Effect of supervised exercise program including balance exercises on the balance status and clinical signs in patients with fibromyalgia.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the supervised exercise program including balance exercises was superior to home exercise programs in improving clinical parameters and balance status in patients with FM. Fifty women who were diagnosed with primary FM were assigned into supervised exercise group (Group 1) and home exercise group (Group 2). Evaluation parameters were clinical parameters [pain, number of tender points (NTP), Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)], and parameters associated with balance [timed up and go test (TUGT), four square step test (FSST), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and static balance measurements]. Significant differences were determined between all pre- and post-exercise clinical follow-up parameters at 12th week in Group 1. There was a significant difference only in the BDS score between baseline and at the 24th week. When the changes in balance parameters in Group 1 were investigated, a significant difference was noted at the 12th week in terms of TUGT, FSST, and ABC scale scores compared to baseline; however, the significant change maintained only in ABC scale at the 24th week compared to baseline. Significant differences were noted in all clinical parameters in Group 2 at the 12th week, whereas no difference was observed at the 24th week. Evaluation of balance parameters in Group 2 at the 12th week revealed significant differences in terms of the TUGT, FSST, BBS, and ABC scale scores compared to baseline, whereas 24th week evaluation revealed significant differences only in the BBS and ABC scale scores. When the two groups were compared, a significant difference was observed in favor of Group 2 only for the BBS at the 12th week evaluation. Exercise programs had short-term beneficial effects on either clinical signs or dynamic balance.

Acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on leg flexor and extensor isokinetic strength in elite women athletes.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of static and dynamic stretching of the leg flexors and extensors on concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT) and electromyography (EMG) amplitude of the leg extensors and flexors in women athletes. Ten elite women athletes completed the following intervention protocol in a randomized order on separate days: (a) non-stretching (control), (b) static stretching, and (c) dynamic stretching. Stretched muscles were the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Before and after the stretching or control intervention, concentric and eccentric isokinetic PT and EMG activity of the leg extensors and flexors were measured at 60 and 180 degrees/s. Concentric and eccentric quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength at both test speeds displayed a significant decrease following static stretching (P<0.01-0.001). In contrast, a significant increase was observed after dynamic stretching for these strength parameters (P<0.05-0.001). Parallel to this, normalized EMG amplitude parameters exhibited significant decreases following static (P<0.05-0.001) and significant increases following dynamic stretching (P<0.05-0.001) during quadriceps and hamstring muscle actions at both concentric and eccentric testing modes. Our findings suggest that dynamic stretching, as opposed to static or no stretching, may be an effective technique for enhancing muscle performance during the pre-competition warm-up routine in elite women athletes.