Resumo Introdução: O processo de envelhecimento provoca perdas que levam à diminuição do equilíbrio, da velocidade da marcha e capacidade funcional e, portanto, há necessidade de protocolos específicos para trabalhar preventivamente essas variáveis, que contribuirão para a diminuição na freqüência de quedas nesta população. Objetivo: verificar o efeito de um programa de exercícios multissensoriais e de cadeia cinética fechada sobre a capacidade funcional e o equilíbrio em idosas. Métodos: Tratou-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado mascarado (cego). Participaram 32 idosas de Centro de Convivência da Secretaria de Bem-estar social de Bauru, distribuídas em dois grupos: controle (GC = n15) e experimental (GE = 17) avaliadas em dois momentos: inicial (M1 = antes da intervenção) e final (M2 = após intervenção), por meio da capacidade funcional (Timed Up and Go - TUG e velocidade de marcha - TC10) e o equilíbrio pela Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB). O programa de exercícios multissensoriais e de cadeia cinética fechada foi aplicado uma vez por semana, por uma hora, durante 10 semanas. Resultados: Em relação à comparação entre os momentos M1 e M2 do GE após a intervenção, houve um aumento significativo da capacidade funcional (p = 0,00006), velocidade da marcha (p = 0,0008) e do equilíbrio (p = 0,0006). Conclusão: O programa de treinamento multissensorial e de cadeia cinética fechada sinalizou efeito favorável na melhora do equilíbrio e do desempenho funcional de idosas.

Abstract Introduction: The aging process causes losses that lead to decreased balance, gait speed and functional capacity and, therefore, there is a need of specific protocols to work preventively these variables, which will contribute to the decrease in the frequency of falls in this population. Objective: Verify the effect of a program of multisensory and closed kinetic chain exercises on the functional capacity and balance in elderly women. Methods: Randomized clinical trial masked (blind). Subjects were 32 elderly women from the Centro de Convivência of the Bauru Department of Social Welfare (Secretaria de Bem-Estar Social de Bauru) distributed in two groups: control (CG = 15) and experimental (EG = 17). Interventions: The program of multisensory and closed kinetic chain exercises was applied during an hour, once a week, for 12 weeks. Main measures: Functional capacity was measured by Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the 10-meter walking test (TC10) and their balance by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: Regarding the comparison between the moments M1 and M2 of the EG after the intervention, there was a statistically significant increase in the functional capability (p = 0.00006), walking speed (p = 0.0008) and balance (p = 0.0006). Conclusion: The multisensory and closed kinetic chain-training program indicated a beneficial effect in the improvement of the elderly women balance and functional performance.

Abstract Changes in the suboccipital muscles and the hamstrings may interfere with head posture and the biomechanics of the temporomandibular joint, both of which contribute to the severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of a global postural exercise program (GPEP) on pain intensity and mouth-opening range of motion (ROM) in women with TMD. The participants were comprised of 30 women with TMD who were divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). A pressure algometer was used for pain assessment and a paquimeter was used to measure ROM. The duration of the GPEP was six weeks. In the EG, there was a reduction in pain intensity and an increase in mouth-opening ROM compared to the CG. Therefore, we concluded that the GPEP was effective in relieving pain in all of the evaluated muscles and regions, and in increasing mouth-opening ROM in women with TMD.

Objective:To determine the prevalence of low back pain in children and its relationship with gender, age, exercise practice and sedentary activities (time on TV and on computer and/or video game).Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 1,461 students, being 754 males and 707 females enrolled in the 5th to 8thgrades of all five local elementary schools of urban Ourinhos, SP, Brasil, aged 10-14 years old, from whom sociodemographic data, time spent on sedentary activities such as TV and computer and/or video game were collected. We conducted a descriptive, bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression.Results:The results showed that the prevalence of low back pain in the sample was 18.5%, being 15.5% in boys and 21.6% in girls. Low back pain was associated to the female gender, age range between 12-14 years and the habit of watching TV more than three times a week and over 3 hours per day.Conclusion:The students analyzed showed high prevalence of low back pain related to gender, age and habit of watching TV. Appropriate interventions should be implemented to reduce the occurrences of back pain in schoolchildren.Level of Evidence III, Cross Sectioning.

Objetivo O objetivo foi verificar a prevalência de dor musculoesquelética na região cervical/ombros em escolares e sua relação com o nível de atividade física e atividades sedentárias (tempo na TV e computador e/ou videogame). Materiais e métodos Realizou-se um estudo transversal com uma amostra de 524 escolares (278 meninos e 246 meninas) matriculados nas 5ª a 8ª séries de todas as cinco escolas municipais de ensino fundamental urbanas do município de Bauru (SP), na faixa etária entre 10 e 14 anos, de quem foram coletados dados sociodemograficos, atividades sedentárias – tempo na TV e computador e/ou videogame – e nível de atividade física, por meio do questionário de atividade física para crianças (PAQ-C). Resultados Os resultados mostraram que as prevalências de dor localizada na região cervical/ombros foi de 30,1% para meninos e meninas. Verificou-se também que há predomínio da manifestação dos sintomas referido na cervical/ombros, nos meninos, em relação à frequência e quantidade de horas que assistem TV ao dia e horas no computador; enquanto que nas meninas a associação foi com a frequência e quantidade de horas que assistem TV ao dia. Conclusões Pode-se concluir que a dor cervical/ombros é comum em escolares e que a compreensão das relações entre as variáveis possibilita elementos valiosos de medidas visando à manutenção, melhora e promoção do bem-estar dos estudantes.

Objective The objective was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck/shoulders of school children and its relationship with the level of physical activity and sedentary activities (time spent on TV and computer and/or video game). Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 524 5th to 8th grade students (278 boys and 246 girls), enrolled in all five urban elementary schools in the municipality of Bauru (SP), aged between 10 and 14 years old. Sociodemographic data, sedentary activities – time spent on TV and computer and/or videogame - and level of physical activity - was collected through a Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C). Results The results showed that the prevalence of localized pain in the neck/shoulders was of 30.1% for boys and girls. It was also found that there is a predominance of onset of pain reported in neck/shoulders in boys related to the frequency and amount of hours a day watching TV and hours on the computer, whereas in girls the association was with frequency and amount of hours they watch TV daily. Conclusions It can be concluded that the pain in the neck/shoulders are common in children and that understanding the relationship between variables enables valuable elements of measures aimed at maintaining, improving and promoting the welfare of students.