Successful Powerlifting in a Unilateral, Transtibial Amputee: A Descriptive Case Series.

ABSTRACT: Beausejour, JP, Guinto, G, Artrip, C, Corvalan, A, Mesa, MF, Lebron, MA, and Stock, MS. Successful powerlifting in a unilateral, transtibial amputee: A descriptive case series. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): e243-e252, 2024-There are no reports in the literature of powerlifting success after amputation. We had the unique opportunity to characterize functional outcomes, strength, muscle contractility and size, and corticospinal excitability in an accomplished, competitive powerlifter (best competition squat = 205.0 kg, deadlift = 262.7 kg) with a unilateral, transtibial amputation relative to amputee controls. Four men (age range = 23-49 years) with unilateral, lower-limb amputation (3 transtibial, 1 transfemoral) participated in 1 laboratory visit. We assessed 10-m gait speed, the timed up and go (TUG) test, 5-time sit-to-stand performance (5TSTS), contractile properties of the vastus lateralis (VL) and medial gastrocnemius by tensiomyography, and VL cross-sectional area (CSA) by ultrasonography. Unilateral assessments for the intact limb included isokinetic knee extension and flexion torque and power and transcranial magnetic stimulation derived corticospinal excitability. An interview with the powerlifter provided contextual perspective. Compared with the control subjects, the powerlifter performed the 5TSTS faster (6.8%), exhibited faster VL contraction times (intact limb = 12.2%; residual limb = 23.9%), and showed larger VL CSA for the intact limb (46.7%). The powerlifter exhibited greater knee extension and flexion peak torque and mean power, particularly at 180°·s -1 , as well as greater corticospinal excitability for the intact VL (65.6%) and tibialis anterior (79.6%). By contrast, the control subjects were faster in the TUG (18.3%) and comfortable (13.0%) and fast (21.4%) in the 10-m walk test. The major themes of our interview included needing to modify lifting mechanics, persistence, and remarkable pain tolerance. Our findings highlight the impressive neuromuscular adaptations that are attainable after lower-limb amputation.

Immobility and mobility practices in pandemic: Daily experiences of inhabitants of Temuco (Chile) / Prácticas de inmovilidad y movilidad en pandemia: experiencias cotidianas de habitantes de temuco (chile)

RESUMEN Durante el último tiempo, las ciudades de Chile han sido afectadas por las restricciones de movilidad impuestas por las autoridades con el objetivo de frenar el avance de la COVID-19. Considerando esta problemática, el artículo se enfoca en la percepción de habitantes de Temuco, como una de las primeras ciudades del país en afrontar la cuarentena total, respecto a las transformaciones experimentadas a partir de las medidas políticas de limitación de movilidad. Mediante un diseño metodológico cualitativo se analizó la percepción de algunos habitantes en relación con los cambios generados en sus rutinas cotidianas producto de la emergencia de inmovilidades, lo cual se relaciona directamente con la comprensión de la movilidad como una práctica central de las ciudades contemporáneas. Entre los hallazgos destaca la inmovilidad como una categoría que implica diversas encrucijadas cotidianas en las personas, el papel de la movilidad como categoría central para el desarrollo de la vida social, las transformaciones en los hábitos diarios de las personas y, por último, la necesidad de reflexionar el derecho a la movilidad de las personas desde los territorios.

ABSTRACT Innovation is one of the most important pillars for sustainable competitiveness, especially in micro and small companies that operate in a dynamic and complex context. In this context, the objective of the study was to determine the influence of human, organizational, and technical innovation capacities on the level of innovation. For this, an economic model of multiple linear regression was developed. The sampling procedure was a stratified probabilistic sample of 26 micro and small exporting textile crafts enterprises from the South area of Peru, which answered a questionnaire of 52 items. The results reflect that the capacity for human, organizational, and technical innovation influence with a coefficient of determination of 96.7%, positive and significant in the level of innovation. In conclusion, human innovation capacity has a greater influence on the variability of the level of innovation, due to the creativity, motivation, and knowledge of people.