Isokinetic performance of ankle evertor and invertor muscles in adolescent female volleyball athletes

This study aimed to analyze the muscular performance of evertor and invertor ankle muscles of adolescent volleyball athletes. Methods: The information provided by database concerning the isokinetic evaluation of ankle muscles from 20 female volleyball players between the ages of 14-17 years old were analyzed. The isokinetic dynamometer was used in a concentric-concentric mode for the ankle evertor and invertor muscles at angular velocities of 60°/s, and 180°/s. Results: Seven athletes had suffered ankle sprains (6 affected the non-dominant limb and all were lateral ankle sprain) in the one year prior to the isokinetic evaluation. The isokinetic results demonstrated that the mean peak torque values for eversion of the non-dominant limb were significantly lower in comparison to the dominant limb at 60°/s. Moreover, although no difference was observed in the average values of the evertor/invertor ratio between the limbs, the ratios were below the values suggested by the literature. Conclusion: We believe that although the athletes reported no ankle injury and no pain in the previous assessment month, the isokinetic results of the non-dominant limb seemed to be directly related to previous ankle sprains injuries in inversion of this limb. The athletes had similar results to those of subjects clinically diagnosed with ankle joint instabilities despite their being active in sports at the moment of the assessment.(AU)

Análise da marcha em pacientes portadores de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica antes e após programa de reabilitação pulmonar / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients gait analysis before and after a pulmonary rehabilitation program

Introdução: A Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC) é uma patologia respiratória que está relacionada à diminuição funcional, e pode provocar alterações da marcha em indivíduos com DPOC. Objetivo: Analisar, através de informações de um banco de dados, os parâmetros da cinemática linear e cinemática angular da marcha em pacientes com DPOC antes e após a participação em um Programa de Reabilitação Pulmonar. Métodos: Foram selecionadas avaliações da marcha de 16 sujeitos com DPOC ingressantes no Programa de Reabilitação Pulmonar da Universidade de Caxias do Sul (UCS). A análise cinemática da marcha foi realizada antes e após 12 semanas de participação neste programa. Resultados: Com relação às variáveis lineares da marcha, o comprimento do passo direito (p = 0,003), a cadência (p = 0,003), o tempo da passada direito e esquerdo (p = 0,003 e p = 0,006) e a velocidade (p = 0,013) apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Já os aspectos angulares não apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as duas avaliações. Conclusão: O Programa de Reabilitação Pulmonar influenciou positivamente quase todos os parâmetros lineares da marcha, demonstrando a importância da interferência na marcha através de um tratamento adequado para a manutenção ou melhora da qualidade de vida destes indivíduos. (AU)

Introduction: The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease that is related to functional impairment, and can cause gait modifications in these individuals. Objective: Analyze, from a database's information, the gait linear and angular kinematics parameters in COPD patients before and after participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Methods: We selected gait analyses of 16 patients with COPD entrants in the University of Caxias do Sul Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. The cinematic gait analysis was made before and after 12 weeks of this program. Results: About the gait linear parameters, the right step length (p = 0.003), the rhythm (p = 0.003, the right and left times length (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006) and the speed (p = 0.013) showed statistically significant differences. However, the angular aspects did not show statistically significant difference among the two evaluations. Conclusion: The pulmonary rehabilitation program positive influenced almost all the gait linear parameters, showing the importance of gait interference through appropriate treatment to maintenance or improvement of quality of life. (AU)