Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) has been researched broadly, since it is simple, it presents good results and the analysers are portable, allowing it to be used in field studies. This paper presents a new technique of BIA based on a step-voltage current response and bipolar electrode array. A prototype of this new kind of analyser was developed and constructed to test the technique. Bench tests were performed to calibrate the prototype and the obtained results were comparable to those of commercial analysers. Body composition tests were conducted on 67 subjects of both sexes. Besides the bioimpedance analysis, anthropometric measures, consisting of weight, height, circumference and skinfold thickness, were also obtained from the subjects to allow an estimation of the body composition from anthropometric equations established in the literature. The results point to a good correlation (Pearson coefficient, r = 0.9645) between the anthropometric estimated fat-free mass (FFM) and its analogue estimated by the new bioimpedance technique.

Background Ankle sprains are one of the most prevalent soft-tissue injuries worldwide. Physical therapy, especially progressive exercise, has proven effective in improving function, while preventing recurrence. Objective We aim to present the results of a fully remote and digitally guided rehabilitation program for acute ankle sprains. Methods We performed a prospective longitudinal cohort study of individuals eligible for workers’ compensation, who were referred for digital rehabilitation therapy for a sprained ankle. Therapeutic exercise sessions were to be performed independently by the patient at home using the biofeedback device provided by SWORD Health. Primary endpoints were the change in self-reported Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure–activities of daily living (FAAM–ADL) and FAAM–Sports scores. Participants were assessed at baseline, end of the program, and 6 months after program completion. Secondary outcomes included digital therapy dosage, pain and fatigue during sessions, and satisfaction. Results In total, 93 (89.4%) patients completed the program and 79 (76.0%) were available for follow-up. Changes in the primary outcomes between baseline and the 6-month follow-up were both significant (P<.001) and clinically meaningful: mean difference of –2.72 points (95% CI –3.31 to –2.13) on the NPRS (49.8% reduction), 21.7 points (95% CI 17.13-26.27) on the FAAM–ADL (41.1% increase), and 37.8 points (95% CI 30.45-45.15) on the FAAM-Sports (151.8% increase). Longer waiting periods between the accident date and treatment initiation were found to negatively impact functional status at baseline and at the end of the program, triggering an extension in the program duration. The total training volume (12.5 hours, SD 10.5 hours) was similar to that of other interventions for ankle sprains, but the dosage per week was much higher (2.4 hours per week, SD 0.87 hours per week). The mean patient satisfaction score was 8.8 (SD 1.57) out of 10. Among program completers, 83.9% attained full recovery and were discharged with no residual disability. Conclusions Being far less demanding in terms of human resources, the digital program presented constituted a viable, clinically effective, and convenient solution for ankle sprain rehabilitation, particularly during the pandemic. This is the first study presenting a fully remote home-based rehabilitation program for acute ankle sprains, with patients achieving sustained long-term results. This was a prospective cohort study and, as such, did not include a control group, but the results appear comparable to those published for face-to-face interventions. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04819022; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04819022

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The goal of the present study was to develop an equation for predicting the workload of one maximal repetition (1RM) in women and men, based exclusively on anthropometrical characteristics. Forty-four low-risk and experienced in strength training young subjects, being 22 male (23 ± 4 years, 76.6 ± 12.7 kg, 173.9 ± 5.5 cm, 11 ± 4.5% of body fat) and 22 female (22 ± 4 years, 54 ± 6.0 kg, 161 ± 5.8 cm, 18 ± 2.2% of body fat) volunteered for this study. All subjects were submitted to an anthropometrical evaluation followed by a 1RM familiarization test (shoulder press), which was repeated after 48 h. The repeatability was tested using Wilcoxon Matched paired test. Finally, the 1RM workload was modeled in relation to the anthropometrical variables through multiple linear regression (forward stepwise) using as cutoff criteria for the independent variables ∆r 2 < 0.01. The models reliability was expressed by the Bland and Altman analysis. All tests assumed α = 0.05. No significant differences were recorded between the two tests, resulting 44.6 ± 13.2 kg and 12.2 ± 3.2 kg, for male (MS) and female (FS) subjects respectively. The time of practice in strength training was also included in the models. The model resulted in 84% of explained variance and a standard error of 12% for the MS. On the other hand, for the FS the predictive capacity was weaker than for = the MS, resulting in 56% of the explained variance and a standard error of 20%. In conclusion, the obtained models showed acceptable reliability so that they can be currently used as a tool for predicting the 1RM workload.

je neuralnoj mobilizaciji i{ija -tikusa tokom fleksije kuka uz ekstenziju kolena uz direktan, oscilatoran i naporan pokret tokom 60 sekundi. SSG izvodila je pasivno stati~ko istezanje, sastavljeno od odr`avanja polo `aja s velikom amplitudom, ne prelaze}i granice pokreta, za period naprezanja od ~etiri do {est sekundi. HP u urinu odre|en je na po~etku i 24 ~asa posle intervencije pomo}u kolo ri metrijske metode. Ponovljena merenja pomo}u ANOVA pokazala su zna~ajne poraste u NMG (d=7,38 mg/24h; p=0,0001) i SSG (Δ=3,47 mg/24h; p=0,002) i poraste u NMG (Δ%=118,89%) u pore|enju sa SSG (Δ%=118,89%) u pore|enju sa SSG (Δ%=60,32%; p=0,006) i CG (Δ%=-0,91%; p=0,0001). Rezultati ukazuju na to da je NMG radila s tenzijom izvan uobi~ajenih lukova amplitude artikularnog po kreta, {to je izazvalo restrukturaciju kolagena.Klju~ne re~i: amplituda artikulatornog pokreta, vezivno tkivo, hidroksiprolin Summary: This study aimed to assess the acute effect of stretching and neural mobilization on urinary hydroxy pro line (HP) levels in young adults. The sample, composed of physical therapy students from Teresina (PI), was divided into three groups: a neural mobilization group (NMG; n=15; age= 22±3 years; BMI=24.75±3.09); a static stretching group (SSG; n=15; age=23±4 years; BMI: 25±4.33) and a control group (CG; n=15; age: 24±4 years; BMI: 23.91±3.09). The NMG underwent neural mobilization of the sciatic nerve while engaged in hip flexion with knee extension in a direct, oscillatory and stre nuous manner for 60 seconds. The SSG performed passive static stretching, which consisted of the maintenance of a high amplitude posture, without exceeding the limits of the movement, for a period of tension ranging from four to six seconds. Urinary HP was evaluated at the baseline and 24 hours after the intervention using the colorimetric method. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant intragroup increases in the NMG (Δ=7.38 mg/24h; p=0.0001) and the SSG (Δ=3.47 mg/24h; p=0.002) and inter-group increases in the NMG (Δ%=118.89%) when compared to the SSG (Δ%=60.32%; p=0.006) and the CG (Δ%= -0.91%; p=0.0001). These results indicate that the NMG worked with tension beyond the ordinary amplitude arches of articular movement, thus causing a restructuring of collagen.