Nádia Souza Lima da Silva

Inoue, A, Mateo-March, M, Protzen, G, do Carmo, EC, Lattari, E, Costa, VP, and Bezerra da Silva, E. Power profile of Olympic cross-country mountain biking: Durability matters. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—Power output decline may represent an important indicator of durability in Olympic cross-country mountain biking (XCO-MTB), highlighting the need to evaluate performance when fatigued. This study aimed to (a) assess the impact of a fatigue protocol on the power profile of XCO-MTB athletes and (b) explore how power profile and durability interact to shape performance. Twenty-five male XCO-MTB athletes underwent power profile tests in randomized “fresh” and fatigued conditions, separated by 48 hours. In the fatigued condition, the power profile test was immediately preceded by a 140-minute fatigue protocol that included 5 repeated 8-minute efforts at 105–110% of critical power. After 72 hours, athletes completed an individual time trial on an XCO-MTB track and were classified as high performance (HP, n = 9) or low performance (LP, n = 9) based on their time trial results; the middle tertile ( n = 7) was excluded for clearer differentiation. Power output across all durations (5 seconds–10 minutes) and total work (kJ and kJ kg ⁻¹ ) were significantly lower in the fatigued condition compared with the “fresh” condition ( p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001, small-to-large effect sizes, Hedges' g = 0.32–1.52). Both groups experienced percentage reductions in power output, but the LP group showed significantly greater declines (≈14–20%, p < 0.05 to p < 0.01, moderate-to-large effect sizes, Hedges' g = 0.93–1.88) than the HP group (≈4–8%), except at the 15-second duration. In conclusion, fatigue significantly impairs the power profile of XCO-MTB athletes, whereas higher-performing athletes demonstrate greater durability through smaller declines in power output across effort durations under fatigued conditions.

Peak bone mass gained in youth is crucial for preventing osteoporosis. Artistic gymnastics (AG) is highly osteogenic, yet its long-term effects on adults ≥ 45 years are not well documented. This case–control study compared bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis in former gymnasts, age-matched controls, and reference populations from Brazil and Portugal. Participants included 65 former gymnasts (32 males, 33 females; 45–84 years), who trained for 12.6 ± 4.3 years and included 41 international competitors, and 91 controls (37 males; 45–87 years). Whole-body and femoral BMD were assessed by DXA. Physical activity during youth (10–20 years) (PA-Youth) and the past decade (PA-10) was recorded. Reference data were drawn from large cohorts in Brazil (FIBRA, n = 828) and Portugal (CIAFEL, n = 1089). Former gymnasts had substantially higher PA-Youth than controls, while PA-10 was similar. Gymnasts displayed 4–6 times higher femoral Z-scores (neck and total) and a markedly lower prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis (males: 3% vs. 16%; females: 36% vs. 52%, p < 0.05). These benefits remained after adjustment for age, PA-10, and hormonal/calcium therapy. Relative to reference populations, gymnasts showed greater whole-body and femoral mineralization, with no osteoporosis cases (vs. 6–12% overall; 9–13% among those ≥60 years). Age-stratified analysis (45–59 and ≥60 years) revealed a consistently lower osteopenia prevalence across age groups, except in females ≥ 60 years. In conclusion, early-life AG participation is associated with enduring skeletal benefits, including higher bone mineralization and reduced osteopenia/osteoporosis in adults ≥ 45 years. The protective effect appears diminished in older females, likely reflecting prolonged postmenopausal bone loss.

Background: The metabolic equivalent (1‐MET) represents the oxygen consumption at rest, reflecting the body’s minimal energy needs. Determinants of 1‐MET among older adults are yet to be defined. This cross‐sectional study examined the association between 1‐MET, body size and composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults using principal component analysis (PCA). Methods: Fifty‐eight participants aged 60 and above (12 males, 75.4 ± 6.5 years) were assessed for 1‐MET and peak oxygen consumption (VO _2peak ) via indirect calorimetry, and body composition was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Results: The average 1‐MET value (2.3 mL·kg ⁻¹ ·min ⁻¹ ) was significantly lower than the reference 3.5 mL kg ⁻¹ ·min ⁻¹ ( p < 0.001). PCA identified two factors accounting for 79.3% of the variance. Factor 1 (51.2% variance) grouped body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and body surface area. Factor 2 (28.1% variance) linked VO _2peak and 1‐MET. Results showed that 1‐MET was more strongly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness than body size or composition. Conclusions: Cardiorespiratory fitness seems to be a determinant of the resting metabolic rate in older adults, and lower 1‐MET values would be expected in individuals with poorer vs. higher VO _2peak .

Peak bone mass gained in youth is crucial for preventing osteoporosis. Artistic gymnastics (AG) is highly osteogenic, yet its long-term effects on adults ≥45 years are not well documented. This case-control study compared bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis in former gymnasts, age-matched controls, and reference populations from Brazil and Portugal. Participants included 65 former gymnasts (32 males, 33 females; 45–84 years), who trained for 12.6±4.3 years and included 41 international competitors, and 91 controls (37 males; 45–87 years). Whole-body and femoral BMD were assessed by DXA. Physical activity during youth (10-20 years) (PA-Youth) and the past decade (PA-10) was recorded. Reference data were drawn from large cohorts in Brazil (FIBRA, n=828) and Portugal (CIAFEL, n=1,089). Former gymnasts had substantially higher PA-Youth than controls, while PA-10 was similar. Gymnasts displayed 4–6 times higher femoral Z-scores (neck and total) and a markedly lower prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis (males: 3% vs. 16%; females: 36% vs. 52%, p<0.05). These benefits remained after adjustment for age, PA-10, and hormonal/calcium therapy. Relative to reference populations, gymnasts showed greater whole-body and femoral mineralization, with no osteoporosis cases (vs. 6–12% overall; 9–13% among those ≥60 years). Osteopenia prevalence was consistently lower across age groups, except in females ≥60 years. In conclusion, early-life AG participation is associated with enduring skeletal benefits, including higher bone mineralization and reduced osteopenia/osteoporosis in adults ≥45 years. The protective effect appears diminished in older females, likely reflecting prolonged postmenopausal bone loss.

Aging is associated with changes in body composition that lead to low-grade chronic inflammation, compromising the health of the elderly. This condition can be mitigated by resistance training (RT) and vitamin D supplementation, promoting the health of this population. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of RT combined with vitamin D supplementation on body composition, muscle strength, and inflammatory status in older adults. A total of 26 participants were randomly assigned to an Experimental Group (EG: n = 12; 11 Female; 70.6 ± 4.7 years; RT + 2000 IU/day of vitamin D) and a Control Group (EG: n = 14; 11 Female; 69.6 ± 4.6 years; RT + placebo). Both groups performed the same RT program (8 exercises; 2 sets; 10 RM, twice per week). Before and after the intervention, participants were assessed using DEXA, strength tests (sit-to-stand test and handgrip strength), and serum biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, 25(OH)D). Both groups showed significant strength gains, particularly in the lower limbs (p < 0.05 for all tests and groups), with no between-group differences in body composition or inflammatory markers (p > 0.05 for all tests and groups). A time × group interaction was observed for IL-6 (p = 0.03), with a slight reduction in the EG and an increase in the CG, although post-intervention differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.49). No statistically significant between-group difference in 25(OH)D change (p = 0.11). These findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation at the tested dose did not enhance adaptations to resistance training in older adults with normal baseline vitamin D levels. Further studies are warranted to explore potential benefits in deficient populations and with alternative dosing strategies.

Affective responses to physical exercise vary according to sensory impressions and can influence motor performance. To assess affective states in exercise contexts, scales such as the Felt Arousal Scale and the Feeling Scale are commonly used. Although widely applied, their psychometric properties have not yet been tested in older adults, which limits their use in this population. This test–retest study aimed to test the reliability of these scales in older adults of both sexes. The sample consisted of 80 volunteers (67 women) engaged in either resistance training (n = 37) or functional training (n = 43), with a mean age of 70 ± 9 years. Data collection occurred on two separate days, with a minimum interval of 15 days. The following instruments were applied: (a) Felt Arousal Scale and Feeling Scale at pre-, during (minutes 20 to 25), and post-training; (b) Borg Scale during and after training; and c) Mini-Mental State Examination during the first visit. The results showed strong to very strong correlations for both scales (Feeling Scale: ρ = 0.936 during, ρ = 0.840 post; Felt Arousal Scale: r = 0.967 during, r = 0.887 post), as well as good internal consistency (Feeling Scale: α = 0.887; Felt Arousal Scale: α = 0.860) and excellent temporal stability (Feeling Scale: ICC = 0.925; Felt Arousal Scale: ICC = 0.869). It is concluded that both instruments are reliable for measuring affect and arousal in older adults who engage in physical exercise.

Introdução: O climatério é um processo natural de transição entre o período de fertilidade e infertilidade na mulher, divido em fases: pré-menopausa, menopausa e pós-menopausa. A menopausa ocorre, em média, entre os 45 e 55 anos de idade sendo marcada por alterações fisiológicas que impactam negativamente na qualidade de vida, inclusive na saúde mental. Uma das estratégias não medicamentosas indicada pela literatura para minimizar suas implicações é o exercício físico, mas ainda há poucas informações sobre o impacto deste na saúde mental da mulher menopausada. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo é investigar o impacto do exercício físico na saúde mental de mulheres de meia idade. Método: A presente revisão sistemática foi desenvolvida com base nas orientações do PRISMA e foram elegidos estudos experimentais sobre a relação entre exercício físico e saúde mental (sintomas de depressão e ansiedade) em mulheres menopausadas nas seguintes bases de dados: “PubMed”, “Scopus” e “Sport Discus”. Resultados: Foram encontrados 332 artigos e, após a etapa de elegibilidade, 12 foram selecionados. Cada estudo utilizou um tipo de exercício para a intervenção: treinamento aeróbio, treinamento de resistência, yoga, qigong e alongamento, e na maioria houve redução significativa nos sintomas do climatério e saúde mental após as intervenções. Conclusão: A presente revisão sistemática indica que o exercício físico contribuiu para a redução dos sintomas de depressão e ansiedade em mulheres na menopausa. Entretanto, devido as diferenças entre o tipo de intervenção, intensidade, duração e frequência utilizada em cada estudo, não é possível estabelecer a melhor prescrição de exercício, o que indica a necessidade da realização de novos estudos para a compreensão do efeito do exercício para este público. Palavras-chave: Exercício; Atividade Física; Menopausa; Depressão; Ansiedade.

Background: The assessment of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) is central to the diagnosis of sarcopenia (SA). We developed an anthropometric model for estimating ASM and tested its validity to identify SA and associated risk of disability (RSA) in older women. Methods: The equation was developed with 89 women (60–88 years, 72 ± 6 years), with a cross‐validation sample of 12 women (60–84 years, 67 ± 5 years). Validity was determined through concordance between actual versus estimated ASMs, correlations between actual/estimated ASM versus peak torque (PT) and total work (TW) during isokinetic knee extension/flexion and handgrip strength, and agreement of patients classified with SA and RSA. Results: The predictive equation was ASM (kg) = 0.177 (body mass, kg)–0.075 (arm circumference, cm) + 0.020 (thigh circumference, cm) + 5.376 ( R = 0.905; R ² = 0.819; R ² ad = 0.809; F = 86.96; p < 0.0001; SEE = 1.35 kg). Agreement between actual and estimated ASMs was confirmed by validation (ICC = 0.81; p < 0.0001) and cross‐validation samples (ICC = 0.72, p < 0.035). Regression characteristics in PRESS statistics ( R ² PRESS = 0.79; SEE‐PRESS = 1.61) were compatible with the original model. Percent agreements for the classification of SA and RSA from indices calculated using actual/estimated ASM were 98% (gamma = 0.98, p = 0.015) and 68% (gamma = 0.89, p < 0.0001) in validation and 67% (gamma = 1.0, p = 0.032) and 70% (gamma = 0.84, p < 0.001) in cross‐validation samples. Correlations between actual/estimated ASM versus PT (range 0.57–0.76, p < 0.05), TW (range 0.51–0.75, p < 0.05), and handgrip (range 0.67–0.74, p < 0.001) were theoretically consistent, being moderate and similar in both samples. Conclusion: This new anthropometric model has satisfactory prediction qualities and could be applied as a simple and practical method for estimating ASM in Brazilian older women.

VI Congresso Internacional de Educação Física e Desportos III Simpósio Internacional de Fisiologia do Exercício I Seminário de Escola, Esporte e Cultura Instituto de Educação Física e Desportos (IEFD), Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

O estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento abrangente das tecnologias da informação no esporte por meio de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, refletindo o impacto transformador da revolução digital em diversos domínios sociais, incluindo o esporte, ao otimizar processos, aprimorar a comunicação e introduzir soluções inovadoras para análise de desempenho e monitoramento da saúde. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo e Periódicos CAPES, utilizando a seguinte frase de busca: ("esportes" OU "esporte" OU "atletismo" OU "atletismo") E ("tecnologia da informação" OU "tecnologia, informação"). Não foi estabelecido um período de tempo específico para a elegibilidade do estudo, sendo considerados os últimos cinco anos. A busca na literatura foi realizada em fevereiro de 2024. Foram encontrados um total de 660 estudos, dos quais 4 duplicados foram excluídos e 563 estudos foram excluídos por não atenderem aos critérios de inclusão, resultando em um total de 75 estudos incluídos. Devido à natureza dos estudos, não foi realizada uma meta-análise. O estudo conduz uma revisão abrangente das tecnologias da informação relacionadas ao esporte, enfatizando a crescente adoção de dispositivos vestíveis, Realidade Virtual (VR) e tecnologias imersivas, destacando seu impacto transformador no monitoramento e aprimoramento do desempenho atlético, e defendendo o desenvolvimento tecnológico contínuo para enfrentar desafios e garantir acessibilidade e usabilidade, contribuindo, em última análise, para a evolução do esporte e do envolvimento humano com ele.