Analysis of cardiac autonomic modulation in obese and eutrophic children

INTRODUCTION: Obesity causes alterations in cardiac autonomic function. However, there are scarce and conflicting data on this function with regard to heart rate variability in obese children. OBJECTIVE: To compare the autonomic function of obese and eutrophic children by analyzing heart rate variability. METHODS: One hundred twenty-one children (57 male and 64 female) aged 8 to 12 years were distributed into two groups based on nutritional status [obese (n = 56) and eutrophic (ideal weight range; n = 65) according to the body mass index reference for gender and age]. For the analysis of heart rate variability, heart rates were recorded beat by beat as the children rested in the dorsal (prone) position for 20 minutes. Heart rate variability analysis was carried out using linear approaches in the domains of frequency and time. Either Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test was applied to compare variables between groups. Statistical significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, SD1, SD2, LF and HF indices in milliseconds squared were lower among the obese children when compared to the eutrophic group. There were no alterations in the SD1/SD2 ratio, LF/HF ratio, LF index or HF index in normalized units. There was a significant difference between groups in the RR interval (R-to-R EKG interval). CONCLUSION: The obese children exhibited modifications in heart rate variability, characterized by a reduction in both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. These findings stress the need for the early holistic care of obese children to avoid future complications

Acute effects of resistance exercise on heart rate variability in cardiopathic patients: cross-sectional study

Background: Resistance exercise is used in clinical practice to improve muscle strength and resistance of patients with heart disease. However, it lacks studies regarding its acute effects on cardiac autonomic modulation. This cross-sectional study has aimed to evaluate the acute effects of resistance exercise on heart rate variability (HRV) in cardiopathic patients. Methods: We investigated 15 volunteers (63.8 ± 10.7 years old; 29.9 ± 4.32 Kg/m2), which were submitted to one maximal repetition (1RM) of knee extension and to the acute interventions with of 40% and 80% of 1RM, with minimal intervals of 48 hours. HRV was analyzed in the SDNN, RMSSD, Poincaré Plot, HF, LF, and LF/HF ratio indexes. We evaluated HRV in the periods of rest (10 min) and recovery (60 minutes, divided into 6 windows). Findings: No differences were observed between the immediate recovery and rest periods for all indexes. We observed increase in all indexes after 20 minutes of recovery. No differences were verified between the different protocols. Conclusion: a single acute session of resistance exercise in different intensities did not change the cardiac autonomic modulation

Soil apparent electrical conductivity and geographically weighted regression for mapping soil

To resolve the spatial variation in soil properties intensively is expensive, but such knowledge is essential to manage the soil better and to achieve greater economic and environmental benefits. The objective of this study was to determine whether the soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa), alone or combined with other variables, is a useful alternative for providing detailed information on the soil in the Extremadura region of Spain. Apparent soil electrical conductivity was measured and geographically weighted regression was used to characterize the spatial variation in soil properties, which in turn can be used for soil management. This study shows that soil cation exchange capacity, calcium content, clay percentage and pH have a relatively strong spatial correlation with ECa in the soil of the study area

Characteristics of sports injuries and factors associated with injury in beginners of female artistic gymnastics

La gimnasia artística es una modalidad que combina arte y gestos biomecánicos, y es destacada entre niños y adolescentes. Su práctica puede conducir a lesiones deportivas, por eso es importante conocer los factores inherentes al traumatismo para la formulación de modelos preventivos. De ese modo, el objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar las lesiones deportivas y verificar los factores asociados con lesión en practicantes de gimnasia artística de diferentes niveles de competitividad. Fueron entrevistadas 46 gimnastas, con edad media de 10,1±2,0 años de sexo femenino, clasificadas en dos niveles competitivos: iniciación y entrenamiento. Se utilizó la encuesta de morbilidad adaptada a las características de este deporte para recabar datos personales, de entrenamiento y de lesión. Fueron observadas 0,3 lesiones por atleta y 1,4 lesiones por atleta lesionado, en que gimnastas de la categoría de entrenamiento presentaron mayor frecuencia de lesión (83,3%; n=10) comparadas con las de iniciación (10,5%, n=4). Para ambos niveles, el momento de entrenamiento y la gravedad leve fueron los más relatados. En cuanto al mecanismo, el sin contacto fue el más prevalente en la categoría de entrenamiento (90%; n=9) y de contacto directo fue el más frecuente en la iniciación (75%; n=3). Las variables antropométricas y de entrenamiento fueron consideradas factores asociados con lesión para las gimnastas. Se concluye que las gimnastas de la categoría de entrenamiento poseen mayor frecuencia de lesión. Las variables antropométricas y de entrenamiento fueron factores asociados con lesión. Las características de las lesiones dependen del nivel de competitividad de las gimnastas.A ginástica artística é uma modalidade que combina arte a gestos biomecânicos e tem se destacado entre crianças e adolescentes. Sua prática pode conduzir a lesões desportivas, por isso é importante conhecer os fatores inerentes ao traumatismo para formulação de modelos preventivos. Desse modo, objetivou-se caracterizar as lesões desportivas e verificar os fatores associados com lesão em praticantes de ginástica artística de diferentes níveis de competitividade. Foram entrevistadas 46 ginastas, com média de idade de 10,1±2,0 anos do sexo feminino, classificadas em dois níveis competitivos: iniciação e treinamento. Utilizou-se o inquérito de morbidade referida adaptado com as características da modalidade para reunir dados pessoais, de treinamento e da lesão. Foram observadas 0,3 lesões por atleta e 1,4 lesões por atleta lesionado, em que ginastas da categoria de treinamento apresentaram maior frequência de lesão (83,3%; n=10) do que as de iniciação (10,5%; n=4). Para ambos os níveis, o momento treinamento e a gravidade leve foram os mais relatados. No mecanismo, o sem contato foi mais prevalente na categoria de treinamento (90%; n=9) e o contato direto foi o mais frequente na iniciação (75%; n=3). As variáveis antropométricas e de treinamento foram consideradas fatores associados com lesão para as ginastas. Conclui-se que ginastas da categoria de treinamento possuem maior frequência de lesão. As variáveis antropométricas e de treinamento foram fatores associados com lesão. As características das lesões dependem do nível de competitividade das ginastas.The artistic gymnastics is a modality that associates arts with biomechanical gestures, and it has been prominent among children and adolescents. Its practice can lead to sports injuries; therefore, it is important to know the factors inherent to trauma for the formulation of preventive models. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize sports injuries and to verify factors associated with injury in people practicing artistic gymnastics with different levels of competitiveness. Forty-six gymnasts were interviewed with mean age of 10.1±2.0 years for female participants, who were classified in two competitive levels, i.e, initiation and training. We used the morbidity questionnaire adapted to sports characteristics to collect personal, training, and injury data. It was observed that injury risk was 0.3 injuries per athlete and 1.4 injuries per injured athlete, in which the gymnasts of the training category showed a higher frequency of the injury (83.3%; n=10) compared with the ones in the initiation category (10.5%; n=4). For both levels of competitiveness, training moment and light severity were the most reported variables. In the mechanism, contactless was more prevalent in the training category (90%; n=9) and the direct contact was more common at initiation category (75%; n=3). Anthropometric and training variables were considered as factors associated with injury to the gymnasts. It is concluded that gymnasts of the training category have higher injury frequency. Anthropometric and training variables were factors associated with injury. Characteristics of the injuries depend on the competitiveness level of the ­gymnasts

Pursed-lip breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a literature review

Esta revisão teve por objetivo destacar os principais achados publicados nos últimos dez anos sobre os efeitos da respiração frenolabial (RFL) em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). A busca dos artigos foi realizada nas bases de dados Lilacs, IBECS, MEDLINE e SciELO, por meio dos seguintes descritores da área da saúde (DeCS): doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, reabilitação, respiração, hiperinsuflação e dispneia, e suas respectivas versões na língua inglesa (MeSH), além do termo pursed-lip breathing. Após a eliminação dos títulos repetidos, foram selecionados somente os estudos que abordavam a RFL como tema principal, resultando em 12 artigos científicos, 10 ensaios clínicos e 2 revisões bibliográficas. Segundo os achados, a RFL proporciona: alterações sobre a gasometria arterial, caracterizada pelo aumento da saturação e pressão parcial de oxigênio; padrão ventilatório, com diminuição da frequência respiratória e aumento de tempo expiratório e do volume corrente; mecânica ventilatória, por meio do recrutamento de musculatura abdominal expiratória e dos músculos da caixa torácica e acessórios da inspiração; diminuição no consumo de oxigênio; alterações na modulação autonômica cardíaca induzida pelo aumento da atividade parassimpática e, por fim, melhora na qualidade de vida destes pacientes. A RFL é considerada uma manobra de grande importância, por repercutir de forma positiva em diversos sistemas e sobre a qualidade de vida de pacientes portadores da DPOC.This review aimed at standing out the main findings published in the last ten years on the effects of pursed-lip breathing (PLB) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The search for articles was performed in Lilacs, IBECS, MEDLINE, and SciELO database by using the descriptors of health (DeCS): doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, reabilitação, respiração, hiperinsuflação e dispneia, and their respective versions in the English language (MeSH), the term pursed-lip breathing was also in such list. After removing the repeated titles, only studies addressing PLB as the main theme were selected, resulting in 12 papers, 10 clinical trials, and 2 systematic reviews. According to the findings, the PLB provides: changes on arterial gases, which are characterized by increased oxygen saturation and partial pressure of oxygen; ventilatory pattern with decreased respiratory rate and increased expiratory time and tidal volume; respiratory mechanics, by recruiting the expiratory abdominal muscles and muscles of the rib cage and accessories inspired; decrease in oxygen consumption; alterations in cardiac autonomic modulation induced by increase in parasympathetic activity and, ultimately, improved quality of life of these patients. The PLB is considered a maneuver of great importance to have a positive effect on various systems and on the quality of life of patients with COPD

Associação entre desordens musculoesqueléticas e gastos com cuidado à saúde entre pacientes do Sistema Único de Saúde

Delineamento: transversal. Objetivos: (i) Identificar a ocorrência de desordens musculoesqueléticas, (ii) identificar seus determinantes e (iii) suas relações com gastos com saúde em adultos atendidos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 963 adultos, com 50 anos e de ambos os sexos tratados em unidades básicas de saúde. Participantes responderam questionários sobre doenças, condição econômica, desordens musculoesqueléticas, atividade ocupacional, consultas de fisioterapia e compra de medicamentos; peso e estatura foram mensurados para calcular o índice de massa corporal. Custos com saúde foram computados retroagindo 12 meses. Resultados: A prevalência de desordens musculoesqueléticas foi 65%, sendo maior em pacientes com doenças do tecido conjuntivo (OR=4,11 [2,98-5,67]) e pessoas que levantam cargas no trabalho (OR=1,45 [1,27-1,66]). Além disso, a ocorrência de desordens musculoesqueléticas nos ombros, região lombar, joelhos e tornozelos/pés foram relacionados a maiores gastos com medicamentos e consultas médicas. Conclusão: A ocorrência de desordens musculoesqueléticas foi elevada entre estes pacientes, é afetada por sexo e atividade ocupacional e positivamente relacionada com gastos com saúde.Study Design: Cross-sectional. Objectives: (i) To identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, (ii) to identify musculoskeletal disorders correlates and (iii) to identify the existence of relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and healthcare expenditures in adults attended to by the public healthcare system. Methods: Crosssectional study involving 963 adults (over 50 years of age and of both sexes) treated in basic healthcare units (BHU). The participants answered questionnaires about self-reported morbidity, economic condition, musculoskeletal symptoms, occupational activity behavior, physical therapy consultation and prescription drugs purchased. Weight and height were obtained for body mass index computation. Healthcare expenditures in the last 12 months were computed. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 65%. Patients diagnosed with musculoskeletal system/connective tissue diseases (OR= 4.11 [2.98 – 5.67]) and people who needed to lift loads at work (OR= 1.45 [1.27 – 1.66]) presented higher likelihood to report the outcome. Moreover, occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms in shoulders, low back, knees and ankles/feet were positively related to increased prescription drugs used and medical consultations. Conclusion: There is a high occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms in Brazilian patients, which is affected by sex and occupational activity, and is positively related to increased healthcare expenditures

Sports Injuries and Their Risk Factors in Adolescents who Practice Swimming

Introdução: a natação é uma modalidade popular entre os adolescentes, no entanto, sua prática pode conduzir às lesões. Objetivos: caracterizar as lesões desportivas e associá-las com fatores de risco em adolescentes praticantes de natação de diferentes níveis de competitividade. Método: foram entrevistados 251 nadadores, com média de idade de 12,43±2,10 anos, ambos os sexos, recrutados ao acaso, classificadas em três níveis competitivos: categoria de iniciação, aperfeiçoamento e treinamento. Foi utilizado o inquérito de morbidade referida adaptado com as características da natação como instrumento de coleta que continha informações pessoais e de treinamento dos voluntários, como: idade, variáveis antropométricas e variáveis de treinamento e informações referentes às lesões ocorridas durante 12 meses. Todas as conclusões foram descritas no nível de 5% de significância. Resultados: Foram observadas 0,11 lesões por atleta e 1,03 lesões por atleta lesionado. Foi constatada associação entre presença e ausência de lesão com a variável estatura e tempo de treinamento. O mecanismo causal mais frequente foi o sem contato para as categorias de iniciação e treinamento. Os locais anatômicos mais acometidos foram os MMII e MMSS para todos os níveis de competitividade, assim como a gravidade leve, o treinamento e a ausência de recidiva predominaram. O retorno assintomático foi mais frequente para a iniciação, enquanto que o retorno sintomático prevaleceu na categoria de treinamento. Conclusão: a taxa de lesão nos adolescentes nadadores foi baixa. As variáveis estatura e tempo de treinamento foram associadas à ocorrência dos agravos. As características das lesões dependeram do nível de competitividade dos nadadores.Introduction: swimming is a popular sport among adolescents; however, your practice can lead to injuries. Objectives: to characterize the sport injuries and associate them with risk factors in teenage swimmers from different levels of competitiveness. Methods: 251 swimmers were interviewed, it an average age of 12.43±2.10, both sexes, recruited randomly and they were classified into three competitive levels: initiation, development, and training category. It wasused the morbidity survey adapted to the characteristics of swimming as collection instrument containing personal and training of volunteers data, as age, anthropometric variables and training variables and information relating to injuries sustained during a period of 12 months. All findings were described at the 5% significance level. Results: It was verified that there is an associationbetween the presence and absence of injury with the variable height and variable time. The causal mechanism most common was the non-contact mechanism for the categories of initiation and training. The most affected anatomical site was the lower limb and upper limb for all competitive levels. The mild severity, the training time and the absence of recurrence predominated. The asymptomatic return was more frequent for initiation, whereas the symptomatic return prevailed in the training category. Conclusion: the injury rate in teenage swimmers was low. The variables height and training time were associated with the occurrence of injuries. The characteristics of the injuries depended on the competitive level of the swimmers

Fractal correlation property of heart rate variability in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: It was reported that autonomic nervous system function is altered in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated short-and long-term fractal exponents of heart rate variability (HRV) in COPD subjects.Patients and methods: We analyzed data from 30 volunteers, who were divided into two groups according to spirometric values: COPD (n = 15) and control (n = 15). for analysis of HRV indices, HRV was recorded beat by beat with the volunteers in the supine position for 30 minutes. We analyzed the linear indices in the time (SDNN [standard deviation of normal to normal] and RMSSD [root-mean square of differences]) and frequency domains (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], and LF/HF), and the short-and long-term fractal exponents were obtained by detrended fluctuation analysis. We considered P < 0.05 to be a significant difference.Results: COPD patients presented reduced levels of all linear exponents and decreased short-term fractal exponent (alpha-1: 0.899 +/- 0.18 versus 1.025 +/- 0.09, P = 0.026). There was no significant difference between COPD and control groups in alpha-2 and alpha-1/alpha-2 ratio.Conclusion: COPD subjects present reduced short-term fractal correlation properties of HRV, which indicates that this index can be used for risk stratification, assessment of systemic disease manifestations, and therapeutic procedures to monitor those patients.Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP)Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, Dept Fisioterapia, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Cardiol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilFac Med Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Dept Cardiol & Cirurgia Cardiovasc, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Londrina, Lab Pesquisa Fisioterapia Pulm, Dept Fisioterapia, Londrina, BrazilFac Med ABC, Dept Morfol & Fisiol, Santo Andre, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Cardiol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilFUNDUNESP: 00704/08 - DFPWeb of Scienc