Effects of eight week core stability training on stable- and unstable-surface on ankle muscular strength, proprioception, and dorsiflexion in athletes with chronic ankle instability.

BACKGROUND: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common injury among athletes. Research has reported reduced dorsiflexion range of motion, impairment of proprioception, and decreased muscle strength of the ankle in people with CAI. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of 8-week core stability training on stable and unstable surfaces on ankle muscular strength, proprioception, and dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) in athletes with CAI. METHODS: Thirty-six athletes with CAI (age 22.42 ± 2.76 years; height 169.11 ± 3.52 cm; weight 68.46 ± 2.75 kg) participated in this study. They were divided into three groups: unstable-surface group (UG) (n = 12), stable-surface group (SG) (n = 12), and control group (CG) (n = 12). The UG and SG performed the core stability exercise protocol for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. The CG received their usual care and daily activities. Outcomes were measured pre-sessions and post-sessions. RESULTS: The peak torque showed significant increases in the UG and SG compared with the CG during plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion (P < 0.05). There were also significant increases in UG compared with SG (P < 0.05). The proprioception showed significant decreases in UG compared with SG and CG (P < 0.05). The dorsiflexion ROM showed significant increases in UG and SG compared with CG. There were also significant increases in UG compared with SG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that core stability exercises on trampoline surface helps improve the measured parameters in athletes with ankle instability. Therefore, this type of training is recommended as a therapeutic option for Individuals with CAI.

Integrated Exercise and Glycemic and Peripheral Sensation Control in Diabetic Neuropathy: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathy control and management is an objective in therapeutic exercises prescribed for patients with Type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We examined the effects of 12-week integrated exercise (IE) on glycemic control and peripheral sensation criteria in patients with diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: This study was carried out in 2019-2020 in Janan diabetic society of Najaf Abad in Iran. Based on MNSI scores, we assigned 40 patients into two equal paired random groups (control vs. IE). Pre and posttests were administered before and after three months of intervention. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant interaction effect between the FBS of the groups (P = 0.26) but significant interaction effects were observed between the levels of 2 hrs pp G, 4 pm G, HbA1c, Diapason, Monofilament, and Thermofeel in favor of the IE group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: At the beginning of IE, we used massage and foam roller to release pain and improve blood circulation as well as sensation in the neuropathic areas. This may have helped the patients perform the aerobic and resistance exercises more easily. Therefore, better glycemic control and peripheral sensation were achieved. Verification of the long-term effects of this training strategy requires further study. Verification of the long-term effects of this training strategy requires further study.

The Effect of Total Body Resistance Exercise on Mobility, Proprioception, and Muscle Strength of the Knee in People With Multiple Sclerosis.

CONTEXT: Muscle weakness and sensory deficits cause impaired balance and walking abilities that are prerequisites for independent activity of daily living in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent physical exercises tailored to improve the activity of daily living people with MS have focused on the functional training. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of total body resistance exercise suspension training on mobility, proprioception, and muscle strength of the knee in people with MS. DESIGN: Single-blind pretest and posttest control group design. SETTING: Referral Center of Multiple Sclerosis Society. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four women with relapsing-remitting MS were participated in this study. The mean (SD) of their age was 36.44 (4.88) years, and the Expanded Disability Status Scale was 2.35 (0.94). The participants were divided into 2 groups: control group (n = 15) and training group (n = 19). INTERVENTION: The training group performed the total body resistance exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. The control group received their usual care and daily activities. Outcomes were measured presessions and postsessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mobility was assessed with Timed Up and Go test, 10-m walk maximum test, 2 minute walk test, and 5-time sit-to-stand test. Knee proprioception absolute error and isometric strength of knee flexor and extensor muscles were measured by using a biodex isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: In the training group, mobility (P = .001), maximal voluntary isometric contraction of knee flexor and extensor muscles in both legs (P > .05), and the knee proprioception absolute error in nondominant leg at 60° knee flexion (P = .02) improved significantly compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Total body resistance exercise is a functional and safe intervention that can improve the mobility and muscles strength of the knee in a short period in people with MS.

Functional Movement Screen Composite Scores in Firefighters: Effects of Corrective Exercise Training.

PURPOSE: Firefighters require a high level of functional fitness to operate safely, effectively, and efficiently. The authors studied the distribution of functional movement screen (FMS) scores in firefighters and examined whether an 8-week corrective exercise program based on National Academy of Sport Medicine guidelines could improve them. METHODS: All 524 active firefighters of a city completed the baseline FMS testing. Those who obtained a score of 14 or less, a sign of movement dysfunction, and volunteered to continue their participation were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n = 51) or a control (n = 45) group. Both groups participated in an 8-week training program. The control group used their own usual training routine, but the experimental group used the specific protocol designed for the study. RESULTS: The FMS scores of 43% of the population were less than 14. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction between FMS scores of the groups (F1,94 =165, P < .001). The experimental group showed a 69% improvement from pretest (10.6) to posttest (17.8), whereas the control group showed only a 3% improvement from pretest (11.8) to posttest (12.1). CONCLUSIONS: Preceding studies have shown that FMS scores less than 14 increase the injury risk. The findings showed that using our proposed training protocol, low FMS scores could be improved to 14 and higher. Considering the high injury rate of firefighters, the authors suggest administering FMS periodically and to use a training protocol such as ours, to increase functional fitness and reduce injury risk.

Photogrammetric Analysis of Upper Cross Syndrome among Teachers and the Effects of National Academy of Sports Medicine Exercises with Ergonomic Intervention on the Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkyphosis is often accompanied by forward head and shoulder postures. Together, these three disorders are called "Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS)". We aimed to perform a photogrammetric analysis of UCS among teachers and to determine the effects of National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) exercises with ergonomic training interventions on the syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: A semi-experimental study. METHODS: Photogrammetric analysis was performed using the UCS software among teachers in order to determine the angles of forward head, rounded shoulders, and hyperkyphosis. Twenty-three teachers were selected purposefully and enrolled in Fasa City in 2018. They were randomly divided into experimental (n=12) and control (n=11) groups. Experimental group attended 12 wk of NASM exercises with ergonomic intervention but the control group did not participate in any regular exercise. The data were analyzed using paired t-test and differential independent t-test (P<0.05). RESULTS: The results indicated a significant decrease in forward head (P=0.001), shoulder angles (P=0.000) and hyperkyphosis (P=0.003). The applied intervention had a 90% positive effect in reducing the forward head angle, an 88% positive effect in reducing the rounded shoulder angle and a 90% positive effect in reducing the kyphosis angle. However, the results for the control group did not show a significant difference for forward head, rounded shoulders, and hyperkyphosis angles. CONCLUSION: The UCS software application can be used as an accurate instrument for measuring the extent of the UCS. Moreover, using NASM exercises can lead to a reduction in the UCS among teachers.

Comparison of the Effect of 8-Week Rebound Therapy-Based Exercise Program and Weight-Supported Exercises on the Range of Motion, Proprioception, and the Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive disorder that mainly affects the central nervous system and, consequently, the patient's functional status. This study aimed to compare the effect of 8-week rebound therapy-based exercise program and weight-supported exercises on the range of motion, proprioception, and the quality of life in patients with PD. METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly divided into two equal groups of weight-bearing exercises and rebound exercise with no significant differences in age, weight, and height. The variables of the range of motion, proprioception, and the quality of life were assessed in pre- and posttest. Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA and t-test at a significant level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: All of the variables in the two groups were significantly improved after 8 weeks of exercise, whereas the improvement rate in the rebound therapy group was more than the weight-bearing exercises group in range of motion (134.60 ± 13.22 vs. 118.38 ± 12.48), proprioception (7.60 ± 3.22 vs. 10.38 ± 2.48), and the quality of life (147.60 ± 13.22 vs. 118.38 ± 12.48) of the patients (P < 0.001 for all variables). CONCLUSIONS: Given that both rebound and weight-supported exercises are effective on improving the range of motion, proprioception, and the quality of life of people with PD, it is recommended that the benefits of these exercises to be used in physical rehabilitation programs. However, rebound therapy exercises have had a greater effect on people with PD, and it seems better to use these exercises more than others.

Effect of 12-Week Rebound Therapy Exercise on Static Stability of Patients With Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: To resolve the impairments associated with spinal cord injury (SCI), such as decreased balance, patients have been recommended to undergo various therapeutic strategies, including the use of different physical exercise methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of using rebound therapy (exercise on a trampoline) on SCI individuals' static stability. Methods: Sixteen people with SCI (American Spinal Cord Association classification: A = 6, B = 6, C = 2, and D = 2) were randomly assigned to an experimental (rebound exercise) group or a control group. The rebound therapy exercise program, lasting 12 weeks, was performed by means of a modified trampoline. During the said period, the experimental group received rebound therapy exercise for 10 to 30 minutes 3 sessions a week. Standing stability parameters (ie, excursion, velocity, and path length of the center of pressure in mediolateral and anteroposterior plane) were assessed before and after the exercise intervention by Kistler force plate (50 × 60 cm). Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Significant interactions were observed for all 6 dependent variables except excursion of the center of pressure in mediolateral and the path length of center of pressure in anteroposterior plane (P < .01). This means that the control group had no progress, whereas the experimental group made a significant improvement in terms of static stability. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that rebound therapy could reinforce the static stability of individuals with SCI during motionless standing. It suggests that rebound exercise is a useful sports rehabilitation method for patients with SCI and other wheelchair-bound individuals.

Effects of gamma oryzanol supplementation on anthropometric measurements & muscular strength in healthy males following chronic resistance training.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Enhanced muscle strength is seen when resistance exercise is combined with the consumption of nutritional supplements. Although there is a limited number of studies available about the efficacy of gamma oryzanol supplementation with resistance exercise in humans, but its usage as a nutritional supplement for strength is common in athletes. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gamma oryzanol supplementation during 9-week resistance training on muscular strength and anthropometric measurements of young healthy males. METHODS: In this double-blind clinical trial, changes of anthropometric measurements and muscular strength were studied after chronic resistance exercise and gamma oryzanol supplementation in 30 healthy volunteers (16 in supplement and 14 in placebo). Each day, gamma oryzanol supplement (600 mg) and placebo (the same amount of lactose) were consumed after training. The participants exercised with 80 per cent 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM), for one hour and four days/week. Anthropometric measurements and subjects' 1-RM for muscular strength were determined at the commencement and end of the 9-week study. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the baseline characteristics and target variables at baseline between the two groups. After gamma oryzanol supplementation, there was no significant difference in the means of anthropometric and skin fold measurements between the supplement and placebo groups. However, there were significant differences between the supplement and placebo groups for 1-RM of bench press and leg curl, which showed that gamma oryzanol improved muscle strength following resistance training. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that 600 mg/day gamma oryzanol supplementation during the 9-week resistance training did not change anthropometric and body measurements, but it increased muscular strength in young healthy males. Further, studies need to be done in trained athletes, women, and in patients who suffer from muscular fatigue.

Effects of intensity of aerobics on body composition and blood lipid profile in obese/overweight females.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a threat to the health of modern urban citizens, especially women. Aerobic is an effect of exercise which rapidly is developing among urban women. This study was designed to examine the effects of light and moderate aerobic intensity on body composition and serum lipid profile in obese/overweight women living in Isfahan. METHODS: Forty-five middle-aged obese/overweight volunteer women (25-40 years, and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 to 30 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned into three groups: 1. Light aerobics [45-50% heart rate reserve maximum (HRRmax)], 2. Moderate aerobics (70-75% HRRmax), 3. No exercise training (control). Training program lasted for 10 weeks and included three sessions of 60 minutes aerobics per week. The intensity of aerobics was controlled by monitoring heart rate. Body composition was measured using skin fold thickness method. Serum lipid was measured. RESULTS: Both light and moderate aerobics significantly improved weight (P < 0.000), fat percent (P < 0.045), BMI (P < 0.000), fat weight (P < 0/031), lean body weight (P < 0.02), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (P < 0.000), High-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that both light and moderate aerobics improved body composition and serum lipid profile in obese/overweight women. Our findings support the application of aerobics for obese/overweight women. Initially, they can start with light programs and proceed to more intense programs.