Predictability and Complexity of Fine and Gross Motor Skills in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Fine and gross motor tasks are usually used to evaluate behavioral dysfunctions and can be applied to diseases of the central nervous system, such as fibromyalgia (FM). Non-linear measures have allowed for deeper motor control analysis, focusing on the process and on the quality of movement. Therefore, to assess uncertainty, irregularity, and structural richness of a time series, different algorithms of entropy can be computed. The aim of this study was to (i) verify the single-scale and multiscale entropy values in fine and gross motor movements and (ii) to verify whether fine and gross motor tasks are sensitive to characterizing FM patients. METHODS: The sample consisted of 20 females (46.2 ± 12.8 years) divided in two groups, an experimental group with 10 FM subjects and a control group with 10 subjects without FM. Inertial sensors were used to collect the finger tapping test (FTT), walking, and sit-and-stand task data. RESULTS: Regarding fine motor skills, patients with FM showed a loss of structural richness (complexity), but they had information processing with greater control in the FTT, probably to simplify task execution and for correction of the movement. On the other hand, people without FM seemed to have more automatic control of the movement when performed with the preferred hand and exhibited similar difficulties to the FM group when performed with the non-preferred hand. Gross motor tasks showed similar entropy values for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that FM patients have movement controls primarily at the level of the motor cortex, whereas people without FM perform movement at the medullary level, especially in fine motor tasks, indicating that the FTT is sensitive to the presence of FM, especially when performed with the preferred hand.

Learning to Cycle: From Training Wheels to Balance Bike.

BACKGROUND: Learning to cycle is an important milestone in a child's life, so it is important to allow them to explore cycling as soon as possible. The use of a bicycle with training wheels (BTW) for learning to cycling is an old approach practiced worldwide. Most recently, a new approach using the balance bike (BB) has received increased attention, and several entities believe that this could be most efficient. Drawing on the work of Bronfenbrenner (1995) and Newel (1986), this study aimed to analyse the effect of BB's use on the learning process of cycling independently. METHODS: Data were collected in Portugal from an online structured survey between November 2019 and June 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2005 responses were obtained for adults and children (parental response). Results revealed that when the BB's approach was used, learning age (LA) occurred earlier (M = 4.16 ± 1.34 years) than with the BTW's approach (M = 5.97 ± 2.16 years) (p < 0.001); or than when there was only the single use of the traditional bicycle (M =7.27 ± 3.74 years) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Children who used the BB as the first bike had a significantly lower LA than children who did not use it (p < 0.001). To maximize its effects, the BB should be used in the beginning of the learning process.

Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children's Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike?

The balance bike (BB) has been pointed out as being the most efficient learning bicycle due to its inherent stimulation of balance. However, the process of acquiring the control of balance on the BB has not been explored. This study aimed to: (i) categorize the cycle patterns of children on the BB, (ii) compare the cycle patterns in different stages of learning (before and after six sessions of a BB practice program), and (iii) verify whether velocity is a control parameter leading to transitions between different cycle patterns on a BB. The data were collected during the Learning to Cycle program from 12 children aged 6.06 ± 1.25 years. The velocity was measured using an inertial sensor. Seven different movement patterns were captured and categorized through video analysis. After practice, there was an increase in the mean number of different patterns and in the global mean and maximum velocity. These were interpreted as an improvement of the motor competence in the use of the BB. The results obtained support the hypothesis that velocity is a control parameter which leads to the emergence of diverse patterns of behavior. As the speed increased, the amount of foot contact with the ground became less frequent and the locomotor modes that imply that longer flight phases began to emerge.

Learning to Cycle: A Cross-Cultural and Cross-Generational Comparison.

Background: Learning to cycle is an important milestone for children, but the popularity of cycling and the environmental factors that promote the development and practice of this foundational movement skill vary among cultures and across time. This present study aimed to investigate if country of residence and the generation in which a person was born influence the age at which people learn to cycle. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey between November 2019 and December 2020. For this study, a total of 9,589 responses were obtained for adults (self-report) and children (parental report) living in 10 countries (Portugal, Italy, Brazil, Finland, Spain, Belgium, United Kingdom, Mexico, Croatia, and the Netherlands). Participants were grouped according to their year of birth with 20-year periods approximately corresponding to 3 generations: 1960-79 (generation X; n = 2,214); 1980-99 (generation Y; n = 3,994); 2000-2019 (generation Z; n = 3,381). Results: A two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of country, F(9,8628) = 90.17, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.086, and generation, F(2,8628) = 47.21, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.122, on the age at which individuals learn to cycle. Countries with the lowest learning age were the Netherlands, Finland and Belgium and countries with the highest learning age were Brazil and Mexico. Furthermore, the age at which one learns to cycle has decreased across generations. There was also a significant country x generation interaction effect on learning age, F(18,8628) = 2.90, p < 0.001; however, this effect was negligible ( ηp2 = 0.006). Conclusions: These findings support the socio-ecological perspective that learning to cycle is a process affected by both proximal and distal influences, including individual, environment and time.

Learning to Cycle: Are Physical Activity and Birth Order Related to the Age of Learning How to Ride a Bicycle?

The present article aimed to verify whether the age at which children learn to ride a bicycle is related to their physical activity or birth order. Data were collected from an online structured survey between November 2019 and June 2020. A total of 8614 responses were obtained from 22 countries. The results reveal significant differences in learning age depending on the frequency of physical activity (F(5, 7235) = 35.12, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.24). People who engaged in physical activity less than twice a month learned to cycle later (M = 7.5 ± 5.3 years) than people who engaged in physical activity on a daily basis (M = 5.7 ± 2.2 years) (p < 0.001). There were also significant differences in learning age according to birth order (F(2, 3008) = 7.31, p = 0.00, ηp2 = 0.005). Only children had the highest learning age (M = 5.5 ± 2.4 years), whereas those who were born last had the lowest, (M = 5.1 ± 1.9 years) (p = 0.013). Creating opportunities for children to be engaged in play and physical activity and social modulation through their older siblings seem to be key conditions to encourage children to learn how to ride a bicycle from a young age and to foster their motor development.

The influence of physical activity on the prevalence of low back pain among the portuguese population / Influência da atividade física sobre a prevalência da dor lombar na população portuguesa / La influencia de la actividad física en la prevalencia del dolor de la región lumbar en la población portuguesa

ABSTRACT Objective: I) To investigate the influence of physical activity (PA) on levels of low back pain, and II) To classify the respondents regarding low back pain. Methods: Collection of responses, through an online questionnaire, from 199 adults aged between 18 and 65 years (36.05 ± 11.90 years). The following inclusion criteria were applied: I) Suffering or have suffered pain in the spine at some point in life; and as an exclusion criterion: I) Being outside the required age range. Results: Investigating the level of pain and the risk of low back pain, there was a significant association (r = 0.481; p≤0.01) between these two factors, indicating that the higher the levels of pain, the higher the risk of low back pain. Those who presented higher levels of chronic pain either did not practice any physical activity (58.8%), or practiced formal PA (42.9%) or practiced informal PA (30.7%). Those who had practiced physical exercise for three months or more mostly did not have chronic pain (70.1%). Conclusions: There was a decrease in chronic low back pain which was associated with increased time and frequency of PA, as well as the practice of postural physical exercises. Level of Evidence I; Prognostic Studies— Investigating the Effect of a Patient Characteristic on the Outcome of Disease.

RESUMO: Objetivo: I) Verificar a influência da atividade física (AF) nos níveis de lombalgia, II) Classificar os entrevistados quanto à dor lombar. Métodos: As respostas foram obtidas por meio de um questionário on-line respondido por 199 adultos com idades entre 18 e 65 anos (36,05 ± 11,90 anos). Foram aplicados os seguintes critérios de inclusão: I) Sofrer ou ter sofrido dor na coluna em algum momento da vida e de exclusão: I) Não pertencer à faixa etária determinada. Resultados: Ao analisar o nível de dor e o risco de lombalgia verificou-se uma associação significativa (r = 0,481; p ≤ 0,01) entre esses dois fatores, o que indica que quanto maiores os índices de dor, mais alto é o risco de lombalgia. Os participantes que apresentaram valores maiores de dor crônica não praticavam atividade física (58,8%), praticavam AF formal (42,9%) ou praticavam AF informal (30,7%). A maioria dos participantes que praticavam exercício físico há 3 meses ou mais não tinha dor crônica (70,1%). Conclusões: Houve diminuição da dor lombar crônica que foi associada ao aumento do tempo e frequência de AF, bem como à prática de exercícios físicos posturais. Nível de Evidência I; Estudos prognósticos - investigação do efeito de característica de um paciente sobre o desfecho da doença.

RESUMEN: Objetivos: I) Verificar la influencia de la actividad física (AF) en los niveles de dolor de la región lumbar, II) Clasificar a los encuestados en relación con el dolor de la región lumbar. Métodos: Las respuestas se obtuvieron a través de un cuestionario online al que respondieron 199 adultos de entre 18 y 65 años (36,05 ± 11,90 años). Se aplicaron los siguientes criterios de inclusión: I) Padecer o haber padecido dolor de columna en algún momento de la vida; y como criterio de exclusión: I) No pertenecer al grupo de edad indicado. Resultados: Al analizar el nivel de dolor y el riesgo de lumbalgia se observó una asociación significativa (r = 0,481; p ≤0,01) entre estos dos factores, lo que indica que cuanto mayor es el índice de dolor, mayor es el riesgo de lumbalgia. Los participantes que presentaron valores más altos de dolor crónico o no practicaban actividad física (58,8%), practicaban AF formal (42,9%) o practicaban AF informal (30,7%). La mayoría de los participantes que practicaban ejercicio físico durante 3 o más meses no presentaba dolor crónico (70,1%). Conclusiones: Hubo una disminución del dolor de la región lumbar crónico que se asoció con el aumento del tiempo y la frecuencia de AF, así como con la práctica de ejercicios físicos posturales. Nivel de Evidencia I; Estudios de pronóstico - investigación del efecto de una característica del paciente sobre el resultado de la enfermedad.

The effect of pilates exercises on muscle electrical activation in adults with chronic low back pain: a systematic review / Efeito dos exercícios de pilates na ativação elétrica muscular em adultos com lombalgia crónica: revisão sistemática / El efecto de los ejercicios de pilates sobre la activación eléctrica muscular en adultos con lumbalgia crónica: revisión sistemática

ABSTRACT Low back pain is one of the most prevalent orthopedic conditions, affecting around 70% to 80% of the world's population at least once during their life times. Surface electromyography is an important tool for assessing the muscle function of the lumbar stabilizers. One of the best treatment options for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) is physical exercise, particular lyaerobic exercise and Pilates, as these can reduce short-term pain and disability, and improve balance. This review aims to identify the state of art regarding the benefits of pilates on the population with CLBP, evaluating changes in the muscular activation of the muscles of the lumbar region. Searches were conducted on the following databases: PubMed (Medline), Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Ebsco and Scielo; including gray literature: Google Scholar, Grey Literature, Pro Quest Dissertations & Theses. The inclusion criteria were adults with low back pain for three months or more, with or without referred pain in the lower limbs; studies that used electromyographic variables; studies with a pain assessment measure at two different times; studies with physical exercise performed only using the Pilates method. Applying these criteria, the searches retrieved 439 abstracts. Of these, 44 articles were evaluated for eligibility, and three fulfilled the qualitative and quantitative synthesis criteria. The average methodological quality score on the Downs and Black checklist was 15 out of 28. It was therefore concluded that Pilates is an excellent option for the treatment of non-specific low back pain, promoting health and helping prevent low back pain among asymptomatic individuals. Level of evidence II; Systematic Review of Level II or Level I Studies with Discrepant Results.

RESUMO: A dor lombar é uma das condições ortopédicas mais prevalentes, afetando cerca de 70% a 80% da população mundial pelo menos uma vez na vida. A eletromiografia de superfície é um importante instrumento de avaliação da função muscular dos estabilizadores lombares. Uma das melhores opções de tratamento de pacientes com dor lombar crônica (DLC) é o exercício físico, principalmente exercícios aeróbicos e Pilates, considerando que podem reduzir a dor e a incapacidade a curto prazo e melhorar o equilíbrio. Esta revisão objetivou identificar o estado da arte quanto aos benefícios do pilates para a população com DLC, por meio da avaliação das alterações da ativação muscular dos músculos da região lombar. A pesquisa foi realizada nas seguintes bases de dados: PubMed (Medline), Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Ebsco e Scielo, incluindo também literatura cinzenta: Google Acadêmico, Grey Literature, Pro Quest Dissertations & Theses. Os critérios de inclusão foram adultos com lombalgia há três meses ou mais meses, com ou sem dor referida nos membros inferiores; estudos que que usaram variáveis eletromiográficas; estudos com medida de avaliação da dor em dois momentos distintos; estudos com exercícios físicos realizados apenas com o método Pilates. Com esses critérios, foram identificados 439 resumos. Desse total, 44 artigos foram avaliados quanto à elegibilidade e três satisfizeram os critérios de síntese qualitativa e quantitativa. A pontuação média de qualidade metodológica foi 15 de 28 na lista de verificação Downs e Black. Concluiu-se, portanto, que o Pilates é uma excelente opção no tratamento de dores lombares não específicas, resultando na promoção de saúde e na prevenção desta condição para indivíduos assintomáticos. Nível de evidência II; Revisão sistemática de Estudos de Nível II ou Nível I com resultados discrepantes.

RESUMEN: La lumbalgia es una de las afecciones ortopédicas más prevalentes, que afecta a entre el 70% y 80 % de la población mundial al menos una vez en la vida. Las electromiografía de superficie es una herramienta importante para evaluar la función muscular de los estabilizadores lumbares. Una de las mejores opciones de tratamiento para pacientes con dolor lumbar crónico (DLC) es el ejercicio físico, concretamente los ejercicios aeróbicos y el pilates, ya que pueden reducir el dolor y la discapacidad a corto plazo y mejorar el equilibrio. Esta revisión tuvo como objetivo identificar el estado del arte en cuanto a los beneficios del pilates para la población con DLC, evaluando los cambios en la activación muscular de los músculos de la región lumbar. La investigación se realizó en las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed (Medline), Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Ebsco y Scielo; incluyendo también la literatura gris: Google Scholar, Grey Literature, Pro Quest Dissertations & Theses. Los criterios de inclusión fueron adultos con lumbalgia durante 3 meses o más, con o sin dolor referido en miembros inferiores; estudios que han utilizado variables electromiográficas; estudios con medición de la evaluación del dolor en dos momentos diferentes; estudios con ejercicios físicos realizados sólo con el método Pilates. Con estos criterios, se identificaron 439 resúmenes. De este total, se evaluó la elegibilidad de 44 artículos y 3 cumplieron los criterios de síntesis cualitativa y cuantitativa. La puntuación media de calidad metodológica fue de 15 sobre 28 en la lista de verificación de Downs y Black. Por lo tanto, se concluyó que el Método Pilates es una excelente opción en el tratamiento de la lumbalgia inespecífica, lo que resulta en la promoción de la salud y prevención de este padecimiento para individuos asintomáticos. Nivel de evidencia II, Revisión sistemática de Estudios de nivel II o Nivel I con resultados discrepantes.