Palloma Rodrigues de Andrade

Static postural balance in healthy individuals: Comparisons between three age groups

The aim of the study was to compare static postural balance of healthy individuals of three age groups in different conditions of support and vision. Seventy one individuals, divided into 3 groups, were analyzed: young group (YG: 22.2 ± 2.1 years), middle aged group (MAG: 50.7 ± 5.7 years) and older individuals group (EG: 66.8 ± 5.4 years). Their balance was tested on a force platform, under 3 support and 3 visual conditions. Measures included: total (TD), anterior-posterior (APD) and mediolateral displacement (MLD) of the center of pressure (CoP). ANOVA revealed significant differences for interactions between group X support conditions and group X visual conditions for the 3 variables (p<0.01), with greater displacements for the MAG and EG groups during single-leg stance with partial and occluded vision (p<0.05). Static postural balance decreased over time in healthy individuals, and conditions of support and visual negatively affected balance with the increment of age.

Skin temperature changes during muscular static stretching exercise

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of stretching exercise on skin temperature, flexibility, passive muscle stiffness, and pain during hamstring stretching in healthy young subjects. Thirty-one participants (n=31) were randomly divided into 2 groups: an experimental group (EG, n=15), which was submitted to hamstring stretching exercise for 180 sec, and the control group (n=16), which was not exercised. Skin temperature (TsK) was collected in subjects’ posterior thigh using a thermographic camera at 7 time points with intervals of 30 sec each: T0 (rest), T30, T60, T90, T120, T150, and T180. In addition, the knee range of motion, passive stiffness and muscle soreness (visual analogue scale) were recorded during the stretching procedure at the same times. The EG presented a small but progressive increase in TsK (30.8°C±0.6°C to 31.1°C±0.6°C, P<0.01), with an increased range of motion (P<0.01) and muscle soreness levels (P<0.01) during the gradual hamstring stretching protocol. Additionally, there was an increment of passive stiffness (P<0.01) that was partially reversed toward the end of the stretching period. This research presents evidence that constant, passive and progressive stretching of the hamstrings progressively increased the local TsK by about 0.3°C after 180 sec of stretching. These findings may help to understand the effects of repeated stress on the muscle-tendon unit and the role of muscle stretching in warm-up protocols and rehabilitation.

The influence of the external ankle support on the dynamic balance in volleyball athletes

El proposito de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de los apoyos externos de tobillo en la propiocepcion y el equilibrio dinamico en atletas de voleibol. Diecisiete jugadores de voleibol (18,94±2,49 anos; 65,45±9,49 kg, 1,71±0,05 m, IMC=22,0±2,67 kg/m²). El equilibrio dinamico fue evaluado por el Star Excursion Balance Test(SEBT). Comparacion de los modos de estabilizacion (Si Estabilizador/SE, Ortesis/ORT y Vendaje Funcional/VF) y las lineas de cuadricula SEBT, y inter-miembros se fuera realizado. Evaluacion del SEBT mostro una diferencia significativa entre los grupos (p< 0,01), SE x ORT, SE x BF y entre lineas (p < 0,01), ademas de la interaccion linea/miembro en el MD y MND (p < 0,01). Los medios de estabilizacion externa probados (ORT x BF) se comportaron de manera similar, lo que restringe el alcance de las extremidades inferiores en la ejecucion del SEBT en algunas de las direcciones probadas.

Equilíbrio postural estático em indivíduos saudáveis: Comparações entre três grupos etários

The aim of the study was to compare static postural balance of healthy individuals of three age groups in different conditions of support and vision. Seventy one individuals, divided into 3 groups, were analyzed: young group (YG: 22.2 ± 2.1 years), middle aged group (MAG: 50.7 ± 5.7 years) and older individuals group (EG: 66.8 ± 5.4 years). Their balance was tested on a force platform, under 3 support and 3 visual conditions. Measures included: total (TD), anterior-posterior (APD) and mediolateral displacement (MLD) of the center of pressure (CoP). ANOVA revealed significant differences for interactions between group X support conditions and group X visual conditions for the 3 variables (p<0.01), with greater displacements for the MAG and EG groups during single-leg stance with partial and occluded vision (p<0.05). Static postural balance decreased over time in healthy individuals, and conditions of support and visual negatively affected balance with the increment of age.

Equilibrio postural estático en individuos sanos: Las comparaciones entre los tres grupos de edad

The aim of the study was to compare static postural balance of healthy individuals of three age groups in different conditions of support and vision. Seventy one individuals, divided into 3 groups, were analyzed: young group (YG: 22.2 ± 2.1 years), middle aged group (MAG: 50.7 ± 5.7 years) and older individuals group (EG: 66.8 ± 5.4 years). Their balance was tested on a force platform, under 3 support and 3 visual conditions. Measures included: total (TD), anterior-posterior (APD) and mediolateral displacement (MLD) of the center of pressure (CoP). ANOVA revealed significant differences for interactions between group X support conditions and group X visual conditions for the 3 variables (p<0.01), with greater displacements for the MAG and EG groups during single-leg stance with partial and occluded vision (p<0.05). Static postural balance decreased over time in healthy individuals, and conditions of support and visual negatively affected balance with the increment of age.