Percorrer por autor "Freitas, Sandro R."
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- Calculating sample entropy from isometric torque signals : methodological considerations and recommendationsPublication . Raffalt, Peter C.; Yentes, Jennifer M.; Freitas, Sandro R.; Vaz, João R.We investigated the effect of different sampling frequencies, input parameters and observation times for sample entropy (SaEn) calculated on torque data recorded from a submaximal isometric contraction. Forty-six participants performed sustained isometric knee flexion at 20% of their maximal contraction level and torque data was sampled at 1,000 Hz for 180 s. Power spectral analysis was used to determine the appropriate sampling frequency. The time series were downsampled to 750, 500, 250, 100, 50, and 25 Hz to investigate the effect of different sampling frequency. Relative parameter consistency was investigated using combinations of vector lengths of two and three and tolerance limits of 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, and 0.4, and data lengths between 500 and 18,000 data points. The effect of different observations times was evaluated using Bland-Altman plot for observations times between 5 and 90 s. SaEn increased at sampling frequencies below 100 Hz and was unaltered above 250 Hz. In agreement with the power spectral analysis, this advocates for a sampling frequency between 100 and 250 Hz. Relative consistency was observed across the tested parameters and at least 30 s of observation time was required for a valid calculation of SaEn from torque data.
- Changes in hamstrings’ active stiffness during fatigue tasks are modulated by contraction duration rather than intensityPublication . Martínez-Serrano, Antonio; Radaelli, Régis; Freitas, Tomás T.; Alcaraz, Pedro E.; Freitas, Sandro R.Despite the increase in research of hamstring stiffness through the use of ultrasound-based shear wave elastography, the active stiffness of biceps femoris long head (BFlh) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles under fatigue conditions at various contraction intensities has not been sufficiently explored. This study aimed to compare the effects of knee flexor’s isometric contraction until exhaustion performed at 20% vs. 40% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), on the active stiffness responses of BFlh and ST. Eighteen recreationally active males performed two experimental sessions. The knee flexors’ MVIC was assessed before the fatiguing task, which involved a submaximal isometric contraction until failure at 20% or 40% of MVIC. Active muscle stiffness of the BFlh and ST was assessed using shear wave elastography. BFlh active stiffness remained relatively unaltered at 20% of MVIC, while ST active stiffness decreased from ≅ 91% contraction time (55.79 to 44.52 kPa; p < 0.001). No intramuscular stiffness changes were noted in BFlh (36.02 to 41.36 kPa; p > 0.05) or ST (63.62 to 53.54 kPa; p > 0.05) at 40% of MVIC session. Intermuscular active stiffness at 20% of MVIC differed until 64% contraction time (p < 0.05) whereas, at 40% of MVIC, differences were observed until 33% contraction time (p < 0.05). BFlh/ST ratios were not different between intensities (20%=0.75 ± 0.24 ratio vs. 40%=0.72 ± 0.32 ratio; p > 0.05), but a steeper increase in BFlh/ST ratio was found for 20% (0.004 ± 0.003 ratio/%) compared to 40% (0.001 ± 0.003 ratio/%) of MVIC (p = 0.003). These results suggest that contraction duration could play a major role in inducing changes in hamstrings’ mechanical properties during fatigue tasks compared to contraction intensity.
- Hamstring stiffness and strength responses to repeated sprints in healthy nonathletes and soccer players with versus without previous injuryPublication . Freitas, Sandro R.; Radaelli, Régis; Vaz, João R.; Oliveira, RaúlBackground: The effect of 10 × 30 m repeated sprints on passive and active stiffness of semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris long head (BFlh), and knee flexor maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and rate of force development (RFD), and whether athletes with previous hamstring injury have a different response, is unknown. Hypothesis: Repeated sprints would (1) increase BFlh stiffness and decrease ST stiffness and knee flexors MVIC and RFD in healthy participants; and (2) greater magnitude of response would be seen in athletes with previous hamstring injury. Study Design: Case series (experiment I) and case control (experiment II) study designs. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Healthy nonathletes attended 2 replicated sessions (experiment I, n = 18), while soccer players with (n = 38) and without (n = 67) previous hamstring injury attended 1 testing session (experiment II). Results: In both experiments, the knee flexors MVIC and RFD decreased after the sprints (P < 0.05). In experiment I, the ST and BFlh passive stiffness reduced after the sprints (P < 0.02), while a small BFlh active stiffness increase was noted (P = 0.02); however, no correlation was observed between the 2 testing sessions for the postsprint muscle stiffness responses (r = -0.07-0.44; P > 0.07). In experiment II, only an ST passive stiffness reduction was observed after the sprints (P < 0.01). No differences were noted between injured and noninjured lower limbs for any variable (P > 0.10). Conclusion: Repeated sprints are likely to decrease the knee flexor’s maximal and rapid strength, and to alter the hamstring stiffness in the nonathlete population. Previous hamstring injury does not apparently affect the footballer’s hamstring functional and mechanical responses to repeated sprints. Clinical Relevance: The responses of hamstring stiffness and knee flexor strength to repeated sprints are unlikely to be associated with hamstring injury.
- Movement rate and brain-muscle coupling in male footballers with and without hamstring injury historyPublication . Correia, José Pedro; Grilo, Hugo; Witvrouw, Erik; Vaz, João R.; Freitas, Sandro R.Background: High-speed actions constitute an important mechanism of hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) in football. These actions have a strong supraspinal base, and changes in brain activity have been noted in other musculoskeletal injuries; however, there is a lack of information about changes in brain-muscle coupling in footballers with HSI history. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether movement speed and brain-muscle activity differ between players with and without HSI history during a high-speed knee movement task. Hypothesis: Footballers with previous HSI will show decreased knee movement rate and associated neurophysiological inhibition. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 108 male footballers (39 with HSI history) performed a maximum-speed knee flexion-extension task over eight 10-second blocks. During this task, brain and muscle activity of knee flexors and extensors were recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), respectively, and the movement rate was measured. Results: Footballers with HSI history moved at a higher rate in the first half of the task. This was accompanied by higher theta and decreasing alpha EEG activity, lower rectus femoris and biceps femoris activity, and less flexor-extensor co-contraction. Conversely, there were no differences in corticomuscular coherence (CMC) between groups, but the biceps femoris showed a significantly lower CMC than all other muscles. Conclusion: The task was able to differentiate players with and without HSI history; in addition, those with previous HSI showed EEG activity patterns associated with increased task load and use of attentional resources for sensorimotor integration. EMG findings indicated players with HSI history were able to perform better despite showing overall reduced activity, especially in the rectus femoris and biceps femoris. Clinical Relevance: Neurocognitive factors may be involved in HSIs and persist even after rehabilitation, suggesting the relevance of including these factors in rehabilitation.