Do final rehabilitation volumes influence function after anterior cross ligament reconstruction? A pilot study / Volumes finais de reabilitação influenciam função após reconstrução de ligamento cruzado anterior? Um estudo piloto

Abstract Introduction Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the frequent traumatic injuries of the knee joint complex, and the isokinetic dynamometer is essential to assess and measure its joint function. Objective To analyze the volume of physical therapy treatment using the same protocol with different duration in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. Methods This is a prospective observational cohort study. The sample consisted of 13 adult male individuals who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery. Participants were divided into two groups: accelerated treatment (AC) and non-accelerated treatment (NAC). Participants underwent a standardized protocol of post-reconstruction physio-therapy, starting in the immediate postoperative period. The AC group performed the treatment three times a week, with a duration of 4 hours each session for 6 months, while the NAC performed twice a week with duration of two hours each session for eight months. Results The groups showed the same behavior during the post-reconstruction treatment periods, showing that regardless of time, the results were beneficial at the end of the treatment. However, in the accelerated protocol, the injured limb showed a significant difference for extender peak torque (PTEXT) in the preoperative and 4-month postoperative period (230.5 vs 182.6), 4-month postoperative period and final (182.6 vs 242.1) in the AC group, while in the NAC group there was no significant difference between times in this same limb. Conclusion Greater volumes of weekly training characterized better results, showing that rehabilitation time is not a predictor of discharge, but rehabilitation time obtains good results for the variables.

Resumo Introdução A ruptura do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) é uma das lesões traumáticas frequentes do complexo articular do joelho, sendo o dinamômetro isocinético fundamental para avaliar e mensurar sua função articular. Objetivo Analisar o volume de tratamento fisioterapêutico utilizando o mesmo protocolo com diferentes durações em pacientes submetidos à reconstrução do LCA. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo de coorte observacional prospectivo. A amostra foi composta por 13 indivíduos adultos do sexo masculino submetidos à cirurgia de reconstrução do LCA. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: tratamento acelerado (AC) e tratamento não acelerado (NAC). Os participantes foram submetidos a um protocolo padronizado de fisioterapia pós-reconstrução, com início no pós-operatório imediato. O grupo AC realizou o trata-mento três vezes por semana, com duração de 4 horas cada sessão, durante 6 meses, enquanto o grupo NAC realizou duas vezes por semana, com duração de duas horas cada sessão, durante oito meses. Resultados Os grupos apresentaram o mesmo comportamento durante os períodos de tratamento pós-reconstrução, mostrando que independente do tempo, os resultados foram benéficos ao final do tratamento. No protocolo acelerado, porém, o membro lesionado apresentou diferença significativa para pico de torque extensor (PTEXT) no pré-operatório e pós-operatório de 4 meses (230,5 vs 182,6), pós-operatório de 4 meses e final (182,6 vs 242,1) no grupo AC, enquanto no NAC não houve diferença significativa entre os tempos neste mesmo membro. Conclusão Maiores volumes de treinamento semanal caracterizaram melhores resultados, mostrando que o tempo de reabilitação não é preditor de alta, mas o tempo de reabilitação obtém bons resultados para as variáveis.

Phototherapy on Management of Creatine Kinase Activity in General Versus Localized Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The main focus of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of phototherapy in the management of creatine kinase (CK) activity after exercise and furthermore to identify for which exercise model protocol phototherapy provides the best results. DESIGN: Meta-analysis comparing phototherapy with a control condition. SETTING: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, and CENTRAL databases were searched from their earliest records to October 03, 2016. Data were pooled in a meta-analysis and described as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random effects model. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy subjects (no restrictions were applied, eg, age, sex, and exercise level). INTERVENTION: Phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and/or light-emitting diode therapy) before or after exercise and a placebo or control condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Creatine kinase activity (no restriction to any analysis, eg, serum, plasma, or capillary blood). RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included for review. The results revealed that phototherapy has a more positive effect than control condition in management of CK activity [SMD = 0.77, 95% CI (0.32 to 1.22); P = 0.0007; I = 72%]. In exploratory analysis, the results showed that phototherapy was effective only in the exercise protocol with localized exercise with large effect size [localized exercise: SMD = 0.89, 95% CI (0.26 to 1.51); P = 0.0002; I = 76%; general exercise: SMD = 0.61, 95% CI (-0.05 to 1.26); P = 0.07; I = 67%]. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggest that phototherapy has beneficial effects on the management of CK activity and demonstrate a possible relationship based on damage caused by exercise, providing a greater effect in studies that used localized exercise.

Effects of training with elastic resistance versus conventional resistance on muscular strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Given the practicality and low cost of using elastic resistance in training for different populations and its effectiveness in a range of outcomes, a comparison with conventional devices could clarify and quantify the benefits provided by both mode. To compare the effects of resistance training with elastic devices (tubes and Thera-Bands) and conventional devices (weight machines and dumbbells) on the outcome muscular strength. A search was performed in the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) from the earliest records up to 20 December 2017. Data were pooled into a meta-analysis and described as standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval (registration number: CRD42016042152). Eight studies were included. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated no superiority between the methods analyzed for lower limb (SMD = -0.11, 95% CI -0.40, 0.19, p = 0.48) or upper limb muscular strength (SMD=0.09; 95% CI -0.18, 0.35; p = 0.52) [corrected]. Elastic resistance training is able to promote similar strength gains to conventional resistance training, in different population profiles and using diverse protocols.

Test-retest reliability of knee extensors endurance test with elastic resistance.

BACKGROUND: Reliable clinical tests capable of measuring resistance are important tools for rehabilitation. One alternative that has recently increased in popularity is the use of elastic tubes, which stand out for being easy to handle, low cost, practical, and feasible. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the test-retest reliability of the knee extensors muscle fatigue resistance test (FRT) with elastic tubes. METHODS: A total of 116 healthy young males, aged between 18 and 30 years old, participated in the study. Participants performed three pre-test stages: orientation, load presentation, and familiarization with equipment, lasting two weeks. Subsequently, they performed the FRT on two occasions (test and retest), with an interval of seven days. The reliability analyzes were performed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence interval and typical measurement error (TME), also expressed as coefficient of variation (CV%). RESULTS: The findings regarding the reliability of the test demonstrated satisfactory values (time: ICC = 0.66; 95%CI [0.50; 0.76]; CV(%) = 9.34; repetition: ICC = 0.61; 95%CI [0.46; 0.73], CV(%) = 13.66; rhythm: ICC = 0.52; 95%CI [0.35; 0.67], CV(%) = 10.29. CONCLUSION: From the findings presented, it is concluded that the proposed clinical test with elastic tubes demonstrates evidence of acceptable values.

Effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and light-emitting diodes (LEDT) applied during combined training on performance and post-exercise recovery: protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown positive results of phototherapy for improving performance and accelerating recovery; however, the effects of phototherapy during training and after a primary adaptation remain unclear. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to analyze the effects of phototherapy and combined training on clinical, functional, and psychological outcomes and on vascular endothelial growth factor. METHODS: This randomized placebo-controlled trial by stratified sample will involve 45 healthy male participants. In phase 1, the participants will undergo six weeks of combined training (sprints and squats). In phase 2, participants will be allocated through stratified randomization (based on adaptation capacity) into three groups: active phototherapy group (AG), placebo group (PG), and non-treatment control group (CG). A new six-week training program will then start and the participants will receive the recovery strategy between sprints and squats. The primary outcome will be maximal isometric contraction. The secondary outcomes include strength and power testing, maximal incremental test, squat jump, sprint test, muscle soreness, pain threshold, perceptions of exertion and recovery, psychological questionnaire, and vascular endothelial growth factor. CONCLUSIONS: This will be the first trial to include phototherapy during training. We believe that this strategy will combine the ergogenic and prophylactic effects in the same session. Furthermore, an application protocol performed after primary adaptation may reflect the real effect of the technique.

Can Water Temperature and Immersion Time Influence the Effect of Cold Water Immersion on Muscle Soreness? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cold water immersion (CWI) is a technique commonly used in post-exercise recovery. However, the procedures involved in the technique may vary, particularly in terms of water temperature and immersion time, and the most effective approach remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of CWI in muscle soreness management compared with passive recovery. We also aimed to identify which water temperature and immersion time provides the best results. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, PEDro [Physiotherapy Evidence Database], and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases were searched up to January 2015. Only randomized controlled trials that compared CWI to passive recovery were included in this review. Data were pooled in a meta-analysis and described as weighted mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Nine studies were included for review and meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that CWI has a more positive effect than passive recovery in terms of immediate (MD = 0.290, 95% CI 0.037, 0.543; p = 0.025) and delayed effects (MD = 0.315, 95% CI 0.048, 0.581; p = 0.021). Water temperature of between 10 and 15 °C demonstrated the best results for immediate (MD = 0.273, 95% CI 0.107, 0.440; p = 0.001) and delayed effects (MD = 0.317, 95% CI 0.102, 0.532; p = 0.004). In terms of immersion time, immersion of between 10 and 15 min had the best results for immediate (MD = 0.227, 95% 0.139, 0.314; p < 0.001) and delayed effects (MD = 0.317, 95% 0.102, 0.532, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that CWI can be slightly better than passive recovery in the management of muscle soreness. The results also demonstrated the presence of a dose-response relationship, indicating that CWI with a water temperature of between 11 and 15 °C and an immersion time of 11-15 min can provide the best results.

Efeitos imediatos e tardios da mobilização neural sobre força de preensão palmar e complacência neural de membro superior: um ensaio clínico randomizado / Immediate and delayed effect of neural mobilization on hand grip strength and neural complacency of upper limb: a randomized controlled trial

Introdução: A mobilização neural tem sido utilizada clinicamente a fim de restaurar e otimizar a função dos tecidos. Objetivos: Analisar o efeito imediato e tardio de técnicas de mobilização neural sobre a força de preensão palmar e complacência neural. Métodos: Vinte e sete participantes foram randomizadas em três grupos (G1: mobilização do nervo mediano, G2: mobilização do nervo radial e G3: mobilização do nervo ulnar). Valores de preensão palmar e complacência neural foram registrados nos momentos basal, 24 e 48 horas após a técnica. Resultados: O G1 apresentou diferença com relação ao basal (p<0,05) no momento tardio para força, e G1 e G2 apresentaram melhora da complacência neural no momento imediato. Não houve diferença entre os grupos. Conclusões: A mobilização neural do nervo mediano apresenta os melhores resultados para força de preensão palmar. Porém, não se observaram evidências que sugerissem a otimização de diferentes variáveis a partir da mobilização de único nervo.

Introduction: The neural mobilization has been used clinically to restore and optimize tissue function. Objectives: To analyze the immediate and late effects of neural mobilization techniques on grip strength and neural complacency. Methods: Twenty- seven subjects were randomized into three groups (G1: mobilization of the median nerve, G2: mobilization of the radial nerve, and G3: mobilization of the ulnar nerve). Handgrip values and neural complacency were recorded at baseline, 24 and 48 hours after the technique. Results: G1 difference from baseline (p <0.05) in delayed effect for strength, and G1 and G2 showed improved neural compliance in the immediate effect. There was no difference between groups. Conclusions: Neural mobilization of the median nerve provides the best results for grip strength. However, there was no evidence to suggest the optimization of several variables from the single nerve mobilization.