Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use in the XV Pan-American Games (2007).

BACKGROUND: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used in sports medicine to reduce time of incapacity. OBJECTIVE: to describe the frequency of NSAIDs use by athletes in the XV Pan-American Games. METHODS: all athletes who were tested by the anti-doping control filled a form. The voluntarily declared medications were recorded and categorised according to sport modality, sex, region and control situation according to the World Anti-Doping Agency. RESULTS: among the 1261 athletes tested (231 out-competition (OC) and 1030 in-competition (IC); 733 men and 528 women), 63% reported use of drugs, NSAIDs being the most frequently (64% of users) used medications. The use of medications was not significantly different between sexes or among different regions of the world. The number of users of only one type of NSAID was higher than those who used more than one type of NSAIDs or a combination with analgesics (335 vs 168 cases). IC reports presented higher use of NSAIDs than OC. CONCLUSION: athletes tested by the anti-doping control of the XV Pan-American Games reported a high frequency of NSAIDs use. The frequent utilisation in competition suggests that these medications might be used as ergogenic aid.

Atividade física e saúde

Com a participação de autoridades na área de medicina do esporte do país o documento traz um posicionamento oficial sobre o tema “Atividade Física e Saúde”, com os objetivos de: estabelecer os benefícios da atividade física; caracterizar os elementos de avaliação e prescrição do exercício para a saúde; instrumentalizar os profissionais de saúde para o uso eficiente da atividade física.

[Working reinstatement and mental health]. / Reinserimento lavorativo e salute mentale.

Mental illness, as anxiety, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anorexia, have a huge impact on any working population. These disorders are a medical and social reality in strong increasing and they represent a great public interest. People suffering from a mental illness experience many inconveniences: a reduced possibility in choosing of the type of job, the necessity of a support, the difficulty in changing job, a reduction of the working hours, discriminations and abuse. This study explored the role of work in enhancing the economic and social integration of people with mental disorders. The importance of addressing specific issues (supported employment, vocational rehabilitation) related to the employment of persons with mental health problems has also been recognized.

[Use of TLV-ACGIH (HAL) and Strain Index for the evaluation of the upper extremity biomechanical overload]. / Applicazione del TLV-ACGIH (HAL) e strain index per la valutazione del sovraccarico biomeccanico dell'arto superiore.

Pathologies due to repetitive activity of the upper limb, well known in scientific literature as WMSDs (Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders), are considerably increased in the last years. At the moment, there are no validated methods for the assessment of the work-related risk. This study compares two different methods proposed in literature for the assessment of the work-related risk, combining objective and subjective measures.

[Coronary risk factors in high-rank athletes]. / Fatores de risco coronariano em atletas de alto nível.

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence of coronary risk factors in elite athletes. METHODS: The prevalence of coronary risk factors was determined in 88 athletes (62 men and 26 women) who participate representing Brazil, in the Olympic Games at Seul in 1988, in the Project SEUL/COB/AMIL. The risk factors analyzed were: family history of coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia (total-cholesterol and subfractions), hypertension, glucose intolerance, smoking and left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH). We compared the mean values of total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol between men and women with unpaired Student's t Test. The distribution of risk factors prevalence by sex was analysed with the chi-square test. RESULTS: Family history of coronary heart disease was detected in 11 (12.5%) athletes. Smoking was found in 12 (13.6%) athletes. There was no one with hypertension or glucose intolerance. LVH was diagnosed with the echocardiogram, in 36 athletes (40.9%). Total-cholesterol mean was 172 +/- 36 mg/dl in men and 187 +/- 34 mg/dl in women. HDL-cholesterol mean was 46 +/- 10 mg/dl in men and 60 +/- 13 mg/dl in women. Total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol mean was 4.02 +/- 1.39 mg/dl in men and 3.21 +/- 0.74 mg/dl in women. The difference between total-cholesterol in mean and women was not statistically significant (p less than 0.05). HDL-cholesterol and total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol means were statistically different (p less than 0.05). Prevalence distribution of the number of risk factors by sex were not statistically different (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results shows how important is to look for coronary risk factors in elite athletes.

Productivity and profitability of twin births in beef cattle.

Data from 1,277 single and 85 twin calvings, occurring in both spring and fall from 1980 through 1987, were used to examine the productivity and profitability associated with twin births in beef cattle. Pregnancies in pure and crossbred cattle resulted from both AI and embryo transfer. Cows and calves were confinement-housed. Cows were individually fed to specification. Calves were given ad libitum access to creep feed and those born in 1986 and 1987 were fed to slaughter. The influence of birth number of gestation length, total calf birth and weaning weights, lactation yield, and cow fed intake during both the dry and lactating periods were examined. Twin-bearing cows had their gestation length shortened by 6.4 d (2%); yielded 25.5 (59) and 186.0 kg (73%) more weight of calf at birth and weaning, respectively; had lactation yield and lactation feed intake increased by 25 and 20%, respectively; and had precalving (dry) period feed intake no different from their single-bearing counterparts (P = .12). Postweaning growth was not different for single and twin calves (P = .50); twin gain, relative to initial size, was higher. Feedlot feed intake of twins was 85% of that for singletons (P = .20). Twins were 90% of singleton live weight at slaughter and yielded 93% of singleton hot carcass weight (P = .12). Twins were slightly older and significantly leaner at slaughter. Returns less feed costs showed twin births to be associated with increased profit for cow-calf programs. Returns less feed and overhead costs were higher for twin calves than for singles in the feedlot.

Metabolic predictors of middle-distance swimming performance.

To evaluate the capacity of different metabolic indices to predict performance in middle distance swimming, 15 competitive swimmers performed a submaximal and a maximal 400 metres freestyle swimming event. Expired gases were collected in Douglas bags immediately after the events for the determination of VO2 max. Arterialized blood samples were collected for the determination of maximal blood lactate concentration and the velocity corresponding to blood lactate concentration of 4 mM. The results demonstrated (means +/- SD): maximal velocity of 1.44 +/- 0.05 m.s-1; velocity at 85 percent of VO2 max of 1.36 +/- 0.04 m.s-1; velocity at 4 mM of 1.32 +/- 0.04 m.s-1; VO2 max of 3.47 +/- 0.5 l.min-1; maximal blood lactate concentration of 11.8 +/- 2.5 mM. Multiple regression analysis relating metabolic indices and maximal velocity demonstrated that only velocity at 85 percent of VO2 max (r2 = 0.81) and velocity at 4 mM (r2 = 0.79) were significant predictors. Thus, 79 percent of the variance in the performance of 400 m freestyle can be accounted for the velocity at 85 percent of VO2 max or the velocity at 4 mM. The success in this event seems to depend on the swimmer's capacity to achieve higher velocities with lower blood lactate levels and/or utilizing a lower percentage of their VO2 max.