Is the Elite Female Athlete's Pelvic Floor Stronger?

Background: Exercise can stress the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). This study sought to assess the strength of the PFMs according to the level of physical exercise. Methods: An analytical observational study was carried out using digital palpation and dynamometry measurements to assess PF strength. Healthy nulliparous women were stratified according to physical exercise (physically active and sedentary) and level of physical exercise (elite, amateur, and sedentary). Results: Fifty-four women were analyzed, with a mean age of 25.64 (5.33) years and a BMI of 21.41 (2.96) kg/m2. Differences in the passive force and strength were observed between both groups of women (p < 0.05), and the strength was around two times higher in physically active women (p < 0.05). The strength was similar between elite female athletes and sedentary women (p > 0.05), but statistical differences were found with amateurs (p < 0.05). The PFM strength (p = 0.019) of elite female athletes (0.34 N) was almost half that of amateurs (0.63 N) and twice as strong as that of sedentary women (0.20 N). However, these differences were not significant using digital palpation (p = 0.398). Conclusions: Women who exercise generally have greater PFM strength than women who do not exercise. Physical exercise could strengthen the PFM; however, the high intensity demanded by high-level sports does not seem to proportionally increase the strength of the PFMs.

Intraobserver reliability and validity of a single ultrasonic measurement of the lateral condyle-capsule distance in the temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the reliability and validity of a single lateral condyle-capsule distance (LCCD) measurement while saving on economic costs and clinical resources. METHODS: A longitudinal test-retest design was used to assess the reliability and validity of single-examiner measures over 72 TMJ sonographic analyses. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and a Bland-Altman plot were used to study reliability and validity, comparing the first measurement of the LCCD to the mean of 3 measurements taken one week later by the same examiner. RESULTS: ICC show intraobserver reliability of 0.981, 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 0.969 to 0.988. The mean difference between the ultrasound measurements is 0.019 mm (95% CI 0.0005-0.0383) with a standard deviation of 0.080 mm, demonstrating robust validity. The 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) are - 0.138 for the lower limit and 0.177 for the upper. Mean relative error is 0.009 mm. CONCLUSION: Intraobserver reliability of a trained examiner is very high in the single measurement of the LCCD and validity is significant compared to more complex methods. The risk of bias is low since the mean of three LCCD measurements is calculated as opposed to recording only one single measurement.

Muscle Recovery after a Single Bout of Functional Fitness Training.

BACKGROUND: Functional fitness training (FFT) is a new exercise modality that targets functional multi-joint actions via both muscle-strengthening exercises and aerobic training intervals. The aim of the study was to examine muscle recovery over a 20 min period after an FFT workout in trained adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were 28 healthy trained subjects. In a single session, a countermovement jump (CMJ) was performed to determine several mechanical variables (jump height, maximum velocity, power) before (preFFT) and 4, 10, and 20 min after the FFT workout (postFFT). In parallel, capillary blood lactate concentrations were measured pre- and 3 min postFFT. Heart rate was also measured before and after the workout, and perceived exertion was measured postFFT. RESULTS: Significant differences between the time points preFFT and 4 min and 10 min postFFT, respectively, were produced in jump height (p = 0.022, p = 0.034), maximum velocity (p = 0.016, p = 0.005), average power relative (p = 0.018, p = 0.049), and average power total (p = 0.025, p = 0.049). No differences were observed in any of the variables recorded preFFT and 20 min postFFT. CONCLUSIONS: While mechanical variables indicating muscle fatigue were reduced 4 and 10 min postFFT, pre-exercise jump ability only really started to recover 20 min after FFT although not reaching pre-exercise levels. This means that ideally intervals of around 20 min of rest should be implemented between training bouts.

Prediction model of rhomboid major and pleura depth based on anthropometric features to decrease the risk of pneumothorax during dry needling.

BACKGROUND: Although most common adverse events associated with dry needling can be considered minor, serious adverse events including induced pneumothorax cannot be excluded, and safety instructions for reducing the risk of pleura puncture are needed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if anthropometric features can predict the rhomboid major muscle and pleura depth in a sample of healthy subjects to avoid the risk of pneumothorax during dry needling. METHODS: A diagnostic study was conducted on 59 healthy subjects (52.5% male) involving a total of 236 measurements (both sides in maximum inspiration and expiration), to calculate the accuracy of a prediction model for both pleura and rhomboid depth, as assessed with ultrasound imaging, based on sex, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), breathing and chest circumference. A correlation matrix and a multiple linear regression analyses were used to detect those variables contributing significantly to the variance in both locations. RESULTS: Men showed greater height, weight, BMI, thorax circumference and skin-to-rhomboid, rhomboid-to-pleura and skin-to-pleura distances (P < .001). Sex, BMI, and thorax circumference explained 51.5% of the variance of the rhomboid (P < .001) and 69.7% of pleura (P < .001) depth limit. In general, inserting a maximum length of 19 mm is recommended to reach the deep limit of rhomboid major decreasing the risk of passing through the pleura. CONCLUSION: This study identified that gender, BMI and thorax circumference can predict both rhomboid and pleura depth, as assessed with ultrasonography, in healthy subjects. Our findings could assist clinicians in the needle length election in avoiding the risk of induced pneumothorax during dry needling.

Learning musculoskeletal anatomy through new technologies: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the influence of the application of new methodologies on learning and the motivation of students of the Anatomy discipline. METHOD: randomized, longitudinal, prospective, intervention study. Sixty-two students were recruited to assess the impact of different methodologies. The sample was randomized to compare the results of teaching with a 3D atlas, ultrasound and the traditional method. The parameters were assessed through a satisfaction evaluation questionnaire and anatomical charts. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: in terms of the usefulness of the seminars, 98.1% of the students considered them to be very positive or positive, stating that they had stimulated their interest in anatomy. The students who learned with the 3D atlas improved their understanding of anatomy (p=0.040). In general, the students improved their grades by around 20%. CONCLUSION: the traditional method combined with new technologies increases the interest of students in human anatomy and enables them to acquire skills and competencies during the learning process.

Learning musculoskeletal anatomy through new technologies: a randomized clinical trial / Aprendizagem de anatomia musculoesquelética por meio de novas tecnologias: um ensaio clínico randomizado / Aprendizaje de la anatomía musculoesquelética a través de las nuevas tecnologías: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Objective: to investigate the influence of the application of new methodologies on learning and the motivation of students of the Anatomy discipline. Method: randomized, longitudinal, prospective, intervention study. Sixty-two students were recruited to assess the impact of different methodologies. The sample was randomized to compare the results of teaching with a 3D atlas, ultrasound and the traditional method. The parameters were assessed through a satisfaction evaluation questionnaire and anatomical charts. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance. Results: in terms of the usefulness of the seminars, 98.1% of the students considered them to be very positive or positive, stating that they had stimulated their interest in anatomy. The students who learned with the 3D atlas improved their understanding of anatomy (p=0.040). In general, the students improved their grades by around 20%. Conclusion: the traditional method combined with new technologies increases the interest of students in human anatomy and enables them to acquire skills and competencies during the learning process.

Objetivo: investigar a influência da aplicação de novas metodologias na aprendizagem e a motivação de alunos da disciplina de Anatomia. Método: estudo de intervenção, prospectivo, longitudinal e randomizado. Um total de 62 alunos foram recrutados para se avaliar o impacto de diferentes metodologias. Eles foram distribuídos de forma aleatória para comparar os resultados de ensino usando o atlas 3D, o ultrassom e o método tradicional. Os parâmetros foram medidos por meio de um questionário de avaliação de satisfação do aluno e uma prova usando lâminas anatômicas. O teste ANOVA de medidas repetidas foi usado para determinar significância estatística. Resultados: relativo à satisfação dos alunos, 98,1% consideraram muito positivo ou positivo o uso dos seminários, além de afirmarem que o seminário havia estimulado seu interesse pela anatomia. Os alunos submetidos ao método com o atlas 3D apresentaram uma melhora em sua compreensão de anatomia (p=0,040). De forma geral, os alunos melhoraram suas pontuações em aproximadamente 20%. Conclusão: o método tradicional, junto com as novas tecnologias, contribui para aumentar o interesse dos alunos pela Anatomia Humana assim como na aquisição de habilidades e competências em seu processo de aprendizagem.

Objetivo: investigar la influencia de la aplicación de nuevas metodologías en el aprendizaje y en la motivación de los alumnos en la asignatura Anatomia. Método: estudio de intervención, prospectivo, longitudinal y aleatorizado. Fueron convocados 62 alumnos para evaluar el impacto de diferentes metodologías. Se los dividió aleatoriamente para comparar resultados entre enseñanza con atlas 3D, ultrasonido y metodología tradicional. Los parámetros fueron analizados mediante un cuestionario de evaluación de satisfacción y láminas anatómicas. Se usó ANOVA de medidas repetidas para determinar la significancia estadística. Resultados: el 98,1% de los alumnos consideraron muy positiva o positiva la utilización de los seminarios, afirmaron asimismo que el seminario había estimulado su interés por la anatomía. Los alumnos que realizaron el aprendizaje con atlas 3D mejoraron su compresión de la anatomía (p=0,040). En general, los alumnos mejoraron sus puntajes en alrededor del 20%. Conclusión: el método tradicional con el agregado de las nuevas tecnologías permite a los alumnos incrementar su interés por la Anatomía Humana, así como adquirir habilidades y competencias en su proceso de aprendizaje.

Prospective Randomized Trial of Electrolysis for Chronic Plantar Heel Pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) is a common condition with high prevalence rates and a projected cost of treatment of US$192 to US$376 million. There are several therapeutic approaches and there is increased interest in treatments aimed at the regeneration of tissues with poor healing potential. Our purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis in chronic plantar heel pain. METHODS: A total of 73 patients with a clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of plantar heel pain unrelated to systemic inflammatory disease who had not received any other treatment in the previous 6 months on the affected foot were randomly allocated to receive either ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis of the fascia (experimental group, n = 39) or placebo puncture (control group, n = 34). The primary outcome was pain scored with an 11-point numeric pain rating scale (0 = no pain, 10 = maximum pain). Secondary outcomes were function and disability measured by the 21-item activities of daily living subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire, and fascia thickness measured by ultrasound. Outcomes were measured at 1, 12, and 24 weeks. RESULTS: The mixed-model analysis of covariance observed significant group x time interactions from all variables: pain in numeric pain rating scale ( P < .001), FAAM Activities of Daily Living Subscale scale ( P < .002), and ultrasonographic measures of the plantar heel ( P < .002). Patients in the experimental group had better results posttreatment at 12 and 24 weeks compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: With chronic plantar heel pain, ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis improved pain and function. This treatment may also decrease fascia thickness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the sinonasal region. A propose of a case.

We describe a 70-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary fibrosis who presented with a month's history of pain in the left lateronasal region and inferior eyelid. On examination there was left exophthalmos, difficulty in coordinating eye movements, inflammation, erythema, and pain. Computed tomography showed a 3 cm mass in the left posterior ethmoid region, a biopsy specimen from which showed a small cell neuroendocrine tumour. He refused operation and was treated unsuccessfully with four cycles of cisplatin and etoposide.