Osama Ragaa Abdelraouf

Isokinetic imbalance of hip muscles in soccer players with osteitis pubis

Abstract In this study, we compared the isokinetic torques of hip flexors/extensors and abductors/adductors in soccer players suffering from osteitis pubis (OP), with normal soccer players. Twenty soccer male athletes with OP and 20 normal soccer athletes were included in this study. Peak torque/body weight (PT/BW) was recorded from hip flexor/extensor and abductor/adductor muscles during isokinetic concentric contraction modes at angular velocity of 2.1 rad · s−1, for both groups. The results showed a significant difference between the normal and OP groups for hip flexors (P < 0.05). The normal group had significant, lower PT/BW value than the OP group for their hip flexors (P < 0.05). The hip flexor/extensor PT ratio of OP affected and non-affected limbs was significantly different from that of normal dominant and non-dominant limbs. There were no significant differences between the normal and OP groups for hip extensor, adductor and abductor muscles (P > 0.05). Regarding the hip adductor/abductor PT ratio, there was no significant difference between the normal and OP groups of athletes (P > 0.05). The OP group displayed increase in hip flexor strength that disturbed the hip flexor/extensor torque ratio of OP. Therefore, increasing the hip extensor strength should be part of rehabilitation programmes of patients with OP.

Concentric and eccentric strength of trunk muscles in osteitis pubis soccer players

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Osteitis pubis refers to a painful, inflammatory condition involving the pubic bones, pubic symphysis, and adjacent structures. So, the aims of the study were to evaluate the strength of trunk muscles of soccer players suffering from osteitis pubis, and to compare the agonist/antagonist ratio of trunk muscles in osteitis pubis athletes with that of healthy athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five soccer male athletes with osteitis pubis, and 25 healthy soccer athletes. Peak torque/body weight (PT/BW) was recorded from trunk muscles during isokinetic concentric and eccentric contraction modes at a speed of 120°/s for healthy and osteitis pubis soccer players. RESULTS There was a significant decrease in concentric contraction of back muscles in osteitis pubis group (p=0.01). A significant decrease in eccentric contraction of abdominal muscles was also recorded in osteitis pubis group (p=0.008). Concentric abdominal/back muscles ratio was significantly higher in osteitis pubis group (p=0.016), with no significant difference in eccentric abdominal/back muscles ratio between both groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Osteitis pubis group displayed concentric weakness of back muscle and eccentric weakness of abdominal muscles that lead to disturbance of the normal concentric abdominal/back ratio.

Effect of backpack shoulder straps length on cervical posture and upper trapezius pressure pain threshold.

[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the effect of the length of backpack shoulder straps on upper trapezius muscle pain threshold and craniovertebral angle. [Subjects and Methods] There were 25 participants, with ages from 15 to 23 years old. Upper trapezius pain threshold and craniovertebral angle were measured for all subjects without the backpack then re-measured after walking on a treadmill for 15 min under 2 conditions: 1) wearing a backpack with short straps; and 2) wearing a backpack with long straps. [Results] there was a significant reduction in upper trapezius pain threshold and craniovertebral angle while carrying a backpack with long shoulder straps, compared to use of a backpack with short shoulder straps or no backpack. [Conclusion] A backpack with short straps is less harmful than a backpack with long straps. This result should be considered in ergonomic design of backpacks to reduce the incidence of various physiological and biomechanical disorders.

Influence of Body Position on Concentric Peak Torque of Hip Abductor and Adductor Muscles

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if peak torques generated by the hip abductor and adductor muscles are dependent on test position in healthy adults. Methods: Thirty healthy right-handed volunteers participated in this study their average age was 26.5 ± 5.6 years, their average weight was 71.94 ± 11.91 kg, and their average height was 172.42 ± 6.60 m. Isokinetic peak concentric hip abductor and adductor muscles torques (Nm) generated in side-lying and standing positions at angular velocities 30 and 90°/s were measured. Results: The concentric peak torque of abductor and adductor muscles measured from standing position were generally higher than side-lying position (p 0.05). However, at angular velocity 90°/s, the torque values of hip abductors was significantly higher than torque values of hip adductors in both positions ( p<0.05). Conclusion: Isokinetic hip abductors and adductors strength measured in standing are higher than that measured from side-lying. These findings may have implications for rehabilitation and injuries prevention of hip abductors and adductors.

Isokinetic peak torque and flexibility changes of the hamstring muscles after eccentric training: Trained versus untrained subjects

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the effect of eccentric isotonic training on hamstring flexibility and eccentric and concentric isokinetic peak torque in trained and untrained subjects. Methods Sixty healthy subjects (mean age: 21.66 ± 2.64) were divided into three equal groups, each with 20 voluntary participants. Two experimental groups (untrained and trained groups) participated in a hamstring eccentric isotonic strengthening program (five days/week) for a six-week period and one control group that was not involved in the training program. The passive knee extension range of motion and hamstring eccentric and concentric isokinetic peak torque were measured at angular velocities 60° and 120°/s for all groups before and after the training period. Results Two-way analysis of variance showed that there was a significant increase in the hamstring flexibility of the untrained and trained groups (25.65 ± 6.32°, 26.55 ± 5.99°, respectively), (p < 0.05) without a significant increase in the control group (31.55 ± 5.84°), (p > 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant increase in eccentric isokinetic peak torque of both the untrained and trained groups (127.25 ± 22.60Nm, 139.65 ± 19.15Nm, 125.40 ± 21.61Nm, 130.90 ± 18.71Nm, respectively), (p < 0.05) without a significant increase in the control group (109.15 ± 20.89Nm, 105.70 ± 21.31Nm, respectively), (p > 0.05) at both angular velocities. On the other hand, there was no significant increase in the concentric isokinetic peak torque of the three groups (92.50 ± 20.50Nm, 79.05 ± 18.95Nm, 92.20 ± 21.96Nm, 79.85 ± 18.97Nm, 100.45 ± 25.78Nm, 83.40 ± 23.73Nm, respectively), (p > 0.05) at both angular velocities. The change scores in the hamstring flexibility (06.25 ± 1.86°) and eccentric peak torque of the untrained group (16.60 ± 4.81Nm, 17.45 ± 5.40Nm, respectively) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the trained group (03.40 ± 1.14°, 9.90 ± 5.14Nm, 9.80 ± 7.57Nm, respectively), and the control group (00.90 ± 2.10°, 0.60 ± 2.93Nm, 1.40 ± 3.53Nm, respectively), at both angular velocities. Meanwhile, the change scores of the concentric peak torques of the three groups (1.15 ± 1.50Nm, −0.15 ± 2.16Nm, 1.35 ± 1.63Nm, 0.20 ± 2.95Nm, 0.60 ± 2.28Nm, −0.30 ± 2.25Nm) were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Conclusion After a six-week period of eccentric isotonic training, the hamstring eccentric peak torque and flexibility of trained and untrained groups improved without changes in the concentric peak torque. Moreover, the improvement of untrained subjects was higher than trained subjects. These findings may be helpful in designing the hamstring rehabilitation program.

Alterations in Trunk and Lower Extremity Joints Mechanics during Shod Walking in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability

Background: Trunk and hip joint stability and strength are important for proper gait mechanics and foot position during heel strike. So, it is important to consider the patency of all the leg joints for stability during gait. Objective: To examine the effect of unilateral chronic ankle instability on kinematics and kinetics of trunk and lower extremity joints during shod walking. Materials and Methods: 3-D motion analysis system was used to record the gait kinematics and kinetics of trunk and hip joint of fifty subjects during shod walking (25 chronic ankle instability (CAI), and 25 healthy control group matched with CAI group in age, gender, and activity). Kinematic and kinetics pattern differences were established at 90%, zero%, 10% and 30% of gait cycle in the sagittal and frontal planes. Statistical analysis: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate the effect of unilateral chronic ankle instability on kinematics and kinetics of trunk and the lower extremity joints. The level of significant was set at 0.05 for all statistical tests. Results: Chronic ankle instability subjects were significantly (P< 0.05) more inverted in the frontal plane compared with controls in the entire studied parts of gait cycle. Subtalar joint motions are controlled by invertors moment compared with evertors moment in the controls. In addition to significant increase of ankle joint plantar flexion (P < 0.05), there was significant increase in ipsilateral hip joint adduction and lateral trunk lean towards the affected side. These proximal adaptations are significantly correlated to ankle adaptation in the same plane. Conclusion: Chronic ankle instability leads to kinematic and kinetic changes of trunk and hip caused by mechanical changes of ankle joint that should be considered during establishment of rehabilitation programs for persons suffering from chronic ankle instability.