Abstract Aims: The current study aimed to compare the anaerobic power output through the Wingate test in different positions, i.e., standing and seated, and identify the relationship between power-output and body mass. Methods: Eleven male competitive cyclists (age: 30.3 ± 4.7 years; body mass: 73.7 ± 7.7 kg; body fat: 11.3 ± 4.2%) were submitted to two sessions of the Wingate test (WT) in different positions, on different days. Results: The peak power (W), average power (W), relative peak power (W·kg-1), relative average power (W·kg-1), average cadence (rpm), and average velocity (km·h-1) presented significant differences in the standing position compared with the seated position (p < 0.05), 1155 ± 130 vs. 1082 ± 182 (W), 875 ± 96 vs. 818 ± 116 (W), 15.9 ± 1 vs. 15.0 ± 2 (W kg-1), 12.1 ± 1 vs. 11.3 ± 1 (W kg-1), 117.5 ± 7 vs. 109.8 ± 10 (rpm), 37.0 ± 2 vs. 34.6 ± 3 (km·h-1), respectively. However, when controlled the body mass, the differences in variables power output ceased to exist (p > 0.05). The fatigue and peak heart rate (bpm) indices did not present significant differences between the tests (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Sprint performance was improved when the WT was performed in a standing position in competitive cyclists. The study also reports the important relationship between body mass and anaerobic production capacity in the WT, emphasizing that it is desirable an increase in lean body mass and a reduction in fat mass, similar in competitions. We suggest that, for anaerobic assessment in cyclists, the standing position should be used during the WT, to determine the maximum power-output capacity.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as características de maturação somática, antropométricas e desempenho físico entre as posições de jogo em jogadores de Basquetebol sub-13 e analisar estas relações utilizando o Pico de Velocidade de Crescimento (PVC) como uma medida da maturação somática. Para tanto, 26 atletas do sexo masculino foram avaliados. As variáveis antropométricas foram: massa corporal, estatura em pé e sentado e comprimento de membros inferiores. A maturação foi determinada pela idade do PVC. O desempenho físico foi através dos testes de potência de membros inferiores (salto com contra movimento - CMJ) e potência aeróbia (Yo-Yo IR1). A MANOVA reportou diferenças significativas (p<0,05) entre as posições em quadra nas variáveis Maturity Offset, idade do PVC estimado, estatura, altura sentado, comprimento de pernas estimado (CPE), massa corporal e Yo-Yo IR1. Além disso, foi identificado que os armadores alcançaram o PVC estimado, em uma idade mais tarde que seus companheiros que atuam como alas e pivôs. Em relação ao CMJ não foram identificadas diferenças significativas entre as posições, já em relação a potência aeróbia, os armadores e alas apresentaram desempenho significativo superior quando comparados aos pivôs. Estes achados confirmam que a maturação tem um grande efeito nas medidas de crescimento e desempenho físico e a determinação da idade estimada do PVC apresenta-se como uma ferramenta aplicável em jovens atletas, principalmente no auxílio de profissionais na estruturação do processo de ensino-aprendizagem-treinamento nesta faixa etária.

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of somatic maturation, anthropometric and physical performance (vertical jump and aerobic power) in young basketball players of different playing positions (under 13 years) and analyze these relationships using Peak Height Velocity (PHV) as a measure of somatic maturation. For this, 26 male athletes were evaluated. Anthropometric variables were: body mass, standing and sitting height, and length of lower limbs. Maturation was determined by age at PHV. Physical performance was determined by lower limb power (counter movement jump - CMJ) and aerobic power (Intermittent Recovery Test) tests. MANOVA reported significant differences (p<0.05) among playing positions regarding variables Maturity Offset, estimated PHV age, standing height, sitting height, estimated leg length, body mass and Yo-Yo IR1. In addition, it was identified that point guards reached estimated PHV at later age than their peers who act as small forwards and centers. Regarding CMJ, no significant differences were identified among playing positions, but in relation to aerobic power, point guards and small forwards presented higher performance. These findings confirm that maturation has great effect on growth and physical performance measures and the estimated PHV age is an applicable tool in young athletes, mainly aiding professionals in structuring the teaching-learning- training process in this age group.

Abstract Aims: To investigate the presence of a relative age effect (RAE) and the influence of birth quarters (BQ), semesters (S) as well as skeletal maturation on anthropometric characteristics and aerobic peak speed (PST-CAR) in youth male soccer players. Methods: One hundred players were recruited to participate in this study. Players were allocated into 4 BQ’s and 2 S. Skeletal maturity status was assessed using the Fels method. Assessments for players included determination of body size and composition and PST-CAR. Results: Overall, more players were born in BQ1 (38 %) and S1 (75%). The likelihood of players born in BQ1 and BQ2 being selected was 3.61 to 4.96 times higher than players in BQ3 and BQ4. Players in BQ4 maturing earlier were biologically older than their peers in BQ1. The players in BQ3 and S2 displayed higher PST-CAR compared with players in BQ2 and S1, respectively. However, players of contrasting skeletal maturity status did not differ in aerobic performance. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that coaches and talent scouts are systematically retaining average and early maturing players born in S1 and excluding late maturing players born in BQ4. However, aerobic performance appeared to be dependent on the relative age, but independent of skeletal maturation during puberty.