The objective of the study was to examine the association between handgrip strength (HGS), knee flexion and extension strength, and static and dynamic balance in older women. One hundred and ten ...women with a mean age of 67.4±5.9 years were assessed for dynamic postural balance using the Time Up & Go Test (TUG) with and without cognitive tasks. Semi-static balance was assessed by means of a force platform; knee flexor and extensor muscle strength was calculated using an isokinetic dynamometer; and HGS using a hand held dynamometer. Weaker HGS was significantly correlated with worse performance in dynamic postural balance, as well as performance with TUG with and without cognitive tasks; however, there was no correlation between HGS and static balance. There was a moderate positive correlation between knee flexion/extension strength and HGS. This suggests that HGS could be used as a proxy indicator of overall strength capacity for clinical screening among older women.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the anthropometric factors of height, body mass, body mass index and postural balance and to compare the balance indices between ...genders in the upright standing position, in healthy adult subjects under conditions of instability. Forty individuals were subjected to functional tests of body stability using the Biodex Balance System, and the resulting indices were correlated with body mass, height, and body mass index, and also compared between genders. Body mass was the main anthropometric factor that influenced variations in postural balance, with a high correlation between groups and with all variables. A linear regression analysis showed that body mass associated with BMI explained 66% of the overall stability, and body mass explained 59% of the anteroposterior stability index and 65% of the mediolateral stability index. In the female group, body mass explained 72% of the overall balance, 66% of the anteroposterior, and 76% of the medio-lateral stability index. Increased body mass requires greater movements to maintain postural balance. Height and BMI presented moderate correlations with balance. Women showed less movement than men on the Biodex Balance System.
•Unilateral transtibial amputees and functional deficits.•Concurrent training proved to be effective.•Paralympic athletes should review their physical training.
Transtibial Amputation (TA) ...predisposes to a sedentary lifestyle.
To evaluate the efficiency of a short-term (8-week) Concurrent Training (CT) program in Unilateral Transtibial Amputees (UTA) and to compare it with the physical condition of a group of Paralympic athletes in preparation for the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.
This was a longitudinal, prospective and controlled trial study.
Thirty-four male subjects with UTA and using prostheses for six months or more were selected for this study. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1) ‒ 17 non-athlete and untrained UTA and Group 2 (G2) ‒ 17 paralympic athletes with active UTA in the training phase. G1 was evaluated before and after eight weeks of CT and G2 made a single evaluation for control. All were submitted to anamnesis, clinical evaluation (blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and heart rate) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a lower limb cycle ergometer, and isokinetic knee dynamometry. The CT of G1 included resistance exercise and aerobic interval training on a stationary bicycle and G2 followed the training of the Paralympic teams.
Patients were retested by the same methods after CT. The two most important central dependent variables (maximal oxygen uptake and muscular strength) increased by 22% and knee extensor and flexor strength by 106% and 97%, respectively.
After eight weeks of CT, there was an improvement in general functional condition, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory performance improving protection against chronic diseases and quality of life.
Physical exercise and educational programs promote several benefits for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, little is known about the effects of educational programs promoting the ...regular practice of physical exercise. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of an interdisciplinary educational program, emphasizing the recommendation for regular practice of physical exercise, on functional capacity and daily living physical activity in individuals with knee OA.
Two hundred and thirty-nine individuals (50 men) with an established diagnosis of knee OA (degree I to IV in the Kelgreen and Lawrence scale) were randomly allocated into a multidisciplinary educational program (EDU; n = 112) or control group (CON; n = 127). Functional capacity (sit and reach, 6-min walking test (6MWT), timed up and down stairs test, timed up and go test (TUGT), and five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST)) and daily living physical activity (IPAQ, short version) were measured before, during (6 months) and after 12 months of follow-up.
Body mass index reduced significantly (P < 0.05) after 6 months, and remained reduced after 12-month of follow-up in EDU, but not in CON. EDU group improved (P < 0.05) timed up and down stairs (19%), TUGT (32.5%) and FTSST (30%) performance after 6 months of follow-up, which remained improved after 12 months of follow-up. Functional capacity did not change in CON, excepted for the timed up and down stairs performance that increased after 6 months (12%, P < 0.05), but returned to levels similar to baseline after 12 months of follow-up. There was also an increase (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of active and very active individuals, as well as a reduction (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of sedentary individuals in EDU group during follow-up. There were no significant changes on sit and reach and 6MWT performance during follow-up in both groups.
The results suggest that an educational program emphasizing the recommendation for regular practice of physical exercise may be an effective tool for improving functional capacity and daily physical activity in individuals with knee OA.
NCT 02335034 , December 22, 2014.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Psychometric study.
To examine the reproducibility of the international spinal cord injury quality of life basic data set (QoL-BDS) in an international sample of community-dwelling adults with spinal ...cord injury or disease (SCI/SCD) and in subgroups with respect to age (< 50 vs. ≥ 50 years) and etiology.
Outpatient rehabilitation clinics and community.
Participants were people living with SCI/D in four countries, at least 1 year post onset and at least 18 years of age. The QoL-BDS consists of three items on satisfaction with life as a whole, physical health and psychological health rated on a 0-10 numerical rating scale. A fourth item on satisfaction with social life was included based on feedback from participants.
A total of 79 people were included. Median age was 52 years. Most participants (69.6%) had SCI, paraplegia (53%), and 40.5% reported a motor complete injury. Median time between tests was 14 days (range 4-27). Intra-class correlation (ICC) values of the items ranged from 0.66 to 0.80. ICC values of the three-item and four-item total scores were identical and good (0.83; 95% CI 0.75-0.89). Subgroup analyses showed ICC values ranging from 0.76 to 0.83. Bland-Altman plots suggested no bias for the three-item total score, but some bias for the four-item total score. The limits of agreement of both scores were similar, wide at individual level and small at group level.
This study provides evidence of reproducibility of the current version of the QoL-BDS. When adding a fourth item, reproducibility was maintained.
Considering the growth of the aging population, and the increasing risk for falls and related morbidity, it is vital to seek efficient, comprehensive, and culturally relevant prevention programs for ...elderly people to reduce risks for falls. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the postural balance and muscle strength among women participating in the "Wing of Baianas" in the carnival parades. One hundred and ten women, with an average age of 67.4±5.9 years, were divided into two groups: Baianas group-elderly participants of the carnival parades in the "Wing of Baianas", and a Control group of women who do not dance samba. Assessments included a physical activity questionnaire, isokinetic muscle strength testing for the knee extensors and flexors, and a postural balance assessment completed on a force platform. There were no differences between groups, for postural balance outcomes, during the eyes open condition; however, with eyes closed, there was a significant effect between groups (Baianas vs Control) in all variables. The Baianas group showed less medio-lateral displacement (p < 0.04); and anteroposterior displacement (p < 0.007); larger amplitudes of medio-lateral displacement (p < 0.001); and anteroposterior displacement (p < 0.001); increased mean velocity (p < 0.01); and elliptical area (p < 0.01) There were no differences in the isokinetic peak torque corrected by body weight, total work and flexor/extensor ratio. Participation in the Wing of Baianas is associated with better balance with closed eyes, but there were no differences between dancers and non-dancers for muscle strength.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Fatigue of the ankle's stabilizing muscles does influence the performance.•Functional jump tests are low cost and useful for clinical practice.•Functional jump tests can evaluate of the effects of ...muscle fatigue.
Fatigue of the ankle's stabilizing muscles may influence the performance of functional activities and postural control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of healthy young adults using functional jump tests and static posturography control under pre- and post-fatigue conditions of the ankle invertor and evertor muscles.
Thirty physically active healthy male and female (15 male and 15 female) volunteers (24.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. Participants performed tests on one day under a non-fatigued state of invertor and evertor muscles and on the second day in a fatigued state. Tests included static posturography on a force platform in a bipedal stance with eyes open and closed and in one-legged support with eyes open and functional jump tests (figure-of-8, side hop, 6-m crossover hop, and square hop). Fatigue of the ankle invertor and evertor muscles was induced using isokinetic dynamometry with 30 repetitions at 120°/s.
Participants had an average age of 24.3 years (SD ± 2.08), the height of 1.73 m (SD ± 0.08), and a weight of 68.63 kg (SD ± 10.29). The average Body Mass Index (BMI) was 22.88 (SD ± 2.46). A decrease in performance was observed in functional activities and postural control under all conditions after the induction of muscle fatigue, except for the speed at a bipedal stance with eyes open.
Functional jump tests are low cost and useful for clinical practice and evaluation of the effects of muscle fatigue and could be used in clinical practice.
Trauma-related injuries in traffic-accident victims can be quite serious. Evaluating the factors contributing to traffic accidents is critical for the effective design of programs aimed at reducing ...traffic accidents. Therefore, this study identified which factors related to traffic accidents are associated with injury severity in hospitalized victims. Factors related to traffic accidents, injury severity, disability and data collected from blood toxicology were evaluated, along with associated severity and disability indices with data collected from toxicology on victims of traffic accidents at the largest tertiary hospital in Latin America. One hundred and twenty-eight victims of traffic accidents were included, of whom the majority were young adult men, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. The most frequent injuries were traumatic brain injury and lower-limb fractures. Alcohol use, hit-and-run victims, and longer hospital stays were shown to lead to greater injury severity. Women, elderly individuals, and pedestrians tend to suffer greater disability post-injury. Therefore, traffic accidents occur more frequently among young male adults, motorcyclists, and those who are hit by a vehicle, with trauma to the head and lower limbs being the most common injury. Injury severity is greater in pedestrians, elderly individuals and inebriated individuals. Disability was higher in older individuals, in women, and in pedestrians.
OBJECTIVEThe aims of this study were (1) to identify differences in trunk muscle strength and balance among various classes of wheelchair basketball (WCB) players and (2) to determine if trunk muscle ...strength and balance correlate with the current observation-based classification of WCB players.
DESIGNIsometric trunk strength and balance (limits of stability) were objectively quantified in 42 male WCB players. Principal component analysis was used to synthesize a battery of strength and balance measures into a single, composite score of trunk function. The K-means clustering algorithm was then used to generate an objective classification system by stratifying players into 4 classes based on their trunk function.
RESULTSResults indicated that there were significant differences in trunk muscle strength and balance between various classes of WCB players (P < 0.05), such that the mean peak trunk extensor and flexor torque and limits of stability indices increased progressively according to the players’ classes. There was also a significant correlation between observation-based WCB classification and principal component analysis cluster analysis–based WCB classification (ρ = 0.785, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONSThis study provides novel evidence indicating that trunk strength and balance differ among various classes of WCB players, and objective measures of trunk function correlate positively with the current observation-based WCB classification system.
Secondary psychometric analysis of cross-sectional previously collected data.
Explore the floor and ceiling effects, convergent, and divergent validity of the International Spinal Cord Injury Basic ...Quality of Life Data Set (SCI QoL-BDS) in a sample of people with spinal cord damage (SCD) from different countries, with different causes (both traumatic and non-traumatic), and different settings.
Community dwellers with SCD in Australia, Brazil, India, The Netherlands, and USA, and inpatient rehabilitation: India.
Adults (>18 years) with chronic SCD with either traumatic or non-traumatic aetiologies living in the community (n = 624), in inpatient rehabilitation following the onset of SCI (India; n = 115) and able-bodied controls (Australia; n = 220) had the following data collected by survey or face-face interview: SCI QoL-BDS, demographic and clinical characteristics (e.g., age, gender, years post SCI/SCD, education, employment) and reference measures of quality of life, disability and depression.
For the whole sample, there were no notable floor or ceiling effects, internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84) and the corrected item-total correlations generally were acceptable (all > 0.3 except for in Brazilian cohort). Convergent and divergent validity were largely confirmed though there were some aspects of validity that were suboptimal.
Only minor psychometric issues were identified. This preliminary analysis suggests that there are no reason for concern about the use of the SCI QoL-BDS for clinical or research purposes, notwithstanding the need for further studies.
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