Abstract Background School gardens as an educational environment, admittedly, have played important changes in the attitudes of students. However, despite the positive aspects of the implementation of school gardens are recognized, there is no instrument in Brazil to assess school adherence to the proposal. Objective This study aimed to carry out the cross-cultural adaptation of the Garden Resource, Education, and Environment Nexus (“GREEN”) tool, and to validating it for the Brazilian reality. Method The process of operationalizing of cross-cultural adaptation was based on the procedures suggested by the WHO. The psychometric study was carried out by exploratory factor analysis. Results The translated and cross-culturally adapted tool was applied to 125 civil servant respondents from 93 schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Throughout the process of transcultural adaptation of the original English “GREEN” tool, the “HortEnsiA” construct was created and properly adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. Conclusion The psychometric assessment points to a better organization of management and social activities related to the school garden at school. It was observed that the participation of agricultural technicians in the construction and application of the “HortEnsiA” tool can contribute to optimize the use of the school garden as an educational environment in the Brazilian reality.

Resumo Introdução As hortas escolares como ambiente educador, reconhecidamente, têm desempenhado importantes mudanças nas atitudes dos estudantes. Porém, apesar dos aspectos positivos já descritos, não há no Brasil um instrumento que avalie a adesão da escola às propostas da horta escolar. Objetivo O presente estudo objetivou traduzir, adaptar transculturalmente e validar o instrumento Garden Resource, Education, and Environment Nexus (GREEN), após autorização da autora Kate Gardner Burt. Método O processo de operacionalização da adaptação transcultural baseou-se nos procedimentos sugeridos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. O estudo psicométrico foi realizado por Análise Fatorial Exploratória. Resultados O instrumento traduzido e adaptado transculturalmente foi respondido por 123 servidores de 93 escolas do município do Rio de Janeiro. Ao longo do processo da adaptação transcultural do instrumento original em inglês “GREEN”, foi criado o constructo “HortEnsiA” (Horta, Ensino e Ambiente). Conclusão A avaliação psicométrica aponta a necessidade de uma melhor organização da gestão e das atividades sociais ligadas à horta na escola. A partir da participação de técnicos agrícolas na construção e aplicação do instrumento “HortEnsiA”, observou-se que a presença desses profissionais pode contribuir para a otimização da implementação e uso da horta como ambiente educador.

School gardens is an educational environment and made important changes in children and adolescents’ attitudes. However, although the positive aspects of the implementation of school gardens are recognized, there is no instrument in Brazil to assess school adherence to school garden proposals. This study aimed to carry out the cross-cultural adaptation of the Garden Resource, Education, and Environment Nexus (“GREEN”) tool, and to validating it for the Brazilian reality. The process of operationalizing cross-cultural adaptation was based on the procedures suggested by the WHO. The psychometric study was carried out by exploratory factor analysis. The translated and cross-culturally adapted tool was applied to 125 civil servant respondents from 93 schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Throughout the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the original English “GREEN” tool, the “HortEnsiA” construct was created and properly adapted to Portuguese. The psychometric assessment points to a better organization of management and social activities related to the school garden at school. It was observed that the participation of agricultural technicians in the construction and application of the “HortEnsiA” tool can contribute to optimize the use of the school garden as an educational environment in the Brazilian reality.

As hortas escolares como ambiente educador, reconhecidamente, têm desempenhado importantes mudanças nas atitudes dos estudantes. Porém, apesar dos aspectos positivos já descritos, não há no Brasil um instrumento que avalie a adesão da escola as propostas da horta escolar. O presente estudo objetivou adaptar transculturalmente e validar o instrumento Garden Resource, Education, and Environment Nexus (GREEN), após autorização da autora Kate Gardner Burt. O processo de operacionalização da adaptação transcultural baseou-se nos procedimentos sugeridos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. O estudo psicométrico foi realizado por análise fatorial exploratória. O instrumento traduzido e adaptado transculturalmente foi respondido por 125 servidores de 93 escolas do Município do Rio de Janeiro. Ao longo do processo da adaptação transcultural do instrumento original em inglês “GREEN” foi criado o constructo “HortEnsiA” (Horta, Ensino e Ambiente). A avaliação psicométrica aponta a necessidade de uma melhor organização da gestão e das atividades sociais ligadas a horta na escola. A partir da participação de técnicos agrícolas na construção e aplicação do instrumento “HortEnsiA” observou-se que a presença destes profissionais pode contribuir na otimização da implementação e uso da horta como ambiente educador.

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to compare different methods of maturity evaluation and their relation with performance-related physical and anthropometric variables in young soccer players, with different plasma zinc status. A total of 53 healthy male young soccer players (age: 13±1 years; body mass: 48±10 kg; stature: 160±10 cm) participated in this study. Variables from physical fitness (stature, ST; fat-free mass, FFM; handgrip strength in the dominant hand, DHS), testosterone and zinc plasma concentration were measured. Biological maturity was evaluated by sexual maturity (development of: pubic hair, PH; genitals, GD; axillary hair; AH), bone maturity (TW3 method; BA), and testosterone plasma concentration methods. We observed that: (i) the frequency of hypozincemics and normozincemics children stratified by BA-CA, PH and GD were similar in each category; (ii) the BA allowed the identification of differences between the three categories, in at least two performance-related variables (FFM and DHS, p<0.0001); (iii) the AH method was able to discriminate only for DHS (p<0.0001); and (iv) the testosterone method was not able to identify differences between the four maturation categories with regard to ST, FFM, and DHS. Results suggested that Zinc deficiency did not influence the results obtained for the maturation categories defined by the different assessment methods. The assessment of biological maturation by BA seems to be the most effective for the stratification of performance-related and anthropometric variables in young soccer players. Nevertheless, the AH method should also be considered as a fair option to be used in field studies and practice.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar diferentes métodos de evaluación de madurez y su relación con variables físicas y antropométricas relacionadas con el desempeño en jóvenes jugadores de fútbol, con diferentes niveles plasmáticos de zinc. Participaron en este estudio 53 jugadores de fútbol jóvenes sanos (edad: 13 ± 1 años, masa corporal: 48 ± 10 kg, estatura: 160 ± 10 cm). Se midieron las variables de la aptitud física (estatura, ST, masa libre de grasa, FFM, fuerza de agarre en la mano dominante, DHS), testosterona y concentración plasmática de zinc. Se evaluaron la madurez sexual (desarrollo de vello púbico, PH, genitales, DG, cabello axilar, AH), madurez ósea (método TW3, BA) y concentración plasmática de testosterona. Se observó que: (i) la frecuencia de los niños hipoxincémicos y normozincémicos estratificados por BA-CA, PH y GD fueron similares en cada categoría; (ii) el BA permitió la identificación de diferencias entre las tres categorías, en al menos dos variables relacionadas con el desempeño (FFM y DHS, p <0,0001); (iii) el método AH fue capaz de discriminar sólo para DHS (p <0,0001); y (iv) el método de testosterona no fue capaz de identificar diferencias entre las cuatro categorías de maduración con respecto a ST, FFM y DHS. Los resultados sugirieron que la deficiencia de zinc no influyó en los resultados obtenidos para las categorías de maduración definidas por los diferentes métodos de evaluación. La evaluación de la maduración biológica por BA parece ser la más efectiva para la estratificación de variables de rendimiento y antropométricas en jóvenes jugadores de fútbol. Sin embargo, el método AH también debe ser considerado como una opción justa para ser utilizado en estudios de campo y práctica.

It is feasible to think that the body composition assessment may be influenced by maturational and zinc status, especially in young athletes, which perform regularly high volume of physical training. In accordance, it seems important to clarify the impact of these factors in body composition assessment in athletes, since errors may lead to mistakes in training prescription and diet elaboration, and therefore affect the athletic performance. The objective was to compare (1) different methods of body composition evaluation in young soccer players stratified by zinc plasma levels; and (2) the two reference methods using skinfolds thickness in children (Slaughter's and Lohman's equations), considering the maturation level. In this cross-sectional study, fifty tree young soccer players (13.3±0.7 y) were submitted to blood collection, electric bioimpedance (BIA), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), anthropometric measures (body mass, stature and skinfolds thickness (ST)) and hand-wrist X-ray. Body composition evaluation was performed by: DXA, ST (Lohman and Slaughter equations) and BIA (Houtkooper equation) methods. Zinc status provided two groups: Normozincemic and Hypozincemic athletes, determined by cut-off point of 11.0 µmol/L. Significant difference on descriptive data for all participants after zinc status stratification was observed only for plasma zinc concentration; (2) Significant correlations were observed between the assessment methods (fat percentage: r= 0.34 to 0.98 and p<0.001 to 0.013; fat free mass: r= 0.95 to 0.9998 and p<0.001), and lowers correlations were observed when electric impedance was involved; and (3) Bland-Altman plots across methods showed a closer agreement when DXA and ST were compared. In conclusion (1) The ST method was better than BIA to assess the body composition (in young soccer players) when DXA scans are not available; (2) The comparison of models based on ST showed that the best association with the values from DXA were obtained for the Slaughter equation, followed by the Lohman equation using bone age instead of chronological age; and (3) Plasma zinc levels seem not to influence the body composition assessment, which certainly warrants further studies.

Es factible pensar que la evaluación de la composición corporal puede estar influenciada por el estado de maduración y los niveles plasmáticos de zinc, especialmente en atletas jóvenes, que regularmente realizan un alto volumen de entrenamiento físico. Por tanto, es importante aclarar el impacto de estos factores en la evaluación de la composición corporal de los atletas, ya que errores en su análisis pueden conducir al desarrollo de una equivocada prescripción de entrenamiento, además de una dieta determinada, y por lo tanto afectar el rendimiento deportivo. El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en: (1) comparar los diferentes métodos de evaluación de la composición corporal en futbolistas jóvenes estratificados por los niveles plasmáticos de zinc; (2) comparar los dos métodos de referencia utilizando el espesor de los pliegues cutáneos en niños (ecuaciones de Slaughter y Lohman), teniendo en cuenta el nivel de maduración. En este estudio transversal, cincuenta futbolistas jóvenes (13,3±0,7 años) fueron sometidos a un perfil bioquímico de sangre, bioimpedancia eléctrica (BIA), absorciometría de rayos X de energía dual (DXA), medidas antropométricas (masa corporal, estatura y pliegues cutáneos de espesor (ST)) y radiografía de mano-muñeca. La evaluación de la composición corporal se realizó por: DXA, ST (ecuaciones Lohman y Slaughter) y BIA (ecuación Houtkooper). El nivel de zinc identificó dos grupos: deportistas normozincémicos e hipozincémicos, determinados por un punto de corte de 11,0 mmol/L. Se observó una diferencia significativa en los datos descriptivos de todos los participantes después de la estratificación del estado de zinc sólo para la concentración de zinc en plasma; se observaron correlaciones significativas entre los métodos de evaluación (porcentaje de grasa: r= 0,34 a 0,98 y p <0,001 a 0,013; masa libre de grasa: r= desde 0,95 hasta 0,9998 y p <0,001), y disminuyeron las correlaciones al estar involucrada la impedancia eléctrica. Los resultados a través de los métodos Bland y Altman mostraron un acuerdo más cercano al comparar DXA y ST. El método ST fue mejor que el BIA para evaluar la composición corporal (en los jugadores jóvenes de fútbol), cuando no estaban disponibles los escaneos DXA. La comparación de los modelos basados en ST mostró que la mejor asociación de valores DXA se obtuvieron para la ecuación Slaughter, seguidos por la ecuación Lohman utilizando la edad ósea en lugar de la edad cronológica. Los niveles de zinc en plasma parecen no influir en la evaluación de la composición corporal, lo que amerita más estudios.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic grape juice intake on biochemical variables and microcirculatory parameters in triathlon athletes. INTRODUCTION: The physiological stress that is imposed by a strenuous sport, such as a triathlon, together with an insufficient amount of antioxidants in the diet may cause oxidative imbalance and endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Ten adult male triathletes participated in this study. A venous blood sample was drawn before (baseline) and after 20 days of organic grape juice intake (300 ml/day). Serum insulin, plasma glucose and uric acid levels, the total content of polyphenols, and the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity were determined. The functional microcirculatory parameters (the functional capillary density, red blood cell velocity at baseline and peak levels, and time required to reach the peak red blood cell velocity during postocclusive reactive hyperemia after a one-min arterial occlusion) were evaluated using nailfold videocapillaroscopy. RESULTS: Compared with baseline levels, the peak levels of serum insulin ( p = 0.02), plasma uric acid ( p = 0.04), the functional capillary density ( p = 0.003), and the red blood cell velocity (p < 0.001) increased, whereas the plasma glucose level (p,0.001), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity ( p = 0.04), and time required to reach red blood cell velocity during postocclusive reactive hyperemia ( p = 0.04) decreased after organic grape juice intake. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that organic grape juice intake improved glucose homeostasis, antioxidant capacity, and microvascular function, which may be due to its high concentration of polyphenols. These results indicate that organic grape juice has a positive effect in endurance athletes.

O cobre é um elemento-traço essencial para a manutenção de vários processos biológicos, tais como metabolismo energético, homeostase de ferro e mecanismos de proteção antioxidante através da atividade da cobre-zinco superóxido dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), da ceruloplasmina e da metalotioneína. No entanto, o cobre também participa de reações oxidativas que promovem a liberação de radicais livres, podendo prejudicar a integridade e a funcionalidade celular. A atividade física afeta a homeostase do cobre e promove maior utilização de oxigênio, favorecendo a instalação do estresse oxidativo quando mecanismos naturais de proteção antioxidante, incluindo os dependentes de cobre, não atuam adequadamente. Não há relatos na literatura sobre a associação de diferentes níveis de concentração plasmática de cobre com indicadores antioxidantes cobre-dependentes em atletas de elite. O presente estudo objetivou verificar a associação entre diferentes níveis plasmáticos de cobre e metaloproteínas cobre-dependentes, com atividade antioxidante, em atletas de elite. Os indicadores bioquímicos (metalotioneína e Cu-Zn SOD eritrocitárias, ceruloplasmina e cobre plasmáticos) foram avaliados em 50 atletas, homens e adultos, utilizando metodologias já consolidadas. Os resultados mostraram que 32% dos atletas apresentaram níveis de cobre plasmático inferiores a 11µmol/L, 38% entre 11-13µmol/L e 30% > 13µmol/L. As associações encontradas entre cobre plasmático e ceruloplasmina (r = 0,31; p = 0,04) e Cu-Zn SOD (r = 0,32, p = 0,02); metalotioneína eritrocitária e ceruloplasmina (r = 0,40, p = 0,006) e Cu-Zn SOD (0,73, p = 0,001) e entre Cu-Zn SOD e ceruloplasmina (r = 0,37, p < 0,001) demonstraram que a atividade da Cu-Zn SOD e a concentração de metalotioneína eritrocitárias são sensíveis a menor concentração, enquanto que a ceruloplasmina é sensível a elevadas concentrações plasmáticas de cobre, sugerindo que há um equilíbrio homeostático entre antioxidantes, cobre-dependentes, intra e extracelulares em atletas de elite.

Copper is a trace element essential in several biological processes, some of them important for physical activity, such as energy metabolism, iron homeostasis and antioxidant protection through the plasma ceruloplasmin, erythrocyte Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) and metallothionein. However, copper also participates in oxidative reactions releasing free radicals, which may adversely affect cell integrity and function. Physical activity is known to affect copper homeostasis and may interfere in the copper antioxidant capacity. Intense physical activity results in higher oxygen consumption, which favors the release of free radicals and may cause irreversible damage to the body when the natural mechanisms of protection, including those copper-dependent, are not properly stimulated. Few studies related exercise with plasma copper level and copper-dependent metalloproteins in elite athletes. The present study aimed at evaluating the association between different levels of plasma copper and copper-dependent metalloproteins in male elite athletes (n = 50). The biochemical indices studied were plasma copper and ceruloplasmin, and erythrocyte Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and metallothionein by validated methods. The results showed that 32% of the athletes had plasma copper levels lower than 11µmol/L, 38% between 11-13 µmol/L and 30% higher than 13 µmol/L. Plasma copper was associated with plasma ceruloplasmin level (r = 0.31, p = 0.004), and with Cu-Zn SOD (r = -0.32, p = 0.02); metallothionein erythrocyte were associated with Cu-Zn SOD (r = 0.73, p = 0.001) and with ceruloplasmin (r = 0.40, p = 0.006). These results suggest that both plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant capacity favor homeostatic adjustments in agreement with plasma copper levels in elite athletes.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo objetivou comparar a composição corporal, a ingestão dietética, os índices bioquímicos de micronutrientes antioxidantes e a capacidade antioxidante em adolescentes sedentários (n=15) e corredores (n=18), pós-púberes. MÉTODOS: A composição corporal foi aferida por meio das dobras cutâneas, massa corporal total e estatura; a ingestão de micronutrientes foi determinada através de freqüência de consumo alimentar e os indicadores bioquímicos por coleta de sangue em jejum. Em sangue total foram determinados hematócrito e hemoglobina; em plasma, testosterona, alfa-tocoferol, cobre, zinco, e ceruloplasmina; em eritrócitos, fragilidade osmótica, zinco, Cu-Zn superóxido dismutase e metalotioneína. RESULTADOS: A capacidade antioxidante, a ingestão dietética e a composição corporal foram similares, exceto o somatório de dobras cutâneas, que foi menor nos corredores (p<0,05). Somente a ingestão de vitamina E foi inferior às recomendações nutricionais. Não houve diferença entre os grupos para a concentração plasmática de alfa-tocoferol, que se apresentou, em média, abaixo do valor de referência. Os níveis plasmáticos de cobre e zinco foram, em média, adequados, sendo os níveis de cobre similares entre os dois grupos e os de zinco maiores nos corredores. Nos sedentários a fragilidade osmótica dos eritrócitos relacionou-se com a metalotioneína (r= -0,50; p<0,05) e com Cu-Zn superóxido dismutase (r= -0,50; p<0,005); nos corredores, houve relação entre Cu-Zn superóxido dismutase e zinco nos erirócitos (r=0,49; p<0,005). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem que a modalidade estudada - corrida - não alterou a capacidade antioxidante além do próprio crescimento. No entanto, a prática regular de exercício favorece uma composição corporal mais adequada para os adolescentes. Há necessidade de maior atenção quanto ao estado nutricional de alfa-tocoferol em adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare body composition, biochemical indices of antioxidant micronutrients, intake and nutritional status and antioxidant capacity in post-puberty sedentary adolescents (n=15) and runners (n=18). METHODS: Skin-fold measurements, total body mass and height were used for anthropometric evaluation and a food frequency questionnaire for assessment of micronutrient intake. Biochemical indices measured after an overnight fast included: blood hemoglobin and hematocrit; plasma testosterone, a-tocopherol, copper, zinc and ceruloplasmin; and in erythrocytes, osmotic fragility, zinc, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and metallothionein. RESULTS: Indices of antioxidant capacity, dietary intake, and body composition were not different between the groups, except for the sum of skin-folds that was lower in runners (p<0.05). Most adolescents had vitamin E intakes lower than nutritional recommendations. Plasma levels of copper and zinc were, on average, adequate. Copper levels were similar in both groups and zinc levels were higher in runners. In the sedentary group, erythrocyte osmotic fragility was correlated with metallothionein and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (r=-0.50; p<0.005); in runners, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and zinc were correlated (r=0.49; p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the regular practice of running did not affect the antioxidant capacity of the adolescents studied besides growth. However, this practice seems to favor a more appropriate body composition in adolescents. More attention is necessary on the nutritional status of a-tocopherol in adolescents.

A atividade física intensa aumenta a formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio que podem causar lesões musculares e danos na membrana de eritrócitos, prejudicando o desempenho de atletas. Para prevenir os efeitos causados pelo estresse oxidativo, o organismo possui vários mecanismos antioxidantes, alguns dependentes de zinco. As propriedades antioxidantes desse mineral são explicadas pelo seu papel na regulação da síntese da metalotioneína, na estrutura da enzima superóxido dismutase e na proteção de agrupamentos sulfidrila de proteínas de membranas celulares por antagonismo com metais pró-oxidantes como ferro e cobre. Estudos têm demonstrado que a fragilidade osmótica de eritrócitos está relacionada à função do zinco na membrana celular. Atletas geralmente apresentam ingestão dietética desse mineral insuficiente para compensar as perdas aumentadas pelo suor e urina e para atender a demanda bioquímica. Este trabalho de revisão visa mostrar a importância biológica e nutricional do zinco na proteção antioxidante durante a atividade física intensa.

During intense physical activity there is an increased production of reactive oxygen species that can cause muscle injury and damage to erythrocyte cell membranes, thus impairing athletic performance. In order to prevent the effects caused by oxidative stress, the organism has several antioxidant mechanisms, some of which depending on zinc. The antioxidant properties of this mineral are explained by its role in the regulation of metallothionein synthesis, in the structure of superoxide dismutase, and in the protection of sulfhydryl groups of cell membrane proteins through antagonism with pro-oxidant metals such as iron and copper. Recent studies have shown that the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes is related to the zinc function in cell membranes. Athletes generally have dietary zinc intakes inadequate to compensate for the increased sweat and urine losses to meet and the high biochemical demand. This paper reviews the biological and nutritional significance of zinc in the antioxidant protection during intense physical activity.