Impact of Tai Chi on Peripheral Neuropathy Revisited: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Exercise may be beneficial to older persons living with peripheral neuropathy (PN), but maintaining an exercise program is challenging. After participating in a 12-week tai chi (TC) study, 12 participants requested classes continue. A mixed-methods design was used to explore long-term engagement of older persons with bilateral PN enrolled in a TC class for 18 months beyond the original 3-month study. Pre- and posttest measures of functional status and quality of life (QOL) were conducted. Focus groups were held after 18 months of twice-weekly classes. Psychosocial support was critical to participants' long-term commitment to exercise. Participants reported, and objective assessments confirmed, increased strength, balance, and stamina beyond that experienced in the original 12-week study. Changes in QOL scores were nonsignificant; however, qualitative data supported clinical significance across QOL domains. Results from this study support psychosocial and physical benefits of TC to older persons.

Effects of a Three-Set Tennis Match on Knee Kinematics and Leg Muscle Activation during the Tennis Serve.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a three-set tennis match on knee kinematics and leg muscle activation during the tennis serve in a real-time environment. Motion capture data and wireless electromyography of hamstrings and quadriceps muscles were collected from the back leg during the serve. A reduction of maximum knee flexion angle and a decrease of electromyography amplitudes in leg muscles were observed during the match. However, the knee angular velocity and the electromyography frequency of leg muscles remain unchanged throughout the match. The intermuscular compensation strategy to counteract fatigue might explain that the knee angular velocity was maintained despite reductions in knee flexion angle and electromyography activity of leg muscles.

Serum vitamin D concentrations are related to depression in young adult US population: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D receptors have been mapped throughout the brain suggesting a role for vitamin D in psychosomatic disorders. Results from previous epidemiological studies on relation between vitamin D status and depression are equivocal. Also, limited information is available relating vitamin D status with depression in young adult US population. METHODS: Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to assess association between serum vitamin D and depression in 7970 non-institutionalized US residents, aged 15-39 y. Assessment of depression was done using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. After accounting for several confounding variables in multivariate logistic regression analysis, we estimated odds ratios (OR) for having depression in vitamin D deficient persons in comparison to vitamin D sufficient persons. RESULTS: Women, non-Hispanic blacks, persons living below poverty, persons who did not consume supplements, persons living in South and West regions and in urban areas, persons with higher BMI, and persons with current depression had higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to their counterparts. OR for having current depressive episodes in persons with serum vitamin D ≤ 50 nmol/L is significantly higher relative to those with serum vitamin D ≥ 75 nmol/L (OR = 1.85; P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In this large population based study, likelihood of having depression in persons with vitamin D deficiency is significantly higher compared to those with vitamin D sufficiency. Early diagnosis and intervention are paramount because coexistence of vitamin D deficiency and depression has serious negative consequences on health.

Contributions of selected fundamental factors to wheelchair basketball performance.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of selected fundamental factors, such as arm length, sitting height, simple vision reaction time (SVRT), choice vision reaction time (CVRT), muscle strength, and range of motion (ROM) at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints to wheelchair basketball (WCB) performance as measured by season statistics and coaches' evaluation. METHODS: Thirty-seven Paralympic WCB players from seven countries participated in this study. A computerized reaction time system was used to test the SVRT and CVRT. The ROM and muscle strengths of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints were measured using a goniometer and MP DA100B BioPac force measurement system, respectively. Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the contributions of these fundamental factors and "dimensional variables" (DV) derived from the selected factors fundamental to WCB performance. A DV represented a dimension or category of the factor, for example, the wrist flexion/extension DV represented the ROM of the wrist in flexion and extension, and the WCB performance DV represented average points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals per game. RESULTS: The results of this study demonstrated that elbow extension and wrist extension had significant contributions to average points. Sitting height, shoulder internal rotation, and elbow flexion had significant contributions to the average rebounds. Arm length had a significant contribution to average assists, and SVRT had a significant contribution to the average blocks. Wrist flexion/extension ROM DV and wrist flexion/extension strength DV had significant contributions to the WCB performance DV. CONCLUSION: Shoulder internal rotation, elbow extension, and wrist flexion/extension ROM, CVRT, and wrist flexion/extension muscle strength are important to WCB performance and should be addressed in WCB training.