PHYSICAL FITNESS VARIABLES REQUIRED FOR PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

This study undertaken to identify which physical fitness variables are involved while pre-service primary teachers (PSPT) perform their teaching-learning activity. A qualitative research approach was adopted in this study. Ten classes of PSPT were observed during their internship program. During observations it was documented that PSPT were unknowingly engaged themselves in different physical movements such as- sit-ups, bending, squatting, sitting, standing, sitting on toes, hand raise, walking, dancing movements, and neck movements etc. All of these physical movements everyone performs on regular basis but with quite less frequency and intensity. Those who engaged in teaching-learning process have to do these movements in higher frequency and intensity as observed by the investigator. Consequences of increased frequency and intensity of these movements are physical and mental fatigue which subsequently hampers the performance of PSPT. As every movement is associated with different physical fitness variables, thus a matching exercise with consultation of experts was performed. The most dominant variables were identified as- strength endurance of legs, shoulders, back and calf; flexibility of hip, cervical, spine and shoulders; and coordination of leg & hand.  Article visualizations

Comparison of muscle activity in the empty-can and full-can testing positions using F-18-FDG PET/CT

BACKGROUND: There has been much controversy over specific tests for diagnosis of supraspinatus tendon tear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic activity of the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles while maintaining the full-can and empty-can testing positions using 2-deoxy-2-[18 F]fluoro-D-glucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers without shoulder pain or diabetes mellitus participated in this study. Following FDG injection, both arms were maintained in either the empty-can or full-can position for 10 min. PET/CT was performed 40 min after injection. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs) were measured in the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles on axial PET images. RESULTS: The middle deltoid exhibited the most significant increase in muscle activity at both testing positions. Additionally, a significant increase in muscle activity was observed in the middle deltoid compared with the supraspinatus (P < 0.05) in the empty-can testing position. SUVs of the middle deltoid, supraspinatus, and subscapularis showed a significant increase in the empty-can testing position compared with the full-can testing position (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Significantly increased activity of the supraspinatus in conjunction with the middle deltoid and subscapularis after empty-can testing may result in decreased specificity of the empty-can test in detecting isolated supraspinatus activity. The full-can test, however, may be used to test the function of the supraspinatus with the least amount of surrounding middle deltoid and subscapularis activity

Electromyographic Analysis of the Shoulder Girdle Musculature during External Rotation Exercises

Background: Implementation of overhead activity, a key component of many professional sports, requires an effective and balanced activation of shoulder girdle muscles particularly during forceful external rotation motions. Purpose: The study aimed to identify activation strategies of 16 shoulder girdle muscles/muscle segments during common shoulder external rotational exercises. Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study Method: EMG was recorded in 30 healthy subjects from 16 shoulder girdle muscles/muscle segments (surface electrode: anterior, middle and posterior deltoid, upper, middle and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, teres major, upper and lower latissimus dorsi, upper and lower pectoralis major; fine wire electrodes: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and rhomboid major) using a telemetric EMG system. Five external rotation (ER) exercises (standing ER at 0o and 90o of abduction, and with under-arm towel roll, prone ER at 90o of abduction, side-lying ER with under-arm towel) were studied. Exercise EMG amplitudes were normalised to EMGmax (EMG at maximal ER force in a standard position). Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc analysis applied on EMG activity of each muscle to assess the main effect of exercise condition. Results: Muscular activity differed significantly among the ER exercises (P<0.05 – P<0.001). The highest activation for anterior and middle deltoid, supraspinatus, upper trapezius, and serratus anterior occurred during standing ER at 90o of abduction; for posterior deltoid, middle trapezius, and rhomboid during side-lying ER at 0° of abduction; for lower trapezius, upper and lower latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, and teres major during prone ER at 90o of abduction, and for clavicular and sternal part of pectoralis major during standing ER with Under-Arm Towel. Conclusion: Key glenohumeral and scapular muscles can be optimally activated during the specific ER exercises particularly in positions that stimulate athletic overhead motions. Clinical Relevance: These results enable sport medicine professionals to target specific muscles during shoulder rehabilitation protocols while minimising the effect of others, providing a foundation for optimal evidence-based exercise prescription. They also provide information for tailored muscle training and injury prevention in overhead sports

An Electromyographic Study of the Shoulder Musculature during Codman\u27s Exercises

Codman\u27s exercises are commonly used in physical therapy as a supposed passive shoulder activity to help increase range of motion without causing detrimental damage to the injured tissue or surgical graft. These mild shoulder exercises are often the first exercises used post- operatively. Some clinicians often add a weight to the hand or wrist with the assumption that the distraction will decrease the impingement between the acromion and the shoulder musculature while performing these exercises. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of muscle activity within the shoulder musculature during Codman\u27s exercises with and without the addition of a weight. Ten healthy, male students from the University of North Dakota volunteered to participate in the study. The electromyographic (EMG) activity was collected during trials of Cod man\u27s exercise with and without a cuff weight from the following muscles: anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, posterior deltoid, triceps, biceps, and supraspinatus using surface electrodes. Performing Codman\u27s exercises with and without a two pound weight showed minimal muscular activity. No significant differences were found between the activity without a weight and with a weight. Codman\u27s exercise was shown to produce minimal muscular activity; however, it is important for therapists to know the correct technique and to know how to adequately explain and demonstrate Codman\u27s exercise to their patients. Further research is needed in this area to compare the muscle activity during Codman\u27s exercise with muscle activity during other passive activities

An Overview of Multidirectional Instability of the Shoulder

Multidirectional instability (MOl) of the shoulder is an increasingly recognized clinical entity to physical therapists, yet it remains poorly defined and not fully understood. The clinical importance of correct diagnosis is necessary for rehabilitation and surgical procedures. The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of MOl and its importance in the field of physical therapy. General anatomy will be presented with attention given to biomechanics which may lead to this pathology. Etiological factors will be discussed including symptoms and proper diagnostic procedures for instability. Finally, treatment of multidirectional instability will be reviewed with a focus on proprioceptive exercises for the shoulder complex. This literature review will give physical therapists an in-depth look at MOl of the shoulder. This review may also promote further research to determine the most beneficial physical therapy rehabilitation program for multidirectional instability

The Effectiveness of an Elementary School Chair Design to Ensure Ease of Mobility

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Indonesian elementary school chair modification and to determine the proper holding position when transporting chairs during class activities for children aged 6-8 years old. Participants included 14 healthy, right-handed Indonesian and Japanese children. The effectiveness of the modification was examined by comparing the original chair (OR) and modified chairs (MD), first in the lower (LHP) and second in the higher (HHP) holding positions using three measurements, namely task time, using an electromyography (EMG) technique while carrying a chair, and measuring success rates for proper lifting and turning a chair methods. The use of the chair (MD and LHP) significantly reduced task time and significantly decreased the activity of the middle fiber of the deltoid muscle. However, for lifting and turning a chair onto a desk, these strategies did not eliminate the influence of excessive chair weight and discouraged easy task completion

Patterns of muscle coordination during dynamic glenohumeral joint elevation: An EMG study

The shoulder relies heavily on coordinated muscle activity for normal function owing to its limited osseous constraint. However, previous studies have failed to examine the sophisticated interrelationship between all muscles. It is essential for these normal relationships to be defined as a basis for understanding pathology. Therefore, the primary aim of the study was to investigate shoulder inter-muscular coordination during different planes of shoulder elevation. Twenty healthy subjects were included. Electromyography was recorded from 14 shoulder girdle muscles as subjects performed shoulder flexion, scapula plane elevation, abduction and extension. Cross-correlation was used to examine the coordination between different muscles and muscle groups. Significantly higher coordination existed between the rotator cuff and deltoid muscle groups during the initial (Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) = 0.79) and final (PCC = 0.74) stages of shoulder elevation compared to the mid-range (PCC = 0.34) (p = 0.020–0.035). Coordination between the deltoid and a functional adducting group comprising the latissimus dorsi and teres major was particularly high (PCC = 0.89) during early shoulder elevation. The destabilising force of the deltoid, during the initial stage of shoulder elevation, is balanced by the coordinated activity of the rotator cuff, latissimus dorsi and teres major. Stability requirements are lower during the mid-range of elevation. At the end-range of movement the demand for muscular stability again increases and higher coordination is seen between the deltoid and rotator cuff muscle groups. It is proposed that by appreciating the sophistication of normal shoulder function targeted evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for conditions such as subacromial impingement syndrome or shoulder instability can be developed

Glenohumeral contact forces and muscle forces evaluated in wheelchair-related activities of daily living in able-bodied subjects versus subjects with paraplegia and tetraplegia

Objective: To estimate the differences in glenohumeral contact forces and shoulder muscle forces between able-bodied subjects and subjects with paraplegia and tetraplegia during wheelchair-related activities of daily living (ADLs). Design: Kinematics and external forces were measured during wheelchair ADLs (level propulsion, weight-relief lifting, reaching) and processed by using an inverse dynamics 3-dimensional biomechanical model. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Participants: Five able-bodied subjects, 8 subjects with paraplegia, and 4 subjects with tetraplegia (N=17). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Glenohumeral contact forces and shoulder muscle forces. Results: Peak contact forces were significantly higher for weight-relief lifting compared with reaching and level propulsion (P Conclusions: Glenohumeral contact forces were significantly higher for weight-relief lifting and highest over the 3 tasks for the tetraplegia group. Without taking paralysis into account, more muscle force was estimated for the subjects with tetraplegia during weight-relief lifting. (c) 2005 by American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation