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BackgroundThe current recommendations on resistance training involving older adults have reported an improvement of body composition variables. Despite this, there is a lack of knowledge on how elastic resistance training (ERT) affects the muscle mass in older adults population. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short-term ERT on muscle mass of health and untrained older adults.MethodsForty older adults were randomized into two groups of 20 individuals each: Control Group (CG = 66.2 ± 6.6 years) and Training Group (TG = 69.1 ± 6.3 years). TG underwent an ERT twice a week during 8 weeks and control group did not receive any specific intervention. The primary outcome was the upper and lower limbs muscle mass, measured by Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The secondary outcomes were knee isokinetic peak torque (PT) at 60°/s and 120°/s speeds and isometric handgrip strength. A 2×2 mixed model (group [TG and CG] × time [pre and post]) analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine the effect on primary and secondary outcomes.ResultsThe results of the ANOVA showed no significant effects in group x time interaction for (1) upper limbs fat free mass (F [1.38] = 1.80, p = 0.19, effect size [ES] = 0.1) and for (2) lower limbs fat free mass (F [1.38] = 0.03, p = 0.88, ES = 0.02). Regarding muscle strength, the ANOVA showed no significant effects in group x time interaction for (3) PT at 60°/s (F [1.38] = 0.33, p = 0.56, ES = 3.0), for (4) PT at 120°/s (F [1.38] = 0.80, p = 0.38, ES = 4.1) and for handgrip strength (F [1.38] = 0.65, p = 0.42-value, ES = 0.9). Analysis of PT in TG showed a significant change of 4.5 %, but only at 120°/s (p = 0.01) when comparing pre and post-training (time interaction).ConclusionsEight weeks of ERT did not show significant changes in muscle mass and strength of untrained older adults.Trial registrationNCT02253615 (09/25/14)

ERE are effective to improve functional performance and muscle strength when compared with no intervention, in healthy adults. ERE are not superior to other methods of resistance training to improve functional performance and muscle strength in health adults.

Mechanical tests revealed different elastic forces for different levels of elongation of each tube. The replication of the results in clinical situations is recommended, so the elastic resistance in clinical routine could be evaluated with more propriety.

BackgroundOsteopathic medicine is based on a diagnostic and therapeutic system to treat tissue mobility/ motility dysfunctions in general, using different approaches (depending on the target tissue) known as osteopathic manipulative treatment. Among the available techniques those ones addressed to the cranial field are the most questioned because of the lack of scientific evidence; but the compression of the 4th ventricle technique has been largely studied in clinical trials. Studies have shown that the technique may affect both central and autonomous nervous system, modulating some reflexes (Traube-Hering baro signal), and modifying brain cortex electrical activity through central sensitization in subjects with chronic low back pain. Thus, investigators hypothesize that the compression of the 4th ventricle may modulate peak alpha frequency (eletroencephalographic assessment) and promote physical relaxation in subjects in vigil.Methods/DesignA randomized, controlled crossover trial with blinded assessor was designed to test the hypothesis. A total of 81 participants will be assigned to three treatment conditions, with seven days of washout: (I) compression of the 4th ventricle; (II) sham compression of the fourth ventricle; (III) control (no intervention). The (I) power amplitude and the (II) frequencies of the dominant peak in the alpha band will be the primary outcome measures of the study. All participants will be recruited at the Outpatient Rehabilitation Service of the University Hospital of Brasília – University of Brasília. All the electroencephalographic exams will be conducted by a blinded assessor.DiscussionThe investigators hypothesize that patients with chronic low back pain submitted to the technique would have the peak alpha frequency modulated and, thus, would experience physical relaxation.Trial registrationNCT02111382

Introdução: A equoterapia está sendo cada vez mais utilizada e estudada. Dada a importância de melhorar a prática baseada em evidências, surgiu o interesse em realizar uma síntese rigorosa de todas as consultas relacionadas com o efeito da equoterapia no equilíbrio de idosos. Objetivo: Determinar o efeito da equoterapia no equilíbrio de idosos. Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura, usando artigos das bases de dados: BIREME, MEDLINE e SciELO, nas línguas Português e Inglês, que relatou efeito da equoterapia no equilíbrio postural, utilizando os descritores: equoterapia, equilíbrio postural e idosos. Resultados: Estudos sobre os efeitos de equoterapia em idosos apresentam uma homogeneidade (I2 = 0 %) e uma melhora significativa (p = 0,001) equilíbrio. Conclusão: Embora existam diferenças metodológicas entre os estudos analisados, estes apontam para uma melhoria após intervenção com equoterapia.

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Introdução: As operações laparoscópicas têm aumentado anualmente, bem como os casos de prevalência das hérnias da parede abdominal. Com isso, as técnicas de se realizar as operações, bem como certos procedimentos vem sendo estudados. Uma das questões debatidas é a respeito do tipo de fixação da tela. Objetivo: Avaliar as técnicas de fixação da tela na cirurgia laparoscópica ventral da hérnia inguinal. Método: Trata-se de um estudo de revisão sistemática. Três bases de dados foram consultadas: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), EMBASE e PUBMED. Durante as buscas foram utilizados descritores com vocabulário controlado e text words. Resultados: Em relação ao desenho do estudo 1 revisão incluiu apenas ECA, 2 ECA e ECNA e 1 combinou a inclusão de ECA e estudos observacionais. Em relação ao tipo de fixação 2 estudos compararam os efeitos da fixação por tacha vs. cola de fibrina e outros 2 a comparação da fixação do grampo vs. cola de fibrina. De todos os desfechos de metanálise avaliados, apenas a redução da dor inguinal crônica pela fixação por cola de fibrina foi estatisticamente superior ao método de fixação mecânico em 3 dos 4 estudos. Conclusão: Os achados mostram que a diferença entre as técnicas de fixação da tela na cirurgia laparoscópica ventral da hérnia inguinal é que a fixação por cola diminui a incidência de dor crônica pós-operatória.