Brain Dynamics Underlying Preserved Cycling Ability in Patients With Parkinson's Disease and Freezing of Gait.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is generally associated with abnormally increased beta band oscillations in the cortico-basal ganglia loop during walking. PD patients with freezing of gait (FOG) exhibit a more distinct, prolonged narrow band of beta oscillations that are locked to the initiation of movement at ∼18 Hz. Upon initiation of cycling movements, this oscillation has been reported to be weaker and rather brief in duration. Due to the suppression of the overall beta band power during cycling and its continuous nature of the movement, cycling is considered to be less demanding for cortical networks compared to walking, including reduced need for sensorimotor processing, and thus unimpaired continuous cycling motion. Furthermore, cycling has been considered one of the most efficient non-pharmacological therapies with an influence on the subthalamic nucleus (STN) beta rhythms implicative of the deep brain stimulation effects. In the current review, we provide an overview of the currently available studies and discuss the underlying mechanism of preserved cycling ability in relation to the FOG in PD patients. The mechanisms are presented in detail using a graphical scheme comparing cortical oscillations during walking and cycling in PD.

Acute Effects of Tissue Flossing Around the Upper Thigh on Neuromuscular Performance: A Study Using Different Degrees of Wrapping Pressure.

CONTEXT: It has been recently demonstrated that tissue flossing around the ankle joint can be effectively used to improve ankle range of motion, jump, and sprint ability. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the acute effects of tissue flossing applied using different wrapping pressures. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effects of tissue flossing and the degree of floss band pressure, around the upper thigh on knee range of motion, strength, and muscle contractile characteristics. DESIGN: Crossover design in 3 distinct sessions. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 19 recreationally trained volunteers (age 23.8[4.8] y) participated in this study. INTERVENTION: Active knee extension and flexion performed for 3 sets of 2 minutes (2-min rest between sets with wrapped upper thigh). Individualized wrapping pressures were applied to create conditions of high and moderate vascular occlusion, while a loose band application served as a control condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were assessed for active straight leg raise test; tensiomyography displacement and contraction time for rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and biceps femoris muscles; and maximum voluntary contractions for knee extensors and flexors for pre, after, and 30 minutes after applying the floss band. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in maximum voluntary contractions for knee extensors and a significant shortening in rectus femoris contraction time for the moderate condition, which was associated with small to medium effects in favor of the moderate condition. There were no statistically significant changes observed between control and high conditions. The active straight leg raise test was unaffected regardless of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that tissue flossing around the upper thigh might have a localized as well as pressure-sensitive response, thereby improving neuromuscular function of the knee extensors.

Acute Effects of Tissue Flossing on Ankle Range of Motion and Tensiomyography Parameters.

CONTEXT: Recently, a few papers have suggested that tissue flossing (TF) acutely improves range of motion (ROM) and neuromuscular performance. However, the effects of TF on muscle contractile properties are yet to be defined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effects of TF on ankle ROM and associated muscle gastrocnemius medialis displacement and contraction time assessed with tensiomyography. DESIGN: Crossover design in a single session. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty recreationally trained volunteers (age 23.00 [4.51] y). INTERVENTION: Active ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion were performed for the duration of 2 minutes (3 sets, 2-min rest between sets), while a randomly selected ankle was wrapped using TF elastic band (BAND) and the other ankle served as a control condition (CON). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants performed an active ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion ROM test and muscle gastrocnemius medialis tensiomyography displacement and contraction time measurement pre, 5, 15, 30, and 45 minutes after the floss band application. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between BAND and CON conditions (active ankle plantar flexion ROM: P = .09; active ankle dorsiflexion ROM: P = .85); however, all ROM measurements were associated with medium or large effect sizes in favor of BAND compared with CON. No significant changes were observed in the tensiomyography parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that TF applied to the ankle is a valid method to increase ROM and at the same time maintaining muscular stiffness.