Excess adiposity and low physical fitness hamper Supine-to-Stand test performance among sedentary adolescents

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between body adiposity and physical fitness with performance in the Supine-to-Stand test (STS-test) in sedentary adolescents. Methods: Sixty-two adolescents, of both sexes, between 10 and 16 years old, participated in the study. Body mass (BM), height, waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), right and left handgrip strength (HGS-right, HGS-left), abdominal resistance (ABDO), flexibility (FLEX), and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), z-score BMI (BMI-z), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. The STS-test was applied to evaluate the STS-MC by the movement patterns in the execution of the test. The STS-time in seconds (s) was categorized into terciles: fast (FG < 2.0 s), intermediate (IG = 2.0-2.6 s) and slow (SG > 2.6 s). One-way ANOVA, Chi-square, Spearman's correlation coefficient as well as non-parametric tests were used, with significance p 0.05. Results: The SG presented higher BMI, BMI-z, TMI, WHtR, FM, %FM, as well as lower averages for %FFM, HGS-right, HGS-left, FLEX, ABDO, VO2peak, VO2peak relative to BM (VO2peakBM) in relation to GF. The BMI, BMI-z, TMI, WC, WHtR and FM showed moderate and direct correlations with STS-time and inverse with STS-MC (p < 0.01). HGS-right, HGS-left, ABDO, and VO2peakBM showed moderate and an inverse correlation with STS-time (p < 0.05). The VO2peakBM was moderate and with direct correlations to STS-MC (p < 0.01). Conclusion: It is concluded that excess fat and low physical fitness hamper STS-test performance. Therefore, the STS-test can be used for screening students to assess MC.

Joint positioning sense, perceived force level and two-point discrimination tests of young and active elderly adults

Background: Changes in the proprioceptive system are associated with aging. Proprioception is important to maintaining and/or recovering balance and to reducing the risk of falls.Objective:To compare the performance of young and active elderly adults in three proprioceptive tests.Method:Twenty-one active elderly participants (66.9±5.5 years) and 21 healthy young participants (24.6±3.9 years) were evaluated in the following tests: perception of position of the ankle and hip joints, perceived force level of the ankle joint, and two-point discrimination of the sole of the foot.Results:No differences (p>0.05) were found between groups for the joint position and perceived force level. On the other hand, the elderly participants showed lower sensitivity in the two-point discrimination (higher threshold) when compared to the young participants (p < 0.01).Conclusion:Except for the cutaneous plantar sensitivity, the active elderly participants had maintained proprioception. Their physical activity status may explain similarities between groups for the joint position sense and perceived force level, however it may not be sufficient to prevent sensory degeneration with aging.

Balance, gait, functionality and strength: comparison between elderly fallers and non-fallers

BACKGROUND: Accidental falls are a major health problem related to aging and affect one in every three elderly individuals over the age of sixty. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the muscle strength, gait kinematics parameters, and performance in functional tests between elderly subjects with and without a prior history of falls. In addition, the association between the history of falls and the variables that demonstrated differences between groups were tested. METHOD: 62 elderly subjects participated in the study and were allocated to the group with falls history (FG; n=20; 68.0±6.9 years old) or the group without falls history (CG; n=42; 65.5±4.1 years old). Maximal strength, gait kinematics parameters, and functional tests were tested. RESULTS: The FG showed lower muscle strength in the knee flexors (51.45±8.6 vs. 62.09±19 Kg), lower average toe clearance during the swing phase (0.04±0.006 vs. 0.043 ± 0.005 m), and lower performance in the "8-foot up-and-go" test (5.3±0.7 vs. 5.8±0.7 s) (p<0.05). There were no associations between any variables and falls, but the increased time in the "8-foot up-and-go" test may double the likelihood of a fall occurring. CONCLUSION: Fallers have reduced lower limb strength, gait alterations, the worst performance in the dynamic balance test, and an increased risk of falls. .

Características da marcha de mulheres com fibromialgia: um padrão prematuro de envelhecimento / Gait characteristics of women with fibromyalgia: a premature aging pattern

Introdução: Fibromialgia é uma condição que envolve dor crônica generalizada. Além disso, mulheres de meia idade com fibromialgia apresentam alterações no padrão de marcha, expondo-se prematuramente a um padrão de marcha semelhante ao encontrado na população idosa. Objetivo: Determinar os parâmetros espaciais (linear e angular) da marcha de mulheres com fibromialgia e compará-los com idosas sem essa condição. Métodos: 25 mulheres (10 no grupo com fibromialgia e 15 no grupo de idosas) se qualificaram como voluntárias para participar do estudo. A análise cinemática foi realizada por meio de um sistema optoeletrônico, e as variáveis lineares e angulares foram determinadas. Resultados: Ambos os grupos apresentaram similaridades na velocidade da marcha, tamanho da passada, cadência e amplitude de movimento do quadril, joelho e tornozelo (p > 0,05), exceto para a rotação da pelve, na qual o grupo com fibromialgia apresentou maior rotação de quadril (p < 0,05) quando comparado ao grupo de idosas. Além disso, houve correlação negativa no grupo com fibromialgia entre rotação do quadril e dor no glúteo (r = -0,69; p < 0,05), e entre obliquidade da pelve e dor na região do trocanter maior (r = -0,69; p < 0,05). Conclusão: Mulheres de meia idade com fibromialgia apresentaram um padrão de marcha similar ao de idosas, o qual é caracterizado por amplitude de movimento, tamanho da passada e velocidade da marcha reduzidos. .

Background: Fibromyalgia is a condition which involves chronic pain. Middle-aged individuals with fibromyalgia seem to exhibit changes in gait pattern, which may prematurely expose them to a gait pattern which resembles that found in the elderly population. Objective: To determine the 3 D spatial (linear and angular) gait parameters of middle-aged women with fibromyalgia and compare to elderly women without this condition. Methods: 25 women (10 in the fibromyalgia group and 15 in the elderly group) volunteered to participate in the study. Kinematics was performed using an optoelectronic system, and linear and angular kinematic variables were determined. Results: There was no difference in walking speed, stride length, cadence, hip, knee and ankle joints range of motion between groups, except the pelvic rotation, in which the fibromyalgia group showed greater rotation (P < 0.05) compared to the elderly group. Also, there was a negative correlation with pelvic rotation and gluteus pain (r = - 0.69; P < 0.05), and between pelvic obliquity and greater trochanter pain (r = - 0.69; P < 0.05) in the fibromyalgia group. Conclusion: Middle-aged women with fibromyalgia showed gait pattern resemblances to elderly, women, which is characterized by reduced lower limb ROM, stride length and walking speed. .

Vertical jump fatigue does not affect intersegmental coordination and segmental contribution / Fadiga em salto vertical não afeta a coordenação intersegmental e contribuição segmental / Fatiga salto vertical no afecta a la coordinación entre segmentos y la contribución segmentaria

The aim of this study was to describe the intersegmental coordination and segmental contribution during intermittent vertical jumps performed until fatigue. Seven male visited the laboratory on two occasions: 1) the maximum vertical jump height was determined followed by vertical jumps habituation; 2) participants performed intermittent countermovement jumps until fatigue. Kinematic and kinetic variables were recorded. The overall reduction in vertical jump height was 5,5%, while the movement duration increased 10% during the test. The thigh segment angle at movement reversal significantly increased as the exercise progressed. Non-significant effect of fatigue on movement synergy was found for the intersegmental coordination pattern. More than 90% of the intersegmental coordination was explained by one coordination pattern. Thigh rotation contributed the most to the intersegmental coordination pattern, with the trunk second and the shank the least. Therefore, one intersegmental coordination pattern is followed throughout the vertical jumps until fatigue and thigh rotation contributes the most to jump height...

"Fadiga em salto vertical não afeta a coordenação intersegmental e contribuição segmental." O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a coordenação entre segmentos e suas contribuições durante saltos verticais intervalados realizados até a fadiga. Sete indivíduos visitaram o laboratório em duas ocasiões: 1) foi determinada a altura máxima do salto vertical e realizada familiarização com saltos verticais; 2) participantes realizaram saltos verticais em contramovimento até a fadiga. Foram coletadas variáveis cinemáticas e cinéticas. A altura do salto vertical reduziu 5,5% e duração do movimento aumentou 10%. O ângulo da coxa no instante de reversão do movimento aumentou durante o exercício. A fadiga na sinergia do movimento não influenciou na coordenação intersegmental. Acima de 90% da coordenação entre segmentos foi explicada por um padrão coordenativo. A rotação da coxa foi o que mais contribuiu com o padrão coordenativo, seguido pelo tronco e perna. Portanto, em saltos verticais realizados até a fadiga, a coordenação intersegmental é mantida e a rotação da coxa tem maior contribuição na altura do salto...

"Fatiga salto vertical no afecta a la coordinación entre segmentos y la contribución segmentaria." El objetivo fue describir la coordinación entre los segmentos y sus contribuciones durante los saltos verticales realizadas hasta la fatiga. Siete sujetos visitaron laboratorio dos ocasiones: 1) determinó la máxima altura en el salto vertical y amistad con los saltos verticales; 2) participantes completaron saltos verticales contramovimento la fatiga. Se recogieron las variables cinemáticas y cinéticas. La altura del salto vertical disminuyó 5,5% y la duración del movimiento se incrementó 10%. El ángulo del muslo en instante de inversión del movimiento aumentó durante ejercicio. No hubo efecto de fatiga en sinergia de movimiento para la coordinación de movimientos. Más del 90% de coordinación entre sectores ha sido explicado por un patrón coordinativo. La rotación del muslo fue mayor contribuyente la coordinación de movimientos, seguido por tronco y piernas. En los saltos verticales realizados hasta la fatiga se mantiene coordinación entre segmentos y rotación del muslo tiene mayor contribución en altura del tacón...

Stabilometric response during single-leg stance after lower limb muscle fatigue / Resposta estabilometrica durante apoio unipodal apos fadiga muscular de membros inferiores

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to analyze the effect of muscle fatigue induced by active isotonic resistance training at a moderate intensity by measuring the knee extension motion during the stabilometric response in a single-leg stance among healthy university students who perform resistance training on a regular basis. METHOD: Eleven healthy university students were subjected to a one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. In addition, stabilometric assessment was performed before and after the intervention and consisted of a muscle fatiguing protocol, in which knee extension was selected as the fatiguing task. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to investigate the normality of the data, and the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the stabilometric parameters before and after induction of muscle fatigue, at a significance level of p≤0.05. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of the volunteers' age, height, body mass, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: The sample population was 23.1±2.7 years of age, averaged 1.79.2±0.07 m in height and 75.6±8.0 Kg in weight, and had a BMI of 23.27±3.71 Kg.m-2. The volunteers performed exercises 3.36±1.12 days/week and achieved a load of 124.54±22.07 Kg on 1RM and 74.72±13.24 Kg on 60% 1RM. The center of pressure (CoP) oscillation on the mediolateral plane before and after fatigue induction was 2.89±0.89 mm and 4.09±0.59 mm, respectively, while the corresponding values on the anteroposterior plane were 2.5±2.2 mm and 4.09±2.26 mm, respectively. The CoP oscillation amplitude on the anteroposterior and mediolateral planes exhibited a significant difference before and after fatigue induction (p=0.04 and p=0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that muscle fatigue affects postural control, particularly with the mediolateral and anteroposterior CoP excursion. .

OBJETIVO: Analisar o efeito da fadiga muscular induzida por exercício isotônico ativo-resistido de extensão de joelhos em intensidade moderada na resposta estabilométrica em apoio unipodal em universitários saudáveis, praticantes de treinamento resistido. MÉTODO: Para tanto, 11 jovens universitários saudáveis foram submetidos ao teste de 1-RM, avaliação estabilométrica pré e pós-intervenção e protocolo de indução à fadiga muscular utilizando a extensão do joelho como tarefa fatigante. Utilizou-se o teste de Shapiro-Wilk para verificação da normalidade dos dados e o teste de Wilcoxon para as comparações entre os parâmetros estabilométricos pré e pós-indução à fadiga muscular com nível de significância estipulado em p≤0,05, enquanto a estatística descritiva foi aplicada para caracterizar a idade, estatura, massa corporal e o índice de massa corporal (IMC). RESULTADOS: O grupo apresentou 23,1±2,7 anos; 1,79,2±0,07 m; 75,6±8,0 Kg; 23,27±3,71 Kg.m-2; 3,36±1,12 número de dias de atividade/semana; 1RM: 124,54± 22,07 kg; 60% de 1-RM: 74,72±13,24 Kg. A oscilação do centro de pressão (CP) médio-lateral pré e pós-fadiga, respectivamente, foi de 2,89±0,89 mm e 4,09±0,59 mm, enquanto a oscilação ântero-posterior foi de 2,5±2,2 mm e 4,09±2,26 mm. Encontrou-se diferença na largura de oscilação do CP nas direções ântero-posterior e médio-lateral entre as condições pré e pós-fadiga, p=0,04 e p=0,05, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Portanto, o estudo demonstrou que a fadiga muscular altera o controle postural, especialmente na excursão médio-lateral e ântero-posterior do CP. .

Reprodutibilidade intra-avaliador do teste de discriminação de dois pontos na sola dos pés em idosos e jovens assintomáticos / Intra-observer reproducibility of the feet soles two-point discrimination test in asymptomatic elderly and young individuals

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Os primeiros sinais de comprometimento sensorial plantar decorrente do envelhecimento e de neuropatias periféricas são manifestados na sola dos pés e podem resultar em déficits no controle postural e no equilíbrio. Os testes de sensibilidade cutânea visam a avaliar a densidade da inervação sensorial na pele e têm sido utilizados para avaliação de segmentos distais. Alguns estudos têm aplicado o teste de discriminação de dois pontos (DDP) na sola dos pés e diferenciado idosos com e sem históricos de quedas, porém sua reprodutibilidade ainda precisa ser determinada. OBJETIVO: Verificar a reprodutibilidade intra-avaliador do teste de DDP na sola dos pés em idosos e jovens assintomáticos. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 21 idosos ativos (67±5 anos; 1,56±0,08 m; 65,3±13,7 kg) e 21 jovens ativos (24±3 anos; 1,69±0,09 m; 54,5±9,5 kg). Os participantes realizaram duas sessões de testes com procedimentos experimentais idênticos, com intervalo de 48 horas. Foi avaliada a sensibilidade cutânea da sola do pé direito por meio do teste de DDP. Para avaliar a reprodutibilidade intra-avaliador, foi aplicado o teste de Bland-Altman. RESULTADOS: Idosos e jovens apresentaram variações de 0,71% e 1,53%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Esses valores não excedem dois desvios-padrão, e o teste de DDP foi considerado como uma medida reprodutível para a avaliação da sensibilidade cutânea da sola dos pés de jovens e idosos fisicamente ativos.

BACKGROUND: The first sign of plantar sensory impairment due to aging and peripheral neuropathies are manifested on the soles of the feet and can result in postural control and balance deficits. The aim of cutaneous sensitivity tests is to assess the skin sensory innervation density such as those of the distal segments. In some studies the two-point discrimination test (TPD) have been applied on the soles of the feet and have proven to accurately distinguish elderly with and without falls events. However, the reproducibility of the test still needs to be determined. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to verify the intra-observer reproducibility of the TPD test on the soles of feet in asymptomatic elderly and young individuals. METHOD: The sample was composed of 21 physically active elderly participants (67±5 years; 1:56±0.08 m, 65.3±13.7 kg) and 21 physically active young adults (24±3 years, 1.69±0.09 m, 54.5±9.5 kg). The participants attended two sessions with identical experimental procedures, with an interval of 48 hours between them. The skin sensitivity of the right foot sole was assessed using the TPD test. Intra-observer reproducibility was assessed using Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Elderly and young participants showed sensitivity variations of 0.71% and 1.53%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These values did not exceed two standard deviations and the TPD test was considered as a reproducible measure for the assessment of feet cutaneous sensitivity in asymptomatic and physically active young and elderly participants.

The effect of different supermarket checkout workstations on trunk kinematics of checkout operators / O efeito de diferentes modelos de checkout na cinemática de operadores de supermercado

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the effect of a standard and a modified checkout workstation during a simulated task on trunk postures of a supermarket checkout operator. METHODS: Eight participants performed a task involving grasping, scanning and depositing products, while 3D images of the trunk were collected. RESULTS: A number of kinematic changes were observed in trunk posture. A greater anterior flexion (3.0±1.2º) and lateral bending during grasping (7.1±1.4º) were found in the standard checkout workstation when compared to the modified model (p<0.05). Other variables did not show significant differences (p>0.05). DISCUSSION: The modified checkout workstation provided less lateral bending of the trunk to grasp products (8.1º ± 2.8; p<0.05), which was considered an advantage with respect to the standard model. Changes in the sagittal and transversal planes were not observed (p>0.05), irrespective of the checkout workstations (p>0.05). The modified checkout workstation successfully reduced risk of injury in some aspects, particularly the problems associated with lateral bending of the trunk. Other studies are required to test whether such potential benefits are obtained on a daily basis. CONCLUSIONS: Supermarket checkout operators may be at high risk of occupational injury due to different workstation demands. Modifications to checkout workstation design are an attractive possibility to reduce postural stress and fatigue in checkout operators. Longitudinal studies are required to test whether changes observed in the present study are sustained in the long term.

OBJETIVOS: Analisar o efeito de um modelo padrão e de um modificado de checkout durante uma tarefa simulada de um operador de caixa de supermercado. MÉTODOS: Oito participantes desempenharam uma tarefa envolvendo apanhar, ler e depositar produtos, enquanto imagens 3D do tronco foram coletadas. RESULTADOS: Um número de mudanças cinemáticas foram observadas na postura do tronco. Uma maior flexão anterior (3.0±1.2º) e uma inclinação lateral durante o apanhar (7.1±1.4º) foram encontradas no checkout padrão quando comparadas ao modelo modificado (p<0.05). Outras variáveis não apresentaram mudanças significativas (p>0.05). DISCUSSÃO: O checkout modificado causou menor inclinação lateral do tronco para apanhar produtos (8.1º ± 2.8; p<0.05), o que foi considerado como uma vantagem em relação ao modelo padrão. Mudanças nos planos sagital transverso não foram observadas (p>0.05), independente do modelo do checkout (p>0.05). O modelo modificado se mostrou eficaz paras prover reduções de risco de lesão em alguns aspectos. Especificamente, problemas associados com as inclinações laterais do tronco podem ser reduzidos quando o checkout modificado é empregado. Outros estudos são necessários para testar se tais benefícios potenciais são obtidos em uso de base diária. CONCLUSÕES: Operadores de supermercado podem ter elevado risco de lesões ocupacionais devido a diferenças nas demandas de suas estações de trabalho. Modificações no design do checkout são uma possibilidade atrativa para reduzir o estresse postural ocupacional e a fadiga em operadores de checkout. Requerem-se estudos longitudinais para testar se as mudanças encontradas no presente estudo são sustentadas em longos períodos de uso.