Pain neuroscience education and motor control exercises versus core stability exercises on pain, disability, and balance in women with chronic low back pain

Background: Several interventions have been used to relieve chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aimed to compare the effects of pain neuroscience education (PNE) followed by motor control exercises (MCEs) with core stability training (CST) on pain, disability, and balance in women with CLBP. Methods: Thirty-seven women with CLBP were randomly divided into two groups of PNE/MCE (n = 18, 55.2 ± 2.6 years) or CST (n = 19, 54.6 ± 2.4 years). Eight weeks of PNE/MCE or CST were prescribed for each group, independently. Pain intensity (VAS scale), disability (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire), unipodal static balance, and dynamic balance (time up and go test) were measured at the beginning and 8 weeks after the intervention. Two-way mixed ANOVA was used to analyze the results with alpha of 5%. Results: After 8 weeks, there was a significant difference in VAS scale between groups (p = 0.024), with both PNE/MCE and CST showing 58% and 42% reductions, respectively. There were no differences for all other variables between groups. Regarding pre- to post-comparisons, both groups showed improvements in all dependent variables (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The treatment with PNE/MCE was more effective in improving pain disability and unipodal static and dynamic balance than treatment with CST. Even so, both treatments were shown to be valid and safe in improving all dependent variables analyzed in women with CLBP.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING ARCHITECTURE FOR FLUID DYNAMICS AND FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION

One of the biggest challenges of engineering is enablecomputational solutions that reduce processing time and provide more accurate numerical solutions. Proposals with several approaches that explore new ways of solving such problems or improve existing solutions emerge. Some of the areas dedicated to propose such improvements is the parallel and high performance computing. Techniques that improve the processing time, more efficient algorithms and faster computers open up new horizons allowing to perform tasks that were previously unfeasible or would take too long to complete. We can point out, among several areas of interest, Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interaction. In this work it was developed a parallel computing architecture in order to solve numerical problems more efficiently, compared to sequential architecture (e.g. Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interaction problems) and it is also possible to extend this architecture to solve different problems (e.g. Structural problems). The objective is to develop an efficient computational algorithm in scientific programming language C ++, based on previous work carried out in Computational Mechanics Laboratory (CML) at Polytechnic School at University of São Paulo, and later with the developed architecture, execute and investigate Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interaction problems with the aid of CML computers. A sensitivity analysis is executed for different problems in order to assess the&nbsp;best combination of elements quantity and speedup, and then a perfomance comparison. Using only one GPU, we could get a 10 times speedup compared to a sequential software, using Finite Element with Immersed Boundary Method and a direct solver (PARDISO)

Acute effect of stretching exercises on upper and lower limbs maximum strength and strength endurance performance

Este estudo verificou o efeito agudo dos exercícios de flexibilidade estática (EFlex) no desempenho de força máxima (FM) e de resistência de força (RF) em membros inferiores e superiores. Treze voluntários participaram do estudo e foram submetidos a testes de FM e RF (70% 1RM) nos exercícios supino e agachamento precedidos ou não de EFlex. O teste T pareado foi utilizado para comparação das médias nas duas condições. Os EFlex diminuíram a FM no agachamento (141,2±34,2 vs 132±34,9kg; p=0,007) e no supino (77,5±21,7 vs 71,7±17,7kg p=0,04). A RF no agachamento não sofreu efeito dos EFlex (16,2±5,7 vs 16,3±6,8 repetições p=0,48), porém, no supino a RF apresentou diminuição significante (11,7±4,8 vs 9,9±5,1 repetições; p=0,008). Portanto, os EFlex reduziram a FM nos membros inferiores e superiores e a RF somente nos membros superiores. Essa diferença na RF estaria relacionada ao volume de exercícios de flexibilidade pelo tamanho do grupo muscular

Three-Months of Neuromotor Fitness Program Affect the Body Composition and Physical Performance in Untrained Women

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(4): 1346-1354, 2019. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three months of neuromotor fitness on body composition and physical performance in untrained women. Nine untrained women (age: 38.1 ± 6.9 years; total body mass: 79.3 ± 10.7 kg; height: 161.5 ± 3.9 cm; body mass index: 30.4 ± 4.1) participated in the present study. Subjects attended the laboratory on twenty-seven occasions during a three-month period at least forty-eight hours in between sessions. Sessions 1 and 2 were used to measure morphology and body composition, and to familiarize all subjects with the experimental procedure and physical performance tests (muscle power, balance, muscular endurance, and flexibility). During sessions 3 to 26, all exercises were performed twice a week during 60-min in each session. All exercises were divided into three different circuit programs composed by12 stations with one-min exercise and a passive recovery of thirty-sec. There were significant decreases (p \u3c 0.005) for circumference in the right and left arm, pectoral, waist, abdomen, hip, and right and left calf. There were significant increases in lean body mass (p \u3c 0.005) and total body weight (p \u3c 0.005). There were significant decreases for body mass index (p \u3c 0.005), fat mass (p \u3c 0.005), and fat percentage (p \u3c 0.05). There were significant decreases (p \u3c 0.005) for skinfold in triceps, pectoral, subaxilar, shoulder blade, abdomen, hip, and thigh. There were significant increases for power test (p \u3c 0.005), muscular endurance test (p \u3c 0.005), and functional test (p \u3c 0.005). There were no significant differences for flexibility (p \u3c 0.005). The neuromotor fitness program affects the body composition and increases the physical performance in untrained women

Avaliação da qualidade do relacionamento e a pré-disposição de troca entre operadoras de telefonia celular

The objective of this article is to shed light on the possible relations between previous events and the customer relationship quality and loyalty and a financial result indicator (lifetime revenue) on the predisposition to change mobile telephone operators. The study was carried out with a non-probabilistic quantitative framework and relied on the hypothetical-deductive method. The data were obtained from a survey of 493 mobile phone users and were analyzed through a structural equation and logistic regression. The results partially proved the model proposed, because of the particularities of the groups analyzed. We confirmed (directly and indirectly) the premises of a positive and significant effect between Satisfaction, Trust and Commitment and their antecedents. Satisfaction and Loyalty were distinctive elements among the groups with lower propensity to change operators. These results demonstrate some particularities of this market, where consumers perceive supply as being homogeneous, a fact that stimulates the churn rate in Brazil.O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender as possíveis relações entre antecedentes e conseqüências da qualidade do relacionamento, lealdade e um indicador de resultado financeiro (LTR), sobre a pré-disposição de troca entre operadoras de telefonia celular. Com caráter metodológico quantitativo não-probabilístico e método hipotético-dedutivo. O estudo foi realizado com 493 usuários de telefonia celular. A base foi analisada com o uso de equação estrutural e regressão logística. Os resultados permitiram a comprovação parcial do modelo proposto em decorrência das particularidades dos grupos analisados. Foram confirmadas (direta e indiretamente) as premissas de impacto positivo e significante entre Satisfação, Confiança e Comprometimento, e seus antecedentes.&nbsp;Satisfação e Lealdade foram elementos distintivos entre os grupos com menor pré-disposição para troca de operadora. Estes resultados demonstraram algumas particularidades deste mercado, onde a oferta é percebida de forma homogênea pelos consumidores, fato que estimula a alta taxa de troca no Brasil

Acute effect of stretching exercises on upper and lower limbs maximum strength and strength endurance performance

This study investigated the acute effect of static stretching exercises (SSE) on maximum strength (MS) and strength endurance (SE) performance in lower and upper limbs. Thirteen volunteers participated in the study and were submitted to MS and SE (70% 1RM) tests in the bench press and squat exercises with or without SSE. The paired T test showed that the SSE decreased MS in the squat (141.2 +/- 34.2 vs 132 +/- 34.9kg, p=0.007) and in the BP (77.5 +/- 21.7 vs 71.7 +/- 17.7kg p=0.04). Squat SE was not affected by SSE (16.2 +/- 5.7 vs 16.3 +/- 6.8 repetitions p=0.48). On the other hand, bench press SE decreased significantly after SSE (11.7 +/- 4.8 vs 9.9 +/- 5.1 repetitions p=0.008). Therefore, SSE impaired MS performance on upper and lower limbs but SE was affected only on upper limbs. This difference in SE may be related to the stretching exercises volume applied to the size of each muscle group

Muscle Activation Differs between Three Different Knee Joint-Angle Positions during a Maximal Isometric Back Squat Exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation of the lower limb muscles when performing a maximal isometric back squat exercise over three different positions. Fifteen young, healthy, resistance-trained men performed an isometric back squat at three knee joint angles (20∘, 90∘, and 140∘) in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion. Surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activation of the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST), and gluteusmaximus (GM). In general,muscle activity was the highest at 90∘ for the three quadricepsmuscles, yet differences in muscle activation between knee angles were muscle specific. Activity of the GM was significantly greater at 20∘ and 90∘ compared to 140∘.The BF and ST displayed similar activation at all joint angles. In conclusion, knee position altersmuscles activation of the quadriceps and gluteus maximus muscles. An isometric back squat at 90∘ generates the highest overall muscle activation, yet an isometric back squat at 140∘ generates the lowest overall muscle activation of the VL and GM only

The Effect of Different Resistance Training Load Schemes on Strength and Body Composition in Trained Men

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of moderate-load (10 RM) and low-load (20 RM) resistance training schemes on maximal strength and body composition. Sixteen resistance-trained men were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a moderate-load group (n = 8) or a low-load group (n = 8). The resistance training schemes consisted of 8 exercises performed 4 times per week for 6 weeks. In order to equate the number of repetitions performed by each group, the moderate load group performed 6 sets of 10 RM, while the low load group performed 3 sets of 20 RM. Between-group differences were evaluated using a 2-way ANOVA and independent t-tests. There was no difference in the weekly total load lifted (sets × reps × kg) between the 2 groups. Both groups equally improved maximal strength and measures of body composition after 6 weeks of resistance training, with no significant between-group differences detected. In conclusion, both moderate-load and low-load resistance training schemes, similar for the total load lifted, induced a similar improvement in maximal strength and body composition in resistance-trained men

Multi-joint vs Single-joint Resistance Exercises Induce a Similar Strength Increase in Trained Men: A Randomized Longitudinal Crossover Study

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 1677-1690, 2020. The type of exercise is a relevant resistance training-variable that might be manipulated in order to induce significant increases in muscle strength. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of multi-joint vs single-joint resistance exercises on maximal strength. Sixteen resistance-trained men (age: 23.1 ± 4.4 years; body mass: 86.0 ± 12.8; height: 177.9 ± 6.4 cm; training experience: 4.2 ± 3.4 years) performed one of the following training protocols for six weeks: MULTI, consisting of only multi-joint exercises or SINGLE, consisting of only single-joint exercises. Subjects were then submitted to a three-week washout period, before being submitted to the other protocol for another six weeks. A linear periodization model was adopted in which external load was increased and the repetition range was decreased every two weeks. Maximal dynamic strength of bench press (1RMBENCH) and squat exercises (1RMSQUAT), a percentage variation of total load lifted (∆TLL) and internal training load (ITL) were measured. Similar increases in 1RMBENCH (MULTI: 10.8%, p \u3c 0.001; SINGLE: 5.5%, p \u3c 0.001) and 1RMSQUAT (MULTI: 19.7%, p \u3c 0.001; SINGLE: 19.0%, p \u3c 0.001) were observed after the MULTI and SINGLE protocols. A decrease in TLL was detected for both exercise protocols; however, the SINGLE protocol induced a greater decrease, compared to the MULTI protocol (-35 ± 11% vs -42 ± 5%, respectively; p = 0.026). A greater ITL for the MULTI was observed when compared to the SINGLE (12.1%; p \u3c 0.001). In conclusion, resistance training protocols with different exercise modalities seem to produce similar strength increases in resistance-trained men

Acute Effect of Different Duration of Foam Rolling Protocols on Muscle Thickness, Pain Pressure Threshold, and Volume Load on Multiple Sets of Knee Extension

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(3): 742-755, 2021. Previous studies investigated the effects of foam rolling (FR) on measurements of strength and power. However, the acute effect of FR on muscle thickness (MT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) after multiple sets of resistance exercise remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of one and three minutes of quadriceps FR on muscle thickness (vastus lateralis [VL] and rectus femoris [RF]), pain threshold (VL and RF), and total load lifted (TLL) on multiple sets of knee extension. Nine resistance-trained men (age: 24.8 ± 5.2 years; height: 177 ± 7 cm; total body mass 77.7 ± 6.2 kg) participated the study. MT, PPT, and performance on multiple sets of knee extension were compared after performing passive recovery (CON), one minute (FR1), or three minutes of FR (FR3). A similar total training load among experimental conditions was observed. There was a greater increase on VL muscle thickness after FR3 when compared to CON and FR1. In addition, there was an increase on rectus femoris PPT two minutes post FR3, with no differences between conditions. These results indicate that longer duration FR-protocol may acutely increase muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis muscle without negatively affect the TLL and PTT