Introduction: The literature presents different findings about the vibration training efficacy on muscle per- formance, even using protocols with similar parameters. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on strength and quality of life in health elderly people, presenting a meta-analisys. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, SciELO, LILACS and PEDro databases were systematically searched for studies that used WBV in healthy elderly. These searches were supplemented with material identified in references and a qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed to sum- marize the findings. The search was performed by two independent researchers with a third was selected to solve problems of search disagreement, data collection, and quality score. Results: Nine studies with strength outcome and two studies with quality of life outcome were identified, with sample ranging 21 to 220 elderly, all studies had control groups performing exercises or guidelines. Some studies have shown sig- nificant improvements in muscle strength, muscle power, vertical jump height, timed get up and go test and quality of life. Conclusion: The meta-analysis of the findings in these studies shows that WBV could benefit health elderly, increasing muscle strength and improving the quality of life mainly in functional capacity. The number of publications found in the databanks searched is small, with limitations in design of protocols with a weakness to the interpretation of the findings, suggesting the need of investigation with WBV with well-designed protocols and controlled parameters into the effects of WBV training in elderly people.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the diaphragm kinetics, respiratory function, and serum dosage of leptin and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-a) in three clinical groups: obese, asthmatic, and healthy. Methods: This is a clinical exploratory study performed on 73 youths (12-24 years of age, 42.5% male) allocated into three groups: obesity (OG, n=33), body mass index (BMIz-score) = +2, asthmatic (AG, n=26) controlled mild asthmatics, classified by GINA, and Healthy Control Group (CG, n=14). The participants were subjected to diaphragmatic ultrasound, spirometry, maximal respiratory pressure, serum leptin levels, and IL-6 and TNF-a whole blood cell culture levels. Results: Diaphragm thickness was higher in OG in comparison to AG and CG (2.0±0.4 vs 1.7±0.5 and 1.6±0.2, both with p<0.05). Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was significantly lower in OG and AG in relation to the CG (82.8±21.4 and 72.5±21.2 vs 102.8±27.3, both with p<0.05). OG has the highest leptin rate among the groups (with the other two groups had p<0.05). All groups had similar TNF-a and IL-6 levels. Conclusion: The muscular hypertrophy found in the diaphragm of the obese individuals can be justified by the increase in respiratory work imposed by the chronic condition of the disease. Such increase in thickness did not occur in controlled mild asthmatics. The IL-6 and TNF-a markers detected no evidence of muscle inflammation, even though leptin was expected to be altered in obese individuals. Both obese and asthmatic patients had lower pulmonary resistance than the healthy ones.

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida, níveis de satisfação e de atividade física de pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) submetidos a hemodiálise. Metodologia: Quinze pacientes, submetidos a hemodiálise e acompanhados no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, participaram do estudo. Foram coletados informações por meio de um questionário semi-estruturado contendo dados sobre idade e sexo, dados clínicos (presença de comorbidades, doença de base, tempo de terapia dialítica, tipo de acesso e intercorrências presentes como câimbras, enjoos e enxaquecas), e utilizados o questionário Kidney Disease Quality of Life – Short Form (KDQOL), a Patient´s Global Impression of Chance Scale (PGIC) e o International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), para analisar a qualidade de vida, nível de satisfação e nível de atividade física, respectivamente. Os dados obtidos foram transferidos para o programa estatístico SPSS (versão 20) e em seguida realizada a análise descritiva da amostra. Resultados: Foram observados menores escores nos domínios da ‘sua saúde’, ‘sua doença renal’ e ‘efeitos da doença renal’ do KDQOL. Foi observado que 46,6% dos participantes pontuaram sua percepção de melhora e de satisfação com a hemodiálise como muito melhor, e 40% como melhor. Em relação ao IPAQ, a maioria dos participantes foi classificada como irregularmente ativos (46,6%). Em relação ao PGIC, 86,6% consideraram-se ‘melhor’ e ‘muito melhor’. Conclusão: Embora tenha sido observada queda na qualidade de vida, e a maior parte dos pacientes apresentaram redução no nível de atividade física, a maior parte deles consideraram-se satisfeitos com o programa de hemodiálise.

The purpose was. to evaluate diaphragmatic mechanics and morphometry using ultrasound in children with cerebral palsy (CP) compared to typically developing controls. By quantifying parameters such as excursion, contraction/relaxation velocity, and thickness, we aimed to distinguish primary respiratory muscle impairment from anthropometric and clinical confounders to inform targeted management. This comparative cross-sectional study included 102 participants: 51 children with spastic CP (GMFCS levels I–V) and 51 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Diaphragmatic ultrasound was used to assess excursion, thickness and contraction/relaxation velocity. Multivariate linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex, and weight, as well as clinical confounders (medication use, prior surgeries, and history of pulmonary disease), were applied to determine independent associations with CP. In the unadjusted analysis, children with CP showed significantly reduced expiratory excursion ( p = 0.00) and shorter respiratory times ( p = 0.00) than controls, together with greater inspiratory thickness ( p = 0.03) and contraction velocity ( p = 0.01). After adjustment for demographic, anthropometric, and clinical confounders, the inspiratory differences were no longer significant, indicating that they reflected body size–related effects. In contrast, reduced expiratory excursion ( p = 0.03) and shorter expiratory time ( p = 0.01) remained independently associated with CP, particularly in nonambulatory participants (GMFCS IV–V). Conclusion : Most observed differences in diaphragmatic mechanics and morphometry in children with CP are attributable to lower weight and related confounders. However, the persistent reduction in expiratory excursion and expiratory time, independent of anthropometric and clinical confounders, identifies the expiratory phase as a critical and distinct marker of respiratory impairment in children with CP. Clinical interpretation of diaphragmatic ultrasound in this population requires rigorous adjustment to avoid diagnostic misinterpretation. What is Known: • Respiratory dysfunction is a major contributor to morbidity in children with cerebral palsy (CP), driven by neuromuscular impairment and altered chest wall mechanics. • Diaphragm ultrasound is a reliable, noninvasive tool for assessing respiratory muscle function, although its application in children with CP remains limited. What is New: • After adjustment for demographic, anthropometric, and clinical confounders, most diaphragmatic parameters were not independently associated with CP. • Expiratory dysfunction (characterized by reduced expiratory excursion and shortened expiratory time) emerged as a distinct feature, suggesting that impaired abdominal muscle function may represent a previously underrecognized mechanism of respiratory dysfunction in children with CP.