The use of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for increasing throwing performance / Uso da facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva para aumentar o desempenho do arremesso / Uso de facilitación neuromuscular propioceptiva para mejorar el rendimiento del lanzamiento

ABSTRACT Introduction Throwing is considered the most important technical skill in Handball. However, it requires the athlete to perform this movement with maximum speed and accuracy, as it can define the final score of the game. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, known as the Kabat method, on the throwing performance of handball athletes. Methods An experimental study of 18 male handball athletes with a mean age of 14 ± 1.13 years. The athletes were divided into two groups: control group (CG) and Kabat method group (KG). The athletes performed 16 training sessions, with analyses at the beginning and end of each session. Range of motion (ROM) of internal and external shoulder rotation, strength, muscle imbalance, throwing speed and accuracy were measured. The results were compared by the Student t-test of repeated measures. Results KG significantly increased external shoulder rotation and muscle strength in all the analyzed shoulder complex muscles. CG also increased strength, but not in all muscles. KG significantly increased the speed and accuracy of the pitch. Conclusion The Kabat method, through proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, significantly increased throwing performance, speed and accuracy in handball athletes when compared to the control group. Level of evidence III; Randomized Experimental Study.

RESUMO Introdução O arremesso é considerado a habilidade técnica mais importante do handebol. Porém, exige que o atleta realize esse movimento com máxima velocidade e precisão, visto que ele pode definir a pontuação final do jogo. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva, conhecida como método Kabat, no desempenho de arremesso em atletas de handebol. Métodos Estudo experimental com 18 atletas de handebol masculino, com média de idade de 14 ± 1,13 anos. Os atletas foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo controle (GC) e grupo método Kabat (GK). Os atletas realizaram 16 sessões de treinamento com análise inicial e final. A amplitude de movimento (ADM) da rotação interna e externa do ombro, a força, o desequilíbrio muscular, a velocidade e precisão do arremesso foram medidos. Os resultados foram comparados com o teste t de Student de medidas repetidas. Resultados O GK teve aumento significativo da rotação externa do ombro e da força muscular em todos os músculos do complexo do ombro analisados. O GC também teve aumento da força, mas não em todos os músculos. O GK teve elevação significativa da velocidade e da precisão do arremesso. Conclusão O método Kabat, com a técnica de facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva, aumentou significativamente o desempenho, a velocidade e a precisão do arremesso nos atletas de handebol quando comparado com o grupo controle. Nível de evidência III; Estudo Experimental Randomizado.

RESUMEN Introducción El lanzamiento se considera la habilidad técnica más importante del balonmano. Sin embargo, requiere que el atleta realice este movimiento con la máxima velocidad y precisión, ya que puede establecer el puntaje final del juego. Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la facilitación neuromuscular propioceptiva, conocida como el método Kabat, en el rendimiento del lanzamiento de atletas de balonmano. Métodos Estudio experimental de 18 atletas de balonmano masculino con edad promedio de 14 ± 1,13 años. Los atletas se dividieron en dos grupos: grupo control (CG) y grupo método Kabat (GK). Los atletas realizaron 16 sesiones de entrenamiento con análisis inicial y final. Se midió el rango de movimiento (RDM) de la rotación interna y externa del hombro, la fuerza, el desequilibrio muscular, la velocidad y la precisión de lanzamiento. Los resultados se compararon con la prueba t de Student de medidas repetidas. Resultados El GK tuvo un aumento significativo en la rotación externa del hombro y la fuerza muscular en todos los músculos del complejo del hombro analizados. El CG también tuvo aumento en la fuerza, pero no en todos los músculos. El GK tuvo un aumento significativo en la velocidad y precisión del lanzamiento. Conclusión El método Kabat, con la facilitación neuromuscular propioceptiva, aumentó significativamente el rendimiento, la velocidad y la precisión del lanzamiento en los atletas de balonmano en comparación con el grupo control. Nivel de evidencia III; Estudio experimental aleatorizado.

Nitrate Supplementation Combined with a Running Training Program Improved Time-Trial Performance in Recreationally Trained Runners.

Our purpose was to verify the effects of inorganic nitrate combined to a short training program on 10-km running time-trial (TT) performance, maximum and average power on a Wingate test, and lactate concentration ([La-]) in recreational runners. Sixteen healthy participants were divided randomly into two groups: Nitrate (n = 8) and placebo (n = 8). The experimental group ingested 750 mg/day (~12 mmol) of nitrate plus 5 g of resistant starch, and the control group ingested 6 g of resistant starch, for 30 days. All variables were assessed at baseline and weekly over 30 days. Training took place 3x/week. The time on a 10-km TT decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in all timepoints compared to baseline in both groups, but only the nitrate group was faster in week 2 compared to 1. There was a significant group × time interaction (p < 0.001) with lower [La] in the nitrate group at week 2 (p = 0.032), week 3 (p = 0.002), and week 4 (p = 0.003). There was a significant group time interaction (p = 0.028) for Wingate average power and a main effect of time for maximum power (p < 0.001) and [La-] for the 60-s Wingate test. In conclusion, nitrate ingestion during a four-week running program improved 10-km TT performance and kept blood [La-] steady when compared to placebo in recreational runners.

Resistance training improves aortic structure in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available on the effects of resistance training on the aortic wall. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to quantify the effects of a resistance-training program on blood pressure and aortic wall structural components. METHODS: Rats (aged three months) were randomized into sedentary group (control group, CG; n=10) or trained group (TG; n=10). The TG rats performed resistance training by climbing a 1.1-m vertical ladder (80° incline) five times a week for 12 weeks, and the CG remained sedentary. The rats were sacrificed and 5mm of the ascending aorta was submitted to histological sections, which were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Picrosirius red, and Verhoeff's elastin, and used for morphometric studies. Left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy was determined by measuring LV wall thickness and LV internal diameter. RESULTS: The rats had similar repetition maximum before the resistance training. At the end of the resistance training period, the repetition maximum of the TG was 3.04-fold greater than the body weight. In the twelfth month, the left ventricular weight was 15.3% larger in the TG than in the CG, and the left ventricular internal diameter was reduced by 10% in the TG. Rats exposed to resistance training had a significant increase in aortic wall thickness, in both elastic lamina and collagen fibers, and in the thickness of collagen fibrils. CONCLUSION: Resistance training induces the development of concentric cardiac hypertrophy and improves the aortic wall components by producing a morphological expression pattern distinct from aortic pathological adaptation.