Analysis of the centre of pressure in bipedal stance among individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, individuals with Down syndrome and dancers with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) often present deficiencies in motor, balance and postural control. On the other hand, the practice of physical activity and dance usually reduces these deficiencies. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the control of the centre of pressure (COP) in people with Down syndrome (DS) or other causes of ID in relation to people without disabilities and to observe the influence of vision and the practice of dance. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyses the COP in a static standing position with open and closed eyes in four study groups. A total of 273 people were recruited (80 adults without ID, 46 adults with DS, 120 adults with other causes of ID and 27 dancers with DS). RESULTS: A greater area of oscillation and path of the COP was observed in the participants with ID compared with the participants without ID, especially in the sway area of the COP. The oscillation speed of the COP was also higher. When analysing the displacement of the COP, anteroposterior and mediolateral components, there were also differences, except when comparing the group of dancers with DS with respect to the group without ID. The visual condition only influenced the group of participants without disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that there is a less efficient static postural control in people with ID, as greater displacements were observed in the COP of the participants with ID. The differences in some specific variables that analyse the displacement of the COP were smaller when comparing the group of dancers with DS and the individuals without ID.

Electromyographic study of the arms in competitive karting senior category drivers / Estudio electromiográfico de los brazos en pilotos senior de karting de competición

The main goal of this cross-sectional study was to assess the muscular activity of the upper limbs in competitive kart drivers while driving in a closed karting circuit, using surface electromyography (EMGS). The most significant muscles of the upper limbs while driving were evaluated in thirteen drivers. Linear mixed models adjusted to a gamma distribution were used to evaluate differences in muscle activity based on the arm, number of laps, track characteristics, and kart type (with/without gears). Significant differences were found between muscle activity according to the type of kart (p <0.0001). Although changes were observed in the mean EMGS values, there were no significant differences between the laps of the circuit or the dominant arm. However, the results showed that there was a significant interaction between the type of kart and the dominant arm (p = 0.021). Muscle activity increased more significantly in the curves traced towards the dominant arms of the drivers (AU)

El objetivo del estudio transversal fue analizar la actividad muscular de las extremidades superiores en pilotos senior de karting de competición, mediante electromiografía de superficie (EMGS). Se evaluaron los músculos más significativos de las extremidades superiores durante la conducción en trece conductores. Se utilizaron modelos lineales mixtos ajustados a una distribución gamma para evaluar diferencias de actividad muscular en base al brazo, número de vueltas, características del trazado, y tipo de kart (con/sin marchas). Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre la actividad muscular según el tipo de kart (p<0,0001). Aunque se observaron cambios en los valores medios de EMGS, no hubo diferencias significativas entre las vueltas del circuito o el brazo dominante. Sin embargo, los resultados mostraron que hubo una interacción significativa entre el tipo de kart y el brazo dominante (p=0,021). La actividad muscular aumentó de manera más significativa en las curvas trazadas hacia el brazo dominante de los conductores (AU)

Estudio comparativo de las huellas plantares en jóvenes con síndrome de Down / Comparative study of plantar footprints in youth with Down syndrome

Introducción. Los trastornos musculoesqueléticos a nivel del pie son frecuentes en las personas con síndrome de Down (SD). Por ello el diagnóstico precoz mediante examen podológico de las huellas plantares puede ayudar a prevenir las manifestaciones ortopédicas. El objetivo es analizar, medir y clasificar la huella plantar mediante los índices podológicos (gold standard) en jóvenes con SD. Método. Estudio transversal comparativo; se analizaron 86 huellas plantares correspondientes a 2 grupos: 21 sujetos sin SD, 11 hombres de 20,45 (2,16) años y 10 mujeres de 20 (1,70) años; y 22 sujetos con SD, 11 hombres de 23,82 (3,12) años y 11 mujeres de 24,82 (6,81) años. Se registraron las huellas plantares en bipedestación estática mediante la utilización de un podoscopio óptico y una cámara digital. Los índices analizados son Hernández-Corvo, Chippaux-Smirak, Stahelli y ángulo de Clarke. Se compararon los resultados de ambas muestras y se analizó la concordancia entre los tipos de pies, derecho e izquierdo, mediante la prueba de Chi-cuadrado. Resultados. Los sujetos con SD se clasifican con pie plano y pronador en un 38,6% según el índice de Hernández-Corvo; Chippaux-Smirak 50%; Stahelli 70,4%; y ángulo de Clarke 59,1%. Los sujetos control presentan pies cavos en un 57,1% según el índice de Hernández-Corvo; Chippaux-Smirak 59,5%; Stahelli 81%; y como pie normal según el ángulo de Clarke en un 57,1%. Hay diferencia significativa (p < 0,01) en los índices Chippaux-Smirak, Stahelli y el ángulo de Clarke. La concordancia entre pie derecho e izquierdo no fue significativa. Conclusión. Los jóvenes con SD presentan más porcentaje de pie plano pronador y menos cavos que el grupo control (AU)

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders of the locomotive apparatus are common in young people with Down syndrome (DS), especially in the feet. Early diagnosis by examination of podiatric footprints can help prevent orthopaedic symptoms. Our objective was to analyze, measure and classify footprints on the basis of podiatric indices (gold standard) in young people with DS. Method: Cross-sectional study; 86 footprints were analyzed from 2 groups; there were 21 healthy subjects, 11 men 20.45 (2.16) years and 10 females 20.00 (1.70) years; and 22 subjects with DS, 11 men 23.82 (3.12) years and 11 females 24.82 (6.81) years. Footprints were recorded in standing position using an optical pedoscope and a digital camera system. We calculated the Hernández-Corvo index, Chippaux-Smirak index, Clarke’s angle and Stahelli index. We then compared the results of both samples and analyzed the concordance between types of feet and right and left feet by Chi-square test. Results: Footprints in individuals with DS showed flatfoot and/or pronated foot of 38.6% according to Hernández-Corvo index; 50%, to Chippaux-Smirak; 70.4%, to Stahelli; and 59.1%, to Clarke’s angle. In healthy subjects the rates of cavus foot were 57.1%, according to Hernández- Corvo index; 59.5%, to Chippaux-Smirak index; and 81%, to Stahelli index; while 57.1% showed a normal foot based on Clarke’s angle. Differences between the 2 groups were statistically significant (P < .01) in Chippaux-Smirak index, Stahelli index and Clarke’s angle. The correlation between the right and left foot was not significant. Conclusions: Young people with DS had a higher percentage of pronation and a lower percentage of cavus foot than the control group (AU)