Effect of walking speed in heart failure patients and heart transplant patients.

Background: Chronic heart failure patients present higher cost of transport and some changes in pattern of walking, but the same aspects have not yet been investigated in heart transplant patients.

Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate both metabolic and mechanicals parameters, at five different walking speeds on treadmill, in chronic heart failure and heart transplant patients. Twelve chronic heart failure patients, twelve healthy controls and five heart transplant patients participated in the study.

Electromyography and economy of walking in chronic heart failure and heart transplant patients.

Background Patients with chronic heart failure frequently report intolerance to exercise and present with changes in walk pattern, but information about heart transplant patients is lacking. Alterations of the gait pattern are related to interaction changes between the metabolism, neurological system and the mechanical demands of the locomotor task. The aim of this study was to investigate the electromyographic cost, coactivation and cost of transport of walking of chronic heart failure and heart transplant patients.

Assessment of resistance torque and resultant muscular force during Pilates hip extension exercise and its implications to prescription and progression.

Background: The understanding of the external mechanics of Pilates exercises and the biomechanics of the joints may guide the prescription of rehabilitation exercises.

Objectives: To evaluate the resistance torque (Γ(R)) during hip extension (HE) exercises performed on the Pilates Cadillac. To perform a biomechanic analysis of the Γ(R) and the weighted mean moment arm (WMMA) in order to calculate the resultant muscle force (FM(R)) of the hip extensors and flexors.