Breno Guilherme de Araújo Tinoco Cabral

Youth sport development during childhood and adolescence requires models that integrate multidimensional domains of knowledge and respect biological maturation across both conventional sports and para-sports. However, contemporary environments prioritizing immediate performance often drive early specialization, magnifying the risks of overuse injuries, psychological burnout, and premature sports dropout. To address these structural challenges, this paper proposes " Pediatric Sport " as a health-centered, holistic, and conceptual framework that incorporates biological, psycho-emotional, environmental, nutritional, and training-related components. This framework introduces strategies geared toward reducing athletic workload strain, maximizing longitudinal tracking, and securing safe sports longevity. Furthermore, it conceptualizes a cohesive interaction between athletic performance and health preservation for young individuals with and without physical or cognitive impairments. Registration: The present study was preregistered and publicly made available on the Open Science Framework platform (Under DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/M2VTW ).

Background: Paralympic powerlifting requires high upper-limb force production within a short time frame, making anaerobic power a potentially relevant physiological component associated with competitive performance. This study aimed to analyze the associations between biodynamic variables and competitive performance in Paralympic powerlifting athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 13 elite Paralympic powerlifters. Body composition was assessed using DXA. Arm isometric strength was measured by the handgrip test, dynamic strength by the medicine ball throw, and anaerobic power by an upper-limb-adapted Wingate test. Competitive performance was determined based on the official ranking position in the Brazilian Paralympic Powerlifting Championship. Results: Significant correlations were observed between all anaerobic power variables and competitive performance: relative mean power (r = −0.864; p < 0.001), mean power (r = −0.804; p = 0.003), relative peak power (r = −0.766; p = 0.006), and peak power (r = −0.791; p = 0.004). Additionally, total lean mass and left-hand grip strength showed significant associations with maximum competition lift in exploratory linear regression analyses. Conclusions: Upper-limb anaerobic power showed strong associations with competitive performance indicators in Paralympic powerlifting athletes. Furthermore, lean mass and upper-limb isometric strength showed significant associations with maximum competition lift, supporting the multifactorial nature of competitive performance in Paralympic powerlifting. These findings suggest the potential relevance of integrating power-, strength-, and body composition-oriented assessments and interventions into the training process of elite Paralympic powerlifters.

Purpose: The proposal to eliminate body weight (BW) subcategories in senior rowing at the 2028 Olympic Games may impact smaller-scale competitions, particularly in the junior category, favouring heavier athletes due to the contribution of BW to rowing biomechanics. Aim: To examine whether BW subcategories can influence performance in junior rowers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the National Rower Evaluation System data set was assessed and data from 235 rowing athletes (171 males and 64 females) in the under-seventeen and under-nineteen categories were analysed comparing anaerobic and aerobic power, strength and endurance within the BW subcategories (cut-off points for defining the subcategories: lightweight – male ≤ 72.5 kg, female ≤ 59 kg; heavyweight – male > 72.5 kg, female > 59 kg). Sprint speed (100-m/500-m) and endurance performance in competition distances (2000-m/6000-m) were evaluated using rowing ergometry. Muscle strength in bench-row (BR), bench-press (BP), squat, and deadlift was determined by one-repetition maximum (1RM). Results: At 100 m, higher BW and BR strength improved performance in both sexes. Lightweight athletes were 30.5% slower than heavyweight counterparts. At 500 m, BW, BR strength, and squat strength significantly influenced time in both sexes; however, female athletes performed 9.2% slower than males. At 2000-m, only the weight subcategory and its interaction with sex were significant, favouring heavyweight male rowers. No relevant associations were found at 6000-m. Conclusions: Body weight, upper-body pulling strength (bench row), and lower-body strength (squat) influence performance in short- and middle-distance events, regardless of sex. The advantage of heavier and stronger athletes does not persist over longer distances.

Background: The World Health Organization estimates that more than 500 million people will be affected by diseases related to physical inactivity in the next decade. Individuals with overweight or obesity are particularly vulnerable, making exercise adherence a critical public health concern. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of interventions designed to improve adherence to exercise in this population. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Virtual Health Library, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus. Two independent researchers performed screening, data extraction, and synthesis of studies including adults aged 18–59 years with overweight or obesity. Eligible interventions lasted at least 12 weeks, included a control group, and reported adherence‐related outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. When possible, meta‐analysis was performed. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Group‐based programs and interventions supervised by trained professionals were consistently associated with higher adherence. Factors, such as body weight, exercise frequency, session duration, intensity, and type of intervention, showed no consistent influence. However, most studies presented a moderate to high risk of bias. Conclusion: Group and supervised interventions appear effective in improving exercise adherence among adults with overweight or obesity, but further high‐quality studies are needed.

Background: The special judo fitness test (SJFT) is a widely used tool for assessing physical fitness in grappling athletes. However, its conventional format, centered on the ippon-seoi-nage throwing technique, may not adequately evaluate athletes specializing in ground-fighting techniques. Incorporating a ground-based technique, such as juji-gatame (JG), could enhance the test’s applicability for diverse grappling disciplines. To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of using the JG instead of the ippon-seoi-nage in the SJFT to assess physical fitness in grappling athletes. Methods: A randomized crossover trial was conducted with 150 male grappling athletes, including 94 juniors (13.4 ± 2.3 years; categorized by Tanner stages: 17 prepubertal, 48 pubertal, and 28 postpubertal) and 56 adults (30.3 ± 9.7 years). Participants performed both the conventional SJFT (using ippon-seoi-nage) and the adapted SJFT-JG (using juji-gatame) in a randomized order, with a 24-hour washout period between tests. Performance was assessed using the SJFT index and reliability metrics. Seven days later, a retest was conducted for both versions of the SJFT, again with a 24-hour interval between tests. It is important to note that the adapted version of the SJFT was performed using a training dummy. Results: The SJFT-JG demonstrated strong absolute (ICC = 0.99, LoA = -8.7; 7.8) and relative reliability (ICC = 0.98, LoA = -0.18; 0.16). No significant differences were observed in SJFT index scores between the 2 versions ( P >.05), indicating physiological equivalence. Conclusion: JG can be reliably integrated into the SJFT as an alternative to ippon-seoi-nage, broadening the test’s applicability for grappling athletes, particularly those emphasizing ground techniques. This adaptation provides a practical and valid method for evaluating physical fitness across diverse grappling styles.

Background: Repeated sprint exercise (RSE) induces inflammation, which may be modulated by fat-free mass (FFM), biological maturation (BM), and dietary patterns, assessed by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII).Aim: To examine the influences of FFM, BM, and DII on cytokine responses to RSE in male athletes.Methods: A study with a quasi-experimental approach and cross-sectional design with a sample of 30 male athletes (20-adolescents, 10-adults). Blood samples were collected pre-, immediately after, 2 h and 24 h after RSE (3-sets of 6 × 35-m sprints). IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were analyzed via flow cytometry. FFM was assessed by DXA, BM by predictive models, and DII by 24 h dietary recalls. Prior exploratory analyses included Spearman's and partial correlations, and Mann–Whitney-U-tests. Main analyses were conducted using Generalized-Linear-Mixed-Models (GLMM).Results: The GLMMs confirmed that BM, FFM, and DII significantly influenced cytokine responses (p < 0.05). FFM emerged as a significant predictor of IL-1β (p = 0.0023). For IL-6, there was a time effect (p < 0.001) and a Time × BM interaction (p = 0.040), with FFM and DII being significant predictors in both groups. A similar interaction was observed for IL-8 (p = 0.036). For IL-10, there was a Time × BM interaction (p < 0.001), where adults showed superiority over adolescents (p < 0.05). Post hoc analyses revealed that adolescents with lower FFM had a more prolonged inflammatory response (increased-IL-6), while adults with higher FFM demonstrated a more effective anti-inflammatory capacity (increased-IL-10).Conclusion: FFM, BM, and DII play key roles in shaping the inflammatory response to RSE and should be considered when prescribing training loads to optimize recovery and performance.

Repeated sprint exercise (RSE), widely used in intermittent sports, induces immune changes critical to address for optimizing training and reducing health risks in youth athletes, especially across biological maturation (BM) stages. We analyzed RSE effects on immune factors in adolescent and adult athletes, considering BM stages. Twenty-nine male intermittent-sport athletes (19 hebiatric: 10 pre-peak height velocity [PHV] [12.1 ± 0.6 years], 9 circum-PHV [13.8 ± 0.7 years]; 10 adults [23.2 ± 2.1 years]) performed RSE (3 × 6 × 35 m sprints, 10-sec rest, 5 min interset). Blood was collected pre-, post-, 2 h, and 24 h post-RSE to assess lactate, leukocyte subsets (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, T/B cells, NK-cells), and cytokines. According to international guidelines for athletic classification, 72% of the participants in this study were classified as level 2 (regional; ~12-19% of the global population), 17% as level 3 (national; ~0.014% of the global population), and 11% as level 4 (international; ~0.0025% of the global population). RSE elevated leukocytes in all groups, with adults showing higher neutrophils and hebiatric athletes elevated T/B cells (p < 0.05). Pre-PHV exhibited reduced neutrophil/cytokine responses versus circum-PHV/adults (p < 0.05). Circum-PHV displayed post-RSE CD4+/CD8 + rises, while adults had the lowest CD4⁺ (p < 0.05). Pre-PHV peaked in NK/B-cells at 2 h/24 h; adults showed elevated IL-6/IL-8 (p < 0.05). All parameters normalized by 24 h. Immune responses to RSE differ by BM stage, with adults exhibiting heightened inflammation. Tailoring training to BM stages may optimize performance and reduce immunosuppression risks, particularly in hebiatric athletes.

Background/Objectives: In powerlifting, velocity indicators and skin temperature have been utilized to control training loads for both conventional athletes and athletes with disabilities. Therefore, the present study evaluated maximum velocity (Vmax), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), power (POWER) output, and skin temperature (ST) following a 5 × 5 training session at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) in conventional powerlifters (CP) and paralympic powerlifters (PP). Methods: A total of 24 male athletes (12 CP and 12 PP) underwent a 5 × 5 training session at 80% 1RM. Post-session, velocity indicators, power output, and ST were assessed at 45% 1RM. Results: Only the CP group exhibited significant differences in Vmax (p < 0.015), MPV (p < 0.007), and power output (p < 0.022) between time points. Regarding ST, only the PP group showed differences (p < 0.004) in the sternal portion of the pectoral major. For the long head of the triceps brachii, differences were observed between groups in the post-session measurement (p > 0.024) and for the PP group only in the post-session measurement (p < 0.002). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that in following a traditional training session (80% 1RM), assessments at 45% 1RM revealed different effects in velocity, power output, and ST measures between CP and PP groups. These findings suggest that within the same sport discipline, training variables may have distinct impacts across different categories of athletes, and further research is needed to evaluate these different responses.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cold-water immersion (CWI) on post-training recovery in Kung Fu athletes. Methods: In a 3-week crossover design, 16 Kung Fu athletes (22.00 ± 5.95 years, 76.90 ± 9.74 kg) were divided into two conditions: CWI and passive recovery as a control (CON) measure. Through the study, muscle damage markers (creatine kinase [CK], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]), physical performance tests (upper limbs power, SJ and CMJ), skin temperature (from lower and upper limbs), and skin temperature asymmetries were measured. Results: CWI resulted in a higher reduction of CK concentration than CON 24 h after the intervention (−21.32%; p < 0.001). The SJ height 24 h after the intervention was higher in the CWI than in the CON (p < 0.001). Both CWI and CON resulted in skin temperature returning to baseline levels 24 h after intervention. Conclusions: CWI was effective in restoring muscle power, reducing muscle damage and reducing body temperature (BT) in Kung Fu athletes. Cold water recovery showed better muscle power and strength 24 and 48 h after training when compared to the passive method. CK and skin temperature were better 24 h after cold water recovery.