Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / Over the years, cricket has progressed into a game of immense physical prowess, and evolved from a traditional and conservative game into a professional sport requiring very high levels of fitness and skill. The ability to throw a ball at high velocity and with great accuracy is critical for successful performance in many ball sports, including cricket. The aim of this study focussed on examining the relationship between isokinetic strength of the shoulder complex and throwing velocity amongst club cricketers in the age group of 18-32 years. The study used a quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional research design. A convenient sample of 40 male cricketers from the University of the Western Cape was tested. Isokinetic strength of external rotators (ER), internal rotators (IR) and ratios were measured using the Biodex Pro System 4 isokinetic dynamometer at two speeds, namely, 60º•sec-¹ and 90º•sec-¹. Throwing velocity was measured using a calibrated Cordless Speed/Radar Gun. The major findings of this study were the significant correlations between IR at 60º•sec-¹ and throwing velocity for the first team (r = 0.72; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.67; p = 0.03), third team (r = 0.73; p = 0.01) and fourth team (r = 0.69; p = 0.02). The correlation between the strength ratio at 60º•sec-¹ and throwing velocity was significant for the first team (r = 0.76; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.83; p = 0.002), third team (r = 0.70; p = 0.02) and fourth team (r = 0.94; p = 0.0001). In conclusion, shoulder strength plays a significant role in the throwing velocity amongst club cricketers. Specifically, the shoulder internal rotators were found to be a major influence in throwing velocity. Furthermore, the shoulder strength ratio is a strong predictor of shoulder strength performance.

The goal of effective rehabilitation should always be to restore “normal” function if possible. What is “normal” function? Although many subjective definitions may describe what is “normal”, it is the search for objective criteria of what constitutes “normality” that inspires exercise scientists worldwide! The primary aim of this study was to establish normative isokinetic torque values in young males, for rehabilitation purposes in South Africa. Four hundred and forty four (444) healthy male subjects participated in the study. A Cybex 340 isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure peak torque, using a quantitative experimental design. No correction was made for the effects of gravity. The following movement patterns were included: ankle plantar/dorsiflexion, knee flexion/extension, shoulder external/internal rotation, shoulder horizontal abduction/adduction, shoulder flexion/extension, elbow flexion/extension (using two different grip positions), and forearm pronation/supination. Descriptive statistics together with percentile scaling were used to develop normative values for the movement patterns studied. Normative values were presented in relative terms and expressed as a percentage in terms of Nm torque per kg body mass (% BM). In addition to the relative isokinetic torque values, the agonist/antagonist ratios were also expressed as a percentage. The percentile scales were also included to be used by clinicians involved in talent identification programmes and the screening of elite athletes. To conclude, normative isokinetic values were developed for young South African males. To enable subjects with large variations in body weight to utilize these norms, they were expressed in relative terms (% BM) instead of absolute terms (Nm). The possible benefit of the study was that population-specific and objective normative values were established for rehabilitation purposes and for use in sport science programs. / Thesis (DPhil (Human Movement Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Arts, Languages and Human Movement Studies Education / unrestricted

Title: Relation between power ratios of adductors, abductors, external and internal hip rotators at shooting speed of ice hockey players Objectives: The main aim of this thesis is to find out the relationship between the rate of fire on the ice and the strength abilities of the hand and hip rotators Methods: The research group consisted of 20 adult probands (age = 24.8 ± 3.4; height = 181 cm ± 6.13 cm; weight = 80.1 kg ± 9.9 kg). The research took place in the summer preparation period after the season. The laboratory tests were carried out at the Charles University FTVS under the supervision of qualified and trained experts. An isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex NORM ®, Humac, CA, USA) was used to test external and internal rotators. A hand isometric dynamometer (Takei 5401) was used to evaluate the handgrip. Field tests were conducted on the ice, where the rate of fire was recorded using radar (V-max). Results: The results showed a significant degree of association between SBN and SVN shooting and rotator force at concentric contraction (30ř∙s-1 , 90ř∙s-1 ) for the dominant leg, reaching values (r = 0.45) for the angular velocity of 30ř∙s-1 and at higher angular velocities it assumed values (r = 0.44 and 0.54). Statistical analyzes also showed a significant degree of association between SVN-firing and...

Categories and frequencies of leisureactivities employed by 156 randomly selected males and females aged 40-44, 50-54, 60-64 were investigated by structured interviews and were related to leisuresatisfaction, to experienced health and socio-economic status. In equal numbers (15) of males and females from each group and in 24 males (60 +_6 years) with intermittent claudication (Cl) isokinetic plantar flexion performance was investigated with registrations of peak torque (PT), contractional work (CW), active range-of-motion (RoM) and integrated electromyograms from all threee triceps surae heads. Subjects performed a few maximum plantarflexions at different velocities of angular motion and also up to 200 consecutive plantar flexions at 60 °/s. The males aged 40-44 were re -investigated after two years additionally using electromyographic power frequency analyses. Leisure choice was mainly age and sex independent and extensively included outdoor activities. Leisure satisfaction was positively associated with relative frequency of activities. Symptoms of bodily discomfort, in particular backpain, were quite common and apparently caused relatively low level of mutual leisure activities. Thus, with in this age span, leisure activities appear rather rigid but often successfully, adhered to . Common ailments influence partnership mutuality negatively. Plantar flexion PT and CW are adequately p re dicta ble by sex, age and crural circumference. Uniformly a 3:2 male/female ratio characterizes mechanical output and iEMG. The latter is velocity independent. Output decreases with increasing age. Hence the output/excitation balance (CW/iEMG) is age, but not sex, dependent. CI-patients produce less PT and CW than do controls. Independently of this disease, of age and sex, PT and CW describe parallel negative exponential functions of velocity. During repeated manoeuvres plantar flexion output and iEMG initially drop, there after to maintain nearly steady-state levels. Throughout up to 200 contractions CW/iEMG was unaltered in the clinically healthy. Test/re-test with two years interval yielded nearly identical results. Leftshifts in mean power frequency in parallel with output-drop imply that the latter probably is due to FT-motor unit fatigue. For CW, but not for PT, the drop became slower and the (relative) steady-state level higher with increasing age, indicating significant increase in endurance with age. In the Cl-patients, output, but not excitation, decreased after a few repititions. Therefore, CW/iEMG fell dramatically, implying intramuscular fatigue. Taken together with findings of close associations between total cumulated work and measured/expected maximum walking tole rance it is suggested that measurements of CW and calculations of CW/iEMG are of clinical value. / <p>Härtill 5 uppsatser</p> / digitaliserinlg@umu.se

Darbo aktualumas: Buriuotojai ir bėgikai turi gerai išvystytą šlaunies ketugalvio raumenį. Raumenų disbalansas, neadekvati jėga ar netinkama judesių amplitudė yra svarbūs rizikos veiksniai, sąlygojantys kelio traumas. Labiau išsivystęs keturgalvio raumuo padeda sumažinti antagonistų užpakalinių šlaunies raumenų aktyvaciją, tačiau tokiu būdu padidėja rizika priekinio kryžminio raiščio traumoms. Žinios apie sportininkų raumenų disbalansą ir raumenų silpnumą treneriams bei kineziterapeutams padėtų sumažinti kelio sąnario traumas. Tyrimo tikslas: Nustatyti buriuotojų, atliekančių laivo guldymą ant šono, ir bėgikų izokinetinę raumenų jėgą. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti buriuotojų ir bėgikų šlaunies raumenų jėgą. 2. Palyginti buriuotojų ir vidutinių nuotolių bėgikų jėgos disbalansą tarp keturgalvio ir užpakalinių šlaunies raumenų. 3. Palyginti vyrų ir moterų šlaunies raumenų disbalansą. Tyrimo metodai ir organizavimas: Tyrimas buvo atliktas Lietuvos kūno kultūros akademijoje „Žmogaus motorikos“ laboratorijoje. Tyrime dalyvavo Olimpinės „Laser“ klasės buriuotojai ir vidutinių nuotolių bėgikai. Tyrime dalyvavo 30 tiriamųjų, pirmąją grupę sudarė buriuotojai (7 moterys ir 8 vyrai), antrąją grupę sudarė vidutinių nuotolių bėgikai (5 moterys ir 10 vyrų). Tyrimo metu buvo tiriama blauzdos lenkiamųjų ir tiesiamųjų raumenų maksimali jėga, esant skirtingiems kampiniams greičiams. Išvados: 1. Buriuotojų, atliekančių laivo guldymą ant šono, keturgalvio ir užpakalinių šlaunies raumenų jėga... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Sailors and runners have a well-developed thigh muscles. Muscle imbalance force and range of motion are important risk factors influencing injury. Highly developed quadriceps muscle contributes to decreased antagonist hamstrings coactivation, thereby increasing susceptibility to anterior cruciate ligament injury. Knowledge of muscle imbalance and muscle weakness helps to reduce knee injuries in athletes for coaches and physical physiotherapists. Purpose: To set sailors who hiking and a midle-distance runners isokinetic muscle strength. Subjects: 1. To evaluate sailors and a long distance runner’s thigh muscle strength. 2. To compare sailors and long distance runner’s muscles between the quadriceps and hamstring muscles strength ratio. 3. To compare male and female thigh muscle imbalance quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Research methods and organization: Study was carried out in Lithuanian Physical Education Human Academy in motility laboratory. Olympic Laser class sailors and long distance runners participated in the survey. The study included 30 subjects, the first group consisted of sailors (7 women and 8 men), the second group consisted of middle distance runners (5 women and 10 men). Study was examined and thigh flexor and extensor muscle peak force at different angular velocity. Conclusion: 1. Quadriceps and hamstring muscles strength was higher sailors who hike than the long-distance runners. 2. Quadriceps and hamstring muscles strength ratio was higher sailors who... [to full text]

Knee function was evaluated by knee score, activity level, clinical findings and performance tests, muscle size by computerized tomography (CT), morphology by light (LM) and electron microscopy (EM), muscle function by electromyography (EMG) and isokinetic performance in 29 patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. Preoperatively CT disclosed a significant mean atrophy of the quadriceps and nonsignificant changes of the other muscle areas of the injured leg. Morphology of m vastus lateralis of the injured leg was normal in more than half of the biopsies preoperatively, the rest showed signs of nonoptimal activation. Significant decreases in all isokinetic parameters were noticed together with significantly decreased EMG of the quadriceps muscle of the injured leg. Âfter surgical reconstruction the knees were immobilized in a cast for 6 weeks at either 30° or 70° of knee flexion. After cast removal CT showed significant decreases of all areas which also remained after training. The 30° group showed larger fibres (intracellular oedema) and more frequent morphological abnormalities than the 70° group. Fourteen weeks postoperatively the patients were allocated to either a combination of isometric and progressive resistance training or isokinetic training for 6 weeks. CT showed slightly larger areas at 20 weeks postoperatively than at 6 weeks. Morphological abnormalities were still prominent at 20 weeks postoperatively. Maximum isokinetic knee extensor mechanical output and endurance were markedly decreased at 14 weeks postoperatively but both improved progressively during the one year rehabilitation, mostly during the intensive 6 week training period but irrespective of training programme used. Fatiguability/endurance level improved over the preoperative level. Muscular work/integrated EMG was stable while EMG/t increased indicating neuromuscular relearning. The clinical result at 28 months foliowup was excellent or good in 93% of the patients and clinical stability improved in 66%. Independent upon primary knee immobilization angle or training programmes no differences could be demonstrated with respect to stability, range of motion, function or isokinetic mechanical output. Isokinetic performance was still significantly lower in the injured compared to the noninjured leg and not significantly different from the preoperative values. Morphology, only 6 cases, showed abnormalities similar to preoperative findings. In conclusion, the reason for the decreased maximum and total knee extensor performance in these patients with ACL tears is suggested to be nonoptimal activation of normal functioning muscle fibres depending on changes in knee joint receptor afferent inflow. No differences concerning the markedly improved postoperative clinical result could be seen between the different treatment modalities used. A nonoptimal muscular activation might explain the still decreased isokinetic performance present at followup. / <p>S. 1-40: sammanfattning, s. 43-137: 5 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu.se

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRNG.pdf: 2309849 bytes, checksum: 187c8c568d92e6cc123d4d1a8efa1bf3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-02-18 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging and osteoporosis on thoracic kyphosis degree, on extensors and flexors trunk muscles torque and on proprioception. Moreover, this study investigated the possible correlation among the variables studied in this work. It was evaluated 40 voluntary women, divided in four distinct groups: Young Group (10 women) aged between 20 and 30 years old, Adult Group (10 women) aged between 40 and 50 years old, Old Group (10 women) aged more than 60 years old and Osteoporotic Group (10 women) aged the same as the previous group, however with diagnosis of osteoporosis on spine. The volunteers were submitted to a previous interview, to a bone densitometry to quantify the bone mineral density of lumbar spine and to an x-ray of the thoracic spine in lateral view to verify the thoracic kyphosis degree. Moreover, the volunteer were submitted to a proprioception evaluation and to the isokinetic test of the trunk muscles, both performed on the BIODEX SYSTEM 3 equipment. Data were statistically analyzed (p &#8804; 0, 05). The results showed that thoracic kyphosis degree was significantly greater in the Osteoporotic Group, followed by the Old Group, Adult and the Young Group. It was found a significant reduction on the trunk extensor torque imposed by ageing and aggravated by osteoporosis. The ageing process was still responsible for a reduction on the trunk flexor torque, but this condition was not exacerbated by osteoporosis. The extensor torque was greater than the flexor, during both eccentric and concentric contractions, in both velocities of the isokinetic test. However, there were no significant differences between the groups on the extensor and flexor torque relation. The older volunteers, with and without osteoporosis, showed a greater proprioceptive deficit than the younger volunteers. It was found a significant negative correlation between bone mineral density with kyphosis degree and positive correlation between mineral density and trunk extensor torque. The thoracic kyphosis degree showed a negative correlation with the trunk extensor torque and a positive correlation with age and proprioceptive deficit. This study concluded that the physiologic aging process is responsible for an increased thoracic kyphosis, a reduction of the extensor and flexor trunk torques and a reduction of the proprioceptive sensibility. The osteoporosis amplifies the increase in thoracic kyphosis and the reduction on the trunk extensor torque imposed by age. However, the osteoporosis does not have any effect on the aging reduction of flexor torque of trunk muscles and on proprioceptive deficit. / A proposta deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos do envelhecimento e da osteoporose no grau de cifose torácica, no torque extensor e flexor dos músculos do tronco e na propriocepção, além de correlacionar estas variáveis visando verificar a interdependência entre elas. Para isso, foram avaliadas 40 mulheres voluntárias, dispostas em quatro grupos distintos. O Grupo Adultojovem foi composto por 10 mulheres com idade entre 20 e 30 anos, o Grupo Adulto por 10 mulheres dos 40 aos 50 anos de idade, o Grupo Idoso sem Osteoporose foi composto por 10 mulheres com idade superior a 60 anos e, por fim, o Grupo Idoso com Osteoporose incluiu 10 mulheres da mesma faixa etária do grupo anterior, porém com diagnóstico de osteoporose na coluna vertebral. As voluntárias foram submetidas a uma entrevista inicial, ao exame de densitometria óssea, com o intuito de quantificar a massa óssea da coluna vertebral, e a radiografia da coluna torácica em vista lateral, para determinação do grau de cifose torácica. Além disso, as voluntárias foram submetidas ao teste de propriocepção e ao teste isocinético dos músculos do tronco, ambos realizados no equipamento BIODEX SYSTEM 3. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente (p &#8804; 0,05). Verificou-se que o grau de cifose torácica foi significativamente maior no grupo idoso com osteoporose, seguido pelo grupo idoso sem osteoporose, adulto e, por fim, o grupo adulto-jovem. Os resultados demonstraram também uma diminuição no pico de torque extensor do tronco imposta pelo envelhecimento e agravada pela osteoporose. O envelhecimento também foi responsável por uma diminuição no torque flexor do tronco, no entanto esta condição não foi exacerbada pela osteoporose. O torque extensor foi maior que o flexor, durante tanto as contrações excêntricas como as concêntricas, nas duas velocidades do teste isocinético. Porém, não existiram diferenças significativas entre os grupos na relação entre os torques extensor e flexor do tronco. As voluntárias idosas, com e sem osteoporose, apresentaram um déficit proprioceptivo significativamente maior que as adultasjovens. Houve correlação significativa da densidade mineral óssea da coluna com o grau de cifose torácica (correlação negativa) e com o torque extensor do tronco (correlação positiva). O grau de cifose torácica correlacionou-se, negativamente, com o torque extensor do tronco e, positivamente, com a idade e com o déficit proprioceptivo. O estudo conclui que o envelhecimento fisiológico é responsável por aumento do grau de cifose torácica, diminuição no torque extensor e flexor do tronco e diminuição na sensibilidade proprioceptiva. A osteoporose acentua esse aumento no grau de cifose torácica e o declínio no torque extensor do tronco, porém não agrava a diminuição no torque flexor, nem o deficit proprioceptivo.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissDFML.pdf: 4036926 bytes, checksum: 7de4e9f504405a41c208a231ddcb7e1c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-26 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Several studies have shown the important role of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee proprioception. However, there are still few studies that had evaluate the characteristics of proprioception acuity in the early period of rehabilitation after the ACL-reconstructed surgery, over all when it was associated to functional outcomes. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate knee proprioception and subjective knee function in subjects who had an ACL injury, before and after (3 months) the reconstruction surgery with the middle third of patellar tendon autograft; and in control subjects. Ten volunteers who had unilateral ACL injury (26.9±6.8 years) reconstructed group - and fifteen health volunteers (22.1±3.0 years) control group performed a proprioceptive evaluation (joint position sense - JPS during active and passive movements, threshold for detection of passive movement TDPM) on a Biodex Multi-Joint System III Pro isokinetic dynamometer, at 2º/s and at two target-angles (30º and 60º of knee flexion). The variables analyzed were the mean of angular displacement (TDPM) and the mean of absolute error (JPS) in relation to each target-angle. The subjective knee function was evaluated by Lysholm scale. The analyses of variance showed subjective functional deficit in involved limb, compared to the uninvolved limb, as well as in relation to the control group, in both test moments (p<0.01). Although no significant, the results showed a tendency for higher TDPM in the reconstructed group (p=0.06). There was no significant difference in the mean of absolute error between the groups (p>0.05), for any modality of JPS, target-angles or test moments. The TDPM showed strong correlation with the subjective knee functional score (just in the involved limb). Under the experimental conditions utilized, the subjects who had an anterior cruciate ligament injury didn t show proprioceptive deficits in relation to the control group, although of the subjective functional limitations presented. / Diversos estudos têm evidenciado o importante papel do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) na propriocepção do joelho. No entanto, ainda há poucos estudos que tenham investigado as características da acuidade proprioceptiva no período inicial de reabilitação após a reconstrução cirúrgica do LCA, sobretudo quando associada a aspectos funcionais. Diante do exposto, foi objetivo do presente estudo avaliar a sensibilidade proprioceptiva e a função subjetiva do joelho em indivíduos com lesão do LCA, antes e após (3 meses) a reconstrução cirúrgica pelo terço médio do tendão patelar autógeno; e em indivíduos controle. Dez voluntários com lesão unilateral do LCA (26,9±6,8 anos) grupo reconstruído - e quinze clinicamente sadios (22,1±3,0 anos) - grupo controle - realizaram uma avaliação proprioceptiva (percepção da posição articular PPA - durante os movimentos ativo e passivo, limiar de detecção do movimento passivo LDMP) no dinamômetro isocinético Biodex Multi-Joint System III Pro, a 2º/s e em dois ângulos-alvo (30º e 60º de flexão do joelho). As variáveis estudadas foram o deslocamento angular médio (LDMP) e o erro absoluto (PPA) em relação a cada ângulo-alvo. A função subjetiva do joelho foi avaliada por meio da Escala de Lysholm. A análise de variância indicou déficit funcional subjetivo no membro envolvido, comparado ao membro contralateral, bem como em relação ao grupo controle, nos dois períodos de teste (p<0,01). Embora não significativo, os resultados indicaram tendência de maior LDMP para o grupo reconstruído (p=0,06). Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto à média de erro absoluto (p>0,05), para qualquer uma das modalidades de PPA, ângulos-alvo ou períodos considerados. O LDMP apresentou forte correlação com o escore funcional do joelho (apenas para o membro envolvido). Nas condições experimentais utilizadas, os indivíduos com lesão do LCA não apresentaram déficits proprioceptivos significativos em relação ao grupo controle, apesar das limitações funcionais verificadas subjetivamente.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:18:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4184.pdf: 13787055 bytes, checksum: 434e5f6a43d2ae2b1233af9adab7c137 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-23 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The aim of Study 1 was to evaluate the effects of using oral contraceptives (OC) on the hip and knee kinematics of healthy women during single-leg squat. Forty two volunteers were divided into two groups: women who had used OC (n= 21) and women who did not use OC (n= 21). The knee abduction/adduction, hip abduction/adduction and medial/lateral rotation excursions (maximum and at 75º of knee flexion) were calculated for the dominant limb during single-leg squat. No significant difference was verified between the groups regarding the maximum excursion of knee abduction (p= 0.26) or hip adduction (p= 0.10) and medial rotation (p= 0.94). When considering the knee flexion at 75º, no significant difference was verified between the groups regarding the excursion of knee abduction (p= 0.31) or hip adduction (p= 0.11) and medial rotation (p= 0.85). These results suggest that the use of OC does not influence the hip and knee kinematics during single-leg squat. As a complement, the aim of Study 2 was to evaluate the effects of using OC on the hip and knee kinematics of healthy women during anterior stair descent. Forty volunteers were divided into two groups: women who had used OC (n= 20) and 2 - women who did not use OC (n= 20). The knee abduction/adduction, hip abduction/adduction and medial/lateral rotation excursions were calculated for the dominant (supporting) limb during anterior stair descent. No significant difference was verified between the groups regarding the maximum excursion of knee abduction (p= 0.58) or hip adduction (p= 0.29) and medial rotation (p= 0.42). When considering the knee flexion at 50º, no significant difference was verified between the groups regarding the excursion of knee abduction (p= 0.92) or hip adduction (p= 0.50) and medial/lateral rotation (p= 0.19). These results suggest that the use of OC does not influence the hip and knee kinematics during anterior stair descent. The aim of Study 3 was to verify the effects of eight-week plyometric training (PT) on hip and knee kinematics and on eccentric hip and knee torques, as well as on lower limb functional performance in healthy women. Thirty-six females were divided into a training group (TG; n= 18), and a control group (CG; n= 18). Kinematic analyses of the hip and knee was carried out during the single-leg squat and the functional performance was evaluated by way of the triple hop (TH) test and the six-meter timed hop (STH) test. The eccentric hip abductor, adductor, lateral rotator and medial rotator as well as the knee flexor and extensor torques/body weight were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. After 8 weeks, the TG showed a decrease in maximum excursion to knee abduction (p= 0.009) and in maximum excursion to hip adduction (p<0.001), as well as in the excursion to hip adduction at 75º of knee flexion (p=0.002). Moreover, the TG significantly increased the values obtained in the TH test (p=0.05) and significantly decreased those obtained in the STH test (p<0.001) after intervention. However, there was no significant change on hip and knee eccentric torques. Thus, eight weeks of PT were effective to improve hip and knee kinematics and functional performance of women in hop tests. However this was apparently not an effective method to promote strengthening of the hip and knee muscles when used alone / O objetivo do Estudo 1 foi avaliar o efeito do uso dos contraceptivos orais (CO) na cinemática do quadril e do joelho durante o agachamento unipodal em mulheres sadias. Quarenta e duas voluntárias foram divididas em dois grupos: que utilizavam (n=21) ou não (n=21) os CO. As excursões (máximas e no ângulo de 75º de flexão do joelho) em abdução/adução do joelho, em abdução/adução do quadril e em rotação medial/lateral do quadril foram verificadas durante a realização do agachamento unipodal com o membro inferior dominante. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto à máxima excursão em abdução do joelho (p=0,26) e em adução (p=0,10) e rotação medial (p=0,94) do quadril. Quando considerado o ângulo de 75º de flexão do joelho, nenhuma diferença significativa foi verificada entre os grupos para os valores de excursão em abdução do joelho (p=0,31) e em adução (p=0,11) e rotação medial (p=0,85) do quadril. Estes achados sugerem que o uso de CO não influencia a cinemática do joelho e do quadril durante a realização do agachamento unipodal. De forma complementar, o Estudo 2 teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos do uso de CO na cinemática do quadril e do joelho de mulheres sadias durante a descida anterior de degraus. Quarenta voluntárias foram divididas em dois grupos: que utilizavam (n=20) ou não (n=20) os CO. As excursões em abdução/adução do joelho, abdução/adução do quadril e rotação medial/lateral do quadril foram calculadas para o membro dominante durante a descida anterior de degraus. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi verificada entre os grupos para a excursão máxima em abdução do joelho (p=0,58) ou em adução (p=0,29) e rotação medial (p=0,42) do quadril. Quando considerado o ângulo de flexão do joelho de 50º, nenhuma diferença foi verificada entre os grupos para a excursão em abdução do joelho (p=0,92) ou em adução (p=0,50) e rotação medial/lateral (p=0,19) do quadril. Estes resultados sugerem que o uso de CO não influencia a cinemática do quadril e do joelho durante a descida anterior de degraus. A proposta do Estudo 3 foi verificar os efeitos do treinamento pliométrico (TP) de 8 semanas na cinemática e no torque excêntrico do quadril e do joelho, bem como sobre o desempenho funcional do membro inferior de mulheres sadias. Trinta e seis mulheres foram divididas em dois grupos: 1) grupo treinamento (GT; n=18) e 2) grupo controle (GC; n=18). A análise cinemática do quadril e do joelho foi realizada durante o agachamento unipodal e o desempenho funcional foi avaliado por meio do salto triplo unipodal (STU) e pelo salto unipodal em 6 metros cronometrado (SUC). A relação torque excêntrico abdutor, adutor, rotador lateral e rotador medial do quadril/massa corporal e o torque excêntrico flexor e extensor do joelho/massa corporal foram mensurados por meio de um dinamômetro isocinético. Após 8 semanas, o GT apresentou diminuição da excursão máxima em abdução do joelho (p=0,009) e em adução do quadril (p<0,001), bem como da excursão em adução do quadril a 75º de flexão do joelho (p=0,002). Além disso, o GT apresentou melhora no desempenho funcional para o STU (p=0,05) e para o SUC (p<0,001). Entretanto, não houve modificação significativa nos torques excêntricos do quadril e do joelho. Deste modo, o TP oito semanas foi eficiente para induzir alterações positivas de ordem cinemática e funcional nas mulheres avaliadas. Contudo, não apresentou eficiência para promover o fortalecimento dos músculos do quadril o joelho

No description available.