OBESITY PHENOTYPE INFLUENCES TREND IN PULMONARY FUNCTION INDICES RECOVERY FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL SURGERY: PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM A NIGERIAN POPULATION.

BACKGROUND: Obesity phenotypes are known to have varying effects on pulmonary function but their effects on trends of pulmonary function indices' recovery among abdominal surgery patients is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of obesity phenotype on pulmonary function trend among abdominal surgery patients. METHODS: An observational study involving 28 female patients aged 20-60 years who were never-smokers. Participants were classified into four groups namely: healthy BMI without abdominal obesity; healthy BMI with abdominal obesity; overweight/obese without abdominal obesity; and overweight/obese with abdominal obesity. Pulmonary function indices (FEV1, FVC and PEF) were taken day-1 pre-op; 5th, 6th and 7th day post-surgery. Data were summarized using mean and standard deviation, while Kruskal-Wallis and Jonckheere trend test were used to test for differences and trend across the groups at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Participants were comparable in age and height. Pre-op, group IV had the lowest pulmonary function indices and group I had the highest FEV1, FVC. At 7-day post-op, there was significant difference in pulmonary function indices across the groups, while trend test showed that obesity pattern had significant effect on the trend of FEV1, FVC and PER with group I having the highest values, followed by group III and group II, while group IV had the lowest values. CONCLUSION: Obesity phenotype had significant effect on trend of pulmonary function indices among participants. Patients with abdominal obesity, irrespective of BMI, had poor pulmonary function.

Time course of improvement of metabolic parameters after a 12 week physical exercise programme in patients with type 2 diabetes: the influence of gender in a Nigerian population.

Gender is a major determinant of the outcomes of many health interventions. This study documents the order of significant improvements in metabolic parameters of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) having metabolic syndrome within 12 weeks of physical exercise programmes. Twenty-nine patients, mean age 49.6 ± 3.7 years, presenting with high fasting plasma glucose, high triglycerides, hypertension, and high waist circumference undertook a thrice weekly aerobic and endurance exercise programme in addition to their drugs and diet. Variables were assessed at baseline and end of every two weeks for twelve weeks. Compared with baseline, significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the metabolic parameters occurred in this order for the male participants: fasting glucose (2nd week), triglycerides and waist circumference (4th week), and systolic blood pressure (12th week). For the female participants, it was fasting glucose (4th week), triglycerides (6th week), and waist circumference (10th week). Regardless of the gender, fasting glucose was the first to improve significantly, followed by triglycerides. Hypertension did not improve significantly at all in the female participants as they may require more than twelve weeks of therapeutic exercise for any significant improvement in hypertension.

Effects of combined aerobics and abdominal strengthening exercises on abdominal adiposity in sedentary adults.

BACKGROUND: Excess abdominal adiposity has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Though aerobic exercises significantly reduce general adiposity, it has no effect on abdominal adiposity. However the effects of a combination of aerobic and abdominal strengthening exercises on abdominal adiposity are not known. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week aerobic and abdominal strengthening exercise programme on abdominal adiposity in sedentary adults. METHODS: A total of 105 consenting sedentary adults participated in this study. They were randomly recruited from the Ibadan metropolis. Participants went through exercise training which included aerobic and abdominal strengthening exercises. Exercise was carried out thrice weekly for 12 consecutive weeks. Abdominal adiposity indices of Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR), Sum of Abdominal Skinfold (SAS) were measured at baseline, 4th, 8th and 12th weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and repeated measures ANOVA at p = 0.05. RESULTS: 74 participants with mean age (34.8 +/- 9.1 yrs) completed the study. At the end of the 12 -week exercise, there was significant reduction in WC (94.8 +/- 10.2 to 89.2 +/- 9.8 cm), WHR (0.89 0.06 to 0.86 +/- 0.05) and SAS (88.9 +/- 10.9 to 77.3+/- 13.5 mm) among the female participants. Within the male participants, there was significant reduction in WC (88.5 +/- 7.4 to 83.8 +/- 4.7 cm), and in SAS (60.1 +/- 8.4 to 54.5 +/- 8.5 mm), but no statistically significant difference was observed in the WHR (0.88 +/- 0.04 to 0.87 +/- 0.06). CONCLUSION: Twelve-week aerobic and abdominal strengthening exercise programme, without caloric restriction, reduced abdominal adiposity in apparently-healthy sedentary adults, hence it is recommended for its beneficial effects on abdominal adiposity.

Effects of a12-week endurance exercise program on adiposity and flexibility of Nigerian perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Menopause is a sign of aging in the woman. Loss of ovarian function induces a reduction in resting metabolic rate, physical energy expenditure, fat-free mass and abdominal adipose tissue accumulation. Location of adipose tissue deposit in abdominal region plays an important role in occurrence of hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Although regular participation in physical exercise have been suggested to improve adiposity and body flexibility which are important health related components of physical fitness, few published studies are available on the effect of exercise on Nigerian menopausal women. This study investigated effects of a twelve-week endurance exercise program (EEP) on central and abdominal obesity as well as flexibility of perimenopausal and postmenopausal Nigerian women. The study employed a pretest- posttest control group design comprising a sample of 175 apparently healthy, literate, sedentary women within age range 40-59 years. They were workers in state and federal establishments in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Based on history of their last menstrual period, women with regular or irregular menstrual cycle status were allocated into perimenopausal group and those who no longer menstruated into postmenopausal group. A table of random numbers was used for further allocation into perimenopausal exercise group (PEMEG, 45), postmenopausal exercise group (POMEG, 45) perimenopausal control group (PEMCG, 42) and postmenopausal control group (POMCG, 43). Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as Hip and Trunk Flexibility (HTF) were evaluated at baseline and 4weekly intervals until end of 12th week. EEP consisted of a 10-station circuit of cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, coordination, abdominal and pelvic floor muscle exercises. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean age of participants was 52.3±4.1 years, 95% C.I (51.64-52.88) years. Significant reduction occurred between baseline and end of 12th week mean values of WHR in PEMEG (0.86 ± 0.08 vs 0.71 ± 0.07)and POMEG groups (0.88± 0.06 vs0.77 ± 0.07) while significant increases were observed between baseline values and end of 12th week mean values of HTF in PEMEG (18.84 ± 4.23vs28.27± 3.82) and POMEG (19.51 ± 4.02vs25.97± 2.36) (p<0.05). Significant changes did not occur in BMI in both groups even though mean differences were observed in baseline values compared with end of 12th week mean values of these variables. In PEMCG and POMCG groups, there were no observable changes in mean values of WHR, BMI and HTF from baseline to end of study. Participation in endurance exercise program is essential for perimenopausal and postmenopausal Nigerian women for improved central and abdominal adiposity as well as flexibility.

Endurance exercise effect on quality of life and menopausal symptoms in Nigerian women.

INTRODUCTION: Women in the menopausal stage of life usually have climacteric symptoms of hot flashes, back pain, sleeplessness, night sweats and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. Although physical exercises have been documented to favourably alleviate some of these problems, there's a paucity of knowledge of their effects on menopausal women in Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of a twelve-week Endurance Exercise Programme (EEP) on quality of life(QOL) and menopausal symptoms in these women. METHODS: Participants were purposively recruited and assigned into perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups based on history of thier last menstrual period and from each of these groups randomized into: perimenopausal exercise group (PEMEG), postmenopausal exercise group (POMEG), perimenopausal control group (PEMCG) postmenopausal control group (POMCG). Quality of life (QOL), Menopausal symptoms - Back Pain (BP) and hot flashes (HF) among other variables, were evaluated at baseline and 4 weekly intervals. EEP consisted of a 10-station circuit of muscular and cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, coordination, abdominal and pelvic floor muscle exercises. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy five menopausal women, mean age 52.3 +/- 4.1 years. Significant changes occurred between baseline and end of 12th week mean values of PEMEG for QOL: 565.9 +/- 108.8 vs 725.0 +/- 42.9 and BP 4.42 +/- 1.7 vs 1.00 +/- 0.0. (p= 0.000). Also, in POMEG: QOL 558.3 +/- 127.7 vs 736.5 +/- 44.8; and BP 5.37 +/- 1.48 vs 1.88 +/- 1.18 (p=0.000). Significant changes in QOL and BP did not occur in the control groups. CONCLUSION: Routine participation in endurance exercise programme is recommended for menopausal women for improved QOL.

Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: outcome of a twelve-week therapeutic exercise programme.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Usual line of management of diabetes patients is drug and diet with their physical needs usually receiving minimal attention. Among the physical needs, requiring attention is their neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This study was designed to investigate the effect of a twelve-week therapeutic exercise on neuromusculoskeletal disorders of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients. METHODS: Forty-three participants from the Diabetes Specialty Clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano completed the study. Selected neuromusculoskeletal disorders including pain, dermatological foot grades, disorders of ranges of motion and strength of selected joints and muscles were assessed before and after a period of twelve weeks of therapeutic exercises. Participants were followed up for another twelve weeks without therapeutic exercises. RESULTS: Baseline assessment revealed poor neuromusculoskeletal status. Significant improvements (P < 0.05) were obtained for pain, Severity of Dermatological Foot Grading, Muscle strength (One Repetition Maximum) and Range of Motions at the end of the exercises except that of right wrist extension (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: T2D patients presented with neuromusculoskeletal disorders at baseline. Therapeutic exercises however assisted in the improvement of these disorders but relapsed when exercises were suspended. Engagement in therapeutic exercises enhanced neuromusculoskeletal health, while withdrawal from the exercise contributed to a decline. T2D patients should be encouraged to participate in therapeutic exercises in order to promote their health and function.

Relationship between duration of diagnosis and neuromusculoskeletal complications of middle-aged type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) often present with complications involving the neuromusculoskeletal system which creep in as the condition advances in years. Hence there is a need to further understand how the duration of diagnosis of diabetes (DD) relates to the neuromusculoskeletal complications in order to design timely preventive programmes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the duration of diabetes and neuromusculoskeletal complications in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 139 consenting T2D patients and 139 age and sex-matched nondiabetic individuals. The participants were assessed for the DD and selected neuromusculoskeletal complications including muscle weakness, ranges of motion (ROM), pain and foot ulceration. RESULTS: The mean DD was 7.82 ± 2.41 years. There were significant differences (p < 0.01) between the clinical variables of both groups. In the diabetic participants, significant inverse relationships (P<0.05) were obtained between the DDD and each of muscle strength {{lbow flexors (r =-0.57), knee extensors (r=-0.63), handgrip (r=-0.82)}; ROM {wrist extension (r=-0.64) and ankle planterflexion (r=-0.63)}. Significant and direct relationships were obtained between the DDD and each of pain (r=0.62) and ulcerative grading (r= 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 Diabetes patients have poorer neuromusculoskeletal variables and longer duration of diabetes is associated with reduced muscle strength, diminished ROM, gradual ulceration of skin of the feet and higher level of foot pain. Immediate therapeutic exercises against these complications soon after diagnosis of diabetes may help to decelerate their progression.

Relationship between duration of diagnosis and neuromusculoskeletal complications of middle-aged type 2 diabetes patients

Abstract. BACKGROUND: Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) often present with complications involving the neuromusculoskeletal system which creep in as the condition advances in years. Hence there is a need to further understand how the duration of diagnosis of diabetes (DD) relates to the neuromusculoskeletal complications in order to design timely preventive programmes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the duration of diabetes and neuromusculoskeletal complications in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 139 consenting T2D patients and 139 age and sex-matched nondiabetic individuals. The participants were assessed for the DD and selected neuromusculoskeletal complications including muscle weakness, ranges of motion (ROM), pain and foot ulceration. RESULTS: The mean DD was 7.82 ± 2.41 years. There were significant differences (p < 0.01) between the clinical variables of both groups. In the diabetic participants, significant inverse relationships (P<0.05) were obtained between the DDD and each of muscle strength {elbow flexors (r = -0.57), knee extensors (r = -0.63), handgrip (r = ­0.82)}; ROM {wrist extension (r = -0.64) and ankle planterflexion (r = -0.63)}. Significant and direct relationships were obtained between the DDD and each of pain (r = 0.62) and ulcerative grading (r = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 Diabetes patients have poorer neuromusculoskeletal variables and longer duration of diabetes is associated with reduced muscle strength, diminished ROM, gradual ulceration of skin of the feet and higher level of foot pain. Immediate therapeutic exercises against these complications soon after diagnosis of diabetes may help to decelerate their progression

Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: outcome of a twelve-week therapeutic exercise programme

ABSTRACT. Background and Objectives:Usual line of management of diabetes patients is drug and diet with their physical needs usually receiving minimal attention. Among the physical needs, requiring attention is their neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This study was designed to investigate the effect of a twelve-week therapeutic exercise on neuromusculoskeletal disorders of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients. Methods: Forty-three participants from the Diabetes Specialty Clinic ofAminu KanoTeaching Hospital, Kano completed the study. Selected neuromusculoskeletal disorders including pain, dermatological foot grades, disorders of ranges of motion and strength of selected joints and muscles were assessed before and after a period of twelve weeks of therapeutic exercises. Participants were followed up for another twelve weeks without therapeutic exercises. Results: Baseline assessment revealed poor neuromusculoskeletal status. Significant improvements (P<0.05) were obtained for pain, Severity of Dermatological Foot Grading, Muscle strength (One Repetition Maximum)and Range of Motions at the end of the exercises except that of right wrist extension (P>0.05). Conclusions: T2D patients presented with neuromusculoskeletal disorders at baseline. Therapeutic exercises however assisted in the improvement of these disorders but relapsed when exercises were suspended. Engagement in therapeutic exercises enhanced neuromusculoskeletal health, while withdrawal from the exercise contributed to a decline. T2D patients should be encouraged to participate in therapeutic exercises in order to promote their health and function

Sociodemographic determinants of attrition in hospital based therapeutic exercise programme for type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: Abandoning research programmes by participants may impose disadvantages on the participant, the research and the researcher. This study investigated the contributions of sociodemographic characteristics to the attrition of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients who enrolled into a 12-week therapeutic exercise programme. METHODS: In the 12-week, thrice weekly hospital-based therapeutic exercise programme, the contributions of age, gender, duration of diagnosis, marital status, cohabitation, urbanization, educational and employment status to two sources of attrition (inability to locate and decline to commence or complete) were studied. RESULTS: Participants were aged 48 +/- 9.62 years. Out of the 152 participants who agreed to participate, only 93 (61.18%) actually commenced the exercise programme, while 69 (74.19%) of those who commenced the programme completed it. Risk of attrition due to inability to locate participants was higher in females (OR = 3.25, 95% CI = 2.96-3.91), single or divorced and living in the rural area (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.12-1.52). Risk of decline to commence or complete was higher with increasing age, living alone, longer duration of diagnosis and being in paid employment while this was less likely in individuals who were married and more educated. CONCLUSION: We recorded 25.81% attrition for those who actually commenced the programme. Sociodemographic characteristics contributed to attrition in the 12-week, thrice weekly hospital-based exercise programme and we suggest closer monitoring (based on these sociodemographic characteristics) of T2D patients scheduled for therapeutic exercises in order to minimize attrition, maximise attendance and ensure higher retention.

Distribution of the three McKenzie syndromes among patients with low back pain in selected outpatient physiotherapy facilities in Nigeria.

This multi-centre study investigated the distribution pattern of the three McKenzie syndromes among patients with low back pain (LBP) from the out patient physiotherapy departments of some selected medical facilities in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States of Nigeria in order to establish the distribution index for patients suffering from LBP. Patients were selected using a consecutive sampling technique. Patients were examined and classified using the McKenzie assessment protocol. A total of 66 patients (57.6% males and 42.4% females) suffering from LBP of lumbar spine origin out of the 78 referred to the selected medical facilities qualified for the study; Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and interferential statistic of independent t-test. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Result showed that patients with derangement syndrome constituted 83.0% of the patients' population while dysfunction syndrome and postural syndrome were 9.0% and 8.0% respectively. It was concluded that derangement syndrome is predominant, in the studied population.

Low back pain prevalence amongst industrial workers in the private sector in Oyo State, Nigeria.

A cross sectional study was conducted in order to investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in industrial workers and the association between certain job--related tasks and the prevalence of low back pain. Data on 515 males and 89 females who were workers in the selected industries in the private sector in Ibadan City Oyo State Nigeria were collected using a self administered questionnaire and analyzed. The point prevalence of LBP in the workers was 59.7 percent while a 12 month prevalence of LBP was 59.5 percent. Job activities which involved sitting (P=0.03) and lifting (P=0.006) were significantly associated with occurrence of low back pain respectively while those which involved standing (P=0.61) and vibration (P=0.12) were not associated with the occurrence of LBP among the workers. Physical exercise or lack of it was not associated with LBP (P=0.96). Lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption (P=0.80), cigarette smoking (P=0.92) and tobacco snuff taking (P=0.26) were not associated with occurrence of LBP. In conclusion, the job related tasks that predisposed the industrial workers to low back pain included sitting and lifting activities while those of standing and vibration did not have any significant effect on the prevalence of LBP.

Risk factors for low back pain among office workers in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is the most common musculo-skeletal problem in the workplace. Data from low-income countries are scant. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for low back pain among office workers in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was utilized. Questionnaires were distributed among office workers in the civil service in Ibadan, Nigeria. RESULTS: Eight hundred and forty questionnaires were analysed, with a response rate of 66%. The 12 month prevalence of low back pain was 38% and the point prevalence was 20%. Low back pain was significantly associated with senior staff grade and smoking. Severity of low back pain was associated with sitting for >3 h. Only 16 respondents (5%) reported sickness absence due to back pain in the previous year. A total of 75 days were lost, a mean of 4.7 days per year. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of low back pain in this study is comparable with that reported in studies from more industrialized countries, but does not constitute a major cause of sickness absence in this group of workers.

Pain assessment in Nigerians--Visual Analogue Scale and Verbal Rating Scale compared.

The usefulness of 2 methods of pain assessment was determined in a cohort of Nigerians who had pain as a symptom and were receiving physiotherapy for various indications. The English and Yoruba versions of two Pain Rating Scales, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) with 1 to 4 or 1 to 5 intensity scales (VRS-4 or VRS-5) were employed for the assessment of pain in 100 patients. The mean pain score on the 4-point VRS scale was 2.49 +/- 0.72, for the 5-point VRS 2.1 +/- 1.18 and for the VAS 4.93 +/- 2.5. Correlation analysis for corresponding groups of patients showed a significant positive relationship between the VAS and VRS-4 (r = 0.68 P < 0.001) VAS and VRS-5 (r = 0.64 P < 0.001) indicating that both VAS and VRS constitute useful tools for pain assessment in Nigerian patients.

Electrical (faradic) stimulation versus active mobilization exercise in the physical management of post-surgical temporomandibular joint hypomobility.

This clinical study compared the efficacy of faradic stimulation and active mobilization exercises in the physical management of patients with post-surgical immobilization of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) resulting in hypomobility of the joint. Eight volunteer dental patients with post-surgical immobilization TMJ hypomobility at the University College Hospital (U.C.H.), Ibadan, Nigeria participated in the study. Duration of TMJ immobilization was between 6 and 10 weeks (mean 7.13 +/- 1.55). Patients were alternately assigned to two groups as they became available. Patients in group A received mild infra-red radiation to the TMJ region and faradic stimulation to the muscles that move the joint while patients in group B had mild infra-red radiation and TMJ mobilization exercises. Treatment continued until pain relief and full range of the TMJ were attained. However after three treatment sessions, attendance became irregular because the patients were satisfied with their recovery. Pain perception was measured using the visual analogue scale. Interincisal opening was measured using a pair of mathematical set divider and a measuring ruler. The results showed that both faradic stimulation and exercises significantly improved the interincisal opening and pain perception although electrical stimulation improved mouth opening more significantly than active exercise.

Effects of cold application on isometric strength and endurance of quadriceps femoris muscle.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of cold therapy on isometric strength and endurance of the quadriceps femoris muscle group. Sixty volunteer healthy normal subjects participated in the study, 30 were males and 30 were females. They were aged between 20 and 27 years. The subjects were screened for previous knee injuries or abnormalities through history taking and physical examination. The baseline isometric strength and endurance of the quadriceps was tested before application of cold on the thigh. Immediate post and 10-minute post cold application isometric strength and endurance were measured using an adapted cable tensiometer. The result of the study showed that cold increased the isometric strength of the quadriceps in all the subjects immediate post and 10-minute post cold application (P < 0.05) and the immediate post cooling endurance index of male and combined male and female subjects (P < 0.05). No significant increase was seen in the immediate post cooling endurance for female subjects (P > 0.05). Also no significant difference was seen in 10-minute post cooling endurance of all the subjects when compared with the pre-cooling endurance. This study therefore concluded that cold application increased isometric muscle strength and endurance post cold application. It was therefore recommended that application of cold on muscle should be employed while rehabilitating an individual with musculoskeletal pathology or deficit particularly while training for muscle endurance, strength and restoration of muscle function.

Range of motion in selected joints of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

The purpose of the study was to compare the mobility of selected joints of the limbs in diabetic and non-diabetics subjects. One hundred subjects comprising of 50 volunteer diabetics and 50 volunteer non-diabetics subjects participated in this study. The range of motion of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, hip and knee joins were measured using a double armed simple goniometer and recorded in degrees. The outcome of this study revealed that there was a significant difference between joint mobility in the diabetic and non-diabetic subjects for all the joints range measured except the knee and elbow joints. There was also a low and positive correlation between duration of diabetes and frequency of finger deformities. No significant difference was found between joint mobility of male and female diabetics subjects. It was concluded that reduced range of motion of some joints especially of the wrist and hand could set in as a complication diabetics conditions.

Comparison of abdominal muscle strength in post-parous and nil parous subjects.

This study investigated the relationship between parity and abdominal muscle strength using the Kraus-Weber test. Female volunteers (700) comprising 350 post-parous and 350 nil-parous subjects participated in the study. Physical characteristics of the subjects (age, body weight, height and ponderal index) were measured while the abdominal muscle strength was assessed using three of the six-item Kraus-Weber tests. Results were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Independent t-test showed a significant difference in values of the abdominal. muscle strength of the post-parous and nil-parous subjects (P < 0.05). Pearson's correlation's matrix showed an inverse relationship between parity and scores on the Kraus-Weber test in the post-parous subjects. A significant difference was observed across the parity groups in age, Ponderal index and scores on the Kraus-Weber tests. It was concluded that the abdominal muscle strength of the post-parous subjects was low compared to nil-parous subjects. Due to the ease of application and its non-dependence on the use of sophisticated equipment, it was recommended that the Kraus-Weber test should be used for both subjective assessment and training of abdominal muscle strengths.

Range of Motion in Selected Joints of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Subjects

The purpose of the study was to compare the mobility of selected joints of the limbs in diabetic and non-diabetics subjects. One hundred subjects comprising of 50 volunteer diabetics and 50 volunteer non-diabetics subjects participated in this study. The range of motion of the shoulder; elbow; wrist; fingers; hip and knee joins were measured using a double armed simple goniometer and recorded in degrees. The outcome of this study revealed that there was a significant difference between joint mobility in the diabetic and non-diabetic subjects for all the joints range measured except the knee and elbow joints. There was also a low and positive correlation between duration of diabetes and frequency of finger deformities. No significant difference was found between joint mobility of male and female diabetics subjects. It was concluded that reduced range of motion of some joints especially of the wrist and hand could set in as a complication diabetics conditions