OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of strength training (ST) combined with whole-body electrical stimulation (EMS) on morphofunctional adaptations in active individuals.METHODS:Fifty-eight volunteers were randomly distributed into the following groups: an untrained control (UN) group (n=16), an ST group (n=21) or an ST combined with EMS (ST+EMS) group (n=21). Both intervention groups (the ST and ST+EMS groups) performed 3 exercises (biceps curl, back squats and high-pulley tricep extensions) twice a week for 8 weeks. The subjects performed 3 sets of 8 to 12 maximum repetitions (MRs) with a 90-second rest duration between sets. The ST+EMS group performed the resistance training exercises wearing a whole-body suit that provided electrical stimulation at frequencies between 80-85 Hz, with a continuously bipolar impulse duration and pulse breadth of 350 µs. The intensity for each muscle group was controlled by Borg’s category ratio (CR)-10 scale; the intensity started at 5-6 and eventually reached 7-8. One-repetition maximum strength (1RM) and muscle thickness (MT) were measured before and after the training intervention. MT was evaluated in the biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), and vastus lateralis (VL).RESULTS:No differences (p>0.05) were found between the ST and ST+EMS groups. Improvements (p<0.05) in the absolute values of the morphofunctional parameters after the training protocol were observed. Significant differences were found between both the intervention groups and the UN group (p<0.05). The ST+EMS group presented high percentage changes (p<0.05) in muscular strength for the 1RMsquat (43.2%, ES=1.64) and the MT of the BB (21.6%, ES=1.21) compared to the ST (20.5%, ES=1.43, 11.9%, ES=0.77) group.CONCLUSIONS:Our data suggest that the combination of ST+EMS may promote alterations in muscle strength and MT in healthy active subjects.

The ergogenic effects of photobiomodulation therapy combined with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) on exercises with characteristics similar to those of CrossFit® are unknown. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of PBMT-sMF applied at different times on recovery and physical performance in CrossFit® athletes by analyzing functional aspects, muscle damage, inflammatory processes, and oxidative stress. This was a prospectively registered, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. CrossFit® athletes were recruited and assigned to receive one of the four possible interventions. Each intervention included protocols before and after the exercise (referred to as the workout of the day (WOD)). The four possibilities of intervention were as follows: placebo before and after WOD (placebo), PBMT-sMF before and placebo after WOD (PBMT-sMF before), placebo before and PBMT-sMF after WOD (PBMT-sMF after), and PBMT-sMF before and after WOD (PBMT-sMF before and after). The order of possibilities for the interventions was randomized. The primary outcome was the functional test performance. The secondary outcomes were the subjective perception of exertion, muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The outcomes were measured before the WOD; immediately after the intervention; and 1, 24, and 48 hours after the WOD. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test to examine the differences between the interventions at each time point. Twelve participants were randomized and analyzed for each sequence. PBMT-sMF enhanced the performance on functional tests (calculated as a percentage of change) when applied before or after WOD in the assessment performed immediately post-WOD and at 24 and 48 hours later ( p < 0.05 ) compared to placebo and PBMT-sMF before and after WOD. In terms of the secondary outcomes, PBMT-sMF applied before or after WOD significantly decreased the creatine kinase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities and interleukin-6, thiobarbituric acid, and carbonylated protein levels (all p < 0.05 ) compared to the other possibilities of intervention. In addition, PBMT-sMF applied before and after WOD decreased creatine kinase activity at 24 hours and IL-6 levels at 24 and 48 hours compared to placebo ( p < 0.05 ). None of the participants reported any adverse events. PBMT-sMF enhanced the performance of functional tests, decreased the levels of biochemical markers of muscle damage and inflammation, decreased oxidative stress, and increased antioxidant activity in CrossFit® athletes when applied before or after WOD.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de classificar a flexibilidade de idosas participantes de um programa multicomponente realizado nas dependências da Universidade Nove de Julho com a tabela de referência da Canadian Standadizes Test of Fitness, afim de comparar a flexibilidade dessas idosas com os resultados de quatro estudos científicos que testaram a flexibilidade em idosas fisicamente ativas, verificando se a influência do programa de exercício físico pode estar associado a flexibilidade. O teste de flexibilidade empregado foi o de sentar e alcançar (TSA), proposto por Wells & Dillon (1992), muito utilizado em avaliações de flexibilidade por ser de fácil aplicação, e de baixo custo. É aplicado por meio do Banco de Wells, e verifica o nível de flexibilidade da região inferior da coluna lombar e da região posterior da coxa. Métodos: Foram participantes 17 idosas com idade ≥ 60 anos. Após a assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido (TCLE) as participantes foram submetidas ao TSA. Os resultados foram plotados no software Excell® e média±desvio padrão foram calculados. Os níveis de flexibilidade foram classificados de acordo com os valores de referência para mulheres do Canadian Standardized Test of Fitness (CSTF), bem como os níveis de flexibilidade obtidos nos quatros estudos científicos para comparação. Resultados: A média de distância obtida no TSA realizado pelas idosas no presente estudo foi de 16,94±8,82cm, classificada como "RUIM" de acordo com a tabela de referência da CSTF. Na comparação da média de flexibilidade obtida no presente estudo com os resultados da flexibilidade (20,5±12,2cm, "RUIM") de Mendonça et. al. (2006) observa-se que o resultado do presente estudo apresenta a mesma classificação. Já quando os resultados foram comparados com o estudo de Rodrigues et al. (2005), que apresentou nível de flexibilidade de 30,9±6,8cm, classificada como "ACIMA DA MÉDIA", mostrou-se melhor em relação aos resultados do presente estudo. Na comparação com os resultados de PACHECO et al., (2005), mostrou que o resultado do presente estudo apresenta a mesma classificação do nível de flexibilidade de 22±5cm, "RUIM". E SILVA & RABELO (2006) observouse que apresentou nível de flexibilidade de 30,2±5,2cm, classificada como "MÉDIA", mostrou-se melhor em relação aos resultados do presente estudo. Conclusão: Esses dados sugerem que com o avanço da idade, o nível de flexibilidade pode reduzir, com níveis semelhantes entre idosas fisicamente ativas e inativas. Faz-se necessário a realização de mais testes comparativos para

Background: The direct application of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) combined with a static magnetic field (sMF) (PBMT-sMF) to target tissues is shown to improve muscle performance and recovery. Studies have reported possible PBMT effects when a local distant to the target tissue is irradiated. Notably, the extent of these effects on musculoskeletal performance and the optimal site of irradiation remain unclear, although this information is clinically important since these aspects could directly affect the magnitude of the effect. Therefore, we investigated the effects of local and non-local PBMT-sMF irradiations on musculoskeletal performance and post-exercise recovery before an eccentric exercise protocol. Methods: This randomized, triple-blind (participants, therapists and assessors), placebo-controlled trial included 30 healthy male volunteers randomly assigned to the placebo, local, and non-local groups. Active or placebo PBMT-sMF was applied to 6 sites of the quadriceps muscle of both legs. An eccentric exercise protocol was used to induce fatigue. The primary outcome was peak torque assessed by maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The secondary outcomes were delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), muscle injury assessed by serum creatine kinase activity (CK), and blood lactate levels. Evaluations were performed before the eccentric exercise protocol (baseline), as well as immediately after and 1, 24, 48, and 72 h upon protocol completion.

Introduction There are few studies on the effectiveness of training models with high volume sets per session in particular muscle groups. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different resistance training (RT) repetitions with equalized volumes on muscle adaptations. Methods This study used an experimental design in which forty-seven volunteers underwent 8 weeks of RT after having been distributed randomly into three groups: ten sets of three maximum repetitions (10x3), three sets of ten maximum repetitions (3x10) and five sets of six maximum repetitions (5x6) for each muscular group per training session. Maximum strength (1RM test) and muscle thickness (MT) were evaluated as outcomes. Results A significant main effect (p=0.001) of time on maximum strength was observed for the three groups, but no significance was observed (p>0.05) in time x group interactions. A significant main effect (p=0.001) of time was observed on MT for biceps, triceps and vastus lateralis, without significant differences for time x group interactions. Significant correlations were found between maximum strength and muscle thickness after general statistical analyses for all protocols. Conclusion Improvements in maximum strength and muscle thickness are similar when repetition volumes are equalized through the number of series and repetitions. Level of evidence I; Therapeutic studies, investigation of treatment results.