Effect of mat vs. apparatus pilates training on the functional capacity of elderly women.

INTRODUCTION: It is well known that physical exercise improves functional capacity (FC), promoting healthy aging. The Pilates method (PM) is an example of well-accepted physical exercise by the elderly and has been reported in studies to be beneficial for this population. However, it is not yet known whether there is a difference between the practice of mat and apparatus PM. The goal of this study was to compare the effect of mat versus apparatus Pilates training on functional capacity in elderly women. METHOD: 48 active elderly women (65.15 ± 3.0 years old), independent or partially independent in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), who had never practiced Pilates, were separated into three groups in a random order through a draw: Mat Group (MG = 15), Apparatus Group (AG = 16) and Control Group (CG = 17). Pilates training sessions were applied to MG and AG for 8 weeks, with two weekly sessions of 50 min. The FC of the three groups was evaluated by the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery, pre and post intervention. RESULTS: There were improvements in lower and upper limb strength, aerobic endurance, lower and upper limb flexibility, and agility after the intervention in both groups, showing no significant differences when compared to mat and apparatus Pilates training (<0,05). CONCLUSION: The mat and apparatus Pilates training provide significant and similar improvements in the functional capacity of elderly women.

3-min all-out effort on cycle ergometer is valid to estimate the anaerobic capacity by measurement of blood lactate and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a single 3-min all-out maximal effort to estimate anaerobic capacity (AC) through the lactate and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) response methods (AC[La-]+EPOCfast) on a cycle ergometer. Eleven physically active men (age = 28.1 ± 4.0 yrs, height = 175.1 ± 4.2 cm, body mass = 74.8 ± 11.9 kg and ⩒O2max = 40.7 ± 7.3 mL kg-1 min-1), participated in the study and performed: i) five submaximal efforts, ii) a supramaximal effort at 115% of intensity of ⩒O2max, and iii) a 3-min all-out maximal effort. Anaerobic capacity was estimated using the supramaximal effort through conventional maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) and also through the sum of oxygen equivalents from the glycolytic (fast component of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) and phosphagen pathways (blood lactate accumulation) (AC[La-]+EPOCfast), while during the 3-min all-out maximal effort the anaerobic capacity was estimated using the AC[La-]+EPOCfast procedure. There were no significant differences between the three methods (p > 0.05). Additionally, the anaerobic capacity estimated during the 3-min all-out effort was significantly correlated with the MAOD (r = 0.74; p = 0.009) and AC[La-]+EPOCfast methods (r = 0.65; p = 0.029). Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the 3-min all-out effort is valid to estimate anaerobic capacity in physically active men during a single cycle ergometer effort.

Correction: Anaerobic capacity estimated by the sum of both oxygen equivalents from the glycolytic and phosphagen pathways is dependent on exercise mode: Running versus cycling.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203796.].

Effects of 4 weeks of ß-alanine supplementation on aerobic fitness in water polo players.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ergogenic effects of 4 weeks of ß-alanine supplementation on peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) and force associated with [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) during a tethered swimming graded exercise test, and a three-minute all-out effort (3minALL-OUT) in water polo players. Twenty-two male national competitive level water polo players were randomly assigned to receive either 4 weeks of ß-alanine (n = 11) or a placebo (n = 11) (i.e., 4.8 g·day-1 for 10 days, then6.4 g·day-1 for 18 days, resulting in 163.2 g over 28 days). The participants performed the TSGET and 3minALL-OUT before and after the supplementation period. There were no significant interaction effects between-groups for any variable, however, the magnitude-based inferences analyses showed a possibly beneficial effect (74%) of ß-alanine supplementation on [Formula: see text] compared to placebo treatment (Δ% [post-pre] for Placebo group = -5.2%; Δ% [post-pre] for ß-alanine group = +0.7%). Only the ß-alanine group presented a significant reduction in [Formula: see text] expressed in absolute values (PRE = 3.3±0.6L·min-1; POST = 3.0±0.4L·min-1; p = .021). Similarly, only the ß-alanine group presented a significant increase in critical force (PRE = 51.2±10.4N; POST = 56.5±13.1N; p = .044) and a reduction in the curvature constant parameter (W'; PRE = 2998.0±1103.7N·s; POST = 2224.6±1058.9N·s; p = .049). Thus, we can conclude that 4 weeks of ß-alanine supplementation presented mixed results in water polo players, indicating that this nutritional strategy may not be effective in improving parameters of the TSGET and 3minALL-OUT .

Anaerobic capacity estimated by the sum of both oxygen equivalents from the glycolytic and phosphagen pathways is dependent on exercise mode: Running versus cycling.

The purpose of this study was to verify whether the exercise modality (i.e., running and cycling) alters the magnitude of "anaerobic" capacity estimated by a single supramaximal effort (AC[La]+EPOCfast). Fourteen healthy men (age: 26±9 years) underwent a maximum incremental test and a supramaximal effort to exhaustion at 115% of the intensity associated with maximal oxygen uptake to determine the AC[La]+EPOCfast (i.e., the sum of both oxygen equivalents from the glycolytic and phosphagen pathways), performed on both a treadmill and cycle ergometer. The maximal oxygen uptake during running was higher (p = 0.001; large effect size) vs. cycling (49.2±3.8 mL·kg-1·min-1 vs. 44.7±5.7 mL·kg-1·min-1, respectively). Contrarily, the oxygen equivalent from the glycolytic metabolism was not different between exercise modalities (p = 0.133; small effect size; running = 2.27±0.51 L and cycling = 2.33±0.49 L). Furthermore, the "anaerobic" capacity was likely meaningfully (3.9±0.6 L and 54.1±6.0 mL·kg-1) and very likely meaningfully greater in running than cycling (3.6±0.7 L and 49.2±6.1 mL·kg). Additionally, the contribution of the phosphagen metabolism was higher (p = 0.001; large effect size) for running compared to cycling (1.6±0.3 L vs.1.3±0.3 L respectively). Therefore, the "anaerobic" capacity estimated by the sum of both oxygen equivalents from the glycolytic and phosphagen pathways during a supramaximal effort is influenced by exercise modality and is able to identify the difference in phosphagen metabolic contribution, based on the methodological conditions of this study.

Beta-Alanine Supplementation Improves Throwing Velocities in Repeated Sprint Ability and 200-m Swimming Performance in Young Water Polo Players.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on specific tests for water polo. Fifteen young water polo players (16 ± 2 years) underwent a 200-m swimming performance, repeated-sprint ability test (RSA) with free throw (shooting), and 30-s maximal tethered eggbeater kicks. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (placebo × beta-alanine) and supplemented with 6.4g∙day-1of beta-alanine or a placebo for six weeks. The mean and total RSA times, the magnitude based inference analysis showed a likely beneficial effect for beta-alanine supplementation (both). The ball velocity measured in the throwing performance after each sprint in the RSA presented a very like beneficial inference in the beta-alanine group for mean (96.4%) and percentage decrement of ball velocity (92.5%, likely beneficial). Furthermore, the percentage change for mean ball velocity was different between groups (beta-alanine=+2.5% and placebo=-3.5%; p = .034). In the 30-s maximal tethered eggbeater kicks the placebo group presented decreased peak force, mean force, and fatigue index, while the beta-alanine group maintained performance in mean force (44.1%, possibly beneficial), only presenting decreases in peak force. The 200-m swimming performance showed a possibly beneficial effect (68.7%). Six weeks of beta-alanine supplementation was effective for improving ball velocity shooting in the RSA, maintaining performance in the 30-s test, and providing possibly beneficial effects in the 200-m swimming performance.

The Relationship Between Coach and Player Training Load Perceptions in Professional Soccer.

The training load imposed and perceived by coaches and soccer players, respectively, was compared for three weeks of the basic preparatory period of a professional soccer team through session ratings of perceived exertion (S-RPE). Participants were 24 professional Brazilian soccer players (all males, age: 24.1 ± 3.4 years) and their coaches. Athletes responded to the scale of perceived exertion (scores from 0 to10) after the training, while the coaches completed the scale prior to the training session, based on prior planning. The t-test for independent samples was used to compare S-RPE responses, and the Pearson correlation test was used to examine possible correlations between the parameters analyzed. There were no statistical differences between perceptions of prescribed (coaches) and experienced (players) S-RPE, and moderate correlations were found between these parameters ( r = .60; p = .003). No statistically significant group differences were found in the perceived exertion during any of three types of training: physical, technical, or tactical. The results suggest that the S-RPE prescribed during the preseason period (by coaches) was not different from that perceived by professional soccer players.

A Dimensão da Deficiência e o Olhar a Respeito das Pessoas com Deficiência a Partir dos Recenseamentos no Brasil / The Disability Dimension and View of People with Disabilities from the Censuses in Brazil

o olhar a respeito das pessoas com deficiência tem se alterado ao longo dos anos. O mesmo tem ocorrido com os números e percepções que retratam a dimensão da deficiência. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar essas mudanças a partir dos instrumentos de levantamento populacional. Para isso, acompanhou-se a evolução da abordagem dada à deficiência, tanto em relação ao foco, quanto à base conceitual dos referidos instrumentos. Para esta análise foram estudados os Recenciamentos realizados no período de 1872 à 2010, e as Pesquisas Nacionais por Amostra de Domicílios realizadas entre 1981 e 2003. Verificou-se que as mudanças operacionalizadas nos recenseamentos acompanharam a evolução conceitual da deficiência. Essa mudança de olhar também acabou mostrando que o universo das deficiências é bem mais amplo que anteriormente se enxergava. E mostra também que a sociedade é responsável, ao não se adequar às desigualdades, pela criação social da deficiência, em torno de 45.606.048 milhões de pessoas, o que corresponde a 23,9% da população brasileira.

Views about people with disabilities have changed over the years. The same has occurred with the numbers and perceptions that portray the disability dimension. The aim of this study is to identify these changes using population survey instruments. To this end, we followed how the ways disability of approaching have changed over time, regarding focus, as the conceptual basis of these instruments. For this analysis the censuses during the period from 1872 to 2010 and the National Household Sample Surveys conducted between 1981 and 2003 were studied. It was found that changes in censuses followed the conceptual evolution of disability. This change of view also shows that the universe of disability is much broader than previously conceived. The results also show that society, by not considering inequalities, is responsible, for the social creation disability, encompassing approximately 45.606.048 million people, which accounts for 23.9% of the population.

Nível de atividade física de acadêmicos de Educação Física à distância de uma universidade pública / Physical activity level of physical education students at a distance of a public university

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre o nível de atividade física (AF) e fatores associados em acadêmicos de Educação Física de uma universidade pública no estado do Paraná, Brasil. Participaram da pesquisa 189 alunos de ambos os gêneros. A AF foi avaliada considerando o tempo das seções lazer e meio de transporte do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física, versão longa.Fatores comportamentais foram levantados através do questionário "Estilo de Vida Fantástico" e variáveis demográficas e socioeconômicas seguindo critérios da ABEP. O teste qui-quadrado e de regressão logística binária foram utilizados para examinar as associações entre o desfecho e as variáveis independentes, considerando p≤0,05. 79,5% foram classificados com níveis de AF abaixo do recomendado. Os resultados da análise ajustada indicaram que os alunos casados ou em união estável (OR: 2,72; IC95%: 1,08 - 6,91), que não relaxam e aproveitam o tempo de lazer (OR: 2,25; IC95%: 1,02- 4,96) e que não estavam satisfeitos com sua saúde (OR: 2,96; IC95%: 1,24 ­ 7,08) possuem maiores chances de apresentarem baixos níveis de atividade física.As características demográficas, sociais e econômicas da presente amostra diferiram da apresentada por acadêmicos de cursos presenciais investigados em outros estudos, no entanto, considerando a prevalência de acadêmicos ativos e insuficientemente ativos, os resultados foram similares.(AU)

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with physical activity (PA) at levels below the recommended (<150 min / wk) in undergraduate physical education at a public university in the state of Paraná, Brazil. 189 students of both genders participated in the investigation. The PA was evaluated considering the time of leisure and transportation sections of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, long version. Behavioral factors were collected through the questionnaire "Fantastic Life Style" and demographic and socioeconomic variables following ABEP's criteria.Chisquare and binary logistic regression were used to examine associations between the outcome and independent variables, considering p≤0.05. Of the students, 79.5% were classified as PA levels below recommended.The results of the adjusted analysis indicated that married students or in a stable relationship (OR: 2.72; 95%CI: 1.08 to 6.91), which did not relax and enjoy their leisure time (OR: 2.25; 95%CI: 1.02 to 4.96) and who were not satisfied with their health (OR: 2.96; 95%CI: 1.24 to 7.08) are more likely to have low levels of PA.The demographic, social and economic characteristics of this sample differed by the academic classroom courses investigated in other studies, however, considering the prevalence of active and insufficiently active academics, the results were similar.(AU)