Topspin’s Influence on the Spine in Female Juniors III in Table Tennis

The consolidation of topspin, the most prolific technical &amp; tactical element in the attack’s area, requires, besides the daily training and efficient biomechanics, an optimal health of the osteo-articular and muscular system, due to the fact that the performance of this element requires forceful speed developed throughout the muscle chain. The purpose of the present scientific research is to identify the problems occurred at spine level resulted following to topspin attack and the importance of this technical element in the female junior’s performance. The social enquiry-based survey was conducted on a number of 27 coaches and athletes, using a number of 15 questions. Objectives: optimization of topspin attack in 11-12 years old female juniors. Premises: the knowledge on statistics of spine specific areas generating pain at the time of the attack will allow us to create a postural correction program meant to optimize performance. Research methods: The registration method was based on an opinion poll, on a statistical and mathematical method, on computer graphics method. Conclusion: around 78% of the interviewed specialists consider that the lumbar area is the most affected and predisposed to pain in case of topspin, existing a strong correlation between it and the technical element considered to be the most important in the attack phase (topspin – 66.67%) in female juniors, p =  0.003 &lt; α = 0.05, V = 0.620 and C = 0.659.</em

The Endocannabinoid System a Turning Point in Optimizing Physiotherapy Procedures in Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction: Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by wear, tear, and it's a slowly progressive loss of cartilage, that becomes finally disabling. KOA is one of the most analyzed diseases by many medical specialties such as rheumatology, orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, and physiotherapy. Major symptoms of KOA such as pain, dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation will decrease the quality of life and eventually lead to locomotor disability. Since there are no effective ways to limit KOA progression, involvement of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be a non-pharmacological therapeutic alternative in the management of this disease. This study debate aspects of ways to modulate the ECS in KOA, using physiotherapeutic (PT) means such as TENS electroanalgesia, LASER biostimulation, and physical exercises with analgesic effects.Materials and Methods: In the study, we included 82 sources, with the following keywords in the title: knee osteoarthritis, cannabidiol, endocannabinoid, inflammatory pain, analgesia, neuropathic pain, physiotherapy, electrotherapy, and LASER. To perform this review, we searched for the most relevant articles in the field of medicine and physiotherapy in 7 international databases applying inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: The application of TENS currents in certain doses and frequencies together with LASER biostimulation stimulates the production of endocannabinoids thus controlling pain, and stimulating the ECS. Physical exercise has an antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory role and stimulates the release of endogenous opioids.Conclusions: The results obtained from this meta-analysis may contribute to paradigm shifts in clinical practice related to the treatment of pain by PT. TENS, LASER, and physical exercise are effective clinical tool that limits chronic inflammation and pain by involving the ECS. More studies are needed to understand endocannabinoid system involvements in KOA, and that will inspire medical doctors and physiotherapists to improve long-term treatment strategies.</p

Specialized Manual Therapy Techniques which Can Improve Neuromotor Outcome in Patients with Foot-Drop Syndrome

Introduction: Functional rehabilitation of foot-drop syndrome due to lumbar disc herniation it is a problem that concerns many researchers. Study objective was to investigate if specialized manual therapy techniques and functional electrical stimulation alone and combined can influence the overall neuromotor outcome. Methods: 90 subjects were randomized to 3 groups, 30 subjects allocated to control group (CG) which received physical therapy, 30 subjects in functional electrical stimulation group (FES) and 30 subjects in combined FES with manual therapy techniques (FES-MT). All groups received a number of 20 sessions. We evaluated nerve conduction study, dynamometry, goniometry, functional ankle disability index (FADI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Results: For Compound muscle action potential we have found significant modifications when comparing FES-MT vs CG (p&lt;0.011). For dynamometry we registered as follows: FES-MT vs CG (0.0001), FES-MT vs FES (p&lt;0.003). ODI and FADI scores were more significant in FES-MT and FES compare with CG. Conclusions: Manual therapy techniques utilized for increasing the excitability of neuromuscular spindle can increase the overall functionality of the tibialis muscle in case of foot drop syndrome. The combination between FES and MT showed better functional results than physical therapeutic exercises and FES alone

The impact of the biodex 4 pro system dynamometer in the rehabilitation of ankle sprain in youth football players

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify impact differences in the rehabilitation the second-degree ankle sprain, more specifically the restoration of agonist-antagonist muscle balance, static and dynamic balance, and motor control in junior soccer players will have a different impact on patients who perform the recovery program with the help of Biodex 4 Pro and myofascial therapies compared to those who perform physical therapy using classical methods. (2) Methods: the study included 22 subjects divided into two equal groups in accordance with the agreement to practice modern therapies (MT) and kinesiotherapy (KT): the experimental group that performed the myofascial therapies and exercises with Biodex 4 pro and the control group that performed the KT. The parties' evaluations included: the Biodex 4 Pro for a range of motion assessment and the PodoSmart device for gait assessment. (3) Results: analysis identifies significant improvements for the subjects in the experimental group, respectively for the subjects in the control group, as follows: after completing the therapeutic plan for four weeks, the subjects gained 35.8° of flexion and 36.4° of extension compared to the initial results. In the PodoSmart gait analysis, the experimental group progressed between tests by 14.8% for the foot symmetry parameter, which was 3.8% more than in the control group, whose symmetry progress between tests was 11%. (4) Conclusion: the combined therapeutic plan containing Biodex technology and myofascial therapies is a current effective option in the rehabilitation of athletes

The Endocannabinoid System and Physical Exercise

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in various processes, including brain plasticity, learning and memory, neuronal development, nociception, inflammation, appetite regulation, digestion, metabolism, energy balance, motility, and regulation of stress and emotions. Physical exercise (PE) is considered a valuable non-pharmacological therapy that is an immediately available and cost-effective method with a lot of health benefits, one of them being the activation of the endogenous cannabinoids. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are generated as a response to high-intensity activities and can act as short-term circuit breakers, generating antinociceptive responses for a short and variable period of time. A runner’s high is an ephemeral feeling some sport practitioners experience during endurance activities, such as running. The release of eCBs during sustained physical exercise appears to be involved in triggering this phenomenon. The last decades have been characterized by an increased interest in this emotional state induced by exercise, as it is believed to alleviate pain, induce mild sedation, increase euphoric levels, and have anxiolytic effects. This review provides information about the current state of knowledge about endocannabinoids and physical effort and also an overview of the studies published in the specialized literature about this subject

Clinic-Electrophysiologic Correlations in Rehabilitation of Adult Patients with Traumatic Brachial Plexus Lesions

Nerve-transfer surgery is the treatment of choice for traumatic brachial plexus injuries (tBPIs). Combined electromyography (EMG) follow-ups and results obtained by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may provide useful follow-up of rehabilitation outcomes of elbow flexion in C5-C7 tBPIs. A total of 11 patients with complex tBPIs, operated by the Oberlin surgical technique, were assessed clinically (British Medical Research Council’s score—MRC) and by EMG + TMS after undergoing neuromuscular electrical stimulation and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Dynamometer quantitative muscle strength (DQMS) was also assessed for overall grip strength evaluation. Six patients continued rehabilitation three times a week, whereas five patients did not follow recommendations for continuous physical therapy (PT). All patients were assessed after 6 months as planned. Following a 6-month PT protocol, clinical improvements correlated with decreases of the Motor Evoked Potential (MEP) latency recorded at the first dorsal interosseous muscle, biceps brachii, and cortical level in the sublot group with continuous PT protocol compliance. We obtained significant amelioration of MEP latency and needle EMG signs of amelioration in these six patients. These cases also correlated to the MRC improvement in elbow flexion, as well as DQMS parameters. TMS parameters also mildly and inconstantly improved in the other five patients who limited themselves just to PT after surgery; however, there was no correlation with the EMG findings or MRC scaling. PT influences the cortical representation within the motor area of the upper limb when performed continuously. The electrical signals within the motor cortex promote the utility adherence to long-term PT protocols

Impact of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on the Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide characterized by the deposition of lipids and fibrous elements in the form of atheroma plaques in vascular areas which are hemodynamically overloaded. The global burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is steadily increasing and is considered the largest known non-infectious pandemic. The management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is increasing the cost of health care worldwide, which is a concern for researchers and physicians and has caused them to strive to find effective long-term strategies to improve the efficiency of treatments by managing conventional risk factors. Primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the preferred method to reduce cardiovascular risk. Fasting, a Mediterranean diet, and caloric restriction can be considered useful clinical tools. The protective impact of physical exercise over the cardiovascular system has been studied in recent years with the intention of explaining the mechanisms involved; the increase in heat shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes and regulators of cardiac myocyte proliferation concentration seem to be the molecular and biochemical shifts that are involved. Developing new therapeutic strategies such as vagus nerve stimulation, either to prevent or slow the disease’s onset and progression, will surely have a profound effect on the lives of millions of people

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Induced by Smoking and Air Pollution: Correlation with Oxidative Stress in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Oxidative stress is induced by tobacco smoking and is also associated with exposure to air pollution, which are two of the most important risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to correlate tobacco use and exposure to air pollution with oxidative stress markers useful in clinical practice in patients with COPD. A total of 102 patients were included and the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), malondialdehyde, uric acid and number of packs-years (PY) were determined. Also, six different ratios were used to assess the source of exposure. The results obtained in this study show an admission of pollutants according to smoking status (former smokers/smoker/non-smokers) quantified in average total concentrations for the group of patients with COPD of 4.12 ng/mL, 6.76 ng/mL, 6.04 ng/mL. The six ratios used show that in COPD, the content of PAHs in the blood could be a result of diesel emissions and fuel combustion. Uric acid levels were lower in the smoker group of COPD patients (mean = 5.21 mg/dL), which indicates that oxidative stress is intensified with each cigarette smoked. Additionally, high concentrations of malondialdehyde were quantified for smoking patients diagnosed with COPD (mean = 2.72 µmol/L) compared to former smokers (mean = 2.43 µmol/L) and non-smoking (mean = 2.32 µmol/L) patients, which is another indicator of the implication of smoking in oxidative stress in COPD patients

Can Combining Hyaluronic Acid and Physiotherapy in Knee Osteoarthritis Improve the Physicochemical Properties of Synovial Fluid?

Known as the degenerative disease of the knee with the highest prevalence, knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by a gradual destructive mechanism that, in severe cases, can provoke the need for total knee substitution. As the disease progresses, various enzymatic, immunological, and inflammatory processes abnormally degrade hyaluronic acid (HA), SF’s main component, and affect the concentrations of specific proteins, with the final results seriously endangering synovial fluid (SF)’s rheological and tribological features and characteristics. No effective treatments have been found to stop the progression of KOA, but the injection of HA-based viscoelastic gels has been considered (alone or combined with physiotherapy (PT)) as an alternative to symptomatic therapies. In order to evaluate the effect of viscosupplementation and PT on the characteristics of SF, SF aspirated from groups treated for KOA (HA Kombihylan® and groups that received Kombihylan® and complex PT) was analyzed and compared from analytical, spectrophotometrical, and rheological perspectives. In the patients treated with PT, the SF extracted 6 weeks after viscosupplementation had a superior elastic modulus (G′) and viscous moduli (G″), as well as a homogeneous distribution of proteins and polysaccharides. The viscosupplementation fluid improved the bioadhesive properties of the SF, and the use of the viscosupplementation fluid in conjunction with PT was found to be favorable for the distribution of macromolecules and phospholipids, contributing to the lubrication process and the treatment of OA-affected joints