Development and use of a mouth gag for oral experiments in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Rodent models such as mice and rats are often used in investigations of the oral cavity in the fields of periodontology and dental anesthesiology. When various treatments are performed in the oral cavity, it is very important to secure the visual field while keeping the animal's mouth fully opened, in order to ensure the consistency of experimental procedures. Therefore, we developed a standardized gag conforming to various degrees of oral cavity size of different aged rats. DESIGN: The gag was composed of a rectangular incisor-opening frame constructed from a stainless steel wire with retractors and a dial to alter the opening amounts. Wistar rats (n = 5) aged 4, 8, and 12 weeks were used to evaluate the suitability of the gag in oral cavity. As tests for application of gag in intraoral experiments, the ligature placement around the molars, drug injection into the gingiva, measurement of gingival blood flow rate, and installation of stimulation an electrode for somatosensory-evoked potentials into the molar were performed. RESULTS: Adjusting the opening dial enabled both the maintenance of open state and more favorable intraoral observation compared with tweezers as a control device in all different types of rats. Furthermore, our gag made it possible to facilitate the insertion of diverse instruments into the oral cavity and to achieve various experimental purposes. The stainless-steel gag can also be autoclaved and dry-heat sterilized. CONCLUSION: It was revealed that our mouth gag can be widely applied to various oral experiments in different old aged rats.

Equilíbrio e ajuste postural antecipatório em idosos caidores: efeitos da reabilitação virtual e cinesioterapia / Balance and antecipatory postural adjustments in elderly fallers: effects of kinesiotherapy and virtual rehabilitation

O envelhecimento provoca uma série de alterações no controle motor do indivíduo e consequentemente nos ajustes posturais. Objetivo: Comparar o efeito da reabilitação virtual e cinesioterapia em idosos caidores no equilíbrio e no ajuste postural antecipatório dos músculos agonistas e antagonistas da articulação do tornozelo. Métodos: Participaram 24 idosos que foram alocados em dois grupos: 12 participantes no grupo reabilitação virtual e 12 participantes no grupo cinesioterapia. O protocolo foi realizado durante seis semanas, sendo duas sessões por semana. No grupo reabilitação virtual foi utilizado o console Xbox 360 com kinect e o jogo Your Shape Fitness Evolved. No grupo cinesioterapia foram realizados exercícios de equilíbrio e propriocepção. Resultados: Ambos os grupos apresentaram maior pontuação na escala de equilíbrio de Berg após a intervenção. Houve diminuição da ativação do músculo tibial anterior direito no alcance funcional após a intervenção realizada, e aumento da ativação músculo gastrocnêmio lateral direito na flexão de tronco após o treinamento. Não encontrou-se diferenças na ativação muscular entre os dois tipos de intervenção. Conclusão: Os protocolos cinesioterapia e reabilitação virtual foram eficazes na melhora do equilíbrio e na capacidade funcional de idosos caidores, não havendo diferenças entre os dois tipos de intervenção

Aging causes a number of changes in motor control of the individual and consequently in postural adjustments. Objective: To evaluate the balance and anticipatory postural adjustments of the agonist muscles and the ankle joint antagonists and compare the effect of rehabilitation virtual and kinesiotherapy in the elderly. Methods: Twenty four elderly participated of this study divided into two groups. 12 participants and the kinesiotherapy group by 12 participants composed the virtual rehabilitation group, equally. The treatment protocol was conducted for six weeks. Virtual rehabilitation group used Xbox 360 with kinect and Your Shape Fitness Evolved game. In the kinesiotherapy group the same protocol exercises were performed. Results: The results indicated a statistically significant difference between pre and post intervention phases in Berg Balance Scale in both groups. There was decreased activation of tibialis anterior muscle in the right functional range of task after interventions, and increased lateral gastrocnemius muscle activation rights in the trunk flexion after training. No differences were observed in muscle activation between the two types of intervention. Conclusion: Protocols with therapeutic exercise and virtual rehabilitation were effective in improving balance and functional capacity of fallers, with no differences between the two types of intervention

Kinesiotaping. Evidencia actual / Kinesiotaping. Current evidence

En este artículo se revisa la función y el uso de los vendajes tipo Kinesiotaping en la medicina deportiva actual y la Ortopedia. Se estudian las diferentes lesiones dentro de la medicina del deporte en la cual se pueden usar y la evidencia clínica existente. Esta revisión concluye que la utilidad del kinesiotaping es confusa. La literatura no aporta evidencia clínica probada sobre el uso de este vendaje e incluso podría intuirse un fin mercantilista en su uso

This paper reviews the function and use of Kinesiotaping in today’s Sports Medicine and Orthopedics. The different sports medicine injuries in which could be used and the current clinical evidence are reviewed. This review concludes the utility of Kinesiotaping is not clear. Literature shows lack of proved clinical evidence about the use of this bandage and even a mercantilist purpose could be suspected

Application of mouth gag and temporomandibular joint pain and trismus in tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of duration of application of mouth gag on Temporomandibular (TM) joint pain and trismus after tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Nowshera, from February to July 2012. METHODOLOGY: A total of 40 patients undergoing tonsillectomy, in mouth opening prior to surgery was measured as inter incisor distance in cms. A stop watch was used to calculate the time of application of mouth gag. Mouth opening was again measured 06 hours after the surgery. Difference between the two readings was considered as trismus score and categorized as mild (1 cm), moderate (2 cm) and severe (3 cm). Patient was asked to score pain on a visual analogue scale (0 - 9). Score 0 was categorized as no pain; 1 - 3 as mild pain; 4 - 6 as moderate pain; 7 - 9 as severe pain. Spearman's rank correlation was used for finding correlation between time of mouth gag application and study outcome (pain and trismus). RESULTS: Trismus as observed by difference in inter incisor distance was mild in 11 patients; moderate in 15 patients and severe in 14 patients 06 hours after the surgery. Eleven (27.5%) had mild pain over temporomandibular joint, 15 (37.5%) had moderate and 14 (35%) had severe pain 06 hours after the surgery. Direct relationship was observed between duration of application of mouth gag with postoperative pain and trismus. Significant strong correlation was observed between length of mouth opening to severity of pain and trismus (rs = 0.738; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Duration of mouth gag application should be reduced to cause less TM joint pain and trismus in early postoperative period in tonsillectomy.

[The influence of kinesiotaping on lumbar spine pain]. / Wplyw kinesiotapingu na dolegliwosci bólowe odcinka ledzwiowo-krzyzowego kregoslupa.

INTRODUCTION: Pain in the lumbosacral spine is currently one of the most common pain complaints among the elderly. About 72% of the Polish population younger than 40 years have at least once been treated by a doctor for back pain. Degenerative changes of intervertebral joints, overloads, intervertebral disc diseases, and dysfunction of spinal ligaments are very often responsible for the formation of back pain, which is basically a problem of the elderly, MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 60 residents of a Nursing Home in Szczecin with chronic lumbar pain. The age range was 56-85 years. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 30 (study group, where KinesioTaping was used, and a control group without KinesioTaping application). To assess the degree of pain experienced by the patient a visual analogue scale (VAS) in the horizontal format from 0-10 was used, on which subjects scored the severity of pain. Flexion, extension, tilt and rotation were measured with a tape to assess spinal and trunk mobility. RESULTS: In all patients, who had a KinesioTaping patch applied on the lumbosacral spine pain measured by VAS reduced (p ≤ 0.001). Considering respondents' sex, the spine mobility in the tilting position improved in men in the study group in terms of tilting to both sides. In all patients, the application of a KinesioTaping patch significantly improved the rotation to the right side (p ≤ 0.05), scores in the "finger-floor" flexion test (p ≤ 0.01), and the extension range (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: KinesioTaping is a beneficial method reducing pain and improving the mobility in the lumbosacral spine. The improvement was independent of the sex of the respondents.

The effects of Kinesio Taping on body functions and activity in unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) on the body functions and activity of children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: This study was designed as a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Thirty children with unilateral spastic CP were randomized and split equally between the KT group (eight males, seven females; mean age 9y [SD 2y 3mo] range 7-12y) and the control group (seven males, eight females; mean age 9y 7mo [SD 3y 4mo] range 7-14y) receiving usual care. All participants were evaluated with the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP), the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), short-term muscle power, agility and functional muscle strength tests. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate within and between-group differences respectively. The level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. RESULTS: There were significant differences in muscle power sprint (p=0.003), lateral step-up test right (p=0.016), sit to stand (p=0.018), attain stand through half knee right (p=0.003), BOTMP Gross scores (p=0.019), and WeeFIM total (p=0.003) and self-care scores (p=0.022) between the groups (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION: Kinesio Taping is a promising additional approach to increase proprioceptive feedback and improve physical fitness, gross motor function, and activities of daily living in children with CP.

Estudo comparativo da reabilitação virtual e cinesioterapia em relação ao torque do joelho em idosos / Comparative study of virtual rehabilitation and kinesiotherapy for knee torque among the elderly

O envelhecimento provoca uma série de alterações neuropsicomotoras, como a diminuiçãoda força muscular, da propriocepção, do equilíbrio, da cognição, entre outros. Os exercíciosterapêuticos visam diminuir estes déficits e contribuir para uma melhora funcional e da qualidadede vida. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da reabilitação virtual ecinesioterapia, no torque do joelho em idosos saudáveis. Método: Os idosos foram divididosem dois grupos aleatoriamente: sete participantes realizaram exercícios com reabilitação virtualformando o grupo Reabilitação Virtual (RV) (69,7 ± 5,5 anos; 71,8 ± 13,7 kg), e sete participantesrealizaram cinesioterapia formando o grupo Cinesio (75,4 ± 5,7 anos; 64,7 ± 17,2 kg). O torquedos músculos extensores e flexores do joelho foi avaliado no dinamômetro isocinético, da marcaBiodex, System 3. O protocolo consistiu de três contrações isométricas de 5 segundos, nasposições angulares de 45 e 600 de flexão do joelho e cinco repetições de contrações isocinéticasconcêntricas nas velocidades de 60, 180 e 3000/s. O protocolo de tratamento foi realizado noperíodo de 3 meses, com duas sessões por semana e 50 minutos cada sessão. No grupo RV foramutilizadas duas modalidades de jogos, incluindo tarefas de desafios e feedback interativo dapercepção corporal. Para o grupo Cinesio, foram realizados os mesmos exercícios do protocolode reabilitação virtual, porém sem estímulo do video game. Para análise estatística, foi utilizadoo teste ANOVA, seguido de post hoc Tukey HDS com nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: Opico de torque isocinético concêntrico e isométrico de extensão e flexão do joelho foram maioresapós a intervenção para ambos os grupos. Conclusão: A cinesioterapia, assim como a reabilitaçãovirtual, são eficazes para o aumento do torque extensor e flexor do joelho, o que pode auxiliar nadiminuição da incidência de quedas em idosos.

Aging causes a variety of neurological and psychomotor changes, such as decreases in musclestrength, proprioception, balance, and cognition, among other things. Therapeutic exercises help inreducing these deficits and contribute to functional improvement and quality of life. Objective: Thisstudy aimed to compare the effects of virtual rehabilitation and exercise therapy on knee torqueamong the healthy elderly. Method: The subjects were divided randomly into two groups: sevenparticipants performed exercises with virtual rehabilitation composing the Virtual Rehabilitationgroup (RV) (69.7 ± 5.5 years, 71.8 ± 13.7 kg) and seven participants performed exercise therapycomposing the ?Kinesio? group (75.4 ± 5.7 years, 64.7 ± 17.2 kg). The torque of the knee extensorand flexor muscles was assessed with the Biodex System 3 isokinetic dynamometer. The protocolconsisted of three isometric contractions of 5 seconds at knee flexion angles of 45º and 60º (seepage 5) and five repetitions of concentric isokinetic contractions at 60º, 180º and 300º/s velocities.The treatment protocol was conducted for 3 months, with 50 minutes per session, twice a week. Inthe VR group, two modes of games were used, involving tasks of challenges and interactive feedbackof body awareness. The Kinesio group performed the same virtual rehabilitation exercise protocol,but without video game stimulus. The ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis, followed by thepost hoc Tukey HDS with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The peak isokinetic concentricand isometric torques of knee extension and flexion were higher after intervention for both groups.Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that conventional rehabilitation through exercise, as wellas the innovative technique of virtual rehabilitation, are effective to increase extensor and flexorknee torque, which can help to reduce the incidence of falls among the elderly.

A generalizability theory study of athletic taping using the Technical Skill Assessment Instrument.

CONTEXT: Athletic taping skills are highly valued clinical competencies in the athletic therapy and training profession. The Technical Skill Assessment Instrument (TSAI) has been content validated and tested for intrarater reliability. OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability of the TSAI using a more robust measure of reliability, generalizability theory, and to hypothetically and mathematically project the optimal number of raters and scenarios to reliably measure athletic taping skills in the future. SETTING: Mount Royal University. DESIGN: Observational study. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 29 university students (8 men, 21 women; age = 20.79 ± 1.59 years) from the Athletic Therapy Program at Mount Royal University. INTERVENTION(S): Participants were allowed 10 minutes per scenario to complete prophylactic taping for a standardized patient presenting with (1) a 4-week-old second-degree ankle sprain and (2) a thumb that had been hyperextended. Two raters judged student performance using the TSAI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Generalizability coefficients were calculated using variance scores for raters, participants, and scenarios. A decision study was calculated to project the optimal number of raters and scenarios to achieve acceptable levels of reliability. Generalizability coefficients were interpreted the same as other reliability coefficients, with 0 indicating no reliability and 1.0 indicating perfect reliability. RESULTS: The result of our study design (2 raters, 1 standardized patient, 2 scenarios) was a generalizability coefficient of 0.67. Decision study projects indicated that 4 scenarios were necessary to reliably measure athletic taping skills. CONCLUSIONS: We found moderate reliability coefficients. Researchers should include more scenarios to reliably measure athletic taping skills. They should also focus on the development of evidence-based practice guidelines and standards of athletic taping and should test those standards using a psychometrically sound instrument, such as the TSAI.

Force control in manipulation tasks: comparison of two common methods of grip force calculation.

We compared two standard methods routinely used to assess the grip force (GF; perpendicular force that hand exerts upon the hand-held object) in the studies of coordination of GF and load force (LF; tangential force) in manipulation tasks. A variety of static tasks were tested, and GF-LF coupling (i.e., the maximum cross-correlation between the forces) was assessed. GF was calculated either as the minimum value of the two opposing GF components acting upon the hand-held object (GFmin) or as their average value (GFavg). Although both methods revealed high GF-LF correlation coefficients, most of the data revealed the higher values for GFavg than for GFmin. Therefore, we conclude that the CNS is more likely to take into account GFavg than GFmin when controlling static manipulative actions as well as that GFavg should be the variable of choice in kinetic analyses of static manipulation tasks.

Precision pinch performance in patients with sensory deficits of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel.

To investigate how sensory symptoms impact the motor control of hands, in this study we examined the differences in conventional sensibility assessments and pinch force control in the pinch-holding-up activity (PHUA) test between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients and healthy controls. CTS patients (n = 82) with 122 affected hands and an equal number of control subjects were recruited to participate in the threshold, discrimination, and PHUA tests. The patients showed significantly poorer hand sensibility and lower efficiency of force adjustment in the PHUA test as compared with the control subjects. Baseline pinch strength and the percentage of maximal pinch strength for the PHUA were significantly higher for the subgroup of sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of <16 µV than for the subgroup of SNAP of 16 µV. Using a PHUA perspective to analyze the efficiency of force-adjustment could assist the clinical detection of sensory nerve dysfunction.

The effects of Kinesio® taping on sitting posture, functional independence and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Kinesio® tape (KT) application on sitting posture, gross motor function and the level of functional independence. METHOD: The study included 31 cerebral palsied children scored as level III, IV or V according to gross motor functional classification system (GMFCS). Children were randomly separated into two groups as study (n = 15, receiving KT and physiotherapy) and control (n = 15, receiving only physiotherapy). KT application was carried out for 12 weeks. Gross motor function measure (GMFM), functional independence measure for children (WeeFIM) and Sitting Assessment Scale (SAS) were used to evaluate gross motor function, independency in the activities of daily living and sitting posture, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to initial assessments, both groups showed a significant difference in parameters of GMFCS sitting subscale, GMFCS total score and SAS scores (p < 0.05). At the end of 12 weeks, only SAS scores were significantly different in favour of the study group when the groups were compared (p < 0.05). Also, post-intervention WeeFIM scores of the study group were significantly higher compared to initial assessment (p < 0.05), however, no difference was detected in the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No direct effects of KT were observed on gross motor function and functional independence, though sitting posture (head, neck, foot position and arm, hand function) was affected positively. These results may imply that in clinical settings KT may be a beneficial assistive treatment approach when combined with physiotherapy.

A functional model of the digital extensor mechanism: demonstrating biomechanics with hair bands.

The action of muscles about joints can be explained through analysis of their spatial relationship. A functional model of these relationships can be valuable in learning and understanding the muscular action about a joint. A model can be particularly helpful when examining complex actions across multiple joints such as in the digital extensor mechanism of the hand. A functional model using two hair bands representing the components of the digital extensor mechanism is described. Through superimposition of the model over one's digit, the combined actions of metacarpophalangeal joint flexion and interphalangeal joint extension are clearly demonstrated. The model provides a conceptual demonstration to enhance understanding of this unique combination of muscle actions about multiple joints.

Análise da força aplicada durante a tração manual na coluna lombar e da manutenção da postura pós-tração / Analysis of the force applied during manual traction of the lumbar spine and maintenance of the post-traction posture

Dor lombar é considerada um dos maiores problemas sócioeconômicos por estar associada à incapacidade temporária do indivíduo. Acredita-se que a incidência de desabilidade devido às dores nas costas esteja crescendo exponencialmente pela tendência de um novo estilo de vida sedentário e a baixa tolerância à dor entre a população. Um grande número de estudos mostra que em certo momento da vida 80% da população mundial será afetada por esta patologia. A tração manual aplicada à coluna lombar é entre várias terapias, um dos tratamentos que mais cresce, devido ao seu baixo custo e por ser não invasiva. O propósito deste estudo foi medir a força aplicada pelo examinador durante a tração manual, bem como a pressão resultante da coluna lombar. Os resultados mostraram que a força da tração lombar pode ser facilmente medida por meio do método proposto. A intensidade de força parece depender ligeiramente do peso do sujeito. A mobilização da posição lombar após a tração pode ser monitorada satisfatoriamente medindo a pressão exercida por esta região no arranjo experimental. Um sistema de alerta luminoso foi também desenvolvido a fim de auxiliar o paciente na manutenção pós-tração. Os testes laboratoriais realizados mostraram uma sensibilidade satisfatória, possibilitando uma aplicação clínica deste sistema.

Low back pain is considered as one of the greatest socioeconomic problems due to the associated temporary disability of the subject. The occurrence of disability due to low back pain tends to increase exponentially as a consequence of the sedentary way of life as well as the low pain tolerance of the population. A large number of studies have shown that, at a given stage of life, about 80% of the world population will be affected by this pathology. Manual traction applied to the lumbar spine is, among various therapies, one of the most growing “in popularity” due to its low cost and to thefact of being non-invasive. The purpose of the present study was to measure the force applied by the therapist, during the manual traction, together with the resulting load on the lumbar spine. The results showed that the force of the lumbar traction could be easily measured by means of the simple method proposed; the force intensity seems to be slightly dependent on the subject weight. The mobilization of lumbar position after the traction could by satisfactorily monitored by measuring the local pressure exerted by this region on the manipulative table. An alerting device has also been developed in order to assist the subject to maintain the pos-traction lumbar position. The laboratory tests performed have showed a satisfactory sensitivity of the device, allowing its possible clinical application.

Mechanical simulator for the Levator ani

O assoalho pélvico é uma estrutura muscular complexa e as disfunções uroginecológicas desta musculatura são inúmeras. O diagnóstico das disfunções uroginecológicas podem ser realizadas por anamnese, avaliação clínica (palpação digital, perineometria e observação), urodinâmica, ultrassom e ressonância magnética. Os fisioterapeutas utilizam a palpação digital vaginal para obter informações de força da musculatura do assoalho pélvico. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver um dispositivo eletromecânico, capaz de simular in vitro o músculo levantador do ânus, a fim de treinar futuros examinadores na sensibilidade do toque digital vaginal. Cinco molas foram fixadas em um modelo anatômico de resina da pelve em uma configuração que poderia representar o músculo elevador do ânus. Uma unidade de tração composta por motor de passo interligado a uma célula de carga foi utilizada para a caracterização da força de tração do sistema mecânico. Uma fisioterapeuta bem treinada realizou quatorze séries de palpação bidigital entre as cinco molas. Neste sentido, foi possível estabelecer valores de força que se correlacionavam com os seis graus da escala modificada de Oxford. As forças médias para todas as palpações bidigitais foram comparadas usando-se o teste de ANOVA de um fator controlável. De acordo com os resultados, o grau zero representou o alongamento nulo das molas. Os graus de 1 a 5 mostraram os seguintes valores médios de força: 1 (55,69 N), 2 (56,17 N), 3 (56,94 N), 4 (59,61 N), 5 (65,36 N). O dispositivo proposto apresentou-se como uma útil ferramenta para estabelecer a relação entre a força das molas e a escala modificada de Oxford.

The pelvic floor is a complex muscular structure and the urogynaecological dysfunctions of this muscular structureare innumerable. The diagnosis of these urogynaecological dysfunctions can be performed by anamnesis, clinical evaluation (digital palpation, perineometry and observation), urodynamics and by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Physiotherapist relies on vaginal digital palpation to obtain relevant data about pelvic floor strength. The aim of the present application was to develop an electromechanical device able to simulate in vitro the levator ani muscle in order to train the sensitivity of future examiners during a vaginal digital palpation. Five springs were fixed on a resin anatomical model of the human pelvis in a configuration that could represent the levator ani muscle. A traction unit composed by a load cell and a step motor was used to produce the traction of the springs being able to measure the traction force. One well trained physiotherapist executed all the fourteen series of digital palpation procedures between the five springs. It was possible to establish force values that were correlated to the six scores of the modified Oxford scale. The meanforces obtained for the complete digital assessment were compared using one-way ANOVA. According to the results, score 0 of the modified Oxford scale represented no elongation of the springs. Scores 1 to 5 showed the following mean force values: 1 (55.69 N), 2 (56.17 N), 3 (56.94 N), 4 (59.61 N), 5 (65.36 N). The proposed device presented itself as a useful tool which is able to establish a relation between the forces of the springs and the modified Oxford scale.

Validation of an accelerometer for measuring sport performance.

Weightlifting technique is a well-studied subject with regard to standard biomechanical analysis that includes barbell velocity as well as barbell trajectory, but kinematic data such as barbell acceleration have not often been reported. Real-time or near-real-time feedback can be more helpful to coaches and athletes than delayed feedback. The purpose of this study was to validate measures obtained by a commercially available accelerometer in comparison with kinematic data derived from video. The hypothesis was that there would be a high positive relationship between accelerometer data and acceleration measures derived from video records of a barbell high-pull movement. Accelerometer values and kinematic data from high-speed video were obtained from 7 volunteers performing 2 trials each of a barbell high-pull. The results showed that the accelerometer measures were highly correlated with derived acceleration data from video (r = 0.94-0.99). On the basis of these results, the device was considered to be validated; thus, the unit may be a useful tool to measure acceleration during real-time training sessions rather than only reserved for collecting data in a laboratory setting. This device can be a valuable tool to provide instant feedback to coaches and athletes to assess individual barbell acceleration performance.

Comparação dos efeitos do TENS e dos exercícios terapêuticos sobre os níveis de hidroxiprolina na urina em síndrome do impacto no ombro / Comparison of the effects of TENS and exercises therapy effects on hydroxyproline levels in urine on shoulder pain

Objetivo: Comparar os efeitos da neuroestimulação elétrica transcutânea (TENS) e cinesiologia aplicada, assim como esta isolada, na excreção urinária em indivíduos com a síndrome do impacto do ombro (SIO). Métodos: Participaram do estudo dois grupos de 35 indivíduos cada, sendo 30 mulheres e 40 homens, com idade entre 45 e 60 anos. O grupo controle realizou a cinesiologia aplicada e o grupo experimental realizou o tratamento TENS associado à cinesiologia aplicada. Para a mensuração da hidroxiprolina na urina foi utilizado o protocolo de colorimetria. A coleta urinária foi feita na 1ª, 5ª e 10ª sessão. O tratamento foi realizado em 10 sessões de 55 minutos. O tratamento estatístico utilizado foi feito através da análise de variância One Way (ANOVA). Resultado: Não houve melhora significativa como indicado por F = 0,662, p > 0,05. Conclusão: Os resultados mostraram não haver interação significativa entre os tipos de tratamento com a excreção urinária de hidroxiprolina. Contudo, os resultados obtidos das variáveis mostraram uma forte tendência à melhora, apresentando um resultado mais efetivo no grupo que utilizou somente a cinesiologia aplicada até a quinta sessão e, posteriormente, com uma tendência mais efetiva no grupo que utilizou a cinesiologia aplicada + TENS. O estudo mostrou, também, um resultado mais eficiente do grupo que utilizou apenas a cinesiologia aplicada como tratamento.

Objective: To compare the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) effects associated to the kinesiology applied, and only the kinesiology applied on the hydroxiproline (HP) excretion on individuals with shoulder pain, during 10 physical therapy sessions with duration of 55 minutes each session for both treatments. Methods: The individuals were divided into two groups of 35 people each, being 30 women and 40 men; aged between 40 and 65 years old. The control group underwent only applied kinesiology and the experimental group applied kinesiology associated to TENS. It was used the colorimetric protocol to measure urinary excretion of HP. Three samples of each variable were carried out on the first, fifth and tenth sessions. The ANOVA test with repeated measures to analyze the HP was used for the statistics. Results: There were no significance as indicated by F = 0.662, p > 0.05. Conclusion: We concluded that the study showed a strong benefit tendency for both groups due to HP decrease levels. As a better result before the 5th session for the group applied kinesiology and after the 5th - 10th session of treatment, for the applied kinesiology + TENS group, although there was no significance based on the statistics. And, also, it showed a better result for the group who practiced only applied kinesiology

The role of motion analysis in elite soccer: contemporary performance measurement techniques and work rate data.

The optimal physical preparation of elite soccer (association football) players has become an indispensable part of the professional game, especially due to the increased physical demands of match-play. The monitoring of players' work rate profiles during competition is now feasible through computer-aided motion analysis. Traditional methods of motion analysis were extremely labour intensive and were largely restricted to university-based research projects. Recent technological developments have meant that sophisticated systems, capable of quickly recording and processing the data of all players' physical contributions throughout an entire match, are now being used in elite club environments. In recognition of the important role that motion analysis now plays as a tool for measuring the physical performance of soccer players, this review critically appraises various motion analysis methods currently employed in elite soccer and explores research conducted using these methods. This review therefore aims to increase the awareness of both practitioners and researchers of the various motion analysis systems available, and identify practical implications of the established body of knowledge, while highlighting areas that require further exploration.

Evaluation of a digitally integrated accelerometer-based activity monitor for the measurement of activity in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between data generated by an accelerometer-based activity monitor and the distance moved in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. ANIMALS: Three, four-year-old, male, purpose-bred research cats, weighing between 5.1 and 5.9 kg. METHODS: Part I: Collar and harness mounted accelerometers were evaluated in three cats, comparing simultaneously collected accelerometer data with movement data from computer-analyzed video. Part II: Cats wore collar and harness mounted accelerometers, and data were recorded for 4 weeks to evaluate day-to-day and week-to-week variation in activity. RESULTS: Part I: 432 hours of simultaneous video and accelerometer data were collected. The correlation between accelerometer counts and distance moved was 0.82 overall. Agreement between collar and harness mounted accelerometers was excellent with only 6% of the differences in measurements lying outside the mean difference +/- 2 standard deviations. The adjusted R(2) for harness accelerometer output and 6% mobility was 0.75; for movement 0.84; and for mean velocity 0.83. Evaluation of video indicated eating, grooming and scratching created high accelerometer counts with little effect on movement. Part II: There was a significant effect of day on harness (p < 0.001) and collar (p < 0.002) counts, with counts being lowest at the weekend. There was a significant effect of week on harness-mounted accelerometer counts (p < 0.034), but not on collar-mounted accelerometer counts. Harness accelerometer counts were lowest in week 1. CONCLUSION: Output from an acceleration-based digitally integrated accelerometer correlated well with distance moved and mobility in freely moving cats provided the mobility threshold in the analysis software was > or = 6%. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acceleration-based activity monitors may allow for objective measurement of improved mobility following analgesic treatment for conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Use of stabilometric platform and evaluation of methods for further measurements--a pilot study.

Posture in a still stance has been quantified by changes in the center of pressure (COP), in both anterior-posterior (A/P) and medial-lateral (M/L) directions and measured on a single force platform (Bertec PRO VEC 5.0). The purpose of this study was to estimate the variance in error and the intrasession test-retest reliability, and to determine which measures shall be taken for further measurements, especially with adults age 65 and older. We used two types of approximation for the reliability coefficient. Firstly, we used the equation according to Blahus (2) and secondly we used the Pearson's correlation coefficient for test-retest measurements. The findings allow us to say, among other things, that the tests of quiet standing Double Narrow Stance Eyes Open (DNSEO) and Double Narrow Stance Eyes Closed (DNSEC) are parallel, in the sense of parallel testing.

Physical activity assessment with accelerometers: an evaluation against doubly labeled water.

This review focuses on the ability of different accelerometers to assess daily physical activity as compared with the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique, which is considered the gold standard for measuring energy expenditure under free-living conditions. The PubMed Central database (U.S. NIH free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature) was searched using the following key words: doubly or double labeled or labeled water in combination with accelerometer, accelerometry, motion sensor, or activity monitor. In total, 41 articles were identified, and screening the articles' references resulted in one extra article. Of these, 28 contained sufficient and new data. Eight different accelerometers were identified: 3 uniaxial (the Lifecorder, the Caltrac, and the CSA/MTI/Actigraph), one biaxial (the Actiwatch AW16), 2 triaxial (the Tritrac-R3D and the Tracmor), one device based on two position sensors and two motion sensors (ActiReg), and the foot-ground contact pedometer. Many studies showed poor results. Only a few mentioned partial correlations for accelerometer counts or the increase in R(2) caused by the accelerometer. The correlation between the two methods was often driven by subject characteristics such as body weight. In addition, standard errors or limits of agreement were often large or not presented. The CSA/MTI/Actigraph and the Tracmor were the two most extensively validated accelerometers. The best results were found for the Tracmor; however, this accelerometer is not yet commercially available. Of those commercially available, only the CSA/MTI/Actigraph has been proven to correlate reasonably with DLW-derived energy expenditure.