Motor readiness and joint torque production in lower limbs of older women fallers and non-fallers

This study aimed to evaluate the motor response time and ability to develop joint torque at the knee and ankle in older women with and without a history of falls, in addition to investigating the effect of aging on these capacities. We assessed 18 young females, 21 older female fallers and 22 older female non-fallers. The peak torque, rate of torque development, rate of electromyography (EMG) rise, reaction time, premotor time and motor time were obtained through a dynamometric assessment and simultaneous electromyography. Surface EMGs of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were recorded. Knee extension and flexion peak torques were lower in older fallers than in non-fallers. Knee extension and flexion and ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion peak torques were lower in both older groups than in the younger group. The rate of EMG rise of the BF and the motor time of the TA were lower and higher, respectively, in older fallers than in the younger adults. The time to reach peak torque in knee extension/flexion and ankle plantarflexion/dorsiflexion and the motor times of the RF, VL, BF and GL were higher in both older groups than in the younger groups. The motor time of the TA during ankle dorsiflexion and the knee extension peak torque were the major predictors of falls in older women, accounting for approximately 28% of the number of falls. Thus, these results further reveal the biomechanical parameters that affect the risk of falls and provide initial findings to support the prescription of exercises in fall prevention programs. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Electromyographic patterns of lower limb muscles during apprehensive gait in younger and older female adults

Objective: Investigate the influence of apprehensive gait on activation and cocontraction of lower limb muscles of younger and older female adults. Methods: Data of 17 younger (21.47±2.06 yr) and 18 older women (65.33±3.14. yr) were considered for this study. Participants walked on the treadmill at two different conditions: normal gait and apprehensive gait. The surface electromyographic signals (EMG) were recorded during both conditions on: rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), and soleus (SO). Results: Apprehensive gait promoted greater activation of thigh muscles than normal gait (F=5.34 and p=0.007, for significant main effect of condition; RF, p=0.002; VM, p<0.001; VL, p=0.003; and BF, p=0.001). Older adults had greater cocontraction of knee and ankle stabilizer muscles than younger women (F=4.05 and p=0.019, for significant main effect of groups; VM/BF, p=0.010; TA/GL, p=0.007; and TA/SO, p=0.002). Conclusion: Apprehensive gait promoted greater activation of thigh muscles and older adults had greater cocontraction of knee and ankle stabilizer muscles. Thus, apprehensive gait may leads to increased percentage of neuromuscular capacity, which is associated with greater cocontraction and contribute to the onset of fatigue and increased risk of falling in older people. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Avaliação da distribuição da pressão plantar e equilíbrio de diabéticos neuropatas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Adaptação voluntária do andar em idosos com doença de Parkinson sob dica visual dinâmica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise cinemática da oscilação corporal de idosos com doença de Parkinson: efeitos da restrição visual

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Padrão de coordenação do pular corda: um estudo desenvolvimental

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Locomoção visualmente guiada na transposição de obstáculos: efeitos de amostras visuais estáticas e dinâmica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Descrição e comparação de dois tipos de chute no futebol feminino através de variáveis angulares

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito de um treinamento de FNP sobre variáveis biomecânicas em idosos caidores

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito de dica auditiva na marcha livre e adaptativa em pacientes com doença de Parkinson

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

A estabilidade do pular corda em diferentes padrões motores do saltar

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

O andar de pacientes hemiplégicos no solo e na esteira com suporte total e parcial de peso

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

Uso da esteira motorizada na promoção do desenvolvimento motor de bebês com risco de atraso desenvolvimental

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

Papel da visão no controle locomotor durante a ultrapassagem de obstáculos de diferentes alturas em idosos com doença de Parkinon e idosos sadios

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

Identificação dos ângulos do tornozelo do membro de suporte, distância entre o pé de apoio e a bola e velocidade de saída da bola em cobranças de pênalti no futebol

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)