Overall indexes of coordination in front crawl swimming.

The aim of this study was to propose a group of parameters able to quantify not only arm coordination but also inter limb coordination. These include the well know index of coordination with the relative duration of the stroke phases and two new parameters: the Index of synchronization (Ids) between arms and legs actions; and the Index of inter limb coordination (IdIC) calculated as the relative foot position during successive arm stroke phases. These parameters were compared between experts and amateur swimmers in a maximal front crawl sprint. The influence of arm stroke in leg kick parameters was also assessed, comparing the full stroke condition with a condition without arms actions. Sixty-five per cent of expert swimmers used synchronized limb actions while 95% of amateur swimmers used non-synchronized limb motions. These synchronized expert swimmers also converged towards a specific coordination pattern between foot position and arm stroke phases. In the condition without arms, both groups changed kick rate and amplitude. The present study reveals the interdependency of arms and legs actions and the importance of coordination and synchronization between limbs. Therefore, the proposed group of overall indexes of coordination provides a more complete marker for the analysis of swimming technique.

Effects of supraspinal feedback on human gait: rhythmic auditory distortion.

BACKGROUND: Different types of sound cues have been used to adapt the human gait rhythm. We investigated whether young healthy volunteers followed subliminal metronome rhythm changes during gait. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy adults walked at constant speed on a treadmill following a metronome sound cue (period 566 msec). The metronome rhythm was then either increased or decreased, without informing the subjects, at 1 msec increments or decrements to reach, respectively, a low (596 msec) or a high frequency (536 msec) plateaus. After 30 steps at one of these isochronous conditions, the rhythm returned to the original period with decrements or increments of 1 msec. Motion data were recorded with an optical measurement system to determine footfall. The relative phase between sound cue (stimulus) and foot contact (response) were compared. RESULTS: Gait was entrained to the rhythmic auditory stimulus and subjects subconsciously adapted the step time and length to maintain treadmill speed, while following the rhythm changes. In most cases there was a lead error: the foot contact occurred before the sound cue. The mean error or the absolute mean relative phase increased during the isochronous high (536 msec) or low frequencies (596 msec). CONCLUSION: These results showed that the gait period is strongly "entrained" with the first metronome rhythm while subjects still followed metronome changes with larger error. This suggests two processes: one slow-adapting, supraspinal oscillator with persistence that predicts the foot contact to occur ahead of the stimulus, and a second fast process linked to sensory inputs that adapts to the mismatch between peripheral sensory input (foot contact) and supraspinal sensory input (auditory rhythm).

Shoulder muscle activity and perceived comfort of industry workers using a commercial upper limb exoskeleton for simulated tasks.

We compared the effects of using a commercial exoskeleton on shoulder muscle activity, task completion time, perceived effort and comfort while performing four tasks in different shoulder positions. Fourteen automotive industry workers performed four simulated tasks with shoulder at A≈0°, B ≈ 45°, C ≈ 90° and D ≈ 115° flexion. The electromyographic activity of the Medial Deltoid (MD) and the Anterior Deltoid (AD) decreased when wearing the exoskeleton. The effect sizes (ES) were, for MD: ES = 0, ES = -0.2, ES = -0.6, ES = -0.3; and for AD: ES = 0.3, ES = -0.6, ES = -0.8, ES = -0.6; for tasks A, B, C and D, respectively. We also found increased Anterior Deltoid/Triceps Brachii co-contraction, a typical joint stabilization mechanism. Wearing the exoskeleton increased the completion time of task B and reduced the perceived effort of tasks A and C, improving overall comfort. These findings are useful to organize the logistics of the workstations that use upper limb exoskeletons to improve the effectiveness of this equipment.

Aging effects of haptic input on postural control under a dual-task paradigm.

Postural control relies on three principal sensory systems: vision, vestibular and proprioceptive; that are affected by aging. When performing a cognitive task concomitantly with a motor task, those sensory impairments lead to even greater deleterious effects on balance. We aimed to study the effects of a sensory aid (a light touch) on a dual task paradigm and sought to understand the different responses on balance due to aging. Fifty healthy and highly physical active women were divided in two groups: young (N = 25, 24.2 ± 4.0 years) and older adults (N = 25, 67.3 ± 4.2 years). In a random and balanced order, all participants performed five tasks: Stroop test while seated (Seated); Stroop test while standing quiet (ST); Standing quiet (BL); Standing quiet with a haptic input (LT); and Stroop test with a haptic input while standing quiet (SL). In the Stroop test, older women committed more errors (50 vs 11 errors, p < 0.001) and had higher reaction time (1.001 ± 0.191 vs 0.699 ± 0.081 s, p < 0.001). The haptic input (LT) reduced all body sway parameters, in both groups, regardless the condition. This means that postural control under a dual task paradigm (ST) deleterious effect can be mitigated by a haptic input.

Sleep deprivation affects gait control.

Different levels of sleep restriction affect human performance in multiple aspects. However, it is unclear how sleep deprivation affects gait control. We applied a paced gait paradigm that included subliminal rhythm changes to analyze the effects of different sleep restriction levels (acute, chronic and control) on performance. Acute sleep deprivation (one night) group exhibited impaired performance in the sensorimotor synchronization gait protocol, such as a decrease in the Period Error between the footfalls and the auditory stimulus as well as missing more frequently the auditory cues. The group with chronic sleep restriction also underperformed when compared to the control group with a tendency to a late footfall with respect to the RAC sound. Our results suggest that partial or total sleep deprivation leads to a decrease in the performance in the sensorimotor control of gait. The superior performance of the chronic sleep group when compared to the acute group suggests that there is a compensatory mechanism that helps to improve motor performance.

Shoulder muscles electromyographic responses in automotive workers wearing a commercial exoskeleton.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major concern in industries and working environments. They cause not only suffering to the employee and decrease in performance, but also high economic losses to the companies and the society. Workers from assembly lines and machine operators are one of the most frequently affected working population. Moreover, one of the main types of MSDs in occupational environments are shoulder injuries. Exoskeletons have been applied and tested in rehabilitation and they are gaining ground in occupational environments as assistive devices to augment human force and minimize loads on muscles and joints. However, more evidence about the effects of several exoskeletons models in assisting different tasks is needed. We measured shoulder muscles activity (AD - anterior deltoid and MD - medial deltoid) of seven automotive workers using the SuitX® upper limb exoskeleton while performing different screwing tasks, at different shoulder levels while handling different tools. We found significant muscle activity reduction for 2 of the 4 proposed tasks, suggesting a task-specificity effectiveness. Therefore, it seems to be a viable option to reduce muscle effort in certain tasks.

A High-Intensity Exercise Intervention Improves Older Women Lumbar Spine and Distal Tibia Bone Microstructure and Function: A 20-Week Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The effects of ageing on bone can be mitigated with different types of physical training, such as power training. However, stimuli that combine increasing external and internal loads concomitantly may improve bone quality. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of a combined power and plyometric training on lumbar spine and distal tibia microstructure and function. Methods: 38 sedentary elderly women between 60 and 70 years were randomly allocated in experimental (N = 21) and control group (N = 17). The effects of the 20-week protocol on lumbar spine microstructure and tibia microstructure and function were assessed by trabecular bone score (TBS), high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and microfinite element analysis. Results: when compared to the effects found in the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in lumbar spine TBS (Hedges' g = 0.77); and in distal tibia trabecular thickness (g = 0.82) and trabecular bone mineral density (g=0.63). Conclusion: our findings underscore the effectiveness of the proposed intervention, suggesting it as a new strategy to slow down and even reverse the structural and functional losses in the skeletal system due to ageing.

Social jetlag impairs balance control.

We assessed the impact of a common sleep disturbance, the social jetlag, on postural control during a period involving workdays and free days. The sleep habits of 30 healthy subjects were registered with a wrist actimeter for nine days (starting on Friday) and they participated in a set of four postural control tests carried out on Friday and on Monday. In addition, the subjects filled questionnaires about their sleep conditions and preferences. Actimetry measurements were used to calculate the Mid Sleep Phase (MSP). The difference between the MSP values on the workdays and free days measures the social jetlag. There were significant differences in sleep variables between workdays and free days. Postural control performance improved on Monday, after free sleep over the weekend, when compared with the tests performed on Friday. It seems that social jetlag affects brain areas involved in the control of posture, such as thalamus and the prefrontal cortex as well as the cerebellum, resulting in a worse performance in postural control. The performance improvement in the posture tests after the free days could be attributed to a lower sleep debt.

Sports supplement induces dental structure corrosion: an in vitro pilot study / El suplemento deportivo induce corrosión en la estructura dental: un estudio piloto in vitro

Dietary supplements are being consumed with an increasingly high frequency among sports practitioners, whether at professional and/or amateur level. The supplements contain some nutritional properties in their composition, so they can dissolute the hydroxyapatite crystals of the enamel and favor the process of dental corrosion. The objective was to measure the corrosive power of protein-based supplementation (Whey Protein), under conditions that resemble the use of the supplement by the athletes, increasing the ecological validity of the study. The teeth of the test group (TG) were placed in contact with the Whey protein solution and then exposed to artificial saliva. And the teeth of the control group (CG) were exposed only to artificial saliva. The analysis occurred in natural healthy molar teeth, so that each tooth of the TG was immersed in 50 mL of supplement for 1.5 minutes and then placed in contact with the artificial saliva for 30 seconds. The same procedure was performed 5 times a day for 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days. Each group, in its time (TG0 to TG180), underwent analysis of superficial roughness with the aid of optical profilometer (Talysurf CCI®, 3D model). The control group (CG) did not change its superficial roughness. Half of the teeth of the test group (TG) suffered loss of enamel surface. The values, in micrometers, of surface loss of the TG samples were 1.21; 2.1; 2.0; 1.04; 0.97; 0.8; 0.53; 1.14; 1.9; 2.0; 1.66; 1.80. The dietary supplement (Whey protein®) may be a potential cause of the dental corrosion process, considering the demineralization of hydroxyapatite that occurs along with the surface enamel loss.

Los suplementos dietéticos se consumen con una frecuencia cada vez más alta entre los practicantes de deportes, sea a nivel profesional y / o aficionado. Los suplementos contienen algunas propiedades nutricionales en su composición, por lo que pueden disolver los cristales de hidroxiapatita del esmalte y favorecer el proceso de corrosión dental. El objetivo fue medir el poder corrosivo de la suplementación a base de proteínas (proteína de suero), en condiciones que se asemejan al uso del suplemento por parte de los atletas, aumentando la validez ecológica del estudio. Los dientes del grupo de prueba (TG) se pusieron en contacto con la solución de proteína de suero y luego se expusieron a saliva artificial. Y los dientes del grupo de control (CG) estuvieron expuestos solo a saliva artificial. El análisis se realizó en dientes molares sanos naturales, cada diente del TG se sumergió en 50 ml de suplemento durante 1,5 minutos y luego se puso en contacto con la saliva artificial durante 30 segundos. El mismo procedimiento se realizó 5 veces al día durante 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 y 180 días. Cada grupo, en su momento (TG0 a TG180), se sometió a un análisis de rugosidad superficial con la ayuda de un perfilómetro óptico (Talysurf CCI®, modelo 3D). El grupo de control (CG) no cambió su rugosidad superficial. La mitad de los dientes del grupo de prueba (TG) sufrieron pérdida de la superficie del esmalte. Los valores, en micrómetros, de pérdida de superficie de las muestras de TG fueron 1.21; 2.1; 2,0; 1.04; 0,97; 0.8; 0,53; 1.14; 1.9; 2,0; 1,66; 1.80. El suplemento dietético (Whey protein®) puede ser una causa potencial del proceso de corrosión dental, considerando la desmineralización de la hidroxiapatita que ocurre junto con la pérdida de esmalte superficial.

Moderate intensity is a better stimulus to induce quadripecs femoris power in elderly adults / Intensidade moderada é o estímulo mais adequado para induzir potência de quadriceps em idosos / Intensidad moderada es el más adecuado para inducir potencia de quadriceps en ancianos

ABSTRACT Introduction: The best strategy for improving knee extensor power, a major functional capacity indicator in older adults, is power training. Nonetheless, the training intensity required to induce optimal gains is yet to be found. Objective: Our purpose was to compare knee extensor peak power responses between low, moderate, and high intensity load conditions (30%, 50% and 70% of 1RM). Methods: Thirteen sedentary elderly women performed six knee extensions in each load condition, calculating knee extensor mechanical work/power output and knee extension peak angular velocity. Results: No difference in peak power was found between the high (207.0 ± 68.1 W) and moderate (206.1 ± 71.6 W) load conditions (p = 0.994), and both had higher values (p ≤0.004) than the low intensity condition (135.6 ± 56.3 W). Conclusion: Moderate load at 50% of 1RM appears to be the preferred strategy for inducing knee extensor power output because in contrast with the high intensity condition, the moderate load yielded higher angular peak velocity, which is also a functional indicator. Level of Evidence ll; Therapeutic studies - Investigating treatment results.

RESUMO Introdução: A melhor estratégia para melhorar a potência dos extensores do joelho, principal indicador da capacidade funcional em idosos, é o treinamento de força. No entanto, a intensidade do treinamento exigida para induzir a maiores benefícios ainda não é conhecida. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo consistiu em comparar as respostas de potência máxima dos extensores do joelho entre as condições de carga baixa, moderada e de alta intensidade (30%, 50% e 70% de uma repetição máxima). Métodos: Treze mulheres idosas sedentárias realizaram seis extensões de joelho em cada condição de carga, sendo calculado o trabalho mecânico/débito de força e a velocidade angular máxima (ou pico) dos extensores do joelho. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa na potência máxima entre as condições de carga alta ((207,0 ± 68,1 W) e moderada (206,1 ± 71,6 W) (p = 0,994), e ambas apresentaram valores maiores (p ≤ 0,004) do que a condição de baixa intensidade (135,6 ± 56,3 W). Conclusão: A carga moderada a 50% de 1RM parece ser a estratégia preferida para induzir o débito de força dos extensores do joelho, uma vez que quando comparada com a condição de alta intensidade, a carga moderada apresentou um pico de velocidade angular maior, o que também é um indicador funcional. Nível de Evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - Investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: La mejor estrategia para mejorar la potencia de los extensores de la rodilla, principal indicador de la capacidad funcional en personas de la tercera edad, es el entrenamiento de fuerza. Sin embargo, la intensidad del entrenamiento exigida para inducir a mayores beneficios aún no es conocida. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo consistió en comparar las respuestas de potencia máxima de los extensores de la rodilla entre las condiciones de carga baja, moderada y de alta intensidad (30%, 50% y 70% de una repetición máxima). Métodos: Trece mujeres de la tercera edad sedentarias realizaron seis extensiones de rodilla en cada condición de carga, siendo calculado el trabajo mecánico/débito de fuerza y la velocidad angular máxima (o pico) de los extensores de la rodilla. Resultados: No hubo diferencia significativa en la potencia máxima entre las condiciones de carga alta ((207,0 ± 68,1 W) y moderada (206,1 ± 71,6 W) (p = 0,994), y ambas presentaron valores mayores (p ≤ 0,004) que la condición de baja intensidad (135,6 ± 56,3 W). Conclusión: La carga moderada a 50% de 1RM parece ser la estrategia preferida para inducir el débito de fuerza de los extensores de la rodilla, dado que cuando comparada con la condición de alta intensidad, la carga moderada presentó un pico de velocidad angular mayor, lo que también es un indicador funcional. Nivel de Evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

AN INEXPENSIVE METHOD TO MEASURE KNEE EXTENSORS' POWER IN OLDER ADULTS / MÉTODO ACESSÍVEL PARA MEDIÇÃO DE POTÊNCIA DE EXTENSÃO DE JOELHO EM IDOSOS / MÉTODO ACCESIBLE PARA MEDIDA DE POTENCIA EN LA EXTENSIÓN DE LA RODILLA EN ANCIANOS

Introduction: Measuring knee extensors' power in elderly population is crucial but not accessible to everyone. Objective: To provide a method to calculate knee extensors' power in a conventional knee extension machine. Method: Thirteen sedentary elderly women (69.3±4.1 years) performed six knee extensions as fast as possible. Kinematic data, an anthropometric model and Newtonian mechanics was used to write movement equations that allowed calculating knee extensors' power and work. The reliability was assessed by variables' coefficient of variation, intraclass correlation coefficient and standard measurement error. Results: Knee extensors' peak power and work values obtained were in agreement with the literature. We found high intraclass ICC values for both variables (93% and 97%, respectively) and low normalized SEM (10.13% and 2.09%, respectively). Conclusion: We provided an inexpensive method to assess a major physical dysfunction indicator in older adults which can also be used to evaluate the progression of an intervention.

Introdução: Avaliar a potência de extensão de joelhos na população idosa é crucial, porém não acessível a todos. Objetivo: Propor um método para calcular a potência de extensão de joelhos em uma cadeira extensora convencional. Métodos: Treze idosas sedentárias (69.3±4.1 anos) realizaram seis extensões de joelho na maior velocidade possível. Dados cinemáticos, um modelo antropométrico e mecânica Newtoniana foram aplicados para elaborar as equações do movimento que permitiram o cálculo do trabalho e da potência de extensão de joelhos. A confiabilidade foi avaliada pelo coeficiente de variação, pelo coeficiente de correlação intra-classe e pelo erro padrão de medida. Resultados: Os valores do trabalho e do pico de potência de extensão de joelhos encontrados corroboram com os relatados na literatura. Foi encontrado uma alta correlação intra-classe para ambas variáveis (97% e 93%, respectivamente) e baixo erro padrão de medida (2.09% e 10.13%, respectivamente). Conclusão: Foi proposto um método acessível para avaliar o principal indicador de disfunção física de idosos, que pode ser utilizado igualmente para o acompanhamento dos resultados de uma intervenção.

Introducción: Evaluar el poder de la extensión de rodilla en los ancianos es fundamental, pero no es asequible para todos. Objetivo: Desarrollar un método para calcular la potencia de la extensión de rodilla en una extensión convencional pierna. Métodos: Trece mujeres mayores sedentarias (69,3 ± 4,1 años) realizaron seis extensiones de rodilla con la mayor velocidad posible. Datos cinemáticos, un modelo antropométrico y la mecánica newtoniana fueron aplicados para derivar las ecuaciones de movimiento que permitieron el cálculo del trabajo y la potencia de la extensión de rodilla. La fiabilidad se evaluó mediante el coeficiente de variación, el coeficiente de correlación intraclase y el nivel de error de medición. Resultados: Los valores encontrados para el trabajo y la potencia máxima en la extensión de rodillas corroboran con los reportados en la literatura. Un alto ICC para ambas variables fue encontrado (97% y 93%, respectivamente) y un bajo EPM (2,09% y 10,13%, respectivamente). Conclusión: Se demostró un método económico para evaluar el indicador primario de la disfunción física en los ancianos, que puede ser utilizado tanto para el monitoreo de la disfunción como para la intervención.

Quais ações técnico-táticas realizadas durante as partidas de futsal podem discriminar o resultado de vitória ou derrota? / Wich technical-tactical actions performed in futsal matches can discriminate the result of winning or defeat?

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar se as ações técnico-táticas específicas do futsal são capazes de discriminar o resultado de partidas de uma equipe de alto rendimento. Foram analisadas 40 partidas de uma equipe de futsal durante dois anos de disputa da Liga Nacional. Considerou-se os resultados de vitória ou derrota. Durante cada partida, foram analisados o número total das seguintes ações técnico-táticas: Desarmes Realizados, Desarmes Sofridos, Total de Finalizações Realizadas, Total de Finalizações Sofridas, Finalizações Certas Realizadas, Finalizações Certas Sofridas, Passes Incompletos Realizados e Passes Incompletos do Adversário; bem como os índices de coeficiente para cada ação técnico-tática, a partir da razão entre ação realizada e sofrida. Foi realizada uma Análise Discriminante a partir do método de estimação simultânea. Apenas as variáveis Desarmes Realizados, Desarmes Sofridos e Coeficiente de Desarme apresentaram cargas discriminantes acima de 0,40, indicando que as mesmas poderiam discriminar o resultado de vitória e derrota em partidas de futsal. Pode-se concluir que a eficiência em relação ao número de Desarmes Realizados e de Desarmes Sofridos pode ser considerada um fator importante para alcançar o resultado de vitória em partidas de futsal de alto rendimento. Este estudo apontou que o sistema defensivo da equipe de futsal analisada, tanto no que se refere à organização tática quanto no tocante à técnica adequada para realização do desarme se apresentou como um fator discriminante do resultado da partida. Além disso, o sistema ofensivo também parece ser importante no sentido de prover uma melhor organização de ataque enquanto diminui a possibilidade de sofrer desarmes.

The objectives of this study were to verify whether specific technical-tactical actions of futsal would be able to discriminate the result in high-performance futsal matches. Forty matches from one futsal team were analyzed over two National League seasons, in which the assessed team showed the result of winning or defeat. For each match, the number of total technical-tactical actions were analyzed: Tackles done, Tackles suffered, Total shots done, Total shots suffered, Shots on target done, Shots on target suffered, Incomplete pass done, Opponent incomplete pass; as well coefficient indexes for each technical-tactical action, from the ratio between action done and suffered. Discriminant Analysis was realized using simultaneous estimation method. Only Tackles done, Tackles suffered and Tackles coefficient showed discriminating loads above 0.40, which indicate that these variables can discriminate the result of winning and defeat in futsal matches. It can be concluded that efficiency related to Tackles done and Tackles suffered is a determinant point to achieve the winning in high-performance futsal match. This study shows that the defensive system in a futsal team, in which must be considered both tactical organization and appropriate technique to perform the tackle could discriminate the match’s result in the analyzed team. Offensive system is also important in order to provide a better attack organization, and consequently, a lower possibility to suffer a tackle.