Differences between hemispheres and in saccade latency regarding volleyball athletes and non-athletes during saccadic eye movements: an analysis using EEG.

BACKGROUND: The saccadic eye movement is responsible for providing focus to a visual object of interest to the retina. In sports like volleyball, identifying relevant targets quickly is essential to a masterful performance. The training improves cortical regions underlying saccadic action, enabling more automated processing in athletes. OBJECTIVE: We investigated changes in the latency during the saccadic eye movement and the absolute theta power on the frontal and prefrontal cortices during the execution of the saccadic eye movement task in volleyball athletes and non-athletes. We hypothesized that the saccade latency and theta power would be lower due to training and perceptual-cognitive enhancement in volleyball players. METHODS: We recruited 30 healthy volunteers: 15 volleyball athletes (11 men and 4 women; mean age: 15.08 ± 1.06 years) and 15 non-athletes (5 men and 10 women; mean age: 18.00 ± 1.46 years). All tasks were performed simultaneously with electroencephalography signal recording. RESULTS: The latency of the saccadic eye movement presented a significant difference between the groups; a shorter time was observed among the athletes, associated with the players' superiority in terms of attention level. During the experiment, the athletes observed a decrease in absolute theta power compared to non-athletes on the electrodes of each frontal and prefrontal area. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we observed the behavior of reaction time and absolute theta power in athletes and non-athletes during a saccadic movement task. Our findings corroborate the premise of cognitive improvement, mainly due to the reduction of saccadic latency and lower beta power, validating the neural efficiency hypothesis.

ANTECEDENTES: O movimento ocular sacádico é responsável por dar foco a um objeto visual de interesse para a retina. Em esportes como o vôlei, identificar alvos relevantes o mais rápido possível é essencial para se ter um desempenho magistral. O treinamento melhora as regiões corticais subjacentes à ação sacádica, e permite um processamento mais automatizado em atletas. OBJETIVO: Investigamos as mudanças na latência durante o movimento ocular sacádico e a potência teta absoluta nos córtices frontal e pré-frontal durante a execução da tarefa de movimento ocular sacádico em atletas e não atletas de voleibol. Nossa hipótese é a de que a latência sacádica e a potência teta seriam menores em atletas devido ao treinamento e ao aprimoramento perceptivo-cognitivo em jogadores de voleibol. MéTODOS: Ao todo, 30 voluntários saudáveis foram recrutados para este estudo: 15 atletas de voleibol (11 homens e 4 mulheres; idade média: 15,08 ± 1,06 anos) e 15 não atletas (5 homens e 10 mulheres; idade média: 18,00 ± 1,46 anos). Todas as tarefas foram realizadas simultaneamente com o registro do sinal eletroencefalográfico. RESULTADOS: O resultado da latência do movimento ocular sacádico apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos, sendo observado menor tempo entre os atletas, associado à superioridade dos jogadores em termos de nível de atenção. Durante o experimento, nos eletrodos de cada área frontal e pré-frontal, observou-se uma diminuição na potência teta absoluta nos atletas em comparação aos não atletas. CONCLUSãO: Neste estudo, observou-se o comportamento do tempo de reação e da potência teta absoluta em atletas e não atletas durante uma tarefa de movimento sacádico. Nossos achados corroboram a premissa de melhora cognitiva, principalmente pela redução da latência sacádica e menor potência beta, o que valida a hipótese de eficiência neural.

Differences between hemispheres and in saccade latency regarding volleyball athletes and non-athletes during saccadic eye movements: an analysis using EEG / Diferenças inter-hemisféricas e na latência sacádica entre atletas de voleibol e não atletas durante movimentos oculares sacádicos: uma análise usando EEG

Abstract Background The saccadic eye movement is responsible for providing focus to a visual object of interest to the retina. In sports like volleyball, identifying relevant targets quickly is essential to a masterful performance. The training improves cortical regions underlying saccadic action, enabling more automated processing in athletes. Objective We investigated changes in the latency during the saccadic eye movement and the absolute theta power on the frontal and prefrontal cortices during the execution of the saccadic eye movement task in volleyball athletes and non-athletes. We hypothesized that the saccade latency and theta power would be lower due to training and perceptual-cognitive enhancement in volleyball players. Methods We recruited 30 healthy volunteers: 15 volleyball athletes (11 men and 4 women; mean age: 15.08 ± 1.06 years) and 15 non-athletes (5 men and 10 women; mean age: 18.00 ± 1.46 years). All tasks were performed simultaneously with electroencephalography signal recording. Results The latency of the saccadic eye movement presented a significant difference between the groups; a shorter time was observed among the athletes, associated with the players' superiority in terms of attention level. During the experiment, the athletes observed a decrease in absolute theta power compared to non-athletes on the electrodes of each frontal and prefrontal area. Conclusion In the present study, we observed the behavior of reaction time and absolute theta power in athletes and non-athletes during a saccadic movement task. Our findings corroborate the premise of cognitive improvement, mainly due to the reduction of saccadic latency and lower beta power, validating the neural efficiency hypothesis.

Resumo Antecedentes O movimento ocular sacádico é responsável por dar foco a um objeto visual de interesse para a retina. Em esportes como o vôlei, identificar alvos relevantes o mais rápido possível é essencial para se ter um desempenho magistral. O treinamento melhora as regiões corticais subjacentes à ação sacádica, e permite um processamento mais automatizado em atletas. Objetivo Investigamos as mudanças na latência durante o movimento ocular sacádico e a potência teta absoluta nos córtices frontal e pré-frontal durante a execução da tarefa de movimento ocular sacádico em atletas e não atletas de voleibol. Nossa hipótese é a de que a latência sacádica e a potência teta seriam menores em atletas devido ao treinamento e ao aprimoramento perceptivo-cognitivo em jogadores de voleibol. Métodos Ao todo, 30 voluntários saudáveis foram recrutados para este estudo: 15 atletas de voleibol (11 homens e 4 mulheres; idade média: 15,08 ± 1,06 anos) e 15 não atletas (5 homens e 10 mulheres; idade média: 18,00 ± 1,46 anos). Todas as tarefas foram realizadas simultaneamente com o registro do sinal eletroencefalográfico. Resultados O resultado da latência do movimento ocular sacádico apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos, sendo observado menor tempo entre os atletas, associado à superioridade dos jogadores em termos de nível de atenção. Durante o experimento, nos eletrodos de cada área frontal e pré-frontal, observou-se uma diminuição na potência teta absoluta nos atletas em comparação aos não atletas. Conclusão Neste estudo, observou-se o comportamento do tempo de reação e da potência teta absoluta em atletas e não atletas durante uma tarefa de movimento sacádico. Nossos achados corroboram a premissa de melhora cognitiva, principalmente pela redução da latência sacádica e menor potência beta, o que valida a hipótese de eficiência neural.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation changes cognitive/motor tasks performance: An absolute alpha and beta power study.

The voluntary movement demands integration between cognitive and motor functions. During the initial stages of motor learning until mastery of a new motor task, and during a demanding task that is not automatic, cognitive and motor functions can be perceived as independent from each other. Areas used for actually performing motor tasks are essentially the same used by Motor Imagery (MI). The main objective of this study was to investigate inhibition effects on cognitive functions of motor skills induced by low-frequency (1 Hz) Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) at the sensory-motor integration site (Cz). In particular, the goal was to examine absolute alpha and beta power changes on frontal regions during Execution, Action observation, and Motor Imagery of finger movement tasks. Eleven healthy, right-handed volunteers of both sexes (5 males, 6 females; mean age 28 ± 5 years), with no history of psychiatric or neurological disorders, participated in the experiment. The execution task consisted of the subject flexing and extending the index finger. The action observation task involved watching a video of the same movement. The motor imagery task was imagining the flexion and extension of the index finger movement. After performing the tasks randomly, subjects were submitted to 15 min of low-frequency rTMS and performed the tasks again. All tasks were executed simultaneously with EEG signals recording. Our results demonstrated a significant interaction between rTMS and the three tasks in almost all analyzed regions showing that rTMS can affect the frontal region regarding Execution, Action observation, and Motor Imagery tasks.

Event-related potential (P300): the effects of levetiracetam in cognitive performance.

BACKGROUND: The current study is a reanalysis in the time domain of EEG data collection in healthy adults during an oddball paradigm using levetiracetam (LEV) vs. placebo acute administration. Specifically, the event-related potential (ERP) technique provides a tool for exploring the EEG responses to a specific event/stimulus. One of the ERP components widely studied is the P300 component, which is associated with the last stage of information processing and a general measurement of "cognitive efficiency." METHODS: The sample was composed of thirteen healthy right-handed individuals randomized to participate under two conditions: LEV and placebo. Electrophysiological measures were collected before and after drug intake. We explored the oddball paradigm, which is commonly used with healthy individuals to investigate the stages of information processing. RESULTS: The electrophysiological results showed a main effect of condition on P300 amplitude for the frontal (F3, Fz, F4), central (C3, Cz, C4), and parietal electrodes (P3, Pz, P4). The post hoc comparisons (Scheffé's test) demonstrated the significant differences between electrodes. Regarding P300 latency, all regions represented a main effect of condition. A P300 latency reduction was observed during LEV condition compared with placebo. CONCLUSION: Our study observed the ERP component-P300-through the variation of its amplitude and latency to evaluate a supposed higher CNS efficiency when participants were under the LEV effect. Our findings sustain this premise, mainly due to reducing in P300 latency for the LEV condition, supporting the neural efficiency hypothesis.

Isokinetic response, viscosupplementation and strength training in gonarthrosis / Resposta isocinética, viscossuplementação e treinamento de força em gonartrose / Respuesta isocinética, viscosuplementación y entrenamiento de fuerza en gonartrosis

ABSTRACT Introduction Viscosupplementation and strength training are proposed interventions in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Objective To describe the isokinetic response in women with knee osteoarthritis who underwent both interventions. Methods A double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving thirty women diagnosed with grade II and III bilateral knee osteoarthritis using the radiological criteria of Kellgren & Lawrence. The subjects were randomized into three groups of ten patients each: one group was submitted to viscosupplementation and strength training (VST), another was submitted to strength training (ST) only, and a third to viscosupplementation (VS) only. All evaluations followed the study phases defined as pre-procedure (PRE); after 48 hours of VS (POS-VS); after 12 weeks of training (POS T); and after eight weeks of detraining (POS D). Intra-articular knee infiltrations were performed with a single dose of Hylan GF-20 and isokinetic dynamometry to determine the maximum torque in knee extension and flexion. Pain was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The interventions promoted improvements in the isokinetic response in all three groups and in both muscle groups, with advantage for the extensor group. A significant difference was noticed in the isokinetic response of the trained groups when compared only to the viscosupplemented group (p<0.005), and the VST group showed better isokinetic response compared to the ST group. Conclusion Combined treatment with viscosupplementation and strength training, and treatment with strength training only, presented better results in terms of isokinetic response and pain reduction than viscosupplementation alone. Level of evidence I; Therapeutic studies-Investigating the results of treatment.

RESUMO Introdução Viscossuplementação e treinamento de força são intervenções propostas no tratamento da osteoartrite de joelho. Objetivo Descrever a resposta isocinética em mulheres com osteoartrite de joelho submetidas a ambas intervenções. Métodos Ensaio clínico duplo-cego e randomizado envolvendo 30 mulheres com diagnóstico de osteoartrite bilateral de joelho de graus II e III utilizando os critérios radiológicos de Kellgren & Lawrence. Elas foram randomizadas em três grupos de dez pacientes cada: um grupo foi submetido à viscossuplementação e ao treinamento de força (VTF), o outro submetido ao treinamento de força (TF) e o terceiro grupo foi submetido apenas à viscossuplementação (VS). Todas as avaliações seguiram as fases do estudo definidas como pré-procedimento (PRE); após 48 horas da VS (POS-VS); após 12 semanas de treinamento (POS T) e após oito semanas de destreinamento (POS D). Foram realizadas infiltrações intra-articulares de joelho com uma dose única de Hilano GF-20 e dinamometria isocinética para determinar o torque máximo em extensão e em flexão do joelho. A dor foi medida através da escala visual analógica (EVA). Resultados As intervenções promoveram melhorias na resposta isocinética em todos os três grupos e em ambos grupos musculares, com vantagem para o grupo extensor. Observou-se uma diferença significativa na resposta isocinética dos grupos treinados quando comparados ao grupo somente viscossuplementado (p<0,005), além disso o grupo VTF apresentou melhor resposta isocinética quando comparado ao grupo TF. Conclusão O tratamento combinado de viscossuplementação e treinamento de força e o tratamento com o treinamento de força apenas apresentaram melhores resultados na resposta isocinética e na redução da dor do que o tratamento apenas com viscossuplementação. Nível de evidência I; Estudos terapêuticos-Investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción Viscosuplementación y entrenamiento de fuerza son intervenciones propuestas en el tratamiento de osteoartritis de rodilla. Objetivo Describir la respuesta isocinética en mujeres con osteoartritis de rodilla sometidas a ambas intervenciones. Métodos Ensayo clínico doble ciego y aleatorizado que involucró a 30 mujeres con diagnóstico de osteoartritis bilateral de rodilla de grados II y III utilizando los criterios radiológicos de Kellgren y Lawrence. Ellas fueron aleatorizadas en tres grupos con diez pacientes cada uno: un grupo fue sometido a viscosuplementación y al entrenamiento de fuerza (VEF), el otro sometido al entrenamiento de fuerza (EF) y el tercer grupo sometido sólo a la viscosuplementación (VS). Todas las evaluaciones siguieron las fases del estudio definidas como pre-procedimiento (PRE); después de 48 horas de la VS (POS-VS); después de 12 semanas de entrenamiento (POS E) y después de ocho semanas de desentrenamiento (POS D). Fueron realizadas infiltraciones intraarticulares de rodilla con una dosis única de Hilano GF-20 y dinamometría isocinética para determinar el torque máximo en extensión y en flexión de rodilla. El dolor fue medido a través de la escala visual analógica (EVA) Resultados: Las intervenciones promovieron mejoras en la respuesta isocinética en los tres grupos y en ambos grupos musculares, con ventaja para el grupo extensor. Se observ ó una significativa diferencia en la respuesta isocinética de los grupos entrenados cuando comparados solamente al grupo viscosuplementado (p<0,005), además el grupo VEF presentó mejor respuesta isocinética cuando comparado al grupo EF. Conclusión El tratamiento combinado de viscosuplementación y entrenamiento de fuerza y el tratamiento con entrenamiento de fuerza sólo presentaron mejores resultados en la respuesta isocinética y en la reducción del dolor que el tratamiento con sólo viscosuplementación. Nivel de evidencia I; Estudios terapéuticos-Investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Neurophysiological changes after cognitive-motor tasks in Parkinson's disease patients with deep brain stimulation.

Chronic deep brain stimulation (CDBS) is a surgical treatment that reduces the cardinal signs of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although CDBS has been in use for a long time, very little has been reported on its supposed effects on cognition, particularly in relation to implants in the subthalamic nucleus. The results of the rare studies that do exist are controversial, and in many cases the studies have several design flaws. The present study compared cortical activation during three tasks (action execution, action observation and motor imagery) in PD patients with and without subthalamic implants. The study sample consisted of 36 volunteers, divided into three groups: healthy controls, PD patients with CDBS of the subthalamic nucleus, and PD patients without CDBS. Through a quantitative electroencephalogram assessment, absolute beta power was examined to observe the interaction between group and cognitive motor tasks. The electrodes at sites Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8, F3, Fz and F4, located in the prefrontal and frontal regions, were analyzed and a Group x Task interaction (p < 0.05) was observed for all of them. These findings suggest that CDBS of the subthalamic nucleus is efficient in reducing some of the effects of PD in these study tasks. At the same time, the dysfunctions found in several cortical areas, characteristic of PD, limited the effects of the CDBS. The results of this study suggest that CDBS of the subthalamic nucleus can modulate cognitive-motor aspects of PD.

Comparative analysis of quadriceps and hamstrings strength in knee osteoarthritis before and after total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the maximal isokinetic muscle strength of knee extensor and flexor muscles between patients with knee osteoarthritis and patients submitted to total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Volunteers were divided into five groups (n = 20): Control; Ahlbäck I and II; Ahlbäck IV; six months after total knee arthroplasty; 12 months after total knee arthroplasty. An isokinetic knee strength evaluation was conducted for the quadriceps and hamstrings at 60°/s. RESULTS: Significant differences in the peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstrings were found among the groups (p < 0.001). The Ahlbäck IV, six-month, and 12-month postoperative groups demonstrated lower values when compared to the Control and Ahlbäck I and II groups. When percentage values were compared to the Control group, mean differences ranged from 7% to 41%. CONCLUSION: Patients with healthy knees or early stage osteoarthritis have higher quadriceps and hamstrings strengths than those with a more advanced stage of the disease, even after knee replacement. These findings suggest that the traditional rehabilitation programs do not recover strength to levels observed in individuals without knee osteoarthritis.

OBJETIVO: Comparar a força muscular isocinética máxima dos músculos extensores e flexores do joelho entre pacientes com osteoartrite do joelho e pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total do joelho. MÉTODOS: Os voluntários foram divididos em cinco grupos (n = 20): Controle, Ahlbäck I e II; Ahlbäck IV; seis meses após artroplastia total do joelho; 12 meses após artroplastia total do joelho. O teste de força voluntária isocinética máxima foi feito para mensuração da força do quadríceps e isquiotibiais a 60/s. RESULTADOS: Foram achadas diferenças significativas entre o pico de torque do quadríceps e dos isquiotibiais (p < 0,001). Os grupos Ahlbäck IV, seis meses e 12 meses após cirurgia mostraram valores mais baixos quando comparados com os grupos controle e Ahlbäck I e II. Quando os valores percentuais foram comparados com o grupo Controle, as diferenças médias variaram de 7% a 41%. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes com joelhos saudáveis ou osteoartrite em estágio inicial apresentaram maior força no quadríceps e nos isquiotibiais do que pacientes em estágio mais avançado da doença, mesmo após a ATJ. Esses achados sugerem que os programas tradicionais de reabilitação não recuperam a força nos níveis observados em indivíduos sem osteoartrite do joelho.

Comparative analysis of quadriceps and hamstrings strength in knee osteoarthritis before and after total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study / Análise comparativa da força do quadríceps e dos isquiotibiais na osteoartrite do joelho antes e após a artroplastia total do joelho: um estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: Compare the maximal isokinetic muscle strength of knee extensor and flexor muscles between patients with knee osteoarthritis and patients submitted to total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Volunteers were divided into five groups (n = 20): Control; Ahlbäck I and II; Ahlbäck IV; six months after total knee arthroplasty; 12 months after total knee arthroplasty. An isokinetic knee strength evaluation was conducted for the quadriceps and hamstrings at 60°/s. Results: Significant differences in the peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstrings were found among the groups (p < 0.001). The Ahlbäck IV, six-month, and 12-month postoperative groups demonstrated lower values when compared to the Control and Ahlbäck I and II groups. When percentage values were compared to the Control group, mean differences ranged from 7% to 41%. Conclusion: Patients with healthy knees or early stage osteoarthritis have higher quadriceps and hamstrings strengths than those with a more advanced stage of the disease, even after knee replacement. These findings suggest that the traditional rehabilitation programs do not recover strength to levels observed in individuals without knee osteoarthritis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar a força muscular isocinética máxima dos músculos extensores e flexores do joelho entre pacientes com osteoartrite do joelho e pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total do joelho. Métodos: Os voluntários foram divididos em cinco grupos (n = 20): Controle, Ahlbäck I e II; Ahlbäck IV; seis meses após artroplastia total do joelho; 12 meses após artroplastia total do joelho. O teste de força voluntária isocinética máxima foi feito para mensuração da força do quadríceps e isquiotibiais a 60/s. Resultados: Foram achadas diferenças significativas entre o pico de torque do quadríceps e dos isquiotibiais (p < 0,001). Os grupos Ahlbäck IV, seis meses e 12 meses após cirurgia mostraram valores mais baixos quando comparados com os grupos controle e Ahlbäck I e II. Quando os valores percentuais foram comparados com o grupo Controle, as diferenças médias variaram de 7% a 41%. Conclusão: Os pacientes com joelhos saudáveis ou osteoartrite em estágio inicial apresentaram maior força no quadríceps e nos isquiotibiais do que pacientes em estágio mais avançado da doença, mesmo após a ATJ. Esses achados sugerem que os programas tradicionais de reabilitação não recuperam a força nos níveis observados em indivíduos sem osteoartrite do joelho.

Proprioceptive deficit after total elbow arthroplasty: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: During total elbow arthroplasty (TEA), most of the joint capsule is removed, including many mechanoreceptors important for proprioception, which potentially limits the patient's postoperative functional recovery. We quantified proprioceptive loss by measuring the threshold to detection of passive motion (TTDPM) in patients after unilateral TEA compared with the contralateral side. METHODS: A continuous passive motion device moving the elbow at 0.5°/s was used to evaluate TTDPM in 8 patients (mean ± standard deviation age, 69.1 ± 9.93 years) at least 1 year after unilateral semiconstricted linked TEA for a range of diagnoses. Elbow function after TEA was assessed using the Mayo Elbow Performance Scale. RESULTS: Postsurgical Mayo scores revealed 4 excellent results, 2 good, and 2 poor. The TTDPM in the elbows undergoing arthroplasty was still significantly higher compared with the contralateral elbow at 4.2° (15.6 ± 6.9 seconds vs. 7.2 ± 2.6 seconds; D = 3.23, P = .01) equivalent to 8.4 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have had severe joint disease requiring semiconstrained TEA have long-term proprioception deficits. A more conservative technique that maximally preserves insertions and soft tissues, might minimize upper limb proprioceptive deficit.

Performance of quality of life and functional capacity in women with knee osteoarthritis treated with viscosupplementation and strength training

The viscosupplementation and strength training are interventions accepted in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Objective: The study describes the effect of two interventions in quality of life and functional capacity. Method: Thirty women diagnosed with bilateral knee osteoarthritis of grade II and III by radiological criteria of Kellgren & Lawrence, were randomized into three groups with ten patients each: VSTF group submitted to viscosupplementation and strength training, TF group submitted only to strength training and VS group submitted only to viscossuplementation. Moments of the study were defined as pre-procedure (PRE), after 48 hours of VS (POS-VS) after 12 weeks of training (POS T) and after eight weeks of detraining (POS D). Quality of life was assessed by the SF-36 BRAZIL, functional capacity by Lequesne index. Intraarticular infiltrations were carried out with a single dose of 6 ml / 48 mg with 6,000,000 kDa Hylan GF-20 and strength training sessions were held for twelve weeks. Results: Strength training and viscosupplementation were effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Both interventions promoted improvements in quality of life and in functional capacity (p < 0.001), with advantage to the groups that trained force. Conclusion: Strength training is a possible replacement of viscosupplementation in the treatment of osteoarthritis of women's knees. However, the beneficial effect of viscosupplementation in pain reduction suggests better efficiency in the strength training execution which may be an advantage of the association of both

Strength training and shoulder proprioception.

CONTEXT: Proprioception is essential to motor control and joint stability during daily and sport activities. Recent studies demonstrated that athletes have better joint position sense (JPS) when compared with controls matched for age, suggesting that physical training could have an effect on proprioception. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the result of an 8-week strength-training program on shoulder JPS and to verify whether using training intensities that are the same or divergent for the shoulder's dynamic-stabilizer muscles promote different effects on JPS. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: We evaluated JPS in a research laboratory and conducted training in a gymnasium. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 90 men, right handed and asymptomatic, with no history of any type of injury or shoulder instability. INTERVENTION(S): For 8 weeks, the participants performed the strength-training program 3 sessions per week. We used 4 exercises (bench press, lat pull down, shoulder press, and seated row), with 2 sets each. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We measured shoulder JPS acuity by calculating the absolute error. RESULTS: We found an interaction between group and time. To examine the interaction, we conducted two 1-way analyses of variance comparing groups at each time. The groups did not differ at pretraining; however, a difference among groups was noted posttraining. CONCLUSIONS: Strength training using exercises at the same intensity produced an improvement in JPS compared with exercises of varying intensity, suggesting that the former resulted in improvements in the sensitivity of muscle spindles and, hence, better neuromuscular control in the shoulder.

Proprioceptive deficit in patients with complete tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament / Déficit proprioceptivo em pacientes com ruptura total do ligamento cruzado anterior

Objective: To investigate the existence of proprioceptive deficits between the injured limb and the uninjured (i.e. contralateral normal) limb, in individuals who suffered complete tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), using a strength reproduction test. Methods: Sixteen patients with complete tearing of the ACL participated in the study. A voluntary maximum isometric strength test was performed, with reproduction of the muscle strength in the limb with complete tearing of the ACL and the healthy contralateral limb, with the knee flexed at 60°. The meta-intensity was used for the procedure of 20% of the voluntary maximum isometric strength. The proprioceptive performance was determined by means of absolute error, variable error and constant error values. Results: Significant differences were found between the control group and ACL group for the variables of absolute error (p = 0.05) and constant error (p = 0.01). No difference was found in relation to variable error (p = 0.83). Conclusion: Our data corroborate the hypothesis that there is a proprioceptive deficit in subjects with complete tearing of the ACL in an injured limb, in comparison with the uninjured limb, during evaluation of the sense of strength. This deficit can be explained in terms of partial or total loss of the mechanoreceptors of the ACL...

Objetivo: Investigar, por meio do teste de reprodução da força, a existência de déficits proprioceptivos entre o membro lesionado e o não lesionado (i.e., contralateral normal) em indivíduos que tenham sofrido ruptura total de LCA. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 16 pacientes com ruptura total do LCA. Foi feito o teste de força voluntária máxima isométrica (FVIM) e reprodução da força muscular no membro com ruptura total do LCA e contralateral saudável, com joelho a 60° de flexão. Foi usada a intensidade-meta para o procedimento de 20% da FVMI. O desempenho proprioceptivo foi determinado por meio dos valores de erro absoluto (EA), erro variável (EV) e erro constante (EC). Resultados: Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os grupos controle e LCA para as variáveis erro absoluto (p = 0,05) e erro constante (p = 0,01). Não foi encontrada diferença para o erro variável (p = 0,83). Conclusão: Nossos dados corroboram a hipótese de existência de déficit proprioceptivo em sujeitos com ruptura total de LCA em um membro lesionado quando comparado com o não lesionado durante a avaliação do senso da força. Esse déficit pode ser explicado por uma perda total ou parcial dos mecanorreceptores do LCA...

Proprioceptive deficit in patients with complete tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the existence of proprioceptive deficits between the injured limb and the uninjured (i.e. contralateral normal) limb, in individuals who suffered complete tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), using a strength reproduction test. METHODS: Sixteen patients with complete tearing of the ACL participated in the study. A voluntary maximum isometric strength test was performed, with reproduction of the muscle strength in the limb with complete tearing of the ACL and the healthy contralateral limb, with the knee flexed at 60°. The meta-intensity was used for the procedure of 20% of the voluntary maximum isometric strength. The proprioceptive performance was determined by means of absolute error, variable error and constant error values. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the control group and ACL group for the variables of absolute error (p = 0.05) and constant error (p = 0.01). No difference was found in relation to variable error (p = 0.83). CONCLUSION: Our data corroborate the hypothesis that there is a proprioceptive deficit in subjects with complete tearing of the ACL in an injured limb, in comparison with the uninjured limb, during evaluation of the sense of strength. This deficit can be explained in terms of partial or total loss of the mechanoreceptors of the ACL.

OBJETIVO: Investigar, por meio do teste de reprodução da força, a existência de déficits proprioceptivos entre o membro lesionado e o não lesionado (i.e., contralateral normal) em indivíduos que tenham sofrido ruptura total de LCA. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 16 pacientes com ruptura total do LCA. Foi feito o teste de força voluntária máxima isométrica (FVIM) e reprodução da força muscular no membro com ruptura total do LCA e contralateral saudável, com joelho a 60° de flexão. Foi usada a intensidade-meta para o procedimento de 20% da FVMI. O desempenho proprioceptivo foi determinado por meio dos valores de erro absoluto (EA), erro variável (EV) e erro constante (EC). RESULTADOS: Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os grupos controle e LCA para as variáveis erro absoluto (p = 0,05) e erro constante (p = 0,01). Não foi encontrada diferença para o erro variável (p = 0,83). CONCLUSÃO: Nossos dados corroboram a hipótese de existência de déficit proprioceptivo em sujeitos com ruptura total de LCA em um membro lesionado quando comparado com o não lesionado durante a avaliação do senso da força. Esse déficit pode ser explicado por uma perda total ou parcial dos mecanorreceptores do LCA.

Comparação da força volunt¨¢ria m¨¢xima no p¨®s-cir¨²rgico precoce entre os acessos parapatelar medial e midvasto na artroplastia total do joelho / Comparison of maximal voluntary strength on premature postoperative between parapatellar approach and midvastus approach in total knee arthroplasty

Introdução: A artroplastia total de joelho (ATJ) ¨¦ uma das cirurgias mais confi¨¢veis

em ortopedia, sendo o acesso mais utilizado o parapatelar medial. Este acesso possui

desvantagens consider¨¢veis, como a ruptura das fibras musculares extensoras, dano

neurol¨®gico e vascular ¨¤ patela. Como alternativa, o acesso midvasto ¨¦ uma das abordagens

p¨®s-cir¨²rgico precoce e apontar as vantagens e desvantagens de cada procedimento quanto

¨¤ preservação da força muscular do mecanismo extensor do joelho. Materiais e M¨¦todos:

17 volunt¨¢rios (12 mulheres e 5 homens) foram submetidos no segundo dia p¨®s-operat¨®rio

a um teste de força volunt¨¢ria m¨¢xima que consistiu de 5 repetições (60º.s-1), utilizando

dinamômetro isocin¨¦tico. Resultados: O grupo Midvasto obteve um ¨ªndice de assimetria

Conclusão: Por apresentar menor assimetria na ATJ, o acesso midvasto preserva a força

muscular dos extensores do joelho quando comparado com o acesso parapatelar