Physical Treatments Journal
Volume:5 Issue: 1, 2015

In approaching full trunk flexion (75%-80% of full flexion), myoelectric activity of lumbar erector spinae muscles is reduced or silenced; this response is known as flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP). FRP is a shift in load sharing and spinal stabilization from active structures (erector spinae muscles) to passive ligamentous and articular structures. Static lumbar flexion under constant displacement or load, within the physiological range, elicits creep in lumbar viscoelastic tissues. During a short static lumbar flexion, significant changes are elicited in the muscular activity pattern of the FRP. Laxity in the passive tissues of the spine during prolonged spinal flexion disturbs the spinal stability. This study investigated the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) before and after periods of the static lumbar flexion on the timing of FRP for the erector spinae muscles. The research was conducted on 22 healthy female college students. The surface electromyographic silence and onset of the erector spinae muscle activities were measured in two states; before the static lumbar flexion and 10 minutes after the static lumbar flexion in two conditions (with and without KT). The results indicate that KT causes erector spinae muscles relaxation earlier in the flexion and later reactivated in the extension. In other words, KT increased flexion relaxation time in erector spinae muscles (P<0.05). The results also indicate that 10 minutes static lumbar flexion will produce relaxation of the erector spinae muscles later during the forward bending activity and earlier reactivation during the extension (P<0.05). Application of KT cannot compensate the effects of 10 minutes static flexion at the onset and the silence of flexion relaxation and over again creep causes FRP occurs later. According to the effects of KT before the creep in reducing the duration of the muscles activity, kinesio tape may be used in reducing muscle spasms and duration of erector spinae muscles activity. It may also improve FRP in the back and the people who are predisposed to the back pain and FRP has not seen in them. Therefore, the need for research on these subjects and other factors, such as the electrical activity of muscles is essential. Although the application of KT cannot substitute the effects of 10 minutes static flexion on the onset and the silence of flexion relaxation, it could be used for protection and reduction of using strained viscoelastic structures.

This study aimed to determine muscular response in balance recovery after postural perturbation among females with increased thoracic kyphosis. This is a quasi-experimental study. A total of 12 female students with thoracic kyphosis (>40 degrees) and 12 matched controls were selected to participate in the study. Each subject underwent unexpected perturbation from anterior, posterior, right, and left directions with eyes open and eyes closed conditions while standing on a movable plate, triggered by a weight equivalent to 10% of the subjects’ body weight. Then, the electromyography activity of some selected muscles was measured. SPSS version 19.0 and Analysis of variance (ANOVAs) with repeated measures were used for data analyses (P<0.05). Significant effects after perturbation were observed with regard to the activation of rectus femoris (P<0.001), biceps femoris (P<0.001), tibialis anterior (P<0.005), gastrocnemius medialis (P=0.032), and gluteus maximus (P<0.001). Whereas, no impact was seen in activities of erector spinae (P=0.461) and rectus abdominal muscles (P=0.224). Also the results showed increase in muscles activities when the eyes is closed compared to open eyes condition (P<0.05). Activities of all muscles were significantly higher in kyphotic group in comparison with control group. However, these differences were statistically significant regarding gastrocnemius medialis (P=0.007), gluteus maximus (P=0.033), and rectus abdominus (P=0.010). Proximal muscles activity was higher in kyphotic subjects than normal subjects during balance recovery after postural perturbation.

previous studies have suggested that thigh muscle imbalance may be a risk factor for knee injury. The Present study aimed to compare Hamstring-to-Quadriceps (H:Q) Ratio and dynamic stability between the two lower limbs of elderly people. This was a correlational study and by nonprobability sampling 19 healthy community doweling elderly (age=65.93±3.53 yrs.) participated in this study. Dynamic strength and power of knee extensor and flexor muscles and H:Q ratios of each lower limb were measured by isokinetic dynamometer. Dynamic stability was evaluated using the biodex balance system. Paired t test and Wilcoxon test were performed to compare power, strength, H:Q ratio, and balance index of 2 sides. Data analysis were conducted using SPSS software, version 19. Strength and power between two legs was significantly asymmetrical. There was no significant difference in H:Q strength ratios (P=0.057) between the two sides although this ratio was 14.42% greater in weaker leg. Antero-posterior stability index (APSI) was significantly different between two legs (P=0.03), however there is no significant difference in overall stability index (OSI) and medio-lateral stability index (MLSI). The asymmetry between limbs or weakness of the quadriceps and/or hamstring muscle strength and the resultant change in H:Q ratio should be considered in rehabilitation of older adults.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on the anxiety of adolescents with intellectual disability. Study method was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest design and a control group. The study population included all secondary students with intellectual disability in Shiraz City in the academic year 2012-2013. The sample size consisted of 30 secondary students with intellectual disability selected by available sampling method. They were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (15 students in each group). Both groups took the pretest. The experimental group received exercise training in 8 sessions while control group did not. Aftercompletion of intervention period, the posttest was administered for both groups. The Zung selfrating anxiety scale was administered to assess the anxiety. The data analyses by analysis of covariance ANCOVA and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) showed that the mean scores of anxiety and its subscales (emotional and physical signs of anxiety) were significantly lower in experimental group (P<0.01). Findings indicated that exercise intervention leads to decrease in the anxiety. Therefore, we suggest designing and implementing exercise programs to decrease the anxiety of students with intellectual disability.

The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is increasing worldwide. This survey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of leg pain among female hairdressers in Shiraz, Iran, in 2010. This is a descriptive-correlational study that was conducted on female hairdressers in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 239 hairdressers were selected by available sampling method. Data were collected by interview and a questionnaire regarding their age, body mass index, marital status, experience, total work time, positions during work (sitting and standing), daily exercise, types of shoes worn during work, and use of arch support. Also existence of pain in feet and legs was evaluated. We used descriptive statistics and Chi-square test to analyze the collected data. The statistical analyses were done by SPSS version 16. About 30.1% of subjects had a BMI lower than 18 and 56.1% of them were married. Also 38.9% of subjects had a total work time of more than 8 hours per day and 69.5% of them worked in the standing position. According to the results, 53.1% of the subjects worn ordinary sandals and only 8.4% of them used arch support. Majority of the subjects (70.7%) reported pain in their feet and legs. The result also revealed the significant correlation between pain prevalence and age, BMI, marital status, total work time per day, and type of shoes worn during the work. Also, married people reported pain more. According to the findings of this study, several factors are associated with discomforts in the legs and feet among hairdressers. Therefore, hairdressing training in correct work procedures and modifying work conditions such as designing a proper chair, reducing working hours, use of medical shoes and sandals can prevent the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in this occupational group.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of sensory and movement speed manipulations on bimanual coordination dynamics. Here we compared to what extent the absence and or bias of different sensory modalities affect performance of coordination of movements. Fifteen physical education students of Shahid Beheshti University (aged 18-25 years) were participated in the study. Participants performed bimanual in-phase and anti-phase movements with their wrists at 3 levels of speed ranging from slow to fast and 4 different sensory conditions, including 1) Normal sensory input; 2) Masked vision; 3) Masked proprioception; and 4) Full sensory deprivation. Separate analyses of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures on speed and sensory conditions were conducted for the in-phase and anti-phase movement patterns, followed by post hoc analyses using the Bonferroni correction. The dependent variable was error of relative phase. In line with observations from previous studies, results of our study showed that increasing movement speed influenced performance of the anti-phase (P=0.001) but not the in-phase (P=0.9) coordination patterns. Specifically, as speed increased from slow to fast, the performance of 1800 anti-phase patterns destabilized, with participants showing higher error scores of relative phase. Sensory manipulation showed that proprioception and vision did influence the accuracy and consistency of the coordination tasks in both the in-phase and antiphase movement patterns (P=0.001). The performance of a bimanual linear coordination task depends mainly on the availability of proprioceptive input.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is believed to be an important risk factor for falling. Total knee replacement (TKR) is a commonly used choice when other methods are not satisfactory. Proprioception impairment, risk of falling and balance disorder are within the main complications of this method. While multiple protocols have been suggested for TKR, efficacy of early isotonic exercise therapy aimed at improving body balance after TKR has not been thoroughly investigated. In this quasi-experimental study, ten female patients with severe OA, sampled by nonrandomized convenient method were randomly assigned into either “routine”or “early isotonic exercise” groups. The subjects were undergone TKR surgery. The rehabilitation process (being the same for both groups until the second week) was initiated the day after surgery and lasted for 6 weeks. From the second week, the experimental group received progressive, isotonic exercises, in addition to the routine rehabilitation protocol. Static balance was assessed prior to surgery and after the rehabilitation process in both groups by Sharpened Romberg tests. In both groups, static balance was significantly enhanced after surgery and rehabilitation (P<0.000). Prior to surgery the groups were indifferent according to their static balance scores (P=0.423) but, after surgery and rehabilitation, the patients receiving early isotonic exercise in addition to routine physical therapy, were significantly in better balance condition comparing the control group (P=0.000). Routine physical therapy with and without early isotonic exercise therapy enhances static balance but, the balance improvement was more pronounced with this type of exercise. Early administration of isotonic exercise therapy in addition to the routine physical therapy program may enhance balance and prevent fall in patients with TKR.