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This study aimed to investigate the regularity of the lower limb joint kinematics in runners with and without a history of running-related injuries. The second aim was to verify if the movement pattern regularities are different among the lower limb joints. Eighteen asymptomatic recreational runners with and without a history of running-related injury participated in this study. Lower limb kinematics in the sagittal plane were recorded during running on a treadmill at a self-selected speed. The regularities of the time series of hip, knee, and ankle were analysed using sample entropy (SampEn). A mixed analysis of variance was used to investigate differences between groups and among joints. Runners with a history of injury had lower SampEn values than runners without a history of injury. Ankle kinematics SampEn was higher than that of the knee and hip. Knee kinematics had higher values of SampEn than that of the hip. Runners with a history of running-related injury had greater joint kinematic's regularity. This result suggests that, even in asymptomatic runners, previous injuries could influence the movement pattern regularity. Also, the regularity was different among joints. The ankle demonstrated the lowest regularity, reinforcing the different functions that lower limb joints perform during running.

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BACKGROUND: Hip motion in the transverse plane is coupled with foot motion in the frontal plane during closed kinematic activities, such as gait. Considering that movement patterns and bone alignment might influence passive mechanical properties of joints in the long term, it is possible that hip passive stiffness and foot complex stiffness and alignment are related to each other. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether hip passive stiffness, midfoot passive stiffness and shank-forefoot alignment are related to each other. METHOD: Thirty healthy adult individuals with a mean age of 25.4 years participated (18 women and 12 men). The Foot Torsimeter was used to measure midfoot stiffness, and hip stiffness and foot alignment were measured using clinical measures. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to test the associations between each pair of variables, with α = 0.05. RESULTS: Hip stiffness was positively correlated with midfoot absolute stiffness (r = 0.41, p = 0.02), indicating that increased hip stiffness is associated with increased midfoot stiffness. There were no associations between shank-forefoot alignment and the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical settings, individuals with reduced hip passive stiffness may also have reduced midfoot passive stiffness, and vice versa. Shank-forefoot alignment is not linearly associated with hip or midfoot passive stiffness.

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BACKGROUND: The functional gait assessment (FGA) is a reliable instrument to evaluate walking balance in the Brazilian older population. However, other measurement properties need investigation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the construct and criterion validity of the FGA-Brazil and its ceiling and floor effects. METHODS: Sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric data were collected from 126 older adults. Participants completed the Mini-mental state examination followed by the FGA-Brazil, Berg balance scale (BBS), gait speed, and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International. Six months later, the participants were interviewed by telephone about their fall history. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the structural validity. We also determined the construct validity of the FGA-Brazil, using hypothesis testing, by investigating the differences between groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Criterion validity was determined using the Spearman correlation between the FGA-Brazil and the other balance and gait measures, and using the Receiver Operator Characteristic curve. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 69.3 ±â€¯7.4 years, and 84 (69.4%) were female. Factor analysis resulted in two factors explaining 53.3% of the total variance. Moderate and high significant correlations were found between the FGA-Brazil and gait speed (r = 0.65) and BBS (r = 0.80). A significant difference in the FGA-Brazil median score between older adults with low and high concern about falls was observed. The cutoff score recommended for predicting falls was 22 or less. No ceiling and floor effects were observed. CONCLUSION: We recommend the FGA-Brazil to determine the risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults.

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Due to the relative motion among the foot rays, the present study aimed to compare the rigidity as well as the forefoot - rearfoot kinematics obtained from three forefoot tracking marker clusters during walking and foot pronation-supination (PROSUP). Nineteen healthy adults performed six walking trials and ten cycles of foot PROSUP movements recorded by an optoelectronic system. Rearfoot's and forefoot's coordinate system were equal for all setups, only the forefoot's tracking markers locations varied among them, which were: (1st) a typical cluster, focusing on the proximal forefoot, (2nd) a second typical cluster, focusing on the distal forefoot and outer metatarsals, and (3rd) a new cluster proposition, focusing on the distal forefoot and central metatarsals. Cluster rigidity was the normalized intra-markers residual, and forefoot - rearfoot angles were the forefoot motion relative to the rearfoot at the peak of each plane of motion. Repeated-measures ANOVA with pairwise comparisons (α=0.05) revealed that the 3rd cluster had the smallest residual (p < 0.001) in comparison with the other clusters for both walking and PROSUP. Differences between forefoot - rearfoot angles were found in the sagittal plane for walking (p < 0.001), but not for PROSUP (p > 0.686). In the frontal and transverse planes, all clusters showed different forefoot - rearfoot angles (p < 0.001) for both walking and PROSUP. The 1st cluster showed smaller ROM in the three planes during walking, and the 3rd cluster was the only that showed forefoot - rearfoot inversion during maximum pronation. Therefore, the new forefoot tracking marker cluster proposition (3rd cluster) captured different forefoot - rearfoot kinematics and can be recommended when the objective is to maximize the cluster rigidity.

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BACKGROUND: Reduced trunk and lower limb movement and hip and trunk muscles weakness may compromise the athletes' performance on the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of trunk and lower limb kinematics and strength with the performance on the mSEBT of runners at high risk of injury. METHODS: Thirty-nine runners performed the mSEBT with the dominant limb as the support limb. An Inertial System was used to capture the trunk, hip, knee and ankle movement during the mSEBT. A handheld dynamometer was used to measure the strength of trunk extensors and lateral flexors muscles, and hip extensors, lateral rotators and abductors of the support limb. Multiple regressions were used to investigate if trunk and lower limbs kinematics and trunk and hip muscles strength are associated with performance during the mSEBT. RESULTS: Reduced hip flexion and greater knee flexion range of motion (ROM) were associated with anterior reach in the mSEBT (r2=0.45; p<.001), greater hip flexion ROM was associated with posteromedial reach (r2=0.15; p=.012) and greater knee flexion ROM was associated with posterolateral reach (r2=0.23; p<.001). Hip extensor strength was associated with posteromedial (r2=0.14; p=.017), posterolateral (r2=0.10; p=.038) and composite reaches (r2=0.16; p=.009). CONCLUSION: Hip and knee kinematics in the sagittal plane explained 15-45% of the runners' performance on the mSEBT and hip extensor strength explained 10-16% of the mSEBT performance. These findings provide useful information on the contribution of joints kinematics and strength when evaluating dynamic postural control in runners at high risk of injury.

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BACKGROUND: The clinical measure of forefoot-shank alignment (FSA) predicts the amount of foot pronation during weight-bearing tasks. This may be mediated by a relationship between FSA and the mechanical resistance of the midfoot joint complex (MFJC) to forefoot inversion, which is a component of weight-bearing foot pronation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if the clinical measure of FSA is associated with MFJC mechanical resistance to inversion. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. METHOD: Forty-six healthy individuals (27 males; 19 females) with mean age of 26.4 years (SD 5.3) participated in this study. FSA was measured with photographs. The resistance torque of the MFJC against inversion was measured with a specially designed device. Mean torque, mean torque normalized by body mass, and joint resting position were calculated as variables related to MFJC mechanical resistance. Correlation analyses were carried out to test the association between each MFJC resistance variable and the FSA (α = 0.05). RESULTS: /findings: There were significant moderate correlations of FSA with mean torque (r = -0.44, p = 0.002), mean normalized torque (r = -0.42, p = 0.004) and resting position (r = 0.39, p = 0.007). The clinical measure of FSA is associated to the mechanical resistance of the MFJC: (a) the greater the FSA, the smaller the resistance torques; (b) the greater the FSA, the more inverted the forefoot resting position. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that the clinical measure of FSA is moderately related to mechanical properties of the MFJC.

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INTRODUCTION: Muscular strength is an essential capacity for soccer players; however, the profile of this capacity has not yet been clearly established in young players. OBJECTIVE: To compare muscular strength performance in the countermovement jump (CMJ) task and the presence of lower limb asymmetry among soccer athletes of the under 15 (U15), under 17 (U17) and under 20 (U20) categories, and between two teams of different competitive levels. METHODS: One hundred and fifty one young soccer players of three different categories (U15, U17 and U20) from two teams in the Brazilian first and second divisions performed six vertical jumps in a system of two force plates. Ground reaction force (GRF) was used to calculate jump height and to obtain the variables Peak force (FMAX), Impulse (I) and Peak power (PMAX) with regard to body mass and the respective asymmetry values. RESULTS: No differences were found in the performance and asymmetry variable between the categories (Jump height: p=0.23; FMAX: p=0.15; I: p=0.11; PMAX: p=0.32; FMAX asymmetry: p=0.21; I asymmetry: p=0.58; PMAX asymmetry: p=0.58). The first division club had higher muscle strength and asymmetry values than the second division club (Jump height: p<0.01; I: p<0.01; PMAX: p<0.01; FMAX asymmetry: p<0.01; I asymmetry: p<0.01; PMAX asymmetry: p<0.01), except for FMAX (p=0.63). No variable had an interaction effect (club x category). CONCLUSION: As categories progress, jump height, relative I, PMAX and FMAX values and their respective asymmetries are stable. The asymmetry and strength performance of the first division club were higher than that of the second division club, except for FMAX, indicating that the competitive level may influence strength performance and the development of asymmetry. Level of Evidence II; Diagnostic study ­ Investigating a diagnostic test.

INTRODUÇÃO: A força muscular é uma capacidade fundamental para futebolistas; entretanto, o perfil dessa capacidade ainda não está bem estabelecido em jogadores jovens. OBJETIVO: Comparar o desempenho de força muscular na tarefa de salto com contramovimento e a presença de assimetria entre membros inferiores entre atletas de futebol das categorias Sub 15, Sub 17 e Sub 20 e entre dois clubes de níveis competitivos diferentes. MÉTODOS: Cento e cinquenta e um jogadores de futebol jovens de dois clubes da primeira e segunda divisão e de três categorias diferentes (Sub 15, Sub 17 e Sub 20) realizaram seis saltos verticais em um sistema de duas plataformas de força. A partir da força de reação de solo, calculou-se a altura do salto e foram obtidas as variáveis Força máxima (FMÁX), Impulso (I) e Potência máxima (PMÁX) com relação à massa corporal e aos respectivos valores de assimetria. RESULTADOS: Nenhuma variável de desempenho e assimetria foi diferente entre as categorias (Altura do salto: p = 0,23; FMÁX: p = 0,15; I: p = 0,11; PMÁX: p = 0,32; Assimetria de FMÁX: p = 0,21; Assimetria de I: p = 0,58; Assimetria de PMÁX: p = 0,58). O clube de primeira divisão apresentou maior desempenho de força e maior assimetria do que o clube de segunda divisão (Altura do salto: p < 0,01; I: p < 0,01; PMÁX: p < 0,01; Assimetria de FMÁX: p < 0,01; Assimetria de I: p < 0,01; Assimetria de PMÁX: p < 0,01), exceto para FMÁX: (p = 0,63). Nenhuma variável teve efeito de interação (clube x categoria). CONCLUSÃO: À medida que as categorias progridem, a altura do salto e os valores de I, PMÁX e FMÁX relativos e as respectivas assimetrias são estáveis. A assimetria e o desempenho de força do clube da primeira divisão foram maiores do que a do clube da segunda divisão, exceto para FMÁX, mostrando que o nível competitivo pode influenciar o desempenho de força e o desenvolvimento de assimetria. Nível de evidência II; Estudo diagnóstico ­ Investigação de um exame para diagnóstico.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La fuerza muscular es una capacidad fundamental para los futbolistas, sin embargo, aún no está bien establecido el perfil de esa capacidad en jugadores jóvenes. OBJETIVO: Comparar el desempeño de fuerza muscular en la tarea de salto con contramovimiento y la presencia de asimetría entre miembros inferiores de atletas de fútbol de las categorías Sub15, Sub17 y Sub20, y entre dos clubes de fútbol de diferente nivel competitivo. MÉTODO: 151 futbolistas de dos clubes de primera y segunda división y tres categorías diferentes (Sub15, Sub17 y Sub20) realizaron seis saltos verticales en un sistema de plataformas de fuerza. A partir de la fuerza de reacción de suelo, se calculó altura del salto y variables Fuerza máxima (FMÀX), Impulso (I) y Potencia máxima (PMÁX) relativas a la masa corporal y los respectivos valores de asimetría. RESULTADOS: Ninguna variable de rendimiento y asimetría fue diferente entre las categorías (Altura: p=0,23; FMÀX: p=0,15; I: p=0,11; PMÁX: p=0,32; FMÀX: p=0,21; Asimetría de I: p=0,58; Asimetría de PMÁX: p=0,58). El club de la primera división ha presentado mayor rendimiento de fuerza y mayor asimetría que el club de la segunda división (Altura del salto: p<0,01; I: p<0,01; PMÁX: p<0,01; Asimetría de FMÀX: p<0,01, asimetría de I: p<0,01, asimetría de PMÁX: p<0,01), excepto para FMÀX: (p=0,63). Ninguna variable ha presentado efecto de interacción (club x categoría). CONCLUSIÓN: A medida que las categorías progresan, la altura del salto y los valores de IMP, PMAX y FMAX relativos y las respectivas asimetrías se mantienen estables. La asimetría y el desempeño de fuerza del club de la primera división fueron mayores que del club de segunda división, excepto para FMAX, mostrando que el nivel competitivo puede influir en el desempeño de fuerza y en el desarrollo de asimetría. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudio diagnóstico ­ Investigación de un examen para diagnóstico.

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There are extensive connections between the latissimus dorsi (LD) and gluteus maximus (GMax) muscles and the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF), which suggests a possible pathway for myofascial force transmission. The present study was designed to provide empirical evidence of myofascial force transmission from LD to contralateral GMax through TFL in vivo. To accomplish this goal, we evaluated whether active or passive tensioning of the LD results in increased passive tension of the contralateral GMax, indexed by changes in the hip resting position (RP) or passive stiffness. The hip RP was defined as the angular position in which the passive joint torque equals zero, and passive hip stiffness was calculated as the change in passive torque per change in joint angle. Thirty-seven subjects underwent an assessment of their passive hip torque against medial rotation by means of an isokinetic dynamometer. These measures were carried out under three test conditions: (1) control, (2) passive LD tensioning and (3) active LD tensioning. Electromyography was used to monitor the activity of the hip muscles and the LD under all conditions. Repeated measures analyses of variance demonstrated that passive LD tensioning shifted the hip RP towards lateral rotation (p=0.009) but did not change the passive hip stiffness (p>0.05). Active LD tensioning shifted the hip RP towards lateral rotation (p<0.001) and increased the passive hip stiffness (p≤0.004). The results demonstrated that manipulation of the LD tension modified the passive hip variables, providing evidence of myofascial force transmission in vivo.

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INTRODUÇÃO: Níveis excessivos ou reduzidos de rigidez passiva dos músculos, tendões, ligamentos e fáscias podem estar relacionados à ocorrência de disfunções de movimento e ao desenvolvimento de lesões musculoesqueléticas. O tratamento dessas condições comumente envolve a aplicação de técnicas voltadas para alterar a rigidez, tais como fortalecimento ou alongamento. OBJETIVO: Realizar uma revisão crítica da literatura para investigar os efeitos de exercícios de fortalecimento e alongamento sobre a rigidez tecidual passiva. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizada consulta aos bancos de dados Medline, Scielo, Lilacs e PEDro. Foram incluídos estudos experimentais realizados em animais ou humanos, sem limite de data. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados 20 estudos que investigaram o efeito do fortalecimento sobre a rigidez passiva e 13 que pesquisaram o efeito de programas de alongamento sobre a rigidez passiva. CONCLUSÃO: Os estudos sugerem que exercícios de fortalecimento de alta intensidade são capazes de aumentar os níveis de rigidez tecidual tanto em animais quanto em humanos. O aumento da área de secção transversa e modificações na composição dos tecidos são alguns dos mecanismos responsáveis por esse aumento. Em relação ao fortalecimento muscular em posição alongada e ao fortalecimento excêntrico em toda amplitude com carga moderada, os resultados são insuficientes para afirmar sobre o real efeito dessas técnicas em reduzir os níveis de rigidez. Por fim, programas de alongamento estático ou do tipo contrai-relaxa parecem reduzir a rigidez tecidual quando realizados por meio de protocolos de longa duração e/ou alta frequência.

INTRODUCTION: High or low levels of passive stiffness of muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia can be related to the occurrence of movement dysfunctions and to the development of musculoskeletal injuries. The treatment of these conditions often involves the use of techniques to modify stiffness, such as strengthening or stretching. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a critical review in order to investigate the effects of strength and stretching exercises on tissue passive stiffness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature research was performed with the Medline, Scielo, Lilacs and PEDro. Experimental studies carried out in animals and humans, without data limit, were included in this research. RESULTS: Twenty studies about the effect of strength training on passive stiffness and 13 studies about the effect of stretching exercises on passive stiffness were selected. CONCLUSION: The studies suggest that strength exercises of high intensity are capable to increase the levels of tissue stiffness in animals and humans. The increase in cross-sectional area and changes in tissue composition are some of the mechanisms responsible to this enhance. Regarding the muscle strengthening in lengthen position and the eccentric strengthening in the whole range of motion with moderate load, the results are insufficient to confirm the real effects of these techniques in reducing the stiffness levels. Finally, static or contract-relax stretching programs seem to decrease tissue stiffness when performed through protocols of long duration and/or high frequency.

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Inadequate levels of hip passive joint stiffness have been associated with the occurrence of movement dysfunction, development of pathologies and reduction in performance. Clinical tests, designed to evaluate hip joint stiffness, may allow the identification of improper stiffness levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity as well as the intra- and inter-examiners reliabilities of clinical measures used to assess hip passive stiffness during internal rotation. Fifteen healthy participants were subjected to test-retest evaluations by two examiners. Two clinical measures were performed: 'position of first detectable resistance' and 'change in passive resistance torque'. The results of these tests were compared to the passive stiffness measured with an isokinetic dynamometer (gold standard measure). A significant correlation was found between the stiffness measured with the isokinetic dynamometer and the clinical measures of 'position of first detectable resistance' (r=-0.85 to -0.86, p<0.001) and 'change in passive resistance torque' (r=0.78 to 0.84, p≤0.001). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for intra- and inter-examiners reliabilities varied from 0.95 to 0.99. Thus, the results demonstrated that the clinical measures have adequate validity and reliability for obtaining information on hip passive stiffness during internal rotation.

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