Lilian Ramiro Felicio

The Effect of a Patellar Bandage on the Postural Control of Individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

A patellar bandage is often used by individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PPS) to reduce pain and the additional sensorial input improves proprioception of the knee joint. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of a patellar bandage on the postural control of individuals with and without PPS. [Subjects and Methods] An analysis was performed of variables of center of pressure (CoP) as recorded by a force plate. Information about the forces and moments in three directions was used to obtain the CoP. Thirty women participated in this study: 15 with PPS and 15 without PPS. All subjects performed 3 trials in a unipodal stance with and without a patellar bandage. The force plate data were used to calculate the following variables: CoP sway area, CoP displacement frequency, and CoP mean velocity for the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. A the linear mixed effects model was used for statistical analysis. [Results] Postural sway was significantly reduced in individuals with PPS when a patellar bandage was applied. [Conclusion] Additional sensory input from a patellar bandage increase proprioceptive feedback and this could be related to the improvement in postural control of PPS subjects.

Pain, Work-related Characteristics, and Psychosocial Factors among Computer Workers at a University Center

[Purpose] Complaint of pain is common in computer workers, encouraging the investigation of pain-related workplace factors. This study investigated the relationship among work-related characteristics, psychosocial factors, and pain among computer workers from a university center. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen subjects (median age, 32.0 years; interquartile range, 26.8–34.5 years) were subjected to measurement of bioelectrical impedance; photogrammetry; workplace measurements; and pain complaint, quality of life, and motivation questionnaires. [Results] The low back was the most prevalent region of complaint (76.9%). The number of body regions for which subjects complained of pain was greater in the no rest breaks group, which also presented higher prevalences of neck (62.5%) and low back (100%) pain. There were also observed associations between neck complaint and quality of life; neck complaint and head protrusion; wrist complaint and shoulder angle; and use of a chair back and thoracic pain. [Conclusion] Complaint of pain was associated with no short rest breaks, no use of a chair back, poor quality of life, high head protrusion, and shoulder angle while using the mouse of a computer.

Biomechanical Analysis of Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test.

CONTEXT The closed kinetic chain upper-extremity stability (CKCUES) test is a functional test for the upper extremity performed in the push-up position, where individuals support their body weight on 1 hand placed on the ground and swing the opposite hand until touching the hand on the ground, then switch hands and repeat the process as fast as possible for 15 s. OBJECTIVE To study scapular kinematic and kinetic measures during the CKCUES test for 3 different distances between hands. DESIGN Experimental. SETTING Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS 30 healthy individuals (15 male, 15 female). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants performed 3 repetitions of the test at 3 distance conditions: original (36 in), interacromial, and 150% interacromial distance between hands. Participants completed a questionnaire on pain intensity and perceived exertion before and after the procedures. Scapular internal/external rotation, upward/downward rotation, and posterior/anterior tilting kinematics and kinetic data on maximum force and time to maximum force were measured bilaterally in all participants. Percentage of body weight on upper extremities was calculated. Data analyses were based on the total numbers of hand touches performed for each distance condition, and scapular kinematics and kinetic values were averaged over the 3 trials. Scapular kinematics, maximum force, and time to maximum force were compared for the 3 distance conditions within each gender. Significance level was set at α = .05. RESULTS Scapular internal rotation, posterior tilting, and upward rotation were significantly greater in the dominant side for both genders. Scapular upward rotation was significantly greater in original distance than interacromial distance in swing phase. Time to maximum force in women was significantly greater in the dominant side. CONCLUSION CKCUES test kinematic and kinetic measures were not different among 3 conditions based on distance between hands. However, the test might not be suitable for initial or mild-level rehabilitation due to its challenging requirements.

Equilíbrio estático e dinâmico em bailarinos: revisão da literatura

La danza envuelve integracion de movimiento, equilibrio postural y aspectos relacionados al control postural. Informaciones sobre el equilibrio en bailarines son de gran importancia, pues ellos son considerados modelos de control postural. El objetivo fue revisar estudios sobre equilibrio postural estatico y dinamico en bailarines, caracterizando el control y la dependencia visual de esos atletas para la manutencion del equilibrio. Para eso, fue realizada una revision en las bases de datos PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs y Science Direct, considerando el periodo entre 1997 y 2013, utilizando los descriptores equilibrio, control postural, plataforma de fuerzas, ballet, bailarines clasicos y aferencia visual. Fueron seleccionados 18 articulos capaces de proveer datos cuantitativos para evaluacion del equilibrio en esos atletas clasificados por el nivel de evidencia cientifica Oxford. La literatura revisada muestra completa concordancia en cuanto al efecto de la retirada de la informacion visual sobre la estabilidad postural de bailarines considerados como ejecutantes altamente entrenados. Estudios mostrando la comparacion del equilibrio de bailarines con otras tecnicas deportivas confirmaron un estandar especifico de equilibrio en esos individuos. Entre tanto, asociandose a la restriccion visual, bailarines presentaron mayor desplazamiento del centro de presion comparado a otras modalidades deportivas, sugiriendo mayor dependencia visual para la manutencion del equilibrio. Bailarines presentan menor oscilacion postural en relacion a individuos no entrenados e individuos entrenados en otras practicas deportivas, con mayor dependencia visual para manutencion del equilibrio.Correspondence to: Lilian Ramiro Felicio – Avenida Paris, 34, – CEP: 21041-021 – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brasil – E-mail: lilianrf@uol.com.br Presentation: Oct. 2012 – Accepted for publication: Aug. 2013 – Financing source: none – Conflict of interests: nothing to declare – Approval at the Ethics Committee n. 032/11. AbstrAct | Dance involves integration between movement, postural balance and the multiple aspects involved with postural control. Information regarding the balance of ballet dancers is of great importance, as they are considered models of great postural control. The aim was to review studies about static and dynamic postural balance of ballet dancers, characterizing visual dependency in the postural control of these athletes to maintain balance. A review of literature was performed on PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs, and Science Direct databases considering the period between 1997 and 2013, and using the descriptors balance, postural control, force plates ballet dancers, classical ballet dancers and visual afferences. Eighteen articles were considered able to provide the quantitative and qualitative data to assess the balance among those athletes, and were thus, selected. These papers were classified by Oxford level of evidence. The reviewed literature shows full consensus regarding the effect of removing visual information over postural stability according to the experience of subjects considered highly trained dancers. Studies comparing the balance of ballet dancers to other sporting techniques confirmed that they have a specific postural balance pattern. Nevertheless, in association with visual restriction, ballet dancers show a greater center of pressure dislocation and instability compared to other sports, which suggests that they have higher visual dependence to maintain balance. Ballet dancers have better static balance compared to non-trained subjects and other types of athletes, but greater visual dependence to maintain balance.

Muscular weakness represents the main limiting factor of walk, functional independence and quality of life of myelopathy patients associated to HTLV-1.

UNLABELLED HTLV-1-associated myelopathy is a progressive disabling disease associated with gait abnormalities. OBJECTIVE To identify and quantify the main muscles affected by weakness and spasticity, their impact on gait, functional capacity and on quality of life of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy patients. METHOD We evaluated lower limbs muscular strength according to the Medical Research Council scale, spasticity according to the modified Ashworth scale, daily activities according to the Barthel Index and quality of life according to the Short-Form Health Survey-36 of 26 HTLV-1-associated myelopathy patients. RESULTS The muscles most affected by weakness included the dorsal flexors and knee flexors. Spasticity predominated in the hip adductor muscles and in plantar flexors. Assistance for locomotion, minimal dependence in daily activities, limitations in functional capacity and physical aspects were the most common findings. CONCLUSION The impairment of gait, functional dependence and quality of life were predominantly a consequence of intense muscle weakness in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy patients.

Static and dynamic balance in ballet dancers: a literature review

La danza envuelve integracion de movimiento, equilibrio postural y aspectos relacionados al control postural. Informaciones sobre el equilibrio en bailarines son de gran importancia, pues ellos son considerados modelos de control postural. El objetivo fue revisar estudios sobre equilibrio postural estatico y dinamico en bailarines, caracterizando el control y la dependencia visual de esos atletas para la manutencion del equilibrio. Para eso, fue realizada una revision en las bases de datos PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs y Science Direct, considerando el periodo entre 1997 y 2013, utilizando los descriptores equilibrio, control postural, plataforma de fuerzas, ballet, bailarines clasicos y aferencia visual. Fueron seleccionados 18 articulos capaces de proveer datos cuantitativos para evaluacion del equilibrio en esos atletas clasificados por el nivel de evidencia cientifica Oxford. La literatura revisada muestra completa concordancia en cuanto al efecto de la retirada de la informacion visual sobre la estabilidad postural de bailarines considerados como ejecutantes altamente entrenados. Estudios mostrando la comparacion del equilibrio de bailarines con otras tecnicas deportivas confirmaron un estandar especifico de equilibrio en esos individuos. Entre tanto, asociandose a la restriccion visual, bailarines presentaron mayor desplazamiento del centro de presion comparado a otras modalidades deportivas, sugiriendo mayor dependencia visual para la manutencion del equilibrio. Bailarines presentan menor oscilacion postural en relacion a individuos no entrenados e individuos entrenados en otras practicas deportivas, con mayor dependencia visual para manutencion del equilibrio.Correspondence to: Lilian Ramiro Felicio – Avenida Paris, 34, – CEP: 21041-021 – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brasil – E-mail: lilianrf@uol.com.br Presentation: Oct. 2012 – Accepted for publication: Aug. 2013 – Financing source: none – Conflict of interests: nothing to declare – Approval at the Ethics Committee n. 032/11. AbstrAct | Dance involves integration between movement, postural balance and the multiple aspects involved with postural control. Information regarding the balance of ballet dancers is of great importance, as they are considered models of great postural control. The aim was to review studies about static and dynamic postural balance of ballet dancers, characterizing visual dependency in the postural control of these athletes to maintain balance. A review of literature was performed on PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs, and Science Direct databases considering the period between 1997 and 2013, and using the descriptors balance, postural control, force plates ballet dancers, classical ballet dancers and visual afferences. Eighteen articles were considered able to provide the quantitative and qualitative data to assess the balance among those athletes, and were thus, selected. These papers were classified by Oxford level of evidence. The reviewed literature shows full consensus regarding the effect of removing visual information over postural stability according to the experience of subjects considered highly trained dancers. Studies comparing the balance of ballet dancers to other sporting techniques confirmed that they have a specific postural balance pattern. Nevertheless, in association with visual restriction, ballet dancers show a greater center of pressure dislocation and instability compared to other sports, which suggests that they have higher visual dependence to maintain balance. Ballet dancers have better static balance compared to non-trained subjects and other types of athletes, but greater visual dependence to maintain balance.

Postural Control During Different Unipodal Positions in Professional Ballet Dancers

Classical ballet involves the performance of complex movements that require high-level motor skills and good postural control. This study explored postural sway in passé en demi-pointe position in dancers and compared single-leg standing sway (with and without visual restriction) between dancers and non-dancers. Fourteen professional dancers and 14 sex- and age-matched volunteers who were not ballet dancers participated in the study. Participants stood on a force plate on the dominant leg in the following positions: 1. single-leg stance with eyes open (reference task) and with eyes closed and blindfolded for 35 seconds; and 2. passé en demi-pointe position with eyes open for 20 seconds (dancers only). The center of pressure signal was used to calculate the following variables: average velocity; anteroposterior and mediolateral velocity peaks; anteroposterior and mediolateral displacement ranges; average displacement; and ellipse area. Significant interaction effects (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.419) were observed between groups and postural tasks, with higher stabilometric values for the dancer group during the single-leg stance with eyes closed and blindfolded task, as evidenced by the average displacement of 241.0 cm in dancers and 147.1 cm in non-dancers (p = 0.025), and by the ellipse area of 9.5 cm2 for dancers and 4.9 cm2 for non-dancers (p = 0.001). In regard to the positions with eyes open, an increase was noted only in the average sway velocity and mediolateral velocity in passé en demi-pointe position compared with the single-leg stance with eyes open (p < 0.001). Greater postural sway might be interpreted as the result of either inadequate postural stability or exploratory behavior to maintain postural stability in more challenging tasks. It is concluded that professional ballet dancers show greater visual dependency for balance adjustment with reduced influence of the supporting base on postural sway.: Classical ballet involves the performance of complex movements that require high-level motor skills and good postural control. This study explored postural sway in passe en demi-pointe position in dancers and compared single-leg standing sway (with and without visual restriction) between dancers and non-dancers. Fourteen professional dancers and 14 sex- and age-matched volunteers who were not ballet dancers participated in the study. Participants stood on a force plate on the dominant leg in the following positions: 1. single-leg stance with eyes open (reference task) and with eyes closed and blindfolded for 35 seconds; and 2. passe en demi-pointe position with eyes open for 20 seconds (dancers only). The center of pressure signal was used to calculate the following variables: average velocity; anteroposterior and mediolateral velocity peaks; anteroposterior and mediolateral displacement ranges; average displacement; and ellipse area. Significant interaction effects (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.419) were observed between groups and postural tasks, with higher stabilometric values for the dancer group during the single-leg stance with eyes closed and blindfolded task, as evidenced by the average displacement of 241.0 cm in dancers and 147.1 cm in non-dancers (p = 0.025), and by the ellipse area of 9.5 cm2 for dancers and 4.9 cm2 for non-dancers (p = 0.001). In regard to the positions with eyes open, an increase was noted only in the average sway velocity and mediolateral velocity in passe en demi-pointe position compared with the single-leg stance with eyes open (p < 0.001). Greater postural sway might be interpreted as the result of either inadequate postural stability or exploratory behavior to maintain postural stability in more challenging tasks. It is concluded that professional ballet dancers show greater visual dependency for balance adjustment with reduced influence of the supporting base on postural sway.

Lesiones en tenistas amateurs en Rio de Janeiro

INTRODUCTION: Sports training in various modalities is associated with injuries, especially when presenting large volume and intensity. Few Brazilian studies have investigated the prevalence of injury in tennis players, however, information about the location, type and mechanisms injuries which affect this group of athletes are important for prevention and treatment of such injuries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of lesions reported by amateur tennis players in the city of Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: The evaluation was conducted through a structured questionnaire with information about the affected body region, type and mechanism of injury, as well as data on the characteristics of the training. The groups formed, injury and non injury, were compared by Students t test or Mann-Whitney test, and the chi-squared or Fishers exact test, using SPSS software (p<0.05). RESULTS: Of 159 tennis players (89.3% men, 45.3±11.4 years old; 8.5±6.6 years of tennis practice) which completed the questionnaire, 38.4% reported having been affected by an injury arising from tennis. The most affected regions were: elbow (24.5%), knee (11.3%), and ankle (6.9%). Considering all injuries, tendinitis was the most frequently reported (24.5%), followed by sprain (12.6%) and meniscal injuries (4.4%). Regarding the mechanism of injury, the most prevalent were repetition (25.2%) and changes of direction (15.1%). The injury group presented higher age (48.8±10.1 vs. 43.6±11.8 years), years of tennis practice (10.5±8.5 vs. 7.2± 4.8), and total body mass (86.8±9.8 vs. 81.0±11.0kg). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of injuries in amateur tennis players in Rio de Janeiro was 38.4%, being lateral epicondylitis of the elbow the most frequent, due to the repetition of the characteristic motor actions of this sport.INTRODUCAO: O treinamento desportivo em diversas modalidades esta associado a presenca de lesoes, principalmente quando apresenta grande volume e intensidade. Poucos estudos nacionais investigaram a prevalencia de lesao em tenistas, porem, as informacoes sobre a localizacao, o tipo e o mecanismo das lesoes que acometem esse grupo de atletas sao importantes para a prevencao e o tratamento de tais lesoes.OBJETIVO: Verificar a frequencia de lesao relatada por tenistas amadores no municipio do Rio de Janeiro.METODOS: A avaliacao foi realizada por meio de um questionario estruturado, com informacoes sobre a regiao corporal acometida, tipo e mecanismo de lesao, alem de dados sobre a caracteristica do treinamento. Os grupos formados, lesao e nao lesao, foram comparados pelo teste t de Studentou Mann-Whitney e pelo teste Qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher, no programa SPSS (p<0,05).RESULTADOS: Dos 159 jogadores de tenis (89,3% homens; 45,3 ± 11,4 anos de idade; 8,5 ± 6,6 anos de pratica esportiva) que responderam o questionario, 38,4% relataram ja ter sido acometidos por alguma lesao decorrente do tenis. As regioes mais acometidas foram: cotovelo (24,5%), joelho (11,3%) e tornozelo (6,9%). Considerando todas as lesoes, a tendinite foi o tipo mais relatado (24,5%), seguido por entorse (12,6%) e lesao meniscal (4,4%). Com relacao ao mecanismo de lesao, os mais prevalentes foram por repeticao (25,2%) e mudanca de direcao (15,1%). O grupo lesao apresentou maiores valores para idade (48,8 ± 10,1 vs. 43,6 ± 11,8 anos), tempo de pratica da modalidade (10,5 ± 8,5 vs. 7,2 ± 4,8 anos) e massa corporal total (86,8 ± 9,8 vs. 81,0 ± 11,0 kg).CONCLUSAO: A prevalencia de lesao em tenistas amadores no Rio de Janeiro foi de 38,4%, sendo a epicondilite lateral do cotovelo a mais frequente, em virtude da repeticao do gesto esportivo.

Injuries in amateur tennis players in Rio de Janeiro

INTRODUCTION: Sports training in various modalities is associated with injuries, especially when presenting large volume and intensity. Few Brazilian studies have investigated the prevalence of injury in tennis players, however, information about the location, type and mechanisms injuries which affect this group of athletes are important for prevention and treatment of such injuries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of lesions reported by amateur tennis players in the city of Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: The evaluation was conducted through a structured questionnaire with information about the affected body region, type and mechanism of injury, as well as data on the characteristics of the training. The groups formed, injury and non injury, were compared by Students t test or Mann-Whitney test, and the chi-squared or Fishers exact test, using SPSS software (p<0.05). RESULTS: Of 159 tennis players (89.3% men, 45.3±11.4 years old; 8.5±6.6 years of tennis practice) which completed the questionnaire, 38.4% reported having been affected by an injury arising from tennis. The most affected regions were: elbow (24.5%), knee (11.3%), and ankle (6.9%). Considering all injuries, tendinitis was the most frequently reported (24.5%), followed by sprain (12.6%) and meniscal injuries (4.4%). Regarding the mechanism of injury, the most prevalent were repetition (25.2%) and changes of direction (15.1%). The injury group presented higher age (48.8±10.1 vs. 43.6±11.8 years), years of tennis practice (10.5±8.5 vs. 7.2± 4.8), and total body mass (86.8±9.8 vs. 81.0±11.0kg). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of injuries in amateur tennis players in Rio de Janeiro was 38.4%, being lateral epicondylitis of the elbow the most frequent, due to the repetition of the characteristic motor actions of this sport.INTRODUCAO: O treinamento desportivo em diversas modalidades esta associado a presenca de lesoes, principalmente quando apresenta grande volume e intensidade. Poucos estudos nacionais investigaram a prevalencia de lesao em tenistas, porem, as informacoes sobre a localizacao, o tipo e o mecanismo das lesoes que acometem esse grupo de atletas sao importantes para a prevencao e o tratamento de tais lesoes.OBJETIVO: Verificar a frequencia de lesao relatada por tenistas amadores no municipio do Rio de Janeiro.METODOS: A avaliacao foi realizada por meio de um questionario estruturado, com informacoes sobre a regiao corporal acometida, tipo e mecanismo de lesao, alem de dados sobre a caracteristica do treinamento. Os grupos formados, lesao e nao lesao, foram comparados pelo teste t de Studentou Mann-Whitney e pelo teste Qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher, no programa SPSS (p<0,05).RESULTADOS: Dos 159 jogadores de tenis (89,3% homens; 45,3 ± 11,4 anos de idade; 8,5 ± 6,6 anos de pratica esportiva) que responderam o questionario, 38,4% relataram ja ter sido acometidos por alguma lesao decorrente do tenis. As regioes mais acometidas foram: cotovelo (24,5%), joelho (11,3%) e tornozelo (6,9%). Considerando todas as lesoes, a tendinite foi o tipo mais relatado (24,5%), seguido por entorse (12,6%) e lesao meniscal (4,4%). Com relacao ao mecanismo de lesao, os mais prevalentes foram por repeticao (25,2%) e mudanca de direcao (15,1%). O grupo lesao apresentou maiores valores para idade (48,8 ± 10,1 vs. 43,6 ± 11,8 anos), tempo de pratica da modalidade (10,5 ± 8,5 vs. 7,2 ± 4,8 anos) e massa corporal total (86,8 ± 9,8 vs. 81,0 ± 11,0 kg).CONCLUSAO: A prevalencia de lesao em tenistas amadores no Rio de Janeiro foi de 38,4%, sendo a epicondilite lateral do cotovelo a mais frequente, em virtude da repeticao do gesto esportivo.

Lesões em tenistas amadores no Rio de Janeiro

INTRODUCTION: Sports training in various modalities is associated with injuries, especially when presenting large volume and intensity. Few Brazilian studies have investigated the prevalence of injury in tennis players, however, information about the location, type and mechanisms injuries which affect this group of athletes are important for prevention and treatment of such injuries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of lesions reported by amateur tennis players in the city of Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: The evaluation was conducted through a structured questionnaire with information about the affected body region, type and mechanism of injury, as well as data on the characteristics of the training. The groups formed, injury and non injury, were compared by Students t test or Mann-Whitney test, and the chi-squared or Fishers exact test, using SPSS software (p<0.05). RESULTS: Of 159 tennis players (89.3% men, 45.3±11.4 years old; 8.5±6.6 years of tennis practice) which completed the questionnaire, 38.4% reported having been affected by an injury arising from tennis. The most affected regions were: elbow (24.5%), knee (11.3%), and ankle (6.9%). Considering all injuries, tendinitis was the most frequently reported (24.5%), followed by sprain (12.6%) and meniscal injuries (4.4%). Regarding the mechanism of injury, the most prevalent were repetition (25.2%) and changes of direction (15.1%). The injury group presented higher age (48.8±10.1 vs. 43.6±11.8 years), years of tennis practice (10.5±8.5 vs. 7.2± 4.8), and total body mass (86.8±9.8 vs. 81.0±11.0kg). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of injuries in amateur tennis players in Rio de Janeiro was 38.4%, being lateral epicondylitis of the elbow the most frequent, due to the repetition of the characteristic motor actions of this sport.INTRODUCAO: O treinamento desportivo em diversas modalidades esta associado a presenca de lesoes, principalmente quando apresenta grande volume e intensidade. Poucos estudos nacionais investigaram a prevalencia de lesao em tenistas, porem, as informacoes sobre a localizacao, o tipo e o mecanismo das lesoes que acometem esse grupo de atletas sao importantes para a prevencao e o tratamento de tais lesoes.OBJETIVO: Verificar a frequencia de lesao relatada por tenistas amadores no municipio do Rio de Janeiro.METODOS: A avaliacao foi realizada por meio de um questionario estruturado, com informacoes sobre a regiao corporal acometida, tipo e mecanismo de lesao, alem de dados sobre a caracteristica do treinamento. Os grupos formados, lesao e nao lesao, foram comparados pelo teste t de Studentou Mann-Whitney e pelo teste Qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher, no programa SPSS (p<0,05).RESULTADOS: Dos 159 jogadores de tenis (89,3% homens; 45,3 ± 11,4 anos de idade; 8,5 ± 6,6 anos de pratica esportiva) que responderam o questionario, 38,4% relataram ja ter sido acometidos por alguma lesao decorrente do tenis. As regioes mais acometidas foram: cotovelo (24,5%), joelho (11,3%) e tornozelo (6,9%). Considerando todas as lesoes, a tendinite foi o tipo mais relatado (24,5%), seguido por entorse (12,6%) e lesao meniscal (4,4%). Com relacao ao mecanismo de lesao, os mais prevalentes foram por repeticao (25,2%) e mudanca de direcao (15,1%). O grupo lesao apresentou maiores valores para idade (48,8 ± 10,1 vs. 43,6 ± 11,8 anos), tempo de pratica da modalidade (10,5 ± 8,5 vs. 7,2 ± 4,8 anos) e massa corporal total (86,8 ± 9,8 vs. 81,0 ± 11,0 kg).CONCLUSAO: A prevalencia de lesao em tenistas amadores no Rio de Janeiro foi de 38,4%, sendo a epicondilite lateral do cotovelo a mais frequente, em virtude da repeticao do gesto esportivo.