The effects of ankle foot orthoses on the gait pattern of stroke patients with equines deformity of the foot

Background: Following a stroke many patients develop a deformity of the foot referred to as equmus deformity. Equmus deformity is commonly treated by prescribing an ankle foot orthosis (AFO). Few studies have assessed the effects of wearing AFOs or the effects of different types of leaf forms of AFOs on hemiplegic gait. Aim To establish the effects of an equmus deformity of the foot on gait and to examine the effect of wearing AFOs on hemiplegic gait. Methods: 30 normal subjects (Ngroup), 10 normal subject’s age matched with the stroke group (NAMgroup) and 23 stroke patients with equmus deformity of the foot (Sgroup) were recruited to participate in this study. The kinematics and kinetics of each subject’s gait were analysed using a Vicon Motion Analysis system and two AMTI forceplates [250Hz]. Gait was assessed under the conditions of walking 1) without an ankle foot orthosis, 2) with an anterior leaf AFO, and 3) with a posterior leaf AFO. Statistical analyses were carried out using repeated measures ANOVA, correlations and a cluster analysis The p value was set at 0 05. Results: The gait pattern of the Sgroup were described and found to be nonhomogeneous and consisted of three distinct patterns. Only one subgroup (SGI) had significantly improved gait with the wearing of an AFO SGI had the more normalised gait pattern prior to wear of an AFO m comparison to the other two subgroups, having a greater walking speed, stride and step length. Furthermore, this study identified that different leaf forms of AFOs have different effects on joint angular kinematics. Wearing an AFO did not significantly decrease oxygen uptake, energy cost or COM displacement of the Sgroup. Conclusion: The results of this study will aid in improved prescription of AFOs to stroke patients with equmus deformity of the foot. The results of this study would also suggest that wearing AFOs has no significant effect on energy expenditure

Reliability of Sprint Acceleration Performance and Three Repetition Maximum Back Squat Strength in Hurling Players

The purpose of this study was to estimate the inter-day reliability of 5, 10 and 20-meter sprint time and three repetition maximum back squat strength in male hurling players. Eighteen male hurling players volunteered to participate and performed 20- meter sprint trials and a three repetition maximum back squat strength test at each test session, on three separate occasions, a minimum of 48 hours apart. Participants performed three sprints over 20-meters, including split times at 5 and 10-meters. The three repetition back squat strength test was performed after the sprint test. The results displayed acceptable levels of reliability for sprint performance times (Intra class correlation coefficient single measure range: 0.76-0.89; Coefficient of variance range: 1.0 – 2.0%) and absolute and relative three repetition maximum back squat strength (Intra class correlation coefficient single measure: 0.98; CV 0.8%). Furthermore, sprint performance times and three repetition maximum back squat strength measures estimated feasible minimum a priori sample sizes from limits of agreement (5-meter:0.01 ± 0.08 s; 10-meter:-0.01 ± 0.12; 20-meter:-0.007 ± 0.15s; three repetition maximum (kg): 1.11 ± 4.19kg; three repetition maximum (kg/BW): 0.01 ± 0.06) random error therefore showing acceptable reliability. Sprint performance over 5, 10 and 20-meters and three repetition maximum back squat strength are reliable measures in male hurling players and can be used to estimate feasible minimum a priori sample sizes for sport science research

The Reliability of Countermovement Jump Performance and the Reactive Strength Index in Identifying Drop-Jump Drop Height in Hurling Players

The purpose of this study was to estimate the inter-day reliability of countermovement jump performance (CMJ) and the reactive strength index (RSI) in identifying drop-jump drop height in male hurling players. Eighteen male hurling players volunteered to participate. Subjects performed the CMJ and drop-jump test for RSI during the same sessions on three separate occasions a minimum of 48 hours apart. Subjects performed three CMJs and two drop-jumps from five different heights in an incremental manner (0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60 m). The results displayed acceptable levels of relative and absolute reliability for the following CMJ measures: height, velocity, force, power and average eccentric rate of force development measures (RFD). Absolute and relative peak concentric rate of force development from the CMJ test were found to have low levels of absolute reliability due to high CV% values. RSI and identified drop height from the drop-jump test displayed acceptable reliability (ICC single measure = 0.88 and 0.92 respectively; CV% = 6% and 10% respectively). Furthermore, limits of agreement random error displayed acceptable reliability for CMJ and drop-jump measures from estimated feasible minimum a priori sample sizes based upon limits of agreement. In conclusion, CMJ force-time measures (excluding peak concentric RFD measures), RSI and the identified drop height have acceptable absolute and relative reliability. For the sport science practitioner involved in hurling and for hurling players, this means that the CMJ test is reliable for kinetic and kinematic variables and the drop-jump test provides a means of developing a reactive strength profile and a means of individualizing drop height for drop-jump training

Neuromuscular and Bounce Drop-Jump Responses to Different Inter-Repetition Rest Intervals during A Composite Training Session in Hurling Players

The purposes of this study were to a) compare a 4-min to an 8-min rest interval between composite training (jump-sprint combination) repetitions in a single session to allow for the recovery of neuromuscular and bounce drop-jump (BDJ) performance and b) investigate if super compensation would occur after 168hrs of rest. Twelve players were randomly assigned to either a 4-min or an 8-min rest interval group. Participants first completed a BDJ test to identify individual BDJ drop heights followed by a 20m sprint test. Seventy-two hours later, a composite training session of two repetitions (three BDJs followed by a 20m sprint after a 15s rest) with either a 4-min or an 8-min rest interval was performed. A three repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength test, a BDJ, countermovement jump (CMJ) and a sprint performance test were completed 10-mins pre- and immediately post-session, and 168 hrs post-session. CMJ force (8-min group) and BDJ (height and reactive strength index (RSI)) measures decreased significantly post-session (4-min and 8-min groups; P ≤ 0.05). Pre-session to 168 hrs post-session, relative 3RM back squat strength and 20m sprint performance increased significantly for the 4-min group only (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, a 4-min composite training inter-repetition rest interval leads to a significant decline in BDJ measures (RSI and jump height) which may act as fatigue markers for monitoring. However, 4-mins provides sufficient recovery during the session which, in conjunction with 168 hrs of recovery, causes super compensation in neuromuscular performance in hurling players

The effects of a 16-week school-based exercise program on anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder

Physical activity interventions have been shown to decrease anxiety in children with ASD. There is little known regarding the effects of an exercise program on anxiety in both home and school settings and the optimal dosage to reduce anxiety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 16-week exercise program on the anxiety levels of children with moderate to severe symptoms of ASD in home and school settings, and to compare the effects at 8 and 16 weeks. This study was a within-subject, non-controlled design, intervention study. Twenty-four children (5−18 years) with moderate to severe ASD were included. A school-based exercise program was implemented three days a week for 16 weeks. Parents and teachers completed the Anxiety Scale for Children for ASD (ASC-ASD) at baseline, week 8, and week 16. A one-way repeated-measure ANOVA with post hoc analysis using Bonferroni adjustment was used to test for a significant effect for time (p 0.05), with Cohen’s d used to calculate the effect size. For teacher-reported anxiety, there were significant decreases from baseline to week 16 for total ASC-ASD (p 0.001), performance anxiety (p 0.001), anxious arousal (p 0.001), and uncertainty (p 0.001). There was no significant decrease in parent-reported anxiety. The findings demonstrate that a 16-week exercise program can reduce anxiety in children with ASD in school settings. Results demonstrate that 16 weeks, as opposed to 8, may be necessary to have a significant effect on in-school anxiety

Potentiating Response to Drop-Jump Protocols on Sprint Acceleration: Drop-Jump Volume and Intrarepetition Recovery Duration

The purpose of this study was to investigate the postactivation potentiation response first to bounce drop jump (BDJ) volume; second, BDJ intrarepetition recovery duration and recovery duration between BDJs and 20-meter (including 5- and 10-m split times) sprint performance. The study was undertaken in 2 parts, the first part compared different volumes of BDJs and the second part compared different BDJ intrarepetition recovery periods. The effect of recovery periods between the BDJs and the subsequent 20-m sprints was examined in both parts 1 and 2 (15 seconds, 4, 8, and 12 minutes). Fourteen (mean ± SD: age = 20.83 ± 1.26 years; height = 1.77 ± 0.04 m; and mass = 74.89 ± 6.07 kg) (part 1) and 15 (mean ± SD: age = 20.64 ± 1.00 years; height = 1.78 ± 0.06 m; and mass = 75.67 ± 6.28 kg) (part 2) male collegiate and club hurling players volunteered to participate. A randomized cross-over design was used to compare BDJ volumes (1, 2, and 3 sets of 3 repetitions) and BDJ intrarepetition recovery time (15 vs. 60 seconds) after a warm-up followed by 2 baseline 20-m sprints. The results in part 1 reported a significant improvement in 5- and 10-m sprint time for 1 set of 3 BDJs between baseline and 4 minutes (5 m: −2.34%, p = 0.04, effect size [ES] = −0.043; 10 m: −1.42%, p = 0.03, ES = −0.35), and baseline and 12 minutes (5 m: −3.33%, p = 0.03, ES = −0.57; 10 m: −2.13%, p = 0.01, ES = −0.52). Part 2 reported a significant improvement in 5-m sprint time between baseline and 15 seconds (5 m: −3.38%, p = 0.01, ES = −0.83; 10 m: −2.07%, p = 0.02, ES = −0.58) after the BDJs. The findings support the use of 1 set of 3 BDJs using a 15-second intrarepetition recovery period to maximize 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint performance after 15 seconds of recovery after the final BDJ in hurling players. The acute response to this BDJ protocol proves to be time efficient and effective in acutely improving sprint acceleration

Exercise Programming for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendations for Strength and Conditioning Specialists

The purpose of this article is to introduce strength and conditioning specialists to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to identify the many benefits of delivering exercise programs to children with ASD. Additionally, the manuscript aims to inform strength and conditioning specialists on how to minimize some of the inherent challenges associated with the delivery of such programs by highlighting critical issues for practitioners to consider when designing and implementing exercise programs for children with ASD