Walaa Sayed Mohammad

Plantar-flexor Static Stretch Training Effect on Eccentric and Concentric Peak Torque - A comparative Study of Trained versus Untrained Subjects

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the long-term effects of static stretching of the plantar-flexor muscles on eccentric and concentric torque and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in healthy subjects. Seventy five healthy male volunteers, with no previous history of trauma to the calf that required surgery, absence of knee flexion contracture and no history of neurologic dysfunction or disease, systemic disease affecting the lower extremities were selected for this study. The participants were divided into three equal groups. The control group did not stretch the plantar-flexor muscles. Two Experimental groups (trained and untrained) were instructed to perform static stretching exercise of 30 second duration and 5 repetitions twice daily. The stretching sessions were carried out 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The dorsiflexion range of motion was measured in all subjects. Also measured was the eccentric and concentric torque of plantar-flexors at angular velocities of 30 and 120o/s pre and post stretching. Analysis of variance showed a significant increase in plantar-flexor eccentric and concentric torque (p < 0.05) of trained and untrained groups, and an increase in dorsiflexion range of motion (p < 0.05) at both angular velocities for the untrained group only. The static stretching program of plantar-flexors was effective in increasing the concentric and eccentric plantarflexion torque at angular velocities of 30 and 120o/s. Increases in plantar-flexors flexibility were observed in untrained subjects.

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.

Assessment of neck pain and cervical mobility among female computer workers at Hail University

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of neck pain among computer workers at Hail University, Saudi Arabia and to compare the cervical range of motion (ROM) of female computer workers suffering from neck pain to the cervical ROM of healthy female computer workers. One hundred and seventy-six female volunteers between 20 and 46 years of age were investigated. Fifty-six of these volunteers were staff members, 22 were administrators and 98 were students. The Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) instrument was used to measure the ROM of the cervical spine. A questionnaire was used to assess participants for the presence of neck pain. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, and the level of significant was set at p < .05 for all statistical tests. There was a high prevalence of neck pain (75%) among computer workers at Hail University, particularly among students. There were significant differences in cervical lateral flexion, rotation to the right side and protraction range between the pain and pain-free groups. Our results demonstrated that cervical ROM measurements, particularly cervical lateral flexion, rotation and protraction, could be useful for predicting changes in head and neck posture after long-term computer work.

Loaded Treadmill Training Improves the Spatio-Temporal Parameters in Children with Spastic Diplegia

Background: Treadmill training is a commonly used and promising technique for improving gait function in children with spastic diplegia. However, the use of loads during treadmill gait training is limited. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether using loads with treadmill training improves the spatio-temporal parameters of gait in children with spastic diplegia more effectively than conventional exercises alone. Methods: Twenty children with spastic diplegia were randomly allocated to a control group or an experimental group. Both groups received conventional therapeutic exercises for a period of eight weeks. Moreover, the experimental group underwent loads on their ankles during treadmill gait training. Spatio-temporal parameters of children were assessed at baseline (pre-training) and at their 16th training session (post-training). Results: A two-way mixed-design ANOVA showed no significant between-group differences in demographic and the spatio-temporal parameters at baseline. Based on measurements taken at the 16th training session, the experimental group achieved significantly (p < 0.05) higher average scores than the control group with regard to step length, stride length, cadence, walking velocity, stride time, and double support time. In addition, the results revealed significant within-group differences (p < 0.05) in the step and stride lengths of both groups, whereas cadence, walking velocity, stride time, and double support time also improved in the experimental group. Conclusions: Eight weeks of loaded treadmill gait training improved the gait kinematics of children with spastic diplegia, particularly cadence, walking velocity, stride time, and double support time.

Abdominal/Adductor Strength Imbalance in Soccer Players with Osteitis Pubis

Background and Objective: The muscle imbalance between abdominal and hip adductor muscles as an etiology for osteitis pubis is not well understood. The concept of a relationship between eccentric/concentric ratios at the pelvis and osteitis pubis in athletes is limited. This study aimed to compare the eccentric/concentric ratios for abdominal/ adductor, abdominal/back, and hip adductor muscles as well as eccentric abdominal/eccentric adductor muscles in soccer players suffering from osteitis pubis with those in healthy athletes. Material and Methods: Twenty male soccer athletes with osteitis pubis were recruited to participate and 20 healthy male soccer athletes were recruited to participate. Peak torque/body weight (PT/BW) for the hip adductor, abdominal, and back muscles during isokinetic concentric and eccentric contraction modes at a speed of 180°/s was recorded for healthy players and soccer athletes with osteitis pubis. Eccentric/concentric ratios for the abdominal/adductor, abdominal/back, and hip adductor muscles and the eccentric abdominal/eccentric adductor muscles were measured for both groups. Results: There was a significant decrease in the eccentric abdominal/concentric hip adductor muscles ratio (p = 0.000) and in the eccentric/concentric hip adductor muscles ratio (p = 0.016) between the osteitis pubis group and the healthy control group. Conclusion: Soccer players with osteitis pubis present with strength imbalance. The osteitis pubis group displayed eccentric weakness of the abdominal and adductor muscles, resulting in imbalances in the normal eccentric abdominal/concentric adductor and eccentric/concentric adductor ratios. Therefore, exercises that increase the eccentric strength of abdominal and hip adductor muscles may be beneficial to include in rehabilitation programs of patients with osteitis pubis.

Effect of testing position and angular velocity on agonist/antagonist ratios of hip muscles

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The moment generated by a muscle is influenced, among other factors, by the angular velocity and the testing position. However, the effect of these factors on hip muscles’ agonist/antagonist ratios is not well understood. The main purpose of this study was to analyze this effect in a group of apparently healthy women and men. METHODS: Sixteen women and 24 men, aged 21–25 years participated in this study. The isokinetic concentric hip flexor/extensor (F/E) and adductor/abductor (AD/AB) strength ratios were calculated based on testing in supine and standing positions for the flexors and extensors) and side-lying and standing positions (for the adductors and abductors) tested at 60 and 180 ◦ /s. RESULTS: For both genders the isokinetic moment of hip muscles decreased with increased angular velocity and the highest moments were observed in standing position. A significant interaction of position, angular velocity, and gender was observed ( p< 0.05), which indicated that men experienced greater increases in F/E and AD/AB ratios in standing position at 180 ◦ , whereas women demonstrated lower ratios in the same position. CONCLUSION: Isokinetic tests of the hip muscles ratios: F/E and AD/AB in standing and in sitting indicate that the test position and gender have a significant effect on the test findings.

BIOMECHANICAL EFFECT OF TESTING POSITIONS ON HAND GRIP STRENGTH

Hand grip strength (HGS) is a useful functional measure of the integrity of the upper extremities, however, many studies have examined it from selected positions (i.e., supine, sitting, standing), with no emphasis on other derived positions that are used in clinical setting. This study’s objective was to evaluate HGS in different body positions that are used in clinical setting by using a standard protocol. The study sample was a convenience sample of 40 healthy male participants with no history of psychiatric, neurological, or upper extremity orthopedic dysfunction. Grip strength in the dominant hand was measured with a Jamar Plus+ digital hand dynamometer in five positions: Supine, prone, side-lying, sitting, and standing. The HGS value in prone position was significantly lower than in standing position (p=0.043) and sitting position (p=0.013). However, no statistically significant difference was found in HGS among the supine, prone, and side-lying positions. Grip strength was moderately correlated with age (r=0.643). This study provides useful evaluation for grip strength in different positions. In identical upper extremity positions, grip strength varies between different body positions. Grip strength is equivalent when tested from the supine, side-lying, or prone positions, thus the position can be adjusted according to the patient’s condition. Finally, age is an important determinant of hand grip evaluation, particularly when standing position is used.