Imbalance in shoulder rotator muscles is a well-documented problem in swimmers, and it is important to implement land-based strength training programs. Meanwhile, the effects of a detraining period on swimmers’ shoulder rotator muscles are unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of a strength training program and detraining on the strength and balance of shoulder rotator cuff muscles in young swimmers, despite the continuity of usual water training. An experimental group (n=20) and a control group (n=20) of young male swimmers with the same characteristics (age, body mass, height, training volume and maturational state) were evaluated. In both groups, the peak torques of shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators were assessed during pre-season, mid-season (16 weeks), and post-season (32 weeks). The experimental group underwent a strength training regimen from baseline to 16 weeks and a detraining period from 16 to 32 weeks. Concentric action at 60º∙s-1 and 180º∙s-1 were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. The ER/IR strength ratios were obtained. At 60º∙s-1 there were significant increments in IR strength and the ER/IR ratio in both shoulders. This trend was the same throughout the competitive season. The tendency was the same at 180º∙s-1 since training effects were noted primarily in IR and ER/IR ratios. Moreover, the absence of land-based strength training, from 16 to 32 weeks, revealed a reduction in the ER/IR ratio values in both shoulders. Our findings suggest that young swimmers’ coaches should use dry-land strength training protocols, and that it is recommended that these should be conducted on a regular basis (during the whole season).

Introduction: In any given sports activity, muscular or movement instability is pointed out as having a high influence for the maintenance of correct joint functionality. In swimming, due to the repetitive use of shoulder muscles, there is a higher tendency to promote injuries at the shoulder joint, especially when instability between the internal (IR) and external (ER) shoulder rotators is present. The aims of this study were to evaluate the rotator cuff isokinetic strength in order to determine any possible muscular over compensation or imbalance, and to assess differences between the dominant and non-dominant side, of young group aged swimmers. Methods: Forty young aged swimmers in a competitive training program were evaluated, and divided in two groups. Only subjects without any previous history of strength training were included. Group 1 (n=19), age 15 to 16 (years); height [mean (SD)] 168.6 (6.5) (centimeters); weight 59.6 (6.0) (kilograms), training/week 113.7 (12.6) (minutes); experience 5.3 (1.6) (years) and Group 2 (n=21); age 13 to 14; height 160.5 (12.2); weight 50.4 (10.8); training/week 88.6 (17.7); experience 4.1 (2.2) (years). The maximal unilateral isokinetic strength was measured (Biodex System 3) on the shoulder IR and ER during concentric action at 60°/second, bilaterally. Data was examined by the application of appropriate statistical tests for the analysis of variance. Results: Statistical differences were found on peak torque (Nm) at the agonist/antagonist ratio measured unilaterally [Group 1: right shoulder 35.8 (7.9) (IR) and 25.8 (4.7) (ER) (p=0.001) and left shoulder 32.7 (6.7) (IR) and 23.9 (5.1) (ER) (p=0.001) / Group 2: right shoulder 23.4 (6.5) (IR) and 19.0 (5.4) (ER) (p=0.048) and left shoulder 22.4 (5.4) (IR) and 16.8 (6.1) (ER) (p=0.027)]. However, no statistical differences were found between the maximal rotation strength measured bilaterally [Group 1: ER (p=0.280) and IR (p=0.246) / Group 2: ER (p=0.186) and IR (p=0.522)]. Conclusion: Young swimmers involved in a competitive training program can suffer from unilateral over compensation at shoulder IR or ER. This compensation seems to increase with the number of training years. To enable a higher stability between the internal and external shoulder rotators it is recommended that shoulder muscle strengthening should be considered in young aged swimmers training programs.

We provide age- and sex-specific cut-off points that can be used to identify abdominal obesity in adolescents. The present findings provide a tool that can be used in the clinical setting for the early detection and prevention of adult obesity. Population-specific cutoffs may be required for pediatric ages to diagnose children at risk. 1 | INTRODUCTION The prevalence of pediatric overweight and obesity has increased substantially over the past decades in both developed and developing countries (Ng et al., 2014; de Onis, Blosser, & Borghi, 2010). The risk of overweight and obese youth becoming overweight adults is at least twice as high as their regular-weight peers (Singh, Mulder, Twisk, Van Mechelen, & Chinapaw, 2008). Body mass index (BMI) is a widely recognized surrogate of obesity

Aims: To compare the physical activity, sedentary activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in institutionalized vs. non-institutionalized elderly, and to establish a pattern of relationship and prediction of physical and sedentary activity with physical and mental components of HRQoL. Methods: The sample consisted of 383 elderly with ≥ 75 years old (n=187 institutionalized and n=196 non-institutionalized). Were administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for evaluated the physical and sedentary activity and HRQoL. Also was used the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as exclusion criteria for cognitive problems in the elderly. Results: Differences between institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly were found in moderate-intensity activities and walking, a favour of non-institutionalized. The institutionalized elderly remain more minutes in sedentary activity. Also, were observed differences between both groups in physical component of HRQoL, a favour of non-institutionalized elderly. The mental component remained unchanged. The multivariate regression analyses showed that physical activity predicted the physical (8 to 12%) and mental (5 to 8%) components of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. Conclusions: Non-institutionalized elderly were more physically active, spent less time in sedentary activity and showed better perception physical component of HRQoL that institutionalized elderly. An important and encouraging result of this study was that physical activity is a predictor of improved physical and mental component of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate de effects of 16 week compensatory strength training program in shoulder strength and respective conventional ratios (concentric ER/IR). METHODS A total of 40 national level male swimmers were assessed and randomly divided in two groups – experimental group (N=20)-(age:14.65±0.67 years old, height:173.48±6.87 cm, body mass:63.15±5.68 kg) and control group (N=20)-(age:14.60±0.60 years old, height: 170.79±6.48 cm, body mass:61.73±4.68 kg). Experimental subjects participated in a 16 week shoulder strength program with Thera-Band® elastic bands (3 times a week). The peak-torque of shoulder internal (IR) and external rotators (ER) was measured in both groups at baseline and after 16 weeks. Concentric action at 60º/s (3 rep) and 180º/s (20 rep) were measured, in a seated position, with the shoulder at 90º of abduction and the elbow flexed to 90º, using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3 – Biodex Corp., Shirley, USA). Anova with repeated measures was used to determine significant main effects in shoulder rotators strength and unilateral ER/IR ratios. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS Significant differences were found in all variables that measure the ER shoulder strength at 60º/s in dominant(DT) (P=0.031) and non-dominant(NDT) shoulder (P=0.001). Meanwhile concentric action at 180º/s, only showed significant differences on DT shoulder (P=0.032). In respect of ER/IR ratio, a compensatory strength training programme induces significant differences in both shoulders at 60º/s (DT: P=0.001; NDT: P=0.001). At 180º/s we just found significant effects on the DT ER/IR ratio (P=0.002). DISCUSSION The results of this study support earlier research [1] that showed that the unilateral shoulder strength ratios increases substantially after a period of a strength training program. Since the ratios describe the quality of muscular balance/imbalance [1], we can conclude that a 16 week compensatory shoulder strength training program using Thera-Band® elastic bands, reduces muscular imbalances in rotator cuff of competitive young swimmers. These results highlight the useful of this kind of compensatory program to prevent shoulder injuries.

This study determined the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity in the Portuguese adults and examined the relationship between above mentioned prevalences and educational level. Body mass, stature, and waist circumference were measured in a representative sample of the Portuguese population aged 18-103 years (n = 9,447; 18-64 years: n = 6,908; ≥ 65 years: n = 2,539). Overweight and obesity corresponded to a body mass index ranging between 25-29.9 kg/m(2) and ≥ 30 kg/m(2), respectively. Abdominal obesity was assessed as >102 cm for males and >88 cm for females. After adjusting for educational level, the combined prevalences of overweight and obesity were 66.6% in males and 57.9% in females (18-64 years). Respective values in older adults (≥ 65 years) were 70.4% for males and 74.7% for females. About 19.3% of adult males and 37.9% of adult females presented abdominal obesity. Correspondent values in older adults were 32.1%, for males, and 69.7%, for females. In adults, low educational level was related to an increased risk for overweight (OR = 2.54; 95% CI: 2.08-3.09), obesity (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 2.20-3.45), and abdominal obesity (OR = 5.48; 95% CI: 4.60-6.52). This reinforces the importance of adjusting public health strategies for educational level.

This study determined the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity in the Portuguese adults and examined the relationship between above mentioned prevalences and educational level. Body mass, stature, and waist circumference were measured in a representative sample of the Portuguese population aged 18-103 years (n = 9,447; 18-64 years: n = 6,908; ≥ 65 years: n = 2,539). Overweight and obesity corresponded to a body mass index ranging between 25-29.9 kg/m(2) and ≥ 30 kg/m(2), respectively. Abdominal obesity was assessed as >102 cm for males and >88 cm for females. After adjusting for educational level, the combined prevalences of overweight and obesity were 66.6% in males and 57.9% in females (18-64 years). Respective values in older adults (≥ 65 years) were 70.4% for males and 74.7% for females. About 19.3% of adult males and 37.9% of adult females presented abdominal obesity. Correspondent values in older adults were 32.1%, for males, and 69.7%, for females. In adults, low educational level was related to an increased risk for overweight (OR = 2.54; 95% CI: 2.08-3.09), obesity (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 2.20-3.45), and abdominal obesity (OR = 5.48; 95% CI: 4.60-6.52). This reinforces the importance of adjusting public health strategies for educational level.

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to update results of Portuguese's Report Card on Physical activity (PA) for Children and Adolescents. Methods: The grades were assigned by results derived from the PA and Fitness in Portugal 2021 Portuguese Report Card and corresponds to the third report for the Portuguese children and adolescents. It includes indicators of PA and sedentary behavior (SB) that are common to the GLOBAL matrix 4.0: Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport and Physical Activity, Active Play, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behaviors, Family and Peers, School, Community and the Environment, Government and Physical Fitness. The search focused on published national evidence/data sources (academia, NGO, governmental) from end 2018 onwards excluding data obtained during the covid-19 pandemic. Results: The grades were assigned as follows: Overall PA (D ), Organized Sport Participation (C ), Active Play (Dþ), Active Transportation (D ), Sedentary behaviors (Cþ), Physical Fitness (C), Family and Peers (B), School (A), Community and Environment (B), and Government (B). Conclusion: In line with previous Portuguese Report Cards, a large proportion of Portuguese children and adolescents are not sufficiently active nor fit enough setting urgency for effective strategies. Particular attention should be given to Active play, Active transport and Organized Sports Participation has their grades have decreased. Some actions in selected indicators as Governmental and policy seems promising however results weren't seen yet. Despite the strong support of schools with mandatory curricula in PE no correspondent change is observed in fitness or PA, so more research is needed to find why.