Zafer Erden

Morphological characteristics and performance variables of women soccer players.

&NA; Can, F., I. Yilmaz, and Z. Erden. Morphological characteristics and performance variables of women soccer players. J. Strength Cond. Res. 18(3):480–485. 2004.—The purpose of this study was to describe certain morphological characteristics of women soccer players and to examine aspects of training and performance. Twenty‐two anthropometric sites were used in measurements of somatotype and body composition; flexibility, agility, anaerobic power, leg muscle power, and dynamic pulmonary functions were used as performance variables. Measurements were made on 17 professional athletes and 17 agematched sedentary women who acted as controls. The women soccer players showed less fat content and less lean body mass than did the sedentary women. The mean somatotype for the soccer players was 3.07–3.55–2.43 and for the nonathletes was 3.57–3.35–2.90. Anaerobic power, leg muscle power, and agility in the athletes were higher than in the nonathletes, whereas no differences were found in flexibility and pulmonary functions (p > 0.05). The women soccer players showed more significantly mesomorphic, less endomorphic, least ectomorphic components and higher performance level than did the sedentary women.

The effects of clinical pilates exercises on bone mineral density, physical performance and quality of life of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate effects of Clinical Pilates Exercises on bone mineral density (BMD), physical performance and quality of life (QOL) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS Forty-one women were recruited to the study. The subjects were divided into two groups, as the Pilates group and the control group. Subjects were evaluated for BMD at the lumbar region. Physical performance level was measured. Pain intensity level was scored with Visual Analogue Scale. QUALEFFO-41 was used for assessing QOL. RESULTS BMD values increased in the Pilates group (p < 0.05), while BMD decreased in the control group (p< 0.05). Physical performance test results showed significant increases in the Pilates group (p< 0.05) whereas there was no changes in the control group (p> 0.05). Pain intensity level in the Pilates group was significantly decreased after the exercise (p< 0.05), while it was unchanged in the control group. There were significant increases in all parameters of QOL in the Pilates group. Conversely, some parameters of QOL showed decreases in the control group (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Pilates Exercises is effective to increase BMD; QOL and walking distance and also beneficial to relieve pain. Physiotherapist can use Pilates Exercises for the subjects with osteoporosis in the clinics.

Rehabilitation of patellofemoral pain syndrome: TENS versus diadynamic current therapy for pain relief

AbstractThis study compared the efficacy of two electrotherapy modalities for pain treatment in rehabilitation programs of patellofemoral pain syndrome. In a prospective randomized study, 16 patients (23 affected knees) were treated with TENS and 14 patients (19 affected knees) were treated for the same period with diadynamic current (DDC). Subjective pain, knee function, and activity level of the patients were measured before and after the treatment. Subjective pain and functional levels were assessed by visual analogue scale, the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and Squat Testing for 30 seconds. To assess their activity level a 4-Level Activity Test was used. All the parameters in each group showed significant improvements after 12 weeks of physical therapy (p < 0.05). Statistical analyses demonstrated that there were no significant differencess between the groups in pain relief, improvements in knee functions and activity level after the treatments, although DDC seemed to have slightly better pain modulation...

Treatment of patellar tracking and pain in patellofemoral malalignment: Conservative versus surgery

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of non-operative and post-operative physiotherapy-rehabilitation programmes in patellofemoral pain syndrome that originated from patellofemoral malalignment. Forty-two subjects (21 non-operative, 21 post-operative) were included in the study. Pain, patellar tilt, congruence, sulcus and Q angles, Cincinnati scale, functional tests, hamstring tightness, iliotibial band tightness, and thigh circumference measurement were compared. When the pre-treatment data were compared within groups, there were statistically significant differences in favour of post-operative group as regards pain, hamstring tightness and Q angle (p < 0.05). When the post-treatment data were compared within both groups, there were significant differences in favour of postoperative group as regards pain, patellar tilt congruence angles, vertical jump tests, standing broad jump, and squat tests (p < 0.05).

Relationship between pain intensity and knee joint position sense in patients with severe osteoarthritis

Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between joint position sense and pain in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and compare the results with age-matched control subjects. Thirty patients between 56 and 72 years with bilateral OA of grade 3 and 4 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic scores and 26 healthy subjects were included in this study. Pain was evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Joint position sense was analysed, at 30, 60 and 90 degrees of knee flexion, using the motion analysis system designed by us. The relationship between pain intensity and joint position sense, and comparison between patients and controls were analysed. Statistically significant differences were found between OA patients and healthy subjects in joint position sense at 30, 60 and 90 degrees of knee flexion in favour of healthy subjects (p < 0.05). The highest error degree was shown at the angle of 60° flexion in both...

The influence of lateral tightness on lateral knee pain

AbstractThis study was undertaken to determine the relationship between lateral knee pain and lateral tightness, and to investigate the efficacy of manual therapy on the patients with lateral knee pain.We studied 46 knees in 40 patients (25 males, 15 females; range 18–46 years, mean 29 years) with lateral knee pain.Lateral tightness was assessed using Obers test and hamstring tightness test. The intensity of the lateral knee pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Manual therapy techniques and stretching exercises for treating tightness of the iliotibial band and the hamstrings were performed for 8 weeks. The patients then followed a home exercise program for 20 months.After the follow-up duration, the pain intensity level was found significantly lowered and the lateral tightness significantly decreased. Intensity of lateral knee pain and tightness were highly correlated.

Do Body Mass, Body Mass Index and Body Fat Ratio have an Effect on Proprioception?

Objectives: Proprioceptive sense plays important role of the protective reflex response against the harmful forces on the joint takes part in protection against the injuries. The load on the musculoskeletal system increases with higher body weights and joints become prone to injuries due to this increased load. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between the proprioceptive sense of the knee joint, mostly affected by loading, and the body weight, body mass index, and body fat ratio. Methods: 25 healthy people aged between 21 and 36 years included in the study. Body weights, body mass indexes (BMI), and body fat ratios of the individuals were measured. Proprioceptive sense in the knee joint is evaluated through the active joint position sense (A-JPS) assessments. The A-JPS of 50 knees of 25 individuals are evaluated at supine and load bea squat with 30° and 90° of knee flexion. To measure A-JPS, targeted angle were shown using goniometer and digital photography has been taken. Then they return to the initial position and repeat the angle and the second image was captured. After three times repetitions, deviations from 30° and 90° were called mean angle errors. The angle error measurements were performed with specifically written programme MATLAB (Computer Aided Design software). Pearson and Spearman Correlation Analyses were used for statistics. Results: There was no correlation between the body weight and the proprioceptive error at supine and squat for 30° and 90° flexion angles (p>0.05). When the individuals has been grouped according to their BMI values thinnesses for (BMI = 15-20 kg/m²), normals for (BMI = 20-25 kg/m²), and overweights for (BMI = 25-30 kg/m²) and the correlation between the BMI and proprioceptive error has been evaluated, there was no correlation for thinnesses and normals, for overweights at 90° squat position a medium strength positive correlation is observed (r=0.644, p=0.01). For thinnesses and normals there is no correlation between the body fat ratio and the proprioceptive error. For the overweights for 30° and 90° flexions at squat there is medium strength, strong positive correlations (r1=0.540, p=0.04; r2=0.709, p=0.005). Conclusion: Consequently, especially for individuals with high BMI, at load bearing squat position for 90° flexion, the proprioceptive sense decreases. Increased body fat ratio negatively affects the proprioception at load bearing squat position for 30° and 90° flexion angles. According to these results being overweight can be considered as an disadvantage in terms of proprioceptive sense.

The Comparison of Trunk Stabilization, Flexibility, Endurance and Quality of Life Between Disabled and Healthy Shooter Athletes

Objectives: Disabled athletes need proper trunk control and balance, enough flexibility and better muscle endurance to carry on activity of daily life and sports activity. In the literature, the studies which compare these parameters in disabled shooters are quite few. The purpose of this study was to compare trunk stabilization, flexibility, endurance and quality of life between disabled and healthy shooter athletes. Methods: 15 disabled and 15 healthy athletes (aged between 18-55 years) who perform shooting at least one year were included in the study. Disabled athletes suffered from unilateral and bilateral poliomyelitis, bilateral congenital hip dislocation or paraplegia. The athletes’ demographic charecteristics, muscular endurance, flexibility, sitting balance and quality of life were evaluated. Sit-ups and Modified Push-ups Test have been used for evaluation of trunk flexion and extansion endurance, Sit and Reach Test has been used for evaluation of flexibility. Upper extremity flexibility has been measured by shoulder internal rotation. Sitting balance has been evaluated by Modified Functional Reach, Bilateral and Lateral Reach Tests. Quality of life has been evaluated by Nottingham Health Profile. Mann-Whitney-U Test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: Results of Sit-Ups and Modified Push-Ups Tests were lower in the disabled group (z1= -3.84, z2= -3.76; p<0.05). It has been found that the disabled athletes were more flexible according to Sit and Reach Test(z= -2.22; p<0.05). No difference in right and left shoulder internal rotation was found between the healthy and the disabled group(z1= -0.56, z2= -0.91; p>0.05). Differences were found in favour of the healthy group at Modified Functional Reach, Bilateral Reach, Right and Left Lateral Reach Tests to evaluate sitting balance (eyes-open and eyes-closed) (z1=-3.38, z2=-3.86, z3=-3.42, z4=-3.51, z5=-3.40, z6=-3.55, z7=-3.13, z8=-3.65; p<0.05). Differences were found in favour of the healthy group at Nottingham Health Profile total point, energy level, pain and physical activity parameters(z1= -3.17, z2=-3.09, z3= -3.48, z4=-4.63; p<0.05). Emotional reactions, social isolation and sleep parameters were similar(z1=-0.24, z2=-0.89, z3=-0.83;p>0.05). Conclusion: It has been concluded that disabled shooters have weak trunk flexion and extansion endurance level and sitting balance according to healthy athletes; but their flexibility is better. While their energy level, pain and physical activity level related to quality of life were less than healthy athletes, their emotional reactions, social isolation and sleep level were similar. Quality of life as total score was less in disabled shooters. All these results are quite important to determine both sport performance level and planning of rehabilitation program for increasing performance level in disabled shooters.