Avaliação motora de crianças através do TGMD-3 / Motor assessment of children through TGMD-3

O presente trabalho trata-se de um estudo realizado com 17 crianças com faixa etária entre 4 e 5 anos, todas matriculadas no Centro de Educação Infantil ­ campus da Universidade Estadual de Londrina (CEI-UEL), tendo como objetivo avaliar o desempenho motor dessas crianças através do TGMD-3, antes e após uma intervenção motora, realizada no CEI-UEL. A intervenção foi composta de 29 sessões de 60 minutos em que eram trabalhadas diferentes habilidades motoras, após a qual foi aplicado novamente o TGMD-3 para avaliar se a intervenção havia influenciado positivamente o desempenho das crianças da amostra. Nossos resultados mostraram que para a variável somatória das habilidades de locomoção e habilidades com bola foi apresentado um aumento na comparação do pré-teste para o pós-teste, porém somente nas habilidades de locomoção foi encontrada significância na melhora. Quanto ao percentil, nas habilidades com bola foi encontrado um desempenho inferior no pós-teste, mas sem que houvesse diferença significativa entre os resultados; já para as habilidades de locomoção foi encontrada uma melhora no pós-teste do percentil, mas sem diferença significativa em comparação ao pré-teste. Com relação ao escore não foi encontrada diferença significativa para as habilidades, porém nas habilidades de locomoção houve desempenho superior no pós-teste e nas habilidades com bola houve desempenho inferior. Como conclusão, podemos inferir que a intervenção motora foi positiva para a melhora do desempenho das crianças, mas não para todas as variáveis analisadas, demonstrando que a intervenção motora pode ser uma ferramenta benéfica para o desempenho motor de crianças.

The present work is a study carried out with 17 children aged between 4 and 5 years old, all enrolled at the Child Education Center - campus of Universidade Estadual de Londrina (CEI-UEL), with objective of evaluating children motor performance through the TGMD-3, before and after a motor intervention, performed at CEI-UEL. The intervention consisted of 29 60-minute sessions with different motor skills, and after the 29 sessions, TGMD-3 was applied again to assess whether the intervention had positively influenced the performance of the children in the sample. Our results showed that for the sum of the walking and ball skills showed an increase in the comparison of the pre-test to the post-test, but only in the walking skills the difference was significant. As for the percentile, in the skills with the ball a lower performance was found in the post-test, but without any significant difference between the results; for the locomotion skills, an improvement was found in the post-test according to the percentile, not showing a significant difference compared to pretest. Regarding the score, no significant difference was found for the skills, but in the locomotion skills there was a superior performance in the post-test and in the skills with ball there was a lower performance. As a conclusion, we can deduce that motor intervention was positive for improving children motor performance, but not for all variables, showing that the motor intervention could be a beneficial tool to children motor performance.

Are the Predictions of the Dynamic Dominance Model of Laterality Applicable to Children?

According to the dynamic dominance model, the left cerebral hemisphere is specialized for the control of intersegmental dynamics and the right hemisphere for impedance control. Our aim was to test predictions from the dynamic dominance model in children by comparing performance between the right (preferred) and left hands in aiming. Three groups were compared: 4-7, 8-11, and 18-38 years old. Results showed higher movement linearity in the performance with the right hand in all age groups (P < .01), while initial directional error and endpoint accuracy were equivalent between hands. These results provided partial support for the dynamic dominance model.

Are the predictions of the dynamic dominance model of laterality applicable to the lower limbs?

Investigation of manual actions has supported the proposition that the right and left cerebral hemispheres have complementary specializations relevant for movement control. To test the extent to which hemisphere specialization affect lower limb control, we compared performance between the legs in two motor tasks. A pedal aiming task was employed to test the notion of left hemisphere specialization for dynamic control, and unipedal balance was employed to test the notion of right hemisphere specialization for impedance control. Evaluation was conducted on young adults, in the contexts of separate (Experiment 1) and integrated (Experiment 2) performance of the probing tasks. Results from the aiming task showed equivalent movement linearity toward the target between the right and left feet across experiments. Analysis of unipedal balance revealed that increased stance stability when supported on the left leg was observed when performing simultaneously the aiming task with the contralateral foot, but not in the context of isolated task performance. These results are inconsistent with the proposition of left hemisphere specialization for dynamic control in the lower limbs, and suggest that specialization of the right hemisphere for impedance control can be observed in balance control when stance is associated with voluntary movements of the contralateral lower limb.

Controlling Degrees of Freedom in Learning a Taekwondo Kick.

To test Bernstein's degrees of freedom (DF) hypothesis, the authors analyzed the effect of practice on the DF control and interjoint coordination of a Taekwondo kick. Thirteen inexperienced and 11 expert Taekwondo practitioners were evaluated. Contrary to Bernstein's hypothesis, the inexperienced group froze the DF at the end of learning, reducing the joint range of motion of the knee. Moderate and strong cross-correlations between joints did not change, demonstrating that the interjoint coordination was maintained. The inexperienced group's movement pattern was similar to that of the group of experts, from the beginning of the learning process. Thus, even after years of practice, experts continue to explore the strategy of freezing DF. The DF freeing/freezing sequence strategy was explored during the learning process, suggesting that DF-freezing/freeing strategies are task dependent.

Freezing Degrees of Freedom During Motor Learning: A Systematic Review.

According to Bernstein, the central nervous system solution to the human body's enormous variation in movement choice and control when directing movement-the problem of degrees of freedom (DF)-is to freeze the number of possibilities at the beginning of motor learning. However, different strategies of freezing DF are observed in literature, and the means of selection of the control strategy during learning is not totally clear. This review investigated the possible effects of the class and objectives of the skill practiced on DF control strategies. The results of this review suggest that freezing or releasing the DF at the beginning of learning does not depend on the class (e.g., discrete skill class: football kick, dart throwing; continuous skill class: athletic march, handwriting) or objective of the skill (e.g., balance, velocity, and accuracy), in isolation. However, an interaction between these two skill elements seems to exist and influences the selection of the DF control strategy.

Dose-response effects of years of self-reported physical activity on old females' motor and cognitive function.

BACKGROUND: There is a poor understanding of the dose-response relationship between years of physical activity and motor and cognitive function. We determined the dose-response effects of physical activity duration in years on motor and cognitive function and their relationship in healthy old females. OBJECTIVES: To determine the dose-effects of physical activity duration in years on motor and cognitive function and their relationship in health aging adults. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study with 201 old (age 69 years; SD=5.9) and 12 young (mean age 21 years; SD=1.9) females, with sub-groups based on number of years of self-reported physical activity. Aerobic capacity, mobility, functional reach, standing balance, global cognition, episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed were assessed with performance-based tests. We analyzed sub-group differences quantitatively and qualitatively and performed regression and mediation analyses to determine predictors and mediators of physical activity effects. RESULTS: Based on physical activity of minimal (0.3 y, n=29), short (2.4 y, n=77), moderate (6.2 y, n=36) and long (16.6 y, n=59) duration, physical activity for at least 2.4 years affords old adults benefits in body mass index with peak dose-effects present in aerobic capacity and mobility at 6.2 years without additional benefits after 16.6 years of physical activity. Physical activity for any duration had no effects on functional reach, balance, executive function, episodic memory, and processing speed. Although weakly mobility predicted global cognition and executive function. CONCLUSION: Performing physical activity up to 6.2 years on average had favorable effects on body mass index, aerobic capacity and mobility. The data strengthen current recommendations for an active lifestyle in adulthood to prevent aging-related motor and cognitive decline.

Selective Maintenance of Motor Performance in Older Adults From Long-Lasting Sport Practice.

PURPOSE: Decline of motor performance in older individuals affects their quality of life. Understanding the contribution of sport-related training in advanced ages might help to attenuate motor performance decay as one gets older. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the extent to which long-lasting training in running or sport-specific skills during old age preserves motor performance in different motor tasks. METHOD: Older runners and tennis players with at least 10 years of training were assessed as were age-matched and young exercisers. Performance was evaluated for 6 motor tasks requiring different functions of sensorimotor control expected to decline with aging. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that runners had increased aerobic fitness in comparison with the other older participants and that they presented similar performance to older exercisers in the motor tasks. Tennis players outperformed the other groups of older participants on coincident timing and simple reaction time and achieved similar performance to the young group on the timing task. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest selective maintenance of task-specific processing through extensive practice of tennis-related motor skills in older adults.

Análise do equilíbrio dinâmico em praticantes de balé clássico, de dança de salão e de não praticantes de dança / Analysis of dynamic balance in practitioners of classical ballet, of ballroom and non-practitioners of dance

O presente estudo analisou o equilíbrio dinâmico de praticantes de balé clássico, de dança de salão e de não praticantes de dança. Participaram do estudo 48 indivíduos entre 16 e 30 anos, divididos em 3 grupos: Balé (GB), Dança de Salão (GS) e Controle (GC). Os participantes realizaram a tarefa de manter-se em equilíbrio sobre uma plataforma instável, em 3 tentativas, durante 10 segundos, em cada uma das bases de apoio: pés paralelos (PP), semi-tandem (ST), unipodal com o pé direito (UD) e unipodal com o pé esquerdo (UE). Houve melhor desempenho no equilíbrio dinâmico para GS, em comparação ao GB e ao GC. Ademais, o GS e GC demonstraram piores desempenhos em bases de apoio mais restritas, enquanto, o GB não demonstrou efeito da redução na base de apoio. Tais resultados foram explicados pelas características específicas das práticas fornecidas pelas modalidades de dança de salão e balé.

The present study analyzed the dynamic balance of practitioners of classical ballet, of ballroom dancing and non-practitioners of dance. The study included 48 subjects, age between 16 and 30 years old, divided into three groups: Ballet (GB), Ballroom Dancing (GS) and Control (GC). The subjects performed a task which consisted to remain in balance on an unstable platform in three attempts for 10 seconds in each of the following conditions: feet parallel (PP), semi-tandem (ST), unipedal on the right foot (UD) and unipedal on the left foot (UE). Data demonstrated better dynamic equilibrium for GS, compared to GB and GC. Moreover, GS and GC showed worse balancing in constrained bases of supports. While the GB showed no effect on balance with the decrease on support base. These results were explained by the specific characteristics of the practices provided by the modalities of dance and ballet.

Comparação do estado mental de idosos com diferentes níveis educacionais inseridos em práticas de atividades físicas / Mental state comparison oe elderly people of differrent educational levels engaged in different types of physical activities

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a relação entre diferentes práticas de atividade física e o desempenho cognitivo de idosos. Participaram do mesmo 54 indivíduos idosos sadios, com 70,7 (± 6,6) anos, subdivididos em 3 grupos: 18 idosos praticantes de caratê (GCT), 18 idosos praticantes de caminhadas sem supervisão de profissional (GCA) e 18 não praticantes de atividades físicas regulares (GNP). Foi aplicado o questionário Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), associando-o com o período de tempo educacional e o envolvimento na prática de exercícios físicos. Os resultados mostraram que nas variáveis do MEEM, os idosos caratecas apresentaram desempenho significativamente melhor do que os idosos que praticam caminhadas e do que os idosos não treinados. Já no escore total do MEEM, foram encontradas correlações significativas nos grupos GCT e GCA. Dessa forma, conclui-se que idosos tendem a ter melhor estado mental, tanto pela influência dos anos de estudo, como pela prática de exercícios físicos.(AU)

The aim of this study was to compare the relation of different typesof physical activity with cognitive performance of the elderly. Thestudy included 54 healthy elderly individuals, 70,7 (± 6,6) years old,subdivided into 3 groups: 18 elderly practitioners of karate (GCT), 18elderly hikers without professional supervision (GCA) and 18 elderlywho do not engage regularly in exercise (GNP). The Mini Mental StateExamination (MMSE) questionnaire was administered, associating itwith the the period of education and involvement in physical exercise.The results showed that on the variables of the MMSE, the elderlykaratekas performed significantly better than the elderly who practicehiking and the untrained group. At the MMSE total score, significantcorrelations were found in the GCT and GCA groups. Thus,we conclude that the elderly tend to have better mental state, by theinfluence of years of study, as well as by the practice of exercise.(AU)

Comparação do estado mental de idosos com diferentes níveis educacionais inseridos em práticas de atividades físicas / Mental state comparison oe elderly people of differrent educational levels engaged in different types of physical activities

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a relação entre diferentes práticas de atividade física e o desempenho cognitivo de idosos. Participaram do mesmo 54 indivíduos idosos sadios, com 70,7 (± 6,6) anos, subdivididos em 3 grupos: 18 idosos praticantes de caratê (GCT), 18 idosos praticantes de caminhadas sem supervisão de profissional (GCA) e 18 não praticantes de atividades físicas regulares (GNP). Foi aplicado o questionário Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), associando-o com o período de tempo educacional e o envolvimento na prática de exercícios físicos. Os resultados mostraram que nas variáveis do MEEM, os idosos caratecas apresentaram desempenho significativamente melhor do que os idosos que praticam caminhadas e do que os idosos não treinados. Já no escore total do MEEM, foram encontradas correlações significativas nos grupos GCT e GCA. Dessa forma, conclui-se que idosos tendem a ter melhor estado mental, tanto pela influência dos anos de estudo, como pela prática de exercícios físicos.

The aim of this study was to compare the relation of different typesof physical activity with cognitive performance of the elderly. Thestudy included 54 healthy elderly individuals, 70,7 (± 6,6) years old,subdivided into 3 groups: 18 elderly practitioners of karate (GCT), 18elderly hikers without professional supervision (GCA) and 18 elderlywho do not engage regularly in exercise (GNP). The Mini Mental StateExamination (MMSE) questionnaire was administered, associating itwith the the period of education and involvement in physical exercise.The results showed that on the variables of the MMSE, the elderlykaratekas performed significantly better than the elderly who practicehiking and the untrained group. At the MMSE total score, significantcorrelations were found in the GCT and GCA groups. Thus,we conclude that the elderly tend to have better mental state, by theinfluence of years of study, as well as by the practice of exercise.

Efeito da direção da transferência interlateral no aprendizado de tarefa de sequência de toques de dedos / Effect of interlateral transfer of learning direction in touching finger sequence task / Efecto de la dirección de la transferencia interlateral de aprendizaje en la tarea de secuencia de tocar los dedos

O presente estudo analisou o efeito da direção da transferência interlateral no aprendizado de tarefa de toques de dedos. Vinte participantes destros (18-30 anos) foram divididos em 2 grupos: prática com a mão direita (GD) e com a mão esquerda (GE). Os grupos foram avaliados em fases de pré-teste, pós-teste e retenção. A tarefa consistiu na realização do maior número de toques alternados entre o polegar e os demais dedos, durante 10 segundos, em sequência pré-estabelecida. O GE apresentou maior número de toques de dedos com a mão esquerda no pós-teste (Z=2,2; P=0,028) comparado ao pré-teste. O GD aumentou o número de toques de dedos do pré-teste para a retenção para a mão direita (Z=2,4; P=0,017) e esquerda (Z=2,6; P=0,009), indicando o aprendizado e a transferência interlateral. A transferência interlateral no sentido da mão direita para esquerda foi explicada pelo princípio da treinabilidade.

The present study analyzed the effect of interlateral transfer direction while learning a touching finger sequence task. Twenty right-handed participants (18-30 years old) were divided into two groups: practice with the right hand (GD) and left hand (GE). Groups were evaluated during pretest, posttest, and retention phases. The task was performing the higher number of finger touches between tomb and the other fingers, during 10 seconds, in a pre-stablished order. The GE showed higher number of finger touchs with the left hand in posttest (Z=2,2; P=0,028) compared to pretest. The GD increased the number of finger touches from pretest to retention for the right hand (Z=2,4; P=0,017) and left hand (Z=2,6; P=0,009), indicating learning and interlateral transfer of learning. The interlateral transfer of learning from the right to the left hand was explained by the principle of trainability.

Este estudio examinó el efecto de la dirección de la transferencia interlateral en la tarea de secuencia de tocar los dedos. Veinte participantes diestros (18-30 años) fueron divididos en dos grupos: la práctica con la mano derecha (GD) y la mano izquierda (GE). Los grupos fueron evaluados en el pre-test, post-test y la retención. La tarea era hacer el mayor número de movimientos alternantes entre el pulgar y otros dedos, por 10 segundos, con una secuencia preestablecida. GE realizado mayor número de toques de dedos con la mano izquierda en el post-test (Z = 2.2, P = 0,028) en comparación con el pre-test. El GD aumentado el número de movimientos del dedo en la retención de la mano derecha (Z = 2.4, P = 0,017) e izquierda (Z = 2.6, P = 0,009), lo que indica el aprendizaje y la transferencia interlateral. La transferencia interlateral hacia la mano derecha a la izquierda se explica por el principio de la treinabilidad.

Equilíbrio postural em idosos praticantes de hidroginástica e karatê / Postural balance in elderly practitioners of hydro-gymnastics and karate

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar o equilíbrio postural de idosos praticantes de karatê e hidroginástica. Os participantes foram 30 idosos ativos e inativos, com média de idade de 74,55 ± 6,5 anos, divididos em: GK (karatê), GH (hidroginástica), GI (inativos). Eles foram submetidos a uma bateria de avaliação de equilíbrio postural, denominado de escala de Berg, compostas por 14 tarefas comuns ao cotidiano, envolvendo o equilíbrio estático e o dinâmico. Para análise dos dados, foi realizada análise descritiva, com base na mediana e intervalo interquartil. Utilizou-se do teste de Kruskal Wallis para verificar diferenças significativas entre grupos e o teste de Mann-Whitney como post hoc. Os resultados indicaram diferenças entre os grupos de praticantes e de inativos com p=0,007. Para as tarefas da escala de Berg, identificaramse diferenças na tarefa de subir e descer escadas entre os grupos GH e GI (P=0,043) e na tarefa manter-se em apoio unipodal (P=0,004), entre os grupos ativos com o grupo de inativo. Os resultados conferem à prática de atividade física papel importante para o equilíbrio de idosos, destacando um desempenho otimizado de idosos praticantes de atividade física, independentemente da modalidade.

This study aimes to compare the postural control of elderly practitioners of karate and hydro-gymnastics. Thirty physically active and inactive elderly men and women participated in this study, with an average age of 74.55 ± 6.5 years, divided in: GK (karate group), GH (hydro-gymnastics), GI (inactive). The elderly were subjected to a battery of assessment of postural control, called the Scale of Berg. A descriptive analysis of data was performed, based on the median and inter-quartile values. To examine the existence of intergroup differences the Kruskal Wallis test was used, when differences were found, the Mann-Whitney test was used as post hoc, p<0,05. Significant differences were observed, by the Kruskal Wallis test, between groups (P= 0,007). For the tasks of the Berg Scale differences were identified in the task of going up and down stairs between the GH and GI groups (P=0,043) and the task to stay in one foot (P=0,004) between the active groups and inactive group. The results of this study give the practice of physical activity an important role for the balance of elderly, highlighting optimal performance in the physically active elderly, regardless of the modality. So the elderly practitioners of physical activity have optimized their performance in postural balance, but it was not possible to identify the best form of physical activity.

Efeitos do sistema âncora sobre o controle postural de idosos / Effects of the anchor system on postural control in older adults

O número de quedas durante o envelhecimento é alto e suas consequências podem ser drásticas. Neste contexto, a manutenção da capacidade de equilíbrio exerce papel fundamental para que o idoso tenha possibilidade de realizar suas atividades cotidianas. Por conseguinte, a utilização de ferramentas de intervenção e de tratamento para o desenvolvimento do equilíbrio torna-se essencial. Neste estudo, foi analisado o sistema âncora como possível ferramenta, em potencial, para diminuir a oscilação corporal em idosos e adultos jovens. Os idosos apresentaram maior oscilação corporal que os adultos jovens. A ausência da informação visual provocou maior instabilidade postural para ambos os grupos. O sistema âncora demonstrou proporcionar maior estabilização no controle da postura. Deste modo, o sistema âncora pode ser uma ferramenta útil para o auxílio na estabilização da postura.

Falls are common during aging, and can have drastic consequences. Within this context, maintaining the ability to balance plays an essential role in enabling older adults to continue to perform their daily activities. Therefore, the use of interventional and treatment tools for development of balance becomes essential. The objective of this study was to analyze the anchor system as a potential tool for decreasing body sway in older and young adults. Older adults had more postural sway than their young counterparts. The absence of visual information led to larger instability in both groups. The anchor system improved postural stability of both groups. Thus, it may be a useful tool for posture stabilization in old and young adults.