The aim of this study was to evaluate the process of bone repair in rats submitted to low-level laser therapy using optical densitometry. A total of 45 rats which underwent femoral osteotomy were randomly distributed into three groups: control (group I) and laser-treated groups using wavelengths in the red (λ, 660-690 nm) and in the infrared (λ, 790-830 nm) spectra (group II and group III, respectively). The animals (five per group) were killed after 7, 14, and 21 days and the femurs were removed for optical densitometry analysis. Optical density showed a significant increase in the degree of mineralization (gray level) in both groups treated with the laser after 7 days. After 14 days, only the group treated with laser therapy in the infrared spectrum showed higher bone density. No differences were observed between groups after 21 days. Such results suggest the positive effect of low-level laser therapy in bone repair is time- and wavelength-dependent. In addition, our results have confirmed that optical densitometry technique can measure bone mineralization status.

A melhoria das condições de saúde e a crescente expectativa de vida permitiram o crescimento da população de idosos, tanto em números absolutos quanto relativos. Essa situação, de dimensão mundial e de natureza sem precedentes, é considerada como um sinal de desenvolvimento social e uma conquista para a saúde pública mundial (LIMA-COSTA, 2003). Paradoxalmente, o idoso ao ponderar sobre a própria existência, conclui que alcançou muitas metas, mas também sofreu muitas perdas, das quais a saúde destaca-se como um dos aspectos mais afetados (MENDES et al., 2005).Nesse sentido, é fundamental que o idoso possa ser amparado e assistido com estratégias de promoção e prevenção de saúde oferecida pela sociedade. Tais estratégias não devem somente enfatizar a questão de assistência médica e de acesso a medicamentos, mas também, a busca pelo estilo de vida saudável Motriz, Rio Claro, v.19 n.2, p.532-540, abr./jun. 2013 Relato Training experience with Nintendo Wii on functionality, balance and quality of life in elderlyAbstract: The aim of this case report was to assess the functionality, balance and quality of life of two noninstitutionalized elderly submitted to a training protocol in Virtual Reality. The training protocol consisted of nine sessions with 50 minutes of duration, and three times a week. Games of Wii Fit software and the Balance Board of Nintendo Wii were used for training protocol. The guidelines of health agencies, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), were used to design the training program. The assessment of functionality was performed with Tasks of Physical Fitness for elderly; balance was assessed by Berg scale and quality of life was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. The results indicated improvements in the absolute values of variables assessed. It may be concluded that the Nintendo Wii is a potential tool for training program to improve functional independence of elderly. We hope that this study stimulates researchers to continue investigating the use of Nintendo Wii as an assistive tool for the elderly.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the acute cardiovascular responses during a session of Zumba® Fitness in a virtual reality environment. [Subjects] Eighteen healthy volunteers were recruited. [Methods] The following cardiovascular variables: heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and double product were assessed before and after the practice of virtual Zumba®, which was performed as a continuous sequence of five choreographed movements lasting for 22 min. The game Zumba Fitness Core®, with the Kinect-based virtual reality system for the XBOX 360, was used to create the virtual environment. Comparisons were made among mean delta values (delta=post-Zumba® minus pre-Zumba® values) for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and double product using Student’s t-test for paired samples. [Results] After a single session, a significant increase was noted in all the analyzed parameters (Systolic blood pressure=18%; Diastolic blood pressure=13%; Heart rate=67%; and Double product=97%). [Conclusion] The results support the feasibility of the use of Zumba Fitness Core® with the Kinect-based virtual reality system for the XBOX 360 in physical activity programs and further favor its indication for this purpose.