The Effects of Three and Six Sessions of Low Energy Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Graft Incorporation and Knee Functions Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Introduction: One session of high energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) was found to improve the healing of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after reconstruction in animal and human studies. This study investigated the effects of three and six sessions of low energy ESWT on graft incorporation and knee functions post ACL reconstruction in humans. Materials and methods: Thirty participants with ACL injuries were recruited and assigned equally into three groups with 10 participants per group (n=10). Participants in the control group received physiotherapy alone without low energy ESWT. Participants in the 3ESWT group underwent three sessions of low energy ESWT (one session per week) combined with physiotherapy, and participants in the 6ESWT group received six sessions of low energy ESWT (one session per week) combined with physiotherapy. However, five participants were lost to follow-up. Evaluations of graft incorporation of the tibial tunnel using magnetic resonance (MRI) and Lysholm score were carried out before ACL reconstruction and after six months post ACL reconstruction. Results: The number of grafts with partial incorporation in the tibia tunnel in 6ESWT was significantly higher compared with the number of grafts with non-incorporation at six months post-operatively, X2 (1, N=9) =5.44, p =0.02. However, there was no significant difference between frequencies of graft incorporation in tibia tunnel in the control and 3ESWT groups, X2 (1, N=7) =3.57, p =0.06 and X2 (1, N=9) =2.78, p =0.10, respectively at 6 months postoperatively. Lysholm scores were significantly higher at 6 months post ACL reconstruction compared to the baseline value for each group (p<0.002, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the Lysholm score between each group (F = 2.798, p = 0.083). Conclusions: Six sessions of low energy ESWT improved graft incorporation in the tibial tunnel. Both three and six sessions of low energy of ESWT does not affect the knee function score at six months post ACL reconstruction.

Minimum level of jumping exercise required to maintain exercise-induced bone gains in female rats.

SUMMARY: This study determines the minimum level of exercise required to maintain 8 weeks of jumping exercise-induced bone gains in rats. It was found that the minimum level of exercise required for maintaining the different exercise-induced bone gains varied between 11% and 18% of the initial exercise intensity. INTRODUCTION: This study ascertains the minimum level of follow-up exercise required to maintain bone gains induced by an 8-week jumping exercise in rats. METHODS: Twelve groups of 12-week old rats (n = 10 rats per group) were given either no exercise for 8 (8S) or 32 weeks (32S), or received 8 weeks of standard training program (8STP) that consisted of 200 jumps per week, given at 40 jumps per day for 5 days per week, followed by 24 weeks of exercise at loads of either 40 or 20 or 10 jumps per day, for either 5, or 3, or 1 day/week. Bone mass, strength, and morphometric properties were measured in the right tibia. Data were analyzed using one-way analyses of variance. RESULTS: Bone mass, strength, mid-shaft periosteal perimeter and cortical area were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the rats given 8STP than that in the 8S group. The minimal level of exercise required to maintain the bone gains was 31, 36, 25, and 21 jumps per week for mass, strength, periosteal perimeter and cortical area, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of jumping exercise-induced bone gains could be maintained for a period of 24 weeks with follow-up exercise consisting of 11% to 18% of the initial exercise load.

Effects of a herbal ergogenic drink on cycling performance in young cyclists.

It is essential to replace fluids lost so as to remain well hydrated during exercise. The intake of fluids is considered a physiological ergogenic aid to enhance exercise performance. There are currently several products in the market that are believed to have ergogenic properties which act as fluid replacement drinks during exercise. One such drink available in the Malaysian market is 'AgroMas®' herbal drink whose efficacy is yet to be proven. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the effects of acute ingestion of this herbal drink (H) or a coloured water placebo (P) on cycling performance. Nine healthy and trained young male cyclists (age: 16.2 ± 0.5 years) exercised on a cycle ergometer at 71.9 ± 0.7% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) until exhaustion on two occasions at 1-week intervals. During each exercise bout, subjects received 3ml kg-1 body weight of H or P every 20 min in a double-blind randomised study design. There was no significant difference between H and P trials in the total work time to exhaustion (83.7 ± 4.6 and 81.5 ± 5.0 min respectively). Changes in oxygen consumption, heart rate and perceived rate of exertion were similar for both types of drinks. These results demonstrate that the herbal drink and the placebo elicited similar physiological responses and exercise performance during endurance cycling. It is therefore concluded that AgroMas? herbal drink and water ingestion resulted in a similar ergogenic response on cycling performance in young cyclists.