Relative Age Effect in Brazilian water polo: analysis of male and female athletes from U16 to senior categories

Abstract Aim: To investigate the existence of relative age effect (RAE) in Brazilian water polo athletes according to sex and age category. Methods: The birthdate of 574 Brazilian water polo athletes were organized according to the athletes' birthdates into quarters of the year (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4), and classified according to sex (male and female) and age category (U16, U18, U20, and senior). To verify the existence of RAE, the Chi-Square tests (χ2) were performed, and the effect sizes (ω) were calculated for each of the tests. We also calculated odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals, setting the level of significance to 0.05. As post hoc analysis, multiple comparisons between quarters were performed, with Bonferroni's correction (significance level set to 0.0083 in these cases). Results: The results indicated an uneven distribution of birthdates for male water polo athletes (χ2 = 12.257; p = 0.007; ω = 0.173), with an overrepresentation of athletes born in the first (p < 0.006) and second (p < 0.002) quarters. When sex and age category were considered, male athletes presented uneven distributions in U20 (χ2 = 10.747; p = 0.013; ω = 0.345) and senior (χ2= 12.614; p = 0.006; ω = 0.383) categories. In females, no differences were found. Conclusion: We conclude that there is an uneven distribution of birthdates in male Brazilian water polo athletes, indicating the presence of RAE in this group.

Predictors associated with a range of motion of shoulder rotation in competitive high school water polo players: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Aims: To investigate the factors associated with shoulder rotational range of motion and its correlation with the self-reported function scale and functional assessment of the shoulder (closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability, peak torque of shoulder rotators, glenohumeral internal rotation deficit - GIRD, and pectoralis minor length index) in competitive water polo players. Methods: Thirty-four competitive water polo players (age: 15 +/- 1.6 years) participated in this study. The shoulder rotational range of motion, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability, pectoralis minor length index, isokinetic torque of shoulder internal and external rotations, and self-reported upper limb function were assessed. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test the linear correlation before the multiple linear regressions, that were used to predict the variables associated with the external rotation and internal rotation range of motion ratio (ER/IR ratio) of the throwing limb. Results: A significant association was identified between the throwing limb ER/IR ratio and GIRD, and this observation allows us to infer that GIRD was responsible for 18.4% (p=0.01) of the variation. No associations between ER/IR ratio and the variables closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability, peak torque of shoulder internal rotation, and pectoralis minor length index were identified. Conclusion: Anatomical GIRD was the only factor associated with the ER/IR ratio in asymptomatic competitive water polo players from high school, indicating the beginning of the typical adaptations to increase performance without significantly altering the self-perception and functionality of their upper limbs.

Paddling the Biigtig: Mino biimadisiwin practiced through canoeing.

The land is critically important for the health of Indigenous peoples, as it is the place where Indigenous Knowledge originates to form strong and healthy relationships. In the wake of unprecedented processes of environmental dispossession, Indigenous communities around the world are revitalizing the land-based cultural practices and knowledge systems that have kept them strong and healthy. For the first time in a century, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg canoed the length of the Biigtig Ziibii (Pic River). With a greater purpose of reclaiming places (e.g., mountains, rivers, portages) along the route in Anishinabemoen (the Ojibway language) and restoring community history of the river and its meanings, this canoe journey was also developed to restore land-based learning about healthy relationships and mino bimadisiwin, or "the good life". Four adults and five youth participated in this journey. Framed theoretically by the concept of environmental repossession, this paper examined participants' perceptions (n = 9) of the canoe journey, with emphasis placed on the ways in which it fostered health and well-being. Specifically, this canoe trip supported spaces for learning and practice of Indigenous Knowledge, nurturing of social relationships and, stronger connections to the land. Participants defined the canoe journey as an important space for sharing intergenerational and ancestral understandings of Indigenous Knowledge, and for broadening understandings of the land as part of the community's history, culture and well-being. As other communities search for ways to both assert their Indigenous rights and identity, this case provides an important example to build from.

Is life satisfaction associated with the purpose in life of elderly hydrogymnastics practitioners?

Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between life satisfaction and purpose in the life of the elderly hydro gymnastic practitioners. Methods: A total of 92 older people of both sexes, who practice hydro gymnastics in the city of Maringá, State of Paraná, Brazil, participated in the study. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the purpose in life Questionnaire were used as instruments. Data analysis was carried out by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's correlation test, in addition to the Path Analysis (p <0.05). Results: The results showed a greater life satisfaction for the women comparing to the men (p = 0.023). Moreover, it was found that the elderly who perceived themselves with a better health condition obtained higher scores according to the purpose in life scale. Life satisfaction had a positive and moderate association (β = 0.24) with the purpose in the life of the elderly, which explains 6% of the variability. Conclusion: It was concluded that sex can be considered as an intervening factor when concerning life satisfaction, time of practice of hydro gymnastics and self-perceived health related to the purpose in life of the elderly. In addition, satisfaction with life was positively associated with the purpose in the life.(AU)

Spine Trauma From Personal Watercraft Usage.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To identify patient characteristics and associated injuries in those sustaining a spine fracture from personal watercraft (PWC) usage. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are few studies regarding PWC use and injuries, and even more scarce are studies evaluating PWC usage and spine injuries. Identifying high-risk actions and individuals can help to effectively treat them, reduce mortality, and possibly avoid certain spine fractures. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 142 patients admitted from the emergency department with PWC-related injuries at a single-level I trauma center from January 1, 2004 to May 1, 2017. Twenty-six (18.3%) sustained a spine fracture, totaling 71 fractures. Statistical analysis was used to investigate the patient characteristics, specific mechanisms of injury, injury severity score (ISS), and associated injuries. Patients expiring (12) had incomplete evaluations and were excluded from most reported results. RESULTS: Spine fractures were not associated with age, race, or sex, but were associated with a higher ISS, intensive care unit length, in-patient length of stay, cerebral injury, and abdominal/genitourinary (GU) injury. There were 8 cervical fractures, 22 thoracic fractures, 33 lumbar, and 8 sacral fractures. Axial load injuries were associated with vertebral body fractures and specifically burst fractures. Being a driver or passenger did not influence likelihood of a spine fracture, but did correlate with abdominal/GU injury. Five (19.2%) of patients with spine fractures required eight spine surgeries during admission. Mortality was associated with females, severe systemic injuries (ISS ≥ 15), direct collision mechanism of injury, and the spring season. CONCLUSION: PWC usage may result in spine fractures with a moderate percentage requiring orthopedic surgery. Additional studies should examine how hull or seat modifications can lessen the risk of axial loads leading to spine fractures. PWC patients with spine fractures should also be evaluated for abdominal/GU and cerebral injuries at presentation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Girls in the boat: Sex differences in rowing performance and participation.

Men outperform women in many athletic endeavors due to physiological and anatomical differences (e.g. larger and faster muscle); however, the observed sex differences in elite athletic performance are typically larger than expected, and may reflect sex-related differences in opportunity or incentives. As collegiate rowing in the United States has been largely incentivized for women over the last 20 years, but not men, the purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in elite rowing performance over that timeframe. Finishing times from grand finale races for collegiate championship on-water performances (n = 480) and junior indoor performances (n = 1,280) were compared between men and women across 20 years (1997-2016), weight classes (heavy vs. lightweight) and finishing place. Participation of the numbers of men and women rowers were also quantified across years. Men were faster than women across all finishing places, weight classes and years of competition and performance declined across finishing place for both men and women (P<0.001). Interestingly, the reduction in performance time across finishing place was greater (P<0.001) for collegiate men compared to women in the heavyweight division. This result is opposite to other sports (e.g. running and swimming), and to lightweight rowing in this study, which provides women fewer incentives than in heavyweight rowing. Correspondingly, participation in collegiate rowing has increased by ~113 women per year (P<0.001), with no change (P = 0.899) for collegiate men. These results indicate that increased participation and incentives within collegiate rowing for women vs. men contribute to sex differences in athletic performance.

Physiological and Perceived Responses in Different Levels of Exergames in Elite Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Exergames have been suggested to increase the public's physical activity and to benefit cardiovascular health, particularly among the youth. However, not many studies compared the physiological and perceived responses between exergames and the authentic sports especially for elite athletes. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and perceived responses in different levels of Nintendo® Wii Fit™ U rowing exergames in one group of elite rowing athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All participants were asked to perform the authentic rowing on the indoor rowing machine on the first day and to play the rowing exergames on the second day, in three levels with 1 hour rest between levels. Oxygen consumption (VO2), lactate concentration, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and muscle soreness scale (MSS) of the elite athletes were measured in three levels of rowing exergames and were compared with those measured in indoor rowing. RESULTS: Percentages of HR ranged from 57% to 64% and from 67% to 82% of peak HR in males and females, respectively. Percentages of RPE and MSS obtained from the three levels of rowing exergames ranged from 34% to 55% and from 2% to 33% of the peak RPE and the peak MSS, respectively, in authentic rowing. CONCLUSION: Physiological and perceived responses of elite rowing athletes could not reach their highest response in authentic rowing even for the hard level of exergames. This study contributed direct data on the physiological benefits of exergames against authentic rowing.