The effects of progressive neuromuscular training on postural balance and functionality in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study.

[Purpose] To determine the effects of progressive neuromuscular training on postural balance and functionality in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). [Subjects and Methods] Eleven participants between 60 and 75 years of age performed the progressive neuromuscular training for 8 weeks and 4 weeks of follow-up. The area and velocity of the center of pressure were measured on a force platform, and the functionality was measured with a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. [Results] The area and velocity (anteroposterior and mediolateral directions) of the center of pressure showed significant differences after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention. Additionally, the global score and some questionnaire dimensions (pain and physical function) showed significant differences after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention. These changes were maintained in all variables at week 4 of follow-up. [Conclusion] The intervention generated improvements in balance and functionality in elderly patients with knee OA. These changes were observed after 4 weeks of training and were maintained 4 weeks after the end of the intervention.

Quadriceps muscle reaction time in obese children.

This study aimed to determine the influence of obesity, according to body mass index (BMI) and fat mass percentage, on quadriceps muscle reaction times. The study utilized a cross-sectional design. The sample size consisted of 42 schoolchildren (54.5% girls) aged 11 to 12 years old. Participant measurements included weight and height, which were used to categorize individuals based on BMI. Additionally, the electrical bioimpedance technique was employed to categorize participants based on their body fat percentage. A sudden destabilization test of the lower limb was performed to assess the reaction time of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis muscles. The results show that overweight/obese children have a longer muscle reaction time for both the rectus femoris (ß = 18.13; p = 0.048) and the vastus lateralis (ß = 14.51; p = 0.042). Likewise, when the children were classified by percentage of body fat the results showed that overfat/obese children have a longer muscle reaction time for both the rectus femoris (ß = 18.13; p = 0.048) and the vastus lateralis (ß = 14.51; p = 0.042). Our results indicate that BMI and fat mass classification negativity alter the muscle reaction time in children. Overweight/obese or overfat/obese children showed longer reaction times in the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles compared to children with normal weight. Based on these findings, it is suggested that in overweight and obese children, efforts not only focus on reducing body weight but that be complemented with training and/or rehabilitation programs that focus on preserving the normal physiological function of the musculoskeletal system.

Isometric strength of upper limb muscles in youth using hand-held and hand-grip dynamometry.

The present study aimed to determine the isometric strength profile of the upper limb muscles of children and adolescents between 7-15 years of age. Furthermore, to (a) identify the age at which differences in strength are observed between sexes; to (b) determine the age range at which significant progression of strength could be observed; and (c) identify the role of each muscle on the total upper limb strength. Cross-sectional study that evaluated the isometric strength of nine muscle groups of the upper limb of 243 Chilean children, split into 9 age groups, separated by 1-year intervals. For this, hand-held dynamometry and hand-grip dynamometry were used. A two-factor analysis of variance for the maximum isometric strength and a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were performed. From 11 years of age, wrist flexors were the first muscle group that revealed a significant difference in isometric strength in favor of boys (P=0.0143). In boys, the narrowest and earliest age range in the progression of isometric strength was 10 to 12 years for wrist flexors (P=0.0392). Shoulder flexors was the main factor that explained the performance of the total upper limb strength (R 2=0.742; P<0.001). The most progressive isometric strength development occurred from age 10 years in the ventral and distal muscles of the upper limb; and from this age the boys begin to present a greater isometric strength than girls. In addition, the isometric strength of shoulder flexors explained the higher total upper limb strength performance.

Four Weeks of Neuromuscular Training Improve Static and Dynamic Postural Control in Overweight and Obese Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Thirty-two children with overweight or obesity were randomly divided into a neuromuscular training group (NTG) (n = 16) and a control group (CG) (n = 16). All individuals participated in the measurement of static postural control under two conditions: the double-leg stance with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). The center of pressure variables was obtained. mSEBT was used for dynamic postural control. Neuromuscular training was performed twice per week and lasted 4 weeks. The results of this study indicate that 4 weeks of neuromuscular training improve static and dynamic postural control in children with excess body weight.

Efectos de un entrenamiento neuromuscular sobre el control postural de voleibolistas universitarios con inestabilidad funcional de tobillo: estudio piloto / The effects of neuromuscular training on the postural control of university volleyball players with functional ankle instability: a pilot study

Introducción: Alrededor de un 90% de los jugadores de voleibol sufren alguna vez un esguince de tobillo, siendo los episodios repetitivos una de las principales complicaciones. Se plantea que el entrenamiento neuromuscular podría mejorar la funcionalidad del tobillo y disminuir el riesgo de volver a sufrir un esguince. Objetivo: Determinar los efectos de un entrenamiento neuromuscular sobre el control postural en voleibolistas universitarios con inestabilidad funcional de tobillo (IFT). Método: Estudio cuasi experimental. La muestra fue compuesta por 12 voleibolistas universitarios de sexo masculino, entre 18 y 23 años. Se realizó un entrenamiento neuromuscular de cuatro semanas de duración y se distribuyó en tres sesiones semanales de 15 a 25 min, en días no consecutivos, totalizando 12 sesiones. El volumen de entrenamiento fue regulado usando una periodización progresiva y centrada principalmente en la extremidad inferior, realizándola previo al entrenamiento regular de los voleibolistas. Pre y post intervención se evaluó el control postural sobre una plataforma de fuerza en condiciones de ojos abiertos (OA) y ojos cerrados (OC). A partir de esta evaluación se calcularon las siguientes variables del centro de presión (CP): Área, velocidad media, velocidad medio lateral (ML) y velocidad anteroposterior (AP). Se aplicó la prueba t-student para realizar las comparaciones con un nivel alfa de 0,05. Resultados: En OA solo hubo una disminución significativa en la velocidad ML (p = 0,036) posterior a la intervención. En OC se observaron diferencias significativas entre la evaluación pre y post intervención para las variables del CP velocidad media (p = 0,043), velocidad AP (p = 0,019) y velocidad ML (p = 0,027). Conclusión: Un entrenamiento neuromuscular de cuatro semanas mejoró el control postural en los voleibolistas universitarios con IFT incluidos es este estudio

Introduction: In volleyball about 90% of players ever suffer an ankle sprain, being repetitive episodes of main complications. It is suggested that neuromuscular training could improve the functionality of the ankle and decrease the risk of a sprain. Objective: To determine the effects of a neuromuscular training on postural control in college volleyball players with functional ankle instability (FAI). Method: Quasi-experimental research. The sample was composed of 12 college volleyball male players between 18 and 23 years old. A neuromuscular training of four weeks was carried out and it was distributed in three weekly sessions from 15 to 25 min, on non-consecutive days, totaling 12 sessions. The volume of training was regulated using a progressive periodiza-tion and focused mainly on the lower limb, performing it prior to the regular training of the volleyball players. Pre and post intervention postural control were evaluated on a force platform in conditions of open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE). From this evaluation, the following variables of the center of pressure (CP) were calculated: Area, mean velocity, medio-latera (ML) velocity and anteroposterior (AP) velocity. T-student test was applied for comparisons with an alpha level of 0.05. Results: In OE there was a significant decrease in the ML velocity (p = 0.036). In CE significant differences between pre and post intervention were observed in mean velocity (p = 0.043), AP velocity (p = 0.019) and ML velocity (p = 0.027). Conclusion: A four-week training neuromuscular improved postural control on college volleyball players with IFT included in this study