Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Abilities of Lower Extremities for Stroke Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) on lower extremities loading, balance and walking for stroke patients based on weight-bearing training. Methods:In 2017, 70 stroke inpatients were randomly divided into control group (n = 35) and experimental group (n = 35). They all accepted routine rehabilitation and weight-bearing training, while the experimental group accepted WBV in addition, for six weeks. They were assessed with weight-bearing time, gait length and speed, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) before and after treatment. Results:The weight-bearing time, gait length and speed, and the scores of BBS and FAC improved after treatment in both groups (t > 8.835, P < 0.001), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (F > 19.644, P < 0.001). Conclusion:WBV may further improve the abilities of lower extremities for stroke patients.

An examination of a new walking method to fulfill the Physical Activity Reference in a shorter time / 体力科学

This study aimed to examine a new walking method to fulfill the Physical Activity Reference for Health Promotion in Japan in a shorter time, which can be performed as a non-exercise activity (NEA) such as walking during commuting. Eleven healthy subjects performed normal walking (NW) and knee-up walking (KU) for eight minutes without load (0%) and with loads of 5, 10, and 20% of body mass in a backpack carried on the back (NW-0, 5, 10, and 20; KU-0, 5, 10, and 20) on a treadmill at a speed of 5 km/h at 0% tilt. Oxygen uptake, blood lactate levels, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured in the last two minutes of each walking stage. Metabolic equivalents (METs) were also calculated from the resultant oxygen uptake. METs in NW-20 and all weight conditions of KUs were significantly greater (P < 0.01) than those in NW-0 (3.8 ± 0.1 METs). RPE in both KU-10 and KU-20 was above 15 (i.e., indicating Hard). Blood lactate levels in the KU-20 (4.5 ± 0.7 mmol/L) were above the Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation. On the other hand, NW-20, KU-0, and KU-5 were physical activity level of moderate- to vigorous- intensity that could be performed as a NEA. These data suggest that our new walking methods such as NW-20, KU-0, and KU-5 can satisfy the Physical Activity Reference in a shorter time rather than normal walking, and could be continuously performed in daily life.

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.

Effects of a sagittal position of the body gravity center and manual weight-load on postural control during rapid arm-lifting / 体力科学

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of a sagittal position of the body gravity center (GCP) and manual weight-load on postural control during rapid arm-lifting. The subjects were five males aged 21 to 36 years. They stood on a force plate while maintaining the GCP at 30%, 45% and 60% from the heel, regarding the fool length as 100%, and anteriorly lifted both arms spontaneously as rapidly as possible. These trials were carried out ten times under a 5 kg weight or no weight. EMGs of the biceps femoris muscle (BFM) and anterior deltoid muscle (ADM), the fluctuation of the center of foot pressure (CFP) and body motion were analyzed by focusing on their time sequences.<BR>At 45% and 60% GCP the BFM action started prior to the ADM action, whereas at 30% GCP it tended to lag behind. The lag times under no weight were 13.9±12.75 ms (mean±SD) at 30% GCP, -32.7±18.18 ms at 45% GCP and -46.0±19.40 ms at 60% GCP. Those under 5 kg weight were 15.0±11.40 ms at 30% GCP, -22.0±6.74 ms at 45% GCP and -28.9±7.63 ms at 60% GCP. These results indicate that the anticipatory action of the muscle related to postural control arises only at specific GCPs.<BR>The difference of starting points for BFM action to ADM action showed no significant difference between 45% and 60% GCP for either as 5 kg or no weight. The CFP position moving in a forward direction during arm-lifting showed a marked difference between 45% and 60% GCP. The time for arm-lifting showed a marked difference between 5 kg and no weight. These results suggest that the starting point of anticipatory muscle action related to postural control does not change according to the magnitude and time course of the distance to the body equilibrium as a result of arm-lifting.