Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate maximum voluntary contraction through surface electromyography in stabilizer shoulder muscles, as well as the clinical evaluation of shoulder injury in the pre, post, and detraining stages of specific training in child swimmers. Twelve competitive swimmers volunteered for this study. Anthropometric measurements, clinical examination, electromyography (with Delsys® data acquisition system), and pain intensity levels were performed. Clinical examination and EMG data were compared using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction pre, post, and after detraining. The intervention program lasted for 12 weeks. The pain group presented higher pain intensity values compared to the post-intervention program. Most of the tests presented lower values at the detraining compared to the baseline. After the intervention, pain levels significantly decreased in five tests. Muscle strengthening work is highly recommended because it improves the swimmer’s shoulder performance, reducing injuries and decreasing pain intensity after 12 weeks of intervention.

Abstract Background: Walking is an economic activity, the more efficient the mechanical contribution, the less metabolic energy is necessary to keep walking. Patients with chronic heart failure and heart transplant present peripheral musculoskeletal disorders, dyspnea, and fatigue in their activities. Objective: In this scenario, the present study sought to verify the correlations between metabolic and electromyographic variables in chronic heart failure, heart transplant patients, and healthy controls. Methods: Regression and correlation between cost of transport and electromyographic cost, as well as correlation between oxygen consumption and muscle coactivation in patients and controls at five different walking speeds have been performed, with alpha = 0.05. Results: Strong correlation values (r controls: 0.99; chronic heart failure: 0.92; heart transplant: 0.88) indicate a linear relationship between the cost of transport and electromyographic cost. Oxygen consumption was significantly correlated to muscle activation in all groups. Conclusion: These results suggested that dynamic muscle coactivation was an important factor, especially for CHF and HT. These data support the idea that peripheral muscle limitations play an important role in people with CHF and HT. These findings indicate a strong relation between metabolic and electromyographic variables. For chronic heart failure and heart transplant patients, it can help to explain some difficulties in daily activities and aid in physical rehabilitation.

Abstract Regulated and systematized physical activity is considered to have health benefits in different areas for the older adult, like: body composition, cardiovascular system, metabolic and endocrine level, muscle strength, bones, joints and flexibility. Purpose. Evaluate and compare the spinal angles between two groups of elderly people: active and sedentary, using the flexicurve method. Methods. Participated 30 elderly people, of which they were divided into two groups: 15 active and 15 sedentary (they did not present differences for anthropometric characteristics), between 65 and 74 years old. To measure the angles of the vertebral column (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) the flexicurve and the Biomec Flex software v.3.0 are used. Results. Significant difference was obtained between groups in the measurement of the cervical spine, where only active older adults presented measurements within normal parameters, and sedentary older adults presented cervical hyperlordosis. The lumbar spine measurements presented curvature rectification values for both groups (according to the reference values of the literature). Conclusion. The curvature of the cervical spine was affected in sedentary older adults in the present study, compared to the curvature of the spine in active older adults. Furthermore, the rectification of the curvature of the lumbar spine and the changes due to this posture should be considered in the planning of physical exercise in this population.

Resumen Se considera que la actividad física regulada y sistematizada conlleva beneficios para la salud en diferentes ámbitos para el adulto mayor, ya sean: composición corporal, sistema cardiovascular, nivel metabólico y endócrino, fuerza muscular, huesos, articulaciones y flexibilidad. Objetivo. Evaluar y comparar los ángulos de la columna entre dos grupos de adultos mayores: activos y sedentarios, utilizando el método de flexicurva. Métodos. Para este estudio participaron 30 adultos mayores, de los cuales se dividieron en dos grupos: 15 activos y 15 sedentarios (no presentaron diferencias cuanto a características antropométricas), entre 65 y 74 años. Para medir los ángulos de la columna vertebral (cervical, torácica y lumbar) se utiliza la flexicurva y el software Biomec Flex v.3.0. Resultados. Se obtuvo como resultado una diferencia significativa entre grupos en la medida de la columna cervical, donde solo los adultos mayores activos presentan medidas dentro de los parámetros normales, y los sedentarios presentaron hiperlordosis cervical. Las medidas de la columna lumbar presentaron valores de rectificación de la curvatura para ambos grupos (de acuerdo con los valores de referencia de la literatura). Conclusión. La curvatura de la columna cervical se mostró afectada en adultos mayores sedentarios del presente estudio, en comparación la curvatura de la columna de los adultos mayores activos. Además la rectificación de la curvatura de la columna lumbar y los cambios debido a esta postura deben ser considerados en la planificación de ejercicio físico en esta población.

Abstract Autonomy and independency are reduced by the ageing. Physical activity improves muscle strength, flexibility, and self-select walking speed. Objectives: To compare the results of physical characteristics, functional tests and walking tests between sedentary and active lifestyle elderly groups. Methodology: two elderly groups were assessed, both with 13 participants. The level of activity was self-reported, through five functional tests and two walking tests. Results: the active group presented greater abdominal circumference and waist-hip index. No differences were found for the functional and gait tests between the two groups. Differences intra-group were found with different equations: the Enright & Sherrill equation, 1998 and Troosters, Gosselink & Decramer, 1999 for the two groups; for the Enright equation, 2003 for the sedentary group. Conclusions: Only two physical parameters showed difference between the groups. The intensity of physical activity should be systematic and monitored to achieve the results and benefits of an active lifestyle.

Resumen El envejecimiento disminuye la autonomía e independencia de los adultos mayores. La fuerza muscular, flexibilidad y marcha son mejoradas con actividad física. Objetivos: comparar los resultados de las características físicas, los tests funcionales y tests de marcha entre grupos de adultos mayores activos y sedentarios; Metodogía: se evaluaron dos grupos, cada uno con 13 individuos, de adultos mayores activos y sedentarios - el nivel de actividad física fue autoreportado - mediante cinco tests funcionales y dos tests de marcha. Resultados: el grupo de activos presentó mayor circunferencia abdominal e índice cintura-cadera. No fueron encontradas diferencias para los tests funcionales y de marcha entre los dos grupos. Con diferentes ecuaciones fueron encontradas diferencias intra grupo: la ecuación de Enright & Sherrill, 1998 y Troosters, Gosselink & Decramer, 1999 para los dos grupos; para la ecuación de Enright, 2003 para el grupo de sedentarios. Conclusiones: Solamente hubo diferencia entre grupos para dos variables físicas. Se sugiere que la intensidad de la actividad física debe ser sistematizada y monitoreada para que sea posible alcanzar los resultados y beneficios de una vida activa.

RESUMO Introdução: A velocidade de progressão é, em geral, determinada em pesquisas na área da locomoção. Objetivo: Comparar as medidas de velocidade autosselecionada no solo, na esteira rolante e a velocidade ideal estimada pelo número de Froude em sujeitos amputados transfemorais. Método: Primeiramente foi determinada a velocidade no solo; em seguida, realizou-se o teste na esteira, e a velocidade ideal foi estimada a partir dos dados antropométricos. Todos os sujeitos utilizavam joelho hidráulico e pé em fibra de carbono. Para comparação entre as velocidades foi realizada ANOVA de duas vias. Resultados: A velocidade autosselecionada na esteira foi menor (22%) do que no solo. Tanto a velocidade autosselecionada na esteira como a do solo foram 44% e 22% menores do que a velocidade ideal estimada, respectivamente. Conclusão: As velocidades analisadas no presente estudo foram diferentes, provavelmente, devido à variação dos parâmetros cinemáticos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The speed of progression is generally determined in researches in the field of locomotion. Objective: To compare the self-selected velocity measurements on the ground, on treadmill and the optimal speed estimated by the Froude number in subjects with transfemoral amputation. Methods: First, the ground speed was determined; then the treadmill test was performed, and the optimal speed was estimated from anthropometric data. All subjects had hydraulic knee and carbon fiber foot. To compare the speeds, we used the two-way ANOVA. Results: The self-selected speed in the treadmill was lower (22%) compared with the ground. Both the self-selected speed in treadmill as ground were 44% and 22% lower than the estimated optimum speed, respectively. Conclusion: The speeds analyzed in this study were different, probably due to the variation of the kinematic parameters.

RESUMEN Introducción: La velocidad de progresión es generalmente determinada en investigaciones en el ámbito de la locomoción. Objetivo: Comparar las mediciones de la velocidad autoseleccionada en el suelo, en la cinta caminadora y la velocidad ideal estimada por el número de Froude en sujetos con amputación transfemoral. Métodos: En primer lugar, se determinó la velocidad en el suelo; después, se realizó la prueba en la cinta caminadora, y la velocidad ideal fue estimada a partir de los datos antropométricos. Todos los sujetos tenían rodilla hidráulica y pie en fibra de carbono. Para comparar las velocidades, se utilizó el ANOVA de dos vías. Resultados: La velocidad autoseleccionada en la cinta caminadora fue menor (22%) que en el suelo. Tanto la velocidad autoseleccionada en la cinta caminadora como la del suelo fueron 44% y 22% menores a la velocidad ideal estimada, respectivamente. Conclusión: Las velocidades analizadas en el presente estudio fueron diferentes, probablemente debido a la variación de los parámetros cinemáticos.