Prevalence of physical activity through the practice of sports among adolescents from Portuguese speaking countries / Prevalência de atividade física através da prática esportiva em adolescentes de países de língua Portuguesa

This study evaluated the prevalence of physical activity through the practice of sports in adolescents from schools in two Brazilian cities and a Portuguese school, and its association with independent variables, such as gender and age. A cross-sectional study was conducted of schoolchildren from two cities in Brazil and one in Portugal. The total study sample was 3694 subjects (1622 males and 1872 females). Physical activity levels were assessed using Baecke's questionnaire. Body weight was measured on electronic scales and stature was measured with a portable wooden stadiometer. Numerical variables were expressed as mean, categorical variables were expressed as percentages and the chi-square test analyzed associations. The prevalence of no sport was high (39.7%), being higher in the Portuguese school than in the Brazilian schools (p < 0.001). Irrespective of being an adolescent in a Brazilian or Portuguese school, boys showed higher engagement in sports practice than girls (p < 0.001). In both, differences were identified between adolescents aged 13 to 15 (P = 0.001) and 16 to 17 (P = 0.001). The prevalence of physical inactivity among schoolchildren from two cities in Brazil and a school in Portugal was high, with the girls practicing less sport than the boys and with this imbalance likely to be higher in adolescents.

Objetivos: Avaliar a prevalência de atividade física por meio da prática de esportes em adolescentes de escolas de duas cidades brasileiras e jovens de uma escola portuguesa e sua associação com variáveis independentes, como sexo e idade. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em escolares de duas cidades do Brasil e em adolescentes de uma escola duma cidade de Portugal. A amostra total do estudo foi de 3.694 indivíduos (1.622 meninos e 1.872 meninas). O nível de atividade física foi avaliado usando o questionário Baecke. O peso corporal foi medido por meio de uma balança eletrônica e a estatura foi medida com um estadiômetro portátil. As variáveis numéricas foram expressas em média, as variáveis categóricas foram expressas em porcentagens e o teste do qui-quadrado analisou as associações. Resultados: A prevalência de nenhuma prática esportiva foi elevada (39,7%), sendo mais elevada em adolescentes de uma escola portuguesa do que adolescentes das escolas brasileiras (p<0,001). Independente de ser adolescente de escola brasileira ou portuguesa, os meninos apresentaram maior adesão à prática esportiva do que meninas (p<0,001). Em ambos, foram identificadas diferenças entre adolescentes de 13-15 anos (p = 0,001) e 16-17 anos (p = 0,001). Conclusões: A prevalência de inatividade física em escolares de duas cidades do Brasil e em uma escola de uma cidade de Portugal foi elevada. .

Standardization of muscle palpation- methodological considerations.

OBJECTIVES: To compare test-retest variability of palpation between a new palpometer and manual palpation using (1) right or left hand, (2) index or middle finger, (3) randomized or fixed sequence of force levels, (4) palpation on soft or hard surface, and (5) palpation for 2 or 10 seconds. METHODS: Twelve clinicians were instructed to target 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg on a force meter using a palpometer (adjustable spring-coil with a small pin touching the examiner's hand when the correct pressure is achieved) and manual palpation with right or left hand, index or middle finger, randomized or fixed sequence of force levels, on hard or soft surface, and for 2 or 10 seconds. During all experiments, 10 force measures were taken and variability was determined as coefficient of variation (CV) and compared with analyses of variance. RESULTS: In all experiments, the palpometer had lower variability compared with manual palpation (P<0.001). There were no differences between the CVs of right and left hand (P=0.122), index and middle finger (P=0.240), and soft and hard surface (P=0.240). Random sequence of force levels had higher CVs than fixed sequence with manual palpation (P=0.004), but not with palpometer (P=0.856). CVs for 2 seconds palpation were higher than 10 seconds (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The palpometer had low test-retest variability and provided a more accurate and reproducible pressure stimulus than manual palpation. The findings of this study may help to standardize palpation of human muscles required for accurate and reliable diagnosis of musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Reliability of scapular positioning measurement procedure using the palpation meter (PALM).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Observation and measurement of the static position of the scapula is important for investigating both shoulder and neck pathology. Measurement of scapular position is complex and lacks a clinically useful instrument. The objective of this study was to investigate the reliability of the Palpation Meter (PALM) for measuring scapular position when the glenohumeral joint is held in various positions. METHODS: Thirty normal subjects were recruited for a test-retest reliability study. Three raters conducted measurements on two different occasions to estimate intra- and inter-rater reliability. The scapular positions evaluated in this study were: (1) the horizontal distance between the scapula and the spine in the scapular resting position and during elevation of the arm in the scapular plane; and (2) the vertical distance between C(7) and the acromion (C(7)-A). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and Bland and Altman limits of agreement were calculated. RESULTS: Reliability values for measurements of the horizontal distance between the scapula and the spine were generally good for both intra-rater (ICC 0.81 to 0.89; SEM 0.56 to 1.17cm) and inter-rater (ICC 0.67 to 0.89; SEM 0.59 to 0.98cm) evaluation. Reliability values of measurement of depression of the acromion were also good for both intra-rater (ICC 0.72 to 0.78; SEM 0.66 to 0.79) and inter-rater (ICC 0.76; SEM 0.64) evaluation. No systematic bias was observed with Bland and Altman analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The PALM is a reliable tool for the measurement of scapular positioning in a healthy sample. Future studies should be conducted to further investigate the clinometric properties of the PALM in patient populations before its clinical usefulness for measuring scapular position can be established.

Interexaminer agreement for muscle palpation procedures: the efficacy of a calibration program.

The purpose of this study is to assess the muscle palpation interexaminer agreement after a calibration program and to determine differences between time, groups of muscles, or side examined. A sample of 32 individuals, matched for sex, was divided into two groups: symptomatic (16 patients presenting with myogenic TMD) and asymptomatic (16 subjects with no TMD symptoms). Palpation procedures were performed three different times by four calibrated examiners, in masticatory and cervical muscles. The presence or severity of tenderness was judged by an ordinal scale (from "0" to "3"). Kendall's concordance test measured agreement between examiners. The sternocleidomastoid muscle showed the highest agreement (0.84), while the worst result was detected for the origin of the masseter (0.56). Levels of agreement for all muscles were considered fair and excellent, regardless of the time of examination or the side analyzed.

[The teaching/learning process in uterine palpation and measurement: the effect of practice]. / Processo ensino-aprendizagem da técnica de palpação e mensuração uterina: influência da prática.

The present study related to the teaching-learning process concerning the uterine measurement and palpation technique, it was intended to analyze the influence practice had on the Undergraduation Nursing students' skills acquired knowledge by the use of that technique. Applying a standard instrument previously developed for this study, the students' evaluation was carried out in two phases. The results showed a significant improvement in the students' performance skills and descriptive knowledge. Thus, this study was able to stress the importance of practice for the motor-perceptive skills in the teaching-learning process.