ISOKINETIC ANALYSIS OF MEDIAL AND LATERAL ROTATORS RATIO OF GLENOHUMERAL JOINT IN MALE BRAZILIAN VOLLEYBALL TEAM

The purpose of this study was to analyze the ratio of medial and lateral rotators of glenohumeral joint in the male Brazilian Volleyball Team under 19 and 21 years-old. Twenty athletes under-19 and fifteen athletes under- 21, participated in this study. The Dynamometer Isokinetic Biodex 3 System Pro® was used to assess antagonist/agonist (RL/RM) ratio at 60º/s and 360º/s. A significant difference was found in ratio (RL/RM) between the categories, on the dominant limb (F= 11,840; p=0,0016 at 60º/s and F= 7,00; p= 0,0124 at 360º/s) and on the non-dominant (F= 20,269; p= 0.0001 at 60º/s and F= 11,223; p= 0,0020 at 360º/s). The under-21 athletes of Brazilian Volleyball Team presented RL/RM ratios below the expected values described in the literature

ANALYSIS OF LOWER LIMBS’ STRENGTH AND ASYMMETRIES BY ISOKINETIC AND VERTICAL JUMP TESTS

The aim of this study was to verify the correlation between biomechanical characteristics of muscle force measured by isokinetic and vertical jump tests for each lower limb. Peak torque and total work of 46 professional male soccer players were assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s, 120°/s and 180°/s and maximal strength, maximal power and impulse were determined during countermovement jump (CMJ) on a double force platform. A factor analysis of all analyzed variables resulted in two independent factors (F1, F2), where factor F1 is characterized by peak torque and total work at 180o/s and factor F2 by maximal power and impulse during CMJ. Only low correlations between the variables determined by isokinetic test and CMJ were observed

ISOKINETIC ANALYSIS OF HAMSTRINGS AND QUADRICEPS MUSCLES IN THE MALE AND FEMALE TAEKWONDO BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM

The purpose of this study was to analyze the ratio and peak torque of hamstring and quadriceps of knee joint in male and female athletes of the Taekwondo Brazilian National Team. Six women and six men had been evaluated. The Isokinetic Dynamometer Biodex 3 System Pro® was used to assess hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio at 60o/s and 300o/s. All athletes presented the H/Q ratio below 60% at 60 o/s and below 75% at 300o/s. The dominant limb had the lowest values of ratio H/Q and flexor peak torque compared with the non-dominant limb at both speeds

Pronação excessiva e varismos de pé e perna: relação com o desenvolvimento de patologias músculo-esqueléticas - Revisão de Literatura

A literatura propõe mecanismos biomecânicos que relacionam a pronação subtalar excessiva ao desenvolvimento de diversas patologias músculo-esqueléticas. A presença dos desalinhamentos anatômicos antepé varo, retropé varo e tíbia vara pode levar à ocorrência da pronação subtalar excessiva. Entretanto, não existe um consenso sobre a contribuição do padrão de movimento e da presença desses desalinhamentos para o desenvolvimento de patologias. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão da literatura para investigar a influência de varismos aumentados de antepé, retropé e tíbia e da pronação subtalar excessiva no surgimento de patologias músculo-esqueléticas. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica sistematizada nas bases Medline, ISI - Web of Science, Lilacs e Scielo, tendo sido selecionados 13 estudos analíticos. Do total de 13 estudos, 10 encontraram associação de patologias no membro inferior com um ou mais dos desalinhamentos anatômicos analisados ou com um ou mais parâmetros cinemáticos relacionadas à pronação subtalar excessiva. A análise dos estudos sugere que a pronação subtalar excessiva e/ou a presença de desalinhamentos que podem levar a esse padrão de movimento são possíveis fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de patologias músculo-esqueléticas no membro inferior.The literature proposes biomechanical mechanisms that link excessive subtalar joint pronation to the development of several musculoskeletal pathologies. The presence of forefoot varus, rearfoot varus and tibiofibular varum can lead to the occurrence of excessive subtalar pronation. However, there is no consensus about the contribution of the movement pattern and/or the presence of these anatomical misalignments to the development of pathologies. The aim of the present study was to conduct a literature review in order to investigate the influence of increased varus alignment of forefoot, rearfoot and shank and of excessive subtalar pronation on the development of musculoskeletal pathologies. A systematic literature search was performed in the databases Medline, ISI - Web of Science, Lilacs and Scielo, and 13 analytic studies were selected. Ten studies found significant associations of lower-limb musculoskeletal pathologies with one or more of the anatomical misalignments analyzed or with one or more kinematic parameters related to excessive subtalar pronation. The analysis of the studies suggests that excessive pronation and/or the presence of these anatomical misalagniments should be regarded as possible risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal pathologies in the lower limb

Alterações musculares em indivíduos com lesão do neurônio motor superior

Patients with upper motor neuron lesions (UMNL) experience movement and posture dysfunction, which hinder their mobility and performance in daily activities. Traditionally, spasticity has been considered the major determinant of movement dysfunction in these individuals. However, there is evidence that changes in muscle characteristics may contribute to movement deficits in this population. The aim of this study was to critically appraise the literature regarding characterization of passive stiffness, length-tension relationship and extensibility of muscles of individuals with UMNL. The review shows that patients with UMNL present increase in passive stiffness, shifts in the length-tension relationship, and decrease in muscle extensibility. Such alterations appear to be the result of tissue remodelling in response to specific patterns of use, with histochemical and histological alterations. Such changes in muscle tissues, in turn, may contribute to movement and posture patterns presented by these patients. The interplay between muscle properties and movement function needs to be addressed in more detail to allow the elaboration of more efficient strategies of intervention to promote functional improvement of the population with neurological deficits.Indivíduos com lesão do neurônio motor superior (LNMS) apresentam disfunções do movimento e postura que prejudicam a mobilidade e o desempenho de tarefas de vida diária. A espasticidade tem sido considerada tradicionalmente o principal determinante das disfunçõesmotoras desses indivíduos. No entanto, há evidências de que alterações nas características musculares dessa população possam contribuir para os défices motores. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma análise crítica da literatura referente à caracterização da rigidez passiva, curva comprimento-tensão e comprimento dos músculos de indivíduos com lesão do neurônio motor superior (LNMS). A literatura revisada traz evidências de que pacientes com LNMS apresentam aumento da rigidez passiva, deslocamento das curvas comprimento-tensão e diminuição de comprimento muscular. Tais alterações parecem decorrer de remodelaçãotecidual em resposta a padrões diferenciados de uso, com modificações histoquímicas e histológicas do tecido muscular. As alterações das características musculares podem, por sua vez, contribuir para os padrões de postura e movimento atópicos. A interação entre as propriedades musculares e a função motora precisa ser melhor investigada, para que possam ser elaboradas estratégias de intervenção mais eficazes para a promoção de ganhos funcionais na população com défices neurológicos

Mudanças antropométricas e habilidade motora em crianças no início da marcha independente

Changes in infants’ body dimensions occurring during development may impose specific motor demands at the onset of independent walking. That is, anthropometric features may influence infants’ gross motor performance. This study aimed at assessing the association between weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) with motor performance of typically developing infants, comparing two groups of infants with different BMI values in regard to motor performance. Weight, height, and BMI measures of 10 infants were obtained during the week of onset of independent walking. Motor performance of all infants was assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) one week later. Results show significant correlations between BMI and motor performance (r= -0.850; p=0,002) and between weight and motor performance (r= -0.701; p= 0.024). The correlation between height and motor performance was not significant (r= -0.495; p=0.145). The two groups of infants separated by the median value of the BMI distribution showed significant differences in gross motor performance (t=3.795; p=0.005), the group with higher BMI showing lower AIMS scores. These results suggest that anthropometric features are associated with gross motor performance in infants at early stages of independent walking.As mudanças nas proporções corporais durante o desenvolvimento infantil podem impor uma demanda motora diferenciada às crianças durante o início da marcha independente, ou seja, as características antropométricas podem exercer influência em seu desempenho motor grosso. Este estudo visou avaliar a associação entre as variáveis massa corporal, estatura eíndice de massa corporal (IMC) com o desempenho motor de crianças com desenvolvimento típico, comparando o desempenho motor entre dois grupos de crianças com diferentes IMC. As medidas de massa corporal, estatura e IMC de 10 crianças foram obtidas na semana de aquisição da marcha independente e a avaliação do desempenho motor foi realizada pela Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) uma semana após essa primeira avaliação. Os resultados revelaram associações significativas entre as variáveis IMC e desempenho motor (r= –0,850; p=0,002) e entre massa corporal e desempenho motor (r= –0,701; p=0,024), enquanto a associação entre estatura e desempenho motor não foi significativa (r= –0,495; p=0,145). Os dois grupos separados pelo índice mediano da distribuição do IMC apresentaram diferenças significativas (t=3,795; p=0,005) no desempenho motor grosso, sendo que as crianças commaiores valores de IMC apresentaram escores mais baixos no teste AIMS. Esses resultados indicam que as características antropométricas estão associadas com o desempenho motor grosso de crianças no período inicial de aquisição da marcha independente

Testes para avaliação dos movimentos do ombro: confiabilidade e influência do número de repetições

This study aimed at investigating intrarater and interrater reliability of four clinical assessment tests of movements of the shoulder articular complex, also investigating the influence of the number of repetitions on tests reliability. Thirty-two healthy individuals (aged 21.06±4.01) were assessed twice, one week apart. Two evaluators applied four tests: anterior translation of the humeral head, scapular winging, scapular adduction andexcessive scapular elevation, recording responses after five repetitions(procedure A) and after consistency check (procedure B). Kappa coefficient, Fisher exact and Z tests were used for data analysis; significance level was set at 0.05. Kappa coefficients obtained for intrarater and interrater agreement varied from 0.41 to 0.80, considered moderate to substantial. No significant difference was found between Kappa coefficients for procedures A and B (p p≥0,083). Kappa coefficients for the agreement between the responses obtained in procedures A and B varied from 0.93 to 0.96, which are considered excellent. Results thus show that the tests may be used in clinical practice for the assessment of patients' evolution and to exchange information between raters. Increase in the number of repetitions did not alter tests reliability neither responses.O estudo visou investigar a confiabilidade intra e interexaminadores de quatro testes que avaliam os movimentos do complexo articular do ombroe a influência do número de repetições na confiabilidade dos testes. Trinta e dois indivíduos saudáveis (21,06±4,01 anos) foram avaliados duas vezes com um intervalo de uma semana. Dois examinadores aplicaram os testes de translação anterior da cabeça do úmero, alamento escapular, adução escapular e elevação excessiva da escápula, registrando respostas após cinco repetições (processo A) e após ser observada a consistência (processo B). Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelos testes Fisher, Z, e aplicando-se o coeficiente Kappa, com nível de significância de 0,05. Os coeficientes Kappa obtidospara as confiabilidades intra e interexaminadores variaram de 0,41 a 0,80, consideradas entre moderada e substancial. Não houve diferença significativa entre as confiabilidades dos processos A e B (p≥0,083). Os coeficientes Kappa da investigação da concordância entre as respostas obtidas nos processos A e B variaram de 0,93 a 0,96, sendo consideradas excelentes. Os testes apresentaram pois confiabilidade que variou de moderada a substancial, podendo ser utilizados clinicamente para avaliação da evolução de pacientes e troca de informações entre examinadores. O aumento do número de repetições não alterou a confiabilidade nem as respostas dos testes

Urbs e civitas: a formação dos espaços e territórios urbanos nas minas setecentistas

O presente artigo procura situar a evolução das abordagens acerca da cidade colonial mineira dentro da perspectiva mais ampla dos estudos sobre o urbanismo colonial português. A análise privilegia os trabalhos que, em vez de se aterem aos aspectos ligados à estética urbana, procuraram relacioná-los às questões fundiárias e à constituição das redes e hierarquias urbanas.This article seeks to situate the evolution of approaches to the study of the colonial towns of Minas Gerais placing them in the broader perspective of studies on the Portuguese colonial urbanism. Instead of restricting our approach to questions of urban aesthetics, the analysis focuses on the works that tried to relate these questions to aspects of land ownership and to the establishment of networks and urban hierarchies

Genome of the Avirulent Human-Infective Trypanosome—Trypanosoma rangeli

Background: Trypanosoma rangeli is a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite infecting humans and other wild and domestic mammals across Central and South America. It does not cause human disease, but it can be mistaken for the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi. We have sequenced the T. rangeli genome to provide new tools for elucidating the distinct and intriguing biology of this species and the key pathways related to interaction with its arthropod and mammalian hosts.  Methodology/Principal Findings: The T. rangeli haploid genome is ,24 Mb in length, and is the smallest and least repetitive trypanosomatid genome sequenced thus far. This parasite genome has shorter subtelomeric sequences compared to those of T. cruzi and T. brucei; displays intraspecific karyotype variability and lacks minichromosomes. Of the predicted 7,613 protein coding sequences, functional annotations could be determined for 2,415, while 5,043 are hypothetical proteins, some with evidence of protein expression. 7,101 genes (93%) are shared with other trypanosomatids that infect humans. An ortholog of the dcl2 gene involved in the T. brucei RNAi pathway was found in T. rangeli, but the RNAi machinery is non-functional since the other genes in this pathway are pseudogenized. T. rangeli is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, a phenotype that may be explained by a smaller number of anti-oxidant defense enzymes and heatshock proteins.  Conclusions/Significance: Phylogenetic comparison of nuclear and mitochondrial genes indicates that T. rangeli and T. cruzi are equidistant from T. brucei. In addition to revealing new aspects of trypanosome co-evolution within the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, comparative genomic analysis with pathogenic trypanosomatids provides valuable new information that can be further explored with the aim of developing better diagnostic tools and/or therapeutic targets