Analysis of the body composition of Paralympic athletes: Comparison of two methods.

Body composition is a physiological variable associated with physical activity and, in some cases, is related to athletic performance. Our objectives were to describe the body composition of participants in three distinct Paralympic sports and to compare the values of body density and estimated body fat obtained from the Paralympic athletes on the National Team by air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) and by the anthropometric method (skinfolds (SFs)). The sample consisted of 70 volunteers of both genders. The body composition of the volunteers was evaluated using the ADP in a Bod Pod(®) and seven SFs. There were no significant differences between the values obtained by ADP and SF for body fat percentage (p = .58) and body density (p = .49). Analysis by Bland-Altman plots showed mean differences of 0.56 ± 4.94 (-9.12-10.23) and -0.0017 ± 0.0113 (-0.024-0.020) for body fat percentage and body density, respectively. In conclusion, body composition analyses of Paralympic athletes by the ADP and SF methods show similar results, and ADP should be used as the first option when available. When the use of ADP is not possible, estimating body density and fat percentage by SF is a viable alternative for Paralympic athletes when future comparisons will use the same analysis method.

Queixas musculoesqueléticas e procedimentos fisioterapêuticos na delegação brasileira paralímpica durante o mundial paralímpico de atletismo em 2011 / Musculoskeletal complaints and physiotherapeutic procedures in the brazilian paralympic delegation during the paralympic athletics world championship in 2011

INTRODUÇÃO: O atletismo é uma modalidade esportiva que apresenta grande incidência de lesões musculoesqueléticas. No entanto, são poucas as informações na literatura a respeito das lesões no atletismo paralímpico. OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil das queixas musculoesqueléticas, a localização anatômica e os recursos fisioterapêuticos utilizados durante o Mundial Paralímpico de Atletismo em Christchurch Nova Zelândia 2011. MÉTODOS: A Delegação Brasileira foi composta por 34 atletas. Foram feitos registros de todos os atendimentos do setor da fisioterapia, diariamente, quanto à queixa, região anatômica acometida e os recursos fisioterapêuticos utilizados. Os atendimentos eram realizados no hotel em que a delegação estava hospedada, bem como no local da competição. Dos 34 atletas, 25 (73,5%) foram atendidos no setor de fisioterapia. RESULTADOS: As principais queixas foram as mialgias (38,4%), seguida pelas artralgias (23%). As regiões mais referidas nas queixas dos atletas foram na coxa (n = 8, 30,7%), seguida pelo joelho (n = 6, 23%). No total foram realizados 428 atendimentos fisioterapêuticos. No hotel, o recurso terapêutico mais utilizado foi o ultrassom (35,1%), seguido do TENS (31,2%), da crioterapia (23,3%). No local da competição, o recurso terapêutico que prevaleceu foi a crioterapia (44,1%), seguida pela massoterapia (37,2%). CONCLUSÃO: Estes resultados contribuem para o conhecimento das principais lesões nesta modalidade esportiva, auxiliando no desenvolvimento de programas direcionados à prevenção das mesmas.

INTRODUCTION: Athletics is an umbrella sport with high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries; however, the literature presents little information on injuries in Paralympics athletics. OBJECTIVE: This study was to describe the profile of the musculoskeletal complaints, their anatomical locations, and physiotherapeutic resources used during the Paralympic Athletics World Championships in Christchurch in 2011. METHODS: The Brazilian delegation included 34 athletes. Their musculoskeletal complaints, affected anatomical regions, and the physiotherapy resources used were daily recorded for all of the physiotherapy sessions. The sessions were held in the hotel that hosted the delegation and at the competition venue. RESULTS: Out of the 34 athletes, 25 (73.5%) were treated at the Department of Physiotherapy. The main complaints were myalgia (38.4%), followed by arthralgia (23%). The region of the body with the most complaints was the thigh (n = 8, 30.7%), followed by the knee (n = 6, 23%). A total of 428 physiotherapy sessions were performed. At the hotel, the mostly used therapeutic approach was the ultrasound (35.1%), followed by TENS (31.2%) and cryotherapy (23.3%). At the competition venue, the mostly used therapeutic approach was cryotherapy (44.1%), followed by massage (37.2%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the major injuries in this sport and help to develop programs aimed for injury prevention.

Equilíbrio, coordenação e agilidade de idosos submetidos à prática de exercícios físicos resistidos / Balance, coordination and agility of older individuals submitted to physical resisted exercises practice

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o equilíbrio, a coordenação e a agilidade dos idosos submetidos a exercícios físicos. MÉTODOS: 61 idosos do gênero masculino, com idades entre os 60-75 anos, designados aleatoriamente para um grupo de exercícios resistidos com carga progressiva (n=39) ou para um controle submetido a exercícios sem carga (n=22). O grupo exercício resistido participou de um programa de 24 semanas, com 3 visitas por semana, em dias não consecutivos. Foram avaliados após o término do treinamento, pela Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg, do Teste de Tinetti e do Timed UP & GO. RESULTADOS: Comparando-se os dois grupos verificou-se um melhor desempenho estatisticamente significativo para o grupo experimental em relação ao controle para os testes Timed "Up & Go". (p=0,02) e para o Tinetti Total (p=0.046) e para o Tinetti marcha (p=0.029). Desta forma, não encontramos diferença na Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg e no teste de Tinetti equilíbrio. CONCLUSÃO: O programa de treinamento de força durante 24 semanas mostrou-se favorável na melhora dos desempenhos funcional e motores de idosos.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate balance, coordination and agility of older subjects submitted to physical exercise. METHODS: 61 male older subjects, aged between 60-75 years, randomly assigned to a resisted exercises with gradual load (n=39) group or to a control group submitted to exercise without load (n=22). The resisted exercise group participated in a 24 week-program, with 3 weekly visits, in not consecutive days. After the training ending, they were evaluated through the Berg Balance Scale and the Tinetti and Timed UP & GO tests. RESULTS: Comparing the two groups, better statistical significant performance was verified for the experimental group for the Timed "Up & Go" (p=0.02), for the Total Tinetti (p=0.046) and for the Tinetti gait tests (p=0.029). Therefore, we did not find difference in the Berg Balance Scale or in the Tinetti balance test. CONCLUSION: The strength training program during 24 weeks behaved favorable in improving functional and motor performance of older subjects.