Les arbres sont capables de modifier l’orientation de leurs branches et de leur tronc par la production asymétrique de bois précontraint. Il existe des modèles biomécaniques développés pour simuler ces mouvements, mais ils ne simulent pas correctement le redressement (ou mouvement gravitropique) de jeunes arbres à l’échelle de temps intra-annuelle. La méconnaissance de la cinétique de maturation et des propriétés mécaniques du bois vert est responsable de ces résultats. Les travaux présentés dans ce mémoire ont pour objectifs de caractériser le comportement mécanique du bois vert au cours de sa maturation, et de développer un modèle biomécanique qui puisse simuler quantitativement le gravitropisme de jeunes peupliers. Des comportements mécaniques non-linéaires sont révélés par des essais de traction cycliques sur de fines lamelles de bois vert. Ils sont quantifiés par une grandeur mécanique liant rigidité et déformation. Des essais de flexion réalisés sur des planchettes renseignent quant à eux sur l’évolution intra-cerne du module élastique. Ces campagnes d’essais montrent une augmentation puis une diminution du module au cours de la maturation des cellules. Des essais de fluage indiquent que le comportement viscoélastique du bois vert se modélise par un modèle de Burgers. Les propriétés viscoélastiques du bois vert sont ainsi déterminées. Les propriétés mécaniques obtenues sont utilisées dans un modèle biomécanique développé pour modéliser l’évolution spatio-temporelle des propriétés. Le gravitropisme de jeunes peupliers est alors modélisé grâce à la prise en compte du comportement viscoélastique du bois vert, de la maturation continue des cellules, et de la variation des déformations de maturation au cours de la saison de végétation. / Trees are able to modify the orientation of their trunk and branches by asymmetrical production of prestressed wood. Biomechanical models designed to simulate these movements exist, but they cannot fit the righting-up movement (also called gravitropism) of young poplar trees at the intra-annual scale. The lack of knowledge of green wood maturation and mechanical properties is suspected to be responsible for this discrepancy. The aims of this study are to characterize mechanical properties of green wood during the maturation process, and to develop a biomechanical model that simulates quantitatively the gravitropism of young poplars. Nonlinear mechanical behavior is observed in cyclic tensile tests performed on thin lamellas of green wood. A relationship between stiffness and strain enables the characterization of this behavior. The intra-ring evolution of modulus of elasticity is measured using 3-points bending tests on small boards. Both of these experimental campaigns show that wood stiffness increases then decreases while cells are maturating. Creep tests show that green wood viscoelastic behaviour is described by a Burgers’ model. As a result, green wood viscoelastic properties are determined. These mechanical properties are used in a new biomechanical model designed for considering spatio-temporal evolutions of wood properties. Then the gravitropic movements of young poplars are simulated by considering viscoelastic behaviour of green wood, continuous maturation of cells, and variation of maturation strains along the growing season.

Title: The effect of menstrual cycle phases on muscle tone Goals and methods: The aim of this thesis is to prove the effect of menstrual cycle phases and participating hormons on the viscoelastic properties of the sceletal calf muscle via the non-invasive myotonometer device. The research part of this thesis is a pilot study in which participated seven female probands aged inbetween 24 to 28. Each proband participated in four weekly tests. Only probands who had not used hormonal contraception for at least six months were selected. Results: The results of the tests are represented in graphs picturing parts of curves representing the force caused by the tip of the myotonometer. The muscle soleus tension is changing throughout the menstrual cycle but its impossible to eliminate other endogenous and exogenous factors. The measured relative values of muscle tension are different for each proband. The menstrual phase has the highest average value of muscle tension. However, it is not possible to make a generally valid conclusion. Key words: Menstrual cycle, menstrual phase, muscle tone, calf muscle, biomechanical properties, myotonometry, contraception 5

Title: The effect of menstrual cycle phases on muscle tone Goals and methods: The aim of this thesis is to prove the effect of menstrual cycle phases and participating hormons on the viscoelastic properties of the sceletal calf muscle via the non-invasive myotonometer device. The experimental part of this thesis is a pilot study in which participated seven female probands aged inbetween 24 to 28. Each proband participated in four weekly tests. Only probands who had not used hormonal contraception for at least six months were selected. Results: The results of the tests are represented in graphs picturing parts of curves representing the force caused by the tip of the myotonometer. The muscle soleus tension is changing throughout the menstrual cycle but its impossible to eliminate other endogenous and exogenous factors. The measured relative values of muscle tension are different for each proband. The menstrual phase has the highest average value of muscle tension. It is not possible to make a generally valid conclusion. Key words: Menstrual cycle, menstrual phase, muscle tone, calf muscle, biomechanical properties, myotonometry, contraception

Le collagène de type I représente la protéine structurale la plus abondante au sein de l'organisme. Au cours du vieillissement, cette protéine à longue demi-vie biologique subit des modifications structurales et fonctionnelles qui affectent les propriétés biomécaniques des tissus. L'un des mécanismes majeurs est la réaction de glycation non enzymatique qui conduit à la formation des produits de glycation avancée (AGEs). Les AGEs entraînent une augmentation de la rigidité du collagène I qui se traduit par une désorganisation des réseaux fibrillaires et une perte d'élasticité tissulaire au cours du vieillissement. Dans cette étude, nous avons développé diverses approches biophotoniques afin d'étudier l'impact du vieillissement sur le collagène de type I, de façon rapide, directe et non destructive. Par microspectroscopies vibrationnelles infrarouge (IR) et Raman, des marqueurs spectroscopiques liés à l'accumulation des AGEs ont été mis en évidence au niveau des lyophilisats de collagènes de type I glyqués in vitro. Ces marqueurs sont retrouvés au niveau des lyophilisats de collagènes de type I d'âges différents et permettent une bonne discrimination des échantillons en fonction de l'âge. La bande spécifique des glucides apparaît ainsi comme un bon marqueur spectroscopique de la glycation, corrélant avec le taux d'AGEs fluorescents. Les pics spécifiques des résidus de proline permettent également de mettre en évidence les changements conformationnels dans la protéine dus à l'augmentation des liaisons croisées. L'imagerie IR appliquée aux tissus murins d'âges différents permet de retrouver ces différences spectrales in situ en fonction de l'âge. L'impact du vieillissement sur le comportement structural des fibrilles de collagène I a été étudié par microscopie multiphoton de second harmonique résolue en polarisation (PSHG). A l'échelle de la fibrille isolée, le vieillissement entraîne une perte de la complexité d'assemblage des fibrilles et une diminution de leur diamètre. L'effet de l'âge sur les propriétés biomécaniques du collagène de type I a été évalué sur des modèles de matrices 3D de collagène de type I, en présence de fibroblastes, par une technique de déformation des matrices et par tomographie à cohérence optique (OCT). Les résultats montrent une diminution du module d'élasticité et de la contraction du collagène avec le vieillissement, en accord avec les données de l'étude cinétique de la fibrillogenèse. Cette étude démontre la complémentarité des techniques biophotoniques employées et leur potentiel dans la caractérisation moléculaire et morphologique des effets de l'âge sur le collagène de type I, de manière directe, non invasive et multi-échelles. / Type I collagen represents the most abundant structural protein in the human body. During aging, this long half-life protein undergoes structural and functional changes which affect the biomechanical properties of tissues. One of the main mechanisms is the non enzymatic glycation leading to the formation of the so-called advanced glycation endprodutcs (AGEs). AGEs give rise to an increase of collagen I rigidity which is responsible for the fibrillar network disorganization and the loss of tissue elasticity with age. In this work, we applied various biophotonic approaches for studying the impact of aging on type I collagen, in a rapid, direct and non destructive way. Using vibrational infrared (IR) and Raman microspectroscopies, we highlighted spectroscopic markers linked to AGEs accumulation in freeze-dried samples of in vitro-glycated type I collagens. These markers were also detected in different-age freeze-dried type I collagens and allowed a clear discrimination of samples as a function of age. The band assigned to carbohydrates appears like a specific spectroscopic marker of glycation, in correlation with the fluorescent-AGEs quantification. The specific peaks for proline residues allow highlighting conformational changes in protein backbone due to a higher cross-linking. IR imaging applied to tissues from different-age rats can detect these spectral differences in situ as a function of age. Impact of aging on the structural behaviour of type I collagen fibrils was studied by polarization resolved second harmonic generation (PSHG) multiphoton microscopy. At the scale of single fibril, aging gives rise to a loss of fibril assembly complexity and a decrease of fibril diameter. Age effect on biomechanical properties of type I collagen was evaluated on 3D type I collagen matrice models in the presence of fibroblasts, using an indentation technique and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results show a decrease of both elastic modulus and collagen contraction with aging, in agreement with kinetics of the fibrillogenesis process. This study demonstrates the complementarity of the different biophotonic techniques used in our multimodal approach and their potential for characterizing age effects on type I collagen, in a direct, non invasive and multi-scale way.

In biomechanical analyses, the position of long bone cross-section under study is defined relatively to biomechanical length (BML) of the bone. In damaged bones where BML can not be measured, the position of the cross-section has to be estimated. Sládek et al. (2010) studied the effect of inaccurately located femoral and tibial midshafts on the cross-sectional parameters in a pooled-sex sample from a single period. In the present study we aim to test whether the effect of inaccurately located femoral and tibial midshafts on the cross-sectional parameters is sample-specific and/or sex-specific. We used femora of 29 females and 25 males and tibiae of 24 females and 36 males from two different periods (Late Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age; early modern period). 29 cross-section CT scans per bone obtained at each 1% interval from 40% to 60% of BML and at each 5% interval from 20-40% and 60-80% of BML were available to us. We digitized the cross-section scans and computed the error ranges of the cross-sectional parameters. We compared the mean percentage difference (MD%) and mean accuracy range (MAR) between samples and sexes. Our results are in concordance with the results of Sladek et al. (2010): the cross-sectional parameters most sensitive to positioning error are tibial second moments of area (MAR...

Title: The biomechanical effects of levator ani muscle laceration injuries after vaginal delivery Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to sum up current knowledge about the normal structure and function of levator ani muscle and findings about dysfunctions of a pelvic floor. By means of biomechanical instruments to analyse how the lower part of levator ani muscle closes (puborectalis muscle) during unilateral avulsion lesion. On the basis of computer simulation of biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor during avulsion lesion to describe the theoretical solutions for the therapy of the main types of dysfunctions of the pelvic floor. Methods: Biomechanical analysis was used with a help of computer model of muscular pelvic floor with a help of the ABAQUS model. This model with matched properties of muscular tissue was influenced by the standard pressure which influences the pelvic floor for a person of 80 kilos standing at rest. This model simulated unilateral avulsion lesion and biomechanical variables were observed during compensatory activation of uninjured parts of levator with the activity 100%, 50% and 10%. The map of the muscular tone and the rate of movement of the muscles of the pelvic floor were evaluated. Results: Only minimal movement is observed in the intact pelvic floor during...

As lesões do ligamento cruzado posterior (LCP) geralmente estão associadas a traumas de alta energia. Ainda existem muitas controvérsias sobre a técnica cirúrgica ideal para o tratamento dessas lesões, no que diz respeito aos métodos de seleção e fixação do enxerto. A técnica onlay, recentemente descrita, permite a fixação direta de um autoenxerto de tendões flexores ao aspecto posterior da tíbia com parafuso esponjoso e arruela dentada plástica, com proteção às estruturas neurovasculares e evitando a chamada \"curva assassina\". O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma avaliação biomecânica da técnica onlay, comparando entre si as fixações tibiais unicortical e bicortical de enxertos, imediatamente após o implante (tempo zero). O ensaio biomecânico e a coleta de dados foram realizados no Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedic da Universidade de Missouri (Columbia, Missouri, EUA). Para isso, oito joelhos de espécimes cadavéricos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em uma das duas técnicas de fixação do LCP (n = 4 joelhos/técnica), que foram realizadas por cirurgiões experientes no procedimento. O teste biomecânico consistiu em uma força com direção posterior aplicada a região proximal da tíbia, em quatro ângulos de flexão do joelho, 10o, 30o, 60o e 90o. O teste foi realizado com uma taxa de deslocamento de 1 mm/s, em uma máquina servo-hidráulica (8821s, Instron, Norwood, MA). As variáveis medidas foram: carga para 5 mm de deslocamento posterior, deslocamento máximo (com carga de 100 N) e rigidez. Para a análise estatística, os dados de cada joelho foram normalizados para o joelho com LCP nativo intacto e depois agrupados nas categorias unicortical ou bicortical, de acordo com a fixação realizada. Dados obtidos, nas variáveis mencionadas, para os grupos joelho intacto, joelho desbridado, unicortical e bicortical, foram comparados por meio da análise de variância simples (one-way ANOVA) para avaliar diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p < 0,05). Quando comparadas aos joelhos com LCP desbridado, as técnicas de fixação unicortical e bicortical apresentaram menor frouxidão a uma carga máxima de 100N. Quando comparados com os joelhos intactos, o grupo unicortical apresentou maior frouxidão em todos os ângulos e o grupo bicortical apresentou maior frouxidão apenas a 90o de flexão (p < 0,001). Na avaliação da força relativa do enxerto, ou seja, a carga necessária para atingir 5 mm de deslocamento na gaveta posterior, as técnicas unicortical e bicortical exigiram menos carga que os joelhos com LCP intacto. O grupo com fixação bicortical, no entanto, foi superior ao unicortical em todos os ângulos (p < 0,001), na avaliação da força relativa. Em relação à rigidez, não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos unicortical e bicortical e ambos foram superiores aos joelhos desbridados e inferiores aos joelhos com LCP intacto. Com base nos testes biomecânicos de cadáveres, nenhuma das técnicas de reconstrução do LCP foi capaz de reproduzir os resultados do joelho com LCP intacto, mas ambas as técnicas foram superiores aos joelhos com deficiência de LCP. Ao se optar pela técnica onlay de reconstrução do LCP, a técnica de fixação tibial bicortical parece ter vantagens biomecânicas em relação à técnica de fixação unicortical. / Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are generally associated with high energy trauma. There are many controversies regarding optimal surgical technique in regard to graft selection and fixation methods. The recently described onlay technique allows for direct fixation of a hamstring autograft to the posterior aspect of the tibia, protecting the neurovascular structures and avoiding the so-called \"killer turn\". The onlay technique requires a cancellous screw and spiked washer to secure the graft to the tibia. The objective of this study was to compare immediate post-implantation biomechanics of unicortical versus bicortical tibial fixation of onlay PCL grafts. Biomechanical testing and data collection were performed at the Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopedics at the University of Missouri (Columbia-Missouri-USA). For that, eight knees were randomly assigned to one of two onlay PCL techniques (n= 4 knees/technique), performed by surgeons experienced with the procedure. Testing consisted of a posterior-directed force at four knee flexion angles, 10, 30, 60, and 90 degrees, at a displacement rate of 1 mm/s, performed in a servo-hydraulic machine (8821s, Instron, Norwood, MA). Measured variables were: load to 5 mm of posterior displacement, maximum displacement (at 100 N load) and stiffness. For statistical analyses, data for each knee were normalized to the native PCL-intact knee and then grouped into unicortical or bicortical groups accordingly. Data for load to 5 mm (strength), displacement at 100 N, and stiffness were compared among PCL-intact, PCL-deficient, unicortical fixation, and bicortical fixation categories using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess for statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences. When compared to PCL-deficient knees, both unicortical and bicortical fixation techniques had less laxity at a maximum load of 100N. When compared with PCL-intact knees, unicortical had more laxity at all angles and bicortical had more laxity only at 90 degrees (p < 0.001). For relative graft strength, namely the load required to reach 5mm of displacement in posterior drawer, unicortical and bicortical techniques required less load to 5 mm of posterior drawer than for PCL-intact knees. Bicortical, however, outperformed unicortical at all angles (p < 0.001) for relative strength. Regarding stiffness of each construct, there were no significant differences between unicortical and bicortical and both were superior to PCL-deficient and inferior to PCL-intact knees. Based on cadaveric biomechanical testing, none of the reconstructed PCL knees was able to replicate the intact native PCL, but both techniques were superior to PCLdeficient knees. The bicortical tibial fixation technique appears to have biomechanical advantages when opting for onlay PCL reconstruction.

INTRODUÇÃO: O aneurisma da aorta abdominal (AAA) tem grande importância clínica em função de sua incidência e das complicações que pode acarretar, entretanto sua etiopatogenia não está completamente esclarecida. A associação entre tabagismo e desenvolvimento de AAA tem sido repetidamente confirmada. Apesar de o AAA ter sido inicialmente atribuído à aterosclerose, observou-se associação negativa entre diabetes (um dos principais fatores de risco para aterosclerose) e doença vascular aneurismática. O estudo biomecânico e histológico da parede aórtica pode contribuir para a elucidação da etiopatogenia dos aneurismas. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar as propriedades biomecânicas e histológicas da aorta abdominal de ratos em três situações: exposição à fumaça do cigarro, induzidos ao desenvolvimento do diabetes mellitus e com a associação desses dois fatores. MÉTODOS: Setenta e cinco ratos Wistar foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: controle (GC), tabagista (GT), diabético (GD), diabético e tabagista (GDT). Os ratos dos GT e GDT foram expostos à fumaça de cigarro por 30 minutos ao dia, 5 dias por semana. O diabetes foi induzido por injeção endovenosa de estreptozotocina. Após 16 semanas, os animais foram sacrificados para a coleta da aorta abdominal. Testes de tração uniaxiais destrutivos foram realizados para a obtenção das seguintes propriedades biomecânicas: força, tensão, estresse, deformação e energia de deformação. A análise histológica desses fragmentos consistiu na avaliação das fibras colágenas e elásticas e verificação da deposição de elementos da matriz extracelular na túnica média e avaliação da sua composição. Através da zimografia foi quantificada a atividade da metaloproteinase-2 nos espécimes aórticos obtidos. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados os testes biomecânicos válidos de 52 espécimes, sendo que 11 pertenciam ao GC, 10 ao GD, 16 ao GT e 15 ao GTD. A análise biomecânica dos fragmentos não revelou diferença entre os grupos controle, GD, GT e GDT. A deposição de colágeno também não apresentou diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos estudados. A contagem total de lâminas elásticas foi maior nos ratos diabéticos (GD e GDT) quando comparados aos do GT. Foi observada resposta inflamatória mais intensa, com significância estatística, em todos os grupos estudados quando comparados ao GC. A atividade da MMP-2 apresentou diminuição no GD em relação ao GDT, com significância estatística. CONCLUSÕES: As propriedades biomecânicas da parede da aorta de ratos relacionadas à resistência e elasticidade não apresenta diferença entre o GC e os GD, GT e GDT. As alterações histológicas relacionadas à contagem total e fragmentação das lâminas elásticas, deposição de matriz pericelular e perda/substituição celular na túnica média são significativas na parede da aorta do GD, GT e GDT em relação ao GC. A atividade da MMP-2 na aorta do GD é menor que na aorta do GDT / INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is of great clinical importance due to its incidence and complications, but its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood. The association between smoking and AAA development has been repeatedly confirmed. Although AAA was initially attributed to atherosclerosis, there was a negative association between diabetes (a major risk factor for atherosclerosis) and aneurysmal vascular disease. The biomechanical and histological study of the aortic wall may contribute to the elucidation of the etiopathogeny of the aneurysms. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the biomechanical and histological properties of the abdominal aorta of rats in three situations: exposed to cigarette smoke, induced to the development of diabetes mellitus, and the association of these two factors. METHODS: Seventy-Five Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (CG), smoker (GT), diabetic (GD), diabetic and smoker (GDT. The GT and GDT rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin. After sixteen weeks, the animals were sacrificed for collection of the abdominal aorta. Uniaxial destructive tensile tests were performed to obtain the following biomechanical properties: maximal force, failure stress, failure tension, failure strain and failure strain energy. The histological analysis of these fragments consisted in the evaluation of the collagen and elastin and verification of the deposition of elements of the extracellular matrix in the tunica media and evaluation of its composition. The activity of metalloproteinase-2 in the aortic specimens obtained was quantified by zymography. RESULTS: A total of 52 strips were studied (11 from GC, 10 from GD, 16 from GT and 15 from GDT. The biomechanical analysis of the fragments was not different between the control group and the GD, GT and GDT groups. Collagen deposition also did not present a statistically significant difference between the studied groups. The total of elastic fibers was higher in diabetic rats (GD and GDT) when compared to GT. A higher inflammatory response was observed, with statistical significance, in all groups studied when compared to CG. The activity of MMP-2 showed a decrease in GD in relation to GDT, with statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The biomechanical properties of the aortic wall of rats related to resistance and elasticity do not present a difference between GC and GD, GT and GDT. Histological changes related to total count and fragmentation of the elastic lamina, pericellular matrix deposition, and cell loss / substitution in the tunica media are significant in the aorta wall of GD, GT and GDT in relation to GC. The activity of MMP-2 in the GD aorta is smaller than in the GDT aorta

O estudo analisa experimentalmente a integração tendinosa no túnel ósseo femoral na reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho esquerdo com o tendão do músculo semitendíneo autólogo, utilizando imagens de ressonância magnética, teste biomecânico e análise histológica em 15 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia. Após os períodos de quatro, oito e doze semanas do procedimento cirúrgico, os animais foram submetidos ao exame de ressonância magnética para avaliar o túnel femoral dos joelhos. A seguir os animais foram eutanasiados e os joelhos foram submetidos a testes de tração em uma máquina de ensaios mecânicos Kratos para verificar a integração do enxerto nos túneis e a exame histológico do túnel femoral. A análise dos resultados demonstrou integração mecânica do tendão no túnel femoral a partir da 4ª semana em todos os animais estudados e observou-se na histologia e nas imagens da ressonância magnética alterações do enxerto e da área ao redor de forma heterogênea, sugerindo um processo de cicatrização do tendão-osso, porém não se pode afirmar que ocorria a integração até a 12 semanas. / The purpose was to verify the incorporation (healing) of the graft of the semitendinous tendon into the femoral bone tunnel after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and verify the post operative evolution of the biomechanical histology and magnetic resonance image analysis of the graft into the femoral bone tunnel. Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were submitted to an intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the left knee, using semitendinous tendon autograft. The rabbits were submitted to an magnetic resonance image at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery, after which they were euthanized. The left knee of each rabbit was disarticulated and the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was tested for the biomechanical properties and histological analysis of the femoral tunnel. Every rabbit knee showed incorporation of the tendon at the femoral tunnel as of the fourth week in all of the knees studied. After the fourth week signs of integration occurred in the histological analysis and heterogeneous alterations in the magnetic resonance image of the graft and the surrounding areas, which suggests a healing process. Despite the biomechanical incorporation of the graft in the femoral bone tunnel after the fourth week it was not possible to affirm that there occurred incorporation of the graft until the completion of 12 weeks in histological and magnetic resonance image analysis.

A avaliação da flexibilidade dos músculos da cadeia posterior é uma abordagem comum na prática clínica. O teste do terceiro dedo ao solo (DS) é frequentemente utilizado por ser de fácil aplicação e por ter se mostrado confiável e reprodutivo. O resultado do teste é a distância entre o terceiro dedo da mão e o solo e reflete a amplitude máxima permitida por esta cadeia muscular. Porém, o movimento para a execução do teste desloca para frente e para baixo grande parte da massa corporal exigindo respostas posturais para se evitar um risco de queda à frente. Foi levantada a hipótese de que o resultado desse teste possa variar de acordo com a demanda de equilíbrio do teste e a habilidade do indivíduo em realizar tais ajustes de equilíbrio. Objetivo: Verificar a influência do equilíbrio postural na flexibilidade mensurada pelo teste DS avaliada através de três paradigmas com os seguintes objetivos específicos: 1) verificar se a minimização da demanda de equilíbrio postural influencia o resultado do teste; 2) verificar se condições de aclive ou declive, que alteram as demandas de equilíbrio, influenciam no resultado do teste DS e; 3) verificar se é possível, através de uma rápida abordagem, orientar o indivíduo a executar uma estratégia de equilíbrio que melhore seu desempenho no teste DS. Métodos: 20 voluntários adultos jovens (6 homens e 14 mulheres) foram avaliados sobre uma plataforma de força em postura bípede quieta e em 6 testes DS em diferentes condições de demandas de equilíbrio na seguinte ordem: 1) Teste padrão (TP); 2) teste com suporte de equilíbrio (TS); 3) re-teste da condição padrão (re-teste); 4) teste em aclive (TAc); 5) teste em declive (TDc) 6) teste com orientações prévias de equilíbrio (TOr). Em cada um destes testes além da medida a distância entre o 3o dedo ao solo, foi calculada a posição média do Centro de Pressão (CP) através dos dados da plataforma de força e os ângulos articulares do tornozelo, joelho, quadril, lombar e tronco através de imagens digitais do voluntário em perfil. O ângulo de flexão total com a somatória dos ângulos também foi calculado. No paradigma 1 as variáveis foram comparadas entre condições TP, TS e re-teste. No paradigma 2 foram comparadas as condições TP, TAc e TDc. No paradigma 3 foram comparadas as condições TP e TOr. Os paradigmas 1 e 2 utilizaram a ANOVA para medidas repetidas com nível de significância p < 0,05 e teste post-hoc t de Student com correção de Bonferroni. Adicionalmente, no paradigma 1 foi realizado o teste de correlação de Pearson entre o resultado do teste DS e o CP. No paradigma 3 foi utilizado o teste T de Student com nível de significância p < 0,05. Resultados: O paradigma 1 mostrou melhora de 73% no resultado do teste DS, deslocamento anterior do CP, além de maior flexão de tornozelo e tronco na condição TS em relação ao TP. O ângulo de flexão total foi 30º maior na condição TS. O re-teste mostrou sinais de aprendizagem com resultados intermediários entre o TP e o TS. O CP correlacionou-se negativamente com o resultado do teste DS. O paradigma 2 mostrou grande melhora no resultado do teste DS em TAc em comparação a TDc e TP com maior flexão de tornozelo e maior flexão na soma das articulações. O paradigma 3 mostrou melhora de 62% no resultado do teste DS com deslocamento anterior do CP e maior flexão de tornozelo, lombar, tronco e soma dos ângulos em TOr em comparação com TP. Conclusão: O teste DS mostrou grande influência do equilíbrio postural. Condições com menor demanda de equilíbrio apresentaram resultados melhores que a condição com maior demanda. Na condição padrão de teste, o resultado foi melhor nas estratégias em que o CP é deslocado à frente. A instrução para que os indivíduos adotassem esta estratégia de equilíbrio levou a melhores resultados / Flexibility evaluation is a standard assessment in clinical and in sports settings. The Toe-touch test (TTT) is a common assessment tool to evaluate posterior muscular chain flexibility. It is a simple, reliable and reproductive test. But the test procedure implies a balance demand as it requires a great amount of body mass to be forward displaced. It was then hypothesized that the balance demand during the TTT and the subject\'s ability to deal with it may affect the flexibility measured by the test. Objective: The main objective was to verify the influence of postural balance on the flexibility measured by the TTT by means of three experimental paradigms with the following specific purposes: 1) to verify whether the minimization of the balance demand during the test may improve test results; 2) to verify whether the test outcome might be influenced by ground inclination (toes up or toes down); and 3) To verify if it is possible to briefly guide the subject to perform a better balance strategy to deal with the balance demand of the test. Methods: 20 young adults (6 men and 14 women) volunteered to participate. They were evaluated over a force platform during quiet stance and during 6 trials of the TTT under the following balance conditions: 1) Standard balance condition TTT (ST); 2) TTT with a balance support device (SupT); 3) ST re-test; 4) TTT over an inclined surface with toes up (TUT); 5) TTT over an inclined surface with toes down (TDT); 6) TTT with balance instructions (InsT). For each test it was calculated the mean position of the Center of Pressure (CP), the ankle, knee, hip, lumbar and trunk angles, as well as the sum of all these angles and the TTT outcome, i.e., the distance from the third finger to the ground. In the first experimental paradigm these variables were compared between tests ST, SupT and re-test. In the second paradigm the comparisons were performed between tests ST, TUT and TDT. And, finally, tests ST and InsT were compared in the third paradigm. In paradigms 1 and 2 the repeated measure ANOVA was performed with significance level of p < 0.05 and T student tests with Bonferroni correction as post-hoc tests. Additionally, the Pearson correlation test was used to calculate the correlation between CP and the tests outcomes. For the third paradigm it was used the T student test with significance level p < 0.05. Results: The first paradigm showed an average improvement of 73% in the test outcome associated by a forward CP displacement and greater ankle and trunk flexion in SupT compared to ST. The SupT also showed a greater flexion of 30? in the sum of angles. Re-test of ST showed learning effects with intermediary results between ST and SupT. Additionally, it was found a negative correlation between CP position and test outcome, the forward the CP, the better the test result. The second paradigm showed a great test improvement in TUT with greater flexion in ankle and in the summed angles compared to TDT and ST. And paradigm 3 showed an improvement of 62% in test outcome associated with forward CP displacement and greater ankle, lumbar, trunk and summed angles in InsT compared to ST. Conclusions: The TTT is highly influenced by balance. Test outcome was improved under less demanding conditions than those with more demanding condition. In the standard balance condition, test outcome was better when the balance strategy involved the forward displacement of the CP. The instruction to the subject to adopt that balance strategy lead to better test outcome