Anastasia Beneka

The effects of Kinesio-Taping® on quadriceps strength during isokinetic exercise in healthy non athlete women

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of Kinesio Taping ® on quadriceps strength at maximum concentric and eccentric isokinetic exercise mode in healthy non-athlete women in order to examine the Kinesio taping effect in increasing or decreasing the muscular quadriceps strength. Methods: Three different quadriceps taping modes have been used (no taping, placebo taping, Kinesio-Taping) for the study. and isokinetic concentric and eccentric strength assessments have been done for both knee extensors and flexors. Results: One-way ANOVA for repeated measures revealed no significant differences in max concentric torque between the three different taping modes but significant differences in max eccentric torque during both the concentric and eccentric mode of the quadriceps muscle. Conclusion: The results suggest that application of Kinestio Taping on the anterior surface of the thigh, in the direction of vastus medialis, laterallis and rectus femoris fascia, could increase the eccentric muscle strength (isokinetic eccentric peak torque), in healthy adults.

Time course of changes in performance and inflammatory responses after acute plyometric exercise.

Chatzinikolaou, A, Fatouros, IG, Gourgoulis, V, Avloniti, A, Jamurtas, AZ, Nikolaidis, MG, Douroudos, I, Michailidis, Y, Beneka, A, Malliou, P, Tofas, T, Georgiadis, I, Mandalidis, D, and Taxildaris, K. Time course of changes in performance and inflammatory responses after acute plyometric exercise. J Strength Cond Res 24(5): 1389-1398, 2010-The objectives of the present investigation were to study the inflammatory and performance responses after an acute bout of intense plyometric exercise during a prolonged recovery period. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (P, n = 12) that performed intense plyometric exercises or a control group (C, n = 12) that rested. The delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), knee range of motion (KROM), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, white blood cell count, C reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA), cortisol, testosterone, IL-6, IL-1b strength (isometric and isokinetic), and countermovement (CMJ) and static (SJ) jumping performance were measured at rest, immediately postexercise and at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours of recovery. Lactate was measured at rest and postexercise. Strength remained unchanged throughout recovery, but CMJ and SJ declined (p < 0.05) by 8-20%. P induced a marked rise in DOMS, CK, and LDH (peaked 24-48 hours postexercise) and a KROM decline. An acute-phase inflammatory response consisting of leukocytosis (postexercise and at 24 hours), an IL-6, IL-1b, CRP, and cortisol elevation (during the first 24 hours of recovery) and a delayed increase of UA (peaked at 48 hours) and testosterone (peaked at 72 hours) was observed in P. The results of this investigation indicate that performing an acute bout of intense plyometric exercise may induce a short-term muscle damage and marked but transient inflammatory responses. Jumping performance seems to deteriorate for as long as 72 hours postexercise, whereas strength appears to remain unchanged. The acute-phase inflammatory response after a plyometric exercise protocol appears to follow the same pattern as in other exercise models. These results clearly indicate the need of sufficient recovery between successive plyometric exercise training sessions.

Occurrence of acute lower limb injuries in artistic gymnasts in relation to event and exercise phase

Objectives: To record the incidence of lower limb injuries (acute and overuse syndromes) in Greek artistic gymnasts in relation to the event and exercise phase. Methods: A total of 162 gymnasts (83 male and 79 female athletes) participating in the Greek artistic gymnastic championships were observed weekly for the 1999–2000 season. Results: Ninety three (61.6%) acute injuries and 58 (38.4%) overuse syndromes were recorded. The most common anatomical location was the ankle (69 cases, 45.7%), followed by the knee (40 cases, 26.5%). The rate of mild injuries was 26.6% (25 cases), that of moderate injuries was 44% (41 cases), and that of major injuries was 29% (27 cases). The incidence of injury to the ankle and knee was significantly higher in the floor exercise, especially during the landing phase, than in the other events. Conclusions: By its nature, gymnastics predisposes to acute injuries, but up to 75% are mild or moderate. Special attention should be paid to the floor exercise, especially the landing phase.

Proprioceptive training (balance exercises) reduces lower extremity injuries in young soccer players

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of balance training on proprioception and on lower limb injuries. The sample consisted of 100 young soccer players, from four different soccer teams. Two teams were the experimental group, (N = 50), and two the control group (N = 50). During the competition period, the experimental group followed a proprioception training program, 2 times per week, with 20 minute sessions. The frequency and the characteristics of injuries occurred were also recorded. Balance tests on the stability system (Biodex) were performed before and after the competition period. For the balance tests repeated measures Anova was used and the results revealed significant differences between the pre and post training measures for the experimental group. Also, the results revealed an important difference between the experimental and control group in the incidence rate of the injuries. Finally, an important difference was found between the experimental and control group in moderate severity injuries. The application of a specific balance training program on healthy young soccer players can improve their proprioception and prevent low limb injuries.

Effects of pre- or postoperative therapeutic exercise on the quality of life, before and after total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis

Objective: To investigate the effects of a preoperative or postoperative rehabilitation program on health related quality of life, for patients affected by final-stage idiopathic knee osteoarthritis, before and after primary total knee arthroplasty. Design: 53 successive patients (aged 68.76 ± 5.64 years) were randomly assigned to receive a general strengthening exercise program for 3 weeks preoperatively (PROP, n = 18) or a specific strengthening rehabilitation program for 8 weeks postoperatively (POP, n = 15). The control group followed standard preoperative and postoperative care (CON, n = 20). Measurements: Health status (Short Form-36), functional ability (Iowa Level of Assistance Scale), active range of motion (AROM). Results: PROP group showed improvement in their mental health dimensions preoperatively and better functional readiness at hospital discharge. POP group achieved higher level of functional ability (p < 0.05) after the exercise intervention and realized a substantial increment of AROM (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A preoperative general strengthening exercise program is feasible, seems to be beneficial to patients’ mental health affected by final-stage idiopathic knee osteoarthritis and assists in the early return of basic functional abilities during the in-patient rehabilitation period. A postoperative specific strengthening exercise intervention is effective in increasing the active range of motion and restoring rapidly the functional autonomy throughout the out-patient intermediate rehabilitation phase.

Effective ways of restoring muscular imbalances of the rotator cuff muscle group: a comparative study of various training methods

Background: Many studies have compared different training methods for improving muscular performance, but more investigations need to be directed to the restoration of muscular imbalances. Objective: To determine the most effective training for altering strength ratios in the shoulder rotator cuff. Methods: Forty eight physical education students were randomly assigned to four groups (12 per group): (a) experimental group who carried out multijoint dynamic resistance training for shoulder internal and external rotation movement (pull ups or lat pull downs, overhead press, reverse pull ups, push ups) (MJDR group); (b) experimental group who exercised the same muscle group using dumbbells weighing 2 kg (isolated group); (c) experimental group who followed an isokinetic strengthening programme for the rotator cuff muscle group (isokinetic group); (d) control group who had no strength training. Testing was performed in the supine position with the glenohumeral joint in 90° of abduction in the coronal plane, with a range of motion of 0–90° of external rotation and 0–65° of internal rotation at angular velocities of 60, 120, and 180°/s. The test procedure was performed before and after the exercise period of six weeks. Results: One way analysis of variance found no differences between the groups for the initial tests. Analysis of variance with repeated measures showed that the strength ratios in all the experimental groups had altered after the exercise period, with the isokinetic group showing the most significant improvement. Conclusions: Isokinetic strengthening is the most effective method of altering strength ratios of the rotator cuff muscle.

YOUNG TENNIS PLAYERS AND BALANCE PERFORMANCE

Malliou, VJ, Beneka, AG, Gioftsidou, AF, Malliou, PK, Kallistratos E, Pafis, GK, Katsikas CA, Douvis, S. Young tennis players and balance performance. J Strength Cond Res 24(2): 389-393, 2010-The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a tennis training session on the balance performance of young tennis players. The study was conducted on 36 elite tennis players (age 14 ± 2 years; body mass 55 ± 6 kg; body height 165 ± 6 cm; mean ± SD) participating in the national young tennis championship. Balance performance was assessed before and immediately after a tennis training session (pre-training and post-training, respectively). The balance assessment was performed with 2 different balance boards and the Biodex Stability System. In addition, dynamometric measurements of peak isokinetic moment in the knee flexors and extensors were performed pre and post tennis training session, to quantify the degree of muscle fatigue induced by the tennis training session. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to test for differences in balance performance and in isokinetic performance between pre and post tennis training session. The data analysis revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in balance performance, whereas there were significant differences in knee joint moment production between pre and post tennis training measures. Although the tennis training session of the present study had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on any of the balance performance indicators examined, there was a decline in balance performance, which suggests that different level of fatigue for an extended period (games) will have greater effect on balance performance. It is suggested that a tennis-specific balance exercise program should be included in the tennis training session.

Injury incidence rate, severity and diagnosis in male volleyball players

The aim of this study was to record the injury incidence in all age categories in male volleyball players and clarify the role of age in injury occurrence. The injury incidence rate, severity, diagnosis and the anatomical location of the injuries that occurred during practice and competition in the whole championship period were recorded prospectively during the period 2005–2006. A total of 407 Greek male volleyball players participating in all Volleyball Championships in Greece according to the Greek Volleyball Federation have been observed on a weekly basis for the period 2005–2006. The injury incidence rate was recorded as the number of injured players and also the number of injuries per player per year (total exposure time). The results revealed that injury occurrence is age related and junior volleyball players have a lower injury rate than senior ones. There were significantly more acute injuries in comparison to overuse syndrome and the ankle was the most common injured anatomical location. Finally, outside hitters, universals and setters presented different injury rates to other players and the “incorrect sprawls” and “stepping on others’ feet” were the most common injury factors. In conclusion, findings in the injury occurrence rate must be interpreted in relation to the total exposure time in order to have more realistic conclusions.

Balance exercise program before or after a tennis training session

It is unclear whether fatigue induced by a tennis training session influences the effectiveness of balance exercise training program. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate whether a balance program is more effective when performed before or after the regular tennis training session. The study was conducted on 36 young tennis players participating in the national young tennis championship. The participants were randomly divided into three subject groups, one control group (C group), and two intervention groups that performed a specific balance program for 12 weeks, three times per week, 16 min per session. One intervention group performed the balance program immediately before the regular tennis training session (Pre training group) and the other group performed the same balance program immediately after tennis training (Post training group). Balance performance was assessed in all subjects at baseline (T0) and after the completion of the 12-week balance program (T12). The balance performance assessment was performed with two different balance boards and the Biodex Stability System. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed that there was no difference ( p> 0.05) in balance performance in the C group between T0 and T12. In contrast, there was significant improvement between T 0 and T12 for Pre and Post training groups. Furthermore, there were significant differences between group C and the two intervention groups after the 12-week balance training program, while there was no significant difference between the Pre and Post training groups. In conclusion, there was significant improvement in balance performance with the balance training program and there was no effect of the time the tennis training sessions were performed.

Effects of a balance training protocol on knee joint proprioception after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common knee injuries in sport. A variety of surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols are used to treat ACL injuries. Those injuries, lead to impair function and loss of proprioception. New research demonstrates that rehabilitation should be based on proprioception. The ACL not only serves a mechanical role by limiting passive knee mobility but also serves sensory role through the mechanoreceptors deep in its tissue, which communicate with the neuromuscular system to provide proprioceptive feedback. The main purpose of the study was to assess the influence of a balance-training program on knee joint proprioception, between acl reconstructed patients who had a lack of proprioceptive ability. They had undergone acl reconstruction at a mean of 22 months (range 8-30) before the initiation of the study. They were randomly assigned into two groups, one experimental (group A) and one control (group B). We assessed proprioception using Biodex stability system and two different kinds of balance boards, in 24 patients with mean age 29,1 yr. The results shown that stability indices of balance appeared improved for the reconstructed leg and there were significant differences between the experimental group and the control group ( p< 0.05).