Effect of contraction type at varying angular velocities on isokinetic muscle strength training.

The aim of this study is to determine whether concentric and eccentric isokinetic training performed at certain angular velocities in sedentary individuals is effective only in the angular velocities and contraction type where the training is performed, or at other angular velocities and contraction types that are not being trained. Twenty-eight sedentary individuals (matched according to weight, age and gender) volunteered to participate in this case study. The study was conducted on a total of 56 extremities belonging to 28 individuals (14 women, 14 men) aged between 24 and 60 years. Concentric and eccentric strength tests were performed at 30-60-90-120-150-180°/sec. The participants were randomly divided into two groups as concentric training group and eccentric training group, through stratified randomization matching. The training was done 3 days a week for a total of 6 weeks. At the end of the study, no difference was found between the pre- and posttraining measurements in the concentric training group (P>0.05). In the eccentric training group, the eccentric muscle strength of the knee flexors and extensors at angular velocity of 90°/sec, the eccentric strength of the knee extensors at angular velocity of 120°/sec, and the eccentric muscle strength of the knee flexors at angular velocity of 180°/sec were found to be different and an increase was seen after the training (P=0.032, P=0.049, P=0.041, P=0.032). These results demonstrate that eccentric training may be preferred in cases where muscle strength increase is needed in short time.

Investigation of sitting position of paralympic wheelchair basketball players.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the sitting position (posture) of wheelchair basketball (WB) players who cannot walk and can walk in daily life and to compare them with the able-bodied sedentary individuals. METHODS: A total of 22 male individuals, including six WB players who could not walk in daily life, eight WB players who walked in daily life, and eight able-bodied sedentary individuals (control group) were included in the study. Posture analysis of individuals was evaluated using rastersterographic system DIERS formetric 4D device. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the data obtained during posture analysis. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to determine which group caused the difference in the data determined to be different. Statistical significance level was taken as P < 0.05. RESULTS: Trunk-length, sacrum-width, sagittal and coronal imbalance, trunk-torsion, pelvic-obliqueness, pelvic-torsion, pelvic-inclination and fleche-cervicale were found to be values similar in the three groups (P > 0.05). It was determined that the lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis angles were different between the groups, and the lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis angles of the WB players who could not walk in daily life were higher than those of the WB players who walked in daily life and the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our study, we suggest evaluating the sitting postures of WB players and rehabilitating WB players, especially those who cannot walk in daily life, with posture corrective exercises aimed at reducing and normalizing thoracic kyphosis.