Abstract Aim: This study aimed to investigate the presence of women coaches in table tennis certification courses carried out by national and international federations. Methods: We carried out an analysis on documents extracted from the official websites of the Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation (CBTM) and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Those documents presented the certificated coaches by each organization. We also collected information about the location of the coach according to the five macro-regions of Brazil. Results: We found a greater frequency of men (89.3%) compared to women (10.7%) in ITTF courses and, in Brazil, we also found a higher rate of men (83.7%) compared to women (16.3%) certified by CBTM. We found no increase in women's participation in ITFF courses over the years. In both national and international courses, most of the women coaches (international = 36%; national = 46.4%) were from the Southeast, while few women coaches were found in the Northeast and North. Conclusion: The findings of our study reveal that the training process of table tennis coaches is still mostly occupied by men. We also found a discrepancy between the macro-regions of the country where most women coaches are from the Southeast. CBTM managed to almost double the women's representation among coaches (from 10.7% to 16%) due to the policy that has been adopted in an attempt to increase the number of women in the sport. We highlight the importance of gender equality policies to improve women coaches’ participation in table tennis.

Abstract Aims: This study aims to analyze the influence of adventure race disciplines on the overall performance during 35 to 50-km competitions. Methods: Twenty-four athletes from twelve teams were studied during the second (Jacarei-SP, Brazil, 44.5-km) and fourth (Passa Quatro-MG, Brazil, 37.1-km) races of the 2015 Haka Race Series, which comprised Brazilian Adventure Race Ranking. We analysed the relationship between disciplines velocities and overall race velocity of the teams during each competition. Results: We observed the race velocity of the teams during second race was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the first (R=0.80) and last (R=0.65) split velocities of trekking, and with the last split velocity of mountain biking (R=0.73). On the other hand, the race velocity of teams during fourth race was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the split velocity performed during the course of water trekking with trekking (R=0.96). Conclusion: Greater performance of the athletes in the disciplines of mountain biking, trekking and water trekking is related to their overall performance during 35-50 km ARs. In addition, the influence of adventure race disciplines is specific to the overall performance during different competitions.

Abstract Aim: It is to propose a game-based and player-centred approach to teaching table tennis using nonlinear pedagogy insights. Methods: This is an essay which offers a well-reasoned articulated nonlinear pedagogy perspective on coaching and teaching table tennis issues Results: It offers the description of a propose based on a player-centred and game-based approach for table tennis supported by nonlinear pedagogy, illustrating examples of how to apply nonlinear pedagogical principles to design representative learning tasks in order to adapt them to learners’ skills level. Conclusion: A novel perspective for teaching and training table tennis is presented here and we intend that this proposal may help coaches to design an effective learning environment.

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar o somatotipo, analisar indicadores antropométricos associados à composição corporal durante a prova e verificar possíveis relações com o desempenho de atletas em uma ultramaratona de 217 km. Para tanto, dez homens (42,8±3,5 anos; 171,4±1,9 cm de estatura; 70,7±3,1 kg de massa corporal; 15±3 anos de treino de corrida) tiveram determinada a velocidade crítica (VC) uma semana antes da competição e foram submetidos às avaliações antropométricas antes, aos 84 km e ao final da prova. Os voluntários completaram a prova em 46,8 ± 3,4h (4,9 ± 0,4 km/h; 33,4 ± 1,8 % VC). Os valores médios equivalentes aos componentes do somatotipo corresponderam a 3,4 ± 0,4 para endomorfia, 5,2 ± 0,4 para mesomorfia e 1,7 ± 0,3 para ectomorfia. Massa corporal, índice de massa corporal, massa magra e circunferência peitoral reduziram (P < 0,05) aos 84 e 217-km comparados aos valores iniciais. Espessura da dobra cutânea de coxa (R= 0,79) e a circunferência de cintura (R=0,64) identificadas antes da prova foram correlacionadas significativamente (P < 0,05) com o tempo final de prova. Dessa maneira, nós concluímos que ultracorredores apresentaram somatotipo médio endo-mesomorfo e reduções tanto de massa corporal como de massa magra durante e após a prova. Além disso, os resultados sugerem que maiores depósitos de gordura corporal concentrados nos membros inferiores e na região abdominal podem ter um impacto negativo no desempenho dos atletas em ultramaratona de 217 km.

Abstract This study aimed to characterize somatotype, analyze anthropometric indicators associated with body composition during the race and verify possible relationships with the performance of athletes in a 217-km ultramarathon. For this, ten male volunteers (42.8 ± 3.5 years; 171.4 ± 1.9 cm height, 70.7 ± 3.1 kg body mass; 15 ± 3 years of running exercise) performed a critical velocity (CV) test one week before the competition and were submitted to anthropometric measurements before, at 84 km of the race and at the end of the race. Volunteers finished the race in 46.8 ± 3.4 h (4.9 ± 0.4 km / h; 33.4 ± 1.8% CV). Mean values equivalent to somatotype components accounted for 3.4 ± 0.4 for endomorphy, 5.2 ± 0.4 for mesomorphy and 1.7 ± 0.3 for ectomorphy. Body mass, body mass index, fat-free mass and chest circumference decreased (P <0.05) after 84 and 217 km compared to baseline. Pre-race values of thigh skinfold thickness (R = 0.79) and waist circumference (R = 0.64) were significantly correlated (P <0.05) with final race time. Thus, we concluded that ultramarathoners had mean endo-mesomorph somatotype and reductions in both body mass and fat-free mass during and after the race. Furthermore, the results suggest that increased body fat deposits concentrated in the lower limbs and abdominal region may have a negative impact on the performance of the athletes in 217-km ultramarathon.

Colheu-se sangue de 13 eqüinos competindo na prova de Fundo do Concurso Completo de Equitação, categoria internacional três estrelas, e dosou-se lactato sangüíneo na manhã antes da prova, antes e imediatamente depois das fases B e D e 10 minutos após a fase D. Foi observado aumento significativo nas concentrações de lactato apenas após o término da fase D, demonstrando que os animais foram submetidos a um grande esforço físico, com desenvolvimento de acidose metabólica decorrente do acúmulo de lactato. Houve diminuição significativa dos valores dez minutos após o término do cross-country, exceto para o eqüino de número 12, único animal a completar o percurso dentro do tempo estipulado, o qual apresentou sinais clínicos de exaustão.

Blood samples were collected from thirteen horses competing in the resistance phase of an advanced 3-day-event. Blood lactate was determined in the morning before competition, before and immediately after phases B and D, and 10 minutes after phase D. Significant increase in blood lactate was observed only after phase D, showing that animals were submitted to a great physical effort with development of metabolic acidosis due to lactate accumulation. There was significant decrease in blood lactate levels 10 minutes after cross country except horse 12, the only animal to finish phase D inside the given time, but showed clinical signs of exhaustion.