Abstract Gait analysis may offer information to choose the best exercise-based clinical intervention for the children with clubfoot. However, other motor abilities are not commonly investigated. The aim of this research was to analyze the biomechanics of countermovement vertical jumping in clubfooted children who had undergone surgery. Fourteen children with idiopathic clubfoot were selected and the control group consisted of 11 children. Clubfooted children showed less dorsiflexion in the jump preparation phase. In the impulse phase, this group showed more knee flexion and less plantarflexion associated with less magnitude of vertical reaction force and less muscular activity in the gastrocnemius medialis. In the landing phase, for clubfoot group, we found high loading rate for the first peak of vertical force, less plantarflexion and more knee flexion. Understanding the biomechanical changes of vertical jump landing should assist in better targeting of physical and sporting activities of this population.

Uma das áreas de interesse na linha fronteira entre a Biomecânica e a Fisiologia é o estudo da eficiência. Considera-se que a eficiência expressa uma relação objectiva e quantitativa entre o trabalho mecânico realizado e o gasto energético que se lhe encontra associado. O estudo da eficiência em actividades realizadas no meio aquático torna-se ainda mais complexo devido à dificuldade de quantificar objectivamente as trocas energéticas entre o nadador e o meio envolvente. No entanto, a Natação Pura Desportiva é uma das modalidades mais profícuas no estudo das suas implicações bioenergéticas e das repercussões em termos de eficiência dos diferentes processos de l ocomoção. Assim, foi objectivo do presente trabalho efectuar uma revisão do actual "estado da arte" sobre o estudo da locomoção humana no meio aquático, com especial referência às técnicas de nado.

One of the major interests in the frontier between Biomechanics and Physiology is the study of efficiency. The efficiency expresses the relationship between the mechanical work and the related energy expenditure. The study of efficiency, in the water, becomes more complex due to difficulties in quantifying, with accuracy, the energetic exchanges between the swimmer and the environment. However, swimming is one of the most studied sports, in order to understand its bioenergetical implications and the efficiency’s repercussions of different locomotion processes. "State of the art" about human locomotion in water, with special reference to swimming techniques is thus presented.