[Physical activity in the elderly with a major neurocognitive disorder]. / Activité physique chez le sujet âgé atteint d'un trouble neurocognitif majeur (2/2).

A better knowledge of major neurocognitive disorders and motor learning allows us to propose motor rehabilitation (MR) adapted to subjects with Alzheimer's disease. Recent neuroscientific data on motor functions and cognition allow the construction of physical activity and MR programs, for which the dose-response relationship, content and instructions are determining factors. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of the methods used.

[Physical activity in the elderly with other major neurocognitive disorders]. / Activité physique chez le sujet âgé atteint d'un trouble neurocognitif majeur.

For decades, the literature was skeptical about the feasibility of motor rehabilitation and its impact, as well as that of physical activity (PA), in subjects with major neurocognitive disorders (MNCD), including Alzheimer's disease. Now, authors report several benefits of PA, both physical and cognitive, by promoting brain perfusion, neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, as well as decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. PA should be recommended in cases of TNCM.

Investigating the mediating role of internalizing and externalizing problems on physical fitness in children at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder.

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have poorer fitness and greater internalizing/externalizing problems compared with typically developing (TD) children. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential mediating role of internalizing/externalizing problems on the relationship between children at risk for DCD (DCDr) and physical fitness. Participants (N = 589) included 288 children with DCDr (Mage = 4.9, 67% male) and 301 TD children (Mage = 5.0, 48% male). Motor skills were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition (DCDr: at or below the 16th percentile, TD: >16th percentile). Parent-reported internalizing/externalizing problems were measured using the Child Behaviour Checklist. Physical fitness was measured using the Bruce protocol maximal treadmill test and a 30-second Wingate test. Tests for indirect (mediation) effects were assessed using the PROCESS v3.5 software macro. Children with DCDr had higher internalizing and externalizing problems (p < 0.001, d = 0.35-0.46) and poorer fitness levels (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.05-0.09). Internalizing problems mediated fitness performance on both the treadmill and Wingate test; however, externalizing problems showed no mediating effects. Thus, interventions targeting internalizing problems may contribute to improving performance on fitness-based tasks among children with DCDr. Novelty: Children at risk for DCD have poorer fitness when compared with TD children. Children at risk for DCD experience greater internalizing/externalizing problems. Internalizing problems were found to mediate the DCD-physical fitness relationship.

Comparison of outcome between operative treatment and constraint-induced movement therapy for forearm and wrist deformities in cerebral palsy. A randomized controlled trial.

Several treatment strategies for upper extremity deformities in cerebral palsy have been studied for their effectiveness in terms of function and quality of life. There are a few comparative studies between nonoperative and operative management for upper extremity deformities. This study aimed to compare the outcomes between conservative methods using constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and operative methods using pronator teres rerouting, flexor carpi ulnaris transfer to extensor carpi radialis brevis (FCU transfer to ECRB) and fractional lengthening in cerebral palsy patients with forearm pronation and wrist flexion contracture. A total of 19 participants aged 7-15 years were randomized to either CIMT or surgery. The primary endpoint was changes in Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Evaluation (SHUEE) functional score. Secondary endpoints comprised range of motion, Volkmann's angle, and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI). At 1-year follow-up, there was no significant difference between the nonoperative and operative groups in any SHUEE dimensions, range of motion or PODCI. However, there was significant improvement in Volkmann's angle in the operative group compared to the CIMT group: CIMT = 11.11 ± 9.92, surgery = -13.00 ± 4.72: p = 0.04 (95% CI = 1.68-46.54). Operative treatment provided more improvement in wrist posture, represented by Volkmann's angle, in cerebral palsy patients. However, SHUEE, range of motions and PODCI were comparable between the CIMT and operative groups.

[The specificities of the interventions of physiotherapists in intensive care]. / Les spécificités des interventions des masseurs-kinésithérapeutes en réanimation.

The intervention of physiotherapists in the intensive care unit allows the optimisation of the care project through the assessment and management of the motor, respiratory and swallowing functions of patients. If COVID-19 has only slightly modified the practice of these professionals, the impact of the pandemic on intensive care units has reinforced the added value of their care.

The effects of hand deformity on upper-limb function and health-related quality of life in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hand deformity on upper-limb function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). The study included 44 children with hemiplegic CP between the ages of 6 and 14 years (mean age, 10.04 years; SD, 3.1; 23 males, 21 females). The Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were used, with the Zancolli classification to characterize hand deformities on the more affected side. Upper-limb function was assessed in terms of unilateral capacity (Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test: QUEST) and bimanual performance (Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire: CHEQ), while HRQOL was evaluated on the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire. Comparison of bimanual performance and unilateral capacity in children with Zancolli level 1 and 2a hemiplegic CP found statistically significant differences (p < 0.01). There was also a significant difference on the HRQOL 'physical activities and health' subdomain, in favor of Zancolli level I deformity (p = 0.003), but not on the other HRQOL domains (p > 0.05). Upper-limb function and the HRQOL physical health domain were poorer with greater hand deformity in children with hemiplegic CP.

Physical activity and aging research: opportunities abound.

Aging is associated with large between-subjects variability in motor function among older adults, which can compromise identifying the mechanisms for age-related reductions in motor performance. This variability is in part explained by differences among older adults in habitual physical activity. Quantifying and accounting for physical activity levels of the participants in aging studies will help differentiate those changes in motor function associated with biological aging rather than those induced by inactivity. Novelty: Quantification of physical activity levels in studies with older participants will help differentiate the effects of aging rather than physical inactivity.

Decreased excitability of motor axons contributes substantially to contraction fatigability during neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

The present study was designed to (i) determine the time course of changes in motor axon excitability during and after neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); and (ii) characterize the relationship between contraction fatigability, NMES frequency, and changes at the axon, neuromuscular junction, and muscle. Eight neurologically intact participants attended 3 sessions. NMES was delivered over the common peroneal nerve at 20, 40, or 60 Hz for 8 min (0.3 s "on", 0.7 s "off"). Threshold tracking was used to measure changes in axonal excitability. Supramaximal stimuli were used to assess neuromuscular transmission and force-generating capacity of the tibialis anterior muscle. Torque decreased by 49% and 62% during 8 min of 40 and 60 Hz NMES, respectively. Maximal twitch torque decreased only during 60 Hz NMES. Motor axon excitability decreased by 14%, 27%, and 35% during 20, 40, and 60 Hz NMES, respectively. Excitability recovered to baseline immediately (20 Hz) and at 2 min (40 Hz) and 4 min (60 Hz) following NMES. Overall, decreases in axonal excitability best predicted how torque declined over 8 min of NMES. During NMES, motor axons become less excitable and motor units "drop out" of the contraction, contributing substantially to contraction fatigability and its dependence on NMES frequency. Novelty: The excitability of motor axons decreased during NMES in a frequency-dependent manner. As excitability decreased, axons failed to reach threshold and motor units dropped out of the contraction. Overall, decreased excitability best predicted how torque declined and thus is a key contributor to fatigability during NMES.

Alimentación en estudiantes con discapacidad / Nutrition in students with disability / Alimento para estudantes com deficiência / Alimentation chez les étudiants ayant un handicap

Resumen Objetivo: Exponer la importancia de una alimentación adecuada en estudiantes con algún tipo de discapacidad. Material y métodos: En el artículo, se muestra la recopilación de la información bibliográfica en las bases de datos PudMed, SciELO, Infomed, PAHO y los motores de búsqueda Google Scholar, colocando palabras claves para la búsqueda de artículos originales, tesis, artículos de revisión bibliográfica y revistas de elevado índice de citación, publicados desde 1994 a 2019, en español o inglés. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 29 artículos y publicaciones de la OMS, de la CONAFE y del INEGI; de estos, se recolectó información referente a las barreras que presentan las personas con capacidades diferentes (PCD) en torno a su alimentación diaria y los efectos a la salud que esto conlleva. También la bibliografía hace mención del incremento en los últimos años de personas con discapacidad, de las circunstancias de vulnerabilidad y de las situaciones que pueden ocasionar un mayor riesgo de morbilidad. Conclusión: Debido a esto es importante conocer las recomendaciones más actuales en torno a la alimentación de estos individuos, a pesar de que sus necesidades calóricas varían dependiendo de la gravedad y el grado de discapacidad.

Abstract Objective: To establish the importance of an adequate nutrition in students with certain disability. Materials and Methods: This article presents a literature review within the databases PudMed, SciELO, Infomed, PAHO and search engines like Google Scholar, by typing key words in order to find original articles, thesis, literature review articles, and high-citation level journals, published from 1994 to 2019, in both Spanish and English. Results: A total of 29 articles and publications from the WHO, CONAFE (National Council for Educational Development) and INEGI (National Institute of Statistics and Geography) were chosen; of these, information was collected regarding the barriers that people with disabilities (PCD) face related to their daily diet and the health effects this implies was collected. In addition, the literature mentions the increase of people with disability in the last years, vulnerability circumstances and situations that can cause a higher risk of morbidity. Conclusions: It is important to know the current recommendations about the diet of these individuals, even though their calorie needs vary depending on the severity and degree of disability.

Resumo Objetivo: Expor a importância de uma dieta adequada em estudantes com algum tipo de deficiência. Material e métodos: O artigo mostra a compilação das informações bibliográficas nos bancos de dados PudMed, SciELO, Infomed, OPAS e motores de busca Google Sholar, colocando palavras-chave para a busca de artigos originais, teses, artigos de Revisão bibliográfica e revistas com alto índice de citações, publicadas de 1994 a 2019, em espanhol ou inglês. Resultados: foram selecionados 29 artigos e publicações da OMS, CONAFE e INEGI; Destes, foram coletadas informações sobre as barreiras apresentadas pelas pessoas com deficiência (PCD) em torno de sua dieta diária e os efeitos à saúde que isso implica. A bibliografia também menciona o aumento nos últimos anos de pessoas com deficiência, as circunstâncias de vulnerabilidade e as situações que podem causar maior risco de morbidade. Conclusão: Por isso, é importante conhecer as recomendações mais atuais sobre a dieta desses indivíduos, apesar de suas necessidades calóricas variarem, dependendo da gravidade e do grau de incapacidade.

Résumé Objectif : Exposer l'importance d'une alimentation adéquate chez les étudiants ayant un handicap quelconque. Matériel et méthodes : une recherche d'information bibliographique a été effectuée dans les bases de données PudMed, SciELO, Infomed, PAHO et avec le moteur de recherche Google Scholar. Des mots-clés ont été utilisés pour trouver des articles originaux et des articles de révision bibliographique dans des revues ayant un indice de citation élevé, ainsi que des thèses, le tout publié de 1994 à 2019, en espagnol ou en anglais. Résultats : 29 articles et publications de l'OMS, de la CONAFE et de l'INEGI ont été sélectionnés pour recueillir des informations sur les obstacles présentés par les personnes ayant des capacités différentes (PCD) en ce qui concerne leur alimentation quotidienne et les effets sur la santé que cela implique. En outre, la littérature mentionne l'augmentation ces dernières années du nombre de personnes ayant un handicap, des circonstances de vulnérabilité et des situations qui peuvent entraîner un risque accru de morbidité. Conclusion : En conséquence, il est important de connaître les recommandations les plus récentes concernant l'alimentation de ces personnes, même si leurs besoins caloriques varient en fonction du type de handicap et de sa gravité.

Actividad física y estado nutricional en escolares del sureste mexicano / Physical activity and nutritional status in Mexican southeast scholars / Atividade física e estado nutricional em escolares do sudeste do México / Activité physique et état nutritionnel des écoliers du sud-est mexicain

Resumen Objetivo: La presente investigación tiene como objetivo principal, describir la relación entre el nivel de actividad física y el estado nutricional de los escolares de Tabasco, estado que pertenece a la región sureste de México. Material y métodos: Se utilizó un diseño descriptivo-correlacional con muestreo probabilístico irrestricto aleatorio, en una muestra de 2,084 escolares inscritos en seis escuelas de educación primaria de Tabasco. Los datos se recolectaron a través del "Four by One-day physical activity questionare", además de valoraciones antropométricas. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el 46.3% de los escolares se encuentran en sobrepeso y obesidad; y que las actividades físicas realizadas con mayor frecuencia por los escolares son de tipo muy ligero, lo que indica menor gasto energético. También se refleja que del 62% de infantes muy inactivos, las niñas representan el 34.7%, lo que indica que son más inactivas en comparación con los niños. Se encontró una relación negativa estadísticamente significativa (rs = -.105, p=.001) de la actividad física con el estado nutricional.

Abstract Objective: The main objective of this research is to describe relationship between physical activity and nutritional status level of schoolchildren in Tabasco, a southeastern state from Mexico. Materials and methods: It was used a descriptive-correlational design with random unrestricted probabilistic of 2,084 schoolchildren sample enrolled in six primary schools in Tabasco. Data was collected through the "Four by One-day physical activity questionnaire", in addition to anthropometric assessments. Results: The results showed that 46.3% of schoolchildren are overweight and obese and that the physical activities most frequently carried out by schoolchildren are very light, indicating lower energy expenditure. It is also reflected that from 62% of very inactive infants, girls represent 34.7%, indicating they are more inactive compared to boys. It was found a statistically significant negative relationship (rs = -, 105, p =, 001) of physical activity with nutritional status.

Resumo Objetivo: O principal objetivo desta pesquisa é descrever a relação entre nível de atividade física e o estado nutricional de escolares em Tabasco, um estado pertencente à região sudeste do México. Materiais e métodos: foi utilizado um desenho descritivo-correlacional com amostragem probabilística irrestrita aleatória em uma amostra de 2.084 escolares matriculados em seis escolas primárias de Tabasco. Os dados foram coletados por meio do "questionário de atividade física de quatro por um dia", além de avaliações antropométricas. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que 46,3% dos escolares estão com sobrepeso e obesos e que as atividades físicas mais frequentemente realizadas pelos escolares são muito leves, indicando menor gasto energético. Também se reflete que, de 62% dos bebês muito inativos, as meninas representam 34,7%, indicando que são mais inativas em comparação aos meninos. Foi encontrada uma relação negativa estatisticamente significativa (rs = -, 105, p =, 001) da atividade física com o estado nutricional.

Résumé Objectif: Le principal objectif de cette recherche est de décrire la relation entre le niveau d'activité physique et l'état nutritionnel des écoliers de Tabasco, un état de la région sud-est du Mexique. Matériel et méthodes: Un plan descriptif-corrélationnel a été utilisé avec un échantillon aléatoire sans restriction de 2084 élèves inscrits dans six écoles primaires de Tabasco. Les données ont été collectées par le biais du «Four by One-day Physical Activity Questionnaire¼, en plus d'évaluations anthropométriques. Résultats: Les résultats ont montré que 46,3% des écoliers sont en surpoids ou obèses et que les activités physiques qu'ils pratiquent le plus fréquemment sont de très légère intensité, ce qui indique une faible dépense énergétique. Il ressort également que parmi les 62% d'enfants très inactifs, les filles représentent 34,7%, ce qui indique qu'elles sont plus inactives que les garçons. Une relation négative statistiquement significative (rs = -.105, p = .001) de l'activité physique avec l'état nutritionnel a été trouvée.

Hyperbaric oxygen and focused rehabilitation program: a feasibility study in improving upper limb motor function after stroke.

Neuroplasticity and recovery after stroke can be enhanced by a rehabilitation program pertinent to upper limb motor function exercise and mental imagery (EMI) as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We assessed feasibility and safety of the combined approach utilizing both HBOT and EMI, and to derive preliminary estimates of its efficacy. In this randomized controlled trial, 27 patients with upper extremity hemiparesis at 3-48 months after stroke were randomized to receive either a complementary rehabilitation program of HBOT-EMI (intervention group), or EMI alone (control group). Feasibility and safety were assessed as total session attendance, duration of sessions, attrition rates, missing data, and intervention-related adverse events. Secondary clinical outcomes were assessed with both objective tools and self-reported measures at baseline, 8 weeks (end of treatment), and 12-weeks follow-up. Session attendance, duration, and attrition rate did not differ between the groups; there were no serious adverse events. Compared with baseline, there were significant sustained improvements of objective and subjective outcomes' measures in the intervention group, and a single improvement in an objective measure in the control group. Between-group outcome comparisons were not statistically significant. This study demonstrated that the combination HBOT-EMI was a safe and feasible approach in patients recovering from chronic stroke. There were also trends for improved motor function of the affected upper limb after the treatments. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no.: NCT02666469. Novelty HBOT combined with an upper limb exercise and mental imagery rehabilitation program is feasible and safe in chronic stroke patients. This combined approach showed trends for improved functional recovery.

Preventing protein-energy malnutrition after cortical stroke enhances recovery of symmetry in forelimb use during spontaneous exploration.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) commonly arises after stroke. We investigated the effects of preventing PEM on spontaneous recovery of forelimb use, infarct size, and the acute phase response in the chronic post-stroke period. Male, adult, Sprague-Dawley rats were acclimatized to control diet (12.5% protein), tested for pre-stroke forelimb use symmetry in the cylinder test, and exposed to photothrombotic cortical stroke or sham surgery. Food intake was monitored daily, and body weight weekly. Forelimb use was tested on day 4 after surgery, before assignment to control diet or PEM (0.5% protein), with subsequent testing on days 16 and 29. Blood, brain, and liver were collected on day 30. The low protein diet resulted in PEM, measured by decreased body weight (p < 0.001) and food intake (p = 0.016) and increased liver lipid (p < 0.001). Stroke (p = 0.016) and PEM (p = 0.001) independently elicited increases in serum α-2-macroglobulin concentration, whereas PEM alone decreased albumin (p < 0.001). PEM reduced recovery of forelimb use symmetry during exploration on days 16 (p = 0.024) and 29 (p = 0.013) but did not influence infarct size (p = 0.775). Stroke reduced reliance on the stroke-affected forelimb to initiate exploration up until day 29 (p < 0.001); PEM had no influence (p ≥ 0.463). Preventing post-stroke PEM appears to yield direct benefits for certain types of motor recovery. Novelty Preventing post-stroke malnutrition benefits certain types of motor recovery. An acute phase response may contribute to the poorer recovery with malnutrition.

Contraction fatigability during interleaved neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the ankle dorsiflexors does not depend on contraction amplitude.

Interleaved neuromuscular electrical stimulation (iNMES) involves alternating stimulus pulses between the tibialis anterior muscle and common peroneal nerve. The current investigation aimed to characterize the relationship between contraction amplitude, motor unit (MU) "overlap", and contraction fatigability during iNMES. It was hypothesized that as iNMES generates progressively larger contractions, more MUs would be recruited from both sites (i.e., more MU overlap), resulting in more fatigability for larger than smaller contractions. Fourteen participants completed 3 sessions. Fatigability was assessed as the decline in torque over 180 contractions (0.3 s "on", 0.7 s "off") when iNMES was delivered to produce initial contractions of ∼5%, 15%, or 30% of a maximal voluntary contraction. Although MU overlap increased significantly with contraction amplitude, the relative (percent) decline in torque was not different between the contraction amplitudes and torque declined on average by 23%. Contraction fatigability was not significantly correlated with either MU overlap or initial contraction amplitude. In conclusion, iNMES can produce fatigue-resistant contractions across a functionally-meaningful range of contraction amplitudes for rehabilitation. Novelty Interleaved neuromuscular electrical stimulation progressively recruits MUs as contraction amplitude increases. However, the relative amount of fatigability of recruited MUs was not different as contraction amplitude increased. This suggests iNMES can be used effectively to produce fatigue-resistant and functionally meaningful contractions.

[Sensorimotor aspects and manual dexterity in autism spectrum disorders: A literature review]. / Aspects sensorimoteurs et motricité manuelle dans les troubles du spectre autistique : une revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVES: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by difficulties in communication and social interactions as well as by restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. They are frequently associated with motor signs. However, literature concerning these motor anomalies remains scarce when it comes to the adult population. Among motor aspects, those concerning manual motor skills warrant a particular attention as their alteration often persists through adulthood with a major impact on functioning and quality of life. The purpose of this article was to systematically review and analyze the literature on sensorimotor aspects and manual motor impairments in ASD. METHODS: We have searched the Medline database using the Pubmed search engine and retaining all articles published since the year 2000 with either their title, abstract or key-words containing the root autis* and any combination of the following terms: hand, manual, finger, dexterity, prehension, grip or grasp. Reference lists where also reviewed. After irrelevant articles were excluded, 33 studies were retained for this work. RESULTS: The basic motor anomaly in autism seems to be a deficit in sensorimotor integration. The central nervous system of individuals with ASD seems unable to efficiently extract sensory information and integrate it correctly into a motor plan and execution. This type of online correction aims to save time on the initial ballistic phase of a movement. Thus, its alteration results in generalized slowness and motor clumsiness that require retroactive feedback corrections. Moreover, difficulties in integrating external sensory information to correctly adapt movement to environmental requirements could explain stereotyped and inflexible behaviors characteristic of autism. The same sensorimotor alterations are found in both gross and fine manual dexterity tasks. They seem to persist significantly though adolescence and into adulthood. To explain these anomalies, the underlying neuroanatomical and neurofunctional substratum might be a hypoconnectivity within cortico-cerebellar tracts. However, several other cerebral structures are also implicated. A delay in the maturational processes of these structures appears to be the common determinant of motor signs found in ASD but also in neurodevelopmental disorders as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: Current works tackling motor aspects in autism comprise several limitations preventing homogenization of their findings. Firstly, characterization of the extremely diverse clinical forms of ASD does not always rely on the same clinical criteria or tools. Furthermore, the motor tasks and the clinical assessments used are not always the same across publications complicating comparison. Moreover, sample sizes are almost always small and only a few studies have addressed motor impairments in adults with ASD. Furthermore, only two studies examine the dynamic longitudinal evolution of motor aspects from childhood to adult age. Finally, despite a recent effort of a consistent number of publications converging towards the hypothesis of a deficit in sensorimotor integration, a common pathophysiological model explaining these deficits in ASD is lacking. A more precise description of these motor signs and further comprehension of the neurological mechanisms underpinning them would allow more tailored managements directed towards subgroups with more homogenous neurodevelopmental profiles.

[Neuroprostheses to compensate for motor impairments]. / Les neuroprothèses pour pallier les déficiences motrices.

Neuroprostheses are medical devices which, interfaced with the nervous system, are able to provoke the artificial generation of nerve signals. These signals, correctly coded, can then be interpreted by target organs such as the muscles.

Understanding exercise-dependent plasticity of motoneurons using intracellular and intramuscular approaches.

Spinal motoneurons (MN) exhibit exercise-dependent adaptations to increased activity, such as exercise and locomotion, as well as decreased activity associated with disuse, spinal cord injury, and aging. The development of several experimental approaches, in both human and animal models, has contributed significantly to our understanding of this plasticity. The purpose of this review is to summarize how intracellular recordings in an animal model and motor unit recordings in a human model have, together, contributed to our current understanding of exercise-dependent MN plasticity. These approaches and techniques will allow neuroscientists to continue to advance our understanding of MN physiology and the plasticity of the "final common path" of the motor system, and to design experiments to answer the critical questions that are emerging in this field.

Sensory modulation, physical activity and participation in daily occupations in young children.

BACKGROUND.: Physical activity (PA) promotes children's health. While sensory processing is integral to motor output, research regarding PA in children with sensory processing challenges is sparse. PURPOSE.: This study aimed to examine the PA pattern and its association with daily life participation of children with sensory processing challenges. METHOD.: Forty-four children ages 5 to 7 years were divided into the study group (children with sensory processing challenges; n = 22; 16 males) and an age-matched typically developing control group ( n = 22; nine males). Parents completed the Short Sensory Profile, a demographic questionnaire, Participation in Childhood Occupations Questionnaire, and Participation in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire-Modified. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlational analysis. FINDINGS.: Structured PA was reported in 45% and 77% of the study and control groups, respectively ( p = .030). In the study group, the level of participation in PA was found to be significantly correlated with play and leisure activities. IMPLICATIONS.: Promoting structured and group PA opportunities may be important for children with sensory processing challenges.

Mental practice combined with repetitive task practice to rehabilitate handwriting in children.

BACKGROUND.: Handwriting dysfunction contributes to 40% of all school-based referrals to occupational therapy. Empirically based handwriting interventions are needed to remediate the negative effects of handwriting dysfunction on a child's occupational performance. PURPOSE.: This study examined the effectiveness of mental practice (MP) combined with repetitive task practice (RTP) to rehabilitate handwriting in children. METHOD.: Twenty typically developing first and second graders with impaired handwriting received RTP twice a week for 4 weeks, then engaged in MP combined with RTP for the same duration. Using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA), they were assessed across four time points: baseline (1), after RTP (2), after MP combined with RTP (3), and follow-up (4). FINDINGS.: Children significantly improved and retained this increase on all variables of MHA ( p < .001) after MP combined with RTP. After RTP, the only significant improvement occurred in handwriting form ( p < .001). IMPLICATIONS.: MP may be a potential therapeutic addition to RTP in rehabilitating global handwriting dysfunction.

Is there sufficient evidence to explain the cause of sexually dimorphic behaviour in force steadiness?

Neuromuscular noise is a determining factor in the control of isometric force steadiness (FS), quantified as coefficient of variation (CV) of force around a preestablished target output. In this paper we examine sex-related differences of neural, muscular, and tendon influences on neuromuscular noise to understand FS in females and males. We use evidence from the literature to identify that CV of force is higher in females compared with males in the upper and lower body, with sex-related differences becoming less apparent with increasing age. Evaluation of sex-related physiology in tandem with results from FS studies indicate that differences in fibre type, contractile properties, and number of motor units (MUs) are unlikely contributors to differences in FS between females and males. MU type, behaviour of the population (inclusive of number of active MUs from the population), agonist-antagonist activity, maximal strength, and tendon mechanics are probable contributors to sexually dimorphic behaviour in FS. To clearly determine underlying causes of sex-related differences in FS, further study and reporting between females and males is required. Females and males are included in many studies; however, rich data on sexually dimorphic behaviour is lost when data are collapsed across sex or identified as nonsignificant without supporting values. This poses a challenge to identifying the underlying cause of females having higher CV of force than males. This review provides evidence of sexually dimorphic behaviour in FS and suggests that physiological differences between females and males effect neuromuscular noise, and in-turn contribute to sex-related differences in FS.

Temporomandibular disorder and comorbid neck pain: facts and hypotheses regarding pain-induced and rehabilitation-induced motor activity changes.

According to the "pain adaptation model", temporomandibular disorder (TMD)-related pain induces a paradoxical activity of masticatory muscles: an agonistic hypoactivity during jaw closing and an antagonistic activity during jaw opening (agonist/antagonist co-activation). However, this model suffers several weaknesses; notably, it does not explain all types of neck muscle activities in neck pain (NP), which is a very prevalent TMD comorbid condition. In NP, neck muscle antagonistic activity is increased, and agonistic activity is decreased as postulated by the pain adaptation model. However, synergistic and compensatory activity may occur and agonistic activity may be unchanged or even increased as postulated within the "vicious cycle theory". Thus, both theories would apply partly as outlined currently in musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Besides pain, psychological stress may also induce motor dysfunction in TMD and NP. In NP, rehabilitation may increase agonistic activity and decrease compensatory activity and antagonistic activity, thus inducing a switch from agonist/antagonist co-activation towards reciprocal inhibition. Thus, rehabilitation-induced motor activity changes constitute a new research field that should improve MSD therapeutics. Additionally, immature tongue function (so-called infantile swallow) might be connected to TMD where low agonistic activity of masticatory muscles would be compensated by facial muscle hyperactivity during oropharyngeal phase of deglutition.