No description available.

Background: Evidence indicates that an external focus (EF) of attention on the intended effect of one’s movement results in better motor performance and motor control than an internal focus (IF) on one’s own body. Despite this, an IF is predominantly encouraged through instructions and feedback provided by clinicians during sports and rehabilitation from injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Aim: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the influence of EF and IF on motor control and performance on a bilateral leg extension and flexion task. The secondary aim was to investigate potential differences in the outcomes between a control group and a group with ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Method: Fourteen controls and four individuals with ACLR performed a bilateral leg extension and flexion task with instructions that encouraged either an IF, EF or neutral focus (NF) of attention. The instructions encouraged participants to either keep the individual tubes located on the footplates under the soles of the feet (EF) or the feet themselves (IF) level with each other. A three-dimensional motion capture system was used to record kinematics. Motor control was assessed based on the movement smoothness according to the knee angular velocity profile and performance was assessed based on the absolute mean deviation of the tubes/footplates from parallel. Results: For the control group, IF instructions resulted in significantly better motor control than EF instructions for left knee movement smoothness (p=0.02) and NF instructions resulted in significantly better motor control than EF on a majority of dependent variables. Conclusion: For our task, EF instructions did not result in better outcomes compared to IF instructions which might be explained because the task was proprioceptive demanding with less involvement of the vision. The reason for better motor control with NF instructions compared to EF instructions might be because of differences in angular velocity and instructions between conditions.

No description available.

No description available.

Les PTM sont une source de douleur régionale et de dysfonctionnements neuromusculaires. Ils sont couramment associés à une hyperalgésie, à des troubles comportementaux et des restrictionsfonctionnelles. La douleur est bien documentée dans la littérature scientifique mais les études de ses conséquences sur le mouvement reposent exclusivement sur l’analyse de gestes simples. L’objectif dece travail est d’étudier la douleur myofasciale du membre supérieur et de vérifier si une technique de thérapie manuelle influençant cette douleur permet de rétablir la performance motrice d’un mouvement fonctionnel. Quatre études ont été réalisées afin d’analyser : 1) la performance motrice d’un mouvement elliptique dans le plan horizontal ; 2) dans le plan frontal et d’une tâche de tapement ; 3) la douleur sur le membre supérieur non atteint chez des sujets ayant subi un AVC ; 4) l’incidence de la douleur chez le personnel soignant d’un centre hospitalier. Les résultats indiquent que la présence de PTM produit la douleur myofasciale et : 1) n’influence pas significativement la performance motrice d’un mouvement elliptique horizontal ; 2) altère la performance motrice d’un mouvement elliptique frontal et d’une tâche de tapement chez les sujets présentant des PTM ; 3) modifie aussi la fonction motrice de l’extrémité supérieure ipsilatérale à la lésion ; 4) touche 8,43% du personnel soignant, étant bilatérale et pouvant conduire à des arrêts maladie dans 14,28 % des cas. L’application d’une technique de compression ischémique locale permet de retrouver la quasi-totalité de la fonction motrice. Il semblerait qu’une reprogrammation du mouvement s’avère nécessaire pour récupérer totalement la fonction motrice. / Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs) are source of regional pain and neuromuscular dysfunctions. They are associated to hyperalgesia, psychological disturbances and functional restrictions. Despite myofascial pain has been extensively studied, researches about its influence have only analyzed uniarticular motions. The mains goals of this research were to study the upper limb myofascial pain and to verify whether the application of manual therapy, influencing this pain, could contribute to the motor performance recovery of multiarticular motion. Four studies were carried out in order to analyze: 1) motor performance of an elliptic motion in the horizontal plane, 2) motor performance of an elliptic motion in the frontal plane including an analysis of a tapping task, 3) non-paretic upper limb pain of the stroke patients, 4) myofascial pain incidence at the medical staff in a hospital. The results showed that the presence of TrPs produces myofascial pain. This pain: 1) does not influence significantly the horizontal elliptical motions motor performance, 2) deteriorates the frontal elliptical motions motor performance and the execution of the tapping task, 3) modifies the non-paretic upper limb motor function of the stroke patients, and 4) 8,43 % of medical staff suffers from bilateral myofascial pain, leading to absence at workplace in 14,28% of the cases. The application of local ischemic compression technique allows high recovery of the upper limb motor function. Motor reprogramming therapies could contribute to recover the motor function completely.

The aim of the work was analysis of postictal period - possible changes of motor performance after seizure. Epileptic afterdischarges are induced by stimulation cof ortical sensorimotor area in rat. We will use the intensity to produce human myoclonic seizure in 12-, 18- a 25- days old animals. The youngets and the oldest groups differ by the absence (12-day-old rats) or presence (25-day-old- ones) of postictal refractoriness. Control groups will be formed by intact animals. Individual groups will be observed immidiatelly after seizure and after different intervals. Keywords: epileptic afterdischarge, postictal period, motor performance, laboratory rat, development

The main aim of this thesis is to find out a level of a basic motor performance and a physical ability of the children attending the fifth grade of primary school. Part of this thesis is a survey made on the basis of the Unifittest and somatic measurements. Gained results - that proved below-average level of the physical ability of primary school age children - were compared with results of the Unifittest made in 2002. From motor and somatic testing results the physical ability of children was compared on the basis of place of residence. In connection with the discovered below-average physical ability of children we recommend introduction of the third compulsory P.E. lesson at primary schools.

O Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade é o transtorno do neurodesenvolvimento mais comum da infância, possui como característica um padrão persistente de desatenção, hiperatividade e/ou impulsividade. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos de um Programa de Intervenção Cognitivo Motora (PICM) nos sintomas de crianças com indicadores de TDAH, além de verificar o desempenho motor e aspectos cognitivos após a intervenção. Alguns estudos indicam que a estimulação motora e cognitiva realizada precocemente pode interferir na minimização dos sintomas e, consequentemente, no impacto deste ao longo da vida. Método: um total de 796 crianças, com idades entre quatro e seis anos, participou do processo de triagem para verificação de elegibilidade. Após a análise das respostas dos pais e professores pelo instrumento SNAP-IV e verificação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, 40 crianças apresentaram indicadores do TDAH, sendo divididas em dois grupos: experimental (GE) e controle (GC). Estas crianças foram avaliadas pelo SNAP-IV para verificação da intensidade dos sintomas de desatenção e hiperatividade, pela Movement Assessment Battery for Children (2ª ed.) para o desempenho motor, Teste de Trilhas para Pré-Escolares para flexibilidade cognitiva, Teste de Tempo de Reação Simples Seriado (TRSS) para atenção sustentada e Teste PathSpan para memória operacional visuoespacial. O GE foi submetido a 16 sessões do PICM, que envolvia atividades em grupo com estímulos para coordenação motora grossa, coordenação motora fina, equilíbrio, noção espacial e funções cognitivas. Resultados: De acordo com o Teste ANOVA, houve diferença estatística na comparação intergrupo para os sintomas de hiperatividade, de acordo com a resposta dos professores (p=0,015), e para os sintomas de desatenção, também ocorreu diferença intragrupo (p=0,020) e intergrupo (p=0,013), pela resposta dos pais, indicando aumento da intensidade destes sintomas para o GC. Além desta medida, verificou-se, por meio do Teste Wilcoxon, diferença estatística significante na comparação intragrupo em relação ao GE (p=0,035) no TRSS. Discussão: nossos achados demonstraram que a intervenção proposta não minimizou os sintomas de desatenção, de acordo com a resposta dos pais, porém pode ter atuado como fator protetivo para o aumento destes sintomas, já para os sintomas de hiperatividade, pela resposta dos professores, a intervenção também pode ter atuado como fator protetivo para a maior intensidade destes. Além deste desfecho, os resultados demonstraram que a intervenção interferiu na atenção sustentada das crianças que foram submetidas à intervenção. Todavia, para as demais medidas relacionadas ao desempenho motor, memória operacional e flexibilidade cognitiva, a intervenção não levou a alterações. Estes resultados indicam que abordagens envolvendo estímulos motores e cognitivos podem ser uma alternativa para a minimização dos sintomas do TDAH e melhora da atenção sustentada / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and / or impulsivity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a Cognitive Motor Intervention Program (PICM) in the symptoms of children with ADHD indicators, as well as to verify the motor performance and cognitive aspects after the intervention. Some studies indicate that motor and cognitive stimulation performed early can interfere in the minimization of symptoms and consequently in the impact of this throughout the life. Method: A total of 796 children, ages four and six, participated in the screening process for eligibility verification. After analyzing the parents and teachers responses using the SNAP-IV instrument and verification of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 40 children presented ADHD indicators, being divided into two groups: experimental (GE) and control (CG). These children were assessed by the SNAP-IV to assess the intensity of the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, by Movement Assessment Battery for Children (2nd ed.) for motor performance, Pre-School Trail Making Test for cognitive flexibility, Serial Simple Reaction Time (TRSS) for sustained attention and PathSpan test for visuospatial working memory. GE was submitted to 16 sessions of the PICM, which involved group activities with stimuli for gross motor coordination, fine motor coordination, balance, spatial notion and cognitive functions. Results: According to the ANOVA test, there was a statistical difference in the intergroup comparison for the symptoms of hyperactivity, according to the teachers\' perception (p = 0.015), and for inattention symptoms, there was also an intragroup difference (p = 0.020) and intergroup (p = 0.013), by parents\' perception, indicating an increase in the intensity of these symptoms for the CG. In addition to this measure, the Wilcoxon test showed statistical difference in the intragroup comparison in relation to the SG (p = 0.035) in the TRSS. Discussion: Our findings demonstrated that the proposed intervention did not minimize the symptoms of inattention, according to the parents \'perception, but may have acted as a protective factor for the increase of these symptoms, and for the symptoms of hyperactivity, for the teachers\' perception may also have acted as a protective factor for their higher intensity. In addition to this outcome, the results demonstrated that the intervention interfered in the sustained attention of the children who were submitted to the intervention. However, for the other measures related to motor performance, working memory and cognitive flexibility, the intervention did not lead to changes. These results indicate that approaches that encompass motor and cognitive stimuli may be an alternative to minimize the symptoms of ADHD and improve sustained attention

A literatura recente sobre drogadicção trata a sensibilização produzida pela pré-exposição a estimulantes como um possível fator na aquisição, manutenção e recaída na dependência gerada por essas drogas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar se a pré-exposição a dietilpropiona (DEP) e cafeína (CAF) sensibilizava ratos ao efeito reforçador da DEP. Quatro experimentos foram realizados. No Experimento 1 um grupo de ratos foi pré-exposto i.p. a DEP, enquanto outro grupo de ratos recebia veículo. Posteriormente foi medido o efeito agudo i.p. de três doses de DEP (1,0, 2,5 e 5,0 mg/kg) sobre a atividade motora. No Experimento 2, o procedimento de pré-exposição foi similar ao descrito para o Experimento 1. Posteriormente, foi medida a preferência condicionada de lugar (CPP) produzida por três doses de DEP (1,0, 2,5 e 5,0 mg/kg). O Experimento 3 constou de duas partes. Na primeira parte, ratos adultos foram pré-expostos a CAF i.p., enquanto que outro grupo recebia veículo. Posteriormente foi medida a CPP induzida por 2,5 mg/kg de DEP. Na segunda parte desse experimento, ratos adolescentes foram pré-expostos oralmente a CAF por 56 dias consecutivos, enquanto que outro grupo de ratos recebia água. Posteriormente foi medida a CPP induzida por 1,0 mg/kg de DEP. No Experimento 4, ratos adolescentes foram submetidos a um procedimento de pré-exposição similar ao descrito para a segunda parte do Experimento 3. Posteriormente foi medido o desempenho sob um esquema de razão progressiva (PR), em que os animais eram reforçados oralmente com uma solução de DEP. Os resultados do Experimento 1 mostraram que as doses de 2,5 e 5,0 mg/kg de DEP aumentaram a atividade motora. Também foi observado que, na dose de 5,0 mg/kg de DEP, esse efeito era maior para os animais que tinham sido pré-expostos, indicando que a CAF sensibilizou o efeito da DEP sobre a atividade motora. Os resultados do Experimento 2 indicaram que as doses de 2,5 e 5,0 mg/kg de DEP produziram CPP, mostrando com isso valor reforçador; porém, não foi observada sensibilização desse efeito. Os resultados do experimento 3 revelaram que nem a pré-exposição oral a CAF desde a adolescência até a idade adulta, nem a pré-exposição i.p. na idade adulta, sensibilizou o valor reforçador da DEP quando medido pelo modelo de CPP. Os resultados do Experimento 4 mostraram que a pré-exposição oral a CAF desde a adolescência até a idade adulta sensibilizou o valor reforçador da DEP quando medido pelo modelo de PR. Os resultados são discutidos em relação aos comportamento medidos pelos modelos usados para medir o valor reforçador da DEP ao potencial de dependência da DEP e à importância do consumo precoce de cafeína na vulnerabilidade à dependência de drogas. / Recent literature considers sensitization resulting from pre-exposure to psychostimulants as a possible factor in drug addiction acquisition, maintenance and relapse. The aim of this study was to verify if pre-exposure to the psychostimulants diethylpropion (DEP) and caffeine (DEP) would sensitize rats to the reinforcing value of DEP. Four experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1 a group of rats was pre-exposed to DEP while another group received vehicle. After that, the acute effect of i.p. DEP (1.0, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg) on motor activity was measured. A similar pre-exposure procedure was conducted in Experiment 2. After that, Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) induced by i.p. DEP (1.0, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg) was measured. Experiment 3 was subdivided in two parts. In the first one adult rats were pre-exposed to i.p. CAF while a control group received vehicle. After that, CPP induced by 2.5 mg/kg i.p. DEP was measured. In the second part of this experiment, adolescent rats were pre-exposed to oral CAF for 56 consecutive days, while a control group received water. After that, CPP induced by 1.0 mg/kg i.p. DEP was measured. In Experiment 4, adolescent rats were submitted to a pre-exposure procedure similar to that described for the second part of Experiment 3. After that, their responses reinforced by a DEP solution on a progressive ratio schedule (PR) were measured. Experiment 1 results showed that 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg DEP increased motor activity. At 5.0 mg/kg this effect was more pronounced in pre-exposed animals. In Experiment 2, the doses of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg DEP induced CPP, demonstrating their reinforcing value. However, no sensitization effect was observed. Experiment 3 results revealed that neither pre-exposure to oral CAF from adolescence to adulthood nor i.p. CAF pre-exposure in adulthood sensitized DEP reinforcing value as measured by CPP. Experiment 4 results showed that oral CAF pre-exposure from adolescence to adulthood induced sensitization of DEP reinforcing value as measured by PR breaking point. Results are discussed in terms of the animal models to assess reinforcing value, the abuse potential of DEP and the relevance of early caffeine consumption on the vulnerability to drug dependence.

O ser humano, durante a postura ortostática, apresenta oscilações posturais aleatórias em relação à vertical que são controladas pelo sistema nervoso central com base em informações sensoriais provenientes dos sistemas visual, vestibular e somatossensorial. Mecanoreceptores e fusos neuromusculares localizados na coluna cervical transmitem informações aferentes tanto para o sistema vestibular quanto para o sistema proprioceptivo, contribuindo significativamente para controle postural. Vários autores têm proposto intervenções baseadas em terapia manual, sugerindo que manobras de manipulação da coluna vertebral podem ser benéficas para o tratamento da tontura e vertigem de origem cervical. No entanto, a maioria desses estudos tem focado em sintomas gerais como medidas clínicas de dor, severidade do acometimento, ocorrência de episódios agudos, etc. Portanto, fica clara a necessidade de um estudo acerca dos efeitos de uma manobra de manipulação vertebral, em nível cervical, sobre o controle postural de sujeitos saudáveis. A hipótese do presente estudo foi que uma liberação das estruturas cervicais (causada pela manobra de manipulação) geraria uma melhora no influxo de informações sensoriais, e, consequentemente, uma melhora no sistema de controle postural. Sete sujeitos foram instruídos a permanecer, durante 60 segundos, sobre uma plataforma de força, o mais quietos possível, em apoio unipodal, proporcionando assim medidas extraídas do sinal da trajetória do centro de pressão, do centro de massa e variações na posição angular das articulações do tornozelo, joelho e quadril. Cada sujeito participou de duas sessões experimentais, sendo que em uma delas realizou testes de equilíbrio antes e depois da manobra de manipulação cervical (sessão experimental, EXP) e no outro dia realizou os mesmos testes de equilíbrio antes e depois de uma intervenção placebo (sessão controle, CTRL). Os resultados sugerem um efeito agudo da manobra de manipulação cervical, já que foi observada redução das oscilações posturais durante as primeiras tentativas realizadas após a intervenção. Nas sessões CTRL, o mesmo efeito não foi observado, pois o sistema de controle postural se mostrou estável durante todo o experimento / Human subjects during upright stance show a random postural sway with respect to vertical, which is controlled by the central nervous system on the basis of information from sensory inputs applied to the visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems. Mechanoreceptors and muscle spindles in the cervical spine provide afferent information for both the vestibular and the proprioceptive systems, thereby contributing to postural control. Several authors have proposed interventions based on manual therapy, suggesting that manipulation of the spine can be beneficial for treating dizziness and vertigo of cervical origin. However, few studies have investigated the effect of the spinal manipulation on postural control, as most have focused on more general symptoms such as clinical measures of pain, severity and occurrence of acute episodes, etc. Given the importance of the structures of the neck for controlling upright stance, there is a clear need for a study on the effects of cervical spinal manipulation on postural control of healthy subjects. The hypothesis of this work was that a release of the cervical structures (caused by cervical manipulation) would enhance the influx of sensory information, thereby improving postural control. Seven subjects were asked to remain for 60 seconds on a force platform, as quiet as possible, on single-leg stance. Measurements associated with the center of pressure and center of mass trajectories were assessed, as well as information about the ankle, knee and hip positions (i.e. angle variation). Two experimental conditions were tested: before (5 trials) and after (5 trials) cervical manipulation. Each subject participated in two experimental sessions, the first one with balance tests before and after the cervical manipulation (experimental session, EXP) and the other one with the same balance tests before and after a placebo intervention (control session, CTRL). The results suggest an acute effect of the cervical manipulation, as reduced postural sway was observed during the first trials after the intervention. Such an effect was not observed in the CTRL sessions, as the postural control system remained stable throughout the experiment