Hugo Tourinho Filho

Excess body weight contributes to biomechanical imbalance and musculoskeletal dysfunction, yet evidence on its association with postural deviations in physically active adults remains limited. This study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI), self-reported musculoskeletal problems, and postural deviations by anatomical region in adults engaged in regular exercise. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 309 adults (207 females, 102 males) aged 20–59 years, training two to three times per week. Anthropometric data, BMI, musculoskeletal complaints, and postural characteristics were assessed. Posture was evaluated using the Portland State University (PSU) method via digital biophotogrammetry, generating a Postural Correction Index (PCI), with ≥80% indicating normal alignment. Statistical analyses were performed using JAVOMI software, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Males presented higher BMI (26.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2; p < 0.005), classified as overweight. The most frequent musculoskeletal complaints were the spine (32.6%) and the knees (20.5%). PCI values were below reference in both sexes (females: 79.5%; males: 76.5%; p < 0.005). Common deviations included forward head posture (89.8%), thoracic scoliosis (100%), shoulder protrusion (68.8%), pelvic tilt (91.7%), and knee hyperextension (94.7%). Males also showed abdominal protrusion (43.1%) and lateral hip rotation (91.2%). Physically active males demonstrated higher BMI and postural deviations suggestive of increased mechanical load and risk for chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Both sexes exhibited clinically relevant postural imbalances, reinforcing the need to integrate BMI and posture evaluation into exercise prescription to optimize musculoskeletal health.

Purpose: Hormones are largely responsible for the integrated communication of various physiological systems that modulate cell growth and development. However, specific hormonal influences must be considered in the context of the entire endocrine system and their relationship with other physiological systems. The serum concentrations of these hormones can directly affect athlete performance and reflect training status during preparation.Methods: Concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), cortisol, insulin, and glucose were measured at rest 30 min before a simulated race and 30 min after race completion. Student’s t-test for paired samples analysed normally distributed data, while Wilcoxon’s non-parametric test assessed other variables. A significance level of p 0.05 was adopted.Results: GH and cortisol serum concentrations increased after running, with (GH: p = 0.03; cortisol: p = 0.001) and without (GH: p = 0.001; cortisol: p = 0.004) carbohydrate supplementation. Glucose concentrations only increased at the end of the race with carbohydrate supplementation (p = 0.01) but remained unchanged after the race without supplementation. Insulin concentrations rose at the end of the race with carbohydrate supplementation (p = 0.05) and lowered without supplementation (p = 0.03). IGF-I levels did not change with or without carbohydrate supplementation.Conclusions: Changes in serum GH, cortisol, and insulin during the race appeared to contribute to serum IGF-I and glucose concentration maintenance and runner performance.

GH/IGF-I axis components are constituted by a group of factors that directly impact growth. However, some studies have indicated that the levels of these components can be reduced in response to training sessions. This reduction may be linked to elevated cytokines, which can result from strenuous exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the physical training on the kinetics of the GH / IGF-I axis and the implications on the growth process of children and adolescents. An electronic databases search was conducted and articles from 1989 to 2023 were included. The concentrations of GH and IGF-I are significantly elevated during puberty, especially during the growth spurt. However, factors such as nutritional status, body composition, concentration of hormones and also the intensity of physical training sessions can influence the GH and IGF-I release. The study concludes that regular physical training does not affect the growth of children and adolescents, but highlights the importance of understanding the roles of hormones, cytokines, and the muscular system in physical exercise. Such knowledge is essential for a more comprehensive understanding of how the body adapts to training. Hormonal responses can be valuable for improving training cycles and monitoring load intensity, particularly during puberty.

O estudo das mulheres no esporte ainda apresenta dificuldade por causa da ambiguidade dos hormônios progesterona e estrógeno durante as fases do ciclo menstrual. Porém, diversos estudos tentam identificar a relação do rendimento esportivo com esse evento tão importante e presente na vida das mulheres. Diante do exposto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar como cada fase do ciclo menstrual pode influenciar no desempenho de salto de atletas de voleibol. Foram realizados dois tipos de saltos (tipo CMJ e SJ) e o estudo contou com 7 participantes, com uma faixa etária média de 22 anos, sendo a idade mínima de 19 anos e a idade máxima de 24 anos. Finalmente, não foi possível obter comparações estatisticamente significativas, podendo concluir que a variação hormonal não interfere nas capacidades físicas, porém os sintomas menstruais causados por variação hormonal tendem a interferir de forma psicológica no desempenho esportivo.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is classified in the literature as a disorder of human neurodevelopment and present in a unique way in each individual. It can alter various behaviors related to communication, speech, social interaction, repetitive movements, and fine and gross motor coordination. In this sense, various functional impairments are observed in people with the disorder. Because of these functional deficiencies, much research has been done on the motor functions and conditions of these individuals, given the detrimental impact that deficits in motor coordination and executive functions have on independence and the development of social skills, as well as their direct impact on health conditions and physical and mental integrity. Objective: To assess the gross motor development of children diagnosed with ASD before and after a period of therapeutic physiotherapy intervention using exergames as a tool. Methods: The study included nine prepubertal males between the ages of 7 and 10 who underwent a 12-week intervention with two weekly half-hour sessions of exergames. Results: A significant difference was observed in overall performance on the Global Motor Quotient and in subtests assessing object control and locomotor performance. Conclusion: The intervention using exergames as a therapeutic tool was the main factor responsible for improving the gross motor development of the children diagnosed with ASD.

The Special Operations Battalion of Rio de Janeiro (BOPE-RJ) carries out high-risk missions in an urban warfare environment, such as exposure to acute stress situations, such as shootings and confrontations with criminals, placing high physical and psychological demands on its members. This study investigated the kinetics of the growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor (GH/IGF-I) axis and the serum levels of testosterone and cortisol in soldiers belonging to BOPE-RJ. It is a cross-sectional study with 75 volunteers divided into two groups: Control Group (CG) and Mission Group (MG). Blood was collected once from both groups, between 8 and 9 a.m., in a specially equipped room at the military training centre. The collection respected the volunteers’ real work routine and was performed when the groups changed shifts. Contrary to expectations, no changes were found between the groups for the indicators analysed, except for cortisol, where there was a statistically significant difference. The mean cortisol levels were 10.86 μg/dl for CG and 12.27 μg/dl for MG. These findings have significant implications for BOPE-RJ and similar units. While they suggest that these soldiers may be able to carry out high-risk missions safely and effectively even under stressful conditions, the potential long-term consequences of chronic stress exposure on their physical and mental health require further investigation.

BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is classified in the literature as a disorder of human neurodevelopment and presents itself in a unique way in each individual. It can alter various behaviors involving communication, speech, social interaction, repetitive movements, and fine and gross motor coordination. In this sense, various functional impairments are observed in people with the disorder. Because of these functional deficits, much research has been done on the motor functions and conditions of these individuals, given the detrimental impact that deficits in motor coordination and executive functions have on independence and the development of social skills, as well as directly affecting health conditions and physical and mental integrity. OBJECTIVE To this end, the aim of this study was to assess the gross motor development of children diagnosed with ASD before and after a period of therapeutic physiotherapy intervention using exergames as a tool. METHODS The study included nine prepubertal males between the ages of seven and ten who underwent a 12-week intervention with two weekly half-hour sessions using exergames. RESULTS Based on the analysis of the data, it was possible to observe a significant difference in the Test of Gross Motor Development-GMQ (52 vs 67; p=0.0277) and in the subtests assessing object control (36 vs 48; p=0.0180) and locomotor performance (0 vs 66; p=0.0277) of the group of participants included in the study. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of this study, the intervention using exergames as a therapeutic tool was the main factor responsible for improving the gross motor development of children diagnosed with ASD.

Introduction: Insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I) has gained considerable notoriety in military training, primarily because it is responsible for energy deficits and sensitive to an inadequate protein intake, which are situations that are commonly experienced in specific military operations. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the kinetics of IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein type 3 (IGFBP-3) in a 4-day military field training exercise. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 12 male soldiers (21.71 ± 1.64 years). Changes were assessed at 3 times: time 1—basal (control week); time 2—after specific military field training; and time 3—1 week after the specific training (control week). Changes in body composition and serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were observed. Results: The main finding of this study was it verified the biphasic kinetics of both IGF-I and IGFBP-3 at the 3 times observed, that is, a significant drop from time 1 (basal—IGF-I: 189 ng/mL and IGFBP-3: 4.71 mg/L) to time 2 (immediately after military training—IGF-I: 162 ng/mL and IGFBP-3: 4.08 mg/L) and a subsequent recovery of these markers, with a significant increase from time 2 (immediately after military training) to time 3 (a week after military training—IGF-I: 199 ng/mL and IGFBP-3: 4.96 mg/L). Conclusions: It can be concluded that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels respond quickly to the stimuli caused by military training, especially after specific field training. However, the same markers quickly return to their basal values after this type of training finishes, simply by following the daily routine of the battalion in the control weeks, with no specific intervention being necessary.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the chronic effects of low-load strength training (LT) with complete intermittent blood flow restriction (IBFR) on neural adaptations and strength in biceps brachii. Methods: Nineteen volunteers were randomly assigned into two different 9-week training protocols consisting of three assessment weeks and six training weeks: (a) LT with complete IBFR (LT-IBFR; n = 10) and (b) LT without complete IBFR (LT; n = 9). Strength was evaluated by predicted 1 repetition maximum (1RM) at weeks 1, 5, and 9 and neural function by root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MDF) at sessions 1, 7, and 12 during the first three and last three repetitions. Both groups performed three sets of Scott curl with 20% of predicted 1RM interspersed with 90s rest twice a week. Results: No changes were found in predicted 1RM throughout the training protocols nor between groups. LT-IBFR group showed lower RMS in the first set than LT for the first three repetitions and higher RMS in all sets for the last three repetitions with decreases in this value across the sets with no longitudinal changes for both groups. MDF in the first three repetitions did not differentiate between groups, however, in the last three repetitions, MDF were lower for LTIBFR group in all sets and it increased across the sets for this condition with no chronical changes for both groups in both repetitions zones. These results suggest that LT-IBFR may be ineffective for increasing Q5 strength and it did not promote chronic neural adaptations.

The search to increase physical performance is inherent to physical activity practitioners, and nutrition features are among the alternatives to seeking such an increase. The literature from the area has shown that different substances can promote beneficial effects over physical performance. One substance that has come into the spotlight is theacrine, an alkaloid similar to caffeine, which aims to increase physical performance. However, the studies on this supplement are scarce. Therefore, this study is a randomized, controlled trial that aimed to verify the effects of theacrine supplementation over physical performance in young male athletes, by applying a battery of physical tests. Twenty-two male amateur flag-football athletes were recruited. Subjects were divided into two groups and assessed at two moments, which were 72 h apart. The first assessment served as a basal measurement. In the second, the subjects ingested the supplement or a placebo 60 min before the following tests: sextuple jump, agility T test, 30 m sprint, 40 s run test (Matsudo test), and 12 min run test (Cooper test). There was no difference between the groups in any of the tests. Therefore, the findings of this study do not support the use of theacrine to increase physical performance.