OBJECTIVE:To assess the postural control and flexibility of obese subjects before and both six and 12 months after bariatric surgery. To verify whether postural control is related to flexibility following weight reductions resulting from bariatric surgery.METHODS:The sample consisted of 16 subjects who had undergone bariatric surgery. All assessments were performed before and six and 12 months after bariatric surgery. Postural balance was assessed using an Accusuway® portable force platform, and flexibility was assessed using a standard chair sit and reach test (Wells' chair).RESULTS:With the force platform, no differences were observed in the displacement area or velocity from the center of pressure in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions. The displacement speed from the center of pressure was decreased at the six month after the surgery; however, unchanged from baseline at 12 months post-surgery. Flexibility increased over time according to the three measurements tested.CONCLUSIONS:Static postural balance did not change. The velocity of postural adjustment responses were increased at six months after surgery. Therefore, weight loss promotes increased flexibility. Yet, improvements in flexibility are not related to improvements in balance.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to evaluate the vertical component of the ground reaction force, plantar pressure, contact area of the feet and double-support time using static and dynamic (gait) baropodometry before and after bariatric surgery.METHODS:Sixteen individuals with a body mass index of between 35 and 55 were evaluated before and after bariatric surgery. Thirteen patients (81.3%) were female and three (18.8%) male and their average age was 46±10 (21-60) years. An FSCAN system (version 3848) was used for baropodometric analyses (1 km/h and 3 km/h). The peak plantar pressure and ground reaction force were measured for the rear foot and forefoot. The double-support time and foot contact area were measured during gait.RESULTS:There were reductions in the ground reaction force in the forefoot and rear foot and in the foot contact area in all evaluations and of the double-support time at 3 km/h, as well as a significant reduction in the body mass index at six months post-surgery. The peak pressure did not vary at 1 km/h and at 3 km/h, reductions in peak pressure were observed in the left and right rear feet and left forefoot.CONCLUSIONS:Weight loss after bariatric surgery resulted in decreases in the ground reaction force and contact area of the foot. Plantar pressure was decreased at 3 km/h, especially in the forefoot. There was an increase in rhythm because of a reduction in the double-support time at 3 km/h.

Objetivo: Comparar a reprodutibilidade dos resultados da avaliação do Arco Longitudinal Medial (ALM) dos pés, obtidos pela linha de Feiss e plantigrafia. Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo 26 voluntários de ambos os sexos saudáveis com média de idade de 27,03±10,92 anos, e excluídos os que apresentaram distúrbios musculoesqueléticos nos pés. Os participantes foram submetidos à avaliação do ALM apenas do pé direito, pela plantigrafia e pela linha de Feiss, por dois diferentes examinadores. Cada avaliador utilizou um dos métodos para classificar o desvio do membro em normal, cavo ou plano. Os dados obtidos foram tabelados e comparados. Resultados: Treze voluntários (50%) obtiveram a mesma classificação nas duas metodologias utilizadas, e os outros 13 (50%) mostraram resultados distintos entre ambas. Conclusão: Os métodos avaliativos, linha de Feiss e plantigrafia, não apresentaram resultados repetidos suficientes para serem considerados confiáveis na classificação do ALM dos pés.

À minha esposa Thaís Belo Anacleto dos Santos Bacha, que desde a época de namoro ficou ao meu lado, mesmo nos piores momentos da minha vida profissional, me dando todo apoio para perseguir meus sonhos. À minha professora orientadora: Profa. Dra. Júlia Maria D'Andrea Greve que se fez uma excelente orientadora nestes anos, me apoiando, corrigindo e me fazendo crescer na pesquisa e sabedoria acadêmica. À minha grande amiga Fernanda Antico Benetti, por ter me apresentado à nossa orientadora e ter me ajudado muito no desenvolvimento do meu projeto e da minha pesquisa.