[Evaluation of isokinetic trunk flexion and extension in normal sportsman and sedentary people]. / Avaliação do torque isocinético flexor e extensor do tronco em atletas e sedentários normais.

It was studied two groups: Group 1: 13 male voluntaries, competition sportsman, mean age: 25 +/- 2.1 years (18-30): Group 2: 17 male voluntaries, sedentary, mean age: 31.2 years (23-46). All the voluntaries was evaluated by the CYBEX 6000, TEF (trunk flexion extension) module. The parameters analyzed were: peak torque, total work and average power (absolute values and corrected by the body weight) and the flexion/extension relation. All the tests were performed at the speed of 60 and 120 degrees per second. The peak torque absolute values at 60 and 120 degrees were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p < 0.05), in flexion and extension movement. At the corrected date by the body weight, this relation remained the same, at 60 degrees, for flexion and extension and for extension at 120 degrees (p < 0.05), but the flexion at 120 degrees is not different in both groups. The peak torque angle is the same for extensor tests at both speed, but is different for the flexor test, at 60 degrees. The total work performed was better in the Group 1 at 60 degrees during the flexion (p < 0.05) and during the extension in both tested speed. At the corrected values the work is the same at flexion and at extension is higher only at 120 degrees (p < 0.05). At the average power of flexion movement there is a difference at the absolute values, that was not seen at the body weight corrected date. The difference between average power of the extension, in both speeds was significant at 60 and 120 degrees. The relation between flexor and extensor: Group 1: peak torque 80% at 60 degrees, total work and average power is nearly 100%; Group 2: peak torque, total work and average power is closed to 100%, at 60 degrees. The flexor muscles values are light higher than the extensor muscles, that means the abdominal muscles are stronger than the spine erector muscles. At 120 degrees this tendency is more clear and the relation is 120-125% and at the sedentary group this relation is higher: 150-165%.

[Osteoporosis and exercise]. / Osteoporose e exercícios.

Osteoporosis is the most frequent metabolic alteration affecting bones, being one of the most common diseases in women after menopause. It can be defined as a clinical condition in which there is significant bone loss with a reduction in bone mass beyond that which is considered normal for patient's age and sex, risking the integrity of the bone structure, diminishing its resistance and causing fractures of the affected bones, even at minimum effort. Bone loss is an inevitable consequence of aging and it is responsible for a high level of morbidity. It is considered a silent disease until the first fractures. The prevention is extremely important as well as the rehabilitation and drug treatment. The exercises are necessary, not only preventing the osteoporosis itself but also preventing the falls that can provoke bone fractures.

[Physiatric treatment of pain in osteoarthrosis]. / Tratamento fisiátrico da dor na osteoartrose.

The osteoarthrosis is a disease of high incidence in the population affecting chiefly middle-aged women. The chronic pain is the main cause of incapacity and may be responsible for the secondary articular alterations in theses patients. This paper reviews the physiopathology and the treatment of the pain in osteoarthrosis.

Aparelho para a reabilitaçäo do joelho no pós-operatório imediato / Knee rehabilitation device in the immediate post-operative period

Os autores descrevem um aparelho totalmente idealizado e construído nas oficinas do Departamento de Ortopedia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Säo Paulo, de aplicaçäo indicada na reabilitaçäo precoce do joelho