Enhance range-of-motion and hypotensive effect in elderly submitted to three manual therapy techniques: Cross-over study.

The present study has two objectives: 1) to verify the effect of Maitland mobilization, manual massage (MM), and static stretching (SS) on the acute range-of-motion (ROM) responses, over 30 min, in the elderly; 2) to verify the effect of Maitland's mobilization, MM, and SS on blood pressure (BP) responses, over 60 min, in the elderly. Sixteen inactive elderly men were recruited. After familiarization, all subjects performed the experimental conditions throughout four remaining sessions.

Muscle Fatigue Assessment During Cycle Ergometer Exercise Using Principal Component Analysis of Electromyogram Power Spectra.

During muscle fatigue analysis some standard indexes are calculated from the surface electromyogram (EMG) as root mean square value (RMS), mean (F), and median power frequency (F). However, these parameters present limitations and principal component analysis (PCA) appears to be an adequate alternative. In this context, we propose two indexes based on PCA to enhance the quantitative muscle fatigue analysis during cyclical contractions.

Principal components of frequency domain electromyograms for muscular fatigue analysis.

The parameters commonly employed for muscular fatigue (MF) analysis, the mean frequency (F(mean)) and median frequency (F(median)) of surface EMG (SEMG) spectra, did not present consistent results for exercises performed at low to moderate intensities. For overcoming this limitation, the present study proposes the use of principal component (PC) analysis of SEMG spectra for MF monitoring. The SEMG from vastus lateralis muscle of 24 young male subjects were recorded during a maximal effort test in cycle ergometer.