Abstract Aim: This study investigated the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in Brazilian track and field athletes based on sex, age category (U-16, U-18, U-20, U-23 and senior), and event type (sprints/hurdles, middle distance, long-distance, jumps, throws). Methods: Data from 2.259 male and 1.776 female elite track and field athletes, ranked top-50 in events held by the Brazilian Track and Field Confederation in 2019 were analyzed. To determine RAE athletes were divided into four quarters based on their months of birth, considering January 1st the cut-off date. The influence of sex, age category, and event types in the pervasion of RAE in Brazilian track and field athletes was assessed through Chi-squared tests. Results: Athletes born closer to the cut-off date were more frequent than athletes born further from this date were in male youth categories. This effect reduced as categories increased, even reversing in the senior category. Finally, RAE was more frequent in events in which athletic performance relies more on strength, speed, and power, which is the case of sprints/hurdles, jumps, and throws. Conclusion: RAE is particularly prevalent in young male Brazilian track and field athletes, which indicates that many potentially talented athletes are overlooked in youth tryouts because they were born months away from the cut-off date. Policies that reduce the disadvantages faced by relatively younger athletes are warranted in order to avoid the loss of potential sports talents.

Abstract Aims: This study investigated the existence of Relative Age Effect (RAE) in the selection process of male and female athletes in the Brazilian national handball teams according to age categories (U-18, U-21, and senior) and playing position (wings, backs, pivots, and goalkeepers). Methods: In order to determine RAE, athletes were divided based on their months of birth; quarters Q1 (January-March), Q2 (April-June), Q3 (July-September), and Q4 (October-December). Data were collected from the official Brazilian Handball Confederation (CBHb) website and included the athletes that participated in training and/or competitions composing the Brazilian national teams from 2014 to 2018. To determine the RAE on playing positions, age categories of male and female groups were pooled. Chi-squared tests were performed to investigate the RAE. Results: An over-representation of players born in Q1 and Q2 in the U-18, U-20, and senior categories of male teams and the U-20, and senior female teams were found. In the male teams, as the age category increased, RAE decreased, but still existed. Such distribution was reversed in the female athletes, with a higher RAE magnitude in the senior category as compared to U-18 and U-21. Additionally, it seems that RAE is dependent on the playing position only for male athletes (wings and backs) whereas RAE was found for all playing positions in female athletes. Conclusion: Overall, RAE was found in Brazilian national handball teams, but its magnitude and form of manifestation seem to be influenced by sex, category, and playing position.

RESUMO O desempenho técnico-tático é fundamental para a vitória no voleibol, deste modo, é importante identificar indicadores associados com a vitória no set. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar e associar os coeficientes de performance técnico-tático em função do resultado do set no voleibol feminino escolar. Participaram do estudo atletas escolares, com idade entre 12 e 14 anos. Foram analisados 27 jogos, resultando em 57 sets, 7194 ações (saque= 2380; recepção de saque= 2157; levantamento= 1358; e ataque= 1299). Posteriormente, foi calculado o coeficiente de performance por ação e set. Utilizou-se de regressão logística binária, para verificar a associação dos coeficientes de performance com a vitória do set. O coeficiente de performance de saque classificado como “bom” mostrou-se como principal preditor de vitória no set (OR = 29,46), seguido por levantamento “bom” (OR= 15,87), e ataque “bom” (OR= 7,32). O saque é o principal preditor de performance no presente estudo, seguido pelo levantamento e ataque. Esses resultados sugerem que o saque deve ser priorizado no treinamento, já que aumenta as chances de vitória no set.

ABSTRACT Technical-tactical performance is essencial to victory in volleyball, so it is important to identify indicators associated with winning the set. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify and associate the technical-tactical coefficient of performance based on the result of the set in the school female volleyball. School athletes participated in the study (age between 12-14 years old). 27 match were analyzed, resulting in 57 sets, 7194 actions (serve= 2380, serve reception= 2157, set= 1358; and attack= 1299). Subsequently, the performance coefficient per action and set was calculated. Binary logistic regression was used to verify the association of the performance coefficients with victory of the set. The serve performance coefficient classified as "good" proved to be a major victory predictor set (OR= 29.46), followed by set classified as "good" (OR= 15.87), and attack classified as “good” (OR= 7.32). The serve is the major predictor in the present study, followed by serve and attack. These results suggest that serve should be prioritized in training, as it increases the chances of victory.

Resumo Objetivo: Verificar a relação da capacidade de sprints repetidos e salto vertical intermitente em atletas de basquetebol. Métodos: Foram avaliados 20 atletas adultos do sexo masculino (21,4 + 2,18 anos). Os atletas fizeram um teste de sprints repetidos (6x30metros) e de salto vertical intermitente (4x15 segundos). Resultados: Verificaram-se correlações negativas moderadas a forte entre o desempenho dos sprints com a altura do salto vertical (r= 0,459 a 0,612; p< 0,05), com exceção da fase de aceleração do sprint, que não apresentou correlação significativa com o salto vertical. Forte coeficiente de correlação intraclasse foi observado para o decréscimo de sprint e salto vertical (CCI = 0,814; p < 0,001). Conclusão: O desempenho do salto vertical apresentou maiores coeficientes de correlação com os sprints feitos em distâncias mais longas (> 20 metros), sugeriu que a aceleração no sprint pode ser considerada uma variável física com características específicas em relação à velocidade máxima de sprint e salto vertical.

Abstract Objective: To verify the relationship of repeated sprint ability and intermittent vertical jump in basketball athletes. Methods: Twenty male adult athletes were evaluated (21.4 + 2.18 years). All athletes performed a repeated sprint test (6x30 meters) and intermittent vertical jump (4x15 seconds). Results: There was a moderate to strong negative correlation between sprint performance and vertical jump height (r= 0.459 to 0.612; p< 0.05), with exception of the sprint acceleration phase that did not present significative correlation with the vertical jump. Strength intraclass correlation was observed for sprint decreases and intermittent vertical jump (ICC= 0.814; p<0.001). Conclusion: Vertical jump performance presented higher correlations coefficients with sprints performed in great distances (>20 meters), suggesting that sprint acceleration can be considered a physical variable with specifics characteristics in relation to maximum sprint speed and vertical jump.

Resumen Objetivo: Comprobar la relación entre la capacidad de sprints repetidos y salto vertical intermitente en jugadores de baloncesto. Métodos: Se evaluó a 20 jugadores adultos de sexo masculino (21,4 + 2,18 años). Todos los jugadores realizaron una prueba de sprints repetidos (6 × 30 m) y de salto vertical intermitente (4 × 15 s). Resultados: Se comprobó la existencia de correlaciones negativas de moderadas a fuertes entre el desempeño de los sprints y la altura del salto vertical (r = 0,459-0,612; p <0,05), con excepción de la fase de aceleración del sprint, que no presentó ninguna correlación considerable con el mismo salto vertical. Se observó un fuerte coeficiente de correlación intraclase en el descenso del sprint y el salto vertical intermitente (CCI = 0,814; p <0,001). Conclusión: El desempeño del salto vertical presentó mayores coeficientes de correlación con los sprints realizados en distancias más largas (>20 m), lo que sugiere que la aceleración en el sprint puede considerarse una variable física con características específicas en relación con la velocidad máxima de sprint y salto vertical.

Resumo A capacidade de sprints repetidos (CSR) é considerada um importante atributo para o basquetebol, sendo a aptidão aeróbica apontada como fator limitante para a repetição dos sprints. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar se a mudança no VO2PICO se relaciona com a melhoria da CSR após seis semanas de treinamento durante o período preparatório. 12 atletas de basquetebol universitário do sexo masculino com idade entre 18-24 anos participaram do estudo. Os atletas foram submetidos a uma avaliação da composição corporal, teste incremental máximo em esteira e teste de CSR (6x30-m) antes e após seis semanas de treinamento. Para efeito do estudo recorreu-se ao cálculo do delta percentual de mudança. Teste t pareado foi utilizado para verificar as diferenças após o treinamento e a correlação de Pearson e regressão linear simples foram utilizadas para verificar a relação entre o ∆%VO2PICO e ∆%CSR. Observou-se melhorias nos índices CSRPICO (t(1,11)= 2,7; p=0,023); CSRMÉDIA (t(1,11)= 2,8; p=0,019); CSRTOTAL (t(1,11)= 2,6; p=0,028); CSRDEC (t(1,11)= 2,9; p=0,015); e sprints 4 (t(1,11)= 2,4; p=0,037); 5 (t(1,11)= 3,14; p=0,010); e 6 (t(1,11)= 3,65; p=0,004) e VO2PICO (t(1,11)= -5,4; p<0,001); O ∆%VO2PICO se relacionou com o ∆%CSRMÉDIA (r=-0,667; r2= 0,383), ∆%CSRTOTAL (r= -0,673; r2= 0,393), ∆%Sprint 3 (r=-0,669; r2=0,387), ∆%Sprint 4 (r=-0,659; r2=0,371), ∆%Sprint 5 (r=-0,689; r2=0,413), ∆%Sprint 6 (r=-0,678; r2=0,400). É possível concluir que ~39% da melhoria das variáveis associadas com a manutenção de sprints repetidos (CSRMÉDIA; CSRTOTAL; sprints 3,4,5 e 6) dos atletas de basquetebol foi compartilhada pelo aumento de ~7,5% no VO2PICO.

Abstract The repeated sprints ability (RSA) is considered an important attribute for basketball, being aerobic fitness pointed out as limiting factor for repetition of sprints. The aim of the study was to verify if the change in VO2PEAK is related to the improvement of RSA after six weeks of training during preseason. Twelve male college basketball players aged 18-24 participated in the study. Players were submitted to body composition evaluation, maximum incremental treadmill test and RSA test (6x30-m) before and after six weeks of training. For the purpose of the study, the calculation of the change percentage delta was used. Paired t-test was used to verify differences after training and Pearson’s correlation and simple linear regression were used to verify the relationship between ∆%VO2PEAK and ∆%RSA. There were improvements in RSAPEAK (t (1.11) = 2.7, p = 0.023); RSAMEAN (t (1.11)= 2.8, p= 0.019); RSATOTAL (t (1.11)= 2.6, p= 0.028); RSADEC (t (1.11)= 2.9, p= 0.015); and sprints 4 (t (1.11)= 2.4, p= 0.037); 5 (t (1.11)= 3.14, p= 0.010); and 6 (t (1.11)= 3.65,p= 0.004) and VO2PEAK (t (1.11)= -5.4, p <0.001); ∆%VO2PEAK was related to ∆%RSAMEAN (r= -0.667; r2= 0.383), ∆%RSATOTAL (r= -0.673; r2= 0.393), ∆%Sprint 3 (r= -0.669; r2= 0.387), ∆%Sprint 4 (r= -0.659 ; r2 = 0.371), ∆%Sprint 5 (r= -0.689; r2 = 0.413), ∆%Sprint 6 (r= -0.678; r2 = 0.400). It is possible to conclude that ~ 39% of the improvement in variables associated with the maintenance of repeated sprints (RSAMEAN, RSATOTAL, Sprints 3,4,5 and 6) of basketball players was accompanied by an increase of ~ 7.5% in VO2PEAK.

Resumo Para se alcançar o sucesso no esporte, a identificação de diferentes aspectos antropométricos, motores e fisiológicos são imprescindíveis. Porém, esses componentes podem se desenvolver diferentemente em indivíduos na mesma faixa etária, em parte pelo desenvolvimento biológico. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar e relacionar a força explosiva com a maturação biológica de acordo com o sexo. A amostra foi composta por 239 sujeitos, com idades entre 10 a 13 anos. A idade óssea foi estimada por uma equação preditora baseada em variáveis antropométricas. A força explosiva de membros superiores e inferiores foram avaliadas através do teste de arremesso de medicine ball e de salto vertical, respectivamente. A análise de post hoc mostrou que os sujeitos com desenvolvimento biológico atrasado obtiveram o pior desempenho no teste de arremesso de medicine ball quando comparados com o grupo acelerado dos meninos (p=0.001; d=0.96) e meninas (p< 0.01; d= 2.01); em relação ao teste de salto vertical, desempenho inferior também foi observado para o estágio atrasado quando comparado com o grupo acelerado dos meninos (p=0.24; d=1.1) e meninas (p= 0.007; d=0.75). Análise de regressão demonstrou que 36% e 19,2% da variância no desempenho da força explosiva de membros superiores e inferiores foi compartilhada pela idade óssea dos meninos, e 45,2% e 16,1%, respectivamente, nas meninas. Conclui-se que a força explosiva de membros superiores e inferiores se relaciona de forma positiva com a idade óssea, sendo o desempenho destes componentes superiores em jovens com desenvolvimento biológico acelerado, quando comparados com o desenvolvimento atrasado, independente do sexo.

Abstract Identifying different anthropometric, physiological and motor aspects is essential to obtain success in sports practice. However, these components may be developed in same age subjects differently, in part due biological development. The aim of the study was compare and correlate the explosive strength to biological maturation by sex, obtained by estimation of skeletal age based on anthropometric variables. The sample consisted of 239 subjects of both sexes, aged 10 to 13 years. Maturation was assessed by skeletal age predictive equation and upper and lower limbs explosive strength using medicine ball throw test and vertical jump, respectively. Skeletal age was assessed by skeletal age using a predictive anthropometrical based equation. Upper and lower limbs explosive strength were evaluated by medicine ball throwing test and vertical jump test, respectively. Post hoc analysis showed delayed biological development subjects had worst medicine ball throwing test performance than accelerated boys (p=0.001; d=0.96) and girls (p< 0.01; d= 2.01); regarding to vertical jump test, worst performance was also detected to maturational delayed boys when compared to accelerated ones (p=0.24; d=1.1) and girls (p=0.007; d=0.75). Regression analysis showed skeletal age explained variance of 36% and 19.2% for boys and 45.2% and 16.1% for girls upper and lower limbs explosive strength. Skeletal age is positively related to upper and lower limbs explosive strength and show higher performance for accelerated biological development young players when compared to delayed ones, independently from sex.