Efficacy of Plyometric and TheraBand FlexBar Exercises in Tennis Elbow Patients: A Comparative Study.

Background Lateral epicondylitis is a common condition involving the arm. It is caused by degenerative changes or overuse of the tendon connecting the elbow joint to the forearm muscle. Plyometric and TheraBand FlexBar (Theraband, Akron, OH, USA) exercises can relieve elbow discomfort, soreness, and weakness. This study examines the effects of plyometric and TheraBand FlexBar exercises with ultrasound on tennis elbow patients. Methodology It is an experimental study comprising a total of 30 participants, including individuals of both genders with age groups of 20-40 years were selected by specific criteria for inclusion and exclusion. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A received plyometric exercises with ultrasound, whereas Group B received TheraBand FlexBar exercises with ultrasound. The outcome measures utilized in this study include patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) and visual analog scale (VAS) for evaluating the functional disability of the hand, arm, and shoulder. Results The results showed a substantial reduction in mean values in Group A compared to Group B, with a p-value of less than 0.001, indicating that plyometric exercises with ultrasound were more effective than TheraBand FlexBar exercises. Conclusion Plyometric exercises combined with ultrasound therapy demonstrated significant reductions in discomfort and improvements in function, with plyometric exercises showing superior efficacy compared to TheraBand FlexBar exercises.

Comparing Pilates and Gym Ball Exercises for Primary Dysmenorrhea Management: An Empirical Study.

BACKGROUND: Primary dysmenorrhea, commonly known as menstrual cramps, is a prevalent gynecological issue that impacts many women in their childbearing age. It manifests as reoccurring, cramp-like lower abdominal pain, usually commencing right prior to or during the menstrual period. These painful sensations can be severe, extending to the lower back and upper thighs can greatly disrupt a woman's daily life and overall well-being. The optimal exercise approach is needed for individuals seeking relief from primary dysmenorrhea, allowing healthcare providers and women themselves to make informed decisions regarding their treatment options. Though many forms of exercise interventions exist in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, this study aims to compare two forms of intervention namely pilates and gym ball exercises on pain and menstrual distress among women with Primary Dysmenorrhea. METHODS: This experimental comparative study was carried out with 30 young female participants over a 12-week period. Participant recruitment was done through a simple random sampling method. The criteria of inclusion encompassed young females aged 17-25 years, those in good health, and those experiencing primary dysmenorrhea. Exclusion criteria included secondary dysmenorrhea, medication use, polycystic ovarian syndrome, bleeding disorders, positive pregnancy tests, breastfeeding, and other medical conditions. Group A received Pilates exercises, while Group B underwent Gym ball exercises. The assessment of both groups' menstrual distress levels was conducted using the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) and pain scores using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULT: In the statistical analysis, Group A (Pilates Exercises) showed a significantly lower mean value (2.60) on the VAS compared to Group B (Swiss Ball Exercises) (5.46), with both groups experiencing a notable reduction in post-test scores (p ≤ 0.001). Additionally, on the MOOS MDQ score, Group A (Pilates Exercises) achieved a lower mean value (79.33) compared to Group B (Swiss Ball Exercises) (103.26), with both groups demonstrating a significant decrease in post-test scores (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study underscores the significance of exercise therapy, particularly Pilates exercises, as a holistic approach to addressing primary dysmenorrhea, improving physical well-being, and enhancing the overall quality of life.

Temporal variation of aerosol optical depth and associated shortwave radiative forcing over a coastal site along the west coast of India.

Optical characterization of aerosol was performed by assessing the columnar aerosol optical depth (AOD) and angstrom wavelength exponent (α) using data from the Microtops II Sunphotometer. The data were collected on cloud free days over Goa, a coastal site along the west coast of India, from January to December 2008. Along with the composite aerosol, the black carbon (BC) mass concentration from the Aethalometer was also analyzed. The AOD0.500 µm and angstrom wavelength exponent (α) were in the range of 0.26 to 0.7 and 0.52 to 1.33, respectively, indicative of a significant seasonal shift in aerosol characteristics during the study period. The monthly mean AOD0.500 µm exhibited a bi-modal distribution, with a primary peak in April (0.7) and a secondary peak in October (0.54), whereas the minimum of 0.26 was observed in May. The monthly mean BC mass concentration varied between 0.31 µg/m(3) and 4.5 µg/m(3), and the single scattering albedo (SSA), estimated using the OPAC model, ranged from 0.87 to 0.97. Modeled aerosol optical properties were used to estimate the direct aerosol shortwave radiative forcing (DASRF) in the wavelength range 0.25 µm4.0 µm. The monthly mean forcing at the surface, at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) and in the atmosphere varied between -14.1 Wm(-2) and -35.6 Wm(-2), -6.7 Wm(-2) and -13.4 Wm(-2) and 5.5 Wm(-2) to 22.5 Wm(-2), respectively. These results indicate that the annual SSA cycle in the atmosphere is regulated by BC (absorbing aerosol), resulting in a positive forcing; however, the surface forcing was governed by the natural aerosol scattering, which yielded a negative forcing. These two conditions neutralized, resulting in a negative forcing at the TOA that remains nearly constant throughout the year.