Origin and age group of the fastest amateur triathletes competing in 'Ironman Hawaii' between 2003 and 2019.

Little is known about the prevalent nationalities among the best-placed athletes participating in "Ironman Hawaii." Moreover, the age at which athletes achieve their best performances remains unclear. The present study aimed to compare the prevalent nationalities among the athletes, their respective placement among the top five, and the performance difference between the different age groups in 'Ironman Hawaii' from 2003 to 2019. A total of 30 354 amateur triathletes were selected from the Obsessed Triathlete (OBSTRI) website. A "TOP 5" division filter was applied for further analysis, resulting in 1 851 athletes being included in this study. Among the male runners, Americans participated the most in Ironman events (39%), followed by Germans (10%). Among female runners, Americans participated the most (54%), followed by Australian runners (8%). Male Americans also featured most among the top five (30%), followed by Germans (16%). Female Americans were the most prevalent among the top five (47%), followed by Australian Americans (10%). There were no significant performance differences (p â€‹> â€‹0.05) between the 25-29 and 40-44 age groups for either sex. The 45-49 age group presented significantly worse performance than the 35-39 age group for both sexes (p â€‹< â€‹0.001). North Americans were the most performant and frequent participants in "Ironman Hawaii." The expected performance decline due to aging was observed after 45 years in both sexes.

The Performance, Physiology and Morphology of Female and Male Olympic-Distance Triathletes.

Sex differences in triathlon performance have been decreasing in recent decades and little information is available to explain it. Thirty-nine male and eighteen female amateur triathletes were evaluated for fat mass, lean mass, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and performance in a national Olympic triathlon race. Female athletes presented higher fat mass (p = 0.02, d = 0.84, power = 0.78) and lower lean mass (p < 0.01, d = 3.11, power = 0.99). VO2 max (p < 0.01, d = 1.46, power = 0.99), maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) (p < 0.01, d = 2.05, power = 0.99), velocities in VT (p < 0.01, d = 1.26, power = 0.97), and RCP (p < 0.01, d = 1.53, power = 0.99) were significantly worse in the female group. VT (%VO2 max) (p = 0.012, d = 0.73, power = 0.58) and RCP (%VO2 max) (p = 0.005, d = 0.85, power = 0.89) were higher in the female group. Female athletes presented lower VO2 max value, lower lean mass, and higher fat mass. However, females presented higher values of aerobic endurance (%VO2 max), which can attenuate sex differences in triathlon performance. Coaches and athletes should consider that female athletes can maintain a higher percentage of MAV values than males during the running split to prescribe individual training.

Return to classes impact on mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the necessary social isolation and distancing measures - that were adopted to prevent spreading the virus, including the suspension of university classes - negatively impacted the mental health of young adults. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether returning to online classes, even not presential, during the social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, affected the mental health of university students. METHODS: Forty students (10 men and 30 women) (age, 22.3 ± 3.8 years; body mass, 62.5 ± 17.8 kg; height, 165.6 ± 8.7 cm) from undergraduate health courses participated in the study. The students answered a self-administered questionnaire designed to gather personal and quarantine information as well as information about the frequency of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptoms. The questionnaire was answered before and after the return to online classes. RESULTS: There was a significantly lower frequency of depression symptoms after the return to online classes (Z = -2.27; p = 0.02). However, there was no difference in anxiety symptoms before and after returning to online classes (Z = -0.51; p = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Return to online classes positively impacted the mental health (decrease of frequency of depression symptoms) of university students. Future studies are needed to observe whether the changes observed after returning to school are maintained over time.

Distribution of body fat is associated with physical performance of male amateur triathlon athletes.

BACKGROUND: Endurance sports are strongly associated with maximum oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, running economy and body fat percentage. Despite the importance for performance of the low-fat mass being a consensus in the literature, there are no data about the importance of the pattern of fat distribution. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between fat mass distribution with triathlon performance and physiological determinants of performance: maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max), ventilatory threshold (AT) and running economy (RE), and to verify the predictive value for performance of gynoid or android fat mass distribution. METHODS: Thirty-nine triathletes (38.8±6.9 years, 174.8±6.5 cm and 74.3±8.8 kg) were evaluated for anthropometric (total body mass, fat mass, lean mass, android and gynoid fat mass) and physiological (V̇O2max, AT and RE) parameters. Split and overall race times were registered. RESULTS: Overall race time relationship with gynoid fat mass (r=0.529, P<0.05) was classified as moderate and with android fat mass (r=0.416, P<0.05) was classified as low. All split times and overall race time presented significant positive correlation with only total fat mass (%) (r=0.329 to 0.574, P<0.05) and with gynoid fat mass (%) (r=0.359 to 0.529, P<0.05). Overall race time can be better predicted by gynoid fat mass (ß=0.529, t=4.093, P<0.001, r2=0.28) than by android fat mass (ß=0.416, t=2.997, P=0.005, r2=0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Fat mass distribution is associated with triathlon performance, and the gynoid fat pattern is worse for triathlon performance than the android pattern.

Pacing strategy of a wheelchair athlete in a 5x and 10x Ironman ultra triathlon: a case study.

OBJECTIVE: For disabled athletes such as wheelchair athletes, there is no knowledge about competing and pacing during a long-distance triathlon such as an Ironman triathlon. This study aimed to investigate the pacing strategy of a paraplegic wheelchair athlete competing and finishing a Quintuple Iron ultra-triathlon (i.e., five times 3.8 km swimming, 180 km handbike cycling and 42.195 km wheelchair racing in five days) and a Deca Iron ultra-triathlon (10 times the same distance in 10 days). METHODS: Data from an ultra-distance triathlon race (Swissultra) covering 5x and 10x Ironman distance were collected. Official performance data were acquired from the race organizer's website and athlete's personal information from the athlete through online interviews. The athlete is a man born in 1962, the races analysed in this study were held in the summer of 2017 (5x) and 2019 (10x). The split times for swimming, cycling and running, the overall race times for each Ironman and the lap times in cycling (handbike) and running (wheelchair) were analysed. RESULTS: The athlete finished the Quintuple Iron ultra-triathlon in an overall race time of 66:28:31 h:min:s and the Deca Iron ultra-triathlon in 137:03:20 h:min:s. He adopted an even pacing in both races in split disciplines and for overall race time. CONCLUSION: The paraplegic wheelchair athlete was able to finish both a Quintuple and a Deca Iron ultra-triathlon by adopting an even pacing in all split disciplines and for overall race time.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTriathlon is a growing sport among athletes with spinal cord injury.Ultra-triathlons are ultra-endurance events and pacing is a key aspect to a successful race regardless the athlete's category.An athlete with a spinal cord injury finished a 5x and 10x Ironman ultra-triathlon applying an even pacing strategy.

Factors Associated with Reduction in Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic in São Paulo, Brazil: An Internet-Based Survey Conducted in June 2020.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected physical activity levels. This study investigated the factors associated with the change in physical activity level in Brazilians residing in the city of São Paulo. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire, addressing personal data, restriction level, education level, family income, daily working hours, and physical activity level, was answered by 2140 volunteers, of which 1179 were excluded because the answers were either incomplete or the respondents were not from São Paulo. The total number of participants selected was 961 (581 female and 380 male). RESULTS: The physical activity level adopted prior to the pandemic period (p < 0.001) and family income (p = 0.001) correlated significantly with physical activity level reduction during the pandemic. The proportion of people who reduced their physical activity was greater among those who were very active than those who were active (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 0.65 [confidence interval (CI): 0.52-0.80]) or insufficiently active [aPR: 0.39 (0.18-0.82)]. The proportion of people who reduced their physical activity was greater among those who received a salary less than minimum wage (MW) than those who received a salary between three to six times minimum wage [(aPR: 0.50 (CI 0.35-0.70)] or more than 6 MW [(aPR: 0.56 (CI 0.40-0.79)]. CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence of Brazilians residing in the city of São Paulo reduced their physical activity who had a vigorous level of physical activity prior to the pandemic and who received less than a MW.

Reduced level of physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with depression and anxiety levels: an internet-based survey.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people's general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity caused by social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information's was answered by 2140 Brazilians of both sex who were recruited through online advertising. RESULTS: The physical activity level adopted during the period of social distancing (3.5 ± 0.8) was lower than that the adopted prior to the pandemic period (2.9 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

Impact of training volume and experience on amateur Ironman triathlon performance.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between training volume, sleep time, signs and symptoms of excessive training (overtraining), and  previous triathlon experience with overall and split race times in the Ironman distance triathlon. METHODS: Ninety-nine triathletes (19 women and 80 men) answered an online survey containing questions about anthropometric characteristics (body mass and height), weekly training volume (hours per day and days per week), previous experience in Ironman distance triathlon race, and signs and symptoms of excessive training. Data of race times of all participants were collected by a single race (the Ironman Brazil 2019 - Florianópolis). All surveys were collected between 28 and 30 days before the race. The athlete was instructed to answer the questions according to what was happening in the week before completing the survey. RESULTS: Total race time did not differ among those who trained up to 14 h per week (11:28:46±01:54:30 h:min:sec), between 15 and 20 h per week (11:37:31±01:20:26 h:min:sec) or more than 20 h per week (11:30:18±01:31:28 h:min:sec) (p = 0.922). Total race time of the triathletes who presented (12:42:22±01:49:36 h:min:sec) or no (11:23:06±01:29:02 h:min:sec) unintentional body mass loss (p = 0.006), feeling (12:46:17±02:03:13 h:min:sec) or no (11:24:09±01:28:07 h:min:sec) of decreased performance (p = 0.009) or feeling (12:08:58±01:47:12 h:min:sec) or no (11:16:34±01:24:53 h:min:sec) loss of energy (p = 0.011) in the week prior to the race were significantly different. Triathletes who had a previous experience in Ironman races achieved a better performance (11:15:21±01:32:04 h:min:sec) than those without previous experience (12:06:38±01:32:10 h:min:sec) (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: In summary, high volumes of training (more than 20 h per week), when performed forty days before a race, may not have a positive impact on performance compared to lower volumes of training (up to 14 h per week). However, athletes who had a previous experience in Ironman race presented better results in swimming splits and overall race time. Moreover, the presence of overtraining symptoms, such as unintentional loss of weight, sensation of fatigue and/or performance decrease impact negatively triathlon performance.

Physical Activity Levels and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Results of a Comparative Study between Convenience Samples from Brazil and Switzerland.

Background and objectives: It has been suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic impaired people's moods and general levels of physical activity, but the way in which each country is coping with the situation may result in different outcomes. The aim of the present study was to compare the mental health and physical activity levels between residents of Brazil and Switzerland during the social distancing period associated with COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire aiming to assess personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders data was answered by 114 participants (57 from each country) of both sexes. Results: Swiss participants presented a higher frequency of people (47.4%) not abiding by social distancing measures compared to Brazilian participants (1.8%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.56). There were no significant differences between the participants from the two countries regarding physical activity levels (p = 0.09). The Swiss presented a higher frequency (78.9%) of people without symptoms of depression compared to Brazilians (31.6%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.48). The Swiss also presented a higher frequency (77.2%) of people without symptoms of anxiety compared to Brazilians (35.1%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.43). There was a significant association between the restriction level and depression symptoms (p = 0.01, effect size = 0.25) but not with anxiety symptoms (p = 0.21, effect size = 0.16). Conclusions: According to the preliminary results, Brazilians presented a much higher frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms, which can be explained by characteristics other than the restriction level.

Sleep During "Lockdown" in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim of this study was to determine if the lockdown measures applied due to the pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected the sleep of the general population and health professionals in six different countries (Greece, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Brazil). We used a web-based survey with a short questionnaire of 13 questions, translated into four languages (Greek, German, French, and Portuguese). The questionnaire included information about demographic and professional data, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sleep, degree of abidance in lockdown measures, and data about illness or close contact with active confirmed cases of COVID-19. Initially, 2093 individuals participated. After exclusion of those who did not report their duration of sleep, the final sample comprised 1908 participants (Greek, n = 1271; German, n = 257, French, n = 48; Portuguese, n = 332), aged 42.6 ± 12.7 years, who were considered for further analysis. A main effect of the lockdown week on sleep duration was observed (+0.25 h; 95% confidence intervals, CI, 0.17, 0.32; p < 0.001), with the total sleep time of the lockdown week being longer than that under normal conditions. A week*occupation interaction on sleep duration was demonstrated (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.012). Sleep duration remained stable in health professionals (-0.18 h; 95% CI -0.36, 0.01; p = 0.063), whereas it increased in other occupations by 0.31 h (95% CI, 0.24, 0.39; p < 0.001). In terms of sleep quality, 15% of participants characterized their sleep as bad and 37.9% as average during the lockdown week. Almost 1 in 3 individuals (31.3%) reported worse quality of sleep during the lockdown week than under normal conditions. Sleep during the lockdown week was characterized as good by 47.1%, but only 38% of the health professionals group. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown affected sleep in different ways, depending on age, level of education, occupation, and country of residence.

Previous experience, aerobic capacity and body composition are the best predictors for Olympic distance triathlon performance: Predictors in amateur triathlon.

OBJECTIVE: Present study examines predictors of the overall race time and disciplines in the Olympic distance triathlon. METHODS: Thirty-nine male and six female triathletes were evaluated for anthropometric, physiological, genetic, training, clinical and circadian characteristics. Body composition, maximum capacity for oxygen uptake (V˙O2max), maximum aerobic velocity (MAV), anaerobic threshold (AT), triathlon experience (TE) and XX genotype for α-actinin 3 affected total race time (p<0.05). RESULTS: Total race time can be predicted by MAV (ß = -0.430, t = -3.225, p = 0.003), TE (ß = -0.378, t = -3.605, p = 0.001), and percentage of lean mass (%LM) (ß = -0.332, t = -2.503, p = 0.017). Swimming can be predicted by MAV (ß = -0.403, t = -3.239, p = 0.002), TE (ß = -0.339, t = -2.876, p = 0.007), and AT%V˙O2max (ß = 0.281, t = 2.278, p = 0.028). Cycling can be predicted by MAV (ß = -0.341, t = -2.333, p = 0.025), TE (ß = -0.363, t = -3.172, p = 0.003), and %LM (ß = -0.326, t = -2.265, p = 0.029). In running split, MAV (ß = -0.768, t = -6.222, p < 0.001) was the only parameter present in the best multiple linear regression model. CONCLUSION: The most important variables in multiple regression models for estimating performance were MAV, TE, AT and %LM.

A ocorrência de eventos graves, após 5 anos, em coronariopatas com e sem isquemia esforço induzida em programa de reabilitação cardiovascular / The occurrence of severe events after 5 years in coronary artery disease patients with and without exercise-induced ischemia in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program

FUNDAMENTOS: Pouco se sabe a respeito da evolução de pacientes com e sem isquemia esforço induzida, durante treinamento, no nível do limiar anaeróbico (LA). OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a incidência de morte (M), infarto (IM), revascularização (RM) e acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) em pacientes com e sem isquemia, durante treinamento no nível do LA. MÉTODOS: Foram seguidos 39 coronariopatas (35 homens e 4 mulheres), com idade entre 45 e 75 anos (média=59,7) com doença arterial coronária comprovada por cinecoronariografia e hipoperfusão transitória na cintilografia miocárdica de perfusão associada a teste ergométrico por cinco anos, coletando-se os desfechos M, IM, RM e AVC. Todos pertenciam a investigação que avaliou a presença ou não de isquemia, através da cintilografia miocárdica de perfusão, durante treinamento de 20 minutos em bicicleta ergométrica, na intensidade equivalente ao LA, determinado por teste cardiopulmonar. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: isquêmicos, que apresentavam isquemia no treinamento no nível do LA e não isquêmicos, sem isquemia. Foi construída curva de Kaplan-Meier para ambos os grupos. RESULTADOS: Durante o período de seguimento ocorreram no grupo isquêmico: 3 M, 1 AVC, 1 IM e 1 RM, ou seja, 6 eventos. No grupo não isquêmico ocorreram: 1M, 1 AVC, 1 IM e 1 RM, ou seja, 4 eventos. Não foram evidenciadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: A ocorrência de isquemia, em sessão de reabilitação, não previu a ocorrência de M, AVC, IM e RM no período de 5 anos de acompanhamento, nas condições do estudo. (AU)

Detecção da isquemia miocárdica em coronariopatas graves pelo pulso de oxigênio / Detection of myocardial ischemia in severe coronary heart disease by oxygen pulse

INTRODUÇÃO: Trabalhos científicos recentes têm apresentado a variável Pulso de Oxigênio (PO2) como uma excelente ferramenta para detecção precoce de isquemia miocárdica (IM)1,2,3,4. Enquanto o Teste Ergométrico (TE) apresenta sensibilidade de 46% e especificidade de 66% para IM, a literatura mostra PO2 com sensibilidade de 87% e a variável Pulso/Carga com sensibilidade de 74% para IM em pacientes com isquemia grave. OBJETIVO: Verificar se na população estudada a adição da variável PO2 acrescentaria informações ao diagnóstico de IM. MÉTODOS: Critérios de inclusão: pacientes de ambos os sexos, lesão obstrutiva maior que 70% comprovada, isquemia ao esforço em cintilografia, medicação otimizada para insuficiência coronária obstrutiva. Os critérios de exclusão: idade maior que 75 anos, presença de alteração no eletrocardiograma que impossibilite a interpretação do teste ergométrico, impossibilidade de ser submetido a estresse físico ou participar do programa de reabilitação cardíaca. Pacientes foram submetidos ao teste cardiopulmonar máximo (TCPM) com injeção da MIBI-99mTc e detecção do PO2 seguido de cintilografia de esforço e repouso (1º TESTE). Após 3 dias foi realizado novo TCPM para determinar a prescrição de exercício no limiar anaeróbio (2º TESTE). Após 4 dias novo teste cardiopulmonar no exercício prescrito (limiar anaeróbico) com injeção da MIBI-99mTc e detecção do PO2 seguido da segunda cintilografia (3º TESTE). RESULTADOS: A amostra contou com 39 pacientes (35 homens e 4 mulheres) com idade média de 59,77 ± 1,22 anos. (AU)