The aim of this study was to analyze quality of life of caregivers who are relatives of patients with spine cord injury (SCI). Fourteen women (seven caregivers and seven controls) were evaluated by the Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) Questionnaires. The data from both questionnaires were compared using the Mann-Whitney U testing procedure for differences between caregivers and controls (p<0.05). The results from SF-36 were not statistically significant between groups, however, for the CBS data, there were significant differences between groups (p>0.05), characterized by the percentage difference of 62%, 66.7%, 55%, 50%, 57% and 63% for tension, isolation, disappointment, emotional involvement, environment and overall score, respectively. The CBS questionnaire was more adequate for verifying quality of life of caregivers of SCI patients, and caregiving may have a negative impact on their quality of life.

The squat is one of the most widely used exercises in resistance training programs. The aim of this narrative review was to analyze the effect of the squat on lower-limb muscle hypertrophy. Briefly, the available literature indicates that the squat is an effective exercise for inducing hypertrophy of the quadriceps, mainly the vastii, but also the rectus femoris, although to a reduced magnitude. Multiple lines of evidence suggest little to no hamstring hypertrophy from the back squat. Although the gluteus maximus clearly participates mechanically in the back squat, few longitudinal studies exist on the topic. The limited evidence available on this topic suggests deeper squats may be more hypertrophic for the gluteus maximus, and that, squat depth beyond 90° of knee flexion may not provide further hypertrophy of the knee extensors. Despite the popularity of the many squat variations, there are still controversies surrounding their hypertrophic potential for lower-limb musculature. Further studies are needed to investigate the hypertrophic effects of different squat variations, as well as differences in hypertrophy because of squat depth, stance, barbell position, and different squat apparatuses/machines.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to social isolation measures in different contexts. In endurance sports, competitions worldwide have been canceled, affecting behavioral, psychological, and physical aspects. Objective: This study aimed to assess potential associations between stress, motivation, behavioral changes, and physical fitness in endurance athletes, and time in social isolation. Methods: A cross-sectional study with the participation of 201 athletes, including mountain bikers (n = 89), runners (n = 88) and triathletes (n = 24). Each participant answered questions about time spent in isolation; body weight; changes in training schedule during the isolation period; levels of motivation; stress levels; loss of physical fitness; what aspect of physical fitness was most jeopardized during the isolation period; alcohol consumption; quality of sleep; quality of diet; and whether they had been ill during the isolation period. Results: The results showed significant differences between the percentage of runners (4.5%) and triathletes (16.7%) who had been isolated from 1-10 days, and between the percentage of cyclists (41.6%) and runners (68.2%) in 11-20 days and >20 days (28.1% and 9.1%) respectively. Social isolation was significantly associated with at least one variable for the three groups of athletes; however, the runners were the most affected by the pandemic, presenting an association with low motivation, high stress, poorer quality of sleep, increased alcohol consumption, and loss of physical fitness. Conclusion: Our study showed that the period of social isolation, specifically over time > 10 days, generated significant changes in the perceptions of motivation, stress, alcohol consumption, and physical fitness of endurance athletes, with runners being the most affected group. Level of Evidence III; Diagnostic studies - Investigation of a diagnostic test; Study of non-consecutive patients, without a “gold standard” applied uniformly.

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar fatores associados à ansiedade e depressão em estudantes universitários. Estudo quantitativo, transversal e observacional o qual participaram 1.245 adultos universitários, de diferentes áreas do conhecimento de uma instituição de ensino superior do noroeste do Paraná. Foi utilizado um questionário elaborado pelos próprios autores com questões referentes ao sexo, idade, área do curso, e ano que estava matriculado. Como instrumento foi utilizado a Escala Hospitalar de “Anxiety and Depression” (HAD), adaptada para o âmbito educacional. A análise dos dados foi realizada pelos testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis e “U” de Mann-Whitney e Qui-quadrado (p <0,05). Os resultados evidenciaram que os estudantes com classificação provável de depressão (Md=24,3) apresentaram maior índice de massa corporal (IMC) do que os estudantes com classificação improvável (Md=23,0) e possível (Md=23,5). Verificou-se maior proporção de estudantes com provável ansiedade e depressão entre as mulheres (77,7%) e os estudantes da área de humanas e sociais (65,6%). Concluiu-se que o IMC, sexo e a área de conhecimento parecem estar associados à ansiedade e depressão em estudantes universitários.