OBJECTIVES: This study sought to analyze the extent of motor adaptation in ankle plantar flexors and dorsiflexors among older drivers during clinical isokinetic testing. METHODS: One hundred older adults (70.4±5.7 years) participated in two bilateral ankle plantar flexor and dorsiflexor isokinetic assessments at 30°/sec. Peak torque (PTQ), PTQ adjusted for body weight (PTQ/BW), and total work (TW) were analyzed. RESULTS: On the dominant side, PTQ/BW and TW were significantly greater for the second plantar flexion test than were those for the first such test (p<0.001), whereas PTQ, PTQ/BW, and TW (p<0.001) were significantly greater for the second dorsiflexion test than were those for the first such test. On the non-dominant side, plantar flexion PTQ and TW were significantly lower for the second test than were those for the first test (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Older drivers demonstrated better performance with the dominant limb on the second test. The low variability in test execution showed the existence of a motor adaptation effect for the tested movements, despite the short recovery period between the assessments.

Abstract Trunk muscle strength affects trunk controlling playing an important role in performance and to define the classes of wheelchair basketball players. Trunk control capacity differs among players and quantitative assessments of trunk muscle strength have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to identify and correlate quantitative measures of trunk muscle strength with the wheelchair basketball players' classification. Forty-two male wheelchair basketball players with spinal cord injury, amputation, post-poliomyelitis sequelae, and cerebral palsy had their trunk extension and flexion strength evaluated with isokinetic dynamometer. The classes 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 were considered for statistical analysis. Comparison of trunk muscle strength differed significantly between classes: 1.0 and 3.0; 1.0 and 4.0; 2.0 and 3.0; and 2.0 and 4.0. High correlation was found between the trunk muscle strength and players' classes. The findings of the present study showed a strong correlation of trunk muscle strength and wheelchair basketball classes being able to distinguish players in their classes. However, this quantitative method of evaluation of the trunk muscle strength cannot be solely used to make a decision on the full trunk control.

RESUMO: OBJETIVO: O controle postural do tronco é importante para estabilizar o corpo e gerar força muscular durante atividades esportivas. Quando o tronco está estabilizado, é mais fácil e mais seguro transferir forças aplicadas ao longo do corpo para executar qualquer tarefa motora, porque incrementa-se a ação muscular e reduzem-se as cargas articulares. O controle postural do tronco é importante para estabilizar o corpo inteiro e gerar força muscular durante atividades esportivas. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar a velocidade e direção do movimento do tronco em atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas. MÉTODO: Participaram 26 atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas testados no sistema "NeuroCom Balance Master", através do protocolo "Mudança Rítmica de Carga". Foram convidados a lançar todo o corpo para a direita, esquerda, para frente e para trás. Testes avaliaram esses movimentos em baixa, média e alta velocidade. RESULTADO: A velocidade de movimento foi significativamente afetada pela velocidade e direção da tarefa. A maior velocidade de movimento foi observada para a tarefa rápida na direção esquerda/direita. Não houve interação entre a tarefa e sua direção. CONCLUSÃO: Atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas moveram-se mais rapidamente na direção esquerda/direita. Este resultado sugere que o controle postural para o indivíduo em cadeira de rodas é dependente da direção do movimento.

OBJECTIVE: Postural control of the trunk is important to stabilize the entire body and to generate muscle force during sports activities. When the trunk is stable, it is easier and safer to transfer applied forces along the body to perform any motor task because it enhances muscle action and reduces joint loads. Postural control of the trunk is important to stabilize the entire body and to generate muscle force during sports activities. The aim of this study is to verify the velocity and direction of trunk movement in wheelchair basketball athletes. METHOD: Participants were 26 wheelchair basketball athletes, they were tested on the NeuroCom Balance Master System, protocol: Rhythmic Weight Shift. They were asked to sway the entire body to the right, left, forward and backward. Trials evaluated these movements in low, medium and high velocities. RESULT: Movement velocity was very significantly affected by task speed and task direction. The highest movement velocity was observed for the fast task and for the left/right direction. There was no interaction between the task and its direction. CONCLUSION: Wheelchair basketball athletes moved their body faster in the left/right direction. This result suggests that postural control is direction-dependent for the wheelchair-bound individual.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of anthropometric characteristics and gender on postural balance in adults. One hundred individuals were examined (50 males, 50 females; age range 20-40 years). METHODS: The following body composition measurements were collected (using bone densitometry measurements): fat percentage (% fat), tissue (g), fat (g), lean mass (g), bone mineral content (g), and bone mineral density (g/cm2). In addition, the following anthropometric measurements were collected: body mass (kg), height (cm), length of the trunk-cephalic region (cm), length of the lower limbs (cm) and length of the upper limbs (cm). The following indices were calculated: body mass index (kg/m²), waist-hip ratio and the support base (cm²). Also, a postural balance test was performed using posturography variables with open and closed eyes. RESULTS: The analysis revealed poor correlations between postural balance and the anthropometric variables. A multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the whole group (female and male) height explained 12% of the medial-lateral displacement, 10% of the speed of oscillation, and 11% of the displacement area. The length of the trunk-cephalic length explained 6% of the displacement in the anteroposterior direction. With eyes closed, the support base and height explained 18% of the medial displacement, and the lateral height explained 10% of the displacement speed and 5% of the scroll area. CONCLUSION: Measured using posturography, the postural balance was only slightly influenced by the anthropometric variables, both with open and closed eyes. Height was the anthropometric variable that most influenced postural balance, both in the whole group and separately for each gender. Postural balance was more influenced by anthropometric factors in males than females.