Assessment of jaw muscles and cervical spine muscles isometric force using a hand-held dynamometer in young adults

Our study aims to investigate the jaw and cervical spine muscle isometric forces in healthy young adults. Fifty-four subjects (21.2 ± 4.82 years) met the inclusion criteria and agreed to par-ticipate in the study. Muscle forces were assessed with a hand-held dynamometer. A significant positive correlation was found between jaw opening forces and cervical flexors forces (r=0.62, p0.0001) and between lateral mandible deviation forces and cervical spine lateral flexion forces, both for right and left side (r=0.65, p<0.0001; r=0.69, p<0.0001, respectively. In healthy young adults, using a hand-held dynamometer for muscle strength testing, significant positive correla-tion was found between jaw opening forces and cervical flexors forces and between lateral mo-uth deviation force and cervical spine lateral flexion forces, both for right and left side. The rela-tionship between jaw muscles forces and cervical spine muscles forces is a topic that needs to be further studied, also together with posture and balance

Treatment possibilities in ectromelia

Introduction: Ectromelia is a congenital abnormality characterized by limb growth disturbances (aplasia or hypoplasia) during the period from 4th to 8th gestation week. Case outline. We present a case of hemimezomelic longitudinal ectromelia of the right upper limb associated with other skeletal abnormalities, surgically treated. An important role in the management of this case is attributed to the complex rehabilitation programme done before and after each surgical intervention. Conclusion. The aim of the complex therapy is to diminish the permanent invalidity of these patients.

The necessity of using high quality orthoses in rehabilitation medicine

In rehabilitation medicine there is increasing need of using high quality orthoses that can provide either good stability of the joint or good correction of the postural defect. The advantages of using orthoses that are in the same time hypoallergenic, lightweight, flexible, resistant and durable over time should be considered when prescribing them in clinical practice. This study presents different types of orthoses and the necessity of proper selection of materials when choosing the best ones. We included 34 patients diagnosed with different musculoskeletal conditions (thoracic and thoraco-lumbar scoliosis, genu valgum deviation and rheumatoid arthritis) that required the use of special orthoses (thoraco-lumbar braces, knee or hand orthoses). Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the quality of the orthoses that they have been used. The following characteristics of an orthosis should be considered when choosing the right one: easily wearable, comfortable, offering good stability of a joint, high quality, lightweight, hypoallergenic and resistant

The Impact of Piano Styles on Muscle Force in Pianist Students

The study of the consequences of different sonata styles (baroque, classical and romantic piano repertoire) on pianists&rsquo; upper limbs represents a research topic for both the musical and medical fields. Twenty piano students were examined using a MicroFet2 dynamometer after playing three sonatas (Scarlatti K. 1 Sonata as a representative of the baroque style, Haydn Sonata no. 60 for the classical style and Chopin second Sonata for the romantic style). The phase sequence was randomised for each subject: firstly, continuous interpretation of 10 bars of a sonata was conducted 10 times, with the metronome tempo set by the investigator; secondly, the subject interpreted 10 bars of a different sonata continuously, standardised by tempo, which was carried out 10 times; finally, the continuous interpretation of 10 bars of the remaining third sonata, standardised by tempo, was carried out 10 times. After each performance of the 10 bars, the elbow extensor&rsquo;s isometric muscle force was measured. Significant differences were found between the elbow extensor&rsquo;s isometric muscle force assessed after playing Scarlatti&rsquo;s sonata and Haydn&rsquo;s sonata (p = 0.005 for left arm, p = 0.03 for right arm), between Scarlatti&rsquo;s sonata and Chopin&rsquo;s sonata (p &lt; 0.0001 for both left and right arms) and between Haydn&rsquo;s sonata and Chopin&rsquo;s sonata (p = 0.01 for left arm, p &lt; 0.0001 for right arm). In healthy piano students, the dynamometric assessment of elbow extensors&rsquo; isometric muscle force after playing three different sonatas (baroque, classical and romantic) showed that the lowest values were recorded after playing the baroque style. Our results showed bilateral symmetry in the elbow extensor&rsquo;s isometric muscle force for all three piano styles. The testing of arm muscles, besides that of the fingers, should be considered as a regular evaluation for future professional pianists with regard to the prevention of musculoskeletal complaints

The Impact of Piano Styles on Muscle Force in Pianist Students

The study of the consequences of different sonata styles (baroque, classical and romantic piano repertoire) on pianists’ upper limbs represents a research topic for both the musical and medical fields. Twenty piano students were examined using a MicroFet2 dynamometer after playing three sonatas (Scarlatti K. 1 Sonata as a representative of the baroque style, Haydn Sonata no. 60 for the classical style and Chopin second Sonata for the romantic style). The phase sequence was randomised for each subject: firstly, continuous interpretation of 10 bars of a sonata was conducted 10 times, with the metronome tempo set by the investigator; secondly, the subject interpreted 10 bars of a different sonata continuously, standardised by tempo, which was carried out 10 times; finally, the continuous interpretation of 10 bars of the remaining third sonata, standardised by tempo, was carried out 10 times. After each performance of the 10 bars, the elbow extensor’s isometric muscle force was measured. Significant differences were found between the elbow extensor’s isometric muscle force assessed after playing Scarlatti’s sonata and Haydn’s sonata (p = 0.005 for left arm, p = 0.03 for right arm), between Scarlatti’s sonata and Chopin’s sonata (p p = 0.01 for left arm, p < 0.0001 for right arm). In healthy piano students, the dynamometric assessment of elbow extensors’ isometric muscle force after playing three different sonatas (baroque, classical and romantic) showed that the lowest values were recorded after playing the baroque style. Our results showed bilateral symmetry in the elbow extensor’s isometric muscle force for all three piano styles. The testing of arm muscles, besides that of the fingers, should be considered as a regular evaluation for future professional pianists with regard to the prevention of musculoskeletal complaints

Using A-Mode Ultrasound to Assess the Body Composition of Soccer Players: A Comparative Study of Prediction Formulas

For elite athletes, monitoring body composition is important for maximizing performance without health risks. Amplitude (A)-mode ultrasound (AUS) has attracted increasing attention as an alternative to skinfold thickness measurements commonly used for assessing the amount of body fat in athletes. AUS accuracy and precision, however, depend on the formula used to predict body fat percentage (%BF) from subcutaneous fat layer thicknesses. Therefore, this study evaluates the accuracy of the 1-point biceps (B1), 9-sites Parrillo, 3-sites Jackson and Pollock (JP3), and 7-sites Jackson and Pollock (JP7) formulas. Relying on the previous validation of the JP3 formula in college-aged male athletes, we took AUS measurements in 54 professional soccer players (aged 22.9 ± 3.83 y, mean ± SD) and compared the results given by different formulas. The Kruskal–Wallis test indicated significant differences (p −6), and Conover’s post hoc test revealed that the JP3 and JP7 data come from the same distribution, whereas the data given by B1 and P9 differ from all the others. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients for B1 vs. JP7, P9 vs. JP7, and JP3 vs. JP7 were 0.464, 0.341, and 0.909, respectively. The Bland–Altman analysis indicated mean differences of −0.5 %BF between JP3 and JP7, 4.7 %BF between P9 and JP7, and 3.1 %BF between B1 and JP7. This study suggests that JP7 and JP3 are equally valid, whereas P9 and B1 overestimate %BF in athletes

Analysis and implementation of on-the-fly stopping criteria for layered QC LDPC decoders

International audienc

PHYSICAL THERAPY AND FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS WITH HAEMOPHILIC ARTHROPATHY SURGICALLY TREATED

Patients with haemophilia type A or B may develop, over time, haemophilic arthropathy with different degrees of joint dysfunction. This disorder is a consequence of repeated episodes of intraarticular bleeding, with either spontaneous or traumatic aetiology. In the recent years, the therapeutic management of these patients has changed, still, without prompt early diagnosis and prophylactic treatment, the joints deteriorate to such a degree that only a complex multi-disciplinary approach can offer an optimal outcome. Modern high resolution MRI and prophylaxis treatment can detect and delay early signs of haemophilic arthropathy, but, not all patients have access to these types of early interventions. As a result, there are still patients presenting with different of degrees haemophilic arthropathy, which require surgical treatment. Despite the use of modern, minimal invasive approaches, surgical treatment alone can’t offer a good symptom relief and can’t provide a good functional outcome. Thus, the integration of physical therapy and functional rehabilitation in the therapeutic scheme can provide a good support in order for these patients to be socio-economically re-integrated

Rat Animal Model of Pectus Excavatum

Background: pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common congenital deformity of the thoracic wall. Lately, significant achievements have been made in finding new, less invasive treatment methods for PE. However, most of the experimental work was carried out without the help of an animal model. In this report we describe a method to create an animal model for PE in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: We selected 15 Sprague-Dawley rat pups and divided them into two groups: 10 for the experimental group (EG) and 5 for the control group (CG). We surgically resected the last four pairs of costal cartilages in rats from the EG. The animals were assessed by CT-scan prior to surgery and weekly for four consecutive weeks. After four weeks, the animals were euthanized and the thoracic cage was dissected from the surrounding tissue. Results: On the first postoperative CT, seven days after surgery, we observed a marked depression of the lower sternum in all animals from the EG. This deformity was present at every CT-scan after surgery and at the post-euthanasia assessment. Conclusions: By decreasing the structural strength of the lower costal cartilages, we produced a PE animal model in Sprague-Dawley rats