Kinematic analysis of scapular movements in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate scapular movements by the three-dimensional electromagnetic system during shoulder elevation in FSHMD patients, and to compare the results with healthy individuals. 10 patients with FSHMD and 10 healthy individuals were included in the study. Scapular anterior-posterior tilt, upward-downward rotation and internal-external rotation at 30°, 60° and 90° were evaluated using the three-dimensional electromagnetic system during the elevation of the upper limbs in the scapular plane. Humerothoracic elevation levels on the dominant and non-dominant sides were found to be lower in the patients than healthy individuals (p < .001). Both scapula were rotated downwards at 30° (dominant/non-dominant p < .001) and 60° (dominant p = .009, non-dominant p = .04) of humerothoracic elevation, the scapula was rotated internally at 30° of humerothoracic elevation on the non-dominant side (p = .03), and the scapula was tilted posteriorly at 90° of humerothoracic elevation on the non-dominant side (p = .009) in patients. These existing abnormal patterns of the scapula in the patients increase the risk of impairment, pain, impingement and instability especially in the activities that require arm elevation. It is thought that physiotherapy approaches should first be emphasized to improve scapular stabilization and strengthening exercises should then be performed for the shoulder girdle muscles.

The effects of rope or weighted rope jump training on strength, coordination and proprioception in adolescent female volleyball players.

AIM: The aim was to assess the effects of a 12-week "rope jumping" and "weighted rope jumping" training programs on functional parameters including multi-joint coordination and proprioception, strength, endurance in adolescent female volleyball players. METHODS: Pretest posttest experimental design. INTERVENTION: Weighted Rope Training group (N.=9; 15±1 years), Rope Training group (N.=9; 14.1±1.3 years) and Controls (N.=7; 14.4±1.3 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Motor coordination, proprioception, strength and endurance of the lower extremities with concentric and eccentric performances in closed kinetic chain on multi joint system assessed by the Monitorized Squat system. Absolute average error (cm) and the standard deviation for coordination and proprioception, Peak Force (N), Total Work (Nm), Average Power (Nm/s), Maximal Speed for strength and endurance tests were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U test were utilized. RESULTS: Weighted rope jump group had significant decrease for the deviation results of coordination on the concentric and eccentric phases for both legs (P<0.05). Rope jump and weighted rope jump groups had significantly lower results on non visible second movement deviation (P<0.05). In strength tests, the difference was found for total work that there was difference on the post assessment within groups in favour of Weighted Rope Training group in comparison to controls (P<0.05). Weighted Rope Training and control groups improved in concentric maximal speed (P<0.05). Most significant changes occured on eccentric phaese of the endurance tests that peak force increased in Weighted Rope Training group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adding rope jump to training programs improves joint repositioning and coordination. Weighted Rope Training group got greater gains for coordination and eccentric endurance parameters for lower extremities in a closed kinetic chain.

Do sexual maturation stages affect flexibility in adolescent boys aged 14 years?

AIM: Pubertal changes constitute a background for development of motor abilities and flexibility as an important component of physical fitness. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the flexibility is actually related to sexual maturation stages in adolescent boys. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 69 healthy boys aged 14 years. Before testing, all participants performed a 3 min warm up and static stretch routine, emphasizing the lower body. The flexibility tests were performed in a counterbalanced design. Sit-and-reach test and goniometric measurement of hamstring flexibility was administered. The results of flexibility tests and body measures were analysed for cross-sectional comparison. Groups were formed according to Tanner's classification and consisted of boys in Stage II, III, IV, V, respectively. RESULTS: The results of sit and reach test scores and goniometric measurements did not correlate with age in months, height, weight and BMI; and furthermore they did not correlate with the sexual maturation stages (p>0.05). The sit and reach test scores were significantly correlated with goniometric measurements (right: r=0.653, p=0.00; left: r=0.638, p=0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that sexual maturation stages in pubertal period would not be effective in determining the flexibility. Besides, sexual maturation is not a cause of decreased flexibility in adolescent boys aged 14 years.

Predictive value of colour Doppler ultrasonography in detecting failure of vascular access grafts.

The predictive role of colour Doppler ultrasonography in determining the initial success and long-term patency of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular access grafts for haemodialysis was investigated. Two groups of patients were studied. The upper extremities of 21 patients in the control group were assessed by clinical examination only; those of 17 in a second group (Doppler group) were also assessed by ultrasonography before and after operation. Straight PTFE vascular access grafts were used between the brachial artery and axillary vein in all patients. The median preoperative brachial artery flow rate was significantly lower in patients who later developed graft thrombosis (66 versus 87 ml/min, P < 0.01), as was the median postoperative graft flow rate (480 versus 800 ml/min, P < 0.001). Routine preoperative and postoperative colour Doppler ultrasonography is recommended for every patient in whom a vascular access graft is planned.