Toward a Design of a Telerehabilitation Program for the Functional Recovery in Post-Hip Arthroplasty Patients

Telerehabilitation uses new information and communication technologies as an instrument to ensure a distant rehabilitation service. Patients who underwent hip replacement surgery are an excellent case study for the application of this technology. Post-surgical rehabilitation guidelines for hip arthroplasty are well known, and the correct application has a positive effect on the patients’ prognosis. However, there are no complementary guidelines for physical therapy that could be used at a distance by patients through a computer platform. This chapter presents a systematic review about conventional physical therapy programs for hip arthroplasty. Based on this review, we proposed therapeutic exercises adapted to a low cost web-platform. In order to reach this objective we will present a brief review of the total hip arthroplasty, telemedicine, telerehabilitation and conventional physical therapy approaches

The Effect of the Texture of Two Energy Bars on the Oral Processing of Cyclists: An Exploratory Study

[EN] In cycling, a wide range of ergogenic foods with a variety of flavours, shapes, and textures are available. The timing of their consumption and their correct oral processing can influence the performance of athletes. Furthermore, the differences in the texture of energy bars could result in differences in the chewing required. Nonetheless, research in this area is still scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse how the consumption of two energy bars with different textures (viscous versus hard) influenced the variables of oral processing, pedalling intensity, and the perception of satisfaction among cyclists. Ten cyclists performed two 15 min sections on a cycle ergometer at a moderate intensity (120-130 W) and consumed one of the two energy bars at random in each of the sections. The results showed that a shorter chewing duration and a fewer number of chews were required to consume the softer bar (p 0.7). However, no differences among the cyclists were observed in the intensity of pedalling or perception of satisfaction. Nevertheless, participants were able to distinguish between the two different textures while pedalling. In conclusion, the texture of energy bars altered the oral processing of cyclists but did not affect pedalling intensity or perception of satisfaction.Jiménez-Pérez, I.; Aladro-Gonzalvo, AR.; Vera Morán, A.; Camacho-García, A.; Encarnación-Martínez, A.; Pérez-Soriano, P. (2023). The Effect of the Texture of Two Energy Bars on the Oral Processing of Cyclists: An Exploratory Study. Applied Sciences. 13(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/app1304236213

Static Postural Control during Single-Leg Stance in Endurance, Team and Combat Athletes from the Spanish National Sport Technification Program

In the context of pediatric physical exercise, the analysis of factors affecting postural control (PC) provides insight into the development of sport-specific motor skills. This study aims to evaluate the static PC during single-leg stance in endurance, team and combat athletes from the Spanish National Sport Technification Program. A total of 29 boys and 32 girls, aged 12 to 16 years old, were recruited. Centre of pressure (CoP) was measured on a force platform in standing position for 40 s under two sensorial and leg dominance conditions. Girls showed lower MVeloc (p 0.001) and Sway (p < 0.001) values than boys in both sensorial conditions (open and closed eyes). The highest values in all PC variables were observed with eyes closed in both genders (p < 0.001). Sway values were lower in boys combat-athletes compared to endurance athletes in two sensorial conditions and with non-dominant leg (p < 0.05). Young athletes in their teens enrolled in a Sport Technification Program have shown differences in PC when comparing different visual conditions, sport disciplines and gender. This study opens a window to a better understanding of the determinants of PC during single-leg stance as a critical element in the sport specialization of young athletes.Fisioterapi

Las redes sociales en internet como herramienta para la promoción de la actividad física y la salud: Un recurso poco explorado científicamente

Due to the great impact  that are exerting the networks in society, it is crucial to know the features that distinguish online social networks bringing together users interested in receiving information and resources to improve or maintain the body in shape. This article aims to comment on the limited research interested in studying the features and particularities of online communities that provide information, advice and support in the execution, performance and promotion of the health and fitness activities. Particularly, it underline about the necessity to know of networks structure, user profiles and peer-to-peer interaction, sort of membership, mechanisms of communication, representation of the body image and patterns of association. Likewise, the size of the support networks, telepresence, technology acceptance and perceived risk on the network. Besides, we recommend exploring two Fitness-related online social networks. Finally, it makes known the recurring problems in the analysis in order to characterize psychosocial and communicative aspects of users in the virtual environment.En este artículo se aborda la problemática de la escasaproducción científica relacionada con el uso y particularidades de las redes sociales virtuales para promover la práctica de actividades físicas-deportivas. Debido al acto impacto que están ejerciendo las redes virtuales en la sociedad,  se hace imperativo generar estudiosque analicen las características psicosociales y comunicacionales, etc.,que surgen de larelación entre las redes sociales en internet y la creación de comunidades o grupos interesados en recibir y compartir información y recursos para mejorar o mantener el cuerpo en buenas condiciones

On the use of natural user interfaces in physical rehabilitation: a web-based application for patients with hip prosthesis

This study aims to develop a telemedicine platform for self-motor rehabilitation and remote monitoring by health professionals, in order to enhance recovery in patients after hip replacement. The implementation of such a technology is justified by medical (improvement of the recovery process by the possibility to perform rehabilitation exercises more frequently), economic (reduction of the number of medical appointments and the time patients spend at the hospital), mobility (diminution of the transportation to and from the hospital) and ethics (healthcare democratization and increased empowerment of the patient) purposes. The Kinect camera is used as a Natural User Interface to capture the physical exercises performed at home by the patients. The quality of the movement is evaluated in real-time by an assessment module implemented according to a Hidden-Markov Model approach. The results show a high accuracy in the evaluation of the movements (92% of correct classification). Finally, the usability of the platform is tested through the System Usability Scale (SUS). The overall SUS score is 81 out of 100, which suggests a good usability of the Web application. Further work will focus on the development of additional functionalities and an evaluation of the impact of the platform on the recovery process

Effects of local ischemic compression on upper limb latent myofascial trigger points: a study of subjective pain and linear motor performance

Objective. To analyse the effect of the manual ischemic compression (IC) on the upper limb motor performance (MP) in patients with LTrPs. Materials and Methods. A quasiexperimental study was performed in twenty subjects allocated to either patients group with LTrPs (PG, n=10) or healthy group with no symptoms (HG, n=10). Subjective pain and linear MP (movement time and Fitts’ Law) were assessed before and after a linear tapping task. Data were analysed with mixed factorial ANOVA for intergroup linear motor performance differences and dependent t-student test for intragroup pain differences. Results. PG had a linear MP lower than the HG before treatment (p < 0.05). After IC, the PG showed a significant decrease of pain (4.07 ± 1.91 p < 0.001). Furthermore, the movement time (15.70 ± 2.05 p < 0.001) and the Fitts’ Law coefficient (0.80 ± 0.53 p < 0.001) were significantly reduced. However, one IC session did not allow the PG to get the same MP than the HG (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The results suggest the IC effectiveness on pain and MP impairment in subjects with LTrPs. However, the MP of these patients is only partially improved after the IC application

Telerehabilitation platform for hip surgery recovery

The enhancement of ubiquitous and pervasive computing brings new perspectives in terms of medical rehabilitations. In that sense, the present study proposes a Web-based platform to promote the reeducation of patients after hip replacement surgery. This project focuses on two fundamental aspects in the development of a suitable telerehabilitation application, which are: (i) being based on an affordable technology and (ii) providing the patients with a real-time assessment of the correctness of their movements. A comparative test shows that the movement's evaluation carried out by therapists is consistent with the output of the automatic assessment module. Improvements of the algorithm are discussed, in order to increase the accuracy and depth of the analysis

Impact of work and recreational physical activity on prediabetes condition among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2015–2016

More minutes of physical activity (PA) accumulated during a day are associated with a lower risk of diabetes mellitus type 2. However, it is less known if distinct dimensions of PA can produce a different protective effect in the prevention of prediabetes. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of work and recreational PA on prediabetes among U.S. adults during the period 2015–2016 using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Individuals (n = 4481) with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test values of 5.7% to 6.4% were included. A logistic regression multivariate-adjusted analysis was conducted to estimate the association between the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of prediabetes, with work and recreational PA. The prevalence of prediabetes among U.S. adults was lower in physically active individuals both at work (~24%) and recreational (~21%) physical activities compared to individuals who were not physically active (27 to 30%). Individuals lacking practice of recreational PA had a high risk of prediabetes (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.080 to 1.466). PA may be a protective factor for prediabetes conditions depending on gender, age, ethnic group, waist circumference, and thyroid disease

Exercise protects cardiovascular recovery from stress in a sample of black ethnicity adolescents

BACKGROUND: Exaggerated cardiovascular response to a subsequent psychosocial challenge (cardiovascular reactivity) have an adverse effect on future cardiovascular risk status in younger populations. Several studies have shown that black individuals exhibited significantly greater blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) responses to stressors than white individuals. The purpose of the study was to determine whether interval exercise reduces cardiovascular reactivity and recovery from stress in black adolescents. METHODS: In a counterbalanced order and one-week apart, black Cuban adolescents (n=25) completed an interval exercise program followed by the Trier Social Stress Test for Child (TSST-C) and no exercise followed by the TSST-C. The exercise consisted of a cycle ergometer fitness test (5-min, 50 rpm, 60% HR reserve), followed by 60-s rest, and another bout of exercise (6-min, 80 rpm, 30-s intervals) at the resistance that elicited the target HR reserve during the fitness test. Adolescents rested 2-min before completing another 6- and 4-min interval exercises. Following a 5-min post-intervention period, adolescents completed the TSST-C. BP, HR and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured before, during and after the exercise and TSST-C. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) remained unchanged following exercise. TSST-C-induced changes in BP, HR and HRV reactivity were not reduced for aerobic exercise. Recovery SBP and HR were reduced in the exercise condition (P<0.01, CI95% = -8.36, -2.51, and P<0.01, CI95% = -8.07, -4.31, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Acute interval aerobic exercise appears to have a significant impact on cardiovascular recovery in black adolescents who have suffered stressful events

Drenaje linfático manual versus masaje convencional en el tratamiento de pacientes con mastitis puerperal noinfecciosa

La mastitis puerperal no infecciosa es una inflamación de las glándulas mamarias que causa dolor, calor y enrojecimiento. Generalmente, el tratamiento conservador incluye la aplicación del masaje convencional (MC). Sin embargo, hay escasa evidencia que analice el efecto del drenaje linfático manual (DLM), siendo su aplicación eficaz en la remoción de líquidos. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el efecto del DLM vs MC. El estudio fue un ensayo clínico aleatorizado que incluyó 15 madres primigestas repartidas en un grupo control (GC) y dos grupos experimentales GDLM y GMC de 5 participantes cada uno. En todos los grupos se evalúo la cantidad de leche extraída, los perímetros mamarios (longitudinales y transversales) y el dolor, antes y después de 6 sesiones de intervención. Se realizaron pruebas no paramétricas para comparar las diferencias entre los grupos. A partir de la sesión 3 de tratamiento se observó una diferencia significativa en la cantidad de leche extraída y de los perímetros mamarios, cuando comparamos el GDLM con el GMC (p<0,05). En contraste, el dolor fue menor en el GMC comparado con el GDLM y el GC (p<0,05). El GC presentó niveles superiores del dolor y menor cantidad de leche en comparación con los grupos experimentales (p<0,05). Estos resultados sugieren que el tratamiento ideal consistiría en combinar el MC con el DLM. Además, la aplicación de estas técnicas manuales no invasivas pueden ser beneficiosas en el puerperio, debido a que evitan el consumo de medicamentos cuyos efectos pueden ser transmitidos al bebé