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IntroductionIndexes derived from spontaneous heart period (HP) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) fluctuations can detect autonomic dysfunction in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) associated to cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) or other neuropathies. It is unknown whether HP and SAP variability indexes are sensitive enough to detect the autonomic dysfunction in DM patients without CAN and other neuropathies.MethodsWe evaluated 68 males aged between 40 and 65 years. The group was composed by DM type 2 DM with no manifest neuropathy (n = 34) and healthy (H) subjects (n = 34). The protocol consisted of 15 minutes of recording of HP and SAP variabilities at rest in supine position (REST) and after active standing (STAND). The HP power in the high frequency band (HF, from 0.15 to 0.5 Hz), the SAP power in the low frequency band (LF, from 0.04 to 0.15 Hz) and BRS estimated via spectral approach and sequence method were computed.ResultsThe HF power of HP was lower in DM patients than in H subjects, while the two groups exhibited comparable HF power of HP during STAND. The LF power of SAP was similar in DM and H groups at REST and increased during STAND in both groups. BRSs estimated in the HF band and via baroreflex sequence method were lower in DM than in H and they decreased further during STAND in both populations.ConclusionResults suggest that vagal control of heart rate and cardiac baroreflex control was impaired in type 2 DM, while sympathetic control directed to vessels, sympathetic and baroreflex response to STAND were preserved. Cardiovascular variability indexes are sensitive enough to typify the early, peculiar signs of autonomic dysfunction in type-2 DM patients well before CAN becomes manifest.

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Oxygen uptake (VO 2 peak) has been very important in functional assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness. The Ergospirometry is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate physical performance or ability of an individual, through the analysis of the gases with the respiratory variables. In sports, this method of evaluation is crucial, because it brings a significant contribution to the verification of aerobic fitness, such as, the maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max.), and anaerobic threshold. The present study aims to evaluate the power and aerobic capacity in professional and under-20 soccer players, handball athletes, and women footballers, using the technique of gas analysis. For the study, 48 athletes, who participated voluntarily, were divided into 4 groups of 12 athletes. The VO 2 peak, the average speed and heart rate at anaerobic threshold, as well as respiratory exchange ratio were analyzed. We found that the values were always greater for the group of professional football players, with the exception of the average consumption of maximum O 2 , where the difference of the footballers in the under-20 category was not significant. Additional values that were analyzed indicated that there were some physical similarities between the other groups that should be noted. The respiratory exchange ratio was significantly lower for the group of women footballers. Based on this data, it was concluded that the specificity of sport as dimensions of the pitch, duration, and tactical system, morphology and sex of the athlete, directly influences the values of the VO 2 peak, lactate threshold and respiratory exchange ratio for athletes of different * Corresponding author. R. C. A. Ferreira et al. 203 sports at the same stage of periodization of fitness.

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to compare the anaerobic power of amateur futsal and handball players utilizing the Wingate Test. Material and Methods: Twenty-two athletes between the ages of 18 to 21, who agreed to participate in the research after reading and signing the Terms of Free and Clarified Consent, took part in the Wingate Test using 7.5% of their total body mass. The relative and absolute Maximum Power (MP); relative and absolute Average Power (Ap) and Fatigue Rate (FR) were compared. The statistical method used was the non-paired t-student test with a significance level of P < 5%. Results: Handball players presented higher values of absolute MP (879.45 ± 182.22 W) and Ap (671.91 ± 109.37) when compared to the values of MP (749.00 ± 71.94) and Ap (600.42 ± 52.72) of futsal players. However, there was no significant difference when the variables studied were relative to the MP and Ap and Fatigue Rate. Conclusions: Based on these results, it can be concluded that handball presents greater alactic anaerobic power compared to futsal where, most likely, the importance of certain characteristics and specific training contributes to the determination of the predominant metabolic medium during sport practice.