Browsing by Author "Costa, Aldo"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 13
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Air ventilation effects during the stationary roller bicycle testPublication . Brito, João; Costa, Aldo; Bento, Pedro; Garrido, Nuno; Reis, Vitor; Conceição, Ana; Louro, HugoProblem Statement: The aim of our study was to analyse the influence of body cooling through fan airflow, in acute physiological responses of elite cyclists during a maximal progressive exercise with four stages. Approach: Nine male cyclists, from the sub-23 and elite category (average age, 26.11 ± 5.11 years-old; average weight, 68.69 ± 7.28 kg; average height, 172.87 ± 3.53 cm) performed, in random order, two discontinued maximum cycling tests with progressive increments: one with fan airflow ~10km/h-1 (~3m.s-1), and the other without it, with an initial load of 150 Watts (W), and an increase of 50 Wevery 6-minute long stage, until exhaustion. In both test conditions, the heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), blood lactate concentration [La], tympanic temperature (TT), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), were measured. Results: When the test conditions were compared, no significant differences were found between the stages for HR and RPE. Significant differences were noted for La, only at the 4th stage of the test (p=0.008). The VO2max was significantly different between the protocols (p=0.004), with significant variations at stage 2 (p=0.033), and 3 (p=0.028). TT was significantly lower (p<0.05) during all the four stages of the protocol. With the exception of HR, all the registered maximum values were significantly different (p>0.05) between the two test conditions and were achieved in the stage in which each subject reached VO2max. Conclusions: The speed of airflow at ~10 km.h-1 does seem to induce significant variations in the acute physiological responses of elite cyclists, as seen during a discontinued maximal progressive cycling test.
- Anaerobic critical velocity and sprint swimming performance in master swimmersPublication . Espada, Mário; Costa, Aldo; Louro, Hugo; Conceição, Ana; Filho, Dalton; Pereira, AnaThe aims of this study were to determine and analyze the relationship between anaerobic critical velocity (AnCV, m.s-1 ) in master swimmers and short swimming distances performances. AnCV was determined for twenty four male master swimmers (42.0 ± 7.5 years) based on the performance in 15, 25, and 50 m swimming distances. Data was calculated for each swimmer using the slope of the distance-time relationship and compared with the individual best swimming performance in 100 and 200 m distances. AnCV15-25 (1.25 ± 0.22 m.s-1 ) was significantly lower than AnCV15-25-50 (1.29 ± 0.23 m.s-1 ) and AnCV25-50 (1.31 ± 0.23 m.s-1 ) was significantly faster compared to AnCV15-25 and AnCV15-25-50. All AnCV combinations were strongly correlated with swimming performance in 25, 50 and 100 m front-crawl (above 0.90, p < 0.01), and 25 and 200 m performances in master swimmers (below 0.90, p < 0.01). These findings suggest that AnCV can be used as a race-pace training reference to monitoring and prescribing anaerobic training in master swimmers, a non-invasive and inexpensive method that can estimate parameters normally obtained from blood lactate analysis.
- Anaerobic fitness assessment in taekwondo athletes. A new perspectivePublication . Rocha, Fernando; Louro, Hugo; Matias, Ricardo; Costa, AldoWe intended to determine the concurrent validity of a taekwondo specific anaerobic test (TSAT) to assess anaerobic fitness in taekwondo athletes. Seventeen elite male subjects (17.59 ± 4.34 years of age; 1.72 m ± .07 m in height; 61.3 kg ± 8.7 kg in weight and 15.6% ± 8.5% in body fat) performed a TSAT, which consisted of kicking a punching bag for 30 seconds. The standard test was the Wingate Anaerobic Test. Two trials were made for both tests and the agreement between both was tested. The variables analysed and compared were: peak power; relative peak power; mean anaerobic power; relative mean anaerobic power; fatigue index and anaerobic capacity. The number of kicks performed in the TSAT protocol and the maximum height of the counter movement jump (CMJ) were also registered. Trial I and II had significant ICC results in all variables (P = .000) ranged between 0.56 and 0.97. Both protocols were significantly correlated (r = 0.55 to 0.88; P = .000 to .05). CMJ strongly correlated with the number of techniques (r=0.59; P = .013) and the mean power (r = 0.56; P = .019) of the TSAT. The variables between the two methods correlate and are consistent, except for the anaerobic capacity that although correlated, is not consistent with constant bias, P = 0.001; CI]-705.1;-370.2[. TSAT has a level of agreement with the Wingate, and assigns specificity in the evaluation of these variables.
- Análise da participação e predição do desempenho masculino nas provas de 50 e 100m livres em natação mastersPublication . Matos, Telmo; Costa, Aldo; Pereira, Ana; Espada, Mário; Louro, HugoO estudo em questão teve como objetivos: (i) analisar a participação de nadadores masters masculinos nos últimos campeonatos nacionais nas provas de 50 e 100 m livres; (ii) elaborar uma predição de resultados para os próximos campeonatos nacionais e campeonatos mundiais de masters. Foi analisada a participação de todos os atletas masculinos nas provas de 50 e 100 m livres nos últimos cinco campeonatos nacionais de verão em todos os escalões etários, sendo que, para a elaboração do desempenho foram utilizados os registos cronométricos dos primeiros classificados dos últimos cinco campeonatos nacionais e mundiais nas referidas provas e escalões. Para cálculo da predição dos resultados, foi utilizado o polinomial y = (-) ax² - bx + c, com o auxílio do software Excel (2003, para Windows). Foram verificadas alterações ao nível da participação masculina nos campeonatos nacionais em função do escalão etário da prova e do respetivo ano de participação. Relativamente às predições encontradas, verificamos que existe tendência para existirem novos recordes nacionais e mundiais. Em síntese, a predição ao nível competitivo nesta categoria (masters) torna-se fundamental para a definição de novos objetivos e metas a atingir.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype affects skeletal muscle strength in elite athletesPublication . Costa, Aldo; Silva, António; Garrido, Nuno; Louro, Hugo; Marinho, Daniel; Marques, Mário; Breitenfeld, LuisaPrevious studies have associated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) D allele with variability in the skeletal muscle baseline strength, though conclusions have been inconsistent across investigations. The purpose of this study was to examine the possible association between ACE genotype and skeletal muscle baseline strength in elite male and female athletes involved in different event expertise. A group of 58 elite athletes, designated as Olympic candidates, were studied: 35 swimmers (19 males and 16 females, 18.8 ± 3.2 years) and 23 triathletes (15 males and 8 females, 18.7 ± 3.0 years). The athletes were classified as: short (≤ 200m) and middle (400m to 1500m) distance athletes, respectively. For each subject the grip strength in both hands was measure using an adjustable mechanical hand dynamometer. The maximum height in both squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ) were also assessed, using a trigonometric carpet (Ergojump Digitime 1000; Digitest, Jyvaskyla, Finland). DNA extraction was obtained with Chelex 100® and genotype determination by PCR-RFLP methods. Both males and females showed significantly higher right grip strength in D allele carriers compared to II homozygote’s. We found that allelic frequency differs significantly by event distance specialization in both genders (p < 0.05). In fact, sprinter D allele carriers showed the superior scores in nearly all strength measurements (p < 0.05), in both genders. Among endurance athletes, the results also demonstrated that female D allele carriers exhibited the higher performance right grip and CMJ scores (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the ACE D allele seems associated with skeletal muscle baseline strength in elite athletes, being easily identified in females.
- Can the curriculum be used to estimate critical velocity in young competitive swimmers?Publication . Costa, Aldo; Silva, António; Louro, Hugo; Reis, Victor; Garrido, Nuno; Marques, Mário; Marinho, DanielThe aims of the present study were to assess critical velocity using the swimmer curriculum in front crawl events and to compare critical velocity to the velocity corresponding to a 4 mmol·l-1 of blood lactate concentration and to the velocity of a 30 min test. The sample included 24 high level male swimmers ranged between 14 and 16 years old. For each subject the critical velocity, the velocity corresponding to a 4 mmol·l-1 of blood lactate concentration and the mean velocity of a 30 min test were determined. The critical velocity was also estimated by considering the best performance of a swimmer over several distances based on the swimmer curriculum. Critical velocity including 100, 200 and 400 m events was not different from the velocity of 4 mmol·l-1 of blood lactate concentration. Critical velocity including all the swimmer events was not different from the velocity of a 30 min test. The assessment of critical velocity based upon the swimmer curriculum would therefore seem to be a good approach to determine the aerobic ability of a swimmer. The selection of the events to be included in critical velocity assessment must be a main concern in the evaluation of the swimmer.
- Caracterização dos domínios de intensidade de exercício na natação pura desportivaPublication . Espada, Mário; Costa, Aldo; Conceição, Ana; Louro, Hugo; Filho, Dalton; Alves, FranciscoA natação pura desportiva (NPD) apresenta um longo historial e é atualmente uma modalidade desportiva olímpica com dezasseis provas competitivas em cada género. Está a receber muita atenção e interesse por parte da comunidade científica na tentativa de estabelecer melhores processos metodológicos para a melhoria do desempenho dos atletas. Trata-se de uma modalidade desportiva predominantemente composta por provas com grande participação aeróbia, o que conduz à necessidade de grande precisão ao nível da avaliação e controlo do treino. Neste particular, os domínios de intensidade de exercício afirmam-se como fundamentais na articulação com as zonas de intensidade em que se pretende que os atletas treinem diariamente, assim como, na periódica avaliação com vista à adequação do processo de treino à evolução dos nadadores. Objetivo deste capítulo é efetuar uma revisão da literatura do tipo qualitativa acerca da caracterização dos domínios de intensidade de exercício com aplicação à NPD.
- Determination of Aerobic Power Through a Specific Test for Taekwondo ‐ A Predictive Equation ModelPublication . Rocha, Fernando; Louro, Hugo; Matias, Ricardo; Brito, João; Costa, AldoOur aim was to verify the concurrent validity of a maximal taekwondo specific test (TST) to predict VO2max through an explanatory model. Seventeen elite male taekwondo athletes (age: 17.59 ± 4.34 years; body height: 1.72 ± 6.5 m; body mass: 61.3 ± 8.7 kg) performed two graded maximal exercise tests on different days: a 20 m multistage shuttle run test (SRT) and an incremental TST. We recorded test time, VO2max, ventilation, a heart rate and time to exhaustion. Significant differences were found between observed and estimated VO2max values [F (2, 16) = 5.77, p < 0.01]; post-hoc subgroup analysis revealed the existence of significant differences (p = 0.04) between the estimated VO2max value in the SRT and the observed value recorded in the TST (58.4 ± 6.4 ml/kg/min and 52.6 ± 5.2 ml/kg/min, respectively). Our analysis also revealed a moderate correlation between both testing protocols regarding VO2max (r = 0.70; p = 0.005), test time (r = 0.77; p = 0.02) and ventilation (r = 0.69; p = 0.03). There was no proportional bias in the mean difference (t = -1.04; p = 0.313), and there was a level of agreement between both tests. An equation/model was used to estimate VO2max during the TST based on the mean heart rate, test time, body height and mass, which explained 74.3% of the observed VO2max variability. A moderate correlation was found between the observed and predicted VO2max values in the taekwondo TST (r = 0.74, p = 0.001). Our results suggest that an incremental specific test estimates VO2max of elite taekwondo athletes with acceptable concurrent validity.
- Interactional response during Iinfants’ aquatic sessionsPublication . Martins, Marta; Costa, Aldo; Costa, Mario J.; Marinho, Daniel A; Barbosa, Tiago M.The aim of study was to assess infants' behaviour during routine swimming sessions using a naturalistic observation method. The study sample included 14 infants (13.7±7.5 months old) with previous aquatic experience. The frequency of occurrences per unit of time (session) in the different dimensions - infant's motor behaviour and social-affective interaction - was registered over the course of two sessions by two independent experts. The behaviours most frequently observed were accompanied displacement (61.1%) and interaction with others (41.6%). Submersions or jumps represented only 8.4% of the session. Implementing a child-centred methodology leads to positive behaviours during this type of sessions, contributing to the child's healthy development.
- Maximal swimming distance at anaerobic critical velocityPublication . Louro, Hugo; Silva, Pedro; Conceição, Ana; Neiva, Henrique; Marinho, Daniel; Costa, AldoThe aim of this study was to assess anaerobic critical velocity in swimming, its relationships with short distance performance and determine the maximal distance that can be performed at this assessed velocity. Nine male swimmers performed 15, 25 and 50 m maximal front-crawl swimming (30 min rest intervals) to calculate anaerobic critical velocity. Each swimmer also performed 100 m front-crawl at maximal velocity. Additionally, it was aimed to assess the maximal distance that could be performed at the previously assessed individual anaerobic critical velocity (up to 150 m). Capillary blood lactate concentrations and biomechanical variables were assessed on both swimming tests. Results show that anaerobic critical velocity and maximal 100 m front-crawl were highly correlated (r=0.88, P<0.01) and no differences were noted between them (1.61 ± 0.07 m.s-1 and 1.60 ± 0.08 m.s-1, respectively; P=0.34). The swimmers were able to perform 97.22 ± 20.51 m at anaerobic critical velocity. However, no relationship was found between the total distance achieved and anaerobic critical velocity (r=0.27, P=0.49) and 100m performance (r=0.49, P=0.19). Blood lactate concentration values were also different in the 3rd and 5th minutes of recovery between the two tests (P<0.05). Likewise, variations of the biomechanical variables were noted between the tests. Our results suggest that anaerobic critical velocity is a relevant tool related to the swimmer’s overall performance in short distances events. However, higher assessed velocities are not necessarily correspondent to more swimming distances without fatigue