The Effect of Eight Weeks Pilates and Stabilization Exercises on Pain and Flexibility of Back Muscles and Hamstring of Women with Chronic Low Back Pain

The  present  study  investigated eight  weeks  Pilates  and  stabilization  exercises  on  pain,  flexibility  of  back  muscles  and  hamstring,  among  the  25-50 years  women  affected  by  Chronic  Low  back  pain.  In  this  quasiexperimental study there were  selected 60 women  affected by Chronic Low  back  pain  purposefully,  at  average  age  of  37/93±8/62years, weight  of  64/91±10/70kg  and  162/03±5/26  centimeter  and  divided up affirming (20 persons), Pilates (20 persons) and control (20 persons) groups  randomly.  The  affirming  and  Pilate's  groups  received  Pilates and  corrective  exercises  for  eight  weeks,  thrice  a  week  for  one  hour. Variables  of  pain,  flexibility  of  back  muscles  and  hamstring  were measured,  respectively  by  Visual  analogue  scale  of  Pain  and Sit and rich  test.  To  data  analyses  it  was  used  Matched  T  test  and Independent T test and Multiple Comparisons (Tukey) to identify inter correlation differences at the significant level of 0.5. This study showed that after eight weeks Pilates and stabilization exercises, the pain scale average of affirming group was in a significant statistical level and the average  of  flexibility  of  back  muscles  and  hamstring  ,  of affirming group was  also  in  a  similar  level  with  the  Pilates  group.  According  to  this study, stabilization exercises  and pilates can be useful to reduce the pain and incease flexibility  of  back  muscles  and  hamstring 

BIOMECHANICAL MODELLING FOR COMPUTATION OF KNEE JOINT TORQUE IN DIFFERENT STRATEGIES OF STOP-JUMP LANDING

Knee injuries especially non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury, is very common in sport activities and often occurs in landing. The purpose of this study was to recognize the risk factors and to recommend better landing strategies using dynamic modeling. For this purpose, the stop-jump landing was modeled using anthropometric, kinematic and kinetic data. The knee torque was calculated for different landing strategies. The result showed that the maximum knee torque for women was 42% more than men. When the knee flexion at the initial foot contact increased, the peak knee torque decreased. Finally, increasing the knee and hip angular displacement, the maximum knee torque decreased at first and then increased again. Therefore the knee flexion angle at initial foot contact and the knee and hip angular displacement are effective factors in reducing knee injuries

Effects of Selected Core Stability Exercises on Dialysis Quality and Muscular Strength of Male Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESR) have lower physical, emotional, and cognitive functions than healthy people of the same age due to their inactive lifestyles and treatment approaches. This study aimed to investigate the effects of selected core stability exercises on the dialysis quality and muscular strength of male hemodialysis patients. Methods: In this quasi–experimental study, 30 male hemodialysis patients (age: 62.24±6.51 years; history of dialysis: 9.4±18.44 months) were selected by convenience sampling and assigned into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The quality of dialysis and muscular strength of the subjects were assessed by blood sampling before and after dialysis and 5× sit-to-stand tests, respectively. A core stability exercise program was performed for 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week, 45 minute per session. Results: Data analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the quality of dialysis between the experimental and control groups (P=0.485), but a significant difference was observed in muscular strength between the two groups (P=0.001). Exercise has a significant effect on the variable. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, core stability exercises can be recommended to male hemodialysis patients as a safe and practical strategy for improving their muscular strength and quality of life

Comparing the Normal Range and Changes Process of Lumbar Curve in Male and Female Students Aged 10 to 18 Years

Background: In recent years, several studies on the body posture have been done at schools, most of which have shown a high prevalence of varying abnormality among students. The aim of this study was to investigate the normal range and changes process of lumbar curve in students, both girls and boys, in the age group of 10 to 18 years. Methods: A total number of 1800 students (male and female), in the age group of 10 to 18 years were selected to participate in the present study. The student samples were chosen from the different cities of the Isfahan province in a randomized and clustered manner. Each age category included 100 male and female students each. The flexible ruler was used to measure the lumbar curve angle. The factorial ANOVA method, in SPPS16, was used for data analysis with α=0.05. Results: The data analysis showed that the age changes factor and gender factor have a significant effect on lumbar curve changes in the level of P<0.05. However, the interaction between gender and age was not significant (P>0.05). This means that the changes process is similar in both gender groups. Conclusion: The lumbar curve angle is generally higher in girls. Moreover, this angle increases in both genders as age increases to 18 years. The extent of the lumbar curve exceeds the normal limit in girls after 13 years of age with the onset of puberty, which means that girls in this age group need additional attention from the concerned authorities in order to prevent spinal abnormalities

Comparing the Normal Range and Changes Process of Lumbar Curve in Male and Female Students Aged 10 to 18 Years

Background: In recent years, several studies on the body posture have been done at schools, most of which have shown a high prevalence of varying abnormality among students. The aim of this study was to investigate the normal range and changes process of lumbar curve in students, both girls and boys, in the age group of 10 to 18 years. Methods: A total number of 1800 students (male and female), in the age group of 10 to 18 years were selected to participate in the present study. The student samples were chosen from the different cities of the Isfahan province in a randomized and clustered manner. Each age category included 100 male and female students each. The flexible ruler was used to measure the lumbar curve angle. The factorial ANOVA method, in SPPS16, was used for data analysis with α=0.05. Results: The data analysis showed that the age changes factor and gender factor have a significant effect on lumbar curve changes in the level of P<0.05. However, the interaction between gender and age was not significant (P>0.05). This means that the changes process is similar in both gender groups. Conclusion: The lumbar curve angle is generally higher in girls. Moreover, this angle increases in both genders as age increases to 18 years. The extent of the lumbar curve exceeds the normal limit in girls after 13 years of age with the onset of puberty, which means that girls in this age group need additional attention from the concerned authorities in order to prevent spinal abnormalities

The Effect of Selected Core Stability Exercises on Restless Legs Syndrome and Quality of Life in the Elderly Undergoing Hemodialysis

Background and Objectives: The elderly individuals undergoing hemodialysis have lower quality of life compared to their healthy counterparts due to the complications associated with treatment and sedentary lifestyle. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of selected core stability exercises on restless legs syndrome and quality of life in the elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. &nbsp; Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, a total of 30 patients undergoing hemodialysis with the mean age of 62.24&plusmn;6.51 years and the mean hemodialysis duration of 29.4&plusmn;18.44 months, were selected using the purposive convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control (each 15 subjects). To assess the restless legs syndrome and the quality of life, (RLS) and Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) questionnaires, were used. The experimental group performed selected core stability exercises for 6 weeks (three 45-minute sessions per week). Data analysis was carried out using analysis of variance statistical test at the significance level of p<0.05. &nbsp; Results: Changes and interactions in both variables of restless legs syndrome (p<0.001) and quality of life (p<0.001) was significant in the posttest compared to the pretest in the experimental group. Moreover, a significant improvement was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group in the restless legs syndrome and quality of life (p<0/05). &nbsp; Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the care staff of dialysis centers can recommend the core stability exercises as a safe and functional strategy to improve restless legs syndrome and quality of life in the elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis

Effect of eight weeks of massage therapy on quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis

Background:. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic diseases. these study aimed to examine the effects of eight weeks of massage therapy on quality of life, in women who sufferers of MS.   Methods: This was a true-experimental study. We conveniently selected 20 women volunteers from referrals of the MS Society of Isfahan. The inclusion criteria were to suffer from relapsing–remitting MS with an EDSS less than 3.5. We allocated the subjects into 2 groups of control (10 cases) and experiment (10 cases) by randomized matched sampling. After a session of briefing and collection of informed consent forms, we administered the pre-test. Massage therapy protocol was based on Russian method. It was lasted for 2 months) 2 sessions of 30 minutes per week (. At the end of experimental period, the pos-tests were administered. Our test included QOL-54 quality of life questionnaire. Data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA.   Results: Changes in all measured variables including mental and physical health dimensions of QOL-54 showed significant interaction (F (1, 18) ≤12.98, P≤0/004).   Discussion and Conclusion: Both research groups were under medical care, but it was only the massage group that showed progression in different criteria variables including different dimensions of quality of life. These results suggest that massage therapy could be used as a non-invasive, low cost, and complementary intervention for women MS patients.   Keywords: Massage therapy, quality of life, fatigue, MS

Effectiveness of Aquatic Exercise Therapy on the Quality of Life in Women With Knee Osteoarthritis

Objectives: Today, participation in physical activities is proposed to improve symptoms of chronic diseases&nbsp;such as osteoarthritis. In this research, we aimed to evaluate the effect of aquatic exercise therapy&nbsp;on the quality of life in women with knee osteoarthritis (KO). Methods & Materials: Our study used counterbalanced measures design. By random sampling method, 30&nbsp;females (aged 40 to 74 years) with KO were selected and assigned into 2 experimental groups. The standard&nbsp;questionnaire of &ldquo;knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score&rdquo; (KOOS) was used in 3 time points&nbsp;of pretest, posttest and midtest to measure 5 factors of pain, disease signs and symptoms, daily living&nbsp;activities, sports and functional activities, and quality of life. During the first 8-week (between pretest and&nbsp;midtest), the first group had no training, whilst the second group carried out their own exercise program. During the second 8-week (between midtest and posttest), the training program of groups got reversed.&nbsp;In other words, both groups used the same training program for 8 weeks, but the training periods were&nbsp;different. The obtained data were statistically analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS. Results: The results of both experimental groups were the same, indicating that: 1) 8 weeks of no training&nbsp;led to no variation in any of 5 dimensions of KOOS, 2) training led to improvement of all dimensions of&nbsp;KOOS, and 3. disruption of training led to lose of achievements. These findings were similar to those&nbsp;obtained by functional tests (P=0.000). Conclusion: The results showed that the study program is useful for patients with KO and improves their&nbsp;quality of life

Effect of 8 Weeks of Rebound Therapy on Balance, Flexibility, and Muscle Strength of the Knee in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of motor disability in childhood. This study was conducted to determine the effects of 8 weeks of therapeutic rebound therapy on balance, flexibility, and muscle strength of the knee in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was performed on a total of 20 children of 6 to 12 years of age with spastic cerebral palsy studying at special schools of Isfahan, Iran. The participant were selected through convenience and purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to the control (n = 10) and experimental groups (n = 10). After a briefing session, informed consent forms were obtained from parents of all subjects. A digital dynamometer, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the sit and reach test were used to assess knee flexor and extensor muscle strength, balance, and flexibility, respectively. Children performed selected training under the supervision of specialists for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with significance level of P < 0.05. Results: All parameters measured in the study, including balance, flexibility, and muscle strength of the knee, had significant interactions (P < 0.05). This means that the rebound training group illustrated greater improvement in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Due to the effectiveness of this training, as illustrated in this study, and being low-cost, safe, and applicable at home, these exercises can be used for a wide range of people with cerebral palsy