Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two strength training protocols, equated in volume, on the elbow flexor muscle thickness (MT) in women. Methods: Twenty-seven women (mean±sd, age 21.89±2.85 years; stature,167.82±5.90 cm; body mass 63.01±7.20 kg; estimate of body fat mass, 19.19±2.88%) were divided in three experimental groups: a drop-set (DS), a traditional (TR), and a control group (CG). The CG maintained regular strength training without perform any upper body exercises. The DS group performed a dumbbell biceps curl for two days/week, 12 weeks, 4 sets of 3 blocks of 10 repetitions at 75%, 55%, and 35% of their 1 Repetition Maximum (RM), and 8 sets of 11 repetitions at 75% of the 1RM for the TR protocol. Rest interval between sets was 120 seconds. The MT was acquired in the anterior face of both upper arms at 50% and 60% of the distance between the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the acromial process of the scapula before (T0) and after the 24 training sessions (T1). Results: There was a significant increase in all MT measurements between T0 and T1for the training groups(p<0.05). In addition, significantly higher values of MT were found in the training groups compared to the control group for all local measurements in T1 (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between training the groups for MT. Conclusion: It appears that both training groups (DS and TR), were effective in promoting MT of the elbow flexors muscles of young women with no differences between training strategies. Keywords: Hypertrophy, Ultrasonography, Training method, Female

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women, with an incidence of 85–94 per 100,000 people annually in Europe. Despite the increasing incidence of BC, advancements in early detection and novel therapeutic approaches have improved survival rates. However, adjuvant treatments are associated with side effects, including a reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which can result in severe cardiac damage and progress to heart failure. Methods: Thirty-eight women undergoing BC treatment were included in the study. Eighteen women (47.2 ± 5.4 years old) participated in a supervised physical exercise (PE) program for 60 min/day, twice weekly, at moderate to high intensity (5 min joint mobilization, 20 min predominantly aerobic training, 30 min of strength training, and 5 min cooldown). The remaining 20 women (51.5 ± 9.5 years) were advised to remain active during treatments, but without specific supervision. In the PE group, a slight reduction in the LVEF was observed after chemotherapy (63.73 ± 3.34% vs. 61.00 ± 6.54%, p = 0.131). In contrast, the control group showed a statistically significant reduction in the LVEF (64.93 ± 4.00% vs. 60.57 ± 4.86%, p = 0.008). Although the results suggest a potential protective effect of regular physical exercise during BC treatment, the study was inconclusive regarding its role in preventing cardiac dysfunction. Further research with a larger sample size and longer follow-up is warranted.

Objective: the goal of the present study was to compare the oxygen uptake between three experimental sessions of the Air Bike PRO® class, which the difference between sessions was the method used to control intensity of effort: SL) external load corresponds to ventilatory thresholds and 90% peak VO2; SRPE) rate perceived effort; SHR) heart rate. Methods: Ten physically active young men aged between 21 and 30 years old (mean ± standard deviation: 25.4 ± 4.81) participated in 3 study sessions, where they performed 3 Air Bike PRO® classes, in a randomized way. VO2 was measured in all sessions during the Air Bike PRO® class. Results: The values ​​of absolute VO2 (l/min) were significantly higher in the SL compared to the SHR in the 20 to 30 minute block and in music tracks 5 and 8 (p<0.05). Relative VO2 (ml / Kg / min) was significantly higher in the SL compared to the SHR in the 10 to 20 minute and 20 to 30 minute block and in music tracks 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (p<0.05). In the SRPE, significantly higher values ​​were also observed compared to the SHR, in the 20 to 30 minute block and in music tracks 5 and 8 (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the data of the present study, it is possible to conclude that the SRPE presents more similarities with the SL. Key-words: Oxygen uptake; Interval training; Indoor cycling; OMNI-Cycle scale; Borg scale.

Background/Objectives: Caffeine is a widely used ergogenic aid; however, evidence regarding its effects on neuromuscular and metabolic responses during resistance training remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of caffeine supplementation on blood glucose concentration and neuromuscular activation, assessed through electromyographic activity, during a muscular endurance test. Methods: Eleven resistance-trained men (25.7 ± 5.9 years) participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. Six laboratory visits were conducted, including one-repetition maximum (1RM) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) testing in the bench press exercise. From the second visit onward (baseline; BL), participants completed a 24 h dietary recall (24hDR), pre- and post-exercise blood glucose assessments, and a muscular endurance test performed at 80% of 1RM until concentric failure, while electromyographic activity was recorded from the clavicular and sternal portions of the pectoralis major, triceps brachii, and anterior deltoid. From the third visit onward, participants received one of the following randomized interventions 60 min before testing: low-dose caffeine (LC = 3 mg·kg⁻¹), high-dose caffeine (HC = 6 mg·kg⁻¹), low-dose placebo (LP = 230 mg), or high-dose placebo (HP = 460 mg). Results: There was an increase in the number of repetitions in all conditions vs. BL, with no significant differences (p > 0.05). Electromyographic activity did not differ between conditions (p > 0.05). Blood glucose decreased post-test in BL and placebo conditions (p < 0.05) but remained stable with caffeine (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Low and high doses of caffeine did not significantly affect muscular endurance performance or neuromuscular activation. However, caffeine supplementation appeared to attenuate the post-exercise decline in blood glucose concentration following exercise performed to concentric failure.