Search

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as possíveis relações entre a variável antropométrica comprimento dos membros inferiores e de passada na marcha, com valores naturais e normalizados, em velocidade auto-selecionada e acrescida de 50%, em indivíduos adultos jovens. Foram avaliados 32 sujeitos hígidos adultos entre 18-25 anos. Os deslocamentos corporais nas duas velocidades foram registrados através da técnica de cineantropometria, utilizando o software Skillspector® para quantificar o comprimento da passada entre as médias dos dados normalizadas e não-normalizadas, do segmento direito e do segmento esquerdo. A comparação entre os valores médios das passadas normalizadas e não-normalizadas, nas diferentes velocidades, foi realizada por meio do teste t student (p < 0,05), assim como o grau de associação entre o comprimento da passada e o comprimento do membro inferior, realizada pelo teste de correlação de Pearson (p < 0,05). Sendo assim, nosso estudo constatou uma correlação positiva entre as variáveis estudadas, nas duas velocidades e, uma diferença entre a passada com dados normalizados e não normalizados, em ambas as velocidades.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar o comportamento cinemático dos membros superiores (MMSS) de atletas de Rugby em Cadeira de Rodas (RCR) durante a tarefa de propulsão na cadeira de rodas. Neste estudo seccional foi realizada uma análise cinemática bidimensional dos MMSS de 19 atletas de RCR (idade = 31,5 ± 5,6), durante o teste de velocidade de 20 metros (VEL). Foram considerados os seguintes parâmetros: ângulos articulares, classe funcional e o questionário Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI). A análise dos dados foi realizada com extração de valor de tendência central (média) e valor de dispersão (desvio padrão). As correlações foram verificadas pelo coeficiente de correlação de Spearman e Pearson. As variáveis cinemáticas analisadas estão descritas a seguir: ângulo de impulsão (89,7° ± 18,9), impulsão inicial (31° ± 10,4), impulsão final (66° ± 9,6), ângulo de contato (97,1° ± 3,8), flexão de cotovelo (94,2° ± 13,3), extensão de ombro (66,6° ± 10,6), VEL (7,7s± 2,3) e ciclos de propulsão (16,1 ± 1,4). Foi observado uma correlação significativa entre a Classificação Funcional (CF) e o VEL (rho = -0,70, p < 0,05), assim como entre o tempo de prática de RCR com o VEL (rho = 0,54, p < 0,05). No que diz respeito à identificação do grau de função dos MMSS, os atletas apresentaram boa funcionalidade com uma pontuação média no WUSPI de 17,8 ± 8 pontos. Os atletas de RCR apresentaram um padrão cinemático com poucas variações espaço-temporais. Entretanto, foi possível observar que alguns atletas tiveram melhor desempenho no teste de velocidade, principalmente os atletas com maior tempo de prática de RCR e com CF mais alta.

The importance of dynamometric and anthropometric information for industry is known; however, few studies have investigated the relationship between anthropometry and handgrip strength (HGS) in adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of anthropometric variables with the level of HGS production in adolescents. Participants were 541 adolescents aged 12-16 years from a public school in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The behavior of the following variables was examined: the ability to generate HGS, age, total body mass, height and hand dimensions (hand width, hand span, hand length). The results showed an increase in the ability to generate HGS in adolescence and a significant difference between the genders from 13 years old, where boys generated higher HGS values. Correlations between HGS and total body mass and the hand width stood out in both genders, indicating a greater association.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique (VL/VMO) muscle co-contraction (MCC) and activation ratio during gait between healthy subjects- control group (CG), and those with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: Twenty-three subjects participated in this study, 14 CG and 9 ACLR. The myoelectric activities of the VL and VMO were captured to calculate the MCC. The VL/VMO ratio was obtained by dividing the normalized signals of these two muscles at each point of the curve. The MCC values and the activation ratio in the initial double limb stance, single limb stance, terminal double limb stance and swing were obtained by calculating the arithmetic mean of the intensity values ​​of the common curve in each interval. Results: MCC was significantly lower in the ACLR group during the initial double limb stance phase (p=0.001), with a high effect size (1.72). No significant differences were found for the other comparisons. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the VL and VMO muscles co-contraction in the initial double limb stance phase of gait was different between the healthy and ACLR individuals. This finding may be related to lower patellofemoral stability during the loading response, increasing the potential risk for the development of injuries in this joint.

Summary Study aim: The purposes of this study were to analyze: the influence of physical activity level on the association between motor coordination and body fatness; the influence of body fatness on the association between motor coordination and physical activity; and how much physical activity and body fatness, separately and together, explain motor coordination in adolescent boys. Material and methods: Fifty-one boys (n = 51), aged between 12 and 14 years, participated in the study. Motor coordination and physical activity and body fat percentage were assessed with, respectively, the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) and a validated self-administered questionnaire (PAQ-C). Skinfold thickness was measured to assess the participant’s body fat percentage. The Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to compare levels of motor coordination, physical activity, and body fat according to age (12, 13, 14 years). Bivariate and partial correlations were used to analyze the interrelationships among the selected variables. Results: In the total studied group (n = 51 boys), motor coordination was positively associated with physical activity level (r = 0.300) and negatively associated with body fatness (r = –0.297). However, these associations were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) when controlled for body fatness and physical activity, respectively. Also, body fat and physical activity together explained 11% of the variance in the motor coordination level in adolescent boys. Conclusions: These findings suggest that body fatness can influence the association between motor coordination and physical activity as well as that physical activity level can influence the association between motor coordination and body fat percentage. Also, body fat and physical activity together, but not separately, partially explained the variance in the motor coordination level. Therefore, body fat and physical activity seem to be complementarily associated with motor coordination in adolescent boys.

O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar a exequibilidade do uso da Técnica de Moiré de Sombra (TMS) em triagens periódicas no ambiente escolar e estabelecer o estado da prevalência de desvios posturais em uma escola pública do município do Rio de Janeiro. A amostra se compôs por 304 alunos. O exame da TMS baseou-se na diferença do número de franjas nas regiões dorsal e cintura escapular. A exequibilidade foi identificada considerando-se parâmetros preestabelecidos. Identificaram-se 225 sujeitos com diferença de franjas na região dorsal, e 224 com diferença de franjas na cintura escapular. Quanto à exequibilidade, a amostra foi examinada em sete dias e não houve dificuldades na execução da técnica, no processamento das imagens e nos materiais requeridos. Considerou-se a TMS exequível para triagens populacionais, permitindo exames periódicos em larga escala. A TMS pode ser uma estratégia na implementação de programas de saúde pública na escola, objetivando a melhora da qualidade de vida.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the association between hip muscle strength and the scores from subjective functional and psychological evaluation questionnaires in patients with chronic hip pain. METHODS: Fifty-fivepatients with painful hip injuries (30 males) performed isometric peak strength tests of the abductors, extensors, and internal and external rotators of the hips with a hand-held dynamometer. The degree of functionality was measured by the Hip Outcome Score (HOS) and Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS), pain was estimated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and kinesiophobia was calculated using the Tampa questionnaire. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used (alfa=5%) to test the associations between the muscle strength and the scores from the questionnaires. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between the strength of all four hip muscles and the HOS (r>0.29). Only the hip external rotators showed a significant correlation with pain (r=-0.30). No significant correlations were found for LEFS (r0,29). Apenas os rotadores externos do quadril apresentaram correlação significativa com a intensidade da dor (r=-0,30). Nenhuma correlação significativa foi encontrada para LEFS (r

O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar a duração do apoio relativo versus diferentes regiões do pé em indiví­duos com e sem hálux valgo. Foram investigados 60 indiví­duos de ambos os sexos (15 masculinos e 45 femininos) com idades entre 21 e 76 anos, divididos em dois grupos de 30, sendo um composto por sujeitos que apresentavam hálux valgo e o outro sem deformidade (grupo controle). Para a captura dos dados foram fixados transdutores de contato nas regiões plantares do calcâneo e da 1ª, 2ª, 3ª, 4ª e 5ª cabeças metatarsais sendo os dados registrados por um cronógrafo analógico especificamente habilitado para o feito. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que: os pés com hálux valgo apresentaram valores significativamente menores no tempo de contato da 1ª cabeça metatarsal em relação í 2ª e 3ª, quando comparados com os pés do grupo controle; o tempo de contato da região do antepé sob a 3ª, 4ª e 5ª cabeças não foi diferente nos dois grupos, muito embora pés com hálux valgo demorassem mais tempo desde o choque do calcâneo até o fim do apoio. Palavras-chave: biomecânica, marcha, hálux valgo, cinemática

Este estudo investigou o efeito da autonomia funcional de idosos na fadiga muscular, avaliada através da eletromiografia de superfí­cie. Os participantes foram voluntários, participantes do programa de atividade fí­sica e foram avaliados durante a participação no Protocolo GDLAM, desenvolvido para avaliar a autonomia de idosos. O teste de fadiga teve a duração de 60 s e consistiu em manter o sujeito em posição de agachamento isométrico com joelho flexionado a 140° e tronco levemente inclinado anteriormente. Para estimativa do espectro de potência e cálculo da freqüência mediana (FM), foi utilizada uma Transformada de Fourier (FFT) dos sinais de ambos os músculos, antes e depois do protocolo GDLAM em três segmentos do sinal do teste de fadiga. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas ao comparar os testes antes e depois, tanto para o vasto lateral (VL) quanto para os í­squio-surais (IS), independentemente do segmento avaliado (p > 0,05). Nem todos os indiví­duos apresentaram fadiga antes e/ou depois. Para os que apresentaram fadiga em ambos os testes, houve uma tendência de maior fadiga no VL antes que após. Esta tendência não foi observada nos IS, uma vez que quatro indiví­duos apresentaram maior taxa de queda na FM antes, quatro depois e um não apresentou fadiga em nenhum dos dois.Palavras-chave: autonomia funcional, idosos, freqüência mediana

O propósito deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência de dor lombar entre praticantes de musculação, bem como estratificar aqueles que acusam este sintoma quanto ao grau de intensidade da dor (severa, moderada e suave). A amostra foi composta de 260 indiví­duos do sexo masculino, com idade média de 27,6 anos (± 6,8), praticantes de musculação em academias do bairro do Méier do Rio de Janeiro. O estudo é do tipo descritivo transversal e utilizou como variável discricionária a presença de dor lombar. Os dados foram coletados através do Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale. Como resultado, encontramos que a prevalência de lombalgia entre os participantes foi de 47,3% (n = 123), variando quanto í sua intensidade entre suave (39,8% dos praticantes), moderada (51,2%), severa (8,9%) e apresentando mensalmente (36,6%) as maiores freqüências de queixa da dor. Entre aqueles que alegaram sentir dor 57,7 % disseram não sentir dor enquanto praticam musculação. Outro dado importante revela que 68,3% dos que sentem dor não perderam nenhum dia de trabalho devido a esta algia.Palavras-chave: musculação, prevalência, lombalgia.Â

The purpose of this study was to test the validity of dynamic leg length discrepancy (DLLD) during gait as a radiation-free screening method for measuring anatomic leg length discrepancy (ALLD). Thirty-three subjects with mild leg length discrepancy walked along a walkway and the dynamic leg length discrepancy (DLLD) was calculated using a motion analysis system. Pearson correlation and paired Student t -tests were applied to calculate the correlation and compare the differences between DLLD and ALLD (α = 0.05). The results of our study showed DLLD is not a valid method to predict ALLD in subjects with mild limb discrepancy.

The aim of this chapter is to evaluate the innovation degree and environment of Brazilian technology-based companies that produce sports devices with the support of business incubators and government encouragement. The results show the low level of innovation in these companies, even though one can observe a positive set of government initiatives.

Gait parameters have been investigated as an additional tool for differential diagnosis in neurocognitive disorders, especially among healthy elderly (HE), those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. A videogrammetry system could be used as a low-cost and clinically practical equipment to capture and analyze gait in older adults. The aim of this study was to select the better gait parameter to differentiate these groups among different motor test conditions with videogrammetry analyses. Different motor conditions were used in three specific assessments: 10-meter walk test (10mWT), timed up and go test (TUGT), and treadmill walk test (TWT). These tasks were compared among HE (n=17), MCI (n=23), and AD (n=23) groups. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to compare variables among groups. Then, an effect size (ES) and a linear regression analysis were calculated. The gait parameters showed significant differences among groups in all conditions, but not in TWT. Controlled by confounding variables, the gait velocity in 10mWT at usual speed, and TUGT in dual-task condition, predicts 39% and 53% of the difference among diagnoses, respectively. Finally, these results suggest that a low-cost and practical video analysis could be able to differentiate HE, those with MCI, and AD patients in clinical assessments.

Objetivo: Elaborar, validar e testar a confiabilidade intra e interavaliadores de escalas observacionais para exame das técnicas motoras do saque flutuante com apoio, bloqueio ofensivo simples e defesa de manchete. Método: Participaram da validação de conteúdo e testagem da confiabilidade dezesseis (16) treinadores de voleibol com mais de 10 anos de experiência. Foram avaliadas cinco ações de cada uma das técnicas motoras, executadas por cinco atletas de voleibol federados. Foi utilizado o teste Kappa Múltiplo (KM) para análise estatística da força de concordância intra e interavaliadores e o nível de significância foi de p

Objective : To compare gait spatiotemporal parameters of healthy and ACL reconstructed subjects in order to classify the status of gait normality. Methods : Fourteen healthy subjects and eight patients submitted to ACL reconstruction walked along a walkway while the lower limbs movement was captured by an infrared camera system. The frames where the initial contact and toe-off took place were determined and the following dependent variables, which were compared between groups through the Mann-Whitney test (a=0.05) were calculated: percentage of time in initial double stance, percentage of time in single stance, percentage of time in terminal double stance, stride length and gait velocity. Initially, all variables were compared between groups using a Mann-Whitney test. A logistic regression was applied, including all dependent variables, to create a model that could differentiate healthy and ACL reconstructed subjects. Results : ACL reconstructed group showed no differences in any spatiotemporal parameter of gait (p > 0.05) in relation to the control group, although the angular kinematic differences of the knee remained altered, as evidenced in a study with a similar sample. Conclusion : The regression classified all subjects as healthy, including the ACL reconstructed group, suggesting the spatiotemporal variables should not be used as the sole criterion of return to sports activities at the same level as prior to injury. Level of Evidence III, Case Control Study.

espanolObjetivo: Elaborar, validar y probar la confiabilidad intra e inter-evaluadores de escalas de observacion para el examen de las tecnicas motoras del saqueflotante con apoyo, bloqueo ofensivo sencillo y defensa baja. Metodo: Participar en la validacion del contenido y prueba de confiabilidad dieciseis entrenadores de voleibol con mas de diez anos de experiencia.Fueron evaluadas cinco acciones de cada una de las tecnicas motoras, ejecutadas por cinco atletas de voleibol federados. Se utilizo la prueba KappaMultiple (KM) para el analisis estadistico de las fuerzas de concordancia intra e inter-evaluadores y el nivel de significancia fue de p portuguesObjetivo: Elaborar, validar e testar a confiabilidade intra e interavaliadores de escalas observacionais para exame das tecnicas motoras do saque flutuantecom apoio, bloqueio ofensivo simples e defesa de manchete. Metodo: Participaram da validacao de conteudo e testagem da confiabilidade dezesseis (16) treinadores de voleibol com mais de 10 anos de experiencia.Foram avaliadas cinco acoes de cada uma das tecnicas motoras, executadas por cinco atletas de voleibol federados. Foi utilizado o teste Kappa Multiplo(KM) para analise estatistica da forca de concordância intra e interavaliadores e o nivel de significância foi de p EnglishObjective: Elaborate, validate and test the intra and inter-expert reliability of observational scales for the examination of the volleyball techniques,floating serve with support, simple offensive blocking and underhand defense. Methods: Sixteen coaches of the brazilian national volleyball team with more than ten years of practice in this sport, participated in the validation. Eachcoach evaluated five actions of each volleyball technique, performed by five federated volleyball athletes. Multiple Kappa test (KM) was used for statisticalanalysis of inter and intra-expert agreement strength and the significance level adopted was p

Purpose: To analyze the interrelationships among motor coordination, body fat, and physical activity in adolescent boys. Methods: A total of 69 boys aged 12-14 years were recruited. Motor coordination was assessed using the Korperkoordinationstest fur Kinder. Correlations (bivariate and partial) and mediation analysis were used to examine the interrelationships among the selected variables. Results: Body fat was significantly correlated with global motor coordination, walking backward (Motor Quotient 1), and one-legged hopping (Motor Quotient 2) scores with and without controlling for physical activity level. On the other hand, physical activity level was significantly correlated with global motor coordination and Motor Quotient 2 scores only in bivariate analyses (without controlling for body fat). Mediation analysis revealed that body fat percentage was not significantly related to physical activity. Conclusions: Correlations between motor coordination and physical activity can be influenced by body fat in adolescent boys. However, both body fat and physical activity were not mediator variables. Perhaps there are other complementary mechanisms that mediate the interrelationships among motor coordination, body fat, and physical activity in adolescent boys.

Introduction The aim of this study was to predict 3D ground reaction force signals based on accelerometer data during gait, using a feed-forward neural network (MLP). Methods Seventeen healthy subjects were instructed to walk at a self-selected speed with a 3D accelerometer attached to the distal and anterior part of the shank. A force plate was embedded into the middle of the walkway. MLP neural networks with one hidden layer and three output layers were selected to simulate the anteroposterior (AP), vertical (Vert) and mediolateral (ML) ground reaction forces (GRF). The input layer was composed of fourteen inputs obtained from accelerometer signals, selected based on previous studies. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to compare the simulated and collected curves. The Pearson correlation coefficient and the mean absolute deviation (MAD) between signals were calculated. Results PCA identified small, but significant differences between collected and simulated signals in the loading response phases of AP and ML GRF, while Vert did not show differences. The correlation between the simulated and collected signals was high (AP: 0.97; Vert: 0.98; ML: 0.80). MAD was 1.8%BW for AP, 4.5%BW for Vert and 1.4%BW for ML. Conclusion This study confirmed that multilayer perceptron neural network can predict the highly non-linear relationship of shank acceleration parameters and ground reaction forces, as well as other studies have done using plantar pressure devices. The greater advantages of this device are the low cost and the possibility of use outside the laboratory environment.

In this study, we investigated the cascade of events involved in the early phases of bone healing in rats, especially the transition from chondrogenesis to osteogenesis, which involves cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. We used a standardized closed tibial fracture model in Wistar rats, which was divided into nine groups of five animals each, and the fracture area was evaluated at 0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, 192, and 240 hours post-injury. Histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and morphometric techniques were used to evaluate the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), type I procollagen (procoll-I), type I collagen (coll-I), and type II collagen (coll-II) expression at every time point. TGF-β expression peaked after 144 hours, in the initial chondrogenic phase. VEGF expression reached the first peak at 96-144 hours post-injury, in the initial chondrogenic phase and the second peak at 240 hours, in the osteogenic phase. Except at 48 hours, PCNA expression increased gradually from 12 hours and peaked at 96 hours in the prechondrogenic phase, and then decreased gradually until 240 hours in the osteogenic phase. Total collagen (T-coll) and coll-II reached an expression peak at 144 hours, in the chondrogenic phase. No differences were observed between their expression from 12 hours to 72 hours and at 240 hours post-injury. The results suggest that spatiotemporal expression of ECM components during the chondrogenic and osteogenic phases of bone healing depends on several combined and orchestrated factors. A better understanding of the coordinated participation of cells and ECM components in the early bone healing process may provide new insights into the etiology of abnormal or delayed fracture healing.

Leg length discrepancy (LLD) can be related to different pathologies, due to an inadequate distribution of mechanical loads, as well as gait kinematics asymmetries resulted from LLD.To validate a model to predict anatomical LLD (ALLD) based on gait kinematics.Gait of 39 participants with different lower limb pathologies and mild discrepancy were collected. Pelvic, hip, knee and ankle kinematics were measured with a 3D motion analysis system and ALLD, femur discrepancy (FD) and tibia discrepancy (TD) were measured by a computerized digital radiograph. Three multiple linear regression models were used to identify the ability of kinematic variables to predict ALLD (model 1), FD (model 2) and TD (model 3).Difference between peak knee and hip flexion of the long and short lower limb was selected by models 1 (p 0.001) and 2 (p 0.001). Hip adduction was selected as a predictor only by model 1 (p = 0.05). Peak pelvic obliquity and ankle dorsiflexion were not selected by any model and model 3 did not retain any dependent variable (p 0.05). Regression models predicted mild ALLD with moderate accuracy based on hip and knee kinematics during gait, but not ankle strategies. Excessive hip flexion of the longer limb possibly occurs to reduce the limb to equalize the LLD, and discrepancies of the femur and tibia affects gait cycle in a different way.This study showed that kinematic variables during gait could be used as a screening tool to identify patients with ALLD, reducing unnecessary x-ray exposure and assisting rehabilitation programs.

A Biomecânica é uma disciplina de natureza interdisciplinar, comumente percebida como de difícilcompreensão pelos graduandos e, ao que parece, ainda pouco utilizada no cotidiano profissional deprofessores de Educação Física. Cientes de que congrega informações essenciais à prática desseprofissional, procuramos compreender, neste estudo de caso, de abordagem qualitativa, o processode aprendizagem significativa de conceitos necessários para a adequada elaboração do Diagrama deCorpo Livre. Os sujeitos da investigação foram os alunos da disciplina Biomecânica do curso deLicenciatura em Educação Física de uma Universidade pública do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.Assumimos a Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa como marco teórico e a observaçãoparticipante como estratégia metodológica. Além das notas de campo, tomamos como registros asrespostas de um questionário e de quatro testes realizados durante e após a disciplina que, conformenatureza, foram categorizadas. Os resultados sugeriram que, no continuum aprendizagemmecânica-significativa, a aprendizagem realizada tendia à primeira, apesar do evidente avanço doconhecimento dos alunos, o qual, em relação ao conjunto das atividades realizadas, pareceu-nosaquém do esperado para o nível do curso.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to analyze the interrelationships among motor coordination, body fat percentage, and physical activity levels in adolescent girls. Methods. Sixty-eight girls aged 12-14 years participated in the study. Skinfold thickness was measured and the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder test was administered. Participants completed a self-reporting questionnaire on physical activity. Bivariate and partial correlations were used to analyze the interrelationships among the selected variables. Results. There were no significant (p > 0.05) correlations between any motor coordination scores and physical activity levels with and without controlling for body fat percentage. All motor coordination scores were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with body fat with and without controlling for physical activity levels. Conclusions. The relationships between motor coordination scores and physical activity levels, as well as between motor coordination scores and body fat percentage, were not influenced by body fat and physical activity levels, respectively. However, the overall low physical activity level in this sample may have biased these results. Additional research involving girls with higher physical activity levels should be pursued.

Purpose. While the usefulness of gross motor coordination score as predictor of sports performance in young athletes has been demonstrated, practical applications in the settings where the focus is not on elite performance is limited. Further, little is known about the extent to which gross motor coordination score is associated with sport-specific skills among adolescent nonathletes. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the degree of gross motor coordination and execution in specific volleyball tests among adolescent non-athletes. Methods. The total of 34 students (27 females and 7 males) aged 13-14 years who regularly participated in volleyball during physical education classes were randomly recruited. Gross motor coordination was assessed with the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder. Motor performance on volley-specific skills was indicated by two product-oriented tasks: volleyball under service and service reception. Correlation and linear regression analyses were applied to examine the associations between motor coordination scores and motor performance in volley-specific skills. Results. Motor coordination score was positively correlated with motor performance on specific skills (r = 0.503, p = 0.02). Linear regression analysis revealed that motor coordination score accounted for 23% of the variance in the motor performance on volleyball skills (R2 = 0.253, R2 adjusted = 0.230, F = 10.836, p = 0.02). Conclusions. The degree of gross motor coordination seems to play a significant role in the execution of specific volleyball tasks.

While evidence suggests that children with the developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have worse health outcomes than their typically developing peers, it remains unclear whether children with low motor competence but without DCD are also characterized by worse health outcomes than those with average motor competence. The main purpose of this study was to compare health outcomes between children with low motor competence without DCD and those with average motor competence.The total of 127 children aged 12–14 years were recruited. Motor competence, physical activity, flexibility, and muscular strength/endurance were assessed with, respectively, the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder, a validated self-administered questionnaire, sit-and-reach, and sit-up 60s tests. Skinfold thickness was measured to assess the children’s adiposity. Multivariate analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests were performed.Children with average motor competence had lower body fat percentage and higher levels of physical activity and muscular strength/endurance than the groups with low (Our findings suggest that children with low motor competence without DCD have worse health outcomes than their peers with average motor competence. We suggest that both the development of motor competence and improvement of health outcomes should be targeted during childhood and adolescence by health professionals.

Motor dysfunction increases in the moderate and severe stages of dementia. However, there is still no consensus on changes in mobility during its early stages. This meta-analysis aimed to measure the level of single-task functional mobility in older subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and/or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In a search of the PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases, 2728 articles were identified. At the end of the selection, a total of 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Functional mobility was investigated using the timed up and go (TUG) test in all studies. When compared to healthy elderly (HE) adults, the following mean differences (MD) in seconds were found for the investigated subgroups: no amnestic MCI (MD = 0.26; CI95% = -0.77, 1.29), amnestic MCI (MD = 0.86; CI95% = -0.02, 1.73), very mild AD (MD = 1.32; CI95% = 0.63, 2.02), mild AD (MD = 2.43; CI95% = 1.84, 3.01), mild-moderate AD (MD = 3.01; CI95% = 2.47, 3.55), and mild-severe AD (MD = 4.51; CI95% = 1.14, 7.88); for the groups, the following MD were found: MCI (MD = 0.97; CI95% = 0.51, 1.44) and AD (MD = 2.66; CI95% = 2.16, 3.15). These results suggest a transition period in motor capacity between healthy aging and dementia, wherein functional mobility analysis in a single-task (TUG) can contribute to the diagnosis and staging of predementia states and AD.

INTRODUÇÃO: A manutenção da capacidade de geração de potência muscular é fator preponderante para a independência física e funcional do idoso. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito de um programa de treinamento contra resistência em velocidade (PTCRV) sobre a potência muscular e o desempenho em tarefas motoras em idosas. MÉTODOS: 58 voluntárias sedentárias e fisicamente independentes foram divididas em dois subgrupos: 31 pertencentes ao grupo intervenção (GI), 68,7±5,2 anos de idade e 27 ao grupo controle (GC) 67,7±3,8 anos de idade. O GI foi submetido a um programa de 24 sessões, três vezes semanais, de treinamento contra resistência em velocidade. Foram avaliadas a carga (CR), a potência (PT) e a velocidade (VL) no exercício extensão de joelhos (EJ) e no teste motor de levantar-se da cadeira (LC), utilizando o sistema computadorizado Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer (TWA). Foi avaliado também o tempo de execução das tarefas motoras: marcha em velocidade de conforto (MVC) e marcha em velocidade máxima (MVM). Para comparação das variáveis estudadas, aplicou-se o teste t, admitindo-se p=0,05. RESULTADOS: Foi observado no GI para o exercício EJ ganho significativo na capacidade de geração da potência (49,56±13,52w / 66,87±16,27w, p=0,0002). No teste LC, houve aumento significativo na capacidade de geração da potência (370,71±106,26w / 434,52±107,15w, p=0,02185) e da velocidade (0,61±0,14m/s / 0,72±0,14m/s, p=0,00274). Nos testes motores, MVC e MVM, houve redução significativa no tempo de execução (4,56±0,63s / 4,20±0,50s, p=0,01560) e (3,45±0,40s / 3,23±0,34s, p=0,02222), respectivamente. No GC não foi observada melhora significativa em nenhum dos testes aplicados. CONCLUSÃO: O PTCRV contribuiu para melhorar os níveis de potência muscular, além de melhorar o desempenho nas tarefas motoras no grupo estudado. INTRODUCTION: The maintenance of the generating capacity of muscle power is an important factor for physical and functional independence of the elderly. OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the influence of the training of muscular power (PTCRV) in old women during pre-determined motor chores. METHODS: 58 sedentary physically independent volunteers, divided in two groups: 31 belonged to the intervention group (GI) 68.7±5.2 years and 27 to the control group (GC) 67.7±3.8 years. The GI was subjected to a 24-section program, three times a week, of counter-resistance training in speed. Power (PT) and speed (VL) in the exercise were assessed: knee extension (EJ), and in the stand-up-from-a-chair test (LC), using the software Tendo Weighlifting Analyzer (TWA). The time of execution of motor chores was also evaluated: gait in comfortable speed (MVC), and gait in maximum speed (MVM). The variation t test was applied to compare the studied variables and a level of significance p=0.05 was admitted. RESULTS: It was observed in the GI, for the EJ exercise, a significant gain in the ability of power generation (370.71±106.26w / 434.52±107.15w, p=0.02185). In the LC test there was significant gain in the ability of power generation (370.71±106.26w / 434.52±107,15w, p=0.02185) and speed (0.61±0.14m/s / 0.72±0.14m/s, p=0.00274). In the motor tests MVC and MVM, there was significant gain in speed (4.56±0.63s / 4.20±0.50s, p=0.01560) and (3.45±0.40s / 3.23±0.34s, p=0.02222), respectively. No significant improvement in the GC was observed after application of the tests. CONCLUSION: The PTCRV contributed to improve the muscular power, as well as improving the performance in the motor chores in the studied group.

ResumoInvestigar o estado da arte acerca da coordenação motora durante a marcha em pacientes com lesão no ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA). Foram realizadas pesquisas, delimitadas entre 1980 e 2010, em diversas bases de artigos com palavras-chave relacionadas à coordenação motora, marcha e lesão no LCA. A partir da análise de títulos e aplicação dos critérios de inclusão/exclusão, 24 estudos foram selecionados inicialmente e, após a leitura do resumo, oito permaneceram na análise final. Os resultados indicam que pacientes com deficiência no LCA tendem a apresentar uma marcha menos variável, enquanto pacientes com reconstrução do LCA têm uma marcha mais variável, em relação a sujeitos hígidos. Os resultados sugerem a existência de diferenças na coordenação motora entre os segmentos entre sujeitos com e sem lesão no LCA, independentemente da reconstrução ligamentar. Pacientes com lesão no LCA apresentam aspectos relacionados ao comprometimento de adaptar seus padrões de marcha a diferentes condições externas, o que pode levar à degeneração precoce. No entanto, as técnicas usadas pelos estudos para o processamento dos dados biomecânicos foram limitadas no que diz respeito à obtenção de informações que possibilitem o desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenção voltadas para a reabilitação da lesão. Isso se deve ao fato de as técnicas atuais de estudo da coordenação motora, apesar de possibilitar a identificação de alterações no padrão de marcha saudável, não serem capazes de identificar as principais articulações e fases do ciclo da marcha alteradas.AbstractTo investigate the state of art about motor coordination during gait in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Searches were carried out, limited from 1980 to 2010, in various databases with keywords related to motor coordination, gait and ACL injury. From the analysis of titles and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria 24 studies were initially selected and, after reading the abstract, eight studies remained in the final analysis. ACL deficient patients tend to have a more rigid and less variable gait, while injured patients with ACL reconstruction have less rigid and more variable gait with respect to healthy individuals. The overall results suggest the existence of differences in motor coordination between the segments with intact and those with injured knee, regardless of ligament reconstruction. ACL injured patients present aspects related to the impairment of the capability to adapt the gait pattern to different environmental conditions, possibly leading to premature knee degeneration. However, the techniques used for biomechanical gait data processing are limited with respect to obtaining information that leads to the development of intervention strategies aimed at the rehabilitation of that injury, since it is not possible to identify the location within the gait cycle where the differences could be explained.

To investigate the state of art about motor coordination during gait in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Searches were carried out, limited from 1980 to 2010, in various databases with keywords related to motor coordination, gait and ACL injury. From the analysis of titles and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria 24 studies were initially selected and, after reading the abstract, eight studies remained in the final analysis. ACL deficient patients tend to have a more rigid and less variable gait, while injured patients with ACL reconstruction have less rigid and more variable gait with respect to healthy individuals. The overall results suggest the existence of differences in motor coordination between the segments with intact and those with injured knee, regardless of ligament reconstruction. ACL injured patients present aspects related to the impairment of the capability to adapt the gait pattern to different environmental conditions, possibly leading to premature knee degeneration. However, the techniques used for biomechanical gait data processing are limited with respect to obtaining information that leads to the development of intervention strategies aimed at the rehabilitation of that injury, since it is not possible to identify the location within the gait cycle where the differences could be explained.Investigar o estado da arte acerca da coordenação motora durante a marcha em pacientes com lesão no ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA). Foram realizadas pesquisas, delimitadas entre 1980 e 2010, em diversas bases de artigos com palavras-chave relacionadas à coordenação motora, marcha e lesão no LCA. A partir da análise de títulos e aplicação dos critérios de inclusão/exclusão, 24 estudos foram selecionados inicialmente e, após a leitura do resumo, oito permaneceram na análise final. Os resultados indicam que pacientes com deficiência no LCA tendem a apresentar uma marcha menos variável, enquanto pacientes com reconstrução do LCA têm uma marcha mais variável, em relação a sujeitos hígidos. Os resultados sugerem a existência de diferenças na coordenação motora entre os segmentos entre sujeitos com e sem lesão no LCA, independentemente da reconstrução ligamentar. Pacientes com lesão no LCA apresentam aspectos relacionados ao comprometimento de adaptar seus padrões de marcha a diferentes condições externas, o que pode levar à degeneração precoce. No entanto, as técnicas usadas pelos estudos para o processamento dos dados biomecânicos foram limitadas no que diz respeito à obtenção de informações que possibilitem o desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenção voltadas para a reabilitação da lesão. Isso se deve ao fato de as técnicas atuais de estudo da coordenação motora, apesar de possibilitar a identificação de alterações no padrão de marcha saudável, não serem capazes de identificar as principais articulações e fases do ciclo da marcha alteradas.

Objective To examine the influence of a preventative training program (PTP) on sagittal plane kinematics during different landing tasks and vertical jump height (VJH) in males. Design Six weeks prospective exercise intervention. Participants Fifteen male volleyball athletes (13 ± 0.7 years, 1.70 ± 0.12 m, 60 ± 12 kg). Interventions PTP consisting of plyometric, balance and core stability exercises three times per week for six weeks. Bilateral vertical jumps with double leg (DL) and single leg (SL) landings were performed to measure the effects of training. Main outcome measurements Kinematics of the knee and hip before and after training and VJH attained during both tasks after training. The hypothesis was that the PTP would produce improvements in VJH, but would not generate great changes in biomechanical behavior. Results The only change identified for the SL was the longest duration of landing, which represents the time spent from initial ground contact to maximum knee flexion, after training, while increased angular displacement of the knee was observed during DL. The training did not significantly alter the VJH in either the SL (difference: 2.7 cm) or the DL conditions (difference: 3.5 cm). Conclusions Despite the PTP's effectiveness in inducing some changes in kinematics, the changes were specific for each task, which highlights the importance of the specificity and individuality in selecting prevention injury exercises. Despite the absence of significant increases in the VJH, the absolute differences after training showed increases corroborating with the findings of statistically powerful studies that compared the results with control groups. The results suggest that short-term PTPs in low risk young male volleyball athletes may enhance performance and induce changes in some kinematic parameters.