OBJECTIVE: Exercise has been strongly promoted for the prevention of the major diseases of aging in women, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. However, conflicting data exist as to whether exercise benefits joint health and thus helps protect against degenerative processes such as knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study ...

OBJECTIVE: To improve the reproducibility of testing hip abduction and adduction using an isokinetic dynamometer by a novel testing protocol. DESIGN: Test-retest design. SETTING: Biodynamics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen healthy subjects (9 men, 6 women; age, 22.4+/-0.5 y) were recruited. INTERVENTIONS: Two setups were compared: the first according to manufacturer's guidelines ...

BACKGROUND: Changes in activation patterns of hip extensors and pelvic stabilizing muscles are recognized as factors that cause low back disorders and these disturbances could have an impact on the physiological loading and alter the direction and magnitude of joint reaction forces. OBJECTIVE: To investigate activation patterns of the gluteus ...

A fly-wheel ergometer (FWE) offering resistance training of the knee extensors has been designed for space travel and found to be effective during bed rest. The possibility exists that this device is also effective in training the knee extensors after knee injury. The purpose of this study was to compare ...

The study investigated relations between effects of repeated ankle plantar-flexion movements exercise on the soleus Hoffmann (H) reflex and on postural body sway when maintaining upright stance. Ten young volunteers performed five sets of ankle plantar-flexions of both lower limbs. Assessment of the feet centre-of-pressure (COP) displacement and H-reflex tests ...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of ultrasonography (US) in determining the morphological changes of the iliotibial band (ITB) with the modified Ober maneuver. Forty-four subjects (23 men and 21 women, mean age (+/- SD), 24.7+/-4.7 years) who had no previous history of lower back, gluteus, ...

The purposes of this study was to test a mechanism to reduce the knee adduction moment by testing the hypothesis that increased medio-lateral trunk sway can reduce the knee adduction moment during ambulation in healthy subjects, and to examine the possibility that increasing medio-lateral trunk sway can produce similar potentially ...

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether knee osteoarthritis (OA) reduces exercise ambulatory capacity and impairs quality of life (QOL) in obese individuals. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: There were 56 subjects, with and without knee OA, who were obese. The subjects were evaluated with anthropometric measurements, a body composition assessment, ...

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (1), there is limited information about when to stretch during an exercise session. The purpose of this study was to determine if the placement of static stretching, either before or after a workout, would affect flexibility in the hip, knee, and ankle. ...

Because the intensity of plyometric exercises usually is based simply upon anecdotal recommendations rather than empirical evidence, this study sought to quantify a variety of these exercises based on forces placed upon the knee. Six National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes who routinely trained with plyometric exercises performed depth ...

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study is to determine if performing push up exercise variations on an unstable surface (Swiss ball) influences EMG amplitude of the scapulothoracic muscles when compared with a stable surface (Bench). METHODS: Ten males were recruited from a convenience sample of college students. Surface electromyograms ...

A cardinal feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) is muscle hypertonicity, i.e. rigidity. Little is known about the axial tone in PD or the relation of hypertonia to functional impairment. We quantified axial rigidity to assess its relation to motor symptoms as measured by UPDRS and determine whether rigidity is affected ...

The aim of this study was to compare the flexibility of the upper extremities in collegiate students involved in Aikido (a kind of soft martial art attracting youth) training with those involved in other sports. Fifty freshmen with a similar frequency of exercise were divided into the Aikido group (n ...

SUBJECT: Conservative treatment of patellar chondromalacia has been the subject of several studies. One recommended treatment is a strengthening exercise of the quadriceps muscle, which may be performed in closed or open kinetic chains. This study was designed to compare the effect of straight leg raise (SLR) and semi-squat exercises ...

PURPOSE: To investigate the gross anatomy of the distal portion of the quadriceps, and to compare the relative contributions of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) during dynamic weight-bearing conditions. METHODS: Dissection was carried out on 10 cadavers by a longitudinal incision from the anterior superior iliac ...

A recent study found nonweightbearing stretching exercises specific to the plantar fascia to be superior to the standard program of weightbearing Achilles tendon-stretching exercises in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. The present study used a cadaver model to demonstrate the influence of foot and ankle position on stretching of the ...

OBJECTIVE: Studies that investigated possible correlations between flexibility and muscular performance are scarce in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a program of static stretching on the flexibility of the hamstrings and on muscular performance of the knee flexors and extensors. DESIGN: ...

The objective of this study was to determine the immediate postoperative effect of 2 corrective operations for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient stifle by evaluating 3-dimensional (3-D) stifle kinematics. Ten hindlimbs from large-breed canine cadavers were used. Range of motion was induced by applying 100 N of traction on the quadriceps ...

BACKGROUND: This study expanded previous NIOSH-IRS research examining the effects of rest breaks and stretching exercises on symptoms and performance in data-entry workers. METHODS: All workers spent 4 weeks with conventional breaks (two 15 min breaks per day) and 4 weeks with supplementary breaks (two 15 min breaks plus four ...

Like most ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii), pipefishes (Syngnathoidei) feed by suction. Most pipefishes reach their prey by a rapid dorso-rotation of the head. In the present study, we analysed the feeding kinematics of the razor fish, Centriscus scutatus, and of the greater pipefish, Syngnathus acus in detail. We found capture times ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Graduated rotation exercises performed with the arm by the side are commonly used to improve rotator cuff (RC) muscle function. The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of recruitment of the RC muscles with that of other shoulder muscles that rotate the shoulder joint ...

Balanced forces around the shoulder are important for normal function; however, rehabilitation guidelines are not well defined because the muscle contributions and optimal exercise technique to recruit them are poorly understood. This study aimed to determine (1) the conditions of resisted isometric external rotation that optimized the contribution of infraspinatus ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at selected acupoints on enhancing the rate of muscle force recovery after strenuous knee extension/flexion exercise. Ten male and seven female healthy young adults participated in this study in which they performed isokinetic knee ...

STUDY DESIGN: Comparative, repeated-measures study. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) using a pressure biofeedback unit on electromyographic (EMG) signal amplitude of the hip and back extensors, and the angle of anterior pelvic tilt during hip extension in the prone position. BACKGROUND: Prone hip extension ...

OBJECTIVE: To assess characteristics of active motor units (MUs) during volitional vastus medialis (VM) activation in adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) across the spectrum of radiographic severity and age-comparable healthy control volunteers. METHODS: We evaluated 39 participants (age 65+/-3 years) in whom weight-bearing knee X-rays were assigned a Kellgren ...

BACKGROUND: Differences in mechanical loading of the patellar tendon have been suggested as a reason for varying effects in rehabilitation of patellar tendinopathy using different eccentric squat exercises and devices. The aim was to characterize the magnitude and pattern of mechanical load at the knee and on the patellar tendon ...

OBJECTIVES: To examine the usefulness of a biomechanical measure, resistance torque (RT), in quantifying spasticity by comparing its use with a clinical scale, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and quantitative electrophysiological measures. DESIGN: This is a correlational study of spasticity measurements in 34 adults with traumatic brain injury and plantarflexor ...

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy and feasibility of using an electrogoniometer (Model SG 110; Biometrics, Gwent, UK) for measuring simple thumb movements. Thumb disorders have been associated with the use of hand held devices such as mobile phones and these devices have become an integral ...

The continuing global interest in the use of total and unicompartmental mobile-bearing knee designs is manifest by an appreciation of their clinical performance. Like their fixed plateau counterparts, mobile-bearing knees are influenced by patient and surgical variables as well as design, material, and manufacturing choices. This article is a focused ...

Neuromuscular performance capabilities, including those measured by evoked responses, may be adversely affected by fatigue; however, the capability of the neuromuscular system to initiate muscle force rapidly under these circumstances is yet to be established. Sex-differences in the acute responses of neuromuscular performance to exercise stress may be linked to ...

OBJECTIVE: Reduced muscle function, causing greater knee joint load, is a potentially modifiable risk factor of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Exercise is an important treatment of knee OA, but the effect on joint load has not been determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise on ...

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial, pretest-posttest design. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of non-weight-bearing single-joint quadriceps exercise (SJNWBE) versus weight-bearing multiple-joint quadriceps exercise (MJWBE) for individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). BACKGROUND: PFPS is a common ailment of the knee. Both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing exercises are considered appropriate for strengthening ...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate shoe sole material stiffness changes and angle changes that are intended to reduce the peak knee adduction moment during walking. Fourteen physically active adults were tested wearing their personal shoes (control) and five intervention pairs, two with stiffness variations, two with angle ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathologic changes with a time sequence among patients with injured ligaments after complete mechanical unloading, based on a human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) model. DESIGN: Pathologic examinations were done on remnants of completely ruptured ACLs at various times up to 14 wks after injury on 31 ...

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of kinesio taping (KT) on trunk flexion, extension, and lateral flexion. Thirty healthy subjects with no history of lower trunk or back issues participated in the study. Subjects performed two experimental measurements of range of motion (with and without the ...

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the short-term effects of muscle strengthening exercises on the muscle strength in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, and to determine whether the beneficial effects of the exercises on the muscles strength, if any, would be maintained over the long-term. ...

Research examining the menstrual cycle and its relationship to ACL injury has focused on determining the incidence of ACL injury during the different phases of the menstrual cycle and assessing the changes in neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics between these phases. Conflicting results warrant further investigation to determine if neuromuscular and ...

To compare the activity of lower extremity muscles during land walking (LW), water walking (WW), and deep-water running (DWR), 9 healthy young subjects were tested at self-selected low, moderate, and high intensities for 8 sec with two repetitions. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on the tibialis anterior (TA), soleus (SOL), ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and periarticular muscular fatigue on knee joint kinesthesia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients with bilateral OA of the knee, and a control group of 30 age-matched healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN ...

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Complications, such as graft subsidence and adjacent segment degeneration, are not uncommon after ventral cervical fusion. It has been theorized, but not proven, that sagittal alignment may affect this process. It is therefore hypothesized that increasing lordosis during anterior cervical fusion decreases adjacent segment motion (ASM) and thus ...

Dynamic stability of the knee joint is a research topicof increasing focus after ACL injury, stroke, and incomplete spinal cord injury. Since rehabilitation programs use functional weightbearing tasks to improve neuromuscular control of the knee, it is important to understand the adaptability of muscle control strategies during weight-bearing exercise. The ...

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively assess the change in spasticity of the impaired wrist joint in chronic stroke patients after electro-acupuncture treatment. DESIGN: Crossover design. SETTING: University medical center research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Seven chronic stroke subjects (age, 63.14+/-7.01y). INTERVENTION: Participants received two 6-week treatment regimens: combined electro-acupuncture and strengthening twice a week, ...

Baseball pitchers need trunk strength to maximize performance. The Pilates method of exercise is gaining popularity throughout the country as a fitness and rehabilitation method of exercise. However, very few studies exist that examine the effects of the Pilates method of exercise on trunk strength or performance. Using a single ...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of musculoskeletal disorders and incurs significant economic, social and psychological costs. OA increases in prevalence and also progresses with aging. Clinically OA is characterised by joint pain, crepitus, stiffness after immobility and limitation of movement. Many cases are 'idiopathic' (disease or ...

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of knee arthroplasty have been shown to be affected by component alignment. Intramedullary and extramedullary alignment instrumentation are fairly effective for achieving the desired mean tibial component coronal alignment. However, there are outliers representing >3 degrees of varus or valgus alignment with respect to the anatomic tibial ...

INTRODUCTION: One requirement for long-duration spaceflight is provisions for exercise to prevent deconditioning. We evaluated the feasibility of using a stair-stepper on a short-radius centrifuge for this purpose. METHODS: A stair-stepper was implemented on a centrifuge with a 2-m radius. There were 13 subjects who performed stepping exercise in a ...

In this prospective randomised study two treatments after non-traumatic medial meniscal tear diagnosed with radiological examination and magnetic resonance imaging were compared; arthroscopic partial meniscectomy followed by supervised exercise or supervised exercise alone. The aim was to evaluate knee function and physical activity. Ninety patients (mean age 56 years) were ...

The likelihood of sustaining an ACL injury in a noncontact situation is two to eight times greater for females than for males. However, the mechanism and risk factors of ACL injury are still unknown. We compared knee kinematics as well as electromyographic activity during landing between male and female athletes. ...

Joint mobilization and manipulation stimulate mechanoreceptors, which may influence the joint and surrounding muscles. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effect of grade IV inferior hip joint mobilization on hip abductor torque. Thirty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to a control group (grade I inferior hip ...

CONTEXT: The sensorimotor system controls the balance between upper extremity stability and mobility during athletic performance. Research indicates that fatigue hampers sensorimotor system function; however, few investigators have studied functional fatigue or multijoint, multiplanar measures. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of functional fatigue on upper extremity position reproduction in overhead ...