Paolo Sanzo

The effect of patellar taping on lower extremity running kinematics in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effects of patellar taping (Leukotape® (LT), Pinetown, South Africa, Kinesio Tape (KT), Dortmund, Germany, or no tape) on lower extremity kinematics in runners with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: In total, 20 healthy individuals and 12 with PFPS ran on a treadmill under different taping conditions and lower extremity kinematics and stride characteristics were obtained using Peak Motus Software, Colorado, USA. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed factorial analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Results: Significant taping effects were found for hip (F(2,60) = 16.79, p = 0.0001) and knee (F(2,60) = 17.27, p = 0.0001) flexion angles at initial contact, and peak hip flexion angles during swing (F(2,60) = 6.55, p = 0.003). Increased flexion was noted with LT more than KT and no tape conditions. Similarly, peak knee flexion angles during stance (F(2,60) = 3.51, p = 0.03) and flight time (F(2,60) = 5.01, p = 0.01) revealed significant taping effects, with LT resulting in more flexion (p = 0.04) and shorter flight times (p = 0.01) than the no tape condition. Furthermore, a significant taping effect was seen for peak knee flexion angle during swing (F(2,60) = 4.96, p = 0.01), with the KT resulting in less flexion than LT (p = 0.04) and no tape conditions (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The application of tape during running may impact on hip and knee flexion angles at initial contact, as well as flight time.

End-tidal carbon dioxide levels in patients with post-concussion syndrome during neurocognitive and physical tasks compared to a normative control group

ABSTRACT Primary objective: Recent findings suggest breathing may negatively affect performance after concussion. The aim of the study was to examine group differences between individuals with and without post-concussion syndrome (PCS) in end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and respiratory rate (RR) during neurocognitive and physical tasks. Hypothesis: Individuals in the PCS group will have elevated ETCO2 and lower RR compared to the control group. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was used in which a capnography unit collected ETCO2 and RR breathing data from 22 participants (control = 17; PCS = 5) during rest, the completion of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) battery and while slow and fast walking. Four repeated measures mixed factorial ANOVAs, with an alpha level set at p ≤ 0.05, were used to examine group and task differences. Results: Both groups displayed similar breathing responses to cognitive and physical stress; however, PCS participants had significantly elevated ETCO2 throughout the study (during rest, the ImPACT and while walking) compared to the control. Conversely, no significant group differences were found in RR. Conclusion: Cerebral physiological alterations and deficits in the autonomic nervous system may cause abnormal ETCO2 in individuals after concussion. Future research evaluating breathing patterns in PCS may be warranted.