Paulo Cesar Montagner

Genetic aspects of athletic performance: the African runners phenomenon

The current dominance of African runners in long-distance running is an intriguing phenomenon that highlights the close relationship between genetics and physical performance. Many factors in the interesting interaction between genotype and phenotype (eg, high cardiorespiratory fitness, higher hemoglobin concentration, good metabolic efficiency, muscle fiber composition, enzyme profile, diet, altitude training, and psychological aspects) have been proposed in the attempt to explain the extraordinary success of these runners. Increasing evidence shows that genetics may be a determining factor in physical and athletic performance. But, could this also be true for African long-distance runners? Based on this question, this brief review proposed the role of genetic factors (mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid, the Y chromosome, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme and the alpha-actinin-3 genes) in the amazing athletic performance observed in African runners, especially the Kenyans and Ethiopians, despite their environmental constraints.

Descriptive epidemiology of injuries in a Brazilian premier league soccer team

Soccer, which has a large number of participants, has a high injury incidence that causes both financial and time burdens. Therefore, knowledge about the epidemiology of soccer injuries could allow sports-medicine professionals, such as physicians and physiotherapists, to direct their work in specific preventive programs. Thus, our aim was to conduct an epidemiological survey of injuries sustained by professional soccer players from the same team who participated in the Brazilian championship premier league in 2009. To this end, we evaluated retrospectively player medical records from the team, which included name, date of birth, position, date of injury, mechanism of injury, and type of injury. In the period of study, 95 injuries were recorded: 42 (44.2%) were recorded during matches, and 53 (55.8%) during the training period. Injuries occurred more frequently in midfielders and strikers. All injuries happened in the lower limb, most of the injuries were muscular, and most occurred as the result of collisions with other athletes. In summary, this study demonstrates that there is a need for greater safety awareness in the training environment.

The distances covered by basketball referees in a match increase throughout the competition phases, with no change in physiological demand.

Background It is crucial to know the demands on basketball referees, in different match periods (MPs) and phases of competition, for planning referee training and subsequent successful refereeing. Objective To measure and evaluate the distance covered by referees in a match by measuring the number of interruptions, percentage of heart rate (%HR), and blood lactate concentration ([lac]) in different phases of competition and in different MPs. Method We studied the qualifying (QP), semifinal (SP), and final (FP) phases of a total of 12 matches (four matches in each phase) of the 2009–2010 Brazilian Basketball League. Distance covered, number of match interruptions, and referees’ %HR and [lac] were analyzed. We compared the results between competition phases and between MPs (1st MP, 2nd MP, 3rd MP, and 4th MP). Results Regarding the distances covered, we observed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd MPs between the FP and the other two phases (SP and QP) throughout the match, between each phase; in the 4th MP, a significant difference was found when comparing the QP and the other two phases. Comparing the periods within each phase, we found that a greater distance was covered in the 4th MP in relation to the 3rd MP during the FP. No significant differences were found among the remaining variables. Conclusion The distances covered by referees in a basketball match increase throughout competition phases. This information is essential for planning of training and for the subsequent success of a referee.

Monitoring of immunological parameters in adolescent basketball athletes during and after a sports season

Abstract The objective of the present study was to monitor the immunological and hormonal responses and the occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms in adolescent basketball athletes during the different stages of a sports season. Anthropometric measures, biochemical analyses (interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, testosterone and cortisol), neuromuscular evaluations (standing vertical jumping ability, agility and estimated VO2max) and leukocyte counts were performed at four moments: 72 h before the season (−72 h); before the season (Pre-season); after six weeks, at the end of the preparatory period (Preparatory); and after 20 weeks, at the end of the competitive period (Competitive). Also, the occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms was collected weekly during all stages of the season. There were significant increases in monocytes, cortisol, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive protein at the Competitive moment as compared to the Pre-season. In addition, interleukin-10 decreased at the Competitive moment as compared to the Pre-season. Occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms demonstrated increases (38%) during the competitive period as compared to the preparatory. These results suggest that periods of training and competition could increase the occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms in adolescent athletes and this may be due to the unwanted effects of an inflammatory process in response to the excessive stress of training and competition.

The Influence of Whole-Body Vibration on Creatine Kinase Activity and Jumping Performance in Young Basketball Players

Purpose To quantify creatine kinase (CK) activity changes across time following an acute bout of whole-body vibration (WBV) and determine the association between changes in CK activity and jumping performance. Method Twenty-six elite young basketball players were assigned to 3 groups: 36-Hz and 46-Hz vibration groups (G36 and G46, respectively) and a control group. The study quantified CK activity and jumping performance following an acute bout of WBV at 2 vibration frequencies. Both WBV groups performed a protocol that consisted of 10 sets of 60 s of WBV while standing on a vibration plate in a quarter-squat position. CK activity, countermovement jumps (CMJ), and squat jumps (SJ) were measured immediately before and 24 hr and 48 hr after WBV. In addition, CMJ and SJ were also measured 5 min after WBV. Results CK activity was statistically significantly increased 24 hr following WBV in G36 and G46. At 48 hr after WBV, CK activity was similar to baseline levels in G36 but remained statistically significantly above baseline levels in G46. The CMJ and SJ heights were statistically significantly decreased at 5 min following the protocol for both WBV groups. Overall, the changes in CK activity did not present a strong relationship with the changes in jump heights for any of the comparisons. Conclusions These findings suggest that WBV protocols with such characteristics may not cause excessive muscle damage and may partly explain why many WBV training studies have failed to elicit increases in strength performance.

Immune responses, upper respiratory illness symptoms, and load changes in young athletes during the preparatory period of the training periodization

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the immunological responses and the association between variation in exercise load and self-reported occurrence of upper respiratory illness (URI) symptoms in young basketball athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample was composed of twelve young male athletes aged 12.7 ± 0.6 years, with a height of 170 ± 10 cm, body mass of 57.6 ± 12.6 kg, and fat-free mass of 18.7 ± 5.9%. Daily training and occurrences of URI symptoms were recorded. Blood samples were collected at baseline (M1) and after 8 weeks (M2) of the preparatory period of periodization training to measure total and differential leukocyte counts, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). RESULTS There was a significant decrease in monocytes at M2 compared to M1 (P = 0.004). There were no significant alterations in total leukocytes (P = 0.07), neutrophils (P = 0.07), or lymphocytes (P = 0.09). No significant changes in plasma concentrations of TNF-α (P = 0.30) or IL-6 (P = 0.90) were found. The weekly load from week 6 was higher when compared with weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 (P < 0.05), and week 8 was the lowest when compared with week 5 (P < 0.05). Self-reported URI incidences were highest at weeks 1 and 2. CONCLUSION Variations in weekly training load during the preparatory period were not correlated with changes in self-reported occurrence of URI incidences, suggesting that young athletes may have an attenuated response to exercise-induced perturbations to the immune system.

The coach in socio-educational projects

The multiplicity of forms and meaning in sports presupposes that this phenomenon is developed in the most varied of spaces. In Brazil, so-called socio-educational projects coordinated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are very common, generally related to the deficiencies of the state in promoting quality services, especially for children and youth living in peripheral and rural communities with low human development indexes (Fernandes, 2005). Among the actions promoted by such institutions sport has prominence and represents a universe of more than 26,000 NGOs according to the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE, 2012). However, there is no consensus as to what meaning sports should take on in this dimension. Some organisations consider sporting activities as mere motivational tools that, with few criteria, seek to promote free moments of relaxation. Other institutions meanwhile consider sports as subject matter to be developed that represent an extension, complement or even substitution for what should be offered in a formal educational setting. Other NGOs still have one or more sports as their fundamental focus of action. A situation defended as providing opportunities for emancipation by way of high performance and the training of athletes. Finally, sports are also considered as educational with their activities related to human development. Faced with this scenario, it is possible to perceive performance as dichotomous, where one represents/advocates one side or the other. However, the case made in this text follows another direction, basing itself in a different perspective. It is understood that sport can be educational in the sense that it offers opportunities for the development of values, concepts and procedures that contribute to a “good life”, while at the same time deepening knowledge and sporting performance. In fact, as authors, we defend the idea that the educational value of sports is intimately related to its characteristics; i.e. like the desire to permanently improve one’s personal and collective performance, the challenge of competition, as well as the values necessary for learning such as effort, dedication, respect, determination,

A inserção da regulamentação da profissão na área de educação física, dez anos depois: embates, debates e perspectivas

*** *** Resumo: Este texto discute alguns aspectos da regulamentacao da profissao na area da Educacao Fisica, seu desenvolvimento e a participacao dos principais sujeitos politicos. Frente a um tema atual e polemico, procura-se fazer uma apresentacao objetiva e abrangente do seu desenvolvimento e ilustrar as posicoes e os argumentos dos sujeitos que participam do debate. Para tanto, inicia-se apresentando aspectos importantes da regulamentacao das profissoes, para depois elaborar uma analise da lei e resolucoes do Conselho destacando: (a) o seu significado; (b) atribuicoes e competencias; (c) o limite para a fiscalizacao e do poder de policia e (d) apontar as atividades tipicas do profissional. A titulo de fechamento, descreve-se aspectos de uma polemica bastante recente, a subordinacao da danca, da yoga e das artes marciais ao Conselho Federal de Educacao Fisica. Palavras-chave : Pratica profissional. Educacao Fisica. Conselhos de especialidade profissional

CHALLENGES FOR SPORT PEDAGOGY DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF MARKETING ON CONTEMPORARY SPORT

The basic motivation of this essay comes from the need to understand some relationships that are established in the teaching environment of sports for kids, from the transformations of contemporary sport. Our goal is to discuss the challenges to the pedagogical practice and the role of the sport educator face of changes in the sport-spectacle and its interface with sports marketing. The methodology was based on literature search in order to substantiate a theoretical discussion and build a discussion around the existing tensions between sport pedagogy and sports marketing. We concluded that it is vital that sport educators, when teaching children, include this theme in classes and educational practices, bearing in mind the importance of this content to the consolidation of cognitive and moral references, thus seeking to stimulate a broader understanding of the social significance of sports.

Something besides to take away of the street: teaching sport in a socialeducational project

O presente artigo esta vinculado a uma pesquisa de tipo etnografico e de reconstrucao de memorias orientado pela historia oral, e teve como objetivo principal apresentar caracteristicas relevantes de um projeto socioeducativo na comunidade de Heliopolis, na cidade de Sao Paulo, procurando compreender as transformacoes vividas por adolescentes em seu cotidiano, relacionando as possiveis contribuicoes para a estruturacao de acoes que possuam o esporte como eixo norteador. Destacaram-se como resultados mais significativos a relacao professor-aluno, o sentimento de pertencimento e a continuidade no aprendizado. Concluiu-se o estudo indicando a importância de tratamento pedagogico criterioso ao se oferecer esporte como foco de atuacao voltada para comunidades populares.The present article is related to a research based on ethnography and memory reconstruction guided by oral history. Its main purpose is to reveal relevant characteristics about a social and educational project implemented in Heliopolis community, in the city of Sao Paulo, seeking to understand the changes experienced by adolescents in their everyday life, relating the possible contributions for structuring actions which use sport as the guideline. The results underscored as most significant are the relationship between teacher and student, the feeling of belonging and the continuity of learning. The study is concluded by indicating the importance of careful pedagogic treatment when offering sports as the focus of action towards a community.