Acute effects of different proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stabilization techniques on the balance of elderly women.

AIM: To compare the acute effects of rhythmic stabilization (RS) and stabilizer reversal (SR) techniques of PNF on the balance of sedentary elderly women. METHODS: Women aged (≥70) were allocated into three groups: RS, SR and control (CR). The experimental groups (RS and SR) performed balance exercises with the addition of rhythmic stabilization techniques (RS group) or with stabilizers reversal (SR group) for 15 min. The CR group performed the exercises without adding the PNF stabilization techniques. Participants performed the Time Up and Go (TUG) test, the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and static and dynamic stabilometry pre and post intervention. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for comparison between groups and post hoc analysis, respectively, with p ≤ 0.05. For the effect size measurements, the r for Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney signal were used. RESULTS: For functional tests intra-group analysis, a reduction in TUG time and an increase in FRT range (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in RS e SR groups. Stabilometry analysis showed a significant difference only for the RS group, with reduced average velocity of the centre of pressure (COP), and an increased in the left foot pressure. CONCLUSIONS: A single RS or SR session reduced the TUG time and the range distance in the FRT in elderly women. A single session of the RS technique was also able to reduce the mean velocity of the COP and the maximum pressure on the left foot. IMPACT: This study shows an easy-to-apply methods without additional materials that can help prevent falls in the elderly.

Reduction in knee pain symptoms in athletes using an acupuncture protocol / Redução da sintomatologia dolorosa de joelho em atletas utilizando protocolo de acupuntura

ABSTRACT Pain in the lower limbs is common in athletes and a limiting factor in performance. Acupuncture has shown positive effects as an analgesic treatment and may potentially be used for pain reduction in runners. This study aimed to analyze the parameters associated with knee pain by correlating strength parameters of the musculature assessed in runners treated with acupuncture. A descriptive longitudinal study was conducted on 34 runners of both sexes aged 20 to 52 years, who presented with knee-related pain from January to June, 2015. Two pain questionnaires and a maximal strength test with electromyographic evaluation of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and medialis muscles were used, and patients were monitored during five follow-up visits after an acupuncture protocol. All participants reported experiencing a decrease in knee pain after treatment. The affected limbs showed an increase in average strength by 34% and 25% compared to the contralateral limb. An increase in the number of motor units recruited for the three muscles was observed in both limbs. In conclusion, the proposed acupuncture protocol was effective in reducing pain symptoms in the knee region of athletes, thus influencing their gain in strength and muscle balance. Level of Evidence IV, Case series.

RESUMO A dor em membros inferiores é comum em atletas e representa um aspecto limitante ao rendimento. Buscando atenuação para a dor desta população, utiliza-se a acupuntura por apresentar bons efeitos na analgesia. Objetivo: analisar os parâmetros relacionados à dor de joelho correlacionando os parâmetros de força das musculaturas avaliadas em corredores submetidos a tratamento de acupuntura. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal, de janeiro a junho de 2015, com 34 corredores de 20 a 52 anos de ambos os sexos, que apresentassem dor de joelho. Foram aplicados dois questionários de dor e um teste de força máxima com avaliação eletromiográfica dos músculos reto femoral, vasto lateral e medial, com cinco atendimentos seguindo um protocolo de acupuntura. Resultados: Todos os voluntários relataram diminuição da dor de joelho após o tratamento. A média de força do membro afetado teve incremento de 34% e do membro contralateral de 25%. Verificou-se aumento no número de recrutamento de unidades motoras para os três músculos avaliados em ambos os membros. Conclusão: O protocolo proposto se mostrou eficaz na diminuição da sintomatologia dolorosa na região de joelhos de atletas corredores, interferindo no ganho de força e no equilíbrio muscular. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de casos.

REDUCTION IN KNEE PAIN SYMPTOMS IN ATHLETES USING AN ACUPUNCTURE PROTOCOL.

Pain in the lower limbs is common in athletes and a limiting factor in performance. Acupuncture has shown positive effects as an analgesic treatment and may potentially be used for pain reduction in runners. This study aimed to analyze the parameters associated with knee pain by correlating strength parameters of the musculature assessed in runners treated with acupuncture. A descriptive longitudinal study was conducted on 34 runners of both sexes aged 20 to 52 years, who presented with knee-related pain from January to June, 2015. Two pain questionnaires and a maximal strength test with electromyographic evaluation of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and medialis muscles were used, and patients were monitored during five follow-up visits after an acupuncture protocol. All participants reported experiencing a decrease in knee pain after treatment. The affected limbs showed an increase in average strength by 34% and 25% compared to the contralateral limb. An increase in the number of motor units recruited for the three muscles was observed in both limbs. In conclusion, the proposed acupuncture protocol was effective in reducing pain symptoms in the knee region of athletes, thus influencing their gain in strength and muscle balance. Level of Evidence IV, Case series.

A dor em membros inferiores é comum em atletas e representa um aspecto limitante ao rendimento. Buscando atenuação para a dor desta população, utiliza-se a acupuntura por apresentar bons efeitos na analgesia. Objetivo: analisar os parâmetros relacionados à dor de joelho correlacionando os parâmetros de força das musculaturas avaliadas em corredores submetidos a tratamento de acupuntura. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal, de janeiro a junho de 2015, com 34 corredores de 20 a 52 anos de ambos os sexos, que apresentassem dor de joelho. Foram aplicados dois questionários de dor e um teste de força máxima com avaliação eletromiográfica dos músculos reto femoral, vasto lateral e medial, com cinco atendimentos seguindo um protocolo de acupuntura. Resultados: Todos os voluntários relataram diminuição da dor de joelho após o tratamento. A média de força do membro afetado teve incremento de 34% e do membro contralateral de 25%. Verificou-se aumento no número de recrutamento de unidades motoras para os três músculos avaliados em ambos os membros. Conclusão: O protocolo proposto se mostrou eficaz na diminuição da sintomatologia dolorosa na região de joelhos de atletas corredores, interferindo no ganho de força e no equilíbrio muscular. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de casos.