Postural Stability When Grasping an Object While Standing: Younger and Older Adults (Fallers and Non-Fallers).

We investigated postural stability through the margin of stability (MoS) while reaching and grasping an object with increasing difficulty levels in younger, fallers and non-fallers. Forty-five individuals distributed into three groups participated in this study: younger adults (YA), non-fallers (OA), and fallers (FOA). They stood upright and reached and grasped a dowel. Six conditions combining the stability of the dowel's base and obstacles close to the dowel were manipulated to characterize different difficulty levels. We computed the MoS in both anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions in the interval between reaching onset and dowel contact. From the MoS time series, we analyzed the minimum and maximum, including the time of occurrence of these events. The MoS was smaller for OA than for YA in both directions. In the ML direction, the minimum MoS was smaller for FOA than for YA. The minimum MoS took place earlier for FOA than YA in the AP direction. FOA and OA exhibited similar behavior with reduced MoS, suggesting impaired postural control during reaching-to-grasping in a standing posture. FOA used a more cautious strategy by reverting the MoS earlier than YA, allowing them to increase their MoS before YA when preparing to grasp the dowel.

Increased Risk of Falling in Older Adults When Coordinating Obstacle Avoidance and Grasping.

This study aimed to investigate the kinematic changes in obstacle avoidance and prehension tasks performed simultaneously by older adults with a history of falls at different levels of task difficulty. Twenty-six older adults were divided into faller and nonfaller groups. The experimental protocol was divided into two different tasks: walking with obstacle avoidance and walking with obstacle avoidance combined with a reach-to-grasp task. Two types of sensors (Kinect v2 and Leap Motion Controller, respectively) were used to analyze gait and grasp. Fallers presented kinematic changes associated with the grasping task during obstacle avoidance, such as a decrease in the velocity of the center of mass and the step length, an increase in the step width, a decrease in toe-obstacle horizontal distance, and an increase in vertical foot clearance distance, and an increase in movement time in the grasping task compared with nonfallers. To cope with the obstacle avoidance demands of both walking and grasping, fallers turned to a specific sequencing strategy. While slowing down, they attended first to the grasping task and then to crossing the obstacle on the floor.

The Effect of Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Tactical Performance of Professional Soccer Players.

In soccer, physical, tactical, and decision-making processes are highly important facets of successful performance. Caffeine has well established effects for promoting both physical and cognitive performance, but the translation of such benefits specifically for soccer match play is not well established. This study examined the effects of acute caffeine ingestion on tactical performance during small-sided games (SSG) in professional soccer players. Nineteen soccer players (22 ± 4 years) underwent a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The protocol consisted of 5 bouts of 5-min SSG with 3 players plus a goalkeeper in each team (3 + GK × 3 + GK) with each SSG separated by 1 min rest intervals. Tactical performance was assessed using the system of tactical assessment in soccer (FUT-SAT). Prior to each experimental trial, participants ingested caffeine (5 mg·kg-1) or a placebo 60 min before the protocol. Overall, caffeine ingestion resulted in an increased ball possession time when compared to the placebo. When the offensive and defensive core principles were analyzed, the results were equivocal. Caffeine resulted in positive effects on some tactical decisions during the protocol, but it was deleterious or promoted no observed effect on other of the core tactical principles. Caffeine ingestion resulted in less offensive (during SSG3) and defensive (SSG 2, SSG3, and SSG4) errors. Caffeine ingestion also resulted in higher total offensive success during SSG 1 and SSG2, but it was detrimental during SSG3. Additionally, total defensive success was lower for the caffeine conditions during SSG 2 and SSG5 when compared to the placebo. In conclusion, caffeine influenced aspects of tactical decisions in soccer, resulting in fewer offensive and defensive errors, although it may be deleterious considering other tactical parameters. Future studies may clarify the effects of caffeine ingestion on specific decision-making parameters in soccer.

The starting distance of obstacle circumvention did not affect intersegmental coordination in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Obstacle circumvention is a challenging task in Parkinson's disease (PD). Body segments adjustments, such as changing the direction of the trunk, followed by a change in the direction of the head, and modifications in the positioning of the feet, are necessary to circumvent an obstacle during walking. For that, individuals need to identify the distance to the obstacle, its characteristics (such as its dimension), and perform well-coordinated movements. However, PD is characterized by rigidity, which may be increased in the axial axis and compromise the task execution. Also, worsening sensory integration in PD may increase the time to perform these body segments adjustments, thus impairing the movement coordination when starting obstacle circumvention near to the obstacle. AIM: To determine if the starting distance (1.5 m, 3 m, or 5 m) from the obstacle could modify the intersegmental coordination (specifically, the coordination between head, trunk, and pelvis) during the obstacle circumvention steps in individuals with PD. METHODS: Fourteen individuals with a diagnosis of idiopathic PD and 15 neurologically healthy individuals (CG) from the community were included in this study. The participants were evaluated in three different gait conditions, according to the starting distance from the obstacle: 1.5 m, 3 m, and 5 m away from the obstacle. Vector coding technique was employed to establish the coupling between head, trunk, and pelvis in the steps immediately before and during obstacle circumvention. Three-way ANOVA's (group, distance, and step) were calculated with the level of significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: For all couplings of coordination, there were no effects of distance. However, significant main effects of group and steps (p < 0.05) were found for all couplings with different patterns of coordination: head/pelvis (group: in-phase and anti-phase variables; steps: anti-phase variable), head/trunk (group: trunk variable; steps: in-phase and anti-phase variables) and trunk/pelvis (group: anti-phase; steps: trunk and pelvis). Finally, only head/trunk coupling showed an interaction between group*steps. Individuals with PD showed 7.95% lower head movement (p < 0.024) and 14.85% greater trunk movement than CG (p < 0.002). Also, individuals with PD performed 17.56% greater head movement in the step before the circumvention compared to the step during circumvention (p < 0.044). CONCLUSION: The starting distance from the obstacle did not influence the pattern of axial intersegmental coordination in both groups. However, how these segments interact in the preparation and during the obstacle circumvention are opposite in individuals with PD. While on the previous step to obstacle circumvention, the head movement was greater than the trunk, during the obstacle circumvention step, individuals with PD rotated the trunk more.

Visual cues two-steps ahead are adequate to grasp an object while walking without compromising stability.

In our prior studies, participants walked and grasped a dowel using an anticipatory mode of control. However, it is unknown how this combined task would change in a less predictable environment. We investigated the online control aspects involved in the combined task of walking and grasping under different coordination patterns between upper- and lower-limbs in young adults. Fifteen young adults walked and grasped a dowel under several experimental conditions combining the instant of visual cue appearance and coordination pattern of upper and lower limbs used to grasp the dowel. Visual cues provided two steps ahead or earlier were enough for executing the combined task of walking and prehension appropriately. Visual cues provided within this window impacted both walking stability and the execution of the prehension movement. Although an ipsilateral arm-leg coordination pattern increased mediolateral stability, a contralateral pattern significantly decreased mediolateral center of mass stability when the visual cue appeared one-step before grasping the object. These results imply that acquiring information to plan the combined task of walking and reaching for an object two steps ahead allows the maintenance of the general movement characteristics present when the decision to reach out for the object is defined two or more steps ahead. These results indicate that the prehension movement is initiated well before heel contact on that side when given sufficient planning time, but that a disruption of the natural arm-leg coordination dynamics emerges to accomplish the task when the cue is provided one step before the object.

Prolonged Standing Task Affects Adaptability of Postural Control in People With Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Studies on short-term upright quiet standing tasks have presented contradictory findings about postural control in people with Parkinson's disease (pwPD). Prolonged trial durations might better depict body sway and discriminate pwPD and controls. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate postural control in pwPD during a prolonged standing task. METHODS: A total of 26 pwPD and 25 neurologically healthy individuals performed 3 quiet standing trials (60 s) before completing a constrained prolonged standing task for 15 minutes. Motion capture was used to record body sway (Vicon, 100 Hz). To investigate the body sway behavior during the 15 minutes of standing, the analysis was divided into three 5-minute-long phases: early, middle, and late. The following body sway parameters were calculated for the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions: velocity, root-mean-square, and detrended fluctuations analysis (DFA). The body sway area was also calculated. Two-way ANOVAs (group and phases) and 1-way ANOVA (group) were used to compare these parameters for the prolonged standing and quiet standing, respectively. RESULTS: pwPD presented smaller sway area (P < .001), less complexity (DFA; AP: P < .009; ML: P < .01), and faster velocity (AP: P < .002; ML: P < .001) of body sway compared with the control group during the prolonged standing task. Although the groups swayed similarly (no difference for sway area) during quiet standing, they presented differences in sway area during the prolonged standing task (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged standing task reduced adaptability of the postural control system in pwPD. In addition, the prolonged standing task may better analyze the adaptability of the postural control system in pwPD.

Asymmetrical load-carrying while stepping down a curb in young adults.

BACKGROUND: Asymmetrical load-carrying while walking requires modifications in joint forces to compensate the extra mass and ensure body stability, particularly when the environment is uneven, such as with a curb. Carrying a bag with one hand (dominant or non-dominant) may constrain the movement of the arm, altering the interlimb coordination of the upper limbs. Prior studies did not show changes in interlimb coordination when a light load was attached to the wrist, but the use of a bag to carry the load can be potentially disturbing since exaggerated movements of the bags may compromise balance. In this case, changes in interlimb coordination would be expected to minimize bag movements. However, it is not clear if these changes in interlimb coordination would be sufficient to affect the curb negotiation task. RESEARCH QUESTION: We investigated the effect of asymmetric load-carrying using different bag types with the dominant and non-dominant hands on upper limb coordination and walking adaptations in a curb negotiation task in young adults. METHODS: Seventeen young adults walked and stepped down a curb while carrying a bag with 7% of their body mass. The experimental conditions were to walk without the bag, carrying the bag (with and without strap) using the dominant and non-dominant hand. RESULTS: Carrying the bag reduced the anti-phase pattern and increased the right or left shoulder phases, depending on the side used to carry the bag. It means that the limb that carried the load almost did not move while stepping down the curb. Load transportation did not influence foot-curb negotiation variables. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study indicates that a mild load and the bag influenced the interlimb coordination of the upper limbs. Despite that, young adults compensated for the disturbance caused by the load carriage and did not compromise the curb negotiation task.

Walking combined with reach-to-grasp while crossing obstacles at different distances.

BACKGROUND: Obstacle avoidance and object prehension occur regularly in real-world environments (walking up/down steps and opening a door). However, it is not known how walking and prehension change when there is an increase in the level of difficulty of the walking task. RESEARCH QUESTION: We investigated the changes in walking and reach-tograsp when performing these two motor skills concomitantly in the presence of an obstacle on the ground positioned in different locations in relation to the object-to-be-grasped. METHODS: Fifteen young adults walked and grasped a dowel placed on a support with the obstacle positioned at the step before (N-1), during (N) and after (N + 1) the prehension task. RESULTS: The prehension task did not affect leading limb obstacle negotiation. Toe clearance and maximum toe elevation were lesser at obstacle position N + 1 than at obstacle position N-1 when combining grasping and obstacle-crossing task for the trailing limb. Step width increased in the presence of the obstacle-crossing task independent of obstacle location. The correlation between foot position before the obstacle and toe clearance revealed that the addition of the prehension task disrupted the relationship between these variables for the trailing limb. Foot placement and limb elevation were unaffected by the prehension task. The reaching component was unaffected by the increased level of difficulty of the walking task. The grasping component was affected by the increased level of difficulty of the walking task, as the time to peak grip aperture occurred earlier in the presence of the obstacle at position N, and may indicate a cautious strategy to grasp the dowel successfully. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results showed that prospective control is affected after the prehension since the attention to grasping may have impaired the acquisition of visual information for planning the trailing limb elevation.

Associação entre marcadores inflamatórios e o padrão locomotor durante a ultrapassagem de obstáculos em idosos / Association between inflammatory markers and locomotor pattern during obstacle avoidance in older adults

Resumo Objetivo investigar a associação dos biomarcadores inflamatórios na tarefa de ultrapassagem de obstáculos com diferentes níveis de complexidade manipulados pela característica do obstáculo (sólido e frágil) em idosos. Método 17 idosos (≥60 anos) foram avaliados em dois momentos: 1) Análise do padrão locomotor durante a ultrapassagem de obstáculo em duas condições (sólido e frágil). As variáveis estudadas, para membros de abordagem e suporte foram: velocidade, comprimento, largura e duração da passada, distância horizontal pé-obstáculo, distância horizontal obstáculo-pé, distância vertical pé-obstáculo e Máxima elevação do pé. 2) A análise dos biomarcadores interleucina 6 (IL-6) e proteína C Reativa (PCR) foi realizada por meio de coleta de sanguínea. A análise de regressão linear múltipla foi realizada para verificar associação entre o padrão locomotor e os biomarcadores inflamatórios (IL-6 e PCR) com nível de significância de p≤0,05. Resultados A análise de regressão mostrou que a Interleucina 6 apresentou associação com as seguintes variáveis: 1) largura da passada na condição obstáculo sólido, 2) máxima elevação do pé (membro de suporte) para ultrapassagem do obstáculo frágil, 3) distância horizontal pé-obstáculo (membro de abordagem) na condição de obstáculo sólido, 4) máxima elevação do pé (membro de abordagem) para ultrapassagem do obstáculo frágil, 5) máxima elevação do pé (membro de abordagem) para ultrapassagem do obstáculo sólido. A PCR apresentou associação com a variável Distância Horizontal Pé-Obstáculo (membro de abordagem) apenas para a condição de obstáculo frágil. Conclusão Os biomarcadores inflamatórios apresentam uma associação com o comportamento locomotor em idosos, independente da condição de fragilidade do obstáculo.

Abstract Objective to investigate the association of inflammatory biomarkers on the locomotor pattern during obstacle avoidance with different levels of complexity manipulated by the characteristic of the obstacle (solid and fragile) in older adults. Method 17 older adults (≥60 years old) were evaluated in two moments: 1) Analysis of the locomotor pattern during obstacle crossing in two conditions (solid and fragile). The variables studied for trailing and leading limbs were: speed, length, width and duration of the stride, horizontal foot-obstacle distance, horizontal obstacle-foot distance, vertical foot-obstacle distance and Maximum foot elevation. 2) Blood collection, for analysis of the inflammatory biomarkers Interleukin 6 (IL6) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to verify association between locomotor pattern and inflammatory biomarkers (IL6 and CRP) with a significance level of p≤0.05. Results The regression analysis showed that Interleukin 6 was associated with the following variables: 1) stride width in the solid obstacle condition, 2) maximum foot elevation (leading limb) to avoidance the fragile obstacle, 3) horizontal foot-obstacle distance (trailing limb) in solid obstacle condition, 4) maximum foot elevation (trailing limb) to avoidance the fragile obstacle, 5) maximum foot elevation (trailing limb) to avoidance the solid obstacle. C-Reactive Protein was associated with the horizontal foot-obstacle distance (trailing limb) only for the fragile obstacle condition. Conclusion Inflammatory biomarkers are associated with the locomotor pattern in older adults, regardless of the fragility of the obstacle.

Changes in interlimb coordination during walking and grasping task in older adult fallers and non-fallers.

The aim of this study was to investigate interlimb coordination in young and older adults with and without a history of falls during the combined task of walking and prehension with different levels of manual task difficulty. Participants walked on a pathway and grasped a dowel. A vector coding technique evaluated coordination patterns. The coordination pattern was not affected by the difficulty level of the manual task. Older adults seemed to prioritize the movement of the right shoulder to grasp the dowel and then 'froze' the movement of the other joint (left shoulder) not directly involved in the grasping task. The preference to pick up the dowel in the double support phase and the increase in right shoulder phase made by older adults with a history of falls suggests an even greater decoupling between walking and prehension.

Prehension Combined With Gait in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain.

Low back pain (LBP) can affect performance in the combined task (CT) of gait and prehension, since it increases muscle activity amplitude during voluntary movements, impairs the anticipatory postural adjustments and reduces gait speed. We analyzed and compared the effect of adding the prehension movement toward a dowel located at three different heights (80, 100 and 120% of the lower limb length) on gait of individuals with and without LBP. The CT caused anticipatory adjustments, showing that gait changes started during the approach phase and continued on the step corresponding to grasping, especially for the lowest dowel height. Furthermore, individuals with LBP reduced walking speed, increased the width of the base of support, increased electromyography activity of low back trunk muscles, and increased the margin of dynamic stability compared with control group. These results suggest that individuals with LBP used a strategy to reduce threat to body stability due to addition of the manual task.

Postural control performance of active and inactive older adults assessed through postural tasks with different levels of difficulty

Abstract Aim: To investigate postural control between active (AOA) and inactive (IOA) older adults and active young adults (YA) due to the difficulty level of the postural task. Methods: 25 active YA, 31 AOA, and 30 IOA were invited to perform postural tasks with eyes open and closed: bipedal stance on a rigid surface, bipedal stance on an unstable surface, semi-tandem stance on a rigid surface, and semi-tandem stance on an unstable surface. Results: IOA (0.74 cm) presented higher COP displacement amplitude in the mediolateral direction than AOA (0.64 cm) only in bipedal stance on an unstable surface with eyes closed condition (p ≤ 0.0001). In relation to frequency variables, IOA (0.37 Hz) presented a greater frequency band with 50% of the spectral power in the mediolateral direction than AOA (0.28 Hz) in all experimental conditions, except for semi-tandem stance on a rigid surface (p ≤ .0001). AOA (0.62 cm - 0.28 Hz) and IOA (0.67 cm - 0.37 Hz) presented an increase in time/frequency variables in both directions (anterior-posterior and mediolateral) than YA (0.52 cm - 0.17 Hz) (p ≤ 0.0001) that indicates a worse performance of postural control as the level of task difficulty increased, such as unstable base with eyes open and closed. Conclusion: Older adults tend to present greater COP sway and velocity when subjected to complex tasks compared with younger, which is more evident in older adults physically inactive. This could be considered an adaptive strategy by older adults to minimize the risk of losing balance and, consequently, falling.

Analysis of postural control and muscle function performance of older adults participating in a multicomponent exercise program in primary health care / Análise do desempenho do controle postural e da função muscular de idosos participantes de um programa de exercício multicomponente na Atenção Primária à Saúde

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate (1) postural control performance in different postural tasks and (2) muscle strength and power of the hip, knee, and ankle of active vs inactive older adults. Methods: The sample consisted of 61 healthy community-dwelling older adults, classified into 2 groups: active, consisting of participants of a multicomponent exercise program offered through the Exercise Orientation Service; and inactive. Participants were considered physically active/inactive in the past 3 months. Postural control was assessed using a force plate in 8 postural tasks. Muscle function was evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer. T-tests were used to compare clinical characteristics between the groups. ANCOVA and MANCOVA were used to compare differences in variables of postural control and muscle function. Results: Active participants had higher levels of physical activity, clinical balance, and quality of life than inactive participants. The active group had lower values for area (center of pressure) than the inactive group under the following conditions: bipedal stance on an unstable surface with eyes open and with eyes closed, and semi-tandem stance on an unstable surface with eyes open. The active group showed greater muscle power, with higher mean power values for hip abduction and adduction, knee extension, and knee flexion and shorter time to peak torque for hip adduction and ankle dorsiflexion than the inactive group. Conclusions: Multicomponent exercise programs delivered in primary health care settings contributed to improving postural control and muscle power in this sample of older adults, which can potentially help prevent falls and improve quality of life.

Objetivo: Este estudo transversal visou investigar: (1) o desempenho no controle postural em diferentes tarefas e (2) a força e a potência musculares de quadril, joelho e tornozelo de idosos ativos vs. inativos. Metodologia: A amostra foi composta de 61 idosos comunitários saudáveis, classificados em dois grupos: os ativos, participantes do programa de exercício multicomponente ofertado pelo Serviço de Orientação ao Exercício, e os inativos. Os participantes foram considerados fisicamente ativos/inativos nos três meses anteriores. O controle postural foi avaliado em oito tarefas usando-se uma plataforma de força. A função muscular foi mensurada com um dinamômetro isocinético. Foram utilizados testes t para comparar as características clínicas entre os grupos. Análise de covariância e análise multivariada de covariância foram utilizadas para comparar diferenças nas variáveis de controle postural e função muscular. Resultados: Os participantes ativos apresentaram maiores níveis de atividade física, equilíbrio e qualidade de vida que os inativos. O grupo ativo apresentou menores valores de área (centro de pressão) que o inativo nas seguintes condições: base bipodal em superfície instável com olhos abertos e fechados e base semitandem em superfície instável com olhos abertos. O grupo ativo apresentou maior potência que o inativo, com maior valor de potência média para abdução e adução de quadril, extensão e flexão de joelho, e menor tempo de pico de torque para adução de quadril e dorsiflexão de tornozelo. Conclusão: Programas de exercício multicomponente ofertados na Atenção Primária à Saúde contribuíram para melhorar o controle postural e a potência muscular nesta a

Análise de parâmetros de programa de treinamento e lesões em corredores amadores / Analysis of training program parameters and injuries of amateur runners

A corrida de rua tem sido incentivada em função dos diferentes benefícios encontrados com a sua prática. Entretanto, ainda não está claro na literatura informações sobre programas de treinamento e lesões em praticantes entre homens e mulheres. Objetivo: Analisar e comparar os parâmetros dos programas de treinamento e a incidência de lesões entre praticantes de corrida. Métodos: O estudo transversal-retrospectivo avaliou corredores recreacionais da cidade de Vitória/ES. Os 56 voluntários (29 homens e 27 mulheres) responderam questões contendo características pessoais relacionadas a sua rotina e parâmetros de treinamento bem como lesões e ações preventivas. Resultados: Foi observado que 67,9% realizam algum tipo de treinamento preventivo para evitar lesões, 30,4% tiveram ao menos duas lesões nos últimos quatro anos, 26,8% tiveram lesões na região do joelho, 67,9% ficaram afastados pelo menos um mês por conta de lesões, 42,9% não têm queixa de dores atuais. Conclusão: Os resultados do estudo sugerem similaridade na prevalência de lesões entre corredores de ambos os sexos, bem como no programa de treinamento. (AU)

Gait and reach-to-grasp movements are mutually modified when performed simultaneously.

Typically, prehension and gait behaviors are studied separately. However, little is known about what changes occur in these motor skills when they are combined. We investigated and characterized motor performance during combined walking and prehension at different levels of difficulty of the prehension task. Fifteen right-handed young adults were invited to walk at their self-selected pace and grasp a dowel as they walked. They also grasped the dowel in a stationary condition (upright stance). We combined conditions with/without obstacles and stable/unstable base for dowel prehension. Modifications in gait and prehension were identified when they were combined, especially for the most difficult prehension conditions. The grasping task caused an adaptation in gait because the participants preferred to adopt a more conservative strategy of increasing their dynamic stability during the approach phase and when grasping the dowel. Walking changed the prehension movement by reducing the reaching movement time, peak wrist velocity, and peak grip aperture velocity. In addition, the peak grip aperture was affected by the presence of obstacles close to the dowel. The participants adjusted their gait during the approach phase to facilitate dowel prehension, and they controlled the hand position online to adjust its configuration based on the prehension conditions.

Predictors of the functional reach test in people with parkinson's disease / Preditores do desempenho no teste de alcance funcional em pessoas com doença de parkinson

ABSTRACT Postural instability, a fundamental signal/symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), is characterized by the association between postural alignment, joint range of motion, and muscular rigidity. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between performance in the functional reach test (FRT) and associated factors such as joint range of motion and PD clinical features. Twenty-five people with PD in stages 1 and 1.5 of the Hoehn & Yahr scale participated in the study. The analyzed dependent variables were: FRT performance and scores in the items of clinical evaluation of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale: pull-test, motor rigidity, and motor condition were used. The average distance in the FRT was 25.3 cm and the mean anterior-posterior displacement of the center of pressure was 2.69 cm. The ankle range of motion was associated with FRT performance, while postural stability was associated with the anterior-posterior displacement of the center of pressure during the FRT. We conclude that FRT performance in people with PD is determined by the individual level of balance and by the ankle joint amplitude and muscular rigidity and functional alterations due to aging are responsible for FRT performance.

RESUMO A instabilidade postural, um sinal/sintoma cardinal da doença de Parkinson (DP), é caracterizada pela associação entre alinhamento postural, amplitude de movimento e rigidez muscular. O objetivo foi analisar a relação entre o desempenho no teste de alcance funcional (TAF) e fatores relacionados a amplitude de movimento e aspectos clínicos da doença. Participaram 25 pessoas com DP nos estágios 1,0 e 1,5 da Hoehn e Yahr. As variáveis dependentes analisadas foram: desempenho no TAF e as pontuações nos itens da avaliação clínica da UnifiedParkinson'sDisease Rating Scale: teste de retropulsão, rigidez muscular e condição motora. A distância média no TAF foi de 25,3 cm e o deslocamento anteroposterior médio do centro de pressão foi de 2,69 cm. A amplitude de movimento articular do tornozelo está associada ao desempenho no TAF, enquanto a estabilidade postural está associada ao deslocamento anteroposterior do centro de pressão durante o TAF. Conclui-se que o desempenho no TAF em pessoas com DP é determinado pelo nível individual de equilíbrio e pela amplitude articular do tornozelo e a rigidez muscular e alterações funcionais do envelhecimento são responsáveis pelo desempenho no TAF.

Age-related changes in postural control sensory reweighting.

The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptive process in the coupling between visual information and body sway in children postural control. Twenty-seven children from 4-, 8- and 12-year-olds and ten adults stood upright inside of a moving room. In the first 2 min, the room was moved continuously at frequency of 0.2 Hz, velocity of 0.6 cm/s and amplitude of 0.5 cm. In the minute subsequent the room was moved with velocity of 3.5 and amplitude of 3.2 and in the last 2 min with velocity of 0.6 cm/s and amplitude of 0.5 cm. Gain, phase, SFSA and transient gain were used to examine the relationship between sensory information and body sway. The results showed that children and adults were capable to adapt to the changes of visual stimulus, downweighting the visual information influences when the room's amplitude/velocity increased. However, the young children did not show calibrated response to the 12-year-old children and adults level, being more influenced by the visual stimulus.

Positive effects of auditory cue in locomotor pattern of people with Parkinson's disease (off and on medication) / Efeito positivo da dica auditiva no padrão locomotor de pacientes com doença de Parkinson

Gait disorders are identified in people with Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of auditory cues and medication on kinematic, kinetic and EMG parameters, during different gait phases of people with PD and healthy elderly. Thirty subjects distributed in two groups (Group 1, PD patients off and on medication; Group 2, healthy elderly) participated in this study and were instructed to walk in two experimental conditions: non-cued and cued. Therefore, kinematic, kinetic and electromyography analyses were utilized to investigate the locomotor pattern. Changes in locomotor pattern (greater muscular activity) with auditory cue were observed for PD patients. Regarding the medication, locomotor parameter improvement was observed after levodopa intake in association with the auditory cue. These results confirm the hypothesis about the external cues therapy that could be used as a complement to drug therapy to achieve improvement in the locomotor pattern of PD patients

Mudanças na marcha são identificadas em pacientes com doença de Parkinson (DP). O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito da dica auditiva e do medicamento nos parâmetros cinemáticas, cinéticos e eletromiograficos durante diferentes fases da marcha em pacientes com DP e idosos sadios. 30 indivíduos distribuídos em dois grupos (Grupo 1, pacientes com DP; Grupo 2, idosos sadios) participaram deste estudo e foram instruídos a realizarem duas tarefas experimentais: marcha com e sem dica auditiva. Análise cinemática, cinética e eletromiográficas foram utilizadas para investigar o padrão locomotor. Mudanças no padrão locomotor (maior ativação muscular) foram observadas para os pacientes com DP. Em relação à medicação, melhoras no padrão locomotor foram observadas após a ingestão da levodopa em associação com a dica auditiva. Estes resultados confirmam a hipótese sobre a terapia com dicas externas, que pode ser utilizada como um complemento à terapia medicamentosa para melhorar o padrão locomotor de pacientes com DP

Exercise and cognitive functions in Parkinson's disease: gender differences and disease severity / Exercício físico e funções cognitivas na doença de Parkinson: diferença entre sexos e severidade da doença / El ejercicio y funciones cognitivas en la enfermedad de Parkinson: diferencias entre género y la gravedad de la enfermedad

This study investigated the effect of a multimodal exercise program on executive functions and memory in people with Parkinson's disease, taking into account disease severity and gender. Twenty-three patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) were evaluated before and after a 6-month exercise program to improve executive functions and memory. We observed the effects of the intervention on executive functions (ability to abstract: p = .01), immediate memory (p = .04) and declarative episodic memory (p < .001). Women showed higher scores on declarative episodic memory (p = .03) than men, however there was no interaction between gender and the intervention. Regardless of sex and disease severity, these preliminary results indicate that the multimodal exercise seems to be effective in improving cognitive functions in patients with PD, suggesting that this program can be indicated as a preventive strategy to mitigate progressive cognitive deficits in the later stages of the disease...

"Exercício físico e funções cognitivas na doença de Parkinson: Diferença entre sexos e severidade da doença." Este estudo investigou o efeito de um programa de exercícios multimodal nas funções executivas e na memória de pessoas com doença de Parkinson (DP), considerando gênero e severidade da doença. As funções executivas e a memória de 23 pacientes com DP foram avaliadas antes e após 6-meses de participação no programa de exercícios. Foi observado efeito da intervenção nas funções executivas (habilidade de abstração: p = 0,01), memória imediata (p = 0,04) e memória declarativa episódica (p < 0,001). As mulheres mostraram maior pontuação na memória declarativa episódica (p = 0,03) que os homens, entretanto não foi observada interação entre gênero e intervenção. Estes resultados preliminares indicam que o exercício multimodal parece eficaz em melhorar as funções cognitivas em pacientes com DP, independente do gênero e da severidade da doença, sugerindo que este programa pode ser indicado como estratégia preventiva para atenuar a progressão dos déficits cognitivos nos estágios mais avançados da doença...

"El ejercicio y funciones cognitivas en la enfermedad de Parkinson: Diferencias entre género y la gravedad de la enfermedad." Este estudio investigó el efecto del ejercicio multimodal en las funciones ejecutivas y la memoria en la enfermedad de Parkinson-(EP), teniendo en cuenta el género y la gravedad de la enfermedad. Funciones ejecutivas y memoria de 23-pacientes con EP fueron evaluadas antes y después de 6-meses de participación en el programa. El efecto de la intervención fue observado en las funciones ejecutivas (capacidad de abstracción: p = 0,01), memoria inmediata (p = 0,04) y memoria declarativa episódica (p < 0,001). Las mujeres mostraron puntuaciones más altas en memoria declarativa episódica (p = 0,03) que los hombres, aunque no hubo interacción entre género e intervención. Estos resultados preliminares indican que el ejercicio multimodal parece ser eficaz en la mejora de la función cognitiva en pacientes con EP, independiente del género y de la gravedad de la enfermedad, lo que sugiere que este programa puede ser indicado como una estrategia preventiva para atenuar la progresión de los déficits cognitivos en las etapas tardías de la enfermedad...

Effects of physical exercise on articular range of motion of the lower limb in the Parkinson's disease individuals / Efecto del ejercicio físico en la amplitud del movimiento articular de las extremidades inferiores de individuos con la enfermedad de Parkinson / Efeito do exercício físico na amplitude de movimento articular dos membros inferiores de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight months of a multimodal program of physical exercise on articular range of motion of the lower limb of patients with Parkinson disease (PD), considering gender and disease stage. Seventeen individuals with PD participated in this study. Participants were assessed before of multimodal program of the physical exercise and after four and eight months of physical exercise. In these periods were evaluated the clinical aspects and articular range of motion of the lower limb. For statistical analysis, patients were distributed according to gender and disease stage. A MANOVA considering exercise, gender and stage of disease, with repeated measures for the first factor, was performed. The clinical results showed regression of disease progression, indicating cognitive decline for women. The articular range of motion improved after four and eight months of physical exercise, especially for the hip and ankle, independent of gender and stage of PD. It was concluded that the multimodal exercise program of the eight months was effective in improving articular range of motion in patients with PD. The benefits of exercise for this physical capacity were independent of gender and severity of PD.

El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar el efecto de ocho meses de un programa multimodal de ejercicio físico en la amplitud de movimiento articular de la extremidad inferior de pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), considerando género y la etapa de la enfermedad. El estudio incluyó a 17 sujetos con EP idiopática. Los participantes fueron evaluados antes del período de ejecución del programa multimodal de ejercicio físico y tras cuatro y ocho meses de ejercicio físico. Se evaluaron aspectos clínicos y la amplitud de movimiento de las articulaciones de las extremidades inferiores. Para el análisis estadístico, los pacientes fueron agrupados de acuerdo con el género y etapa de la enfermedad, mediante la realización de un MANOVA con factor para ejercicio físico, género y estadio de la enfermedad, con medidas repetidas para el primer factor. Los resultados clínicos mostraron regresión de la progresión de la EP, y el deterioro cognitivo en las mujeres. La amplitud de movimiento articular mejoró tras cuatro y ocho meses de ejercicio físico, especialmente para la cadera y el tobillo, independientemente de su género y etapa de la enfermedad de Parkinson. Se concluyó que el programa multimodal de ejercicio físico de los ocho meses fue eficaz en mejorar la amplitud de movimiento articular en pacientes con EP, y los beneficios independiente del género y la gravedad de la EP.

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito de oito meses de um programa multimodal de exercício físico na amplitude de movimento articular do membro inferior de pacientes com doença de Parkinson (DP), considerando gênero e estágio da doença. Participaram deste estudo 17 indivíduos com DP idiopática. Os participantes foram avaliados antes do período da execução do programa multimodal de exercício físico e após quatro e oito meses de exercício físico. Foram avaliados aspectos clínicos e a amplitude de movimento das articulações do membro inferior. Para análise estatística, os pacientes foram agrupados de acordo com gênero e estágio da doença, sendo realizada uma MANOVA com fator para exercício físico, gênero e estágio da doença, com medidas repetidas para o primeiro fator. Os resultados clínicos indicaram regressão da progressão da DP, com declínio cognitivo para as mulheres. A amplitude de movimento articular melhorou após quatro e oito meses de exercício físico, principalmente para o quadril e tornozelo, independente de gênero e estágio da doença de Parkinson. Conclui-se que o programa multimodal de exercício físico de oito meses foi eficiente em melhorar a amplitude de movimento articular de pacientes com DP, sendo os benefícios independentes do gênero e da severidade da DP.