Comparison of static and dynamic balance during early follicular and ovulation phases in healthy women, using simple, clinical tests: a cross sectional study.

Balance may be influenced by several factors. The menstrual cycle can be considered as an important factor which may affect postural control. This study was aimed to investigate the influence of early follicular and ovulation phases on static and dynamic balance indices. Thirty non-athlete healthy women with a regular menstrual cycle aged between 18 and 25 years participated in the study. Static balance was evaluated through single-leg stance test and dynamic balance was investigated with posteromedial direction of Y- balance test during early follicular and ovulation (24-48 hours after the peak of estrogen) phases of menstrual cycle. The balance tests were performed in a randomized order in each session. A paired t-test analysis was performed to compare the data during the early follicular and ovulation phases. The results indicated that both static and dynamic balance scores were higher in ovulation phase in comparison to early follicular phase (p < .001). It is worth noting to consider the balance fluctuations during different phases of menstrual cycle when prescribing exercise programs for healthy women or when they participate in sport or recreational activities.

Is application of Kinesio tape to treat hyperlordosis more effective on abdominal muscles or hamstrings?

BACKGROUND: Hyperlordosis is defined as an abnormal increase in the lumbar arch of >40°. This study compared two taping techniques include abdominal muscles and hamstrings taping for the treatment of lumbar hyperlordosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The randomized clinical trial was performed in Shiraz, Iran, during June and September 2014. Thirty women aged 20-45 years old with at least 40° lumbar lordosis participated. The women were randomized into two groups (n = 15). Abdominal muscles taping was performed for the first group, whereas the other group underwent hamstrings taping with 30% tension. Lumbar lordosis was measured before, immediately after, and 24 h after taping. The two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the two groups for lumbar lordosis angle. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected between the lumbar lordosis angles before and immediately after taping in the two groups (P > 0.05). However, a significant reduction was observed in lordosis angle in the abdominal group and the hamstring group 24 h after taping relative to before intervention (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Taping of the abdominal and hamstring muscles was not effective immediately, whereas it decreased lordosis after 24 h.

Is Abdominal Muscle Activity Different from Lumbar Muscle Activity during Four-Point Kneeling?

BACKGROUND: Stabilization exercises can improve the performance of trunk and back muscles, which are effective in the prevention and treatment of low back pain. The four-point kneeling exercise is one of the most common types of stabilization exercises. This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate and compare the level of activation between abdominal and lumbar muscles in the different stages of the four-point kneeling exercise. METHODS: The present study was conducted on 30 healthy women between 20 and 30 years old. Muscle activity was recorded bilaterally from transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and multifidus muscles with an electromyography (EMG) device during the different stages of the four-point kneeling exercise. All the collected EMG data were normalized to the percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction. The repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-test were used for the statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: A comparison between mean muscle activation in right arm extension and left leg extension showed that left internal oblique and left transverse abdominis muscles produced greater activation during left leg extension (P<0.05). The comparison of mean muscle activation between right arm extension and the bird-dog position showed that, except for the right internal oblique, all the muscles produced higher activation in the bird-dog stage (P<0.05). In comparison to the bird-dog stage, the left multifidus showed high activation during left leg extension (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the activity of all the above-mentioned muscles during quadruped exercise can provide stability, coordination, and smoothness of movements.

Correlations between core muscle geometry, pain intensity, functional disability and postural balance in patients with nonspecific mechanical low back pain.

Patients with low back pain (LBP) have reduced core muscle geometry and impaired postural balance. Impaired trunk control was shown to be associated with poor balance and limited functional mobility in these patients. However, the relationship between muscle geometry and postural balance is unclear. This study aimed to determine the correlation of core muscle geometry with pain intensity, functional disability and postural balance in patients with chronic nonspecific mechanical LBP. Thirty patients aged 20-50 years were enrolled. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess their muscle geometry. The participants completed a numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain severity, and the Persian version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (PRMDQ). To estimate static balance, they were asked to perform the single leg stance test. Dynamic balance was assessed with the Y-balance test. Significant correlations were found between NRS scores and bilateral multifidus cross-sectional area during rest (r ≥ - 0.31, P ≤ 0.04) and contraction (r ≥ - 0.37, P ≤ 0.02). NRS scores correlated significantly with bilateral multifidus thickness during rest (r ≥ - 0.31, P ≤ 0.04) and contraction (r ≥ - 0.28, P ≤ 0.04). Significant correlations were also observed for PRMDQ scores with thickness (r ≥ - 0.35, P = 0.04) and cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscles (r ≥ - 0.33, P = 0.04) bilaterally during contraction. A significant correlation was found between Y-balance scores and right abdominal muscle thickness during rest and contraction (r ≥ 0.34, P ≤ 0.04). Core muscle geometry correlated with pain, functional disability indices and dynamic balance in these patients.