Craniocervical and Cervical Spine Features of Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

To assess neck disability with respect to jaw disability, craniocervical position, cervical alignment, and sensorimotor impairments in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies trials were conducted. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant differences in the association between neck disability and jaw disability (standardized mean difference (SMD), 0.72 (0.56-0.82)). However, results showed no significant differences for cervical alignment (SMD, 0.02 (-0.31-0.36)) or for the craniocervical position (SMD, -0.09 (-0.27-0.09)). There was moderate evidence for lower pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and for limited cervical range of motion (ROM). There was limited evidence for equal values for maximal strength between the patients with TMD and controls. There was also limited evidence for reduced cervical endurance and conflicting evidence for abnormal electromyographic (EMG) activity and motor control in TMD patients. Results showed a clinically relevant association between cervical and mandibular disability in patients with TMD. Regarding sensory-motor alterations, the most conclusive findings were observed in the reduction of PPT and cervical ROM, with moderate evidence of their presence in the patients with TMD. Lastly, the evidence on impaired motor control and cervical EMG activity in patients with TMD was conflicting.

Motor abilities and anthropometrics in youth cross-country skiing.

The purposes were to validate whether general motor abilities and anthropometrics are determinants of youth cross-country (XC) skiing performance; evaluate gender-specific differences; and to establish noninvasive diagnostics. Fifty-one youth XC skiers (34 boys; 13.8 ± 0.6 years and 17 girls; 13.4 ± 0.9 years) performed motor skill and laboratory tests, and anthropometric data were collected and correlated with XC skiing performance. Anthropometrics and maturity status were related to boys but not to girls XC skiing performance. Push-ups and 20-m sprint were correlated to XC skiing performance in both boys and girls. XC skiing performance of boys was predominantly influenced by upper body and trunk strength capacities (medicine ball throw, push-ups, and pull-ups) and jumping power (standing long and triple jump), whereas XC skiing of girls was mainly influenced by aerobic capacities (3000-m run). Laboratory measures did not reveal greater correlations to XC skiing performance compared with simple test concepts of speed, strength, and endurance. Maturity was a major confounding variable in boys but not girls. Use of noninvasive simple test concepts for determination of upper body strength, speed, and endurance represent practicable support for ski clubs, schools, or skiing federations in the guidance and evaluation of young talent, being aware of the effect of maturity especially in boys.

Estudo das variáveis motoras em atletas da dança esportiva em cadeira de rodas / Motor variables’ study in athletes of the sportive wheelchair dance

A identificação das qualidades físicas intervenientes em um esporte é de extrema importância para um preparador físico no treinamento de uma determinada modalidade. E as avaliações destas são fundamentais para a tomada de decisões na prescrição do treinamento e/ou em programas de reabilitação. Não têm sido encontrados na literatura estudos que identifiquem as qualidades físicas nos passos básicos da Dança Esportiva em Cadeira de Rodas (DECR). Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar as qualidades físicas necessárias à realização dos passos básicos da DECR e mostrar os resultados da avaliação de algumas delas em atletas cadeirantes da modalidade. Foram eleitas como qualidades físicas imprescindíveis à performance na DECR: flexibilidade, força, velocidade, agilidade e coordenação, que foram medidas por testes da literatura, com algumas adaptações. Concluiu-se que essas qualidades devem ter prioridade no treinamento e ser associadas ao treinamento técnico da modalidade para que se alcancem altas performances.

The identification of intervening physical qualities in a sport is of extreme importance for a physical coach in the training of a certain modality. And the evaluations of those are fundamental for taking decision, in the prescription of the training and/or in rehabilitation programs. It has not been found in the literature studies which identifies the physical qualities in the basic steps of the Sportive Wheelchair Dance. For this reason, the goal was to identify the necessary physical qualities to accomplish the basic steps of Sportive Wheelchair Dance and to show the results of the evaluation of some of those qualities in not abled body athletes of this modality. They were chosen as indispensable physical abilities to the performance the Sportive Dance: flexibility, force, speed, quickness and coordination. It was measured according to tests of the literature, after some modifications. We understand that these physical qualities should have priority in the training and that should be associated to the technical training of this modality so that they can get a high performance.