Joilson Alves de Souza Leite Junior

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive and affective symptoms. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the acute effects of Resistance Training (RT) and Pilates on pain, functional impact, flexibility, and health-related quality of life in individuals with FM. Methods: In this randomized crossover pilot study, eight adults (7 females, 1 male; mean age: 48.5 ± 8.2 years) with a clinical diagnosis of FM participated. Each participant performed both RT and Pilates sessions in a randomized order. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 24 h post-intervention using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and the Wells sit-and-reach test (WELLS). Data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA and paired t-tests, with effect sizes (η²p and Cohen’s d) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. No formal sample size calculation was performed. Results: Participants presented a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.4 ± 4.1 kg/m² and time since diagnosis of 6.2 ± 3.1 years. Within-subject variations were observed following both interventions. FIQ scores decreased at 24 h after both RT and Pilates sessions (RT: 52.21 ± 18.61; Pilates: 45.50 ± 18.63; p = 0.038, η²p = 0.42, 95% CI [−12.5, −1.2]). Conclusions: Both Resistance Training and Pilates acutely reduced overall disease impact in individuals with fibromyalgia, with Pilates promoting superior acute gains in posterior chain flexibility.

Paralympic Powerlifting (PP) is a maximum strength modality, where male athletes demonstrated greater relative and absolute strength compared to conventional powerlifting. This study aimed to assess the acute effects of traditional training (TT) and eccentric training (ET) methods on Maximum Isometric Strength (MIF), Time to Maximum Isometric Force (Time), Muscle Activation (sEMG), and Skin Temperature (Thermo) in twelve male PP athletes (mean age 30.25 ± 8.13; body weight 72.36 ± 18.47). The training consisted of 5 sets of 5 repetitions (5 × 5), with 80% 1RM in the TT method and in the ET 80% was adopted in the concentric phase and 110% in the eccentric phase, adopting a minimum rest of 3 min between sets and the cadence used was approximately 2 s in the eccentric phase and 1 s in the concentric phase for the ET and 1 s in each phase for the TT. Athletes competing nationally and internationally underwent Thermo, Time, and MIF assessments during TT (80%-1RM for both concentric and eccentric phases) and ET (80%-1RM concentric and 110%-1RM eccentric) at pre-training, post-training, 24 h, and 48 h. sEMG was evaluated in the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major (PMCP), sternal portion of the pectoralis major (PMSP), anterior Deltoid (AD), and Triceps Brachii (BT) during the final series (5 sets of 5 repetitions) of a training session. Athletes exhibited thermal differences in the PMCP muscle at 24 h between TT and ET (p = 0.020); Also, after the first 24 h, the AD showed differences between ET and TT (p = 0.016) and BT demonstrated differences between ET and TT (p = 0.028). The sEMG showed no significant differences between TT and ET (p > 0.05). The MIF displayed differences after 48 h between TT and ET (p = 0.004). The time showed no significant difference between TT and ET (p > 0.05). In conclusion, muscles involved in the bench press exhibited a significant increase in skin temperature with the ET method compared to TT, suggesting greater muscular fatigue. Furthermore, a higher MIF production was observed after the application of the TT in relation to ET, 48 h after training. In the ET, a lower MIF was observed than in the TT, indicating greater fatigue in this type of training.

Variable resistance training has been widely used in athletic preparation. Objectives: To analyze the use of currents (VRT) and the traditional method (TRAD) on speed, power and temperature in a training session. Methods: Fourteen paralympic powerlifting (PP) athletes took part over three weeks. In week 1, familiarization and 1RM tests took place, and, in weeks 2 and 3, pre- and post-training took place, where the propulsive mean velocity and power and temperatures were assessed before and after, at 24 h and 48 h. Results: There was a difference in the sternal pectoral temperatures before and after VRT (p = 0.040) and at 48 h for TRAD and VRT (p = 0.018); in the clavicular pectoralis before and after VRT and TRAD (p = 0.003); in the anterior deltoid after and at 48 h for TRAD and VRT (p = 0.026 and p = 0.017); and in the triceps after and at 24 h and 48 h between TRAD and VRT (p = 0.005). In the training series, the MPV was significant in TRAD between Set1 and Set5 (p = 0.003), in training (VRT) between Set1 and Set5 (p = 0.001) and in Set5 between the methods (p = 0.047). For power, there was a difference between Set1 and 5 in TRAD (p = 0.016) and VRT (p = 0.002). Conclusion: We conclude that training with currents (VRT) promoted greater muscle fatigue when compared to traditional training.

Background: Paralympic powerlifting (PP) is one of the sports modalities that uses strength training with high loads, causing various physiological responses resulting from hemodynamic adaptations. Objective: To evaluate hemodynamic responses after traditional (TT) and eccentric (ET) training sessions in PP athletes. Methods: Twelve national-level PP athletes, aged: (Mean ± SD) 30.8 ± 10.05 years; 70.0 ± 16.1 kg. In the intervention, five sets of five repetitions (5 × 5) of the bench press at 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) were used; in the TT and in the ET, 5 × 5 of the bench press with a load in the eccentric phase of 110% and that in the concentric phase of 80% of 1RM were used. Results: Compared to baseline, heart rate was significantly elevated at various times in the ET, between before and 20 min after (p = 0.023), and 40 min after (p = 0.035), but decreased to baseline in 24 h (p = 0.043, η2p = 0.395). In addition, the product pressure rate in the ET had a decrease between the moments before and 60 min after (p = 0.042), and before and 24 h after (p = 0.043). A high effect on myocardial oxygen volume in ET at 24 h was found (p = 0.018; η2p = 0.393). Conclusions: One session of traditional and eccentric training methods can be effective in causing significant changes in the cardiovascular system in PP athletes.

ATIVIDADE FÍSICA, ESPORTE E SAÚDE: TEMAS EMERGENTES