Comparison between neurodynamic therapy and foam rolling in cool-down sessions for delayed onset muscle soreness in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common finding in trained and untrained individuals post high intensity exercises which can lead to injuries. Foam rolling (FR) and neurodynamic therapy (NDT) are types of active cool-down which provides effective for treatment of DOMS. But their role in reduction of intensity of the same in cool down is not established. STUDY DESIGN: Crossover study. METHODOLOGY: Total 60 healthy individuals participated in the study. Pre intervention readings were taken of strength and tightness by Range of motion. Subjects performed both the types of cool-down separated by 4 weeks interval with random allocation. Post intervention readings of hamstring and quadriceps tightness, grade of tenderness and stand to sit VAS score was taken post 24 h and 48 h and strength post 48 h. RESULTS: Analysis was done for using repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman's test. The difference of values for Straight Leg Raise and Prone knee Flexion between NDT and FR post 24 h were statistically significant (p < 0.05) while that of NDT post 24 h being similar to FR post 48 h (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between strength, tenderness and VAS in NDT and FR (p < 0.05). With the mean of post 24 h as well as post 48 h being less in the FR intervention. CONCLUSION: Foam rolling is a better option than Neurodynamic therapy for reduction of intensity of DOMS.

Additional effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on knee extension lag, pain and knee range of motion in immediate postsurgical phase (0-2 weeks) in primary total knee arthroplasty patient.

BACKGROUND: There are various studies on younger adults which have shown that neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), at sufficient intensities, combined with active exercises had better improvement in muscle strength and functional performance than exercises alone. But very limited research is available for giving NMES in the early acute stages post total knee arthroplasty (TKA). So, the short-term effect of NMES had not yet been researched upon widely. As there were conflicting evidences in giving NMES post TKA, this study was proposed to assess the short-term effect of early NMES on knee joint pain, range of motion (ROM) and extension lag on patients undergoing bilateral TKA. METHODS: The study included 28 bilateral TKA patients following osteoarthritis (OA) knee within the age group of 50-75 years (60.82±5.69). The knees of 28 bilaterally operated patients were randomly divided into two groups; 1 knee was allocated in the experimental group and the other knee of the same patient became the control. The experimental group was given NMES with exercises, while the control group was given only exercises for 7 days. The patients were asked to continue to follow exercises even after the discharge, i.e., beyond 7 days. The patients were measured for pain; knee flexion ROM and extensor lag both before and after intervention. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in pain, knee ROM and extensor lag post intervention P<0.05 in both the groups. But there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to pain, knee ROM and extensor lag, P>0.05. CONCLUSIONS: The NMES and exercises worked equally in case of patients operated for TKA. Hence our results concluded that there was no additional effect of NMES on extensor lag, knee ROM and pain when applied for 7 days in patients operated with TKA.

Assessment of Lumbar Lordosis and Lumbar Core Strength in Information Technology Professionals.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PURPOSE: To correlate lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength in information technology (IT) professionals. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: IT professionals have to work for long hours in a sitting position, which can affect lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength. METHODS: Flexicurve was used to assess the lumbar lordosis, and pressure biofeedback was used to assess the lumbar core strength in the IT professionals. All subjects, both male and female, with and without complaint of low back pain and working for two or more years were included, and subjects with a history of spinal surgery or spinal deformity were excluded from the study. Analysis was done using Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: For the IT workers, no correlation was seen between lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength (r=-0.04); however, a weak negative correlation was seen in IT people who complained of pain (r=-0.12), while there was no correlation of lumbar lordosis and lumbar core in IT people who had no complains of pain (r=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that there is no correlation of lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength in IT professionals, but a weak negative correlation was seen in IT people who complained of pain.

Assessment of cervical range of motion, cervical core strength and scapular dyskinesia in violin players.

BACKGROUND: Playing the violin can lead to asymmetric postures which can affect the cervical range of motion, cervical core strength and scapular stability. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the cervical range of motion, cervical core strength and scapular dyskinesia in violin players and non-players of the same age group. METHODS: An inclinometer was used to assess the cervical range of motion, pressure biofeedback was used to assess cervical core strength and scapular dyskinesia was also assessed in 30 professional violin players (18-40 years) compared with 30 age-matched non-players. Analysis was done using an unpaired t test. RESULTS: Significant change was seen with respect to extension (p = 0.051), cervical core strength (p = 0.005), right (Rt) superior angle 0° (p = 0.004), Rt superior angle 45° (p = 0.015) and Rt inferior angle 90° (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: This study shows a significant difference in extension range of motion and cervical core strength of violin players. Also, there was scapular dyskinesia seen at 0° and 45° right-side superior angle of the scapula and 90° right-side inferior angle of the scapula.

Correlation of ankle eversion to inversion strength ratio and static balance in dominant and non-dominant limbs of basketball players.

BACKGROUND: To compare ankle eversion to inversion strength ratio (E/I R) and static balance control between the dominant and non-dominant limbs of basketball players and to correlate ankle E/I R and static balance control in the dominant and non-dominant limbs of basketball players. METHODS: Twenty-one healthy basketball players in the age-group of 18-25 years participated in this study. Isokinetic ankle eversion and inversion muscle strength was assessed at 30°/s and 120°/s in both dominant and non-dominant limbs using the Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Similarly balance was assessed on a force platform with eyes open and eyes closed in both dominant and non-dominant limbs. RESULTS: Repeated measure ANOVA for strength measurement, found that there was significant main effect of speed, P=0.001 (P<0.05). However, there was no significant main effect in the sides P=0.099 (P<0.05).There was significant main effect of sides with respect to balance. Balance was affected more in non-dominant limb P=0.000 as compared to dominant limb. However, there was not much of a significant difference with eyes open and eyes closed position. CONCLUSIONS: The E/I ratio was >1.0 at the angular velocity of 120°/s increasing the chances of ankle injuries in basketball players. There was no correlation between ankle strength and balance in both dominant and non-dominant limbs.