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BACKGROUND: There is large variation in administration of performance-based, dynamic balance measures among adults with lower-limb amputation (LLA). Further, there has been limited exploration of test-retest reliability of these measures in adults with lower-limb loss, including whether there is a difference in reliability if one records ‘best’ versus ‘average’ performance across trials. OBJECTIVES: To determine test-retest reliability of several balance tests for both ‘best’ and ‘average’ score performance in community-dwelling adults with a unilateral lower limb amputation, including quantification of the precision of individual scores (standard error of the measurement - SEM) and estimates of minimal detectable change (MDC(90)). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Mobile research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 27 participants (55.5% female) with an average age of 51 (12.2) years, who were predominantly community-ambulators (92.5%), following a unilateral transtibial (n=20), transfemoral (n=5), or other major lower-extremity (n=2) amputation, were included. Median time since amputation was 6.3 (2.3, 19) years. METHODS: Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) models (3,1 or 3,k). SEMs and MDC(90) values with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: 360° Turn Test, 5 Times Sit-To-Stand, Functional Reach Test, Figure-of-8 Walk Test, and Four Square Step Test. RESULTS: The ICCs (3,1 or 3,k) for all tests (for both ‘best’ and ‘average’ performance) were considered good-to-excellent and CIs varied from 0.69 (95% CI: 0.40; 0.85) to 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95; 0.99). For most tests, ‘best’ and ‘average’ performance demonstrated similar ICC values. MDC(90) values did not surpass 10% of test means for any of the measures. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic balance measures evaluated for use among community-dwelling adults with a unilateral LLA demonstrated excellent reliability, along with high precision of scores and MDC values that did not exceed 10% of testing means. Either best or average scoring may be used when administering the majority of these tests, as long as the assessment method is appropriately documented and replicated at follow-up to allow direct comparisons. With the FSST, clinicians should consider taking the average of two FSST trials.

BACKGROUND: Pre-activation of antagonistic muscles is used in different modalities of exercise and neuromuscular rehabilitation protocols, but its effectiveness is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: To verify the impact of two different methods of pre-activation of knee antagonist muscles in the neuromuscular performance and electromyographic activity of knee extensors. METHODS: Fifteen healthy men (23.9±4.2 years of age, 1.78±0.08 meters and 81.4±10.7 kg) performed, on different days, two protocols of isokinetic muscle contraction with 4 sets of 10 repetitions at 60°.s-1 and 1 minute between sets: (1) Reciprocal Contraction (RC): reciprocal concentric exercise of agonist/antagonist muscles (knee flexion [KF] immediately followed by knee extension [KE]) and (2) Superset (SS): alternated concentric exercise of agonist/antagonist muscles (KF set followed by a set of KE). A repeated measures ANOVA with least-significant difference post-hoc test was used to detect differences between protocols. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between protocols (p>0.05) for peak torque (PT) and total work (Tw). On the SS protocol there was a significant decrease in Tw on the last two sets (p0,05) entre protocolos para o pico de torque (PT) e trabalho total (Tt). Em relação ao Tt, o protocolo SS apresentou quedas significantes nas duas últimas séries (p

Contextualização: A pré-ativação de músculos antagonistas é utilizada em diferentes modalidades de exercício e em diferentes protocolos de reabilitação neuromuscular, porém suas respostas ainda são controversas. Objetivo: Verificar o impacto de duas diferentes estratégias de pré-ativação de músculos antagonistas no desempenho neuromuscular e na atividade eletromiográfica dos extensores do joelho. Métodos: Quinze homens sadios (23,9±4,2 anos; 1,78±0,08 m e 81,4±10,7 kg) realizaram, em dias distintos, dois protocolos de ações musculares isocinéticas com quatro séries de dez repetições a 60°.s-1 e intervalo de 1 minuto entre séries: 1) contração recíproca (CR): exercício concêntrico recíproco de antagonistas/agonistas (uma repetição de flexão do joelho [FJ] imediatamente seguida por uma de extensão do joelho [EJ]) e 2) supersérie (SS): exercício concêntrico alternado dos antagonistas/agonistas (dez repetições de FJ seguidas por dez de EJ). Utilizou-se a ANOVA para medidas repetidas com teste post-hoc LSD (Least-significant diference) para verificar a diferença entre protocolos. Resultados: Não houve diferença significante (p>0,05) entre protocolos para o pico de torque (PT) e trabalho total (Tt). Em relação ao Tt, o protocolo SS apresentou quedas significantes nas duas últimas séries (p0.05) for peak torque (PT) and total work (Tw). On the SS protocol there was a significant decrease in Tw on the last two sets (p

BACKGROUND: The sit-and-reach test (SRT) used to measure low back and hamstring flexibility is more adequate when combined with hip joint angle (HJA) measurement. It is supposed that shortening of the gastrocnemius muscle could affect the SRT results. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of the study were to investigate the relationship between the HJA and SRT and to verify the influence of the gastrocnemius. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study on healthy subjects. Two hundred subjects took part in the study: 100 males and 100 females aged 21.2 years (SD=1.7). The materials used were a sit-and-reach box with an adapted door to evaluate the influence of the gastrocnemius and a digital camera. Skin markers were positioned on the anterior superior iliac spine and greater trochanter. Two pictures were taken in the final position of the test, one with the door closed (with ankle dorsiflexed - DF) and the other with the door opened (with ankle plantarflexed - PF). RESULTS: Moderate correlation was found between the HJA and SRT for DF and PF (r=0.48 e 0.44). The HJA with DF and PF were 95.5º±18.6º and 99.7º±18º (P