Resumo Maturação interfere em aspectos fisiológicos e mecânicos da contração muscular. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a eficiência do ciclo alongamento-encurtamento (SSC) em diferentes estágios maturacionais. Cento e quarenta e seis jovens, sendo 72 meninos e 74 meninas, foram recrutados para participar do estudo. Maturação sexual foi mensurada e o grupo foi estratificado em adolescentes (≥ 3 e crianças (< estágio 2). Salto estático (SJ) e o salto contramovimento (CMJ) foram utilizados para mensurar a força reativa (RF), razão de utilização da excêntrica (EUR) e aumento do pré-estiramento (PSAP). As crianças não apresentaram diferença significante entre SJ e CMJ (t(55)= -1.93; ∆ = -0.61; 95% CI = -1.24 to -0.02; p = 0.058), Enquanto que os adolescentes apresentaram maior desempenho de CMJ (t(89)= -12.28; ∆ = -2.44; 95% CI = -2.84 to -2.05; p <0.001). Em adição, adolescentes apresentaram maior RF (t(144)= 5.18; p <0.0001; 95% CI = 2.53 to 1.13), PSAP (t(144)= 4.38; p <0.0001; 95% CI = 14.00 to 5.29) e EUR (t(144)= 4.38; p <0.0001; 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.05). Nós concluímos que jovens com mais maturados apresentam maior capacidade de utilização do SSC.

Abstract Maturation interferes with physiological and mechanical aspects of muscle contraction. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) between different maturation stages. One hundred forty six young people, with 72 boys and 74 girls, were recruited to participate in the study. Sexual maturation was measured and the group was stratified into adolescents (> 3 auto-tanner) and children (<2 auto-tanner). Squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance were measured to measure reactive force (RF) capacity, eccentric utilization ratio (EUR) and pre-stretch augmentation (PSAP). The children did not present statistical difference between SJ and CMJ (t(55)= -1.93; ∆ = -0.61; 95% CI = -1.24 to -0.02; p = 0.058), while the adolescents presented higher performance of CMJ (t(89)= -12.28; ∆ = -2.44; 95% CI = -2.84 to -2.05; p <0.001). In addition, adolescents had higher RF performance (t(144)= 5.18; p <0.0001; 95% CI = 2.53 to 1.13), PSAP (t(144)= 4.38; p <0.0001; 95% CI = 14.00 to 5.29) and EUR (t(144)= 4.38; p <0.0001; 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.05). We conclude that more mature young people have better SSC utilization.

The purpose of this paper was to validate the ability of automated devices to measure the velocity of the upper limbs. Thus, 144 students, from 8 to 17 years old, both sexes, participated in the study in a social project in the city of Natal/RN. The Automated Tapping Test (AATT) was developed following the dimensions of the original EUROFIT test, but built out of metal parts, so that the calibration was more accurate and could be read as an electronic signal by the integrated circuit. The upper limb velocity test was applied in three steps: before performing the original test, all participants underwent a laterality check and then motor practice similar to the original test. After 30 minutes, the first step in the pattern established by the EUROFIT test battery was performed and 30 minutes later, the third stage, with the AATT. The measurement reliability of the automated apparatus was tested through intraclass correlations and a strong intraclass interaction coefficient of r = 0.901 was found. In conclusion, the AATT was found to be accurate and efficient as to what it is proposed to evaluate, being able to minimize the intra-evaluator error and to assist professionals in the sports.

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.