Eliciting Higher Maximal and Submaximal Cardiorespiratory Responses During a New Taekwondo-Specific Aerobic Test.

PURPOSE: To propose and validate new taekwondo-specific cardiopulmonary exercise tests. METHODS: Twelve male national-level taekwondo athletes (age 20 [2] y, body mass 67.5 [5.7] kg, height 175 [8] cm, and training experience 7 [3] y) performed 3 separate exercise tests in a randomized counterbalanced order: (1) a treadmill running cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and (2) continuous and (3) interval taekwondo-specific cardiopulmonary exercise tests (cTKDet and iTKDet, respectively). The CPET was administered using an individualized ramp protocol. Taekwondo tests comprised sequences of turning kicks performed on a stationary target. The impacts were recorded via an electronic scoring sensor used in official competition. Stages on the cTKDet and iTKDet lasted 1 min and progressively reduced the kick interval duration. These were guided by a sound signal, starting with 4.6 s between kicks and reducing by 0.4 s every minute until the test ended. Oxygen uptake (V˙O2), heart rate (HR), capillary blood lactate, and ratings of perceived exertion were measured. RESULTS: Modest differences were identified in V˙O2max between the tests (F2,22 = 3.54; P = .046; effect size [ES] = 0.16). Maximal HR (HRmax) was higher during both taekwondo tests (F2,22 = 14.3; P = .001; ES = 1.14) compared with CPET. Specific tests also yielded higher responses in the first ventilatory threshold V˙O2 (F2,22 = 6.5; P = .04; ES = 0.27) and HR (F2,22 = 12.3; P < .001; ES = 1.06), and HR at the second ventilatory threshold (F2,22 = 5.7; P = .02; ES = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: Taekwondo-specific cardiopulmonary tests enhance the validity of some cardiopulmonary responses and might therefore be considered to optimize routine diagnostic testing and training prescription for this athletic group.

Relação da atividade física e percentual de gordura de escolares / Relationship of the physical activity and percentage of fat of schoolars

Objetivo: identificar o Nível de Atividade Física e Percentual de Gordura Corporal de escolares. Método: estudo quantitativo, transversal, por amostragem composta de 640 escolares (Idade: 10±1 anos; Massa Corporal, 37,25±13,90kg; Estatura, 1,45±0,08m; IMC, 17,50±5,04kg/m²). O NAF por meio PAQ-C, %GC pelo método de dobras cutâneas e o IMC. Resultados: há diferenças significativas (p < 0,01, d = 0,37) no escore do PAQ-C entre os sexos, com superioridade nos valores masculinos; foram encontradas diferenças significativas na distribuição dos níveis de atividade física divididos pelo sexo (p < 0,0001, d = 6,7) e na distribuição do %CG pelo sexo (p < 0,0001, d=0,28). Conclusão: foram identificados índices de obesidade dentre os escolares (43% e 53,10%, populações feminina e masculina, respectivamente) ao mesmo tempo em que essa população apresenta que é ativa ou moderadamente ativa fisicamente (67,07% e 67,56%, masculino e feminino, respectivamente); contudo, não foi identificada associação entre Nível de Atividade Física e Percentual de Gordura Corporal. Estes resultados corroboram os achados gerais da literatura que demonstram que o NAF não é fator determinante para o valor Percentual de Gordura Corporal. (AU)

Correction: Physiological responses and external validity of a new setting for taekwondo combat simulation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171553.].

Efeitos agudos do aquecimento específico e exercícios de mobilidade articular no desempenho de repetições máximas e volume de treinamento / Acute effects of specific warm up and joint mobility exercise on maximum repetition performance and training volume

Introdução: Diferentes tipos de aquecimentos podem influenciar no desempenho de força. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito agudo de dois protocolos de aquecimento (mobilidade articular e aquecimento específico) sobre o desempenho de repetições máximas e volume de treinamento. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 14 homens (24,29 ± 4,81). Os participantes compareceram no local seis dias não consecutivos com intervalo de 48 horas entre eles, fizeram teste e reteste da carga máxima e realizaram os protocolos experimentais de aquecimentos, seguido da sessão de treinamento de força. Resultados: O volume total da sessão de treinamento (repetições x séries x carga) foi maior no protocolo de exercícios de mobilidade comparado ao protocolo com aquecimento específico. Conclusão: Portanto, parece que os exercícios de mobilidade promovem aumento agudo no desempenho de repetições máximas em exercícios para o membro inferior, quando comparado ao aquecimento específico.

Introduction: Different types of warm up may influence the strength performance. Objective: To investigate the acute effect of two warm up protocols (joint mobility and specific warm) on the maximum repetition performance and training volume. Methods: The study included 14 men (24.29 ± 4.81). Participants attended on site six non-consecutive days with an interval of 48 hours between them, performing 10 repetition maximum test and retest and the experimental protocols (strength training sessions). Results: The training volume of (repetitions x sets x load) was higher in mobility exercise protocol compared to the protocol with specific warm exercises. Conclusion: Therefore, it seems that mobility exercises promote an acute increasing in maximum repetition performance for the lower limb exercises when compared to the specific warm up.

Physiological responses and external validity of a new setting for taekwondo combat simulation.

Combat simulations have served as an alternative framework to study the cardiorespiratory demands of the activity in combat sports, but this setting imposes rule-restrictions that may compromise the competitiveness of the bouts. The aim of this study was to assess the cardiorespiratory responses to a full-contact taekwondo combat simulation using a safe and externally valid competitive setting. Twelve male national level taekwondo athletes visited the laboratory on two separate occasions. On the first visit, anthropometric and running cardiopulmonary exercise assessments were performed. In the following two to seven days, participants performed a full-contact combat simulation, using a specifically designed gas analyser protector. Oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]), heart rate (HR) and capillary blood lactate measurements ([La-]) were obtained. Time-motion analysis was performed to compare activity profile. The simulation yielded broadly comparable activity profiles to those performed in competition, a mean [Formula: see text] of 36.6 ± 3.9 ml.kg-1.min-1 (73 ± 6% [Formula: see text]) and mean HR of 177 ± 10 beats.min-1 (93 ± 5% HRPEAK). A peak [Formula: see text] of 44.8 ± 5.0 ml.kg-1.min-1 (89 ± 5% [Formula: see text]), a peak heart rate of 190 ± 13 beats.min-1 (98 ± 3% HRmax) and peak [La-] of 12.3 ± 2.9 mmol.L-1 was elicited by the bouts. Regarding time-motion analysis, combat simulation presented a similar exchange time, a shorter preparation time and a longer exchange-preparation ratio. Taekwondo combats capturing the full-contact competitive elements of a bout elicit moderate to high cardiorespiratory demands on the competitors. These data are valuable to assist preparatory strategies within the sport.