Cross-exercise on quadriceps deficit after ACL reconstruction.

A few studies concerning the improvement of quadriceps muscle strength deficit (QD) at an early stage following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been conducted whereas, ACL rehabilitation protocols based on contralateral quadriceps strength (QS) do not exist. Given these, the goals of our study were (1) to evaluate the effects of cross-eccentric exercise (CEE) on QD on ACL reconstructed knees, and (2) to explore any changes in QD following CEE provided at the frequencies of 3 or 5 times per week. For this study, 42 ACL-reconstructed patients were randomly assigned into 3 groups, two experimental and one control and followed an 8-week rehabilitation program. Additionally, the experimental groups received CEE for 3 and 5 days per week for 8 weeks in their uninjured knees. QS was evaluated with an isokinetic/isometric test, at 60 degrees of knee flexion of both limbs before and after completion of CEE. Two-factor ANOVA showed a significant improvement of QD between groups (F = 5.16, p = 0.01) after CEE completion on ACL reconstructed knees. Statistically significant results arose from the 3 days per week (D = 18.60, p = 0.01) and 5 days per week (D = 15.12, p = 0.04) experimental groups, whereas the control group did not yield any statistically significant differences. CEE used as an adjunct to the ACL traditional rehabilitation program at the weekly frequencies of 3 and 5 times at the early stage of reconstruction significantly improved QD.

Prevalence of low back pain in greek public office workers.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have provided information on the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in white collar workers in industrialized countries. Little information has related individual, work ergonomic, and psychosocial factors to the incidence of LBP in low income countries. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of LBP among Greek public office workers. To identify and relate the individual, work ergonomic, and psychosocial factors to the occurrence of LBP. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of Greek office workers in the public sector. METHODS: A self-reported standardized questionnaire was constructed to record risk factors associated with the occurrence of LBP. Personal characteristics, work ergonomics, and psychosocial traits were collected and related to LBP prevalence. RESULTS: Of the 771 office workers, 648 responded (84% return rate). The majority of the participants were women (75.8%). Among all responders, 33%, 37.8%, 41.8%, and 61.6% presented with point, one-year, two-year, and lifetime prevalence respectively. Sleep disturbances due to pain were reported in 37% of the office clerks with chronic low back pain. Multiple logistic regression models have revealed that significant determinants for predicting LBP occurrence are age, gender, body mass index, body distance from computer screen, adjustable back support, clerk body position while sitting, sitting time of greater than 6 hours, job satisfaction, repetitive work, and anger during last 30 days. CONCLUSION: High proportions of Greek office workers suffer from LBP which might affect the Greek economy. The incidence of LBP status is significantly associated with some anthropometric, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors.

Reliability measures of the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in Greek young adults.

INTRODUCTION: The short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short) has frequently been used for national and international comparable physical activity (PA) prevalence studies. The purpose of this paper is to describe a Greek version of IPAQ-short (IPAQ-Gr) and present its reliability properties in Greek young and healthy adults. METHODS: Two hundred and eighteen health science students of the Athens Technological Educational Institute, aged 19-29 years, were randomly selected and participated in the study. An intra-examiner reliability study over time (8 and 30 days apart) was carried out to assess IPAQ-Gr repeatability. An inter-examiner reliability study was also performed to assess the consistency of IPAQ-Gr outcomes between examiners. At the same time, an intra-examiner reliability study using an independent sample of 175 medical students at the University of Ioannina was carried out in order to examine multi-centre IPAQ-Gr reliability. Intra-class correlation coefficients for IPAQ scores and kappa statistics and percent agreement for physical activity classification were used in the analysis. RESULTS: Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) between day-1 and day-9 assessments for IPAQ total and vigorous PA were high in all groups examined (0.84 to 0.93). ICCs for walking PA, moderate PA and sitting hours were lower, but still good (0.69 to 0.81). Repeatability of IPAQ-Gr outcomes after one-month re-administration was high for total and vigorous PA (0.87, 0.81) and good for moderate (0.66) and walking PA (0.75). Inter-examiner reliability data showed that all correlations between examiners were greater than 0.70, up to 0.87 (paired t-test, p=NS), with the exception of moderate PA, where correlations were weaker (0.58 to 0.64). Similar results were found when intra-examiner correlations were compared between educational institutes (multi-centre inter-examiner reliability of IPAQ). CONCLUSIONS: IPAQ-Gr was found to present acceptable reliability properties in Greek young adults. IPAQ-Gr showed high repeatability values for total and vigorous PA, and good for moderate and walking PA.

Effects of chronic smoking on exercise tolerance and on heart rate-systolic blood pressure product in young healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Smoking-related deaths in Greece account for 23%, whereas 41% of young Greeks are smokers, the highest percentage in Europe. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of chronic smoking on the rate-pressure product and exercise tolerance in young, healthy male smokers. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-two smokers and 51 nonsmokers were selected from a population of 543 students based on their age, sex, body mass index, physical fitness, smoking habit and health status. All participants were tested with the standard Bruce treadmill protocol. The rate-pressure product was obtained at rest and during exercise at a given submaximal workload. The evaluation of exercise tolerance was based on peak workload achieved and maximal exercise test duration. RESULTS: The smokers had a higher rate-pressure product at rest (P<0.001) due to their higher resting heart rate (P<0.001). Resting values of blood pressure did not differ significantly between the two groups. During exercise, smokers had a greater rate-pressure product (P<0.001), mainly due to their significantly higher systolic blood pressure (P=0.008). The smokers had a higher submaximal heart rate (P=0.005), but the differences in heart rate between groups were reduced for smokers during exercise when compared to rest. The smokers' exercise tolerance was impaired and their maximal exercise test duration time was significantly shorter (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic smoking was found to affect young male smokers' cardiovascular fitness, impairing the economy and decreasing the capacity of their circulatory system.