Ana Carolina Paludo

Salivary steroid response and competitive anxiety in elite basketball players: Effect of opponent level

This study examined the effect of playing matches against different opponent teams (hard match; HM, medium match; MM, and easy match; EM) on pre-match testosterone concentration (T), pre-to-post match cortisol (C) concentration, and pre-competitive anxiety (CSAI-2 questionnaire) in 20 elite male basketball players. One training session (TS) was also assessed (control condition). Saliva steroids were determined by ELISA. The pre-T concentration was significantly lower for the TS (163±54pmolL-1), compared to the three official matches (EM: 208±82pmolL-1, MM: 213±57pmolL-1, and HM: 218±37pmolL-1) (p<0.05). A significant change in C from pre-to-post was observed for all conditions (TS [5.8±3.7 vs 14.4±9.4ƞmolL-1], EM [10.1±4.9 vs 17.3±10.2ƞmolL-1], MM [13.0±7.4 vs 21.5±8.3ƞmolL-1], and HM [18.9±5.8 vs 31.4±5.3ƞmolL-1] (p<0.05). A higher PRE-C was observed for the HM, compared to TS and EM (p<0.05) and a higher POST-C concentration for the HM was detected, compared to the TS, EM, and MM (p<0.05). A lower anxiety level was observed for the EM (somatic: 15.0±3.7; cognitive: 15.8±4.5 arbitrary units [AU]) compared, to the MM (somatic: 16.4±3.5; cognitive: 17.7±4.0AU) and HM (somatic: 15.8±3.9; cognitive: 18.3±3.9AU) (p<0.05) and a higher self-confidence was observed for the TS (28.9±5.1AU), compared to the HM (26.7±3.0AU) (p<0.05). These results suggest that playing against a high-level opponent may cause a higher psychobiological stress, likely because opponent level may be perceived as threating to the social status in a given hierarchy.

Concordância entre duas classificações para a aptidão cardiorrespiratória em crianças

OBJECTIVE: To verify the agreement between two different cutoff points for cardiorespiratory fitness in schoolchildren, with ages ranging from seven to 10 years of both genders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study composed of 184 schoolchildren (106 boys and 78 girls) aged from seven to 10 years-old. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the run and walk test (9 minutes). Two cutoff points were used to indicate the performance in the run and walk test: Fitnessgram (1987) and Bergmann et al (2010). The agreement was verified by the McNemar test and the Kappa index, and p<0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: No differences were noticed between the percentage of fit subjects according to both cutoff criteria (Fitnessgram with 58.1% and Bergmann et al, 59.2%; p=0.864). Similarly, there was moderate concordance between the cutoff points (Kappa=0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Both cutoff points for physical fitness similarly classified the schoolchildren, regardless of gender.

Desenvolvimento de equações para estimativa do VO2PICO pelo teste de 9 minutos

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver e validar modelos matematicos para predicao do VO2pico em criancas e adolescentes, por meio da utilizacao do teste de campo de corrida/caminhada de 9 minutos.METODOS: Foram avaliados 211 escolares, de sete a 12 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos, regularmente matriculados em duas escolas do Municipio de Londrina - PR, sendo 141 escolares separados para amostra de desenvolvimento e 70 para validacao das equacoes desenvolvidas. As medidas avaliadas foram: massa corporal, estatura, espessuras de dobras cutâneas (tricipital e subescapular), alem da maturacao biologica. Os testes de corrida/caminha de 9 minutos foram realizados em pista de atletismo e a analise direta do VO2pico (mL/kg/min ) realizada em laboratorio, com analisador de gas portatil, atraves um teste incremental em esteira rolante. O desenvolvimento das equacoes foi realizado atraves da analise de regressao linear pelo metodo stepwise e a validacao foi realizada pelos testes matematicos especificos levando em consideracao uma significância de 5% para todas as analises.RESULTADOS: A equacao geral para a amostra total foi VO2pico= 24,506+16,672 (maturacao, 0=pre e 1=pubere e pos) - 0,346 (Σ DC) + 5,187 (sexo, 0=F e 1=M) + 0,009 (distância) com um r=0,742 e EPE=9,149 mL/kg/min e sua validacao apresentou r=0,570, CCI= 0,68, limites de concordância de -1,4 mL/kg/min, EPE=8,39 mL/kg/min e CV= 21,94%.CONCLUSAO: Conclui-se que a equacao generalizada desenvolvida fornece uma estimativa valida do VO2pico em criancas e adolescentes de sete a 12 anos de idade.

Development of equations to estimate the VO2PEAKby the 9-minute test

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver e validar modelos matematicos para predicao do VO2pico em criancas e adolescentes, por meio da utilizacao do teste de campo de corrida/caminhada de 9 minutos.METODOS: Foram avaliados 211 escolares, de sete a 12 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos, regularmente matriculados em duas escolas do Municipio de Londrina - PR, sendo 141 escolares separados para amostra de desenvolvimento e 70 para validacao das equacoes desenvolvidas. As medidas avaliadas foram: massa corporal, estatura, espessuras de dobras cutâneas (tricipital e subescapular), alem da maturacao biologica. Os testes de corrida/caminha de 9 minutos foram realizados em pista de atletismo e a analise direta do VO2pico (mL/kg/min ) realizada em laboratorio, com analisador de gas portatil, atraves um teste incremental em esteira rolante. O desenvolvimento das equacoes foi realizado atraves da analise de regressao linear pelo metodo stepwise e a validacao foi realizada pelos testes matematicos especificos levando em consideracao uma significância de 5% para todas as analises.RESULTADOS: A equacao geral para a amostra total foi VO2pico= 24,506+16,672 (maturacao, 0=pre e 1=pubere e pos) - 0,346 (Σ DC) + 5,187 (sexo, 0=F e 1=M) + 0,009 (distância) com um r=0,742 e EPE=9,149 mL/kg/min e sua validacao apresentou r=0,570, CCI= 0,68, limites de concordância de -1,4 mL/kg/min, EPE=8,39 mL/kg/min e CV= 21,94%.CONCLUSAO: Conclui-se que a equacao generalizada desenvolvida fornece uma estimativa valida do VO2pico em criancas e adolescentes de sete a 12 anos de idade.

Concordance between two classifications for cardiorespiratory fitness in children

OBJECTIVE: To verify the agreement between two different cutoff points for cardiorespiratory fitness in schoolchildren, with ages ranging from seven to 10 years of both genders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study composed of 184 schoolchildren (106 boys and 78 girls) aged from seven to 10 years-old. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the run and walk test (9 minutes). Two cutoff points were used to indicate the performance in the run and walk test: Fitnessgram (1987) and Bergmann et al (2010). The agreement was verified by the McNemar test and the Kappa index, and p<0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: No differences were noticed between the percentage of fit subjects according to both cutoff criteria (Fitnessgram with 58.1% and Bergmann et al, 59.2%; p=0.864). Similarly, there was moderate concordance between the cutoff points (Kappa=0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Both cutoff points for physical fitness similarly classified the schoolchildren, regardless of gender.

Mental fatigue impairs technical performance and alters neuroendocrine and autonomic responses in elite young basketball players

This study investigated the effects of mental exertion on Small-Sided-Games (SSG) technical performance, salivary testosterone (T), cortisol (C), and alpha-amylase (sAA) responses in 32 basketball players (15.2 ± 1.2 years; 180 ± 11 cm; 72 ± 15 kg). Technical performance and heart rate (HR) were assessed on two occasions, preceded by a 30-min incongruent Stroop task (mentally exertion treatment) or a 30-min control treatment. Saliva samples were collected before and after the treatment and after the SSG, and ratings of perceived exertion (session-RPE) was assessed. Large increase was observed from pre-control treatment to post-SSG for T (ES = 0.98) and sAA (ES = 0.82), but there was a small difference from pre-Stroop-task to post-SSG in T (ES = 0.33) and a moderate difference for sAA (ES = 0.55). Small changes in C for both conditions were observed (ES = 0.00 and 0.15, respectively). There were small differences between treatments for session-RPE (ES = 0.07), maximum (ES = -0.35) and average HR (ES = -0.16). Increased turnovers during the SSG (ES = 0.71) was seen following the Stroop task. The data suggest that mental fatigue state is a key regulator of technical performance of basketball players and that mental fatigue seems to modulate endocrine and autonomic responses.

Competition stage influences perceived performance but does not affect rating of perceived exertion and salivary neuro-endocrine-immune markers in elite young basketball players

This study examined the effects of competition stage on the salivary concentration of testosterone (T), cortisol (C), alpha-amylase (sAA), and IL-1ß cytokine, perceived performance (PP) and session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) in elite youth basketball players (age, 15.8 ± 0.8 yrs.; stature, 190.9 ± 7.9 cm; body mass, 90.0 ± 16.9 kg) from two age-categories (U16; n = 7; U17; n = 7). Two winning playoff matches (FM; playing for the championship; 1 for each age-category) and two winning regular stage matches (RM; 1 for each age category, played against opponents ranked 2nd place), were assessed in the current study. Saliva samples were collected before and after each match and analyzed by ELISA; PP and session-RPE were assessed after each match. The results from the two-way ANOVA (condition; FM and RM) with repeated measures (pre-and post-matches) showed a significant effect for time (increase from pre-to-post matches) in T (F = 7.0, p < .001), C (F = 34.0, p < .001), and sAA (F = 25.0, p < .001), but not for IL-1ß (p > .05). No effect of condition or interaction (FM and RM) was observed on salivary markers. PP was higher for FM, compared to RM (effect size; ES = 0.85), despite no clear difference in session-RPE (ES = 0.22). A higher PP for FM might be associated with the fact that players were no longer concerned about issues linked to social dominance and status threats after FM, but they might be uncertain about their status after RM. Additionally, when playing against a high-level opponent, the players might perceive their opponent as a threat against status stability, regardless of the stage of the competition, which might explain the similar change in salivary neuro-endocrine-immune-related markers.

Relação entre ansiedade competitiva, autoconfiança e desempenho esportivo: uma revisão ampla da literatura

O presente estudo teve como objetivo fazer uma ampla revisao da literatura acerca dos estudos que investigaram a relacao entre ansiedade e desempenho esportivo, avaliada pelo CompetitiveStateAnxietyInventory -2 (CSAI-2), assim como de estudos que aplicaram Analise Fatorial Confirmatoria para verificar as propriedades psicometricas do CSAI-2. Para isso, realizou-se uma busca nas bases de dados: Periodicos Capes, Pub Med/Medline, Lilacs e Web of Science utilizando os descritores Anxiety, Sports e CSAI-2, selecionando artigos publicados entre os anos de 2000 e 2015. Um total de 199 artigos foram encontrados, sendo que 80 foram selecionados para analise inicial. Dos 19 estudos selecionados, 11 apresentaram valores de relacao entre ansiedade e desempenho e 8 avaliaram as propriedades psicometricas do CSAI-2. Os resultados demonstraram que 50% dos estudos analisados encontram relacao significativa entre ansiedade competitiva e desempenho, enquanto 50% nao confirmaram esses achados, e o CSAI-2 apresentou propriedades psicometricas aceitaveis em diferentes contextos culturais, destacando a utilizacao de sua versao reduzida (CSAI-2R). As implicacoes teoricas e praticas desses resultados foram discutidas tendo em conta contribuir para o avanco do conhecimento com relacao a ansiedade competitiva.

Análise do comportamento competitivo de atletas jovens e adultos de handebol

This study aims to analyze the competitive behavior of young and adult handball athletes. Evaluated 143 young athletes (16.1 ± 0.7 years) of both sexes, participants of the Youth School Games, and 69 athletes (24.0 ± 4.3 years), all male participants of the Pan American club championship in the year 2009. To assess the competitive behavior we used the Sport Orientation Questionnaire instrument with subscales: compete (TQ1), win (TQ2) and set goals (TQ3). For data analysis descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney test were used, considering 5% of significance. Both young and adult athletes reported greater importance to the TQ3 domain. Comparing the groups, only the TQ3 domain did not show statistically significant difference with higher values for adult athletes. Thus, we can conclude that school and performance athletes showed similar competitive behavior, that is, there is a high tendency in the perception of victory in the competitive process, regardless differences of age and practice time. However, in both groups it was observed a greater emphasis on setting goals, and the performance athletes reported greater importance to the TQ3 compared to the young ones - 8.0 and 9.0, respectively.

Desarrollo de ecuaciones para estimativa del VO2PICO por el test de 9 minutos

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver e validar modelos matematicos para predicao do VO2pico em criancas e adolescentes, por meio da utilizacao do teste de campo de corrida/caminhada de 9 minutos.METODOS: Foram avaliados 211 escolares, de sete a 12 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos, regularmente matriculados em duas escolas do Municipio de Londrina - PR, sendo 141 escolares separados para amostra de desenvolvimento e 70 para validacao das equacoes desenvolvidas. As medidas avaliadas foram: massa corporal, estatura, espessuras de dobras cutâneas (tricipital e subescapular), alem da maturacao biologica. Os testes de corrida/caminha de 9 minutos foram realizados em pista de atletismo e a analise direta do VO2pico (mL/kg/min ) realizada em laboratorio, com analisador de gas portatil, atraves um teste incremental em esteira rolante. O desenvolvimento das equacoes foi realizado atraves da analise de regressao linear pelo metodo stepwise e a validacao foi realizada pelos testes matematicos especificos levando em consideracao uma significância de 5% para todas as analises.RESULTADOS: A equacao geral para a amostra total foi VO2pico= 24,506+16,672 (maturacao, 0=pre e 1=pubere e pos) - 0,346 (Σ DC) + 5,187 (sexo, 0=F e 1=M) + 0,009 (distância) com um r=0,742 e EPE=9,149 mL/kg/min e sua validacao apresentou r=0,570, CCI= 0,68, limites de concordância de -1,4 mL/kg/min, EPE=8,39 mL/kg/min e CV= 21,94%.CONCLUSAO: Conclui-se que a equacao generalizada desenvolvida fornece uma estimativa valida do VO2pico em criancas e adolescentes de sete a 12 anos de idade.