Predominance of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage P.1 and its sublineage P.1.2 in patients from the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil in March 2021: a phylogenomic analysis

Almost a year after the COVID-19 pandemic had begun, The United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil became the epicenter of new lineages, the Variant of Concern (VOCs), B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1, respectively. These VOCs are increasingly associated with enhanced transmissibility, immunity evasion, and mortality. The previous most prevalent lineages in the state of Rio Grande do South (Brazil), B.1.1.28 and B.1.1.33 were rapidly replaced by P.1 and P.2, two B.1.1.28-derived lineages harboring the E484K mutation. To perform a genomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 samples from COVID-19 patients from the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil), in this second pandemic wave, we sequenced viral samples from patients of this region to: (i) identify the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in the region, the state and bordering countries/states, (ii) characterize the mutation spectra, and (iii) hypothesize possible viral dispersal routes by using phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches. As results, we not only confirmed that 96.4% of the samples belonged to the P.1 lineage but also that approximately 20% of which could be assigned as the newer P.1.2 (a P.1 derived new sublineage harboring new signature substitutions recently described and present in other Brazilian states and foreign countries). Moreover, P.1 sequences from this study were allocated in several distinct branches (four clades and five clusters) of the P.1 phylogeny, suggesting multiple introductions of P.1 in Rio Grande do Sul still in 2020 and placing this state as a potential core of diffusion and emergence of P.1-derived clades. It is still uncertain if the emergence of P.1.2 and other P.1 clades are related to further virological, clinical, or epidemiological consequences. However, the clear signs of viral molecular diversification from recently introduced P.1 warrant further genomic surveillance.

Reproducibility of upper leg EMG frequency content during cycling.

Reproducibility of frequency content from surface electromyography (sEMG) signals has not been assessed and it is unknown if incremental load testing design could affect sEMG in cycling. The goals of this study were to assess the reproducibility of measures from sEMG frequency content between sessions and to compare these frequency components between a ramp and a step incremental cycling test. Eighteen cyclists performed four incremental load cycling tests to exhaustion. Two tests were performed using a step increment (load started at 100 W for 3 min followed by increments of 30 W every 3 min) and two were performed using a ramp increment (load started at 100 W for 1 min followed by increments of 30 W·min-1). sEMG was monitored bilaterally for the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis throughout the tests and converted into overall activation (whole signal bandwidth), high- and low-frequency contents. The reproducibility of the frequency content ranged from none to strong (ICC = 0.07-0.90). Vastus lateralis activation was larger at the step compared to the ramp test (P < 0.01), without differences for rectus femoris (P = 0.22-0.91) and for the high-frequency (P = 0.28-0.95) and low-frequency contents (P = 0.13-0.94). sEMG from vastus lateralis and rectus femoris presented none to strong reproducibility. Vastus lateralis is more activated in step test design.

Test-retest reliability of second lactate turnpoint using two different criteria in competitive cyclists.

The aim of this study was to determine the relative and absolute reliability of second lactate turnpoint using fixed and individual blood lactate method in competitive cyclists. Twenty-eight male, well-trained cyclists (30.2 ± 10.1 years, 72.0 ± 7.4 kg, 177.3 ± 4.7 cm) were recruited to participate in this study. Cyclists completed two incremental cycling tests to exhaustion over a period of 7 days to determine their peak power output, maximal oxygen uptake, maximal heart rate, maximal blood lactate concentration and two lactate turnpoint criteria. The fixed blood concentration criterion (3.5 mM) and an individual criterion were assessed by a lactate-power curve, considering power output, heart rate and oxygen uptake. The main finding of this study was that both lactate turnpoint criteria showed identical low within-subject variation for power output (2.8% coefficient of variation). High values for test-retest correlations ranging from r = 0.70 to r = 0.94 were found for all variables in both threshold criteria. In conclusion, the individual and fixed method to determine the second lactate turnpoint showed similar high absolute and relative reliability in competitive cyclists.

Comparison of body composition and aerobic and anaerobic performance between competitive cyclists and triathletes / Comparação da composição corporal, desempenho aeróbio e anaeróbio entre ciclistas e triatletas competitivos

The aim of this study was to compare anthropometric characteristics and aerobic and anaerobic fitness between competitive cyclists and triathletes. The sample consisted of 11 cyclists and 12 triathletes with experience in competitions. The tests were performed on two different days, with an interval of 48 h between sessions. On the first day, the athletes were submitted to anthropometric assessment (body mass, height, and skinfold thickness) and a maximal incremental test to determine maximal oxygen uptake, maximum power, maximum heart rate, maximum lactate, and the first (LL1) and second lactate threshold (LL2). The Wingate test was conducted on the second day to determine peak power, average power, and fatigue index. There were significant difference (p < 0.05), with medium effect size (0.80 - 1.5), in mid-thigh skinfold thickness (15.2 ± 6.3 and 10.5 ± 4.8 mm), power at LL1 (195.0 ± 30.9 and 162.7 ± 28.3 W), power at LL2 (247.6 ± 25.0 and 219.7 ± 37.9 W), and fatigue index (47.2 ± 13.0 and 60.1 ± 16.4%) between cyclists and triathletes, respectively. The other variables did not differ between groups. Anthropometric characteristics are similar in triathletes and cyclists. However, cyclists present higher power outputs at the lactate thresholds (LL1 and LL2) and lower fatigue indexes.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as características antropométricas e aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia entre ciclistas e triatletas competitivos. Participaram do estudo 11 ciclistas e 12 triatletas com experiência em competições esportivas. As avaliações foram realizadas em dois dias distintos, com intervalo de 48 h entre as sessões. No primeiro dia, foram realizados a avaliação antropométrica (massa corporal, estatura e dobras cutâneas) e um teste incremental máximo para determinação do consumo máximo de oxigênio, potência máxima, frequência cardíaca máxima, lactato máximo, primeiro limiar de lactato (LL1) e segundo limiar de lactato (LL2). No segundo dia, foi realizado um teste de Wingate para obter a potência pico, potência média e índice de fadiga. Houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) e com tamanho de efeito moderado (0,80 - 1,5) para a dobra cutânea da coxa média (15,2 ± 6,3 e 10,5 ± 4,8 mm), potência no LL1 (195,0 ± 30,9 e 162,7 ± 28,3 W), potência no LL2 (247,6 ± 25 e 219,7 ± 37,9 W) e índice de fadiga (47,2 ± 13,0 e 60,1 ± 16,4 %) entre ciclistas e triatletas, respectivamente. As demais variáveis analisadas não diferiram estatisticamente entre os grupos. Os triatletas e ciclistas são semelhantes em relação às características antropométricas. No entanto, ciclistas apresentam maiores valores de potência nos limiares (LL1 e LL2) e menores valores do índice de fadiga.

Aptidão funcional de mulheres idosas ativas com 80 anos ou mais / Functional fitness of elderly active women aged 80 or more

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a aptidão funcional de 40 idosas com 80 anos ou mais, praticantes de atividade física de Florianópolis/SC. A aptidão funcional foi verificada por meio dos testes físicos da bateria AAHPERD. Para análise estatística utilizou-se médias, desvio-padrão, amplitude de variação e percentis. A média de idades das idosas foi de 81,9±2,6 anos. O desempenho das idosas foi 55,5±13,5 centímetros para flexibilidade; 15,2±4,3 segundos para coordenação; 31,0±8,5 segundos para agilidade; 19,5±4,2 repetições para resistência de força e 626,9±98,3 segundos para resistência aeróbia. As idosas a partir de 80 anos apresentam menor aptidão funcional, característico do processo de envelhecimento.

The objective of this study was to verify the functional fitness of 40 physically active elderly women aged 80 years and over from the city of Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. Their functional fitness was determined by means of the AAHPERD motor function test battery. Statistical analyses were performed using mean, standard desviation, range of variation and percentiles. The mean women elderly aged was 81,9±2,6 years. The performances were: 55.5±13.5 centimeters for the flexibility test; 15.2±4.3 seconds for coordination; 31.0±8.5 seconds for agility; 19.5±4.2 repetitions for strength endurance and 626.9±98.3 seconds for aerobic endurance. The elderly women aged 80 have lower functional fitness, characteristic of the aging process.

Valores normativos de aptidão funcional em mulheres de 70 a 79 anos / Normative values of functional fitness in 70-to-79 year-old women

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver valores normativos de componentes específi cos (fl exibilidade; coordenação; agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico; força; e capacidade aeróbia) e global de aptidão funcional (IAFG) para mulheres de 70 a 79 anos. Foram avaliados, por meio da bateria de testes da AAHPERD, 175 idosas residentes em Florianópolis/SC e Rio Claro/SP, que realizavamatividade física sistematizada há pelo menos 6 meses. A bateria de testes é composta por cinco testes para avaliar fl exibilidade, coordenação, equilíbrio e agilidade, força e capacidade aeróbia. Os percentis foram calculados para os escores originais em cada teste, e a soma dos percentis foi usada como o IAFG. Foram utilizados como pontos de corte os percentis 20, 40, 60 e 80 para gerar as classificaçães: muito fraco, fraco, regular, bom e muito bom, respectivamente. Os resultados dos testes para cada componente deaptidão funcional variaram dentro dos limites das faixas de percentis calculadas e adotadas para as classifi caçães. Escores maiores que 14,5 ou menores que 10,1 segundos para coordenação; menores que 17 ou maiores que 25 repetiçães para força; menores que 49 ou maiores que 71 centímetros para flexibilidade; maiores que 28,9 ou menores que 22,7 segundos para agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico; e maiores que 601 ou menores que 504 segundos para capacidade aeróbia foram classificados como muito fracos oumuito bons, respectivamente. Da mesma maneira, a soma dos percentis de todos os cinco testes menor que 100 ou maior que 399 foi classifi cada como aptidão funcional global muito fraca ou muito boa, respectivamente. O desenvolvimento de valores normativospode servir como referência aos profi ssionais, para que possam melhor avaliar, orientar e prescrever atividade física...

The aim of this study was to develop reference values for normality for specifi c components (fl exibility; coordination; agility and balance; strength; and aerobic capacity) and overall functional fi tness (OFF), in 70 to 79-year-old women. The sample comprised 175 older women resident in either Florianópolis, SC or Rio Claro, SP, both in Brazil. Subjects had all been participating in structured and supervised physical activities on a regular basis for the previous six months. Specifi c components were assessed by means of the AAHPERD battery of tests. This battery comprises fi ve motor tests designed to measure the six elements of functional fi tness described previously. Percentilescoreswere calculated from raw scores for each of the tests and the sum of percentiles was used as the OFF index. The 20th, 40th, 60th and 80th percentiles were taken as limits for classifying both the components and the OFF as very weak; weak; fair; good or very good, respectively. Tests results for each of the components of functional fi tness varied within the calculated range of percentiles adopted forclassifi cation. Scores above 14.5 or below 10.1 seconds for coordination; less than 17 or more than 25 repetitions for strength; less than 49 or more than 71 centimeters for fl exibility; above 28.9 or below 22.7 seconds for agility and dynamic balance; and above 601 or below 504 seconds for aerobic capacity were classifi ed as very weak or very good, respectively. Similarly, the sum of percentiles of all tests lower than 100 or higher than 399 were classifi ed as very weak or very good overall functional fi tness, respectively. The reference values developed by this study should help professionals to better evaluate, prescribe and supervise physical activities for the elderly...