Time-of-day effect on hip flexibility associated with the modified sit-and- reach test in males.

Flexibility is a key component of physical fitness. It has been suggested that measures of physical fitness components may vary throughout the day. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of the time of day on flexibility performance. 26 men (mean age=25.4 years, SD=2.5) were evaluated by hip flexion on kinematic analysis and also by an absolute score in the modified Sit-and-Reach test during a repeated measure design. This was done during 3 experimental sessions, which took place at 8:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., in random order. All subjects were previously familiarized with the test parameters. There was a diurnal variation only in the modified Sit-and-Reach test score between 8:00 a.m and 6:00 p.m. (P=0.01). There was no significant difference in the hip kinematic analysis between hours. These findings suggest that flexibility performance in the modified Sit-and-Reach test, in absolute scores, is affected by the time of day, with higher performance in the evening.

Facial exercise therapy for facial palsy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

UNLABELLED: The effectiveness of facial exercises therapy for facial palsy has been debated in systematic reviews but its effects are still not totally explained. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of facial exercise therapy for facial palsy. DATA SOURCES: A search was performed in the following databases: Cochrane Controlled Trials Register Library, Cochrane Disease Group Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, PEDro, Scielo and DARE from 1966 to 2010; the following keywords were used: 'idiopathic facial palsy', 'facial paralysis', 'Bell's palsy', 'physical therapy', 'exercise movement techniques', 'facial exercises', 'mime therapy' 'facial expression', 'massage' and 'randomized controlled trials'. REVIEW METHODS: The inclusion criteria were studies with facial exercises, associated or not with mirror biofeedback, to treat facial palsy. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two studies were found but only six met the inclusion criteria. All the studies were evaluated by two independent reviewers, following the recommendations of Cochrane Collaboration Handbook for assessment of risk of bias (kappa coefficient = 0.8). Only one study presented sufficient data to perform the meta-analysis, and significant improvements in functionality was found for the experimental group (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 13.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.31, 23.49; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Facial exercise therapy is effective for facial palsy for the outcome functionality.