Alberito Rodrigo de Carvalho

Effects of Nordic walking training on functional parameters in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

We compare the effects of Nordic walking training (NW) and Free walk (FW) on functional parameters (motor symptoms, balance) and functional mobility (Timed Up and Go at Self‐selected Speed – TUGSS, and at forced speed, TUGFS; Self‐selected Walking Speed, SSW; locomotor rehabilitation index, LRI) of Parkinsons disease (PD) patients. The study included 33 patients with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD, and staging between 1 and 4 in the Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y) randomized into two groups: NW (N = 16) and FW (N = 17) for 6 weeks. Baseline characteristics were compared trough a one‐way ANOVA. Outcomes were analyzed using the Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE) with a Bonferroni post‐hoc. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.20.0. Improvements in UPDRS III (P < 0.001), balance scores (P < 0.035), TUGSS distance (P < 0.001), TUGFS distance (P < 0.001), SSW (P < 0.001), and LRI (P < 0.001) were found for both groups. However, the NW group showed significant differences (P < 0.001) when compared to the FW group for the functional mobility. We conclude the NW improves functional parameters and walking mobility demonstrating that NW is as effective as the FW, including benefits for FW on the functional mobility of people with PD.

Lombalgia crônica: comparação entre duas intervenções na força inspiratória e capacidade funcional

Abstract Introduction : Chronic low back pain has a high incidence, large social and personal costs and therapeutic efforts are often frustrating. Is necessary evaluated the physical therapy resources to understand better and substantiating scienti x03O ically then. Objectives : To compare the effects of two physical therapy interventions on respiratory muscle strength (RMS) and functional capacity (FC) in patients with chronic low back pain. Materials and methods : The sample (n = 10) was comprised of patients with chronic low back pain randomly divided into the control group (CG), which received conventional physical therapy (electroanalgesia, massage and stretching), and the experimental group (EG), which received the combined kinesiotherapy (composed of isostretching and aquatic sensoriomotor training). The measurement of the CF test performed by the six minute walk test (6MWT) and the RMS for inspiratory maximal pressure (IMP) and expiratory (MEP) by mano-vacuometry, which happened before (

Possíveis alterações no mecanismo minimizador de energia da caminhada em decorrência da dor lombar crônica - revisão de literatura

One goal of the locomotion is to move the body in the space at the most economical way possible. However, little is known about the mechanical and energetic aspects of locomotion that are affected by low back pain. And in case of occurring some damage, little is known about how the mechanical and energetic characteristics of the locomotion are manifested in functional activities, especially with respect to the energy-minimizer mechanisms during locomotion. This study aimed: a) to describe the main energy-minimizer mechanisms of locomotion; b) to check if there are signs of damage on the mechanical and energetic characteristics of the locomotion due to chronic low back pain (CLBP) which may endanger the energy-minimizer mechanisms. This study is characterized as a narrative literature review. The main theory that explains the minimization of energy expenditure during the locomotion is the inverted pendulum mechanism, by which the energy-minimizer mechanism converts kinetic energy into potential energy of the center of mass and vice-versa during the step. This mechanism is strongly influenced by spatio-temporal gait (locomotion) parameters such as step length and preferred walking speed, which, in turn, may be severely altered in patients with chronic low back pain. However, much remains to be understood about the effects of chronic low back pain on the individuals ability to practice an economic locomotion, because functional impairment may compromise the mechanical and energetic characteristics of this type of gait, making it more costly. Thus, there are indications that such changes may compromise the functional energy-minimizer mechanisms.

Effect of weighted sled towing on sprinting effectiveness, power and force-velocity relationship

This study aimed to compare the components of force-velocity (F-V) and power-velocity (P-V) profiles and the mechanical effectiveness of force application (or force ratio–RF) among various sled-towing loads during the entire acceleration phase of a weighted sled sprint. Eighteen sprinters performed four 50-m sprints in various conditions: unloaded; with a load corresponding to 20% of the athlete’s body mass (BM); with a load of 30% BM; and with a load of 40% BM. Data were collected with five video cameras, and the images were digitised to obtain velocity from the derivation of the centre-of-mass position. F-V and P-V components and RF were estimated from sprinting velocity-time data for each load using a validated method that is based on an inverse dynamic approach applied to the sprinter’s centre-of-mass (it models the horizontal antero-posterior and vertical ground reaction force components) and requires only measurement of anthropometric and spatiotemporal variables (body mass, stature and instantaneous position or velocity during the acceleration phase). The theoretical maximal velocity decreased with load compared with the unloaded condition (for 20% BM: -6%, effect size (ES) = 0,38; for 30% BM: -15%, ES = 1.02; for 40% BM: -18%, ES = 1.10). The theoretical maximal horizontal force (F0) and maximal power were not different among conditions. However, power at the end of the acceleration phase increased with load (40% BM vs 0%: 72%; ES = 2.73) as well as the maximal mechanical effectiveness (12%; ES = 0.85). The linear decrease in RF was different between 30 or 40% BM and the unloaded condition (-23%; ES = 0.74 and 0.66). Better effectiveness may be developed with 40% BM load at the beginning of the acceleration and with the various load-induced changes in the components of the F-V and P-V relationships, allowing a more accurate determination of optimal loading conditions for maximizing power.

Nonspecific chronic low back pain and incapacity level: influence of walking performance

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic low back pain syndrome promotes several functional losses which impact quality of life of patients, and walking is one of the most impaired functions. Being chronic low back pain a syndrome with multiple etiologies, efforts to understand the relation between functional losses and etiologic factors are justified. This study aimed at correlating walking speed with pain perception, incapacity level (I) and condition of having or not chronic low back pain (group). METHODS: Sample was made up of volunteers with nonspecific low back pain (LG/n=8) and healthy subjects (CG/n=8). Incapacity level was obtained by Oswestry Incapacity Index during evaluation. Tests battery was divided in three sessions according to walking intensity, as follows: preferred self-selected speed (VP) and faster and slower speeds as compared to VP. In each session, volunteers walked for five minutes and at every minute pain was quantified by the analog scale. Kendal Tau test was used with p=0.05. RESULTS: Walking speed was not correlated with pain intensity, with incapacity level or with the group. However, group versus incapacity level, group versus pain, incapacity level versus pain were correlated with one another. CONCLUSION: Walking performance was not influenced by nonspecific chronic low back pain and by incapacity level.