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Background/Objectives: This study investigated the behavior of postural adjustments throughout the entire action: from the preparatory phase (anticipatory postural adjustment, APA), the focal movement phase (online postural adjustments, OPA), to the compensatory phase (compensatory postural adjustment, CPA) while raising the arms in a standing position, both with eyes opened and closed. The goal was to analyze the effects of reduced sensorial information and different heights on postural muscle activity during these three phases. Methods: Eight young women performed rapid shoulder flexion while standing on the ground and on a 1-m elevated platform. The EMG activity of the trunk and lower limb muscles was recorded during all three phases. Results: Although average muscle activity was similar on the ground and the elevated platform, the pattern of postural muscle activation varied across the motor action. During OPA, all postural muscle activity was the highest, while it was the lowest during APA. On the elevated platform postural muscles have increased their activation during APA. In the most stable condition (standing on the ground with eyes opened), muscle activity showed a negative correlation between APA and OPA, but there was no correlation between OPA and CPA. Conclusions: Our results suggest postural control adapts to sensory, motor, and cognitive conditions. Therefore, the increased demand for postural control due to the height of the support base demands greater flexibility in postural synergies and alters muscle activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and impaired motor performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during virtual reality (VR) tasks on the motor performance of women with FM. Methods: Participants were divided into two groups: Group A received active tDCS for 10 days followed by sham tDCS for 10 days, while Group B received the opposite sequence. Both groups performed VR tasks using MoveHero software (v. 2.4) during the tDCS sessions. Motor performance was assessed by the number of hits (movement with correct timing to reach the targets) and absolute (accuracy measure) and variable (precision measure) errors during VR tasks. Participants were 21 women, aged 30–50 years, and diagnosed with FM. Results: Group A, which received active tDCS first, presented significant improvements in motor performance (number of hits and absolute and variable errors). The benefits of active tDCS persisted into the sham phase, suggesting a lasting neuroplastic effect. Conclusions: tDCS during VR tasks significantly improved motor performance in women with FM, particularly in complex, extensive movements. These findings indicate that tDCS enhances neuroplasticity, leading to sustained motor improvements, making it a promising therapeutic tool in FM rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with unknown etiology, resulting in various impairments that necessitate continuous rehabilitation to enhance functionality, quality of life, and motor function, including through Virtual Reality (VR) therapy. Comparing tasks in virtual environments and their potential skill transfer to real-world settings could aid in optimizing treatment programs to improve motor performance in individuals with MS. This study aimed to determine whether practicing acquisition and retention phases using two distinct interfaces (concrete—Touch Screen or abstract—Kinect system) affects performance in a subsequent task using a different interface (transfer phase). A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 56 volunteers with MS and 41 controls. Participants engaged in a computer game where they burst as many bubbles as possible within 10 s per attempt. After the acquisition and retention phases, all participants switched interfaces (e.g., those using Kinect switched to Touchscreen and vice versa). Significant performance improvements were observed in both groups during the acquisition phase, which were maintained in the retention phase. Although the abstract interface was more challenging for both groups, only the MS group that practiced with the abstract interface successfully transferred their improvements to the concrete interface. Thus, despite the increased difficulty of the abstract task during practice, it led to better performance transfer when required to complete a subsequent concrete task, suggesting that abstract devices may be beneficial in clinical practice for improving motor function in people with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 is a new disease that causes severe health problems and is responsible for significant complications even after recovery, including disabilities that lead to motor impairment. In this sense, there is currently no protocol for physical exercises for people with physical disabilities caused by the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to find ways for individuals affected by this condition and experiencing motor difficulties to engage in physical activities, preventing their condition from deteriorating further after COVID-19. Objective: To present evidence that stretching improves strength, respiratory and vascular system function, enabling the return of individuals with physical deficits who are hindered from performing activities of daily living. Methods: This study is a literature review that analyzes the correlation between the benefits of active static stretching in individuals with physical disabilities post-COVID-19. The study collected data through accumulated scientific knowledge in the fields of clinical health and physical activity. The literature search was conducted using digital scientific databases, including SciELO, ScienceDirect, Bireme, and Google Scholar. Results: Muscle stretching is a physical activity that has shown promising benefits for post-COVID patients, however, further research in this field is needed. Conclusion: Through the presented studies, it can be concluded that stretching is a type of exercise that potentially can counterbalance various sequels caused by COVID-19, enabling the affected person to return to their daily routines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease whose prevalence is increasing worldwide. It is characterized by insulin resistance in insulin-dependent tissues (e.g. skeletal muscle, adipose tissue). Despite new evidence that stretching may aid in glycemic control, this form of physical exercise remains underutilized in the therapy of T2DM. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of active static stretching on the glycemia of individuals with T2DM. Methods: Twenty-nine volunteers participated in the study, divided into 3 randomly assigned groups: 30-second stretching group (GA30) with 10 participants; 45-second stretching group (GA45) with 10 participants; control group (CG) with 9 participants. Results: Analysis of the intervention groups versus the control group showed that the intervention groups GA30 and GA45 had a significant milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) reduction in glycemia compared to the control group (control Δ-7.9mg/dl, GA30 Δ12.7mg/dl and GA45 Δ18.5mg/dl >0.001) and between intervention groups (GA30 and control Δ 20.5mg/dl, P 0.002), GA45 and control (Δ 26.4mg/dl, P 0.001). There was no difference between the intervention groups. The results suggest that, regardless of the application time, active static stretching reduces glycemia in individuals with T2DM. In an analysis divided into 4 stages (1st and 2nd weeks, 3rd and 4th weeks, 5th and 6th weeks, and 7th and 8th weeks), the results obtained from the glycemic difference before and after each two weeks were as follows: GA30 pre and post (1st ≠ 17.4 mg/dl, 2nd ≠ 5.8 mg/dl, 3rd ≠ 14.5 mg/dl, and 4th ≠ 8.9 mg/dl), GA45 pre and post (1st ≠ 18.1 mg/dl, 2nd ≠ 17.0 mg/dl, 3rd ≠ 19.2 mg/dl, and 4th ≠ 20.0 mg/dl), and CG pre and post (1st ≠ -10.4 mg/dl, 2nd ≠ -3.7 mg/dl, 3rd ≠ -11.4 mg/dl, and 4th ≠ -11.7 mg/dl). Conclusion: This interaction between the two-factor period (Group and Period) did not have a significant effect. Finally, a descriptive analysis of preand post-intervention glucose behavior showed the variability of glycemia during the period. Thus, active static stretching significantly reduces acute and chronic glycemia in individuals with T2DM compared to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored visual strategies employed by female soccer players of high, medium, and low levels of expertise. We used eye-tracking technology to examine how skill-based differences related to gaze behavior in 30 participants (10 in each group) who were required to respond physically to film images projected on a screen using soccer skills (penalty kick, dribbling, pass reception, and defensive cover). Data were collected from search rate (visual fixations duration and number, and number of fixated areas), percentage of viewing time, and variability of pupil diameter. Analyses revealed that female elite players engaged in more visual fixations, directed gaze toward more relevant areas of the scene, and showed less variability of pupil diameter, compared to their nonelite counterparts. Our findings seem to corroborate prior research which compared participants with different levels of expertise while performing soccer skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fitness environment can be adjusted to better combine with salient personality characteristics. Nevertheless, previous research seems to neglect the personal characteristics of individuals. It would be beneficial if the fitness club environment will be adapted to the personality characteristics of their visitors because these changes could increase adherence to various exercise programs. However, there is a lack of research on individual preferences and predispositions of fitness club members. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess associations between personality traits and physical/social environment preferences of fitness club members. Methods: A total of 613 fitness club members (286 men and 327 women), age (M ± SD) 29.2 ± 10.1 years, answered 15 questions regarding physical and social environment preferences and the short version of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. Results: The path analysis showed that a general personality factor, represented by Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Agreeableness, predicted preferred environment in a fitness club setting, especially concerning to performing new/repeated exercises and social aspects of exercise. Furthermore, Openness and Neuroticism did not correlate to fitness club exercise practice preferences. Conclusions: The study found evidence suggesting that a general personality factor represented by Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness can predict preferred fitness environment regarding the performance of new/repeated exercises and social aspects of the exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate centesimal age (CA) and relative age effect (RAE) in elite male futsal players their date of birth and court-position were accessed through the official FIFA website. The absolute and relative frequency distributions of player births were quantified by quartiles and semesters. The two-way ANOVA and the Chi-Square analysis were applied to check for possible differences. The results showed a mean CA of 27.76 ± 4.11 years with no differences for both playing positions and competitions. In addition, no significant differences were found between quartiles or between semesters. The results suggest that elite male futsal athletes reach optimal competitive performance close to 27 years. Neither playing position nor geographical location may affect RAE, which seems to not affect the competitive performance (ranking) of elite male futsal players. These findings may help practitioners to understand the RAE phenomenon in futsal. In conclusion, being born in the early months of the year appears not to be important to successful performances in futsal. Overall, futsal athletes take about two decades to achieve their best performance. Coaches and researchers should consider the implementation of long-term training strategies (» 20 years) to progressively and effectively develop young futsal players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative, autoimmune, and chronic neurologic pathology. In addition to the symptoms of spasticity, fatigue, muscle weakness, numbness, and urinary incontinence, among others, report of attention performance difficulty is very common. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a method of quantifying disability in people with MS, which is scored from 0 to 10. The higher the scoring, the greater the person's functional disability. Objectives: To verify and analyze the relationship between EDSS scoring and attention performance in people with MS. Methods: A quantitative study was performed with 41 people diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), aged 23-58 (mean [SD] = 42.70 [10.62]) years, 14 men (34.1%) and 27 women (65.9%), with EDSS score from 0 to 6.5 and time of diagnostic between 1 and 26 (mean [SD] = 10.09 [6.67]) years. For evaluation, an interview was conducted to collect data and a battery of neuropsychological attention tests was applied to each patient. The SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: It was observed that 20 patients (48.8%) presented alteration of sustained attention, 29 patients (70.7%) presented alteration of alternating attention, and 27 patients (65.9%) presented alteration of divided attention. There was a negative association between EDSS scoring and sustained attention performance (P < .0001) and alternating attention performance (P = .037). That is, the higher the EDSS scoring, the worse the performance of sustained and alternating attention. There was no significant association between EDSS scoring and divided attention performance (P = .094). Conclusions: It is suggested from the results of this study that the level of disability status may affect sustained and alternating attention performance of people with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]