Chronic Functional Adaptations Induced by the Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Exercise Programs: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The present systematic review aimed to determine the chronic effects of the combination of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and exercise on motor function and performance outcomes. We performed a systematic literature review in the databases MEDLINE and Web of Science. Only randomized control trials that measured the chronic effect of combining exercise (comprising gross motor tasks) with tDCS during at least five sessions and measured any type of motor function or performance outcome were included. A total of 22 interventions met the inclusion criteria. Only outcomes related to motor function or performance were collected. Studies were divided into three groups: (a) healthy population (n = 4), (b) neurological disorder population (n = 14), and (c) musculoskeletal disorder population (n = 4). The studies exhibited considerable variability in terms of tDCS protocols, exercise programs, and outcome measures. Chronic use of tDCS in combination with strength training does not enhance motor function in healthy adults. In neurological disorders, the results suggest no additive effect if the exercise program includes the movements pretending to be improved (i.e., tested). However, although evidence is scarce, tDCS may enhance exercise-induced adaptations in musculoskeletal conditions characterized by pain as a limiting factor of motor function.

Directed connectivity in Parkinson's disease patients during over-ground and treadmill walking.

Treadmill walking is considered a useful therapeutic tool for improving gait in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The study investigated the role of top-down, frontal-parietal versus bottom-up parietal-frontal networks, during over-ground and treadmill walking in PD and control subjects, using functional connectivity. To this end, EEG was recorded simultaneously, during a ten-minute period of continuous walking either over-ground or on a treadmill, in thirteen PD patients and thirteen age-matched controls. We evaluated EEG directed connectivity, using phase transfer entropy in three frequency bands: theta, alpha and beta. PD patients showed increased top-down connectivity during over-ground compared with treadmill walking, in the beta frequency range. Control subjects showed no significant differences in connectivity between the two walking conditions. Our results suggest that in PD patients, OG walking was associated with increased allocation of attentional resources, compared with that on the TL. These functional connectivity modulations may shed further light on the mechanisms underlying treadmill versus overground walking in PD.

Contacto y emociones en la enseñanza de deportes sociomotores de colaboración-oposición a futuros docentes de educación física / Contacto e emoções no ensino de desportos sóciomotores de colaboração-oposição a futuros docentesde educaçãofísica / Contact and emotions in teaching sociomotor sports of collaborationopposition to future physical education teachers

Partiendo de la conceptualización de los problemas afectivos derivados del contacto (PADC) estudiamos su influencia en el aprendizaje de Rugby, Balonmano y Voleibol. El trabajo, desarrollado en el contexto universitario (n=16), se aborda dentro del paradigma cualitativo, mediante el análisis de contenido y con el apoyo de estrategias cuantitativas, siguiendo los Métodos Mixtos. El estudio prospectivo de los datos permitió describir la realidad a estudiar y el refinamiento de la metodología, centrada en el método de análisis de diarios con entrevista sobre los diarios, con el apoyo de herramientas informáticas de análisis cualitativo (Nvivo). Los resultados muestran la existencia de PADC y su influencia negativa en el aprendizaje de tareas motrices de los deportes estudiados. Las emociones que suscitan la aparición de estos problemas están fundamentalmente relacionadas con el miedo, aunque también con la ansiedad y/o la vergüenza. Además, se describen cuáles son los tipos de contactos que generan esos problemas. Igualmente, se concretan 29 factores que podrían ser valorados para disminuir la aparición de los PADC en procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje de tareas motrices que impliquen contacto. La importancia de cada uno de estos factores varía en función del tipo de contacto que requiera la tarea motriz. (AU)

From the conceptualization of emotional problems related to contact (EPRC), we study its influence in the learning of Rugby, Handball and Volleyball. This research, developed at the university sphere (n=16), is framed within qualitative framework through the analysis of content assisted with quantitative strategies (Mixed Methods). The prospective study of the data allowed the description of the reality in study and the refinement in methodology. So, the method focused on the analysis of diaries with interviews about them with the support of computer tools of qualitative analysis (NVivo). The results show the existence of EPRC and its negative influence in the learning of motor tasks of the aforementioned sports. The emotions that facilitate the appearance of these problems are fundamentally related to fear, but also to anxiety or shame. In addition, the types of contacts that generate these problems are described. Furthermore, there were specified 29 factors that could be considerated to decrease the appearance of EPRCs in contact motor tasks teaching-learning processes. The importance of each of these factors varies depending on the type of contact that the motor task requires. (AU)

Partindo da conceituação de problemas afetivos derivados do contacto (PADC), estudamos sua influência na aprendizagem de Rugby, Handebol e Voleibol. O trabalho, desenvolvido no contexto universitário (n=16), é abordado dentro do paradigma qualitativo, através do método de análise de conteúdo e com o apoio de estratégias quantitativas, seguindo os Métodos Mistos. O estudo prospetivo dos dados permitiu descrever a realidadea ser estudada e o aprimoramento da metodologia, centrada no método de análise de diários com entrevista sobre os diários, com o apoio duma ferramenta computacional de análise qualitativa (Nvivo). Os resultados mostram a existência do PADC e sua influência negativa naaprendizagem de tarefas motoras dos desportos observados. As emoções produtoras desses problemas estão fundamentalmente relacionadas ao medo, mas também à ansiedade ou vergonha. Além disso, são descritos os tipos de contactos que geram esses problemas. Da mesma forma, foram especificados 29 fatores que poderiam ser avaliados para diminuir a aparência dos PADCs nos processos de ensino-aprendizagem de tarefas motoras que envolvem contacto. A importância de cada um desses fatores varia de acordo com o tipo de contacto que a tarefa motora exige. (AU)

Test-Retest Reliability of the Timed Up and Go Test in Subjects with Parkinson's Disease: Implications for Longitudinal Assessments.

BACKGROUND: Despite the frequent use of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in clinical trials, evaluation of longitudinal test-retest reliability is generally lacking and still inconclusive for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to further investigate long-term reliability and sensitivity of the TUG test among this population. Furthermore, we explored alternative assessment strategies of the test aimed at elucidating whether the inclusion or combination of timed trials may have potential implications on outcome measure. METHODS: Relative and absolute reliability of the TUG performance were obtained in forty-three subjects with PD over three timed trials in two different testing sessions separated by a two-months period. RESULTS: Our results reported excellent intra-session and moderate inter-session reliability coefficients. The use of different assessment strategies of the TUG was found to have an important impact on outcome measure, highlighting the averaging of several timed trials in each testing session as a recommended alternative to minimize measurement error and increase reliability in longitudinal assessments. Nevertheless, beyond acceptable reliability, poor trial-to-trial stability of the measure appears to exist, since the ranges of expected variability upon retesting were wide and the incidence of spurious statistical effects was not negligible, especially in longitudinal repeated testing. CONCLUSION: Limitations may exist in the interpretation of the TUG outputs as part of longitudinal assessments aimed at evaluating treatment effectiveness in PD population. Researchers and practitioners should be aware of these concerns to prevent possible misrepresentations of functional ability in patients for a particular intervention.

Role of Vertical Jumps and Anthropometric Variables in Maximal Kicking Ball Velocities in Elite Soccer Players.

Kicking is one of the most important skills in soccer and the ability to achieve ma ximal kicking velocity with both legs leads to an advantage for the soccer player. This study examined the relationship be tween kicking ball velocity with both legs using anthropometric measurements and vertical jumps (a squat jump (SJ); a countermovement jump without (CMJ) and with the arm swing (CMJA) and a reactive jump (RJ)). Anthropome tric measurements did not correlate with kicking ball velocity. Vertical jumps correlated significantly with kicking ball velocity using the dominant leg only (r = .47, r = .58, r = .44, r = .51, for SJ, CMJ, CMJA and RJ, respectively) . Maximal kicking velocity with the dominant leg was significantly higher than with the non-dominant leg (t = 18.0 4, p < 0.001). Our results suggest that vertical jumps may be an optimal test to assess neuromuscular skills involved in kicking at maximal speed. Lack of the relationship between vertical jumps and kicking velocity with the non-dominant leg may reflect a difficulty to exhibit the neuromuscular skills during dominant leg kicking.