Proprioception and functional deficits of partial meniscectomized knees.

BACKGROUND: The partial meniscectomy leads to proprioceptive knee deficits in a short period after the arthroscopic procedure; however, to our knowledge, a limited number of studies have investigated the long-term outcomes of partial meniscectomy on the knee joint proprioception. AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the proprioception and muscle function of the partial meniscectomized knee through balance and functional tests 1-2 years posterior to arthroscopic surgery. DESIGN: This was an observational study. SETTING: Partially meniscectomized persons after 1-2 years. POPULATION: Twenty-six male patients who had an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy at the age between 20-40. METHODS: All patients performed balance (Biodex Stability System and balance boards) and functional (triple jump) tests. On the balance system the deviations from the horizontal plane were recorded, on the balance boards their performance was timed, and on the functional test triple jump their performance was recorded in meters. RESULTS: One-way Anova was used to determine significant differences between the healthy and injured limb. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The results revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between the healthy and injured limb at all balance and functional tests performed. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that 1-2 years after partial meniscectomy, patients had reduced proprioception and knee muscular ability in the operated leg compared to the non-operated leg. Clinical rehabilitation impact. Proprioception and knee muscular ability deficits significantly affect objective knee function, indicating the importance not only of the restoring muscle function but also of the proprioception ability in partial meniscectomy patients.

The influence of exercise on musculoskeletal disorders of the lumbar spine.

AIM: This review, through a survey of the relevant research, examines the role of exercise in the natural course of symptoms in the preventive category, as well as in acute, subacute, chronic and postoperative categories of low back pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the evidence for cause and effect relationships between exercise and acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain, as well as for any dose-response relations involved. METHODS: Computer database research and personal retrieval systems were used to locate the relevant literature. RESULTS: Exercise can be effective in preventing LBP (Category A). Specific exercise has not been found effective in treatment of acute LBP (Category B), but exercise can be effective in subacute and chronic LBP (Category C, D), especially for diminishing the effects of deconditioning. To attain the effects mentioned above the types of exercise are known except in the case of the prevention of LBP, but little is known about dose-response relationships; at best, semi quantitatively on the basis of just a few studies. CONCLUSIONS: Given the demonstrated primary and/or secondary preventative effectiveness of exercise regarding LBP, the subjects who would most benefit from specific exercise have not yet been identified.

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training induced alterations in muscle fibre type and cross sectional area.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and isokinetic training on fibre type distribution and cross sectional area of the vastus lateralis muscle. METHODS: Twenty four male university students were divided into two equal groups: PNF training and isokinetic training (ISO). The training regimen for the PNF group consisted of three sets of 30 repetitions against maximal resistance, alternating two patterns of sequential movements of the right lower extremity: (a) toe flexion and ankle plantar flexion and eversion; (b) knee extension and hip extension, abduction, and internal rotation. The ISO group performed three sets of 30 repetitions alternating knee extension and flexion of the right leg at angular velocities of 180 and 90 degrees /s in an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex). Both groups trained three times a week for a total of eight weeks. Muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from the right vastus lateralis muscle before and after training. RESULTS: The mean percentage area of type IIB fibre was significantly decreased (p<0.01) after eight weeks of PNF training, whereas that of type IIA fibre was significantly (p<0.05) increased. The mean percentage area of ISO trained type IIAB fibres exhibited an augmentative pattern (p<0.01) with a parallel reduction (p<0.05) in type IIA. Percentage fibre type distribution exhibited a similar pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Both PNF and ISO training alter fibre type distribution and mean cross sectional area. These changes occur in the type II fibre subgroup.

A study of the effects on the ovarian cycle of athletic training in different sports.

AIM: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of sports training on the ovarian cycle of athletes of various disciplines, and of non-athletes, their participation and their performance in competition as well as the appearance of symptoms of discomfort pre and during the duration of menstruation. METHODS: Athletes from the disciplines of basketball, track athletics, gymnastics, swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo as well as non-athletes took part in this research. All the participants, both athletes and non-athletes were selected and completed a specially designed questionnaire. RESULTS: The results of the research showed that there are no significant differences in the menarche to the duration of the ovarian cycle and to the duration of the menstrual flow. Also, the involvement in different athletic disciplines appears to affect to different degrees the regularity of the cycle although this does not prevent the athlete from participating in training and in competition. The effects are sometimes beneficial to their performance and sometimes they could have a negative effect on their performance. Regarding the symptoms and the discomforts which occasionally appeared pre and during the duration of menstruation e.g. headache symptoms, these appear to be greatly decreased in the athletes of swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo and perhaps this is a result of the beneficial effects of the water. The percentage for abdominal pain appeared decreased for certain disciplines (such as swimming) or stable both pre and during the duration of menstruation. Concerning the pain in the thoracicolumbar region, the percentages were different for every sport: a noticeable decrease was recorded for the athletes of swimming, gymnasts, synchronized swimming, water polo, track athletes and the non-athletes, but with an increase for the basketball players. For the symptoms of weakness and fatigue, the percentages were increased for all the athletic disciplines as well as for the non-athletic during the duration of menstruation compared with pre menstruation, although for the percentages for symptoms of nervousness, the picture was different, that is, the percentages appeared decreased during the duration of menstruation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, where problems appear in the function of the ovarian cycle, the assistance of a specialist gynaecologist is considered essential when we are sure that these problems are not caused by training, malnutrition or psychological factors.