Impact of two different dual tasks on obstacle crossing in elderly

O desempenho de uma dupla tarefa pode aumentar o risco de quedas durante a marcha em idosos. O impacto de uma dupla tarefa pode depender de sua complexidade em relação ao processamento de informação. Diferentes configurações de duplas tarefas deduzem diferentes demandas para o processamento de informação. Neste estudo investigamos se diferentes configurações de duplas tarefas podem afetar o desempenho da transposição de obstáculo na marcha de idosos. Dez idosos independentes foram avaliados durante a marcha cruzando um obstáculo vertical enquanto desempenhando duas duplas tarefas: (a) com input auditório (variação da tarefa de Stroop), e (b) sem imput auditório (falar os dias da semana em ordem reversa). Nós hipotetizamos que um efeito da dupla tarefa seria relacionado com o tipo de seu input, e o input auditório requereria maior processamento de informação; portanto, poderia ter maior impacto na marcha. Nós encontramos que o desempanho de transpor obstáculo foi similar nas duas condições de dupla tarefa. Sendo assim, ambas duplas tarefas testadas afetam a transposição de obstáculo na mesma medida em idosos.El desempeño de una doble tarea puede aumentar el riesgo de caídas durante la marcha en personas mayores. El impacto de una doble tarea puede depender de su complejidad en cuanto al procesamiento de información. Las distintas configuraciones de dobles tareas infieren distintas demandas para dicho procesamiento. En este estudio se investigó si las distintas configuraciones de dobles tareas pueden afectar el rendimiento de la transposición de obstáculo en la marcha de personas mayores. Han participado diez personas mayores independientes y evaluadas durante la marcha cruzando un obstáculo vertical mientras hacían dos dobles tareas: (a) con input auditorio (variación de la tarea de Stroop) y (b) sin input auditorio (hablar los días de semana en orden reverso). Se dedujo que el rendimiento de la doble tarea estaría relacionado con el tipo de su input, y el input auditorio exigía un mayor procesamiento de información; por lo tanto, podría tener un mayor impacto en la marcha. Se encontró que el rendimiento en la superación de obstáculos fue semejante en las dos condiciones de doble tarea evaluadas. Así, ambas afectan a la superación del obstáculo en igual medida en personas mayores.The performance of a dual task increases risk of falling during walking in the elderly. Such impact of a dual task may depend on its complexity regarding information processing. Therefore, different dual task configurations may elicit different demands for information processing. We investigated whether different dual task configurations can differently affect the performance of obstacle crossing in the gait of elderly. Ten independent elderly performed vertical obstacle crossing while performing two dual tasks during walking: (a) with auditory input (variation of Stroop task), and (b) without auditory input (report the days of the week in reverse sequence). We hypothesized that a dual task effect would be related with the type of dual task input, and the auditory input would require further information processing and therefore could have larger impact on gait. We found that performance of obstacle crossing was similar regardless of the dual task configuration. Both dual task conditions affect the obstacle crossing in the same extent in the elderly

IMPLICAÇÕES DO EXERCÍCIO REGULAR SOBRE O CONTROLE POSTURAL EM IDOSOS

Objetivo: identificar as implicações do exercício regular sobre o controle postural em idosos. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura desenvolvida nas bases de dados SCOPUS e SciELO, utilizando os descritores “postural balance” or “postural control” or “balance” and “aged”, nos últimos cinco anos e nos idiomas português ou inglês. Resultados: dos 23 estudos selecionados, identificou-se uma prevalência de estudos no ano de 2012 e nos periódicos Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy e Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia. Os estudos foram agrupados em duas categorias: 1) Implicações da prática de atividade física sobre o controle postural; e 2) Exercícios físicos capazes de atuar sobre o controle postural. Conclusões: o exercício implica de maneira positiva sobre o controle postural, atuando em múltiplos aspectos motores e cognitivos, desde que seja realizado de maneira regular e com intensidade adequada para que a fadiga muscular não acarrete aumento no risco de quedas

COMBINATIONS OF CLINICAL TESTS PREDICT FRONTAL PLANE KNEE ANGLE AND MOMENT IN BILATERAL DROP JUMP

This project investigates whether performance in clinical tests can predict frontal plane knee angle and moment during bilateral drop jumps. Fifty-one recreational male athletes were assessed during clinical tests [lunge, star excursion balance test (SEBT), lateral step down (LSD), hop tests, and knee and hip isometric strength] and biomechanical assessment (3D kinematics and kinetics of bilateral drop jump). Linear regression models determined the predictive capacity of clinical tests to predict biomechanical outcomes. SEBT, triple hop test, LSD and lunge predicted frontal plane knee angle and moment with predictive power from 26 to 45%. A combination of at least two clinical tests significantly improves prediction of frontal plane knee angle and moment during bilateral drop jump. LSD, triple hop test and SEBT provide prediction for frontal plane knee angle and moment

BIOMECHANICAL DIFFERENCES DURING LANDING BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS WITH PROXIMAL AND COMBINED DEVIATIONS DURING LATERAL STEP DOWN

We investigated the 3D biomechanical differences during landing between those who have proximal (PRO) only (frontal pelvis drop down) and combined (COM) proximal and distal (frontal pelvis drop down and medial knee displacement to 2nd toe) deviations during the lateral step down (LSD) test. Sixty-one recreational male athletes were assessed and those who met the criteria for the groups were tested in a 3D biomechanical laboratory (bilateral drop jump, unilateral forward and drop jump). We found higher hip abduction in the COM group during bilateral drop landings. The COM group also showed lower peak ground reaction force, higher impact absorption rate and higher knee frontal angular velocity during unilateral landings. Participants with LSD proximal and combined deviations differ on key kinetics during unilateral drop landings and hip kinematics during bilateral drop landings

ANALYSIS OF PEDALING TECHNIQUE DURING A MAXIMAL CYCLING EXERCISE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of the fatigue process during a maximal cycling exercise on the pedaling technique. Eight elite competitive male cyclists were evaluated in a two days protocol. On day 1, the cyclists were submitted to a VO2MAX test, and on day 2, they cycled to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer equipped with two 2-D pedals dynamometer to measure the forces applied on the pedals. The workload was set at 100% of their VO2MAX, as measured on day 1. The resultant and effective forces were calculated from normal and tangential forces to obtain the index of effectiveness (IE). No differences were observed in the IE throughout the entire test. This study suggests that under a fatigue protocol, elite cyclists are able to sustain the IE, which can be an important strategy in order to sustain the power output

Spectral properties of muscle activation during incremental cycling test

It is uncertain whether fatigue and workload would affect muscle recruitment during cycling. To infer on changes in priority for recruitment of motor units, we assessed the combined effects of fatigue and workload during an incremental cycling test to exhaustion on frequency components of lower limbs muscle activation. Competitive cyclists performed an incremental maximal cycling test while muscle activations were recorded from the right and left vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius medialis. Muscle activation signals were assessed using frequency band analyses and decomposed into overall, high and low frequency bands. Combined effects from workload/fatigue were assessed using t tests and Cohen¿s effect sizes (ES). There were increases in the overall muscle activation due to increased workload/fatigue for biceps femoris (40% vs. 90%, p<0.01 and ES = 1.85) and vastus lateralis (40% vs. 70%, p=0.01 and ES = 0.96, and 40% vs. 90%, p<0.01 and ES = 2.03, and 70% vs. 90%, p<0.01 and ES = 0.96), but not for gastrocnemius medialis. There was also greater contribution from low frequency component for biceps femoris (40% vs. 90%, p = 0.01 and ES = 1.12). Similar workload/fatigue effects have been observed between lower limbs. In conclusion, incremental cycling test lead to an increase in activation of main knee joint flexors and extensors but not in plantar flexors during cycling. Biceps femoris changes its recruitment profile due to increases in low frequency content

Neuromuscular and functional responses to concentric and eccentric strength training in older adults: A systematic review

The type of muscle action is important when designing exercise interventions for older individuals and may result in different effects. In this study we performed a systematic review of controlled trials comparing the effects of concentric and eccentric resistance training, performed on isokinetic dynamometers, on lower extremity muscular and functional performance in older adults (CDR42017075316). Six databases (Pubmed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, Cochrane Central, and Embase) were searched. Outcomes of interest concerned neuromuscular and functional performance. Trials should consider 65 years or older individuals participating in concentric and/or eccentric training on isokinetic dynamometers, at least twice a week, during at least four weeks. Results should be compared to a control group or between different contraction types. A qualitative analysis of data was done. Quality assessment considered the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The initial search returned 10376 studies and four trials were considered for inclusion. Three trials compared the effects of concentric training with the ones of control groups, and one compared the effects of concentric with the ones of eccentric training. All trials focused on knee extensor and flexor muscles, and one also focused on ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors. Training programs included three sessions/week lasting 8-12 weeks. Concentric training improved strength, power, and muscle antagonist coactivation compared to the control. Concentric and eccentric training improved knee isometric, concentric and eccentric strength and scores on self-paced step test, with no effect on gait speed. They did not consider muscle structural parameters. The findings of beneficial effects of isokinetic concentric and eccentric resistance training on muscle strength and power in older adults were consistent. However, there is a lack of trials addressing the effects of isokinetic strength training on muscle structure and functionality

Importance of static adjustment of knee angle to determine saddle height in cycling

Knee flexion angle is used to determine saddle height during pedaling. However, it is unclear if knee flexion angle at upright standing posture affects measures and interpretation of knee flexion angle during cycling. The objective of this study was to assess the importance of adjusting knee angle during pedaling according to the knee angle at upright posture. Seventeen cyclists performed three 10 min cycling trials at different saddle heights to induce knee flexion angles (40º, 30º or 20º when crank was at the 6 o'clock position). Knee flexion angle was determined at the sagittal plane during cycling using a 2D motion analysis system. Alteration of saddle height was performed by subtracting the knee flexion angle determined during an upright standing posture from the observed knee flexion angle during cycling. Repeatability of knee angles at upright posture in the three trials was very good (ICC=0.73). A reduction in knee flexion angle of 10.6° (95%CI [8.6, 12.6º]) during cycling was found using the adjustment for upright standing posture (p3.0). As a result, saddle height is affected by adjustments based on knee angle measured in upright standing posture. Determining saddle height without adjusting knee angle for upright standing posture could lead to errors with possible effects on performance and/or injury risk

A retrospective international study on factors associated with injury, discomfort and pain perception among cyclists

Although cycling has been associated with overuse/fatigue and acute injuries, there is lack of information regarding associated risk factors and prevention factors. The objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with injury, and perceptions of discomfort and pain in cyclists. A total of 739 cyclists completed an online questionnaire between February and October 2016. The questionnaire acquired information on participant demographics, characteristics related to cycling profile and fitness training, bike components and cycling posture, self-reported perceptions of comfort and pain, and injuries sustained in the last 12 months. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) that examined factors associated with reporting overuse/fatigue injury, acute injury, body discomfort, saddle discomfort, and pain while cycling. Odds of reporting an overuse/fatigue injury increased when the cyclists complemented training with running (OR = 1.74; 95%CI = 1.03-2.91) or swimming (OR = 2.17; 95%CI = 1.19-3.88), and with reported pain while cycling (OR = 1.17; 95%CI = 1.05-3.69) and not cycling (OR = 1.76; 95%CI = 1.07-2.90). Odds of reporting an acute injury increased when biking to work (OR = 1.79; 95%CI = 1.07-2.86), and decreased with increased average cycling speed (1-km/h decrease OR = 0.93; 95%CI = 0.88-0.97), and compared to low-end bike, with the use of mid-range (OR = 0.25; 95%CI = 0.09-0.72) and high-end bike (OR = 0.34; 95%CI = 0.13-0.96). Although body discomfort was only associated with saddle discomfort and the presence of pain during cycling, saddle discomfort was also associated with biking to work (OR = 0.46; 95%CI = 0.22-0.88). Finally, pain perception was associated with a number of factors such as ride to work, core training, cycling experience, saddle discomfort, pain while not cycling. Numerous factors are associated with injury, and perceptions of discomfort and pain in cyclists. Such factors should be considered when developing training routines, bicycle maintenance best practices, and injury prevention programs

Effect of cycling specialization on effort and physiological responses to uphill and flat cycling at similar intensity

[EN] Power output is considered one of the best tools to control external loads in cycling, but the relationship between a target power output and the physiological responses may suffer from the effects of road gradient, which is also affected by cyclist specialization. The objective was to determine the effects of cyclist specialization on effort perception and physiological response (heart rate and lactate concentration) while sustaining efforts at similar power output but riding on two different road gradients. Nineteen male competitive road cyclists performed two randomized trials of 10 min at 0% (velodrome) and 10 min at 6% road gradient (field uphill), at an intensity of 10% ± 3% below the individual’s functional threshold power. Cadence was kept between 75 and 80 rpm in both trials and posture remained unchanged during the tests. Heart rate, speed, cadence, power output, blood lactate, and rate of perceived effort were measured for each trial. K-means cluster analyses differentiate uphill (n = 10) and flat specialists (n = 9) according to lactate responses. Flat specialists presented lower heart rate (p < 0.001 and ES = 0.2), perceived exertion (p < 0.01 and ES = 0.7), and blood lactate concentration (p < 0.001 and ES = 0.7) riding on the flat than uphill. Uphill specialists presented lower perceived exertion (p < 0.01 and ES = 0.8) and blood lactate concentration (p < 0.01 and ES = 0.5) riding uphill than on the flat. In conclusion, the combination of cyclist specialization and road gradient affects physiological and effort perception parameters in response to a similar power output demand. These factors deserve attention in training schedules and monitoring performance using power output data.S