Construct validity and reliability of the 2-Minute Step Test (2MST) in individuals with low back pain.

Background: Functional tests are important clinical tools, since they are non-invasive methods, with simple applicability, and low cost. However, there are few tests adapted for individuals with chronic low back pain. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the 2-Minute Step Test in individuals with chronic low back pain and to correlate the test score with measures of pain and physical activity.

C-Reactive Protein and Skin Temperature of the lower limbs of Brazilian elite soccer players like load markers following three consecutive games.

The aim of the study was to compare the levels and relative responses of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Skin Temperature (Tsk) of the lower limbs (LLs) of elite soccer players following three consecutive games with short intervals (< 4 days). Eleven male professional athletes (age, 29.26 ± 4.

Relationship between infrared thermography and muscle damage markers in physically active men after plyometric exercise.

Plyometric training has been used in several sports and fitness programs to improve jumping ability and explosive strength, both in individual and team sports. Eccentric muscle actions, such as those performed during plyometric jumps, induce muscle damage and consequently a rise in skin temperature (Tsk). Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the response of infrared thermography measurement as an indirect marker of muscle damage after a protocol of plyometric jumps in physically active subjects.

Effect of Fatigue and Graded Running on Kinematics and Kinetics Parameters in Triathletes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cycling-induced fatigue on subsequent running with different ground inclinations on triathletes. Twenty male triathletes ran on a treadmill at individual speeds, on three inclines: level (0%), 7% uphill (7%), and 7% downhill (-7%). Subsequently, the athletes performed an incremental ramp-to-exhaustion (RTE) protocol on an ergometric bicycle until task failure and repeated the running protocol (POST-RTE).

Distance and Intensity Profiles in Division I Women's Soccer Matches across a Competitive Season.

Women's participation in soccer has increased rapidly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological demands imposed on women's NCAA Division I soccer players across a season according to speed, total distance traveled, and numbers of sprints measured via GPS (Polar Team Pro). Eighteen athletes (19.

Physiological responses during the long-distance race in the warm environment in runners: a pilot-study.

Background: This study investigated the effects of warm temperature in the external environment on physiological response in self- pace during the long-distance race in runners and the association between the physiological index of endurance performance (i.e., speeds at ventilatory anaerobic threshold [VVAT], respiratory compensation [VRCP], maximum oxygen uptake [VVO2max], and running economy) and average pace for each 3-km during the 21-km race.

Thermoregulatory and metabolic responses to a half-marathon run in hot, humid conditions.

This study describes the thermoregulatory and metabolic responses during a simulated half-marathon (21 km) run performed outdoors in a hot, humid environment. Ten male runners were recruited for the study, The run was carried out individually under solar radiation on a predetermined path in the following environmental conditions (ambient temperature: 27.96 ± 1.

Association Between Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia and Intestinal Permeability: A Systematic Review.

Background: Prolonged and strenuous physical exercise increases intestinal permeability, allowing luminal endotoxins to translocate through the intestinal barrier and reach the bloodstream. When recognized by the immune system, these endotoxins trigger a systemic inflammatory response that may affect physical performance and, in severe cases, induce heat stroke. However, it remains to be elucidated whether there is a relationship between the magnitude of exercise-induced hyperthermia and changes in intestinal permeability.

Physical performance and environmental conditions: 2014 World Soccer Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

This editorial is for the special issue "Temperature sciences in Brazil" of the journal Temperature. It focuses on the physical performance and environmental conditions during the 2014 World Cup and the coming 2016 Summer Olympics. It emphasizes that a hot and humid environment imposes a great challenge to the human thermoregulation system, can lead to performance decrements, and increases the risk of developing hyperthermia.

Effect of ACTN3 gene on strength and endurance in soccer players.

Sports efficiency in activities in which strength and speed are the determining factors has been associated to the ACTN3 gene, which is responsible for the expression of α-actinin-3. Soccer is a mainly aerobic sport because of its long duration, but the acute actions that define the game demand a lot of strength and speed. The purpose of the present study was to compare the performance capacity of soccer players with different genotype groups of ACTN3 (XX, RX, and RR) in strength, speed, and endurance tests.

The ACTN3 genotype in soccer players in response to acute eccentric training.

Genetic factors can interfere with sporting performance. The identification of genetic predisposition of soccer players brings important information to trainers and coaches for individual training loads adjustment. Different responses to eccentric training could be observed by the genotype referred to as α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) in biomarkers of muscle damage, hormones and inflammatory responses.