Effects of Eccentric Phase Velocity on Bench Press Concentric Bar Velocity in the Young and Elderly.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of bar velocity during the eccentric phase on subsequent concentric performance in the young and elderly. Twelve elderly women (65.2+4.2 years) and 16 young women (23.1+2.1 years) were randomly assigned to four experimental conditions that combined high-velocity eccentric actions (HVECC; maximum velocity) and moderate-velocity eccentric actions (MVECC; 2.0 s), using 30% and 60% of their 1-repetition maximum (1RM) on the Smith machine bench press. Measurements of mean propulsive velocity (MPV), peak velocity (PV), and mean power (MP) were recorded. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was applied for each variable, when needed, the Bonferroni post hoc was used. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05, and effect size (ES) was established by Cohen's d z. The results demonstrated that elderly women showed improved performance in MPV (+10.0%; ES=- 0.58; p=0.009) and MP (+11.7%; ES=- 0.14; p=0.045) when utilizing HVECC at 30% 1RM only. Moreover, young women exhibited superior performance for both 30% and 60% 1RM when using HVECC for all variables analyzed (p<0.05). The HVECC appears to have an impact on the subsequent performance of the concentric phase, particularly when lighter loads (30% 1RM) are utilized, regardless of the age group.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) but Not Low-Dose Caffeine Improves Cycling Time-Trial Performance Versus Placebo.

Guarana (GUA) seed extract, containing caffeine (CAF) and additional bioactive compounds, may positively affect mental performance, but evidence regarding exercise is limited. This investigation assessed acute GUA ingestion compared with CAF on endurance performance. Eleven endurance-trained noncyclists and cyclists (V˙O2peak = 49.7 ± 5.9, 60.4 ± 4.6 ml·kg·min-1) completed a double-blind, crossover experiment after ingesting (a) 100 mg CAF, (b) 500 mg GUA (containing 130 mg CAF), or (c) placebo (P) prior to 60-min fixed cycling workload (FIX) + 15-min time trial. Oxygen uptake, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, blood glucose, and lactate were not different (p ≥ .052) during FIX. A significant interaction (p = .042) for perceived exertion was observed at 50-min FIX with lower rating (p = .023) for GUA versus CAF but not compared with P. Work accumulated over 15-min time trial was greater (p = .038) for GUA versus P due to higher early (1-11 min) work outputs. Work performance favored (effect size = 0.18; 95% confidence interval [0.003, 0.355], p = .046) GUA (241.4 ± 39.9 kJ) versus P (232.1 ± 46.6 kJ), but CAF (232.3 ± 43.9) was not different from GUA (effect size = 0.19; 95% confidence interval [-0.022, 0.410], p = .079) or P. Postexercise strength loss was not attenuated with GUA (-5.6 ± 8.5%) or CAF (-8.3 ± 9.4%) versus P (-10.3 ± 5.1%). Acute GUA ingestion improved work performance relative to P, but effects were trivial to small and unrelated to altered substrate oxidation or muscular strength. Ergogenicity may involve central mechanisms reducing perceived effort with GUA (containing 130 mg caffeine). Due to issues related to identical matching of dosage, whether GUA confers additional benefits beyond its CAF content cannot be determined at present.

Performance Gains in an Open Skill Video-Game Task: The Role of Neural Efficiency and Neural Proficiency.

We examined whether practice in an open skill video-game task would lead to changes in performance, attention, motivation, perceived effort, and theta, alpha, and beta waves. Specifically, we were interested on whether potential performance gains from practice would be primarily explained by the neural efficiency (i.e., cortical idling) or the neural proficiency hypothesis (i.e., mix of heightened and reduced activation across the cortex). To this end, we asked 16 novice participants (8 males and 8 females; Mage = 23.13 years) to play a Nintendo Wii video-game shooting task, namely Link's Crossbow Training. Pre-test scores, which were followed by an acquisition phase, were compared to post-test scores. Performance and subjective data were recorded for each trial and EEG data was continuously recorded using the portable EEGO System. Our findings revealed that performance increased while attention decreased at post-test, thereby confirming that practice leads to performance gains and reduces attentional overload. No changes in motivation or perceived effort were observed, perhaps because effort is a gestalt multidimension construct and video-gaming is an inherently motivating activity. EEG frequency analysis revealed that, for the most part, performance gains were accompanied by increased cortical activity across frequencies bands, thus lending primary support to the neural proficiency hypothesis. Accordingly, neurofeedback interventions to aid motor learning should teach performers not only how to silence their brains (i.e., quiescence state linked to automaticity and "flow") but also how to amplify task-relevant brain networks.

Influence of Mental Fatigue on Physical Performance, and Physiological and Perceptual Responses of Judokas Submitted to the Special Judo Fitness Test.

ABSTRACT: Campos, BT, Penna, EM, Rodrigues, JGS, Mendes, TT, Maia-Lima, A, Nakamura, FY, Vieira, ÉLM, Wanner, SP, and Prado, LS. Influence of mental fatigue on physical performance, and physiological and perceptual responses of judokas submitted to the Special Judo Fitness Test. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 461-468, 2022-Mentally fatigued athletes present impaired aerobic performance, strength endurance, and manual dexterity, despite no changes in anaerobic performance and maximal muscle strength and power. Noteworthy, the effect of mental fatigue on physical performance during high-intensity intermittent tests that require specific motor skills of fighting sports has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to verify whether mental fatigue influences performance and physiological and perceptual responses of judokas subjected to a high-intensity intermittent test designed specifically and validated for judo. Each judoka performed 2 experimental trials-a control trial one and the other one after the induction of mental fatigue. These trials were scheduled in a random and balanced order. In both trials, lactate, glucose, and cortisol concentrations, the heart rate variability, and perceptual variables were collected after the initial treatment and after the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT). The initial treatment consisted of a 30-minute cognitive demanding task (Stroop Color test) or watching a movie (control) and was followed by the SJFT. The Stroop Color test increased the perceptions of mental fatigue and effort, without affecting motivation for subsequent testing. Unexpectedly, mentally fatigued athletes did not show reduced performance during the SJFT. Regarding the physiological variables, no significant differences were identified between the 2 experimental conditions. We conclude that physical performance measured during a specific test for judokas is not impaired by a previous 30-minute cognitive task that causes mental fatigue. In addition, this cognitive task did not influence the physiological changes induced by the specific physical test.

Brain Stimulation Over the Motion-Sensitive Midtemporal Area Reduces Deleterious Effects of Mental Fatigue on Perceptual-Cognitive Skills in Basketball Players.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) over the motion-sensitive midtemporal area on perceptual-cognitive skills (visuomotor and basketball decision-making skills) in mentally fatigued basketball players. A total of 20 male basketball players were recruited. This was a randomized, double-blinded, and counterbalanced crossover study with two experimental conditions: a-tDCS and Sham. The participants completed the basketball decision-making task and visuomotor skill after performing a 60-min sport-based videogame task with anodal (i.e., a-tDCS) or placebo (Sham) stimulation over the motion-sensitive middle temporal area. Worse response time was observed in visuomotor skill for Sham than a-tDCS postexperiment (p < .05). There was no main condition effect for accuracy of visuomotor skill (p > .05). There was more impairment in accuracy and response time in basketball decision-making skills for the Sham condition than a-tDCS (p < .05). Notably, a-tDCS over the motion-sensitive middle temporal area removed the negative effects of mental fatigue on perceptual-cognitive skills.

Dietary Micronutrient Management to Treat Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Obesity and associated metabolic disturbances, which have been increasing worldwide in recent years, are the consequences of unhealthy diets and physical inactivity and are the main factors underlying non-communicable diseases (NCD). These diseases are now responsible for about three out of five deaths worldwide, and it has been shown that they depend on mitochondrial dysfunction, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. It was also demonstrated that several nutritional components modulating these processes are able to influence metabolic homeostasis and, consequently, to prevent or delay the onset of NCD. An interesting combination of nutraceutical substances, named DMG-gold, has been shown to promote metabolic and physical wellness. The aim of this research was to investigate the metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative pathways modulated by DMG-gold in an animal model with diet-induced obesity. Our data indicate that DMG-gold decreases the metabolic efficiency and inflammatory state and acts as an antioxidant and detoxifying agent, modulating mitochondrial functions. Therefore, DMG-gold is a promising candidate in the prevention/treatment of NCD.

Comparison of Physical Fitness and Anthropometrical Profiles Among Brazilian Female Soccer National Teams From U15 to Senior Categories.

ABSTRACT: Ramos, GP, Nakamura, FY, Penna, EM, Mendes, TT, Mahseredjian, F, Lima, AM, Garcia, ES, Prado, LS, and Coimbra, CC. Comparison of physical fitness and anthropometrical profiles among Brazilian female soccer national teams from U15 to senior categories. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2302-2308, 2021-This study aimed to compare anthropometric and physical fitness of Brazilian female national team soccer players from the U15 to senior categories, and to compare the physical performance between selected and nonselected players. Subjects included 231 athletes (U15, n = 46, U17, n = 49, U20, n = 98, and Senior, n = 38). Body mass, height, sum of skinfolds, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m linear sprint, and Yo-Yo IR1 were assessed. The U15 players were shorter than all other groups (p < 0.01) and lighter than U20 players (p < 0.01). Regarding physical tests, Senior athletes presented higher SJ compared with U20, and both showed higher CMJ and SJ compared with the U15 and U17 (p < 0.05). Senior athletes were also faster than players of all other categories in 20-m sprint (p < 0.01) and covered the greatest distance in the Yo-Yo IR1 (p < 0.05). U20 were better in the Yo-Yo IR1 than the younger groups (p < 0.05). When comparing selected and nonselected players, no differences were identified in anthropometric measures (p > 0.05). However, selected players from U17, U20, and Senior teams showed better performance in Yo-Yo IR1 than nonselected ones (p < 0.05). Finally, selected senior athletes also presented higher CMJ and SJ than nonselected players (p < 0.05). These results suggest that, although there is a tendency for maintenance in anthropometric measures from the age of 15 years, there are substantial improvements in speed, lower-body power, and aerobic capacity from U20 age group. In addition, it seems that intermittent aerobic fitness contributes to the selection of players to international tournaments in national teams.

Cross Talk at the Cytoskeleton-Plasma Membrane Interface: Impact on Neuronal Morphology and Functions.

The cytoskeleton and its associated proteins present at the plasma membrane not only determine the cell shape but also modulate important aspects of cell physiology such as intracellular transport including secretory and endocytic pathways. Continuous remodeling of the cell structure and intense communication with extracellular environment heavily depend on interactions between cytoskeletal elements and plasma membrane. This review focuses on the plasma membrane-cytoskeleton interface in neurons, with a special emphasis on the axon and nerve endings. We discuss the interaction between the cytoskeleton and membrane mainly in two emerging topics of neurobiology: (i) production and release of extracellular vesicles and (ii) local synthesis of new proteins at the synapses upon signaling cues. Both of these events contribute to synaptic plasticity. Our review provides new insights into the physiological and pathological significance of the cytoskeleton-membrane interface in the nervous system.

Interplay between Peripheral and Central Inflammation in Obesity-Promoted Disorders: The Impact on Synaptic Mitochondrial Functions.

The metabolic dysfunctions induced by high fat diet (HFD) consumption are not limited to organs involved in energy metabolism but cause also a chronic low-grade systemic inflammation that affects the whole body including the central nervous system. The brain has been considered for a long time to be protected from systemic inflammation by the blood-brain barrier, but more recent data indicated an association between obesity and neurodegeneration. Moreover, obesity-related consequences, such as insulin and leptin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, may anticipate and accelerate the physiological aging processes characterized by systemic inflammation and higher susceptibility to neurological disorders. Here, we discussed the link between obesity-related metabolic dysfunctions and neuroinflammation, with particular attention to molecules regulating the interplay between energetic impairment and altered synaptic plasticity, for instance AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The effects of HFD-induced neuroinflammation on neuronal plasticity may be mediated by altered brain mitochondrial functions. Since mitochondria play a key role in synaptic areas, providing energy to support synaptic plasticity and controlling ROS production, the negative effects of HFD may be more pronounced in synapses. In conclusion, it will be emphasized how HFD-induced metabolic alterations, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and impaired brain plasticity are tightly interconnected processes, implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases.

Activity Profiles in U17, U20, and Senior Women's Brazilian National Soccer Teams During International Competitions: Are There Meaningful Differences?

Ramos, GP, Nakamura, FY, Penna, EM, Wilke, CF, Pereira, LA, Loturco, I, Capelli, L, Mahseredjian, F, Silami-Garcia, E, and Coimbra, CC. Activity profiles in U17, U20, and senior women's Brazilian national soccer teams during international competitions: are there meaningful differences? J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3414-3422, 2019-The aim of this study was to compare locomotor activity profiles of Brazilian top-class female soccer players competing at distinct age brackets (under 17 [U17], under [U20], and senior). External match load of 14 U17, 14 U20, and 17 senior female soccer players competing in 6-7 full official international matches were assessed using global positioning systems. Total distance covered, distance covered in high intensity (15.6-20 km·h), distance covered in sprints (sprint: >20 km·h), number of accelerations (Acc) >1 m·s, decelerations (Dec) >-1 m·s, and Player Load generally increased across the age brackets (U17

Mental Fatigue Impairs Physical Performance in Young Swimmers.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental fatigue on heart rate variability, subjective measures of fatigue, and swimming performance in young athletes. METHODS: Sixteen swimmers [15.45 (0.51) y old, 7.35 (2.20) y of swimming experience] performed a 1500-m time trial on 2 occasions separated by an interval of at least 72 hours. The 1500-m swimming was preceded by a 30-minute treatment that consisted of performing the Stroop Color and Word test to induce mental fatigue (experimental trial) or watching an emotionally neutral video (control trial). RESULTS: Participants reported higher ratings of mental fatigue and mental effort following the Stroop test when compared with the control trial, but no differences in motivation were observed. The induction of mental fatigue impaired swimming performance, as evidenced by a slower time (1.2%) to complete the 1500-m trial. No intertrial differences were identified for rating of perceived exertion during the swimming test or in heart rate variability after the Stroop and swimming tests. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that induction of mental fatigue impairs 1500-m swimming performance without changing heart rate variability.

Effects of Acute Guarana (Paullinia cupana) Ingestion on Mental Performance and Vagal Modulation Compared to a Low Dose of Caffeine.

Guarana (GUA), a Brazilian seed extract, contains caffeine and other bioactive compounds that may have psychoactive effects. To assess the acute effects of GUA compared to a low dose of caffeine (CAF) on cognitive and mood parameters, twenty participants completed a double-blind, crossover experiment where they ingested capsules containing the following: (1) 100 mg CAF, (2) 500 mg GUA containing 130 mg caffeine, or (3) placebo (PLA). Cognitive tests (Simon and 2N-Back Task) were performed at the baseline (pre-ingestion) and 60 min after ingestion. The response time for the cognitive tests and heart rate variability were unaffected (p > 0.05) by treatment, although 2N-Back was overall faster (p = 0.001) across time. The accuracy in the 2N-Back Task showed a significant interaction effect (p = 0.029) due to higher post-ingestion versus pre-ingestion levels (p = 0.033), but only with the PLA. The supplements also had no effect on cognitive measures following physical fatigue (n = 11). There was an interaction effect on perceived mental energy, where the pre-ingestion of GUA had lower mental pep ratings compared to post-ingestion (p = 0.006) and post-exercise (p = 0.018) levels. Neither the acute ingestion of GUA nor low dose of CAF influenced cognitive performance or provided consistent benefit on mood or mental workload through vagal modulation. Additional investigations are beneficial to determining the lowest effective dose for CAF or GUA to influence mood and/or cognitive performance.

Responsiveness of functional performance and muscle strength, power, and size to resistance training: A systematic review.

There is a recent and growing interest in assessing differential responders to resistance training (RT) for diverse outcomes. Thus, the individual ability to respond to an intervention for a specific measurement, called responsiveness, remains to be better understood. Thus, the current study aimed to summarize the available information about the effects of RT on functional performance and muscle strength, power, and size in healthy adults, through the prevalence rate in different responsiveness classifications models. A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, CRD42021265378). PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases were systematically searched in October 2023. A total of 13 studies were included, totaling 921 subjects. Only two studies presented a low risk of bias. Regarding the effectiveness of RT, the prevalence rate for non-responders ranged from 0% to 44% for muscle strength, from 0% to 84% for muscle size, and from 0% to 42% for functional performance, while for muscle power, the only study found showed a responsiveness rate of 37%. In conclusion, a wide range of differential responders is described for all variables investigated. However, the evidence summarized in this systematic review suggested some caution while interpreting the findings, since the body of evidence found seems to be incipient, and widely heterogeneous in methodological and statistical aspects.

Mitochondrial metabolism and neuroinflammation in the cerebral cortex and cortical synapses of rats: effect of milk intake through DNA methylation.

Brain plasticity and cognitive functions are tightly influenced by foods or nutrients, which determine a metabolic modulation having a long-term effect on health, involving also epigenetic mechanisms. Breast milk or formula based on cow milk is the first food for human beings, who, throughout their lives, are then exposed to different types of milk. We previously demonstrated that rats fed with milk derived from distinct species, with different compositions and nutritional properties, display selective modulation of systemic metabolic and inflammatory profiles through changes of mitochondrial functions and redox state in liver, skeletal and cardiac muscle. Here, in a rat model, we demonstrated that isoenergetic supplementation of milk from cow (CM), donkey (DM) or human (HM) impacts mitochondrial functions and redox state in the brain cortex and cortical synapses, affecting neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity. Interestingly, we found that the administration of different milk modulates DNA methylation in rat brain cortex and consequently affects gene expression. Our results emphasize the importance of nutrition in brain and synapse physiology, and highlight the key role played in this context by mitochondria, nutrient-sensitive organelles able to orchestrate metabolic and inflammatory responses.

Effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The plant extract guarana is known for its caffeine content and other bioactive ingredients, which purportedly may improve cognitive performance. Recent reviews have examined the effects of chronic supplementation of guarana in clinical populations; however, the acute effects of guarana on cognitive tasks, while of interest, have produced mixed results. Whether acute guarana ingestion improves human cognitive performance was assessed by performing a systematic review coupled with a meta-analysis. Eight placebo-controlled studies were identified and met the inclusion criteria providing data on 328 participants. The dose of guarana (37.5 to 500 mg) with reported caffeine content (4.3 to 100 mg) varied. Effect sizes (ESs) were calculated as the standardized mean difference and meta-analyses were completed using a random-effects model. The ESs for guarana averaged across a variety of cognitive measures and outcome variables were less than trivial (Hedge's g = 0.076, p = 0.14). Using a subgroup meta-analysis (Q = 12.9, p < 0.001), ESs indicating a faster response time for guarana vs. a placebo (g = 0.202, p = 0.005) differed from the accuracy measures (g = −0.077, p = 0.4) which were non-significant. For response time, guarana ingested in a capsule (g = 0.111) tended to differ (Q = 2.96, p = 0.085) compared to guarana when dissolved in liquid (g = 0.281). Meta-regression of the study ESs of overall cognitive task performance was not related to the guarana dose (R2 < 0.001) or to the time allowed prior to cognitive testing (R2 < 0.001). Acute guarana ingestion had a small effect on the response time (faster performance) during a variety of cognitive tasks without affecting the accuracy. Whether the changes were linked to the caffeine content or other bioavailable substances in guarana is unknown. Additional studies that directly compare matched doses of caffeine versus guarana are needed to understand its effects on cognitive performance.

Reply to Gurney, T.; Ronca, F. Comment on "Hack et al. Effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2023, 15, 434".

We thank Dr. Gurney for his interest and comment [...].

Effects of lower and upper body fatigue in striking response time of amateur karate athletes.

In combat sports, strikes or counter-strikes response time (RT) can be related to performance and sporting success. Moreover, training sessions are usually highly fatiguing, which is expected to impair basic skills, such as RT. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of fatigue on punch and kick RTs of karate practitioners. Twelve individuals of both sexes from different levels (three yellow belts, three red belts, two orange belts, two green belts, one brown belt, and one black belt) were selected. Participants were aged 22 ± 3 years old, with a stature of 169.1 ± 6.5 cm, and a body mass of 65.5 ± 10 kg. Six visits were held with each participant. On the first 2 days, the RT of punches and kicks was measured by a validated smartphone app (TReaction). For the subsequent visits, a randomized incremental test for the upper or lower body was adopted as motor fatigue protocol, immediately followed by punches and kicks RT tests, also in random order. For induction of lower and upper body-specific muscle fatigue, the ITStriker app was used, which operates by emitting sound signals transmitted by a smartphone. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed, and significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Regarding the mean punches RT, significant effects between situations for the upper (F(2,22) = 11.5; ω2 = 0.23; p < 0.001) and lower body (F(2,22) = 14.2; ω2 = 0.18; p < 0.001) fatigue protocols were found. The negative effect of the lower body fatigue protocol in punches RT was evident regardless of the order of the tests (punch RT first: Δ = 10.5%; t = 4.4; p < 0.001; d = 1.0; kick RT first: Δ = 11.4%; t = 4.8; p < 0.001; d = 1.1). Regarding mean kicks RT, significant effects were found between situations for the lower (F(2,22) = 16.6; ω2 = 0.27; p < 0.001) but not for the upper (F(2,22) = 2.3; ω2 = 0.02; p = 0.12) body fatigue protocols. Kick RTs were negatively affected by the lower body fatigue protocol regardless of the RT order applied (punch RT first: Δ = 7.5%; t = 3.0; p = 0.01; d = 0.8; kick RT first: Δ = 14.3%; t = 5.7; p < 0.001; d = 1.5). Upper body fatigue does not impair punch or kick RTs. Thus, it is concluded that the specificity of fatigue protocols and striking order should be considered while performing RT demanding techniques in karate practice. Specifically, lower body motor fatigue may impair both kicks and punches RT, which highlights the role of lower limbs in punches performance. Otherwise, upper body motor fatigue seems to induce impairments that are limited to the specific motor actions of this body segment.

Pathological Deficit of Cystatin B Impairs Synaptic Plasticity in EPM1 Human Cerebral Organoids.

Cystatin B (CSTB) is a small protease inhibitor protein being involved in cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation. Loss-of-function mutations in CSTB gene cause progressive myoclonic epilepsy 1 (EPM1). We previously demonstrated that CSTB is locally synthesized in synaptic nerve terminals from rat brain and secreted into the media, indicating its role in synaptic plasticity. In this work, we have further investigated the involvement of CSTB in synaptic plasticity, using synaptosomes from human cerebral organoids (hCOs) as well as from rodents' brain. Our data demonstrate that CSTB is released from synaptosomes in two ways: (i) as a soluble protein and (ii) in extracellular vesicles-mediated pathway. Synaptosomes isolated from hCOs are enriched in pre-synaptic proteins and contain CSTB at all developmental stages analyzed. CSTB presence in the synaptic territories was also confirmed by immunostaining on human neurons in vitro. To investigate if the depletion of CSTB affects synaptic plasticity, we characterized the synaptosomes from EPM1 hCOs. We found that the levels of presynaptic proteins and of an initiation factor linked to local protein synthesis were both reduced in EPM1 hCOs and that the extracellular vesicles trafficking pathway was impaired. Moreover, EPM1 neurons displayed anomalous morphology with longer and more branched neurites bearing higher number of intersections and nodes, suggesting connectivity alterations. In conclusion, our data strengthen the idea that CSTB plays a critical role in the synapse physiology and reveal that pathologically low levels of CSTB may affect synaptic plasticity, leading to synaptopathy and altered neuronal morphology.

Monitoring Training Loads in Judo Athletes: Different Time Courses of Physiological, Neuromuscular, and Perceptual Responses.

This study aims to elucidate the internal load, performance, physiological, and perceptual recovery responses during four weeks of traditional judo training. Ten cadet and junior judo athletes were evaluated daily for four weeks, in which their perception of recovery, heart rate variability, handgrip strength, and countermovement jump performance were assessed. A one-way repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to analyze the variables across the weeks. A significant time effect in internal load (F = 6.51; p = 0.001) has been observed. Handgrip test performance showed significantly higher values in the 3rd and 4th weeks (p <0.001), while countermovement jump performance was significantly higher in the 4th week (p =0.0007). The heart rate variability's coefficient of variation was lower in both the 3rd and 4th weeks (p =0.02). Regarding perceptual aspects, the Hooper Index showed a significant time effect (p =0.04), but pairwise comparison did not reveal differences between weeks. The present study indicates that neuromuscular, physiological, and perceptual responses to training load alterations present different time courses. This must be considered for the adequate monitoring of training programs.

Relative age effect in Olympic Taekwondo athletes.

Relative age effects refer to the effects of age differences among individuals who have been grouped together for a performance activity. This study aimed to investigate the relative age effect on Olympic Taekwondo athletes, in several Olympic Games, and in both sexes. The study sample consisted of 291 athletes who had competed in Atlanta, Sydney, and Beijing Olympic Games. The relative age effect was examined for the general distribution of athletes by quartile, for each of the individuals, and for male and female athletes. There were no discernable effects of relative age on Olympic Taekwondo athletes.