RESUMO
ABSTRACT Introduction: This study aimed to measure thickness and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon (AT), and the range of motion of the ankle joint in dorsiflexion of amateur marathon runners compared to non-active people. Objectives: To analyze the relationship between cross-sectional area and thickness of the Achilles tendon in marathon runners and age, anthropometric characteristics (height and body mass), training habits, running experience, marathon performance, and range of motion in the ankle joint. Methods: Achilles tendon thickness and cross-sectional area were measured using ultrasound images of the left leg in 97 male amateur marathon runners (age 42.0 ± 9.6 years; height 175 ± 6 cm; and body mass 73.7 ± 8.6 kg), and 47 controls (39.9 ± 11.6 years; 176 ± 7 cm; 79.6 ± 16.1 kg). Results: Achilles tendon thickness (4.81 ± 0.77 vs. 4.60 ± 0.66 mm; p = 0.01) and cross-sectional area (60.41 ± 14.36 vs. 53.62 ± 9.90 mm2; p < 0.01) were greater in the marathon runners than in non-active people. Achilles tendon thickness has been correlated, in a weak but significant manner, with years of running experience. Moreover, marathon runners showed increased ankle range of motion (81.81 ± 6.93 vs. 77.86 ± 7.27 grades; p<0.01). Conclusion: Male amateur marathon runners have hypertrophy of the Achilles tendon compared to non-active people, and this enlargement is mediated by running experience. In addition, range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion is favored by marathon training. Level of evidence III; Retrospective study.
RESUMO Introdução: Este estudo visou medir a espessura e a área transversal do tendão de Aquiles (TA) e a amplitude de movimento da articulação do tornozelo em flexão dorsal em maratonistas amadores, em comparação com indivíduos não ativos. Objetivos: Analisar a relação entre a área transversal e a espessura do tendão de Aquiles em maratonistas e idade, características antropométricas (estatura e massa corporal), hábitos de treinamento, experiência de corrida, desempenho em maratona e amplitude de movimento da articulação do tornozelo. Métodos: A espessura do tendão de Aquiles e a área transversal foram medidas por meio de imagens de ultrassom da perna esquerda em 97 maratonistas amadores do sexo masculino (idade 42,0 ± 9,6 anos; altura 175 ± 6 cm; massa corporal 73,7 ± 8,6 kg) e 47 controles (39,9 ± 11,6 anos; 176 ± 7 cm; 79,6 ± 16,1 kg). Resultados: A espessura (4,81 ± 0,77 vs. 4,60 ± 0,66 mm; p = 0,01) e a secção transversal (60,41 ± 14,36 vs. 53,62 ± 9,90 mm2; p < 0,01) do tendão de Aquiles foram superiores nos maratonistas do que nos indivíduos não ativos. Verificou-se correlação fraca, mas significativa, entre espessura do tendão de Aquiles com os anos de experiência em corrida. Além disso, os maratonistas tiveram aumento da amplitude de movimento da articulação do tornozelo (81,81 ± 6,93 vs. 77,86 ± 7,27 graus; p < 0,01). Conclusão: Os maratonistas amadores do sexo masculino têm hipertrofia do tendão de Aquiles em comparação com indivíduos não ativos e esse aumento é mediado pela experiência em corrida. Além disso, a amplitude de movimento na flexão dorsal da articulação do tornozelo é favorecida pelo treinamento de maratona. Nível de evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo.
RESUMEN Introducción: Este estudio buscó medir el espesor y el área transversal del tendón de Aquiles (TA), y la amplitud de movimiento de la articulación del tobillo en flexión dorsal en maratonianos amateur en comparación con individuos no activos. Objetivos: Analizar la relación entre el área transversal y el grosor del tendón de Aquiles en maratonianos y edad, características antropométricas (estatura y masa corporal), hábitos de entrenamiento, experiencia en carrera, desempeño en maratón y amplitud de movimiento de la articulación del tobillo. Métodos: Fueron medidos el grosor y el área transversal del tendón de Aquiles por medio de imágenes de la pierna izquierda a 97 maratonianos amateur del sexo masculino (edad 42,0 ± 9,6 años; altura 175 ± 6 cm; masa corporal 73,7 ± 8,6 kg), y 47 controles (39,9 ± 11,6 años; 176 ± 7 cm; 79,6 ± 16,1 kg). Resultados: El grosor (4,81 ± 0,77 vs. 4,60 ± 0,66 mm; p = 0,01) y la sección transversal (60,41 ± 14,36 vs. 53,62 ± 9,90 mm2; p < 0.01) fueron superiores en los maratonianos que en los individuos no activos. Se verificó correlación débil, aunque significativa, entre grosor del tendón de Aquiles con los años de experiencia en carrera. Además, los maratonianos tuvieron aumento de la amplitud de movimiento de la articulación del tobillo (81,81 ± 6,93 vs. 77,86 ± 7,27 grados; p<0,01). Conclusión: Los maratonianos amateur del sexo masculino tienen hipertrofia del tendón de Aquiles en comparación con individuos no activos, y ese aumento es mediado por la experiencia en carrera. Además, la amplitud de movimiento en la flexión dorsal de la articulación del tobillo es favorecida por el entrenamiento de maratón. Nivel de evidencia III; Estudio retrospectivo.
RESUMO
Scientific information about the effects of caffeine intake on combat sport performance is scarce and controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of caffeine to improve Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ)-specific muscular performance. Fourteen male and elite BJJ athletes (29.2 ± 3.3â years; 71.3 ± 9.1â kg) participated in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled and crossover experiment. In two different sessions, BJJ athletes ingested 3â mgâ kg(-1) of caffeine or a placebo. After 60â min, they performed a handgrip maximal force test, a countermovement jump, a maximal static lift test and bench-press tests consisting of one-repetition maximum, power-load, and repetitions to failure. In comparison to the placebo, the ingestion of the caffeine increased: hand grip force in both hands (50.9 ± 2.9 vs. 53.3 ± 3.1â kg; respectively p < .05), countermovement jump height (40.6 ± 2.6 vs. 41.7 ± 3.1â cm; p = .02), and time recorded in the maximal static lift test (54.4 ± 13.4 vs. 59.2 ± 11.9 s; p < .01).The caffeine also increased the one-repetition maximum (90.5 ± 7.7 vs. 93.3 ± 7.5â kg; p = .02), maximal power obtained during the power-load test (750.5 ± 154.7 vs. 826.9 ± 163.7 W; p < .01) and mean power during the bench-press exercise test to failure (280.2 ± 52.5 vs. 312.2 ± 78.3 W; p = .04). In conclusion, the pre-exercise ingestion of 3â mgâ kg(-1) of caffeine increased dynamic and isometric muscular force, power, and endurance strength in elite BJJ athletes. Thus, caffeine might be an effective ergogenic aid to improve physical performance in BJJ.
Assuntos
Desempenho Atlético/fisiologia , Cafeína/farmacologia , Artes Marciais/fisiologia , Força Muscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Força Muscular/fisiologia , Músculo Esquelético/fisiologiaRESUMO
CONTEXT: Although caffeine is one of the most commonly used substances in combat sports, information about its ergogenic effects on these disciplines is very limited. PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of ingesting a moderate dose of caffeine to enhance overall performance during a simulated Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) competition. METHODS: Fourteen elite BJJ athletes participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental design. In a random order, the athletes ingested either 3 mg/kg body mass of caffeine or a placebo (cellulose, 0 mg/kg) and performed 2 simulated BJJ combats (with 20 min rest between them), following official BJJ rules. Specific physical tests such as maximal handgrip dynamometry, maximal height during a countermovement jump, permanence during a maximal static-lift test, peak power in a bench-press exercise, and blood lactate concentration were measured at 3 specific times: before the first combat and immediately after the first and second combats. The combats were video-recorded to analyze fight actions. RESULTS: After the caffeine ingestion, participants spent more time in offensive actions in both combats and revealed higher blood lactate values (P < .05). Performance in all physical tests carried out before the first combat was enhanced with caffeine (P < .05), and some improvements remained after the first combat (eg, maximal static-lift test and bench-press exercise; P < .05). After the second combat, the values in all physical tests were similar between caffeine and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine might be an effective ergogenic aid for improving intensity and physical performance during successive elite BJJ combats.