A longitudinal assessment of myoelectric activity, postural sway, and low-back pain during pregnancy

The present study aimed at investigating the control of upright quiet standing in pregnant women throughout pregnancy, and whether low-back pain exerts influence on this motor task. Myoelectric signals from postural muscles and stabilometric data were collected from 15 non-pregnant and 15 pregnant women during upright quiet standing. Electromyogram envelopes and center of pressure metrics were evaluated in the control group, as well as in pregnant women in their first and third trimester of pregnancy. A correlation analysis was performed between the measured variables and a low-back pain disability index. Pregnant women exhibited a decreased maximum voluntary isometric activity for all postural muscles evaluated. Additionally, the activity of lumbar muscles during the postural task was significantly higher in the pregnant women in comparison to the non-pregnant controls. The soleus muscle maintained its activity at the same level as the gestation progressed. Higher postural oscillations were observed in the anteroposterior direction while mediolateral sway was reduced in the third trimester of pregnancy. No correlation was detected between the low-back pain disability index and neuromechanical variables. Conclusion: This study provides additional data regarding the functioning and adaptations of the postural control system during pregnancy. Also, we provide further evidence that postural control during quiet standing cannot be used to predict the occurrence of low-back pain. We hypothesize that the modifications in the neural drive to the muscles, as well as in postural sway may be related to changes in the biomechanics and hormonal levels experienced by the pregnant women1937783COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESnão te

Evaluation of New Dwarf Elephant Grass Genotypes for Grazing

Elephant grass stands out for its production potential, forage quality and acceptance by animals. However, its tall size makes management under grazing difficult and dwarf cultivars have been selected and evaluated to overcome this limitation. The objective was to characterize agronomic aspects of dwarf elephant grass genotypes submitted to two defoliation intensities. The experiment was installed in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with five elephant grass genotypes (2022, 1810, 2111, 2035, BRS Kurumi) and two residue heights after defoliation (25 and 45 cm). A randomized block design with three replications in 4x3m plots was used. Forage above the residue height was cut whenever the canopy reached 93-95% light interception. Residue heights did not influence leaf/stem ratio, basal and total tillering, and dry matter production. On the other hand, influence of residue height on canopy height, aerial tillering and forage accumulation rate was observed. The forage accumulation rate increased by 19% for the 45 cm residue compared to the 25 cm residue. No interaction was observed between genotype and residue height for the variables canopy height, leaf:stem ratio, basal tillering, aerial tillering, forage mass and forage accumulation rate. In relation to tillering, BRS kurumi showed greater total and aerial tiller number, 31% higher than the average of the other materials. Although the cultivar BRS kurumi has more vigorous tillering, the variables leaf:stem ratio and forage accumulation rate were higher in the new materials, especially material 1810, which presented better performance compared to the control. In view of this, it is concluded that the new grass genotypes have a higher proportion of leaves and forage accumulation rate than BRS Kurumi, and that the residue height of 45 cm provides a higher forage accumulation rate

Herbage Mass, Forage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria decumbens\u3c/em\u3e in a Silvopastoral System

The use of silvopastoral systems has been suggested to ensure sustainability in animal production systems because of their potential to increase soil fertility, improve forage quality, promote animal thermal comfort and provide income diversification for the producer (Paciullo et al. 2011). Nevertheless, the shade provided by trees may affect plant growth and nutritive value of forage (Sousa et al. 2010). This study aimed to assess the impact of shading on the allocation pattern of dry matter and on herbage nutritive value, under various shading regimes, in a silvopastoral system, during both the dry and rainy seasons

Diversidade das unidades e dos produtores de derivados do leite em Nossa Senhora da Glória, semi-árido sergipano.

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Caracterização da forragem e da extrusa de clones de capim elefante anão sob lotação intermitente.

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de novilhas mestiças e as características químicas da forragem de dois clones de capim-elefante anão (?BRS Kurumi? e CNPGL 00-1-3) submetidos a diferentes estratégias de manejo por meio de métodos de amostragem da forragem (planta inteira, extrusa e simulação manual de pastejo). As análises bromatológicas demonstraram que a metodologia da simulação manual de pastejo possibilita uma estimativa aceitável da forragem selecionada pelos animais em pastejo e a amostragem de planta inteira não representa a dieta selecionada pelo animal. Para a colheita de extrusa foi feita avaliação da taxa e massa do bocado, frações da planta e composição química da forragem ingerida. As características, estruturais e valor nutritivo do clone ?BRS Kurumi? facilitou maior aporte de forragem pelo animal, o que sugere seu uso em sistema de pastejo