The general movement assessment in non-European low- and middle-income countries

Abnormal general movements are among the most reliable markers for cerebral palsy. General movements are part of the spontaneous motor repertoire and are present from early fetal life until the end of the first half year after term. In addition to its high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (91%), the assessment of general movements is non-invasive and time- and cost-efficient. It is therefore ideal for assessing the integrity of the young nervous system, most notably in lowresource settings. Studies on the general movements assessment in low- and middle-income countries such as China, India, Iran, or South Africa are still rare but increasing. In Brazil, too, researchers have demonstrated that the evaluation of general movements adds to the functional assessment of the young nervous system. Applying general movements assessment in vulnerable populations in Brazil is therefore highly recommended

Effect of isostretching training on flexibility and muscle strength

Objetivo: Avaliar efeitos do treino de exercícios de isostreching na flexibilidade e força muscular. Método: Trinta e um indivíduos saudáveis (27 mulheres), de 18 a 28 anos, divididos em 2 grupos: Grupo A, isostretching, submeteu-se a programa de exercícios baseados na técnica isostretching e Grupo B, padrão, submeteu-se aos mesmos exercícios utilizando princípios técnicos clássicos do alongamento, por 12 semanas, duas vezes por semana, uma hora por sessão. Foram avaliadas no pré e pós-teste, flexibilidade por meio de fotogrametria pesquisando a distância punho-chão e a classificação da postura segundo categorias de encurtamentos musculares descritas por Kendall e, força muscular por meio de dinamometria. Resultados: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante no teste de flexibilidade nos dois grupos. Análise de significância clínica e melhora pelo Índice de Mudança Confiável (IMC) mostrou ganho na flexibilidade atingindo 14 participantes de ambos os grupos. Análise de contorno do corpo do grupo A apresentou atenuações nas curvaturas da coluna cervical, lombar e torácica e ângulo de flexão de quadril. O grupo B apresentou atenuações na curvatura da coluna cervical e ângulo de flexão de quadril. Em relação à força muscular, o grupo A apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante em alguns grupos musculares específicos, porém sem significância clínica. Conclusão: As duas intervenções afetam a flexibilidade de forma estatisticamente semelhante, porém com impacto diferente nas curvaturas da coluna. O isostretching afetou clinicamente a flexibilidade de indivíduos saudáveis, com indícios de que treinamentos mais intensos ou longos possam afetar a força muscularObjective: To evaluate effects of the isostretching exercise training on flexibility and muscle strength. Method: Thirty-one healthy subjects (27 women), aged between 18 and 28 years, divided into two groups: Group A, isostretching, which has undergone a program of exercises based on the isostretching technique, and Group B, standard, which was subjected to the same exercises using the general technical principles of traditional stretching. The training went on for 12 weeks, twice per week, one hour per session. Flexibility was evaluated through photogrammetry in pre- and post-test, evaluating the wrist-floor distance and classifying posture according to the categories of muscle shortening described by Kendall, while muscle strength was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the results for each group in the flexibility test. Analysis of clinical significance and improvement by the Reliable Change Index (RCI) showed an improvement in flexibility affecting 14 subjects from both groups. Analysis of body contour in group A showed attenuation in the curvatures of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, as well as the hip flexion angle, and group B showed attenuation in the curvature of the cervical spine and hip flexion angle. Group A showed statistically significant differences in some specific muscle groups, but with no clinical significance. Conclusion: Both interventions affected flexibility in a statistically similar way, but had a different impact on the curvatures of the spine. Isostretching training clinically changed the flexibility of healthy individuals, with evidence that more intense or longer workouts can affect muscle strengt

The general movement assessment in non-European low- and middle-income countries

ABSTRACT Abnormal general movements are among the most reliable markers for cerebral palsy. General movements are part of the spontaneous motor repertoire and are present from early fetal life until the end of the first half year after term. In addition to its high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (91%), the assessment of general movements is non-invasive and time- and cost-efficient. It is therefore ideal for assessing the integrity of the young nervous system, most notably in lowresource settings. Studies on the general movements assessment in low- and middle-income countries such as China, India, Iran, or South Africa are still rare but increasing. In Brazil, too, researchers have demonstrated that the evaluation of general movements adds to the functional assessment of the young nervous system. Applying general movements assessment in vulnerable populations in Brazil is therefore highly recommended