The effects of caffeine were investigated in judo, boxing, taekwondo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, this substance was never investigated regarding traditional jiu-jitsu. Therefore, the aim of this research was to analyze the effects of caffeine in the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) and technical variables during combat in traditional jiu-jitsu elite athletes. Methods: Twenty-two young professionals of traditional jiu-jitsu, 11 men and 11 women (age = 22 ± 4 (18–33) years, body mass = 66.6 ± 10.8 (46.2–86.1) kg, height = 1.70 ± 0.9 (1.55–1.85) m) with 15 ± 7 years of experience in traditional jiu-jitsu, participated in a double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover study. In two different conditions, the traditional jiu-jitsu athletes ingested 3 mg/kg body mass of caffeine or a placebo. After 60 min, they performed the SJFT test to measure throwing performance, and subsequently, combat to analyze offensive and defensive hitting techniques. Results: Caffeine had a main effect on the number of throws during the SJFT test (P < 0.01). In addition, it was effective in sets 2 (13 ± 2 vs. 14 ± 2; p = 0.01) and 3 (12 ± 2 vs. 13 ± 1; p = 0.03). There was also a main effect during the test on heart rate when caffeine was ingested (F = 12.48, p < 0.01). The effects of caffeine were similar compared to the placebo condition regarding performance during combat both in offensive and defensive fighting variables Conclusions: the pre-exercise ingestion of 3 mg/kg body mass of caffeine increased performance in the SJFT test, decreased fatigue perception, and increased power and endurance perception in professionally traditional jiu-jitsu athletes. However, it did not seem to improve offensive and defensive technical actions during combat.

Caffeine increases vertical jump, although its effects on kinetics and kinematics during different phases of bilateral and unilateral jumps remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of 3 mg/kg on kinetic, kinematic and temporal variables in the concentric and eccentric phases of bilateral and unilateral countermovement jumps. A total of 16 Spanish national team traditional Jiu-Jitsu athletes took part in two experimental trials (3 mg/kg caffeine or placebo) in a randomized, double-blind crossover study. Sixty minutes after ingestion, bilateral and unilateral jumps were performed on a force platform. Compared to the placebo, caffeine increased bilateral jump height (p = 0.008; Δ% = 4.40), flight time (p = 0.008; Δ% = 2.20), flight time:contraction time (p = 0.029; Δ% = 8.90), concentric impulse (p = 0.018; Δ% = 1.80), peak power (p = 0.049; Δ% = 2.50), RSI-modified (p = 0.011; Δ% = 11.50) and eccentric mean braking force (p = 0.045; Δ% = 4.00). Additionally, caffeine increased unilateral RSI-mod in both legs (Left: p = 0.034; Δ% = 7.65; Right: p = 0.004; Δ% = 11.83), left leg flight time (p = 0.044; Δ% = 1.91), left leg jump height (p = 0.039; Δ% = 3.75) and right leg FT:CT (p = 0.040; Δ% = 9.72). Caffeine in a dose of 3 mg/kg BM in elite Jiu-Jitsu athletes is a recommended ergogenic aid as it increased performance of bilateral and unilateral vertical jumps. These increases were also accompanied by modified jump execution during the different phases of the countermovement prior to take-off.

(1) Background: the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different types of warm-ups on the strength and skin temperature of Paralympic powerlifting athletes. (2) Methods: the participants were 15 male Paralympic powerlifting athletes. The effects of three different types of warm-up (without warm-up (WW), traditional warm-up (TW), or stretching warm-up (SW)) were analyzed on static and dynamic strength tests as well as in the skin temperature, which was monitored by thermal imaging. (3) Results: no differences in the dynamic and static indicators of the force were shown in relation to the different types of warm-ups. No significant differences were found in relation to peak torque (p = 0.055, F = 4.560, η2p = 0.246 medium effect), and one-repetition maximum (p = 0.139, F = 3.191, η2p = 0.186, medium effect) between the different types of warm-ups. In the thermographic analysis, there was a significant difference only in the pectoral muscle clavicular portion between the TW (33.04 ± 0.71 °C) and the WW (32.51 ± 0.74 °C) (p = 0.038). The TW method also presented slightly higher values than the SW and WW in the pectoral muscles sternal portion and the deltoid anterior portion, but with p-value > 0.05. (4) Conclusions: the types of warm-ups studied do not seem to interfere with the performance of Paralympic Powerlifting athletes. However, the thermal images showed that traditional warm-up best meets the objectives expected for this preparation phase.

Background: Paralympic Powerlifting (PP) training tends to promote fatigue and oxidative stress. Objective: To analyze the effects of ibuprofen use on performance and oxidative stress in post-training PP athletes. Methodology: Ten national level PP athletes (age: 27.13 ± 5.57) were analyzed for oxidative stress in post-training. The study was carried out in three weeks, (1) familiarization and (2 and 3) evaluated the recovery with the use of a placebo (PLA) and ibuprofen (IBU), 800 mg. The Peak Torque (PT), Torque Development Rate (TDR), Fatigue Index (FI), reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and sulfhydryl groups (SH) were evaluated. The training consisted of five sets of five repetitions (80–90%) 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) in the bench press. Results: The IBU showed a higher PT (24 and 48 h, p = 0.04, ɳ² p = 0.39), a lower FI (24 h, p = 0.01, ɳ²p = 0.74) and an increased lymphocyte count (p < 0.001; ɳ²p = 4.36). There was no change in oxidative stress. Conclusions: The use of IBU provided improvements in strength and did not protect against oxidative stress.

Malnutrition in heart failure (HF) is frequent and associated with a worse prognosis. Due to differences in investment and the profile of those assisted, the objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with HF and its association with clinical outcomes in the public and private health systems. Methodology: A cross-sectional study, with 247 volunteers hospitalized with HF in three public hospitals and one private hospital in Aracaju, SE, Brazil. A subjective global nutritional assessment (SGA) and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) were performed. Results: Sample with 72.5% users of the public health system and 75.3% with malnutrition (public = 74.9%; private = 76.5%; p = 0.793). Regardless of the healthcare system, hospital stay (>14 days) was longer (p = 0.020) among those with malnutrition (48.4%) than well-nourished patients (29.5%). Malnutrition in the public system had higher mortality (7.5%; 5.8%; p < 0.001) and hospital transfer rate (21.1%; 0.0%; p < 0.001) than those in the private system. Death after discharge was observed only in the public system (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Malnutrition was frequent in both systems and was associated with longer hospital stays and, in the public hospital, in-hospital death and transfers.