Effects of strength and balance training on the mobility, fear of falling and grip strength of elderly female fallers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of virtual reality and strength training on the balance, fear of falling and handgrip strength of older women with a history of falls. The fear of falling, mobility and grip strength were evaluated in 11 elderly fallers (72.4 ± 5.2 years). The faller group was submitted to 12 weeks of virtual reality and muscle strength training. The results showed improvement in mobility (p = 0.0004) and in the fear of falling (p = 0.002). No significant difference was observed for hand grip strength. It can be concluded that virtual reality and muscle strength interventions are beneficial for mobility and fear of falling in older women with a history of falls.

Effects of physiotherapy on balance and unilateral vestibular hypofunction in vertiginous elderly

Background: We aimed to analyze the effect of a physical therapy protocol on unilateral vestibular hypofunction and overall balance in elderly with vertigo. Methods: The study included nine subjects, four male subjects (68.5 ± 11.09 years old) and five females (72.4 ± 7.09 years old). It was used the performance-oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), to evaluate the balance and the Unterberger – Fukuda test for analysis of unilateral vestibular dysfunction through rotations and displacements of the body. We developed and applied a structured physical therapy protocol, consisting of group exercises. Results: It was observed that after the protocol, all participants improved balance (33.9 ± 5.1 vs. 47.3 ± 7.6, p < 0.0001) and displacement (111.1 ± 38.0 vs. 53.3 ± 34.6, p = 0.0001). However, it was not found significant differences for rotation. Conclusion: The proposed protocol has contributed to an improvement in balance and vestibular dysfunction of the aged.

Carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation modulates the Th1/Th2 balance after exercise performed at a simulated altitude of 4500 m

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate or glutamine supplementation, or a combination of the two, on the immune system and inflammatory parameters after exercise in simulated hypoxic conditions at 4500 m.Methods: Nine men underwent three sessions of exercise at 70% VO2(peak) until exhaustion as follows: 1) hypoxia with a placebo; 2) hypoxia with 8% maltodextrin (200 mL/20 min) during exercise and for 2 h after; and 3) hypoxia after 6 d of glutamine supplementation (20 g/d) and supplementation with 8% maltodextrin (200 mL/20 min) during exercise and for 2 h after. All procedures were randomized and double blind. Blood was collected at rest, immediately before exercise, after the completion of exercise, and 2 h after recovery. Glutamine, cortisol, cytokines, glucose, heat shock protein-70, and erythropoietin were measured in serum, and the cytokine production from lymphocytes was measured.Results: Erythropoietin and interleukin (IL)-6 increased after exercise in the hypoxia group compared with baseline. IL-6 was higher in the hypoxia group than pre-exercise after exercise and after 2 h recovery. Cortisol did not change, whereas glucose was elevated post-exercise in the three groups compared with baseline and pre-exercise. Glutamine increased in the hypoxia + carbohydrate + glutamine group after exercise compared with baseline. Heat shock protein-70 increased post-exercise compared with baseline and pre-exercise and after recovery compared with pre-exercise, in the hypoxia carbohydrate group. No difference was observed in IL-2 and IL-6 production from lymphocytes. IL-4 was reduced in the supplemented groups.Conclusion: Carbohydrate or glutamine supplementation shifts the T helper (Th)1/Th2 balance toward Th1 responses after exercise at a simulated altitude of 4500 m. The nutritional strategies increased in IL-6, suggesting an important anti-inflammatory effect. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Studies of dijet transverse momentum balance and pseudorapidity distributions in pPb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Balance-of-payments-constrained growth in Brazil: 1951-2008

The aim of this study is to determine whether Brazil's economic growth has been constrained by the balance of payments in the long run. The question underpinning the analysis can be expressed as follows: Was economic growth in the period 1951-2008 constrained by the balance of payments? To answer this question, the study employs the externally constrained growth methodology developed by Lima and Carvalho (2009), among others. The main statistical method used is vector error correction. The conclusion is that the rate of economic growth in Brazil was restricted by the external sector in the period concerned, validating the theory of balance-of-payments growth constraint with regard to the economic history of Brazil.

Greenhouse gas balance in the conversion from extensive pasture to other agricultural systems in Andean region of Colombia

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Weather variables, water balance, growth, and agro industrial yield of sugarcane

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Conformational changes in a hyperthermostable glycoside hydrolase: enzymatic activity is a consequence of the loop dynamics and protonation balance

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

Initial physic nut nutrition and potassium balance in the soil-plant system

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

Influence of summertime mesoscale convective systems on the heat balance and surface mixed layer dynamics of a large Amazonian hydroelectric reservoir

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synergist interaction between angiotensin II and DOCA on sodium and water balance in rats

Blockade of central angiotensin receptors with the specific antagonist [Leu8]-ANG II abolished water ingestion and water and sodium excretion induced by infusion of angiotensin II (ANGII) into the lateral ventricle (LV) of rats. The antagonist reduced but did not suppress the salt appetite induced by ANGII infusion. Subcutaneous injection of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) caused increases in water and 3% NaCl ingestion and decreases in sodium excretion. When central ANGII infusion was combined with peripheral DOCA, the water intake was similar to that induced by ANGII alone and the ingestion of 3% NaCl was increased, whereas sodium excretion was inhibited. When ANGII was infused alone, a detailed temporal analysis of fluid and sodium balance showed a negative balance similar those saline controls that persisted throughout the experiment. Combined administration of ANGII and DOCA induce significant changes in water and sodium balance. Sodium and water maintained a positive balance through out the 8-h experiment. The data support an interaction of central ANGII and DOCA on sodium intake and water and sodium balance. © 1994.

Energy balance for ethyl alcohol production from crops

Energy requirements to produce ethyl alcohol from three different crops in Brazil (sugarcane, cassava, and sweet sorghum) were calculated. Figures are presented for the agricultural and industrial phases. The industrial phase is always more energy-intensive, consuming from 60 to 75 percent of the total energy. Sugarcane is the more efficient crop for ethyl alcohol production, followed by sweet sorghum and cassava from a net energy viewpoint. The utilization of sweet sorghum stems might increase the total energy gain from this crop to almost the same level as sugarcane. Cassava has a lower energy gain at the present state of agriculture in Brazil. Copyright © 1978 AAAS.

Balance and ankle muscle strength predict spatiotemporal gait parameters in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

The aims of this study were to evaluate aspects of balance, ankle muscle strength and spatiotemporal gait parameters in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and verify whether deficits in spatiotemporal gait parameters were associated with ankle muscle strength and balance performance. Thirty individuals with DPN and 30 control individuals have participated. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were evaluated by measuring the time to walk a set distance during self-selected and maximal walking speeds. Functional mobility and balance performance were assessed using the Functional Reach and the Time Up and Go tests. Ankle isometric muscle strength was assessed with a handheld digital dynamometer. Analyses of variance were employed to verify possible differences between groups and conditions. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to uncover possible predictors of gait deficits. Gait spatiotemporal, functional mobility, balance performance and ankle muscle strength were affected in individuals with DPN. The Time Up and Go test performance and ankle muscle isometric strength were associated to spatiotemporal gait changes, especially during maximal walking speed condition. Functional mobility and balance performance are damaged in DPN and balance performance and ankle muscle strength can be used to predict spatiotemporal gait parameters in individuals with DPN.