The purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of an 11-week training period performed by female weightlifters. Two weeks before this investigation, baseline measures for total testosterone, cortisol, and testosterone:cortisol ratio were collected. The 11-week training program consisted of the core exercises (i.e., clean, clean and jerk, and snatch) and other supplemental exercises (i.e., clean pull, snatch pull, squat, and front squat). Hormonal, isometric, and dynamic middle thigh pull force-time curve characteristics were assessed biweekly throughout the duration of the investigation, whereas volume load and training intensity were assessed weekly throughout the investigation. The testosterone:cortisol ratio of the baseline (1.19 ± 0.64) was significantly different from the ratio of weeks 1 (0.67 ± 0.36) and 9 (0.94 ± 0.66). When the week-to-week values were compared, week 1 (0.67 ± 0.36) was significantly different (P < 0.05; ηsup>2= 0.84) from week 3 (1.06 ± 0.54). A very strong correlation (r = −0.83; r 2 = 0.69) was found between the percentage change of the testosterone:cortisol ratio and volume load from weeks 1 to 11. Moderate to very strong correlations were noted between the percentage change in volume load and isometric peak force, peak force during the 30% isometric peak force trial, and peak force during the 100-kg trial during the 11 weeks of training. The primary finding of this study was that alterations in training volume load can result in concomitant changes in the anabolic-to-catabolic balance, as indicated by the testosterone:cortisol ratio, and the ability to generate maximal forces.

Seventeen strength and power athletes (n = 11 males, 6 females; height: 177.5 ± 7.0 cm, 165.8 ± 11.4 cm; body mass: 90.0 ± 14.1 kg, 66.4 ± 13.9 kg; age: 30.6 ± 10.4 years, 30.8 ± 8.7 years), who regularly performed weightlifting movements during their resistance training programs, were recruited to examine the effect of altering body posture and barbell position on the between-session reliability of force-time characteristics generated in the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). After participants were familiarised with the testing protocol, they undertook two testing sessions which were separated by seven days. In each session, the participants performed three maximal IMTP trials in each of the four testing positions examined, with the order of testing randomized. In each position, no significant differences were found between sessions for all force-time characteristics (p = >0.05). Peak force (PF), time-specific force (F50, F90, F150, F200, F250) and IMP time-bands (0–50, 0–90, 0–150, 0–200, 0–250 ms) were reliable across each of the four testing positions (ICC ≥ 0.7, CV ≤ 15%). Time to peak force, peak RFD, RFD time-bands (0–50, 0–90, 0–150, 0–200, 0–250 ms) and peak IMP were unreliable regardless of the testing position used (ICC =15%). Overall, the use of body postures and barbell positions during the IMTP that do not correspond to the second pull of the clean have no adverse effect on the reliability of the force-time characteristics generated.

The purposes of this study were to examine the relationships between dynamic strength index (DSI) and other strength-power performance characteristics and to contextualize DSI scores using case study comparisons. 88 male and 67 female NCAA division I collegiate athletes performed countermovement jumps (CMJ) and isometric mid-thigh pulls (IMTP) during a pre-season testing session as part of a long-term athlete monitoring program. Spearman's correlations were used to assess the relationships between DSI and CMJ peak force, height, modified reactive strength index, peak power and IMTP peak force and rate of force development (RFD). Very large relationships existed between DSI and IMTP peak force (r = -0.848 and -0.746), while small-moderate relationships existed between DSI and CMJ peak force (r = 0.297 and 0.313), height (r = 0.108 and 0.167), modified reactive strength index (r = 0.174 and 0.274), and IMTP RFD (r = -0.341 and -0.338) for men and women, respectively. Finally, relationships between DSI and CMJ peak power were trivial-small for male (r = 0.008) and female athletes (r = 0.191). Case study analyses revealed that despite similar DSI scores, each athlete's percentile rankings for each variable and CMJ force-time characteristics were unique, which may suggest different training emphases are needed. Based on the explained variance, an athlete's IMTP performance may have a larger influence on their DSI score compared to the CMJ. DSI scores should be contextualized using additional performance data to ensure each individual athlete receives the appropriate training stimulus during different training phases throughout the year.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic and morphological adaptations that occur during distinct phases of a block periodized training cycle in weightlifters. Athlete monitoring data from nine experienced collegiate weightlifters was used. Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and ultrasonography (US) results were compared to examine the effects of three specific phases of a training cycle leading up to a competition. During the high volume strength-endurance phase (SE) small depressions in rate of force development (RFD) but statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in vastus lateralis cross-sectional area (CSA), and body mass (BM) were observed. The lower volume higher intensity strength-power phase (SP) caused RFD to rebound above pre-training cycle values despite statistically significant reductions in CSA. Small to moderate increases only in the earlier RFD time bands (ms) occurred during the peak/taper phase (PT) while CSA and BM were maintained. Changes in IMTP RFD and CSA from US reflected the expected adaptations of block periodized training phases. Changes in early (ms) and late (≥150 ms) RFD time bands may not occur proportionally throughout different training phases. Small increases in RFD and CSA can be expected in well-trained weightlifters throughout a single block periodized training cycle.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if a nine-week training intervention composed of different mobility and stability exercises intending to improve jump height, whole-body stability, and single-leg stability of junior cross-country skiers. It was also of interest to see if the test equipment could determine the study participants' potential risk of injury with a built-in injury predictor measurement, Musculoskeletal Health (MSK).  A total of 16 cross-country skiers aged 16-20 years, 8 man and 8 women, performed the following tests on a force plate; Jump Scan (i.e., to characterize an individual's dynamic movement strategy), Plank Scan (i.e., to measure the individual's ability to control global static stability across each extremity), and Balance Scan (i.e., the individual's ability to maintain their center of mass over their center of pressure). After the initial scan, participants were assigned to the same nine-week intervention program, with Group 1 performing the program three times each week and Group 2 once each week before performing a post-intervention scan. Using two-way ANOVA showed no significant between-group differences. There was no significant difference when using three-way ANOVA within both intervention groups, except higher CMJ Load scores (p=0.032) and reduction in Plank scores, Plank Left (p=0.024) in male participants. When using logistic regression tests to determine the correlation between jump height (CMJ) outcomes effect on MSK injury risk between groups and within gender, a significant correlation in females was shown (p=0.0280, R=0.46). The present study's results suggest that a 9-week training intervention is not sufficient when training either one or three times per week for improving jump height, whole-body stability, and single-leg stability in junior cross-country skiers.

INTRODUCTION: Reaction time may be broadly defined as the time between stimulus presentation and a response. Analysis of reaction time in terms of rate of force development (RFD), peak force, and surface electromyography (EMG) may help bridge the gaps in knowledge pertaining to the neuromuscular system's role in reaction time. The purpose of the present study was to identify predictors of reaction time using digital hand grip dynamometry and EMG. It was hypothesized that RFD and rate of EMG rise (RER) at the onset of a contraction would correlate with reaction time. METHODS: For grip testing, participants were instructed to squeeze a handheld dynamometer with the right hand "…as hard and fast as possible" for 5 seconds upon hearing a "beep" from the computer. A total of 5 attempts were performed, with 1-minute rest periods. Bipolar surface EMG signals were detected from the right first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscles throughout grip testing. Bivariate correlations (Pearson r) were used to examine the statistical associations. The 95% confidence interval (CI) for each Pearson r was also computed. An alpha level of p ≤ 0.05 was used to reject the null hypothesis. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between reaction time and all other measures of grip force (r = -0.507 to -0.557, p= 0.016 to 0.042), except for time until peak force (r = 0.029, p = 0.915). As FDI EMG amplitude increased reaction time decreased (r = -0.664, p = .005). CONCLUSION: Many of the grip force variables were significantly associated with reaction time. Peak force and rapid force variables showed significant correlations with reaction time. While no significant correlations for any of the FDI RER or FCR variables were found, EMG amplitude from the FDI presented the strongest bivariate correlation. As FDI EMG amplitude, peak force, and rapid force variables increased reaction time decreased. These findings give some insight into the neuromuscular system's role in hand grip tasks and help broaden the current understanding of variables that may be used to assess or improve reaction time in the clinical setting.

The current investigation was an examination of the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of the back squat using accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) and cluster set programming strategies. Trained male subjects (age = 26.1 ± 4.1 years, height = 183.5 ± 4.3 cm, body mass = 92.5 ± 10.5 kg, back squat to body mass ratio = 1.8 ± 0.3) volunteered to complete four different load condition sessions involving traditionally loaded straight sets (TL), traditionally loaded cluster sets (TLC), AEL cluster sets (AEC), and AEL straight sets where only the first repetition of each set used eccentric overload (AEL1). The use of AEL increased eccentric work (WECC) and eccentric rate of force development (RFDECC) but did not result in the expected potentiation of subsequent concentric output. Interrepetition rest, however, appears to have the largest influence on concentric peak power (PP), rate of force development (RFDCON), and average velocity (MV). Additionally, the current study was an investigation of the efficacy of novel methods of ultrasonography technique that can be applied to monitoring training response. Compared to lying measures of the vastus lateralis (VL), standing ultrasonography measures of muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and cross-sectional area (CSA) were more strongly and abundantly correlated with dynamic and isometric strength performance. Finally, the present study was an exploration of the genetic underpinnings of performance outcomes and muscle phenotypic characteristics. The polymorphisms of two candidate genes (ACTN3, ACE) typical of strength-power athletes were used. ACTN3 RR tended to result in greater type II fiber CSA and alter maximal strength, while ACE DD tended to influence RFD through the presence of more favorable type II-to-type I CSA ratios. Overall, the current investigation provided valuable insight into the characteristics of advanced programming tactics. Furthermore, the ultrasonography measurement and genetic aspects of the current investigation may serve as a framework to inform monitoring practice and generate hypotheses related to the training process.

Estudos pregressos têm investigado causas e fatores de risco para quedas e incapacidade funcional em idosos. Porém, no que se refere a fatores biomecânicos envolvidos no desempenho funcional e controle postural, a contribuição dos grupos musculares proximais de quadril e de tronco ainda recebe pouca atenção. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a associação entre a função muscular dos abdutores e adutores do quadril e dos extensores e flexores do tronco com o desempenho do equilíbrio semi-estático e dinâmico e da funcionalidade de idosos independentes que vivem na comunidade. Métodos: oitenta e um idosos de ambos os sexos foram submetidos à avaliação do equilíbrio e da funcionalidade por meio dos testes: (1) marcha tandem sobre a plataforma de força Balance Master (Neurocom International Inc., Clackamas, OR) para obtenção das variáveis velocidade da marcha tandem e velocidade de oscilação corporal ao final da marcha tandem; e (2) testes clínicos de apoio unipodal e Timed Up and Go (TUG). Também foram submetidos à avaliação da função muscular em dinamômetro isocinético (Biodex System 4 Pro, Nova York, EUA) por meio de 3 contrações isométricas máximas de abdução e adução do quadril e flexão e extensão do tronco para obtenção das variáveis pico de torque (PT) e taxa de desenvolvimento de força (TDF) proporcionais ao peso corporal. Após aplicação do teste de normalidade de Shapiro-Wilk, foi realizado teste de correlação de Pearson (dados com distribuição normal) e de Spearman (dados com distribuição não-normal). Para aquelas variáveis com coeficiente de correlação significativo, foi aplicado teste de regressão linear para quantificar o índice de determinação (r2) da função muscular do quadril e tronco no equilíbrio e funcionalidade de idosos. Foi adotado nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05). Resultados: houve correlação com índice de determinação significativo do PT dos grupos musculares do quadril e do tronco sobre o desempenho dos testes de equilíbrio e funcionalidade. Em relação à TDF, foi encontrada correlação com índice de determinação significativo da TDF de abdução de quadril e de extensão de tronco sobre a velocidade de oscilação ao final da marcha tandem e sobre o TUG e também da TDF de extensão de tronco sobre o apoio unipodal. Conclusões: esses 10 achados podem ser clinicamente relevantes considerando que (1) diferentes parâmetros da função muscular (como PT e TDF) apresentam diferentes estratégias de intervenção para seu aprimoramento e que (2) problemas de equilíbrio e/ou de funcionalidade em idosos podem estar associados com comprometimentos da TDF e do PT da musculatura proximal, os quais são parâmetros passíveis de intervenção. / Previous studies have investigated causes and risk factors for falls and functional disability in the elderly. However, regarding biomechanical factors involved in the functional performance and postural control, the contribution of the proximal muscle groups of the hip and trunk still receives little attention. The objective of this study was to assess the association between muscle function of hip abductors and adductors and trunk flexors and extensors muscles with the performance of static and dynamic balance and functionality of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: eighty-one elderly of both sexes underwent assessment of balance and functionality through: (1) tandem gait test on the Balance Master force platform (Neurocom International Inc., Clackamas, OR) to obtain the variable tandem gait speed and body sway velocity in the end of tandem gait; and (2) clinical tests of single-leg stance and Timed Up and Go (TUG). The participants also underwent assessment of muscle function in isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 4 Pro, New York, USA) through 3 maximal isometric contractions of abduction and adduction of the hip and flexion and extension of the trunk to obtain the variables peak torque (PT) and rate of force development (RFD) in proportion to body weight. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test was performed and then, Pearson correlation test (data with normal distribution) and Spearman (data with non-normal distribution) were applied. Linear regression test was applied to quantify the determination index (r2) of muscle function of the hip and trunk in balance and functionality of the elderly for those variables with significant correlation coefficient. It was adopted a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). Results: there was correlation with a significant determination index of PT of muscle groups of the hip and trunk in the performance of balance and functionality tests. Regarding the RFD, it was found correlation with significant determination index of RFD of the hip abduction and trunk extension in the body sway velocity in the end of tandem gait and TUG; and of RFD of the trunk extension in single-leg stance. Conclusions: These findings may be clinically relevant considering that (1) different parameters of muscle function (such as PT and RDF) have different intervention strategies for their improvement and (2) problems of balance and / or functionality in the elderly may be 12 associated with impairments of RFD and PT of proximal muscles, which are parameters that can be treated.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar os efeitos da manipulação da ordem dos exercícios de força e aeróbico durante o treinamento concorrente na hidroginástica sobre as variáveis neuromusculares e cardiorrespiratórias de mulheres jovens e pósmenopáusicas. No estudo I, 26 mulheres jovens (25,12 ± 2,94 anos) foram aleatoriamente divididas em dois grupos de treinamento: força-aeróbico (FA) (n=13) e aeróbico-força (AF) (n=13). Para o estudo II, 21 mulheres pós-menopáusicas (57,14 ± 2,43 anos) foram divididas, também aleatoriamente, em dois grupos: força-aeróbico (FA) (n=10) e aeróbico-força (AF) (n=11). Em ambos os estudos os sujeitos realizaram o treinamento concorrente no meio aquático, duas vezes na semana durante 12 semanas, executando ambos os tipos de exercícios (aeróbico e força) na mesma sessão de treinamento. O treinamento de força foi realizado com séries em máxima velocidade e o treinamento aeróbico foi executado na frequência cardíaca do segundo limiar ventilatório. Todas as variáveis foram avaliadas antes e após o período de treinamento. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o teste ANOVA para medidas repetidas com fator grupo (α=0,05). No estudo I, com as mulheres jovens, houve um aumento significativo da força muscular dinâmica máxima, avaliada através do teste de 1 repetição máxima (1RM), de todos os grupos musculares analisados (flexão e extensão de cotovelos e joelhos) após o período de treinamento. O grupo FA apresentou maiores ganhos da força muscular dinâmica máxima dos extensores de joelho em comparação ao grupo AF (43,58 ± 14,00% vs. 27,01 ± 18,05%, respectivamente). Após o treinamento houve um aumento do pico de torque isométrico (PT), avaliado no dinamômetro Biodex, de todos os grupos musculares avaliados (exceção PT extensores de cotovelo), sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Além disso, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da taxa de produção máxima e em diferentes janelamentos (50, 100, 250 ms), durante a contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM) de extensão de joelho, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Houve um aumento significativo da amplitude máxima isométrica do sinal eletromiográfico (EMG), após o treinamento, dos músculos bíceps braquial e vasto lateral, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Além disso, observou-se uma diminuição significativa da amplitude submáxima isométrica do sinal EMG dos músculos bíceps braquial em 40% da CIVM, do vasto lateral em 40 e 80% da CIVM e do reto femoral em 80% da CIVM, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF após as 12 semanas de treinamento. Após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da espessura muscular do bíceps braquial, braquial, vasto medial e reto femoral, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. O percentual de ganho da espessura muscular do vasto lateral e vasto intermédio diferiu significativamente entre os grupos, com maiores ganhos para o grupo que treinou na ordem FA em comparação a ordem AF (vasto lateral: 10,00 ± 7,64% vs. 5,28 ± 3,42%, vasto intermédio: 11,58 ± 5,36% vs. 4,40 ± 3,77%, respectivamente). Para os saltos, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da altura do countermovement jump, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Por fim, ainda em relação ao estudo I, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo do consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2pico) e referente ao primeiro limiar ventilatório (VO2LV1), sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. No estudo II, com as mulheres pós-menopáusicas, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da força muscular dinâmica máxima dos flexores e extensores de cotovelo, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Para o teste de 1RM de extensão de joelhos, foi observado que o grupo FA apresentou maiores ganhos de força em comparação ao grupo AF (34,62 ± 13,51% vs. 14,16 ± 13,68%). Após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo do PT dos flexores e extensores de joelho, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Além disso, houve um aumento significativo da taxa de produção máxima e também nos diferentes janelamentos (50, 100, 250 ms), durante a CIVM de extensão de joelho, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Houve um aumento significativo da amplitude máxima isométrica do sinal EMG dos músculos vasto lateral e reto femoral, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF após 12 semanas de treinamento. Também houve uma diminuição significativa da amplitude submáxima isométrica do sinal EMG do músculo reto femoral em 40% da CIVM, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF após o treinamento. Após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da espessura muscular de todos os músculos analisados, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF (exceto reto femoral). Por fim, no estudo II, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo do consumo de oxigênio referente ao segundo limiar ventilatório (VO2LV2), sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Em suma, a ordem exercícios de força seguidos dos exercícios aeróbicos otimizou os ganhos de força muscular dinâmica máxima dos extensores de joelho tanto em mulheres jovens quanto em mulheres pós-menopáusicas, bem como a espessura muscular do quadríceps em mulheres jovens quando comparada com a ordem inversa (aeróbico-força). / The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of the intra-session exercise order (i.e., resistance-aerobic or aerobic-resistance) during water-based concurrent training on the neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory variables in young and postmenopausal women. Twenty-six young women (25.12 ± 2.94 years) were randomly assigned into two groups in study I: resistance-aerobic (RA) (n=13) and aerobicresistance (n=13). For study II, twenty-one postmenopausal women were also randomly assigned into two groups: resistance-aerobic (RA) (n=10) and aerobic-resistance (n=11). In both studies the subjects performed the water-based concurrent training two times a week during 12 weeks, performing both resistance and aerobic training in the same session. The resistance training was performed with sets at maximal effort and the aerobic training with exercises at heart rate corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold. All variables were evaluated before and after training. A repeated measure ANOVA with group factor was used to analyze the data of the present study (α=0.05). After training in study I, with the young women, there was a significant increase in the maximal dynamic strength in all muscle groups (elbow and knee flexors and extensors) evaluated using the one-repetition maximal test (1RM). The RA group presented grater relative gains of the knee extensors maximal dynamic strength compared to the AR group (43.58 ± 14.00% vs. 27.01 ± 18.05%, respectively). After training there was a significant increase of the maximal isometric peak torque (PT) of all muscle groups (except elbow extensor PT) evaluated using the Biodex dynamometer, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In addition, after training there was a significant increase of the maximal rate of force development (RFD) and of the RFD at different windows (50, 100, 250 ms) during the knee extension maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), with no difference between RA and AR groups. There was a significant increase of the maximal isometric electromyography (EMG) activity of biceps brachii and vastus lateralis after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. Moreover, the submaximal isometric EMG activity of biceps braachi at 40% of MIVC, the submaximal isometric EMG activity of vastus lateralis at 40% and 80% of MIVC and the submaximal isometric EMG activity of rectus femoris at 80% of MIVC showed lower values after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. After training, there was a significant increase of the muscle thickness of biceps brachii, brachialis, vastus medialis and rectus femoris, with no difference between RA and AR groups. The relative gains of the muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius were greater for the RA group compared to the AR group (vastus lateralis: 10.00 ± 7.64% vs. 5.28 ± 3.42%, vastus intermedius: 11.58 ± 5.36% vs. 4.40 ± 3.77%, respectively). The height of the countermovement jump improved after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In addition, the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and corresponding to the first ventilatory threshold (VO2VT1) showed significant increases after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In study II, with the postmenopausal women, there was a significant increase in the maximal dynamic strength of the elbow flexors and extensors, with no difference between RA and AR groups. The knee extensors 1RM in the RA group showed greater increases than the AR group (34.62 ± 13.51% vs. 14.16 ± 13.68%). After training, there were significant increases of the knee flexors and extensors PT, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In addition, there was a significant increase in the knee extension maximal RFD and in the knee extension RFD at different windows (50, 100, 250 ms), with no difference between RA and AR groups. Moreover, there were increases of the maximal isometric EMG activity of vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, with no difference between RA and AR groups. Furthermore, the submaximal isometric EMG activity of rectus femoris at 40% of MIVC showed lower values after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. Also, there were significant increases of the muscle thickness of all muscles evaluated, with no difference between RA and AR groups (except rectus femoris). Significant increase was also observed in the oxygen uptake corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold (VO2VT2) after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In summary, the intra-session exercise order with resistance exercises prior to aerobic exercises optimizes the knee extensors maximal dynamic strength gains in young and postmenopausal women, as well as the quadriceps femoris muscle thickness in young women when compared to the inverse order (i.e., aerobic-resistance).

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar os efeitos da manipulação da ordem dos exercícios de força e aeróbico durante o treinamento concorrente na hidroginástica sobre as variáveis neuromusculares e cardiorrespiratórias de mulheres jovens e pósmenopáusicas. No estudo I, 26 mulheres jovens (25,12 ± 2,94 anos) foram aleatoriamente divididas em dois grupos de treinamento: força-aeróbico (FA) (n=13) e aeróbico-força (AF) (n=13). Para o estudo II, 21 mulheres pós-menopáusicas (57,14 ± 2,43 anos) foram divididas, também aleatoriamente, em dois grupos: força-aeróbico (FA) (n=10) e aeróbico-força (AF) (n=11). Em ambos os estudos os sujeitos realizaram o treinamento concorrente no meio aquático, duas vezes na semana durante 12 semanas, executando ambos os tipos de exercícios (aeróbico e força) na mesma sessão de treinamento. O treinamento de força foi realizado com séries em máxima velocidade e o treinamento aeróbico foi executado na frequência cardíaca do segundo limiar ventilatório. Todas as variáveis foram avaliadas antes e após o período de treinamento. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o teste ANOVA para medidas repetidas com fator grupo (α=0,05). No estudo I, com as mulheres jovens, houve um aumento significativo da força muscular dinâmica máxima, avaliada através do teste de 1 repetição máxima (1RM), de todos os grupos musculares analisados (flexão e extensão de cotovelos e joelhos) após o período de treinamento. O grupo FA apresentou maiores ganhos da força muscular dinâmica máxima dos extensores de joelho em comparação ao grupo AF (43,58 ± 14,00% vs. 27,01 ± 18,05%, respectivamente). Após o treinamento houve um aumento do pico de torque isométrico (PT), avaliado no dinamômetro Biodex, de todos os grupos musculares avaliados (exceção PT extensores de cotovelo), sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Além disso, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da taxa de produção máxima e em diferentes janelamentos (50, 100, 250 ms), durante a contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM) de extensão de joelho, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Houve um aumento significativo da amplitude máxima isométrica do sinal eletromiográfico (EMG), após o treinamento, dos músculos bíceps braquial e vasto lateral, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Além disso, observou-se uma diminuição significativa da amplitude submáxima isométrica do sinal EMG dos músculos bíceps braquial em 40% da CIVM, do vasto lateral em 40 e 80% da CIVM e do reto femoral em 80% da CIVM, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF após as 12 semanas de treinamento. Após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da espessura muscular do bíceps braquial, braquial, vasto medial e reto femoral, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. O percentual de ganho da espessura muscular do vasto lateral e vasto intermédio diferiu significativamente entre os grupos, com maiores ganhos para o grupo que treinou na ordem FA em comparação a ordem AF (vasto lateral: 10,00 ± 7,64% vs. 5,28 ± 3,42%, vasto intermédio: 11,58 ± 5,36% vs. 4,40 ± 3,77%, respectivamente). Para os saltos, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da altura do countermovement jump, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Por fim, ainda em relação ao estudo I, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo do consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2pico) e referente ao primeiro limiar ventilatório (VO2LV1), sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. No estudo II, com as mulheres pós-menopáusicas, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da força muscular dinâmica máxima dos flexores e extensores de cotovelo, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Para o teste de 1RM de extensão de joelhos, foi observado que o grupo FA apresentou maiores ganhos de força em comparação ao grupo AF (34,62 ± 13,51% vs. 14,16 ± 13,68%). Após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo do PT dos flexores e extensores de joelho, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Além disso, houve um aumento significativo da taxa de produção máxima e também nos diferentes janelamentos (50, 100, 250 ms), durante a CIVM de extensão de joelho, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Houve um aumento significativo da amplitude máxima isométrica do sinal EMG dos músculos vasto lateral e reto femoral, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF após 12 semanas de treinamento. Também houve uma diminuição significativa da amplitude submáxima isométrica do sinal EMG do músculo reto femoral em 40% da CIVM, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF após o treinamento. Após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo da espessura muscular de todos os músculos analisados, sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF (exceto reto femoral). Por fim, no estudo II, após o treinamento, houve um aumento significativo do consumo de oxigênio referente ao segundo limiar ventilatório (VO2LV2), sem diferença entre os grupos FA e AF. Em suma, a ordem exercícios de força seguidos dos exercícios aeróbicos otimizou os ganhos de força muscular dinâmica máxima dos extensores de joelho tanto em mulheres jovens quanto em mulheres pós-menopáusicas, bem como a espessura muscular do quadríceps em mulheres jovens quando comparada com a ordem inversa (aeróbico-força). / The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of the intra-session exercise order (i.e., resistance-aerobic or aerobic-resistance) during water-based concurrent training on the neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory variables in young and postmenopausal women. Twenty-six young women (25.12 ± 2.94 years) were randomly assigned into two groups in study I: resistance-aerobic (RA) (n=13) and aerobicresistance (n=13). For study II, twenty-one postmenopausal women were also randomly assigned into two groups: resistance-aerobic (RA) (n=10) and aerobic-resistance (n=11). In both studies the subjects performed the water-based concurrent training two times a week during 12 weeks, performing both resistance and aerobic training in the same session. The resistance training was performed with sets at maximal effort and the aerobic training with exercises at heart rate corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold. All variables were evaluated before and after training. A repeated measure ANOVA with group factor was used to analyze the data of the present study (α=0.05). After training in study I, with the young women, there was a significant increase in the maximal dynamic strength in all muscle groups (elbow and knee flexors and extensors) evaluated using the one-repetition maximal test (1RM). The RA group presented grater relative gains of the knee extensors maximal dynamic strength compared to the AR group (43.58 ± 14.00% vs. 27.01 ± 18.05%, respectively). After training there was a significant increase of the maximal isometric peak torque (PT) of all muscle groups (except elbow extensor PT) evaluated using the Biodex dynamometer, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In addition, after training there was a significant increase of the maximal rate of force development (RFD) and of the RFD at different windows (50, 100, 250 ms) during the knee extension maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), with no difference between RA and AR groups. There was a significant increase of the maximal isometric electromyography (EMG) activity of biceps brachii and vastus lateralis after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. Moreover, the submaximal isometric EMG activity of biceps braachi at 40% of MIVC, the submaximal isometric EMG activity of vastus lateralis at 40% and 80% of MIVC and the submaximal isometric EMG activity of rectus femoris at 80% of MIVC showed lower values after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. After training, there was a significant increase of the muscle thickness of biceps brachii, brachialis, vastus medialis and rectus femoris, with no difference between RA and AR groups. The relative gains of the muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius were greater for the RA group compared to the AR group (vastus lateralis: 10.00 ± 7.64% vs. 5.28 ± 3.42%, vastus intermedius: 11.58 ± 5.36% vs. 4.40 ± 3.77%, respectively). The height of the countermovement jump improved after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In addition, the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and corresponding to the first ventilatory threshold (VO2VT1) showed significant increases after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In study II, with the postmenopausal women, there was a significant increase in the maximal dynamic strength of the elbow flexors and extensors, with no difference between RA and AR groups. The knee extensors 1RM in the RA group showed greater increases than the AR group (34.62 ± 13.51% vs. 14.16 ± 13.68%). After training, there were significant increases of the knee flexors and extensors PT, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In addition, there was a significant increase in the knee extension maximal RFD and in the knee extension RFD at different windows (50, 100, 250 ms), with no difference between RA and AR groups. Moreover, there were increases of the maximal isometric EMG activity of vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, with no difference between RA and AR groups. Furthermore, the submaximal isometric EMG activity of rectus femoris at 40% of MIVC showed lower values after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. Also, there were significant increases of the muscle thickness of all muscles evaluated, with no difference between RA and AR groups (except rectus femoris). Significant increase was also observed in the oxygen uptake corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold (VO2VT2) after training, with no difference between RA and AR groups. In summary, the intra-session exercise order with resistance exercises prior to aerobic exercises optimizes the knee extensors maximal dynamic strength gains in young and postmenopausal women, as well as the quadriceps femoris muscle thickness in young women when compared to the inverse order (i.e., aerobic-resistance).