Introduction: spinal muscular atrophy patients present muscle weakness, orthopedic problems, nutritional complications and respiratory impairment. Lean mass and fat mass modifications are also expected in this population. Objective: to verify the body composition and chest expansion of type II and III spinal muscular atrophy patients. Methods: fourteen individuals were evaluated: seven patients in Group I of 9 (7-12) years of age, weighing 29.7 (23.5-60.0) kg; and seven children without the disease in Group II of 9 (9-12) years, weighing 31.0 (27.8-54.1) kg. Patients' monofrequency bioelectrical impedance was used for analyze body composition. Chest, hip and abdominal girths were measured by a flexible steel tape. The SPSS program was used to statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Results: patients presented higher impedance: 1416.9 (850.5-1559.1) vs 788.0 (683.6-853.8), P < 0.05; and fat percentage: 31.2 (23.9-46.6) vs 19.1 (14.9-27.0)%, P < 0.05. The difference between forced inspiration and forced expiration thorax girth was smaller for patients when comparing to Group II: 3.0 (0.8-4.4) vs. 5.0 (3.9-6.5) cm, P<0.05. Conclusions: patients with spinal muscular atrophy presented higher adiposity and lower chest expansion.

-The aim of this study was to test whether quiet stance body sway is associated with ankle and knee joint angles in elderly women. Joint angles were measured using a manual goniometer and body sway was assessed using a force platform and four postural tasks with a combination of feet positions and eye condition. The sample (N = 58) showed the following angle values: 102 (100-104) for the tibiotarsal joint, 176 (174-180) for the subtalar joint, 184 (181-187) for knee flexion-extension, and 13 (10-15) for the Q-angle. Q-angle was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with center of foot pressure (CP) displacement area (r = 0.36), anteroposterior (SDy, r = 0.34) and lateral (SDx, r = 0.31) CP standard deviation, and anteroposterior CP range (r = 0.38) during the closed base, eyes opened trial (CBEO). The valgus group showed statistically higher values than the normal and varus groups for SDy (0.56 vs. 0.52 and 0.46 mm; p = 0.02), SDx (0.55 vs. 0.49 and 0.36 mm; p = 0.02) and anteroposterior range (3.32 vs. 2.78 and 2.38 mm; p = 0.01), CBEO. The displacement velocity of the CP was significantly higher for the asymmetric than the symmetric Q-angle group (8.0 vs. 5.3 mm/s -closed base, eyes closed trial). Knee alignment was correlated with measures of body sway in elderly women, but ankle alignment showed no correlation. Knee morphology should be considered an associated factor for quiet stance postural control. Key words: Aging; Ankle joint; Genu valgus; Genu varus; Knee joint; Postural balance. (SDy, r = 0,34) e lateral (SDx, r = 0,31) SDy (0,56 vs. 0,52 and 0,46 mm; p = 0,02), SDx (0,55 vs. 0,49 and 0,36 mm; p = 0,02) e amplitude anteroposterior (3,32 vs. 2,78 and 2,38 mm; p = 0,01) Resumo -O objetivo do estudo foi verificar se a oscilação corporal na postura quieta está associada aos ângulos articulares de tornozelo e joelho em idosas. Os ângulos foram medidos por um goniômetro manual e a oscilação corporal foi obtida por uma plataforma de força em quatro situações (combinando posição dos pés e condição visual). A amostra (N = 58) apresentou os seguintes valores angulares: 102 (100-104) para o tibiotársico, 176 (174-180) para o subtalar, 184 (181-187) para flexão-extensão de joelho e 13 (10-15) para ângulo Q. O ângulo Q se correlacionou significativamente (p < 0,05) com a área do deslocamento do centro de pressão dos pés (CP) (r = 0,36); com o desvio padrão anteroposterior do CP; e com a amplitude anteroposterior do CP (r = 0,38), durante a condição de base fechada, olhos abertos (BFOA). O grupo valgo, quando comparado aos grupos normal e varo, apresentou valores estatisticamente maiores de