Theraband Applications for Improved Upper Extremity Wall-Slide Exercises.

CONTEXT: The wall-slide exercise is commonly used in clinic and research settings. Theraband positioning variations for hip exercises have been investigated and used, but Theraband positioning variations for upper extremity wall-slide exercises, although not commonly used, have not been examined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different Theraband positions (elbow and wrist) on the activation of the scapular and shoulder muscles in wall-slide exercises and compare these variations with each other and with regular wall-slide exercises for the upper limbs. DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. SETTING: University laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 20 participants (age = 23.8 ± 3 years, height = 176.5 ± 8.14 cm, mass = 75.3 ± 12.03 kg, body mass index = 24.23 ± 4.03) with healthy shoulders. INTERVENTION(S): Participants performed wall-slide exercises (regular and 2 variations: Theraband at the elbow and Theraband at the wrist) in randomized order. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Surface electromyographic activity of the trapezius (upper trapezius [UT], middle trapezius [MT], and lower trapezius [LT]), infraspinatus, middle deltoid (MD), and serratus anterior (SA) muscles. RESULTS: Regular wall-slide exercises elicited low activity in the MD and moderate activity in the SA muscles (32% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC] in the SA), whereas the Theraband-at-elbow and Theraband-at-wrist variations elicited low activity in the MT, LT, infraspinatus, and MD muscles and moderate activity in the SA muscle (46% and 34% of MVIC in the SA, respectively). The UT activation was absent to minimal (classified as 0% to 15% of MVIC) in all wall-slide exercise variations. The Theraband-at-wrist variation produced lower UT:MT, UT:LT, and UT:SA levels compared with the regular wall-slide exercise and Theraband-at-elbow variation. CONCLUSIONS: In shoulder rehabilitation, clinicians desiring to activate the scapular stabilization muscles should consider using the Theraband-at-wrist variation. Those seeking more shoulder-abduction activation and less scapular stabilization should consider using the Theraband-at-elbow variation of the upper extremity wall-slide exercise.

Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of quadriceps on the quadriceps strength and functional performance in nursing home residents: A comparison of short and long stimulation periods.

AIM: To determine the effect of two neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) periods on quadriceps strength (QS) and functional performance in nursing home residents. METHODS: A total of 53 older adults living in a nursing home were randomized into two groups: NMES with a short stimulation period and NMES with a long stimulation period. The quadriceps muscles were bilaterally stimulated three times a week for 6 weeks in both groups. Strength was measured with a digital handheld dynamometer and 30-s chair stand test. Functional performance was evaluated with the Berg balance scale, Timed Up and Go test and 6-min walking test. RESULTS: Analysis was carried out on 44 older adults, who completed the study protocol. The isometric QS did not change within groups or between groups. Interestingly, the 30-s chair stand test score increased for both groups, but the improvements were similar among groups. The Berg balance scale score, Timed Up and Go test time and 6-min walking test distance also improved in both groups. However, no difference in any of the functional outcome measures was observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings showed that both NMES protocols might be an alternative to achieve an improvement in functional strength of the lower extremities and functional performance in nursing home residents, whereas neither of the two protocols seems effective for improving isometric QS. Both methods might contribute to maintaining isometric QS during the aging process. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 409-413.