ABSTRACT
(1) Background: Running is one of many sports that have increased in popularity since it can be conducted at any time or anywhere. Ankle instability is a common injury that usually occurs during running and is usually associated with abnormalities in postural stability. Recently, kinesio taping has gained increasing interest as a tool that can be used in rehabilitation, to improve stability, and to help in injury prevention. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping on balance and dynamic stability in recreational runners with ankle instability. (2) Methods: This randomized controlled trial recruited 90 RRs with ankle instability. The participants were randomly divided into three equal groups: a KT group (KTG) who received Kinesio taping on their ankle joints; a mixed group (MG) who received Kinesio taping and exercises; and an exercise group (EG) who received exercises only. Outcome measures (balance and dynamic stability) were assessed before and after the end of an 8-week treatment program using a Biodex balance system and a star excursion balance test, respectively. (3) Results: Within-group comparisons showed statistically significant improvements in most of the outcome values when compared to baseline. Overall stability index was statistically significantly better (with a high effect size) in the MG compared to KTG or EG (p = 0.01, Cohen's d = 1.6, and p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.63, respectively). A similar finding was evident in the anteroposterior stability index (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.95, and p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.22, respectively). The mediolateral stability index of the KTG was statistically significantly better with a high effect size when compared to MG or EG (p = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.6, and p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.96, respectively). The star excursion balance test values were statistically significant with high effect sizes in the posterior (p = 0.002, Cohen's d = 1.2) and lateral (p < 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.92) directions in the MG compared to KTG and EG. (4) Conclusions: Kinesiotape with exercises is superior to either kinesiotape alone or exercises alone in improving postural stability indices and dynamic stability in recreational runners with ankle instability. Recreational runners with ankle instability should be educated about practicing balance exercises and applying kinesiotape.
ABSTRACT
Climate change is considered to be the primary cause of heat stress (HS) in broiler chickens. Owing to the unique properties of extracted polyphenols, resveratrol-loaded liposomal nanoparticles (Resv-Lipo NPs) were first explored to mitigate the harmful effects of HS. The dietary role of Resv-Lipo NPs in heat-stressed birds was investigated based on their growth performance, antioxidative potential, and the expression of heat shock proteins, sirtuins, antioxidant, immune, and muscle-building related genes. A total of 250 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into five experimental groups (5 replicates/group, 10 birds/replicate) for 42 days as follows: the control group was fed a basal diet and reared in thermoneutral conditions, and the other four HS groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with Resv-Lipo NPsI, II, and III at the levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg diet, respectively. The results indicated that supplementation with Resv-Lipo NP improved the growth rate of the HS group. The Resv-Lipo NP group showed the most significant improvement in body weight gain (p < 0.05) and FCR. Additionally, post-HS exposure, the groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs showed restored functions of the kidney and the liver as well as improvements in the lipid profile. The restoration occurred especially at higher levels in the Resv-Lipo NP group compared to the HS group. The elevated corticosterone and T3 and T4 hormone levels in the HS group returned to the normal range in the Resv-Lipo NPsIII group. Additionally, the HS groups supplemented with Resv-Lipo NPs showed an improvement in serum and muscle antioxidant biomarkers. The upregulation of the muscle and intestinal antioxidant-related genes (SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, NR-f2, and HO-1) and the muscle-building genes (myostatin, MyoD, and mTOR) was observed with increasing the level of Resv-Lipo NPs. Heat stress upregulated heat shock proteins (HSP) 70 and 90 gene expression, which was restored to normal levels in HS+Resv-Lipo NPsIII. Moreover, the expression of sirtuin 1, 3, and 7 (SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT7) genes was increased (p < 0.05) in the liver of the HS groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in the HS group was restored in the HS groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs. Supplementation with Resv-Lipo NPs can mitigate the harmful impact of HS and consequently improve the performance of broiler chickens.
