Descriptive electromyography signals analysis of equine longissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis and gluteus medius muscles during maneuvers used to activate the core / [Análise descritiva do sinal eletromiográfico dos músculos longuíssimo dorsal, reto abdominal e glúteo médio de equinos durante a realização de manobras utilizadas para ativação do core]

Maneuvers to activate the equine's core can make a difference in their physical and psychic health. Although these activities are recommended and practiced, there is little research proving their effectiveness. This article aims to describe, through surface electromyography, the occurrences, durations and sequences activity of longissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis and gluteus medius during thoracolumbar flexion (TLF), lumbar and lumbosacral flexion (LLSF), global flexion (GF), which is the combination of TLF and LLSF, and tail traction (TT). Seven healthy adult horses of three different breeds performed five repetitions of these movements for five seconds (sec). Electromyographic activity was captured with non-invasive superficial sensors positioned in the skin regions covering these muscles. The sequence was performed once per animal, muscle activity captured by surface electromyography, data from two replicates of each animal were selected, analyzed on matLab software and data tabulation were described during each maneuver. These maneuvers provoked punctual and transient activation of muscles mentioned above, confirming the ability to activate equine core muscles. However, responses were not standardized, which means there were variations of occurrence, duration and sequence, suggesting that for practical application of those maneuvers it is necessary to perform more repetitions with longer durations to activate more muscles.(AU)

Manobras para ativação da musculatura do core equino podem ser diferenciais para saúde física e psíquica dos animais, sendo recomendadas e praticadas, mas existem poucas pesquisas comprovando a eficácia delas. Este artigo tem como objetivo descrever, por meio da eletromiografia de superfície, as ocorrências, as durações e as sequências temporais da atividade muscular do longuíssimo dorsal, do reto abdominal e do glúteo médio durante a realização das manobras de flexão toracolombar, flexão lombar e lombossacra, flexão global (toracolombar e lombossacra) e tração de cauda. Para isso, sete equinos adultos e hígidos de três raças realizaram esses quatro movimentos clássicos para ativar o core equino, com cinco repetições e manutenção do estímulo reflexivo por cinco segundos. Durante a realização, a atividade eletromiográfica foi capturada com a utilização de sensores superficiais posicionados de forma não invasiva em regiões cutâneas referentes a cada músculo. O protocolo completo de manobras foi realizado uma vez por cada animal enquanto a atividade muscular era capturada. Posteriormente, duas repetições de cada animal foram triadas e submetidas ao software matLab para análise. Com base na tabulação dos dados, foram descritas as variáveis eletromiográficas de presença ou ausência de ativação muscular, a duração média dos picos eletromiográficos superiores ao RMS (root mean square) e a sequência da atividade muscular observada durante cada manobra. Essas manobras provocaram ativações pontuais e transitórias nos três músculos, o que confirma a capacidade de excitar músculos do core equino. Contudo, as respostas não foram padronizadas, sugerindo que, na prática dessa atividade, devem-se realizar mais repetições com durações superiores a cinco segundos, a fim de se buscarem maiores ativações.(AU)

Exercise and ankylosing spondylitis with New York modified criteria: a systematic review of controlled trials with meta-analysis.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic rheumatic disease that affects the axial skeleton, causing inflammatory back pain, structural and functional changes which decrease quality of life. Several treatments for ankylosing spondylitis have been proposed and among them the use of exercise. The present study aims to synthesize information from the literature and identify the results of controlled clinical trials on exercise in patients with ankylosing spondylitis with the New York modified diagnostic criteria and to assess whether exercise is more effective than physical activity to reduce functional impairment. The sources of studies used were: LILACS, Pubmed, EBSCOhost, B-on, personal communication, manual research and lists of references. The criteria used for the studies selection was controlled clinical trials, participants with New York modified diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylitis, and with interventions through exercise. The variables studied were related to primary outcomes such as BASFI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index) as a functional index, BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) as an index of intensity of disease activity and BASMI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index) as a metrological index assessing patient's limitation on movement. From the 603 studies identified after screening only 37 articles were selected for eligibility, from which 18 studies were included. The methodological quality was assessed to select those with an high methodological expressiveness using the PEDro scale. A cumulative meta-analysis was subsequently performed to compare exercise versus usual level of physical activity. Exercise shows significant statistical outcomes for the BASFI, BASDAI and BASMI, higher than those found for usual level of physical activity.