Browsing by Author "Batalha, Nuno"
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- Análise das características ondulatórias da técnica de bruços com snorkelPublication . Conceição, Ana; Silva, António; Boaventura, José; Freitas, João; Matos, Telmo; Batalha, Nuno; Milheiro, Vitor; Louro, HugoResumo: O objectivo do estudo consistiu em analisar em que medida é que a utilização do snorkel influencia a eficiência da onda céfalo-caudal, assim como as componentes do movimento ondulatório na técnica de bruços, pela análise de fourier e do número de strouhal. A amostra foi constituída por 8 nadadores portugueses do género masculino (21.25±6.73 anos de idade, 1.77±0.03 m de estatura; 71.14±12.39 kg; 14.89±6.41 %MG; 1.84±0.03 m de envergadura), especialistas na técnica de bruços, com elevado nível competitivo. O protocolo consistiu em realizar dois percursos máximos de 25m em nado global com snorkel ou válvula especifica para natação AQUATRAINER® . Foi efectuada a análise cinemática (Ariel Performance Analysis System, Ariel Dynamics Inc., Califórnia, EUA) de um ciclo gestual completo, com uma frequência de 50 Hz. Recorreu-se ao método de digitalização em planos separados (aéreo e subaquático) e subsequente reconstrução pela aplicação do algoritmo 2D DLT. A velocidade do deslocamento do centro de massa (CM) apresenta um valor médio de 0.91 m.s.-1 (DP= 0.30), no que diz respeito à distância que o nadador percorre, durante um ciclo completo de membros superiores, é em média de 1.22 m.c-1 (DP=0.44), a frequência gestual foi de 45.34 ciclos por unidade de tempo (DP= 9.21). Em média o número de Strouhal foi igual a 0.53 com uma amplitude média de 0.12 m variando entre 0.08 m e 0.18 m . Na análise de Fourier (H1), o valor da frequência apresenta valores próximos de 0.78 Hz e em H2, a frequência apresenta valores médios de 1.56 Hz.
- Assessment of isometric strength of the shoulder rotators in swimmers using a handheld dynamometer: a reliability studyPublication . Conceição, Ana; Parraça, José; Marinho, Daniel; Costa, Mário; Louro, Hugo; Silva, António; Batalha, NunoPurpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of shoulder isometric strength assessment using the microfet 2™ dynamometer in adolescent swimmers. Methods: Twenty-nine participants (16.2 ± 1.2 years old; 59.05 ± 6.98 kg of body mass) were tested using the microfet 2™ dynamometer. Swimmers performed an isometric strength test (IST) in two distinct occasions with 7 days apart in order to calculate the reliability. All participants were asked to perform a maximal isometric contraction from the external and internal shoulder rotators in a prone body position. Results: The external and internal shoulder rotators showed an excellent intraclass correlation coefficients for both shoulders, with more than 0.90 and a low percentage of method error variation. The external/internal ratios reliability was good in dominant (ICC 0.80) and non-dominant (ICC 0.81) shoulders. The reliability using Bland–Altman method showed that systematic errors (mean difference between test-retest) were nearly zero and the 95% limits of agreement narrow, indicating a good reliability. Conclusions: It can be concluded that microfet 2™ is a reliable apparatus for measuring the strength of the external and internal rotation of the shoulder in swimmers. Its light weight and easy portable characteristics can help swimming coaches monitoring specific dry-land strength training programs for their swimmers
- Changes in muscular activity in different stable and unstable conditions on aquatic platformsPublication . Conceição, Ana; Fernandes, Orlando; Baia, Miguel; Parraça, José A.; Gonçalves, Bruno; Batalha, NunoThe present study aimed to analyse and compare the muscle activity of twelve participants (seven men and five women) (age 20.1 ± 0.9 years; height 170.5 ± 10 cm; body mass: 64.86 ± 8.3 kg) in two exercises, each with two variants: squat (dynamic and static) and plank (hands and elbows) in a stable environment on land and an unstable environment on an aquatic platform. The erector spinae, biceps femoris, rectus femoris, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles were evaluated using surface electromyography. The dynamic squat increases the recruitment of the biceps femoris and external oblique, while the static squat demands greater activation of the rectus femoris. The elbow plank exercise increases the recruitment of erector spinae muscles, and the hand plank exercise increases the recruitment of the erector spinae and external oblique. In conclusion, performing exercises in unstable conditions on an aquatic platform slightly increases muscle recruitment.
- Comparison of cardiorespiratory resistance in different menstrual cycle phases in female futsal playersPublication . Nabo, Joana; Conceição, Ana; Parraça, José; Tomas-Carus, Pablo; Batalha, NunoIntroduction: This study was aimed to investigated and compare the cardiorespiratory resistance of futsal players during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Material and methods: Fourteen female players (age: 24.1 ± 4.1 years; body mass: 59.6 ± 9.1 kg; height: 1.64 ± 0.06 m; index body mass: 22.1 ± 2.8 kg/m2) were submitted to a cardiorespiratory resistance test, that was performed in a calibrated treadmill, where we had as reference for the calculation of VO2max. Each subject also performed two evaluations of the intended test, corresponding to the phases of the menstrual cycle: folicular phase (day 8 ± 3) and luteal phase (day 20 ± 2). Results: The results of the present research showed that there were significant changes, showing higher values of the cardiorespiratory resistance in luteal phase (VO2max = 41.199 ml/kg/min) compared to folicular phase of the menstrual cycle (VO2max = 39.030 ml/kg/min), where p = 0.043. There is still a great deal of controversy in the existing literature when considering a relationship of menstrual cycle phases to physical exercise. Conclusion: The cardiorespiratory resistance of futsal players was increased in luteal phase compared to follicular phase, and management of the training is advisable, namely in type and volume.
- Phase angle as a key marker of muscular and bone quality in community-dwelling independent older adults: A cross-sectional exploratory pilot studyPublication . Martins, Alexandre; Brito, João; Batalha, Nuno; Oliveira, Rafael; Parraca, Jose A.; Fernandes, OrlandoThe aim of the present cross-sectional exploratory pilot study was to analyze the ability of the Phase Angle (PhA) to predict physical function, muscle strength and bone indicators, upon adjusting for potential confounders [age, sex, lean mass, and body mass index (BMI)]. This study included 56 physically independent older adults (age, 68.29 ± 3.01 years; BMI, 28.09 ± 4.37 kg/ m2 ). A multi-frequency segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to measure PhA at 50 KHz. Additionally, physical function was assessed through four functional capacity tests [30- sec chair-stand; seated medicine ball throw (SMBT); timed up & go; and 6-min walking test (6 MWT)], muscle strength through the handgrip test (dominant side) and maximal isokinetic strength of the dominant knee flexor and extensor. Moreover, bone indicators and body composition were assessed through the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. PhA was significantly associated with SMBT (r = 0.375, effect size (ES) = moderate); 6 MWT (r = 0.396, ES = moderate); 30-sec chair-stand (rho = 0.314, ES = moderate); knee extension (rho = 0.566, ES = large) and flexion (r = 0.459, ES = moderate); handgrip (rho = 0.432, ES = moderate); whole-body bone mineral content (BMC) (r = 0.316, ES = moderate); femoral neck BMC (r = 0.469, ES = moderate); and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) (rho = 0.433, ES = moderate). Additionally, the results of multiple regression analysis demonstrated that PhA is significantly associated with SMBT (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.629), 6 MWT (p = 0.004; R2 = 0.214), knee extension (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.697), knee flexion (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.355), handgrip test (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.774), whole-body BMC (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.524), femoral neck BMC (p = 0.001; R2 = 0.249), and femoral neck BMD (p = 0.020; R2 = 0.153). The results of the preliminary analysis suggested that PhA is linked to muscle strength and some factors related to physical function and bone quality in community-dwelling older adults.
- The acute effects of a swimming session on the shoulder rotators strength and balance of age group swimmersPublication . Batalha, Nuno; Parraca, Jose A.; Marinho, Daniel A.; Conceição, Ana; Louro, Hugo; Silva, António J.; Costa, Mário J.The purpose of this study was to analyze the acute effects of a standardized water training session on the shoulder rotators strength and balance in age group swimmers, in order to understand whether a muscle-strengthening workout immediately after the water training is appropriate. A repeated measures design was implemented with two measurements performed before and after a standardized swim session. 127 participants were assembled in male (n = 72; age: 16.28 ± 1.55 years, height: 174.15 ± 7.89 cm, weight: 63.97 ± 6.51 kg) and female (n = 55; age: 15.29 ± 1.28 years, height: 163.03 ± 7.19 cm, weight: 52.72 ± 5.48 kg) cohorts. The isometric torque of the shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators, as well as the ER/IR ratios, were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Paired sample t-tests and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were used (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were found on the shoulder rotators strength or balance in males after training. Females exhibited unchanged strength values after practice, but there was a considerable decrease in the shoulder rotators balance of the non-dominant limb (p < 0.01 d = 0.366). This indicates that a single practice seems not to affect the shoulders strength and balance of adolescent swimmers, but this can be a gender specific phenomenon. While muscle-strengthening workout after the water session may be appropriate for males, it can be questionable regarding females. Swimming coaches should regularly assess shoulder strength levels in order to individually identify swimmers who may or may not be able to practice muscle strengthening after the water training.