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Abstract Background The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on cognition is thought to be mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Aerobic exercise can increase CRF through various activities, including sports participation. The relationship between these factors in females has yet to be elucidated. Objective This review aims to map the current literature on the effects of aerobic exercise, sports participation, and CRF in healthy adult females, with sub-topics of pregnancy and menstrual cycle periodicity. Methods A scoping review of the literature was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and the PCC mnemonic (population, concept, and context). The following five databases were screened: CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus. Eligible articles included healthy adult females, investigated aerobic exercise, sports participation or CRF, and linked outcomes to cognition. Data from included manuscripts was extracted and analyzed. Two sub-population groupings (pregnant individuals and menstrual cycle) were established to further aid the interpretation of the findings. Results Of the 300 titles and abstracts screened, 74 were eligible for full-text screening, and 28 were included in the scoping review. Of the 28 included, 14 did not control for or report on menstrual cycle phase or sex hormones. Conclusion This scoping review found an inverse ‘U’ relationship between aerobic exercise and cognition, demonstrating an optimal dose of aerobic exercise to benefit cognitive functions. As estrogen may impact the relationship between CRF and neural growth factors, more research is needed on this pathway, independent of the menstrual cycle, to determine potential beneficial effects. It is currently unknown whether sports participation can independently impact cognition.

Introdução: A variação dos hormônios ovarianos durante a menstruação pode impactar no desempenho físico em mulheres com ciclo regular, entretanto, a literatura não apresenta consenso nessa hipótese. Objetivo: verificar o efeito do ciclo menstrual no desempenho no exercício utilizando como método para síntese de evidências a revisão rápida da literatura. Materiais e Métodos: o critério de busca dos artigos seguiu o modelo PICO, e as recomendações de seleção dos artigos seguiu o PRISMA adaptado para revisões rápidas. A busca foi feita na base de dados PUBMED com as combinações “menstrual cycle”, “physical activity”, “performance”, “exercise”, “sports”, no período de agosto de 2019. Resultados: Quatorze artigos foram selecionados para inclusão na revisão. Cinco artigos apresentaram efeito do ciclo menstrual no desempenho em exercícios de força máxima e potência com características de alta intensidade e curta duração. Maior desempenho foi encontrado na fase com maior concentração dos hormônios ovarianos (ex: estrogênio e luteinizante) como a fase folicular vs luteal. Nove artigos não demonstram nenhum efeito do ciclo menstrual no desempenho físico. Conclusão: as fases do ciclo menstrual parecem não impactar o desempenho físico de mulheres de forma que permita uma generalização dos achados. Há indicativos de que maior concentração de hormônios ovarianos tende a impactar positivamente no desempenho físico de mulheres fisicamente ativas, em exercícios de força e potência. Entretanto, a generalização desses resultados deve ser interpretada com cautela e profissionais de educação física devem analisar de forma individualizada o efeito do ciclo menstrual sobre suas atletas/clientes/pacientes.

O Rugby é um esporte intermitente com elevada demanda das capacidades de potência, força e velocidade. Estas exigências específicas demonstram a importância de se respeitar as demandas funcionais e características físicas entre os atletas backs e forwards. Os objetivos do estudo foram 1) descrever as características de desempenho físico, de estrutura e composição corporal de atletas juvenis de Rugby e, 2) comparar os atletas de acordo com suas posições táticas. Participaram oito atletas (16 a 18 anos) de Guarapuava-Paraná-Brasil, agrupados de acordo com as posições de jogo, quatro na posição de forwards e quatro na posição de backs. Os atletas foram submetidos a medidas antropométricas para estimativa do percentual de gordura, somatotipo e testes motores para determinação de parâmetros fisiológicos. A análise foi realizada por meio do teste de Shapiro-Wilk e Teste U de Mann-Whitney. Os resultados revelaram diferenças significativas para massa corporal e percentual de gordura dos forwards em relação aos backs (88,5±15,7kg e 67,2±10,1kg; 22,5±5,3% e 16,4±1,0%, respectivamente). Enquanto o perfil físico dos atletas demonstrou predominância da massa muscular (endomesomorfo), não foram verificadas diferenças entre as posições para as variáveis fisiológicas. Concluímos que os atletas do presente estudo apresentam características semelhantes entre as posições táticas descritas em outros estudos, contudo demonstram desvantagens marcantes no teor de gordura que poderá interferir em um melhor desempenho motor.

We aimed to characterize the age of onset of training, age at menarche, menstrual periodicity, and performance perception during the menstrual cycle and examined the impact of these reproductive variables on body composition, morphology, and body weight satisfaction in Brazilian elite futsal players. The study consisted of 115 female Brazilian elite futsal players from the top national teams. Data were collected during the twentieth Women’s Brazil Futsal Cup. Players were interviewed and self-reported their age of onset of training, age at menarche, menstrual periodicity, and the menstrual period, where they performed best. We also asked for what they considered to be their ideal body weight as well as information related to their training (i.e., volume and frequency). Subsequently, anthropometric measurements (i.e., body mass, height, circumferences, diameters, and skinfold thickness) were performed to estimate the body composition and determine morphological characteristics (e.g., somatotype). Fifty-nine (53.2%) players were postmenarche-trained and 52 (46.8%) were premenarche-trained. Eighteen (16.2%), 65 (58.6%), and 28 (25.2%) were classified as early, normal, and late menarche, respectively. Only 11 (9.6%) and 1 (0.9%) had irregular menstrual cycles and were amenorrheic, respectively. Seventy-three (69.5%), 23 (21.9%), and 9 (8.6%) reported that their game performance was the best at the follicular phase, menses, and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, respectively. No associations between the four reproductive-related variables were found. Postmenarche-trained players had significant lower age at menarche and higher percentage body fat. The somatotype profile registered lower ectomorphy rate for the postmenarche-trained participants after controlling for covariates. Early menarche group presented higher sum of six skinfold thickness and endomorphy rate compared to normal and late menarche groups. No differences were found when menstrual periodicity groups and best performance groups were compared, except for higher femur width in the regular menstrual cycle group compared to the irregular one. The association between body weight satisfaction and the four reproductive-related variables were not observed. Premenarche-trained Brazilian elite futsal players had the menarche later than the postmenarche-trained athletes. Most of the participants had menarche age classified as “normal,” presented “regular” menstrual cycles and perceived to perform better during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

The aim was to compare two generations to verify the morphological changes in female futsal athletes. Age, years of playing, anthropometry measurements, percentage body fat and somatotype were compared between professional athletes in 2001 (n=112) and 2011 (n=115). The 2011 group revealed a significant longer practice time (9.0±4.3 vs. 5.7±3.5 years; p

Abstract Introduction: Some authors have described the importance of physiological intensity in the behavior of the biomechanical aspects of running (for example, subtalar pronation), but the complex relationships between these variables are not yet well understood. Objective: This study investigated the influence of positive gradients on internal mechanical work (Wint) and maximum subtalar pronation at a submaximal running speed. Method: Sixteen male, trained long-distance runners (age: 29 ± 7 yr; stature: 1.72 ± 0.07 m; body mass: 72.1 ± 10.6 kg), performed four running economy tests (gradients: +1%, +5%, +10% and +15%, respectively) for four minutes at a same submaximal running speed to quantify the maximum values of subtalar pronation and predict the Wint values. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student’s T-test, and one-way repeated-measures (ANOVA) along with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: Wint increased according to the gradient (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the maximum values of maximum subtalar pronation corresponding to each gradient. Conclusion: Results show the maximum subtalar pronation during submaximal running depends on the speed rather than intensity of effort.

Introdução: A variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) pode ser considerada como preditora do desempenho esportivo aeróbico, apesar de poucos estudos relacionarem suas respostas a parâmetros mecânicos. Objetivo: Analisar a influência da frequência de passada (FP) na VFC, representada pelos intervalos RR (iRR), de corredores recreacionistas fundistas. Materiais e Métodos: Quatorze corredores (7 homens e 7 mulheres - idade: 37 ± 4 e 30 ± 5 anos; massa corporal: 74,9 ± 7,7 e 56,1 ± 3,6 kg; estatura: 1,76 ± 0,05 e 1,63 ± 0,05 m; consumo máximo de oxigênio: 51,8 ± 2,5 e 46,3 ± 6,6 ml.kg-1.min-1) correram a uma FP confortável (FPc), em esteira rolante, a uma velocidade auto-selecionada, seguida de duas corridas na mesma velocidade com FPs correspondentes a ± 10% da FPc (FP+10% e FP-10%) durante 5-min cada. Resultados: Não foram verificadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os iRR (homens e mulheres: 397,3 ± 40,8 e 416,5 ± 63,4 ms; 381,2 ± 37,4 e 378,6 ± 34,9 ms; 382,2 ± 39,8 e 393,0 ± 52,0 ms) nas condições de FPc, FP+10% e FP-10%, respectivamente, apesar da tendência de existirem maiores valores de iRR durante a corrida realizada na FPc. Discussão: Estudos têm demonstrado que a relação em questão é dependente da intensidade de esforço e do condicionamento físico. Conclusão: A VFC parece não ser dependente da técnica de corrida em baixas e moderadas intensidades, porém representa uma alternativa simplificada para obter informações a respeito do metabolismo aeróbico durante o exercício. ABSTRACT Stride frequency effect on heart rate variability of long distance runners Introduction: The heart rate variability (HRV) may be considered as a predictor of aerobic exercise performance, although few studies relate their responses to mechanical parameters. Objective: Analyze the influence of stride frequency (SF) on HRV, represented by RR interval (RRI), in recreational endurance runners. Materials and Methods: Fourteen runners (7 men and 7 women - age: 37 ± 4 and 30 ± 5 years; body mass: 74.9 ± 7.7 and 56.1 ± 3.6 kg; height: 1.76 ± 0.05 and 1.63 ± 0.05 m, maximal oxygen uptake: 51.8 ± 2.5 and 46.3 ± 6.6 ml.kg-1.min-1) running at a confortable SF (SFc) on treadmill at a self-selected running speed, followed by two stages of 5-min each at the same speed with corresponding to ± 10% of SFc (SF+10% and SF-10%). Results: No significant differences were found between RRI (men and women: 397.3 ± 40.8 and 416.5 ± 63.4 ms; 381.2 ± 37.4 and 378.6 ± 34.9 ms; 382, 2 ± 39.8 and 393.0 ± 52.0 ms) for SFc, SF+10% and SF-10%, respectively, despite the tendency there higher RRI values in SFc. Discussion: Studies have shown that this relation is dependent of physical activity intensity level and physical fitness. Conclusion: HRV does not seem to be dependent on running technique at low and moderate intensities, but represents a simplified alternative for information about the aerobic metabolism during exercise.

Introdução: É consenso que a melhora do sistema neuromuscular decorrente do treinamento de força promove ganhos significativos no desempenho físico. Apesar disso, poucos são os estudos que têm investigado o efeito do treinamento de força nos parâmetros mecânicos da corrida. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos do treinamento de força nos parâmetros mecânicos da corrida. Materiais e Métodos: Oito corredores recreacionais foram submetidos a um programa de treinamento de força de doze semanas e a três testes de economia de corrida realizados antes, durante e após o período de treinamento para a determinação das magnitudes das respectivas variáveis dependentes. Resultados: A análise de variância de medidas repetidas demonstrou não existirem diferenças significativas nos parâmetros avaliados. Discussão: Devido aos efeitos do treinamento de força na melhora do desempenho de corredores de rendimento, a análise da técnica de corrida justifica-se com objeto de estudo científico. Pesquisas têm demonstrado a eficiência dos programas de treinamento de força para a melhora do sistema neuromuscular relacionada às adaptações fisiológicas e mecânicas, ambas decorrentes de programas baseados na aplicação de exercícios resistidos. Conclusão: O treinamento de força de doze semanas aplicado isoladamente em corredores recreacionais parece não ser suficiente para modificar os parâmetros mecânicos da corrida. ABSTRACT Effects of strength training in mecanics parameters of run Introduction: The consensus is that the improvement of the neuromuscular system resulting from strength training promotes significant gains on performance. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the effect of strength training on the mechanical parameters of running. Objective: Analyze the effects of strength training on mechanical parameters of running. Materials and Methods: Eight recreational runners underwent a program of strength training of twelve weeks and three tests of running economy performed before, during and after the training period. Results: The repeated measures analysis of variance showed no significant differences in the behavior of the parameters evaluated. Discussion: Due to the effects of strength training in improving the performance of runner, the study of the running technique is justified. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of strength training programs in order to improve the neuromuscular system, consequences of physiological and mechanical adaptations both resulting of resistance training exercises. Conclusion: The strength training of twelve weeks applied separately in recreational runners isn’t sufficient to modify the mechanical parameters of running.

The validity of the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) was investigated to evaluate the anaerobic power performance in comparison to Wingate test in cycling athletes. Ten mountain-bike male cyclists (28.0±7.3 years) randomly performed Wingate Test and RAST with two trials each. After several anthropometric measurements, peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI) for RAST and Wingate Test were analyzed using Student's paired t-test, Pearson's linear correlation test (r) and Bland and Altman's plots. Results showed that, with the exception of FI (33.8±4.6% vs. 37.8±7.9%; r=0.172), significant differences were detected between the Wingate and RAST tests with regard to PP and MP. Although there was a strong correlation for PP and MP, or rather, 0.831 and 0.714 respectively, agreement of analysis between Wingate and RAST protocols was low. The above suggested that RAST was not appropriate to evaluate the performance of anaerobic power by Wingate test in cycling athletes.

The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometrical and physiological profile of futsal players and compare between under-20 and adults categories. Twenty four male athletes futsal participated in the study. They played in two teams of futsal-level state: a team with players under-20 (12 athletes); and another with players of the adults category (12 athletes). The participants performed a routine assessment involving anthropometric measurements (body mass, size, thickness of skin folds, perimeter body and bone diameter) and tests to estimate the aerobic and anaerobic capacity. The results did not indicate differences in relation to the anthropometrical and physiological profile between the under-20 and adults categories. We concluded that the promotion of athletes from the under-20 category for the adult’s category taking into account the anthropometrical profile and aerobic and anaerobic performance indicators is recommended. However, other indicators, such as the technical, tactical and psychological aspects are important to help in understanding this promotion phase and in the training.