Paulo Roberto Veiga Quemelo

Kinesio Taping effects on knee extension force among soccer players

Background: Kinesio Taping (KT) is widely used, however the effects of KT on muscle activation and force are contradictory. Objective: To evaluate the effects of KT on knee extension force in soccer players. Method: This is a clinical trial study design. Thirty-four subjects performed two maximal isometric voluntary contractions of the lower limbs pre, immediately post, and 24 hours after tape application on the lower limbs. Both lower limbs were taped, using K-Tape and 3M Micropore tape randomly on the right and left thighs of the participants. Isometric knee extension force was measured for dominant side using a strain gauge. The following variables were assessed: peak force, time to peak force, rate of force development until peak force, time to peak rate of force development, and 200 ms pulse. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the variables assessed between KT and Micropore conditions (F=0.645, p=0.666) or among testing sessions (pre, post, and 24h after) (F=0.528, p=0.868), and there was no statistical significance (F=0.271, p=0.986) for interaction between tape conditions and testing session. Conclusion: KT did not affect the force-related measures assessed immediately and 24 hours after the KT application compared with Micropore application, during maximal isometric voluntary knee extension.

Riscos de lesão musculoesquelética em diferentes setores de uma empresa calçadista

Os disturbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho (DORT) podem ser decorrentes de esforcos repetitivos e condicoes ergonomicas inadequadas. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar e comparar atividades ocupacionais de trabalhadores em diferentes setores de uma empresa calcadista. Cinquenta trabalhadores foram avaliados utilizando a Avaliacao Rapida dos Membros Superiores (RULA), o Indice de Sobrecarga (IS) e o questionario Censo de Ergonomia. De acordo com o RULA, 96% dos funcionarios (n=48) foram classificados como nivel 3 ou 4 e apenas 4% dos funcionarios (n=2) foram classificados como nivel 2. Em relacao ao IS, indicou alto risco de DORT (IS=13,5) nos setores de corte, preparacao, pesponto e acabamento; enquanto que no setor de montagem o valor foi ainda mais alto: 40,5 (p=0,001). Em relacao ao questionario, foi observado que os funcionarios do setor de corte (n=9), preparacao (n=9), pesponto (n=8), montagem (n=5) e acabamento (n=9) sentem algum tipo de dor musculoesqueletica. Conclui-se que todos os setores analisados apresentam riscos posturais, sendo que o setor de montagem apresentou maior risco para DORT devido a alta repetitividade das tarefas e que a prevalencia de dor dentre os funcionarios e de 80%.

Biomechanics and performance when using a standard and a vertical computer mouse

Objective: to compare the biomechanics and performance while using a vertical computer mouse (VM) and a standard mouse (SM). Methods: muscle activation (electromyography), forearm movements (electrogoniometers), performance (Fitts Law test) and satisfaction (questionnaire) of 16 subjects were evaluated. Results: there were significant differences between the VM and the SM, respectively, on motion (28° vs. 42° pronation, p = 0.001; 5° ulnar vs. 7° radial deviation, p = 0.016) and muscle activity (13% vs. 16% of extensor carpi activity, p = 0.006; 10% vs. 13% extensor digitorum activity, p = 0.001). VM user satisfaction was good (68); however, time to target was longer (4.2 vs. 3.4 s, p < 0.001). Conclusions: using the VM decreased wrist pronation and lowered wrist extensor muscle activity, but additional training and familiarisation time may be required to improve user performance. Practitioner Summary: Using a vertical mouse can decrease the exposure to biomechanical risk factors for computer mouse use-related musculoskeletal disorders. Using a vertical computer mouse resulted in less wrist pronation and lower wrist extensor muscle activity. But, training and familiarisation are required.

Prevalence, risks and severity of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms among administrative employees of a Brazilian company.

BACKGROUNDnMusculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are common among office workers.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo evaluate the prevalence, risks and symptoms of MSD among office workers of a Brazilian dairy company.nnnMETHODSnFifty office workers participated in the study. The following evaluations and questionnaires were completed: Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, Strain Index, Muscle Fatigue Assessment, Nordic General Questionnaire, and Oswestry Disability Index.nnnRESULTSnSeventy-four percent (nu200a=u200a37) of the participants had MSD symptoms. The back was most commonly affected body part (81% , nu200a=u200a30), followed by the upper limbs (70% , nu200a=u200a26). Fifty-three percent of the workers with low back pain had mild to moderate disability, and the risk for the hands, wrists and fingers was moderate. Changes are required to reduce the risk of MSD among the participating office workers.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe prevalence of MSD symptoms was high; the back and upper limbs were most commonly affected. Data from the evaluations and questionnaires supplemented each other. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and Strain Index were better indicators of risk of MSD symptoms than the Muscle Fatigue Assessment. The participating office workers were exposed to moderate risk of developing MSD due to biomechanical overload and changes are required.

Effects of physical exercise on musculoskeletal disorders, stress and quality of life in workers

Background. The effect of physical exercise in the workplace (PEW) on health promotion of workers is contradictory. Objective. To evaluate the effects of the PEW in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), perception of stress and quality of life in workers. Methods. The participants were divided into two groups: control group (nu2009=u200946) including non-participant workers of the PEW program, and PEW group (nu2009=u200950) including workers who regularly participate in the exercise program. All workers answered the Nordic general questionnaire, the perceived stress scale and the quality-of-life questionnaire. Results. The PEW group reported a lower prevalence of MSDs for the trunk in the last 7 days and 12 months (pu2009=u20090.021 and pu2009=u20090.001, respectively), and for the upper limbs in the last 12 months (pu2009=u20090.001) compared with the control group. The results for the perception of stress and quality of life showed no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion. PEW is a potential method to reduce MSDs in workers, but it was not efficient in reducing stress levels or improving the quality of life of the workers.

Evaluation of pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in pyrochlore mine workers

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify respiratory symptoms and evaluate lung function in mine workers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study involving production sector workers of a pyrochlore mining company. The subjects completed the British Medical Research Council questionnaire, which is designed to evaluate respiratory symptoms, occupational exposure factors, and smoking status. In addition, they underwent pulmonary function tests with a portable spirometer. Results: The study involved 147 workers (all male). The mean age was 41.37 ± 8.71 years, and the mean duration of occupational exposure was 12.26 ± 7.09 years. We found that 33 (22.44%) of the workers had respiratory symptoms and that 26 (17.69%) showed abnormalities in the spirometry results. However, we found that the spirometry results did not correlate significantly with the presence of respiratory symptoms or with the duration of occupational exposure. Conclusions: The frequencies of respiratory symptoms and spirometric changes were low when compared with those reported in other studies involving occupational exposure to dust. No significant associations were observed between respiratory symptoms and spirometry results.

Handgrip strength and muscle fatigue among footwear industry workers

Introduction: Muscle fatigue can be defined as a decrease in the performance of the neuromuscular system in generating force. This situation is considered a complex physiological process involving various body systems, in order to avoid irreversible damage or even cell death. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure muscle strength in order to assess the level of fatigue among footwear industry workers, and to determine a possible correlation between muscle strength and the perception of reported fatigue. Materials and Methods: The study included 32 male workers from the footwear industry with a mean age of 34.63 ± 11.98 years. The workers performed the handgrip strength test using a handheld dynamometer, and completed the Bipolar Fatigue Questionnaire. Results: The mean result of strength testing was 23.1 ± 8.3 kgf, and the mean score of the fatigue questionnaire was 2.28 ± 0.93 points. However, a low correlation was observed between the results of the fatigue questionnaire and the strength test results. Conclusion: The grip strength results of the footwear workers were below the values for the general Brazilian population, a fact that may indicate potential muscle fatigue. However, a low correlation with the perception of fatigue was indicated by the questionnaire.

Prevalência de lesões esportivas durante os 53os Jogos Regionais em Franca (SP), Brasil

O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a prevalencia, tipo e localizacao anatomica das lesoes nos atletas durante os 53os Jogos Regionais de 2009. No total, 182 atletas participaram do estudo. A avaliacao fisioterapica incluiu dados como local e tipo de lesao e modalidade esportiva. Os resultados mostraram que a media de idade, altura, peso e IMC foram respectivamente 23 anos (±5,9), 1,73xa0m (±0,11), 71 kg (±14,22) e 24 kg/m2 (±4). Proporcionalmente ao numero de atletas, o handball foi a modalidade esportiva que apresentou maior numero de lesoes (4,25%), seguidos pelos atletas de futsal (3,70%), de basquete (2,48%), de voleibol (1,72%) e de futebol (1,63%). O tipo de lesao mais comum foi entorse com 29,7% dos casos (n=54), ocorridos com maior frequencia em jogadores de futebol; seguido de contratura - 26,9% (n=49), ocorridos com maior frequencia em jogadores de basquete; e contusao - 25,8% (n=47), ocorridos com maior frequencia em jogadores de handball e futsal. O tipo de lesao mostrou significativa associacao com o tipo de esporte praticado pelo atleta (p=0,0016). Os membros inferiores representaram 71,4% de todas as lesoes, sendo o joelho o local mais acometido, com 23,1% dos casos, seguido do tornozelo - 18,1%, coxa - 17%, perna - 10,4% e coluna vertebral - 9,9%. Programas de prevencao para os atletas devem ser desenvolvidos e implantados a fim de reduzir o numero de lesoes em competicoes esportivas como os Jogos Regionais.

Efeito da cinesioterapia na lesão isquêmica e reperfusão em ratos

Objective To investigate the effect of kinesiotherapy on the functionality of the pelvic limb of rats after ischemic and reperfusion injury. Methods 10 rats were divided into two groups, GI (control) and GII (kinesiotherapy). All the animals underwent ischemia for a period of three hours, followed by tissue reperfusion. In Group GII, non-resistive systemic kinesiotherapy was performed (swimming) in three weekly sessions of 50 minutes, over a period of four weeks, while the GI animals remained at rest. Functional analysis of motor behavior was evaluated weekly. The animals were then sacrificed, and the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles and the sciatic nerve removed for histopathological analysis. Results There was a significant recovery of motor behavior with kinesiotherapeutic treatment during the four weeks of treatment. However, the histological examination of the tissues showed no morphological changes of cell injury and repair. Conclusion It was not possible to affirm that the exercise was effective in cell repair, because neither of the groups (control and experimental) showed any histological difference. On the other hand, systemic kinesiotherapy showed a beneficial effect on functional rehabilitation after ischemia and reperfusion. Level of evidence III, Case-Control Study.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of kinesiotherapy on the functionality of the pelvic limb of rats after ischemic and reperfusion injury. METHODS: 10 rats were divided into two groups, GI (control) and GII (kinesiotherapy). All the animals underwent ischemia for a period of three hours, followed by tissue reperfusion. In Group GII, non-resistive systemic kinesiotherapy was performed (swimming) in three weekly sessions of 50 minutes, over a period of four weeks, while the GI animals remained at rest. Functional analysis of motor behavior was evaluated weekly. The animals were then sacrificed, and the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles and the sciatic nerve removed for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant recovery of motor behavior with kinesiotherapeutic treatment during the four weeks of treatment. However, the histological examination of the tissues showed no morphological changes of cell injury and repair. CONCLUSION: It was not possible to affirm that the exercise was effective in cell repair, because neither of the groups (control and experimental) showed any histological difference. On the other hand, systemic kinesiotherapy showed a beneficial effect on functional rehabilitation after ischemia and reperfusion. Level of evidence III, Case-Control Study .

Musculoskeletal disorders and stress among footwear industry workers

BACKGROUNDnManufacturing footwear requires intense manual labor and high repetitions with low variability in function that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) symptoms and psychological stress.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo evaluate a potential association between musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and perceived stress among footwear industry workers.nnnMETHODSnThe Nordic General Questionnaire (NGQ) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were completed by 357 footwear industry workers. The association between MSD and perceived stress was evaluated using the Chi-Square test and Odds Ratios along with their 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) were calculated.nnnRESULTSnThe twelve-month prevalence of MSD symptoms among the respondents was 66% (nu200a=u200a236) and the symptoms were significantly associated with perceived stress (pu200a=u200a0.002, OR: 10, 95% CI: 1.7 to 60.6). The seven-day prevalence of MSD symptoms was 33% and the symptoms were also significantly associated with perceived stress (pu200a=u200a0.001, OR: 2.7, 95% CI:0.8 to 9.3). The association between perceived stress and MSD symptoms indicates a strong association between MSD symptoms and perceived stress levels.nnnCONCLUSIONnConsidering that these problems are important determinants of workers health, a combined approach to reduce both stress and MSD symptoms is necessary for prevention and health promotion in the footwear industry.