The Effect of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Program on Physical Performance and Selected Cardiometabolic Markers in Obese Young Females.

Background and Objectives: Whole-body electromyostimulation is under investigation as a potential aid for obesity-related health problems, supplementing a comprehensive, evidence-based obesity management strategy that includes lifestyle, diet, and exercise. The study investigated the impact of a whole-body electromyostimulation training program on physical performance and cardiometabolic markers in young obese females. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight obese females, aged over 18 years with BMI over 30 and body fat over 28% and no underlying health conditions or medication, were divided into a whole-body electromyostimulation group (15 participants) and a control group (13 participants). The whole-body electromyostimulation program lasted 12 weeks, with two 20 min sessions weekly, using bipolar, rectangular current. Assessments pre and post intervention included body composition, blood pressure, lipid profile, C-reactive protein levels, maximal oxygen consumption, and jumping and sprint performance. Two-way ANOVA and t-tests were used for analysis. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant (group × time) interactions for body composition, systolic blood pressure, maximal oxygen consumption, jumping and sprint performance, and plasma levels of lipids and C-reactive protein. Post hoc analyses for the whole-body electromyostimulation group indicated improvements in body composition indices (p < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.003), maximal oxygen consumption (p = 0.010), and both jumping and 30 m sprint performance (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) after the intervention. Furthermore, plasma levels of lipids (p < 0.01) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.002) showed significant improvements following the training program. In contrast, no significant changes were observed for these variables in the control group. Conclusions: A 12-week whole-body electromyostimulation program significantly improved body composition (skeletal muscle mass, body mass index, body fat, and waist circumference), physical performance (maximal oxygen consumption, jumping and sprint performance), and certain cardiometabolic (plasma level of lipids) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein) in obese young women. Further research is needed to explore the broader effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on physical and cardiometabolic health.

Isokinetic strengthening and neuromuscular electrical stimulation protocol impact on physical performances, functional status and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis overweight/obese women.

BACKGROUND: Knee muscle weakness associated with overweight/obesity can lead to impairment of vital daily function in knee osteoarthritis patients. This study investigated the effect of a knee eccentric isokinetic muscle strength (IMS) training program combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on muscle strength and flexibility, joint ROM, functional status, physical performance, and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis overweight/obese women. METHODS: Thirty-six women were randomized into three groups, two experimental groups (EG) and a control group following a classic rehabilitation program. During 6 weeks of two sessions/week, one of the two EGs performed an IMS program (ISO.G); the other underwent combined IMS and NMES training (ISO + NMES.G). All patients were evaluated with clinical examination, isokinetic test at 60°/s and 240°/s speeds, physical performance tests related to activities of daily living, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) quality of life questionnaire, before and after the intervention. RESULTS: In the 10-m walk, chair stand, stair climb and monopodal stance tests, muscle flexibility and quality of life scores showed significant improvement for ISO.G (P = 0.000) and ISO + NMES.G (P = 0.000). Concentric strength at 240°/s was improved in ISO + NMES.G (P = 0.000) unlike the muscle strength at 60°/s (quadriceps, P = 0.104; hamstrings, P = 0.171), force asymmetry (P = 0.481) and post-intervention joint ROM (P = 0.309). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of IMS and NMES shows significant superiority over the usual rehabilitation program for the majority of the parameters measured for optimal management of knee osteoarthritis.

Comparison of isokinetic trunk flexion and extension torques and powers between athletes and nonathletes.

This study is aimed to perform and compare maximal concentric isokinetic trunk extension and flexion torques and powers between high-level athletes and a control population. In addition, the ratio of isokinetic trunk extension and flexion torques was measured, and compared between groups. Eighteen high-level male athletes and 15 male nonathletes without low back pain were recruited. Subjects performed isokinetic trunk extension and flexion at 60°/sec, 90°/sec, and 120°/sec through a maximal range of motion in a dynamometer. Trunk extension torque of athletes was significantly higher than in nonathletes at 60°/sec and 90°/sec but not at 120°/sec. Trunk extension power of athletes was significantly higher than the control group at 90°/sec and 120°/sec but not at 60°/sec. There was no difference between the athlete and nonathlete groups in respect of trunk flexion torque or power at any angular velocity. Consequently, the ratio of trunk flexion to extension strength was greater in nonathletes than in athletes. Trunk extension and flexion torques tended to decrease, and trunk extension and flexion powers tended to increase, with increasing angular velocity. High-level athletes seem to display preferentially greater trunk extension strength and power in comparison with trunk flexion strength, compared to nonathletes. This could be caused by the use of strength training exercises such as squats and deadlifts, or it may be associated with greater athletic performance.

[The contribution of the new scale for assessing disability]. / Apport de la nouvelle grille d'évaluation du handicap.

PROBLEM: The assessment of disability and its management is complex and problematic. With a view to ensuring equality of opportunity between disabled people and others, a new law adopted in August 2005 proposed a new method for assessing disability is applicable on a wider scale by GPs. AIM: Assessing the contribution of the new scale for assessing disability in patients suffering from debilitating diseases, to verify compliance in Tunisia. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on 60 hemiplegic, paraplegic and post traumatic head injuries. The patients underwent clinical evaluation and a functional assessment. The assessment tools used were: the classification of the American Spinal Injury Association, the Barthel Index, Glasgow Outcome Scale, Functional Independence Measure, the Health Assessement Questionnaire and the Social Function-36. Patients were also evaluated with the new scale of disability. RESULTS: concerning paraplegic patients, limitation of activity concerned mobility, maintenance staff, domestic life, social relationships, community life and major areas of life. On the hemiplegic, areas related to communication, mobility, maintenance staff, domestic life, social relationships, community life and major areas of life have been affected. We have noted a correlation between the new scale and the Barthel Index. Regarding traumatic brain injury, the areas most affected were those related to mobility, maintenance staff, domestic life and the major areas of life. A correlation was found between the new scale and the Functional Independence Measure in three populations, as well as the quality of life that has been correlated with disability. Disability was observed in 90% of paraplegics, 80% and 50% of hemiplegic patients with severe brain injury. The handicap was the heaviest seen in traumatic brain injury patients with a frequency of 20%. CONCLUSION: The new scale for assessing disability has reproduced disability and special needs of paraplegic patients, stroke patients and traumatic brain injury.

[Neurogenic bladder in diabetes mellitus]. / Les neurovessies du diabete.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic bladder dysfunction is among the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. It is principally caused by autonomic neuropathy defining diabetic cystopathy. AIM: characterize the bladder dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The clinical and urodynamic records of patients with diabetes mellitus were reviewed. RESULTS: 40 patients with diabetes mellitus were included in the study mean aged 55 years. 32 patients had voiding dysfunction. Urinary frequency and difficulty emptying were the predominant symptoms that led to patient referral. 15 patients (31.25%) had decreased flow rates. 12 patients (37.5%) had diminished bladder sensation and/or impaired detrusor contractility. 10 patients (25%) had detrusor hyperreflexia and 6 patients had impaired detrusor contractility with increased bladder sensation. Vescico-uretral dyssynergia was found in 2 patients (5%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that classical diabetic cystopathy is not the most common urodynamic findings in patients with diabetes mellitus and demonstrates the importance of urodynamic studies in diagnosing bladder dysfunction in diabetics before initiation of therapy.

[Place of orthotic devices in the neuromuscular diseases]. / Place de l'appareillage orthopédique dans les maladies neuromusculaires.

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION-AIM: If neuromuscular diseases differ by the age of the beginning, the mechanism, the topography and the evolution, they have in common to pull a deficit of the muscular force which establishes the main consequence of these diseases. The orthopedic devices is an essential constituent of the coverage. The purpose is to warn or to correct orthopaedic deformations, to protect, to facilitate or to supply a function, to assure a better comfort and to get for the patient the best quality of life. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the place of the orthopedic devices in the therapeutic protocol, the modalities of attributions but also the frequent difficulties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: retrospective inquiry with patients affected by neuromuscular diseases justifying an orthopedic devices assessed at the monthly multidisciplinary consultation of the service of physical and rehabilitation medicine of the National Institute of Orthopaedics M. Kassab from November, 2002 till April, 2003, the patients listed in the National Institute of Neurology and the patients seen at home. RESULTS: 30 cases of average age 16.7 years with extremes of 6 years and of 54 years. All the subjects of our study use an orthopaedic device which is either an orthosis, or a technical device. The most prescribed orthosis are those of the trunk. the posterior thigh-leg-foot thermo-formable night splints come at the head of list of the orthosis of lower limbs. The lack of satisfaction is reported especially for the orthosis of the trunk. Delivery periods are on average of five months. CONCLUSION: the orthopedic device plays a fundamental role in the physiotherapy strategy. It is always prescribed in multidisciplinary way by taking into account deficits, environment and demand of the patient allowing so the purchase of an adapted and comfortable equipment. "Reproaches" and demands of the users are a delivery periods often long and an insufficient coverage notably for technical and organization of residence. We propose according to a review updated by the literature, the recommendations allowing a better prescription of an performing equipment.