Objective Methods of Muscle Tone Diagnosis and Their Application-A Critical Review.

"Muscle tone" is a clinically important and widely used term and palpation is a crucial skill for its diagnosis. However, the term is defined rather vaguely, and palpation is not measurable objectively. Therefore, several methods have been developed to measure muscle tone objectively, in terms of biomechanical properties of the muscle. This article aims to summarize these approaches. Through database searches, we identified those studies related to objective muscle tone measurement in vivo, in situ. Based on them, we described existing methods and devices and compared their reliability. Furthermore, we presented an extensive list of the use of these methods in different fields of research. Although it is believed by some authors that palpation cannot be replaced by a mechanical device, several methods have already proved their utility in muscle biomechanical property diagnosis. There appear to be two issues preventing wider usage of these objective methods in clinical practice. Firstly, a high variability of their reliability, and secondly, a lack of valid mathematical models that would provide the observed mechanical characteristics with a clear physical significance and allow the results to be compared with each other.

Pedestrian Safety in Frontal Tram Collision, Part 2: Laminated Glass as a Crucial Part of the Absorption and Deformation Zone-Its Impact Test and Analysis.

As was shown in the previous part of the study, windshields are an important part of the passive safety means of modern low-floor trams with an extraordinary effect on pedestrian safety in a pedestrian-tram collisions. Therefore, maximum attention must be paid to the definition of tram windshield characteristics. This article describes a windshield crash test, from which data are obtained to verify the feasibility of the applied computational approaches. A developed analytical model is utilised for a simple description of the energy balance during collision with an illustrative definition of the important parameters of laminated glass as well as their clear physical interpretations. The finite element analysis (FEA) performed in Ansys software using two versions of material definition, namely a simpler (*MAT_ELASTIC with nonlocal failure criterion) and a more complex (*MAT_GLASS with brittle stress-state-dependent failure) material model, which are presented as suitable for obtaining a detailed description of the shattering process of laminated glass, which can also be used effectively in windshield engineering.

Pedestrian Safety in Frontal Tram Collision, Part 1: Historical Overview and Experimental-Data-Based Biomechanical Study of Head Clashing in Frontal and Side Impacts.

This article represents the first paper in a two-part series dealing with safety during tram-pedestrian collisions. This research is dedicated to the safety of trams for pedestrians during collisions and is motivated by the increased number of lethal cases. The first part of this paper includes an overview of tram face development from the earliest designs to the current ones in use and, at the same time, provides a synopsis and explanation of the technical context, including a link to current and forthcoming legislation. The historical design development can be characterised by three steps, from an almost vertical front face, to leaned and pointed shapes, to the current inclined low-edged windshield without a protruding coupler. However, since most major manufacturers now export their products worldwide and customisation is only of a technically insignificant nature, our conclusions are generalisable (supported by the example of Berlin). The most advantageous shape of the tram's front, minimising the effects on pedestrians in all collision phases, has evolved rather spontaneously and was unprompted, and it is now being built into the European Commission regulations. The goal of the second part of this paper is to conduct a series of tram-pedestrian collisions with a focus on the frontal and side impacts using a crash test dummy (anthropomorphic test device-ATD). Four tram types approaching the collision at four different impact speeds (5 km/h, 10 km/h, 15 km/h, and 20 km/h) were used. The primary outcome variable was the resultant head acceleration. The risk and severity of possible head injuries were assessed using the head injury criterion (HIC15) and its linkage to the injury level on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). The results showed increasing head impacts with an increasing speed for all tram types and collision scenarios. Higher values of head acceleration were reached during the frontal impact (17-124 g) compared to the side one (2-84 g). The HIC15 values did not exceed the value of 300 for any experimental setting, and the probability of AIS4+ injuries did not exceed 10%. The outcomes of tram-pedestrian collisions can be influenced by the ATD's position and orientation, the impact speed and front-end design of trams, and the site of initial contact.

Load Measurement of the Cervical Vertebra C7 and the Head of Passengers of a Car While Driving across Uneven Terrain.

The article deals with the measurement of dynamic effects that are transmitted to the driver (passenger) when driving in a car over obstacles. The measurements were performed in a real environment on a defined track at different driving speeds and different distributions of obstacles on the road. The reaction of the human organism, respectively the load of the cervical vertebrae and the heads of the driver and passenger, was measured. Experimental measurements were performed for different variants of driving conditions on a 28-year-old and healthy man. The measurement's main objective was to determine the acceleration values of the seats in the vehicle in the vertical movement of parts of the vehicle cabin and to determine the dynamic effects that are transmitted to the driver and passenger in a car when driving over obstacles. The measurements were performed in a real environment on a defined track at various driving speeds and diverse distributions of obstacles on the road. The acceleration values on the vehicle's axles and the structure of the driver's and front passenger's seats, under the buttocks, at the top of the head (Vertex Parietal Bone) and the C7 cervical vertebra (Vertebra Cervicales), were measured. The result of the experiment was to determine the maximum magnitudes of acceleration in the vertical direction on the body of the driver and the passenger of the vehicle when passing a passenger vehicle over obstacles. The analysis of the experiment's results is the basis for determining the future direction of the research.

Physiological responses to different neuromuscular movement task during eccentric bench press.

OBJECTIVES: Increasing muscular hypertrophy is one of the main reasons for participating in a resistance training program, where different movement task such as eccentric cadences may serve as a potent hypertrophic stimulus and improve movement stability. Aim of this study was to investigate the physiological responses between slow 6/0/2/0 (SLOW) and moderate 2/0/2/0 (REG) eccentric cadences during five sets of bench press to failure using 70% 1 repetition maximum (1RM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples from sixteen men (21-29y, 85.9±7.7kg, 130±17.5kg bench press 1RM) with at least five years of resistance training experience were taken before, immediately after, 30 min after, and 60 min after both protocols in a randomized cross over study design. RESULTS: ANOVA showed that more repetitions were performed during each set in REG and for the entire REG protocol (p<0.001), but total time under tension was greater during SLOW in each set and for the entire protocol (p<0.001). The post-exercise levels of lactate (p=0.02), creatine kinase (p=0.04), and testosterone (p=0.01) were greater after SLOW. Post-exercise cortisol levels decreased in both protocols (p<0.001), but these decreases were not significantly different between protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, intentionally slow eccentric speeds and increased eccentric time under tension seem to be effective for increasing acute hormonal responses after exercise. As such, although a SLOW tempo may decrease the amount of total work (i.e. fewer repetitions with the same load), the increased time under tension seems to drive hormonal responses and neurological response, which may play a large role in stimulating muscle growth, coordination and movement stability.

Calcaneal Tendon Collagen Fiber Morphometry and Aging.

Fibrillar collagen in tendons and its natural development in rabbits are discussed in this paper. Achilles tendons from newborn (~7 days) to elderly (~38 months) rabbits were monitored in intact (n tendons=24) and microtome sectioned (n tendons=11) states with label-free second harmonic generation microscopy. After sectioning, the collagen fiber pattern was irregular for the younger animals and remained oriented parallel to the load axis of the tendon for the older animals. In contrast, the collagen fiber pattern in the intact samples followed the load axis for all the age groups. However, there was a significant difference in the tendon crimp pattern appearance between the age groups. The crimp amplitude (A) and wavelength (Λ) started at very low values (A=2.0±0.6 µm, Λ=19±4 µm) for the newborn animals. Both parameters increased for the sexually mature animals (>5 months old). When the animals were fully mature the amplitude decreased but the wavelength kept increasing. The results revealed that the microtome sectioning artifacts depend on the age of animals and that the collagen crimp pattern reflects the physical growth and development.

Selected mechanical paremeters of women's hair in the Caucasian population.

OBJECTIVE: More parameters have been used for more detailed description of mechanical properties of human hair as a fibre than in analogous studies. All measured samples were taken from five different locations on the heads of 60 women of varied age. METHODS: For each hair, the diameter was determined optically and then the test in the Deform Type 2 testing machine was carried out. Deformation curves were obtained by testing 10 mm long samples up to the rupture point at constant temperature, humidity and constant crossbar speed of 2 mm/min. The curves were processed with software for the calculation of mechanical parameters of the hairs. This specialized software has been designed by us for that purpose. Resulting values were arranged into tables and figures. RESULTS: As far as hair cross-section is concerned, it has been found that for the European population it appears to be rather higher - 86 µm - than indicated in formerly published texts. The 56 µm mentioned in the work of other authors has been observed only utterly exceptionally, in 0.3 % of the population. All quantities studied (except extensibility) display moderate to strong positive skewness in comparison to Gauss distribution. The most marked skewness is seen in the resilience. At the same time, this quantity displays the highest value of non-Gaussian distribution. The elasticity module of 2.3±0.6 GPa is three times lower than the one reported by other authors, yet according to the fact published in our work - which shows unambiguously that the thinner the hair, the higher elasticity module it displays - the value of 7.2 GPa for the 56 µm thick hairs is comparable and it confirms the hypothesis that the cortex, which is responsible for the mechanical strength of the hair, is contained in a higher ratio in thinner hairs. This similarly applies to the ultimate strength; the linearity limit is hard to compare with literature, as it almost does not appear there. CONCLUSION: By measuring 886 samples from the heads of 60 adult women of European type, it was possible to ascertain the current norm for a larger number of mechanical parameters of the hairs. Further merit of this work is the fact that the hairs were taken systematically from five well-defined places of the studied heads in equal count, which is an aspect formerly published works do not respect and they do not present the location of sampling.

Possibilities of objective identification of meniscoids in joint blocks of the axial system, by MRI and Transfer Vibration through the Spine.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify the meniscoids of the cervical spine using in-vivo MRI imaging and to determine their potential role in the development of functional joint blocks of the axial system (AS). Another objective was to find out how the articular blocks affect the rheological properties of the spine by the Transfer Vibration through the Spine (TVS) method. METHOD: In this study were used methods TVS and MRI. The study was conducted on a research file of 12 subjects and was conceived as a pilot one. RESULTS: It has been shown that the MRI method, in appropriate circumstances, enables the detection of changes in the size and shape of meniscoids in-vivo. On the basis of the investigations carried out, it can be assumed that several mechanisms are involved in the formation of functional joint blocks, and are not primarily caused by the incarceration of meniscoidal tissue. Using the TVS method, it has also been found that a functional articular blockade affects the rheological properties of the axial system, specifically reducing the damping capabilities of the particular spine segment. CONCLUSION: In the follow-up studies, it will be necessary to verify the theoretical interpretations on a larger statistical set.

Evaluation of rheological parameters of the axial system using the Transfer Vibration through Spine (TVS) method.

OBJECTIVE: The human motion system reacts to both hypo and hyperactivity loads by changes to the rheological properties of tissues. This study deals with changes to the axial system (AS) compartment. Using the appropriate methodologies and mathematical-physical methods, these changes can be identified and quantified. METHODS: This study describes the noninvasive TVS (Transfer Vibration through Spine) method, which was applied to assess the AS selected mechanical properties in various modes. A pilot study was conducted on a top-level twelve-year-old girl-gymnast. The data detection was carried out in three cycles, before and after a peak 3.5 hour training session and the next day, after resting, just before the next training. RESULTS: Specifically, the values of selected rheological parameters, the AS damping coefficient b and viscosity µ, were obtained. The dynamics of their changes, in the stated load cycles, has also been shown. The damping coefficient b fell from the value of 0.626 to 0.324 before training and increased to 0.394 after resting. The viscosity coefficient µ showed a similar trend, namely falling from the value of 9.85 [Pa.s] to 2.15 [Pa.s] and then increasing to 3.8 [Pa.s] . CONCLUSIONS: With its computational solution, the TVS method,is a diagnostic apparatus making it possible to classify AS properties, both quantitatively and qualitatively, or its chosen segments and their changes, respectively. It can be used in classifying, preventing and treating the consequences of extreme motion and relaxing modes. The TVS application also makes it possible to control AS states over therapeutic, recovery, ergonomic and other loading modes of the human locomotion system.

Executions and scientific anatomy.

The very word "anatomy" tells us about this branch's connection with dissection. Studies of anatomy have taken place for approximately 2.300 years already. Anatomy's birthplace lies in Greece and Egypt. Knowledge in this specific field of science was necessary during surgical procedures in ophthalmology and obstetrics. Embalming took place without public disapproval just like autopsies and manipulation with relics. Thus, anatomical dissection became part of later forensic sciences. Anatomical studies on humans themselves, which needed to be compared with the knowledge gained through studying procedures performed on animals, elicited public disapprobation and prohibition. When faced with a shortage of cadavers, anatomists resorted to obtaining bodies of the executed and suicide victims - since torture, public display of the mutilated body, (including anatomical autopsy), were perceived as an intensification of the death penalty. Decapitation and hanging were the main execution methods meted out for death sentences. Anatomists preferred intact bodies for dissection; hence, convicts could thus avoid torture. This paper lists examples of how this process was resolved. It concerns the manners of killing, vivisection on people in the antiquity and middle-ages, experiments before the execution and after, vivifying from seeming death, experiments with galvanizing electricity on fresh cadavers, evaluating of sensibility after guillotine execution, and making perfect anatomical preparations and publications during Nazism from fresh bodies of the executed.

Effect of repeated therapeutic horse riding sessions on the trunk movement of the rider.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the rider's movement during walking the horse in repeated therapeutic horse riding sessions and to determine the relationship between movements of the horse's back and the rider's trunk. METHOD: A total of 12 healthy females (age: 23.3±2.8 years; height: 167.3±4.2 cm; weight: 59.2±5.3 kg) participated in 10 therapeutic horse riding sessions. Two English Thoroughbreds with similar body constitution (aged 19 and 14 years) were used in the experiment. Nine markers were placed on the rider's body and the horse's back, and four video cameras with a 25 Hz frequency were used. Collected data were processed with APAS software. RESULTS: The mediolateral displacements of C7, Th12, and L5 were gradually decreasing in each of the first three sessions. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between individual sessions in the displacement of C7, Th12 and L5 in the mediolateral and vertical directions as well as in the shoulder and pelvic lateral tilt and rotation. These differences did not show any general tendencies regarding the riders' increasing experiences with riding. The relationships between the displacement of C7, Th12, and L5 and the sacral tuber on the horse's back in the vertical direction were statistically significant (p<0.01) during all sessions. CONCLUSIONS: The displacement of C7, Th12 and L5 in the mediolateral direction decreased during riding sessions. A significant relationship was found between the vertical movement of the horse's back and the rider's trunk. These relationships differed between the horses.

The role of lateral preference of lower limbs in a postural stabilization task.

OBJECTIVE: Postural control is a complex skill based on the interaction of dynamic sensorimotor processes. This study assessed the effect of lateral perturbations on postural re-stabilization regarding lower limb preference. METHODS: A group of 14 physically active individuals (9 male, 5 female) randomly underwent postural perturbations in lateral-left and lateral-right directions at a velocity of 0.2 m.s-1 and a platform shift of 6 cm. Perturbation to the preferred limb side (PS) was noted when the contralateral body movement was primarily controlled by the preferred limb and perturbation to the non-preferred limb side (NS) was noted when the contralateral body movement was primarily controlled by the non-preferred (stabilizing) limb. Prior to, during and after the perturbation centre of pressure (CoP) was registered using a computerized motor driven FiTRO Dynamic Posturography System based on force plate (Fitro Sway Check) with a sampling rate of 100 Hz. The basic stabilographic parameters of peak displacement (Peak 1), peak-to-peak displacement (Peak 2), time to peak displacement (Time 1), time to peak-to-peak displacement (Time 2) and re-stabilization time (Time 3) were analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed significantly larger Time 3 on PS than on NS (2.81 ± 1.32 s and 1.73 ± 1.10 s; p=0.02). However, there were no significant differences in other parameters between PS and NS. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that the observed shorter re-stabilization time at NS was due to the stabilization role of the non-preferred limb.

Kinematic and dynamic biomechanical values in relation to muscle activity during contact head impact.

OBJECTIVE: For the evaluation of neck injury the relative distance was observed between a marker placed on the forehead and a marker placed on the shoulder and also by change of the angle. To compare the severity of head injury a value of maximum head acceleration was used, HIC and a 3 ms criterion. All criteria were related to the activity of musculus sternocleidomastoideus and musculus trapezius in a situation of expected or unexpected contact impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The situation was recorded using a Qualisys system, head acceleration of probands in three axes was recorded using the accelerometer, activity of neck muscles was monitored by a mobile EMG. RESULTS: Maximum head acceleration was 5.61 g for non-visual and 5.03 g for visual. HIC36 was 6.65 non visual and 5.97 for visual. 3-ms criterion was 5.37 g for non-visual and 4.89 g for visual and max. force was 291 N for non-visual and 314 N for visual. The average time of muscle activation of the observed group without visual perception is 0.355 s after hitting an obstacle, with visual perception 0.085 s before the crash. CONCLUSIONS: Kinematic values indicate more favourable parameters for neck injuries for visual. Head injury criteria show an average decrease of about 10% for visual. We can conclude that the visual perception means a significant increase in pre-activation of the observed muscle group of almost 745% and lower activation in following phase of approximately 90%.

Knee joint muscles neuromuscular activity during load-carrying walking.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of increasing load on changes in the muscle activity ratio and onset of vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF) during load-carrying walking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen strength-trained men performed an isometric test for knee flexion/extension using a dynamometer followed by walking with progressively increasing loads of up to 75% of their body mass (BM). During the isometric tests and load-carrying walking, electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the VM, VL and BF in both legs together with 3D kinematics. RESULTS: Significant changes in the activity ratio were found for the VM/VL (F3,93=5.92, p=0.0001) and VL onset (F3,81=6.8, p=0.0004). Other parameters showed no significant differences. VM/VL was significantly reduced between the 50BM (mean±SD: 0.89±0.4) and the 75BM condition (0.81±0.3). VL onset was significantly accelerated between the BM (26.11±8) compare and the 25% BM (19.47±9), 50% BM (21.21±10) and 75% BM (15.45±6) conditions. CONCLUSION: Load-carrying walking is an exercise and movement activity that increases the activity of VL more than the activity of VM and accelerates the VL action together with the increased load, which can negatively influence knee stability. The VM/VL ratio and onset is equal when walking under weight-bearing conditions. The inter-muscular coordination is changed due to the increased load in complex movements even in individuals with high level of neuromuscular adaptation.

Changes in the mechanical parameters of hair in a group of women in reproductive age.

OBJECTIVE: Hair quality and scalp characteristics are considered to be a significant marker of health. This marker is reflected in mechanical properties of hair. To investigate these properties, hair samples have been collected among women of different age and then analyzed. The thickness, Young's modulus of elasticity and ultimate strength limit were the main observed parameters. METHODS: The diameter of each hair has been measured using an optical microscope equipped with a digital camera. The hair was then clipped into the uniaxial tensile testing device. Each sample has been stretched to failure at a speed of 2 mm/min and force vs. elongation was recorded. The mechanical results were converted with respect to the diameter and Stress-Strain curve was obtained for each sample. In addition, all the analyzed samples were divided into two groups in dependence on the age, namely samples from women younger than 35 and over 35 years of age. All the measured parameters were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Young's modulus, yield and elongation parameters showed no significant difference among samples. On the other hand there was a significant difference among the samples in ultimate strength values. Findings from group analysis showed that women under 35 years show about 5 times greater variability in hair strength than that of women above that age. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that hair tendency to grow persists up to 30 years of age, then slowly decreases and then achieves a steady state around 60 years of age.

Pre-activation and muscle activity during frontal impact in relation to whiplash associated disorders.

OBJECTIVE: For the evaluation of neck injury the relative distance was observed between a marker placed on the forehead and a marker placed on the shoulder and also by change of the angle. To compare the severity of head injury a value of maximum head acceleration was used, HIC and a 3 ms criterion. All criteria were related to the activity of musculus sternocleidomastoideus and musculus trapezius in a situation of expected or unexpected impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The situation was recorded using a Qualisys system, head acceleration of probands in three axes was recorded using the accelerometer, activity of neck muscles was monitored by a mobile EMG. RESULTS: Maximum head acceleration was 12.1 g for non-visual and 8.2 g for visual. HIC36 was 5.7 non visual and 4.0 for visual. 3-ms criterion was 11.5 g for non-visual and 7.8 g for visual. The average time of muscle activation of the observed group without visual perception is 0.027 s after hitting an obstacle, with visual perception 0.127 s before the crash. CONCLUSIONS: Kinematic values indicate more favourable parameters for neck injuries for visual. Head injury criteria show an average decrease of about 30% for visual. We can conclude that the visual perception means a significant increase in pre-activation of the observed muscle group of almost 400% and lower activation in both following phases of approximately 40%.

Intervertebral (lumbar) disc replacement:the current state and future perspectives.

PURPOSE: Low back pain is a significant socio-economic problem which is expected to deepen. Degenerative disc disease is considered to be one of its main causes. Unsuccessful conservative treatments usually lead to surgical treatments, including methods providing pain relief by vertebral fusion in the affected segment. However, this leads to changes in biomechanics, which is why approximately 30 years ago total disc replacements appeared. This work aims at determining the current state of treatments with this kind of replacement, comparing the results with those of fusion methods and assessing why fusion continues to dominate. Current treatments of degenerative disc disease by advanced procedures (regenerative and gene therapy, 3D printing) is also examined and evaluated, and future developments are considered. METHODS: A critical review based on available scientific articles from online databases. The main keywords used were "lumbar", "total", "disc" and "replacement", supplemented according to the individual, monitored areas ("follow-up", "fusion", "future" etc.). For the articles found through database search (n = 895), narrower selection was made and the result was 33 articles included in review. REVIEW: Total disc replacements have not yet satisfactorily demonstrated that they are superior to fusion methods in long term follow-up. Advanced methods are in their infancy. CONCLUSIONS: Additional research and development of total disc replacements is still necessary. For implants, the 3D scan - 3D model - 3D printing chain and its related technologies are increasingly important. The development of regenerative procedures using induced pluripotent stem cells and gene therapies is important, but conservative treatments and primary prevention should also be developed because regenerative procedures and gene therapies apparently will not be used routinely until the future.

Leonardo da Vinci and Kethem-Kiveris vena.

In the drawing of coitus by Leonardo da Vinci are pictured the contemporary hypotheses regarding this act. The authors analyze the mamillaruteral connection depicted by the artist and grow up to believe that this is a hypothetical kiveris vena, female vein described by Anatomist Master Nicolai Physicus from the Salerno School. The Hebrew roots were found in the name. The connection is described also by Mondino in The Anathomia. The same connection can be found in the picture of the pregnant woman in Fasciculus Medicinæ by Johannes De Ketham.

Changes in attenuation characteristics of axial system of pregnant drivers detected by the TVS method.

OBJECTIVES: During a longer car drive there are changes in rheological properties of driver's or passenger's connective tissues taking place as a consequence of monotonous and vibration load. These changes show more among the pregnant drivers, whose motion system is under heavier demands due to pregnancy. To asses these changes we have used the TVS (transfer vibration through the spine) method. METHODS: The TVS is based on application of γ excitation pulses with half-length 5 ms and then harmonic excitation continuously periodically changing from 5 Hz to 160 Hz on C7 and L5 vertebrae. This wave is transferred along the axial system and the acceleration of all the spinous tips of the vertebrae, along which the waves spread between C7 and S1, is detected by accelerometric sensors. The measurement was carried out on three drivers before and after a 4-hours driving. The same measurements of wave transfer along the spine with just one pregnant woman were carried out in th 16th, 26th and 32nd week of pregnancy. Consequently we constructed a simplified model of the spine in order to analyze gathered data by discovering elementary properties of the measured system. RESULTS: After both vibration and physical load there is a more significant dampening of the spinal tissues apparent, i.e. lower acceleration amplitude and the tissues resonance frequency also shifts towards the lower frequencies. On the other hand after long lasting relaxation on a bed an opposite tendency showed, the acceleration amplitude was higher, tissues were relaxed and dampening was lower. The same tendency manifested among the pregnant women. The influence of progressing pregnancy on the spinal segment transfer function showed through a shifting of peaks above 20Hz. Their size also changes monotonously. An absorption area moves towards higher frequencies, rigidity of axial system connections grows. CONCLUSION: The results say that drivers, including pregnant women, show changes in mechanical properties of examined tissues before and after vibration or other type of load. Or conversely before and after relaxation on a bed. Results of this work will be further analyzed, verified and evaluation procedures will be improved. We expect to find dependencies between excitation and resonance frequencies during the transfer via the axial system, the rheological properties of the axial system components and the physical nature of the load of the axial system. They are then going to be applicable for the prevention of injuries of the axial system, physiotherapy practices in the rehabilitation of post-operative conditions, the dosage of training loads of athletes, in determining the effects of job stress regimes and their prevention.

Influence of SYSADOA group chemicals on progression of human knee joint osteoarthritis: new objective evaluation method - measuring of rheological properties in vivo.

OBJECTIVES: This study seeks to demonstrate the influence of pharmacological substances from the SYSADOA group on the progression of osteoarthritis in the human knee. The quantification methods were direct measurement of the rheological properties of the knee joints in vivo and standard WOMAC index questionnaires. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The drugs were administered orally to 34 probands with second degree gonarthrosis for 13 weeks. The untreated control group consisted of 10 probands. The rheological properties of the joints were determined by a biorheometer, and subjective assessment of the knees by patients (WOMAC) before and after medication, and for a further 13 weeks. Changes in the calculated parameters over time were compared. RESULTS: During the audited perioda slight deterioration in all of the parameters was observed in the untreated group. The treated group, however, improved in all the parameters and some indicators showed statistically significant differences. The positive effects of the SYSADOA persisted for 3 months after the end of treatments. Partial correlation was found between the results of the WOMAC questionnaire and the rheological measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the positive effects of the preparation on arthritic changes in the knee joint, but due to the large variance of the collected data, this conclusion is on the borderline of statistical significance. The method of measuring the rheological properties of the joints is suitable for evaluating the progression of OA.