Aaron W. Johnson

Whole body vibration as an adjunct to static stretching.

This study was a randomized control trial. The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to determine if stretching the hamstrings during whole-body-vibration (WBV) is more effective than static stretching alone; and 2) to monitor retention of flexibility changes. The main outcome measure was hamstring flexibility as measured in degrees using a passive knee extension test. Thirty-four recreationally active college-age subjects (23.4+/-1.7 yrs) completed this study (22 males, 12 females, avg. ht.=175.6+/-6.4 cm, avg. wt.=74.9+/-11.8 kg). Subjects were assigned to a control group (C), a static stretch group (SS), or a vibration + static stretch group (V). Subjects stretched 5 days/wk for 4-weeks and were followed for 3-weeks after cessation to monitor retention. Analysis showed a significant difference between treatment groups (p<0.0001), time (p<0.0001), gender (p=0.0002) and in treatment*time (p=0.0119), with 14%+/-3.86% (SEM) and 22%+/-3.86% (SEM) increases in flexibility after 4-weeks of stretching for the SS and V groups respectively. Three-week follow-up showed SS returning to baseline with V group still 6.4 degrees (11%+/-3.88% (SEM)) more flexible than at baseline. Stretching concurrently with vibration on a WBV platform appears to be a good adjunct to static stretching with the potential to enhance retention of flexibility gains.

Topical analgesic added to paraffin enhances paraffin bath treatment of individuals with hand osteoarthritis

Purpose. To compare treating patients with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (OA) with paraffin baths only (PO) (100% wax) or paraffin baths 80% wax with 20% topical analgesic (PTA). Methods. Subjects met criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for classifying symptomatic hand OA and had a Dreisers index score >5 points. Current and average pain at rest and with movement was assessed with visual analogue scales. Hand function was assessed by the functional index for hand OA (FIHOA). Results. Both groups had a significant reduction in their ‘current’ pain 15 min after the first and twelfth treatments compared to pre-treatment but there was no difference between groups (t = 0.10, p > 0.05). The PTA group had greater improvement over the 12 treatment sessions for their pain at rest (t = 2.92, p < 0.05) and with movement (t = 4.73, p < 0.05) than the PO group. The PTA group also showed greater improvement in their FIHOA following 12 treatments than the PO group (t = 3.52, p < 0.05). Conclusion. Our results indicate that the addition of a topical analgesic to paraffin produced significantly greater pain relief at rest and during movement than paraffin baths alone after 12 treatments. Additionally, the PTA group experienced greater improved hand function.

Multifidus Muscle Size and Symmetry in Ballroom Dancers with and without Low Back Pain

The incidence of low back pain (LBP) among elite ballroom dancers is high and understanding associations between muscle morphology and pain may provide insight into treatment or training options. Research has linked multifidus muscle atrophy to LBP in the general and some athletic populations; however, this has not been examined in ballroom dancers. We compared the lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) at rest in 57 elite level ballroom dancers (age 23±2.4 years; height, 174±11 cm; mass, 64±10 kg) divided into one of three pain groups, according to their self-reported symptoms, 1) LBP group (n=19), 2) minimal LBP (n=17), and 3) no LBP (n=21). There were no significant difference in demographics between the groups (P>0.05). The LBP group demonstrated significant differences in reported pain and Oswestry Disability Index scores compared to the other two groups. There was no significant difference between groups in multifidus cross-sectional area (P=0.49). Asymmetry was found in all groups with the overall left side being significantly larger than the right (P<0.002). Pain associated with segmental decrease in multifidus CSA was not observed in ballroom dancers with LBP, suggesting other reasons for persistent LBP in ballroom dancers.

Lateral Extrinsic Foot Muscle Size Best Predicts Time To Stability In Single Leg Landing: 610 Board #3 May 31 1

A single leg, barefoot landing is a functional movement often executed in athletic events. The inability to quickly stabilize the ankle joint during a landing may contribute to injury risk. PURPOSE: To determine whether the size of specific medial and lateral extrinsic foot muscles can be used to predict shorter time to stability in female athletes performing single leg, barefoot landings. METHODS: Twenty-one female collegiate gymnasts and cheerleaders (age: 21.2 ± 1.4 years; height: 1.6 ± 0.06 m; weight: 58.1 ± 5.7 kg) completed a dominant single leg, barefoot landing onto a force plate from a height of 28 cm. The time to stability was calculated from the recorded medial to lateral force after landing. The size of the tibialis anterior (TA), tibialis posterior (TP), flexor digitorum longus (FDL), fibularis brevis (FB), and fibularis longus (FL) were measured using ultrasound imaging (12L probe, GE Logiq P6). The TA, TP, and FL were assessed at a distance of 30% from the knee joint-line to the tip of the lateral malleolus. FDL was measured at a distance of 50% from the knee joint-line to the medial malleolus while FB was measured at a distance of 50% from the knee joint-line to the lateral malleolus. Muscle sizes (thickness for the TA and TP and cross sectional area for FDL, FB, and FL) were measured from the ultrasound images (p≥0.05). RESULTS: A stepwise regression (including height, weight, and muscle size(s)) indicated that the two best predictors of time to stability were the FB and FL (r 2 =0.45, FB p=0.002, FL p=0.083; cross-sectional areas: FB=3.4 ± 1.2 cm 2 , FL=4.8 ± 1.1 cm 2 ). CONCLUSION: It appears athletes with larger FB and FL had shorter time to stability. These results suggest strengthening of the lateral extrinsic muscles may be a key component in both the prevention and rehabilitation of ankle injuries among gymnasts and other barefoot athletes.