Paulo Cesar Barauce Bento

Propulsive force asymmetry during tethered-swimming.

This study aimed to determine whether: i) tethe-red-swimming can be used to identify the asymmetry during front crawl swimming style; ii) swimmers that perform unilateral breathing present greater asymmetry in comparison to others that use bilateral breathing; iii) swimmers of best performance present smaller asymmetry than their counterparts; iv) repeated front crawl swimming movements influence body asymmetry. 18 swimmers were assessed for propulsive force parameters (peak force, mean force, impulse and rate of force development) during a maximal front crawl tethered-swimming test lasting 2 min. A factorial analysis showed that propulsive forces decreased at the beginning, intermediate and end of the test (p<0.05), but the asymmetries were not changed at different instants of the test. When breathing preference (uni- or bilateral) was analyzed, asymmetry remained unchanged in all force parameters (p>0.05). When performance was considered (below or above mean group time), a larger asymmetry was found in the sub-group of lower performance in comparison to those of best performance (p<0.05). Therefore, the asymmetries of the propulsive forces can be detected using tethered-swimming. The propulsive forces decreased during the test but asymmetries did not change under testing conditions. Although breathing preference did not influence asymmetry, swimmers with best performance were less asymmetric than their counterparts.

Muscle function in aged women in response to a water-based exercises program and progressive resistance training.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of a water‐based exercise program on muscle function compared with regular high‐intensity resistance training.

Comparação entre testes de equilíbrio de campo e plataforma de força

ABSTRACT Several balance tests have been used to identify postural control and the risk of falls in the elderly. However, it is not known which tests better reflect effectively the ability to maintain balance. The objective of this study was to compare a number of field tests (FT) designed to determine balance with stabilometric tests using force platforms (FP) to determine whether these tests are able to discriminate differences in balance between young and older adults. Twenty-one young (21.7±2.0 years) and 18 older adults (69.3±7.0 years) of both genders volunteered to participate in the study. The field tests were: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), Functional Reach (FR) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). The variables analyzed in the FP were: center of pressure displacement in the antero-posterior (AMP-AP) and medio-lateral direction (AMP-ML) and total sway of the center of pressure (TRAJ-CP). The subjects were evaluated in five conditions of 60s each. One-way ANOVA was applied to determine differences in balance tests between groups (young x elderly). In addition, the Spearman correlation test was used to identify the correlation between FT and FP. The FTs were able to discriminate young from elderly (p ≤ 0.05). The FP tests also discriminated groups, except for AMP-AP in two experimental conditions. The correlation coefficients indicated that the tests BBS (r =- 0:43 ± 0.04) and TUGT (r = 0.45 ± 0.10) showed the largest correlation with the FP tests (p ≤ 0.05). Thus, these field tests should be preferred among the other balance tests. The results of the other tests are questionable since they seemed unable to discriminate the balance performance between young and elderly subjects.Keywords: postural control, posturography, field balance tests.

Effects of Water-Based Training on Static and Dynamic Balance of Older Women

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a water-based exercise program on static and dynamic balance. METHOD Thirty-six older women were randomly assigned to a water-based training (3 days/week for 12 weeks) or control group. Water level was kept at the level of the xiphoid process and temperature at ∼28-30°C. Each session included aerobic activities and lower limb strength exercises. The medial-lateral, the anterior-posterior amplitude, and displacement of the center of pressure (CP-D) were measured in a quiet standing position (60 sec eyes opened and closed). The dynamic balance and 8-Foot Up-and-Go tests were also applied. Group comparisons were made using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. RESULTS No differences were found in the center of pressure variables; however, the WBT group showed better performance in the 8 Foot Up-and-Go Test after training (5.61±0.76 vs. 5.18±0.42; p<0.01). CONCLUSION The water-based training was effective in improving dynamic balance, but not static balance.

Efeitos de Exercícios Aquáticos e Orientação Nutricional na Composição Corporal de Crianças e Adolescentes Obesos

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of aquatic exercise and nutritional guidance on the body composition of obese children and adolescents. Thirty obese children aged 10 to 16 years, with a body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile according to the classification proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2000), were divided into two groups: the first group started learning to swim (GSwim, n = 10) and the second group underwent a deep water running program (GDeep, n = 20). Weight, height, BMI, BMI Z-scores, relative and absolute fat, and relative and absolute lean body mass were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks. The program consisted of 12 meetings for nutritional guidance (once a week) and 36 sessions of exercise (three times per week). MANOVA and Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. After 12 weeks,GDeep showed a significant reduction in BMI, BMI Z-scores and relative and absolute fat, and an increase in relative and absolute lean body mass. Significant differences were observed between GDeep and GSwim in terms of the reduction in body fat (p = 0.014) and the increase in lean mass (p = 0.006). A program of deep water running together with nutritional guidance may promote significant changes in the body composition of obese children and adolescents due to the cyclic characteristic of this physical activity.

Effects of aquatic exercise on muscle strength and functional performance of individuals with osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Water-based exercises are recommended for people with osteoarthritis (OA), due to the beneficial effects on physical function, quality of life and symptom reduction. However, the effects on muscle strength are still controversial. The aim of this review was to assess and compare the effects of aquatic exercise programs on muscle strength and physical function in people with OA. A systematic search was performed at Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Clinical trials with interventions involving aquatic exercises for individuals with OA were included. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale. 296 studies were found and twelve were selected: six studies comparing water-based exercises with land-based exercise, and six comparing water-based exercise groups with the control group. Exercise programs included muscle strengthening, aerobic, balance, flexibility and stretching exercises. Duration of the program, weekly frequency, intensity and progression varied between studies. Beneficial effects of aquatic exercise were found on physical function. However, only two of five studies that assessed muscle strength observed positive effect of aquatic exercise. Although it is difficult to compare studies and establish guidelines for the standardized protocol formulation, it was observed that water-based exercises can be effective on improving physical function and increasing muscle strength, since they are well-structured, with exercise intensity and overload controlled.

The Relationship Between Propulsive Force in Tethered Swimming and 200-m Front Crawl Performance.

Abstract Santos, KB, Bento, PCB, Pereira, G, and Rodacki, ALF. The relationship between propulsive force in tethered swimming and 200-m front crawl performance. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2500–2507, 2016—The aims of this study were to determine whether propulsive force (peak force, mean force, impulse, and rate of force development) and stroke rate change during 2 minutes of front crawl tethered swimming and to correlate them with the stroke rate and swimming velocity in 200-m front crawl swimming. Twenty-one swimmers (21.6 ± 4.8 years, 1.78 ± 0.06 m, 71.7 ± 8.1 kg), with 200-m front crawl swimming performance equivalent to 78% of the world record (140.4 ± 10.1 seconds), were assessed during 2 minutes of maximal front crawl tethered swimming (propulsive forces and stroke rate) and 200-m front crawl swimming (stroke rate and clean velocity). Propulsive forces decreased between the beginning and the middle instants (∼20%; p ⩽ 0.05) but remained stable between the middle and the end instants (∼6%; p > 0.05). The peak force was positively correlated with the clean velocity in the 200-m front crawl swimming (mean r = 0.61; p < 0.02). The stroke rates of the tethered swimming and 200-m front crawl swimming were positively correlated (r = 45; p⩽ 0.01) at the middle instant. Therefore, the propulsive force and stroke rate changed throughout the 2 minutes of tethered swimming, and the peak force is the best propulsive force variable tested that correlated with 200-m front crawl swimming performance.

A randomized controlled trial of a combined self-management and exercise intervention for elderly people with osteoarthritis of the knee: the PLE2NO program

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a 12-week self-management and exercise intervention (the PLE2NO program) in elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Four different community settings. Subjects: Eighty individuals aged 60 years or older with clinical and radiographic knee osteoarthritis enrolled in the study. Intervention: A combined self-management and exercise intervention (treatment group) and an educational intervention (control group). Main measures: The primary outcomes were pain and other knee osteoarthritis symptoms (swelling, crackling, limitation on movement, and stiffness), self-management behaviors (communication with physician and cognitive symptom management), and functional lower limb strength. Secondary outcomes were knee osteoarthritis–specific health-related quality of life, self-perceived health, aerobic capacity, lower and upper limb flexibility, and handgrip strength. Results: In all, 67 participants, mean age 69.1 ± 5.8 years, completed the study: 32 in the Educational Group and 35 in the Self-Management and Exercise Group. A significant group effect favorable to the Self-Management and Exercise Group was observed in the following variables: communication with the physicians (P = .048), aerobic capacity (P = .035), and functional lower limb strength (P = .015). Although no significant group effect was detected, clinical improvements in pain (31%) and knee osteoarthritis symptoms (29%) were observed in the experimental group. No improvements regarding cognitive symptom management, self-perceived health, lower limb flexibility, and handgrip strength were found. Conclusion: This study supports the importance of a combined self-management and exercise intervention to improve functional lower limb strength and aerobic capacity in a Portuguese sample. Additionally, pain and other symptoms have improved clinically.

Does functional capacity, fall risk awareness and physical activity level predict falls in older adults in different age groups?

The aims of this study were to examine whether: i) functional capacity and physical activity level differ between fallers and non-fallers older adults, by controlling for fall risk awareness; ii) functional capacity, fall risk awareness and physical activity differ between fallers and non-fallers older adults, by controlling for age; iii) variables and which may predict falls in different age groups. 1826 older adults performed a series of functional tests and reported their fall episodes, fall risk awareness and physical activity level. The overall incidence of falls was high (40.2%), and falls risk awareness scores reduced with age. The older adults with greater falls risk awareness and non-fallers presented better scores in all functional tests and physical activity level (P < .05). Functional tests and falls risk awareness differed among age groups and differed between fallers and non-fallers, irrespective of age group (P < .05). Falls risk awareness predicted falls in all age groups (odds ranging: 1.05-1.09). Handgrip strength and balance scores predicted falls until 79 years (OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 1.01-1.06). The physical activity level predicted falls up to 70 years (OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.06-1.12). Functional mobility was able to predict falls up to 80 years (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.01-1.08). Therefore, according to age, functional capacity, physical activity level and falls risk awareness can be a predictor of falls in older adults.

Sports injuries and skin lesions in adepts of street racing

INTRODUCTION: Street racing is a sport in expansion and has been used as leisure, sport or competitive practice.OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of sports injuries and skin lesions in athletes in street racing. Material andMETHODS: Cross-sectional study of 220 athletes in street racing with questionnaire and clinical observation. Analysis by t test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Spearman correlation.RESULTS: There was a predominance of male athletes, adults, practitioners of distance running, training on average 45 to 60 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week and have variable participation in competitions. The main injuries reported were knee pain (30.4%), ligament sprain/muscle strain (16.7%), and tendinitis (10.1%), pain in the hips (7.3%) and back pain (7%), with no significant differences between genders. There was a significant association between miles covered during training and muscle damage in men (p=0.0477, x=9.60). The athletic footwear was related to the presence of ingrown nails and nail loss in women.CONCLUSION: Men showed a higher frequency of muscle injuries and women had more skin and nail disorders.INTRODUCCION: La carrera de calle es una modalidad en expansion y ha sido utilizada como recreacion, deporte o practica competitiva.OBJETIVO: Verificar frecuencia de lesiones deportivas y cutaneas en atletas de carrera de calle. Material yMETODOS: Estudio transversal de 220 atletas de carrera de calle con cuestionario y observacion clinica. Analisis a traves de los tests t, Mann-Whitney, Qui-cuadrado y correlacion de Spearman.RESULTADOS: Predominaron atletas del sexo masculino, adultos, practicantes de carrera de larga distancia, que entrenan como promedio 45 a 60 minutos con frecuencia de 2 y 3 veces por semana y tienen participacion variable en competiciones. Las principales lesiones relatadas fueron dolor en la rodilla (30,4%), distension/estiramiento muscular (16,7%), tendinitis (10,1%), dolor en los muslos (7,3%) y dolor en la columna (7%), sin diferencias estadisticas entre los generos. Hubo asociacion significativa entre kilometros recorridos en entrenamiento y lesiones musculares en los hombres (p = 0,0477, x = 9,60). El calzado deportivo tuvo relacion con presencia de unas encarnadas y perdidas ungueales en las mujeres.CONCLUSION: Los hombres presentaron mayor frecuencia de lesiones musculares y las mujeres, de afecciones cutaneas y ungueales.