Evaluating the effects of different strength training techniques on anthropometric structure and endurance of healthy quadriceps femoris muscle

This study was planned to examine the effect of superimposed, resistance exercise and electrical stimulation of the 3 different training on anthropometric characteristics and endurance of healthy quadriceps femoris muscle in untrained healthy young adults. Forty eight untrained healthy young subject aged between 21-26 (22.43±1.12) participated the study. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: Resistance Training Group (RTG) (n = 17); Electrical Stimulation Group (ESG) (n = 15) and Superimposed Training Group (STG) (n = 16). Dominant leg was determined by the selected tests and training was given three times a week for 6 weeks. Knee circumference, thigh circumference, skinfold measurements, repetition of 10-pound work, step-up, step-down an squatting on one leg test of subjects were taken pre-post training. The results indicated that electrical stimulation was not sufficient alone to strengthen the quadriceps femoris muscle. It is thought that training programs including voluntary muscle contraction must be main component of rehabilitation for muscle hypertrophy. In addition, resistance training has been effective in reducing adipose tissue. © 2012 Science Alert

Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the CDC HRQOL-4 scale in patients with chronic low back pain

Objective: This study investigates reliability and validity of Turkish version of CDC Core Healthy Days Measures assessing health related quality of life (CDC HRQOL-4) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. Methodology: One hundred eighty nine CLBP patients and 117 healthy controls participated. All respondents filled the following scales; the CDC HRQOL-4, Rolland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Results: Cronbach's alpha of CDC HRQOL-4-items in CLBP patients was 0.69. Of 57.1% CLBP patients and 13.7% healthy controls defined their health status as fair or poor. The number of physically and mentally unhealthy days, and activity limitation days was found to be higher in the CLBP patients than the healthy controls (p<0.05). The CLBP patients with fair or poor health reported more physically unhealthy days, mentally unhealthy days, and activity limitation days than the CLBP patients with excellent, very good, or good health (p<0.05). Correlation coefficients between physically unhealthy days (r=0.30) and activity limitation days (r=0.22), and RMQ scores were significant, but low in magnitude. Moderate correlations between mentally unhealthy days and HAD scores (r=0.41 for anxiety; r=0.39 for depression) were found. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the Turkish version of the CDC HRQOL-4 is a short, reliable and valid tool to assess HRQOL in CLBP patients

Comparison of emotional status and physical activity between women with chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia

PubMed ID: 20582747Objectives! This study was conducted to compare the emotional status and physical activity level in women with chronic widespread pain (CWP) and fibromyalgia (FM). Methods: Thirty-three women with CWP above the waist, including the upper extremities, and 68 women with FM were evaluated. To determine physical and emotional status, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Experience of Physical Activity Instrument, the Leisure Time Physical Activity Instrument, the Physical Activity at Home and Work Instrument, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used. Results: The CWP group had higher physical impairment scores than the FM group (p0.05). The results indicate that increased pain intensity and spread of pain have negative effects on both physical functioning and emotional status. Conclusion: The women with FM reported much more severe clinical symptoms than those with CWP. Therefore, in addition to physical functioning, the emotional status of women with chronic pain should also be evaluated