Paralympic Powerlifting is a sport in which the strength of the upper limbs is assessed through bench press performance in an adapted specific bench. It is therefore essential to optimize training methods to maximize this performance. The aim of the present study was to compare force production and muscle activation involved in partial vs. full range of motion (ROM) training in Paralympic Powerlifting. Twelve male athletes of elite national level in Paralympic Powerlifting participated in the study (28.60 ± 7.60 years of age, 71.80 ± 17.90 kg of body mass). The athletes performed five sets of 5RM (repetition maximum), either with 90% of 1RM in full ROM or with a load of 130% 1RM in partial ROM. All subjects underwent both exercise conditions in consecutive weeks. Order assignment in the first week was random and counterbalanced. Fatigue index (FI), Maximum Isometric Force (MIF), Time to MIF (Time) and rate of force development (RFD) were determined by a force sensor. Muscle thickness was obtained using ultrasound images. All measures were taken pre- and post-training. Additionally, electromyographic signal (EMG) was evaluated in the last set of each exercise condition. Post-exercise fatigue was higher with full ROM as well as loss of MIF. Full ROM also induced greater. EMG showed greater activation of the Clavicular portion and Sternal portion of pectoralis major muscle and lower in the anterior portion of deltoid muscle when full ROM was performed. Muscle thickness of the pectoralis major muscle increased post-exercise. We concluded that training with partial ROM enables higher workloads with lower loss of muscle function.

Our aim was to analyze physiological, kinematical and performance changes induced by swimming training in regional age‐group athletes. Subjects (15.7 ± 2.2 years old) performed a 4 x 50‐m front‐crawl test at maximal velocity (10 s rest interval) in weeks 2, 4, 9 and 12 of a 15‐week macrocycle. Descriptive statistics were used and the percentage of change and smallest worthwhile change (moderate, 0.6‐1.2, and large, > 1.2) were measured. Lactate concentration in the third, seventh and twelfth minute of recovery decreased significantly between weeks 2‐9 (14.1, 15.7 and 17.6%) and increased between weeks 9‐12 (18.2, 18.6 and 19.8%), with the HR presenting only trivial variations during the training period. Stroke length showed a large decrease in the first 50‐m trial between weeks 4‐9 (6.2%) and a large increase between weeks 9‐12 (3.1%). The stroke rate (in all 50‐m trials) increased significantly between weeks 4‐9 (3‐ 7%) and the stroke index had a moderate to large increase in the first and third 50‐m trial (3.6 and 7.1%, respectively) between weeks 9‐12. The overall time decreased by 1.1% between weeks 2‐12, being more evident after week 4. We concluded that physiological, kinematical and performance variables were affected by the period of training in regional age‐group swimmers.

This study aims to evaluate the relation between salivary concentrations of cortisol (C), testosterone (T), the ratio T:C and the individual performance of top-level female soccer athletes during official matches. Eighteen female athletes from a national soccer team (age 23.06 ± 4.33 years) participated in the study. Four official matches were analysed and the on-field time of each player as well as the index of individual effectiveness were calculated. Players were classified in two clusters according to their individual performance (cluster 1 – poor individual performance; cluster 2 – good individual performance) using K-means and their hormonal variables were compared. The players of cluster 2 generally revealed higher values (p˂.05) in both the positive actions and individual effectiveness, when compared with the players of cluster 1. The players of both clusters presented identical values of C, T and T:C at the four evaluated matches. The athletes of cluster 2 showed a significant increase in C (p˂.05) and a significant decrease in T and T:C before the games lost (M2 and M5). However, there was no linear relation between the variation of both hormones during the matches and the individual performance of players. Performance in competition revealed significant differences between players, though with no apparent relation to the hormonal kinetics of C and T before and after the matches.

A PREVALÊNCIA DO EXCESSO DE PESO E DA OBESIDADE ENTRE CRIANÇAS PORTUGUESAS RESUMOIntrodução: Uma das maiores preocupações da política de saúde pública deveria estar relacionada à avaliação da prevalência do excesso de peso e da obesidade nas crianças, a fi m de prevenir os riscos à saúde na maioridade. O alvo principal do presente estudo foi estimar a prevalência da obesidade em crianças portuguesas que participam de atividade física regular. Materiais e Métodos: A amostra incluiu 2.651 crianças (1.330 meninas e 1.321 meninos), com idade entre 6 anos e 10 anos. Para o critério de obesidade e excesso de peso, foi usada a distribuição do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). Para comparar o IMC entre gêneros foi feita uma análise de variação. Para ajustar o IMC aos distúrbios causados pela idade foi feito uma análise de covariância. Resultados: Em crianças de 6 anos a 10 anos de idade, a prevalência da obesidade foi de 4,4% nos meninos e 6,5% nas meninas. Também neste grupo, a incidência do excesso de peso foi de 14,1% entre os meninos e 18,0% entre as meninas. A média da prevalência da obesidade das crianças portuguesas foi de 5,5% e o excesso de peso foi de 21,9%. A prevalência da obesidade e do excesso de peso é menor entre os meninos, quando comparada com meninas portuguesas com idades entre 6 anos e 10 anos. As crianças portuguesas têm uma maior prevalência de obesidade e de excesso de peso, quando comparadas com países europeus e americanos. PALAVRAS-CHAVEObesidade, Índice de Massa Corporal, Criança. THE PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG PORTUGUESE CHILDREN ABSTRACTIntroduction: One of the main concerns of public health politics should be related to the estimation of the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children, in order to prevent related health risks during adulthood. The main aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of obesity in Portuguese children who participate in regular physical activity. Materials and Methods: The sample included 2651 children (1330 females and 1321 males) ranged between 6 years and 10 years old. For obesity and overweight criterion the Body Mass Index distribution was used. To compare the Body Mass Index between genders an analysis of variance was performed. To adjust the Body Mass Index to the distraction caused by the age an analysis of covariance was performed. Results: Throughout the age from 6 years to 10 years old, the prevalence of obesity was 4.4% in males and 6.5% in females. Also in this group, the incidence of overweight was 14.1% between boys and 18.0% between girls. Average Portuguese children prevalence of obesity was 5.5% and overweight was 21.9%. The prevalence of obesity and overweight is lower for male when compared with female Portuguese children throughout the age from 6 years to 10 years old. Portuguese children have higher prevalence of obesity and overweight when compared with other European and American countries.