Effects of Stretching Exercise on the Head Speed of Golf Club and Driving Distance

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of stretching exercise on the head speed of golf club and driving distance. METHOD: 58 male golfers (20 professionals, 22 amateurs, 16 beginners) were included in the study. They carried out stretching exercise programs related to muscles of trunk, upper and lower extremities for 5 and 30 minutes. The head speed of golf club and driving distance were measured before and after the stretching exercise. The effects of stretching exercise programs on the head speed and driving distance were assessed. RESULTS: The head speed increased significantly in amateur and beginner groups after 30 minutes' stretching. In professional group, the head speed increased significantly after 5 minutes' stretching, but no more increment was found after 30 minutes' stretching. Driving distance increased significantly in all groups after 5 minutes' stretching. After 30 minutes' stretching, much more increment was found compared to 5 minutes' stretching. CONCLUSION: Sufficient stretching exercise program before golf swing can increase the head speed of club and driving distance. We recommend stretching exercise to improve golf performance.

The Effect of Laterally Wedged Insoles on Standing Balance of Patients with Osteoarthritis in the Medial Compartment of Knees

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of laterally wedged insole on static balance of patients with degenerative osteoarthritic knees. METHOD: Eighteen female patients were diagnosed with medial compartment knee degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) based on symptoms and simple X-rays. Patients were studied while they stood wearing shoes with the 5 degrees or 10 degrees lateral wedged insoles compared with a bare foot. Patients chose a comfortable stance with feet spread apart, slightly turned outwards, and were asked to look straight ahead at a fixed point in a quiet room. Postural sway and weight load asymmetry were recorded while the patients were standing on two adjacent force platforms during a 30 second trial. RESULTS: Postural sway and weight load asymmetry for 30 seconds were not significantly changed by wearing laterally wedged insoles with varying elevations (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The degree of the postural sway and weight load asymmetry for 30 seconds with the insole were not affected by the tilt of the lateral wedge.

Increased Blood Pressure and Loss of Consciousness after Stellate Ganglion Block: A case report

A 59 year-old female patient suffered from complex regional pain syndrome in left hemiplegia, was managed to stellate ganglion block (SGB) with 5 ml of 1 % lidocaine. The SGB was performed twice previously, with no side effects. And the third SGB was done in the same manner after negative aspiration testing. Two minutes later, she developed respiratory difficulty with increased blood pressure. Immediately airway management was performed by mask ventilation with oxygen. But ten minutes later, she developed respiratory arrest with unconsciousness and intubation was performed. Soon she recovered spontaneous respiration and the blood pressure returned to the former level. Despite taking all precautions during SGB, complications such as respiratory arrest and hypertension may occur even in the hands of an experienced physician. Therefore, before starting SGB, all resuscitation drugs and equipment must be ready for use in case any emergency develops.