Exercise effects on motor function, manual dexterity, and brain oscillatory activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease: Randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Exercise protocols are promising interventions to improve PD symptoms, however, the best modality and its neural correlates are still unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of the aerobic, strength and task-oriented upper-limb exercises in motor function, manual dexterity, and brain oscillations of individuals with PD. METHOD: In this clinical trial, 44 PD patients aged 40-80 years will be randomized in four groups: aerobic training (AT), strength training (ST), task-oriented training (TOT), and waiting list group (CG). The AT group will perform 30 min of a cycle ergometer on 50%-70% of the reserve heart rate. The ST group will use equipment for upper limb muscles and will perform two series of 8-12 repetitions for each exercise, and intensity between 50% and 70% of one maximum repetition will be used. The TOT group will perform a program consisting of three activities to enhance reaching, grasping, and manipulation. All the groups will perform three sessions per week for 8 weeks. We will use the UPDRS Motor function section, Nine-Hole Peg Test, and quantitative electroencephalography to measure motor function, manual dexterity, and brain oscillations, respectively. ANOVA and regression models will be used to compare outcomes within and between groups.

Comparison of the electromyographic activity of the anterior trunk during the execution of two Pilates exercises - teaser and longspine - for healthy people.

This study compared abdominal electromyographic (EMG) activity during the performance of Pilates' exercises. 16 females participated in the study. EMG signals of the rectus abdominis (RA) and external oblique (EO) were recorded during Longspine performed on the mat, Cadillac, and Reformer and the Teaser performed on the mat, Cadillac, and Combo-chair. Values were normalized by the EMG peak of a dynamic task and divided in concentric and eccentric phases. Longspine performed on the mat increased EO activity in the concentric phase more than on the Reformer and the Cadillac (Mean Difference (MD)=12.2%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [3.36; 21.04]; p=.04). Differences in the eccentric phase of the RA favored the mat compared to the Reformer (MD=5.20%; 95% CI [-0.55; 10.95]; p=.02). Significant differences in eccentric contraction of the RA were found for teaser exercise performed on the mat versus Cadillac (MD=1.1%; 95% CI [-4.13; 6.33]; p=.04) and the mat versus the Combo-chair (MD=6.3%; 95% CI [1.31; 11.29]; p=.005). Higher concentric activation values for the EO were found when the teaser exercise was performed on the Cadillac. Exercises performed on the mat required greater rectus abdominis activation.

Força de preensão manual de atletas tenistas avaliada por diferentes recomendações de teste / Handgrip strength evaluation on tennis players sing

A avaliação da força de preensão manual (FPM) em tenistas competitivos deve ser realizada devido à assimetria que o jogador pode desenvolver. Para avaliar a FPM, profissionais utilizam dois protocolos diferentes (das Sociedades Americana e Europeia). Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar a FPM usando a técnica do European Test of Physical Fitness Handbook (Eurofit) e da American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT), bem como verificar a FPM entre o lado dominante/contralateral e comparar a FPM entre as idades em atletas de tênis da categoria infanto-juvenil. Participaram do estudo 137 tenistas do gênero masculino e 45 do feminino, todos com idade entre oito e 18 anos. Para avaliar a FPM, segundo as recomendações da Eurofit e ASHT, foi utilizado um dinamômetro manual (Jamar). Nenhum dos sujeitos avaliados apresentava qualquer lesão que pudesse comprometer o teste. Os resultados mostram que não há diferença na FPM entre os posicionamentos recomendados pela Eurofit e ASHT para medir a FPM independente do gênero. A curva sigmoide foi a que melhor se adequou para regressão da FPM e idade em ambos os gêneros sendo que para o masculino a FPM tem maior inclinação aos 11 anos, já para o feminino a maior inclinação é aos 10 anos. Além disso, a partir dos 14 anos, o lado dominante dos atletas masculinos apresentou maior FPM que o lado não dominante; contudo, essa assimetria não ocorreu no feminino em qualquer idade até os 18 anos.

It is important to assess the handgrip strength (HS) in competitive tennis players due to asymmetry between the dominant and contra lateral hands that players might develop. In order to assess HS, clinicians can use two protocols already established that are different from each other (from European Test of Physical Fitness Handbook [Eurofit] or American Society of Hand Therapists [ASHT]. The objective of this study was threefold: Firstly to compare the HS using the Eurofit and ASHT technique; secondly to compare HS between dominant/nondominant hands, and last, to compare the handgrip between ages of juvenile tennis player athletes. 137 male and 45 female tennis players (aged between 8 and 18 years) participated in the study. In order to assess HS following the Eurofit and ASHT recommendations, a Jamar dynamometer was used. None of the athletes had any injury that could compromise tests. There was no difference in handgrip strength between Eurofit and ASHT recommendations regardless of sex. The best curve to describe the regression of HS and age for both genders was a sigmoid function. Males presented a higher slope at 11 years and females had a higher slope at 10 years. Moreover, in male athletes dominant HS presented higher values than non-dominant HS beginning at 14 years. However, for the females the asymmetry in HS did not occur for any age until 18 years.

The peroneus reaction time during sudden inversion test: systematic review.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether peroneal reaction time is influenced by ankle's impairment in subjects with ankle injury assessed by surface electromyography. The studies were identified by electronic research by two independent reviewers at the following databases: MEDLINE (1966-2009), EMBASE (1980-2009), LILACS (1982-2009), CINAHL (1982-2009) and, SPORTDiscus (1975-2009). Studies were divided into following groups: I--subjects with injury (paired by the opposite limb); II--subjects with or without injury (paired by limbs from different subjects) and III--subjects with or without injury (other situations). Studies that used the sudden ankle inversion test were selected. As result, 25 articles were included. The comparison of the reaction time paired by the opposite limb, showed a statistically significant difference in favor of the injured ankles (standardized mean difference--SMD=0.40; IC 95% [0.01;0.79], P=0.05). The comparison paired by limbs from different subjects presented a statistically significant difference, in favor of the injured ankles (SMD=3.49; IC 95% [1.26;5.71], P=0.002). The effect size measured was 0.54 and 1.61, respectively. The greater reaction time delay showed in the subjects with ankle injury compared to that of asymptomatic subjects should be taken into consideration.

Análise da fadiga dos músculos paraespinhais em indivíduos saudáveisna posição sentada / Analysis of erector spinae muscle fatigue in healthy subjects in the sitting position

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os parâmetros de freqüência e amplitude da eletromiografia de superfície durante a fadiga dos músculos paraespinhais em indivíduos saudáveis na posição sentada. Participaram do estudo 11 indivíduos do gênero masculino, saudáveis e livres de sintomas de dor lombar. Um eletromiógrafo de superfície foi utilizado para obtenção dos parâmetros eletromiográficos. Foram posicionados quatro eletrodos lateralmente aos processos espinhosos da primeira equinta vértebras lombares. Os sinais foram registrados mediante a extensão de tronco na posição sentada contra a resistência de uma célula de carga. Foram utilizadas as cargas de 50% e 75% da contração isométrica voluntária máxima, por 25 segundos, para induzir os sujeitos à fadiga muscular. Os sinais eletromiográficos processados pelo algoritmo da Transformada Rápida de Fourier e pela raiz quadrática média foramsubmetidos à regressão linear para se determinar o índice de fadiga. A freqüência mediana do espectro de potência apresentou valores negativos, assim como a amplitude eletromiográfica valores positivos, o que representa a fadiga muscular. Quando se comparou a altura e o lado, bem como as duas cargas, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significante (P > 0,05). Na posição sentada, é possível obter uma melhor fixação da pelve, além de reproduzir uma posição usual das atividades ocupacionais. O protocolo utilizado não causou dor nos sujeitos. Apesar de todos os indivíduos apresentarem fadiga, não houve diferença quanto às regiões da coluna lombar. Sugere-se a utilização da freqüência mediana e da raiz quadrática média concomitante nos estudos de fadiga.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and amplitude of surface electromyography during erector spinae fatigue in healthy subjects in the sitting position. Eleven healthy males without low back pain participated in the study. The electromyographic parameters were collected with a surface electromyograph. Four electrodes were positioned lateral to the first and fifth lumbar vertebrae. The electromyographic signals were recorded during isometric trunk extension against a load cell in the sitting position. Loads of 50% and 75% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction were applied for 25 seconds to induce muscle fatigue. The signals processed using a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm and root mean square were submitted to linear regression to determine the fatigue index. The median frequency of the power spectrum presented negative values and the root mean square presented positive values, indicating muscle fatigue. No significant differences were observed when comparing level and side, or between loads (P > 0.05). The sitting position provides a better pelvis fixation and reproduces the usual position of occupational activities. The protocol used did not cause pain. Although all subjects presented erector spinae fatigue, no differences were observed between lumbar regions. The concomitant use of median frequency and root mean square in fatigue studies is suggested.