Effects of replacing magnesium oxide with calcium-magnesium carbonate with or without sodium bicarbonate on ruminal fermentation and nutrient flow in vitro.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing magnesium oxide (MgO) with calcium-magnesium carbonate [CaMg(CO3)2] on ruminal fermentation with or without the addition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Eight fermentors of a dual-flow continuous-culture system were distributed in a replicated (2) 4 × 4 Latin square design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (magnesium sources × NaHCO3). The treatments tested were 0.21% MgO [MgO; dry matter (DM) basis; 144.8 mEq of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD)]; 0.21% MgO + 0.50% NaHCO3 (MgO+NaHCO3; DM basis; 205.6 mEq of DCAD); 1.00% CaMg(CO3)2 [CaMg(CO3)2; DM basis; 144.8 mEq of DCAD]; and 1.00% CaMg(CO3)2 + 0.50% NaHCO3 [CaMg(CO3)2+NaHCO3; DM basis; 205.6 mEq of DCAD]. Diets were formulated to have a total of 0.28% of Mg (DM basis). The experiment consisted of 40 d, which was divided into 4 periods of 10 d each, where 7 d were used for adaptation and 3 d for sampling to determine pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia (NH3-N), lactate, mineral solubility, N metabolism, and nutrient digestibility. The effects of Mg source [MgO vs. CaMg(CO3)2], NaHCO3 (with vs. without), and the interaction were tested with the MIXED procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute). There was no Mg source × NaHCO3 interaction in the pH variables and mineral solubility, and Mg sources evaluated did not affect the variables related to ruminal pH and solubility of Mg. On the other hand, the inclusion of NaHCO3 increased the pH daily average, independent of Mg source, which led to a reduced time that pH was below 5.8 and decreased area under the curve. Total VFA and lactate concentration were similar among treatments regardless of NaHCO3 and Mg source; however, the molar proportion of isobutyrate and NH3-N concentration were lower in diets with CaMg(CO3)2 compared with MgO. Moreover, NaHCO3 inclusion increased NH3-N, total daily NH3-N flow, isobutyrate concentration, and acid detergent fiber digestibility. Our results showed that CaMg(CO3)2 leads to a lower NH3-N concentration and isobutyrate proportion. Therefore, because most of the tested variables were not significantly different between MgO and CaMg(CO3)2 when combined or not with NaHCO3, CaMg(CO3)2 can be a viable alternative source to replace MgO in dairy cow diets without affecting mineral solubility, ruminal pH, nutrient digestibility, total VFA, and the main ruminal VFA. Although Mg sources are known to have an alkalizing effect, NaHCO3 inclusion in diets with Mg supplementation allowed an increase in ruminal pH, as well as an increase in isobutyrate and NH3-N flow.

Effects of partially replacing dietary corn with molasses, condensed whey permeate, or treated condensed whey permeate on ruminal microbial fermentation.

Corn is a feedstuff commonly fed to dairy cows as a source of energy. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether partially replacing dietary corn with molasses or condensed whey permeate, in lactating dairy cow diets in a dual-flow continuous culture system, can maintain nutrient digestibility by ruminal microorganisms. Furthermore, this study evaluated whether treating condensed whey permeate before feeding could aid the fermentation of the condensed whey permeate in the rumen. Eight fermentors were used in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square with 4 periods of 10 d each. The control diet (CON) was formulated with corn grain, and the other diets were formulated by replacing corn grain with either sugarcane molasses (MOL), condensed whey permeate (CWP), or treated condensed whey permeate (TCWP). Diets were formulated by replacing 4% of the diet dry matter (DM) in the form of starch from corn with sugars from the byproducts. Sugars were defined as water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in the rations. The fermentors were fed 52 g of DM twice daily of diets containing 17% crude protein, 28% neutral detergent fiber, and 45% nonfiber carbohydrates. Liquid treatments were pipetted into each fermentor. After 7 d of adaptation, samples were collected for analyses of volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactate, and ammonia, and fermentors' pH were measured at time points after the morning feeding for 3 d. Pooled samples from effluent containers were collected for similar analyses, nutrient flow, and N metabolism. Data were statistically analyzed using Proc MIXED of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.); fixed effects included treatment and time, and random effects included fermentor, period, and square. The interaction of treatment and time was included for the kinetics samples. The TCWP and MOL treatments maintained greater fermentor pH compared with CWP. Total VFA concentration was increased in CWP compared with MOL. The acetate:propionate ratio was increased in TCWP compared with CON, due to tendencies of increased acetate molar proportion and decreased propionate molar proportion in TCWP. Lactate concentration was increased in MOL. Digestibility of WSC was increased in the diets that replaced corn with byproducts. The partial replacement of 4% of DM from corn starch with the sugars in byproducts had minimal effects on ruminal microbial fermentation and increased pH. Treated CWP had similar effects to molasses.

Effectiveness of exergames for improving mobility and balance in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Exergaming is a fun, engaging, and interactive form of exercising that may help overcome some of the traditional exercise barriers and help improve adherence on the part of older adults, providing therapeutic applications for balance recovery and functional mobility. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the effects of exergames on mobility and balance in older adults. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. The following databases were searched from inception to August 2019: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL, and INSPEC. We selected randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of exergames on balance or mobility of older adults without neurological conditions, in comparison to no intervention or health education. Two review authors independently screened the trials' titles and abstracts and identified trials for inclusion according to the eligibility criteria. An almost perfect agreement between the authors was observed with respect to interrater reliability of trial selection (kappa = 0.84; P < 0.001). We performed descriptive analysis of the quantitative data to summarize the evidence. Meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan. A random effects model was used to compute the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: After screening 822 records, 12 trials comparing exergames with no intervention were included. A total of 1520 older adults participated in the studies, with a mean age of 76 ± 6 years for the experimental group and 76 ± 5 years for the control group. Quantitative synthesis showed significant improvements in balance and mobility based on the center of pressure sway (SMD = - 0.89; 95%CI = - 1.26 to - 0.51; P = 0.0001; I2 = 58%), Berg Balance Scale (MD = 2.15; 95%CI = 1.77 to 2.56; P = 0.0001; I2 = 96%), and on Timed Up and Go test (MD = - 2.48; 95%CI = - 3.83 to - 1.12; P = 0.0003; I2 = 0). CONCLUSIONS: Exergames improved balance and mobility in older adults without neurological disorders and motivate patients to keep performing balance exercises. High quality studies with standardized assessment protocols are necessary to improve the strength of the evidence.

Increasing Protein Intake to Help Older Adults Increase Muscle Strength and Function: A Pilot, Single-Arm Investigation Using Coaching and a Per-Meal Protein Prescription.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of nutrition education, diet coaching, and a protein prescription (PP) on protein intake, and associations with muscle strength and function. Design: Prospective pretest posttest single-arm study. Setting: Urban area, East coast of South Florida. Participants: 20 white, non-Hispanic adults, aged 73.3 + 10.4 years. Intervention: 10-week telephone-based diet coaching, nutrition education and a per-meal PP. Measurements: Protein and energy intakes, weight, grip strength (GS), and 5-chair-rise (5CR), timed up and go (TUG), 3-meter walk (3mW) tests at baseline and 10 weeks. Results: Pre to 10-week post values significantly improved (p<0.05) for protein intake/kg body weight (0.8 + 0.3 to 1.2 + 0.3g), protein intake/meal (17.2 ± 4.8g to 26.4 ± 6.g), protein intake/100 kcal (3.74 + 1.16 to 5.97 + 0.98g), GS (22.4 to 23.4kg), and times for TUG (10 to 8sec), 3mW (4 to 3sec), and 5CR (13 to 11sec). Conclusions: Given the positive findings of this unique pilot investigation, additional studies, which include a larger more diverse group of participants and provide for control group(s), are needed to better investigate the effectiveness of this approach and its effects on muscle strength and function.

Motivational Strategies to Prevent Frailty in Older Adults with Diabetes: A Focused Review.

The prevalence of diabetes among Americans aged 65 years and older is greater than 25%. Medical expenditures for persons with diabetes are more than twice as high as those for patients without diabetes. Diabetes in older adults often times coexists with frailty, resulting in reduced quality of life and increased health-care use. Many older adults with type 2 diabetes have mobility impairments and experience falls, which contributes to increased frailty. Exercise has a protective effect for frailty and falls, yet less than half of persons with diabetes exercise and approximately one-quarter meet exercise recommendations. In addition to exercise, nutrition may help reduce the risk for falls; however, nutritional interventions have not been tested as a fall-prevention intervention. According to a review, there is insufficient evidence to create nutritional guidelines specific for frail older adults with type 2 diabetes. There is a need to motivate and empower older adults with type 2 diabetes to make lifestyle changes to prevent frailty. The purpose of this review was to identify and integrate what is known and what still needs to be done for this population to be successful in making health behavior changes to reduce frailty. There is some evidence that motivational approaches have worked for older adults with various chronic disease conditions. However, studies applying motivational strategies are lacking for frail older adults with type 2 diabetes. A novel motivational approach was described; it combines aspects of the Health Belief Model and Motivational Interviewing. Intervention studies incorporating this model are needed to determine whether this client-driven strategy can help various racial/ethnic populations make the sustainable health behavior changes of increasing exercise and healthy eating while taking into consideration physiological, psychological, and economic barriers.

Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and cognitive functions in school-aged children.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infects one-third of the world population, but its association with cognitive functions in school-aged children is unclear. We examined the relationship between Toxoplasma seropositivity and neuropsychological tests scores (including math, reading, visuospatial reasoning and verbal memory) in 1755 school-aged children 12-16 years old who participated to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, using multiple linear regressions adjusted for covariates. Toxoplasma seroprevalence was 7·7% and seropositivity to the parasite was associated with lower reading skills (regression coefficient [ß] = -5·86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -11·11, -0·61, P = 0·029) and memory capacities (ß = -0·86, 95% CI: -1·58, -0·15, P = 0·017). The interaction between T. gondii seropositivity and vitamin E significantly correlated with memory scores. In subgroup analysis, Toxoplasma-associated memory impairment was worse in children with lower serum vitamin E concentrations (ß = -1·61, 95% CI: -2·44, -0·77, P < 0·001) than in those with higher values (ß = -0·12, 95% CI: -1·23, 0·99, P = 0·83). In conclusion, Toxoplasma seropositivity may be associated with reading and memory impairments in school-aged children. Serum vitamin E seems to modify the relationship between the parasitic infection and memory deficiency.

Caracterização da equideocultura no estado de Minas Gerais / Characterization of equidae breeding in Minas Gerais state

Recently, horse breeding has achieved greater prominence in the Brazilian society and now it started to appear as a part of the Brazilian agribusiness. The state of Minas Gerais stands out as the main producer of equidae in Brazil. The aim of this work was to characterize the breeding of equidae in this State in order to support future researches in this sector. By the evaluation of records from 1990 to 2009 provided by the "Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics" (IBGE) and also 967 interviews with breeders of equidae, it was possible to characterize some important points. It was observed that equidae breeding in this State moves over R$1,500,000,000 per year and employs 86,000 people. The main investments of the properties are made in purchasing saddles, accessories and commercial feeds. The main goal of equidae breeders in Minas Gerais has been the work in rural properties (49.49%) complementing many farming activities, especially the work with cows. Although Minas Gerais holds the main herd of equidae in the country, the number of animals has decreased. On the one hand, the equidae breeding sector has demonstrated its social and economic importance in agribusiness; on the other, hand further researches are needed to develop public policies to improve the breeding of equidae in Minas Gerais.

Macrolides for the long-term management of asthma--a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Macrolide antibiotics, which have anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory effects, have been studied as adjuncts for the management of asthma. However, results have been contradictory and trials underpowered. We therefore sought to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). METHODS: All RCT of prolonged macrolides (3+ weeks) for asthma treatment, published up to January 2013 in MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, Highwire, and The Cochrane Collaboration Library, were included. Fixed- or random-effects models were used to calculate pooled weighted or standard mean differences (WMD or SMD, respectively). RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included for analysis. The pooled effect of macrolides on FEV1 (eight trials, 381 subjects) was not significant (SMD 0.05, 95% CI -0.14-0.25), but there was a significant increase in peak expiratory flow (four trials, 419 subjects; WMD 6.7, 95% CI 1.35-12.06). Pooled analysis also showed significant improvements in symptom scores (eight studies, 478 subjects; WMD -0.46, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.32), quality of life (five trials, 346 subjects; WMD 0.18, 95% CI 0.001-0.37), and airway hyper-reactivity (two trials, 131 subjects; SMD 1.99, 95% CI 0.46-3.52). Post hoc evaluation showed limited statistical power to detect significant differences in FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: Macrolide administration for asthma for three or more weeks was not associated with improvement in FEV1, but produced significant improvements in peak expiratory flow, symptoms, quality of life, and airway hyper-reactivity. Macrolides may therefore be beneficial as adjunct asthma therapy. Future trials, focusing on long-term safety and effectiveness, should use standardized outcomes and procedures.

Work disability benefits due to musculoskeletal disorders among Brazilian private sector workers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of disability benefits due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) granted to Brazilian private sector workers. METHODS: This was a population-based epidemiological study of MSD-related benefits among registered private sector workers (n=32 959 329). The prevalence (benefits/10 000 workers/year) of work disability benefits was calculated by gender, age, state, Human Development Index (HDI), economic activity, MSD type and work-relatedness. RESULTS: The prevalence of MSD-related benefits in Brazil among registered private sector workers in 2008 was 93.6/10 000 workers. The prevalence increased with age, and was higher for women (112.2) than for men (88.1), although the former had shorter benefit duration. The gender-adjusted prevalence by state varied from 16.6 to 90.3 for non-work-related, and from 7.8 to 59.6 for work-related benefits. The Brazilian states with a high-very high HDI had the highest prevalence. The top four most common types of MSD-related benefits were due to back pain, intervertebral disc disorders, sinovitis/tenosynovitis and shoulder disorders. CONCLUSION: MSD is a frequent cause of work disability in Brazil. There were differences in prevalence among economic activities and between states grouped by HDI. This study demonstrates that further evaluation of the contributing factors associated with MSD-related disability benefits is required. Factors that should be considered include production processes, political organisation, socioeconomic and educational characteristics, the compensation and recording systems, and employee-employer power relationships. These factors may play an important role in the prevalence of MSD-related disability benefits, especially in countries with large socioeconomic iniquities such as Brazil.

FANCD2 Western blot as a diagnostic tool for Brazilian patients with Fanconi anemia.

Fanconi anemia is a rare hereditary disease showing genetic heterogeneity due to a variety of mutations in genes involved in DNA repair pathways, which may lead to different clinical manifestations. Phenotypic variability makes diagnosis difficult based only on clinical manifestations, therefore laboratory tests are necessary. New advances in molecular pathogenesis of this disease led researchers to develop a diagnostic test based on Western blot for FANCD2. The objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of this method for the diagnosis of 84 Brazilian patients with Fanconi anemia, all of whom tested positive for the diepoxybutane test, and 98 healthy controls. The FANCD2 monoubiquitinated isoform (FANCDS+/FANCD2L-) was not detected in 77 patients (91.7%). In 2 patients (2.4%), there was an absence of both the monoubiquitinated and the non-ubiquitinated proteins (FANCD2S-/FANCD2L-) and 5 patients (5.9%) had both isoforms (FANCD2S+/FANCD2L+). This last phenotype suggests downstream subtypes or mosaicism. All controls were diepoxybutane negative and were also negative on the FANCD2 Western blot. The Western blot for FANCD2 presented a sensitivity of 94% (79/84) and specificity of 100% (98/98). This method was confirmed as an efficient approach to screen Brazilian patients with deleterious mutations on FANCD2 (FANCD2S-/FANCD2L-) or other upstream genes of the FA/BRCA pathway (FANCDS+/FANCD2L-), to confirm the chromosome breakage test and to classify patients according to the level of FA/BRCA pathway defects. However, patients showing both FANCD2 isoforms (FANCD2S+/FANCD2L+) require additional studies to confirm mutations on downstream Fanconi anemia genes or the presence of mosaicism.

FANCD2 Western blot as a diagnostic tool for Brazilian patients with Fanconi anemia

Fanconi anemia is a rare hereditary disease showing genetic heterogeneity due to a variety of mutations in genes involved in DNA repair pathways, which may lead to different clinical manifestations. Phenotypic variability makes diagnosis difficult based only on clinical manifestations, therefore laboratory tests are necessary. New advances in molecular pathogenesis of this disease led researchers to develop a diagnostic test based on Western blot for FANCD2. The objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of this method for the diagnosis of 84 Brazilian patients with Fanconi anemia, all of whom tested positive for the diepoxybutane test, and 98 healthy controls. The FANCD2 monoubiquitinated isoform (FANCDS+/FANCD2L-) was not detected in 77 patients (91.7 percent). In 2 patients (2.4 percent), there was an absence of both the monoubiquitinated and the non-ubiquitinated proteins (FANCD2S-/FANCD2L-) and 5 patients (5.9 percent) had both isoforms (FANCD2S+/FANCD2L+). This last phenotype suggests downstream subtypes or mosaicism. All controls were diepoxybutane negative and were also negative on the FANCD2 Western blot. The Western blot for FANCD2 presented a sensitivity of 94 percent (79/84) and specificity of 100 percent (98/98). This method was confirmed as an efficient approach to screen Brazilian patients with deleterious mutations on FANCD2 (FANCD2S-/FANCD2L-) or other upstream genes of the FA/BRCA pathway (FANCDS+/FANCD2L-), to confirm the chromosome breakage test and to classify patients according to the level of FA/BRCA pathway defects. However, patients showing both FANCD2 isoforms (FANCD2S+/FANCD2L+) require additional studies to confirm mutations on downstream Fanconi anemia genes or the presence of mosaicism.

Importance and clarification of measurement properties in rehabilitation

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente artigo foi revisar criticamente os conceitos e tipos de confiabilidade, validade e responsividade de medidas, e discutir suas implicações para a pesquisa em reabilitação e para a prática clínica de qualidade.MÉTODO: Uma revisão crítica da literatura foi realizada considerando as vantagens, as limitações e o uso adequado das propriedades de medida em reabilitação.RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: A qualidade das medidas é avaliada por critérios tais como confiabilidade, validade e responsividade. Muitos estudos publicados não apresentam estas propriedades de medida as quais estão relacionadas e algumas vezes sobrepõe-se sendo freqüentemente confundidas. Este artigo de revisão esclareceu os conceitos e tipos de confiabilidade, validade e responsividade. Exemplos relevantes para a área de reabilitação foram apresentados. Discutiu-se como as propriedades de medida interagem entre si e influenciam o tamanho do efeito e o poder dos estudos. CONCLUSÕES: Medidas são essenciais na pesquisa em reabilitação e na avaliação clínica. As propriedades de medida devem ser apresentadas para permitir que o leitor possa avaliar a qualidade dos resultados apresentados. Os esclarecimentos das propriedades de medida apresentados neste artigo podem contribuir para a padronização das definições e para a melhoria da qualidade da pesquisa em reabilitação e da prática clínica.

Comparacao entre deslocamento angular e linear da coluna lombar durante o movimento de flexao anterior / Comparison between angular and linear displacement of the lumbar spine during anterior flexion

Varios fatores individuais e ocupacionais podem atuarfacilitando a ocorrencia e/ou o agravamento das lombalgias relacionadas ao trabalho, dentre os quais: manuseio de cargas, repeticao e flexao anterior do tronco. Portanto, a quantificacao dos movimentos do tronco e importante para avaliar os riscos epropor intervencos de controle. Diferentes metodos de registro de movimentos, desde os mais sofisticados e precisos ate os mais simles e acessiveis, tem sido utilizados nessa tarefa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, comparativamente, um novo metodo simples de medida linear da flexao lombar, o distanciometro, utilizando como referencia um equipamento preciso, o eletrogoniometro. Participaram do estudo 12 sujeitos saudaveis, do sexo masculino, com idade entre 18 e 25 anos, altura de 1,65 a 1,80m, peso de 60 a 80 kg e indeice de massa corporal de 20 a 26 Kg/m2. Os angulos preestabelecidos e utilizados como referencia para a comparaco pela correlacao de Pearso(r), e as faixas de amplitude, pelo teste de Friedman. Os valores da correlacao entre os angulos foram elevados (r=0,960, indicando alta confiabilidade paralela do distanciometro em relacao ao eletrogoniometro, enquanto os resultados do teste de Friedaman indicaram ausencia de diferencas significativas ao longo das faixas dea mplitude avaliadas (p=0,342), sugerindo consistencia das medidas ao longo de toda a faixa de amplitude. Finalmente, apesar de o distanciometro encontrar-se ainda em fase de prototipo e necessitando de estudos futuros para aprimoramento, o mesmo indicou potencialidade para medicao da flexao lombar no que tange a seus custos e a confiabilidade paralela

Comparacao entre o duplo fleximetro e o eletrogoniometro durante o movimento de flexao anterior da coluna lombar / Comparison between the double fleximeter and the electrogoniometer during the lumbar anterior flexion

A elevada incidencia de desordens lombares representa altos custos pessoais e sociais par o Estado. O movimento extremo flexao lombar e fundamental para o desenvolvimento e agravamento da dor nessa regiao. desta forma, a quantificacao precisa desse movimento e importante para prevencao e tratamento dessas desordens. O proposito deste trabalho foi avaliar a confiabilidade paralela do duplo fleximetro (FLM) da marca FLEXIMETER por intermedio da utilizacao de um eletrogoniometro (EGM) flexivel, considerado altamente preciso, durante as medidas do movimento de flexao anterior da coluna lombar. Foram estudados doze sujeitos saudaveis (sexo masculino, idade media de 21,2 anos, altura media de 1,73m, massa corporal media de 72,3kg, IMC entre 20 e 30 kg/m2). Apos triados por uma avaliacao postural, os sujeitos foram familiarizados com a situacao de teste e preparados para a coleta. Tres posicoes preestabelecidas ao longo do movimento de flexao anterior da coluna lombar (15o., 30o., e 45o.) foram registrados pelo EGM e utilizadas como parametro para as medidas etuadas simultanamente com o duplo fleximetro. Os resultados do teste t emparelhado para as medias dos valores angulares do FLM mostraram os p-valores 0,0052 e 0,17, respectivamente, para as posicoes 15o., 30o. e 45o. registradas pelo EGM. Apenas para o angulo de 45o. (p>0,05) as medidas registradas pelos dois aparelhos foram equivalentes e , portanto, confiaveis. Apesar de a confiabiliade do FLM tender a aumentar com o aumento da amplitude de movimento, de maneira geral, o FLM da marca FLEXIMETER nao pode ser considerado confiavel para a amostra estudada

Analise da confiabilidade de tecnicas fotometricas para medir a flexao anterior do tronco / Reliability of photometric techniques to measure anterior trunk flexion

Lombalgias sao frequentes na populacao em geral e no contexto do trabalho em particular. Os fatores biomecanicos, o risco e maior a medida que a flexao anterior do tronco aumenta. Uma nova tecnica de quantificacao angular da flexao anterior do tronco foi utilizada neste estudo - marcadores perpendiculares - para o calculo do angulo entre linhas tracadas sobre marcadores perpendiculares para a coluna toraco-lombar e analisar a confiabilidade intra e interobservadores para tres metodos de registro ngular, sendo eles a tecnica Chaffin Modificada (CM), Whistance (W) e marcadores perpendiculares (MP). Os resultados indicaram boa confiabilidade intra-observador para tres tecnicas (ICC entre 0,94 e 0,95). Ja paraa confiabilidade interobservadores, a tecnica de CM nao apresentou confiabilidade (ICC=0,54), enquanto as demais tecnicas apresentaram boa confiabilidade. Os valores angulares obtidos pela tecnica de CM (116,65+_ 11,09) foram estatisticamente diferentes daqueles obtidos pelas tecnicas W e MP, 72,31+-6,89 e 67,89+-14,32, respectivamente. A tecnica CM parece se aproximar dos valores estabelecidos para a flexao anterior do tronco (110 a 140), porem, superestima a flexao da coluna vertebral por incluir movimentos do quadril. As tecnicas W e MP mostraram maior ompatibilidade com valores encontrados para a flexao da coluna vertebral descritos na literatura cinesiologica, sem a participacao do quadril que ocorre no final do movimento