Introduction: The loss of muscle mass is becoming a very common problem among critically ill patients and it’s also strongly related to their prognosis and quality of life after leaving the intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the loss of muscle mass in the first five days, since the patient is admitted to the intensive care unit, and if there is a relationship between this muscle wasting and the nutritional support provided to patients. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled adult patients admitted in the intensive care unit between January and March 2020. On the day of admission and on the fifth day of follow-up, an ultrasound evaluation of the thickness of the biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris was performed. During the five-day period we also analyzed the energy and protein support that was provided to the patients. Results: Thirty five patients were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 64±15, mostly male gender (62.9%). There was a loss of 1.77 mm in the thickness of the biceps brachii and 2.19 mm in the quadriceps femoris. We observed that the patients received an estimated daily nutritional support that corresponds to 20.0% of their energy and 24.9% of their protein needs.  Conclusion: It is feasible to objectively and non-invasively evaluate the muscle mass in critically ill patients and there was a significant decrease in muscle mass in the first days after admission. The nutritional support provided was significantly lower than recommended.

To apply a new method to identify, classify, and follow up young swimmers based on their performance and its determinant factors over a season and analyze the swimmers' stability over a competitive season with that method. Fifteen boys and 18 girls (11.8±0.7 y) part of a national talent-identification scheme were evaluated at 3 different moments of a competitive season. Performance (ie, official 100-m freestyle race time), arm span, chest perimeter, stroke length, swimming velocity, speed fluctuation, coefficient of active drag, propelling efficiency, and stroke index were selected as variables. Hierarchical and k-means cluster analysis were computed. Data suggested a 3-cluster solution, splitting the swimmers according to their performance in all 3 moments. Cluster 1 was related to better performances (talented swimmers), cluster 2 to poor performances (nonproficient swimmers), and cluster 3 to average performance (proficient swimmers) in all moments. Stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that 100%, 94%, and 85% of original groups were correctly classified for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd evaluation moments, respectively (0.11≤Λ≤0.80; 5.64≤χ2≤63.40; 0.001<P≤.68). Membership of clusters was moderately stable over the season (stability range 46.1-75% for the 2 clusters with most subjects). Cluster stability is a feasible, comprehensive, and informative method to gain insight into changes in performance and its determinant factors in young swimmers. Talented swimmers were characterized by anthropometrics and kinematic features.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyze secular trends in anthropometrics and physical fitness of Portuguese children. Material and Methods: A group of 1819 students (881 boys and 938 girls) between 10 and 11 years old was assessed in their 5th and 6th scholar grade throughout a 20 years’ time-frame. ANCOVA models were used to analyze variations in anthropometrics (height, weight and body mass index) and physical fitness (sit and reach, curl-up, horizontal jump and sprint time) across four quinquennials (1993 - 1998; 1998 - 2003; 2003 - 2008; 2008 - 2013). Results: Secular trends showed the presence of heavier boys and girls with higher body mass index in the 5th and 6th grade throughout the last 20 years. There was also a presence of taller girls but just until the 3rd quinquennial. Both boys and girls were able to perform better on the core strength test and sprint time but become less flexible over the years. Mean jumping performance remained unchanged for both genders. Discussion: The present study provides novel data on anthropometrics and physical fitness trends over the last two decades in young Portuguese children, consistent with the results reported in other developed countries. Conclusion: Evidence for the start of a positive secular trend in body mass index and in some physical fitness components over the last two decades among the Portuguese youth.

The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is a red flag in industries and is considered an occupational health issue that affects the operator’s well-being, safety, and health. This study contributes to understanding the impact of Industry 5.0 on the workforce and emphasizes the importance of promoting a safe and healthy working environment. Thus, it focuses on the assessment of anthropometric characteristics and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in a real industrial environment, specifically in the metal polishing sector of a metallurgical industry in Portugal. The research collected data on physical attributes, health status, and musculoskeletal symptoms using the Portuguese version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and incorporated sociodemographic data, including age, gender, and professional status, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the active workforce. The results were analyzed by gender and age clusters and revealed a prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, particularly in the spinal column and upper limbs, with a significant impact on the ability to perform work tasks. The need for preventive measures and ergonomic interventions to minimize the high predominance of musculoskeletal symptoms in Portuguese industries is also highlighted to improve the working conditions and enhance the well-being and health of operators.

A variety of performance outputs are strongly determined by lower limbs volume and composition in children and adolescents. The current study aimed to examine the validity of thigh volume (TV) estimated by anthropometry in late adolescent female volleyball players. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measures were used as the reference method. Total and regional body composition was assessed with a Lunar DPX NT/Pro/MD+/Duo/Bravo scanner in a cross-sectional sample of 42 Portuguese female volleyball players aged 14-18 years (165.2 ± 0.9 cm; 61.1 ± 1.4 kg). TV was estimated with the reference method (TV-DXA) and with the anthropometric method (TV-ANTH). Agreement between procedures was assessed with Deming regression. The analysis also considered a calibration of the anthropometric approach. The equation that best predicted TV-DXA was: -0.899 + 0.876 × log10 (body mass) + 0.113 × log10 (TV-ANTH). This new model (NM) was validated using the predicted residual sum of squares (PRESS) method (R2PRESS = 0.838). Correlation between the reference method and the NM was 0.934 (95%CI: 0.880-0.964, Sy∙x = 0.325 L). A new and accurate anthropometric method to estimate TV in adolescent female volleyball players was obtained from the equation of Jones and Pearson alongside with adjustments for body mass.

The aim of this article has been to classify swimmers based on kinematics, hydrodynamics, and anthropometrics. Sixty-seven young swimmers made a maximal 25 m front-crawl to measure with a speedometer the swimming velocity (v), speed-fluctuation (dv) and dv normalized to v (dv/v). Another two 25 m bouts with and without carrying a perturbation device were made to estimate active drag coefficient (CDa). Trunk transverse surface area (S) was measured with photogrammetric technique on land and in the hydrodynamic position. Cluster 1 was related to swimmers with a high speed fluctuation (ie, dv and dv/v), cluster 2 with anthropometrics (ie, S) and cluster 3 with a high hydrodynamic profile (ie, CDa). The variable that seems to discriminate better the clusters was the dv/v (F=53.680; P<.001), followed by the dv (F=28.506; P<.001), CDa (F=21.025; P<.001), S (F=6.297; P<.01) and v (F=5.375; P=.01). Stepwise discriminant analysis extracted 2 functions: Function 1 was mainly defined by dv/v and S (74.3% of variance), whereas function 2 was mainly defined by CDa (25.7% of variance). It can be concluded that kinematics, hydrodynamics and anthropometrics are determinant domains in which to classify and characterize young swimmers' profiles.

To develop a performance predictor model based on swimmers' biomechanical profile, relate the partial contribution of the main predictors with the training program, and analyze the time effect, sex effect, and time × sex interaction. 91 swimmers (44 boys, 12.04 ± 0.81 y; 47 girls, 11.22 ± 0.98 y) evaluated during a 3-y period. The decimal age and anthropometric, kinematic, and efficiency features were collected 10 different times over 3 seasons (ie, longitudinal research). Hierarchical linear modeling was the procedure used to estimate the performance predictors. Performance improved between season 1 early and season 3 late for both sexes (boys 26.9% [20.88;32.96], girls 16.1% [10.34;22.54]). Decimal age (estimate [EST] -2.05, P < .001), arm span (EST -0.59, P < .001), stroke length (EST 3.82; P = .002), and propelling efficiency (EST -0.17, P = .001) were entered in the final model. Over 3 consecutive seasons young swimmers' performance improved. Performance is a multifactorial phenomenon where anthropometrics, kinematics, and efficiency were the main determinants. The change of these factors over time was coupled with the training plans of this talent identification and development program.

The aim of the study was to follow-up the stability of young talented swimmers' performance and its biomechanical determinant factors (i.e., anthropometrics, kinematics, hydrodynamics and efficiency) during a competitive season. Thirty three (15 boys and 18 girls) young swimmers (overall: 11.81 ± 0.75 years old and Tanner stages 1-2 by self-evaluation) were evaluated. Performance, anthropometrics, hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency variables were assessed at three moments during a competitive season. Performance had a significant improvement (with minimum effect size) and a moderate-very high stability throughout the season. In the anthropometrics domain all variables increased significantly (ranging from without to minimum effect size) between moments and had a moderate-very high stability. Hydrodynamics presented no variations between all moments and had a low-very high stability throughout the season. In the kinematics domain, there were no variations between moment one and three, except for an increase in stroke frequency (without size effect). Speed fluctuation remained constant, with no significant variations. All kinematic variables had a low-very high stability. Efficiency variables did not present variations between moment one and three and had a low-moderate stability. Overall, young swimmers showed a minimum improvement in performance and in anthropometric factors; and a moderate stability of performance and its determinant factors (i.e., anthropometrics, hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency) during the competitive season.

Buscou-se desenvolver, validar e comparar tabelas normativas das idades cronológicas e ósseas da massa corporal, estatura, coordenação motora, velocidade de deslocamento e força explosiva de membros inferiores de crianças do sexo masculino entre 10 e 14 anos, do projeto Rio Olímpico no Rio de Janeiro. Com amostra de 694 indivíduos, utilizou-se a técnica Survey Normativo, e os protocolos: massa corporal, estatura, velocidade de deslocamento (30 metros), coordenação motora (Burpee), impulsão vertical (Sargent Jump Test) e Idade óssea (raios-X de punho/mão). Verificou-se normalidade por Kolmogorov Smirnov, identificando-se ainda média e desvio padrão. Aplicou-se regressão linear múltipla para identificar a influência das variáveis independentes (idades cronológica e óssea) sobre as variáveis dependentes (força MI, coordenação e velocidade). Foram gerados subgrupos pela idade óssea por clusterização (G1=8, G2=9, G3=10, G4=11 a 13, G5=14 a 16 anos). Aplicou-se análise de variância (One-Way ANOVA) para comparação dos resultados dos testes entre os subgrupos e Post Hoc de Scheffé nos casos de diferenças significativas. Desenvolveram-se tabelas das idades óssea e cronológica, utilizando-se o “Percentil” em 5 intervalos: de p0-p19,9; de p20-p39,9%; de p40-p59,9%; de p60-p79,9% e de p80 até p100%. Tendo como parâmetro idade óssea e massa corporal, G4 e G5 apresentaram diferenças (p=0,001) dos grupos G1, G2, e G3 que não foram diferentes entre si. Na estatura existe diferença (p=0,001) entre G1, G2, G3 e G4, quando comparados ao G5, assim como entre G1 e G4; do G2 com G3 e G4 (p=0,001). Na massa corporal e estatura G1, G2, G3, G4 e G5 apresentaram diferenças (p=0,001). Na comparação dos testes e idades ósseas dentro de cada grupo, não observaram-se diferenças significativas, porém, comparados entre grupos, apresentaram diferenças estatística significativa F(4; 378,4580) = 225,17; (p = 0,001). O grupo G5 diferiu do G3 na coordenação motora (p=0,001); e G5 apresentou maior força explosiva comparada a G1, G2, G3 e G4 (p=0,001) apresentando diferença entre G2 e G4 (p=0,001). Na velocidade de deslocamento, G5 apresentou resultados significativos em relação a G2, G3 e G4 (p=0,001). Os grupos G1, G2, G3, G4 e G5 se mostraram independentes para padrões motores. Ambas as idades cronológica e óssea apresentaram resultados significativos na composição da reta para explicar impulsão vertical respectivamente o valor para o R=0,79 e 0,79; R2 = 0,63 e 0,62 para um p=0,001. Os resultados apresentaram 63% de certeza que a maturação óssea não influenciou a força explosiva. A coordenação motora não sofreu influência da idade cronológica (R = 0,49 para um R2 = 0,24) e idade óssea (R =0,36 e R2 = 0,13). A velocidade de deslocamento obteve para a idade cronológica (R = 0,59 para um R2 = 0,35) e idade óssea (R = 0,56 e um R2 = 0,31). Os resultados da reta de regressão indicam as idades óssea e cronológica aproximadamente 61% e 60%, de influência sobre as qualidades físicas. Observando os resultados dos testes, tendo a idade cronológica como variável determinante, não houve diferença significativa entre as idades óssea e cronológica, justificando, a utilização da tabela de idade cronológica em detrimento da óssea.

The individual characteristics related to anthropometry, body composition, and physical capacities are important in the performance of soccer players, especially in terms of field position, which isone of the aspects to be considered in talent identification. A total of 48 soccer players under15 years of agewere evaluated using a Tanita UM076scale (body composition), Ergojump system (lower limb strength), handgrip (maximum isometric strength of hand and forearm muscles), Illinois agility test (agility), 30-meter sprint test (speed), and sit and reach test (flexibility). IBM SPSS 24 was used for data analysis, namely, descriptive analysis, analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA)andTukey posteriori test (p < 0.05) to confirm significant differences regarding the soccer players different field positions factor.Pearson's correlation test (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) was used to confirm the existence of correlations between variables. We observedstatistically significant differences between players from different field positions in terms of body composition and agility. Strong correlations were verifiedbetweenthe body composition variables, as well as between the variables of physical capacities and when analyzing body composition relationship to physical capacities. Our results point to the fact that soccer players of certain field positions present specific characteristics.This informationcan help coachesto optimize training tasks and performance enhancementsduringthe soccer game. In addition, these results canprovide support in the definition ofevaluation criteria for anthropomet