Reliability and concurrent validity of a mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone devices have been used to measure range of motion (ROM) in different joints. OBJECTIVE: To verify the concurrent validity of thoracolumbar ROM using a mobile application and a digital inclinometer, as well as the intrarater reliability of individuals with and without back pain. METHODS: One investigator was responsible for measuring the ROM during the evaluations performed on 20 asymptomatic subjects and 20 symptomatic subjects in two consecutive days. RESULTS: Regarding to the concurrent validity, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were classified as very good for all analyzed movements. For intrarater reliability, the mobile application had ICC varying between good and very good for the symptomatic subjects and very good for asymptomatic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The mobile application may be considered a valid and reliable tool to assess thoracolumbar ROM for both asymptomatic and chronic low back pain subjects.

Whole-Body Vibration on Performance of Quadriceps After ACL Reconstruction: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been widely used in clinical and sport practice. These devices produce constant vibrations, originating symmetrical waves that move along the vertical axis. It is suggested that mechanical stimuli produced by high vibration can be an alternative to improve neuromuscular performance and balance in different populations. However, there is still a lack of consensus in the literature regarding neurophysiological responses in the skeletal muscle immediately after the use of WBV, specifically in individuals subjected to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate effects of WBV on neuromuscular performance of the quadriceps femoris and postural oscillation of individuals subjected to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. DESIGN: This is a blinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four men. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized into 2 groups: control group (n = 22, exercise protocol on the vibrating platform turned off) and WBV group (n = 22, exercises on the vibrating platform turned on, at a frequency of 50 Hz and amplitude of 4 mm). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The volunteers underwent a dynamometric evaluation of the quadriceps femoris and electromyographic activity of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles, in addition to oscillation of the center of pressure at 2 different moments: before and immediately after the intervention protocol. RESULTS: The intragroup comparison evidenced differences between preassessments and postassessments for the variables of laterolateral amplitude, peak torque, and total work. However, no significant difference was observed in the intergroup comparison after WBV protocol. CONCLUSION: The use of WBV did not immediately alter the performance of the quadriceps femoris and the electromyographic activity of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles. In addition, it also did not interfere with pressure center oscillation of individuals subjected to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Low-level laser therapy reduces the fatigue index in the ankle plantar flexors of healthy subjects.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been suggested as a resource capable of increasing resistance to fatigue and enhancing muscle performance through its metabolic and photochemical effects. This study evaluated the immediate effects of the application of LLLT on neuromuscular performance of the plantar ankle flexors in healthy subjects through a fatigue-induced protocol. This is a randomized controlled clinical trial, attended by 60 young and physically active volunteers of both genders. The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups, control, placebo, and laser, and underwent a preliminary evaluation of the isokinetic performance of plantar flexors and electromyographic activity of the soleus muscle to ensure homogeneity between groups. After the application of the respective intervention protocols, participants were induced to fatigue by performing 100 isokinetic concentric contractions of ankle plantar flexors at a speed of 90°/s. The dynamometric fatigue index (DFI) and median frequency were recorded during the fatigue protocol for comparison between groups. The group receiving the laser application showed significantly lower dynamometric fatigue index (p = 0.036) when compared to control and placebo groups. In relation to the median frequency during the fatigue test, there was a decrease in all groups, however with no differences between them. We suggest that LLLT being applied prior to exercise can reduce the fatigue index in the ankle plantar flexors of healthy subjects.