PurposeThe present study aims at investigating the physiological response and technical-tactical parameters in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition.MethodsThe study included 35 male Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes (adult category, body mass: 80.2 ± 13.0 kg), graded from white to brown belt, during combats fought at regional level. Twenty-two fights were analyzed in terms of technique and time structure. Blood glucose, lactate and maximal isometric grip strength were determined before and after the fights. The rate of perceived exertion was also assessed after the fight, using the 6-20 Borg rating. The fights were recorded and the following variables were determined: the exertion/pause ratio and subjective intensity of actions, categorized between low and high intensity.ResultsThe results indicated that during Brazilian jiu-jitsu fights, the glycolytic pathway is only moderately activated (lactate before: 4.4 (4.0 – 4.6) mmol/L, after: 10.1 (8.0 – 11.3) mmol/L; glucose before: 112.4 ± 22.3 mg/dL, after: 130.5 ± 31.0 mg/dL). The exertion during the fight resulted in significant reductions in handgrip strength (right hand grip before: 45.9 ± 10.3 kgf, after: 40.1 ± 9.5 kgf; left hand grip before: 44.2 ± 11.1 kgf, after: 37.0 ± 10.2 kgf). The athletes rated the fight as hard: 15 (13 – 15). Effort/pause ratio was 6:1, while high-intensity actions lasted approximately 4 s, resulting in a low/high intensity? ratio of 8:1.ConclusionIt is recommended that coaches direct the training loads to simulate the energy demand imposed by the competitive matches, activating moderately the glycolytic pathway. Moreover, the time structure of combats can be used to prescribe both physical and technical-tactical training.

Athletes from many sports that are categorized by body mass tend to reduce it to fit in lower categories. Such reduction can compromise the athlete's performance and health. In order to determine the most appropriate category, the body composition is highly relevant, especially to avoid excessive reduction. Thus, this study analyzed the morphological profile of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu elite athletes. The sample was composed of 11 athletes, aged 25.8 ± 3.3 years, medalists in national and/or international competitions. The analysis was performed to determine the anthropometric body composition and somatotype. Body fat percentage from this population was 10.3 ± 2.6 % fat, a high percentage of muscle mass (61.3 ± 1.5 %), and predominant mesomorphic component (5.5 ± 1.0) was observed. The points of highest and lowest fat accumulation were respectively abdominal (15.7 ± 6.3 mm) and chest (6.8 ± 1.5 mm) regions. It can be concluded that athletes from this sport showed higher body mass during the preparatory period than in competitive conditions (4.4 ± 2.4 %); however, they showed low body fat, high muscle mass percentage and predominant mesomorphic component.

RESUMO.O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as características morfofuncionais de usuários de Academias da Terceira Idade (ATIs) na cidade de Maringá, Estado do Paraná. O estudo contou com 86 indivíduos (28 homens (67,8 ± 5,4 anos) e 58 mulheres (67,6 ± 6,0 anos)). Os parâmetros morfofuncionais foram divididos em antropométricos (Índice de Massa Corporal -IMC e a Relação Cintura-Quadril -RCQ) e funcionais (níveis pressóricos -PA). Foi usada a estatística descritiva para tratamento dos dados. Em relação ao estado nutricional, homens apresentaram valores maiores de IMC em comparação às mulheres. Quanto à distribuição regional de gordura, as mulheres apresentaram RCQ mais alto quando separados pelos diferentes estratos, embora em valores absolutos a média masculina tenha sido maior. Quanto a PA, homens mostraram tendência de valores mais elevados, mas ambos os gêneros tiveram reduções nos valores de PA na reavaliação, especialmente as mulheres. É possível concluir que o período de três a seis meses de prática nas ATIs não foi capaz de produzir mudanças significativas nos parâmetros morfológicos de indivíduos acima de 60 anos, independente do gênero. Modificações na função cardiovascular sinalizam importantes reduções nos níveis pressóricos, indicando que a prescrição individualizada e a regularidade de atividade física são essenciais para a obtenção de melhoras mais expressivas.Palavras-chave: idosos, pressão arterial, ATI, RCQ, IMC.Does the use of third age fitness centers by the elderly modify morphofunctional parameters?ABSTRACT. The objective of the study was to analyze the morphofunctional characteristics from users of Third Age Fitness Centers (TAFC) in the city of Maringá, Parana State. The study involved 86 individuals -28 men (67.8 ± 5.4 years of age old) and 58 women (67.6 ± 6.0 years old). The morphofunctional parameters were divided into anthropometric (Body Mass Index -BMI and Waist-Hip Ratio -WHR) and functional (blood pressure -BP). The method used for data processing was descriptive statistics. With regard to nutritional status, men showed higher BMI values compared to women. As for regional body fat distribution, women had higher WHR when separated by different strata, although in absolute values the male average was higher. As for BP, men showed a trend for higher values, but both genders had reductions in BP values in the reassessment, especially women. We can conclude that the three to six-month period of practice at ATA was not able to produce significant changes in the morphologic parameters of individuals over 60 years of age old, regardless of gender. Changes in cardiovascular function indicate important reductions in blood pressure levels, indicating that individualized prescription and regular physical activity are essentials to achieving most significant improvements.Keywords: elderly, blood pressure, TAFC, WHR, BMI. IntroduçãoA população mundial tem aumentado acentuadamente, em especial a população idosa. Esse aumento é em decorrência do aumento da expectativa média de vida associada à di...

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