Aims: The principal aims of this research were 1) to extend existing knowledge of the everyday sit-to-walk (STW) transfer in subjects with stroke and in matched controls by exploring temporal, kinematic, and kinetic aspects, and 2) to investigate the relations between some clinical and laboratory measures of postural control and locomotion in stroke rehabilitation and research. Methods: Ten community-living subjects with stroke (mean age 59 years) and ten matched controls were enrolled in the STW studies (Studies I, II, and IV). In the study regarding relations between clinical and laboratory measures the same samples (part of Study II) and also 20 outpatient subjects with stroke (mean age 50 years) participated (Study III). Data collections were performed in laboratory environments with clinical assessment instruments, video cameras, force plates and a movement analysis system. Results: 1) Study I: A temporal aspect of STW was studied. Four phases were defined. The subjects with stroke used significantly more time during the 2nd STW phase, defined from seat-off to the loading peak of the 1st swing leg. Study II: A movement aspect of STW was investigated. The stroke subjects generated significantly less centre of mass momenta in horizontal and vertical directions, and the momenta peaks occurred significantly earlier than in the controls. Study IV: A force aspect of STW was explored. The subjects with stroke generated significantly larger propulsive impulse beneath the (non-paretic) stance buttock and significantly more braking impulses were exerted by both buttocks and particularly by the stance foot. 2) Part of Study II: A strong correlation was found between the clinical measure Fluidity Scale and the laboratory measure Fluidity Index. Study III: Moderate correlations were shown between Berg Balance Scale, ratings of weight distribution during quiet stance, and force measures. Conclusions: The findings of the STW studies show a changed force interaction between the lower extremities post-stroke, likely influencing movement patterns and temporal characteristics of the everyday transfer. The results are considered to reflect compensatory motor strategies. The results of the studies on relations between some clinical and laboratory measures indicate that the strength of the relation is multidimensional.

Orientador: Lilian Teresa Bucken Gobbi / Resumo: O treinamento resistido tem sido estudado no contexto do envelhecimento e da doença de Parkinson, mas há falta de exploração das características deste tipo de treinamento que contribuem na melhora da locomoção e da funcionalidade. A pergunta central desta tese é: Quais características do treinamento resistido no contexto do envelhecimento saudável e da doença de Parkinson permitem potenciar seus efeitos no desempenho locomotor? Para responder este questionamento foram desenvolvidos dois estudos. ESTUDO 1. Novos modelos de periodização do treinamento, como a periodização ondulatória e a periodização inversa, têm sido desenvolvidos, mas não há evidências sobre as vantagens da periodização ondulatória quando comparada com a periodização linear em idosos. Por outro lado, a periodização inversa não tem sido testada em idosos. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar os efeitos de dois treinamentos de força com periodizações diferentes na locomoção de idosos saudáveis. Participaram 69 idosos (70,23±6,81 anos, 72,58±5,51 Kg, 162,26±5,92 cm), cognitivamente preservados (27,40±1,20 pontos Mini-Exame de Estado Mental) e fisicamente ativos (12,64±3,15 pontos Baecke). A amostra foi distribuída em três grupos, grupo de treinamento de força com periodização inversa ondulatória (GPIO n=25), grupo de treinamento de força com periodização linear (GPL n=25) e grupo controle (GC n=19). Foram realizadas 20 semanas de treinamento resistido, 2 dias na semana, mais 1 dia de treinamento loc... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Resistance training has been studied in the context of aging and Parkinson's disease, but there is a lack of exploration of the characteristics of this type of training that contribute to the improvement of locomotion and functionality. The central question of this thesis is: What characteristics of resistance training in the context of healthy aging and Parkinson's disease allow to enhance its effects on locomotor performance? To answer this question two studies were developed. STUDY 1. New models of training periodization, such as undulating periodization and inverse periodization, have been developed, but there is no evidence about the advantages of wave periodization compared to linear periodization in the elderly. On the other hand, inverse periodization has not been tested in the elderly. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of two strength training with different periodizations on the mobility of healthy elderly. Participants were 69 elderly (70.23 ± 6.81 years, 72.58 ± 5.51 Kg, 162.26 ± 5.92 cm), cognitively preserved (27.40 ± 1.20 points Mini Mental State Examination) and physically active (12.64 ± 3.15 Baecke points). The sample was divided into three groups, strength training group with inverse undulating periodization (IUPG n = 25), force training group with linear periodization (LPG n = 25) and control group (CG n = 19). We performed 20 weeks of resistance training, 2 days a week, plus 1 day of locomotor training. GPIO performed a decreas... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor