Lucas Guimarães-FerreiraCoventry University | CU · Centre for Physical Activity, Sport, and Exercise Sciences
Lucas Guimarães-Ferreira
PGCert. MSc. PhD. FHEA
Associate Professor: Sport and Exercise Science
About
80
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Introduction
Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Science at Coventry University (UK).
PhD in Human Physiology (Institute of Biomedical Sciences - University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP).
Research interests:
- Skeletal muscle hypertrophy;
- Ergogenics aids for sports performance;
- Strength and conditioning;
- Martial arts and combat sports.
Additional affiliations
July 2021 - present
Education
July 2018 - June 2019
February 2009 - December 2012
July 2006 - December 2008
Publications
Publications (80)
The effect of short-term creatine (Cr) supplementation upon content of skeletal muscle-derived-reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated. Wistar rats were supplemented with Cr (5 g/kg BW) or vehicle, by gavage, for 6 days. Soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were removed and incubated for evaluation of ROS content using Amplex-U...
The effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC) transplantation on degeneration, regeneration and skeletal muscle function were investigated in dystrophin-deficient mice (24-week-old). ADMSC transplantation improved muscle strength and, resistance to fatigue. An increase in fiber cross-sectional area and in the number of fibers with c...
Amino acids such as leucine and its metabolite α-ketoisocaproate (KIC), are returning to be the focus of studies, mainly because of their anti-catabolic properties, through inhibition of muscle proteolysis and enhancement of protein synthesis. It is clear that these effects may counteract catabolic conditions, as well as enhance skeletal muscle mas...
Caffeine consumption can elicit improvements in aspects of physical function in older adults but also, negatively modify standing balance, potentially increasing fall risk. However, balance alterations and changes in physical function induced by commonly consumed caffeine vehicles such as coffee have not been investigated. Therefore, this study inv...
Duncan, MJ, Heering, T, Tallis, J, Guimaraes-Ferreira, L, Martins, R, Crotti, M, Barnett, L, Lander, N, and Lyons, M. The relationship between motor competence and landing error scoring system performance in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2024—This study examined the relationship between motor competence (MC) and Landing...
Background: This study examined the construct validity of the Athlete Introductory Movement Screen (AIMS) in children. Methods: Following ethics approval, parental consent, and child assent, 87 children (50 boys, 37 girls) aged 11–13 years (Mean ± SD = 12.4 ± 0.6 years) performed the AIMS and Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3) in a counterbal...
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute caffeine ingestion (5 mg.kg⁻¹) on jump, isometric strength and repeated sprint performance in amateur American football athletes. Twelve players (24.6 ± 3.66 years and 115.18 ± 24.35 kg of body weight) ingested a dose of caffeine (5 mg.kg⁻¹) or placebo 60 min prior to a testing session c...
Study aim : This study aimed to determine and compare the ‘optimum power load’ in the hexagonal (HBDL) and straight (SBDL) bar deadlift exercises.
Material and methods : Fifteen novice strength-trained males performed three repetitions of the HBDL and SBDL at loads from 20–90% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM). Peak power, average power, peak v...
Soccer is a team sport that requires players to process a significant amount of information quickly and respond with both speed and accuracy to the ever-changing demands of the game. As such, success in soccer depends not only on physical attributes but also on cognitive abilities such as perception and decision-making. The aim of the current study...
Given the importance of vertical jump assessments as a performance benchmarking tool, the assessment of neuromuscular function and indicator of health status, accurate assessment is essential. This study compared countermovement jump (CMJ) height assessed using MyJump2 (JHMJ) to force-platform-derived jump height calculated from time in the air (JH...
The present study aimed to evaluate whether blood flow restriction (BFR) can prevent exercise-induced muscle damage in resistance exercise (RE) performed until concentric muscle failure (CMF). Twenty healthy volunteers (25 ± 4 years, 80.4 ± 11.8 kg, 175 ± 8 cm) performed three sets of unilateral biceps curl exercise (40% of 1RM) with (RE + BFR) and...
The performance-enhancing potential of acute caffeine consumption is firmly established with benefits for many aspects of physical performance and cognitive function summarised in a number of meta-analyses. Despite this, there remains near exponential growth in research articles examining the ergogenic effects of caffeine. Many such studies are con...
The effect of caffeine on mitigating exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is still poorly understood, but it was hypothesized that caffeine could contribute to decreasing delayed onset muscle soreness, attenuating temporary loss of strength, and reducing circulating levels of blood markers of muscle damage. However, evidence is not conclusive and...
In soccer, physical, tactical, and decision-making processes are highly important facets of successful performance. Caffeine has well established effects for promoting both physical and cognitive performance, but the translation of such benefits specifically for soccer match play is not well established. This study examined the effects of acute caf...
Introduction: Caffeine is an ergogenic resource widely used in different sports. In soccer, the ability of repeated sprints is essential for performance during competition, however, the effects of caffeine in this skill still unclear. Aim: to evaluate the acute effect of caffeine intake on the performance of repeated sprints in young soccer athlete...
O Núcleo de Pesquisa e Extensão em Ciências do Movimento Corporal (NUPEM) do CEFD/UFES, representado por professores e pesquisadores elaborou conjuntamente uma carta aberta à comunidade. O grupo vislumbrou a importância de publicar estratégias de gerenciamento e manejo para a manutenção da atividade física e de cuidados de saúde e prevenção durante...
Background. Judo is a combat sport that involves grappling and throwing techniques, and multiple high-intensity efforts. Citrul-line Malate (CM) is a nutritional supplement used to enhance physical performance, albeit not all studies have corroborated its ergogenic properties during high-intensity exercise. Problem and aim. To the best of our knowl...
The aim was to investigate the effect of strength training on skeletal muscle morphology and metabolic adaptations in obese rats fed with unsaturated high-fat diet (HFD). The hypothesis was that strength training induces positive metabolic adaptations in obese rats despite impaired muscle hypertrophy. Male Wistar rats (n = 58) were randomized into...
Muscle damage affects the blood leukocyte profile. Resistance exercise (RE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) attenuates exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD).
Purpose
To evaluate muscle damage and the leukocyte profile in response to RE+BFR and to compare with high intensity RE.
Methods
Twenty volunteers performed the RE in the leg press apparat...
O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a influência da velocidade de execução na percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) e o volume de repetições em diferentes velocidades. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 10 voluntários do sexo masculino (23,4 ± 5,4 anos), com no mínimo 6 meses de experiência no treinamento de força. Os participantes realizara...
Resistance training (RT) improves the cardiomyocyte calcium (Ca2+) cycling during excitation-contraction coupling. However, the role of RT in cardiomyocyte contractile function associated with Ca2+ handling in obesity is unclear. Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: control, sedentary obese, control plus RT, and obesity plus RT. The 10-wk...
Guerra, MA Jr, Caldas, LA, Souza, HL, Tallis, J, Duncan, MJ, and Guimarães-Ferreira, L. The effects of physical fitness on postactivation potentiation in professional soccer athletes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-To investigate the relationship of the response to postactivation potentiation (PAP) with scores of physical fitness. Twenty-...
Introduction
Resistance training (RT) has been related to increased protein synthesis, and in the myocardium it triggers morphological adaptations that result in improved cardiac contractility. In skeletal muscle, RT promotes an improvement in functional capacity and in sarcopenia caused by aging. However, the efficacy of this training method in th...
The COVID-19 pandemic that scattered across the world in 2020 has required collective action to control the transmission of the disease. Among the measures, social distancing has been widely adopted, aiming to reduce contact and people gathering. With the limited access to training places that have equipment and a variety of loads for strength and...
The effect of a short-term creatine supplementation on hindlimb suspension (HS)-induced muscle atrophy was investigated. Creatine monohydrate (5 g/kg b.w. per day) or placebo, divided in 2 daily doses, was given by oral gavage for 5 days. Rats were maintained in HS with dietary supplementation concomitantly for 5 days. Body weight, soleus and EDL m...
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport where competitors utilize strikes (punches, kicks, knees, and elbows) and submission techniques to defeat opponents in a cage or ring. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute caffeine ingestion on punching performance by professional MMA athletes. The study used a double-blind, counter...
Embora numerosos estudos tenham analisado o sobrepeso e a obesidade entre escolares de várias regiões brasileiras, dados relativos ao estado do Espírito Santo (ES) ainda são escassos. Considerando as informações destacadas acima, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em crianças do ensino fundamental de...
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of energy drink ingestion on the performance of running performance in amateur runners with different levels of physical fitness. Material: Sixty healthy subjects were selected and randomized according to the level of physical fitness (Low: <29.9 ml.kg-1 .min-1 ; Moderate: 30-37.9 ml.kg...
Background:
Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is the phenomenon by which muscular performance is enhanced in response to a conditioning stimulus. PAP has typically been evidenced via improved counter movement jump (CMJ) performance. This study examined the effects of PAP, with and without prior caffeine ingestion, on CMJ performance.
Methods:
T...
L-Arginine has emerged as an important supplement for athletes and non-athletes in order to improve performance. Arginine has been extensively used as substrate for nitric oxide synthesis, leading to increased vasodilatation and hormonal secretion. However, the chronic consumption of arginine has been shown to impair insulin sensitivity. In the pre...
The main purpose was to investigate whether the perception of effort during the two first repetitions of strength exercises could be an adequate strategy for estimating the strength-training zone. The sample comprised 11 women (18 to 35 years-old). In the first week, the volunteers performed a 1-RM test in seven exercises on strength machines, and...
Caffeine is the mostly widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world. Its ingestion (3-9. mg/kg body weight) prior to exercise seems to increases performance during prolonged endurance exercise. The effects of acute caffeine ingestion on strength and power performance are equivocal, but some studies demonstrated positive effects in well-trained at...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of high-intensity eccentric exercise (HI-ECC) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) on muscle damage markers, and perceptual and cardiovascular responses. Nine healthy men (26 AE 1 years, BMI 24 AE 1 kg m À ²) underwent unilateral elbow extension in two conditions: without (HI-ECC) and wi...
Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), a leucine metabolite, enhances the gain of skeletal muscle mass by increasing protein synthesis or attenuating protein degradation or both. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of HMB on molecular factors controlling skeletal muscle protein synthesis and degradation, as well as muscle contrac...
There is currently no consensus regarding the best periodization model to increase muscle strength and hypertrophy. However, most recently the undulating periodization (UP) has been believed to be better than traditional periodization (TP) model. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to investigate whether the UP is superior to T...
This study examined the effect of short duration, moderate and high-intensity exercise on a Go/NoGo task.
Fifteen, habitually active (9 females and 6 males aged 28 ± 5 years) agreed to participate in the study and cognitive performance was measured in three sessions lasting 10 min each, performed at three different exercise intensities: rest, moder...
Several studies have indicated a positive influence of leucine supplementation and aerobic training on the aging skeletal muscle signaling pathways that control muscle protein balance and muscle remodeling. However, the effect of a combined intervention requires further clarification. Thirteen month old CD-1® mice were subjected to moderate aerobic...
Introdução:
Pesquisas demonstram que a obesidade pode ter início na infância. Além disso, o excesso de peso presente em 50% na infância é fator preditor da obesidade na vida adulta. As consequências são preocupantes pela associação com diversas comorbidades, entre elas, a hipertensão arterial. Estudos mostram que crianças obesas apresentam risco su...
The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Diacerein has been shown to reduce markers of inflammation in animal models of type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, the effects of Diacerein on endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated inflammation are unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential protective role of Diacerein against palm...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of overload-induced hypertrophy on extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The overload-induced hypertrophy and absolute tetanic and twitch forces increases in EDL and soleus muscles were not different between diabetic and control rats. Phospho-Akt...
Objectives: This study investigated the performance enhancing effects of bicarbonate ingestion on soccer specific performance. Design: A randomized and double-blinded study. Methods: Division III collegiate male soccer players (N = 7) participated in the study. Participants ingested either an alkaline treatment (.3 g/kg NaHCO3) or placebo (cornflow...
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oral caffeine ingestion during repeated sets of resistance.
Fourteen moderately resistance-trained men (20.9±0.36 years and 77.62±2.07 kg of body weight) ingested a dose of caffeine (5 mg.kg-1) or placebo prior to 3 sets of bench press and 3 sets of leg press exercises, respectively. The st...
Alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) and Beta hydroxy- beta methylbutyrate (HMB) are metabolites of the amino acid leucine. The first step in HMB metabolism is the reversible transamination of leucine to KIC, which occurs mainly extrahepatically. Following this enzymatic reaction, KIC is converted to HMB by two routes: through the cytosolic enzyme KIC dioxy...
Resistance training is a potent stimulus to increase skeletal muscle mass. The muscle protein accretion process depends on a robust synergistic action between protein intake and overload. The intake of protein after resistance training increases plasma amino acids, which results in the activation of signaling molecules leading to increased muscle p...
Erythropoietin (EPO) has been well characterized as a renal glycoprotein hormone regulating red blood cell production by inhibiting apoptosis of erythrocyte progenitors in hematopoietic tissues. EPO exerts regulatory effects in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal degenerative disorder of skeletal and cardiac muscle...
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intensity on rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during multiple sets to volitional failure in bench press exercise. Design and Methods: Thirteen moderately resistance trained men performed 2 experimental sessions in random order: 3 sets to failure in bench press with 1 minute re...
Abstract: Caffeine is a widely used nutritional supplement which has been shown to enhance both physical and cognitive performance in younger adults. However, few studies have assessed the effect of caffeine ingestion on performance, particularly functional performance in older adults. The present study aims to assess the effect of acute caffeine i...
AimInvestigate, in healthy sedentary rats, the potential mechanisms involved on the effects of beta hydroxy beta methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation upon the glycemic homeostasis, by evaluating the insulin sensitivity in liver, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue.Methods
Rats were supplemented with either beta hydroxy beta methylbutyrate (32...
PURPOSE: The increases in rating of perceived exertion (RPE) between sets during moderate- and high-intensity resistance exercises have been attributed to fatigue. Previous studies demonstrated that when total weight lifted is matched, RPE is proportional to resistance exercise intensity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of...
Betaine is a methyl derivative of glycine first isolated from sugar beets. Betaine consumed from food sources and through dietary supplements presents similar bioavailability and is metabolized to di-methylglycine and sarcosine in the liver. The ergogenic and clinical effects of betaine have been investigated with doses ranging from 500 to 9,000 mg...
A adenosina trifosfato é a moeda corrente de energia no organismo, sendo utilizada em diversos processos celulares e indispensável para a manutenção da homeostase celular. Mecanismos de regeneração da adenosina trifosfato, a partir de seu produto de hidrólise – a adenosina difosfato – são, dessa forma, necessários. A fosfocreatina é conhecidamente...
Caffeine – 1,3,7 trimetilxanthine – is one of the most widely used as a ergogenic aid in sports scenario, with multiple actions on body, either central as peripheral. A great number of studies evaluated the effects of caffeine ingestion on endurance performance, with predominance of aerobic metabolism. However, data in scientific literature about t...
Human muscle hypertrophy brought about by voluntary exercise in laboratorial conditions is the most common way to study resistance exercise training, especially because of its reliability, stimulus control and easy application to resistance training exercise sessions at fitness centers. However, because of the complexity of blood factors and organs...
Loss of skeletal muscle mass is observed in humans, rats and mice with diabetes (DM). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of overload-induced hypertrophy in slow- (soleus) and fast-twitch (Extensor Digitorum Longus - EDL) muscles in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were rendered diabetic th...
In general, nutritional sports ergogenics are designed to enhance energy production and/or improve body composition, promoting muscle growth and decreasing body fat. Many nutritional supplements and pharmacological substances have been used during resistance training without knowledge of the effects on human metabolism caused by their chronic admin...
Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine. The first step in HMB metabolism is the reversible transamination of leucine to α-ketoisocaproate (KIC), which occurs mainly extrahepatically. Under normal conditions the majority of KIC is converted into isovaleryl-CoA, in which approximately 5% of leucine is metabol...
The effect of physical training and glutamine supplementation on signaling pathways involved in protein synthesis (Akt, 4EBP -1 and S6) and degradation (FOXO, MuRF-1 and MAFbx) of rat skeletal muscle was determined by real time PCR and western blotting in the following groups: 1) control (C); 2) trained (T); 3) control supplemented with glutamine (...
The effect of physical training and glutamine supplementation on signaling pathways involved in protein synthesis (Akt, 4EBP ‐1 and S6) and degradation (FOXO, MuRF‐1 and MAFbx) of rat skeletal muscle was determined by real time PCR and western blotting in the following groups: 1) control (C); 2) trained (T); 3) control supplemented with glutamine (...
Resumo: Os hormônios testosterona, hormônio do crescimento (GH) e fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina 1 (IGF-1) são importantes reguladores da massa muscular, modulando os processos de síntese e degradação proteica. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo discutir as bases moleculares das ações desses hormônios na musculatura esquelética, as r...