We aimed to describe the nutritional and behavioral strategies for rapid weight loss (RWL), investigate the effects of RWL and weight regain in winners and losers, and verify mood state and technical–tactical/time–motion parameters in mixed martial arts. The sample consisted of mixed martial arts athletes after a single real match and was separated into two groups: winners (n = 8; age: 25.4 ± 6.1 years, height: 173.9 ± 0.2 cm, habitual body mass: 89.9 ± 17.3 kg) and losers (n = 7; age: 24.4 ± 6.8 years, height: 178.4 ± 0.9 cm, habitual body mass: 90.8 ± 19.5 kg). Both groups exhibited RWL and weight regain, verified their macronutrient intake, underwent weight and height assessments, and completed two questionnaires (Profile of Mood States and RWL) at (a) 24 hr before weigh-in, (b) weigh-in, (c) postbout, and (d) during a validated time–motion and technical–tactical analysis during the bout. Variance analysis, repeated measures, and a logistic regression analysis were used. The main results showed significant differences between the time points in terms of total caloric intake as well as carbohydrate, protein, and lipid ingestion. Statistical differences in combat analysis were observed between the winners and losers in terms of high-intensity relative time (58 [10–98] s and 32 [1–60] s, respectively), lower limb sequences (3.5 [1.0–7.5] sequences and 1.0 [0.0–1.0] sequences, respectively), and ground and pound actions (2.5 [0.0–4.5] actions and 0.0 [0.0–0.5] actions, respectively), and logistic regression confirmed the importance of high-intensity relative time and lower limb sequences on mixed martial arts performance. RWL and weight regain strategies were related to technical–tactical and time–motion patterns as well as match outcomes. Weight management should be carefully supervised by specialized professionals to reduce health risks and raise competitive performance.

Although evidence regarding the effects of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on mental health has increased in recent years, there is still no consensus regarding the effects of HIIT on the symptoms of depression and anxiety in a healthy population. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of HIIT on depressive and/or anxiety symptoms in healthy individuals. The following four databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and PsycINFO. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. We performed a random‐effects meta‐analysis based on standardized mean difference (SMD). The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2.0 tool, and the certainty of the evidence was evaluated based on recommendations GRADE. Eight RCTs evaluating 471 participants (81% female) were considered eligible for inclusion. The results of the meta‐analysis showed that HIIT‐based interventions had no significant effect on reducing anxiety (SMD = −0.17; 95% CI: −0.53, 0.19; p = 0.27) and depressive symptoms (SMD = −0.38; 95% CI: −1.06, 0.30; p = 0.17) compared with the passive control group. In conclusion, HIIT does not improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in healthy individuals. This finding is based on evidence of very low certainty. Therefore, the evidence is still not consistent enough to support HIIT as a viable strategy to reduce both outcomes because of the limited number of included studies and the overall quality of evidence.

Introduction: This study involved an analysis of the impact of mental fatigue on heart rate recovery (HRR), subjective measures of fatigue and intermittent running performance in handball players. Objective: This study was aimed at (1) examining the effects of an induced state of mental fatigue on the aerobic performance of handball players, as measured by the Yo-Yo IR1 test, and (2) exploring possible changes in heart rate regulation through HRR analysis. Methods: Twelve handball players (age: 17.50 ± 3.63 years; 5 ± 2.2 years of practice) undertook a Yo-Yo IR1 test on two occasions, separated by an interval of at least 72 hours. The Yo-Yo IR1 test was preceded by a 30-min treatment, consisting of the Stroop Color-Word Test, to induce mental fatigue. Participants in the control condition watched an emotionally neutral video. Results: Higher ratings of mental fatigue and mental effort following the Stroop Test were observed for the experimental group. No differences in motivation were observed between conditions. Moreover, the induction of mental fatigue impaired running performance and led to a higher RPE during the Yo-Yo IR1 test. Notwithstanding, no changes in HRR or blood lactate levels were observed across conditions. Conclusion: Altogether, these results suggest that mental fatigue impairs intermittent running performance, without affecting HRR values. Level of Evidence III; Case-Control study.

Burnout is a psychological syndrome of reaction to chronic stress that occurs in athletes who feel exhausted by a sport activity that was previously pleasurable and enjoyable. One technique to prevent and control the syndrome is through coping, which is the ability to deal with stressful situations. In contrast to traditional cross-sectional approaches, this study aimed to investigate burnout and coping strategy characteristics over time and to analyze the relationship between burnout dimensions and coping strategies. Fifty-four high-level volleyball athletes (twenty-eight men and twenty-six women, age M = 25.57, SD = 4.72, range 18-35) completed paper-and-pencil measures of burnout and coping four times throughout a sport season. The Friedman test presented a significant increase in the reduced sense of athletic accomplishment (X² = 20.58; p < 0.01) and sport devaluation (X² = 19.83; p < 0.01) perceptions during the season. However, no coping differences were observed through the longitudinal analysis. Burnout dimensions showed a moderate inverse correlation to confidence/motivation at all measurement points during the season. Overall, the findings suggest that burnout perceptions increase as the season progresses, highlighting the relevance for the periodization of burnout prevention and control

A relação entre as variáveis psicológicas e sua influência no contexto esportivo tem sido objeto de estudo para a psicologia do esporte. Dentre os aspectos psicológicos que podem influenciar o desempenho esportivo de um atleta está a ansiedade competitiva. No entanto, ainda não há um consenso em relação à percepção da ansiedade competitiva no vôlei e o efeito da variável sexo. Diante disto, os objetivos do estudo foram: 1) identificar as dimensões de ansiedade (ansiedade cognitiva, ansiedade somática e autoconfiança) mais percebidas entre os atletas amadores de vôlei nos seus níveis de resposta intensidade, direção e frequência e 2) analisar o efeito da variável sexo na percepção das dimensões da ansiedade. Participaram do estudo 62 atletas amadores de voleibol, sendo 25 homens e 37 mulheres que disputaram o Campeonato Intermunicipal de Voleibol, rodada válida pela fase classificatória. Os participantes responderam a versão em idioma português do questionário Competitive State Anxiety Inventory – 2 (CSAI-2R), composto por 16 itens que medem as três dimensões da ansiedade: Ansiedade cognitiva, Ansiedade Somática e Autoconfiança dentro dos 3 níveis de resposta: intensidade, direção e frequência. De modo geral, foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas 3 dimensões de resposta do construto. A autoconfiança foi mais percebida que a ansiedade cognitiva e a ansiedade somática na intensidade, direção e frequência. De acordo com os resultados desse presente estudo, é possível concluir que a dimensão da ansiedade mais percebida pelos atletas amadores de vôlei nas três dimensões de resposta foi a autoconfiança. Por fim, não foram observadas diferenças em nenhuma dimensão de resposta em relação à variável sexo. The relationship between psychological variables and their influence on the sporting context has been the object of study for sport psychology. Among the psychological aspects that may influence an athlete's athletic performance is competitive anxiety. However, there is still no consensus regarding the perception of competitive anxiety in volleyball and the effect of the gender variable. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to 1) identify the dimensions of anxiety (cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence) most commonly perceived by amateur volleyball players in terms of intensity, direction, and frequency, and 2) analyze the effects of the gender variable on perceptions of the dimensions of anxiety. Sixty-two amateur volleyball players participated in the study, 25 men and 37 women who participated in the inter-municipal volleyball championship, a round valid for the qualification phase. Participants answered the Portuguese version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory - 2 (CSAI-2R) questionnaire, which consists of 16 items measuring the three dimensions of anxiety: Cognitive Anxiety, Somatic Anxiety, and Self-Confidence in the three response levels: Intensity, Direction, and Frequency. Overall, significant differences were found in the 3 response dimensions of the construct. Self-confidence was perceived more strongly than cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety in terms of intensity, direction, and frequency. The results of this study suggest that the dimension of anxiety perceived most strongly by amateur volleyball players in the 3 response dimensions is self-confidence. Finally, no differences were found in any of the response dimensions in relation to the gender variable. Resumen. La relación entre las variables psicológicas y su influencia en el contexto deportivo ha sido objeto de estudio de la psicología del deporte. Entre los aspectos psicológicos que pueden influir en el rendimiento deportivo de un deportista se encuentra la ansiedad competitiva. Sin embargo, aún no existe un consenso respecto a la percepción de la ansiedad competitiva en voleibol y el efecto de la variable sexo. Por tanto, los objetivos del estudio fueron: 1) identificar las dimensiones de ansiedad (ansiedad cognitiva, ansiedad somática y autoconfianza) más percibidas entre los deportistas amateurs de voleibol en sus niveles de respuesta, intensidad, dirección y frecuencia y 2) analizar el efecto de la variable de género sobre la percepción de las dimensiones de la ansiedad. En el estudio participaron 62 deportistas amateurs de voleibol, 25 hombres y 37 mujeres que compitieron en el Campeonato Intermunicipal de Voleibol, ronda válida para la fase clasificatoria. Los participantes respondieron la versión en portugués del cuestionario Competitive State Anxiety Inventory - 2 (CSAI-2R), que consta de 16 ítems que miden las tres dimensiones de la ansiedad: Ansiedad Cognitiva, Ansiedad Somática y Autoconfianza, dentro de los 3 niveles de respuesta: intensidad, dirección y frecuencia. En general, se encontraron diferencias significativas en las 3 dimensiones de respuesta del constructo. La autoconfianza fue más percibida que la ansiedad cognitiva y la ansiedad somática en términos de intensidad, dirección y frecuencia. Los resultados del presente estudio permiten concluir que la dimensión de ansiedad más percibida por los deportistas amateurs de voleibol en las tres dimensiones de respuesta fue la autoconfianza. Finalmente, no se observaron diferencias en ninguna dimensión de respuesta en relación con la variable sexo.

A síndrome de Burnout é considerada uma reação ao estresse crônico e possui como principais características a exaustão emocional, o reduzido senso de realização e a despersonalização. O objetivo desse estudo consistiu em revisar as pesquisas referentes à síndrome no ambiente esportivo brasileiro. O método empregado para a seleção dos trabalhos consistiu na busca eletrônica nas bases de dados computadorizadas do sistema Qualis da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), órgão do governo brasileiro responsável pela pós-graduação; e na procura por citações em artigos identificados na busca eletrônica. Foram encontradas oito pesquisas relacionadas à síndrome de Burnout no cenário esportivo brasileiro, as quais foram classificadas em três temas para discussão: (a) implicações do Burnout no treinamento esportivo; (b) instrumento psicométrico de mensuração; e (c) manifestação do Burnout em atletas e treinadores. Conclui-se que existe uma carência de investigações científicas sobre o Burnout no ambiente esportivo brasileiro.