<b>Electromyographic evaluation of the lower limbs of patients with Down syndrome in hippotherapy

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Hippotherapy is a therapeutic method that uses the horse's movement to achieve functional results in practitioners with Down syndrome (DS), who present motor and neurophysiological changes that affect the musculoskeletal system. Evaluating the motor behavior related to the control and the improvement of muscle activation in practitioners with Down syndrome subjected to hippotherapy. 10 practitioners were divided into two groups: Down Group (DG) -practitioners with DS, and Healthy Group (HG) -practitioners with no physical impairment. The muscles gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius were evaluated by electromyography using gross RMS values, which correspond to muscle activation; the evaluations were performed on the 1 st and 10 th hippotherapy sessions (frequency: once a week), and after 2 months interval without treatment, they were performed on the 1 st and 10 th hippotherapy sessions (frequency: twice a week). It was noted that activation of the studied muscles increased with the passing of sessions, regardless the weekly frequency of attendance; however, the period without treatment resulted in reduction of this effect. Practitioners with DS presented satisfactory changes in muscle activation pattern, in learning and in motor behavior during hippotherapy sessions.Keywords: muscle activation, electromyography, hippotherapy, Down syndrome, equine assisted therapy.Avaliação eletromiográfica dos membros inferiores de pacientes com síndrome de Down na equoterapia RESUMO. Equoterapia é um método terapêutico que utiliza o movimento do cavalo para alcançar resultados funcionais, realizada em praticantes com síndrome de Down (SD), que apresentam alterações neurofisiológicas e motoras que afetam o sistema musculoesquelético. Avaliar o comportamento motor relacionado ao controle e melhora a ativação muscular em praticantes com SD submetidos ao tratamento equoterapêutico. Participaram dez praticantes divididos em dois grupos: grupo Down (GD) -praticantes com SD, e grupo Saudável (GS) -praticantes sem comprometimento físico. Os músculos glúteo médio, tensor da fáscia lata, reto femoral, vasto medial, vasto lateral, bíceps femoral, tibial anterior e gastrocnêmio foram avaliados por meio da eletromiografia, utilizando o valor de RMS bruto que corresponde à ativação muscular, e as avaliações foram realizadas na primeira e décima sessões de equoterapia (frequência: 01 vez por semana); e após intervalo de dois meses sem tratamento, foi realizada na primeira e décima sessões de equoterapia (frequência: 02 vezes por semana). Observou-se que a ativação muscular dos músculos estudados aumentou com o passar das sessões, independente da frequência semanal de atendimento; mas o período sem tratamento resultou em redução deste efeito. Os praticantes com SD apresentaram mudanças satisfatórias no padrão de ativação muscular, na aprendizagem e no comportamento motor no decorrer das sessões de equoterapia.Palavras-chave: ativa...

Effect of horse riding equipment in activity of trunk and lower limb muscles in equine-assisted therapy

“…The same was observed in studies that analyzed the trunk and abdominal muscles of individuals with SD after being submitted once a week to ten sessions of equine therapy (Espindula, Ribeiro, Souza, Ferreira, & Teixeira, 2015). During horse riding the postural adjustments triggered by the three-dimensional movement of the horse are able to promote increased muscle activity and consequently stimulate the development of motor acquisitions (Ribeiro et al, 2017).…”

“…The increase in lower limb muscle activity in individuals with SD during the course of ten sessions was observed in the frequency of once or twice a week, but after a two-month interval without the practice of equine-assisted therapy this behavior declined (Ribeiro, Espindula, Ferreira, Souza, & Teixeira, 2017). The same was observed in studies that analyzed the trunk and abdominal muscles of individuals with SD after being submitted once a week to ten sessions of equine therapy (Espindula, Ribeiro, Souza, Ferreira, & Teixeira, 2015).…”

A possible mechanism of horseback riding on dynamic trunk alignment

“…Adapting to the movements of horse involves changes in muscle utilization and joint movements which may lead to increase adductor muscle activity [10] . Although muscle activity is increase in hippotherapy, people without physical impairment have adapted to the movement of the horse, controlling their muscle activity during horseback riding [12] . In this study, there is a possibility that the adductor muscle of the lower limb was greatly used during horseback riding (or simulator).…”

“…We hypothesized that horseback riding improves a rider's dynamic trunk alignment through one or more mechanisms. Surface electromyography (EMG) is a tool that is often used to study muscle activity related to posture and movement [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Postural changes are known to affect surface EMG recording [13] .…”

Adaptações Estruturais De Coluna Vertebral, Cinturas E Gradil Costal Em Indivíduos Praticantes De Balé Clássico

“…As manifestações clínicas estão associadas a presença de cabeça menor e um pouco achatada na parte posterior, pescoço curto com excesso de pele na nuca, olhos amendoados com presença de prega epicântica, distantes um do outro, com fenda palpebral oblíqua, podendo ocorrer nistagmo e estrabismo além das manchas de Brushfield; Ressalta-se também as alterações auditivas e cognitivas, com a presença significativa do retardo mental (RIBEIRO et al, 2017).…”