Immediate effects of a single treadmill session with additional ankle loading on gait in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy are often characterized by reduced speed progression, shorter step length, and increased support base. These kinematic alterations result in inefficient gait. OBJECTIVE: To assess the immediate effects of treadmill training with additional lower limb loading on kinematic gait parameters in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). METHODS: This cross-sectional, observational study, involved 20 children with hemiparetic CP that underwent single treadmill session with ankle loading. Kinematic gait data were collected by the Qualisys Motion Capture System during baseline (PRE), immediately after training (POST) and 5 minutes after post session (FOLLOW UP). RESULTS: The results demonstrated increase in knee (p = 0.001) and hip (p = 0.005) range of motion, maximum knee (p <.0.001) and hip (p =.001) flexion in swing and paretic foot height during swing (p <0.001) when PRE x POST were compared. CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training with additional lower limb loading was a disturbance capable of modifying the locomotor strategy of these population. The increase in hip flexion during swing phase allowed higher paretic foot clearance which may favor the improvement of gait function.

Is there influence of the load addition during treadmill training on cardiovascular parameters and gait performance in patients with stroke? A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Although exercises involving both lower limbs are indicated for aerobic training, stroke patients have shown expressive asymmetry between the paretic and non-paretic lower limb (NPLL). Performing activities that stimulate the paretic limb during aerobic exercise may optimize training results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if there is influence of load addition on NPLL during treadmill training on cardiovascular parameters and gait performance of subacute stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-eight stroke subjects with gait deficits were randomized into experimental group, which underwent treadmill training with a mass attached on NPLL, and control group, which underwent only treadmill training. Interventions lasted 2 weeks (9 sessions). Main outcomes were heart rate, arterial blood pressure, gait speed and distance covered. Assessments occurred at rest, 10th and 20th minutes of the session and immediately after each session. RESULTS: There was improvement in speed and walking distance in both groups. All cardiovascular parameters had showed no changes compared to 1st and 9th sessions and there were no differences between groups within each session. CONCLUSIONS: Load addition on NPLL did not alter cardiovascular parameters and gait training provide better gait performance of subacute stroke patients, which indicates this therapy can be considered useful and safe for these patients.

Influence of physical activity and different sensory conditions on static and dynamic balance of pregnant women

Abstract BACKGROUND Physical activity during pregnancy provides countless benefits to pregnant women and results in a smaller number of falls during pregnancy. Thus, this study aims to verify the influence of physical activity and test conditions on the static and dynamic balance of pregnant women. METHODOLOGY The study was an analytical, transversal, and comparative study with a sample of 99 pregnant women divided into two groups, with physical activity as the grouping factor. The evaluation included questions about the type and frequency of physical activity and investigation of postural balance (Balance Master System(r)). For statistical analysis, we used the following tests: Shapiro Wilk, Mann-Whitney, ANOVA One Way and Wilcoxon. RESULTS No relationship was found between physical activity and postural balance (F > 0.40, P > 0.07). However, the test conditions alter the sway velocity (P = 0.001) and directional control movement (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that: (1) physical activity does not influence variables related to postural balance in active and sedentary pregnant women; and (2) postural sway velocity and directional control of movement are related to the test conditions used during balance evaluation.

Immediate effects of adding mental practice to physical practice on the gait of individuals with Parkinson's disease: Randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Mental practice has shown benefits in the rehabilitation of neurological patients, however, there is no evidence of immediate effects on gait of individuals with Parkinson's disease. OBJECTIVE: Determine the effects of mental practice activity added to physical practice on the gait of individuals with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (IPD). METHODS: 20 patients classified with stage 2 and 3, according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale were randomized into 2 groups. The experimental group (N = 10) was submitted to a single session of mental practice and physical practice gait protocol and the control group (N = 10) only to physical practice. The primary outcomes were stride length and total stance and swing time. Secondary outcomes were hip range of motion, velocity and mobility. Subjects were reassessed 10 minutes, 1 day and 7 days after the end of the session. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. An intragroup difference was observed in velocity, stride length, hip range of motion, and mobility, as well as total stance and swing time. These results were also observed on follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Mental practice did not have a greater effect on the gait of individuals with IPD than physical practice, after a single session.