The effects of a water-based exercise program on strength and functionality of older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of a water-based exercise program on peak torque (PT) and rate of torque development (RTD) during maximal voluntary ballistic isometric contractions of the lower limb muscles and the performance of a number of functional tests in the elderly. METHOD: Thirty-seven elderly were randomly assigned to water-based training (3 d/wk for 12 wk) or a control group. Extensor and flexor PT and RTD of the ankle, knee, and hip joints and functional tests were evaluated before and after training. RESULTS: PT increased after training for the hip flexors (18%) and extensors (40%) and the plantar-flexor (42%) muscles in the water-based group. RTD increased after training for the hip-extensor (10%), knee-extensor (11%), and ankle plantar-flexor (27%) muscles in the water-based group. Functional tests also improved after training in the water-based group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The water-based program improved PT and RTD and functional performance in the elderly.

Effects of strength and power training on neuromuscular variables in older adults.

The purpose of this study was to compare the neuromuscular adaptations produced by strength-training (ST) and power-training (PT) regimens in older individuals. Participants were balanced by quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) and leg-press 1-repetition maximum and randomly assigned to an ST group (n = 14; 63.6 ± 4.0 yr, 79.7 ± 17.2 kg, and 163.9 ± 9.8 cm), a PT group (n = 16; 64.9 ± 3.9 yr, 63.9 ± 11.9 kg, and 157.4 ± 7.7 cm), or a control group (n = 13; 63.0 ± 4.0 yr, 67.2 ± 10.8 kg, and 159.8 ± 6.8 cm). ST and PT were equally effective in increasing (a) maximum dynamic and isometric strength (p < .05), (b) increasing quadriceps muscle CSA (p < .05), and (c) decreasing electrical mechanical delay of the vastus lateralis muscle (p < .05). There were no significant changes in neuromuscular activation after training. The novel finding of the current study is that PT seems to be an attractive alternative to regular ST to maintain and improve muscle mass.

The effects of stretching on the flexibility, muscle performance and functionality of institutionalized older women.

Stretching has been widely used to increase the range of motion. We assessed the effects of a stretching program on muscle-tendon length, flexibility, torque, and activities of daily living of institutionalized older women. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were according to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (>13), Barthel Index (>13) and Lysholm Scoring Scale (>84). Seventeen 67 ± 9 year-old elderly women from a nursing home were divided into 2 groups at random: the control group (CG, N = 9) participated in enjoyable cultural activities; the stretching group (SG, N = 8) performed active stretching of hamstrings, 4 bouts of 1 min each. Both groups were supervised three times per week over a period of 8 weeks. Peak torque was assessed by an isokinetic method. Both groups were evaluated by a photogrammetric method to assess muscle-tendon length of uni- and biarticular hip flexors and hamstring flexibility. All measurements were analyzed before and after 8 weeks by two-way ANOVA with the level of significance set at 5%. Hamstring flexibility increased by 30% in the SG group compared to pre-training (76.5 ± 13.0° vs 59.5 ± 9.0°, P = 0.0002) and by 9.2% compared to the CG group (76.5 ± 13.0° vs 64.0 ± 12.0°, P = 0.0018). Muscle-tendon lengths of hip biarticular flexor muscles (124 ± 6.8° vs 118.3 ± 7.6°, 5.0 ± 7.0%, P = 0.031) and eccentric knee extensor peak torque were decreased in the CG group compared to pre-test values (-49.4 ± 16.8 vs -60.5 ± 18.9 Nm, -15.7 ± 20%, P = 0.048). The stretching program was sufficient to increase hamstring flexibility and a lack of stretching can cause reduction of muscle performance.

The effects of stretching on the flexibility, muscle performance and functionality of institutionalized older women

Stretching has been widely used to increase the range of motion. We assessed the effects of a stretching program on muscle-tendon length, flexibility, torque, and activities of daily living of institutionalized older women. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were according to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (>13), Barthel Index (>13) and Lysholm Scoring Scale (>84). Seventeen 67 ± 9 year-old elderly women from a nursing home were divided into 2 groups at random: the control group (CG, N = 9) participated in enjoyable cultural activities; the stretching group (SG, N = 8) performed active stretching of hamstrings, 4 bouts of 1 min each. Both groups were supervised three times per week over a period of 8 weeks. Peak torque was assessed by an isokinetic method. Both groups were evaluated by a photogrammetric method to assess muscle-tendon length of uni- and biarticular hip flexors and hamstring flexibility. All measurements were analyzed before and after 8 weeks by two-way ANOVA with the level of significance set at 5 percent. Hamstring flexibility increased by 30 percent in the SG group compared to pre-training (76.5 ± 13.0° vs 59.5 ± 9.0°, P = 0.0002) and by 9.2 percent compared to the CG group (76.5 ± 13.0° vs 64.0 ± 12.0°, P = 0.0018). Muscle-tendon lengths of hip biarticular flexor muscles (124 ± 6.8° vs 118.3 ± 7.6°, 5.0 ± 7.0 percent, P = 0.031) and eccentric knee extensor peak torque were decreased in the CG group compared to pre-test values (-49.4 ± 16.8 vs -60.5 ± 18.9 Nm, -15.7 ± 20 percent, P = 0.048). The stretching program was sufficient to increase hamstring flexibility and a lack of stretching can cause reduction of muscle performance.

Changes in stature during and after spinal traction in young male subjects

BACKGROUND: Spinal traction is a relatively popular procedure for increasing the intervertebral space by applying separating forces. The parameters of time and magnitude of the traction forces may influence the outcomes from this procedure and need to be investigated. The duration of the benefits derived from traction is unknown and needs to be determined so that physiotherapists can provide better and more effective treatments. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the relationship between load magnitude and time during spinal traction in relation to stature variations. Traction effect duration was also analyzed. METHOD: Fifteen healthy male subjects (23.1 ± 5.77 years; 1.80 ± 0.17 m and 87.0 ± 9.6 kg) were assessed under three traction conditions (0, 30 and 60 percent of body weight, BW) of 42 minutes. Stature variation was used to determine intervertebral disc height variation. Stature was assessed every 7 minutes during traction of 42 minutes and every 5 minutes for 45 minutes after traction ceased. RESULTS: 0 and 30 percent BW traction produced similar gains (6.09 ± 1.89 mm, 5.70 ± 1.88 mm, respectively; p>0.05), while these were smaller (p<0.05) than at 60 percent BW (7.01 ± 1.98 mm). Significant differences (p<0.05) between 60 percent BW and the other conditions occurred only after the 21st minute. Stature loss after traction showed that the traction effects were transient and lasted for approximately one hour. This suggests that traction loads of 30 percent BW are insufficient to produce stature gains similar to those observed with 60 percent BW. CONCLUSION: Traction showed a short-duration transient effect. For this effect to be maintained, it must be repeated at one-hour intervals. Its use is questioned because of its transient nature.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A tração sobre a coluna vertebral é um procedimento relativamente popular para aumentar o espaço inter-vertebral pela aplicação de forças de separação. Os parâmetros de tempo e magnitude da força aplicada podem influenciar os resultados desse procedimento e ainda precisam ser investigados. A duração dos benefícios derivados da tração não é conhecida e precisa ser determinada para que fisioterapeutas possam prover tratamentos melhores e mais eficientes. OBJETIVO: Este estudo analisou a relação entre a magnitude de carga e de tempo durante a tração vertebral sobre as variações de estatura, bem como a duração deste efeito. MÉTODOS: Quinze sujeitos saudáveis do sexo masculino (23,1 ± 5,77 anos; 1,80 ± 0,17 m e 87,0 ± 9,6 Kg) foram mensurados sob três condições (0, 30 e 60 por cento PC) de 42 minutos. A variação de estatura foi utilizada para determinar a variação da altura dos discos intervertebrais. A estatura foi verificada a cada 7 min durante a tração de 42 min e a cada 5 min por 45 min após o término da tração. RESULTADOS: A tração com 0 e 30 por cento do PC produziu ganhos similares (6,09 ± 1,89mm, 5,70 ± 1,88mm, respectivamente; p>0,05), que foram menores (p<0,05) que com 60 por cento do PC (7,01 ± 1,98 mm). Diferenças significativas (p<0,05) entre 60 por cento do PC e outras condições ocorreram apenas após o 21º min. A perda de estatura após a tração demonstrou que os efeitos da tração vertebral são transientes e duram aproximadamente 1 hora. Isso sugere que a carga de tração de 30 por cento PC não é suficiente para produzir ganhos de estatura similares aos observados com 60 por cento PC. CONCLUSÃO: A tração demonstrou um efeito transiente e de curta duração, para esse efeito ser mantido ele deve ser repetido em intervalos de 1 hora. O uso da tração é questionado devido ao seu efeito transiente.

Diferenças entre medidas quali e quantitativas durante testes de comprimento musculo-tendineos dos flexores do quadril uni e biarticulares / Difference between qualitative and quantitative measurements during muscle-tendon length tests on the uni-and biarticular hip flexors

am objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a concordancia entre avaliadores nas medidas de analise subjetiva de comprimento musculo-tendineo dos flexores uni e biarticulares do quadril durante a realizacao do teste de Thomas. Este estudo tambem objetivou comparar o diagnostico qualitativo em relacao ao diagnostico quantitativo fotografico e testar a reprodutibilidade do metodo fotografico. Metodos: foram fotografados 15 sujeitos nas posicoes inicial e final do teste de Thomas. Imediatamente pos o teste, os sujeitos foram novamente fotografados mais duas vezes, a fim de gerar5 tres conjuntos de dados. Dessa forma, um total de 90 fotografias foram obtidas para a determinacao da reprodutibilidade do teste. Um conjunto de 30 fotografias (15 em posicao inicial e 15 em posicao final) foram selecionadas aleatoriamente e apresentadas a 16 avaliadores experientes. Resultados: foi observada baixa concordancia entre avaliadores nas avaliacoes subjetivas para comprimento musculo-tendineo dos flexores uni e biarticulares do quadril. A analise da avaliacao subjetiva demosntrou problemas para diferenciar individuos com comprimento musculo-tendineo normal daqueles com leve encurtamento (p<0,05). Em contrapartida, a avaliacao objetiva demonstrou alta reprodutibilidade entre as sessoes (a=0,96) e baixo erro absoluto (0,72 grau) para os flexores uniarticulares do quadril. Os flexores biarticulares do quadril tambem demonstraram alta reprodutibilidade (a=0,95) e baixo erro absoluto (1,4 grau). Conclusoes: sugere-se que os procedimentos objetivos sejam preferidos para a determinacao do comprimento musculo-tendineo dos flexores uni e biarticulares do quadril no teste de Thomas pela alta reproditibilidade e baixo erro de medidas apresentados com comparacao as abordagens subjetivas