Influence of low-level laser therapy on vertical jump in sedentary individuals / Influência do laser de baixa potência no salto vertical em indivíduos sedentários / Influência do laser de baixa potência no salto vertical em indivíduos sedentários

Objective To investigate the effects of low intensity laser (660nm), on the surae triceps muscle fatigue and power, during vertical jump in sedentary individuals, in addition to delayed onset muscle soreness. Methods We included 22 sedentary volunteers in the study, who were divided into three groups: G1 (n=8) without performing low intensity laser (control); G2 (n=7) subjected to 6 days of low intensity laser applications; and G3 (n=7) subjected to 10 days of low intensity laser applications. All subjects were evaluated by means of six evaluations of vertical jumps lasting 60 seconds each. In G2 and G3, laser applications in eight points, uniformly distributed directly to the skin in the region of the triceps surae were performed. Another variable analyzed was the delayed onset muscle soreness using the Visual Analog Scale of Pain. Results There was no significant difference in fatigue and mechanical power. In the evaluation of delayed onset muscle soreness, there was significant difference, being the first evaluation higher than the others. Conclusion The low intensity laser on the triceps surae, in sedentary individuals, had no significant effects on the variables evaluated. .

Objetivo Verificar os efeitos do laser de baixa potência (660nm) sobre o tríceps sural na fadiga muscular e na potência, durante o salto vertical, em indivíduos sedentários, além da dor muscular de início tardio. Métodos Foram inclusos no estudo 22 voluntários sedentários, divididos em três grupos: G1 (n=8), sem realização de laser de baixa potência (controle); G2 (n=7), submetido a 6 dias de aplicações de laser de baixa potência; e G3 (n=7), submetido a 10 dias de aplicações de laser de baixa potência. Todos os indivíduos foram avaliados por meio de seis avaliações de saltos verticais, com duração de 60 segundos cada. No G2 e G3, foram realizadas aplicações de laser em oito pontos, distribuídos uniformemente e diretamente na pele, na região de do tríceps sural. Outra variável analisada foi a dor muscular de início tardia, utilizando a Escala Visual Analógica de Dor. Resultados Não houve diferença significativa na fadiga e na potência mecânica. Na avaliação da dor muscular tardia, houve diferença significativa, sendo a primeira avaliação maior do que as demais avaliações. Conclusão A aplicação do laser de baixa potência no tríceps sural, em indivíduos sedentários, não apresentou efeitos significativos nas variáveis avaliadas. .

Muscle strength but not functional capacity is associated with plasma interleukin-6 levels of community-dwelling elderly women

The association of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, muscle strength and functional capacity was investigated in a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling elderly women from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Elderly people who present controlled chronic diseases with no negative impact on physical, psychosocial and mental functionality are considered to be community-dwelling. Psychological and social stress due to unsuccessfully aging can represent a risk for immune system disfunctions. IL-6 levels, isokinetic muscle strength of knee flexion/extension, and functional tests to determine time required to rise from a chair and gait velocity were measured in 57 participants (71.21 ± 7.38 years). Serum levels of IL-6 were measured in duplicate and were performed within one single assay (mouse monoclonal antibody against IL-6; High-Sensitivity, Quantikine®, R & D Systems, USA; intra-assay coefficient of variance = 6.9-7.4 percent; interassay coefficient of variance = 9.6-6.5 percent; sensitivity = 0.016-0.110 pg/mL; mean = 0.039 pg/mL). Muscle strength was assessed with the isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro®. After the Shapiro-Wilk normality test was applied, correlations were investigated using Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Post hoc analysis was performed using the Dunn test. A significant negative correlation was observed between plasma IL-6 levels (1.95 ± 1.77 pg/mL) and muscle strength for knee flexion (70.70 ± 21.14 percent; r = -0.265; P = 0.047) and extension (271.84 ± 67.85 percent; r = -0.315; P = 0.017). No significant correlation was observed between IL-6 levels and the functional tests (time to rise from a chair = 14.65 ± 2.82 s and gait velocity = 0.95 ± 0.14 m/s). These results suggest that IL-6 is associated with reduced muscle strength.