Multicomponent and mat Pilates training increased gait speed in individuals with Parkinson's disease when walking and carrying a load: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background And Purpose: Gait disorders in individuals with Parkinson's disease (IwPD) are among the most disabling symptoms. Physical exercise has been proposed for the treatment of IwPD because it shows positive effects on gait variables. Given the importance of physical activity in the rehabilitation process of IwPD, the assessment of interventions to identify those most promising for improving or maintaining gait performance is of great relevance.

Discriminatory Ability of Lower-Extremity Peak Torque and Rate of Torque Development in the Identification of Older Women With Slow Gait Speed.

The aim was to compare torque and rate of torque development of lower limb muscles between older women with functional and slow gait speeds to determine which muscle group is the best predictor of functional gait speed, and to establish strength thresholds needed for functional walking speed. Torque and rate of torque development of hip, knee, and ankle muscles were measured in older women who were divided in 2 groups according to gait speed: slow gait speed (<1.22 m·s) and functional gait speed (≥1.

Age-related alterations in the activation of trunk and lower limb muscles during walking.

Background: Walking is a complex motor task that requires an integrated coordination of the trunk, lower limb, and upper limb movements. Previously, few studies have investigated the activation pattern of trunk muscles during walking. However, the mechanisms by how aging affects the recruitment of trunk muscles during walking remain unclear.

Applying different mathematical variability methods to identify older fallers and non-fallers using gait variability data.

Background: The clinical assessment of gait variability may be a particularly powerful tool in the screening of older adults at risk of falling. Measurement of gait variability is important in the assessment of fall risk, but the variability metrics used to evaluate gait timing have not yet been adequately studied.

Objectives: The aims of this study were (1) to identify the best mathematical method of gait variability analysis to discriminate older fallers and non-fallers and (2) to identify the best temporal, kinematic parameter of gait to discriminate between older fallers and non-fallers.

Peak torque, reaction time, and rate of torque development of hip abductors and adductors of older women.

Impaired muscle function at the hip has been implicated to be a major factor related to falls in older adults. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the rate of torque development (RTD), reaction time (RT), and peak torque (PT) of hip abductors and hip adductors in young women (YW), older women nonfallers (ONF), and older women fallers (OF). Eighteen YW and 44 older women divided among OF (n = 20) and ONF (n = 24) performed maximum isometric hip abductor and adduction contractions on a dynamometer.

Neuromuscular performance in the hip joint of elderly fallers and non-fallers.

Backgrounds: Low strength and neuromuscular activation of the lower limbs have been associated with falls making it an important predictor of functional status in the elderly.

Aim: To compare the rate of neuromuscular activation, rate of torque development, peak torque and reaction time between young and elderly fallers and non-fallers for hip flexion and extension.

Methods: We evaluated 44 elderly people who were divided into two groups: elderly fallers (n = 20) and elderly non-fallers (n = 24); and 18 young people.

Antagonist coactivation of trunk stabilizer muscles during Pilates exercises.

The purpose of this study was to compare the antagonist coactivation of the local and global trunk muscles during mat-based exercises of Skilled Modern Pilates. Twelve women performed five exercises and concurrently, surface EMG from internal oblique (OI), multifidus (MU), rectus abdominis (RA) and iliocostalis lumborum (IL) muscles was recorded bilaterally. The percentage of antagonist coactivation between local (OI/MU) and global muscles (RA/IL) was calculated.

Electromyographic patterns of lower limb muscles during apprehensive gait in younger and older female adults.

Objective: Investigate the influence of apprehensive gait on activation and cocontraction of lower limb muscles of younger and older female adults.

Methods: Data of 17 younger (21.47±2.

Motor readiness and joint torque production in lower limbs of older women fallers and non-fallers.

This study aimed to evaluate the motor response time and ability to develop joint torque at the knee and ankle in older women with and without a history of falls, in addition to investigating the effect of aging on these capacities. We assessed 18 young females, 21 older female fallers and 22 older female non-fallers. The peak torque, rate of torque development, rate of electromyography (EMG) rise, reaction time, premotor time and motor time were obtained through a dynamometric assessment and simultaneous electromyography.

EMG activity of trunk stabilizer muscles during Centering Principle of Pilates Method.

This study aimed to analyze the electromyographic (EMG) activity of iliocostalis lumborum (IL), internal oblique (IO) and multifidus (MU) and the antagonist cocontraction (IO/MU and IO/IL) during the performance of Centering Principle of Pilates Method. Participating in this study were eighteen young and physically fit volunteers, without experience in Pilates Method, divided in two groups: low back pain group (LBPG, n = 8) and control group (CG, n = 10). Two isometric contractions of IO muscles (Centering Principle) were performed in upright sitting posture.

Association between energy cost of walking, muscle activation, and biomechanical parameters in older female fallers and non-fallers.

Objective: To determine the nervous activation, muscle strength, and biomechanical parameters that influence the cost of walking in older fallers and non-fallers.

Methods: Maximal voluntary isokinetic torque was measured for the hip, knee and ankle of older women. Oxygen consumption was measured at rest and during 8min of walking at self-selected speed.