EFFECT OF PILATES BASED EXERCISE ON BODY SWAY AND SHOOTING PERFORMANCE OF BRAZILIANS POLICE

This study investigated the effect of a 10-week Pilates practice on core stability, shooting performance and body sway in fifteen policemen (25.3 ± 3 years; 171 ± 9 cm; 71.6 ± 12.1 kg). The policeman performed 10 pistol shots and had the three dimensional ground reaction forces data (AMTI-OR-06, USA and gun target fluctuation point (SCATT USB Professional Trainer) registered during 5s prior shooting. Shooting score was also determined. Core stability was accessed by the double lowering limb (DLL) test. Although the Mann- Whitney U test showed that the Pilates practice significantly improve the core stability, no changes was observed on body sway or shooting performance. Ten weeks of Pilates practice was effective to improve core stability in policemen, but it was not able to decrease body sway during shooting or the ability of the shooter hit the target

A influência de duas mochilas sobre a cinemática da coluna de crianças

This study aimed to analyze the effect of backpack load carriage over the spine. The studies that have investigated load carriage using backpacks have analyzed the lower limb dynamics and have not focused on the spine. In addition, the strategies applied by children may differ from adults as the relative weight differs between adolescents and adults. Methods: Ten schoolboys (13.9 ± 0.6 years-old; 1.53 ± 0.05 m; 44.9 ± 3.3 kg) volunteered to participate after their parents sign an informed consent form. Participants walked in a treadmill during approximately 15 minutes carrying a specially built backpack with a load that corresponded to 0.10 and 20% BW. A number of landmarks were placed over the subjects back and allowed reconstruction of the spinal profiles in the sagittal and frontal planes. The relation between the segments formed between acromium markers and the posterior superior iliac crest markers was used as a spinal rotation index. The maximum, minimal, mean and range of motion of the thoracic and lumbar regions and the whole spine were analyzed. The gait cycle was applied to normalize the gait cycle. Results indicated differences between the two loads (10%BW and 20%BW). A number of changes in the spinal kinematics was found. In the saggital plane the range of movement was unaltered, although there was an increased in the flexion, which was interpreted as a compensatory strategy to counteract the effect of the load. These results are in line with the idea that the use of a backpack increases anterior leaning of the trunk, but are in disagreement with the notion that pronounced changes in the range of motion occur. Carrying a backpack did not produce a clear effect over the variables selected to identify thoracic and lumbar spine regions in the sagittal plane. Conclusion: Carrying a load that corresponded to 20%BW influences spinal kinematics in all planes of movements. These changes may impose an important change in posture and stress applied over the posterior aspect of the vertebral column. The slow walking speed used in the present study may have not induced large changes in the kinematics of the vertebral column as in other studies in which walking was performed in greater speeds. Thus, it is suggested that weight of the backpack is not the only factor that determines the movements of the vertebral column.Este estudo visou analisar o efeito do carregamento de cargas por meio de mochilas sobre a coluna. Os estudos que investigaram o carregamento de cargas utilizando mochilas têm analisado a dinâmica de membros inferiores e não tem focado a coluna vertebral. Em adição, as estratégias aplicadas por crianças podem diferir visto que as cargas relativas podem diferir entre adolescentes e adultos. Métodos: dez escolares (13,9 ± 0,6 anos; 1,53 ± 0,05 m; 44,9 ± 3,3 kg) foram voluntários para participar do estudo após seus pais consentirem e assinarem um formulário livre e esclarecido. Os participantes caminharam em uma esteira. Durante aproximadamente 15 minutos carregando uma mochila especialmente feita que correspondia a 0,10 e 20% do peso corporal. Um número de marcas corporais foi colocada nas costas dos sujeitos que permitiram a reconstrução dos perfis da coluna nos planos sagital e frontal. A relação entre os segmentos formados pelas marcas entre os acrômios e as cristas ilíacas foi usada como um índice de rotação da coluna. Os valores máximos, mínimos, médios e as amplitudes de movimento das regiões torácica e lombar e a coluna toda foram analisados. O ciclo da marcha foi normalizado pelo contato sucessivo de dois contatos do calcanhar com o solo. Resultados indicaram diferenças entre as cargas (10 e 20% PC). Um número de mudanças na cinemática da coluna foi encontrada. No plano sagital a amplitude de movimento permaneceu inalterada, todavia, houve um aumento na flexão a qual foi interpretada como uma estratégia compensatória em resposta ao efeito da carga. Os resultados estão em linha com a idéia que o uso de mochilas aumenta a inclinação anterior do tronco, mas em discordância com a noção que pronunciadas mudanças na amplitude de movimento ocorrem. O carregamento de cargas não produz um efeito claro sobre as variáveis selecionadas para identificar as alterações nas regiões lombar e torácica no plano sagital. Conclusão: o carregamento de cargas que correspondem a 20% PC influenciam a cinemática da coluna em todos os planos de movimento. Essas mudanças podem impor importantes mudanças sobre a postura e o estresse aplicado sobre os aspectos anteriores e posteriores da coluna vertebral. A baixa velocidade de deslocamento usada no presente estudo podem não ter induzido grandes mudanças na cinematica da coluna vertebral, como demonstrado em outros estudos que usaram maiores velocidades de deslocamento. Desta forma, sugere-se que o peso da mochila não é o único ator que determina os movimentos da coluna vertebral

Physical activity level and physical performance in the 6-minute walk test in women with fibromyalgia

AbstractIntroductionFibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition that causes impaired functional capacity, possibly through the adoption of sedentary behaviour. However, little is known regarding physical activity level and its relationship with physical performance in women with FM.ObjectivesTo compare physical activity level, assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and physical performance, measured using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), in women with and without FM and to examine the possible relationships between physical activity level and physical performance in both groups.MethodsThe study included 30 women diagnosed with FM (patients) and 28 healthy women (controls) who answered the IPAQ and performed the 6MWT.ResultsPatients and controls self-reported similar physical activity level, considering both the total score and all IPAQ subcomponents (P>0.05). However, the FM patients had worse physical performance in the 6MWT (patients, 441.8±84.1 m vs. controls, 523.9±80.3 m; P<0.01). There were no relationships between the distance walked in the 6MWT and the IPAQ variables for the control group. However, the distance walked by patients in the test showed a significant correlation (P<0.05) with the total score and the subcomponents transport, household activities, and physical activities of moderate intensity in the IPAQ.ConclusionsWomen with FM had physical activity levels similar to women without FM but exhibited worse physical performance. This functional impairment may be related to the lifestyle adopted because there was a relationship between physical activity level and physical performance in those patients

Influência do gênero sobre a variação da estatura

The aim of this study was to compare the gender influence over stature variation during quotidian tasks in order to help the understanding of factors related to the greatest low back pain incidence in women. Nineteen young subjects (12 women, 20.9 ± 1.1 years and 7 men, 20.3 ± 1.0 years) participated in the study. Menstrual cycle was controlled in an attempt to reduce possible hormonal cycle variation effects. Women's stature was controlled by means of a special stadiometer before, and after 20, 60,120 and 180 min during a quotidian task. Men and women showed different stature variations, where women lost height more rapidly and in greater magnitude than man.The differences found in the present study between genders may explain the greater prevalence of low back pain in women. Therefore, workloads must differ between genders, as women are more predisposed to more pronounced stature loss. Other studies between genders to analyze subjects' ability to recover from stature loss are required, as there is an association between back pain and recovery inability pointed in other studies.O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a influência do gênero sobre a variação da estatura durante atividades cotidianas a fim de auxiliar na compreensão da maior incidência de dores nas costas em mulheres. Dezenove sujeitos jovens (12 mulheres, 20,9 ± 1,1 anos; e sete homens, 20,3 ± 1,0 anos) participaram do estudo. As mulheres tiveram medidas de estatura controladas para o ciclo menstrual para controlar possíveis efeitos de variações hormonais. Os indivíduos tiveram sua estatura mensurada por meio de estadiômetro especial no início, após, 20, 60, 120, 180 min de uma tarefa cotidiana (atividades livres, sentar e andar; porém não vigorosas). Homens e mulheres possuem variações de estatura diferenciadas, onde as mulheres perderam estatura mais rápido e em maior magnitude do que os homens. As diferenças encontradas neste estudo entre os gêneros podem explicar a maior prevalência de lombalgias nas mulheres. Desta forma, cargas de trabalho devem ser diferenciadas entre gêneros, visto a maior predisposição das mulheres a perdas mais pronunciadas de estatura. Outros estudos entre gêneros que analisem a capacidade dos sujeitos recuperarem estatura são necessários, visto a associação apontada entre lombalgias e a inabilidade de recuperação apontada em outros estudos

CHANGES IN POSTURAL CONTROL POST AN 8-WEEK DANCE PROGRAM IN FEMALE ELDERLY

This study investigated the effect of an 8wk dance program on orthostatic postural control in elderly. Thirty-four elderly participants were randomly assigned to dance group (DG: n=19; 69.1 ± 6.57 years, 72.5 ± 11.7kg) and control group (CG: n=15; 71.5 ± 7.45 years; 70.9 ± 9.3kg). A force plate was used to measure three dimensional ground reaction force data in three conditions: narrow stance position eyes open and closed and tandem position eyes open, randomly registered over a period of 60 seconds pre and post the intervention. The mean velocity sway and the COP path area were calculated. The results showed that the ballroom dancing program with low/moderate intensity significantly improved balance. Dance would be an optimal activity for an elderly population since it can improve postural control and thus prevent fall incidence

Effects of a neoprene suit over technical, physiological and perceptive variables of swimmers

In open water swimming competitions, athletes are prone to environmental conditions and are frequently exposed to low temperatures, in contrast to what occurs in indoor competitions. In some circumstances the use of special swimming suits is allowed to avoid hypothermia. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of the use of a neoprene swimming suit in comparison to a conventional swimming suit on a number of cinematic and psychophysiological variables. Twenty athletes experienced in swimming competitions (12 triathletes and 8 swimmers; 22.0± 6.6 yearsold), whose the performance was 75 ± 7.7% of the National record. Athletes performed two maximal and two submaximal 400m crawl simulated competition with a whole body neoprene swimming suit and with a conventional swimming suit. Mean speed (VM) stroke length (CB), stroke frequency (FB), swimming index (IN), rate of perceived effort (PSE), heart rate, and blood lactate concentration (LAC) were compared between conditions. The time to perform maximal trials with the use of the neoprene swimming suit was 6.4% shorter than when wearing the traditional swimming suit. FB and the psychophysiological variables remained unchanged, while CB increased in response to the use of the neoprene swimming suit. The use of the neoprene swimming suit in submaximal trials provided smaller FB, FC, LAC and PSE and larger CB and IN in comparison to the use of the traditional swimming suit. The results indicated that the neoprene swimming suit increases performance in biomechanical, physiological and perceptive aspects. The VM increase in maximal efforts does not depend exclusively on changes in FB and CB. Possibly, increments of the parameters related to the swimming may have improved the mechanical efficiency of the movement, which may have provided a movement economy that resulted in a better performance.Ao contrário do que ocorre em provas de piscina, competições em águas abertas estão sujeitas as condições ambientais, sendo uma delas as baixas temperaturas. Em determinadas circunstâncias é permitido o uso de roupas especiais para evitar hipotermia. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar os efeitos do uso da roupa de neoprene em um grupo composto por triatletas e nadadores, comparado ao uso de vestimentas convencionais (sunga) sobre variáveis cinemáticas e psicofisiológicas do nado. Participaram 20 homens (12 triatletas e oito nadadores) de idade 22,0 ± 6,6 anos com desempenhos que correspondem a 75 ± 7,7% do melhor tempo brasileiro na prova de 400 m. Os atletas realizaram duas repetições máximas e duas submáximas de 400 m em nado "crawl", com e sem o uso da roupa de neoprene. Foram comparadas a velocidade média (VM), comprimento de braçada (CB), frequência de braçada (FB), índice de nado (IN), percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE), frequência cardíaca (FC), e concentração de lactato sanguíneo (LAC). Um conjunto de ANOVAs com medidas repetidas do tipo "two-way" foi aplicado. Quando diferenças foram encontradas o teste de Tukey foi empregado. Com o traje de neoprene, em máxima intensidade, o tempo para nadar a distância foi 6,4% menor, com manutenção da FB e aumento da CB, as variáveis psicofisiológicas não diferiram estatisticamente. Em esforço submáximo, o uso do traje de neoprene resultou em menor FB, maior CB, maior IN e em menores valores de FC, LAC e PSE (p < 0,05). O uso do traje proporcionou melhoria do desempenho nos aspectos biomecânicos, fisiológicos e perceptivos e que o aumento da VM em esforço máximo não depende exclusivamente de alterações na FB e CB. Possivelmente, incrementos nos parâmetros associados ao nado pode ter melhorado a eficiência mecânica do movimento, a qual pode ter provido uma economia de movimento que resultou em melhor desempenho