Long-distance running is an exhausting effort for the whole organism. Prolonged aerobic exercise induces changes in inflammatory markers. However, predicting muscle damage in response has limitations in terms of selecting biomarkers used to measure inflammatory status. The present study conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles focusing in ultra-marathon, marathon, and half-marathon and levels of cytokines. The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, resulting in the inclusion of 76 articles. IL-6 was highlighted, evaluated in 62 studies and show increase in the standard mean difference (SMD): half-marathon (SMD −1.36; IC 95%: −1.82, −0.89, Ch2:0.58; tau2:0.00; p < 0.0001), marathon (SMD −6.81; IC 95%: −9.26, −4.37; Ch2:481.37 tau2:11.88; p < 0.0001) and ultra-marathon (SMD −8.00 IC 95%: −10.47, −5.53; Ch2:328.40; tau2:14.19; p < 0.0001). In contrast meta-regression analysis did not show relationship to the running distance (p = 0.864). The meta-analysis evidenced increase in the concentration of IL-1ra (p < 0.0001), IL-1B (p < 0.0001), IL-8 (p < 0.0001), IL-10 (p < 0.0001) and TNF-α (p < 0.0001). Reduction in IL-2 (p < 0.0001) and INF-y (p < 0.03) and no change in the IL-4 (p < 0.56). The number of studies evaluating the effect of adipokines was limited, however Leptin and Resistin were recurrent. The effects of an acute bout of prolonged aerobic exercise will protect against chronic systemic inflammation. The time to return to baseline values showed a substantial and dose-dependent relationship with run volume. The concentration of IL-6 was robustly studied and the marathon running was the most explored. Network of endocrine interactions in which circulating factors, released in extreme exercises, interplay through inter-organ crosstalk and physiologic changes were expressed. The running volume variability was able to modulate compounds that play a fundamental role in the maintenance of homeostasis and cell signaling.

The purpose of this study was to identify structures for the practice of physical activities (PA) in Brazilian Schools and relate them to the Human Development Index (HDI), Basic Education Development Index (IDEB) and quality indicators from the Report Card Brazil (RCB). This is a descriptive study that used secondary data from INEP-Brazil to identify and classify structures for the practice of PA in Brazilian schools based on the presence of “schoolyards”, “sports courts” and “sporting materials”, organized by elementary and high schools. Data were organized by Macroeconomic Region and related to HDI, IDEB and Report Card Brazil Quality Classification Criteria. Thus, for “Elementary School”, positive and significant relationship was observed between HDI and the presence of “schoolyards” (r=0.53; p=0.004), “sports courts” (r=0.855; p<0, 01) and “sporting materials”(r=0.764; p<0.01), while for IDEB, values followed the same logic, associated to the presence of “schoolyards” (r=0.475; p=0.01), “sports courts” (r=0.676; p<0.01) and “sporting materials” (r=0.535; p<0.01). For “High School”, relationship was observed between HDI and the presence of “sports courts” (r=0.517; p<0.01) and “sporting materials” (r=0.499; p<0.01), while for IDEB, relationship was only observed with the presence of “sporting materials” (r=0.508; p<0.01). It could be concluded that the Northern and Northeastern regions of Brazil have schools with lower presence of structure for the practice of Physical Activity and that there is positive relationship of this structure with HDI, IDEB and quality indicators of the Report Card Brazil.

Background. Ultramarathons with distances over 180 km might lead to different results regarding participation, performance, and age compared to shorter runs of 50 and 100 km. Objective. To evaluate ultramarathons with distances above 180 km in relation to runners’ peak age and performance. Methods. Verification of the quantity of competitions in runs over 180 km by continents in the period 2000 to 2020 and evaluation of the individual results of 13,300 athletes after 2010. Results. Europe stood out with the largest number of organized events, followed by Asia and North America. The age peak performance (PP) in men and women averaged 45 years old with relationship between sex × years ( F = 3.612 , p < 0.001 ; η 2 = 0.003 ). Men accounted for more than 80% of the runners and showed a reduction in PP from 2015 onwards ( p < 0.001 ). Competitions between 180 and 240 km were the most frequent, particularly after 2016, surpassing the number of marathons over 360 km ( p < 0.001 ). Men and women showed higher velocity in distances ( p < 0.001 ) from 180 to 240 km when compared to 241 to 300 k m, 301 to 360 km, and >360 km courses. Conclusions. The decade between 2010 and 2020 showed an increase in the number of Ultramarathon running events. Europe had the highest number. Women had low participation. Performance progression fell, a fact associated with an increase in the number of participants and not specifically related to a decline in athletic performance over the years.

The objective of this study was to analyze the acute effect of hyperoxia during the maximal treadmill test (MTT) of runners. Participants included 10 female street runners who performed the MTT under two different conditions: hyperoxia (HYPX), inhaling oxygen (60% O2) every 3 min; and normoxia (NORM), without additional oxygen inhalation. Both groups performed the MTT with increases in the slope of the run every 3 min until voluntary exhaustion. The variables of lactate concentration, the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), and Borg scale were evaluated. It was verified after the comparison (HYPX vs. NORM) that stage 3 (p = 0.012, Cohen’s d = 1.76) and stage 4 (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 5.69) showed a reduction in lactate under the HYPX condition. OBLA under the HYPX condition was identified at a later stage than NORM. There were no differences in Borg scale, SpO2, and HR between the different conditions. It was concluded that the HYPX condition contributed to a reduction in lactate concentration and delayed OBLA in runners.

– The objective of this systematic review was to identify the association between overweight/obesity and level of physical activity in Brazilian children and adolescents in the school setting. For search strategy, the main reference databases (PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, ERIC) were used. Baseline searches resulted in 3,265 potentially relevant titles (2,775 titles after removal of duplicate studies); 21 studies met all inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. Studies were carried out from 2007 to 2019; 47.6% of them were conducted in Southern Brazil, and only one study had nationwide approach. Prevalence from 5.4% to 21% was identified for overweight, 3.5% to 16.9% for obesity and 11.8% to 40.1% for overweight + obesity. According to results, 64.3% of overweight, 69.8% of obese and 37.7% of young overweight people were considered insufficiently active. The non-standardization of instruments to assess levels of physical activity and the lack of information regarding other Brazilian regions were classified as important limitations. The results reinforce the increase in the prevalence of overweight in Brazilian children and adolescents, and the high prevalence of physical inactivity among them. For every ten overweight children/adolescents, six are reported to be insufficiently active.