The Use of Anabolic Steroids by Bodybuilders in the State of Sergipe, Brazil.

Bodybuilding, as a high-performance sport, requires regular strength and resistance exercises with the principal objective of increasing muscle hypertrophy. However, many bodybuilders resort to the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) to improve their performance in a short period of time. This study employs a survey-type, cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical method to evaluate the profile of bodybuilding athletes in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, and verify the level of knowledge/awareness about the health risks and impacts resulting from the use of such substances. Finite- and convenience-type populations are assessed, including individuals of both sexes, aged older than 18 years, self-declared bodybuilding athletes residing in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, and participating in regional and/or state competitions. As a result, no significant relationships were determined between sex (p = 0.492), age (p = 0.460), family income (p = 0.141), and medical follow-up sessions. For the variables level of education and medical follow-up vs. no follow-up sessions, a significant result was achieved (p = 0.01), with 74.3% of individuals reporting having follow-up treatment and 25.7% responding that they had no follow-up treatment, a percentage representing the group that completed their higher education. The substances most used by the athletes were Sustanon 250 or Durateston, Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca or Deca-Durabolin), and Testosterone. The most-reported acute side effects were acne at 33.8% (n = 20), irritability at 32.1% (n = 19), alopecia (hair loss), and nervousness at 23.7% (n = 14). The most-reported chronic side effects were arterial hypertension at 36.0% (n = 9), liver disease at 28.0% (n = 7), and cancer (non-specific) at 8.0% (n = 2). We concluded that, regardless of the athletes' socioeconomic profiles, the use of AASs was high, with two or more substances being used in combination and for a prolonged period. Thus, it is necessary to promote awareness campaigns regarding the use of AASs and their effects on high-performance and recreational athletes.

Influence of environmental variables on students' cognitive performance in indoor higher education environments.

BACKGROUND: Educational environments can have environmental conditions that are incompatible with the needs of students, compromising their well-being and affecting their performance. OBJECTIVE: To identify the environmental variables that influence the performance of university students and measure this influence through an experiment in indoor environments. METHODS: The study applied an experimental methodology for three consecutive days in seven educational environments located in different regions of Brazil, measuring the environ-mental conditions, the students' perception of the environment, and their cognitive performance. The impact of environmental variables and environmental perception on student performance was analyzed using Generalized Linear Models and a Structural Equation Model. RESULTS: Students who took the test at air temperatures between 22.4°C and 24.7°C had a 74.20% chance of performing better than those outside this range. Air temperatures between 26.2°C and 29°C were associated with an 86% chance of taking less time to complete the test. High illuminance levels increased the chance of taking longer to answer the test by 41.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Three environmental variables (relative humidity, lighting and air temperature) and two perceptual dimensions (light and thermal perception) directly influence student performance.

"Does Physical Exercise Promote Health Benefits for Diabetic Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic?": A Systematic Review.

Patients affected by COVID-19 are prone to facing disorders in multiple systems and organs, which can lead to deleterious diseases; in addition, people with pre-existing diseases may be more prone to the worst outcomes, and the most vulnerable are patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of physical activity and/or physical exercise prescribed to individuals with diabetes on the maintenance of plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies were found by searching PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, SportDiscus, Bireme/BVS and Google Scholar databases. The inclusion criteria were articles that addressed only patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1D and T2D) who had evaluated the level of physical activity or physical exercise and described the effects on plasma glucose and/or glycated hemoglobin in cross-sectional, retrospective, and observational studies, meeting the main criteria established by GRADE. The PICO and GRADE strategies were used to select and assess the methodological quality of studies. Two reviewers searched and selected the articles in databases independently and blindly, during which oppositions and disagreements about the inclusion of articles were discussed and resolved by a third reviewer. Evidence corroborates that levels of physical activity were reduced due to the lockdown, leading to increased body weight and worse glycemic control. On the other hand, individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) (T1D and T2D) who maintained and/or increased levels of physical activity or physical exercise showed reduced plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Adequate levels of physical exercise and physical activity are beneficial for glucose and HbA1c control in diabetic patients (type 1 or type 2). In addition, maintaining adequate levels of physical activity can contribute to reducing health problems when these patients are infected with COVID-19.

Quantitative analysis of the influence of air temperature variability on thermal perception of Brazilian university students.

BACKGROUND: The scientific literature has already identified the influence of thermal conditions on health and performance of students. However, users' opinions are often overwhelmed by normative evaluations, not receiving the necessary attention. OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively compare the influence of air temperature variability on the thermal perception of students from six air-conditioned teaching environments located in four regions of Brazil. METHODS: Three-day experiments were carried out in six environments. A thermal condition was proposed for each day. From that, the environmental parameters were measured and a questionnaire about the thermal perception was applied. Then, Generalized Linear Models were applied to obtain a measure of effect and hypothesis test and confidence interval were used to find comfort zones and compare environments. RESULTS: The results showed that students from environments A, B, C and E felt less the effects of the increase in air temperature compared to students from environments D and F. In addition, students from environments A, B, C and E showed less perceptual variability compared to students from environments D and F. CONCLUSIONS: Students acclimated to higher thermal conditions felt less the effects of the increase in air temperature, showed less perceptual variability and a higher degree of thermal adaptability.

Efeito da estimulação auditiva rítmica associada à fisioterapia na mobilidade funcional de idosos sedentários: um ensaio clínico randomizado / Effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation associated with physiotherapy on the functional mobility of sedentary elderly: a randomized clinical trial

A Estimulação Auditiva Rítmica (EAR) tem despertado interesse pelos efeitos positivos durante o envelhecimento sobre os declínios da mobilidade. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um treinamento com estimulação auditiva rítmica associada à fisioterapia sobre mobilidade funcional em idosos sedentários. Métodos: Neste ensaio clínico randomizado, controlado, simples cego os idosos foram alocados em três grupos: controle (GC), estimulação auditiva rítmica associada à fisioterapia (EAR+FT) e fisioterapia (FT). Os grupos FT e EAR+FT foram submetidos a 12 sessões com o protocolo da fisioterapia (três vezes por semana, 40 min/sessão). Ao grupo EAR+FT eram acrescidos a estimulação auditiva rítmica com música (10-20 min/sessão), fornecidos pelo aplicativo ParkinSONS®. Para a análise dos dados, foi utilizada a ANOVA two-way com medidas repetidas para comparação entre os grupos e o tempo, com o post hoc de Tukey. O tamanho do efeito das intervenções também foi calculado. O nível de significância estabelecido foi de p<0.05. Resultados: Não foi encontrada diferença significativa entre os grupos. Na análise pareada, foi observado que o grupo EAR+FT apresentou resultados significativos e tamanho do efeito benéfico com aumento da velocidade (p= 0.0001), redução do tempo (p= 0.001) e do número de passos (p= 0.0007), redução nos valores do TUG (p= 0.0001), aumento do deslocamento no TAF (p= 0.0001), melhora dos escores no TUG-ABS (p= 0.003) e PAP (p= 0.0001). Conclusão: Verificou-se um efeito positivo do uso da EAR associada à fisioterapia sobre mobilidade funcional de idosos sedentários, repercutindo sobre os parâmetros espaços-temporais, o risco de quedas e a execução de atividades funcionais.

Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) has aroused interest in the positive effects of aging on mobility declines. Objective: Evaluate the effects of training with rhythmic auditory stimulation associated with physiotherapy on functional mobility in sedentary elderly. Method: In this randomized, controlled, simple-blind clinical trial, the elderly were divided into three groups: control (CG), rhythmic auditory stimulation associated with physiotherapy (RAS+FT) and physiotherapy (FT). The FT and RAS+FT groups were submitted to 12 sessions with the physiotherapy protocol (three times a week, 40 min/session). Rhythmic auditory stimulation with music (10-20 min/session), provided by the ParkinSONS® app, was added to the RAS+FT group. For data analysis, two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used for comparison between groups and time, with Tukey's post hoc. The effect size of interventions was also calculated. The level of significance established was p<0.05. Results: No significant differences were found between groups. In the paired analysis, it was observed that the RAS+FT group presented significant results and size of the beneficial effects with increased speed (p= 0.0001), reduction in time (p= 0.001), number of steps (p= 0.0007), reduction in TUG values (p= 0.0001), increase in displacement in TAF (p= 0.0001), improvement in scores in TUG-ABS (p= 0.003) and PAP (p= 0.0001). Conclusions: There was a positive effect of the use of RAS associated with physiotherapy on the functional mobility of sedentary elderly, reflecting on the spatiotemporal parameters, the risk of falls and the performance of functional activities.

Sickness absence from work in the footwear industry: A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Studies on illness in the footwear industry have prioritized specific work sectors and diseases. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the main factors related to sickness absence and the indicators of illness in terms of recurrence and workdays lost among workers at a footwear company, ranging from storage of raw material to distribution of the final product. METHODS: A total of 9072 cases of absence from work were investigated in shoe production units from 2014 to 2017. Univariate models estimated the risk of bodily dysfunction (physiological and psychological) and the severity of recurrence and work days lost. RESULTS: (1) Most production units and work sectors were related to one or more affected bodily functions; (2) Neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions and the work sectors of prefabrication; cutting, assembly and finishing; and quality inspection of the final product required a longer recovery time before return to work and had a greater recurrence of leave; and (3) Women seemed to be more affected than men in terms of the reappearance of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Illness differs according to occupational sectors. The production sectors present more serious situations due to physical overload, intense rhythm and concentration, monotony and low autonomy.

Modeling Energy Expenditure Estimation in Occupational Context by Actigraphy: A Multi Regression Mixed-Effects Model.

The accurate prediction of energy requirements for healthy individuals has many useful applications. The occupational perspective has also been proven to be of great utility for improving workers' ergonomics, safety, and health. This work proposes a statistical regression model based on actigraphy and personal characteristics to estimate energy expenditure and cross-validate the results with reference standardized methods. The model was developed by hierarchical mixed-effects regression modeling based on the multitask protocol data. Measurements combined actigraphy, indirect calorimetry, and other personal and lifestyle information from healthy individuals (n = 50) within the age of 29.8 ± 5 years old. Results showed a significant influence of the variables related to movements, heart rate and anthropometric variables of body composition for energy expenditure estimation. Overall, the proposed model showed good agreement with energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry and evidenced a better performance than the methods presented in the international guidelines for metabolic rate assessment proving to be a reliable alternative to normative guidelines. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between daily activity and energy expenditure, which raised the possibility of further studies including other variables, namely those related to the subject's lifestyle.

New job stress scale: factor and convergent validity, and reliability / Nova escala de estresse no trabalho: validade fatorial, convergente e precisão / La nueva escala de estrés laboral: validez factorial, convergente y fiabilidad

To evaluate occupational stress, one of the most recent scales adapted for Portuguese is the short version of the 2004 Job Stress Scale (JSS). In 2016, a new English version called the New Job Stress Scale (NJSS) was developed. The objective of this paper was to adapt the NJSS, which measures a set of stressors related to work development, to the Portuguese language. A translated and adapted Portuguese version of the NJSS and the short and adapted Portuguese version of the JSS were applied, and 674 workers (industrial and services sector) from five Brazilian cities participated. A model with 20 items proved to be more adequate than the original (χ2/gl = 2.22; CFI = .95; GFI = .96; TLI = .94; ECVI = 1.96; and, RMSEA = .08). It was concluded that the NJSS has a reliable factorial structure to measure occupational stress in Brazil.

Para avaliar o estresse ocupacional, uma das escalas mais recentes adaptadas para o português é a versão resumida da Job Stress Scale (JSS) que data do ano de 2004. Em 2016, uma nova versão em inglês denominada New Job Stress Scale (NJSS) foi desenvolvida. Objetivou-se adaptar para a língua portuguesa a NJSS, que mensura um conjunto de estressores relacionados ao desenvolvimento do trabalho. Foram aplicadas uma versão traduzida e adaptada para o português da NJSS e a versão resumida e adaptada para o português da JSS. Participaram 674 trabalhadores (setor industrial e de serviços) de cinco cidades brasileiras. Um modelo com 20 itens se mostrou mais adequado que o original (χ2/gl = 2,22; CFI = 0,95; GFI = 0,96; TLI = 0,94; ECVI = 1,96; e, RMSEA = 0,08). Concluiu-se que a NJSS apresenta uma estrutura fatorial confiável para mensurar o estresse ocupacional no Brasil.

La versión corta de la Job Stress Scale (JSS), creada en 2004, es una de las más recientes escalas para evaluar estrés laboral adaptadas al portugués. En 2016, fue desarrollada una nueva versión en inglés llamada New Job Stress Scale (NJSS). En esta investigación, el objetivo fue adaptar al portugués la NJSS, que mide un conjunto de factores estresantes relacionados con el desarrollo del trabajo. Se aplicaron una versión de la NJSS traducida y adaptada al portugués y la versión corta de la JSS también adaptada al portugués a una muestra de 674 trabajadores (de los sectores industrial y de servicios) de cinco ciudades brasileñas. Un modelo con 20 ítems demostró ser más adecuado que la versión original (χ2/gl = 2,22; CFI = 0,95; GFI = 0,96; TLI = 0,94; ECVI = 1,96; y, RMSEA = 0,08). Se concluyó que la NJSS presenta una estructura factorial fiable para evaluar el estrés laboral en Brasil.

Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the footwear industry: a cross-sectional study.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of biomechanical, psychosocial, environmental and individual factors on local and multisite work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) symptoms among workers at a footwear manufacturing company. The sample comprised 267 workers. The results showed that: (a) age, sedentary lifestyle, inappropriate posture and perceived effort were associated with symptoms in the shoulders, and the combination of these factors increased the odds four-fold; (b) inappropriate posture, perceived effort and bullying were related to symptoms in the wrists, and the combination of these factors increased the odds seven-fold; (c) inappropriate posture, perceived effort, length of work at the company and low social support were associated with multisite symptoms, and their combination increased the odds up to 30-fold. Therefore, mainly biomechanical and psychosocial factors were associated with WMSD symptoms, and their combinations increased the odds of occurrence.

Effects of a worksite physical activities program among men and women: An interventional study in a footwear industry.

The study aims to assess the association between various levels of engagement in a worksite physical activities program and variables related to musculoskeletal symptoms, psychophysiological well-being, difficulty to perform tasks, willingness to work, and interpersonal relationships, among men and women in a footwear industry. This program involved 1113 workers. Data were analysed using an ordinal logistic regression model. In women, an increase in the frequency of participation in the worksite physical activities program was associated with less musculoskeletal pain (OR = 3.12; 2.07-4.71), better relationships among colleagues (OR = 2.83; 1.67-4.81), and a higher level of psychophysiological well-being (OR = 1.98; 1.06-3.70). In men, an increase in the frequency participation in the worksite physical activities program was associated with less difficulty in performing occupational tasks (OR = 0.49; 0.27-0.87). Thus, the association between occupational exercises and studied variables differed between genders.

Study of globe temperature relative to air temperature during cognitive activities in information technology laboratories.

BACKGROUND: Considering that, environments with information and communication technology innovations, including educational institutions, are providing more interaction among individuals anywhere in the world and contributing to higher learning flexibility, it is necessary to pay extra attention to the radiation dissipated by technological equipment in these environments. OBJECTIVE: Investigate whether the behavior of the globe temperature (tg) in relation to the air temperature (ta) could affect the performance of students in information technology laboratories (ITLs). METHODS: The methodological procedures adopted consisted of the following analyses in six institutions: thermal variables - mean radiant temperature (trm) and (tg-ta); students' performance and architectural elements. RESULTS: ITL G was the ITL with the highest incidence of thermal radiation, thus a mathematical model was proposed for this sample to determine whether (tg - ta) and trm are related to overall student performance (Dt). For each increase of one degree in the difference between the globe temperature and the air temperature (tg-ta), the students' performance in the institution G decreased by approximately 29%. CONCLUSION: As well as productivity can be altered due to changes in air temperature in air-conditioned teaching environments, in this specific case, if tg> >ta, possibly the thermal radiation may interfere with the performance of the people present in the environment technological innovations of communication and information.

Análise sobre a percepção de policiais militares sobre o conforto do colete balístico / Análisis sobre la percepción de oficiales de policía militar sobre la comodidad del chaleco balístico / Analysis of the perception of state police officers regarding the comfort of bulletproof vests

RESUMO O policial militar é submetido a condições fatigantes em seu turno de trabalho, que podem comprometer a qualidade de sua vida, saúde e bem-estar físico e psicológico. Apesar desses fatores, pouca atenção é dada aos riscos ocupacionais dessa profissão. Este estudo teve como objetivo dar uma maior ênfase à promoção de saúde e prevenção de doenças do policial militar e avaliar o conforto desses profissionais em relação ao colete balístico e suas possíveis associações com quadros de fadiga e de dor. A pesquisa foi realizada a partir de um questionário estruturado com questões relacionadas ao conforto em relação ao uso do colete balístico, à dor e à fadiga no fim do turno de trabalho. A amostra foi composta de 29 policiais militares do sexo masculino. Os resultados mostraram associação entre o grau de desconforto geral e nas atividades ocupacionais e o peso do colete (correlação de Spearman igual a 0,697 e 0,7091, respectivamente). Houve queixas relacionadas à dor na região lombar e fadiga no fim do turno de trabalho. Os policiais militares demonstraram insatisfação em relação ao conforto com o colete balístico e queixas de fadiga e dor.

RESUMEN El oficial de policía militar es sometido a condiciones agotadoras en su turno de trabajo, que pueden comprometer la calidad de su vida, salud y bienestar físico y psicológico. Además eses factores, poca atención es dada a los riesgos laborales de esa profesión. Este estudio tuvo como objectivo dar una mayor énfasis a la promoción de salud y prevención de enfermidades del oficial de policía militar y evaluar la comodidad de eses profesionales en relación al chaleco balístico y sus posibles asociaciones con cuadros de fatiga y dolor. La investigación fue realizada desde un cuestionario estructurado con cuestiones relacionadas a la comodidad en relación al uso del chaleco balístico, al dolor y a la fatiga el fín del turno de trabajo. La muestra fue compuesta por 29 oficiales de policía militar del sexo masculino. Los resultados mostraron asociación entre el grado de incomodidad general y en las actividades laborales y el peso del chaleco (correlación de Spearman igual a 0,697 e 0,7091, respectivamente). Hubo quejas relacionadas al dolor en la región lumbar y fatiga el fín del turno de trabajo. Los oficialies de policía militar demostraron insatisfación en relación a la comodidad con el chaleco balístico y quejas de fatiga y dolor.

ABSTRACT Officers of the State Police Force are subjected to stressful conditions during their work shift, which may compromise their quality of life, health, as well as their physical and psychological well-being. Despite these factors, little attention is given to occupational risks of this profession. This study aimed to give greater emphasis to health promotion and disease prevention for State police officers and assess the comfort of these professionals when wearing bulletproof vests and their possible associations with fatigue and pain. Research was conducted from a structured questionnaire with questions related to the comfort of the bulletproof vest, to pain and fatigue at the end of the work shift. Sample was formed by 29 male police officers. Results showed an association among general discomfort degree, occupational activities and the vest's weight (Spearman correlation equal to 0.697 and 0.7091, respectively). There were complaints related to pain in the lumbar region and fatigue at the end of the work shift. Police officers demonstrated dissatisfaction regarding the bulletproof vest comfort and complained about fatigue and pain.

Investigação sobre a satisfação e os efeitos de móveis utilizados por estudantes universitários / Investigation about the satisfaction and effects of furniture used by college students

Este estudo averiguo a opinião de 51 estudantes de Terapia Ocupacional da UFPB, sobre cadeira universitária com prancheta fixa. Foi aplicado o Questionário de Satisfação do Produto que investigou: conforto, segurança, adaptação, praticidade, adequação ao trabalho e aparência da carteira, através de escala visual analógica, e o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares para verificação da presença de dor nos segmentos corporais relacionados à utilização da cadeira. Quanto a metodologia, adotou-se a investigação empírica de caráter experimental para mensurar satisfação do usuário, sendo um estudo exploratório que possui elementos descritivos e correlacionais quantitativos. Utilizamos o coeficiente de correlação de Person, o teste Qui- quadrado e o teste exato de Fisher para verificar a associação entre as variáveis pesquisadas. Desta forma percebemos a importância do estudo estrutural aprofundado relacionado aos itens de Design/Ergonomia, realizado por terapeutas ocupacionais e designers, antes da disseminação deste produtos no mercado. Recomenda-se às universidades, aquisição de mobiliário com regulagem de altura/inclinação e profundidade da prancheta, assento e encosto.

This study investigates the opinion of 51 students of Occupational Therapy, of Federal University of Paraíba about their university chair with fixed clipboard. It was the resulting from theapplication of a questionnaire that measured the satisfaction of theobject and investigates: comfort, security, adaptability, practicality,suitability to work and appearance of the chair, using a system of a visual analogue scale. Furthermore, we used the Brazilian version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire to verify the presence of pain in the body segments related to the use of the chair. About the methodology, we adopt the empirical experimentally research to measure the user satisfaction, because it is a exploratory study that has descriptive elements and quantitative correlational. We use the correlation coeffi cient Person, the Chi-square test and the exact Fisher test, to assess the association between the variables studied. Thus, we realize the importance of detailed structural study related to items of Design/Ergonomics, held by occupational therapists and designers, before the spread of this product on the market. Hence, we recommended to the universities, purchasing furniture with height/tilt and with depth on the clipboard, seat and back.