Moderate intensity swimming training on bone mineral density preservation under food restriction in female rats

Abstract Aim: To investigate the effect of moderate-intensity swimming training on bone mineral density under a 20% food restriction (FR) schedule for 12 weeks in female rats. Methods: Forty female Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: control (CG), exercised (EG), food restriction (FRG), and food restriction/exercised (FREG). At 95 days. the animals were subjected to aquatic adaptation and then performed the critical load test to individually determine the critical load intensity (CLi, % of body mass). Exercised groups swam 5 days a week, 30 minutes daily with weekly adjustment of the load equivalent to 80% of the CLi. The FR schedule was 20% in relation to CG and started concomitantly with physical training (PT). After 12 weeks, visceral fat weight was recorded and the femur was collected for biophysical and biomechanical analysis. Results: FR and exercise training promoted visceral fat reduction (p<0.01). FR reduced bone mineral density (p<0.01), while exercise training prevented such reduction. On the other hand, FR and exercise training did not promote significant changes in biomechanical parameters of the femur. Conclusion: Exercise training at moderate intensity was efficient in preserving bone mineral density despite long term of FR at 20%.

Influence of Adventure Race Disciplines on the Overall Performance during 35 to 50-km Races

Abstract Aims: This study aims to analyze the influence of adventure race disciplines on the overall performance during 35 to 50-km competitions. Methods: Twenty-four athletes from twelve teams were studied during the second (Jacarei-SP, Brazil, 44.5-km) and fourth (Passa Quatro-MG, Brazil, 37.1-km) races of the 2015 Haka Race Series, which comprised Brazilian Adventure Race Ranking. We analysed the relationship between disciplines velocities and overall race velocity of the teams during each competition. Results: We observed the race velocity of the teams during second race was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the first (R=0.80) and last (R=0.65) split velocities of trekking, and with the last split velocity of mountain biking (R=0.73). On the other hand, the race velocity of teams during fourth race was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the split velocity performed during the course of water trekking with trekking (R=0.96). Conclusion: Greater performance of the athletes in the disciplines of mountain biking, trekking and water trekking is related to their overall performance during 35-50 km ARs. In addition, the influence of adventure race disciplines is specific to the overall performance during different competitions.