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Introduction: The term temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) has been associated with a set of musculoskeletal manifestations located at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). These manifestations can be translated as symptoms of pain of the masticatory muscles at the TMJ or associated structures, restriction of movement, muscle tension, and articular sounds. All of these signs and symptoms may occur isolated or in combination [1]. About 60 to 70% of the World population will demonstrate at least one sign or symptom of TMD during their life span. However, only 5% will actually seek treatment for their condition. To that extent, some authors have investigated the prevalence of TMD in the Brazilian University population, using the Fonseca Questionnaire (FQ) [2]. This research tool can help to define the level of severity of TMD and obtained a significant level of correlation with the Helkimo Index (r = 0.6169, p < 0.05), which can be used to assess TMD in a specified population [2]. As such, the purposes of this study were to analyze the prevalence of TMD symptoms in University students and to verify if a correlation existed between the descriptive variables. Materials and methods: An informed consent form and the questionnaires (sample characterization and FQ) were distributed during classes to all participants (n = 200), irrespectively of their course year. The initial analysis of the Fonseca Questionnaire answers provided the categorization into two groups (with TMD and without TMD). This categorization enabled the posterior analysis of correlational data between the answers of the FQ and their status in relation to TMD. This study followed all the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: We were able to obtain answers from 156 students (78% response rate), with an average age of 22 years. The majority were females (65%). A total of 65 students (42%) were classified as suffering from TMD. Of those with TMD, 53(34%) were classified as mild, 11(7%) as moderate, and 1(0.6%) as severe conditions. We found correlations between gender and frequent headaches (p = 0.004) and being nervous (p = 0.004). We also found that TMJ pain correlated with difficulties opening their mouth (p = 0.000), mandibular movement (p = 0.000), and TMJ sounds (p = 0.000). Correlations were also found between age and teeth loss (p = 0.02). Discussion and conclusions: A significant prevalence of TMD symptoms was identified in University students with different levels of severity. The most common level of severity was classified as "mild". These results are in agreement with other studies [3]. We also found some correlations concerning pain to movement disorders and sounds surrounding the TMJ which may predispose subjects to develop TMD. Further studies, using other tools, are advised to research these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The tightness and reduction in the flexibility have been reported to be associated with the occurrence of back pain in adolescents and adults [1]. Chronic mechanical neck pain can have a complex clinical presentation and is often difficult to treat [2]. In the clinical population, stretching is used to deal with numerous pathophysiological conditions such as various musculoskeletal disorders in order to provide relief from pain [3]. The purpose of this study was to determine which of these techniques, relaxation of muscle stretching and Laura Mitchell method, is more effective in decreasing the tension of the upper trapezius muscle in young adults. Materials and methods: Sixty young university students with pain and muscle tension in neck, mean age of 22.1 ± 3.8 years old and 79% female, were randomly distributed into three groups. The control group (G1) attended a lecture on stress control techniques, one of the experimental groups (G2) was submitted to Laura Mitchel relaxation method and, the other (G3) was submitted to stretching muscle techniques. The techniques were applied to the respective groups for a period of three weeks, three sessions per week, with 45 to 60 min per session. The variables, pain and muscle tension, were quantified by applying the scale of EVA and electromyography, respectively. was approved by Egas Moniz institutional board. All participants gave their informed consent. Results: At the end of 3 weeks there were only significant differences (p<0.05) on muscle tension measurements, with a decrease, within G3, accompanied by a significant decrease in pain intensity. In G1 and G2 were observed only small variations in pain intensity. Discussion and conclusions: This study revealed that stretching muscle techniques, to relieve upper trapezius muscular tension and pain in young adults, was more effective than Laura Mitchell relaxation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rugby is a sport that implies constant physical contact, therefore it represents a high rate of injury risk, considering that the hip injury represents an average of 109 days without training per season [1]. The quadriceps femoris of the shooting lower limb is the muscle with the highest injury rate, being the exact moment of impact with the ball the main mechanism [2]. The point of this study is to verify the muscular participation in the exact moment of impact, in the three different types of kick, in order to allow the development of a prevention program for muscular injury in a rugby player. Methods: Twelve male rugby players, from Sport Lisboa e Benfica, with mean age 21.7 ± 2.7 years were selected. These athletes were able or allowed to shoot and had no kind of pain. Firstly, the athletes made a quick warm up exercise, and then, they performed the three types of kick. Electromyography analysis was used in the data collection. The chosen method was muscular activation, and the electrodes were placed in the rectus femoris and biceps femoris muscles [3]. The electromyography data had been synchronized with the tri-axes motion acceleration sensor (obtained through the Bioplux software) in order to identify the exact moment of impact between the foot and the ball. In addiction a video recording has been made to identify the beginning of the movement and the type of kick. The study was approved by Sport Lisboa e Benfica and all participants gave their informed consent Results: Through data analysis, it was possible to identify a previous muscular activation which decelerate the movements, on this case the biceps femoris, which presents a higher percentage of activation than the rectus femoris. On the drop kick, the biceps femoris is the one that activates immediately before ball impact, exactly the same that in the up and under kick and on the placed kick. On the placed kick, there's a previous preactivation of the biceps femoris. Conclusion: The study is still preliminary. It was possible to identify a triphasic pattern on the ballistic gestures made by the players, as described on the literature. Further studies, with larger samples are needed. Comparing athletes with different field positions should be interesting since different gestures implies different muscle recruitments with eventual distinct injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Shoulder pain and shoulder instability have been largely associated with overhead sports as swimming, volleyball or baseball [1,2]. The measurement of concentric torque and agonist/antagonist ratio of the internal (IR) and external rotators (ER) of the shoulder, has been used to relate the symptoms with altered parameters in this assessment. Surfing, as an exponential growing sport, is also considered an overhead sport, since over 50% of the time spent practicing is done by paddling technique [3]. To date, there was no study found which evaluates shoulder internal and external rotators isokinetic profile in this population. As so, the aim of this study is to characterize the isokinetic profile of the shoulder internal and external rotators in surfers. Materials and methods: The authors measured bilaterally the shoulder concentric torque and unilateral ratios for the internal and external rotators of 5 male surfers, aged between 19 and 23, who have been practicing for at least 3 years for a minimum of 2,5h per week. The procedure was done in the sitting position with 90° shoulder abduction and 90° elbow flexion at 60°/s and 180°/s angular speed by means of 3 and 20 repetitions respectively, using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3). This study follows all the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The participants mean age was 22.13 ± 1.78 years, with a BMI of 22.±2.14 kg/m2. Surfers presented for 60°/s concentric torque test of IR of dominant shoulder a 48.73 ± 6.45 Nm and 44.23 ± 11.55 Nm for non-dominant shoulder. Concentric ratio ER/IR at the same speed for the dominant shoulder of 75.53 ± 7.5% and 78.48 ± 11.69% for the non-dominant shoulder. At 180°/s concentric torque test of IR of dominant shoulder a 48.08 ± 4.18 Nm and 42.73 ± 5.21 Nm for non-dominant shoulder. Concentric ratio ER/IR at the same speed for the dominant shoulder of 74.90 ± 8.24% and 78.55 ± 7.92% for the non-dominant shoulder. Discussion and conclusions: Based on this data, surfers obtained higher values for concentric torque of IR and smaller percentage for ER/IR ratio in both dominant and non-dominant limbs when compared to data obtained from other studies with control (non-practice of overhead sport) populations within the same characteristics [4]. When compared surfer's dominant limb with non-dominant limb, there were not found significant changes in IR concentric torque or ER/IR torque ratio. Studies where ER/IR torque ratio was measured in overhead athletes showed slightly smaller ratios when compared to the surfers [5]. This is probably related with the moderate frequency and intensity of training of the surfers in this study when compared with high intensity/frequency of training of the overhead athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]