Physical Treatments Journal
Volume:13 Issue: 2, Spring 2023

Postural abnormalities, such as forward head posture (FHP), posterior kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis, can lead to discomfort and health problems. This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of these abnormalities and their association with age, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity among male students of Tehran universities.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 students of Tehran University of Medical Science to evaluate the relationship between postural abnormalities and associated factors. Participants’ demographic data and physical activity levels were collected using questionnaires, and spinal curvature was assessed using a spinal mouse device and photogrammetry. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software, version 22, and a Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between variables.

The study revealed a high prevalence of postural abnormalities, with FHP being the most prevalent (84.5%), followed by lumbar lordosis (79.8%), and posterior kyphosis (34.7%). Factors, such as age, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and physical activity were significantly associated with the occurrence of postural abnormalities.

A study on male university students showed that FHP, posterior kyphosis, and lordosis are common postural abnormalities with varying degrees of occurrence. FHP was the most prevalent type of abnormality. Age and BMI were correlated with the prevalence of postural abnormalities, and kyphosis was more common among younger students. BMI was also significantly related to the prevalence of postural abnormalities, and physical activity was associated with the prevalence of FHP.

Pronated feet (PF) are associated with biomechanical changes during running. It seems that sand training can be a suitable intervention for rehabilitation in individuals with over-pronated feet. This study aims to investigate the effect of long-term exercises on the sand on the frequency of lower limb muscles during running in runners with over-pronated feet.

The current study was a quasi-experimental type. A total of 29 controls with a mean age of 22.2±2.5 years (control group [CG]) and 30 pronated feet (PF) individuals with a mean age of 22.2±1.9 years (intervention group [IG]) participated in this study. In both pre and post-test phases, participants run barefoot on an 18-m runway at a constant velocity of 3.3±5% m/s while EMG activity was recorded using an EMG system. The sand training includes barefoot running for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. The frequency of lower limb muscle activities was used as a dependent variable. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used for statistical analysis.

The results demonstrated a significant group×time interaction for gluteus medius (gluteus-M) frequency content at the mid-stance phase (P<0.001; η2=0.670). The results demonstrated an increase of frequency content for gluteus-M in CG (but not in IG) at post-test compared to the pre-test. The results demonstrated a significant group×time interaction for medial gastrocnemius (Gas-M) frequency content at push-off phase (P=0.049; η2 =0.298). Post-hoc analysis demonstrated an increase of Gas-M frequency content in IG (but not in the CG) at the post-test compared to the pre-test. 

As mentioned in a previous study, the reduction of gluteus-M frequency content in IG may be associated with reduced foot pronation after sand training. A higher Gas-M frequency content in the IG after training may lead to improved force generation during the push-off phase.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of core stability exercises in the trunk area on lower limb alignment and lower and upper limb function in Kyokushin athletes. 

The statistical sample of the research included 30 female Kyokushin players aged 14-18 years, who were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. The control group performed common Kyokushin exercises and the experimental group performed core stability exercises for 6 weeks. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and paired t-tests were used to compare between groups and within groups. 

The results of the paired t-test showed a significant effect of training programs on changes in upper and lower limb function in both experimental and control groups (P≤0.05); however, a significant difference was observed between the pre-test and post-test in both control and experimental group. The test was not observed in the Q angle (P>0.05). The results of ANCOVA test showed that after controlling the effect of the pre-test, a significant difference was observed in lateral jump (P≤0.05) between the experimental and control groups. However, no difference was observed between the two groups in the changes of closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCUEST), square jump, and Q angle (P>0.05).

Considering the nature of Kyokushin and the research results, it is suggested that people working in Kyokushin do not feel the need for core stability exercises separately.

Mathematics is a complex subject that includes language, quantity, and space. Students with dyscalculia have difficulty in learning and memorizing numbers, they cannot remember the basic facts related to numbers, and they are slow and inaccurate in calculating. This research aims to investigate yoga therapy as a supplement in the management of students with dyscalculia in Tabriz city, Iran.

This study is a randomized clinical trial;. a total of 30 male students were initially allocated to either a yoga group (YG, n=15), who underwent a 8-week yoga exercise program, or to a control group (CG, n=15), who did not receive any intervention. The data collection tools are: Visual perception questionnaire, visual and auditory processing questionnaire, spatial visualization questionnaire) and learning disability questionnaire. We performed ANCOVA for data analysis using in level significance 5% by SPSS software, version 25.

The results of ANCOVA showed between-group differences for visual processing (F(1, 18)=19.01, P=0.01), visual perception, and spatial visualization (F(1, 18)=30.132, P=0.001), and spatial visualization (F(1, 18)=5202.86, P=0.001).

It can be concluded that yoga therapy can reduce the amount of math learning disorder in students with dyscalculia.

Pronation distortion syndrome is one of the most common physical abnormalities causing abnormalities in the lumbar pelvic and lower limb structures. This research was conducted to determine the effect of eight weeks of selected corrective games on balance, proprioception, and changes in the arch of the foot in adolescent girls with pronation distortion syndrome.

In this quasi-experimental study and clinical trial, 40 girls with pronation distortion syndrome with an age range of 7-12 years participated and were randomly divided into two equal control and experimental groups. The people of the experimental group played selected corrective games for 8 weeks (3 sessions per week, 60 minutes each session); however, the control group did their normal and daily activities. The modified star or Y balance test was used to measure the dynamic balance index, a goniometer to measure proprioception and measure navicular bone loss index using the method described by Brody (Brody) in the pre-test and post-test. To analyze the data, the combined repeated measure statistical test was used (P<0.05).

The results of the present study showed a significant improvement in dynamic balance (P<0.001), proprioception (P<0.001), and a reduction in flat foot (P<0.001) after playing eight weeks of games. Correction in girls with pronation distortion syndrome.

Considering the favorable impact of corrective games and the greater compatibility of these programs with the physical-psychological characteristics of children, it is suggested to use corrective games for this age period.

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is one of the spine disorders and musculoskeletal problems and is one of the most common causes of people’s disability. This study aims to compare the effects of McGill trunk stability exercises performed at home or in a supervised group setting on pain, disability, and trunk stability in middle-aged women with non-specific chronic LBP.

The current study is a cross-sectional comparative, quasi-experimental research with a pre-test and post-test design. The statistical sample included 30 middle-aged women aged 35 to 50 years with non-specific chronic LBP in Tehran City, Iran. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, they were selected and randomly assigned into two groups, home-based exercises, and supervised group exercises. The subjects performed McGill trunk stability exercises for six weeks, three 45-minute sessions per week. Pain, disability, and endurance of spinal flexor and extensor muscles were measured using pain and Quebec questionnaires, a sit-up test, and a Biering-Sorenson test, before and after 6 weeks of training. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-test, and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) tests were used at the significant level of (P≤0.05) using SPSS software, version 26.

The results of the present study showed that the post-test scores compared to the pre-test in both groups have improved significantly (P≥0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the two groups with the control of the covariate variable (P<0.05) in the intensity of pain and endurance of the spinal flexor muscles in the post-test scores. However, a significant difference was observed in the endurance of the spinal extensor muscles in the post-test scores of the two groups in favor of the home-based exercise group (P≥0.05). Additionally, in the post-test scores, a significant difference was observed in functional disability level between the two groups (P≥0.05) so that the degree of disability in the home-based exercise group was higher than in the supervised group.

It seems that performing McGill exercises, either in supervised group or home-based settings, can reduce pain and disability, and improve the endurance of the spinal flexor and extensor muscles in middle-aged women with non-specific chronic LBP.

Non-specific chronic low back pain (LBP) is the most common type of chronic LBP and a common debilitating condition, especially in athletes, that can also affect performance. The core muscles are necessary to create a stable level of support for sports performance and appropriate movements of all organs, and its deficiency is related to complications, such as LBP. This research aims to investigate the effect of a fatigue protocol on core muscle endurance in athletes with and without non-specific chronic LBP.

A controlled laboratory study was conducted; 42 female athletes with and without non-specific chronic LBP were selected through convenience sampling method and divided into two groups with non-specific chronic LBP and without non-specific chronic LBP. McGill’s core endurance test was used to measure core muscle endurance. The measurements were done before and after the implementation of the functional core fatigue protocol (FCFP). SPSS software, version 22 and dependent t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to evaluate mean differences obtained in the two groups. The significance level was considered 95%, and the α level was ≤0.05.

The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed a significant difference between the two groups with and without non-specific chronic LBP after performing the functional core fatigue protocol (FCFP) in McGill’s test scores in isometric flexion exercise (P=0.001), isometric extensor exercise (P=0.001), right side bridge (P=0.001) and left side bridge (P=0.001). In the post-test measurement, the endurance of the core muscles decreased in the LBP group.

The findings revealed that fatigue can affect the core stability and reduce the core muscles endurance of female athletes with non-specific chronic LBP. Therefore, core muscle weakness can be recognized as a risk factor for chronic LBP, and in order to prevent this damage, it is recommended to strengthen this area in rehabilitation programs.