The volunteers were instructed PF-01367338 not to workout exhaustively in the previous 24 hours; to remain well hydrated in the previous 24 hours and to avoid eating, smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeine three hours before the tests, as well as to sleep between 6 and 8 hours in the night before testing. The volunteers were submitted to an anthropometrical evaluation, consisting of body mass and height measures (Filizola, PL150-Personal Line, Brazil). The same technician obtained all anthropometric measurements, on the right side of the subject��s body. Skinfold thickness was obtained with a Lange skinfold caliper. A 3-site skin fold equation for woman was used to estimate body density (Jackson and Pollock, 1978) and body fat was subsequently calculated using the Siri equation (Heyward and Stolarczyz, 2001).

To evaluate the cardio respiratory capacity, the individuals were submitted to the Balke protocol (1959) accomplished in a standard cycloergometer (Monark 868E, Monark-Crescent, Varberg, Sweden) in a laboratory setting. It was applied progressive loads of 25 W every two minutes, until reaching the maximum voluntary exhaustion (Balke, 1959). The volunteers were submitted randomly to two cycling sessions using the aquatic bicycle (Hydrorider, A1S1316, Italy). Both sessions had a total duration of 31 minutes with a seven days interval in between, and were always carried out at the same time of the day. The temperature of the pool water was between 30 and 31oC and 50% of relative humidity. The level of the immersion in water on sitting position was at the xifoid process.

The exercise protocols had a total duration of 31 minutes and were divided in five stages. Tables 1 and and22 present respectively the characteristics of the Continuous Protocol (CP) and the Intermittent Protocol (IP). The pedaling cadence was controlled by a metronome (Yamaha, QT-1, USA). In position 1 the individuals remained seated with hands on the base of the bicycle handlebar; in position 2, standing up with hands on the base of the bicycle handlebar; and in position 3 and standing up with hands on the extremity of the bicycle handlebar. Cycling cadence was maintained throughout all testing between 80 and 100 revolutions per minute. Table 1 Ccontinuous protocol (CP) Table 2 Iintermittent protocol (IP) Data Collection Absolute heart rate (HR) was continuously measured with a cardio-frequency meter (POLAR?, A1, Finland) device and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) was measured at the end of each minute of exercise (Borg Scale-CR10).

Blood pressure (BP) and blood Lactate concentration (BLC) were also assessed in the last minute of each stage. For BP, was measured by auscultation technique, non-invasive, using a sphygmomanometer Anacetrapib (Tycos?, CE0050, USA) and professional stethoscope (Marshall?, Omrow Health Care, USA). Capillary (finger) blood sample were collected for BLC with an YSI 1500 analyzer (Yellowsprings, OH, USA).