Ricardo César Alves Ferreira

The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) is widely recognized as a reliable tool for assessing intermittent endurance and aerobic capacity in team sports athletes. This study aims to verify the association between YYIR1 and physiological markers of endurance performance in professional soccer players, as well as the relationship between metabolic buffering capacity, metabolic acidosis tolerance, and YYIR1 total distance. Twenty-six professional soccer athletes (26.3±4.98 years, 76.4±8.96 kg, 178±6.52 cm, 54.1±4.85 mL·kg−1·min−1 V̇O2max) performed the YYIR1 and underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill in order to assess their ventilatory thresholds (aerobic threshold (AT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max)), buffering capacity, and tolerance to metabolic acidosis. Correlation analyses revealed that the YYIR1 distance was significantly associated with maximal aerobic speed (r=0.542, P=0.006) and V̇O2max (r=0.492, P=0.015), but not with AT or RCP. Position-specific differences were observed in relative acidosis tolerance capacity, with midfielders presenting higher values than defenders (P=0.018, η2=0.294), whereas no significant differences were noted for relative buffering or YYIR1 distance across positions. In conclusion, maximal aerobic speed and V̇O2max were the strongest predictors of YYIR1 performance in professional soccer players, outperforming submaximal thresholds such as AT and RCP. Moreover, positional differences in acidosis tolerance were identified, as midfielders demonstrated greater relative acidosis tolerance capacity compared to defenders.

Introduction: We sought to evaluate the effects of a 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on lung function, mechanics, as well as pulmonary and systemic inflammation in a cohort of 33 individuals with moderate to severe post-COVID-19. Material and Methods: The pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program employed a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises. Thirty minutes of treadmill training at 75% of the maximum heart rate, combined with 30 min resistance training consisting of 75% of one maximum repetition, three times a week throughout 12 weeks. Results: PR improved the lung function, FVC (p < 0.02), FEV1 (p < 0.02), FEV1/FVC (p < 0.01), MEF25% (p < 0.006), MEF50% (p < 0.03), and MEF75% (p < 0.02). PR also positively influenced lung mechanics, reducing respiratory impedance (Z5Hz, p < 0.03), respiratory reactance (X5Hz, p < 0.01), resistance of the entire respiratory system (R5Hz, p < 0.03), central airway resistance (RCentral, p < 0.03), and peripheral airway resistance (RPeripheral, p < 0.02). Moreover, muscle strength gains were evident, with significant improvements observed in hand grip strength for both the right (p < 0.02) and left (p < 0.01) hands, as well as maximal inspiratory (p < 0.02) and expiratory (p < 0.03) pressures. Additionally, PR exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (p < 0.0001) and IL-6 (p < 0.0001) and increasing the anti-inflammatory IL-1RA (p < 0.0004) and IL-10 (p < 0.003) and anti-viral IFN-γ (p < 0.0002) and IFN-β (p < 0.008) cytokines in breath condensate and serum samples. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings highlight the effectiveness of PR in ameliorating COVID-19 sequel across respiratory system, skeletal muscle, and immune responses. This highlights its promising potential as a therapeutic intervention for individuals recovering from COVID-19.

Pereira, LA, Freitas, TT, Zabaloy, S, Ferreira, RCA, Silva, ML, Azevedo, PHSM, and Loturco, I. Sprint and jump training on sand versus grass surfaces: effects on the physical performance of young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1828–1833, 2023—The aims of this study were to (a) examine the effects of a 6-week sand training program including both sprint and jump exercises on the speed-related and vertical jump performance of elite young soccer players and (b) compare the changes induced by a sand training scheme with those induced by a similar training program (in volume, intensity, and exercise types) performed on grass. Twenty-four under-20 soccer players were randomly allocated to 2 training groups, as follows: “sand” (n = 12) or “grass” (n = 12) groups. Athletes performed squat and countermovement jumps, linear sprints, and Zigzag change-of-direction speed tests at pre-, mid- (after 6 training sessions), and postintervention (after 12 training sessions). Both groups exhibited similar increases in the vertical jump and Zigzag performance after the 6-week training period (p values ranging from 0.0001 to 0.025; effect size ranging from 1.05 to 3.78, for main effect of time). No significant changes were detected for the linear sprint velocity for both the groups (p values ranging from 0.079 to 1.00; effect size ranging from 0.07 to 0.65, for main effect of time). In summary, training on sand or grass surfaces resulted in similar improvements in the physical performance of elite young soccer players. This study confirms the current evidence on the effectiveness of both soft and harder training surfaces in improving the sprint and jump performance of team-sport athletes.

Introduction: The use of substances to enhance sports performance among professional and amateur athletes is increasing. Such substances may either be included in the group of dietary supplements or fall into pharmacological classes. Every substance used for this purpose is called an ergogenic agent. The number of ergogenic options available increases every day, favoring overuse and use without proper guidance. Among the dietary supplements, we highlight the use of creatine, a substance widespread in sports. Among the pharmacological groups, many drugs are used. Recently the use of sildenafil citrate by professional athletes from various predominantly aerobic sports modalities was reported in the media. Objective: To compare and demonstrate the responses caused by physical training associated with the use of creatine and sildenafil citrate in mice. Methods: A swim training protocol was applied and then an electrophysiograph was used in order to obtain parameters related to contraction intensity, the area under the curve and the percentage drop. Results: The responses obtained demonstrated the ergogenic action of creatine because it altered the parameters used for measurement. The use of sildenafil citrate did not yield satisfactory results to frame the drug as an ergogenic agent. Conclusion: Creatine has an ergogenic effect, reducing the percentage drop after 10 seconds, while sildenafil demonstrated no ergogenic potential and, interestingly, resulted in weaker responses when compared to the exercise groups. Evidence level II; Comparative prospective study .

Introduction: Ergospirometry is a noninvasive procedure used to assess physical performance or the capacity of an individual, through an analysis of expired gases and respiratory variables. This procedure is crucially important in sports, and makes a significant contribution to the measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness indices, such as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and the anaerobic threshold (AT). Objective: To assess aerobic capacity and potency in professional and junior soccer players, handball athletes, and women soccer players. Methods: Forty-eight athletes participated voluntarily and were divided into 4 groups. The first group consisted of 12 youth soccer players in the under-20 category, the second group was made up of 12 professional soccer players, the third group was made up of female soccer players, and the fourth group consisted of handball players. Results: We analyzed values such as peak VO2, average speed and heart rate at the anaerobic threshold as well as pulmonary ventilation. We found that the values were always greater for the group formed by professional soccer players, with the exception of mean maximum O2 consumption, in which the difference between this group and that of soccer players in the junior category was not significant. In other physical valences, there was a degree of similarity between the other groups, with special emphasis on pulmonary ventilation, which was significantly lower in the group of female soccer players. Conclusion: The particularities of each sport, such as pitch dimensions, duration, and tactical system, together with the morphology and sex of the athletes, directly influence peak VO2, AT and VE values in athletes who play different sports. Level of Evidence III; Development of diagnostic criteria in consecutive patients (with gold reference standard applied).

A automedicação que muitas vezes é vista como uma forma de alívio rápido para alguns sintomas pode ser mais prejudicial para a saúde do que se pode imaginar. Trata-se de uma prática que resulta na ingestão de medicamentos sem o aconselhamento e acompanhamento de um profissional qualificado da saúde, ou seja, é a ingestão de medicamentos por conta e risco do indivíduo. Nesse sentido objetivou-se determinar a quantidade de universitários do curso de biomedicina em uma universidade no município de São José dos Campos, que realizam a automedicação, e os principais fatores indutores dessa prática. O estudo foi realizado por meio de questionário com múltiplas escolhas, abordando o conhecimento e as consequências da automedicação. Foram entrevistados 50 universitários voluntários, de ambos os sexos, e após a coleta de dados, as informações obtidas foram processadas estatisticamente. Observou-se que 100% dos entrevistados afirmaram que já praticaram pelo menos uma vez a automedicação e 96% alegaram que compraram o medicamento com facilidade. Foi observado também que a classe dos analgésicos foi a mais relatada. Com isso pode-se perceber que os estudantes da área da saúde especificamente alunos de biomedicina mesmo com conhecimento sobre o assunto e sobre os riscos, realizam essa prática com frequência. Behavior of College of biomedicine course at the realization of self-medication practice Abstract: Self-medication is often seen as a form of quick relief for some symptoms may be more harmful to health than you can imagine. It is a practice that results in drug intake without the advice and assistance of a qualified health professional. In this sense it was aimed to determine the amount of Biomedicine course students at a university in São José dos Campos, who perform self-medication, and the main factors that induce this practice. The study was conducted through a questionnaire with multiple choice, addressing the knowledge and self-medication consequences. They interviewed 50 college volunteers of both sexes, and after data collection, information obtained were processed statistically. It was observed that 100 % of respondents said they have already practiced at least once to self-medication, and 96 % claimed they bought the product easily. It was also observed that the class of analgesics was further reported. It can be seen that the students in the health area specifically biomedicine students even with knowledge of the subject and the risks, carry out this practice frequently.

PREVALÊNCIA DE HIPOTIREOIDISMO EM IDOSOS NO MUNICÍPIO DE TAUBATÉ-SP