International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports

Could Nasal Breathing During Exercise Inhibit the Development of Cardiac Fibrosis and Arrhythmia Associated with Endurance Training? A Brief Literature Review with Theoretical Analysis

Kathryn Raphael — 2024-12-13

The increased incidence of myocardial scarring and atrial fibrillation in lifelong endurance athletes has been attributed to a dose-response relationship resulting from high-volume, high-intensity training carried out over the long term. However, this outcome is contradictory to and inconsistent with the well-established benefits of cardiovascular endurance training. In this short literature review along with theoretical analysis from previously published data, we propose that an athlete's breathing technique may play a role in this process. Based on current evidence, it is plausible that adapting to nasal-only breathing during exercise may be a viable strategy for endurance athletes to mitigate the relative hyperventilation created by breathing orally during exercise, and counter the conditions conducive to myocardial ischemia. Breathing nasally could increase myocardial blood flow at a given exercise intensity compared to breathing orally, with the most significant effects likely to occur at the highest intensities of exercise, and thereby prevent pathogenic myocardial changes. In particular, the higher pulmonary end-tidal carbon dioxide values seen while using nasal breathing during exercise suggest that arterial carbon dioxide may be relatively higher in the nasal breathing condition, thereby acting as a vasodilator to increase myocardial perfusion. Consequently, a nasal breathing approach during exercise might attenuate the effects of exercise-induced myocardial vasoconstriction and ischemia produced by breathing orally which is a probable mechanism for the increased myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmia seen in endurance athletes without concurrent cardiovascular disease, making it a topic worthy of increased research focus.

A Review of Scientific Methods for Measuring Body Composition: Advancements and Emerging Techniques

Uppal A.K — 2024-12-13

The present research paper's goal is to examine the most recent, accurate, and useful techniques for measuring human body composition. The techniques to measure Human body composition are continuously being met by emerging data results. Key efforts include the usage of imaging to help explain ectopic fat depots, quantifiable magnetic resonance for entire body water, fat and lean tissue measurement, and multi-divisional and multi-repetitive bioelectrical impedance analysis. Assessments of total body fat, fat-free mass, total body water, bone mineral content, cellular water, visceral, subcutaneous, skeletal muscle, major organs, and abnormal body fat depots are all approved using the relevant methodologies. The need for a method that generates data on biological and metabolic processes is constant. Clinicians and scientists can measure a variety of body elements and, observe changes in health and disease with implications for understanding the effectiveness of nutritional and medical disruptions, assessment, deterrence, and treatment in clinical settings. This is made possible by the wide range of measurable characteristics, analytical techniques, and designated total body composition models. The increased requirement to comprehend health risk precursors starting before conception has left a gap in the proper assessment techniques, with implementation starting during gestation, or foetal development.

Investigating Key Factors Influencing Adhesion and Adherence in Weight Training

Juliane Bregalda — 2024-11-07

The practice of weight training can result in many benefits for its practitioners, however the proportion of individuals who practice weight training regularly is low. The objective of this study was to investigate the reasons for adhesion and adherence in weight training. The sample was composed of 75 participants, men and women, who practice weight training, in a gym located in Florianópolis, Brazil. Data was collected using a questionnaire, which resulted in health and quality of life being the main reasons for joining and adhering to weight training. In relation to the characteristics of the gym that contribute to the for adhesion and adherence, the following were identified: the location of the gym, the financial cost, the technical qualifications and the service of the professionals. Through these results, Physical Education professionals will be able to create loyalty strategies for their students, taking into account the reasons for exercising at that location.

Effect of Rule Changes on Performance Parameters for Women's Water Polo Over Three Seasons

Diego Paixão — 2024-12-13

Water polo’s rule changes are proposed to improve performance throw a faster game with more goals, less wrestling and more technical skills. The rule changes may modify the players' perception and game actions. However, there are some critical differences between male and female water polo teams. To date, we have not found any study about female water polo rule changes effects over the seasons. This study aimed to verify the effects of water polo rule changes on the performance of female elite-level teams over the three seasons. The data were collected through official game reports from the European water polo league for female tournaments, totaling 63 matches. Goals, goals per quarter, exclusion fouls, and penalty fouls were registered and analyzed. Mean, standard deviation, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all variables. Generalized estimating equations were applied to compare the variables in the three moments. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated. SPSS 20.0 was used in all analyses. The alpha significance level was established at 0.05. No statistical differences were found over seasons' post-water polo rule changes for goals, goals per quarter, exclusion fouls, and penalty fouls variables, and the effect sizes were just from trivial to small. The 2019 and 2021 water polo rule changes do not provoke statistical effects in female water polo teams over the 2019/2020, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons.