movement self-screening scores and pain

Background : Various musculoskeletal screening and functional performance tests are used to evaluate physical condition. However, validated analysis tools that can identify gaps in pain knowledge during athletes’ daily training are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pain intensity in athletes during their daily training and the KOJI AWARENESS™ test in order to determine whether body dysfunction is related to pain among athletes. Methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted in a fitness center at the authors’ affiliated institution. Thirty-five athletes (17 women and 18 men) aged 20-40 years were selected for study participation. KOJI AWARENESS™ self-evaluated test scores and pain intensity during daily training, as assessed on the numerical rating scale (NRS), were recorded. Results : The KOJI AWARENESS™ score showed a strong negative correlation with the NRS score for pain intensity during daily training (r = −0.640, P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between KOJI AWARENESS™ and NRS scores, even when body mass index, sex, and age were entered as control variables. Conclusions : KOJI AWARENESS™ was highly accurate in detecting pain in athletes during their training

筋機能的磁気共鳴画像法を用いた異なる方向への股関節外転運動後の股関節外転筋群の筋活動の経時的変化

首都大学東

筋機能的磁気共鳴画像法を用いた股関節外転運動後の股関節外転筋群の継時的な筋活動の変化

The hip abductor muscles play an important role in postural control. Structural differences in the hip abductor muscles translate to differences in functional activity. This study sought to measure changes in T2 values of the hip abductors after hip abduction exercise over time and to identify variations in activity between the different hip abductor muscle groups. Ten healthy young men (mean age 28.4 [24−32] years) performed 5 sets of 40 repetitions of a hip abduction exercise at 30% maximum voluntary contraction with the right leg. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before exercise, at intervals during exercise, and at the end of exercise. Subsequently, T2 values were measured for the tensor fasciae latae, gluteus minimus, the anterior, middle, and posterior segments of the gluteus medius, and the upper fibers of the gluteus maximus. T2 values for the gluteus minimus, tensor fasciae latae, and the anterior and middle segments of the gluteus medius were significantly higher at after all exercise compared with before exercise. However, T2 values for the posterior segments of the gluteus medius after 3, 4, and 5 sets of exercise were significantly higher than before exercise. T2 values for the upper fibers of the gluteus maximus after 4 and 5 sets were significantly higher than before exercise. Thus, the variable changes in muscle activity observed in this study were attributable to differences in anatomic structure and reflected intramuscular variation in activity between the hip abductor muscles.首都大学東京学位論文甲第959号副論

Effectiveness of KOJI AWARENESS tool

Background : The KOJI AWARENESS™ screening test is a self-administered screening tool for assessment of mobility, stability, and strength. It provides corrective exercises corresponding to the individual’s answers to the KOJI AWARENESS™ test questions. However, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of corrective exercises in improving KOJI AWARENESS™ screening test scores and activity-related pain. Methods : Twenty- six healthy subjects (11 female and 15 male ; age 20–50 years) were selected for participation. In a controlled laboratory setting, subjects were administered the KOJI AWARENESS™ test and were provided with individualized exercise programs based on the results of this first test. KOJI AWARENESS™ results were checked on the first day immediately after the first exercise session, and then again after the two-week program. Pain intensity was also assessed during daily training using a numerical rating scale. Results : Compared to pre-intervention, KOJI AWARENESS™ scores were significantly higher immediately after the first corrective exercise session and after 2 weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Moreover, pain intensity was significantly lower after 2 weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions : Individualized KOJI AWARENESS™ corrective exercises were effective immediately on the first day and also after the two-week program in improving the KOJI AWARENESS™ score and reducing pain intensity during daily training