To assess the relationships of body mass index (BMI) on arterial stiffness at rest and post-maximal treadmill graded exercise testing (GXT). Forty-four apparently healthy, young adult males (22.1 ± 0.48 years) were recruited and divided into either a healthy weight (H, ≤24.9 kg/m2), overweight (OV, 24.9-29.9 kg/m2) or obese (OB, ≥29.9 kg/m2) group based on BMI. All subjects underwent arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV), blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis, BIA) measurements at rest. Following the GXT, measures of arterial stiffness (cfPWV) and BP were acquired. Resting measures of cfPWV, BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, MAP, and PP were significantly (p <0.05) greater in OV and OB compared with H. Compared with OV, OB had a greater BMI. Relative peak oxygen consumption (VP2peak) was greater in H compared with OV and OB (p<0.05). systolic BP was positively associated, whereas VO2peak was inversely related to cfPWV (p<0.05). No significant inter-group interactions were observed with cfPWV after the GXT. However, interactions were observed for SBP, DBP and PP (p<0.05). In young men with varying BMI, SBP and VO2peak were associated with resting cfPWV. However, similar cardiovascular responses were observed between groups after a maximal GXT.

Many studies have considered the effect of training techniques (especially plyometric) on jump height. However, previous research has not considered the optimum surface for these training techniques. The aim of this research was to determine which training and/or playing surface is most beneficial in maximising vertical jump height for volleyball players. Attainment of such knowledge will not only assist athletes in optimising results but also help coaches in developing training. Conclusions. It is reasonable to suggest that sand training and playing surface had a greater effect on increasing vertical jump height on both surfaces. This minor thesis was written by a post graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

This study investigated the injuries sustained by elite Australian sport aerobic athletes in the 12 months prior to the FISAF world's sport aerobics championships in May/June 2004. Data was collected using a retrospective questionnaire developed from published research in similar areas. This study is important in establishing the prevalence and rate of injury in elite sport aerobic athletes and provides a basis for further research. This minor thesis was written by a post graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

A prospective study was performed in order to examine the relationship of internal hip rotation to groin pain in Australian Rules Football players. 101 subjects were tested using a plurimeter placed on the lateral aspect of the tibia whilst lying prone on a plinth. Subjects were tested twice at an interval of six weeks and episodes of groin pain that occurred between the first and second testing dates were recorded. This study may have implications for the treatment and prevention of groin injuries in the athletic population and in particular Australian Rules Football players. This minor thesis was written by post-graduate students as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Background and objectives: Current research on respiratory diseases is mainly focused on the effects of drug treatments, however much less work has looked into the use of manual treatments of patients with symptoms of respiratory dysfunction. Studies currently being conducted through Victoria University are attempting to investigate whether manual treatments, such as HVLA and Lymphatic Pump techniques have an effect on lung function. There has however been no research into the effect of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) on measurable respiratory function even though it is such a widely used technique. This study aims to identify whether MET leads to a measurable change in ventilatory function in asymptomatic individuals. Conclusion: Thoracic MET performed on asymptomatic volunteers had no significant effect on FVC or FEV measurements immediately post, 10 minutes post or 20 minutes post-intervention. This minor thesis was written by post-graduate students as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Background: Edge Light Pupil Cycle Time (ELPCT) is a light reflex of the eye, which is controlled via the automatic nervous system. Studies have shown ELPCT to be a measurable constant, unaffected by visual acuity, refractive error, eye colour, pupil size or gender. Recent studies have shown that high-velocity manipulation of the upper cervical spine causes an immediate decrease in ELPCT on the same side as the manipulation. This change is presumed to me mediated in part by alterations in the autonomic tone following mauipulative intervention, therefore suggesting that unilateral manipulation produces an immdeiate unilateral change in the autonomic nervous system. Objective: To investigate the lasting effects (up to 1 hour) of C1-2 high velocity low amplitude manipulation upon ELPCT. Design: A two group blind, randomized study, with a control group. Conclusion: This suggests that ELPCT, which is mediated by the autonomic nervous system, can be directly influenced by high-velocity manipulation to the atlanto-axial joint and these changes occur on the same side as the manipulation (i.e. unilateral manipulation produces unilateral physiological change). Over a one-hour time frame these changes are still significant at 20-minutes post-manipulation but only slightly evident at one-hour post manipulation. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Background: High velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust techniques are commonly used by manual therapists. One of the primary goals of these techniques is to increase the range of motion within spinal segments. Still, there is much contention about the outcomes of the audible release or cavitation associated with these techniques. This study is to investigate the effect that HVLA thrust techniques has on total cervical ROM asymmetries with and without cavitation. Conclusion: HVLA thrust technique to the AA joint with cavitation produced a significant amelioration in total cervical rotation asymmetry immediately post-manipulation. A significant amelioration in toal cervical rotation asymmetries was not found when HVLA failed to produce a cavitation. The reduction in the asymmetry immediately post-manipulation had reduced or returned to the pre-manipulation level at 30 minutes post-manipulation. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Background and objectives: People with psoriatic arthritis seek complementary medical treatment, such as osteopathy, as a sole form of treatment, or as a complement to conventional treatment. The aim of this case series design was to determine the effects of osteopathic treatment on the symptoms, and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with psoriatic arthritis. The results demonstrate that osteopathic treatments are capable of producing symptomatic relief and improvements in HRQOL. The limited number of participants in the study limits generalization of the findings, but gives impetus to further research in this area. This minor thesis was written by post-graduate students as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2015-11-12T18:37:25Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Acácia Gonçalves Ferreira Leal - 2015.pdf: 866513 bytes, checksum: fee2ce01f3c685785faca3c701c1484c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-11-13T10:35:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Acácia Gonçalves Ferreira Leal - 2015.pdf: 866513 bytes, checksum: fee2ce01f3c685785faca3c701c1484c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-13T10:35:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Acácia Gonçalves Ferreira Leal - 2015.pdf: 866513 bytes, checksum: fee2ce01f3c685785faca3c701c1484c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-26 / Regular practice of regular exercise has been increasingly seen as an important tool for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases related to sedentary lifestyle. In addition, regular physical exercise is an important tool for the improvement of physical fitness attributes such as strength, muscle endurance and power, cardiorespiratory endurance and others. Physical exercise effects, acute or chronic are investigated in exercise science. The exercise science is the science of the techniques and methods used in assessing the suitability and fitness of individuals and teams. Additionally, are the disciplines related to exercise science investigating the benefits of exercise. However, these goals are achieved only if the exercise is prescribed and well oriented. For this reason it is very important that the health professional has the right knowledge of the concepts and use of the disciplines related to exercise science. Goal:To assess the knowledge of disciplines related to exercise science in health care professionals. Methods: the evidence of health professionals were analyzed who participated in the qualifying process for entry into the Specialization Course in Exercise Physiology, Federal University of São Paulo conducted between 2004 and 2008. In total, the evidence of 300 physiotherapists were evaluated, 705 physical education teachers and 142 nutritionists. For the purposes of the study, questions were analyzed on maximal oxygen uptake ( O2 máx) (4 questions), assessment of physical fitness (3 questions), physical training (2 questions), bioenergy (1 questions) and exercise in special conditions (1 questions).Results:The results of this study reveal ignorance of health professionals about some concepts related to exercise science (eg.: maximal oxygen consumption).Conclusion: This scenario is worrisome because the benefits of regular exercise are achieved only if it is prescribed and well oriented.The results of this study reinforce the need for continuing education of health professionals in order to minimize the lack of knowledge on subjects related to exercise science and maximixar the service provided by these professionals.However, professionals reviewed here, have a good knowledge in matters related to assessment and physical fitness training. / A prática regular de exercício físico regular tem sido cada vez mais considerada uma ferramenta importante para a prevenção e o tratamento de doenças crônicas relacionadas ao sedentarismo. Adicionalmente, o exercício físico regular é uma ferramenta importante para o aprimoramento dos atributos da aptidão física, tais como, força, resistência e potência musculares, resistência cardiorespiratória e outros. Os efeitos do exercício físico, agudo ou crônico, são investigados pela ciência do exercício. A ciência do exercício é a ciência das técnicas e métodos usados na avaliação da aptidão e condicionamento físico de indivíduos e equipes. Adicionalmente, são as disciplinas relacionadas à ciência do exercício que investigam os benefícios do exercício físico. Entretanto, estes objetivos somente são atingidos se o exercício físico for bem prescrito e orientado. Por este motivo, é muito importante que o profissional da saúde tenha o correto conhecimento dos conceitos relacionadas à ciência do exercício. Objetivo: avaliar o conhecimento relacionado à ciência do exercício em profissionais da saúde. Métodos: Foram analisadas as provas de profissionais da saúde que participaram do processo classificatório para o ingresso no Curso de Especialização em Fisiologia do Exercício da Universidade Federal de São Paulo, realizados entre os anos de 2004 e 2008. No total, foram avaliadas as provas de 142 nutricionistas, 300 fisioterapeutas, 705 educadores físicos. Para os propósitos do estudo, foram analisadas questões sobre consumo máximo de oxigênio ( O2máx) (4 questões), avaliação da aptidão física (3 questões), treinamento físico (2 questões), bioenergética (1 questão) e exercício físico em condições especiais (1 questão). Resultados: Os resultados do presente estudo revelam desconhecimento dos profissionais da saúde sobre alguns conceitos relacionados à ciência do exercício (p.ex.: consumo máximo de oxigênio). Conclusão: Tal cenário é preocupante, pois os benefícios do exercício físico regular somente são atingidos se este for bem prescrito e orientado. Os resultados do presente estudo reforçam a necessidade de educação continuada de profissionais da saúde, a fim de minimizar a falta de conhecimento sobre disciplinas relacionadas à ciência do exercício e maximizar o serviço prestado por esses profissionais. Em contrapartida, os profissionais aqui analisados, apresentam um bom conhecimento nos assuntos relacionados à avaliação e ao treinamento da aptidão física.

Substantial evidence exists regarding how skeletal muscles use energy and how this affects muscular performance. What remains unclear is how characteristics of muscle energetics affect whole-body energetics during daily living, and what effects this may have on mobility. The goal of this study was to determine the associations between muscle and whole-body energetics including the relationships between: 1) muscle PCr depletion (∆PCr) in response to light intensity isotonic contractions and the oxygen deficit at the onset of a 30-min treadmill walk (30MTW), and, 2) muscle oxidative capacity and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC; 30MTW), respiratory exchange ratio (RER; 30MTW), and peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) from a graded treadmill test. Eight healthy young (28.4 ± 3.5 years) male participants were studied. Muscle energetics were measured via 31-Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS). Muscle ∆PCr was determined as the change in PCr during 2-min of isotonic knee extensor contractions. Muscle oxidative capacity was determined as the rate constant (kPCr) of a PCr recovery following 24-s of maximal isokinetic knee extensor contractions. Whole-body energetic responses to the 30MTW were measured via indirect calorimetry. Oxygen deficit and EPOC were determined as the time constants of the change in oxygen consumption at the onset and offset of the 30MTW, respectively. Respiratory exchange ratio was determined as the mean RER during minutes 7-30 (RER L23), 25-30 (RER L5), and 29-30 (RER L1). Peak oxygen consumption was the highest 30-s average of oxygen consumption during a graded treadmill test, normalized to total mass and lean mass measured by dual-X-ray absorptiometry. Spearman rank correlation coefficients (rs) were calculated to evaluate the associations between independent variables (muscle ∆PCr and oxidative capacity) and dependent variables (oxygen deficit, EPOC, RER, and VO2 peak). Muscle ∆PCr had a positive association (rs = 0.46, p = 0.30) with oxygen deficit. Muscle oxidative capacity had a negative association with EPOC (rs = -0.64, p = 0.14), RER L23 (rs = -0.64, p = 0.14), L5 (rs = -0.68, p = 0.11), and L1 (rs = -0.74, p = 0.07). Muscle oxidative capacity had a positive association with VO2 peak per lean mass (rs = 0.64, p = 0.10), but not VO2 peak per total mass (rs = 0.14, p = 0.75). These results provide promising preliminary evidence that muscle energetics are associated with whole-body energetic response to daily-living type exercise.