[Comparison of activation pattern of selected trunk muscles during over ground and treadmill walking]

Given the biomechanical differences between over ground and treadmill walking, it is expected that the contraction of muscles should be also different, so exercise training in these scenarios may have various effects on trunk muscles. The aim of this study was to compare amplitude and duration of activation of trunk muscles during over ground and treadmill walking to prescribe a suitable exercise mode considering the special circumstances of each person. Nineteen healthy 20-40 years old male with sedentary life style were selected via simple sampling. Surface electromyography of rectus abdominis, external oblique, longissimus and multifidus muscles were recorded. In each gait cycle, there was not statistically significant differences on duration of trunk muscles activity between treadmill and over ground walking. The mean amplitude of these muscles was greater on treadmill in comparison with over ground and this difference was statistically significant for rectus abdominis [P=0.005], longissimus [P=0.018] and multifidus [P=0.044] muscles. Stabilizing role of trunk muscles during walking causes them to be active throughout the entire gait cycle. The increased muscle amplitude on treadmill might show that more motor units may be recruited during the contraction, which is helpful in prescribing the appropriate type of exercise especially to patients who have trunk muscles weakness

[Prevalence of karate injuries in professional karate ka in Isfahan]

Karate is the most popular martial art in Iran, Karate has become a popular sport, not only among the younger generations seeking to learn self-defense and improve self-esteem, but also among middle-aged men and women as a sport to improve cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. Martial arts have a reputation for being a high risk activity, but severe injuries in karate are actually rare. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of karate injuries in professional karate ka athletes in Isfahan. Fifty individual from professional karate ka experienced at least one year of country championship participated in this study. Each athlete was asked to complete a questionnaire on karate injuries sustained during the two previous years with type, time, location, mechanism, season of injuries and number of days off training and competition. From 185 injury recorded, lower limb with 64 [35%] was vulnerable body region. Head and face with 60 [32%], upper limb with 43 [23%], trunk and spinal column with 13 [7%] and internal organs with 5 [3%] were exposed to injuries. 46% of injuries were occurred during training, 40% during competition, 8% during warm up and 6% during weight lifting period. 43% of injuries were minor, 27% moderate and 30% severe. Opponent technical foul [26%] was the most common reason of injuries. According to our findings, the rate of injury was 4.35 per 1000 hours training and competition. Injuries in this study were minor. Karate injuries more likely occur during competition, considering the time spent in training session and competition. Finally lower limb was the most frequent region of injury

[Prevalence of karate injuries in professional karate ka in Isfahan]

Background: karate is the most popular martial art in Iran. Karate has become a popular sport, not only among the younger generations seeking to learn self-defense and improve self-esteem, but also among middle-aged men and women as a sport to improve cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. Martial arts have a reputation for being a high risk activity, but severe injuries in karate are actually rare. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of karate injuries in professional karate ka athletes in Isfahan

Materials and methods: fifty individual from professional karate ka experienced at least one year of country championship participated in this study. Each athlete was asked to complete a questionnaire on karate injuries sustained during the two previous years with type, time, location, mechanism, season of injuries and number of days off training and competition

Results: from 185 injury recorded, lower limb with 64 [35%] was vulnerable body region. Head and face with 60 [32%], upper limb with 43 [23%], trunk and spinal column with 13 [7%] and internal organs with 5 [3%] were exposed to injuries. 46% of injuries were occurred during training, 40% during competition, 8% during warm up and 6% during weight lifting period. 43% of injuries were minor, 27% moderate and 30% severe. Opponent technical foul [26%] was the most common reason of injuries

Conclusions: according to our findings, the rate of injury was 4.35 per 1000 hours training and competition. Injuries in this study were minor. Karate injuries more likely occur during competition, considering the time spent in training session and competition. Finally lower limb was the most frequent region of injury