Acute effects of NIV on peripheral muscle function and aerobic performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot study.

Background: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) reduces respiratory load and demands on peripheral muscles.

Methods: This study aims to evaluate the acute effects of bi-level NIV on peripheral muscle function during isokinetic exercise and aerobic performance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. This is a pilot crossover study performed with a non-probabilistic sample of 14 moderate to very severe COPD patients.

Rate of torque development of paretic lower limb is an excellent predictor of walking speed in chronic stroke individuals.

Background: Walking speed discriminates levels of functionality in stroke survivors, but its relationship with neuromuscular parameters remains unclear. We aimed to (1) verify relationships between walking speed, peak torque, and rate of torque development in individuals with chronic stroke and (2) investigate whether adjusting the predictive model for assistive device use and lower limb motor function improves its accuracy.

Methods: Twenty-nine stroke survivors (time post-stroke ≥6 months) were assessed for walking speed, motor function, torque of knee extensors, and rate of torque development.

Use of rating of perceived exertion during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) are the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders of the knee. Rehabilitation with progressive resistance training is recommended for both disorders. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is widely used to prescribe, monitor, and control exercise load.

Myoelectric Activity and Fatigue in Low-Load Resistance Exercise With Different Pressure of Blood Flow Restriction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Low-load resistance exercise (LL-RE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) promotes increased metabolic response and fatigue, as well as more pronounced myoelectric activity than traditional LL-RE. Some studies have shown that the relative pressure applied during exercise may have an effect on these variables, but existing evidence is contradictory. The aim of this study was to systematically review and pool the available evidence on the differences in neuromuscular and metabolic responses at LL-RE with different pressure of BFR.

Can Skin Temperature Be Altered After Different Magnitudes of Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage?

: This study aimed to assess skin temperature (Tsk) changes after different magnitudes of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) of the elbow flexor muscles and investigate whether Tsk is related to indirect markers of EIMD. : Thirty healthy active men were randomly allocated to the mild (MiDG) ( = 15) or moderate (MoDG) ( = 15) muscle damage group. Muscle damage in elbow flexor muscles was induced by 10 (for MiDG) or 30 (for MoDG) maximal eccentric isokinetic contractions at 60 degrees/s.

Repetition Failure Occurs Earlier During Low-Load Resistance Exercise With High But Not Low Blood Flow Restriction Pressures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Cerqueira, MS, Lira, M, Mendonça Barboza, JA, Burr, JF, Wanderley e Lima, TB, Maciel, DG, and De Brito Vieira, WH. Repetition failure occurs earlier during low-load resistance exercise with high but not low blood flow restriction pressures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2021-High-load and low-load resistance training (LL-RT) performed to failure are considered effective for improving muscle mass and strength.

Effect of resistance training with blood flow restriction on muscle damage markers in adults: A systematic review.

Background: The purpose of this review was to systematically analyze the evidence regarding the occurrence of muscle damage (changes in muscle damage markers) after resistance training with blood flow restriction sessions.

Materials And Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA recommendations. Two researchers independently and blindly searched the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS and SPORTdicus.

Low-Load Blood-Flow Restriction Exercise to Failure and Nonfailure and Myoelectric Activity: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To compare the short- and long-term effects of low-load resistance training with blood-flow restriction (LL-BFR) versus low- (LL-RT) or high- (HL-RT) load resistance training with free blood flow on myoelectric activity and investigate the differences between failure (exercise performed to volitional failure) and nonfailure (exercise not performed to volitional failure) protocols.

Data Sources: We identified sources by searching the MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, CENTRAL, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and PEDro electronic databases.

Study Selection: We screened the titles and abstracts of 1048 articles using our inclusion criteria.

Effects of Individualized Ischemic Preconditioning on Protection Against Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) versus a deceptive sham protocol on indirect markers of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) after the application of individualized occlusion pressure were examined. The goal of using a sham protocol is to control for the potential effect of placebo.

Hypothesis: IPC would surpass the sham protocol in protecting against EIMD.

Effect of Pain Education, Cryotherapy, and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on the Pain, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of pain education and the combined use of cryotherapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the pain sensation, functional capacity, and quality of life of patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

Design: This is a randomized controlled and blind clinical trial including patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain in the following 4 groups: control group, cryotherapy group, burst transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group, and cryotherapy combined with burst transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group. They were evaluated at baseline and after the protocol was concluded using the following: Roland-Morris questionnaire and sit-to-stand test; quality-of-life questionnaire; and pain.

Peak torque angle, acceleration time and time to peak torque as additional parameters extracted from isokinetic test in professional soccer players: a cross-sectional study.

This study investigated additional and traditional variables from isokinetic test of thigh muscles in soccer players across different field positions. One hundred and eighty-nine athletes performed maximal concentric isokinetic knee contractions on dominant (DL) and non-dominant limb (NDL) at 60º/s and 240º/s. The additional outcomes peak torque angle (AngPT), acceleration time (AcT) and time to peak torque (TPT) and traditional outcomes Peak torque (PT), total work (TW) and power (Pw) were extracted from the exam.

Effects of blood flow restriction without additional exercise on strength reductions and muscular atrophy following immobilization: A systematic review.

Purpose: To investigate whether blood flow restriction (BFR) without concomitant exercise mitigated strength reduction and atrophy of thigh muscles in subjects under immobilization for lower limbs.

Methods: The following databases were searched: PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, Web of Science, Central, and Scopus.

Results: The search identified 3 eligible studies, and the total sample in the identified studies consisted of 38 participants.

Comparison of functional and isokinetic performance between healthy women and women with fibromyalgia.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a condition that predominantly affects women and is characterized by chronic pain. As a consequence, it has been suggested that there is a decrease in muscle strength, a prime component of physical fitness, and thus a reduction in functional performance. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a complete and reliable physical evaluation of functional performance.

Effects of blood flow restriction exercise with very low load and low volume in patients with knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a randomized trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by chronic pain, physical dysfunction, and reduced quality of life. Low-load resistance exercises with blood flow restriction (BFR) have presented results similar to those of high-intensity resistance exercise (HIRE) without BFR provided that the exercise volume in both is paired. However, it is unclear whether BFR exercise with reduced load and volume generates clinical improvements similar to those of HIRE.

Effect of photobiomodulation and exercise on early remodeling of the Achilles tendon in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to compare the treatment effects of laser photobiomodulation (LPBM) therapy and aerobic exercise on the biomechanical properties, tissue morphology and the expression of tendon matrix molecules during early remodeling of Achilles tendon (AT) injury in diabetic rats. Animals were randomly assigned to five groups: injured non diabetic (I, n = 15), injured diabetic (ID, n = 15), injured diabetic plus LPBM (IDL, n = 16), injured diabetic plus aerobic exercise (IDE, n = 16) and injured diabetic plus aerobic exercise and LPBM (IDEAL, n = 17). Type 1 diabetes was induced via a single intravenous injection of Streptozotocin at a dose of 40 mg/kg.

Low-level laser therapy combined to functional exercise on treatment of fibromyalgia: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

This study aims to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined to a functional exercise program on treatment of FM. A double-blind and placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial composed of 22 women divided into two groups: placebo group (functional exercise program associated with placebo phototherapy n = 11) and laser group (same exercise program associated with active phototherapy; n = 11). Each session lasted from 40 to 60 min and was performed three times a week for 8 weeks.

Photobiomodulation increases mitochondrial citrate synthase activity in rats submitted to aerobic training.

This study investigated the effects of photobiomodulation by low-laser laser therapy (LLLT) on the activities of citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the anaerobic threshold (AT) in rats submitted to treadmill exercise. Fifty-four rats were allocated into four groups: rest control (RCG), rest laser (RLG), exercise control (ECG), and exercise laser (ELG). The infrared LLLT was applied daily on the quadriceps, gluteus maximum, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles.

Metalloproteinase Changes in Diabetes.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) constitute a group of over 20 structurally-related proteins which include a Zn(++) ion binding site that is essential for their proteolytic activities. These enzymes play important role in extracellular matrix turnover in order to maintain a proper balance in its synthesis and degradation. MMPs are associated to several physiological and pathophysiological processes, including diabetes mellitus (DM).

Use of low-level laser therapy (808 nm) to muscle fatigue resistance: a randomized double-blind crossover trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) can provide fatigue resistance via maximum repetitions (RM) with an isokinetic dynamometer, and decrease electromyography fatigue index (EFI).

Background Data: LLLT has been used to increase muscle performance when applied before or after intense exercises.

Materials And Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial with placebo.

Effect of low-level laser therapy (808 nm) on markers of muscle damage: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

The aim of this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase (CK) and strength performance) in the biceps brachii. Twenty-two physically active men were randomized into two groups: placebo and laser. All volunteers were submitted to an exercise-induced muscle damage protocol for biceps brachii (biceps curl, 10 sets of 10 repetitions with load of 50% of one-repetition maximum test (1RM)).

Overview of ultrasound usage trends in orthopedic and sports physiotherapy.

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine current beliefs about the use, the clinical importance, the theoretical fundamentals and the utilization criteria of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) among physical therapists on the clinical practice in orthopedic and sports physiotherapy in Brazil.

Methods: A brief survey was developed based on previous studies and was sent to 55 physical therapists with advanced competency in orthopedics and sports physiotherapy. The questions addressed general topics about the professional profile and ultrasound usage and dosage.