observed that, although the association was diagnosed in some variables, there is a need to analyze possibilities for improvement in the selection of physical fitness tests that are closer to operationality in BAF Infantry military personnel.

Relative Age Effect in the Girls' Volleyball U18 World Championship.

The relative age effect (RAE), within the sporting scope, refers to the possible advantages of participation and performance of athletes born in the first months of the year of selection in relation to others within the same age category. The aim of the present study was to investigate the RAE in girls' volleyball players participating in the U-18 World Championship, analysing the differences between the medal teams and other teams in the tournament, and considering this phenomenon in relation to the continents. Data collection was obtained from the website of the International Volleyball Federation with a sample made of 1654 youth players in the last six world championships (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017). A greater representation of athletes born in the first months of the year of all the world championships was observed. In the comparison among the continents, it was observed that in Africa, there was a more equal distribution of quartiles compared to America, Asia and Europe. It should be noted that there was a higher percentage of medalist athletes born at the beginning of the year in comparison to the countries that placed in the last three positions of the championship. Therefore, in U-18 female volleyball, there is an advantage to have the closest birth age at the beginning of the competitive biennium.

Effects of 12 Weeks of Physical Training on Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Military Recruits.

The aim of this study was to analyze the morphological and functional changes in military recruits after twelve weeks of physical training. The sample consisted of 130 volunteer recruits aged 18-19 years. Anthropometric variables were assessed (body weight, height, body mass index, arm, waist, and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, skinfold thickness of the triceps, suprailiac, and abdomen, and body fat percentage) and the sit-up test (1 minute), push-up test, and 12-minute running test. The physical training protocol involved running workouts, strength, agility, and flexibility. Descriptive statistical procedures were performed with mean, standard deviation, variance, and percentage and the comparison between the two moments was performed using the Student t test for dependent samples. The significance level was set at p <0.05. The results demonstrated a decrease in the sum of the three skinfolds (42.7±25.2mm to 33.9±17.7mm), a decrease in fat percentage (14.1±7.3% to 11.8±6.1%), an increase in lean mass (57.6±6.0kg to 58.6±8.0kg), and decreased fat mass (10.1±6.4kg to 8.3±5.2kg). They also showed improvements in push-up test (21.3±9.0 to 33.5±8.9), sit-up test (35.2±8.3 to 49.8±7.4), the 12 minute test (2212±316m to 2760±214m), and V̇O2max (35.2±8.3ml.kg-1.min-1 to 49.8±7.4 ml.kg-1.min-1). No differences were observed in body mass, height, body mass index, or hip circumference. According to the above, it was found that the methodology adopted in the physical training was effective in reducing the percentage of fat and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, improving the physical capacity and health of the military recruits.

Performance indicators analysis at Brazilian and Italian women's volleyball leagues according to game location, game outcome, and set number.

This study was done to investigate the advantage of playing at home in elite women's volleyball leagues and the influence of performance indicators in the game score according to set number. The sample consisted of 240 games of the Brazilian Volleyball League (n = 132 games) and the Italian Volleyball League (n = 108 games) from the 2011-2012 season. The relationship of performance indicators (including serve, attack, block, and opponents' errors) with the game outcome (win or lose) was assessed. The results showed that there was a home advantage effect in women's volleyball leagues, with a higher prevalence of victory for the home teams in Brazilian and Italian leagues (58 and 56%, respectively). When related to the performance indicators and among the aspects that were most highly correlated with victory, the attack was the technical indicator that explained most of the results of volleyball games.