Effect of 17β Estradiol & Foot Strike Patterns on Physiological & Biomechanical Changes in Runners

It is well established that female runners are at a significantly increased risk of incurring injuries when compared to their male counterparts. Gender-specific factors such as anatomical, hormonal, and altered neuromuscular activation patterns have been implicated as causative factors. An association have been observed between hormonal fluctuation and ACL injury risk indicating potentially hormonal effect on both passive and dynamic knee stabilizer. A growing contingency believes that we were designed with all we need in our feet to be able to run with minimal shoes that mimic barefoot running striking pattern. Habitual barefoot runners tend to FFS, compared to habitually shod populations who tend to RFS. Reduced collision forces generated with FFS patterns relative to RFS account for the reduced injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 6 weeks of a transition program of SBR on the pattern of muscle activation, spatiotemporal variables, and stance phase kinetics. These running parameters were compared and contrasted during the menstrual cycle to assess whether estrogen fluctuation has an effect on the pattern of muscle activation, and laxness of ACL. Twenty four females runner were divided into two groups. First group was tested twice across a menstrual cycle for serum levels of E, KJL and EMG activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles. Second group gradually experienced SBR over 6 weeks. Kinetic analysis of running was performed during shod running, habituated SBR conditions. The results showed an observed increased in KJL in response to peak E during the ovulatory phase, which was associated with increased preactivity of the hamstring muscle. A consistent pattern was observed in the firing of the quadriceps muscle recruitment pattern throughout the follicular phase. The results of the second group indicated a significant decrease in the EMG activity of TA in the habituated SBR. A significant increase was observed in the preactivation of GAS between shod running, and habituated SBR. In conclusion, changes in KJL in response to 17β-Estradiol fluctuations changes the neuromuscular control around the knee. Changes in motor patterns in previously habitually shod runners are possible and can be accomplished within 6 weeks

Gender-specific differences of normative values of pelvic floor muscle function in healthy adults population: an observational analytical study

The quantitative evaluation of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function is of great value for the diagnosis and treatment of female pelvic floor dysfunction (FPFD; Gachon et al. 2019). The demographics and the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction are well understood but there are no data on the normative values of PFM function and the preventive measures needed to serve this population (Jundt, Peschers, and Kentenich 2015). A total of 200 healthy adults, including 71 males and 129 females participated in this observational analytical study. Subjects were included in the study if they were healthy females or males aged 20–45. Bladder base displacement was measured using a sagittal curved linear array 2–5 MHz transducer over the suprapubic region. This observational analytical study is the first to reveal gender-specific differences of the PFM function in the healthy adult population. It also provides a stratification model for the PFM function in a normal distribution of a large sample of a healthy population. The study findings allow a reference baseline data to have an objective method for a clinical measure and establish an appropriate plan of care. This stratification model will help to identify patients who are at risk for developing PFD

The Effect of Continuous Heat Wraps on Balance and Gait in the Elderly

Background: In an ageing geriatric population, tremor and poor balance become more pronounced and can lead to falls. Falls are the leading cause of mortality in this population. Continuous heat wraps have been shown to increase tissue flexibility. It was the purpose of this study to examine the effects of heat on balance and gait in the elderly with impaired mobility. Subjects: Twenty people with impaired mobility (assessed as a score of more than 4 on the “Stepping On” questionnaire) were tested with a balance platform after using ThermaCare continuous heat wraps on their legs and knees for 6 days. Data was collected at day 0 (before heat) and day 7. The average age was 60.3+/-8.3 years. The loss in mobility could not be due to pain killers or other drugs the person was taking that may reduce mobility. Half of the subjects started with a week of heat treatment and half were no heat controls. At the end of the first arm, there was a one week washout and the groups were reversed. Methods: Balance was assessed on a custom made balance platform during 8 different balance tasks lasting 10 seconds each and presented at random. Tremor was measured during the balance tasks at 8 and 24 Hertz. Gait was assessed by the “timed up and go” test. Results: Muscle tremor was reduced; balance and gait were significantly improved, after 6 sessions of heat application on the legs. Conclusion: As per the literature, this improvement in balance should reduce the chance of falls in this population

Six Weeks Habituation of Simulated Barefoot Running Induces Neuromuscular Adaptations and Changes in Foot Strike Patterns in Female Runners

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-week training program of simulated barefoot running (SBR) on running kinetics in habitually shod (wearing shoes) female recreational runners.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve female runners age 25.7±3.4 years gradually increased running distance in Vibram FiveFingers minimal shoes over a 6-week period. The kinetic analysis of treadmill running at 10 Km/h was performed pre- and post-intervention in shod running, non-habituated SBR, and habituated SBR conditions. Spatiotemporal parameters, ground reaction force components, and electromyography (EMG) were measured in all conditions.RESULTS: Post-intervention data indicated a significant decrease across time in the habituation SBR for EMG activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) in the pre-activation and absorptive phase of running (PCONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that changes in motor patterns in previously habitually shod runners are possible and can be accomplished within 6 weeks. Non-habituation SBR did not show a significant neuromuscular adaptation in the EMG activity of TA and GAS as manifested after 6 weeks of habituated SBR

The Effect of ThermaCare Heat Wraps on Balance and Mobility in Seniors with Impaired Gait - A Cross Over Study

To examine if the use of heat at home can result in better quality and safer mobility in the elderly with gait and balance impairments. Setting: Randomized longitudinal cross over study design in a clinical setting. Methods: 20 people with impaired mobility (assessed as a score of more than 4 on the Stepping On questionnaire) were tested with a multi-camera gait analysis system, a treadmill with pressure sensors, a balance platform and the timed up and go and walking speed tests before and after using ThermaCare continuous heat wraps on their legs and knees for 6 days at 4 hours per day. The loss in mobility could not be due to pain killers or other drugs that reduced mobility. Results: Muscle tremor was reduced, mobility of the joints was improved, balance was significantly improved, and gait was improved after 6 sessions of heat application on the legs. As per the literature, this should reduce the chance of falls in this population. Conclusion: Using continuous heat wraps may be an important adjunct for improving gait in the elderly with gait impairments

17β-Estradiol Induced Effects on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Laxness and Neuromuscular Activation Patterns in Female Runners

Background: To investigate the effects of 17β-Estradiol across phases of menstrual cycle on the laxness of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the neuromuscular control around the knee joint in female runners. Methods: Twelve healthy female runners, who reported normal menstrual cycles for the previous 6 months were tested twice across one complete menstrual cycle for serum levels of 17β Estradiol (E), and knee joint laxity (KJL). Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles was also recorded during running on a treadmill. The changes in the EMG activity, KJL, and hormonal concentrations were recorded for each subject during the follicular and the ovulatory phases across the menstrual cycle. Results: An observed increased in KJL in response to peak E during the ovulatory phase, was associated with increased preactivity of the hamstring muscle before foot impact (p \u3c 0.001). A consistent pattern was also observed in the firing of the quadriceps muscle recruitment pattern throughout the follicular phase associated with decreased hamstring recruitment pattern during weight acceptance phase of running (p = 0.02). Additionally, low ratio of medial to lateral quadriceps recruitment was associated with a significant reduction of the quadriceps to hamstring cocontraction ratio during the follicular phase. Conclusions: Changes in KJL during the menstrual cycle in response to 17β-Estradiol fluctuations changes the neuromuscular control around the knee during running. Female runners utilize different neuromuscular control strategies during different phases of the menstrual cycle which may contribute to increase ACL injury risk

The Effect of BMI on Oxygen Saturation at Rest and During Mild Walking

Eighty one subjects were examined for the relationship between BMI, body fat, arterial oxygen saturation and arterial PO2 with the subjects at rest and after 5 minutes of walking on a treadmill ergometer at 3 mph at a 3% grade. They had BMIs between 19 and 50. All subjects were free of cardiovascular disease and had normal blood pressure making it safe for them to participate in mild exercise. They were all able to walk for at least 10 minutes without cardiovascular complications and were not taking any medications that altered the autonomic nervous system. The age was between 22 and 68. The results showed that above a BMI of about 30, there was an inverse relationship between BMI and oxygen saturation in fingertip blood (correlation -0.81.

The Effect of an 8-Minute Yoga Breathing Program on Fitness, Weight Loss and Breathing Capacity

This was a single blinded randomized study with an intervention group and a control group to examine a modification in lifestyle and an 8-minute exercise session each day to lose weight. Fifty-seven female subjects participated. Subjects underwent girth measurements at the umbilicus, hips, thigh and upper arm; weight, height (for BMI), body fat, heart rate, blood pressure, abdominal strength, leg strength, arm strength, sedentary O2 saturation, treadmill challenged O2 saturation, resting metabolism (which includes fat metabolism), and lung capacity. Measures were repeated at baseline and the end of the 6-week period. During the 6-week period, they followed a healthy recommended diet with high volumes of vegetables and fruit and 8 minutes of exercise each day. In the investigational group, the average weight loss was 4.85 KG over the 6-week period, BMI was reduced 1.79 at the end of the 6 weeks, a significant loss (p\u3c0.01). Body fat in this group was reduced by 5.87 percent, the average girth at the showed an average loss in circumference of 5.9 cm over the 6-week period. For the hip, the average loss in circumference was 6.28 cm, for the thigh the average loss in circumference in the investigational group was 5.0 cm, and for the upper arm reduced girth by 2.61 cm. For strength for the investigational group, for the abdominals the increase was 11.3 Kg, for the leg it was 6.0 kg and for the arm it was 4.8 kg. All of these increases were significant (p\u3c0.01). The basal metabolic rate, in the investigational group after the 6 weeks increased to 31.1 cc/kg lean body mass. The fat burning doubled in the investigational group. In conclusion, subjects slept better, had high oxygen saturation and better strength and excellent weight and fat loss with this program