Víctor M. Soto-Hermoso

Kinematics gait disorder in men with fibromyalgia

The aim of this study was to assess the kinematics disorder of gait in men with fibromyalgia. We studied 12 male with fibromyalgia and 14 healthy men. Each participant of the study walked five trials along a 18.6-m walkway. Fibromyalgia patients completed a Spanish version of Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Significant differences between fibromyalgia and control groups were found in velocity, stride length, and cadence. Gait parameters of men affected by fibromyalgia were impaired when compared to those of healthy group due to bradykinesia. According to previous studies to assess gait variables in female patients, the male with fibromyalgia also showed lower values of velocity, cadence, and stride length than healthy group but not reported significant differences in swing, stance, single, or double support phase.

Gait speed in older people: an easy test for detecting cognitive impairment, functional independence, and health state

With ageing, physical and cognitive functions become impaired. Analyzing and determining the association between both functions can facilitate the prevention and diagnosis of associated problems. Some previous works have proposed batteries of physical performance tests to determine both physical and cognitive functions. However, only a few studies have used the gait speed (GS) test as a tool to evaluate parameters representative of health in the elderly such as functionality, mobility, independence, autonomy, and comorbidity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between physical and cognitive functions in older people (over 65 years old) and to detect the most appropriate physical test to assess cognitive impairment, functional independence, comorbidity, and perceived health in this population.

Influence of shod/unshod condition and running speed on foot-strike patterns, inversion/eversion, and vertical foot rotation in endurance runners

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the influence of barefoot running on foot-strike patterns, eversion–inversion, running speed and vertical foot rotation in endurance runners. Eighty healthy recreational runners (age = 34.11 ± 12.95 years old, body mass index = 22.56 ± 2.65 kg · m−2) performed trials in shod/unshod running conditions on a treadmill at comfortable and competitive self-selected speeds. Data were collected by systematic observation of lateral and back recordings at 240 Hz. McNemar’s test indicated significant differences between shod/unshod conditions and foot strike at comfortable and competitive speeds (P < 0.001). Speed was related to vertical foot rotation type for shod (P < 0.01) and unshod conditions (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found between shod/unshod conditions in foot rotation at comfortable running speeds (P < 0.001) and competitive running speeds (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in inversion or eversion (P ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that running kinematics, in terms of foot-strike patterns and vertical foot rotation, differ between shod/unshod conditions, while the inversion or eversion degree remains unchanged.

The effect of school trolley load on spatiotemporal gait parameters of children

OBJECTIVE The present study evaluated spatiotemporal gait parameters in children when they were carrying school trolleys of different weights. METHODS We assessed four conditions: without trolley, 10%, 15% and 20% of the subjects body weight. Fourteen students from a primary school (aged 11.43±0.51 years) participated in this study. Velocity, cadence, stride length, stance phase, swing phase, single support phase and double support phase were analysed using an electronic walkway. RESULTS Compared with normal walking, the three load conditions produced significant decreases in swing phase (p<0.001) and single support phase (p<0.001) and significant increases in cadence (p=0.019), stance phase (p<0.001) and double support phase (p<0.001). No statistically-significant differences were found between the three load conditions. CONCLUSION Compared with normal walking, walking while carrying a trolley produced significant changes in most of the spatiotemporal gait parameters measured, perhaps due to the load-mediated changes in stability and balance. The spatiotemporal gait parameters were similar between the load conditions, indicating that the amount of load did not affect gait.

Changes in balance ability, power output, and stretch-shortening cycle utilisation after two high-intensity intermittent training protocols in endurance runners

Purpose This study aimed to describe the acute effects of 2 different high-intensity intermittent trainings (HIITs) on postural control, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) utilisation, and to compare the changes induced by both protocols in those variables in endurance runners. Methods Eighteen recreationally trained endurance runners participated in this study and were tested on 2 occasions: 10 runs of 400 m with 90 s recovery between running bouts (10 × 400 m), and 40 runs of 100 m with 30 s recovery between runs (40 × 100 m). Heart rate was monitored during both HIITs; blood lactate accumulation and rate of perceived exertion were recorded after both protocols. Vertical jump ability (CMJ and SJ) and SSC together with postural control were also controlled during both HIITs. Results Repeated measures analysis revealed a significant improvement in CMJ and SJ during 10 × 400 m (p < 0.05), whilst no significant changes were observed during 40 × 100 m. Indexes related to SSC did not experience significant changes during any of the protocols. As for postural control, no significant changes were observed in the 40 × 100 m protocol, whilst significant impairments were observed during the 10 × 400 m protocol (p < 0.05). Conclusion A protocol with a higher number of shorter runs (40 × 100 m) induced different changes in those neuromuscular parameters than those with fewer and longer runs (10 × 400 m). Whereas the 40 × 100 m protocol did not cause any significant changes in vertical jump ability, postural control or SSC utilisation, the 10 × 400 m protocol impaired postural control and caused improvements in vertical jumping tests.

Variability of gait, bilateral coordination, and asymmetry in women with fibromyalgia

PURPOSE To analyze how fibromyalgia affected the variability, asymmetry, and bilateral coordination of gait walking at comfortable and fast speeds. METHODS 65 fibromyalgia (FM) patients and 50 healthy women were analyzed. Gait analysis was performed using an instrumented walkway (GAITRite system). Average walking speed, coefficient of variation (CV) of stride length, swing time, and step width data were obtained and bilateral coordination and gait asymmetry were analyzed. RESULTS FM patients presented significantly lower speeds than the healthy group. FM patients obtained significantly higher values of CV_StrideLength (p=0.04; p<0.001), CV_SwingTime (p<0.001; p<0.001), CV_StepWidth (p=0.004; p<0.001), phase coordination index (p=0.01; p=0.03), and p_CV (p<0.001; p=0.001) than the control group, walking at comfortable or fast speeds. Gait asymmetry only showed significant differences in the fast condition. CONCLUSION FM patients walked more slowly and presented a greater variability of gait and worse bilateral coordination than healthy subjects. Gait asymmetry only showed differences in the fast condition. The variability and the bilateral coordination were particularly affected by FM in women. Therefore, variability and bilateral coordination of gait could be analyzed to complement the gait evaluation of FM patients.

Spatio-temporal gait disorder and gait fatigue index in a six-minute walk test in women with fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND Gait disorders in fibromyalgia patients affect several gait parameters and different muscle recruitment patterns. The aim of this study was to assess the gait differences observed during a six-minute walk test between fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls. METHODS Forty-eight women with fibromyalgia and 15 healthy women were evaluated. Fibromyalgia patients met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia selected of an ambulatory care. Both patients and controls had a negative history of musculoskeletal disease, neurological disorders, and gait abnormalities. The 15 controls were healthy women matched to the patients in age, height and body weight. Spatio-temporal gait variables and the rate of perceived exertion during the six-minute walk test (all subjects) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (fibromyalgia subjects) were evaluated. All walking sets on the GaitRITE were collected and the gait variables were selected at three stages during the six-minute walk test: two sets at the beginning, two sets at 3 min and two sets at the end of the test. In addition, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used for the fibromyalgia patients. FINDINGS Fibromyalgia patients showed a significant decrease in all spatio-temporal gait variables at each of the three stages and had a lower walk distance covered in the six-minute walk test and higher rate of perceived exertion. No correlations were found between the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and gait variables. The fibromyalgia and control subjects showed lower gait fatigue indices between the middle and last stages. INTERPRETATION Gait analysis during a six-minute walk test is a good tool to assess the fatigue and physical symptoms of patients with fibromyalgia.

A Novel Automated Algorithm for Computing Lumbar Flexion Test Ratios Enhancing Athletes Objective Assessment of Low Back Pain

INTRODUCTION: Low Back Pain is a common muscular disorder that most adults would experience over their lives. In healthy patients at the end of a lumbar flexion occur a phenomenon called the Flexion Relaxation Phenomenon. Ratios between different phases of lumbar flexion can help diagnosing LBP patients. The aim of this work is to create an automated algorithm to compute this ratios helping to discriminate between healthy and LBP athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 21 participants were recruited: 10 LBP and 11 healthy. Participants were tested with Lumbar Flexion Test for evaluating LBP. sEMG were recorded in low back muscles. RESULTS: Athletes diagnosed with LBP showed ratios lower than 1.5. For healthy participants we observed results greater than 1.5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results are contained between rates found in literature. Our algorithm can help the diagnose of athletes with a non-intrusive method and with little knowledge of sEMG analysis.

Physical activity, weight and functional limitations in elderly Spanish people: the National Health Survey (2009–2014)

Background The purpose of this study was to analyze physical activity (PA), functional limitations, weight status, self-perceived health status and disease or chronic health problems in older people aged 65 and over using the European Health Survey in Spain (EHSS) conducted one in 2009 and one in 2014. Methods This study included 12,546 older people, 6026 [2330 men and 3696 women; age (Mean, SD) =75.61 ± 7.11 years old] in 2009 and 6520 [2624 men and 3896 women; age (Mean, SD) =75.90 ± 7.59 years old] in 2014. The sample was divided into three age groups: 65-74 years old, 75-84 years old and ≥85 years old. Results In 2014, participants exhibited lower values for moderate PA, and self-perceived health status compared to 2009. Moreover, in 2014 more people with disease or chronic health problems, and severe difficulty walking 500 m without assistance were found and severe difficulty going up and down 12 stairs than people in 2009. In relation to weight status there were no significant differences between older people in 2009 and 2014. Conclusions From 2009 to 2014, the PA levels of Spanish older people have decreased, while the BMI has not increased. That fact is in consonance with a worst perception of health status in 2014 and with an increase of their disease levels. The current data highlight the importance of incorporating exercise programmes at an early stage of ageing in order to preserve physical performance, and to prevent the negative consequences of ageing.

DIFERENCIAS ESPACIO-TEMPORALES DE LA LOCOMOCIÓN EN ADULTOS VARONES CON NORMOPESO Y SOBREPESO

Introducao: A obesidade tem sido relacionada com a presenca de adaptacoes estruturais e funcionais que podem limitar o controle dos movimentos. Objetivo: Determinar o efeito do excesso de peso sobre as variaveis espaco-temporais da locomocao em homens jovens e ativos. Metodos: Estudo transversal de amostragem nao probabilistica, com 55 individuos com peso normal (IMC ≤25) e 22 individuos com sobrepeso (IMC >25). Analisaram-se IMC e porcentagem de massa gorda e massa magra em ambos os grupos, com um bioimpedanciometro multifrequencia (Inbody 230). Foram analisadas tambem as variaveis cinematicas de locomocao, usando-se um sistema de plataforma de pressao (GaitRite). Resultados: O grupo sobrepeso apresentou diminuicao significativa na fase de balanco e fase de apoio monopodal (p <0,001), com aumento da fase de apoio e da fase de apoio bipodal (p <0,001) com relacao ao grupo peso normal. Conclusao: A reducao da fase de balanco e o aumento da fase de apoio e da fase de apoio bipodal manifestado pelo grupo sobrepeso pode ser resultado do aumento da instabilidade que ocorre durante a marcha, devido ao sobrepeso.Introducao: A obesidade tem sido relacionada com a presenca de adaptacoes estruturais e funcionais que podem limitar o controle dos movimentos. Objetivo: Determinar o efeito do excesso de peso sobre as variaveis espaco-temporais da locomocao em homens jovens e ativos. Metodos: Estudo transversal de amostragem nao probabilistica, com 55 individuos com peso normal (IMC ≤25) e 22 individuos com sobrepeso (IMC >25). Analisaram-se IMC e porcentagem de massa gorda e massa magra em ambos os grupos, com um bioimpedanciometro multifrequencia (Inbody 230). Foram analisadas tambem as variaveis cinematicas de locomocao, usando-se um sistema de plataforma de pressao (GaitRite). Resultados: O grupo sobrepeso apresentou diminuicao significativa na fase de balanco e fase de apoio monopodal (p <0,001), com aumento da fase de apoio e da fase de apoio bipodal (p <0,001) com relacao ao grupo peso normal. Conclusao: A reducao da fase de balanco e o aumento da fase de apoio e da fase de apoio bipodal manifestado pelo grupo sobrepeso pode ser resultado do aumento da instabilidade que ocorre durante a marcha, devido ao sobrepeso.Introduction: Obesity has been associated with the presence of structural and functional adaptations that may limit movement control. Objective: To determine the effect of overweight on spatio-temporal variables of locomotion in young and active men. Methods: A cross-sectional study of non-probability sampling, with 55 subjects with normal weight (BMI ≤25) and 22 overweight subjects (BMI >25). Body mass index and percentage of fat mass and lean mass were analyzed in both groups, with a multi-frequency bioimpedanciometer (Inbody 230). The kinematic variables of locomotion were also analyzed with a pressure platform system (GaitRite). Results: The overweight group showed a significant decrease in the swing phase and monopodal stance phase (p <0.001) with an increase in the stance phase and double stance phase (p<0.001) in relation to the normal weight group. Conclusion: The reduction of the swing phase and the increase of the stance phase and double stance phase presented by the overweight group may be a result of increased instability that occurs during gait due to overweight.