Heavy backpacks have been suggested to have a pathogenic role in experience of low back pain among children. We have conducted a repeated-measure study to investigate the backpack-induced changes in lumbo-pelvic coordination of forty gender-balanced college age students when they walked and jogged on a treadmill with two different types of backpacks: normal and ergonomically modified. The backpack-induced changes in lumbo-pelvic coordination were larger when carrying an ergonomically modified vs. a normal backpack as well as when jogging versus walking. The larger changes in lumbo-pelvic coordination when carrying an ergonomically modified backpack were likely due to kinematic restraints imposed by rigidity and enhanced attachments devised in the backpack for increased comfort. Given the role of lower back biomechanics in low back pain, the effects of such larger mechanical abnormalities in the lower back when carrying an ergonomically-modified backpack on risk of low back pain among children requires further investigation.

Le complexe lombo-pelvi-fémoral est une zone charnière du corps humain. Son rôle d’équilibration a étédémontré à de nombreuses reprises alors que sa fonction motrice, lors de mouvements explosifs requérant uneextension totale de la chaine articulaire, a été peu étudiée. Ainsi, l’objectif de ce travail a été d’évaluer le rôle moteurdu complexe lombo-pelvi-fémoral lors d’un mouvement de squat jump. A cet effet, une approche expérimentale(cinématique, dynamique et électromyographique) couplée à un modèle de simulation du système musculo-squelettiqueont été appliqués à l’analyse du squat jump dans le plan sagittal. Les résultats montrent, dans un premier temps, que lesétudes ne prenant pas en compte le complexe lombo-pelvi-fémoral conduisent à des erreurs de surestimation du travailmécanique attribué à l’articulation de la hanche lors de squat jumps avec ou sans balancé de bras. Dans un secondtemps, il apparaît que l’extension du rachis lombaire permise par l’erector spinae participe à l’atteinte d’une hauteurmaximale de saut. Ceci confirme l’hypothèse du rôle moteur du complexe lombo-pelvi-fémoral, soulignant égalementla contribution effectrice du muscle erector spinae, qui est accrue avec l’augmentation de sa force maximale et lorsd’une flexion initiale du tronc importante. En conclusion, il semble pertinent d’intégrer le complexe lombo-pelvifémoraldans l’analyse du squat jump en vue d’ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives d’entrainement visant à l’améliorationde la détente verticale. / The lumbo-pelvic-hip complex is an important structure of the human body. Its function of balancing the bodyhas been pointed out in many studies. While its motor function has rarely been investigated, especially duringexplosive movements involving a global extension of the whole body. Thus, the purpose of this work was to evaluatethe role of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex during squat jumping. To this end, an experimental approach (kinematics,kinetics and electromyographic) as well as a simulation model of the musculoskeletal system have been used to analyzethe squat jump in the sagittal plan. The results show, firstly that studies which do not take into consideration the lumbopelvic-hip complex, lead to an overestimation of the mechanical work attributed to the hip joint during maximal squatjumps performed arms akimbo or with an arm swing. Secondly, the extension of the lumbar spine enabled by theerector spinae activation contributes to achieve a maximal vertical jump height. This result confirms the assumptionsabout the motor function of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex and the erector spinae. Moreover, the contribution of thismuscle is increased when its maximal strength is enhanced and when the trunk is initially flexed. In conclusion, itseems relevant to take into consideration the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex when maximal squat jumping is studied. Thiswould also contribute to new training perspectives in order to improve maximal vertical jump height.

Abnormal lumbar movement has been observed in individuals who have a history of low back pain (LBP). Affected individuals display a reduction in lumbar spine rotation during trunk movement tasks, while pelvic rotation increases to compensate. Reduced lumbar contribution to forward bending is associated with increased compressive forces and increased shearing demand of the task on the lower back. This abnormal lumbo-pelvic coordination (LPC) can persist beyond LBP symptom alleviation and may contribute to further occurrences or more severe cases of LBP. This study serves as a first step in investigating if abnormal LPC can be corrected with a hip orthosis by examining the effects of the device on the LPC of healthy individuals. Twenty participants without presence or history of LBP were recruited to participate in a repeated measures study, completing trunk motion tasks with and without a hip orthosis. In a random order, participants completed forward bending and backward return, lateral bending to the left and right, and axial twisting to the left and right. Thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic rotation along with lumbar-thoracic ratio (LTR) were calculated for each of the movement tasks. Thoracic rotation (total trunk movement) was not significantly altered (p > 0.05, F=0.633) by the application of the hip orthosis. LTR was significantly increased (p < 0.001, F=2.96) with the orthosis by 32%, 22%, 12%, 4%, and 12% for axial twisting left, axial twisting right, lateral bending left, lateral bending right, and forward bending, respectively. This indicates lumbar contributions were increased by physically restricting the pelvis. The effects of a hip orthosis should be further investigated in LBP patients to verify correction of an abnormal LPC.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-06-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:09:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 jassi_fj_me_prud.pdf: 1543331 bytes, checksum: 8ed02d93a413e228c19bad39b3100681 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Contextualização: Observa-se na literatura que indivíduos assintomáticos podem não apresentar pré-ativação muscular de estabilizadores primários e não há estudos que apontem para os motivos da alteração no tempo de início de ativação muscular nessa população. Além disso, estudos preliminares em nosso laboratório mostraram que indivíduos assintomáticos apresentaram alterações em testes físicos e funcionais relacionados à capacidade de estabilização da região lombo-pélvica. Objetivo: Estudar o comportamento de pré-ativação dos músculos transverso do abdome/oblíquo interno (TrA/OI) e multífido lombar (ML), a capacidade de estabilização lombo-pélvica e a relação entre ambos. Metodologia: Foram selecionados 27 voluntários assintomáticos de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 20 e 28 anos (média = 23,85 ±2,21). Os voluntários foram submetidos a Testes Físicos Funcionais (TFF) para avaliar a capacidade de estabilização lombo-pélvica (Testes de Coordenação e Equilíbrio, Flexibilidade, Resistência e Comprimento e Força) e à Determinação de início de ativação muscular do TrA/OI e ML por meio da eletromiografia de superfície (EMG-S) durante movimento rápido de flexão do membro superior. Resultados: Embora a pré-ativação tenha sido o comportamento mais freqüente a ausência de pré-ativação do TrA/OI e ML ocorreu para alguns voluntários, sendo mais freqüente no músculo TrA/OI (26.6%) do gênero feminino. Nos TFF nenhum voluntário da amostra conseguiu obter valores de normalidade em todos os testes realizados e aqueles com maior número de voluntários com alteração foram: teste de flexibilidade do reto femoral e espinhais lombares, teste de enrolamento repetitivo do tronco, teste estático de resistência das costas de Sorensen e o teste de comprimento e força para o glúteo máximo. Entretanto, somente o teste de enrolamento... / Contextualization: It is observed in the literature that asymptomatic individuals may not have muscular pre-activation of primary stabilizers and there are no studies that point to the reasons for the change in time of onset of the muscle activation in this population. Furthermore, preliminary studies in our laboratory showed that asymptomatic individuals presented alterations in physical and functional tests with relationship the capacity of lumbo-pelvic stabilization. Objective: The study of pre-activation behavior of transversus abdominis/internal oblique muscle (TrA/OI) and lumborum multifidus (ML), the lumbo-pelvic stabilization capacity and the relationship of both. Methodology: Were selected 27 asymptomatic individuals of both sexes, with age between 20 e 28 years (mean = 23,85 ±2,21). The volunteers were submitted to a Physical Functional Tests (FFT) to evaluate a lumbo-pelvic stabilization capacity (coordination tests, balance, flexibility, endurance, length and force) and the determination of muscle activation onset of the TrA/OI and ML with superficial electromyography (EMG-S) during fast flexion arm movement. Results: Although pre-activation has been a usual result, the pre-activation absent of TrA/OI and ML happened in some volunteers, being more frequent for TrA/OI (26.6%) in the female gender. At TFF neither volunteers of the sample get regular scores in all tests executed. Those tests with more number of alterations were: rectus femoris and spinal lumbar flexibility, Sorensen static back endurance, and length and force to gluteus maximus. However, only repetitive trunk curl test showed great sensibility and specificity value with the primary stabilizers behavior of pre-activation

Large national infrastructure projects, such as major roads, bridges, and other facets of infrastructure, sometimes require the relocation of human settlements that could be urban or traditional. This mainly results in environmental and social costs mainly related to loss of livelihood capabilities for the relocated communities. Given the foregoing, this paper scrutinised the case of the involuntary resettlement of Lumbo Village within the Municipality of Kazungula, Zambia, and a border town with Botswana, which had to be relocated due to an International Road-Bridge and Border Facilities Project. The paper focused on history, participation of the affected people in the resettlement process and the perception thereof of the resettled population after the completion of the resettlement activities. The paper was based on document analysis of planning documents, interviews with local population, district local leadership and those connected to the project. Administration of questionnaires was also conducted to ascertain satisfaction perception of the affected people on the resettlement process. The key aspects of the involuntary resettlement scheme do not lie in drawing satisfaction in recovering from physical displacement impacts as the case is for Lumbo village, but it should be based on recovery from socio-economic displacement impacts; which unfortunately scored low for the relocated community. There is a need to make resettlement policies and/or resettlement actions plans as a means to achieve sustainable development. The key goal for the relocated community should be for them to realise sustainable social development outcomes through these policies and /or action plans.

Abnormalities in lumbopelvic rhythm (LPR) play a role in occurrence/recurrence of low back pain (LBP). The LPR before spinal fusion surgery and its changes following the surgery are not understood. A repeated measure study was designed to investigate timing and magnitude aspects of LPR in a group of patients (n = 5) with LBP before and after a spinal fusion surgery. Participants completed a forward bending and backward return task at their preferred pace in the sagittal plane. The ranges of thoracic and pelvic rotations and lumbar flexion (as the magnitude aspects of LPR) as well as the mean absolute relative phase (MARP) and deviation phase (DP) between thoracic and pelvic rotations (as the timing aspects) were calculated. Thoracic, pelvic, and lumbar rotations/flexion were respectively 2.19° smaller, 17.69° larger, and 19.85° smaller after the surgery. Also, MARP and DP were smaller during both bending (MARP: 0.0159; DP 0.009) and return (MARP: 0.041; DP: 0.015) phases of the motion after surgery. The alterations in LPR after surgery can be the result of changes in lumbar spine structure due to vertebral fusion and/or new neuromuscular adaptations in response to the changes of lumbar spine structure. The effects of altered LPR on load sharing between passive and active components of lower back tissues and the resultant spinal loads should be further investigated in patients with spinal fusion surgery.

Darbo tikslas: palyginti paviršinių ir giliųjų liemens raumenų aktyvumo ir liemens stabilumo matavimų duomenis tarp asmenų, jaučiančių apatinės nugaros dalies skausmą (tiriamoji grupė) ir šio nusiskundimo neturinčių (kontrolinė grupė), pagrindinėse padėtyse. Pasirinktam darbo tikslui įgyvendinti buvo iškelti šie uždaviniai: 1. Palyginti giliųjų ir paviršinių liemens raumenų aktyvumą bei liemens stabilumą, atliekant izoliuotą skersinio pilvo raumens susitraukimą, tarp tiriamosios ir kontrolinės grupės. 2. Palyginti giliųjų ir paviršinių liemens raumenų aktyvumą bei liemens stabilumą, atliekant testus gulint ant pilvo, tarp tiriamosios ir kontrolinės grupės. 3. Palyginti giliųjų ir paviršinių liemens raumenų aktyvumą bei liemens stabilumą, atliekant testus gulint ant šono, tarp tiriamosios ir kontrolinės grupės. 4. Palyginti giliųjų ir paviršinių liemens raumenų aktyvumą, atliekant testus gulint ant nugaros, tarp tiriamosios ir kontrolinės grupės. Tyrimas atliktas poliklinikoje, Kaune. Tyrime dalyvavo 62 tiriamieji (28 vyrai ir 34 moterys). Tyrimo metodai: 1. Anketinė apklausa. 2. Elektromiografas su diferenciniu slėgio jutikliu (4 kanalų EMG + Stabilizer pressure biofeedback). 3.Statistinė analizė. Rezultatai: 1. Atliekant izoliuotą skersinio pilvo raumens susitraukimą, gauta, kad asmenų jaučiančių apatinės nugaros dalies skausmą tiesiamojo nugaros raumens juosmeninės dalies ir tiesiojo pilvo raumens apatinės dalies elektrinis aktyvumas buvo didesnis, o dauginio raumens ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the Master’s work is to compare the deep and surface torso muscle activity and stability measurement data, collected during main physical positions, of individuals that suffer from lower back pain (research group) and those who don’t (control group). The achievement of the works goal consists of the following tasks: 1. To compare deep and surface muscle activity and stability of the torso between both the research and control group individuals, during isolated transverse abdominal muscle contraction. 2 To compare deep and surface muscle activity and stability of the torso between both the research and control group individuals, during tests while lying on the abdomen. 3 To compare deep and surface muscle activity and stability of the torso between both the research and control group individuals, during tests while lying on the side. 4. To compare deep and surface muscle activity and stability of the torso between both the research and control group individuals, during tests while lying on the back. The study was conducted at a clinic in Kaunas. The study included 62 subjects (28 men and 34 women). Methods used within the study: 1. A questionnaire. 2. Electromyograph with a differential pressure sensor (4 channel EMG + Stabilizer pressure biofeedback). 3.Statistic analysis. The results: 1. It was found that while performing an isolated contraction of the transverse abdominal muscle, individuals with lower back pain had a considerably smaller electrical muscle... [to full text]

Orientador: Rúben de Faria Negrão Filho / Banca: Carlos Marcelo Pastre / Banca: Amélia Pasqual Marques / Resumo: Contextualização: Observa-se na literatura que indivíduos assintomáticos podem não apresentar pré-ativação muscular de estabilizadores primários e não há estudos que apontem para os motivos da alteração no tempo de início de ativação muscular nessa população. Além disso, estudos preliminares em nosso laboratório mostraram que indivíduos assintomáticos apresentaram alterações em testes físicos e funcionais relacionados à capacidade de estabilização da região lombo-pélvica. Objetivo: Estudar o comportamento de pré-ativação dos músculos transverso do abdome/oblíquo interno (TrA/OI) e multífido lombar (ML), a capacidade de estabilização lombo-pélvica e a relação entre ambos. Metodologia: Foram selecionados 27 voluntários assintomáticos de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 20 e 28 anos (média = 23,85 ±2,21). Os voluntários foram submetidos a Testes Físicos Funcionais (TFF) para avaliar a capacidade de estabilização lombo-pélvica (Testes de Coordenação e Equilíbrio, Flexibilidade, Resistência e Comprimento e Força) e à Determinação de início de ativação muscular do TrA/OI e ML por meio da eletromiografia de superfície (EMG-S) durante movimento rápido de flexão do membro superior. Resultados: Embora a pré-ativação tenha sido o comportamento mais freqüente a ausência de pré-ativação do TrA/OI e ML ocorreu para alguns voluntários, sendo mais freqüente no músculo TrA/OI (26.6%) do gênero feminino. Nos TFF nenhum voluntário da amostra conseguiu obter valores de normalidade em todos os testes realizados e aqueles com maior número de voluntários com alteração foram: teste de flexibilidade do reto femoral e espinhais lombares, teste de enrolamento repetitivo do tronco, teste estático de resistência das costas de Sorensen e o teste de comprimento e força para o glúteo máximo. Entretanto, somente o teste de enrolamento... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Contextualization: It is observed in the literature that asymptomatic individuals may not have muscular pre-activation of primary stabilizers and there are no studies that point to the reasons for the change in time of onset of the muscle activation in this population. Furthermore, preliminary studies in our laboratory showed that asymptomatic individuals presented alterations in physical and functional tests with relationship the capacity of lumbo-pelvic stabilization. Objective: The study of pre-activation behavior of transversus abdominis/internal oblique muscle (TrA/OI) and lumborum multifidus (ML), the lumbo-pelvic stabilization capacity and the relationship of both. Methodology: Were selected 27 asymptomatic individuals of both sexes, with age between 20 e 28 years (mean = 23,85 ±2,21). The volunteers were submitted to a Physical Functional Tests (FFT) to evaluate a lumbo-pelvic stabilization capacity (coordination tests, balance, flexibility, endurance, length and force) and the determination of muscle activation onset of the TrA/OI and ML with superficial electromyography (EMG-S) during fast flexion arm movement. Results: Although pre-activation has been a usual result, the pre-activation absent of TrA/OI and ML happened in some volunteers, being more frequent for TrA/OI (26.6%) in the female gender. At TFF neither volunteers of the sample get regular scores in all tests executed. Those tests with more number of alterations were: rectus femoris and spinal lumbar flexibility, Sorensen static back endurance, and length and force to gluteus maximus. However, only repetitive trunk curl test showed great sensibility and specificity value with the primary stabilizers behavior of pre-activation / Mestre

Prior studies have reported differences in lower back biomechanics during activities of daily living between individuals with and without chronic low back pain (LBP). Nevertheless, the literature on lower back biomechanics of patients with non-chronic LBP is scant. Therefore, the objective of this study, as the first step towards future prospective studies, was to investigate the lower back biomechanics in patients with non-chronic LBP. Case-control studies were conducted wherein measures of lumbo-pelvic coordination during bending and return tasks as well as measures of mechanical demand on the lower back during lifting tasks in the sagittal plane were investigated between patients with non-chronic LBP and matched asymptomatic individuals. Patients were enrolled into the study at the non-chronic stage of their LBP. We found distinct difference in measures of lumbo-pelvic coordination as well as mechanical demands on the lower back between patients with non-chronic LBP and controls. Reduced lumbar range of flexion and slower task pace as well as the more in-phase and less variable lumbo-pelvic coordination observed in patients with non-chronic low back pain, may be the result of a neuromuscular adaptation to reduce the forces and deformation in the lower back tissues and avoid pain aggravation. Such a neuromuscular adaptation, however, resulted in a larger shearing demand on the lower back. Persistent abnormal lumbo-pelvic coordination might play a role in transition to chronic stage or recurrence of LBP. However, such inferences need to be further investigated using prospective studies as well as clinical trials involving a combination of physical and psychological treatments aimed at correction of lumbo-pelvic coordination.

In recent years, the scientific community has emphasized the importance of the core both in the sports context and in rehabilitation. The core is an area of the body, responsible for generating force from the center and dissipating it to the extremities. In this perspective, specific exercises have been used for this area in functional training, in order to promote improvements in functional and core performance. However, it is not clear in what magnitude the core actually participates in performing functional actions in young adults and yet whether the inclusion of core-specific physical exercises in functional training causes more pronounced functional adaptations than when this inclusion does not occur. Thus, the objectives of this dissertation were: I) To analyze the association between the endurance of the core and measures of functional performance in young individuals. II). To analyze the effects of 12 weeks of specific core training and functional training, with and without the inclusion of core-specific exercises, on core performance and performance in functional tests. This dissertation was composed of three studies: A study of protocol / trial (Study I), transversal (Study II) and experimental (Study III). Participating in the study sample were young and healthy individuals, classified as insufficiently active by the International Questionnaire of Physical Activity. In the study II a multiple linear regression was performed with the purpose of explaining in what magnitude the endurance of the core contributes to the performance of functional tests. The findings of this study showed that there is a participation of core endurance ranging from 1.4 to 46.9% depending on the functional test performed. In addition, most of these interactions were statistically significant. In study III, the participants were allocated to three intervention groups: Functional Training with core, which performed global exercises in addition to specific exercises for the core; Functional training, which performed only functional global exercises; and Core training, which performed only exercises that caused greater activation in the core muscles. After 12 weeks of training, all groups improved significantly in both functional and core performance, but there were no significant differences between them. Thus, it is concluded that the endurance of the core is important for the functionality of young adults and that when core-specific exercises are included in the functional training, the gains related to functional and core performance are enhanced. / Nos últimos anos a comunidade científica tem destacado a importância do core tanto no contexto esportivo, quanto na reabilitação. O core é uma zona do corpo, responsável por gerar força do centro e dissipá-la para as extremidades. Nessa perspectiva, tem sido utilizado exercícios específicos para essa zona no treinamento funcional, com o intuito de promover melhorias na performance funcional e do core. No entanto, não está claro em que magnitude o core realmente participa da realização de ações funcionais em jovens adultos e ainda se a inclusão de exercícios físicos específicos para o core no treinamento funcional provoca adaptações funcionais mais acentuadas do que quando não ocorre essa inclusão. Sendo assim, os objetivos da presente dissertação foram: I) Analisar a associação entre a endurance do core e medidas de performance funcional em indivíduos jovens. II). Analisar os efeitos de 12 semanas de treinamento específico do core e treinamento funcional, com e sem a inclusão de exercícios específicos do core, sobre a performance do core e a performance em testes funcionais. Esta dissertação foi composta por três estudos: Um estudo de protocolo/ trial (Estudo I), transversal (Estudo II) e experimental (Estudo III). Participaram da amostra dos estudos, indivíduos jovens e saudáveis, classificados como insuficientemente ativos pelo Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física. No estudo II foi realizado uma regressão linear múltipla com o intuito de explicar em que magnitude a endurance do core contribui para a realização de testes funcionais. Os achados desse estudo demonstraram que há uma participação da endurance do core que varia entre 1,4 e 46,9 % a depender do teste funcional executado. Ademais, a maioria dessas interações foram estatisticamente significativas. Já no estudo III, os participantes foram alocados em três grupos de intervenção: Treinamento Funcional com core, que realizava exercícios globais além de exercícios específicos para o core; Treinamento funcional, que executava apenas exercícios globais de caráter funcional; e Treinamento do core, que executava apenas exercícios que provocassem maior ativação na musculatura do core. Após 12 semanas de treinamento, todos os grupos melhoraram de maneira significativa tanto na performance funcional quanto do core, entretanto não houveram diferenças significativas entre eles. Assim, conclui-se que a endurance do core é importante para a funcionalidade de jovens adultos e que, quando incluído exercícios específicos para o core no treinamento funcional, os ganhos referentes à performance funcional e do core são potencializados. / São Cristóvão, SE