Does pre-activation of inspiratory muscle enhance the force, velocity, and power of soccer players?: analysis of mechanical and physiological signs by computational model

Author(s)

Felipe Marroni Rasteiro

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Limeira, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas
• Defense date: 2022-12-02

Examining board members

Fúlvia de Barros Manchado Gobatto; Wladimir Rafael Beck; Daniel Alexandre Boullosa Álvarez; Leonardo Henrique Dalcheco Messias; Carolina Cirino

• Advisor: Fúlvia de Barros Manchado Gobatto; Ricardo da Silva Torres

Abstract

Soccer is a modality characterized by high-intensity intermittent efforts, requiring high energy demand. Additionally, the behavior of physiological variables such as heart rate, muscle oxygenation, and blood lactate concentration in specific physical assessments and soccer matches is closely related to the good performance of athletes. As a strategy to increase sports performance, recent studies have been signaling the possible benefits of pre-activation (PA) of inspiratory muscles (IM) in the execution of repeated sprints. In general, this thesis aimed to evaluate the force, velocity, and power of soccer players in a semi-tethered test of repeated sprints performed on the soccer field, investigating the possible effects of PA of IM on the performance of these athletes. For this, this thesis was divided into two studies. In Study 1, professional players from the B series of the Paulista Championship (22±0 years) were analyzed. This study proposed to analyze, through conventional statistics (ANOVA for repeated measures), the behavior of oxygenation of the muscles more (Vastus lateralis) and less (Biceps brachii) active during the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) tethered to the Variable Resistance Car (CRV). Whereas, in Study 2 soccer players from the under-17 category of the first division of the Paulista Championship (15±1 years) were evaluated, with the objective of investigating the effects of the PA of IM on the RAST through the integrative analyzes provided by the analysis of complex networks. The subjects were submitted to three (Study 1) and four (Study 2) evaluation sessions, separated by intervals of 24 to 48 hours. These sessions were aimed at completing the proposed consent forms and questionnaires, assessing body composition, measuring variables related to inspiratory muscles (PImax and S-Index), and performing the RAST protocol without (Study 1 and 2) and with (Study 2) the PA of IM, with records of force, velocity, and power being performed throughout the test. Physiological variables such as heart rate and oxygenation of more or less active muscles during the tests, and lactacidemic measurements after the test were also recorded. With Study 1, through conventional statistical analysis, it was possible to observe a divergent behavior of muscle oxygenation in a tissue-dependent manner, with the Biceps brachii presenting greater oxygenation than the Vastus lateralis during, and after, the RAST protocol. Regarding Study 2, through the integrative analysis of the investigated parameters through the Degree and Eigenvector centrality metrics, it was possible to observe the enhancement of variables related to the oxygenation of the Biceps brachii when applying the PA of IM protocol. Suggesting that, when the inspiratory musculature undergoes the pre-activation process, less active tissues are more prominent within the complex network, in the face of repeated effort at maximum intensity. Thus, the importance of the biceps brachii muscle becomes evident in the face of repeated sprint efforts, given that the participation of aerobic metabolism is higher in repeated sprint efforts when compared to maximum and continuous efforts (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/10666-2 - Can pre-activation of inspiratory muscles potentiates the force, velocity and power of soccer players? Analysis using mechanical and physiological signals by computational model
• Grantee: Felipe Marroni Rasteiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)