Evaluation of the Post-Training Hypotensor Effect in Paralympic and Conventional Powerlifting.

High blood pressure (HBP) has been associated with several complications and causes of death. The objective of the study was to analyze the hemodynamic responses in Paralympic bench press powerlifting (PP) and conventional powerlifting (CP) before and after training and up to 60 minutes (min) after training. Ten PP and 10 CP athletes performed five sets of five repetition maximal bench press exercises, and we evaluated systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure (SBP, DBP, and MBP, respectively), heart rate (HR), heart pressure product (HPP), and myocardial oxygen volume (MVO2). The SBP increased after training (p < 0.001), and there were differences in the post training and 30, 40, and 60 min later (p = 0.021), between 10 and 40 min after training (p = 0.031, η2p = 0.570), and between CP and PP (p =0.028, η2p = 0.570). In the MBP, there were differences between before and after (p = 0.016) and 40 min later (p = 0.040, η2p = 0.309). In the HR, there was a difference between before and after, and 5 and 10 min later (p = 0.002), and between after and 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min later (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.767). In HPP and MVO2, there were differences between before and after (p = 0.006), and between after and 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min later (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.816). In CP and PP, there is no risk of hemodynamic overload to athletes, considering the results of the HPP, and training promotes a moderate hypotensive effect, with blood pressure adaptation after and 60 min after exercise.

Evaluation of Training with Elastic Bands on Strength and Fatigue Indicators in Paralympic Powerlifting.

BACKGROUND: Variable resistance training has recently become a component of strength and conditioning programs. OBJECTIVE: This randomized counterbalanced cross-over study aimed to investigate the use of elastic bands (EB) and the traditional method (TRAD) and force indicators in a training session. METHODS: 12 Paralympic athletes (age: 28.60 ± 7.60 years) participated in this three-week study. In the first week, the participants were familiarized with EB and TRAD and were tested for maximal repetition (1-RM). The research occurred in weeks 2 and 3, which included the pre-post training, during which the following measures were extracted: maximum isometric force (MIF), the peak torque (PT), rate of force development (RFD), fatigue index (FI), and time to MIF (Time). The athletes performed two tests, EB and TRAD, separated by a one-week interval. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the pre- and post-test for 1RM (p = 0.018, η2p = 0.412), MIF (p = 0.011, η2p = 0.415), PT (p = 0.012, η2p = 0.413), and RFD (p = 0.0002, η2p = 0.761). With the use of EB, there was a difference in RFD between TRAD before and EB after (p = 0.016, η2p = 0.761). There were significant differences in the before and after for FI between TRAD and EB (p < 0.001) and for Time (p < 0.001), indicating that training with the use of elastic bands promotes overload, characterized by increased fatigue and decreased strength. CONCLUSIONS: Training with EB did not decrease 1RM, PT, MIF or RFD, however, there was an increase in fatigue and time to reach MIF when compared to the method with fixed resistance.

Can Creatine Supplementation Interfere with Muscle Strength and Fatigue in Brazilian National Level Paralympic Powerlifting?

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of creatine (Cr) supplementation on peak torque (PT) and fatigue rate in Paralympic weightlifting athletes. Eight Paralympic powerlifting athletes participated in the study, with 25.40 ± 3.30 years and 70.30 ± 12.15 kg. The measurements of muscle strength, fatigue index (FI), peak torque (PT), force (kgf), force (N), rate of force development (RFD), and time to maximum isometric force (time) were determined by a Musclelab load cell. The study was performed in a single-blind manner, with subjects conducting the experiments first with placebo supplementation and then, following a 7-day washout period, beginning the same protocol with creatine supplementation for 7 days. This sequence was chosen because of the lengthy washout of creatine. Regarding the comparison between conditions, Cr supplementation did not show effects on the variables of muscle force, peak torque, RFD, and time to maximum isometric force (p > 0.05). However, when comparing the results of the moments with the use of Cr and placebo, a difference was observed for the FI after seven days (U3: 1.12; 95% CI: (0.03, 2.27); p = 0.02); therefore, the FI was higher for placebo. Creatine supplementation has a positive effect on the performance of Paralympic powerlifting athletes, reducing fatigue index, and keeping the force levels as well as PT.

Satisfação da imagem corporal em adolescentes com diferentes estágios de maturação / Satisfaction of Body Image in Adolescents With Different Maturity Stages

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a period marked by intense body modifications that occur differently according to the maturational stage and sex, which can generate different body image perceptions. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare and associate body image satisfaction in different maturational stages. METHODS: Overall, 207 adolescents of both sexes aged 10-12 years were evaluated. Maturation was estimated through an equation predictive of skeletal age and for the body image evaluation, the scale of silhouettes was used. The statistical tests used were chi-square and logistic regression (odds ratio) with respective confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: There was a prevalence of body image dissatisfaction of 63.8% (p <0.001). In both sexes, subjects with accelerated maturation had greater body image dissatisfaction (girls p= 0.01, boys p = 0.04), and desire to reduce their silhouette scale (p <0.001). Subjects with accelerated maturation were 2.88 more likely (CI 95% 1.03 - 8.05) of having body image dissatisfaction when compared to normal maturation; however, when adjusting for body mass index, the association lost its significance. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that body dissatisfaction perceived by young individuals is independent of sex, and there is an association between accelerated maturational stage 2.88 times higher than in the normal maturational stage in relation to body dissatisfaction, in which the body mass index appears to be the main predictor for body dissatisfaction.

INTRODUÇÃO: A adolescência é um período marcado por intensas modificações corporais que ocorrem de forma diferente de acordo com o estágio maturacional e sexo, o que pode gerar diferentes percepções da imagem corporal. OBJETIVO: Comparar e associar a percepção de satisfação corporal de acordo com o desenvolvimento maturacional de adolescentes. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 207 adolescentes, escolares, de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 10 a 12 anos. A maturação foi estimada através de uma equação preditora da idade óssea e para avaliação da Imagem Corporal foi utilizada a escala de silhuetas. Os testes estatísticos utilizados foram qui-quadrado e regressão logística (odds rattio) com os respectivos intervalos de confiança (IC de 95%). RESULTADOS: Verificou-se uma prevalência de insatisfação com a imagem corporal de 63,8% (p<0,001). Em ambos os sexos os sujeitos que estão com a maturação acelerada possuem maior insatisfação com a Imagem corporal (meninas p=0,01; meninos p=0,04) desejando diminuir a sua escala de silhueta (p<0,001). Os sujeitos com a maturação acelerada têm 2,88 mais chances (I.C 95% 1,03 - 8,05) de insatisfação da imagem corporal quando comparado com o estágio normal, no entanto ao ajustar pelo índice de massa corporal a associação não foi significativa. CONCLUSÃO: Pode-se concluir que a insatisfação corporal percebida pelos jovens é independente do sexo, sendo encontrada uma associação entre o estágio maturacional acelerado 2,88 vezes maior do que no estágio normal em relação à insatisfação corporal, no qual o índice de massa corporal aparenta ser o principal preditor para esta insatisfação.