Aquatic environment is widely used for recreational, sporting, and therapeutic activities. However, human motor functional behavior in immersion has not been sufficiently described. Such description is necessary to improve strategies used to perform movements in this environment and to possibly transfer them to land. Our goal is to offer a qualitative description of the aquatic motor behavior. We use action research to observe and describe motor behavior in water, which we systematized using the Aquatic Functional Assessment Scale, effects of water on the immersed body, its relationship with functional movements performed on land, and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The results allowed the systematization of aquatic movements based on unique features of water compared to effects of activities and participation of functional movement, under a biopsychosocial view of ICF. Such systematization of aquatic behaviors enables professionals to increase their strategies and interventions in water, through that understand the complexity of this approach and improve physical and therapeutic interventions that will have an impact on health.
Introduction: The complications from Parkinson’s disease (PD) are directly related to decreased muscle function, balance deficits, and independence loss. Practicing aquatic exercises can minimize these symptoms and slow disease progress. Objective: To develop a Multicomponent Aquatic Training (MAT) protocol for people with PD between stages 1 and 4 of the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Methods: The protocol is for a single blind controlled clinical trial. The sample will comprise of people with PD between stages 1 and 4 in Hoehn and Yahr scale, divided into a control group and MAT group (who will participate in the MAT). Musculoskeletal function, functional mobility, and balance will be the primary outcomes of interest, assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer, the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand test (FTSST), the Timed “Up and Go” test (TUG), the 6-m gait speed test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and a force platform. Quality of life (QOL), activities of daily living (ADL), and motor aspects will be the secondary outcome measures, assessed with the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), sections II and III. The MAT will be 12 weeks long, with two 50-min sessions per week. The outcome measures will be assessed before and after the interventions. Discussion: This study is expected to establish parameters to prescribe and monitor a MAT program for people with PD in stages 1 to 4 in the Hoehn and Yahr scale, respecting individual progress and assisting the professionals in their procedure with these people.
AimsTo compare the static and dynamic postural control of people with Parkinson's disease and community old adults.MethodsThirty‐five people were in the Parkinson's disease group (PDG; 12 women, 62.4 ± 11.0 years, 77.9 ± 15.6 kg, 166.5 ± 11.0 cm, 27.9 ± 3.8 kg/m2, 1.9 ± 0.5 Hoehn & Yahr) and 32 were in the old adults group (OAG; 13 women, 69.5 ± 6.0 years, 74.2 ± 12.3 kg, 165.0 ± 8.3 cm, 27.2 ± 4.0 kg/m2). The static balance was measured on a force platform, three 30‐s trials in four conditions: feet side‐by‐side (FSBS) and semi‐tandem stance (ST) positioning, eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). The total sway path length (SPL), sway area (SA), anterior–posterior (APSR) and medial‐lateral (MLSR) sway range of the centre of pressure were obtained. Dynamic balance was assessed using the timed‐up‐and‐go test (TUG). For comparison between groups and repeated‐measures, a mixed‐design ANOVA was carried out and the Mann–Whitney U test to compare TUG between groups. The significance level was set at p ≤ .05.ResultsBetween groups, PDG presented higher mean values for SPL, APSR and SA in feet side‐by‐side eyes open compared to the OAG, for SPL in feet side‐by‐side eyes closed, for SPL and SA in STEO. For repeated‐measures, both groups had higher mean values in the EC condition compared to EO and MLSR compared to APSR. No significant difference was found between groups for TUG.ConclusionBalance disorders are found early in people with Parkinson's disease compared to healthy older adults. Thus, Parkinson's disease seems to advance the process of alterations in the postural control system.
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