Luis Espejo-Antúnez

Validez del test sit-and-reach para valorar la extensibilidad isquiosural en mujeres mayores

INTRODUCTION lumbo-sacral posture and the sit-andreach score have been proposed as measures of hamstring extensibility. However, the validity is influenced by sample characteristics. OBJECTIVE to determine the validity of lumbo-horizontal angle and score in the sit-and-reach test as measures of hamstring extensibility in older women. METHOD a hundred and twenty older women performed the straight leg raise test with both leg, and the sit-and-reach test (SR) in a random order. For the sitand- reach test, the score and the lumbo-sacral posture in bending (lumbo-horizontal angle, L-Hfx) were measured. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION the mean values of straight leg raise in left and right leg were 81.70 ± 13.83º and 82.10 ± 14.36º, respectively. The mean value of EPR of both legs was 81.90 ± 12.70º. The mean values of SR score and L-Hfx were -1.54 ± 8.09 cm and 91.08º ± 9.32º, respectively. The correlation values between the mean straight leg raise test with respect to lumbo-sacral posture and SR score were moderate (L-Hfx: r = -0.72, p < 0.01; SR: r = 0.70, p < 0.01). Both variables independently explained about 50% of the variance (L-Hfx: R2 = 0.52, p < 0,001; SR: R2 = 0.49, p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONS the validity of lumbo-sacral posture in bending as measure of hamstring muscle extensibility on older women is moderate, with similar values than SR score.

EFECTO DE UN PROTOCOLO DE CALENTAMIENTO EN LA DISTANCIA ALCANZADA EN EL TEST SIT-AND-REACH EN ALUMNOS ADOLESCENTES

INTRODUCTION Sit-and-reach tests are often used in physical education classes for measurement of hamstring extensibility in students, without a standar protocol to perform it. OBJETIVE To analyze the effect of a warm-up protocol based on locomotion activities and stretching in the sit-and-reach scores in adolescent students. METHOD A total of 47 teenagers students (17 boys and 30 girls) performed the sit-and-reach test before, immediately after, and 5 and 10 minutes after completing a structured warm-up. The warm-up consisted on a part of continuous running, dynamic locomotor and mobility activities as well as static stretching of lower limbs (quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors, iliopsoas and gastrocnemius), with a total duration of 8 minutes. Between measurements after warm-up, the participants remained standing without performing any exercise and/or stretching. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION After warm-up there was a significant improvement in the sit-and-reach score (+ 2.15 cm) (p < 0.001), being slightly higher at 5 and 10 minutes (+ 2.49 cm at 5 minutes and + 2.61 cm at 10 minutes) (p < 0.001 with respect to the pre-test). CONCLUSIONS A warm-up protocol performed before the sit-and-reach test, comprised by locomotion, dynamic activities and stretching, improves significantly the distance achieved in this test.

Effect of interferential current therapy on pain perception and disability level in subjects with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To assess the short-term efficacy of transregional interferential current therapy on pain perception and disability level in chronic non-specific low back pain. Design: A randomized, single-blinded (the assessor collecting the outcome data was blinded), controlled trial. Setting: A private physiotherapy research clinic. Subjects: A total of 64 individuals, 20 men and 44 women, mean (SD) age was 51 years (11.93), with low back pain of more than three months, with or without pain radiating to the lower extremities above the knee, were distributed into a control (n = 20) or an experimental group (n = 44). A 2:1 randomization ratio was used in favour of the latter. Interventions: A transregional interferential current electrotherapy protocol was performed for participants in the experimental group, while the control group underwent a ‘usual care’ treatment (massage, mobilization and soft-tissue techniques). All subjects received up to 10 treatment sessions of 25 minutes over a two-week period, and completed the intervention and follow-up evaluations. Outcome measures: Self-perceived pain was assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale. Secondary measure included the Oswestry Low Back Disability Index. Evaluations were collected at baseline and after the intervention protocol. Results: Significant between-group differences were found for interferential current therapy on pain perception (p = 0.032) and disability level (p = 0.002). The observed differences in the between-group mean changes were of 11.34 mm (1.77/20.91) and 13.38 points (4.97/21.78), respectively. Conclusions: A two-week transregional interferential current treatment has shown significant short-term efficacy, when compared with a ‘usual care’ protocol, on self-perceived pain and functionality in subjects with chronic low back pain.

DRY NEEDLING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS

OBJECTIVE This systematic review of randomized controlled trials aimed to examine the effectiveness of dry needling in the treatment of myofascial trigger points and to explore the impact of specific aspects of the technique on its effectiveness. METHODS Relevant studies published between 2000 and 2015 were identified by searching PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane Library and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Studies identified by electronic searches were screened against a set of pre-defined inclusion criteria. RESULTS Fifteen studies were included in this systematic review. The main outcomes that were measured were pain, range of motion, disability, depression and quality of life. The results suggest that dry needling is effective in the short term for pain relief, increase range of motion and improve quality of life when compared to no intervention/sham/placebo. There is insufficient evidence on its effect on disability, analgesic medication intake and sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS Despite some evidence for a positive effect in the short term, further randomized clinical trials of high methodological quality, using standardized procedures for the application of dry needling are needed.

EFECTO DE UN PROGRAMA DE ESTIRAMIENTO DE LA MUSCULATURA ISQUIOSURAL SOBRE LA EXTENSIBILIDAD ISQUIOSURAL EN ESCOLARES ADOLESCENTES: INFLUENCIA DE LA DISTRIBUCIÓN SEMANAL DE LAS SESIONES

INTRODUCTION students who do hamstring stretching exercises, twice per week on alternate days, have showed significant increases on extensibility. Objetive: to compare the effects of a hamstring stretching program includes in the physical education classes in booth groups of adolescent, which had a different class session weekly distribution (non-consecutive sessions vs. consecutive sessions). METHOD fifty-eight adolescent students did a static-active stretching program on hamstring in the warm-up of both weekly physical education sessions for five weeks. The total duration of the stretching was five minutes. Students were divided in two groups: group A, with 30 students, had consecutive sessions (monday-tuesday), and the group B, with 29 students, had non-consecutive sessions (tuesday-friday). Hamstring extensibility was evaluated with the sit-and-reach test before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the intervention program. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION there was found a significant increase in the sit-and-reach score in the group A (+2,15 cm) (p = 0.003) and in the group B (+2,31 cm) (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between groups in the pre-test and the post-test (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS the implementation of an intervention program for five weeks, twice sessions a week, induded increases on hamstring extensibility in students. The class session weekly distribution does not affect the results.

A novel determination of energy expenditure efficiency during a balance task using accelerometers. A pilot study

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study are to determine the displacement of the center of pressure (CoP) and its association with the spectral energy density of the acceleration required for the maintenance of postural balance in different standing positions in healthy participants using design observational and setting laboratorial studies. Participants were 30 healthy university students aged between 18 and 32 years old (mean [M] ± standard deviation [SD] = 21,57 ± 3,31 years). Triaxial accelerometer and a pressure platform were used in order to obtain energy spectral density and CoP sway measurements during four balance tasks. Statistically significant differences were found for anteroposterior (p = 0.002) and mediolateral (p = 0.009) CoP displacement between the conditions eyes closed and stable surface and the conditions eyes closed and unstable surface. A statistically significant correlation was also observed between Z-axis (anterior-posterior) of the accelerometer and mediolateral axis of the CoP (r = 0.465; p = 0.01) and between Y-axis accelerometer (mediolateral) and displacement of the CoP in the anteroposterior axis (r = 0.413; p = 0.023). Spectral energy density appears to be associated with the displacement of CoP in healthy participants.