Jefferson Fagundes Loss

EzzeBike is a handlebar accessory designed to promote a more upright posture, but its effects on posture and muscle activation remain unclear. This study evaluated its immediate effects in recreational cyclists (n = 11) during a single experimental session. Kinematic variables (head flexion, forward trunk inclination, hip flexion, and knee flexion) and EMG activity of six muscles were analyzed. EzzeBike significantly reduced forward trunk inclination and head flexion (p < 0.05), while also decreasing splenius capitis activation, with no changes in lower limb muscle activation. These findings suggest that EzzeBike promotes a more neutral posture and reduces cervical load, potentially improving postural comfort in recreational cyclists.

Background: The femur and tibia can suffer changes in rotation, mainly in the orthostatic position, causing errors in measurements when two-dimensional instruments are utilized. Objectives: To test the effects of thigh and leg rotation on sagittal knee angle measurement. Methods: A physical model simulating the right lower limb was constructed using two wooden rafters and a plastic protractor between the rafters. The thigh rotation and leg rotation were measured, ranging from 50° of internal rotation to 50° of external rotation. The sagittal knee angle was measured using the three-dimensional kinematics via three protocols (femoral condyle angle, head of fibula angle, and four points angle) with points marked on the model corresponding to the greater trochanter of the femur, lateral condyle of the femur, head of the fibula, and lateral malleolus. Results: During the internal rotation of the thigh and leg, the sagittal knee angle increased (varying from 3.1° to 6.3° for thing, and 0.9° to 3.6° for leg), whereas it decreased during the external rotation of the thigh and leg (varying from −5.2° to −7.8° for thing, and 0.1° to −5.5° for leg). Conclusions: Thigh rotation and leg rotation affect sagittal knee measurement and can lead to erroneous assessments if not considered.

The aim of this study was to present the development and assessment of the measurement accuracy of variables obtained with the Digital Imaged-based Postural Assessment (DIPA©) Capture app and Analysis software as part of a telehealth assessment protocol for idiopathic scoliosis. To enable the correct capture of photographic images for further analysis, the development of an application, called DIPA© Capture, was performed. A photo is automatically obtained only when the smartphone is aligned. The sample of this prospective study was composed of consecutive images of a real plumb line (RPL) taken by using the DIPA© Capture app. Once the photo was captured the app automatically drew a virtual plumb line (VPL). The inclination of the RPL and VPL was measured using the DIPA-S© eHealth Analysis software. A total of 50 images using the App comprised this sample. The median (min-max) inclination angle of the real and virtual plumb lines was 89.8° (88.6°-90°) with a 1.4° range and 90° (89.4°-90°) with a 0.6° range, respectively. The mean difference between the inclination of the two plumb lines (RPL - VPL) was very small -0.1°±0.04° (p= 0.017). The RMS error was 0.3°. The DIPA© Capture app and Analysis software for image acquisition and measurement was developed and is ready for testing with patients. The app accurately captures the alignment of the smartphone during the image acquisition and the software shows adequate measurement accuracy for future assessment of idiopathic scoliosis by photogrammetry. Level of Evidence III; Diagnostic Studies - Investigation of a Diagnostic Test.

The occurrence of floods causes hundreds of drowning deaths annually. Therefore, it is necessary to develop measures and risk management policies related to flood disasters. One approach is the definition of stability thresholds for individuals in water flows, as safety is compromised when people are exposed to flows that surpass their ability to stand or cross. Based on these considerations, the objective of the study was to conduct a literature review of experimental, empirical, and theoretical studies on this topic, evaluating stability thresholds for individuals exposed to water flow. In total, 34 studies conducted until the year 2023 were identified. Key factors influencing stability include water flow characteristics and the physical attributes of individuals. In addition to these factors, adverse conditions such as uneven terrain, poor lighting, and psychological factors were also considered important. However, it was noted that few studies have assessed such adverse conditions, and there is a gap in the experimental analysis of these variables. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of conducting more physical experiments to address these gaps, obtain a more comprehensive database, and improve precision in numerical and experimental models, ultimately supporting tools for flood risk management.

O objetivo deste estudo é verificar o efeito da mudança da constante elástica na atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) dos músculos do powerhouse e do ombro durante o exercício de long stretch. Participaram da pesquisa 15 praticantes de Pilates que executaram o exercício de long stretch no reformer com três constantes elásticas: (1) k=0,19kg/cm, representado por uma mola vermelha; (2) k=0,27kg/cm, representado por uma mola vermelha e uma mola amarela; e (3) k=0,38kg/cm, representado por duas molas vermelhas. Foram avaliadas as atividades EMGs dos músculos reto abdominal (RA), oblíquo externo (OE), oblíquo interno/transverso (OI/TS), multífidos (MU), iliocostal (IC), longuíssimo (LG), deltoide anterior (DA) e trapézio inferior (TI). Pode-se observar que, conforme a constante elástica aumenta, os músculos RA, OE, OI/TS diminuem suas atividades EMG, enquanto os músculos DA, TI e LG as aumentam. Os músculos MU e IC não foram tiveram suas atividades EMG influenciadas. Portanto, conclui-se que houve influência da mudança da constante elástica sobre as atividades EMG dos músculos RA, OE, OI/TS, LG, DA e TI durante o long stretch, mas não nas atividades EMG dos músculos MU e IC.

This study aimed to verify the effect of the spring constant change on the electromyographic activity of the powerhouse and shoulder muscles during the long stretch exercise. In total, 15 Pilates practitioners performed the Long Stretch exercise on the reformer with three different spring constants: (1) k=0.19kg/cm with 1 red spring; (2) k=0.27kg/cm with 1 red spring and 1 yellow; and (3) k=0.38kg/cm with 2 red springs. The Electromyographic activity of Rectus Abdominis (RA), External Oblique (EO), Internal Oblique/Transversus abdominis (OI/TS), Multifidus (MU), Iliocostalis (IC), Longissimus (LG), Lower Trapezius (LT), and Anterior Deltoid (AD) were evaluated. We observed that as the spring constant increases, the RA, OE, OI/TS muscles decrease their EMG activity, while the AD, LT, and LG increase their EMG activity. The MU and IC muscles were not influenced in their EMG activities. Therefore, we observed an influence of the change of the spring constant on the electromyographic activity of the RA, OE, OI/LG, AD, and LT muscles. However, we found no influence of the spring constant on the EMG activities of the MU and IC muscles during the long stretch.

Risk factors associated with back pain vary in different countries. Given the lack of studies in Latin America, our study aimed to assess back pain and its associated factors for six years in Southern Brazilian school children. All children attending the fifth grade of Teutônia, Brazil, were invited to participate in the study. Only schoolchildren who did not report back pain were included in the first assessment. The schoolchildren completed the Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument (BackPEI) during three assessments (2011, 2014, and 2017). BackPEI assesses the presence of back pain and possible associated risk factors (postural, behavioral, and sociodemographic). Generalized estimated equations (GEE) were used to perform a Poisson regression model with robust variance for longitudinal analysis. After six years of follow-up, 75 schoolchildren completed all the assessments. The risk factors associated with back pain were spending more than six hours daily watching television, lifting objects from the ground adopting an inadequate posture, using another backpack type different from those with two straps, and carrying a backpack in an asymmetric way. These results are important in guiding the planning of public policies to minimize this public health problem.

The Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument (BackPEI) was created in 2013 to assess back pain and its risk factors in school children. However, it does not assess neck pain or the habits of mobile device usage, which are aspects that are often part of school children’s lives. Therefore, we aimed to update the BackPEI questionnaire to include new questions assessing aspects related to neck pain and the use of mobile devices and to test the content validity and reliability of the new questions. The updated questionnaire was named Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument for Children and Adolescents (BackPEI-CA). The content was validated by eight experts using the content validity index (CVI). To assess reliability, the BackPEI-CA questionnaire was applied at two different times in 105 school children, and Cohen’s kappa (k) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated. All aspects assessed regarding content validity had a CVI higher than 0.8. The new questions presented moderate and good kappa values and excellent ICC values. The updated version of BackPEI-CA can be used as a clinic tool for assessing the presence, frequency, and intensity of back and neck pain and their risk factors.