Camila Gobo de Freitas

Monitoring internal load parameters during simulated and official basketball matches.

Moreira, A, McGuigan, MR, Arruda, AFS, Freitas, CG, and Aoki, MS. Monitoring internal load parameters during simulated and official basketball matches. J Strength Cond Res 26(3): 861–866, 2012—The purpose of this study was to compare the internal load responses (session rating of perceived exertion [RPE] and salivary cortisol) between simulated and official matches (SM and OM). Ten professional basketball players participated in 2 OMs and 2 SMs during the competition season. Subjects provided saliva samples 30 minutes before the prematch warm-up (PRE) and 10 minutes after the end of the match. Session RPE (CR-10 scale) was assessed 30 minutes after each match. The results from the 2-way analysis of variance showed significant differences for post-OM salivary cortisol as compared with pre-OM values (p < 0.05). No changes were observed for cortisol during the SM. Before the OM, a significant difference in salivary cortisol was observed as compared with pre-SM values (p < 0.05). Moreover, the OM session RPE was significantly greater than that of SM. There was a significant correlation between session RPE and cortisol changes (r = 0.75). In summary, the results of this study showed a greater magnitude of cortisol and session RPE responses after OM as compared with that after SM confirming the hypothesis that a real competition generates a greater stress response than a simulated condition does. The anticipatory effect was also observed in the OM. In addition, the results indicate that session RPE seems to be a viable tool in monitoring internal loads, and the results are useful in providing a better understanding of internal loads imposed by basketball training and competitions. The precise monitoring of these responses might help the coaches to plan appropriate loads maximizing recovery and performance.

Salivary immunoglobulin A responses in professional top-level futsal players.

Moreira, A, Arsati, F, de Oliveira Lima-Arsati, YB, de Freitas, CG, and de Araújo, VC. Salivary immunoglobulin a responses in professional top-level futsal players. J Strength Cond Res 25(7): 1932-1936, 2011—The purpose of this study was to investigate the responses of salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in 10 professional top-level Brazilian futsal players after 2 highly competitive games separated by 7 days. Unstimulated saliva was collected over a 5-minute period at PRE- and POST-match. The SIgA was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expressed as the absolute concentration (SIgAabs) and secretion rate of IgA (SIgArate). Rate of perceived exertion and heart rate were used to monitor the exercise intensity. A 2-way analysis of variance with repeated measures showed nonsignificant differences between matches to SIgAabs, SIgArate, and saliva flow rate (p > 0.05). However, significant time differences were observed for all these parameters. In summary, we showed that a competitive training match induced a decrease in SIgA levels in top-level futsal players, which suggests an increment of the vulnerability to infections meditated by the training stimulus. This decrease suggests that the athletes were at an increased risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection, and therefore, it could be necessary to take protective actions to minimize contact with cold viruses or even reduce the training load for athletes.

SALIVARY IGA RESPONSE AND UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION SYMPTOMS DURING A 21-WEEK COMPETITIVE SEASON IN YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS

Abstract Moreira, A, Mortatti, AL, Arruda, AFS, Freitas, CG, de Arruda, M, and Aoki, MS. Salivary IgA response and upper respiratory tract infection symptoms during a 21-week competitive season in young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 28(2): 467–473, 2014—Sports training and competition are significant sources of stress, especially for young athletes. It is well known that physiological and psychological stressors induce neuroendocrine responses that could modulate immune system function. However, to date, little is known about the immune responses of young soccer players during a competitive season. Therefore, this study examined the effects of a 21-week competitive season divided into preseason, competitive season, and detraining on salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA), upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms, and salivary cortisol in preadolescent male soccer players. Thirty-four young soccer players agreed to participate, and 26 (12.9 ± 0.2 years) completed the entire study. The investigation period was structured as follows: a 12-week preparatory training phase (preseason training), a 7-week competitive and a 2-week detraining phase. Resting saliva samples were taken to determine cortisol and SIgA responses. The players were required to complete a weekly log during the entire investigation reporting every sign or symptoms consistent with URTI. A significant increase in SIgA secretion rate and a decrease in URTI symptoms were observed after the 2-week detraining period (p < 0.05). No change was observed for cortisol during the study. These results indicate that training and competition demands affect the mucosal immune responses of young athletes. In addition, a short-prophylactic period (2-week detraining period) after a competitive period may attenuate mucosal immunosuppression related to URTI symptoms. Sport coaches should monitor markers of mucosal immune function to minimize illness that ultimately might lead to a decrease in performance.

SALIVARY IL-21 AND IGA RESPONSES TO A COMPETITIVE MATCH IN ELITE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Athletes engaged in strenuous training might experience transient immune suppression that could lead to greater incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Since interleukin 21 (IL-21) stimulates immunoglobulin A (IgA) secreting cells and a low level of this immunoglobulin is associated with increased incidence of URTI, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a basketball match on salivary cortisol (sC), salivary IL-21 (sIL-21) and salivary IgA (sIgA) levels. Twenty male basketball players participated in an official game in two teams (10 players in each team). The saliva samples were collected before the warm-up and approximately 10-15 min after the end of the match and were analysed by ELISA methods. sC concentration increased significantly after the match while sIL-21 level was reduced (p < 0.05). In opposition to the studys hypothesis, sIgA level did not change in response to the match. The present findings suggest that a basketball match is sufficiently stressful to elevate sC concentration and attenuates the sIL-21 output without compromising the sIgA level. It is reasonable to speculate that the stability of sIgA acute responses to the match, despite the decrement in sIL-21, indicates that other mechanisms rather than IL-21 stimulating B cell proliferation/differentiation might modulate IgA concentration and secretion rate.

Does Testosterone Modulate Mood States and Physical Performance in Young Basketball Players

Abstract Miloski, B, Aoki, MS, de Freitas, CG, Schultz de Arruda, AF, de Moraes, HS, Drago, G, Borges, TO, and Moreira, A. Does testosterone modulate mood states and physical performance in young basketball players? J Strength Cond Res 29(9): 2474–2481, 2015—This study aimed to examine and compare mood states profile and physical performance during different training phases between 2 groups of adolescent basketball players that were differentiated according to baseline testosterone concentration (T). The basketball players were submitted to an intensified training period (OVL) followed by a tapering period (TP). Twenty-three young male basketball players initiated the study. Experimental criteria data were used to stratify 16 players into high-testosterone (HTC) or low-testosterone (LTC) concentration groups. All the 16 athletes undertook 5 weeks of OVL followed by a 3-week TP. Saliva sampling, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (Yo-Yo IRL1) test and the T-test were conducted at the beginning (T1), after OVL (T2), and after TP (T3). A similar increase in internal training load was observed during OVL when compared with TP in both groups (p < 0.05). No difference in mood states was observed between groups (p > 0.05); however, LTC displayed a higher score for fatigue (p < 0.05) and a lower score for energy index (p < 0.05) in OVL, compared with TP. A significant improvement in the Yo-Yo IRL1 test and the T-test was observed (T1 to T3) (p < 0.05), with no difference between groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that LTC athletes may be more susceptible to changes in mood states during intensified training periods. In addition, data indicate that a periodized training program successfully improved the physical performance (endurance and agility) of young basketball players; however, this improvement was not affected by testosterone level.

SIgA response and incidence of upper respiratory tract infections during intensified training in youth basketball players

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of an intensified training phase followed by a tapering phase on the salivary immunoglobulin A concentration and on the upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms in young male basketball players. The session rating of perceived exertion method was used to quantify the internal training load, and the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 questionnaire was used to assess URTI symptoms. The Yo-Yo IR1 test and saliva collection were carried out at the beginning of the study (T1), after the intensified phase (T2), and after tapering (T3). A higher internal training load was observed for the intensified phase compared with the tapering phase (t=19.10; p<0.001), and a significant decrease in salivary immunoglobulin A concentration was detected (F=7.48; p=0.004) at T3 compared to T1 (p=0.02) and T2 (p=0.05). However, there was no significant difference between phases for severity of URTI (χ2= 2.83; p=0.242). The Yo-Yo IR1 test performance increased from T2 and T3 compared to T1 (F=58.24; p<0.001). There was no significant effect of aerobic fitness level on salivary immunoglobulin A response (F=1.095; p=0.344). In summary, the present findings suggest that an intensified training load followed by a tapering period negatively affects the mucosal immune function with no significant change in severity of URTI in young basketball players.

Validade e reprodutibilidade de receptores para o GPS em relação à distância percorrida: Validez y reproducibilidad de receptores GPS en relación de la distancia recorrida

Resumen es: Objetivo. El presente estudio evaluo la validez y reproducibilidad de dos modelos de receptores para el Global Positioning System (GPS). La validez fue e...

Does small-sided-games’ court area influence metabolic, perceptual, and physical performance parameters of young elite basketball players?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of court size on physiological responses and physical performance of young elite basketball players. Twelve male basketball players (18.6 ± 0.5 years; 88.8 ± 14.5 kg; 192.6 ± 6.5 cm) from an under-19 team performed two small-sided games (matches) with different court areas (28x15 m and 28x9 m; 28x15 and 28x9 protocols). The number of players (3x3) was kept the same in each protocol. The players performed a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test before and after each match. Blood lactate concentration was collected before (pre) and after (post) the matches, and the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) was determined 30 minutes after the match. Best and mean time in the RSA test were not different between the 28x15 and the 28x9 match protocols (p > 0.05). A significant difference was observed for lactate concentration from pre- to post-match (p < 0.05) in both protocols (28x15 and 28x9); however, there was no significant interaction between protocols. A similar session-RPE mean score (28x15: 7.2 ± 1.4 and 28x9: 6.6 ± 1.4) was detected for both protocols (p > 0.05, ES=0.41). In summary, the results of the current study suggest that the different court areas induced similar responses. Although there was no significant difference in effort perception, players tended to perceive a greater effort in the larger court size.

Quais ações técnico-táticas realizadas durante as partidas de futsal podem discriminar o resultado de vitória ou derrota?

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar se as acoes tecnico-taticas especificas do futsal sao capazes de discriminar o resultado de partidas de uma equipe de alto rendimento. Foram analisadas 40 partidas de uma equipe de futsal durante dois anos de disputa da Liga Nacional. Considerou-se os resultados de vitoria ou derrota. Durante cada partida, foram analisados o numero total das seguintes acoes tecnico-taticas: Desarmes Realizados, Desarmes Sofridos, Total de Finalizacoes Realizadas, Total de Finalizacoes Sofridas, Finalizacoes Certas Realizadas, Finalizacoes Certas Sofridas, Passes Incompletos Realizados e Passes Incompletos do Adversario; bem como os indices de coeficiente para cada acao tecnico-tatica, a partir da razao entre acao realizada e sofrida. Foi realizada uma Analise Discriminante a partir do metodo de estimacao simultânea. Apenas as variaveis Desarmes Realizados, Desarmes Sofridos e Coeficiente de Desarme apresentaram cargas discriminantes acima de 0,40, indicando que as mesmas poderiam discriminar o resultado de vitoria e derrota em partidas de futsal. Pode-se concluir que a eficiencia em relacao ao numero de Desarmes Realizados e de Desarmes Sofridos pode ser considerada um fator importante para alcancar o resultado de vitoria em partidas de futsal de alto rendimento. Este estudo apontou que o sistema defensivo da equipe de futsal analisada, tanto no que se refere a organizacao tatica quanto no tocante a tecnica adequada para realizacao do desarme se apresentou como um fator discriminante do resultado da partida. Alem disso, o sistema ofensivo tambem parece ser importante no sentido de prover uma melhor organizacao de ataque enquanto diminui a possibilidade de sofrer desarmes.