The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of amplitude scaling on bimanual coordination in a circle drawing task. Eleven right-handed subjects traced the perimeter of 5 circles measuring 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 cm in diameter under the following coordination conditions: (1) both hands move inward together (symmetric coordination pattern), and (2) both hands move counterclockwise together (asymmetric coordination pattern). In a set of self-paced trials, subjects traced each circle separately at a preferred frequency and separately for each coordination pattern. Although subjects matched the required amplitude of the target circles quite well, radial amplitude variability increased with increasing circle diameter. No transitions or movement reversals were observed in the self-paced trials, and the symmetric pattern was more stable than the asymmetric pattern. In a set of amplitude scaling trials, subjects continuously traced the 5 circles from small (3 cm) to big (15 cm) (SB) and from big to small (BS) at two fixed pacing frequencies (1.25 Hz and 1.5 Hz). Observed cycling frequency decreased with increasing circle diameter, and observed radial amplitude was most accurate when tracing the 9 cm diameter circle, with larger than required amplitude when tracing the 3 cm and 6 cm diameter circles, and smaller than required amplitude when tracing the 12 cm and 15 cm diameter circles. Radial amplitude variability also increased with increasing circle diameter in the amplitude scaling trials. The symmetric coordination pattern was more stable than the symmetric coordination pattern. Transitions from the asymmetric to symmetric coordination pattern as well as movement reversals were observed in both scaling directions. No transitions occurred while producing the symmetric pattern in any scaling direction or pacing frequency condition. The results show that amplitude scaling influenced the spatiotemporal aspects of bimanual circle drawing. Moreover, amplitude scaling induced more transitions than previous research that scaled movement frequency as a control parameter in bimanual circle drawing tasks.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of amplitude scaling on bimanual coordination in a circle drawing task. Eleven right-handed subjects traced the perimeter of 5 circles measuring 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 cm in diameter under the following coordination conditions: (1) both hands move inward together (symmetric coordination pattern), and (2) both hands move counterclockwise together (asymmetric coordination pattern). In a set of self-paced trials, subjects traced each circle separately at a preferred frequency and separately for each coordination pattern. Although subjects matched the required amplitude of the target circles quite well, radial amplitude variability increased with increasing circle diameter. No transitions or movement reversals were observed in the self-paced trials, and the symmetric pattern was more stable than the asymmetric pattern. In a set of amplitude scaling trials, subjects continuously traced the 5 circles from small (3 cm) to big (15 cm) (SB) and from big to small (BS) at two fixed pacing frequencies (1.25 Hz and 1.5 Hz). Observed cycling frequency decreased with increasing circle diameter, and observed radial amplitude was most accurate when tracing the 9 cm diameter circle, with larger than required amplitude when tracing the 3 cm and 6 cm diameter circles, and smaller than required amplitude when tracing the 12 cm and 15 cm diameter circles. Radial amplitude variability also increased with increasing circle diameter in the amplitude scaling trials. The symmetric coordination pattern was more stable than the symmetric coordination pattern. Transitions from the asymmetric to symmetric coordination pattern as well as movement reversals were observed in both scaling directions. No transitions occurred while producing the symmetric pattern in any scaling direction or pacing frequency condition. The results show that amplitude scaling influenced the spatiotemporal aspects of bimanual circle drawing. Moreover, amplitude scaling induced more transitions than previous research that scaled movement frequency as a control parameter in bimanual circle drawing tasks.

No description available.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar os efeitos comportamentais e morfológicos da exposição ao campo magnético contínuo em um modelo experimental de doença de Huntington. Foram utilizados 68 ratos Wistar, machos, divididos em 6 grupos: GC (controle, n=12), GS (sham, n=12), GSM (sham magnético, n=8), GL (lesão, n=12), GEPS (polo sul, n=12) e GEPN (polo norte, n=12). O animais passaram por habituação ao Rota Rod durante 3 dias pré-cirúrgicos e por habituação ao monitor de atividade 24 horas antes da cirurgia. Após procedimentos cirúrgicos adequados, os GL, GEPS e GEPN receberam administração de ácido quinolínico (120nmol/2L) no núcleo estriado esquerdo. Os GS e GSM receberam administração de 2L de salina na mesma região. Ainda, nos GEPS e GEPN foi implantado no crânio de cada animal um magneto circular de neodímio (8x3mm) com potência de 3200 Gauss e no GSM foi realizado implante do mesmo material, sem estar magnetizado. No 7º dia pós-cirúrgico, os animais foram avaliados em relação à atividade motora espontânea no monitor de atividades, após 5 minutos da injeção subcutânea de apomorfina (2,5 mg/Kg), sendo que os animais do GC não receberam esta injeção, e atividade motora forçada no Rota Rod. Posteriormente aos experimentos os animais foram perfundidos e os encéfalos retirados para histologia. Os resultados da avaliação comportamental espontânea evidenciaram, para o comportamento de distância percorrida, um aumento significativo do GEPS em relação aos GC, GL e GEPN, e também do GSM e GS em relação ao GC, GL e GEPN. Observamos também uma diminuição significativa do GEPN em relação aos GS, GSM, GL e GEPS [F(5,62) = 3,19; p0,05]. Para o tempo de atividade, um aumento significativo do GEPS em relação aos GC e GEPN, e também do GSM e GS em relação ao GC, GL e GEPN. Observamos também uma diminuição significativa do GEPN em relação aos GS, GSM, GL e GEPS [F(5,62) = 5,46; p0,05]. Para o comportamento de cruzamentos, um aumento significativo do GEPS em relação aos GC e GEPN e também do GSM e GS em relação ao GC, GL e GEPN. Observamos também uma diminuição significativa do GEPN em relação aos GS, GSM, GL, e GEPS [F(5,62) = 3,31; p0,05]. E para o comportamento de giros anti-horários (ipsilaterais a lesão) um aumento significativo dos GL, GEPS e GEPN em relação aos GC, GS e GSM. Observamos também uma diminuição significativa dos GEPN e GEPS em relação ao GL e ainda uma diminuição do GEPN em relação ao GEPS [F(5,62) = 16,01; p0,05]. Os resultados referentes ao Rota Rod (atividade motora forçada) revelaram diminuição significativa do tempo de permanência no aparato do GL em relação aos demais GC, GS, GSM, GEPS e GEPN [(F(5,62) = 5,46; p0,05)]. A análise histológica revelou uma perda significativa de neurônios no núcleo estriado esquerdo do GL em relação aos demais GC, GS, GSM, GEPS e GEPN [(F(5,66) = 5,13; p0,05)]. Dessa forma, os resultados obtidos sugerem que a estimulação magnética exerce efeito neuroprotetor, com reversão das alterações comportamentais e morfológicas promovidas pelo ácido quinolínico. / The aim of this study was to analyze the behavioral and morphologic effects of the static magnetic field exposition in an animal model of Huntingtons disease. Sixty- eight male Wistar rats were used, placed in 6 groups: GC (control group, n=12), GS (sham group, n=12), GSM (sham magnetic group, n=8), GL (lesion group, n=12), GEPS (south pole stimulated group, n=12) and GEPN (north pole stimulated group, n=12). The animals passed through habituation to Rota Rod, during the 3 days pre-surgical, and to habituation to the activity monitor, 24 hours before surgery. After appropriate surgical procedures GL, GEPS and GEPN received administration of quinolinic acid (120nmol/ 2L) in the left striatum. The GS and GSM received administration of 2L of saline in the same region. Also, in GEPS and GEPN was implanted, on the skull of each animal, a circular neodymium magnet (8x3mm) with a power of 3200 gauss, the GSM was performed the implant of the same material, without being magnetized. On the seventh after surgery day, the animals were evaluated referring to spontaneous motor activity in the activity monitor, 5 minutes after subcutaneous injection of apomorphine (2.5 mg / kg), whereas the animals of the CG did not receive this injection, and forced motor activity in Rota Rod. Subsequently the experiments the animals were perfused and their brains removed for histology. The results showed to spontaneous behavioral assessment, related to the behavior of distance travelled, significant increase in GEPS compared to GC, GL e GEPN, and also in GSM and GS compared to GC, GL, and GEPN, and a decrease in GEPN compared to GC, GS, GSM, GL e GEPS [F (5,62) = 3.19, p 0.05]; for time of activity, a significant increase in GEPS compared to GC and GEPN, and also in GSM and GS compared to GC, GL and GEPN, and a decrease in GEPN compared to GS, GSM, GL e GEPS [F (5,62) = 5.46, p 0.05]; for the behavior of crossings, a significant increase in GEPS compared to GC and GEPN, and also in GSM and GS compared to GC, GL and GEPN, and a decrease in GEPN compared to GS, GSM, GL, e GEPS [F (5,62) = 3.31, p 0.05]; and to the behavior of anti hourly rotations, significant increase in GL, GEPS and GEPN compared to GC, GS, GSM, significant decrease in GEPN and GEPS compared to GL and also a decrease in GEPN compared to GEPS [F (5 , 62) = 16.01, p 0.05]. The results for the Rota Rod indicated a significant decrease in the permanency time on apparatus to GL compared to GC, GS, GSM, GEPS and GEPN [(F (5, 62) = 5.46, p 0.05)]. The histological analysis revealed a significant reduction in the number of neurons in the animals of GL compared to the others groups [F (5, 66) = 5, 13, p 0.05]. Therefore, the results suggest that magnetic stimulation exerts neuroprotective effect, with reversal of behavioral and morphological changes caused by quinolinic acid.

Ao observar os movimentos de indivíduos habilidosos praticando esporte, supõe-se que estes sejam a repetição de uma série de movimentos idênticos. Mas, o que no comportamento motor habilidoso parece idêntico a partir de uma observação geral, macroscópica, quando observado em detalhes, apresenta variabilidade. O comportamento motor habilidoso apresenta aspectos invariantes que resultam em um padrão característico da habilidade praticada (consistência) e também aspectos variantes, quando fatores microscópicos são focalizados. Assim qualquer tentativa de compreender o comportamento motor habilidoso deve considerar consistência e variabilidade como características complementares. No entanto, os poucos estudos de natação que consideraram estas características tiveram crianças como participantes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a consistência e a variabilidade da braçada do nado crawl em indivíduos habilidosos. Participaram 16 nadadores, todos voluntários, do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 20 anos. Destes, 8 com índice para disputar campeonatos nacionais e 8 com índice para participarem de campeonatos estaduais. Todos nadaram 2 x 50 metros em cada uma das três condições, ou seja, a 80%, 90% e 100% da velocidade máxima individual. Para fins de análise foram utilizadas medidas antropométricas, de desempenho global e de organização temporal, estas últimas correspondentes a macro e a microestrutura da braçada. Não foram detectadas diferenças entre os nadadores dos grupos Nacional e Estadual nas medidas antropométricas, mas os do grupo Nacional foram mais velozes nas condições 100% e 90%. O grupo Nacional, ao contrário do Estadual, manteve a macroestrutura da braçada nas três condições, e na condição de 80%, apresentou maior variabilidade nas medidas correspondentes a microestrutura que o grupo Estadual. Em conjunto, os resultados permitem concluir que o grupo Nacional é mais habilidoso que o Estadual desempenho e que adaptou seu comportamento a partir da redundância do sistema, enquanto o Estadual o fez a partir da modificação da estrutura / When observing the movements of skillful individuals practicing sport, one might suppose that they are a repetition of a series of identical movements. However, what seems to be identical in a skillful motor behavior from a general macroscopic view, is, in fact, variable when observed in detail. Skillful motor behavior presents invariant aspects that result in a particular pattern of the skill (consistency), but shows variant aspects, when microscopic factors are focused. Thus, any attempt to understand skillful motor behavior should consider consistency and variability as complementary features. However, the few studies of swimming that considered those features had children as participants. The aim of this study was to investigate consistency and variability in the crawl stroke of skillful individuals. Participants were 16 male volunteer swimmers with a mean age of 20 years. Eight with ranking to participate in national championships and eigth with ranking to participate in state championships. All swam 2 x 50 meters in each of three conditions, 80%, 90% and 100% of the individual maximum speed. For analisys purpose, antropometric, performance and temporal organization measures were employed, the last ones in correspondence to strokes macro and microstructures. On the antropometric measures no difference were detected between National and State groups but the National group was faster at 100% and 90% conditions. The National group, contrarily to State group, maintained stroke macrostructure within the three conditions and at the 80% condition, showed more variability on the the microstructure measures than the State group. Summing up, results lead to the conclusion that the National group is more skilled than the State group performance and that adapted his behavior do system redundancy while the State group did it through structure modification

La souris scrambler (Dab1scm) est un mutant ataxique cérébelleux qui présente une mutation naturelle du gène mdab1, codant pour une protéine intracellulaire nécessaire à la voie de signalisation de la rééline. Cette protéine joue un rôle crucial dans la mise place et la plasticité des structures laminées telles que le cortex cérébral, l’hippocampe ou le cervelet. Notre objectif a été de caractériser le phénotype comportemental et neurochimique de la souris scrambler au cours du développement post-natal et à l’âge adulte. Les premiers signes de l’ataxie cérébelleuse sont observables dès 8 jours et sont majorés au cours des 2ème et 3ème semaines de vie post-natale. A l’âge adulte, la souris se caractérise par un trouble important de la coordination motrice et une hyperactivité locomotrice exacerbée et stéréotypée (comportement de rotation) lorsque l’animal est placé en milieu aquatique. Les tests du labyrinthe aquatique de Morris et de l’alternance spontanée mettent en évidence des déficiences possiblement causées par un trouble du guidage visuo-moteur et la désinhibition comportementale. Chez ces souris, l’activité métabolique régionale évaluée par le marquage de la cytochrome oxydase est relativement préservée dans le cervelet ; elle est en revanche altérée dans diverses régions du tronc cérébral qui lui sont associées ainsi que dans l’hippocampe et certaines régions corticales. Le comportement de rotation stéréotypé et l’hyperactivité causés possiblement par un déséquilibre neurochimique acétylcholine/dopamine a été évalué dans un rotamètre avec ou sans injection préalable d’un antagoniste des récepteurs D2. Parallèlement, l’innervation cholinergique du système nerveux central, révélée par l’activité de l’acétylcholinestérase était diminuée dans la substance noire pour laquelle nous avons observé une désorganisation et une perte partielle des neurones dopaminergiques. Bien que les atteintes multiples compliquent l’étude structuro- fonctionnelle de ce mutant, nos résultats ont permis de préciser le phénotype scrambler en le comparant aux autres mutants de la voie de la rééline. Ces mutants font l’objet aujourd’hui d’un intérêt croissant pour la modélisation non seulement de l’ataxie mais également de certaines maladies neurologiques et neuro-psychiatriques comme l’autisme et la schizophrénie / The Dab1scm scrambler mice is a cerebellar ataxic mutant spontaneously mutated for a gene encoding a protein of the reelin signaling pathway involved in the development and the plasticity of laminated structures such as the neocortex, the hippocampus, and the cerebellum. Our objective was to characterize the behavioral and neurochemical phenotype of the scrambler mice during postnatal developmental and adult stages. The first signs of cerebellar ataxia are observable as early as 8 days and increase during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of postnatal life. Adult mouse is characterized by a significant disturbance of motor coordination and a locomotor hyperactivity which increases ans becomes stereotyped (circling) when the animal was placed in water. Morris water maze and spontaneous alternation highlight deficiencies possibly caused by disorder of visuomotor control and disinhibitory processes. Brain regional metabolic activity measured by cytochrome oxidase is relatively preserved in the mutant cerebellum. However, it is impaired in various connected regions of the brainstem as well as in the hippocampus and some cortical regions. Circling behavior and hyperactivity, possibly caused by a neurochemical imbalance between acetylcholine and dopamine, were evaluated in a rotameter with or whithout prior injection of D2 receptor antagonist. In parallel, cholinergic innervation of the central nervous system measured by acetylcholinesterase activity is lower in the substantia nigra for which a partial disruption and loss of dopaminergic neurons is observed. Although the multiple alterations complicate the structuro-fonctional study of this mutant, results have clarified the scrambler phenotype by comparison with others mutants of the reelin pathway. This mutants are now subject to a growing interest in not only ataxia modeling but also some neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos de diferentes padrões respiratórios no desempenho e na braçada do nado crawl. Participaram do estudo 21 jovens atletas do gênero masculino. Eles foram filmados nadando 25 metros do nado crawl, em velocidade máxima, em quatro condições de respiração: inspiração para o lado preferido (LP); para o lado não preferido (LNP); bilateral (B); e, sem respiração (S). Duas filmadoras digitais (60fps) captaram as imagens que foram analisadas através do software Kinovea 0.8.7 nos 10 metros centrais do percurso. Os resultados permitiram concluir que o padrão respiratório afeta o desempenho de atletas jovens. Mostraram que em termos de velocidade e tempo, é mais vantajosa a condição de nadar crawl em apneia que em qualquer das condições com inspiração (B, LNP, LP); e, no que diz respeito à frequência e comprimento da braçada a condição B é a mais eficiente e a LNP, a menos eficiente dentre as três condições com inspiração utilizadas no presente estudo. Portanto, o padrão preferido de respiração, não necessariamente, corresponde ao mais eficiente em termos do desempenho. Em relação à braçada, os resultados mostraram que, diante da modificação do padrão respiratório, nadadores peritos jovens mantêm a estrutura temporal das braçadas direita e esquerda (aspectos invariantes da braçada) bem como a coordenação entre os braços inalterada enquanto efetuam ajustes na fase aérea da braçada (aspectos variantes) / The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different breathing patterns on the performance and the arm stroke of the front crawl. Twenty-one young male athletes participated in the study. They were filmed swimming 25 meters at maximum speed using the front crawl stroke, under four breathing conditions: preferential inhalation side (PS); nonpreferential inhalation side (NPS); bilateral inhalation (B) and without inhalation (N). Two digital video cameras (60fps) captured the images that were analyzed using the software Kinovea 0.8.7 in the central 10 meters of the lenght. The results showed that the breathing pattern affects the performance of young athletes. That in terms of speed and time, comparing to any of the inhalation conditions (B, PS, NPS), the more advantageous one to swim front crawl stroke is in apnea (N); and, with respect to frequency and length of stroke the condition B is the most efficient and NPS, the least efficient among the three inhalation conditions of this study. Therefore, the preferred breathing pattern does not necessarily correspond to the most efficient in terms of performance. Regarding arm stroke, the results showed that, given the change in breathing pattern, young expert swimmers maintain the temporal structure of the right and left arm strokes (invariant features of the stroke) as well as the coordination between the arms unchanged while adjusting in the aerial phase of the stroke (variant features)

A natação de águas abertas tem registrado aumento no número de competições e participantes em todo mundo. Acompanhando esta tendência têm sido desenvolvidos estudos para identificar as características físicas e as respostas fisiológicas dos atletas neste tipo de prova. Entretanto, são escassos estudos ao nível de análise comportamental, principalmente, em condições reais de distância e meio ambiente (mar). Foi objetivo deste estudo investigar as características de desempenho e da organização temporal das braçadas de nadadores de águas abertas. Mais especificamente, conhecer quais recursos os atletas de águas abertas lançam mão para atingir sua meta de vencer um percurso no mar no menor tempo possível. A amostra foi constituída por 23 atletas, com média de idade de 26,4(±3,2) anos. A tarefa foi nadar um trajeto de 1500 metros em forma de um circuito em mar aberto. Para a captação das variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho utilizou-se um GPS (Garmin modelo Fênix 3) e um cronômetro (FINIS modelo Accusplit Eagle AX602). O registro das imagens para captação dos dados relacionados à descrição da organização temporal das braçadas ocorreu em três pontos do trajeto: início (I) - 20 a 40 metros, meio (M) - 800 a 820 metros e final (F) - 1450 a 1470 metros. Foi utilizada uma filmadora (Nikon Coolpix S5300) afixada à embarcação. O software Kinovea 8.20 permitiu a análise quadro a quadro das braçadas. Foram consideradas variáveis dependentes relacionadas ao desempenho (tempo, velocidade e distância total percorrida, bem como, a frequência de braçadas em cada um dos três pontos do trajeto); aos aspectos variantes das braçadas (tempo total do ciclo, das braçadas, das fases aérea e aquática) e aos aspectos invariantes das braçadas (timing relativo das fases aérea e aquática e sua variabilidade). A análise de variância de medidas repetidas foi usada para comparar os três momentos da tarefa (I, M e F) para todas as variáveis, e a correlação de Pearson para analisar a magnitude das relações entre as variáveis de desempenho, enquanto o teste t de Student para medidas pareadas foi utilizado para comparar as possíveis diferenças entre os braços direito e esquerdo para cada um dos momentos e determinou-se como significância estatística α≤=0,05. Em relação ao desempenho, os resultados indicaram que os nadadores fizeram uso de frequência de braçada (Fb) diferente para os três momentos, sendo maior no I quando comparada ao M e F, e no M, menor que em F; estas mudanças foram acompanhadas por ajustes nos aspectos variantes como o tempo total do ciclo, das braçadas e das fases aérea e aquática. Ainda, nos três momentos os nadadores apresentaram simetria temporal entre as braçadas dos dois braços, apesar de as diferenças serem evidenciadas entre as fases das braçadas quando comparados os braços. Com relação aos aspectos invariantes detectou-se mudança do padrão de I para M e F da tarefa, sendo que em M e F os atletas utilizaram a mesma estrutura temporal. Quanto à variabilidade dos aspectos variantes e invariantes para as braçadas e as fases das braçadas, observou-se diminuição da magnitude ao longo da tarefa sendo que o braço esquerdo apresentou nos três momentos maior variabilidade que o direito. Assim, diante dos resultados, concluiu-se que os recursos utilizados por nadadores habilidosos para nadar em ambiente pouco estável, em condições reais de distância e meio ambiente (mar) compreendem a alteração do desempenho (Fb) associado a ajustes nos aspectos variantes, concomitantemente à alteração dos aspectos invariantes das braçadas, em função do momento da tarefa / Open water swimming has had an increasing number of competitions and participants worldwide. Following this trend, research efforts have been made to identify the physical and physiological responses of athletes in this type of race. However, only a few studies have focused on the behavioral analysis, particularly those based on real distance and environment (sea) situations. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of performance and temporal organization of the stroke of open water swimmers. More specifically, to find out which resources open water athletes can draw on to achieve their goal of swimming their way through a sea race as fast as possible. The sample consisted of 23 athletes, with a mean age of 26.4 (± 3.2) years. Their task was to swim a 1.5-kilometer open water circuit. A GPS (Garmin Fenix 3) and a stopwatch (Accusplit AX602) were used to collect performance-related variables. Images describing the temporal organization of the stroke were captured at three different time-points: beginning (B) 20-40 meters, middle (M) 800-820 meters and end (E) 1450-1470 meters of the course. A Nikon Coolpix S5300 camera attached to the boat was also used. Kinovea software (0.8.20 version) allowed for frame-by-frame analysis of the swimming stroke. Dependent variables related to performance (time, speed, total distance completed, as well as the stroke rates in each of the three time-points in the course); variant aspects of swimming strokes (total time of cycle, total time of strokes, recovery [out of water] and pull-though [in the water] phases) and non-variant aspects of the swimming stroke (relative timing of recovery and pull-through phases and its variability) were considered. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the three time-points of the task (B, M and E) for all variables. Pearson correlation was used to assess the magnitude of the relationship between performance variables, while Student\'s t test for paired samples was used to compare the possible differences between the right and left arms at each time-point at α≤=0,05. As for performance, the results indicated that swimmers made use of stroke rate (Sr) for the three different time-points, which were higher during B compared to M and E, and during M, lower than B and E; these changes were followed by adjustments in the variant aspects such as the total time of cycle, stroke and recovery and pull-through phases. In addition, at the three time-points of collect, swimmers had a temporal symmetry between the strokes of both arms, even though differences were observed between the phases of the stroke when arms were compared against each other. Regarding the non-variant aspects, a change in pattern was detected between B towards M and E of the task, while at M and E time-points athletes used the same temporal structure. Regarding the variability between variant and non-variant aspects for strokes and stroke phases, there was a decrease in magnitude through the task course. The left arm showed greater variability at the three time-points compared to the right arm. Therefore, in view of the results, it can be concluded that the resources used by skilled swimmers when swimming in a unstable environment, real conditions of distance and environment (sea) comprise change in performance (Sf) associated with adjustments to variant aspects and of non-variant aspects of the stroke, simultaneously, depending on the moment of the task

A natação de águas abertas tem registrado aumento no número de competições e participantes em todo mundo. Acompanhando esta tendência têm sido desenvolvidos estudos para identificar as características físicas e as respostas fisiológicas dos atletas neste tipo de prova. Entretanto, são escassos estudos ao nível de análise comportamental, principalmente, em condições reais de distância e meio ambiente (mar). Foi objetivo deste estudo investigar as características de desempenho e da organização temporal das braçadas de nadadores de águas abertas. Mais especificamente, conhecer quais recursos os atletas de águas abertas lançam mão para atingir sua meta de vencer um percurso no mar no menor tempo possível. A amostra foi constituída por 23 atletas, com média de idade de 26,4(±3,2) anos. A tarefa foi nadar um trajeto de 1500 metros em forma de um circuito em mar aberto. Para a captação das variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho utilizou-se um GPS (Garmin modelo Fênix 3) e um cronômetro (FINIS modelo Accusplit Eagle AX602). O registro das imagens para captação dos dados relacionados à descrição da organização temporal das braçadas ocorreu em três pontos do trajeto: início (I) - 20 a 40 metros, meio (M) - 800 a 820 metros e final (F) - 1450 a 1470 metros. Foi utilizada uma filmadora (Nikon Coolpix S5300) afixada à embarcação. O software Kinovea 8.20 permitiu a análise quadro a quadro das braçadas. Foram consideradas variáveis dependentes relacionadas ao desempenho (tempo, velocidade e distância total percorrida, bem como, a frequência de braçadas em cada um dos três pontos do trajeto); aos aspectos variantes das braçadas (tempo total do ciclo, das braçadas, das fases aérea e aquática) e aos aspectos invariantes das braçadas (timing relativo das fases aérea e aquática e sua variabilidade). A análise de variância de medidas repetidas foi usada para comparar os três momentos da tarefa (I, M e F) para todas as variáveis, e a correlação de Pearson para analisar a magnitude das relações entre as variáveis de desempenho, enquanto o teste t de Student para medidas pareadas foi utilizado para comparar as possíveis diferenças entre os braços direito e esquerdo para cada um dos momentos e determinou-se como significância estatística α≤=0,05. Em relação ao desempenho, os resultados indicaram que os nadadores fizeram uso de frequência de braçada (Fb) diferente para os três momentos, sendo maior no I quando comparada ao M e F, e no M, menor que em F; estas mudanças foram acompanhadas por ajustes nos aspectos variantes como o tempo total do ciclo, das braçadas e das fases aérea e aquática. Ainda, nos três momentos os nadadores apresentaram simetria temporal entre as braçadas dos dois braços, apesar de as diferenças serem evidenciadas entre as fases das braçadas quando comparados os braços. Com relação aos aspectos invariantes detectou-se mudança do padrão de I para M e F da tarefa, sendo que em M e F os atletas utilizaram a mesma estrutura temporal. Quanto à variabilidade dos aspectos variantes e invariantes para as braçadas e as fases das braçadas, observou-se diminuição da magnitude ao longo da tarefa sendo que o braço esquerdo apresentou nos três momentos maior variabilidade que o direito. Assim, diante dos resultados, concluiu-se que os recursos utilizados por nadadores habilidosos para nadar em ambiente pouco estável, em condições reais de distância e meio ambiente (mar) compreendem a alteração do desempenho (Fb) associado a ajustes nos aspectos variantes, concomitantemente à alteração dos aspectos invariantes das braçadas, em função do momento da tarefa / Open water swimming has had an increasing number of competitions and participants worldwide. Following this trend, research efforts have been made to identify the physical and physiological responses of athletes in this type of race. However, only a few studies have focused on the behavioral analysis, particularly those based on real distance and environment (sea) situations. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of performance and temporal organization of the stroke of open water swimmers. More specifically, to find out which resources open water athletes can draw on to achieve their goal of swimming their way through a sea race as fast as possible. The sample consisted of 23 athletes, with a mean age of 26.4 (± 3.2) years. Their task was to swim a 1.5-kilometer open water circuit. A GPS (Garmin Fenix 3) and a stopwatch (Accusplit AX602) were used to collect performance-related variables. Images describing the temporal organization of the stroke were captured at three different time-points: beginning (B) 20-40 meters, middle (M) 800-820 meters and end (E) 1450-1470 meters of the course. A Nikon Coolpix S5300 camera attached to the boat was also used. Kinovea software (0.8.20 version) allowed for frame-by-frame analysis of the swimming stroke. Dependent variables related to performance (time, speed, total distance completed, as well as the stroke rates in each of the three time-points in the course); variant aspects of swimming strokes (total time of cycle, total time of strokes, recovery [out of water] and pull-though [in the water] phases) and non-variant aspects of the swimming stroke (relative timing of recovery and pull-through phases and its variability) were considered. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the three time-points of the task (B, M and E) for all variables. Pearson correlation was used to assess the magnitude of the relationship between performance variables, while Student\'s t test for paired samples was used to compare the possible differences between the right and left arms at each time-point at α≤=0,05. As for performance, the results indicated that swimmers made use of stroke rate (Sr) for the three different time-points, which were higher during B compared to M and E, and during M, lower than B and E; these changes were followed by adjustments in the variant aspects such as the total time of cycle, stroke and recovery and pull-through phases. In addition, at the three time-points of collect, swimmers had a temporal symmetry between the strokes of both arms, even though differences were observed between the phases of the stroke when arms were compared against each other. Regarding the non-variant aspects, a change in pattern was detected between B towards M and E of the task, while at M and E time-points athletes used the same temporal structure. Regarding the variability between variant and non-variant aspects for strokes and stroke phases, there was a decrease in magnitude through the task course. The left arm showed greater variability at the three time-points compared to the right arm. Therefore, in view of the results, it can be concluded that the resources used by skilled swimmers when swimming in a unstable environment, real conditions of distance and environment (sea) comprise change in performance (Sf) associated with adjustments to variant aspects and of non-variant aspects of the stroke, simultaneously, depending on the moment of the task

The complexity of dynamical systems (spanning brain, body and environment) can yield complex adaptive behaviors from non-linear interactions of individuals in space and time. A lack of reliable instruments to assess these varying behaviors results in inferences of how changes in behavior occurred over an extended period of time rather than being based on direct scientific measures. The aim of this study was to develop a scale of complexity and perceptual-cognitive skills' assessment in the sport soccer and to evaluate structural and criterion reliability. Based on the embodied cognition literature, the construct of this scale was identified with three dimensions to assess perceptual-cognitive performance of players when acting within different levels of complex team synergies. A sample of 10 soccer coaches - group A (n = 5 coaches; M = 24 yrs professional coaching experience) and group B (n = 5 coaches; M = 1 year of amateur coaching experience) were recruited to participate in the study. A total of 100 clips of 10 previously recorded soccer matches were analyzed in two assessment periods with one month between the end of the first assessment and the beginning of the second. This resulted in a combined total of 1000 measures used for the study. The results demonstrated that high skilled coaches were more reliable in the complexity dimension (r = 0.87) and also in the decision making dimension (r = 0.79) than low qualified coaches (r = 0.79) and (r = 0.71) respectively; and the complexity dimension was more stable across trials between professional and amateur coaches in the first data collection i (r = 0.79) and second data collection (r = 0 .73) than the decision making dimension (r = 0.50) and (r = 0.43) respectively. These findings indicate that this scale is reliable across applications and at different times with high and low qualified coaches. The use of the scale may be useful for identifying elements of emerging complexity at the team-fractal-player level; determine a perceptual-cognitive profile in athletes; and to better understand complex tactical dynamics in soccer.