Mariana Zingari Camargo

Análise comparativa do equilíbrio unipodal de atletas de ginástica rítmica

ABSTRACT Introduction: Rhythmic gymnastics requires a high level of physical quality; therefore, good performance depends on muscular strength and endurance, motor coordination and postural balance. Objective: To develop a comparative analysis of postural balance in rhythmic gymnasts. Methods: 10 female rhythmic gymnasts were evaluated by a force platform on one foot and balance functional tests (Side Hop Test and Figure of Eight Hop Test). The following data of the force platform were analyzed: anteroposterior and mediolateral of the center of pressure parameters, while for the functional tests, the time in seconds was analyzed. Results: Significant difference (p = 0.01) was found between lower limbs in the median frequency parameter in the mediolateral direction, in which non dominant lower limb showed higher postural stability than the dominant one. For functional tests, there was no significant difference between limbs. Conclusion: The difference found in the balance control of mediolateral direction may be related to different muscular actions of the hip region, which is present during the sport practice for stabilization, trunk maintenance, and movement performance with lower limbs. These results indicate the need of a balance program and pelvic sta-bilization for the analyzed athletes in order to maintain muscular symmetry of the limbs for high sports performance.Keywords: postural balance, athletes, sports.

Characterization of lumbar angle, pelvic sagittal balance and flexibility in preschoolers

Introduction: The alignment between the anterior superior and posterior inferior iliac spines is closely related to lumbar curvature in sagittal plane. Objetive: To characterize the flexibility and angulations of lumbar spine and to relation the pelvis in sagittal plane in preschool children in municipal schools in Londrina/PR/BR. Methods: Participated in the study 138 children aged between five and six years of municipal school in Londrina. The assessment was performed by photogrammetry method, sagittal pelvic balance test, extended limb elevation test by flexi meter and Thomas’ Test. The evaluations were done in the schools. Results: There was not difference in angles of lumbar between sexes, weight and ages. In the sagittal pelvic balance the most children presented retroversion (56.6%). Children with pelvis in anteversion (4.3%) presented the lower lumbar angles, indicated hyperlordosis. The children with pelvic balance presented a great flexibility of hamstrings muscle than retroversion and anteversion. Conclusion: Flexibility is greater in girls and in children with five years old. The lumbar angle was 24.07o. The pelvis in retroversion in most children, differing from the expected for the age group. The lower angle of the back was corresponding to a pelvis in anteversion and balanced.