Yoga: um método-chave para o cuidado de si e do outro / Yoga: a key method for caring for oneself and the other

Resumo O objetivo deste ensaio é apresentar reflexões acerca dos benefícios do Yoga aos cuidadores ou profissionais de saúde, considerando esta prática como uma estratégia eficaz para enfrentar situações estressantes que essas pessoas vivem regularmente, levando a um melhor cuidado de si e do outro. Para apresentar essa proposição, recorreremos inicialmente a alguns aspectos históricos do Yoga, no intuito de esclarecer o seu contexto de surgimento, bem como seu desenvolvimento no mundo e no Brasil. Em seguida, refletiremos a respeito da importância do cuidado de si para o melhor cuidado do outro e, por fim, sobre os benefícios do Yoga aos cuidadores, em diálogo com a literatura científica. Acreditamos que a prática de Yoga, que contribui para o desenvolvimento integral do ser humano, pode ser um método-chave para que os profissionais da saúde aprendam a se conhecer melhor e a lidar melhor com suas dificuldades, aprimorando, consequentemente, o cuidado que é oferecido ao outro. Sugerimos que os currículos dos cursos de graduação em saúde do Brasil considerem a inserção do Yoga, para que esses profissionais possam aprender a utilizar esta estratégia na sua formação inicial, o que ajudaria na melhora da sua qualidade de vida e na de seus pacientes.

Abstract This essay aims to present reflections on the benefits of Yoga to caregivers or health professionals, considering this practice as an effective strategy for coping with stressful situations that these people experience regularly, leading to better care of themselves and the others. To present this proposition, we will initially resort to some of the historical aspects of Yoga, to clarify its context of emergence, as well as its development in the world and in Brazil. Subsequently, we will reflect on the importance of taking care of oneself for the best care of the other and, finally, on the benefits of Yoga for caregivers, in dialogue with the scientific literature. We believe that the practice of Yoga, that contributes to the holistic development of the human being, can be a key method for health professionals to learn to know themselves better and to better deal with their difficulties, consequently improving the care that is offered to others. We suggest that the curricula of undergraduate healthcare courses in Brazil consider the inclusion of Yoga, so that these professionals can learn to use this strategy in their initial training, which would help in improving their quality of life and that of their patients.

Glycemic Threshold as an Alternative Method to Identify the Anaerobic Threshold in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: To analyze the agreement between the velocity, heart rate, and oxygen uptake values corresponding to second ventilatory threshold and glycemic threshold in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Twenty-four untrained patients (55.1 ± 8.9 years) were evaluated. Three different parameters of training intensity corresponding to anaerobic threshold, one mechanical (velocity) and two physiological (heart rate and oxygen uptake) parameters, were identified by a classical method (second ventilatory threshold) and by an alternative method (glycemic threshold). To determine the threshold values, patients performed an incremental treadmill test, with an initial velocity of 3 km.h-1 for 3 min, that was then increased by 1 km.h-1 every 2 min. Comparisons between mean values and the degree of agreement between second ventilatory threshold and glycemic threshold were analyzed using the paired t-test and Bland-Altman test, respectively. Results: All patients performed the tests appropriately, and no adverse effects were recorded. Patients demonstrated similar mean velocity (p = 0.25), heart rate (p = 0.97) and oxygen uptake (p = 0.71) between the ventilatory threshold (6.4 ± 0.6 km.h-1, 130.1 ± 18.7 bpm, 15.2 ± 3.5 ml.kg.min-1) and the glycemic threshold (6.2 ± 0.9 km.h-1, 130.2 ± 12.8 bpm, 15.0 ± 3.8 ml.kg.min-1). Conclusion: The present study indicates an agreement between the glycemic and second ventilatory methods in determination of the anaerobic threshold of patients with type 2 diabetes; and thus, either method may be used for these patients.

Effect of weighted sled towing on sprinting effectiveness, power and force-velocity relationship.

This study aimed to compare the components of force-velocity (F-V) and power-velocity (P-V) profiles and the mechanical effectiveness of force application (or force ratio-RF) among various sled-towing loads during the entire acceleration phase of a weighted sled sprint. Eighteen sprinters performed four 50-m sprints in various conditions: unloaded; with a load corresponding to 20% of the athlete's body mass (BM); with a load of 30% BM; and with a load of 40% BM. Data were collected with five video cameras, and the images were digitised to obtain velocity from the derivation of the centre-of-mass position. F-V and P-V components and RF were estimated from sprinting velocity-time data for each load using a validated method that is based on an inverse dynamic approach applied to the sprinter's centre-of-mass (it models the horizontal antero-posterior and vertical ground reaction force components) and requires only measurement of anthropometric and spatiotemporal variables (body mass, stature and instantaneous position or velocity during the acceleration phase). The theoretical maximal velocity decreased with load compared with the unloaded condition (for 20% BM: -6%, effect size (ES) = 0,38; for 30% BM: -15%, ES = 1.02; for 40% BM: -18%, ES = 1.10). The theoretical maximal horizontal force (F0) and maximal power were not different among conditions. However, power at the end of the acceleration phase increased with load (40% BM vs 0%: 72%; ES = 2.73) as well as the maximal mechanical effectiveness (12%; ES = 0.85). The linear decrease in RF was different between 30 or 40% BM and the unloaded condition (-23%; ES = 0.74 and 0.66). Better effectiveness may be developed with 40% BM load at the beginning of the acceleration and with the various load-induced changes in the components of the F-V and P-V relationships, allowing a more accurate determination of optimal loading conditions for maximizing power.

Does Aerobic Exercise Impair Neuromuscular Function During Water-Based Resistance Exercises?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of water-based aerobic exercises on the performance of water-based resistance exercises by assessing kinematic parameters during protocols and neuromuscular responses after them. METHOD: Ten women performed 2 water-based protocols (i.e., resistance and concurrent water-based exercises) on separate days. We evaluated isometric force and electromyographic signal (sEMG) before and after protocols and analyzed kinematic parameters during a water-based resistance exercise. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between knee extension force production and sEMG from the vastus lateralis during the maximal voluntary contraction performed before and after the protocols. However, sEMG from the rectus femoris presented a significant difference between pretest and posttest measurements in both water-based protocols with greater values in the measurement after the end of the protocol (p = .046). The peak angular velocity of knee extension and mean angular velocity of knee extension and flexion showed similar values among the sets, with no difference between protocols. The peak angular velocity of knee flexion presented greater values in the water-based resistance exercises compared with the water-based concurrent protocol in the last set (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The main impairment induced by the water-based concurrent exercises was the lower peak angular velocity in the knee flexors compared with water-based resistance exercises alone.

Running Energy Cost and Spring-Mass Behavior in Young versus Older Trained Athletes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare energy cost of running and lower limb spring-mass characteristics and maximal power between young and older highly trained runners. METHODS: Twenty highly trained male endurance runners were divided into two groups: young and master athletes. Two testing sessions were used to measure and compare (i) lower limb power during three jumping tests (squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and rebound jump (RJ)) as well as stiffness during the RJ test and running trials (using an OptoJump system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) placed on the floor for jumping and on each side of the treadmill belt for running), and (ii) the energy cost of running and oxygen consumption (V˙O2) kinetics (using an Oxycon Pro breath-by-breath gas analyzer (Jaeger, Höchberg, Germany)) at three speeds: 10 km·h, self-selected speed, and speed corresponding to 90% of the second ventilatory threshold (VT2). RESULTS: Energy cost of running was higher in masters than in young athletes at all speeds (10 km·h, 13.0%; self-selected, 10.8%; 90% VT2, 7.7% on average). Jumping power was lower in masters (SJ, -28.0%; CMJ, -30.5%; RJ, -27.9%) and significantly correlated with energy cost at 10 km·h and at self-selected speed (10 km·h: r = -0.71, -0.70, -0.47; self-selected speed: r = -0.76, -0.74, -0.58, respectively). RJ stiffness was also lower in masters (-27.8%), although stiffness during running showed no difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: A long-lasting running practice seemed to preserve the bouncing mechanism of master athletes, yet their energy cost was higher when compared with younger runners, which might have been associated with a lower muscle power.

Punto de desviación de la frecuencia cardíaca es una alternativa de método para identificar el umbral anaeróbico en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 / Heart rate deflection point as an alternative method to identify the anaerobic threshold in patients with type 2 diabetes

Objetivos: El propósito de este artículo fue evaluar la concordancia entre frecuencia cardíaca (FC) y velocidad en la cinta de correr correspondiente al umbral anaeróbico medido por el segundo umbral ventilatorio (VT2) y por el punto de deflexión de la FC (PDFC) en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Métodos: Se evaluaron treinta y dos pacientes sedentarios (56,1 ± 7,7 años) para determinar los valores de los umbrales, los pacientes realizaron una prueba de esfuerzo incremental a una velocidad inicial de 3 km h-1 durante 3 min, con incrementos de 1 km h-1 cada 2 min. Se analizó el grado de concordancia entre VT2 y PDFC mediante el test de Bland-Altman. Resultados: Los pacientes mostraron una FC de 133 ± 16 lpm en VT2 y 133 ± 18 lpm en PDFC. La velocidad media correspondiente a VT2 fue 6,3 ± 0,7 km h-1 y la correspondiente a PDFC fue 6,4 ± 1,1 km h-1. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los métodos evaluados (FC:p = 0,78; velocidad media: p = 0,57). Conclusión: Esta investigación concluye que existe correspondencia entre los métodos VT2 y PDFC en FC y la velocidad media en la cinta de correr, por lo tanto, cualquiera de estos dos métodos puede ser usado en estos pacientes

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the agreement between heart rate (HR) and treadmill velocity corresponding to the anaerobic threshold measured by second ventilatory threshold (VT2) and the HR deflection point (HRDP) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: Thirty-two sedentary patients (56.1 ± 7.7 years) were evaluated. To determine the threshold values, patients performed an incremental treadmill test, with an initial velocity of 3 km h-1 for 3 min, which was then increased by 1 km h-1 every 2 min. The degree of agreement between VT2 and HRDP was analyzed using the Bland–Altman test. Results: Patients had a HR of 133 ± 16 bpm at VT2 and 133 ± 18 bpm at HRDP. Mean velocity corresponding to VT2 was 6.3 ± 0.7 km h-1, and that corresponding to HRDP was 6.4 ± 1.1 km h-1. There were no significant differences between the methods evaluated (HR: p = 0.78; mean velocity: p = 0.57). Conclusions: The present investigation concludes that there is an agreement between VT2 and HRDP methods for HR and treadmill velocity, and thus, either method may be used for these patients

Neuromuscular responses of elite skaters during different roller figure skating jumps.

This study aimed to describe the neuromuscular activity of elite athletes who performed various roller figure skating jumps, to determine whether the muscle activation is greater during jumps with more rotations and in which phase the muscles are more active. This study also aimed to analyze if there is any difference in the muscle activity pattern between female and male skaters. Four elite skaters were evaluated, and each participated in two experimental sessions. During the first session, anthropometric data were collected, and the consent forms were signed. For the second session, neuromuscular data were collected during jumps, which were performed with skates at a rink. The following four roller figure skating jumps were evaluated: single Axel, double Axel, double Mapes and triple Mapes. The neuromuscular activity of the following seven muscles was obtained with an electromyograph which was fixed to the waist of each skater with a strap: biceps femoris, lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus. The signal was transmitted wirelessly to a laptop. During the roller figure skating jumps, the lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus, showed more activation during the jumps with more rotations, and the activation mainly occurred during the propulsion and flight phases. Female skaters demonstrated higher muscle activities in tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus during the landing phase of the triple Mapes, when compared to their male counterparts. The results obtained in this study should be considered when planning training programs with specific exercises that closely resemble the roller figure skating jumps. This may be important for the success of elite skaters in competitions.