Efeito agudo de diferentes volumes de alongamento estático na contração voluntária máxima de idosas

Several studies have shown that different stretching routines can lead to decreases on acute neuromuscular system performance. Although the deficit in muscle strength mediated by different methods of stretching has been systematically observed, few studies have investigated the possible existence of a dose-response relationship between the amount of stretching and muscle strength deficit in older adults. In this context, the objective of this study was to investigate the acute effect of two different stretching volumes on isometric force-time curve (Cf-t) in elderly women. The study included 13 older women (64.08 ± 4.27 years, 69.98 ± 10.56 kg, 157.90 ± 8.66 cm, 28.25 ± 4.22 kg/m²). The participants visited the laboratory for five consecutive days, among which the first two were used for familiarization. During the other three days the participants underwent experimental conditions: control (C) stretch 30 seconds (AE30) and stretch 60 seconds (AE60). For the AE30 and AE60 conditions, three series of passive static stretching were performed, with duration of 30 and 60 seconds, respectively. The experimental conditions were performed with an interval of at least 24 hours between them and the order of execution was randomized. The recording of isometric Cf-t of the knee extensor muscles was performed in extensor chair connected to a force transducer. Measurements were recorded immediately after each experimental condition, for five seconds. For statistical analysis, descriptive procedures were used and ANOVA one way to check possible changes on the Maximal Voluntary Contraction (CVM) and Peak Rate of Force Development (TDFP) among the three conditions (p <0.05). The ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference for CVM and TDFP, between the three conditions. It can be concluded that different volumes of static stretching, three sets ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Análise da flexibilidade e da postura em jovens atletas praticantes de futebol

there is evidence that sport can trigger the onset of postural patterns specific to each modality, regardless of the geopolitical aspects, social, cultural habits of everyday life and ethnicity. Since changes in flexibility are cited as possible precursors of decreased range of motion, thereby harming the mechanics of the lower limbs and gait. Objetcive: The objective of this study was to analyze changes in posture and flexibility in young soccer players. Methods: were assessed 51 youngsters, aged between 14 and 18 years, soccer players registered in the Municipal Presidente Prudente SP and categories of the base of Gremio of Presidente Prudente. Data were collected from the assessment by the postural software assessment, and flexibility tests the Bench, to jail and later by tests of muscle length to jail earlier proposed by Kendall et al , was also collected anthropometric data were later confronted with the results statistically. The results were organized into spreadsheets for computing, which later could be performed the statistical analysis. Values are expressed by means of central tendency and variability as well as medians and 95% confidence intervals. The comparison for each profile height and BMI was made by means of analysis of variance complemented by Tukey test. Were considered the statistical differences when P <0.05. Results: In the sample studied 64% of the subjects classified as normal posture, the same happened with 70.59% of the athletes for flexibility in relation to the center of gravity of the sample had 100% anterior displacement of the trunk and 86.28% with a deviation of center of gravity to the left, showing a tendency to some postural deviations for the group assessed. Conclusion: from the results we can conclude that there was significant relationship between the postural angle of the right leg and left angle of the pelvis with BMI and also ankle angle... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Adaptação e instrumentação de um esqui ergométrico para pessoas com deficiência motora dos membros inferiores

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Inquérito sobre a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em crianças e adolescentes portadores de artrites idiopáticas juvenis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Eccentric torque-producing capacity is influenced by muscle length in older healthy adults

Considering the importance of muscle strength to functional capacity in the elderly, the study investigated the effects of age on isokinetic performance and torque production as a function of muscle length. Eleven younger (24.2±2.9years) and seventeen older men (62.7±2.5years) were subjected to concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee extension/flexion at 60°.s-1 and 120°.s-1 through a functional range of motion. The older group presented lower peak torque (Nm) than the young group for both isokinetic contraction types (age effect, p<0.001). Peak torque deficits in the older group were near 30% and 29% for concentric and eccentric contraction, respectively. Concentric peak torque was lower at 120.s-1 than at 60.s-1 for both groups (angular velocity effect, p<0.001). Eccentric knee extension torque was the only exercise tested that showed an interaction effect between age and muscle length (p<0.001), which suggested different torque responses to the muscle length between groups. Compared with the young group, the eccentric knee extension torque was 22% to 56% lower in the older group, with the deficits being lower in the shortened muscle length (22-27%) and higher (33-56%) in stretched muscle length. In older men, the production of eccentric knee strength seems to be muscle length-dependent. At more stretched positions, older subjects lose the capacity to generate eccentric knee extension torque. More studies are needed to assess the mechanisms involved in eccentric strength preservation with aging and its relationship with muscle length.

Custo energético durante a prática do Kendō e proposição de protocolo específico para avaliação da aptidão aeróbia em praticantes

Pós-graduação em Desenvolvimento Humano e Tecnologias - IBRC

Intra-articular pressure profiles of the cadaveric equine fetlock joint in motion

The study of the influence of motion and initial intra-articular pressure (IAP) on intra-articular pressure profiles in equine cadaver metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints was undertaken as a prelude to in vivo studies, Eleven equine cadaver MTP joints were submitted to 2 motion frequencies of 5 and 10 cycles/min of flexion and extension, simulating the condition of lower and higher (double) rates of passive motion. These frequencies were applied and pressure profiles generated with initial normal intra-articular pressure (-5 mmHg) and subsequently 30 mmHg intra-articular pressure obtained by injection of previously harvested synovial fluid.The 4 trials performed were 1) normal IAP; 5 cyles/min; 2) normal IAP; 10 cycles/min; 3) IAP at 30 mmHg; 5 cycles/min and 4) IAP at 30 mmHg; 10 cycles/min. The range of joint motion applied (mean +/- s.e.) was 67.6 +/- 1.61 degrees with an excursion from 12.2 +/- 1.2 degrees in extension to 56.2 +/- 2.6 degrees in flexion, Mean pressure recorded in mmHg for the first and last min of each trial, respectively, were 1) -5.7 +/- 0.9 and -6.3 +/- 1.1; 2) -5.3 +/- 1.1 and -6.2 +/- 1.1; 3) 58.8 +/- 8.0 and 42.3 +/- 7.2; 4) 56.6 +/- 3.7 and 40.3 +/- 4.6. Statistical analyses showed a trend for difference between the values for the first and last minute in trial 3 (0.05>P<0.1) with P = 0.1 and significant difference (P = 0.02) between the mean IAP of the first and last min in trial 4. The loss of intra-articular pressure associated with time and motion was 10.5, 16.9, 28.1 and 28.9% for trials 1-4, respectively. As initial intraarticular pressure and motion increased, the percent loss of intra-articular pressure increased.The angle of lowest pressure was 12.2 +/- 1.2 (mean +/- s.e.) in extension in trials 1 and 2, In trials 3 and 4, the lowest pressures were obtained in flexion with the joints at 18.5 +/- 2.0 degrees (mean +/- s.e.). This demonstrated that the joint angle of least pressure changed as the initial intra-articular pressure changed and there would not be a single angle of least pressure for a given joint.The volume of synovial fluid recovered from the MTP joints in trial 3 compared to 4 (trials in which fluid was injected to attain IAP of 30 mmHg) was not significantly different, supporting a soft tissue compliance change as a cause for the significant loss of intra-articular pressure during the 15 min of trial 4.The pressure profiles generated correlate well with in vivo values and demonstrated consistent pressure profiles. Our conclusions are summarised as follows:1. Clinically normal equine MTP joints which were frozen and then later thawed were found to have mostly negative baseline intra-articular pressures, as would be expected in living subjects,2. Alternate pressure profiles of the dorsal and plantar pouch at baseline intra-articular pressure document the presence of pressure forces that would support 'back and forth' fluid movement between joint compartments. This should result in movement of joint fluid during motion, assisting in lubrication and nutrition of articular cartilage,3. If joint pressure was initially greater than normal (30 mmHg), as occurs in diseased equine MTP joints, joint motion further increased joint capsule relaxation (compliance) and, therefore, reduced intra-articular pressure.4. Peak intra-articular pressures reached extremely high values (often >100 mmHg) in flexion when initial pressure was 30 mmHg. Joint effusion pressures recorded for clinical MCP joints are frequently 30 mmHg. These IAP values are expected to produce intermittent synovial ischaemia in clinical cases during joint flexion.5, Additional in vivo studies are necessary to confirm our conclusions from this study and to identify the contributions of fluid absorption and the presence of ischaemia in a vascularised joint.

Toward an understanding of intermediate- and short-range defects in ZnO single crystals. A combined experimental and theoretical study

A joint use of experimental and theoretical techniques allows us to understand the key role of intermediate- and short-range defects in the structural and electronic properties of ZnO single crystals obtained by means of both conventional hydrothermal and microwave-hydrothermal synthesis methods. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, photoluminescence, scanning electronic and transmission electron microscopies were used to characterize the thermal properties, crystalline and optical features of the obtained nano and microwires ZnO structures. In addition, these properties were further investigated by means of two periodic models, crystalline and disordered ZnO wurtzite structure, and first principles calculations based on density functional theory at the B3LYP level. The theoretical results indicate that the key factor controlling the electronic behavior can be associated with a symmetry breaking process, creating localized electronic levels above the valence band.

On nonlinear dynamics and control of a robotic arm with chaos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)