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This study aimed to compare body image satisfaction by physical activity levels and sex. The sample consisted of 899 subjects, sedentary, active, and sports, with an average age of 28.97 ± 9.85. The instrument used to assess perception with body image was the Body Image Satisfaction Questionnaire. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the means of satisfaction with body image. The body image satisfaction was higher in the sports practice physical activity levels in males. In females, activities, and sportsmen's activities levels presented higher satisfaction with body image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclists use to wear different helmets and adopt different body positions on the bicycle to minimize resistance. The aim of this study was to compare a standard helmet with the new aero road helmets in a bicycle-cyclist system by CFD on the dropped position. An elite level road cyclist volunteered to this research. The cyclist was scanned on his racing bicycle on the dropped position wearing competition gear and a standard helmet and an aero road helmet. A three-dimensional domain around the cyclist with 7 m of length, 2.5 m of width and 2.5 m of height and meshed with more than 43 million of prismatic and tetrahedral elements. The numerical simulations were conducted at 11.11 m/s. The numerical simulations outputs were viscous, pressure and total drag and coefficient of drag. The standard helmet presented a viscous drag of 10.52 N, a pressure drag of 16.51 N and a total drag of 21.98 N. The aero road helmet presented a pressure drag of 7.40 N, a viscous drag of 12.56 N and a total drag of 19.96 N. Moreover, the aero road helmet presented a lower viscous, pressure and total drag coefficient in comparison to the standard helmet. It is possible to conclude that an aero road helmet imposes less drag in comparison to a standard helmet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to compare the resistive forces acting upon an European wheelchair medallist. The coast-down technique was selected to estimate the resistance in the upright position and racing positions with the neck in hyperextension and flexion, respectively. In the upright position, racing position with the neck in flexion and hyperextension the effective surface area was 0.1747, 0.1482 and 0.1456m 2 , respectively. The coefficient of rolling friction was 0.00119, 0.00489, 0.00618 and the power to overcome drag 26.62, 22.59, 22.19W for the same positions. As a conclusion, the resistance acting upon the sprinter is different according to his position on the chair. Slight changes in the head position over the race can affect by almost 2% the power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to employ a quasi-physical model to analyse the performance and biomechanics of the World and European records at the 100m dash in Athletics. At the time of this research, the World record was hold by Usain Bolt (Jamaica) with 9.58s and the European record 9.86s by Francis Obikwelu (Portugal). The analysis of the performance employs a quasi-physical model that feature the drive, maintenance, velocity and drag terms. Obikwelu showed a slower start (drive term) and Bolt a lower rate of deceleration over the race (propulsive term). The velocity and drag terms were higher for Bolt. Correcting the race time for a hypothetical null wind speed, Bolt's time would have been 9.62s (i.e. a 0.04s impairment) and 9.89s for Obikwelu (i.e. a 0.03s impairment). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyse the stability of elite male long-distance swimmers (1500 m), and to identify the main predictors related to the pace. The performance of 16 elite male swimmers (22.59 ± 2.10 years-old) participating in the 1500 m event at the 2016 (London) and 2018 (Glasgow) LEN European Aquatic Championships were analysed. The lap performance, clean swim performance, turn performance, and a set of stroke mechanics variables were assessed. The lap performance presented a significant and moderate variation with all laps included (p < 0.001) and deleting the first and last lap (p = 0.002). Swimmers were significantly faster in the first half in comparison of the second. The total turn also presented a significant and moderate variation. The hierarchical linear modelling retained the time (estimate = 0.0019, p = 0.007), stroke frequency (estimate = −27.49, p < 0.001) and stroke length (estimate = −6.55, p < 0.001) as the main predictors of the clean swim performance. By contrast to the analysis based on the lap performance, clean swim performance presented a non-significant variation. Coaches should be aware that stroke length maintenance could negatively affect the clean swim performance, whereas a small increase of stroke frequency may present a meaningful enhancement of the total race time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the habitual theories explaining postural asymmetries (ascending and descending theories), this study aimed to verify the magnitude and direction of the associations between the typology of postural asymmetries found in children and young footballers. Forty-seven male footballers between the ages of 9 and 16 (13.02 ± 2.51) were evaluated using SAPo posture evaluation software. The Spearmen correlation test was used to verify the possible associations between the typologies of postural asymmetries that were identified. Positive and negative correlations were found between the asymmetries in the lower and upper zones of the body. The asymmetries that had positive correlations were between the ear lobes, the iliac spine, scoliosis of the vertebrae, the medial malleolus, articulation lines of the knee, the inferior angle of the scapula and the median line of the leg. These associations are described for the different modalities with suggestions for controlling the magnitude of bad posture. The existence of an asymmetry can lead to the appearance or disappearance of another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical ethicists have questioned the use of no-treatment controlled studies (placebo and sham procedure) of new therapies when safe and effective standard therapies are available for use as an active or "equivalence" control. Currently, ethical and conduct principles for biomedical research specifically prohibit projects that do not make or deny the "best-proven diagnosis and therapeutic treatment" to any participant in a clinical trial, including individuals who consent to randomisation into a control group. Studies of psychophysiological therapies are often criticised for not having a placebo or sham treatment control group. In sports science research, particularly in the case of clinical exercise, the use of control groups also raises ethical questions. This article briefly reviews the problem and discusses the ethical standards governing human research derived from the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though the mechanisms are not fully understood, tryptophan (Trp) and physical exercise seem to regulate mechanical hypersensitivity in fibromyalgia. Here, we tested the impact of Trp supplementation and continuous low-intensity aerobic exercise on the modulation of mechanical hypersensitivity in a fibromyalgia-like model induced by acid saline in female rats. Twelve-month-old female Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups: [control (n = 6); acid saline (n = 6); acid saline + exercise (n = 6); acid saline + Trp (n = 6); and acid saline + exercise + Trp (n = 6)]. Hypersensitivity was caused using two intramuscular jabs of acid saline (20 μL; pH 4.0; right gastrocnemius), 3 days apart. The tryptophan-supplemented diet contained 7.6 g/hg of Trp. The three-week exercise consisted of progressive (30–45 min) treadmill running at 50 to 60% intensity, five times (Monday to Friday) per week. We found that acid saline induced contralateral mechanical hypersensitivity without changing the levels of Trp, serotonin (5-HT), and kynurenine (KYN) in the brain. Hypersensitivity was reduced by exercise (~150%), Trp (~67%), and its combination (~160%). The Trp supplementation increased the levels of Trp and KYN in the brain, and the activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and decreased the ratio 5-HT:KYN. Exercise did not impact the assessed metabolites. Combining the treatments reduced neither hypersensitivity nor the levels of serotonin and Trp in the brain. In conclusion, mechanical hypersensitivity induced by acid saline in a fibromyalgia-like model in female rats is modulated by Trp supplementation, which increases IDO activity and leads to improved Trp metabolism via the KYN pathway. In contrast, physical exercise does not affect mechanical hypersensitivity through brain Trp metabolism via either the KYN or serotonin pathways. Because this is a short study, generalizing its findings warrants caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study evaluated the effects of resistance exercise training and açaí supplementation on cardiac parameters in hypertensive animals. Methods: For this study, rats from the Wistar and SHR lines (spontaneously hypertensive rats) were used. The animals were divided into 5 groups: Wistar Control (C); Control Hypertensive (H); Trained Hypertensive (HT); Hypertensive and Supplemented with Açaí (HA); and Hypertensive Trained and Supplemented with Açaí (HAT). Resistance exercise training was carried out through climbing. The supplemented groups received 3 g of açaí/kg of body mass. The animals' systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass, and physical test were measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. At the end, an echocardiographic analysis was performed. Histological analysis and oxidative stress of the LV were performed. Results: It was found that hypertensive animals showed an increase in SBP, and the treatments reduced this parameter. The trained groups achieved higher values of maximum carrying load. Hypertension increased the dimension of the left ventricular free wall in diastole and reduced ejection and shortening fractions. The trained groups showed improvement in ejection and shortening fractions. The H group increased the proportion of extracellular matrix and reduced the proportion of cells, with the HAT group attenuating this change. Cell diameter was greater in group H, and all treatments reduced this parameter. Hypertension increased the concentration of malondialdehyde and decreased catalase activity in LV. The treatments managed to mitigate this damage. Conclusions: It is concluded that the treatments managed to generate positive cardiovascular adaptations, and their combination enhanced these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of swimming goggles on swimming hydrodynamics by numerical simulations. An elite swimmer volunteered for this research. The swimmer's head was scanned both without goggles, and while wearing 3 different types of goggles (Nikko, Ankor and Swedish). Numerical simulations were conducted at 2 m/s with the Fluent code. The condition without goggles showed the highest viscous drag (1.65 N), followed by the Ankor (1.64 N), Swedish (1.63 N) and Nikko (1.62 N) goggles, respectively. The highest pressure drag was found in the situation without goggles (11.34 N), followed by the Ankor (10.87 N), Nikko (10.78 N) and Swedish (10.20 N) goggles. The condition without goggles presented the highest total drag (12.99 N), followed by the Ankor (12.52 N), Nikko (12.40 N) and Swedish (11.83 N) goggles. Thus, Swedish goggles yields the best hydrodynamics, followed by the Nikko and Ankor goggles and lastly without goggles. Thus, goggles minimise the swimmer's drag comparing to not wearing any. The design of the goggles may impose varying drag forces and therefore it is advised to use goggles at least in competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish the effect of high-intensity and progressive volume resistance training (HIRT), on general health, functional, mental status, and quality of life (QOL) indicators in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: The sample consisted of five people with SCI of both sexes, aged 46.2 ± 13.9 years, submitted to 12 weeks of HIRT, twice a week. We analyzed before and after the 12 weeks of intervention: body composition, muscle strength, functional status, perception of mental status, and QOL, using the following tests: dual-energy X-ray densitometry, 1RM, isometry of biceps, elbow flexion, Wingate, zigzag, medicine ball pitch, Beck inventory (anxiety, depression, and mental disorder) and SF-36. Results: The results pointed to an increase in the training load, the total bone mineral content (p = 0.043), the muscle power at 80% of 1RM (p = 0.043), the functional state (anaerobic power [MD = 6.81%; p = 0.043] and explosive strength [mean difference (MD) = 30.57%; p = 0.043] of the shoulder girdle muscles), the mental state (MD = 71.46%; p = 0.006) and finally, improvement in QOL, especially in the functional (MD = 60.87%; p = 0.006) and social aspects (MD = 44.44%; p = 0.006). Conclusions: HIRT can improve or maintain body composition, developing muscle power, anaerobic power, and explosive strength of the upper limbs that will impact functional capacity, promoting greater autonomy, with consequent reflex in improving mental state and of the QOL of the person with SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Patellofemoral syndrome is a common osteoarticular condition that affects many individuals. Various treatment options are available, with a significant emphasis on targeted muscle-strengthening exercises. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of isokinetic muscle strengthening on muscle strength, joint range of motion, quality of life, physical performance, and pain tolerance in overweight/obese women with patellofemoral syndrome. Methods: Twenty-four overweight or obese women with patellofemoral syndrome participated in the study during September and October 2023 in a private medical facility for physical medicine and functional rehabilitation. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups for six weeks of isokinetic muscle strengthening. The first group (ISO.G) followed a rehabilitation program combined with isokinetic muscle strengthening. A second group (PCM.G) followed a rehabilitation program that includes an isokinetic protocol in passive compensation movement. The extensors' peak torque was measured before and after training. Results: The flexors' peak torque, stair climbing test, 10 m walk, chair lift, monopodal support, goniometric knee flexion test, heel–buttock distance measurement, pain, and quality of life scores improved significantly in both groups. The ISO.G, on the other hand, benefited from a significant increase in quadriceps muscle strength revealed by the extensors' peak torque. Conclusions: For the treatment of patellofemoral syndrome, isokinetic muscle strengthening in concentric mode appears to have a significant advantage over the classic rehabilitation program with isokinetic passive compensation, particularly in muscle strength gain, in addition to the improvement of joint range of motion, quality of life, physical performance, and pain tolerance. Isokinetic training may be recommended as a beneficial approach for the rehabilitative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome in overweight/obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence of a relationship between motor and cognitive development. The literature has shown that of all the motor skills, fine motor skills are those that contribute most to mathematical performance in preschool children. As this is a sensitive period in the development of motor skills, low levels of physical activity in this period can compromise their development and contribute to weight gain and obesity. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze the relationship between mathematical and motor skills, physical activity levels, and obesity. The sample consisted of 62 preschool children (32 males) with an average age of 4.63 ± 0.81. The Weschler preschool and primary scale of intelligence—revised arithmetic test was used to assess mathematical skills. The tests to assess fine motor skills were the "Adapted Threading Beads Test" and the "Adapted Visuomotor Integration Test". The movement assessment battery for children-2, band 1, "Aiming & Catching", and "Balance" tests were used to assess gross motor skills. Levels of physical activity were assessed using the "Preschool-age physical activity questionnaire" and obesity using the body mass index. The results indicated that only the fine motor skills of visuomotor integration were included in the multiple linear regression model (F < 0.001; r = 0.464; R2 = 0.215; p < 0.001), with the exclusion of gross motor skills, physical activity levels, and obesity levels. Thus, it was concluded that mathematical skills were only directly and significantly influenced by visuomotor integration. However, visuomotor integration was positively and significantly associated with gross motor skills (r = 0.269; p < 0.05) and not with levels of physical activity and obesity. Thus, gross motor skills could contribute to improving visuomotor integration directly and consequently mathematical skills indirectly. The results of this study suggest that the implementation of structured physical activity programs can contribute to mathematical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare the in-water force of young competitive swimmers using tethered swimming and differential pressure sensors. Thirty-one swimmers (16 girls and 15 boys) were randomly assigned to perform two in-water tests. Swimmers completed two maximum bouts of 25 m front crawl with a differential pressure system and a 30 s maximum bout with an attached load cell (tethered-swimming). The peak force (F PEAK , in N) of dominant and non-dominant upper limbs was retrieved for further analysis. Comparison between methods revealed significant differences in all force variables (p ≤ 0.05) and the biases (mean differences) were large in girls (F PEAK dominant, 45.89 N; F PEAK non-dominant, 43.79 N) and boys (F PEAK dominant, 67.26 N; F PEAK non-dominant, 61.78 N). Despite that, simple linear regression models between the two methods showed significant relationships with a moderate effect in all variables for girls, whereas in boys a high and moderate effect was verified for F PEAK of dominant and non-dominant limbs (respectively). It seems that using pressure sensors and tethered swimming leads to different F PEAK values in young competitive, where correction factors are needed to compare data between both methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pacing during cycling and running in an IRONMAN triathlon has been investigated in only one study with elite IRONMAN triathletes. We have, however, no knowledge of how professional triathletes pace during an IRONMAN World Championship. To investigate the split-by-split speed, pacing strategies and pacing variability in professional female and male IRONMAN World Championship participants in the fastest IRONMAN World Championship ever in IRONMAN Hawaii 2022. For both cycling and running, 25 specific split times were recorded in each discipline. The best 30 men and 30 women overall were chosen from the official IRONMAN website database for further analysis. They were divided into three performance groups: Top 10, 11–20th place, and 21st–30th place. Mean speed, individual linear regressions with the corresponding correlation coefficients, and coefficient of variation were calculated to assess split-by-split speed, pacing strategies, and pacing variability, respectively. In both men's and women's cycling and running segments, the top ten participants exhibited faster split times compared to the slower performance groups. Notably, no discernible differences existed between the 11–20th and 21st–30th place in men's cycling and women's running times. Conversely, in men's running and women's cycling segments, those in the 11–20th place displayed quicker times than those in the 21st–30th place. In the cycling segment across all groups, men demonstrated a more negative pacing pattern (indicating an increase in speed), whereas women exhibited more consistent pacing. In the running segment, the top 10 men and all women's groups showcased relatively similar slightly positive pacing profiles. However, men ranking 11–20th and 21st–30th displayed more pronounced positive pacing strategies, implying a more significant decline in speed over time. In terms of cycling, the variability in pacing remained relatively consistent across the three performance groups. Conversely, during the running segment, the top ten male triathletes and those in the 11–20th place displayed lower pacing variability than their counterparts in the 21st–30th position place and all women's groups. In summary, performance and pacing were examined in professional male and female IRONMAN World Championship participants during IRONMAN Hawaii 2022. Top performers showed faster cycling and running split times, with differences in pacing strategies between sexes. The pacing was more consistent in cycling, while running pacing varied more, particularly among male triathletes in different performance groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying appropriate training loads in accordance with the defined objectives promotes optimal physical and physiological adaptations, reduces the likelihood of illness and injury and, therefore, increases the possibility of success during Rugby. The aim of this review was to compile and systematise the information in the literature on the association between training load variables (internal and external) and performance outcomes in Rugby. As such, the main objective will be to conduct a systematic review of the published literature to identify the physical and physiological performance variables in Rugby sport to monitor the training load. Following the preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and PICOS approach, the search was adapted and conducted systematically only in the PubMed database, which, in itself, also restricts the search spectrum of the paper, thus conferring a limitation to the present academic work. The search was conducted in PubMed throughout the possible temporal spectrum since there is still little robustness in the literature about rugby sports performance. Articles were selected by pre-defined selection criteria, including observational, randomised clinical and clinical trial studies. After further screening, and based on the inclusion criteria of the papers, the result of the analysis of the relevance of the studies, the final set of analysis resulted in 16 articles. From the studies compiled in this review, there seems to be a strong correlation between the perceived exertion (RPE) and the prescription and definition of the training load applied in Rugby athletes. The RPE reflects the most used and analysed variable throughout all the studies. Several articles reflect a strong relationship between the training load, the inter-individual capacity of each athlete and their tolerance to the load (player load). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cycling, drag is the force that opposes the cyclist's motion and is caused by the cyclist's and their equipment's interaction with the air. The surface area of the cyclist and their equipment, such as the bike, helmet, and body postures, substantially impact how much drag they encounter. This study compared the energy cost (Ec) of an able-bodied and shoulder amputee cyclist through numerical simulations using computer fluid dynamics (CFD). According to the hypothesis, an able-bodied cyclist may use more energy at a given speed than an ablebodied cyclist. For this study, a professional male cyclist who weighs 65 kg and is 1.72 m tall took part. The estimated Ec was lower for a shoulder amputee in comparison to an ablebodied cyclist. Significant statistical differences and relationships were found between the cyclists for the 11 selected speeds. Altogether, this study allows us to conclude that, for the same conditions, an able-bodied cyclist delivers less Ec in comparison to a shoulder amputee. Such knowledge contributes to understanding cycling performance and may inform training, equipment design, and energy optimisation strategies for diverse cyclist populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multivariate training programmes are widely recognised as an effective strategy for developing the skills necessary for good performance in the collective modalities addressed in physical education. The aim of this study was to verify the correlation between tactical performance and physical fitness levels in young secondary school students during the teaching of the didactic unit of basketball using a multivariate training programme. A group of fortyseven students from a Portuguese school volunteered to participate in the study. A correlational study was used to verify the association between tactical performance and physical fitness while teaching the Basketball Didactic Unit based on TGFU (i.e., 6 weeks) in two different moments. All subjects were randomly divided into two groups (control and experimental) and assessed at two different moments: before the teaching of the didactic unit (pre-test) and at the end of the teaching of the didactic unit (post-test). Tactical performance in basketball was assessed using the Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI), while physical fitness was assessed using some physical tests from the FitEscola battery. Overall, the multivariate training programme did not differentiate the magnitudes of the correlations between the variables analysed. However, it is confirmed that the multivariate training programme seems to emerge as a positive and differentiating pedagogical strategy that should be integrated into physical education classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]