Weekly assessment of number of yoga classes and amount of yoga home practice: Agreement with daily diaries.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a weekly yoga practice assessment instrument designed to assess number of classes attended in the previous week, number of times engaged in formal home yoga practice, total number of minutes engaged in formal home yoga practice in the past week, and number of times engaged in informal home yoga practice. "Informal" practice was defined as "in the middle of other activities, you spent a few moments engaged in asanas/postures, focus on breath, body awareness, or very brief meditation, for less than 5 min at a time." We assessed agreement between this weekly assessment and a daily home practice log. DESIGN AND SETTING: Seventy-two community yoga practitioners completed online daily yoga logs for 28 days as well as the weekly yoga practice assessment four times over the 28 day period. RESULTS: We examined agreement between the two methods on the four indices of amount of weekly yoga practice. We found acceptable agreement between the two methods for number of classes, number of times engaged in formal home practice, and total number of minutes engaged in formal home practice. Agreement was lower for number of times engaged in informal practice. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide support for use of a weekly yoga practice assessment to assess number of classes attended and amount of formal but not informal home practice.

Compliance with physical activity health recommendations in members of non-governmental organizations promoting active lifestyle.

INTRODUCTION: A vital role in health maintenance and the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases is played by an adequate level of physical activity. In recent decades, numerous guidelines have been developed to determine the criteria of physical activity levels that are essential to obtain overall health benefits. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the presented study was evaluation of the physical activity of adult members of non-governmental organizations promoting active lifestyle, in compliance with recommendations of the World Health Organization and the American College of Sport Medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study examined 95 adult members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) promoting an active lifestyle in the Silesian Province of Western Poland. In order to make a comprehensive physical activity evaluation (including all criteria of most complex health-recommendations), both an objective tool (ActiGraph GT3X) and a subjective tool (Daily Physical Activity Log) were used. RESULTS: Compliance with a weekly total time of moderate to vigorous aerobic efforts were observed in 47% of women and 44% of men with regard to WHO guidelines, and in 29% of women and 23% of men, respectively, regarding ACSM guidelines. The criterion for the frequency of strength exercises was met by 24% of women and 15% of men. Flexibility exercises level was adequate in 35% of women and 28% of men. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent cause of non-meeting the criteria of the above- mentioned organisations were insufficient frequency of the weekly resistance (strength) exercises and flexibility exercises. There is a need to create public health programmes based on the complex physical activity recommendations, including all types of physical efforts (aerobic, strength, flexibility), and to emphasise the fact that meeting all of them is essential to obtain overall health benefits.

Association of Self-Reported Aerobic Physical Activity, Muscle-Strengthening Physical Activity, and Stretching Behavior With Presenteeism.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate relations between aerobic physical activity (PA), muscle-strengthening PA, and stretching behavior and presenteeism in university employees. METHODS: A cross-sectional study used health assessment data from two employee respondent groups (n2015 = 10,791 and n2009 = 10,165). Multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial regression models assessed the association between self-reported PA types and presenteeism. RESULTS: There was consistent evidence that employees who reported participating in sufficient aerobic PA had higher odds for no work limitations [odds ratio (OR2015) = 1.45, P < 0.001; OR2009 = 1.55, P < 0.001] and lower levels of work limitations [incidence rate ratio (IRR)2015 = 0.92, P < 0.05; IRR2009 = 0.83, P < 0.001] than employees who reported participating in no activity. There was some evidence of an inverse association between muscle-strengthening PA and work limitations, but no evidence between stretching behavior and work limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Promoting PA among employees is a key health behavior to target for worksites concerned about presenteeism.

Estudio longitudinal de la flexibilidad funcional en mayores físicamente activos / Longitudinal study of functional flexibility in olfer physically active

Un importante componente de la condición física es la flexibilidad, particularmente para las personas mayores que suelen sufrir un deterioro de la misma con los años. Con el objetivo de conocer como la flexibilidad evoluciona a lo largo del tiempo en un grupo de personas mayores físicamente activas, este estudio longitudinal ha evaluado 54 sujetos mayores de 65 años (17 hombres y 37 mujeres), que participaban con regularidad en clases de mantenimiento físico global realizadas dos veces a la semana en sesiones de 60 minutos. Para la medición de la flexibilidad fueron aplicados los tests chair sit and reach y back scratch, en cuatro momentos distintos en un periodo total de 12 meses. Los resultados muestran la evolución positiva de la flexibilidad de las zonas testadas en el grupo de mayores practicantes de actividad física al final de un año. Se concluye que para los participantes previamente activos del estudio la flexibilidad fue mantenida con el tiempo e inclusive mejorada en el periodo total propuesto al conservarse un estilo de vida activo a través de la práctica regular de actividad física de mantenimiento global de la condición física (AU)

Flexibility is an important component of physical fitness, particularly in elderly people whose flexibility tend to deteriorate with the passing of time. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to determine how flexibility of older adults’ change over time. The control group consisted of 54 physically active adults (17 men and 37 women) all of which were 65 years and older. These adults participated in a 60 minute global fitness course, led by a trained instructor, twice a week. During the 12 month study, the subjects’ flexibility was measured at four different times through chair sit and reach and back scratch tests. The results show that the subjects who took part in this yearlong study, experienced positive results in flexibility in the areas tested. The results concluded that the subjects in the study that were previously engaged in regularly physical activity maintained and in some cases, improved flexibility through regular global fitness activity (AU)

Determining the Importance of Meeting Muscle-Strengthening Activity Guidelines: Is the Behavior or the Outcome of the Behavior (Strength) a More Important Determinant of All-Cause Mortality?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the behavioral participation in muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) or the strength outcome produces the largest reduction in all-cause mortality risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 1999-2002 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey was used, with follow-up of up to 12.6 years (mean, 9.9 years) (N=2773 adults aged ≥50 years). Participants were placed into 4 groups based on 2 dichotomously categorized variables: lower-extremity strength (LES) of the knee extensors (top quartile) and adherence to MSA guidelines (≥2 MSA sessions per week). Approximately 21% of the population died during follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with individuals not meeting MSA guidelines and not in top quartile for LES, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were as follows: (1) meets MSA guidelines but not in top quartile for LES (HR=0.96; 95% CI, 0.63-1.45; P=.84), (2) in top quartile for LES but does not meet MSA guidelines (HR=0.54; 95% CI, 0.42-0.71; P<.001), and (3) in top quartile for LES and meets MSA guidelines (HR=0.28; 95% CI, 0.12-0.66; P=.005). Further analyses revealed that individuals in the top quartile for LES who also met MSA and moderate to vigorous physical activity guidelines were at even further reduced risk for premature all-cause mortality (HR=0.23; 95% CI, 0.08-0.61; P=.005). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that muscle strength seems to be more important than the behavioral participation in MSA for reducing the risk of premature all-cause mortality.

Actualización sobre los efectos de los estiramientos en la lumbalgia: una revisión sistemática / Update on the effects of stretching in low back pain: a systematic review

Objetivo: Analizar la literatura científica actual para conocer los efectos de los estiramientos en pacientes con lumbalgia. Estrategia de búsqueda: La búsqueda se llevó a cabo en enero de 2014 en Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, WOS, LILACS y PubMed. Selección de los estudios: Se obtuvieron un total de 350 artículos publicados entre 2009 y 2014, y aplicando los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, 12 fueron válidos para la revisión. Resultados: En muchos de los artículos seleccionados se realizaron estiramientos de la musculatura de la cadena posterior, en uno de ellos se hizo estiramiento del tejido nervioso, y otro comparó estiramientos musculares con movilización neural. Conclusiones: Los estiramientos, en general, obtienen resultados positivos. La calidad metodológica de los artículos analizados fue baja, por lo que serían necesarios más estudios de mejor calidad y con tamaños de muestra más amplios que verificasen los buenos resultados

Objective: To analyze the current scientific evidence to know the effects of stretching in patients with low back pain. Research strategy. The research was carried out in January 2014 using Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, WOS, LILACS and PubMed. Study selection: A total of 350 papers, published between 2009 and 2014, were review. Of these, 12 were finally selected for review after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Stretching of posterior muscle chain was done in many of the articles. In one article, the nervous tissue was stretched, and in another, muscle stretching was compared with neural mobilization. Conclusions: In general, stretching resulted in positives results. The methodological quality of the papers analyzed was low. Therefore, more studies with better quality and larger samples sizes are needed to verify the good results

Group physical therapy during inpatient rehabilitation for acute spinal cord injury: findings from the SCIRehab Study.

BACKGROUND: Inpatient rehabilitation for spinal cord injury (SCI) includes the use of both individual and group physical therapy sessions. A greater understanding of group physical therapy use will help in the evaluation of the appropriateness of its use and contribute to the development of standards of practice. OBJECTIVE: This report describes the extent to which group physical therapy is being used in inpatient rehabilitation for SCI, identifies group physical therapy interventions being delivered, and examines patterns in the types of activities being used for people with different levels and completeness of injury (ie, injury groups). DESIGN: The SCIRehab Study is a 5-year, multicenter investigation that uses practice-based evidence research methodology. METHODS: Data on characteristics of participants and treatments provided were collected through detailed chart review and customized research documentation completed by clinicians at the point of care. The analyses described here included data from 600 participants enrolled during the first year of the project. RESULTS: Most of the participants (549/600) spent time in group physical therapy, and 23% of all documented physical therapy time was spent in group sessions. The most common group physical therapy activities were strengthening, manual wheelchair mobility, gait training, endurance activities, and range of motion/stretching. Time spent in group physical therapy and the nature of activities performed varied among the injury groups. LIMITATIONS: Physical therapy use patterns observed in the 6 participating centers may not represent all facilities providing inpatient rehabilitation for SCI. Research documentation did not include all factors that may affect group physical therapy use, and some sessions were not documented. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of physical therapy was provided in individual sessions, but group physical therapy contributed significantly to total physical therapy time. Group physical therapy time and activities differed among the injury groups in patterns consistent with clinical goals.

Interpreting normalized and nonnormalized data after acute static stretching in athletes and nonathletes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute static stretching on torque and electromyography (EMG) in female athletes (ATHs) and nonathletes (NONATHs) using both normalized (NORM) and nonnormalized (NONNORM) data. Fifteen ATHs recruited from women's National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II varsity basketball and volleyball teams were paired to 14 NONATHs. Electromyography (microV) was detected over the rectus femoris during isokinetic leg extensions at 60 and 300 degrees .s before (PRE) and after (POST) static stretching. There was a significant main effect for torque (mean +/- SD PRE = 81.9 +/- 22.7 Nxm; POST = 77.0 +/- 21.9 Nxm) and EMG amplitude (PRE = 767.6 +/- 288.6 microV; POST = 664.2 +/- 219.3 microV) for PRE compared to POST. For the NORM data, there was a significant decrease in torque for the NONATHs (mean +/- SD PRE = 73 +/- 12 Nxm; POST = 67 +/- 12 Nxm) but no significant difference for the ATHs (mean +/- SD PRE = 65 +/- 11 Nxm; POST = 66 +/- 8 Nxm). The NONNORM data indicated that both the ATHs and NONATHs displayed a stretching-induced decrease in torque that may be manifested in a decreased ability to activate the muscle. The NORM data revealed the NONATHs but not the ATHs were hindered in their ability to produce torque as a result of the stretching. Coaches and ATHs may want to carefully consider whether to include stretching in their precompetition routine. When reading the literature, the practitioner should consider the manner in which the data were calculated and analyzed (NORM or NONNORM) because it may affect the conclusions of the study.

Exploratory analysis of exercise adherence patterns with sedentary pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: It is not well understood how sedentary women who wish to engage in regular exercise adhere to interventions during pregnancy and what factors may influence adherence over time. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine longitudinal patterns of pregnant women's adherence to exercise. METHODS: Exploratory secondary data analyses were carried out with 124 previously sedentary pregnant women (ages 31 +/- 5 years; 85% non-Hispanic White) from a randomized controlled trial. Daily exercise logs (n = 92) from 18 through 35 weeks of gestation were explored using linear regression, functional data, and principal component analyses. RESULTS: Adherence decreased as gestation week increased (p < .001). The top adherers maintained levels of adherence, and the bottom adherers decreased levels of adherence. And adherence pattern was influenced by types of exercise throughout the study period. DISCUSSION: Exercise behavior patterns were explored in a randomized controlled trial study, using chronometric data on exercise attendance. A new analytic approach revealed that sedentary pregnant women may adopt exercise habits differently from other populations.

Myofascial trigger points in children with tension-type headache: a new diagnostic and therapeutic option.

The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a trigger point-specific physiotherapy on headache frequency, intensity, and duration in children with episodic or chronic tension-type headache. Patients were recruited from the special headache outpatient clinic. A total of 9 girls (mean age 13.1 years; range, 5-15 years) with the diagnosis of tension-type headache participated in the pilot study from May to September 2006 and received trigger point-specific physiotherapy twice a week by a trained physiotherapist. After an average number of 6.5 therapeutic sessions, the headache frequency had been reduced by 67.7%, intensity by 74.3%, and duration by 77.3%. No side effects were noted during the treatment. These preliminary findings suggest a role for active trigger points in children with tension-type headache. Trigger point-specific physiotherapy seems to be an effective therapy in these children. Further prospective and controlled studies in a larger cohort are warranted.

Dynamic stretching and golf swing performance.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of dynamic stretching, static stretching and no stretching, as part of a general warm-up, on golf swing performance with a five-iron. Measures of performance were taken 0 min, 5 min, 15 min and 30 min after stretching. Dynamic stretching produced significantly greater club head speeds than both static stretching (Delta=1.9m.s (-1); p=0.000) and no stretching (Delta=1.7 m.s (-1); p=0.000), and greater ball speeds than both static stretching (Delta=3.5m.s (-1); p=0.003) and no stretching (Delta=3.3m.s (-1); p=0.001). Dynamic stretching produced significantly straighter swing-paths than both static stretching (Delta=-0.61 degrees , p=0.000) and no stretching (Delta=-0.72 degrees , p=0.01). Dynamic stretching also produced more central impact points than the static stretch (Delta=0.7 cm, p=0.001). For the club face angle, there was no effect of either stretch or time. For all of the variables measured, there was no significant difference between the static stretch and no stretch conditions. All of the results were unaffected by the time of measurement after stretching. The results indicate that dynamic stretching should be used as part of a general warm-up in golf.

Is there an association between self-reported warm-up behaviour and golf related injury in female golfers?

Golfing injuries have been shown to occur frequently, and injury countermeasures have been suggested to help reduce injury risk. Performing an appropriate warm-up is thought to reduce injury risk, however there is a lack of evidence to support this notion. Therefore this study aimed to investigate the relationships between warm-up participation and injury in a cohort of female golfers. A total of 522 golfers participating in the Victorian Women's Pennant Competition completed the study. Over one-third (35.2%) of the golfers reported having sustained a golfing injury within the previous 12 months, with the lower back the most commonly injured region. Most golfers reported not warming-up prior to play or practice. Golfers who reported not warming-up on a regular basis were more likely to have reported a golfing injury in the previous 12 months than those reporting frequent warm-up participation (OR=45.2; 95% CI: 13.5, 151.7). Less skilled golfers were also less likely to report sustaining a golfing injury than more skilled golfers (OR=0.2; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.5). This study is one of the few to establish an association between warm-up participation and injury. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine whether warm-up reduces injury risk for golf participation.