Is there a relationship between knee crepitus with quadriceps muscle thickness and strength in individuals with patellofemoral pain? A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To explore the relationship between knee crepitus, quadriceps muscle thickness and isometric strength in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP).

Design: Cross-sectional.

Participants: Individuals with PFP.

Remobilization with whole-body vibration improves functionality, histomorphometric parameters, and AQP1 expression in the soleus muscle of Wistar rats.

Background: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is used to enhance physical performance in sports and rehabilitation. The present study analyzed the effects of remobilization with WBV on the soleus muscle of Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty-eight animals were separated into four experimental groups (n = 7): CON (control); IM (immobilized); FR (immobilization and free remobilization); and WBV (immobilization and remobilization with WBV).

Effect of whole-body vibration frequency on objective physical function outcomes in healthy young adults: Randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is used to improve muscle function but is important to know if doses can affect the objective function outcomes.

Objective: To compare the effect of two frequencies of WBV on objective physical function outcomes in healthy young adults.

Methods: Forty-two volunteers were randomized into three groups: sham group (SG), and WBV groups with 30 (F30) and 45 Hz (F45).

Risk of unfavorable pain prognosis impacts walking physiomechanical parameters and psychophysiological workload in sufferers of chronic low back pain.

Background: Tolerating physical tasks depends not only on task-specific characteristics but also on an individual's psychophysiological capacity to respond to the imposed load. People suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP) may experience reduced psychophysiological capacity and are at risk for poor pain prognosis, which could lead to an increased walking workload.

Aim: To investigate how the risk of unfavorable pain prognosis in CLBP can impact walking physiomechanical parameters and psychophysiological workload.

Can photobiomodulation improve quadriceps strength and endurance outcomes in asymptomatic adults? A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To explore the effect of photobiomodulation on quadriceps strength and endurance torques in asymptomatic adults.

Methods: Twenty-eight asymptomatic adults were randomized to one of two interventions: photobiomodulation (n = 14) or sham (n = 14). Quadriceps strength was evaluated by maximum voluntary isometric contraction test (60°) and endurance by an elastic resistance in multiple-set knee extension/flexion repetitions using a traction dynamometer.

KiloHertz currents on aspects of muscle function: A scoping review.

Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with kiloHertz currents (kHz) is a resource used in rehabilitation for producing muscle contractions with functional objectives, resulting from the optimization of the performance of aspects of muscle function (AOMF). However, parameters such as inadequate frequency, phase duration, amplitude, and therapy time may limit the effectiveness of NMES by the absence of adequate stimuli to generate positive adaptations in the AOMF. This study aimed to present an overview of the effectiveness and dosimetry of NMES by kHz on AOMF, such as torque and hypertrophy, in healthy people.

Cryotherapy in Anterior Cruciate Ligamentoplasty Pain: A Scoping Review.

Cryotherapy is used in individuals in the postoperative period (PO) of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair, owing to its effects such as increased pain threshold, decreased cellular activity, and vasoconstriction. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of cryotherapy on pain intensity in the immediate PO of ACL reconstruction. A scoping review was performed in the databases: Cochrane, Embase, Lilacs, LIVIVO, PEDro, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science; and gray literature: Google Scholar, CAPES Thesis Database, and Open Grey.

Using a single dose of photobiomodulation (laser + LED) to improve performance of lower limbs in functional test: Randomized clinical trial.

Background: Photobiomodulation (PBM) improves motor performance despite doubts whether it occurs immediately or late after a single dose. We evaluated the effect of a cluster PMB (laser + LED) single dose on muscle fatigue recovery in young sedentary adults, both immediately and in the short term (period between 24 and 48 h) after the fatiguing event.

Methods: Randomized clinical trial with 60 volunteers randomized in 5 groups (n = 12 in each): control/(CG); placebo/(SG); PBM in knee extensor/(KE_G); plantar-flexor/(PF_G); knee extensor + plantar-flexor/(KE + FP_G).

Causal relationship between spatiotemporal parameters of walking and the locomotor rehabilitation index in healthy people.

Background: Walking speed is a functional vital sign affecting mechanical parameters individually. Further, there is a tendency for pathological gait to occur at slower speeds, which does not always allow for an adequate comparison with normal gait. Therefore, recognizing the influence of spatiotemporal adjustments on healthy gait can broaden our understanding of the applicability of gait quality markers.

The Entrainment Frequency of Cardiolocomotor Synchronization in Long-Distance Race Emerges Spontaneously at the Step Frequency.

In forced conditions, where the heart rate and step frequency have been matched, cardiolocomotor synchronization (CLS) has been recognized. However, knowledge about the occurrence of CLS and its triggers in sports gesture in real contexts is little known. To address this gap, the current study tested the hypothesis that CLS in running spontaneous conditions would emerge at entrainment bands of muscle activation frequencies associated with a freely chosen step frequency.

Nordic Walking and Free Walking Improve the Quality of Life, Cognitive Function, and Depressive Symptoms in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Nordic walking's (NW) degree of effectiveness regarding health-related parameters in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a subject of debate. While NW seems to improve functionality, a clear non-motor benefit has not been demonstrated. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of 9-week NW and free walking (FW) training programs on quality of life, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms in individuals with PD.

When mechanical work meets energetics: Obese versus non-obese children walking.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? The aim was to compare the cost of transport and mechanical work between obese and non-obese children at different walking speeds. What is the main finding and its importance? Our data show that the cost of transport, mechanical efficiency and work are similar and directly mass dependent in obese and non-obese children. The optimal walking speed (most economical walking speed) is reduced in obese children.

Nordic walking training in elderly, a randomized clinical trial. Part II: Biomechanical and metabolic adaptations.

Background: Nordic walking is an attractive method of endurance training. Nevertheless, the biomechanic response due to the additional contribution of using poles in relation to free walking training has been less explored in the elderly.

Purpose: This randomized parallel controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of 8 weeks of Nordic walking and free walking training on the walking economy, mechanical work, metabolically optimal speed, and electromyographic activation in elderly.

Landing-Takeoff Asymmetries Applied to Running Mechanics: A New Perspective for Performance.

Background: Elastic bouncing is a physio-mechanical model that can elucidate running behavior in different situations, including landing and takeoff patterns and the characteristics of the muscle-tendon units during stretch and recoil in running. An increase in running speed improves the body's elastic mechanisms. Although some measures of elastic bouncing are usually carried out, a general description of the elastic mechanism has not been explored in running performance.

Effect of weighted sled towing on sprinting effectiveness, power and force-velocity relationship.

This study aimed to compare the components of force-velocity (F-V) and power-velocity (P-V) profiles and the mechanical effectiveness of force application (or force ratio-RF) among various sled-towing loads during the entire acceleration phase of a weighted sled sprint. Eighteen sprinters performed four 50-m sprints in various conditions: unloaded; with a load corresponding to 20% of the athlete's body mass (BM); with a load of 30% BM; and with a load of 40% BM. Data were collected with five video cameras, and the images were digitised to obtain velocity from the derivation of the centre-of-mass position.

Effect of Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain on Walking Economy: An Observational Study.

The authors investigated the effects of chronic low back pain (LBP) and walking speed (WS) on metabolic power and cost of transport (CT). Subjects with chronic nonspecific LBP (LBP group [LG]; n = 9) and healthy (control group [CG]; n = 9) were included. The test battery was divided into 3 blocks according to WS as follows: preferred self-selected speed (PS), and lower and higher than the PS.

[Possible changes in energy-minimizer mechanisms of locomotion due to chronic low back pain - a literature review].

One goal of the locomotion is to move the body in the space at the most economical way possible. However, little is known about the mechanical and energetic aspects of locomotion that are affected by low back pain. And in case of occurring some damage, little is known about how the mechanical and energetic characteristics of the locomotion are manifested in functional activities, especially with respect to the energy-minimizer mechanisms during locomotion.

Comparison of static postural balance between healthy subjects and those with low back pain.

Objective: To compare the static postural balance between women suffering from chronic low back pain and healthy subjects, by moving the center of pressure.

Methods: The study included 15 women with low back pain (LBP group) and 15 healthy women (healthy group). They were instructed to remain in standing on the force platform for 30 seconds.