Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior

(135 Artigos indexados)

Understanding the role of cognitive effort within contextual interference paradigms: Theory, measurement, and tutorial - (2023)

Nancy Getchell, Patricia Shewokis

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. BACKGROUND:“Contextual interference” (CI) describes a counterintuitive phenomenon related to practice organization when learning multiple tasks that are presented in a non-repetitive order. In CI, the lack of repetitiveness introduces a high level of interference within the learning context such that task performance during initial skill acquisition is frequently poorer than if tasks are practiced in a repetitive fashion. However, these learners often perform better on retention and transfer tasks than individuals who learn within a low CI environment.  AIM:We provide a tutorial on several novel ways in which researchers can investigate brain activity in a CI paradigm using functional near-infrared spectroscopy: Relative neural efficiency (RNE), relative neural involvement (RNI), and laterality index (LI). METHOD:RNE integrates measures of cognitive effort and behavioral performance; in high CI learning environments, RNE should initially be poor (high cognitive effort, low behavioral performance), then improve during retention and transfer. RNI provides an index of the relationship among motivation, mental effort, and performance. Finally, LI allows for the exploration of lateralization between the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex.  RESULTS:Significant differences were found for total hemoglobin, RNE and LI for the right and left prefrontal cortex regions. The differences were accompanied by moderate-to-large effect size with random using less effort, better performance and was more oriented to goal orientation and learning processes than blocked who focused more on visuomotor attentional components and used more effort with lower behavioral performance scores. CONCLUSION:RNE, RNI, and LI provide innovative methods to better understand cognitive effort within CI paradigms.

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Dual-task performance in seniors with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: a longitudinal study - (2022)

Danielle C. P. S. Silva, Juliana H. Ansai, Laura M. Melo, Ana Carolina V. Ferreira, Paulo G. Rossi, Francisco A. C. Vale, Larissa P. Andrade

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Motor performance in older adults with cognitive impairment is worse under dual task conditions, increasing the risk of falls. However, there is a lack of studies that analyze this performance over time in people with different cognitive profiles. AIM: This study aimed to compare the performance of an isolated task and a dual task in people with preserved cognition (PrC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer`s disease (AD). METHOD: Data were collected on two occasions (T1; T2), thirty-two months apart. Participants (n=51) were separated between groups: PrC (n=22), MCI (n=19) and AD (n=10). They were analyzed in three situations: 1) isolated motor task - Timed up and go test (TUGT); 2) cognitive-motor test (CMT)– dialing on the phone; 3) dual task (DT). To compare the performance of the dual task between the groups, delta was calculated and the ANCOVA test was applied. RESULTS: Although the cost of the dual task was not significantly different over time in any group, we found increases in the time required to complete the TUGT (p<0.01) and TUGT-DT (p>0.01) after 32 months in the AD group and a reduction in time in the PrC and MCI groups.  A greater number of steps in the TUGT-DT (p<0.01) and an increase in cadence in the TUGT (p=0.01) and TUGT-DT (p<0.01) were also found in the AD group. CONCLUSION:We suggest that a more functional task, such as walking while typing on the phone, may be considered a more sensitive way of assessing older adults with AD.

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Editorial: Effects of aging on locomotor patterns - (2022)

Paulo C. R. Santos, Diego Orcioli-Silva

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo. Aging and age-associated neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, may impair walking performance. Changes in walking performance are related to an increase in fall risk, institutionalization, hospitalization, survival rate, and mortality. Due to the increase in the older population, especially age-related diseases, the number of research aiming at understanding the mechanisms behind such changes and tools (interventions) to improve walking performance has increased substantially. In this special issue, we target to compile information and strengthen the discussion about whether and how aging and AD, and PD affect walking (the most common way of human locomotion), and potential interventions to improve walking in these populations. A total of 5 studies composed this special issue, including 4 original papers and 1 review

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Gait velocity and stability are correlated to muscle and bone mass loss in people with Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary study - (2022)

Fabio A. Barbieri, Murilo H. Faria, Lucas Simieli, Tiago Penedo, Carlos A. Kalva Filho, Victor S. Beretta

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo. Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) exacerbates muscle and bone mass loss, which is associated with several negative outcomes such as falls and disability. Thus, muscle and bone mass loss may be one mechanism for the mediator role between gait impairments and PD. Aim: To verify the relationship between the spatial-temporal gait parameters and the body composition of the lower limbs in people with PD. Method: Thirteen people with PD were evaluated on two different days: i) clinical and gait evaluation; ii) body composition evaluation. The step length, width, duration and speed, the percentage in double support, and gait velocity during walking at self-selected velocity. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry technique was used to measure fat mass, lean mass, bone mass, and the total mass, for whole body, and separately for each limb. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were applied between the spatial-temporal gait parameters and the variables of body composition of lower limbs. Results: Reduced lean and bone mass of both legs were related to faster gait velocity (r=0.6, p<0.03 and r=0.7, p<0.01, respectively) and step speed (r=0.5, p<0.05 and r=0.65, p<0.02, respectively). Also, narrower step width was related to the higher bone mass of both legs (r=0.6, p<0.03). However, muscle and bone mass did not correlate with step length and duration, and percentage of double support. Interpretation:Our findings suggest that the muscle and bone mass of the lower limbs are important body characteristics for gait impairments in people with PD and should be monitored over the disease.

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Inadvertent obstacle contacts when older adults step over obstacles: Effect of sex, self-reported fatigue, gait parameters, and prescription medications - (2022)

Timothy Becker, Shirley Rietdyk

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo. Background: Tripping is a common cause of falls, but the factors that are associated with trip risk are understudied. Aim: To quantify inadvertent trips with a stationary, visible obstacle in older adults, and to determine how inadvertent trips are related to fatigue, sex, gait measures, and prescription medications. Methods: Forty-one subjects walked on a 6 m walkway and stepped over a visible, stationary obstacle (height: 25% of leg length) 100 times; inadvertent trips with the obstacle were documented. We also collected gait measures on a clear walkway, self-reported fatigue every 25 obstacle crossing trials, and number of prescription medications. Participants were categorized as: 0 contacts or ≥1 contact. Results: The obstacle was contacted by 15 participants (37%) in 29 trials (0.7% of all trials); 52% of contacts were with the lead limb. Self-reported fatigue increased during the obstacle crossing protocol (p<0.001). Participants in the ≥1 contact group had slower gait speed, shorter stride length, and higher gait cycle time variability (p≤0.041). They also reported higher maximum fatigue (p=0.022) and a higher number of prescription medications (p=0.019). Males and females were not different in contact frequency (p=0.93). Interpretation: Inadvertent trips were not uncommon in older adults, even with a visible, stationary obstacle. Lead limb contacts indicate that older adults will have more difficulty recovering their balance after a trip. The strong association between fatigue (induced by walking) and impaired gait is highly relevant when quantifying gait in older adults, and also when developing fall prevention programs.

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Mechanisms that stabilize human walking - (2022)

Moira van Leeuwen, Sjoerd Bruijn, Jaap van Dieën

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo. In this paper we review what mechanisms are used to stabilize human bipedal gait. Based on mechanical reasoning, potential mechanisms to control the body center of mass trajectory are modulation of foot placement, stance leg control consisting of modulation of ankle moments and push-off forces, and modulations of the body’s angular momentum. The first two mechanisms and especially the first are dominant in controlling center of mass accelerations during gait, while angular momentum control plays a lesser role, but may be important to control body alignment and orientation. The same control mechanisms stabilize both steady-state and perturbed gait in both the mediolateral and antero-posterior directions. Control is at least in part active and is affected by proprioceptive, visual and vestibular information. Results support that this reflects a feedback process in which sensory information is used to obtain an estimate of the center of mass state based on which foot placement and ankle moments are modulated. These active feedback mechanisms suggest training approaches for populations at risk of falling, such as augmenting their effective use by means of augmented feedback, or using their complementary nature to train one mechanism by constraining the other mechanisms.

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Proactive control to navigate our daily environments - (2022)

Bradford McFadyen, Anouk Lamontagne, Olivier Anne-Helene, Julien Pettré, Michael Cinelli, Fabio A. Barbieri

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo. Safely navigating our environment is crucial to daily living, but the study of locomotor navigational control in relation to the complex interaction of personal and environmental factors is still in its infancy. Work to now has proposed different proactive control variables for collision avoidance based on visual information. Such control has more recently been shown to be specific to personal (e.g., age, neurological diseases) and environmental (e.g., obstacle type) characteristics. Continued study of the complex person-environment interaction is required along with continued theorization on combined proactive and reactive control factors.

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Quiet eye training alleviates the yips in golf putting: a research proposal - (2022)

Joan N. Vickers

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo. A case study is presented of a professional golfer (AB) who in her 13th LPGA season suffered from the psychological form of the YIPS. She had increased anxiety about her technique and eye movements that made focusing difficult. After a quiet eye (QE) training program she overcame the YIPS and had her 2nd best season. However, her improvement was temporary for reasons that may have been due to how the treatment was delivered. Due to the pandemic, she was given a QE training program that used email, phone calls, videos showing the quiet eye of elite golfers, counseling, and research papers. Her QE and coupled stroke kinematics were not recorded, as normally occurs, thus the paper concludes with suggestions for a QE training program that may lead to permanent improvements in golf or other sports where this stressful disorder occurs.

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The trajectory of Lilian Teresa Bucken Gobbi (1956-2022): An eminent researcher of gait and posture - (2022)

Renato Moraes, Veronica Miyasike-daSilva, Diego Orcioli-Silva, Rodrigo Vitório, Fabio A. Barbieri, Carolina Silveira

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo.

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Walking speed does not affect age-differences in ankle muscle beta-band intermuscular coherence during treadmill walking - (2022)

Paulo C. R. Santos, Inge Zijdewind, Claudine Lamoth, Lilian T. B. Gobbi, Tibor Hortobágyi

Volume: 16 - Issue: 5

Resumo. Background: By examining whether age and speed each differently affects beta-coherence during walking, we can extend the limited evidence on age-related impairment in neural control of walking. We determined the effects of age and walking speed on intermuscular beta band coherence between lower limb muscle pairs and the association between stride characteristics and intermuscular beta band coherence between these muscle pairs. Methods: Older (n=12) and younger (n=14) individuals walked on a treadmill at fixed (1.2 m/s) and fast (~1.3x preferred) speeds for 3min. For 100 dominant leg strides, we measured length, width, stance, swing time, cadence and intermuscular beta-coherence (15-35Hz) for the synergistic (biceps femoris (BF)-semitendinosus, rectus femoris (RF)-vastus lateralis (VL), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL)-soleus (SL), Tibialis anterior (TA)-peroneus longus (PL)) and the antagonistic (RF-BF and TA-GL) muscle pairs at swing and stance. Results: Comparing fast vs. fixed speed, participants walked with increased length (21%), cadence (12%), and coefficient of variation (CV) of stride length (14%), decreased stride width (-20%), and stance (-5%) and swing time (-14%) and with stronger TA-GL beta-coherence during early stance (69%, all p<0.01). Older vs. Younger individuals walked with slower fast gait speed (~9%), higher CV of stride length (21%), weaker GL-SL (-47%) and TA-PL (-60%) beta-coherences during the late swing and early stance phase, respectively (all p<0.01). No Group*Condition interactions occurred Conclusion: Oscillatory coupling between synergistic ankle muscle pairs during walking is lower in older vs. young individuals, but this difference is independent of walking speed while walking on a treadmill.

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An exploratory study on the effect of a four-week stroboscopic vision training program on soccer dribbling performance - (2022)

Tim Palmer, Aaron J. Coutts, Job Fransen

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Perceptual-cognitive skill is a crucial component of expert performance in sport as expert athletes rely on the integration and processing of sensory information to execute complex actions. One of the topics of interest to skill acquisition researchers is therefore how the perceptual-cognitive system can be trained, and how that affects sport skill performance. One of the methods suggested to be able to aid in the training of perceptual-cognitive skill is restricted visual feedback training.  Recently, stroboscopic vision glasses have been proposed as a tool that can restrict visual feedback during sport training and may therefore provide a useful tool for training sport-specific skills.However, despite its use in practice, evidence for the beneficial effect of stroboscopic vision on sport-specific performance across youth athletes with a range of performance levels is currently lacking. AIM: Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a four-week soccer training program with (experimental group) or without (control group) stroboscopic vision on the dribbling performance of relatively fast and slow dribblers. METHOD: To measure dribbling performance, this study used the Ugent Soccer dribbling task. RESULTS: A Repeated Measures MANOVA revealed that four weeks of stroboscopic vision training did not improve soccer dribbling skill measured through the time taken to complete the dribbling task as well as the number of touches of the ball while dribbling. CONCLUSION: While stroboscopic vision can likely lead to short term changes in perceptual-cognitive skill, it is likely not related to persistent changes in soccer dribbling performance in youth soccer players.

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Does the hippocampus exhibit offline reactivation of neural activity following motor sequence learning? - (2022)

Bradley R. King, Anke Van Roy, Ainsley Temudo, Kaitlyn Dwenger, Mareike A. Gann, Genevieve Albouy

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. Memory consolidation in the declarative memory domain is known to be supported by the replay or reactivation of learning-related hippocampal activity during subsequent offline epochs (i.e., during post-encoding rest). Examinations into an analogous hippocampal reactivation process following motor learning have, until recently, been non-existent. This gap in the literature has been fueled by the traditional – yet outdated - view that the hippocampus is not involved in motor learning. Here, we discuss recent research in the motor memory domain that provides evidence in support of hippocampal reactivation following motor sequence learning. We conclude by highlighting several areas that warrant examination in future research, including experimentally manipulating post-learning hippocampal reactivation in an effort to enhance the motor memory consolidation process.

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Electrocortical activity prior to predictable and unpredictable stimuli requiring a motor response - (2022)

Tércio Apolinário-Souza, Juliana O. Parma, Vinícius R. Carvalho, Maicon R. Albuquerque, Guilherme M. Lage, Lidiane A. Fernandes

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. BACKGROUND: The fronto-central slow-wave known as the contingent negative variation (CNV) is an electroencephalographic measure related to the ability of the motor system to extract spatial-temporal regularities to produce a motor response. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the levels of electrocortical activity prior to predictable and unpredictable stimuli in a motor control task, and the association between CNV and reaction time (RT). METHOD: Seventeen participants performed a task that consisted of removing the right index finger from the space bar as fast as possible after stimulus onset. All participants practiced under both a predictable (PC) and an unpredictable (UC) context.  RESULTS: Results indicated that RT under the unpredictable context was slower than under the predictable context. However, CNV levels under predictable and unpredictable contexts did not differ. CONCLUSION: The certainty of stimulus appearance in the UC may have produced effects similar to those under the PC, resulting in similar CNV levels. However, the use of this mechanism under the UC was suboptimal to motor performance.

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Functional capacity components do not predict fall risk in people with Parkinson's disease - (2022)

Gabriel A. G. Moraca, Diego Orcioli-Silva, Victor S. Beretta, Vinicius C. Zampier, Paulo C. R. Santos, Lilian T. B. Gobbi

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Falls are an impactful problem for people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), impairing the functional capacity and quality of life. Although some predictors of fall risk have been evidenced, the investigation of functional capacity components individual and combined is needed to a more detailed approach to identify fall risk prediction. AIM: To verify the ability of individual and combined functional capacity components in predicting fall risk in PwPD. METHOD: Ninety-six individuals participated in this cohort study. Functional capacity was assessed by Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, Six-Minute Walk, and Sit-to-Stand tests. The participants who fell at least once during the prospective follow-up of 12 months were considered fallers. A trained evaluator registered the fall’s occurrence weekly. Mann-Whitney U, t-tests, and chi-square tests were used to compare fallers versus non-fallers. Receiver Operating Characteristics curves of functional capacity components (individual and combined) were performed to predict fall risk. RESULTS: Thirty-six (37.5%) PwPD were classified as fallers, being recorded 56 falls, and 60 (62.5%) as non-fallers. There are no differences in functional capacity components between groups. The combined functional capacity components were not able to predict fall risk in PwPD (area under the curve = 0.52; p = 0.77). These components were also unable to predict fall risk when analyzed individually. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that functional capacity components, individual and combined, are not good predictors of fall risk in PwPD. The multifactorial characteristics of falls and the falls classification might affect the fall risk prediction and should be further investigated.

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Infographic: Development of postural control - (2022)

Jose A. Barela

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo.

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MINI-REVIEW: Contribution of early intervention models to child motor development - (2022)

Tayná A. Tabosa, Letícia H. M. Ferreira, Kátia V. Viana-Cardoso, Marcela C. Ferracioli-Gama

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Early intervention (EI) is a specific service for children in early childhood (up to two years old), in which the main objective is to promote the emergence of skills or abilities. AIM: To identify the scientific production about EI programs and their contribution to child motor development. METHOD: A mini-review of the literature in the PubMed, Scielo and Lilacs databases during November-December 2019, using the descriptors “early intervention” and “motor development”. Randomized clinical trials (RCT), quasi-experimental studies and case series were included. Descriptive analyses were applied. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were selected. Some interventions were found to be effective: “Tummy time” (adoption of the prone position for a certain time) and the use of a treadmill for children with Down syndrome. Other results’ studies reinforced the importance of parents acting in their children’s environment and those strategies considering the insertion of the family in the intervention are able to modulate the risks to children motor development, even biological risks. The insertion of the family in early interventions was verified, highlighting the models of parental intervention and home visits. CONCLUSION: Most EI models with positive effects on motor development are focused only on the execution of some determined technique, without considering the different aspects of the child development. However, family participation is undeniable even in these models. Strategies that show positive contribution to motor development seek to assist the family in the task of promoting environmental enrichment.

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Photobiomodulation effects on Achilles tendon pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials - (2022)

Emmanuel S. Rocha, Esthevan Machado, Francesca C. Sonda, Klauber D. Pompeo, Patrícia F. Santos, Mariane B. Scheeren, Jeam M. Geremia, Marco A. Vaz

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Achilles tendon pain is present in tendons’ non-rupture injuries usually exacerbated by mechanical loading (i.e., overuse injury).Photobiomodulation is a light therapy that may reduce pain in tendinopathy. AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials tested the acute and chronic effects of photobiomodulation on Achilles tendon pain. METHOD: Randomized clinical trials were included comparing photobiomodulation with a control group in patients with Achilles tendon pain.The search included MEDLINE (Pubmed), SCOPUS, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane CENTRAL), LILACS, and Science Direct databases, and manual search until November 2021.The bias’s risk was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration bias risk assessment tool and PEDro scale, while the level of evidence strength by the GRADE. Quantitative analysis through meta-analyzes was performed. The protocol was registered (PROSPERO-CRD42018091509). RESULTS: The search yielded 3.239 papers in the seven databases. Five studies were included after screening, eliminating duplicates, and applying eligibility criteria, and three were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis (n=79) showed no photobiomodulation acute and chronic effects compared with control group on Achilles tendon pain (p= 0.45, SMD: 0.28). In the qualitative analysis, three studies showed a high risk, and two studies a low risk of bias in all characteristics. GRADE analysis showed very low- to low-quality evidence of the studies. CONCLUSION: There is no photobiomodulation effect in Achilles tendon pain. Due to the very low and low strength of evidence, new studies with better methodological quality should be conducted to improve the level of evidence.

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Tethered force at lower limbs and swimming during a 30 s exercise bout and its association with 50 m front crawl performance - (2022)

Karla de Jesus, Vitória de Miranda, Marcos Franken, Kelly de Jesus

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. BACKGROUND: The capacity to produce force should be promoted especially for the fastest swimming events. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the effects of different test periods in mean, maximal and coefficient of force variation and to correlate the coefficient of force variation and 50m front crawl time. METHOD: Twelve well trained swimmers (age: 22.33±8.08 years, 1.69±0.48 m height, body mass 56.08±7.86 kg) randomly performed three maximal 30s repetitions of full swimming and lower limbs actions in front crawl swimming technique with ~15min resting period. A load cell system permitted the continuous measurement of exerted tethered forces, and 50m time was registered as the best time obtained at 12 months before the test. RESULTS: Mean swimming force was greater at 10s compared to 20 and 30s period (26.40 [20.66-54.20], 25.33 [21.70-52.35] and 21.39 [17.91-43.98] respectively, p<0.05). Mean, maximal and force coefficient variation at tethered test with full swimming were higher than lower limbs (24.37 vs. 12.71, 77.97 vs. 39.78, 0.77 vs. 0.49 respectively, p<0.05). Strong and inverse correlations were noticed between coefficient of force variation at 10 s during full swimming, at 20s during kicking and performance (28.75s [26.20-30.68s];r=-0.75;p<0.01). Very strong correlation was noticed between coefficient of force variation during swimming at 20s, 30s and performance (r=-0.91 and -0.92;p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Mean swimming force at full swim and lower limbs is affected by the period of the 30s maximal tethered swimming test and is associated with performance.Data reported may be used as reference for setting training strategies at short distance events.

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The effects of a 10-minute triceps surae stretching session persist after 60 min: a randomized clinical trial - (2022)

Francesca C. Sonda, Mariana O. Borges, Emmanuel S. Rocha, Anelize Cini, Marco A. Vaz, Claudia S. Lima

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Stretching exercises increase the joint range of motion (ROM) and depend on the skeletal tissues' exposition-time to stretch. However, it is unclear how a long stretching time affects the muscle-tendon unit's passive mechanical properties. AIM: This study aimed to analyze changes in the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit’s passive mechanical properties before and after a 10-minute passive stretching protocol. METHOD: Thirty healthy participants (26.57 ± 3.82 years old) were allocated into a control group (n=15), who did not perform any intervention, and to an experimental group (n=15), who performed one bout of a 10-minute ankle plantar flexor passive static stretching. Ankle ROM, plantar flexor passive torque, and myotendinous junction displacement were evaluated pre-intervention, immediately after, and 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after the end of the intervention. The stiffnesses of the muscle-tendon unit, muscle, and tendon were calculated for all moments. A generalized estimating equation test was performed to compare groups and moments. RESULTS: The experimental group increased the ROM (p<0.001) from pre- to post-intervention and remained augmented up to 60 minutes. The myotendinous junction displacement decreased at post-30 and post-45 moments compared to pre-intervention. Muscular stiffness increased immediately after stretching and post-45 and post-60 minutes. Passive torque and musculotendinous unit stiffness decreased over time, with trivial, small, and moderate effect sizes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Passive static stretching (10 min) generates an acute ROM increase associated with muscle-tendon unit passive mechanical properties reduction, which lasts up to one-hour post-intervention.

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The relationship between lower-limb body composition with isokinetic performance in futsal players: Body composition and performance in futsal players - (2022)

Carlos L. F. Machado, Fábio Y. Nakamura, Clarissa M. Brusco, Marcos X. Andrade, Rodrigo Carlet, Rogério C. Voser, Ronei S. Pinto

Volume: 16 - Issue: 3

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Optimal neuromuscular performance is essential for futsal athletes and it has been linked to body composition. AIM: The present study aimed to verify the relationship between absolute (total amount; kg) and relative (percentage; %) lower-limb and thigh lean and fat mass with isometric and dynamic maximal strength in professional futsal players. METHOD: Sixteen male elite futsal athletes participated in this study. Unilateral lower-limb and thigh lean and fat mass were evaluated using DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) and strength performance using unilateral isokinetic concentric-eccentric knee extension (KE) and flexion (KF) peak torque (PT), KE and KF isometric PT at 30° and 70°, and hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratios (H:Q). RESULTS: Unilateral lower-limb lean mass amount showed a significant positive correlation with concentric and isometric KE PT (60°/s: r=0.58; 30°: r=0.55; 70°: r=0.65), and with concentric (60°/s: r=0.61), eccentric (60°/s: r=0.67) and isometric (30°:r=0.79; 70°: r=0.70) KF PT. No significant relationship between lower-limb lean and fat mass percentage with isokinetic performance was verified. Thigh lean mass amount had a significant positive correlation with concentric and isometric KE PT (60°/s:r=0.52; 30°: r=0.51; 70°: r=0.84) and also with concentric (60°/s: r=0.75) and eccentric KF PT (60°/s:r=0.54), while thigh fat mass amount was only associated with eccentric KF PT (r=0.54). No significant correlation between lower-limb and thigh body composition with H:Q ratios was observed. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, contrary to the relative (%) values, absolute (kg) lower-limb and thigh fat and lean mass present a significant correlation with dynamic and isometric KE and KF performance in futsal players.

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Editorial: The Role of Practice in Motor Skill Acquisition: New Issues, the Same Question - (2022)

Matheus M. Pacheco

Volume: 16 - Issue: 2

Resumo. Practice is necessary but not sufficient for learning. Why is that the case? In this editorial, I invite the readers to consider what is the role of practice in motor skill acquisition and to read the contributions of well-known researchers in the area to this special issue. Through a summary of the diverse offered opinions, I provide a potential heuristic view that demonstrates what are the new venues on the theme. As it seems, the question remains unanswered and challenges to answer it abound. This special issue sets the starting point for a needed research agenda on the theme.

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Effects of the different distributed practice regimes on the learning of three-ball cascade juggling task - (2022)

José E. M. Luz, Henrique D. Santos, Giordano M. G. Bonuzzi

Volume: 16 - Issue: 2

Resumo. BACKGROUND: In its majority, the literature supports the superiority of distributed practice compared to massed practice on motor learning outcomes. However, inconsistencies in some findings claim for more efforts on this topic. AIM: We aimed to elucidate potential mechanisms that would support the distinct results between the different distributed practice regimes (among days and within-one-day). METHOD: Ninety participants, aged 18-25 years (45 men, 45 women) were randomly divided into 3 groups: Massed practice group (MASSED) - 30 minutes of practice without rest/ one day; Within-one-day distributed practice group (WITHIN) – 6 blocks of 5 minutes of practice interspersed by 3 minutes of rest/ one day; and, Among days distributed practice group (AMONG) – 3 blocks of 10 minutes of practice divided into 3 consecutive days. They practiced the three-ball cascade juggling task. The number of catches was the dependent variable. There was a retention test (absolute retention and savings analyses) after 24 hours from the acquisition phase. RESULTS: We identified that AMONG demonstrated higher absolute retention than WITHIN and MASSED. Both distributed practice regimes demonstrated better savings than MASSED. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that distributed practice regimes enhance consolidation processes and information processing that benefit motor learning.

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Extensive practice in motor learning: An overview and future directions - (2022)

Vitor L. S. Profeta, Herbert Ugrinowitsch

Volume: 16 - Issue: 2

Resumo. Extensive practice is observed when performance reaches a plateau despite practice continuation. Although extensive practice promotes better results in retention tests, its status regarding transfer tests is not clear. The Adaptive Process Approach states that transfer will benefit from extensive practice. In turn, the Specificity of Practice Hypothesis states that transfer may be harmed after extensive practice. Each perspective has been around for 30 years, accumulating enough information to support its claims. However, they have not been directly contrasted, and each perspective has independently developed its methodological strategy to understand the role of extensive practice in motor learning. Therefore, it is possible that results supporting the perspectives are by-products of their methodological strategies, providing narrow validation limits to both perspectives. In order to better understand the effects of extensive practice on transfer, it is necessary to contrast the Adaptive Process Approach with the Specificity of Practice Hypothesis in a single and unifying methodological framework.

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Infographic: Type of physical exercises recommended to improve balance and gait in older adults with a history of falls - (2022)

Gabriela V. Magalhães, Juliana A. Silva, Mathaeus H. S. Pereira, Natalia M. Rinaldi

Volume: 16 - Issue: 2

Resumo. Aging is a dynamic process associated with declining physical performance and progressive impairment of muscle strength, balance and mobility. A common result of these impairments is falling, important event that leads to activity limitations, restriction of social participation and a worse quality of life for the older adults. The systematic review made by Teng, Gomersall, Hatton and Brauer (2020) 1 shows that impaired gait and balance are risk factors for falling, but their effects can be reduced by exercise. Therefore, the aim of the infographic is to recommend the main exercise to improve balance and gait in older adults with a history of falls and its benefits. For the selection of exercises indicated in the infographic, four systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials were used. Multicomponent exercises seem to be able to reduce the rate and risk of falls in the older adults 2-4, as well as to improve gait. The exercises must involve gait training, such as, walking multidirectional and obstacle negotiation exercises with different levels of difficulty throughout the training 2-4. Moreover, it is important to include functional activities, for example, gait with different speeds, sit and get up, walking upstairs training and dancing exercise 2-4. It's interesting to include motor coordination exercises, through the ball games and team games, strengthening for abdomen, upper, and lower limb muscles and exercises using body weight 4 as well as balance training, like standing on the one leg, balance-jumping and agility training 2-4. Yet, balance exercises that involve unstable bases also appear to reduce the risk and rate of falls, as a consequence, it improves gait speed in older people with a history of falls 1. Moreover, the recommended intensity for exercise training is moderate (defined as any physical activity that consume 3 to 5.9 METs) and the duration of each training session proposed is one hour 3,4. As for the prescription, it is recommended significant doses of exercises, with a frequency per three hours or more for a week for a period of 6 months. Yet, it is necessary the constant practice of physical exercise to maintain the benefits acquired by the training 3. For future studies, a relativization of dose-response effect adjusted for age, comorbidities and past falls can be necessary. Finally, more extended follow-ups to verify the sustained effect of exercise should be needed for understanding its long-term benefits.

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Insights on the practice schedule role on performance under a hierarchical system view - (2022)

Umberto C. Correa, Ulysses A. Okada, Herbert Ugrinowitsch, Rodolfo N. Benda

Volume: 16 - Issue: 2

Resumo. BACKGROUND: A theoretical background of hierarchical open systems has emerged as an alternative for explaining consistency and adaptability as complementary in the same motor skill related-structure at different levels of analysis. AIM: Based on original supporting evidence, this paper presents and discusses how an adoption of such background allows theoretical and methodological insights on the role of practice schedule on performance. METHOD: Sixteen unexperienced individuals of both sexes performed 240 trials of the golf putting task over three days. They were randomly divided into four experimental groups: CO3 (performed trials at a distance of 3.0 m from the target); CO3i (performed all trials at a distance of 3.0 m from the target with a 9º incline on the last meter of the mini-golf putting); CO4 (performed all trials at a distance of 4.0 m from the target); and, VAR (performed all trials under these conditions in a counterbalanced order). RESULTS: All groups improved the performances related to the task goal, but in a different way by considering the frequencies of golf putting in different performance zones. Results also showed that the constant groups (CO3, CO3i and CO4) modified the macrostructures in different dimensions over practice, while VAR group only altered the microstructure. CONCLUSION: The distinct effects of the practice schedules on motor skill structure formation were only inferred because of adopting the hierarchical system view. Based on this background, it was possible to speculate that each practice schedule drives differently the formation of a motor control structure. 

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