DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n4p411 Pedaling asymmetries quantified during stationary cycling, when cyclist body positioning and intensity remain unchanged, may not fully reproduce the training and competition situations, in which cyclists experience different intensities and may opt for different saddle positioning aiming at power output optimization. Previous studies showed that torque and power can be asymmetric in cyclists. It is not clear whether changes in saddle height and exercise intensity may affect asymmetries. The aim of the present study was to determine pedaling asymmetries during cycling at different saddle heights and different exercise intensities. Twelve competitive cyclists performed an incremental maximal test, a constant-load (“heavy” intensity domain), and a Wingate test. Constant load and the Wingate tests were repeated using three different saddle heights (reference and lower or higher by 2.5% of the distance from the pubic symphysis to the ground). Crank torque was recorded throughout the pedaling cycle. Asymmetry (higher torque for the preferred limb) was found in all saddle heights (p<0.001) in both intensities. Asymmetry index was similar across the saddle positions (p>0.05) in both intensities. Our results suggest that asymmetric cyclists present a consistent pattern regardless of small changes in the saddle height or in exercise intensity. For practical implication, cyclists producing asymmetric torque may be adapted to this condition so they are continuously exposed to asymmetric effort and overload on the lower limbs.

Resumo -O kitesurf é uma modalidade esportiva recente, mistura surf, windsurf e wakeboard, sua principal característica é a relação com a intensidade e a direção do vento, possuindo elevado índice de lesões. Desta forma, a pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar o tipo, região corporal e agente etiológico das lesões ocorridas em praticantes de kitesurf, nas cidades de Pelotas e Rio Grande, RS. Uma amostra de 50 praticantes, com média de idade, estatura, massa corporal e tempo de prática no esporte, respectivamente, de 30,7 ± 7,9 (anos), 175,9 ± 6,6 (cm), 79,4 ± 11,5 (kg), 4,2 ± 2,7 (anos), foi utilizada. O instrumento para coleta de dados foi um questionário, com perguntas abertas e fechadas. Foram encontradas 73 lesões entre todos os participantes do estudo e a maior parte deles apresentou mais de um tipo de lesão. A entorse foi o tipo de lesão mais frequente, 35,6%, o local mais acometido foram os membros inferiores, 50,7% e o agente etiológico que ocasionou a maioria das lesões foi a manobra, 57,5%. Destaca-se a necessidade de trabalho proprioceptivo, aumentando o poder de recrutamento muscular em situações extremas; de trabalho de flexibilidade, principalmente, de tronco e membros inferiores, locais mais acometidos pelas lesões e de trabalho corporal global, para aumento de resistência muscular. Palavras-chave: Lesão; Prevenção; Exercício físico.

Comparison of body composition and aerobic and anaerobic performance between competitive cyclists and triathletes Comparação da composição corporal, desempenho aeróbio e anaeróbio entre ciclistas e triatletas competitivosAbstract -The aim of this study was to compare anthropometric characteristics and aerobic and anaerobic fitness between competitive cyclists and triathletes. The sample consisted of 11 cyclists and 12 triathletes with experience in competitions. The tests were performed on two different days, with an interval of 48 h between sessions. On the first day, the athletes were submitted to anthropometric assessment (body mass, height, and skinfold thickness) and a maximal incremental test to determine maximal oxygen uptake, maximum power, maximum heart rate, maximum lactate, and the first (LL 1 ) and second lactate threshold (LL 2 ). The Wingate test was conducted on the second day to determine peak power, average power, and fatigue index. There were significant difference (p < 0.05), with medium effect size (0.80 -1.5), in mid-thigh skinfold thickness (15.2 ± 6.3 and 10.5 ± 4.8 mm), power at LL 1 (195.0 ± 30.9 and 162.7 ± 28.3 W), power at LL 2 (247.6 ± 25.0 and 219.7 ± 37.9 W), and fatigue index (47.2 ± 13.0 and 60.1 ± 16.4%) between cyclists and triathletes, respectively. The other variables did not differ between groups. Anthropometric characteristics are similar in triathletes and cyclists. However, cyclists present higher power outputs at the lactate thresholds (LL 1 and LL 2 ) and lower fatigue indexes. Key words: Aerobic performance; Anaerobic performance; Anthropometry; Cycling; Triathlon. (0,80 -1,5) para a dobra cutânea da coxa média (15,2 ± 6,3 e 10,5 ± 4,8 mm), potência no LL 1 (195,0 ± 30,9 e 162,7 ± 28,3 W), potência no LL 2 (247,6 ± 25 e 219,7 ± 37,9 W) e índice de fadiga (47,2 ± 13,0 e 60,1 ± 16,4 %) Resumo -O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as características antropométricas e aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia entre ciclistas e triatletas competitivos. Participaram do estudo 11 ciclistas e 12 triatletas com experiência em competições esportivas. As avaliações foram realizadas em dois dias distintos, com intervalo de