Gait kinematics of osteoarthritic knees after intra-articular viscosupplementation: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of subjective questionnaires for assessing conservative treatment in knee osteoarthritis may present challenges in identifying differences due to inadequate statistical power. Objective tools, such as three-dimensional (3D) kinematic analysis, are accurate and reproducible methods. However, no high-quality studies assessing the effects of intra-articular viscosupplementation (VS) have been published. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate gait kinematics of patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis after VS. METHODS: Forty-two patients were randomized to receive either VS or saline injection (placebo). They underwent 3D kinematic gait analysis before and at 1, 6, and 12 weeks after treatment and knee angles during stance phase were determined. Patients and the healthcare team responsible for data collection, processing, and analysis were blinded to group allocation. Between-group comparisons were conducted using linear mixed models. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, the VS increased the maximum knee extension (3.2° (0.7-5.7)) and decreased the maximum knee flexion (-3.6° (-6.1 to -1.2)) on the sagittal plane at 1 week. At 6 weeks, the VS group sustained a reduced maximum knee flexion (-2.6° (-5.2 to 0.0)). On the axial plane, the VS group demonstrated an increase in maximum internal rotation at 12 weeks (3.9° (0.3 to 7.7)). The VS group exhibited reduced single-leg stance time at 1 week and increased total stance time at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: VS led to short- and long-term kinematic improvements in the sagittal and axial planes, leading to a gait pattern closer to that observed in individuals with less severe osteoarthritic knees.

Variables Associated With Knee Valgus in Male Professional Soccer Players During a Single-Leg Vertical Landing Task.

Prior studies have explored the relationship between knee valgus and musculoskeletal variables to formulate injury prevention programs, primarily for females. Nonetheless, there is insufficient evidence pertaining to professional male soccer players. Here, the aim was to test the correlation of lateral trunk inclination, hip adduction, hip internal rotation, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and hip isometric strength with knee valgus during the single-leg vertical jump test. Twenty-four professional male soccer players performed a single-leg vertical hop test, hip strength assessments, and an ankle dorsiflexion range of motion test. A motion analysis system was employed for kinematic analysis. Maximal isometric hip strength and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion were tested using a handheld dynamometer and a digital inclinometer, respectively. The correlation of peak knee valgus with peak lateral trunk inclination was .43 during the landing phase (P = .04) and with peak hip internal rotation was -.68 (P < .001). For knee valgus angular displacement, only peak lateral trunk inclination presented a moderate positive correlation (r = .40, P = .05). This study showed that trunk and hip kinematics are associated with knee valgus, which could consequently lead to increased knee overload in male professional soccer players following a unilateral vertical landing test.

Validity and reliability of two-dimensional video-based assessment to measure joint angles during running: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Two-dimensional video analysis systems (2DVAS) are commonly used by clinicians and researchers to determine angles during running. The aim of this systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42022322798) was to synthesize the literature on the criterion validity and reliability of 2DVAS for measuring angles during running compared to three-dimensional motion analysis systems (3DMAS). We searched for articles on MEDLINE/Pubmed, EMBASE, SciELO, and LILACS up to October/2022. We included studies that evaluated the validity of 2DVAS (when compared to 3DMAS) and/or the reliability of 2DVAS measurements of lower limb and trunk angles during running. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Seven hundred and five studies were found and 17 were included. Ten studies analysed criterion validity between 2DVAS and 3DMAS and the results ranged from poor to excellent, with most of the parameters assessed presenting poor or moderate validity. Inter-rater reliability of 2DVAS was assessed in nine studies and most of the parameters investigated had good to excellent reliability. Intra-rater reliability (between-day processing) of angular running parameters - investigated in ten studies - was considered excellent for most of the parameters analysed. Inter-session reliability was assessed in three studies and was defined as good or excellent for most of the variables assessed. 2DVAS is a reliable method for measuring joint angles during running. However, the validity of 2DVAS compared to 3DMAS ranges from low to moderate for most running parameters. Therefore, based on the available evidence, caution should be taken when applying 2DVAS, particularly for frontal and transverse plane angles.

Short-term foot warming impacts foot sensitivity and body sway differently in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Aging is accompanied by loss of foot skin sensitivity and reduced postural control. Increasing foot temperature can improve both skin sensitivity and postural control in adults. However, it remains unclear whether similar effects can be observed in older adults. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can foot warming improve postural control in older adults, similar to observations in younger adults? METHODS: Two foot warming protocols were conducted in 18 older adults (14 women, 4 men) to increase foot temperature by using infrared radiation to (1) warm the plantar aspect and (2) the skin of the entire foot and ankle area. We assessed the foot skin sensitivity before and after warming, considering tactile stimulation and center of pressure (CoP) displacement during 30-s standing with eyes open and closed. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Both foot warming protocols led to similar increases in skin temperature (∼6 °C) compared to the basal condition, but only warming the entire foot and ankle area increased foot sensitivity for the different regions assessed. No main effects or interactions were found for CoP variables in response to the two warming protocols. The short-term effects identified after warming the entire foot and ankle region suggest that this might be a strategy to improve skin sensitivity in older adults as observed in younger adults, but this was not the case for CoP. Future research should clarify whether the magnitude and long-lasting effects of warming could be determinant of CoP results.

Influence of age and gender on knee and hip isometric strength of recreational physically active young and middle-aged subjects / Influencia de la edad y el sexo en la fuerza isométrica de la rodilla y la cadera de personas jóvenes y de mediana edad que practican actividades físicas recreativas / Influência da idade e do sexo na força isométrica do joelho e do quadril de indivíduos jovens e de meia idade praticantes recreacionais de atividades físicas

ABSTRACT Muscle strength is an essential part of the functional assessment of health professionals to select and analyze the effects of clinical interventions. This study aimed to determine the influence of gender and age on isometric strength of hip and knee muscle groups. A total of 127 subjects (50.4% men), aged from 20 to 49 years (stratified into three groups: 20-29 years; 30-39 years; and 40-49 years) participated in this study. A hand-held dynamometer was used to measure isometric normalized torque of the hip abductors, hip external rotators, knee extensors, and knee flexors muscles. Regressions and a two-way analysis of variance were used to identify the influence of age and gender on torque of each muscle group. Age and gender were included in the regression model for all groups. Generally, men aged 20-29 and 30-39 were stronger than age-paired women. For participants aged 40-49, torque was similar for men and women for all muscle groups. There was no difference among age groups for women. Generally, young men were stronger than older men. The association between age and gender in hip and knee strength was proved and liable of subgroup stratification after measurements with a hand-held isometric dynamometer.

RESUMEN La fuerza muscular es un componente básico de la evaluación funcional de los profesionales de la salud para seleccionar y analizar los efectos de las intervenciones clínicas. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la influencia del sexo y de la edad en las mediciones de fuerza isométrica de los grupos musculares de la cadera y la rodilla. En el estudio participaron 127 sujetos (50,4% hombres), de entre 20 y 49 años de edad (estratificados en grupos: 20 a 29 años; 30 a 39 años; y 40 a 49 años). El torque isométrico normalizado de los abductores y rotadores externos de la cadera y de los extensores y flexores de la rodilla se midió con un dinamómetro manual. Se utilizaron regresiones y el análisis de varianza (Anova) para identificar la influencia de la edad y el sexo en el torque. Tanto la edad como el sexo se incluyeron en el modelo para todos los grupos musculares. En general, los hombres de entre 20 y 29 años y los de 30 a 39 mostraron tener más fuerza que las mujeres del mismo grupo de edad. Para los participantes de 40 a 49 años, el torque fue similar entre hombres y mujeres para todos los grupos musculares. No hubo diferencias entre los grupos de edad en el grupo de mujeres. En general, los hombres más jóvenes demostraron ser más fuertes que los hombres de mediana edad. La relación entre la edad y el sexo en la fuerza muscular de la cadera y la rodilla se probó y demostró ser susceptible a la estratificación después de las mediciones realizadas con el dinamómetro manual.

RESUMO A força muscular é um componente essencial da avaliação funcional de profissionais da saúde para selecionar e analisar efeitos de intervenções clínicas. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a influência do sexo e da idade sobre medidas de força isométrica de grupos musculares do quadril e do joelho. Participaram da pesquisa 127 sujeitos (50,4% homens), com idade de 20 a 49 anos (estratificados em grupos: 20 a 29 anos; 30 a 39 anos; e 40 a 49 anos). O torque isométrico normalizado de abdutores e rotadores externos de quadril e extensores e flexores de joelho foi medido com dinamômetro manual. Regressões e uma análise de variância (Anova) foram usados para identificar a influência da idade e do sexo sobre o torque. Tanto idade quanto sexo foram incluídos no modelo para todos os grupos musculares. Em geral, homens de 20 a 29 anos e de 30 a 39 anos demonstraram mais força do que mulheres da mesma faixa etária. Para participantes de 40 a 49 anos, o torque foi similar entre homens e mulheres para todos os grupos musculares. Não houve diferença entre as faixas etárias no grupo de mulheres. Em geral, homens mais jovens se mostraram mais fortes do que homens mais velhos. A relação entre idade e sexo na força muscular do quadril e do joelho foi provada e se mostrou passível de estratificação após as medições feitas com o dinamômetro manual.

Effects of increasing temperature in different foot regions on foot sensitivity and postural control in young adults.

Despite controversial evidence, foot sensitivity may influence postural control. Since skin temperature changes may induce changes in skin sensitivity, it remains unclear whether this also affects postural control. Here we examined the effects of increasing foot temperature on foot sensitivity and postural control responses. It is hypothesized that increases in foot temperature would improve foot sensitivity and enhance postural control. Furthermore, it was investigated whether warming a larger foot area provides additional benefits. Our hypothesis was tested by warming the foot plantar and the whole foot and ankle area (including foot plantar and instep) using infrared radiation and evaluated the center of pressure (CoP, bilateral, in two conditions: eyes open and eyes closed) and foot tactile sensitivity (Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments) in 22 young participants. Both warming protocols significantly increased foot temperature by ∼5-6 °C and improved sensitivity, whereas more considerable improvements happened after warming the whole foot and ankle. CoP mediolateral oscillation and velocity with eyes open, and CoP area and velocity with eyes closed reduced after both warming protocols. Foot sensitivity seems to depend on the foot area warmed, whereas postural control improved equally regardless of the warmed regions. These results may support interventions based on the manipulation of foot temperatures to improve postural control with potential clinical applications in populations with impaired foot sensitivity and balance.

Steadiness training improves the quadriceps strength and self-reported outcomes in persistent quadriceps weakness following nine months of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and failed conventional physiotherapy.

Background Persistent quadriceps weakness may occur after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, limiting the strength gain. However, steadiness strengthening might change the inability to gain strength. Hence, we determined whether strength training with force steadiness and visual biofeedback can improve knee quadriceps torque, self-reported pain and knee stability in patients with persistent quadriceps weakness after knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods Twenty-five patients (aged 43.7 ± 12.2 years) with persistent quadriceps weakness following knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and 34-weeks of physiotherapy performed unilateral strength training for both lower limbs. Four-weeks of conventional physiotherapy at week-30 were given, confirming the inability to gain torque. Then, steadiness training (isometric knee extension with visual biofeedback) was given for 7-weeks. Knee quadriceps peak torque, strength improvement, determination of responders to the intervention, coherence of strength gain between limbs, and self-reported outcomes (pain and knee stability) were obtained. Descriptive statistics and data inference using mixed-ANOVA, McNemar test, and χ2 test were described. Findings Quadriceps torque in the reconstructed knee improved (98.2 ± 47.2-155.2 ± 78.9 Nm; p = 0.031) for most patients (84%). Nevertheless, the torque was lower than the healthy side maintaining asymmetry (155.2 ± 78.9 vs. 209.5 ± 101.8 Nm; p = 0.026). There was high (20%) and medium coherence (80%) between limbs. Knee stability and pain improved in 72% of the patients (p < 0.001). Interpretations Steadiness training after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction followed 9 months of surgery and failed conventional physiotherapy, improves the persistent weakness and self-reported outcomes, but gain strength was dissimilar between limbs.

Programming course for health science as a strategy to engage students during the coronavirus pandemic.

Programming is an important skill for different areas of knowledge. While in the past, programming skills were much more related to fields of computer sciences and engineering, today, professionals from different areas benefit from the ability to write codes for different applications. Furthermore, programming stimulates logical thinking, which impacts other personal abilities. Health science students have limited exposure to programming during their studies. Aware of this and considering the prolonged time in social distancing in Brazil due to the SARS-COV2 pandemic in 2020, we organized an outreach course dedicated to teaching introductory concepts of programming for health science students. The activity was developed fully online using the Zoom web conference agent, lasting 12 wk (8 synchronous classes, 15 synchronous hours in total), and attended by 27 undergraduate and graduate students from two different universities. A collaborative problem-based learning and group-learning methodology were developed through asynchronous homework and mainly online synchronous activities. In this article, we describe our approach and provide some suggestions for replicating the course in other universities. We observed that the activities of the outreach course improved programming skills and confidence for most of the students. More importantly, it piqued their interest enough to motivate them to continue to practice writing and testing their programs. We concluded that an outreach course dedicated to programming promoted improvements in programming skills in health science students. Furthermore, the program was an opportunity to keep the students active in science while working from their homes during the pandemic.

Influence of strength training and multicomponent training on the functionality of older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis / Influência do treinamento de força e de multicomponentes na funcionalidade de idosos: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Abstract Physical exercise is an important option to maintain functional independence in older adults, however, it is not clear which type of exercise is the most benefic: strength or multicomponent. The objective was to verify the effectiveness of strength training and multicomponent training on functionality of healthy older patients through a systematic review with meta-analysis. Registration number: CRD42017071887. Two independent evaluators searched Pubmed, Web of Science, PEDro, Cochrane and Lilacs databases. Of the 1434 studies found, 32 clinical trials that investigated the effects of strength training only and/or combined with other modalities (multicomponent) in older adults and evaluated the Timed up and Go (TUG), sit-to-stand (STS) and/or Berg Balance Scale (BBS were included. The methodological quality was evaluated with the Downs & Black scale. Data analysis was performed with the Software Review Manager. It was verified improvement in all the investigated outcomes when performing multicomponent training in comparison to control groups. Strength training, compared to control groups, showed benefit only for sit to stand test. Studies comparing the two trainings found no difference between them. The not high average score in the methodological quality assessment of the included studies is a limitation of the present study. In conclusion, both types of training were effective to improve functionality and are good strategies of training for older individuals. However, as the comparison between the two types of training was performed in few studies, it is not possible to infer which is more effective for the functionality, suggesting the realization of new clinical trials.

Resumo O exercício físico é uma opção importante para a manutenção da independência funcional nos idosos, porém, não está claro qual tipo de exercício pode ser mais benéfico. Diante disso, buscou-se verificar o efeito de intervenções com treinamento de força e do treino com multicomponentes na funcionalidade em idosos saudáveis, através de uma revisão sistemática com metanálise. Número de registro: CRD42017071887. Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados Pubmed, Web of Science, PEDro, Cochrane e Lilacs. Dos 1434 estudos encontrados, 32 ensaios clínicos que realizaram treino de força e/ou combinado com outras modalidades (multicomponentes) em idosos e avaliaram os desfechos Timed up and Go (TUG), sentar-e-levantar (STS) e/ou Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB) foram incluídos. A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada pela escala Downs & Black. A análise dos dados foi realizada no Software Rewiew Manager. Verificou-se que os resultados favoreceram o treino multicomponentes em comparação aos grupos controle nos desfechos TUG, STS e EEB. Já para o treino de força isso ocorreu somente para o STS. Quando os dois treinamentos foram comparados, não houve favorecimento para nenhum deles. O escore médio não alto na avaliação da qualidade metodológica dos estudos incluídos é uma limitação do presente estudo. Conclui-se que ambos os treinos se mostraram efetivos para a funcionalidade e são boas estratégias de treinamento para idosos. Porém, como a comparação entre os dois tipos de treinamento foi realizada em poucos estudos, não é possível afirmar qual é mais efetivo para a funcionalidade, sugerindo-se a realização de novos ensaios clínicos.

Efeito de um protocolo em duplas baseado no método Mat Pilates sobre o risco de quedas em idosas / Efecto de un protocolo, basado en el método Mat Pilates por parejas, sobre el riesgo de caídas en mujeres mayores / Effect of a protocol in pairs based on the Mat Pilates method on the risk of falls of older women

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar se um protocolo baseado no método Mat Pilates, a curto prazo, é eficaz para reduzir o risco de quedas em idosas. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 16 idosas (60 anos ou mais). Antes e depois do programa de treinamento foram realizadas avaliações de equilíbrio estático (Teste de Romberg Aguçado), equilíbrio dinâmico (Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg), força muscular de membros inferiores (teste de sentar-e-levantar de 30 segundos), mobilidade funcional (Timed-Up-and-Go) e marcha no solo (avaliação cinemática). O treinamento teve duração de cinco semanas (duas sessões semanais) e foi realizado em duplas. RESULTADOS: Após a intervenção com o método Mat Pilates houve melhoras significativas na força muscular, equilíbrio estático e dinâmico, mobilidade funcional, velocidade de marcha e comprimento de passo e passada. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que um protocolo baseado no método Mat Pilates, mesmo em um período curto de intervenção, é uma alternativa eficiente para a população idosa, o que foi constatado por meio da melhora dos parâmetros avaliados, que, por sua vez, estão relacionados a uma redução do risco de quedas em idosas

OBJETIVO: El objetivo del presente estudio fue verificar si un protocolo, basado en el Método Mat Pilates, a corto plazo, resulta eficaz para reducir el riesgo de caídas en mujeres mayores de 60 años. MÉTODO: Dieciseis mujeres de 60 años o más participaron en este estudio. Antes y después del entrenamiento, fueron sometidas a evaluaciones de equilibrio estático, equilibrio dinámico, fuerza muscular de extremidades inferiores, movilidad funcional y marcha. Se llevaron a cabo dos entrenamientos a la semana por parejas durante cinco semanas. RESULTADOS: Después de la intervención, se encontraron mejoras en la fuerza muscular, equilibrio estático y dinámico, movilidad funcional, velocidad de la marcha y longitud del paso y zancada. CONCLUSIÓN: Se encontraron mejoras de Mat Pilates, a pesar de la corta duración, es una alternativa de intervención eficiente, que se verificó a través de las mejoras en los parámetros evaluados, que están relacionadas con la reducción del riesgo de caídas en ancianos

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to verify if a short-term training based on the Mat Pilates Method is effective to reduce the risk of falls in older women. METHOD: Sixteen women aged 60 years or more participated in this study. Before and after the training, they performed evaluations of static balance (Romberg test), dynamic balance (Berg Balance Scale), lower limb muscle strength (30-second sit to stand test), functional mobility (Timed-Up-and-Go test) and gait (kinematic evaluation). The training occurred during five weeks (two weekly sessions) and occurred in pairs. RESULTS: After the intervention, there were significant improvements on muscle strength, static and dynamic balance, functional mobility, gait velocity, and step and stride length. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that a protocol based on the Mat Pilates method, despite the short duration, is an efficient intervention alternative, which was verified through the improvements on the parameters evaluated, that are related to a reduction in the risk of falls in the elderly

Correlation between lower limb isometric strength and muscle structure with normal and challenged gait performance in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Muscular parameters have been considered to influence gait of older adults, but it is still unclear which specific lower limb muscular parameters correlate with kinematics of overground and obstacle crossing in older adults. RESEARCH QUESTION: What lower limb muscular parameters correlate and explain kinematics of overground walking and obstacle crossing ability in the elderly? METHODS: Muscle structure was evaluated in 15 older individuals (75.4 ±â€¯5 years) through measures of architecture (muscle thickness, fascicle length, and pennation angle) and muscle quality (echo intensity) from lower limb muscles (vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medialis). Muscle function was assessed through isometric strength of hip, knee and ankle joint muscles. Gait kinematics (toe and heel clearances, step length and gait speed) was evaluated during walking with and without obstacle crossing at preferred and maximal gait speeds. Correlation and regression analyses were performed considering a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Isometric strength did not correlate with gait kinematics and gait speed. Tibialis anterior thickness correlated with lead limb toe clearance, and vastus lateralis thickness with gait speed and step length. Vastus lateralis echo intensity correlated with step length and gait speed. SIGNIFICANCE: Tibialis anterior and vastus lateralis muscles deserve attention in physical training to improve gait of older adults. Specifically, tibialis anterior should receive more attention on exercise programs aiming at improvement of obstacle crossing, and knee extensors when aiming at improving gait speed and step length.

IS MUSCULAR AND FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE RELATED TO GAIT SYMMETRY IN OLDER ADULTS? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

BACKGROUND: Gait asymmetries are a matter of discussion concerning gait adaptation in older adults. While most studies perform unilateral gait assessments, the hypothesis that asymmetry in gait biomechanics is influenced by muscular and functional performance in older people needs to be confirmed. PURPOSE: Here we performed a systematic review (CRD42018093189) to discuss the relationship between muscular and functional performance and gait asymmetries in older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Searches were performed using Medline via Pubmed, Scopus, PEDro, Cochrane Central, and Lilacs databases. Studies investigating leg asymmetries during overground locomotion and recording kinetics, kinematics or muscular activation parameters to determine at least one muscular or functional parameter were included. RESULTS: Findings show that gait asymmetries, especially in step temporal parameters, are mainly related to functional outcomes, but the relationship with muscular performance was not possible to determine. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of gait asymmetry with muscular performance is still unknown, and there is a lack of investigations. Improvements in performance of functional tasks lead to a more symmetric gait.

Does physical exercise improve obstacle negotiation in the elderly? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise improves walking in the elderly but much less is known about its effect on more challenged gait, such as obstacle negotiation. We conducted a systematic review to discuss the effects of regular physical exercise on kinematics and kinetics of obstacle negotiation in the elderly. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search revealed 859 citations for review, whereof 206 studies entered the full-text analysis. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies were included in this systematic review. FINDINGS: Most of them presented a reasonable quality (average 0.68) but none of them reached the level of a randomized control trial. Interventions were heterogeneous, with training periods lasting from 5 days to 10 months. Studies assessed obstacle negotiation basically considering 3 types of testing paradigm, namely a walkway with either a single obstacle crossing, or with multiple obstacles, or else a treadmill with an obstacle avoidance task under time pressure. INTERPRETATION: In general, longer training programs had better results and very short ones were not effective. A weekly frequency of 2-3 times was the most common among the studies showing positive effects. Regardless of exercises types performed, most of them were effective and so far, there is no consensus about the best exercise for improving obstacle negotiation. A lack of studies on this topic still is evident. Including a record of fall score can further help in deciding which programs are to be preferred.

Uso da Metanálise em Artigos Publicados na Área de Educação Física / The Use of Metanalysis in Articles Published in the Field of Physical Education

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram investigar ouso da metanálise em artigos científicos publicados na áreade Educação Física, bem como descrever suas principaiscaracterísticas. Material e Métodos: Foram realizadas buscasnas bases de dados virtuais SciELO e LILACS, utilizando ostermos de busca “metanálise”, “meta análise”, “metanalysis” e“meta analysis”. Foram encontrados, inicialmente, 2165artigos. Após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão,restaram para análise, no presente estudo, 7 artigos. Asprincipais características dos artigos participantes do estudoforam organizadas em uma tabela, onde foram colocadasinformações relativas aos mesmos, incluindo dados geraissobre cada publicação (título, autores, ano, universidade epaís do autor principal, idioma de publicação, classificaçãodo periódico no Qualis-Área 21, descritores, objetivo do estudoe tipo de estudo) e dados sobre as características metodológicasdos mesmos (busca e seleção de estudos para inclusão, análisede qualidade dos estudos incluídos, extração de dados,resultados e conclusões). Resultados: Observou-se que, demodo geral, os artigos analisados foram publicados recentemente,por autores (autores principais) ligados a universidadesbrasileiras, sendo que foram apresentados com detalhes osprocedimentos metodológicos adotados, o que é de grandeimportância para a qualidade de um artigo. Constatou-setambém, através da estratégia de busca utilizada, que ametanálise vem sendo pouco utilizada na área de EducaçãoFísica e que os estudos publicados abordam temas variados erelevantes para a área. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a técnicada metanálise tem sido pouco utilizada na área da EducaçãoFísica, mostrando um amplo campo para realização depesquisas. Verifica-se que os estudos publicados que utilizaramessa técnica são relevantes para a área de Educação Física...

The aims of the present study were to investigatethe use of metanalysis in scientific studies published in thefield of physical education, as well as to describe their maincharacteristics. Methods: Searches were performed in thedatabases SciELO and LILACS using the terms “metanálise”,“meta análise”, “metanalysis” and “meta analysis”. Initially, 2,165articles were found. After applying inclusion and exclusioncriteria, seven articles were included in this review. The maincharacteristics of the articles included in this study wereallocated into a table, with general characteristics about eachpaper (title, authors, year, main author’s university and country,language, classification, descriptors, aims and type of study)and data about methods (search and study selection, analysisof quality, data extraction, results and conclusions). Results:Overall, the included articles were published recently by authors(main authors) from Brazilian universities, and themethodological procedures adopted were reported in details,which is very important to the quality of an article. The searchstrategy also revealed that metanalyses have been little usedin the field of physical education and that the published studiesaddress varied and relevant topics to this area. Conclusion:Metanalysis has been little used in the field of physicaleducation, suggesting a broad field for further research. Thestudies reported to use this methodological analysis arerelevant to the field of physical education...