Comparison of head and shoulder posture in blind, deaf and ordinary pupils

Proprioceptive, vestibular and visual senses control human movements. This study was carried out to compare the posture of head and shoulder in blind, deaf and ordinary pupils. This descriptive and analytic study was done on 16 blind, 30 deaf and 60 ordinary pupils in Ardabil city, Noth-west of Iran. Sagital and frontal planes Photos for each child was used for determination of head and shoulder deviation. Forward head in blind group significantly was lower than deaf and ordinary pupils [P<0.05]. Rounded shoulder in blind and deaf pupils significantly was lower than ordinary pupils [P<0.05]. Uneven shoulders in deaf pupils significantly was lower than ordinary and blind children [P<0.05]. Lateral flexion of the head in blind and deaf pupiles significantly was higher than ordinary children [P<0.05]. There is a relationship between sensory impairment and postural problems paticularly in blindness Pupils

[ effect of core stability training program on balance in blind female athletes]

Background and Aims: Balance is one of the most essential elements of physical activities and an important factor in sport skills. Vision plays a paramount role in the processing and integrating other sensory inputs for controlling balance and selecting equilibrium strategy. The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of an eight-week core stability training program on balance in blind female athletes

Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 30 female blind athletes [age: 22.40 +/- 5.35 years, weight: 52.17 +/- 10.92 kg, height: 1.55 +/- 0.06 m] as samples were selected and randomly were divided into experimental and control groups. The Y-Balance test and Flamingo test was used for evaluation of dynamic and static balance, respectively; and to assess the strength and stability of the central body area, the core stability tests were used. Independent-t test was used to analyze the data

Results: Before and after training, static and dynamic balance and also body stability were evaluated. There was significant increases in static and dynamic balance in anterior direction, internal posterior, external posterior and total balance in the experimental group compared with the control group [P < 0.05 for all]

Conclusion: According to the central district of improving the strength and endurance of the body, the central body resistance training can improve static and dynamic balance in blind female athletes

[Neuromuscular and biomechanical risk factors associated with ACL injury in female athletes]

Although intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] injury have been investigated extensively, the neuromuscular and the biomechanical risk factors associated with this injury in female athletes are not yet well understood. This systematic review summarizes all the relevant biomechanical and neuromuscular risk factors associated with ACL injury. We used electronic databases of PubMed MEDLINE [1966- 2012], SCIENSEDIRECT [1982 - 2012] and Sport Discus [1985- 2012] for literature searching to identify the studies on ACL injury risk factors. We found a total of 152 articles. 52 of these studies had focused on neuromuscular and biomechanical risk factors. Investigation of the articles showed four neuromuscular imbalances: ligament dominance, quadriceps dominance, leg dominance, and trunk dominance. Existing evidence suggests that these four neuromuscular imbalances may be associated with the underlying ACL injury mechanisms. Also, review of the studies indicated that ACL injuries are more likely to occur during multi-planar rather than single-planar mechanisms of injury. Screening and detection of these imbalances are important in order to identify athletes at risk of ACL injury. Identification of faulty movement patterns would allow for implementation of specific interventions, targeted at prevention of these problems

[Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and posture analysis using RULA method in Shiraz general dentists in 2010]

The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in dentists is high although relatively few studies have been conducted in this profession. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms [MSDs] and to assess the risk of these symptoms among general dentists in Shiraz, Iran. In this descriptive cross-sectional study the Nordic standard questionnaire and questionnaire pertaining to questions about personal and job characteristics were administered to160 general dentists. Furthermore, the pictures of dentists were taken by camera during dental treatment and the most repetitive postures were selected and assessed by Rapid Upper Limb Assessment [RULA] method. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 software. A large number of dentists [139 subjects] reported MSDs symptoms in at least one region of their musculoskeletal systems during the past 12 months. The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were neck [105 subjects], shoulders [80 subjects], upper back [76 subjects], wrist/hand [63 subjects], and lower back [55 subjects], respectively. A significant difference was observed between men and women only in the wrist/hand [P>0.05]. The results of posture analysis showed that all dentists' postures fell into corrective second and third action levels. The results of this study revealed that the prevalence of MSDs symptoms in dentists was high and MSDs risk levels were intermediate to high. Therefore, it is recommended that in an appropriate training program be contemplated to improve dentists' awareness regarding MSDs symptoms

[Estimation of aerobic capacity and determination of its associated factors among male workers of industrial sector of Shiraz city, 2010]

In order to physiologically fit the job to the worker's capability, maximum aerobic capacity [VO[2]-max] is used. This study was conducted to estimate VO[2]-max and determine its associated factors among workers of industrial sector of Shiraz city. In this cross-sectional study, 500 healthy male workers employed in Shiraz city industries participated voluntarily. Subjects' aerobic capacity was assessed by ergocycle test according to Astrand protocol for 6 minutes. A questionnaire consisted of two parts covering demographic, anthropometric and physiological characteristics was used as data collecting tool. Mean and standard deviation of age of workers was 32.01 and 7.66 years, respectively. worker's aerobic capacity was estimated to be 2.69 +/- 9.263 1.min [-1]. The results showed that there was association between VO[2]-max and age, weight and BMI while no association was found between VO[2]-max and height. Also, statistical analysis revealed association between VO[2]-max and smoking and exercise per week [p<0.05]. Nature of work, shift working, job satisfaction and fatigue had no association with aerobic capacity. Based on the results, regression equations were developed for estimation of aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity had association with age, weight, BMI, exercise and smoking

[ effect of walking exercise on the amount of fat mass and serum insulin in obese girls]

Obesity, a public health problem is growing in prevalence over the past decade. Obesity increases mortality risk and there is evidence that obesity in youth is a more powerful predictor of this risk than obesity in adulthood. The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of walking exercise in order to reduce obesity in sedentary obese girls. This research was carried out on 20 non-athlete volunteer obese girls [BMI>30] between 19-25 years and then were randomly divided in two groups [Control: n=10 and Experimental: n=10]. At the beginning and after 2 months, fat mass, percent body fat and lean mass were assessed with bioelectrical impedance equipment [BIA] and serum insulin measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay [ELISA] analysis. Then the experimental group started to do exercise program which consisted of 30 minutes walking with intensity of 50%-75% of maximal heart rate, 3 sessions in a week for 2 months. The data was analyzed using t-test. The results of this study showed that walking exercise, positively reduced body fat percent and fat mass and increased lean mass in exercise group [p= 0.000]. Serum insulin also significantly decreased [p = 0.008]. This study demonstrated that a regular physical activity program such as walking exercise can significantly reduce body weight and improve serum insulin in obese girls. In conclusion, it seems that this type of training can be efficient, safe and inexpensive way in order to reduce and prevent obesity

[ effect of milk on bone density in adult girls]

Milk is long being known to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and potentially beneficial for bone health particularly among Iranian populations where consumption of dairy production is low. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the physiological effect of milk consumption on bone mass density [BMD] and prevention of osteoporosis in adult girls. This investigation was performed on twenty non-athlete thin and obese girls. BMD and blood parameters were measured by routine laboratory tests at the beginning and two months later. Both groups received two glasses of semi-skimmed milk [1.5% fat; 600 mg/dl calcium] three times a week for a total duration of 2 months. The study findings showed that the BMD of hip and spinal cord [L[2]-L[4]] significantly increased in both groups after 2 months [p<0.05]. According to our data, consumption of two glasses of milk 3 times a week could remarkably increase the BMD in adult girls hence, it could be concluded that the frequent consumption of milk by both thin and obese girls can reduce the risk of osteoporosis