Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior

(135 Artigos indexados)

Do timed up and go and five times sit to stand test outcomes correlate with trunk stability? A pilot-study - (2023)

Lucas S. Rezende, Pedro H. Monteiro, Júlia A. Oliveira, Caroline R. Souza, Daniel B. Coelho, Alexandre J. Marcori, Luis A. Teixeira

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Five Times Sit to Stand (FTSS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) are clinical tests in which performance is evaluated through completion time, which can be thought to reflect dynamic balance. Completion time in these tests, however, can be affected not only by balance stability but also by other important components, such as legs’ muscular strength and velocity. AIM: This investigation aimed to evaluate the correlation of completion times in these clinical tests and mediolateral (ML) balance stability measured through lower trunk accelerometry in older individuals. METHOD: Fifteen volunteers were evaluated, aged 60-86 years (M = 69.56±5.89 years). For TUG, we evaluated the conventional version of the test (TUGC), in addition to a dual task (TUGDT) and a new overline (TUGOL) version featured by increased balance demand. Balance stability during test performance was measured through ML accelerations of the lower trunk. RESULTS: The results indicated negative time-acceleration correlations for TUGC (rp = -.71, rp2 =.50, p <.01) and TUGDT (rp = -.77, rp2 =.59, p <.01) and a positive correlation for FTSS (rp =.73, rp2 =.53, p <.01). The TUGOL test failed to show significant time-acceleration correlations. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that completion time in the FTSS test importantly reflects dynamic balance stability in older individuals. On the other hand, ML trunk acceleration when performing TUG seems to be more related to movement speed than body balance. Our results suggest that completion time can be considered a predictor of dynamic balance in the FTSS test.

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Editorial: Control of Gait and Posture: a tribute to Professor Lilian T. B. Gobbi - (2023)

Lucas Simieli, Fabio A. Barbieri, Victor S. Beretta

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. This special issue aims to pay tribute to Professor Lilian Gobbi by discussing the control of gait and posture. Given her extensive dedication to comprehending gait and posture control throughout her life, this issue delves into cutting-edge studies that explore various aspects related to these topics. These aspects encompass mobility and balance performance, kinematics, kinetics, muscle activity, and brain activity analysis under both normal and adaptive conditions. Within this special issue, an array of themes associated with gait and posture control is presented through ten dedicated articles, all of which are intended to honor Professor Lilian Gobbi. Among these, five studies investigated locomotion, while three studies closely examined postural control. Furthermore, two studies took on a dual-tasking, addressing both gait and posture contexts. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the reviewers and members of the editorial board for their invaluable expertise and unwavering dedication in ensuring the utmost quality of research presented in this editorial. The editors of this Special Issue are not only pleased with the contributions made to honor Professor Lilian Gobbi, but also view these contributions as a celebration of scientific collaboration and the significant strides we have taken in advancing our understanding of gait and posture.

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Effect of antiparkinsonian medication on spatiotemporal gait parameters of individuals with Parkinson’s disease: comparison between individuals with and without freezing of gait - (2023)

Julia A. Oliveira, Luis A. Teixeira, Daniel B. Coelho

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. BACKGROUND: The gait of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) tends to be slower, characterized by narrow and short steps. During the medication, the self-selected gait speed of individuals with PD increases. However, when looking individually at the spatiotemporal parameters of gait, the medication induces different and not always consistent effects. However, the effects of medication and freezing of gait during walking in individuals with PD are unknown. AIM: To analyze the effect of antiparkinsonian medication and freezing of gait (FoG) on spatiotemporal gait parameters in individuals with PD. METHOD: For this purpose, we compared gait parameters in individuals with FoG (freezers, n=11) and without FoG (non-freezers, n=11). Spatiotemporal gait parameters (speed, cadence, step length, step time, step width, stride length, stride time, swing phase, and double support) and clinical scales (parts II and III of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr, Montreal Cognitive Assessment questionnaire and Mini-Test scale of Balance Assessment System) were analyzed in two experimental sessions, counterbalanced between individuals: one in the ON medication state (1h after ingestion), and another in the OFF medication state (~12h after the last ingestion). Linear mixed effects models 2-groups X 2-conditions were used. RESULTS: We found that gait speed, stride, and step length were significantly higher in the ON than in the OFF condition for both freezers and non-freezers, and significantly lower in the freezers than in the non-freezers, regardless of the medication state. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that medication improved gait performance equivalently in both freezers and non-freezers.

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Effect of long-term locomotion and balance exercise on functional mobility considering the Parkinson’s disease subtypes: a pilot study - (2023)

Victor S. Beretta, Diego Orcioli-Silva, Diego A. R. Jaimes, Beatriz R. Legutke, Thiago Sirico, Pedro L. Gonçalves, Lilian T. B. Gobbi *in memorium

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Different clinical subtypes (i.e., Postural Instability and Gait Difficulty -PIGD and Tremor Dominant -TD) have been highlighted in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although physical exercise improves motor symptoms in PD, the knowledge about the effect of physical exercise considering the PD subtype is limited. AIM: To compare the effects of long-term locomotion and balance exercise on lower limb functional strength and functional mobility in PD subtypes. METHOD: Eight individuals PIGD and 10 TD participated in this study. All individuals participated in the interventions with exercises focused on improving locomotion and balance. 48 sessions of exercise were performed three times per week for 60 minutes each session. Functional Mobility was analyzed by the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) in a single (ST) and double-task (DT – i.e., subtraction by three). Lower limb functional strength was analyzed by the 30s sit-to-stand test. Both tests were performed at baseline (pre-test) and post-intervention (post-test). Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA, with Group (PIGD vs. TD) and Moment (pre vs. post-test) factors, with repeated measures for the second factor. RESULTS: PIGD decreased the time to perform TUG_ST in the post-test compared to the pre-test (p=0.001). Both groups decreased the time in TUG_DT and increased the number of repetitions in sit-to-stand test in the post-test in relation to the pre-test (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Long-term locomotion and balance exercise programs can improve functional mobility mainly in PIGD. A possible explanation is due to the greater room for improvement of PIGD subtypes and exercise specificity.

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Effects of smartphone use on postural control and mobility: a dual-task study - (2023)

Giovanna M. F. Tessari, Sarah J. L. Melo, Tayla B. Lino, Sidney A. Sobrinho Junior, Gustavo Christofoletti

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, providing a wide range of useful features. However, it is important to address the potential risks of using a smartphone while performing motor tasks. AIM: To investigate the effects of smartphone use on postural control and mobility in young adults during standing or walking activities. METHOD: Forty-five individuals, mean age of 22.1 ± 1.5 years, were enrolled in this study. The impact of using smartphone was assessed during a static (performed on a force platform) and a dynamic (timed up and go) test. The participants were instructed to text a message and talk on the phone while standing or walking. Multiple analyses of variance were applied to verify main effect of task. Effect sizes are reported. Significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Using a smartphone with a simultaneous motor task had a negative impact on both static and dynamic tests (effect size of 0.820 and 0.788, respectively). Participants were at similar risks when walking while texting messages or talking on the phone. Conversely, when standing, talking on the phone caused greater risks compared to the texting condition. INTERPRETATION: In a sample of young adults, smartphone usage was found to affect the performance of motor tasks. The impact varied depending on whether the participants were walking or standing. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the risks associated with performing motor tasks with a smartphone among different population groups, including older individuals and subjects with physical disabilities.

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Fear of falling is associated with gait parameters during obstacle avoidance with different physical characteristics in older adults - (2023)

Gabriela V. Magalhães, Juliana A. Silva, Milena Razuk, Natalia M. Rinaldi

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Fear of falling (FOF) is related to worse locomotor performance, is a predictor of decline in functionality, and predisposes falls in older adults. It is necessary to investigate how FOF influences locomotor parameters during walking and in obstacle avoidance in older adults. AIM: To investigate the relationship between FOF and the locomotor variables during walking through and obstacle avoidance with different physical characteristics. METHOD: 22 older adults participated in this study and were invited to perform three tasks: 1) Walking Through; 2) Walking with a solid obstacle and 3) Walking with a fragile obstacle. RESULTS: Correlations were found between FOF and following variables: 1) Walking Through: step velocity (r=-0.640, p=0.003), width (r=0.641, p=0.003), double support time (r=0.523, p=0.022); 2) Solid obstacle: step velocity (r=-0.666, p=0.002), length (r=-0.758, p<0.001), foot-obstacle horizontal distance (r=-0.479, p=0.038), right stride velocity (r=-0.534, p=0.019), length (r=-0.522, p=0.022), left stride velocity (r=-0.551, p=0.014), left stride duration (r=0.561, p=0.012); 3) Fragilid obstacle: step velocity (r=-0.629, p=0.004), length (r=-0.556, p=0.014), foot-obstacle distance (r=-0.540, p=0.017), obstacle-foot distance (r=-0.492, p=0.032), right stride velocity (r=-0.583, p=0.009), length (r=-0.498, p=0.030), left stride velocity (r=-0.574, p=0.010), length (r=-0.462, p=0.047), width (r=-0.514, p=0.024), right stride duration (r=0.479, p=0.038), left stride duration (r=0.646, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the obstacle did not influence the older adults FOF during walking through and obstacle avoidance. Although they adopt predictive and reactive compensatory adaptations in an attempt to make the task safer, these adaptations actually make the task more dangerous and increase the risk of stumbling and falling.

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Gaze behavior data in the vitrine of human movement science: considerations on eye-tracking technique - (2023)

Tiago Penedo, Sérgio T. Rodrigues, Gisele C. Gotardi, Lucas Simieli, José A. Barela, Paula F. Polastri, Fabio A. Barbieri

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. Background: The eyes are the main gateway of visual information input. Moving the eyes is essential to extract visual information from scenes while performing motor actions. This has helped to explain motor behavior, especially in relation to visual attention mechanisms, gaze training and learning, and the relevance of visual information in controlling actions. Thus, collecting data on gaze behavior has become important for explaining motor behavior. Aim: We present the main video-based eye-tracking techniques, briefly describing the anatomy of the eyes, explaining the operation of the eye-tracker (eye capture techniques, calibration, and data analysis), and proposing interpretations of the main variables extracted by the technique. In this way, we carry out considerations (limitations and advantages) on the eye-tracking technique that placed gaze behavior data in the vitrine of human movement science. Interpretation: Eye-tracking has become an excellent tool to assist in the analysis of human movement through gaze behavior. Mainly by combining sensory information, such as visual information, with performance during motor tasks, it is possible to infer about perception, cognition, and human behavior during the most diverse day-to-day activities. Eye-tracker systems have been employed in different majors related to motor behavior, such as medicine, commerce, and game development.

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Infographic: Developmental Coordination Disorder (part I) – characteristics, diagnosis, and consequences - (2023)

Marcela C. Ferracioli-Gama, Priscila Tamplain

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo.

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Mini-BESTest cutoff points for classifying fallers and non-fallers female older adults - (2023)

Rosangela A. Batistela, Natalia M. Rinaldi, Renato Moraes

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. BACKGROUND: The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) is an efficient screening tool healthcare professionals use to predict the risk of falls in older adults. However, the Mini-BESTest cutoff scores to classify fallers and non-fallers were established using men and women in the same sample. Considering the higher number and prevalence of falls in older women, it is important to know the Mini-BESTest accuracy and the cutoff score specifically for this population. AIM: We examined the capability and accuracy of the Mini-BESTest for identifying fallers and non-fallers female older adults without neurological impairments and established the cutoff scores according to different age groups. METHOD:Eighty-one female older adults were classified into fallers (n=40) and non-fallers (n=41) groups according to their retrospective history of falls in the last 12 months. Fallers and non-fallers were divided into three age groups according to the following ranges: 65-69 years, 70-74 years, and 75+ years. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the relative performances of the Mini-BESTest score for classifying participants with and without a history of falls. RESULTS: The Mini-BESTest is a good and highly accurate tool for identifying female Brazilian fallers and non-fallers. The Mini-BESTest cutoff scores established to classify fallers and non-fallers female older adults in the different age groups were 26 points for 65-69 years and 24 points for 70-74 years and 75+ years. INTERPRETATION: The Mini-BESTest is an important tool that health professionals in clinical practice can use to estimate the risk of falls for older Brazilian women.

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Mini-Review: Gait and balance assessment in multiple sclerosis - (2023)

Ana C. de David

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Gait and balance deficiencies are significant concerns for people with multiple sclerosis, resulting in reduced walking capacity, falls and poor quality of life. Issues caused by sensory loss and the inability to properly reweight sensory information are often reported. Even at the early stages of the disease, subclinical gait and balance impairments can be found. AIM: In this article, we review objective measures used to assess gait and postural balance impairment in multiple sclerosis patients. INTERPRETATION: Although scales and clinical tests are important tools for assessing postural instability and walking performance, they can be insensitive to minor disabilities in multiple sclerosis. Instrumented measurements, such as kinematics, kinetics, spatiotemporal gait parameters and center of pressure, play an important role in detecting impairment and evaluating the effects of interventions in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis. Thus, objective measurements may be more suitable for tracking deficits in gait and postural balance in multiple sclerosis, contributing to the early detection of disease symptoms, and therefore allowing for the planning of effective interventions to control the speed of disease progression.

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The effects of social isolation on gait parameters of older people with Parkinson’s disease - (2023)

Thiago M. Sirico, Diego Orcioli-Silva, Vinicius C. Zampier, Gabriel A. G. Moraca, Emerson F. O. Santos, Victor S. Beretta, Lilian T. B. Gobbi *in memorium

Volume: 17 - Issue: 4

Resumo. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 disease acquired pandemic proportions in 2020. To deal with the scenario, social isolation (SI) was adopted, which configures a lack of contact with people and places. The impediments of this measure, however, can bring risks to older people with Parkinson's disease (PD), such as impairments in gait parameters. AIM: To verify the effects of SI on gait parameters in people with Parkinson's disease. METHOD: Thirty-three people with PD were recruited. Gait assessment was conducted in two periods: February 2020 and March 2022 (before and after the SI, respectively). For that, participants were invited to walk on a 5.74m mat with pressure sensors under two conditions: preferred walking speed and fast walking speed. Three trials were performed for each condition. The gait parameters analyzed were Stride Length, Stride Time, Double Support Time, Stride Velocity, Stride Width, and Cadence. Statistical Analysis was performed by paired t-tests for the comparison of gait parameters between moments (pre and post-SI). RESULTS: In the preferred walking speed condition, the participants reduced their Stride Length (t15 = 3.88, p = 0.001) and Stride Velocity (t15 = 3.63, p = 0.002) in the post-SI period. In the fast-walking speed condition, the participants also reduced their Stride Length (t15 = 3.73, p = 0.002) and Stride Velocity (t15 = 2.86, p = 0.012) in the post-SI period. INTERPRETATION: The SI period reduced the stride length and velocity of people with PD. A possible explanation is the lack of physical activity resulting from this public safety measure.

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Does the fear of falls interfere with the task of boarding a bus in individuals with Parkinson’s disease? - (2023)

Victor H. K. Ishii, Thayná L. Ishii, Andressa L. Miri, Hayslenne A. G. O. Araújo, André W. O. Gil, Suhaila M. Smaili

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have motor impairment that leads to the fear of falling, which limits functional independence. AIM: To correlate the fear of falling with cognitive function, handgrip strength, upper limb pulling force and functional execution time on the task of boarding a bus in individuals with PD. METHOD: A cross-sectional study involving 31 individuals with idiopathic PD. Assessments were performed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I). Handgrip strength and upper limb pulling force were measured using dynamometers installed on a bus prototype. Execution time was determined on the single task (ST), which consisted of climbing a bus, as well as a dual task (DT) (detecting specific letters from an audio recording during the task). Correlations between variables were determined using Pearson’s correlation test, with the significance level set at 5% (p <0.05). RESULTS: Moderate correlations were found between the FES-I score and the following variables: MVC for right handgrip strength (r = -0.491), left handgrip strength (r = -0.522), right arm pulling force (r = -0.522) and left arm pulling force (r = -0.563) as well as execution time on the ST (r = 0.514) and DT (r = 0.445). Moreover, a weak correlation was found between the total FES-I score and MMSE (r = -0.377). CONCLUSION: Greater concern with regards to falling was correlated with lower handgrip strength and upper limb pulling force, and a greater time spent boarding a bus under ST and DT conditions.

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Fear of falls is associated with fear of COVID-19 in older adults - (2023)

Thaís M. Batagliotti, Renato Moraes

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Individuals with a perception of their fragile health can potentiate the fear of COVID-19. AIM: We investigated the relationship between perceived functional capacity and fear of falls with fear of COVID-19 in older adults. METHOD: Thirty older adults (60-75 years) participated in this study. We applied two questionnaires to assess functional capacity: the Independence in Activities of Daily Living and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. We also administered two questionnaires for fear of falling: the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale and Falls Efficacy Scale International. Finally, we used the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. RESULTS: The results showed a significant correlation between fear of COVID-19 and the ABC Scale (r = -0.548, p = 0.002) and FES-I (r = 0.466; p = 0.009). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the ABS Scale was the only predictor of fear of COVID-19 (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Fear of COVID-19 was related to a worsening perception of functional balance and fear of falls in older adults, suggesting a greater vulnerability for those more afraid of falls.

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Infographic: Neuroscientific approaches to increase motor automaticity - (2023)

Lucas E. A. Bicalho, Beatriz Couto-Fortuna, Tércio Apolinário-Souza, Guilherme M. Lage

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo.

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Joint torque parameters of lower limbs and the relationship with postural balance in young adults: a cross-sectional study - (2023)

Alessandra P. C. Vidal, Leonardo A. Vieira, Jean L. Cruz, Natalia M. Rinaldi

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Different factors can influence the performance of postural control (PC), one of them being muscle function, which emerges as the neuromuscular capacity to generate tension adaptable to postural disturbances in the lower limbs. AIM: To investigate the influence of joint torque parameters of the lower limbs (hip, knee, and ankle) on the variables of postural balance, analyzed by static posturography in young adults. METHOD: This study included 25 young adults (23.08 ± 4.44 years) who were submitted to motor tasks alternating: the base of support; the surface and vision conditions on a force plate. Joint torque was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: The hip-abduction, -adduction, and -extension torques were negatively associated with the variables of center of pressure displacement in several conditions, both the most challenging and the least challenging ones. The ankle torque (dorsiflexion and plantar flexion) was negatively associated with postural control only in the semi-tandem condition with a rigid surface and eyes open. On the other hand, the knee torque was positively associated with the center of pressure displacement. Power measurements were more associated with postural control than peak torque. CONCLUSION: In young adults, there seems to be a greater use of the hip strategy, with greater influence of hip torque in relation to ankle torque for postural balance control. Therefore, the strengthening of hip muscles could have an impact on postural control in young adults.

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Knowledge of physical education professionals and students about ADHD and its motor impairments - (2023)

Lucas E. Bicalho, Vítor E. B. Castro, Beatriz Couto-Fortuna, Sara E. S. A. Leão, Cristiani Junqueira, Guilherme M. Lage

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and includes one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. Despite the high prevalence, many professionals who work with children and adolescents with this disorder do not have enough knowledge on the subject. Physical education professionals deal directly with these children and need the knowledge to choose which skills and/or motor criteria to emphasize in their classes. However, issues related to neurodevelopmental disorders are not frequently addressed in the physical education courses, which impairs proper dealing with this population. AIM: This study aims to verify the level of knowledge about ADHD and its motor impairments in professionals and students of physical education. METHOD: A questionnaire was developed by researchers of motor behavior and was applied to professionals and students of physical education. The participants' responses were then analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The results indicate that although the volunteers have basic notions about the subject, they do not have enough preparation to deal with children with ADHD. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the knowledge about ADHD is insufficient and a reformulation in the curriculum of physical education courses is recommended.

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Learning of a postural control task in a virtual environment with Parkinson´s disease individuals - (2023)

Tatiana B. Freitas, Jéssica M. R. Bacha, Rosemeyre A. Nuvolini, Keyte G. Silva, Marika Demers, Flávia Doná, José E. Pompeu, Camila Torriani-Pasin

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are able to learn tasks with postural control demand, however, they need more practice, more sensory information, and extrinsic feedback for this improvement. These aspects could be provided by task performance on virtual environment. In addition, the retention interval found in these studies was short.   AIM: To investigate the extent to which the learning of tasks involving a high demand for postural control is impacted in individuals with PD, and to determine the impact of the learning process on both cognition and postural control. METHOD: The Experimental Group comprised 13 participants with PD and the Control Group comprises 14 healthy elderly. Participants took part in 13 one-hour sessions, which involved four Kinect system games, with high postural and cognitive demands. The short-term retention test was performed one week after the post-test, whereas the long-term retention test was performed one month after the post-test. RESULTS: Individuals with PD learned the tasks with a high demand of postural control and demonstrated both short and long-term retention. The skill learning of the four tasks led to an improvement in cognitive functions specifically in memory. There was an improvement of reactive aspects of postural control in the elderly and with the individuals with PD, also better gait stability in the elderly. CONCLUSION:Despite the degeneration in striatum, responsible of consolidation of motor learning, individuals with PD are able to learn motor skills with a high demand for postural control, retaining them in the long term.

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Long-term functional performance changes and detraining in community-dwelling older adults participating in a group-based multicomponent training program - (2023)

Eliane C. Guadagnin, Emmanuel S. da Rocha, Marcos R. Kunzler, Liver A. A. Priário, Felipe P. Carpes

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and includes one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. Despite the high prevalence, many professionals who work with children and adolescents with this disorder do not have enough knowledge on the subject. Physical education professionals deal directly with these children and need the knowledge to choose which skills and/or motor criteria to emphasize in their classes. However, issues related to neurodevelopmental disorders are not frequently addressed in the physical education courses, which impairs proper dealing with this population. AIM: This study aims to verify the level of knowledge about ADHD and its motor impairments in professionals and students of physical education. METHOD: A questionnaire was developed by researchers of motor behavior and was applied to professionals and students of physical education. The participants' responses were then analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The results indicate that although the volunteers have basic notions about the subject, they do not have enough preparation to deal with children with ADHD. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the knowledge about ADHD is insufficient and a reformulation in the curriculum of physical education courses is recommended.

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Pre-crastination: Extra Physical Effort for Mind-Clearing in Reaching, Walking, and Other Activities - (2023)

David A. Rosenbaum, Hunter B. Sturgill, Iman Feghhi

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. Background: In this opinion we consider the roles of physical and cognitive effort in choosing between actions that make different physical and cognitive demands. View of the past: In choosing between a less or more demanding physical task, the cognitive effort of each was not expected to have a large effect. Current state: However, people are willing to expend extra physical effort to clear their minds (to avoid cognitive effort), a phenomenon called pre-crastination. Future perspective: Because pre-crastination can lead to premature decisions, a new priority is to understand the tradeoffs between physical and mental effort.

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The influence of athletic background, lower limb dominance and cutting angle on the center of mass kinematics during a sidestep cutting task - (2023)

Bruno L. S. Bedo, Guilherme M. Cesar, Wodyson T. E. Soares, Danilo S. Catelli, João B. Marques, Matheus M. Gomes, Paulo R. P. Santiago

Volume: 17 - Issue: 1

Resumo. BACKGROUND: Successful performance in futsal depends on athletes' ability to change direction efficiently. AIM: To investigate the effect of athletic background on COM kinematics during sidestep cutting maneuver performed at different cutting angles towards both sides. METHOD: Eighteen futsal athletes participated, comprised of nine high-level training (Group high-level) and nine recreational (Group Control, GC). Twenty reflective markers were placed on the participant's trunk and upper and lower limbs. Participants performed acceleration at maximum speed and in a straight line for 10 meters, followed by a change of direction (30º, 60º, and 90º). The whole body's COM trajectory was identified using a body model for each trial. Differences in angular error and COM speed were evaluated with a three-way analysis of variance [Group (GH vs. GC) X Cutting angle (30º vs. 60º vs. 90º) X Side (dominant and non-dominant), with repeated measures for the last two factors]. RESULTS: The main results indicated that the angular error increased as the cutting angle increased. The high-level futsal athletes performed a cutting task for the dominant side with greater speed and higher angular errors than the control group. These findings provided important information for understanding the trajectory of the center of mass at different angles and velocities and the possible repercussions on body dynamics. CONCLUSION: Athletic background affected the kinematic patterns of the center of mass during sidestep cutting maneuvers; when sidestep is performed with the dominant side, high-level futsal athletes changed direction faster with more significant angular error than recreational athletes.

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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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