Pregnancy and low back pain

Back pain is ubiquitous in today’s society and is particularly common during pregnancy. There are multiple factors contributing to these symptoms during pregnancy including pelvic changes as well as alterations to loading. Potential imaging modalities are limited during pregnancy due to the desire to limit ionizing radiation exposure to the fetus. Treatments are generally conservative, exercise-based interventions and alternative modalities may also be considered. Low back pain associated with pregnancy does generally resolve postpartum

A whey protein-based multi-ingredient nutritional supplement stimulates gains in lean body mass and strength in healthy older men: A randomized controlled trial

Protein and other compounds can exert anabolic effects on skeletal muscle, particularly in conjunction with exercise. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of twice daily consumption of a protein-based, multi-ingredient nutritional supplement to increase strength and lean mass independent of, and in combination with, exercise in healthy older men. Forty-nine healthy older men (age: 73 ± 1 years [mean ± SEM]; BMI: 28.5 ± 1.5 kg/m2) were randomly allocated to 20 weeks of twice daily consumption of either a nutritional supplement (SUPP; n = 25; 30 g whey protein, 2.5 g creatine, 500 IU vitamin D, 400 mg calcium, and 1500 mg n-3 PUFA with 700 mg as eicosapentanoic acid and 445 mg as docosahexanoic acid); or a control (n = 24; CON; 22 g of maltodextrin). The study had two phases. Phase 1 was 6 weeks of SUPP or CON alone. Phase 2 was a 12 week continuation of the SUPP/CON but in combination with exercise: SUPP + EX or CON + EX. Isotonic strength (one repetition maximum [1RM]) and lean body mass (LBM) were the primary outcomes. In Phase 1 only the SUPP group gained strength (Σ1RM, SUPP: +14 ± 4 kg, CON: +3 ± 2 kg, P < 0.001) and lean mass (LBM, +1.2 ± 0.3 kg, CON: -0.1 ± 0.2 kg, P < 0.001). Although both groups gained strength during Phase 2, upon completion of the study upper body strength was greater in the SUPP group compared to the CON group (Σ upper body 1RM: 119 ± 4 vs. 109 ± 5 kg, P = 0.039). We conclude that twice daily consumption of a multi-ingredient nutritional supplement increased muscle strength and lean mass in older men. Increases in strength were enhanced further with exercise training

Effects of an adapted physical activity program in a group of elderly subjects with flexed posture: clinical and instrumental assessment

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Flexed posture commonly increases with age and is related to musculoskeletal impairment and reduced physical performance. The purpose of this clinical study was to systematically compare the effects of a physical activity program that specifically address the flexed posture that marks a certain percentage of elderly individuals with a non specific exercise program for 3 months.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one followed an Adapted Physical Activity program for flexed posture and the other one completed a non-specific physical activity protocol for the elderly. A multidimensional clinical assessment was performed at baseline and at 3 months including anthropometric data, clinical profile, measures of musculoskeletal impairment and disability. The instrumental assessment of posture was realized using a stereophotogrammetric system and a specific biomechanical model designed to describe the reciprocal position of the body segments on the sagittal plane in a upright posture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The Adapted Physical Activity program determined a significant improvement in several key parameters of the multidimensional assessment in comparison to the non-specific protocol: decreased occiput-to-wall distance, greater lower limb range of motion, better flexibility of pectoralis, hamstrings and hip flexor muscles, increased spine extensor muscles strength. Stereophotogrammetric analysis confirmed a reduced protrusion of the head and revealed a reduction in compensative postural adaptations to flexed posture characterized by knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion in the participants of the specific program.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Adapted Physical Activity program for flexed posture significantly improved postural alignment and musculoskeletal impairment of the elderly. The stereophotogrammetric evaluation of posture was useful to measure the global postural alignment and especially to analyse the possible compensatory strategies at lower limbs in flexed posture.</p

The effects of upper limb loading on spinal shrinkage during treadmill walking

Everyday activities such as walking either loaded or unloaded may elicit spinal shrinkage in an order of magnitude that has been related to lower back pain. The present study aims to compare the effects of unloaded treadmill walking with walking carrying loads representing everyday shopping tasks. Walking tasks were performed on 7 healthy males, consisting of unloaded walking and walking carrying 7.5% and 15% of body weight. Motion analysis was used to track four reflective markers at 100Hz, dividing the spine into three segments and static data was collected in 5 minute intervals over a 30 minute period. Total spine and segment length changes were compared to original length in the sagittal plane and the effects of load, time and their interaction were analysed using ANOVA. Total spinal length and lumbar segment decreased with respect to time (p < 0.001). Load affected the percentage length change at each spinal segment (p < 0.005), with the lumbar segment showing greatest height loss at the highest load. Inter-segmental variations in length resulted in the non-significant effect of load on the percentage length change of the total spine (P = 0.263). The upper and lower thoracic segments showed greater anterior lean with the heavier loads (p = 0.000) and the lumbar segment showed the opposite trend (p = 0.000). Results suggest that the body adopts less anterior lean with an immediate load bearing demand, to decrease the flexion moment arm of the load about the lumbar spine and thus decrease the necessary extension moment generated by the spinal extensors for spinal stability. Further postural alteration in the same direction is observed with prolonged loading. In combination with lumbar spinal shrinkage, such postural changes are likely to increase the loading on the facet joints with potential deleterious consequences for low back pai

Análise da marcha no plano inclinado e declinado de adultas e idosas com diferentes volumes de atividades semanais

A marcha é um dos mais naturais movimentos humanos, porém com o envelhecimento, sua eficiência vai se reduzindo, principalmente durante a transposição de superfícies inclinadas, onde o risco de acidentes aumenta. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as diferenças do padrão da marcha de indivíduos idosos ativos (ATI) e sedentários (SED) em relação aos indivíduos adultos (ADU) durante a locomoção em um terreno inclinado (rampa). MÉTODOS: Quarenta e cinco indivíduos (15 ADU, 15 ATI e 15 SED) caminharam, subindo e descendo uma rampa com 10% de inclinação. A análise cinemática (Vicon MX-13) e cinética (Plataforma de Força AMTI) de variáveis relacionadas com a marcha foi realizada. RESULTADOS: Foram identificadas reduções na amplitude e potência do impulso ao redor do tornozelo dos indivíduos SED e ATI em comparação aos ADU durante a subida da rampa. Na descida, as principais diferenças entre o grupo ADU e os grupos SED e ATI foram com relação à velocidade de deslocamento, provavelmente por limitações musculares de ordem elástica, principalmente ao redor do quadril. CONCLUSÃO: Aparentemente, o nível de atividades físicas não influenciou a marcha dos SED e ATI; entretanto, uma limitação do IPAQ de conseguir classificar adequadamente diferentes níveis de atividades físicas pode ter influenciado o resultado. Futuros estudos longitudinais nos quais os indivíduos são submetidos a diferentes volumes de atividades físicas diárias são necessários para que os resultados aqui encontrados possam ser confirmados

Muscle function and omega-3 fatty acids in the prediction of lean body mass after breast cancer treatment

Background: Decreased lean body mass (LBM) is common in breast cancer survivors yet currently there is a lack of information regarding the determinants of LBM after treatment, in particular, the effect of physical activity and dietary factors, such as long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (LCn-3) on LBM and LBM function. This cross-sectional study explored associations of LBM and function with LCn-3 intake, dietary intake, inflammation, quality of life (QOL) and physical fitness in breast cancer survivors to improve clinical considerations when addressing body composition change