Effects of elastic taping on kyphosis and body balance in the elderly: a randomized crossover study.

Kyphosis produces abnormal posture and reduced body balance in the elderly. Elastic tape may be useful at improving kyphotic posture and body balance. This study aims to evaluate the effects of elastic taping on kyphosis and body balance in the elderly. Ten elderly participants with degenerative kyphotic posture were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups (back taped with stretched elastic tape for 15 min and back taped with non-stretched elastic tape for 15 min). After a 1-h washout period, the groups were swapped over to receive the other intervention. The outcomes measured after each taping technique were Cobb's angle measurement by inclinometer, perceived pain, and balance measurements by single leg stance test, time up and go test, center of gravity alignment (COG) and modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance test (mCTSIB). There was a significant reduction in kyphotic angle and back pain in both the stretched and non-stretched taping groups (p < 0.05). We also found both taping techniques significantly reduced sway velocity on a foam surface with eyes closed and open (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between taping groups for kyphotic angle, pain reduction or balance. The application of 15 min of stretched and non-stretched elastic tape in the elderly reduced kyphotic angle, back pain, and sway velocity while standing on foam surface in the mCTSIB test. If these changes persist over the long term (days and weeks) taping may be a useful intervention for elderly patients with kyphosis.

Effects of whole body vibration exercise combined with weighted vest in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the training effects of whole body vibration (WBV) combined with weighted vest (WV) in older adults. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted in healthy older adults living in the community. Fifty-one participants were randomly allocated into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 17), WBV alone, training on WBV at a frequency 30 Hz, amplitude 2 mm, 10 sets of 1 min squats, with 60 s rest, group 2 (n = 15), WV alone, squat exercise, 10 sets of 1 min, with 60 s rest, while WV loaded with 10% body weight and group 3 (n = 19), WBV + WV, combining WBV exercise with the addition of a WV. All groups completed training 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The outcomes were total muscle mass, muscle thickness, maximal isometric strength, single-leg-stance and timed-up-and-go evaluated at baseline and after training. RESULTS: As a result of training all groups improved their isometric muscle strength with little difference between groups. The single-leg-stance significantly improved only in WBV + WV group 25.1 ± 10.8 s (mean ± 95% CI, p < 0.01). The timed-up-and-go improved in all groups, but the improvement was significantly greater in the WBV + WV group (17.5 ± 6.9%) compared to the WV (8.5 ± 3.2%) and WBV groups (9.2 ± 5.4%, p = 0.043, 0.023 respectively). Rectus femoris muscle thickness and total muscle mass were significantly increased in all groups equally with little difference between groups. CONCLUSION: The combined WBV + WV had a greater effect on the single-leg-stance and the timed-up-and-go compared to WV or WBV alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: TCTR20190306001. Thai Clinical Trials Registry ( www.thaiclinicaltrials.org ). Date of registration: 6 March 2019.

Effects of elastic tape in pregnant women with low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common problem in pregnant woman. Elastic tape is an alternative method that may reduce low back pain. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of elastic tape to placebo tape in the treatment of low back pain in pregnant women. METHODS: Forty pregnant women were allocated into two groups: elastic group (n= 20) and placebo group (n= 20). All participants were taped by either stretched (elastic group) or non-stretched (placebo group) Kinesio tape at the lower back area for one week. RESULTS: After the application of stretched elastic tape, lower back pain was significantly reduced by 29.4% (p= 0.003) immediately post-taping and by a further 75.4% after wearing the tape for a week. Compared to the placebo group, lower back pain was significantly reduced in the elastic group after one week of wearing the tape (p< 0.001). Compared to placebo, the application of elastic tape significantly reduced the disability score (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) after one week of wearing the tape (p= 0.018). Taping to the back improved walking speed (immediately and after one week) in both the elastic (p< 0.001, p< 0.001) and placebo groups (p< 0.001, p= 0.001); however, the application of either tape had little effect on posture change. CONCLUSION: Elastic tape reduced back pain and improved physical function in pregnant women compared to the placebo tape.

Hypoxic training improves blood pressure, nitric oxide and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha in hypertensive patients.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of intermittent hypoxic breathing at rest (IHR) or during exercise (IHT) on blood pressure and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha levels (HIF-1α) over a 6-week period. METHODS: 47 hypertensive patients were randomly allocated to three groups: hypertensive control (CON: n = 17; IHR: n = 15 and IHT: n = 15. The CON received no intervention; whereas, IH groups received eight events of hypoxia (FIO2 0.14), and normoxia (FIO2 0.21), 24-min hypoxia and 24-min normoxia, for 6 weeks. The baseline data were collected 2 days before the intervention; while, the post-test data were collected at days 2 and 28 after the 6-week intervention. RESULTS: We observed a significant decrease of the SBP in both IH groups: IHR (- 12.0 ± 8.0 mmHg, p = 0.004 and - 9.9 ± 8.8 mmHg, p = 0.028, mean ± 95% CI) and IHT (- 13.0 ± 7.8 mmHg, p = 0.002 and - 10.0 ± 8.4 mmHg, p = 0.016) at days 2 and 28 post-intervention, respectively. Compared to CON, IHR and IHT had increased of NOx (IHR; 8.5 ± 7.6 µmol/L, p = 0.031 and IHT; 20.0 ± 9.1 µmol/L, p < 0.001) and HIF-1α (IHR; 170.0 ± 100.0 pg/mL, p = 0.002 and IHT; 340.5 ± 160.0 pg/mL, p < 0.001). At 2 days post-intervention, NOx and HIF-1α were negatively correlated with SBP in IHT. CONCLUSION: IH programs may act as an alternative therapeutic strategy for hypertension patients probably through elevation of NOx and HIF-1α production.

Living and Training at 825 m for 8 Weeks Supplemented With Intermittent Hypoxic Training at 3,000 m Improves Blood Parameters and Running Performance.

Wonnabussapawich, P, Hamlin, MJ, Lizamore, CA, Manimmanakorn, N, Leelayuwat, N, Tunkamnerdthai, O, Thuwakum, W, and Manimmanakorn, A. Living and training at 825 m for 8 weeks supplemented with intermittent hypoxic training at 3,000 m improves blood parameters and running performance. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3287-3294, 2017-We aimed to investigate the effect of an 8-week low-altitude training block supplemented with intermittent hypoxic training, on blood and performance parameters in soccer players. Forty university-level male soccer players were separated into altitude (n = 20, 825 m) or sea-level (n = 20, 125 m) groups. Before (1-2 days ago) and after (1 and 14 days later) training, players were asked to give a resting venous blood sample and complete a series of performance tests. Compared with sea level, the altitude group increased erythropoietin, red blood cell (RBC) count, and hematocrit 1 day after training (42.6 ± 24.0%, 1.8 ± 1.3%, 1.4 ± 1.1%, mean ± 95% confidence limits (CL), respectively). By 14 days after training, only RBC count and hemoglobin were substantially higher in the altitude compared with the sea-level group (3.2 ± 1.8%, 2.9 ± 2.1% respectively). Compared with sea level, the altitude group 1-2 days after training improved their 50-m (-2.9 ± 1.4%) and 2,800-m (-2.9 ± 4.4%) run times and demonstrated a higher maximal aerobic speed (4.7 ± 7.4%). These performance changes remained at 14 days after training with the addition of a likely higher estimated V[Combining Dot Above]O2max in the altitude compared with the sea-level group (3.2 ± 3.0%). Eight weeks of low-altitude training, supplemented with regular bouts of intermittent hypoxic training at higher altitude, produced beneficial performance improvements in team-sport athletes, which may increase the viability of such training to coaches and players that cannot access more traditional high altitude venues.

Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Glycemic Indices and Peripheral Blood Flow in Type II Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Whole body vibration (WBV) training is a regime of training on a vibration platform that provides oscillatory movement to the body. Vibration training may be a potentially useful therapeutic strategy to control diabetes and its complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of WBV on glycemic indices and peripheral blood flow in type II diabetic patients. METHODS: A parallel group clinical trial was conducted with 1:1 allocation ratio at Khon Kaen University between February and May 2010. The study included diabetic patients receiving diet or oral medication control over the previous year and excluded patients with serious medical and musculoskeletal disorders. Forty type II diabetic patients [14 males, 26 females, 63.2 (7.7) y, mean (SD)] were randomised into two groups (WBV and control) by computer software using a block of four design. The WBV group was given two sets of six one-minute vibration squats, three times per week for twelve weeks. The control group maintained their normal physical activity levels. The primary outcome was the patients glycemic indices. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar, insulin level and insulin sensitivity between WBV and control groups. Compared to the control group, WBV training resulted in a substantial reduction in resting diastolic blood pressure -7.1 mmHg (95% CI: -10.9, -3.3, P = 0.001) and peak systolic velocity -7.3 cm.sec-1 (95% CI: -14.7, -0.03, P = 0.049), but made little difference to resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, end diastolic velocity, and popliteal artery diameter. CONCLUSION: Whole body vibration improved resting diastolic blood pressure and peak systolic velocity, however, any beneficial effect of WBV on glycemic indices remains unclear.

Effects of elastic taping, non-elastic taping and static stretching on recovery after intensive eccentric exercise.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of elastic tape (Kinesio tape) to placebo tape or static stretching on delayed onset muscle soreness. Fifty-one untrained female healthy volunteers were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 17/group), elastic tape, placebo tape and stretching group. Muscle soreness was induced by 4 sets of 25 maximal isokinetic (60°.s-1) eccentric contractions of dominant quadriceps on an isokinetic dynamometer. Compared with placebo tape, the elastic tape participants had less muscle soreness at 72 h post-exercise (p = 0.01). The elastic tape also increased isometric strength at 72 h post-exercise compared with the placebo (p = 0.03) and stretching group (p = 0.02). However, there was little effect between groups for changes in thigh circumference, jumping, pressure pain threshold, rate of perceived exertion, creatine kinase activity and joint motion. Elastic taping increased muscle strength recovery and reduced muscle soreness after intensive exercise.

Effects of Zingiber cassumunar (Plai cream) in the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Zingiber cassumunar (Plai cream) in either 7% or 14% concentration on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). METHODS: Seventy-five untrained healthy volunteers (28 males and 47 females), performed 4 sets of 25 eccentric repetitions of the dominant quadriceps muscle on an isokinetic dynamometry machine. Participants were then randomized into 3 groups: 14% Plai cream, 7% Plai cream and placebo cream. Two grams of the cream (strips of 5-cm long) were gently rubbed into the quadriceps muscles for 5 min immediately following the exercise and every 8 h thereafter for 7 d in all groups. Muscle soreness, muscle strength, jump height, thigh circumference and creatine kinase were measured before and after eccentric exercise. RESULTS: Compared to the placebo cream the 14% Plai cream substantially reduced muscle soreness over the 7 d by -82% (95% CI = -155% to -6%, P = 0.03), but had similar muscle soreness effects to 7% Plai cream (-34%, -96% to 27%, P = 0.2). Compared to the placebo cream the 7% Plai cream resulted in a small non-significant reduction in muscle soreness levels over the following 7 d (-40%, -116% to 36%, P = 0.3). Compared to placebo cream there was little effect of Plai cream (7% or 14%) on muscle strength, jump height, thigh circumference or creatine kinase concentration. CONCLUSION: Using 14% Plai cream over a 7-day period substantially reduced muscle soreness symptoms compared to 7% Plai cream or a placebo cream. The authors suggest that the administration of 14% Plai cream is a useful alternative in the management of DOMS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trial Registry TCTR20140215001.

Effect of whole-body vibration therapy on performance recovery.

PURPOSE: To compare whole-body vibration (WBV) with traditional recovery protocols after a high-intensity training bout. METHODS: In a randomized crossover study, 16 athletes performed 6 × 30-s Wingate sprints before completing either an active recovery (10 min of cycling and stretching) or WBV for 10 min in a series of exercises on a vibration platform. Muscle hemodynamics (assessed via near-infrared spectroscopy) were measured before and during exercise and into the 10-min recovery period. Blood lactate concentration, vertical jump, quadriceps strength, flexibility, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), muscle soreness, and performance during a single 30-s Wingate test were assessed at baseline and 30 and 60 min postexercise. A subset of participants (n = 6) completed a 3rd identical trial (1 wk later) using a passive 10-min recovery period (sitting). RESULTS: There were no clear effects between the recovery protocols for blood lactate concentration, quadriceps strength, jump height, flexibility, RPE, muscle soreness, or single Wingate performance across all measured recovery time points. However, the WBV recovery protocol substantially increased the tissue-oxygenation index compared with the active (11.2% ± 2.4% [mean ± 95% CI], effect size [ES] = 3.1, and -7.3% ± 4.1%, ES = -2.1 for the 10 min postexercise and postrecovery, respectively) and passive recovery conditions (4.1% ± 2.2%, ES = 1.3, 10 min postexercise only). CONCLUSION: Although WBV during recovery increased muscle oxygenation, it had little effect in improving subsequent performance compared with a normal active recovery.

Long-term effect of whole body vibration training on jump height: meta-analysis.

Whole body vibration (WBV) is widely promoted as a means of improving muscle strength, but the evidence of a performance benefit is unclear with some reporting improvements and others finding none. The objective of this study was to analyze the current evidence for the effectiveness of WBV on jump height. We included randomized controlled trials or matched design studies comparing the effect of WBV training on countermovement and squat jump (SJ) height, which were gathered from MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, Sciencedirect, Proquest, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SPORTDiscus databases. The overall effect of WBV training (from the 15 studies included) compared with having no additional exercise on countermovement jump height yielded a positive standardized mean difference of 0.77 (95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.99). The effect of WBV training on SJ height was 0.68 (0.08-1.11). Vibration exercise consisting of a higher frequency (>30 Hz, 0.86, 0.62-1.10), higher amplitude (>3 mm, 0.84, 0.52-1.17), longer exposure duration (>10 minutes per session, 0.92, 0.48-1.36), longer training period (>12 weeks, 0.87, 0.56-1.19) and among nonathletes (0.96, 0.63-1.30) had greater benefit for jump height improvement than a lower frequency (≤ 30 Hz, 0.56, 0.13-0.99), lower amplitude (≤ 3 mm, 0.66, 0.35-0.98), shorter exposure duration (≤ 10 minutes per session, 0.68, 0.45-0.92), intermediate training period (4-12 weeks, 0.72, 0.35-1.09), shorter training period (<4 weeks, 0.58, -0.08 to -1.23) and in athletes (0.59, 0.31-0.88). The effect of WBV training compared with a standard cardiovascular-type exercise group from 4 studies was 0.63 (0.10-1.15). In conclusion, WBV training produces a moderate-to-large effect on jump height. Vibration training protocols with higher frequencies, higher amplitudes, longer exposures per session, and longer training periods are more likely to enhance muscle power.

Effects of resistance training combined with vascular occlusion or hypoxia on neuromuscular function in athletes.

The aim was to investigate the effects of low-load resistant training combined with vascular occlusion or normobaric hypoxic exposure, on neuromuscular function. In a randomised controlled trial, well-trained athletes took part in a 5-week training of knee flexor/extensor muscles in which low-load resistant exercise (20% of one repetition maximum, 1-RM) was combined with either (1) an occlusion pressure of approximately 230 mmHg (KT, n = 10), (2) hypoxic air to generate an arterial blood oxygen saturation of ~80% (HT, n = 10), or (3) with no additional stimulus (CT, n = 10). Before and after training, participants completed the following tests: 3-s maximal voluntary contraction (MVC3), 30-s MVC, and an endurance test (maximal number of repetitions at 20% 1-RM, Reps20). Electromyographic activity (root mean square, RMS) was measured during tests and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the quadriceps and hamstrings was measured pre- and post-training. Relative to CT, KT, and HT showed likely increases in MVC3 (11.0 ± 11.9 and 15.0 ± 13.1%, mean ± 90% confidence interval), MVC30 (10.2 ± 9.0 and 18.3 ± 17.4%), and Reps20 (28.9 ± 23.7 and 23.3 ± 24.0%). Compared to the CT group, CSA increased in the KT (7.6 ± 5.8) and HT groups (5.3 ± 3.0). KT had a large effect on RMS during MVC3, compared to CT (effect size 0.8) and HT (effect size 0.8). We suspect hypoxic conditions created within the muscles during vascular occlusion and hypoxic training may play a key role in these performance enhancements.

Effects of low-load resistance training combined with blood flow restriction or hypoxia on muscle function and performance in netball athletes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of blood flow restriction or normobaric hypoxic exposure combined with low-load resistant exercise (LRE), on muscular strength and endurance. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. METHODS: Well-trained netball players (n=30) took part in a 5 weeks training of knee flexor and extensor muscles in which LRE (20% of one repetition maximum) was combined with (1) an occlusion pressure of approximately 230mmHg around the upper thigh (KT, n=10), (2) hypoxic air to generate blood oxyhaemoglobin levels of approximately 80% (HT, n=10) or (3) with no additional stimulus (CT, n=10). The training was of the same intensity and amount in all groups. One to five days before and after training, participants performed a series of strength and endurance tests of the lower limbs (3-s maximal voluntary contraction [MVC3], area under 30-s force curve [MVC30], number of repetitions at 20% 1RM [Reps201RM]). In addition, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the quadriceps and hamstrings were measured. RESULTS: Relative to CT, KT and HT increased MVC3 (11.0±11.9% and 15.0±13.1%), MVC30 (10.2±9.0% and 18.3±17.4%) and Reps201RM (28.9±23.7% and 23.3±24.0%, mean±90% confidence interval) after training. CSA increased by 6.6±4.5%, 6.1±5.1% and 2.9±2.7% in the KT, HT and CT groups respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LRE in conjunction with KT or HT can provide substantial improvements in muscle strength and endurance and may be useful alternatives to traditional training practices.