Therefore, both physioball and elastic band can be adopted during LP with the goal to reduce excessive varus and valgus forces, respectively, even performing consecutive sets with submaximal loads. Furthermore, this may be an interesting alternative to increasing quadriceps activation and improving the knee joint stabilization.

SummaryStudy aim: To determine and compare the time under tension (TUT) required to perform 8, 10 and 12 repetition maximum (RM) loads in the bench press exercise. Material and methods: Twenty men (24.17 ± 4.69 years) were selected intentionally and properly. We included in the study physically active individuals, with a weekly frequency of physical activity of at least two days for six months, and excluded individuals with injury or pain that could interfere with the correct execution of the exercise and individuals with positive PAR-Q. The 10-RM test consisted in performing ten consecutive repetitions with maximum overload and the highest speed in bench press exercise on the Smith machine. After 48 h, 10-RM sets were performed with the load obtained in the 10-RM load testing. The TUT in 10-RM was verified through kinematics using the timing technique of the Kinovea software. Results: The RM loads and TUT obtained during the retest session showed normal distribution between subjects. However, no significant differences were found between the loads 8, 10 and 12-RM within and between subjects (p < 0.05). The verified TUT showed a difference from 8 to 10-RM and from 8 to 12-RM, but no significant difference was found between TUT protocols for 10 and 12-RM (p < 0.05). Conclusion:The study results enable evaluation of TUT in bench press exercise on the Smith machine for the study sample, allowing, for this group, the prediction and control of training intensity through the TUT.

Introduction: Aging leads to decline in multiple organ systems associated to hormone alterations and loss of muscle mass and strength. Objective: To evaluate the effects of land and water resistance training on muscle strength, basal serum levels of GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP3 in elderly women. Methods: Subjects were distributed in three groups: land resistance training (LRT; n=10; age: 66.10±2.77 years), water resistance training (WRT; n=10; age: 67.10±3.54 years) and control (CG; n=10; age: 68.80±5.41 years). Muscle strength was assessed with the 1-RM test in bench press (BP) and leg press (LP) exercises. Serum levels of GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP3 were analyzed by chemiluminescence. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA showed elevated muscle strength in the BP only in LRT (∆%=60.2%; p=0.0001) when compared to the CG (∆%=46.73%, p=0.0001) and WRT (∆%=32.49%, p=0.004). LRT and WRT increased muscle strength in LP (∆%LRT=57.14%; p=0.004; ∆%WRT=42.3%; p=0.033). There was an increase in LRT and WRT in the LP when compared to CG (∆%=45.59%, p=0.019; ∆%=43.97%, p=0.026, respectively). IGF-1 was elevated only in LRT (∆%=49.72%, p=0.004) from pre-to post-test and when compared to WRT (∆%=56.76%, p=0.002) and CG (∆%=74.63%, p=0.0001). IGFBP3 levels showed that only WRT increased (∆%=26.79%, p=0.044) from pre-to post-test. The IGF-1/IGFBP3 ratio demonstrated that LRT reached intragroup elevation (∆%=52.66%, p=0.002) and when compared to WRT (∆%=94.11%, p=0.0001) and CG (∆%=73.45%, p=0.0001). There was no significant difference in GH. Conclusion: Land resistance training may provide better anabolic effects in elderly women.

SummaryStudy aim: To investigate the correlation between anthropometric parameters, Sargent jump test, core muscles endurance and agility performance versus specific tests with and without a ball in female Brazilian field hockey athletes. Material and methods: Nine professional female field hockey players (age: 27.4 ± 2.5 years) participated in this study. Body height, body weight, body fat percentage, Sargent jump test (SJT), shuttle run agility test (SR), core muscular endurance tests and sport-specific tests -repeated sprint ability test (RSA) and repeated sprint ability with the ball (RSAB) -were assessed in a randomized order. Results: A moderate correlation was noted between SR and RSAB (r = 0.58, p = 0.09) and RSA (r = 0.60, p = 0.08). In addition, a moderate correlation was noted between percentage of body fat with RSAB (r = 0.59, p = 0.09) and with RSA (r = 0.72, p = 0.08). The other variables showed slight agreement or no agreement. Conclusions: These results indicated that the SR could be implemented in training and evaluation programs of hockey athletes due to the correlation with specific tests. Thus, the percentage of body fat was the only anthropometric parameter that showed a correlation with the specific tests, revealing the importance of maintaining a proper percentage of body fat for better performance in hockey.