A pilot study to determine the effect of trunk and hip focused neuromuscular training on hip and knee isokinetic strength.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the effect of trunk focused neuromuscular training (TNMT) on hip and knee strength. The hypothesis was that TNMT would increase standing isokinetic hip abduction, but not knee flexion/extension, strength. METHODS: 21 high-school female volleyball players (14 TMNT, mean age 15.4 (1.4) years, weight 170.5 (5.0) cm, height 64.1 (8.5) kg and 7 controls, mean age 16.0 (1.7) years, height 173.4 (10.0) cm, weight 63.9 (5.3) kg; p>0.05) were recruited to participate in this study. The 14 TNMT subjects participated in a TNMT protocol (twice weekly) over a 10 week period in addition to their standard once-weekly off-season strength training. Standing isokinetic hip abduction strength and seated knee flexion/extension strength were measured before and after TNMT. RESULTS: A significant interaction of group and time was observed. The TNMT group increased isokinetic hip abduction strength approximately 15% (13.5% in the dominant leg: mean (SD) 46.6 (10.1) to 52.9 (11.4) foot-pounds and 17.1% in the non-dominant leg: 46.1 (10.4) to 54.0 (10.7) foot-pounds; p = 0.01). There was no difference in the control group in pre-test versus post-test measures. Post-test results also indicated no effect of TNMT on isokinetic knee extension (p = 0.57) or knee flexion (p = 0.57) strength. CONCLUSIONS: Ten weeks of TNMT increased standing hip abduction strength in female athletes. Increased hip abduction strength and recruitment may improve the ability of female athletes to increase control of lower limb alignment and decrease knee loads resulting from increased trunk displacement during sports activities.

The ratio of insoluble to soluble fiber components in soybean hulls affects ileal and total-tract nutrient digestibilities and fecal characteristics of dogs.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of soybean hulls (SH) containing varying ratios of insoluble:soluble fiber (I:S) on nutrient digestibilities and fecal characteristics of dogs. Ileally cannulated dogs (n = 6) were fed seven diets in a 6 x 7 Youden square arrangement of treatments. The seven diets included five SH-containing diets with I:S of 1.9, 2.7, 3.2, 5.2 or 7.2 and two diets containing either beet pulp (BP) or no supplemental fiber (control). Ileal digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, total dietary fiber (TDF), fat and gross energy (GE) were lower (P < 0.05) for dogs fed diets containing supplemental fiber compared with dogs fed the control diet. Fiber inclusion had a modest negative effect (P < 0.05) on total-tract DM, OM, fat and GE digestibilities compared with the control diet. Ileal digestibilities of DM and OM by dogs fed the SH treatments responded quadratically (P < 0.05) to I:S, with digestibility coefficients decreasing as the I:S approached 3.2. Highest ileal digestibilities were observed for diets with an I:S of 1.9 and 7.2. Similarly, a quadratic response (P < 0.05) was observed for digestibility of total amino acids at the ileum. Fecal outputs were lower (P < 0.001) when dogs consumed the control diet vs. fiber-containing diets. Among the SH-containing diets, there was a linear increase in fecal output as I:S increased (P = 0.031). The I:S in the diet affects DM and OM digestibilities at the ileum and affects fecal output, indicating that optimization of this ratio is desirable.

Ileal and total tract nutrient digestibilities and fecal characteristics of dogs as affected by soybean protein inclusion in dry, extruded diets.

Plant-based protein sources are generally less variable in chemical composition than animal-based protein sources. However, relatively few data are available on the nutrient digestibilities of plant-based protein sources by companion animals. The effects of including selected soybean protein sources in dog diets on nutrient digestion at the ileum and in the total tract, as well as on fecal characteristics, were evaluated. Six protein sources were used: soybean meal (SBM), Soyafluff 200W (soy flour), Profine F (traditional aqueous-alcohol extracted soy protein concentrate [SPC 1]), Profine E (extruded SPC [SPC 2]), Soyarich I (modified molecular weight SPC [SPC 3]), and poultry meal (PM). All diets were extruded and kibbled. Test ingredients varied in CP and fat contents; however, diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Nutrient intakes were similar, except for total dietary fiber (TDF), which was lower (P < 0.01) for dogs fed the PM diet. Apparent ileal digestibilities of DM, OM, fat, and TDF were not different among treatments; however, CP digestibility at the terminal ileum was higher (P < 0.01) for diets containing soy protein sources than for PM. Total tract CP digestibility was greater (P < 0.01) for soy protein-containing diets than for PM. Apparent total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, fat, and TDF were not different among treatments. Apparent amino acid digestibilities at the terminal ileum, excluding methionine, threonine, alanine, and glycine, were higher (P < 0.01) for soy protein-containing diets than for PM. Dogs fed SPC diets had lower (P < 0.01) fecal outputs (g asis feces/g DMI) than dogs fed the SF diet, and dogs fed SBM tended (P < 0.11) to have lower fecal outputs than dogs fed the SF diet. However, dogs fed the PM diet had lower (P < 0.03) fecal outputs than dogs fed SPC-containing diets. Fecal outputs and scores reflected the TDF and nonstructural carbohydrate contents of the soy protein fraction. Soy protein sources are well utilized by the dog prior to the terminal ileum, and SPC offers a viable alternative to PM as a protein source in dry, extruded canine diets.

Students with disabilities: a national survey of participation in school activities.

INTRODUCTION: The policies of integration and full inclusion in school activities have been enacted to promote the independence and social participation of students with disabilities. This study examined the nature and extent of participation in schools by students with disabilities in the context of the physical, social and psychological features of the school environment. METHOD: A national survey was completed by 1180 teachers of students with disabilities in the US describing student participation in school activities encompassing involvement in social activities, sports, academic and artistic/creative endeavours. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Multivariate analysis revealed that school life in elementary, middle and high school could be defined by six distinct factors describing individual and group roles. Structural equation modelling yielded a second order latent variable that captured the complex and multi-dimensional aspect of participation, accounting for availability, eligibility, student characteristics/status, and student choice within a larger framework of participation.

In vitro fermentation characteristics of native and processed cereal grains and potato starch using ileal chyme from dogs.

Two in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of small intestinal bacteria of dogs to ferment native and extruded cereal grains and potato starch and cereal grain and potato flours. Substrates included barley, corn, potato, rice, sorghum, and wheat. In addition to testing native grains and flours, extruded substrates also were tested. Substrates were extruded at low temperatures (LT; 79 to 93 degrees C) and high temperatures (HT; 124 to 140 degrees C) using a Wenger extruder (model TX-52). Substrates varied widely in concentrations of rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), resistant starch (RS), and total starch (TS). Extrusion of most substrates at HT vs LT resulted in increased RDS and decreased RS concentrations. Organic matter disappearance (OMD) values attributed to microbial fermentation for a 5-h period were as high as 27% for native extruded substrates (LT potato starch) and 39% for potato flour. Average OMD was higher for cereal and potato flours than for native extruded substrates (29.9 vs 25.4%). Average molar percentages of short-chain fatty acids produced from all substrates fermented for 5 h were 73, 14, and 13% (acetate, propionate, and butyrate, respectively). Average lactate production for substrates ranked as follows: flours > native and extruded cereal grains and potato starch (0.33 and 0.18 mmol/g OM, respectively). In vitro microbial fermentation of starches by ileal bacteria can be substantial and is affected by differences in starch source, fraction, and processed form.

Soybean hulls as a dietary fiber source for dogs.

In Exp. 1, soybean hull samples were obtained from nine sources across the United States and analyzed for nutrient content to determine their suitability for inclusion in dog diets. Compositional data revealed variation in both the amount of total dietary fiber (TDF; 63.8 to 81.2%) in the soybean hulls and the ratio of insoluble:soluble fiber (5.0:1 to 15.4:1). Crude protein content varied widely among sources, ranging from 9.2 to 18.7%. An in vivo trial (Exp. 2) was conducted using a premium dog diet containing 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5, or 9.0% soybean hulls (DM basis). There was a negative linear effect (P < .05) of soybean hull inclusion in the diet on DM, OM, TDF, and GE total-tract digestibilities, as well as on calculated ME. Crude protein and fat digestibilities were unaffected by treatment. Based on these results, ileally cannulated dogs were fed diets containing 6.0, 7.5, or 9.0% soybean hulls (DM basis) in addition to diets containing either 0% supplemental fiber or 7.5% beet pulp (Exp. 3). Nutrient digestion at the ileum was unaffected by inclusion of supplemental fiber. Total tract digestion of DM, OM, and GE was lower ( P < .05) for diets containing supplemental fiber when compared with the diet containing 0% fiber. Crude protein and fat digestibilities were unaffected by treatment. There was no difference in nutrient digestibility between those diets containing soybean hulls and a diet containing beet pulp. Soybean hull inclusion in the diet resulted in a negative linear effect (P < .05) on calculated ME, in addition to lowering ME (P < .05) when compared with the 0% fiber control diet. Calculated ME for dogs fed a 7.5% beet pulp-containing diet was lower (P < .05) than that for dogs fed the soybean hull-containing diets. Results indicate that soybean hulls can be an effective dietary fiber source in dog diets.