The Effect of Graston Technique on Pain, Proprioception, Flexibility, and Disability in Patients with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain.

Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) causes significant dysfunction in patients. The Graston Technique (GT) is a new intervention in pain management but there is a lack of evidence in the literature regarding its effectiveness in low back pain. Study Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of GT added to exercise on pain, proprioception, disability, flexibility, and quality of life in individuals with CNLBP. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial with a total of 30 CNLBP patients. Setting: Karabük University Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. Participants: Thirty patients (mean age = 38.46 ± 9.03 years) with CNLBP for at least 12 weeks were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups intervention and control. Intervention: Graston was applied three times a week for four weeks in addition to the exercise program in the intervention group, while only the exercise program was applied to the control group. Outcome measures: Pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, proprioception, flexibility, disability, and quality of life were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study. Results: Significant improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life were found in both the control and intervention groups (P < .05). There was an increase in flexibility and a decrease in proprioception deviation angles of 15° and 30° in the GT group (P < .05). The improvement in pain and disability in the intervention group was significant compared to the control group (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding pressure pain threshold, flexibility, proprioception, and quality of life (P > .05). Conclusion: GT added to exercise in patients with CNLBP better reduces pain and disability, improves proprioceptive sense, and increases mobility and quality of life. GT may be used as a supportive treatment during the rehabilitation of CNLBP patients.

Reliability of the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test in individuals with Down Syndrome.

Neuromotor problems such as hypotonia, incoordination, impaired sensory-motor integration lead to significant delays in motor skills and balance development in individuals with Down Syndrome (DS). Balance control is essential for performing many motor skills independently and safely. Standardised testing of balance control can contribute significantly to the rehabilitation of individuals with DS. The purpose of this study was to determine intrarater and interrater reliability of the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) for individuals with DS. Thirteen individuals with DS were recruited in this study. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC [3,1]) with 95% confidence intervals, standard error of measurement (SEM), the smallest detectable difference (SDD) and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient were calculated. In all directions of the Modified SEBT, no statistically significant difference was found between two raters' first and second measurements (p > 0.05). Interrater reliability for all reach directions of the Modified SEBT was high, with ICC ranging from 0.990 to 0.998.95% confidence intervals, SEM and SDD ranged from 0.924 to 0.999, 0.180-2.434 and 3.270-6.747, respectively. The Modified SEBT are reliable for evaluating dynamic balance in individuals with DS aged between 6 and 24 years.

The association between pain, balance, fall, and disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis with vascular claudication.

BACKGROUND: The effect of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which occurs with similar degenerative conditions, when seen together, has not been studied. The aim of this study is to examine and compare the relationship between pain, balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia in LSS patients with intermittent vascular claudication (IVC). METHODS: Seventy-two patients diagnosed with LSS using magnetic resonance imaging participated in this study. Thirty-five patients with IVC symptoms and showing vascular lesions by lower extremity venous and arterial Doppler ultrasonography imaging were included in the IVC-LSS group. The pain, static balance, dynamic balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were evaluated using the numeric rating scale, single leg stance test, Time Up and Go (TUG), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), respectively. RESULTS: Age and female sex were found to be higher in the IVC-LSS group (P = 0.024; P = 0.012). The IVC-LSS group had a shorter single leg stance time and TUG test duration, pain intensity, ODI, FES-I, and TSK scores were higher than patients with LSS (P = 0.001). Pain, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were moderately correlated with disability in the IVC-LSS group. No relationship was found between pain and dynamic balance. Also, the pain was not related to kinesiophobia. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that IVC causes loss of balance and an increase in pain, disability, fear of falling, and kinesophobia in patients with LSS.

Comparison of the clinical and sonographic effects of ultrasound therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and Kinesio taping in lateral epicondylitis

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and sonographic effects of the ultrasound (US) therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and Kinesio taping (KT) in the lateral epicondylitis (LE). Materials and methods: A total of 40 patients with LE were included in the present study. The patients were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: US (n = 13), ESWT (n = 14), and KT (n = 13) groups. Results: The visual analog scale (VAS) scores significantly decreased in all groups (P < 0.05). Grip strength significantly increased after 8 weeks in only the KT group (P < 0.05). The Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Scale (PRTEE) scores significantly decreased after 2 weeks and after 8 weeks in the US group and ESWT groups, and after 8 weeks in the KT group (P < 0.05). Common extensor tendon (CET) thicknesses significantly decreased after 8 weeks in only the ESWT group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The US therapy, KT, and ESWT are effective in reducing pain and improving functionality. However, none of these treatment methods were found to be superior to others in reducing the pain and improving functionality.

Effect of core strength training on balance, vertical jump height and throwing velocity in adolescent male handball players.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of core strength training (CST) on dynamic balance and vertical jump height, and throwing velocity in handball players. METHODS: Twenty male handball players (mean age 14.90±0.44 years) participated in this study. The players randomly divided into two groups as CST and control (CON) groups. Dynamic balance, vertical jump, and throwing velocity were measured before and after a six-week CST. RESULTS: Significant differences were found at anterior (P=0.009) and posteromedial (P=0.017) directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in only CST group. There were significant improvement in vertical jump height of participants compared to pre-test scores in both CST (P=0.047) and CON group (P=0.013). No significant difference was found for throwing velocity compared with pre-test in both groups. There were no significant differences in all parameters when CST and CON groups were compared (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicated that a 6-week CST did not improve dynamic balance, vertical jump height and throwing velocity in adolescent male handball players. We believe that longer CST programs may provide significant benefits.

Relationship between core stability and dynamic balance in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between core stability and dynamic balance in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 females (mean age 59.9±7.5 years; range, 42 to 73 years) with postmenopausal osteoporosis between January 2016 and June 2016 were included in this study. All patients were evaluated for dynamic balance with the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and for core stability with trunk flexion, extension, and Side Bridge Test (SBT). RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between age and the reach directions of anterior (A), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) of the right limb (p<0.001, p=0.009, p=0.012) and the reach directions of A and PM of the left limb (p<0.001, p=0.004). There was no correlation between the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and the reach directions of SEBT (p>0.05). There was a significant correlation between the trunk flexion test results and the reach directions of A, PM, and PL of the right limb (p=0.005, p=0.001, p=0.002), (r=0.277, r=0.333, r=0.308) and the reach directions of A, PM, and PL of the left limb (p=0.008, p=0.016, p=0.005), (r=0.265, r=0.239, r=0.276). There was a significant correlation between the SBT results and the reach directions of A, PM, and PL of the right limb (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.005), (r=0.423, r=0.366, r=0.281) and the reach directions of A, PM, and PL of the left limb (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001), (r=0.418, r=0.356, r=0.316). There was a significant correlation between the trunk extension test results and the reach directions of A, PM, and PL of the right limb (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.006), (r=0.383, r=0.471, r=0.276) and the reach directions of A, PM, and PL of the left limb (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.003) (r=0.407, r=0.401, r=0.297). CONCLUSION: Our study results showed that age and core stability were associated with dynamic balance in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Effect of respiratory muscle training on pulmonary function and aerobic endurance in soccer players.

BACKGROUND: Few studies investigated the effects of the respiratory muscle training (RMT) in soccer although exhaustive high intensity exercise is known to lead to muscle fatigue in respiratory muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of RMT on pulmonary function and aerobic endurance in soccer players. METHODS: Eighteen male soccer players (mean age 22.2±1.4 years) participated in this study. Participants were assigned randomly to either an RMT or a control (CON) group. The RMT group performed a 15-minute endurance training of respiratory muscles twice a week for 5 weeks. The CON group did not receive RMT during this period. All participants were evaluated for aerobic endurance using 20-meter shuttle run test (20-MST), pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory mouth pressure (MEP) using spirometry. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in RMT group (14%) as compared to CON group (4%) in MIP measurement (P=0.04). No significant differences were observed in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), and MEP after a five week of RMT (P>0.05). Similarly, there was no difference in 20-MST in the RMT group compared to CON group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that a five week of RMT increased MIP, but FVC, FEV1, MVV, MEP and aerobic endurance did not improve in soccer players. The RMT in addition to soccer training may improve MIP but not the tolerance to high intensity exercise.

The effect of kinesio taping versus stretching techniques on muscle soreness, and flexibility during recovery from nordic hamstring exercise.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, or kinesio taping (KT) on muscle soreness and flexibility during recovery from exercise. Sixty-five females were randomly assigned to four groups: PNF stretching (n = 15), static stretching (n = 16), KT (n = 17), and control (n = 17). All participants performed nordic hamstring exercise (5 sets of 8 repetitions). In all groups, hamstring flexibility at 24 h and 48 h was not changed from baseline (p > .05). The muscle soreness was measured higher at 48 h post-exercise compared with baseline in the control group (p = .04) and at 24 h post-exercise compared with baseline in the PNF group (p < .01). No significant differences were found for intervention groups compared with control group in all measurements (p > .05). The KT application and pre-exercise stretching have no contribute to flexibility at 24 h and 48 h after exercise, but may attenuate muscle soreness.

Effect of core strength training on dynamic balance and agility in adolescent badminton players.

The aim of the present study was to investigate effect of core strength training (CST) on core endurance, dynamic balance and agility in adolescent badminton players. Twenty adolescent (age = 10.8 ± 0.3 years; height = 140.6 ± 4.4 cm, weight = 33.9 ± 5.8 kg) badminton players were randomly divided into two groups as training group (TG) and control (CG) group. All subjects were evaluated with Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), Illinois Agility Test, and the core endurance tests. The TG completed CST twice a week, for 6 weeks. There were significant increases in (p < 0.05) directions of SEBT and core endurance tests (p < 0.05). However, no significant change was observed for agility (p > 0.05). The CST resulted in significant gains in directions of the SEBT and core endurances in adolescent badminton players, but not in agility.

The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Muscle Pain, Sprint Performance, and Flexibility in Recovery From Squat Exercise in Young Adult Women.

CONTEXT: Kinesio taping (KT) is a taping technique extensively used in rehabilitation of sports injuries; however, the effect of KT on delayed-onset muscle soreness is not entirely clear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of kinesio tape on the quadriceps femoris on muscle pain, flexibility, and sprint performance after squat exercise. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: University research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 19 female university students (age 21.0 ± 1.2 y, weight 53.0 ± 4.6 kg, height 164 ± 4 cm). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pressure-pain threshold for quadriceps femoris was recorded using pressure algometry. Quadriceps femoris flexibility was measured as the range of motion of knee flexion with a stainless steel goniometer. Sprint-speed measurements were conducted using photocells placed at 0 and 20 m. All participants completed both conditions (KT application and no KT application) after a 1-wk washout period. Measurements were taken at baseline and 48 h postexercise. For the KT condition, KT was applied immediately before the exercise protocol and remained on the skin for 48 h. RESULTS: Squat exercise reduced flexibility and increased pain and sprint time compared with baseline. KT application resulted in similar sprint time and muscle pain as the no-KT condition but maintained flexibility compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS: KT application immediately before squat exercise has no effect on muscle pain and short sprint performance but maintains muscle flexibility at 2 days of recovery.

Effect of crocin on oxidative stress in recovery from single bout of swimming exercise in rats.

Physical exercise could cause muscle and tissue damage due to increase in the formation of free oxygen radicals during exercise. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of crocin on parameters associated with oxidative stress in recovery from acute swimming exercise in rats. Rats were divided into eight groups; Normal Control (NC: untreated and did not swim), Crocin Control (CC: received crocin and did not swim), Exercise-1 (Exe-1: untreated and swam), Exercise-24 (Exe-24: untreated and swam), Exercise-48 (Exe-48: untreated and swam), Exercise+Crocin-1 (Exe-Cro-1: received crocin and swam), Exercise+Crocin-24 (Exe-Cro-24: received crocin and swam), Exercise+Crocin-48 (Exe-Cro-48: received crocin and swam). AST, ALP, LDH, CK, XO enzymes levels increased after swimming in untreated and crocin-treated groups, but there was a less increase in crocin-treated groups. The highest MDA levels in serum were determined in Exe-1 compared with all other groups. There was significant difference between control and exercise groups in MDA level (p = 0.033). In contrast, there was significant difference between control and exercise groups in GSH level (p < 0.001). In addition, crocin given to swimming rats significantly increased GSH levels (p < 0.05) and decreased MDA levels when compared with untreated exercise groups. In conclusion, crocin is able to protect liver and skeletal muscle tissue against exercise-induced oxidative damage by preventing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Explosive strength training improves speed and agility in wheelchair basketball athletes / Treinamento de força explosiva melhora a velocidade e a agilidade de atletas de basquetebol em cadeiras de rodas / Entrenamiento de Fuerza Explosiva mejora la velocidad y la agilidad de atletas de básquetbol en sillas de ruedas

INTRODUCTION: Wheelchair basketball is a paralympic sport characterized by intermittent high-intensity activities that require explosive strength and speed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of explosive strength training on speed and agility performance in wheelchair basketball players. METHODS: Ten male wheelchair basketball players (Mage=31±4 yrs) were divided into two groups [i.e. explosive strength training (ES); control (CN)] based on International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) classification scores. The ES group underwent 6-weeks of training, twice weekly, at 50% 1RM, 10-12 repetitions and 3-4 sets in addition to routine training. Effects of training were measured by the 20 m sprint test and Illinois agility test. RESULTS: The ES group, showed significantly higher increases in speed and agility performance (p ≤ .05). CONCLUSION: A short-duration (i.e. 6-week) explosive strength training programme in wheelchair basketball athletes results in significant improvements in sprint and agility performance. .

INTRODUÇÃO: O basquete em cadeira de rodas é um esporte paralímpico caracterizado por atividades intermitentes de alta intensidade que exigem força explosiva e velocidade. OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito do treinamento de força explosiva sobre a velocidade e o desempenho da agilidade em jogadores de basquete em cadeira de rodas. MÉTODOS: Dez jogadores de basquete do sexo masculino em cadeira de rodas (Midade = 31 ± 4 anos) foram divididos em dois grupos [ou seja, treinamento de força explosiva (FE) e controle (CN)], com base em cadeira de rodas de acordo com os escores de classificação da Federação Internacional de Basquetebol em Cadeira de Rodas (IWBF). O grupo FE realizou 6 semanas de treinamento, duas vezes por semana, a 50% de 1RM, 10-12 repetições e 3-4 séries, além de treinamento de rotina. Os efeitos de treinamento foram medidos pelo teste de corrida de 20 metros (sprint test) e pelo teste de agilidade de Illinois. RESULTADOS: O grupo FE mostrou aumentos significantemente maiores de velocidade e desempenho de agilidade (p ≤ 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A curta duração (isto é, 6 semanas) do programa de treinamento de força explosiva em atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas resulta em melhorias expressivas do desempenho na corrida e de agilidade. .

INTRODUCCIÓN: El básquetbol en silla de ruedas en el deporte paraolímpico caracterizado por actividades intermitentes de alta intensidad, las cuales exigen fuerza explosiva y velocidad. OBJETIVO: Investigar el efecto del entrenamiento de fuerza explosiva sobre la velocidad y el desempeño de la agilidad en jugadores de básquetbol en silla de ruedas. MÉTODOS: Diez jugadores de básquetbol del sexo masculino en silla de ruedas (Promedioedad = 31 ± 4 años) fueron divididos en dos grupos [o sea, entrenamiento de fuerza explosiva (FE) y control (CN)], con base en silla de ruedas, de acuerdo con las puntuaciones de clasificación de la Federación Internacional de Baloncesto en Silla de Ruedas (IWBF). El grupo de FE realizó 6 semanas de entrenamiento, dos veces por semana, a 50% de 1RM, 10-12 repeticiones y 3-4 series, además de entrenamiento de rutina. Los efectos del entrenamiento fueron medidos mediante la prueba de carrera de 20 metros (sprint test) y por la prueba de agilidad de Illinois. RESULTADOS: El grupo de FE mostró aumentos significantemente mayores de velocidad y desempeño de agilidad (p ≤ 0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: La corta duración (es decir, 6 semanas) del programa de entrenamiento de fuerza explosiva, en atletas de básquetbol en silla de ruedas, resultó en mejorías expresivas del desempeño en la carrera y de agilidad. .

Effects of school-based cardiovascular-fitness training in children with mental retardation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a school-based cardiovascular-fitness-training program in children with mental retardation (MR). Thirty boys (8-15 years old) with mild to moderate mental retardation were randomly divided into 2 groups--experimental (EX) and control (CN). The EX group underwent 10 weeks of training 3 times/week for a duration of 1 hr/session at 60-80% peak heart rate. At Week 10, significant increases in 20-m shuttle-run-test (20-MST) laps were observed for the EX group. No improvements were found in percent body fat. No changes were observed for the CN. The school-based training program might prove useful in improving the cardiovascular fitness of children with MR.