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Objective: To investigate the effects of cryotherapy on markers of muscle damage, as well as the perception of muscle soreness caused by eccentric exercise after downhill running. Methods: Ten participants (age = 26 ± 5 year, height = 173 ± 8 cm and body mass = 70 ± 4 kg) performed two running trials on a treadmill tilted -6.6%, separated by one-week period. Cryotherapy (~15 ºC for 30 minutes) was conducted after one of the trials of exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase - CK; lactate dehydrogenase - LDH; calcium - [Ca2+]). Perception of muscle soreness was quantified using an analogical scale of pain. Data were collected before, 24 and 48 h after the trials with and without the use of cryotherapy. Results: Cryotherapy significantly reduced muscle soreness and was able to reestablish homeostasis in CK, LDH and [Ca2+]. Conclusion: Use of cryotherapy after exercise with eccentric contractions was effective to reestablish the level of biochemical markers of muscle damage and reduce muscle soreness and pain perception in subjects submitted to downhill running. Objetivo: Investigar los efectos de la crioterapia en los marcadores de daño muscular, así como la percepción de mialgia causada por ejercicio excéntrico tras carrera en bajada. Método: Diez participantes (edad = 26,0 ± 5,0 años, altura = 173,0 ± 8,0 cm y masa corporal = 70,5 ± 4,0 kg) realizaron dos ensayos de carrera en tapiz rodante con una inclinación de -6.6%, separados por un periodo de una semana. Se llevó a cabo una sesión de crioterapia (~15 ºC,) tras cada uno de los ensayos. Se analizaron muestras de sangre para determinar los marcadores de daño muscular (creatín kinasa-CK; deshidrogenasa láctica-DHL; calcio - [Ca2+]). La percepción de dolor muscular fue cuantificada usando una escala analógica de dolor. Los datos se tomaron antes, 24 h y 48 h después de los ensayos con y sin el uso de crioterapia. Resultados: La crioterapia disminuyó significantemente el dolor muscular y fue capaz de reestablecer la homeostasis en CK, DHL y [Ca2+]. Conclusión: El uso de crioterapia tras ejercicio con contracciones excéntricas fue efectivo para reestablecer el nivel de los marcadores bioquímicos de daño muscular y reducir la mialgia y la percepción de dolor en sujetos sometidos a carrera en bajada. Introdução: O dano muscular é frequentemente observado em indivíduos envolvidos em atividades físicas que envolvam contrações excêntricas. Nestas situações, a crioterapia é utilizada para reduzir o dano muscular e a sensação de dor. No entanto, poucos estudos investigaram o efeito da imersão em agua gelada em marcadores de dano muscular, bem como a percepção de dor após exercício excêntrico. Método: Dez homens (26,0 ± 5,0 anos de idade, 173,0 ± 8,0 cm de estatura, 70,5 ± 4,0 kg de massa corporal). Os voluntários completaram dois corridas (teste e controle) separadas por sete dias, em um percurso declinado (-6,6%) em esteira. Em uma das tentativas realizou-se imersão em água gelada (~15 ºC, 30 minutos). O dano muscular foi estimado mediante os níveis sanguíneos de (creatina quinase-CK; lactato desidrogenase-LDH e cálcio-[Ca2+]). A percepção de dor muscular foi estimada usando uma escala analógica. Todas as medidas foram realizadas antes, 24 e 48 horas pós-exercício. Resultados: A imersão em agua gelada diminuiu significativamente a dor muscular e auxiliou no reestabelecimento da homeostase da CH, LDH e Ca2+. Conclusão: A imersão em agua gelada após exercício excêntrico foi efetiva em reestabelecer os níveis bioquímicos de marcadores musculares e diminuiu a percepcao de dor.

1. Plant organ biomass partitioning has been hypothesized to be driven by resources, such that species from drier environments allocate more biomass to roots than species from wetter environments to access water at greater soil depths. In savanna systems, fire may select for greater allocation to root biomass, especially in humid environments where fire is more frequent. Therefore, species from drier environments may have been under selection pressure to reach deeper soil water more effectively than species from humid environments, through faster root extension, more efficient depth penetration, and faster plant growth rates to respond rapidly to variable rainfall events. 2. We compared biomass partitioning, root morphology traits [root extension rate, RER; specific taproot length (STRL)] and relative growth rate (RGR) of seedlings of 51 savanna tree species, sampled from three continents (Africa, Australia and South America) in a greenhouse experiment. We used phylogenetically corrected and uncorrected analyses to compare the traits of the groups. We conducted a permanova on the combined traits to establish whether species could be distinguished on the basis of their combined traits. 3. On average, species from humid environments allocated more biomass to roots and less to stems than species from semi-arid environments, consistent with the expectation that fire pressure selects for greater allocation to roots in humid environments. However, some species from humid environments had fast growth rates instead of high allocation to roots. Both RER and STRL were greater among species of semi-arid environments than among species of humid environments, and also differed between continents. Differences between strategies under each climate type appear to be associated with leaf habit. 4. Synthesis. Plant biomass partitioning has been selected by defoliation pressure and the effects of this selection pressure can supersede any selection in response to local water constraints. Root morphological adaptations, but not plant growth rate, of tree seedlings, have been selected in response to water deficits