RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a diferença hormonal (cortisol) entre os sexos, especialidades do nado e desempenho dos nadadores adolescentes, verificar a existência das relações entre cortisol e aspectos cognitivos, entre 35 nadadores média de idade 15,41± 0,51 anos, avaliados durante o Campeonato Brasileiro Juvenil de Natação. Além disso, foram utilizados questionários, Ansiedade do Estado Competitivo (CSAI-2) e caracterização sociodemográfica. Também foram efetuadas coletas salivares. As nadadoras apresentaram maior ansiedade cognitiva (22,28± 5,16) vs masculino (16,84± 6,15, p= 0,012), ansiedade somática feminino (19,14± 5,43) vs masculino (15,15± 2,40, p= 0,008). Os velocistas apresentaram maior ansiedade somática (18,43± 4,80) do que nadadores de meia e longa distância vs meio fundo e fundo (15,35± 3,46, p= 0,042). Nadadores com baixo desempenho mostraram maior ansiedade cognitiva (21,80± 6,42) quando comparado a atletas de alto desempenho (17,55± 5,07, p= 0,049). Os velocistas exibiram maiores níveis de cortisol pré-competição (0,41± 0,12). Nadadores do sexo masculino apresentaram relações negativas entre ansiedade cognitiva e autoconfiança (r= −0,56; p= 0,001), ansiedade somática (r= −0,45; p= 0,001), bem como nadadores de média e longa distância (r= −0,52, p= 0,001) e nadadores de alto desempenho (r= −0,78, p= 0,001). Do mesmo modo, foi encontrado uma relação psicofisiológica nos atletas de baixo desempenho entre ansiedade somática e cortisol pré-competição (r= −0,50; p= 0,002). Portanto, treinadores e demais envolvidos na preparação destes atletas podem utilizar a medida biológica do cortisol salivar como marcador de ansiedade e desempenho esportivo em nadadores jovens.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to compare the hormonal difference (cortisol) between the sexes, swimming specialities and performance of adolescent swimmers to verify the existence of the relationship between cortisol and cognitive aspects among 35 swimmers with an average age of 15.41± 0.51 years, evaluated during the Brazilian Youth Swimming Championship. In addition, questionnaires, Competitive State Anxiety (CSAI-2) and sociodemographic characterisation were used. Together, salivary collections were performed. Female swimmers had higher cognitive anxiety (22.28± 5.16) vs male (16.84± 6.15, p= 0.012). female (19.14± 5.43) vs male (15.15± 2.40, p= 0.008) somatic anxiety. Sprinters had higher somatic anxiety (18.43± 4.80) than middle and long-distance swimmers vs middle and long-distance swimmers (15.35± 3.46, p= 0.042). Low-performance swimmers had greater cognitive anxiety (21.80± 6.42) than high-performance swimmers (17.55± 5.07, p= 0.049). Sprinters exhibited higher pre-competition cortisol levels (0.41± 0.12). Male swimmers showed negative relationships between cognitive anxiety and self-confidence (r= −0.56; p= 0.001), somatic anxiety (r= −0.45; p= 0.001), as well as middle and long-distance swimmers (r= −0.52, p= 0.001) and high-performance swimmers (r= −0.78, p= 0.001). Likewise, a psychophysiological relationship was found in low-performance athletes between somatic anxiety and pre-competition cortisol. (r= −0.50; p= 0.002). Therefore, coaches and others involved in the preparation of these athletes can use the biological measurement of salivary cortisol as an anxiety marker and sports performance in young swimmers.

INTRODUCTION: Postprandial lipemia is characterized by an increased concentration of circulating lipids after fat intake and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Exercise is known to reduce postprandial lipemia and its negative clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of intense intermittent versus moderate continuous exercise using the same energy expenditure in postprandial lipemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy men (aged 21.5 + 3.5 years) performed a random sequence of either rest or 500 Kcal tests separated by a minimum 48 h interval as follows: (a) no exercise (control), (b) intense intermittent exercise, or (c) moderate continuous exercise. Each test series was completed 30 min before ingestion of a high-fat meal (1 g fat/kg). Venous blood was collected before and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after the high-fat meal. Postprandial lipemia was assessed using the area under the curve approach as well as a kinetic profile of mean lipid variables. Statistical significance was tested at the p<0.05 level. RESULTS: With both statistical approaches, intense intermittent and moderate continuous exercises were both effective in reducing postprandial triglycerides; however, only intense intermittent exercise reduced the levels of postprandial very low density lipoprotein. Intense intermittent and continuous exercise produced lower levels of insulinemia using the area under the curve analysis only. CONCLUSION: Intense intermittent or continuous exercise with an energy expenditure of 500 kcal completed 30 min before ingestion of high-fat meal reduced postprandial lipid levels to different levels in physically active men. Understanding these relevant differences will enable clinicians to provide the best exercise prescription for patients.