The incidence of muscle spasticity is high in patients with diseases of the central nervous system. This condition leads to significant limitations in movement and impaired functional capacities. Muscle spasticity manifests as changes in the mechanical properties of the muscles. This muscle disorder is generally assessed using qualitative methods, whose validity, reliability and sensitivity are questionable. In recent years, ultrasound elastography (USE) has been used as a non-invasive technique for characterizing the stress response and mechanical properties of individual muscles in the evaluation of spasticity. This article presents a systematic review of the USE techniques, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) declaration guidelines, used for the evaluation of muscle stiffness caused by spasticity. The articles selected in this study were evaluated using the Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) tool. Mainly, studies on the assessment of spasticity involving the evaluation of muscle stiffness with USE techniques (i.e., shear-wave elastography [SWE] or compression elastography [CE]) were selected. Then, common topics related to the assessment of spastic muscles and the statistical results of these studies were classified. Of 21 articles, nine used only CE, 10 used only SWE and two used both techniques. In the studies, statistically significant differences were observed in the measurements of muscle stiffness between the paretic and non-paretic sides as well as between patients and healthy patients. The clinical measurements obtained, devices used and assessment and probe positions for both techniques were discussed. The most frequently studied muscles were the biceps (n = 7) and gastrocnemius (n = 11). On applying the QAREL tool, we found that only two studies showed compliance at 80%À90%, seven studies at 50%À70% and the remaining 12 at 10%À40%. The results showed that USE techniques have limitations in spasticity assessment, such as subjectivity because of the lack of standardized protocols. A deficit of studies on intra-operator and inter-operator measurements indicates that this technique is not yet mature for spasticity diagnosis, although it is a promising diagnostic tool for designing treatment plans and monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic modalities.

Introduction/Objective: The evaluation of lifestyle in older adults and the study of socioeconomic determinants becomes an essential indicator of the health conditions of older adults. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between socioeconomic factors and healthy lifestyles in older adults. Methods: Study with a quantitative approach, descriptive type, non-experimental design, cross-sectional in a sample of 407 elderlies who have applied a self-designed instrument for socioeconomic characterization and the FANTASTIC test to assess lifestyle. For data analysis, a bivariate analysis was applied using chi2 and multivariate analysis using ordinal logistic regression. Results: 53% of elderlies aged between 60 and 70 years reported their lifestyle as excellent and very good. Age, average household income, and perceived health status are associated with healthy lifestyles in older adults. Conclusions: This study found that in addition to socioeconomic determinants, self-perceived health is a factor that influences the lifestyles of this population.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the countries announced the temporary closure of schools, opting to continue classes virtually, affecting children’s lifestyles, primarily by reducing the practice of physical activity and sport, which becomes a risk factor for the development of obesity and overweight. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of physical exercise on body composition in a sample of school-age children during confinement by COVID-19. A quantitative approach study and quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test. The sample consisted of 70 school-age children from 8 to 12 years old who were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the experimental group (GE: 35), who received an aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise program 3 times a day. With a duration of 60 minutes for 10 weeks in a virtual way and a control group (CG: 35) that received only the physical education class. Although the pre-test post measurements showed favorable changes in body composition, weight, and conditional capacities (speed and jumping), these were not statistically significant ( P < .05). A structured physical exercise program through virtuality for schoolchildren can be a strategy to control overweight and obesity in children during confinement and improve their conditional physical capacities (speed, jumping).

La obesidad infantil es una enfermedad de prevalencia creciente e incontrolad a nivel mundial; el presente artículo describe los resultados de la investigación cuyo objetivo fue determinar la relación de sobrepeso y obesidad con nivel de actividad física, condición física, perfil psicomotor y rendimiento académico en escolares de 8 a 12 años de la ciudad de Popayán. Estudio cuantitativo, no experimental, correlacional, transversal; 800 escolares participaron para la determinación de la prevalencia. A los menores identificados con un IMC> al percentil 85 se les aplicó la encuesta sociodemográfica, Cuestionario INTA, Test de marcha de 6 minutos, Escala de Borg modificada y Batería Da Fonseca. Contrario a las altas cifras actuales a nivel nacional e internacional la prevalencia simple encontrada fue baja: 7,25% para sobrepeso y 0,88 para obesidad. El 24,88% de las niñas a pesar de no estar obesas presentan riesgo relativo entre moderado (14,13%) y alto (10,75%) a presentar comorbilidades. Los escolares dedican alrededor de 4 horas diarias a actividades sedentarias y muy pocas horas semanales (2) a realizar ejercicio físico. Se encontró correlación significativa a nivel 0,001 (bilateral) positiva entre la distancia caminada (T6min) con el peso del menor (r=,15; p=0,001), el IMC (r=,456; p= 0,000) y con el subfactor praxia global del perfil psicomotor (r=0,296; p= 0,001). No se encontraron correlaciones significativas del IMC con otras variables como Nivel de actividad física (INTA) y rendimiento académico. Se considera como problemática emergente que el 51,5% de los escolares presentaron bajo peso. Se complementará el estudio con un grupo control.

El presente estudio de alcance descriptivo-correlacional, realizado bajo un diseño no experimental. Su objetivo fue identificar los estilos de vida de estudiantes y docentes universitarios de la ciudad de Popayán. Para lo anterior, se aplicó el Cuestionario de perfil de estilos de vida PEPS-I. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el software SPSS V.23.0, se aplicó estadística descriptiva y correlacional por medio de la prueba de Chi Cuadrado de Pearson y Rho Spearman. Entre los resultados más importantes, se destaca que el 74.2% de la población tiene hábitos personales suficientes y que las dimensiones de nutrición y ejercicio son las más inadecuadas en la población; también que hay un asociación estadísticamente significativa entre las dimensiones que evalúan los estilos de vida saludable. Los hallazgos permiten concluir que los estilos de vida de los docentes y estudiantes universitarios se deben potencializar, principalmente con programas que permitan una educación sobre nutrición y responsabilidad en salud, además del fomento en la realización de actividad física.  Abstract. This descriptive and correlational study was carried out with, a non-experimental design. Its main objective was to identify the lifestyles of students and university teachers in the city of Popayán. Therefore, the PEPS-I Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire was applied. SPSS V.23.0 software was used for statistical analysis, descriptive and correlative statistics were applied through Pearson's Chi Cuadrado’s test and y Rho Spearman. Among the most important results, it is highlighted that 74.2% of the population has sufficient personal habits and that the dimensions of nutrition and exercise are the most inadequate in the population; also that there is a statistically significant association between the dimensions that evaluate healthy lifestyles. The findings conclude that the lifestyles of teachers and university students should be potentialized, mainly with programs that allow education on nutrition and health responsibility, in addition to promoting physical activity.