Alessandro Haupenthal

Triathlon is an endurance sport in which athletes complete consecutive swimming, cycling, and running stages [1]. The combination of three distinct disciplines, prolonged exercise duration, and hig...

Dada a necessidade de experiência na área esportiva e a escassez de disciplinas específicas no ensino superior, surgem projetos de extensão e ligas acadêmicas voltadas para temática. Neste estudo, o objetivo foi descrever o perfil esportivo e de lesões em atletas atendidos pelo Projeto de Extensão de Fisioterapia Desportiva (DESUFISIO), no período de 2017 a 2019. O projeto oferece serviços de fisioterapia para atletas amadores. Foram incluídos nesta análise 58 atletas, sendo 20 pacientes do sexo feminino e 38 do sexo masculino. Os atletas estavam envolvidos em 15 modalidades esportivas distintas, com destaque para a corrida, futebol, musculação e handebol, sendo os membros inferiores, especialmente a articulação do joelho, o local de lesão mais afetado, e o sistema articular o mais acometido. Este estudo pode concluir a partir da análise dos dados, padrões dos locais de lesão e perfis de atletas amadores a serem atendidos em serviços de fisioterapia.

Looped elastic bands around the thigh are commonly used during squats and result in increased hip activation. Due to the closed kinetic chain nature of the squat exercise, one may expect that placing the elastic band on distal segments, close to the floor contact, may not result in the same increase in hip muscle activation as that achieved with a looped band around the thigh. We analyzed the effects of band position (thigh, lower leg, and forefoot) and band stiffness on the myoelectric activity of the tensor fascia latae, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis during squats in 35 healthy subjects (18 men and 17 women). The greatest myoelectric activity of hip muscles was observed when the stiffest band was positioned around the forefeet with an increase in 24% for the tensor fascia latae, 83% for the gluteus medius, and 68% for the gluteus maximus compared to free (without resistance band) squatting. Contrary to previous thinking, the use of elastic bands around the forefeet during squats can elicit increased myoelectric activity of hip muscles, with a magnitude often greater than when the band is placed around the thigh segments.

To examine the validity, and the relative and absolute within-day reliability of the TGlittre in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Thirty HD patients (52 ± 12 years) undertook the TGlittre twice on a single day, in a cross-sectional design. For validation purposes, participants TGlittre performance and accelerometry-based physical activity were correlated. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were determined to assess within-day reliability. There was a moderate correlation between TGlittre performance and moderate to vigorous physical activity (r= −0.587; p= 0.001). The relative reliability of the test showed an ICC of 0.96. For the absolute reliability, the SEM was 13.05 s (0.22 min), and the MDC was 36.17 s (0.60 min). TGlittre performance is associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity in HD patients, highlighting that those with higher levels of physical activity are likely to perform better on the TGlittre. Additionally, TGlittre shows a good to excellent intra-rater reliability and a low SEM. An MDC value was established.

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative disease in older people, causing pain, stiffness and dysfunction. Objective: To determine the influence of KOA on functional performance (FP), quality of life (QoL) and pain in older women. Method: This is a cross-sectional study, in which 50 older women diagnosed with KOA and 51 without KOA participated. Participants were assessed using FP tests: Sit-to-stand (STS); Gait speed test (GST); Timed Up and Go (TUG); 6-minute walk test (6 MWT) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Pain was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS); quality of life by applying the SF-36; and self-perception of the disease by using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: No intergroup statistical differences were found in the BBS (p: 0.42), STS (p: 0.59) and 6MWT (p: 0.97). However, the KOA group showed slower GS (p < 0.00) and longer time in TUG (p < 0.00). They also presented higher pain levels (p < 0.01), worse perceived health status regarding pain, stiffness and physical function (WOMAC) (p < 0.01), as well as worse QoL indices in functional capacity, physical limitations, pain and overall health status (p < 0.010). Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate that older women with KOA showed a decline in FP, QoL and higher pain levels.