Mônica de Oliveira Melo

Atividade elétrica dos músculos oblíquos externos e multífidos durante o exercício de flexoextensão do quadril realizado no Cadillac com diferentes regulagens de mola e posições do indivíduo

BACKGROUND: Despite of the widepread use of Pilates in Physical Therapy, there are few studies that have assessed the muscle electrical activation during Pilates exercises. OBJECTIVE: Verify the influence of different spring adjustments and individual positions on the electrical activation of multifidus (MU) and oblique external (OE) muscles during hip flexion-extension (HFE) exercise on the Cadillac. METHODS: Eight women practicing Pilates exercises for at least six months performed 10 repetitions of HFE in the following situations: Lower Spring, spring fixed at 30 cm in relation to level which the individuals were positioned. Higher Spring, spring fixed at 90 cm in relation to level which the individuals were positioned. Near Position, distance of 10 cm from the fixed spring. Distant Position, distance of 30 cm from the fixed spring. Kinematic and eletromyographic data (EMG) were collected simultaneously and the MU and OE muscles were monitored. Each movement of HFE was splitted in two phases (extension and flexion). The EMG signal was calculated and normalized using the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The Wilcoxon test was used to investigate differences between the situations (p<0.05). RESULTS: MU muscle presented muscle activation values ranging from 10 to 20xa0% MVC, and the highest muscle activation in the lower spring and in the near position. OE muscles presented muscle activation values ranging from 20 to 45% MVC, and the highest values in the higher spring and in the distant position. CONCLUSION: MU and OE muscles presented a distinct electrical activation during different available spring adjustments and individual positions.

Effects of Russian current and low-frequency pulsed current on discomfort level and current amplitude at 10% maximal knee extensor torque

Background: Low-frequency pulsed current (LFPC) and Russian current (RC), a type of kilohertz-frequency alternating current, have been frequently used for muscle strengthening in rehabilitation programs. Despite the popularity of these current types, it is unclear which is most effectively able to generate a similar submaximal torque with minimal discomfort and current amplitude. Objective: To compare discomfort and current amplitude between LFPC and RC to achieve a knee extensor torque of 10% of the maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC). Methods: Twenty-two healthy subjects were subjected to three electrically elicited knee extensor submaximal contractions (10% MIVC) that were sustained for 10 seconds. The current amplitude required to achieve 10% MIVC and subjective discomfort were assessed directly by the electrical stimulator and with the Visual Analogue Pain Scale, respectively. A paired t-test was used to determine differences between the electrical currents (αu2009=u20090.05). Results: LFPC required significantly lower current amplitude (15%) and a lower discomfort level (50%) to achieve 10% of MIVC compared to RC. Conclusion: LFPC current seems to be more effective than RC with respect to discomfort level and current amplitude to produce 10% of MIVC.

Position of arm and forearm, and elbow flexion during performance of the sculling technique: Technical recommendation versus actual performance

Sculling motion is a swimming technique executed in a vertical position with the head above the waters surface and, based on the technical recommendation, should be performed maintaining an elbow flexion angle of 90°, arms kept stationary while the forearms move. In order to verify if this recommendation is indeed realistic, the aim of this study was to describe the elbow flexion angle ant its angular velocity, linear speed and range of motion of the shoulder, elbow and wrist during the sculling motion. Data were calculated using three-dimensional kinematic process from underwater video images of ten athletes of synchronized swimming. The results indicate that the arm is relatively stationary and the forearm moves, which agrees with the technical recommendation. However, the elbow flexes and extends, which contradicts the technical recommendation. These findings should be considered when this action is practiced, especially in synchronized swimming, in which sculling motion is a fundamental technique.Palmateio realizado na posicao vertical, com a cabeca acima da superficie dagua, deve ser realizado mantendo um ângulo de flexao de cotovelo de 90° e mantendo os bracos estacionarios enquanto os antebracos movem baseado na recomendacao tecnica. Com o intuito de verificar se essa recomendacao tecnica e realmente realizada, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o ângulo de flexao do cotovelo, a velocidade angular do cotovelo, a velocidade linear e a amplitude linear de movimento do ombro, do cotovelo e do punho durante o palmateio realizado na posicao vertical. Essas variaveis foram calculadas a partir de dados cinematicos tridimensionais de dez praticantes de nado sincronizado. Os resultados indicam que o braco e relativamente estacionario e o antebraco move-se, concordando com a recomendacao tecnica, enquanto o cotovelo flexiona e estende, contrariando a recomendacao tecnica. Esses achados devem ser considerados quando essa acao e trabalhada, especialmente no nado sincronizado, no qual o palmateio e uma tecnica fundamental.

Influence of feet position on static postural assessment by means of photogrammetry: a comparative study

Abstract Objectives: To identify if different feet positions may produce distinct results on postural assessment and if a less uncomfortable feet position for static postural assessment exists. Methods: The sample consisted of 24 healthy adults of both sexes submitted to postural assessment by means of photogrammetry in frontal and sagittal planes in the following feet positions: self-referred, standardised self-referred, parallel apart and parallel together. The subjects indicated on the Modified Schechter Scale the subjective discomfort sensation ‘perceived in each position’. DIPA© (Digital Image-based Postural Assessment) software was used for posture evaluation. Repeated measures ANOVAs compared 12 postural variables and the discomfort score (pu2009<u2009.05). Results: The results demonstrated no significant differences between the postural variables for the four feet positions. The self-referred and standardised self-referred feet positions presented the lowest subjective sensation of discomfort. Conclusions: The positions of the feet analysed in this study do not interfere with the results of the postural assessment.

Prevalência de lesões na ginástica artística masculina de alto rendimento

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1807-55092016000100079 Natália Batista Albuquerque GOULART Morgana LUNARDI Jennifer Faraon WALTRICK Annelise LINK Leandro GARCIAS Mônica de Oliveira MELO João Carlos OLIVA Marco Aurélio VAZ *Colegiado de Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, PE, Brasil. **Centro de Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, RS, Brasil. ***Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brasil. ****Escola de Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.The purpose of this study was to investigate the injuries prevalence in men elite artistic gymnasts. Twenty Brazilian senior gymnasts, aged 23.1 ± 6.5 years, 13.9 ± 5.0 years of practice and 36.5 ± 4.7 hours per week training, participated in this study. The athletes answered a morbidity questionnaire, formulated according to studies from the literature, for information on the injuries’ characteristics and circumstances. Information about the injury circumstances (gymnastic apparatus, overload training and physical exercises), the anatomic site injured, the affect biological tissue and the return to training after injury treatment were evaluated. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, absolute and relative frequencies. The training overload, and floor, pommel horse and vault were the events that presented higher injuries frequency. In relation to anatomic site, ankle, hands/fingers and shoulder were the most cited regions. The ligament, bone and articular capsule were the most affected biological tissues. In relation to gymnasts’ return to their sports activities, 56% of them reported a better condition at return, 33% reported to have returned at the same fitness level and 10% indicated that they were in a worse condition when they returned to the sports activities. The men’s artistic gymnastics injuries are related to the mechanical demands of this sport. The analysis of risk factors helps in understanding the injuries mechanisms in gymnastics, and provides relevant information that can assist in effective prevention strategies.

Efeitos do Método Pilates na postura corporal estática de mulheres: uma revisão sistemática

O Metodo Pilates proporciona melhora na flexibilidade, coordenacao e forca muscular, podendo refletir no alinhamento postural. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar o nivel de evidencia cientifica dos ensaios clinicos randomizados e nao randomizados que avaliaram a influencia desse Metodo no alinhamento postural de mulheres quando comparados a um grupo controle ou outra intervencao atraves de uma revisao sistematica (CRD42015026518). Foi realizada uma busca entre 25 e 29 de setembro de 2015 nas bases BIREME, EMBASE, PEDro, PubMed, SciELO, Science Direct, Scopus e Web of Science, sem restricao de idioma e data. Para selecao dos estudos, dois revisores aplicaram, independentemente, os criterios de elegibilidade: amostra exclusiva de mulheres; intervencao com o Metodo Pilates em um grupo e presenca de comparador; variavel de desfecho a postura corporal estatica; ensaios clinicos. Os revisores obtiveram dados acerca dos estudos (participantes, intervencao e resultados), aplicaram a escala de qualidade metodologica PEDro e determinaram a forca da evidencia pela Melhor Sintese de Evidencia. Quatro estudos foram incluidos, sendo tres com elevada qualidade, porem devido a divergencia de resultados nao ha evidencias cientificas acerca dos efeitos do Metodo Pilates no alinhamento postural. Os resultados sugerem que a partir de 24 sessoes desse Metodo, praticadas duas vezes por semana, ocorrem ajustes nos alinhamentos frontal dos ombros e sagital da pelve, em mulheres adultas, e que apos 48 sessoes soma-se a melhora no alinhamento sagital da cabeca. Em idosas, sessenta sessoes desse Metodo parecem ser efetivas na reducao do ângulo da cifose toracica e da distância cervico-toracica, aumentando a estatura.

Effects of Pilates Method on women's static body posture : a systematic review

O Metodo Pilates proporciona melhora na flexibilidade, coordenacao e forca muscular, podendo refletir no alinhamento postural. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar o nivel de evidencia cientifica dos ensaios clinicos randomizados e nao randomizados que avaliaram a influencia desse Metodo no alinhamento postural de mulheres quando comparados a um grupo controle ou outra intervencao atraves de uma revisao sistematica (CRD42015026518). Foi realizada uma busca entre 25 e 29 de setembro de 2015 nas bases BIREME, EMBASE, PEDro, PubMed, SciELO, Science Direct, Scopus e Web of Science, sem restricao de idioma e data. Para selecao dos estudos, dois revisores aplicaram, independentemente, os criterios de elegibilidade: amostra exclusiva de mulheres; intervencao com o Metodo Pilates em um grupo e presenca de comparador; variavel de desfecho a postura corporal estatica; ensaios clinicos. Os revisores obtiveram dados acerca dos estudos (participantes, intervencao e resultados), aplicaram a escala de qualidade metodologica PEDro e determinaram a forca da evidencia pela Melhor Sintese de Evidencia. Quatro estudos foram incluidos, sendo tres com elevada qualidade, porem devido a divergencia de resultados nao ha evidencias cientificas acerca dos efeitos do Metodo Pilates no alinhamento postural. Os resultados sugerem que a partir de 24 sessoes desse Metodo, praticadas duas vezes por semana, ocorrem ajustes nos alinhamentos frontal dos ombros e sagital da pelve, em mulheres adultas, e que apos 48 sessoes soma-se a melhora no alinhamento sagital da cabeca. Em idosas, sessenta sessoes desse Metodo parecem ser efetivas na reducao do ângulo da cifose toracica e da distância cervico-toracica, aumentando a estatura.

Efectos del Método Pilates en la postura corporal estática de mujeres: una revisión sistemática

O Metodo Pilates proporciona melhora na flexibilidade, coordenacao e forca muscular, podendo refletir no alinhamento postural. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar o nivel de evidencia cientifica dos ensaios clinicos randomizados e nao randomizados que avaliaram a influencia desse Metodo no alinhamento postural de mulheres quando comparados a um grupo controle ou outra intervencao atraves de uma revisao sistematica (CRD42015026518). Foi realizada uma busca entre 25 e 29 de setembro de 2015 nas bases BIREME, EMBASE, PEDro, PubMed, SciELO, Science Direct, Scopus e Web of Science, sem restricao de idioma e data. Para selecao dos estudos, dois revisores aplicaram, independentemente, os criterios de elegibilidade: amostra exclusiva de mulheres; intervencao com o Metodo Pilates em um grupo e presenca de comparador; variavel de desfecho a postura corporal estatica; ensaios clinicos. Os revisores obtiveram dados acerca dos estudos (participantes, intervencao e resultados), aplicaram a escala de qualidade metodologica PEDro e determinaram a forca da evidencia pela Melhor Sintese de Evidencia. Quatro estudos foram incluidos, sendo tres com elevada qualidade, porem devido a divergencia de resultados nao ha evidencias cientificas acerca dos efeitos do Metodo Pilates no alinhamento postural. Os resultados sugerem que a partir de 24 sessoes desse Metodo, praticadas duas vezes por semana, ocorrem ajustes nos alinhamentos frontal dos ombros e sagital da pelve, em mulheres adultas, e que apos 48 sessoes soma-se a melhora no alinhamento sagital da cabeca. Em idosas, sessenta sessoes desse Metodo parecem ser efetivas na reducao do ângulo da cifose toracica e da distância cervico-toracica, aumentando a estatura.

Vastus lateralis muscle architecture to estimate knee extension moment of older individuals

The aim of this study was to compare the knee extension moment of older individuals with the muscle moment estimated through a biomechanical model. This was accomplished by using (1) the specific muscle architecture data of individuals, and (2) the generic muscle architecture available in the literature. The muscle force estimate was determined using a model with the muscle architecture from cadavers and the individual vastus lateralis muscle architecture of sixteen older volunteers. For the muscle moment comparison, all of the volunteers performed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) in five different knee extension position angles. The architectural data was acquired using both resonance and ultrasound imaging. Both estimated muscle moments (generic and individual) were higher than the experimental. The architecture of the other vastii may be necessary to make the model more accurate for the older population. Although other factors inherent to ageing, such as co-contractions, fiber type percentage, and passive forces are not considered in the model, they could be responsible for the differences between moments in older people.

Posición del brazo y el antebrazo y la flexión del codo durante la ejecución de técnica Sculling: Recomendación técnica frente al que es hecho en la práctica

Sculling motion is a swimming technique executed in a vertical position with the head above the waters surface and, based on the technical recommendation, should be performed maintaining an elbow flexion angle of 90°, arms kept stationary while the forearms move. In order to verify if this recommendation is indeed realistic, the aim of this study was to describe the elbow flexion angle ant its angular velocity, linear speed and range of motion of the shoulder, elbow and wrist during the sculling motion. Data were calculated using three-dimensional kinematic process from underwater video images of ten athletes of synchronized swimming. The results indicate that the arm is relatively stationary and the forearm moves, which agrees with the technical recommendation. However, the elbow flexes and extends, which contradicts the technical recommendation. These findings should be considered when this action is practiced, especially in synchronized swimming, in which sculling motion is a fundamental technique.Palmateio realizado na posicao vertical, com a cabeca acima da superficie dagua, deve ser realizado mantendo um ângulo de flexao de cotovelo de 90° e mantendo os bracos estacionarios enquanto os antebracos movem baseado na recomendacao tecnica. Com o intuito de verificar se essa recomendacao tecnica e realmente realizada, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o ângulo de flexao do cotovelo, a velocidade angular do cotovelo, a velocidade linear e a amplitude linear de movimento do ombro, do cotovelo e do punho durante o palmateio realizado na posicao vertical. Essas variaveis foram calculadas a partir de dados cinematicos tridimensionais de dez praticantes de nado sincronizado. Os resultados indicam que o braco e relativamente estacionario e o antebraco move-se, concordando com a recomendacao tecnica, enquanto o cotovelo flexiona e estende, contrariando a recomendacao tecnica. Esses achados devem ser considerados quando essa acao e trabalhada, especialmente no nado sincronizado, no qual o palmateio e uma tecnica fundamental.