Contemporary reflection on the educational levels of high-performance soccer players in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective As the soccer culture in Brazil is more popular than schooling, this study reflected on the formal education levels of soccer (football) players through descriptive and quantitative analyses. Methods We evaluated 179 national soccer players playing various positions on different teams across six seasons (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2022). Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising the following variables: age, position in the pitch, age of professionalization, and education (years of study). The data were distributed according to the pitch position. Results The mean age, length of professional career, and professionalization age were 23±6 years, 7±5 years, and 17±2 years, respectively. In terms of education, 121 athletes (67%) completed high school, equivalent to 11 years of study. Only 5.5% completed higher education, with defensive players (goalkeepers and defenders) being the most educated at 37% (66/179). According to 2017 figures from the Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios Contínua of the Federal Government of Brazil, the schooling rate is 31.7%, wherein 46.1% of Brazilians aged 25 years or over have completed education. In this study of 179 athletes, 67% had completed high school. Thus, players outrank the Brazilian population in terms of achieving a high school education. There were marked disparities in the relative proportions of goalkeepers (85%), defensive players (68%), midfielders (63%), and forward players (64%) in terms of their education. Conclusion Our survey revealed that attending higher education remains a distant reality in Brazil.

Effect of 12-week rehearsal on cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in Brazilian samba dancers

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the effect of 12 weeks of rehearsals on cardiorespiratory parameters and body composition in Brazilian samba dancers belonging to a first-league samba school. Methods Twenty-six women were divided into a Samba Group (n=13) and a Control Group (n=13). Cardiorespiratory parameters (cardiopulmonary exercise test) and body composition (skinfold assessment) were assessed before and after the 12 weeks of rehearsals. The Samba Group rehearsed three times per week for 30-60 minutes, and the Control Group participated in no physical activity. A comparison test was performed within and between groups, with p<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results Compared with the Control Group, the Samba Group showed a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake (19%), oxygen pulse (13%), and lean body mass (3%) and a decrease in body fat percentage (11%) and fat mass (12%). Conclusion Twelve weeks of samba dance rehearsals improved the cardiorespiratory and body composition parameters in women dancers compared with the Control Group. These findings suggest that dancing samba regularly can increase physical activity levels and positively affect the health parameters of samba dancers.

During the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, does wearing a mask improve or worsen physical performance? / Durante a pandemia de coronavírus (covid 19), o uso de máscara melhora ou piora o desempenho físico? / ¿durante la pandemia de coronavirus (covid 19) el uso de la máscara mejora o empeora el desempeño físico?

ABSTRACT A mask is a simple device yet it provides high levels of protection. As the virus affects mainly the respiratory tract - the nose, mouth, and lungs - it is highly contagious when people sneeze or cough, or exchange respiratory droplets with other people. This exchange is also promoted when a person is performing physical exercise. Although a mask provides some protection, it does not eliminate the need for social distancing. Around 25% of people infected with the new coronavirus may show no symptoms, yet still transmit the virus. One of the main problems with wearing a mask is that it hinders breathing, with the mask gradually becoming damp, increasing its resistance to air intake. Wearing a mask while performing physical activity requires a period of adaptation, as the flow of air to the lungs is reduced, requiring a reduction in the normal rhythm until the wearer has managed to adapt to it. Vigorous and intense exercise can cause inflammatory activity to increase, and should be minimized in order to protect the immune system. Secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an antibody protein used by the immune system to neutralize pathogens, including viruses, and decreases with intense exercise. Exercise is considered intense when it is necessary to breathe through the mouth to eliminate the higher concentrations of CO2, but mouth breathing is associated with infections of the upper respiratory tract. Preference should be given to light to moderate exercise, around three times a week. Wearing a mask, and training in nasal breathing are the best and safest ways to reduce the entry of particles, and should be encouraged during this COVID-19 pandemic. Level of evidence V; Opinion of the specialist.

RESUMO A máscara é um dispositivo simples, mas oferece altos níveis de proteção. Como o vírus afeta principalmente o trato respiratório - nariz, boca e pulmões - é altamente contagioso quando as pessoas espirram, tossem ou trocam gotículas respiratórias com outras pessoas. Essa troca também é promovida quando a pessoa está realizando exercícios físicos. Embora a máscara forneça alguma proteção, ela não elimina a necessidade de distanciamento social. Cerca de 25% das pessoas infectadas com o novo coronavírus podem não apresentar sintomas, mas mesmo assim, transmitem o vírus. Um dos principais problemas do uso de máscara é que ela dificulta a respiração, pois gradualmente fica úmida e aumenta a resistência à entrada de ar. É necessário um período de adaptação para a atividade física com máscara, pois o fluxo de ar para os pulmões é reduzido, exigindo a diminuição do ritmo normal até que a adaptação ocorra. Exercícios vigorosos e intensos podem aumentam a atividade inflamatória e devem ser minimizados para proteger o sistema imunológico. A imunoglobulina secretora A (IgA) é uma proteína anticorpo usada pelo sistema imunológico para neutralizar patógenos, incluindo vírus, e diminui com exercícios intensos. O exercício é considerado intenso quando é necessário respirar pela boca para eliminar a maior concentração de CO2, mas a respiração bucal está associada a infecções do trato respiratório superior. A preferência deve ser pelos exercícios leves a moderados, realizados cerca de três vezes por semana. Usar a máscara e treinar a respiração nasal são os modos melhores e mais seguros de reduzir a entrada de partículas e precisam ser incentivados durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Nível de evidência V; Opinião do especialista.

RESUMEN La máscara es un dispositivo simple, pero ofrece altos niveles de protección. Debido a que el virus afecta principalmente el tracto respiratorio (nariz, boca y pulmones) es muy contagioso cuando las personas estornudan, tosen o intercambian gotitas respiratorias con otros. Aunque la máscara proporciona cierta protección, no elimina la necesidad del distanciamiento social. Alrededor del 25% de las personas infectadas con el nuevo coronavirus pueden no tener síntomas, pero aun así transmiten el virus. Uno de los principales problemas de la máscara es que dificulta la respiración, ya que gradualmente se humedece y aumenta la resistencia a la entrada del aire. Es necesario un período de adaptación para la actividad física con una máscara, ya que reduce el flujo de aire a los pulmones, lo que requiere una disminución del ritmo normal hasta que se produzca la adaptación. El ejercicio vigoroso e intenso puede aumentar la actividad inflamatoria y debe minimizarse para proteger el sistema inmunitario. La inmunoglobulina secretora A (IgA) es una proteína anticuerpo utilizada por el sistema inmunitario para neutralizar los patógenos, incluidos los virus, y disminuye con el ejercicio intenso. El ejercicio se considera intenso cuando es necesario respirar por la boca debido la mayor concentración de CO2, pero la respiración bucal se asocia con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior. La preferencia debe ser para la realización de ejercicios leves a moderados aproximadamente tres veces por semana. Usar la máscara y entrenar la respiración nasal es mejor y más seguro para reducir la entrada de partículas y deben estimularse durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Nivel de evidencia V; Opinión de expertos.

Futsal improve body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight and obese children. A pilot study

The aim of this study was to verify body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and biochemical markers of prepubertal overweight and obese boys to a 16-week futsal training program. Methods: Sixteen boys (age: 7-10 y, body mass index>thanat 95th percentileaccording to Center for Disease Control and Prevention; 35.5±7.4 percent fat) participated to futsal training program. The assessment of body composition was estimated using skinfold thickness, and the following variables were evaluated: total body mass, body mass index, body fat percentage, and lean body mass. Aerobic fitness measurementwas performed by gas exchange analysis in treadmill. In addition, an evaluation of the biochemical profile was conducted: triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma concentrations of glucose, and insulin. The futsal intervention included 60-min sessions performed two times/week. The mean intensity during training was between 57 to 88% of maximal heart rate of the age-predicted. Individual portable heart rate monitor controlled training intensity. Results: Significant increases in total body mass (4%), height (3%), lean body mass (8%), and significant 6%-decrease in body fat percentage was observed. Body mass index remained unchanged. Maximal oxygen uptake was elevated (p<0.018) by 11%. Biochemical markers were not modified after intervention. No association was found between body composition and metabolic variables. The effect size of futsal training on most variables was small (<0.5). Conclusion: Controlled intensity and adherence to this 16-week futsal training program were determinant to enhance body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness in this group of prepubertal boys.(AU)

Running economy in elite soccer and futsal players: differences among positions on the field / Economia de corrida em jogadores de futebol e futsal de elite: diferenças entre as posições em campo

OBJECTIVE: To determine running economy in a large sample of elite soccer and futsal players to obtain benchmarks in different positions. METHODS: Running Economy is the energy demand at a submaximal running velocity. Players were divided into 6 subgroups. Soccer: defenders, midfielders, and strikers; futsal: defenders, wingers, and pivots. Elite soccer players (n=129) and elite futsal players n=72 performed an incremental running test starting at 8.4 km.h-1 with increments of 1.2 km.h-1 every two minutes on a treadmill until exhaustion. Running Economy was determined by interpolation between ventilatory thresholds 1 and 2 (VT1 and VT2). RESULTS: Running Economy (measured as mL.kg-1.km-1) was compared between the playing positions in the two team sports. In soccer, running economy was 222.7 (defenders), 227.0 (midfielders), and 219.8 (strikers) mL.kg-1.km-1, respectively. In futsal, the corresponding values were 198.5 (defenders), 196.9 (wingers), and 190.5 (pivots) mL.kg-1.km-1, respectively. We no found significantly differences between the three positions in both sports. The Running Economy of futsal players was 12.5% better than that of soccer players. Running Economy correlated positively with oxygen uptake at VT2 in both sports and in all positions. CONCLUSION: Futsal players exhibited better Running Economy than soccer players; this should be considered as a factor in the athlete's training plan.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a Economia de Corrida numa grande amostra de jogadores de futebol e futsal de elite em diferentes posições do campo. METODOS: Os jogadores foram subdivididos em três subgrupos: futebol (jogadores de defesa, meio-campistas e atacantes) e futsal (jogadores de defesa, alas e pivôs). Foram 129 jogadores de futebol e 72 jogadores de futsal, que competem nas respectivas primeiras divisões do Brasil. Os jogadores foram submetidos a teste de esforço em esteira (8,4 km-1.h+1,2km-1.h a cada dois minutos) até a exaustão. Consumo máximo de oxigênio, limiares ventilatórios e Economia de Corrida foram registrados por análise de troca gasosa respiratória. A Economia de Corrida foi determinada por interpolação utilizando as velocidades dos limiares ventilatórios 1 e 2 e o consume de oxigênio nas duas velocidades. RESULTADOS: Os valores de Economia de Corrida entre as posições nos dois esportes foram os seguintes: Futebol, jogadores de defesa (222,7±16,7mL.kg-1.km-1), meio-campistas (227±19,9mL.kg-1.km-1), e atacantes (219,8±17,2mL.kg-1.km-1). Futsal, jogadores de defesa (198,5±10,8mL.kg-1.km-1), alas (196,9±16,2mL.kg-1.km-1), e pivôs (190,5±11,8mL.kg-1.km-1). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as três posições em ambos os esportes. A Economia de Corrida dos jogadores de futsal foi 12,5% melhor do que dos jogadores de futebol. Neste estudo, os jogadores da posição pivô no futsal tiveram os melhores valores de Economia de Corrida (custo de oxigênio mais baixo). Embora o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max) e o limiar ventilatório 2 (LV2) fosse maior nos jogadores de futebol, a Economia de Consumo foi pior. Esta correlacionou-se positivamente com o VO2 no LV2 em ambos os esportes e em todas as posições CONCLUSÃO: Futsal tem melhor Economia de Consumo do que futebol. O presente estudo aponta a importância dos índices Economia de Consumo no plano de treinamento físico dos atletas.

Blood lactate and oxygen consumption in soccer players: comparison between different positions on the field / Lactato sanguíneo e consumo de oxigênio em jogadores de futebol: comparação entre posições na equipe

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that in players with better aerobic fitness, lactate production was not inhibited after high-intensity exercise, regardless of the footballer's position on the field. METHOD: Sixty professional male soccer players performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests on an ergometric treadmill; respiratory gas exchanges were monitored throughout and blood lactate levels at peak effort was measured, using a portable device. The heart rate response was determined by computerized EKG. Training sessions took place over an average of ten hours per week, and the players had 6.8 years of experience in competitive soccer; they were tested a third of way into the season. The positions tested were (centerback, fullback, midfielder and striker). RESULTS: The following results (mean ± std. dev.) were obtained: (1) peak oxygen consumption of 58.8 ± 4.5 ml.kg-1.min.-1; (2), blood peak lactate of 12.3 ± 1.6 mmol.L-1; (3) maximum heart rate of 193 ± 3.3 beats. min-1; (4); oxygen consumption at the second ventilatory threshold of 49.6 ± 5.0 mL. kg-1.min-1; (5); running speed at the second ventilatory threshold of 13.3 ± 0.8 km.h-1; (6) percentage of oxygen consumption in the second ventilatory threshold of 84 ± 6%. There was no correlation between maximum aerobic level vs. peak lactate concentration (r = -0,031; p = 0.812), nor between submaximal aerobic level vs. peak lactate concentration (r = -0.146; p = 0.335) in the positions tested. CONCLUSION: Better or worse aerobic profiles according to game positions in soccer players do not influence peak lactate levels following high-intensity exercise, and confirms the study hypothesis.

OBJETIVO: Nossa hipótese era que em jogadores com melhor condicionamento aeróbio, a produção de lactato não seria inibida após o exercício de alta intensidade, independentemente da posição do jogador no campo. MÉTODOS: Sessenta jogadores de futebol profissional masculino foram submetidos a testes de exercício cardiopulmonar em um analisador metabólico troca gasosa respiratória em esteira ergométrica, com medição dos níveis de lactato no sangue no pico do esforço, usando um dispositivo portátil. A resposta da frequência cardíaca foi determinada por eletrocardiograma computadorizado. As sessões de treinamento duraram uma média de dez horas por semana, e os jogadores participantes tinham 6,8 anos de experiência no futebol competitivo. Os jogadores foram testados a um terço para o final da temporada. As posições testadas foram (defesa-central, defesa lateral, meio-campista e atacante). RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos foram: consumo de oxigênio pico de 58,8 ± 4,5 mL.Kg-1min-1, pico de lactato no sangue 12,3 ± 1,6 mmol.L-1; frequência cardíaca máxima de 193 ± 3,3 batimentos.min-1; consumo de oxigênio no segundo limiar ventilatório de 49,6 ± 5,0 mL.Kg-1min-1; velocidade de corrida no segundo limiar ventilatório de 13,3 ± 0,8 km.h-1 e porcentual do consumo de oxigênio no segundo limiar ventilatório de 84 ± 6%. Não houve correlação entre o nível de aeróbio máximo (r = -0,031; p = 0,812) e o nível de aeróbio submáximo (r = -0,146; p = 0,335) nas posições testadas e na concentração pico de lactato. CONCLUSÃO: Melhor ou pior perfil aeróbio nas posições de jogo em jogadores de futebol não influenciam os níveis de lactato de pico durante a realização de exercício de alta intensidade, e confirmam a hipótese do estudo.

Uma visão global do treinamento físico aeróbio para pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca: estudo de revisão / An overall view of aerobic physical training for chronic heart failure patients: a review study

Uma das modalidades de tratamento coadjuvante para a melhora da capacidade física e qualidade de vida em portadores de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) é o treinamento físico aeróbio. Objetivo: Atualizar por revisão sistemática o assunto efeito do treinamento físico aeróbio como coadjuvante no tratamento de portadores de IC. Métodos: Uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados foi realizada utilizando as bases eletrônicas de dados (PubMed/MEDLINE, Lilacs, EMBASE, CINAH e a Biblioteca Cochrane foram pesquisados num período de cinco anos (2010 a 2015). Foram incluídos ensaios com no mínimo 3 meses de seguimento e com a avaliação dos efeitos das intervenções de exercícios como um componente do programa de reabilitação dos portadores de IC. Resultados: Sete protocolos clínicos foram incluídos com 4000 participantes, predominantemente com uma fração de ejeção reduzida (≤ 50%) e classe clínica II e III pela New York Heart Association. O programa de exercício como variável independente reduziu o risco geral e específico de hospitalização por insuficiência cardíaca e resultou em uma melhora clinicamente importante na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Os estudos com análise de meta-regressão univariada mostraram que esses benefícios foram independentes do tipo, dose do exercício e duração do seguimento. Conclusão: Dentro dos limites estabelecidos nesta revisão foi possível mostrar que as melhorias na diminuição das hospitalizações e melhoria de saúde relacionados com qualidade de vida com base no engajamento dos portadores de IC em programas de exercício supervisionado parece ser consistente em todos os pacientes, independentemente das características do programa e pode reduzir a mortalidade a longo prazo

One of adjuvant treatment modalities for improving physical capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure (HF) has been physical training. Objective: To update the knowledge on the effect of exercise training as an adjunct in the treatment of HF patients through a systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted using the electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAH and the Cochrane Library, searching over five years (2010-2015). Included were trials with at least three months of follow-up and the assessment of the effects of exercise interventions as a rehabilitation program component for patients with HF. Results: Seven clinical trials were included with 4000 participants, predominantly with reduced ejection fraction (≤ 50%) and clinical class II and III by the New York Heart Association. The exercise program, as the independent variable, reduced the general and specific risk of hospitalization for heart failure and resulted in a clinically significant improvement in the patients' quality of life. Studies with univariate meta-regression analysis showed that these benefits were independent of the type, amount of exercise, and duration of follow-up. Conclusion: Within the limits of this review, it was possible to show that improvements in reducing hospitalizations and in health were related to quality of life based on the engagement of HF patients in supervised exercise programs and appear to be consistent in all patients, regardless of the program's features and can increase life expectancy

Avaliação da marcha em paciente com paralisia cerebral submetido à estimulação elétrica dos compartimentos anterior e lateral da perna / Cerebral palsy gait analysis comparison before and after electrical stimulation of anterior and lateral leg compartments

Crianças com lesão do neurônio motor superior possuem déficits funcionais desafiadores. As alterações de marcha são conseqüências da espasticidade, padrão primitivo locomotor, pobre controle motor central e controle debilitado da propriocepção. O objetivo do presente estudo é mostrar os benefícios da eletro-estimulação no padrão da marcha do paciente com paralisia cerebral através do laboratório de marcha e teste ergoespirométrico. Método: Paciente do grupo de Neuro-ortopedia do IOT HC-FMUSP, sexo feminino, 24 anos, estudante, portadora de paralisia cerebral do tipo diplégico espástico, deambuladora comunitária e pés eqüinos flexíveis. Equipamento de análise de marcha: HAWK, Motion Analysis Corporation. Analisador metabólico CPX-D, Medgraphics, EUA. Estimulador elétrico modelo EEF-4, Lynx Tecnologia. Frequência de estímulo de 20Hz, ON/OFF 5s/10s, 40min, 3X/semana por 1,5 meses nos compartimentos anterior e lateral das pernas. Resultado: dorsiflexão fase de balanço pé direito e esquerdo anterior ao estímulo: 2,12º e -0,17º, respectivamente. Após 1,5 meses do término do protocolo: dorsiflexão pé direito=7,54º, dorsiflexão pé esquerdo=5,31º. Ergoespirometria: Aumento do tempo de tolerância ao exercício (TT) em 194%, PO2 em 50%, VO2 em 17% e economia energética relativa a 22% da FC. Conclusão: a estimulação elétrica da perna pode ser responsável por alterações na cinemática não só do tornozelo, mas de todo o membro inferior, influenciando o padrão da marcha e a condição cardiopulmonar do paciente com paralisia cerebral.

Children with upper motor neuron injuries have challenging functional deficits. Their gait deviations are a consequence of spasticity, persistent primitive locomotor patterns, poor selective motor control and impaired proprioception. The objective of this study is to show the benefits of electrical stimulation on gait patterns of patients with cerebral palsy through gait analysis and cardiopulmonary exercise test. Methods: patient from Neuro-orthopedic group of IOT HC-FMUSP, female, 24 years-old, student, cerebral palsy with spastic diplegia, communitarian ambulation and flaccid bilateral equinus foot. Gait analysis equipment: HAWK, Motion Analysis Corporation. Metabolic analyzer: CPX-D, Medgraphics, USA. Electrical stimulator: EEF-4, Lynx Tecnologia. Electrical stimulation using 20Hz, ON/OFF 5sec/10sec, 40min, 3 times a week for 1.5 months on anterior and lateral leg muscles. Results: in swing phase, before stimulus, right and left ankle dorsiflexion = 2.12º and -0.17º, respectively. 1.5 months after last stimulus, right and left ankle dorsiflexion = 7.54º and 5.31º, respectively. Cardiopulmonary analysis: improvement in exercise tolerance of 194%, 50% in O2P, 17% in VO2 and energetic economy of 22% of HR. Conclusion: leg`s electrical stimulation may be responsible for cinematic improvements not only of the ankles but all lower limbs, influencing gait patterns and cardiopulmonary conditions of patients with cerebral palsy.

Anti-hypertensive drugs have different effects on ventricular hypertrophy regression: [review]

OBJECTIVES: There is a direct relationship between the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and a decreased risk of mortality. This investigation aimed to describe the effects of anti-hypertensive drugs on cardiac hypertrophy through a meta-analysis of the literature. METHODS: The Medline (via PubMed), Lilacs and Scielo databases were searched using the subject keywords cardiac hypertrophy, antihypertensive and mortality. We aimed to analyze the effect of anti-hypertensive drugs on ventricle hypertrophy. RESULTS: The main drugs we described were enalapril, verapamil, nifedipine, indapamina, losartan, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and atenolol. These drugs are usually used in follow up programs, however, the studies we investigated used different protocols. Enalapril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and verapamil (Ca++ channel blocker) caused hypertrophy to regress in LVH rats. The effects of enalapril and nifedipine (Ca++ channel blocker) were similar. Indapamina (diuretic) had a stronger effect than enalapril, and losartan (angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist) produced better results than atenolol (selective â1 receptor antagonist) with respect to LVH regression. CONCLUSION: The anti-hypertensive drugs induced various degrees of hypertrophic regression.

Comparison of radial shockwaves and conventional physiotherapy for treating plantar fasciitis

OBJECTIVE: To compare radial shockwave treatment and conventional physiotherapy for plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with plantar fasciitis were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 was composed of 16 patients who underwent 10 physiotherapy sessions each, consisting of ultrasound, kinesiotherapy and instruction for stretching exercises at home. Group 2 was composed of 16 patients who underwent three applications of radial shockwaves (once a week) and received instruction for stretching exercises at home. Pain and ability to function were evaluated before treatment, immediately afterwards, and three months later. The mean age of the patients was 47.3 ± 10.3 years (range 25-68); 81 percent were female, 87 percent were overweight, 56 percent had bilateral impairment, and 75 percent used analgesics regularly. RESULTS: Both treatments were effective for pain reduction and for improving the functional abilities of patients with plantar fasciitis. The effect of the shockwaves was apparent sooner than physiotherapy after the onset of treatment. CONCLUSION: Shockwave treatment was no more effective than conventional physiotherapy treatment when evaluated three months after the end of treatment.

Peptide glutamine supplementation for tolerance of intermittent exercise in soccer players

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether supplementation of carbohydrate together with peptide glutamine would increase exercise tolerance in soccer players. METHODS: Nine male soccer players (mean age: 18.4 ± 1.1 years; body mass: 69.2 ± 4.6 kg; height: 175.5 ± 7.3 cm; and maximum oxygen consumption of 57.7 ± 4.8 ml.kg-1.min-1) were evaluated. All of them underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test and followed a protocol that simulated the movements of a soccer game in order to evaluate their tolerance to intermittent exercise. By means of a draw, either carbohydrate with peptide glutamine (CARBOGLUT: 50g of maltodextrin + 3.5g of peptide glutamine in 250 ml of water) or carbohydrate alone (CARBO: 50g of maltodextrin in 250 ml of water) was administered in order to investigate the enhancement of the soccer players' performances. The solution was given thirty minutes before beginning the test, which was performed twice with a one-week interval between tests. RESULTS: A great improvement in the time and distance covered was observed when the athletes consumed the CARBOGLUT mixture. Total distance covered was 12750 ± 4037m when using CARBO, and 15571 ± 4184m when using CARBOGLUT (p<0.01); total duration of tolerance was 73 ± 23 min when using CARBO and 88 ± 24 min when using CARBOGLUT (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The CARBOGLUT mixture was more efficient in increasing the distance covered and the length of time for which intermittent exercise was tolerated. CARBOGLUT also reduced feelings of fatigue in the players compared with the use of the CARBO mixture alone.

Reproducibility of maximum aerobic power (VO2max) among soccer players using a modified heck protocol

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of reproducibility of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) among soccer players, using a modified Heck protocol. METHODS: 2 evaluations with an interval of 15 days between them were performed on 11 male soccer players. All the players were at a high performance level; they were training for an average of 10 hours per week, totaling 5 times a week. When they were evaluated, they were in the middle of the competitive season, playing 1 match per week. The soccer players were evaluated on an ergometric treadmill with velocity increments of 1.2 km.h-1 every 2 minutes and a fixed inclination of 3 percent during the test. VO2max was measured directly using a breath-by-breath metabolic gas analyzer. RESULTS: The maximum running speed and VO2max attained in the 2 tests were, respectively: (15.6 ± 1.1 vs. 15.7 ± 1.2 km.h-1; [P = .78]) and (54.5 ± 3.9 vs. 55.2 ± 4.4 ml.kg-1.min-1; [P = .88]). There was high and significant correlation of VO2max between the 2 tests with a 15-day interval between them [r = 0.97; P < .001]. CONCLUSION: The modified Heck protocol was reproducible, and the 15-day interval between the ergospirometric testing was insufficient to significantly modify the soccer players' VO2max values.

OBJETIVO: Determinar o grau de reprodutibilidade do consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max) em jogadores de futebol utilizando o protocolo de Heck modificado. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados por duas vezes, com intervalo de 15 dias entre os testes, 11 futebolistas masculinos. Todos eram de alto nível, treinavam em média 10 horas por semana subdivididos em treinamentos físicos, técnicos, táticos e jogos competitivos, totalizando cinco vezes por semana e na fase em que foram avaliados se encontravam em pleno período competitivo realizando um jogo por semana. Os futebolistas foram avaliados em esteira ergométrica (1,2 km.h-1) a cada dois minutos e inclinação fixa durante o teste em 3 por cento. O VO2max foi medido diretamente utilizando analisador metabólico de análise de gases expirados respiração-a-respiração. RESULTADOS: A velocidade máxima de corrida e o VO2max atingido nos dois testes foram respectivamente: (15,6 ± 1,1 vs. 15,7 ± 1,2 km.h-1; [p = 0,78]) e (54,5 ± 3,9 vs. 55,2 ± 4,4 ml.kg-1.min-1; [P = 0,88]). Houve correlação significante e alta do VO2max entre os dois testes após 15 dias de intervalo [r = 0,97; P< 0,001]. CONCLUSÃO: O protocolo de Heck modificado foi reprodutível e o intervalo de quinze dias entre os testes ergoespirométricos não foi suficiente para modificar significativamente o VO2max dos jogadores de futebol.