Orlando Laitano

Neuromuscular, hormonal, and metabolic responses to different plyometric training volumes in rugby players.

Abstract Cadore, EL, Pinheiro, E, Izquierdo, M, Correa, CS, Radaelli, R, Martins, JB, Lhullier, FLR, Laitano, O, Cardoso, M, and Pinto, RS. Neuromuscular, hormonal, and metabolic responses to different plyometric training volumes in rugby players. J Strength Cond Res 27(11): 3001–3010, 2013—The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different volumes of plyometric exercise (i.e., 100, 200, or 300 hurdle jumps) on acute strength and jump performance and on the acute hormonal and lactate responses in rugby players. Eleven young male elite rugby players (age, 23.5 ± 0.9 years; height, 173 ± 4.8 cm) volunteered for the study. Maximal isometric peak torque (PT), maximal rate of force development (RFD), squat jump (SJ), and drop jump (DJ) performance were assessed before and 5 minutes, 8 hours, and 24 hours after 100, 200, or 300 jumps. In addition, total testosterone (TT), cortisol (COR), and lactate were measured before and after the 3 different plyometric exercise volumes. There were significant decreases in the PT (p < 0.02) and maximal RFD (p < 0.001) 5 minutes, 8 hours, and 24 hours after 100, 200, and 300 jumps, with no differences between the exercise volumes. Additionally, there were significant decreases in the SJ (p < 0.001) and DJ (p < 0.01) performances 24 hours after 100, 200, and 300 jumps, with no differences between the exercise volumes. However, there were significant increases in the TT (p < 0.001), COR (p < 0.05), and lactate (p < 0.001) after 100, 200, and 300 jumps, with no differences between the exercise volumes. All plyometric exercise volumes (100, 200, and 300 jumps) resulted in similar neuromuscular, metabolic, and hormonal responses.

High intensity interval training in the heat enhances exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, but prevents protein oxidation in physically active men

ABSTRACT Aim. The purpose of this study was to determine the response of circulating markers of lipid and protein oxidation following an incremental test to exhaustion before and after 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training performed in the heat. Methods. To address this question, 16 physically active men (age = 23 ± 2 years; body mass = 73 ± 12 kg; height = 173 ± 6 cm; % body fat = 12.5 ± 6 %; body mass index = 24 ± 4 kg/m2) were allocated into 2 groups: control group (n = 8) performing high-intensity interval training at 22°C, 55% relative humidity and heat group (n = 8) training under 35°C, 55% relative humidity. Both groups performed high-intensity interval training 3 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks, accumulating a total of 12 training sessions. Before and after the completion of 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training, participants performed an incremental cycling test until exhaustion under temperate environment (22°C, 55% relative humidity) where blood samples were collected after the test for determination of exercise-induced changes in oxidative damage biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid reactive species and protein carbonyls). Results. When high-intensity interval training was performed under control conditions, there was an increase in protein carbonyls (p < 0.05) following the incremental test to exhaustion with no changes in thiobarbituric acid reactive species. Conversely, high-intensity interval training performed in high environmental temperature enhanced the incremental exercise-induced increases in thiobarbituric acid reactive species (p < 0.05) with no changes in protein carbonyls. Conclusion. In conclusion, 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training performed in the heat enhances exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, but prevents protein oxidation following a maximal incremental exercise in healthy active men.

Personalized Hydration Strategy Attenuates the Rise in Heart Rate and in Skin Temperature Without Altering Cycling Capacity in the Heat

The optimal hydration plan [i.e., drink to thirst, ad libitum (ADL), or personalized plan] to be adopted during exercise in recreational athletes has recently been a matter of debate and, due to conflicting results, consensus does not exist. In the present investigation, we tested whether a personalized hydration strategy based on sweat rate would affect cardiovascular and thermoregulatory responses and exercise capacity in the heat. Eleven recreational male cyclists underwent two familiarization cycling sessions in the heat (34°C, 40% RH) where sweat rate was also determined. A fan was used to enhance sweat evaporation. Participants then performed three randomized time-to-exhaustion (TTE) trials in the heat with different hydration strategies: personalized volume (PVO), where water was consumed, based on individual sweat rate, every 10 min; ADL, where free access to water was allowed; and a control (CON) trial with no fluids. Blood osmolality and urine-specific gravity were measured before each trial. Heart rate (HR), rectal, and skin temperatures were monitored throughout trials. Time to exhaustion at 70% of maximal workload was used to define exercise capacity in the heat, which was similar in all trials (p = 0.801). Body mass decreased after ADL (p = 0.008) and CON (p < 0.001) and was maintained in PVO trials (p = 0.171). Participants consumed 0 ml in CON, 166 ± 167 ml in ADL, and 1,080 ± 166 ml in PVO trials. The increase in mean body temperature was similar among trials despite a lower increase in skin temperature during PVO trial in comparison with CON (2.1 ± 0.6 vs. 2.9 ± 0.5°C, p = 0.0038). HR was lower toward the end of TTE in PVO (162 ± 8 bpm) in comparison with ADL (168 ± 12 bpm) and CON (167 ± 10 bpm), p < 0.001. In conclusion, a personalized hydration strategy can reduce HR during a moderate to high intensity exercise session in the heat and halt the increase in skin temperature. Despite these advantages, cycling capacity in the heat remained unchanged.

Perda de eletrólitos durante uma competição de duatlo terrestre no calor

Prolonged sports events such as duathlon (6 km running, 26 km cycling and 4 km running), may lead the athlete to a fluid and electrolyte imbalance, due to high sweat rates, especially in a hot environment. The present study evaluated sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) losses during a duathlon competition performed in the heat (31,2 oC and 51% relative humidity), analyzing the sweat composition and blood levels of these electrolytes. Twelve athletes took part in this study. Blood samples were obtained pre- and post-exercise and sweat was collected using sweat patches. The average time to complete the competition was 85.0 ± 6.57 min. The percentage of dehydration was 3.0 ± 0.92%. The replacement of fluid losses was 31 ± 18.7%. The sweat rate was 1.86 ± 0.56 L•h-1. Sweat Na+, K+, and Cl-concentrations were 71 ± 26.05 mmol•L-1, 5.43 ±1.98 mmol•L-1 and 58.93 ± 25.99 mmol•L-1, respectively. The total sweat loss of Na+, K+ and Cl- was 132.11± 62.82 mmol, 10.09 ± 5.01 mmol and 109.75 ± 58.49 mmol, respectively. In conclusion, the athletes did not drink enough liquid to replace their volume of fluid loss. Furthermore, the participants presented high sweat rate accompanied by losses of Na+, K+ and Cl-. However, serum electrolyte concentrations were not changed.