The main purpose of this study was to determine whether playing soccer at high intensity training for a long period causes degeneration of the lumbar spine or not. This degeneration may occur without any symptoms or low back pain. Results of the present study were discussed in the framework of lumbar disc degeneration, trunk strength, lumbar and hip bone mineral density, trunk flexibility, activity MET scores for active and veteran soccer groups. There have been four subject groups in this study (15 active soccer players, 15 sedentary participants, 14 veteran soccer players, 13 sedentary participants). The BMD was measured in anterior-posterior view with a second-generation dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) device. Isokinetic trunk strength data were recorded with the Biodex System Dynamometer (Biobex Medical Inc, Shirly, NY) at the 60&ordm / /sec and 120&ordm / /sec. Plain lateral radiographs were taken. The presence of degenerative changes of each lumbar vertebra was determined by using the Kellgren and Lowrence Score. A modified Schober test was used to measure lumbar flexion. Findings of the study demonstrated that veteran soccer players displayed greater lumbar disc degeneration than other groups. Moreover, v active soccer group had more BMD than other groups, but the veteran group&amp / #8217 / s BMD results were not different while comparing the control participants. Isokinetic test findings of the current study, trunk extension strength at 60/sec was significantly higher in active 1st group players than 2nd group participants, but there were no significant differences between the 1st group and 2nd group in terms of trunk flexion strength and agonist/antagonist ratio at 60/sec. In conclusion, Findings of the study support the main hypothesis that playing soccer at high intensity training at a long period of time may cause lumbar spine degeneration. Degeneration may occur without low back symptoms. Moreover, results supported the idea that Soccer can be accepted an impact loading sport that are to keep or accelerate bone mineral density. At last, having abnormal trunk extension strength while playing actively may cause lumbar disc degeneration on the spine at later years. A similar study should be carried out with a larger number of subjects, and longitudinal studies should be designed to examine the factors that effect the degeneration on the lumbar spine.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 69 pages. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Nursing staff members (registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing aides) have one of the highest incidence rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of all occupations. Ergonomic research has identified patient handling and movement tasks that put the caregiver at high risk for a WMSD each time they are performed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the frequency of performing the highest risk tasks, as well as certain other risk factors affecting physical workload, were related to the frequency of musculoskeletal discomfort. Also investigated was whether the manual handling workload varied by job category. The cross-sectional study was conducted at a Veterans' Administration hospital in Tampa, Florida in August 2001 on 11 in-patient units with 113 participants, who completed musculoskeletal discomfort and demographic surveys at the end of a week of observation of their workloads. / ABSTRACT: Multiple regression analysis indicated that the number of high risk patient handling and movement tasks performed per hour, the number of patients cared for who weighed 212 pounds or more, and the interaction of the two were associated with the frequency of knee and wrist pain, but not with low back pain. The following variables were not associated with the frequency of musculoskeletal discomfort in any body part: patient census/able bodied staff ratio, patient classification rating, or number or use of patient handling and movement equipment. Manual handling workload did differ significantly among job categories, with registered nurses performing the fewest at- risk patient handling tasks and nursing aides the most. The seven-day prevalence rate of at least moderate discomfort in at least one body part was 62%. / ABSTRACT: Recommendations include instituting recorded patient assessments to standardize the type of equipment and the number of staff members needed for specific handling and movement activities, as well as improved staff training. Further research is needed on the following: biomechanical forces on the wrist and knee during patient handling and movement tasks; the effect of patient weight on the risk of patient handling and movement tasks; and psychosocial stressors in addition to the physical workload of nursing staff. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-113).

Muscle performance is partially a consequence of its recent contractile history. Postactivation potentiation (PAP) can occur after muscle contractions and leads to enhanced neuromuscular performance. The purpose of this dissertation was to explain the relationship between muscle factors (twitch potentiation, TP) and neural factors (reflex potentiation, RP) contributing to overall PAP following a non-fatiguing volitional muscle contraction. The tibial nerves of fifteen resistance trained volunteers (eleven men, four women) were stimulated intermittently at supramaximal (Mmax) and submaximal (Hmax) intensities for 20 minutes on separate days under three conditions: rest (Control); after a after a 10 second maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the plantarflexors; and after a low frequency fatigue protocol prior to the MVIC. Plantarflexion isometric torque and rate of force development (RFD), and soleus and gastrocnemius EMG Hmax/Mmax ratios, were analyzed. Both experimental conditions resulted in TP at 10 seconds post-MVIC compared to the control condition. The two experimental conditions were not different for any measure. Torque and RFD at Hmax (overall PAP) were highest at 3 and 4.5 minutes post MVIC, respectively, but were not significantly different from the control condition. EMG values generally were insignificantly increased in the experimental conditions versus the control condition. Mmax torque and RFD significantly contributed to Hmax torque and RFD at 20 seconds, Hmax peak, and 20 minute post-MVIC time points. The soleus significantly contributed to Hmax torque at 20 seconds and 20 minutes post-MVIC, and Hmax RFD at 20 seconds, 4.5 minutes, and 20 minutes post-MVIC. The results of this study suggest that both muscle and neural factors play a significant role in overall PAP, and that neural factors may play a more meaningful role in RFD potentiation than torque potentiation.

Pushing and pulling research has yet to fully elucidate the demands placed on manual workers despite established epidemiological links to musculoskeletal disorders. The current study therefore aimed to quantify biomechanical and perceptual responses of male operators to dynamic pushing and pulling tasks. Three common push/pull techniques (pushing, one handed and two handed pulling) were performed at loads of 250kg and 500kg using an industrial pallet jack in a laboratory environment. Thirty six healthy male subjects (age: 21 ±2 years, stature: 1791 ±43 mm and body mass: 77 ±10 kg) were required to perform six loaded experimental and two unloaded control conditions. Hand force exertion, muscle activity and gait pattern responses were collected during 10m push/pull trials on a coefficient controlled walkway; body discomfort was assessed on completion of the condition. Horizontal hand force responses were significantly (p<0.05) affected by load, with a linear relationship existing between the two. This relationship is determined by specific environmental and trolley factors and is context specific, depending on factors such as trolley maintenance and type of flooring. Hand force exertion responses were tenuously affected by technique at higher loads in the initial and sustained phases, with pushing inducing the greatest hand forces. Comparison of the motion phases revealed significant differences between all three phases, with the initial phase evidencing the greatest hand forces. Muscle activity responses demonstrated that unloaded backward walking evoked significantly higher muscle activation than did unloaded forward walking whilst increased muscular activity during load movement compared to unloaded walking was observed. However increasing load from 250kg to 500kg did not significantly impact the majority of muscle activity responses. When considering technique effects on muscle activity, of the significant differences found, all indicated that pushing imposed the least demand on the musculoskeletal system. Gait pattern responses were not significantly affected by load/technique combinations and were similar to those elicited during normal, unloaded walking. Perceptually, increased load led to increased perception of discomfort while pushing resulted in the least discomfort at both loads. From these psychophysical responses, the calves, shoulders and biceps were identified as areas of potential musculoskeletal injury, particularly during one and two handed pulling. Pushing elicited the highest hand forces and the lowest muscle activity responses in the majority of the conditions whilst psychophysical responses identified this technique as most satisfactory. Current results advocate the use of pushing when moving a load using a wheeled device. Suitability of one and two handed pulling remains contradictory, however results suggest that one handed pulling be employed at lower loads and two handed pulling at higher loads.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-01-26T13:21:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-02-14Bitstream added on 2015-01-26T13:30:41Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000798797.pdf: 1409139 bytes, checksum: 9f2782f12e848191c77bc64070ca1209 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A insuficiência cardíaca caracteriza-se por redução da tolerância aos esforços físicos com ocorrência precoce de fadiga e dispneia. Além de disfunção cardíaca e pulmonar, anormalidades intrínsecas da musculatura esquelética têm sido responsabilizadas pela redução da capacidade física. Uma das alterações mais comumente encontrada é a atrofia de músculos esqueléticos. A via miostatina/folistatina tem importante papel na manutenção do trofismo muscular, havendo correlação negativa entre a miostatina e a massa muscular. No miocárdio, a expressão da miostatina aumenta durante sobrecarga hemodinâmica crônica e pode contribuir para a redução da massa muscular periférica. O exercício físico tem papel importante no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca. Entretanto, ainda não são completamente conhecidos os mecanismos pelos quais o exercício modula a capacidade funcional na insuficiência cardíaca. Neste trabalho, testamos a hipótese que ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) com insuficiência cardíaca apresentam alteração na via miostatina/folistatina em músculos esqueléticos e cardíaco, e que esta pode ser modulada pelo treinamento físico prolongado. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: 1) avaliar se atrofia da musculatura esquelética de SHR com insuficiência cardíaca está associada a alteração na via de sinalização intracelular miostatina/folistatina; 2) determinar se o treinamento físico aeróbio prolongado atenua o processo de atrofia e se modula a expressão das proteínas miostatina/folistatina nos músculos esqueléticos sóleo e gastrocnêmio; e 3) avaliar a via miostatina/folistatina no miocárdio e determinar se o treinamento atenua a remodelação cardíaca e possíveis alterações desta via. Métodos: Ratos machos normotensos Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) e SHR com 16 meses de idade foram divididos em quatro grupos: 1) controle (WKY-Sed, n=20); 2) controle exercitado (WKY-Ex, n=20); 3) ... / Heart failure is characterized by a reduced tolerance to physical activity with early development of fatigue and dyspnea. Besides cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction, skeletal muscle abnormalities can also be involved in the reduced physical capacity. Atrophy is a commonly found skeletal muscle alteration. Myostatin/follistatin pathway has an important role in skeletal muscle mass maintenance with myostatin being negatively correlated with muscle mass. In myocardium, myostatin levels increase during chronic overload and can contribute to the decreased peripheral muscle mass. Physical exercise has an important role in heart failure treatment. However, mechanisms involved in exercise-induced improvement of physical capacity are not completely understood. In this study, we hypothesized that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with heart failure present myostatin/follistatin pathway change in skeletal and cardiac muscle, which can be modulated by prolonged physical training. The aims of this study are: 1) to evaluate whether skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with changes in the myostatin/follistatin intracelular pathway in SHR with heart failure; 2) to determine whether aerobic physical training attenuates muscle atrophy and/or modulates mostatin/follistatin expression in soleus and gastrocnemius muscles; e 3) to evaluate myocardial myostatin/follistatin levels and to determine whether training attenuates cardiac remodeling and possible achanges in the myostatin/follistatin pathway. Methods: Male sixteen-month-old normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR were assigned to four groups: 1) control (WKYSed, n=20); 2) exercised control (WKY-Ex, n=20); 3) heart failure (SHR-Sed, n=25); and 4) exercised heart failure (SHR-Ex, n=25). Exercised groups were subjected to a treadmill exercise protocol, five days a week, for four months. Transthoracic echocardiogram was performed before and after ... / FAPESP: 09/54857-4

The mechanism of mechanotransduction in chondrocyte matrix metabolism is not well understood, in part because of the density of cartilage and in part because of limitations in in vitroculture systems. Using alginate covalently modified to include the integrin adhesion ligand R-G-D (arginine-glycine-aspartate) represents a unique approach to studying mechanotransduction in that it allows for exploration of the role of integrin adhesion in mediating changes to chondrocyte behavior. The hypothesis of this research was that chondrocytes will form a cytoskeletal adhesion to RGD-alginate mediated integrins, that this attachment will enable chondrocyte sensation of mechanical signals, and this signaling will alter chondrocyte matrix metabolism. The first aim of this research was to characterize chondrocyte attachment to RGD-alginate, and assess the role of substrate mechanics on chondrocyte attachment kinetics and morphology. Secondly, the effect of chondrocyte attachment to RGD-alginate in 3D culture on matrix biosynthesis was assessed, as were changes in substrate mechanics. Finally, this research aimed to determine the metabolic response of chondrocytes to changes in intrinsic and extrinsic mechanics. It was found that the RGD ligand functionalized the alginate scaffold, enabling chondrocytes to sense the mechanical environment. Attachment kinetics, morphology, and proteoglycan metabolism were found to adapt to hydrogel matrix stiffness when an integrin adhesion was present. Externally applied compression was transmitted through this integrin attachment, causing changes in proteoglycan synthesis. Components of media serum were found to modulate the effects of integrin mechanotransduction. These results were obtained by analyzing a novel approach with established techniques, such as the DMB dye assay for sulfated GAG content. The conclusions conform to diverse data from cartilage explant loading and monolayer culture studies, yet were accomplished using one versatile system in a straightforward manner. The potential of this system extends further, into identification of intracellular signaling pathways and extracellular modulation of matrix components. Seeded RGD-alginate is well suited for studying consequences of integrin attachment.

Orientador: Marina Politi Okoshi / Banca: Silvia Assis de Oliveira Junior / Banca: Luis Cuadrado Martin / Banca: Bertha Fulan Pelegato / Banca: Eros Antonio de Almeida / Resumo: A insuficiência cardíaca caracteriza-se por redução da tolerância aos esforços físicos com ocorrência precoce de fadiga e dispneia. Além de disfunção cardíaca e pulmonar, anormalidades intrínsecas da musculatura esquelética têm sido responsabilizadas pela redução da capacidade física. Uma das alterações mais comumente encontrada é a atrofia de músculos esqueléticos. A via miostatina/folistatina tem importante papel na manutenção do trofismo muscular, havendo correlação negativa entre a miostatina e a massa muscular. No miocárdio, a expressão da miostatina aumenta durante sobrecarga hemodinâmica crônica e pode contribuir para a redução da massa muscular periférica. O exercício físico tem papel importante no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca. Entretanto, ainda não são completamente conhecidos os mecanismos pelos quais o exercício modula a capacidade funcional na insuficiência cardíaca. Neste trabalho, testamos a hipótese que ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) com insuficiência cardíaca apresentam alteração na via miostatina/folistatina em músculos esqueléticos e cardíaco, e que esta pode ser modulada pelo treinamento físico prolongado. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: 1) avaliar se atrofia da musculatura esquelética de SHR com insuficiência cardíaca está associada a alteração na via de sinalização intracelular miostatina/folistatina; 2) determinar se o treinamento físico aeróbio prolongado atenua o processo de atrofia e se modula a expressão das proteínas miostatina/folistatina nos músculos esqueléticos sóleo e gastrocnêmio; e 3) avaliar a via miostatina/folistatina no miocárdio e determinar se o treinamento atenua a remodelação cardíaca e possíveis alterações desta via. Métodos: Ratos machos normotensos Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) e SHR com 16 meses de idade foram divididos em quatro grupos: 1) controle (WKY-Sed, n=20); 2) controle exercitado (WKY-Ex, n=20); 3) ... / Abstract: Heart failure is characterized by a reduced tolerance to physical activity with early development of fatigue and dyspnea. Besides cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction, skeletal muscle abnormalities can also be involved in the reduced physical capacity. Atrophy is a commonly found skeletal muscle alteration. Myostatin/follistatin pathway has an important role in skeletal muscle mass maintenance with myostatin being negatively correlated with muscle mass. In myocardium, myostatin levels increase during chronic overload and can contribute to the decreased peripheral muscle mass. Physical exercise has an important role in heart failure treatment. However, mechanisms involved in exercise-induced improvement of physical capacity are not completely understood. In this study, we hypothesized that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with heart failure present myostatin/follistatin pathway change in skeletal and cardiac muscle, which can be modulated by prolonged physical training. The aims of this study are: 1) to evaluate whether skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with changes in the myostatin/follistatin intracelular pathway in SHR with heart failure; 2) to determine whether aerobic physical training attenuates muscle atrophy and/or modulates mostatin/follistatin expression in soleus and gastrocnemius muscles; e 3) to evaluate myocardial myostatin/follistatin levels and to determine whether training attenuates cardiac remodeling and possible achanges in the myostatin/follistatin pathway. Methods: Male sixteen-month-old normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR were assigned to four groups: 1) control (WKYSed, n=20); 2) exercised control (WKY-Ex, n=20); 3) heart failure (SHR-Sed, n=25); and 4) exercised heart failure (SHR-Ex, n=25). Exercised groups were subjected to a treadmill exercise protocol, five days a week, for four months. Transthoracic echocardiogram was performed before and after ... / Mestre

Orientador: Manoel Barros Bértolo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T22:39:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mendonca_JoseAlexandre_D.pdf: 2535796 bytes, checksum: 374639057a45bad9800020693b3bc4de (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar sinovite pelo ultrassom (US) articular em pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR) inicial e correlacionar com os dados clínicos, radiográficos e laboratoriais. Pacientes e Métodos: Este estudo avaliou 832 articulações de 32 pacientes (24 mulheres e 8 homens) com AR inicial selecionados no período de 2008 a 2010 do ambulatório de artrite da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, caracterizado por 20 (62.5%) caucasóides e 12 (37.5%) não caucasóides; um tempo médio de doença de 13 meses, com média de idade de 42 anos. Nesta amostra foram detectadas, pelas escalas semiquantitativas cinza (SG) e pelo power Doppler (PD), 173 articulações com sinovite de grau 0 a 3. Foi usado um ultrassom GE LOGIQ XP-linear de alta frequência (8-10 MHz). Todas as mãos foram radiografadas e analisadas pelo score de Larsen com variação de grau entre 0 a V. Resultados: Este estudo evidenciou correlações significativas e positivas entre os dados ultrassonográficos, clínicos e laboratoriais: SGUS e PDUS do punho D e PCR (r=0.41 a 0.42), SGUS do 3ªMTF D, 4ªMTF D com o HAQ - DI (r=0.37 a 0.38), SGUS do 4ªMTF E e o PCR (r=0.42), SGUS do 2ªMTF D e o FR (r=0.40), SGUS-Score 7mod com o DAS28 (PCR) (r=0.38) e o PDUS-Score 7mod com o PCR (r=0.39). Houve correlações significativas negativas com o SGUS 2ªMTCF D com a dose e o tempo de uso MTX (r=-0.36 a -0.37). O PCR nesta amostra pode ser considerado um indicador de atividade inflamatória quando existe sinovite detectada pelo US. Conclusão: A utilização do US mostrou ser uma importante ferramenta na avaliação de AR inicial e dá um suporte mais seguro no diagnóstico para iniciativas terapêuticas mais precisas e seletivas / Abstract: This study evaluated 832 joints of 32 patients (24 women and 8 men) with early RA enrolled for the period 2008 to 2010 of the arthritis clinic of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), characterized by 20 (62.5%) Caucasians, 12 (37.5%) non-Caucasians, an average disease was 13 months, with a mean age of 42 years. This sample was detected by semi-quantitative gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) 173 joints with synovitis of degree 0 to 3. It was used a GE LOGIQ XP-linear ultrasound and high frequency (8-10 MHz) transducer. All hands were X-rayed and analyzed by the Larsen score, with grades ranging from 0 to V. This study showed positive and significant correlation between sonographic, clinical and laboratory data: GSUS/PDUS of right wrist and CRP (r = 0.41 to 0.42), GSUS of the right 3ºMTP, GSUS of the right 4ºMTP and HAQ - DI (r = 0.37 to 0.38), GSUS of the left 4ºMTP and CRP (r = 0.42), GSUS of the right 2ºMTP and FR (r = 0.40), GSUS 7mod-score with the DAS28 (CRP) (r = 0.38) and PDUS 7mod-Score to CRP (r = 0.39). There was a significant negative correlation with the right 2ºMCP with dose and duration of MTX use (r = -0.36 to -0.37). The CRP in this sample can be considered an indicator of inflammatory activity, when analyzed separately or with all the joints committed. Using the US was an important tool in the evaluation of RA and gives a more secure support for initiatives in the diagnosis and treatment more precise and selective / Doutorado / Clinica Medica / Doutor em Clínica Médica

Nous avons étudié l’impact de contraintes mécaniques contrastées sur la structure des pattes de canard (Anas platyrhynchos) pour comprendre l’influence de l’environnement sur la variabilité phénotypique. Des canards ont été élevés sous quatre conditions expérimentales: 1/ marche restreinte, 2/ marche libre 3/marche augmentée 4/ marche et nage. Les vingt-huit muscles et les trois os longs de la patte de ces oiseaux ont été mesurés. Une comparaison a été faite entre les appareils locomoteurs des canards des cailles et des pies pour établir un lien entre les types de marche et la morphologie des pattes. Les résultats montrent que les muscles sont principalement affectés par une restriction de mouvement, alors que les os sont principalement touchés par une augmentation de l’exercice. Les variations de forme des os touchent principalement le genou. Cette articulation est aussi celle qui montre la plus de variabilité au cours de la locomotion des différentes espèces comparées. / We investigated the impact of contrasting mechanical constrains on duck leg structure (Anas platyrhynchos) to understand the influence of the environment on phenotypic variability. Ducks were raised under four experimental conditions: 1/ restricted walking, 2/ free walking 3/ increased walking 4/ walking and swimming. The twenty-eight muscles and three long bones of the leg of these birds were measured. A comparison was made between locomotive devices of quail, ducks and magpies to establish a link between the types of walking and the morphology of the legs. The results show that the muscles are mainly affected by a restriction of movement, while the bones are mainly affected by an increase in exercise. The variations in the shape of the bones mainly affect the knee. This joint is also the one that shows the most variability during the locomotion of the different compared species.