Abstract Background: Sarcopenia is a disease that involves skeletal muscle mass loss and is highly prevalent in the older adult population. Moreover, the incidence of sarcopenia is increased in patients with hypertension. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the association between the classes of the drugs used for arterial hypertension treatment and the presence or absence of sarcopenia. Methods: 129 older adults with hypertension were evaluated by the researchers who registered the participants medication for arterial hypertension treatment. Sarcopenia level was measured by anthropometric parameters, muscular strength, and functional capacity. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc test and Fisher’s exact test; statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: Age was not different between women with different levels of sarcopenia, but significant differences were observed between men with absent sarcopenia (66.8±4.2 years) and men with probable sarcopenia (77.0±10.2 years). Individuals with absent sarcopenia showed higher handgrip strength (men: 33.8±7.4, women: 23.2±4.6 Kgf) in comparison with those with sarcopenia (men with probable sarcopenia: 9.5±3.3 Kgf, women with probable, confirmed, and severe sarcopenia: 11.7±2.5, 12.2±3.0, 11.8±1.8 Kgf, respectively). The analysis showed an association between the type of medication and degree of sarcopenia; diuretics were significantly associated with probable sarcopenia, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (alone or in combination with diuretics) was associated with absence of sarcopenia. Conclusion: In conclusion, handgrip strength was a good method to diagnose sarcopenia, and diuretics were associated with increased risk of sarcopenia in older adults with hypertension.

RESUMO Objetivo Estudar a relação entre exercício e desnutrição, pois evidências recentes sugerem que o exercício físico pode causar a adaptação benéfica de sistemas antioxidantes, enquanto a desnutrição pode causar adaptação prejudicial a esses sistemas. Métodos Trinta e duas ratas Fischer foram igualmente divididas nos grupos Controle Sedentário, Controle Treinado, Desnutrido Sedentário e Desnutrido Treinado. O protocolo de treinamento consistiu em nadar por 30 minutos continuamente por 5 dias/semana por 8 semanas. Resultados Demonstramos que as atividades de aspartato aminotransferase e alanina aminotransferase aumentaram em ratos desnutridos, mas o treinamento físico reverteu esses efeitos. O nível de glutationa foi diminuído pela desnutrição, enquanto o treinamento físico aumentou os níveis de proteína carbonilada do fígado e aumentou os níveis de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico que foram diminuídas pela desnutrição. Além disso, os ratos desnutridos treinados tiveram um peso corporal médio maior que os desnutridos sedentários (62,77g vs 55,08g, respectivamente). Conclusão Os dados mostram que o exercício foi capaz de reverter ou reduzir os danos causados pela desnutrição, como perda de peso e a disfunção hepática por uma via independente da participação de enzimas envolvidas na defesa antioxidante e que não há interação entre exercício e desnutrição.

ABSTRACT Objective To study the relationship between exercise and malnourishment because recent evidence suggests that exercise can cause the beneficial adaptation of antioxidant systems, whereas malnourishment can cause harmful adaptation of these systems. Methods Thirty-two female Fischer rats were equally divided into Sedentary Control, Trained Control, Sedentary Malnourished and Trained Malnourished groups. The training protocol consisted of swimming for 30 minutes continuously for 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Results It was demonstrated that aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities increased in malnourished rats, but physical training reversed these effects by lowering the raised levels. The glutathione level was diminished by malnourishment whereas physical training increased the levels of liver carbonyl protein and increased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances that were diminished by malnourishment. In addition, Trained Malnourished rats had a higher average body weight than Sedentary Malnourished ones (62.77g vs. 55.08g, respectively). Conclusion The data show that exercise was able to reverse or reduce damage caused by malnourishment, such as weight loss and liver dysfunction by a pathway independent of the participation of enzymes involved in antioxidant defense and that there is no interaction between exercise and malnutrition.

Resumo Os principais objetivos do presente estudo foram: 1) comparar a intensidade de exercício em diversas fases (seis fases de 15 min) de partidas de futebol; 2) comparar o tempo de partida acima do limiar anaeróbio (LAN) entre diferentes categorias (sub-17 e sub-20); e 3) comparar o tempo de partida acima do LAN entre jogadores de diferentes posições (zagueiros, meio campistas, atacantes e laterais). Quarenta e quatro jogadores foram analisados. A intensidade de esforço como frequência cardíaca (FC) foi monitorada em 29 jogos oficiais. A FC correspondente à intensidade do OBLA (onset of blood lactate accumulation) foi obtida em um teste de campo. A maior intensidade de exercício foi observada no período 15-30 min do primeiro tempo (p< 0,05). O tempo de partida gasto acima do LAN não foi diferente entre jogadores das categorias sub-17 e sub-20. Os laterais apresentaram menor tempo acima do LAN (p< 0,05). Pode concluir-se que a intensidade do esforço foi maior em 15 a 30 min (fase intermediária), provavelmente porque os jogadores estão mais descansados no início e o desgaste é progressivo ao longo do jogo. A intensidade de exercício (FC e tempo acima LAN) dos laterais foi menor, provavelmente porque eles executam um maior número de sprints e necessitam de mais tempo abaixo do LAN para se recuperar.

Abstract The aims of the study were: 1) to analyze the exercise intensity in several phases (six phases of 15 min) of soccer matches; 2) to compare the match time spent above anaerobic threshold (AT) between different age groups (U-17 and U-20); and 3) to compare the match time spent above AT between players’ positions (backs, midfielders, forwards and wingabcks). Forty-four male soccer players were analyzed. To express players’ effort, the heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored in 29 official matches. Further, HR corresponding to the intensity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) was obtained in a field test. The highest exercise intensity during match was observed in the 15-30 min period of the first half (p< 0.05). Match time spent above AT was not different between players from U-17 and U-20. In the comparison among players’ positions, wingbacks showed lower time above AT (p< 0.05) than players of other positions. The intensity of effort is higher in the 15 to 30 minutes of play (intermediate phase), probably because the players are more rested in the beginning and wearing out is progressive throughout the game. It is also noteworthy that the intensity of exercise (HR and time above AT) of wingbacks was lower, probably because they usually are required to run a larger number of sprints and need more time below the AT to recover.

Resumo O monitoramento da intensidade de esforço entre atletas tem se mostrado essencial para o controle e planejamento do treinamento desportivo. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar por meio de biomarcadores sanguíneos a demanda fisiológica crônica de jogadores de futebol ao longo de uma temporada anual. Dez jogadores profissionais (21,2 ± 3,7 anos) participaram desse estudo. As coletas de sangue foram realizadas no dia anterior ao início da pré-temporada (C1), ao final da pré-temporada e início das competições (C2), e ao final do ano competitivo (C3). Investigou-se as variáveis cortisol, testosterona, relação testosterona/cortisol, creatina quinase, alfa-actina e interleucina 6 (IL-6). Para a análise estatística dos dados utilizou-se ANOVA para medidas repetidas e foi adotado nível de significância de 5%. Os resultados encontrados indicaram diferenças significativas nas seguintes situações: testosterona - C1 maior do que C2 e C3; cortisol - C3 maior do que C2; relação testosterona/cortisol - C2 maior do que C1, e C3 menor do que C1 e C2; creatina quinase - C2 e C3 maior do que C1; alfa-actina - C3 maior do que C1. As concentrações de IL-6 em C1, C2 e C3 não demonstraram diferenças significativas. Pode-se concluir que uma temporada anual de futebol impõe elevada demanda fisiológica entre jogadores profissionais, uma vez que foram observadas alterações relevantes sobre os biomarcadores sanguíneos analisados.

Abstract Exercise intensity monitoring has been essential for the control and planning of sports training. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the chronic physiological demand of soccer players during an annual soccer season using blood biomarkers. Ten professional soccer players (21.2 ± 3.7 years) participated in this study. Blood samples were collected on the day before beginning of preseason (C1); at the end of preseason and beginning of competitive calendar (C2); and at the end of the competitive calendar. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), cortisol, testosterone, testosterone/cortisol ratio, creatine kinase and alpha-actin were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by using ANOVA with repeated measures and the post-hoc Tukey's test. Significance level was set at P<0.05. The results showed significant differences in the following situations: testosterone - C1 higher than C2 and C3; cortisol - C3 higher than C2; testosterone/cortisol ratio - C2 higher than C1, and C3 lower than C1 and C2; creatine kinase - C2 and C3 higher than C1; alpha-actin - C3 higher than C1. IL-6 concentrations were not different between C1, C2 and C3. It could be concluded that an annual soccer season imposes high physiological demand for professional players, since relevant changes in blood biomarkers analyzed were observed.