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

Four Weeks of 16:8 Time-Restricted Feeding on Stress, Sleep, Quality of Life, Hunger Level, and Body Composition in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study on Wellness Optimization

Introduction: Sustainable methods of dietary lifestyle changes are essential to long term weight loss maintenance and enhancement in overall health and wellness. A novel modified alternative method to caloric restriction is Time-Restricted Feeding (TRF), a sub-type of Intermittent Fasting. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effect of four weeks of TRF (without caloric deficit) on body composition, stress levels, sleep quality, hunger level, and quality of life. Methods: Sixteen participants, 9 males and 7 females, mean age 34.0 ± 11.7 years, completed the four-week protocol. Fasting program was 16 hours from the time of last meal of the evening to start of first meal the following day. Participants were required to consume their normal daily caloric intake within an 8-hour period. Results: There were significant reductions in mean body fat percentage (26.2±2.4 vs. 25.5±2.6, p=0.01), visceral fat (cm2) (98.2±15.3 vs. 94.1±15.7, p=0.003), body fat mass (kg) (21.6±3.0 vs. 21.0±3.2, p= 0.02), trunk fat (kg) (11.5±1.6 vs. 11.0±1.6, p=0.001) and stress levels (14.1±1.9 vs. 11.0±1.4, p=0.03). There was a significant drop in hunger levels over time (χ2 = 16.4, p=0.001). There were no significant changes in sleep quality or quality of life. Conclusion: TRF may be an effective option to decrease stress, body fat, visceral fat, and obesity-related diseases while not disrupting sleep quality and Quality of Life. Our pilot study demonstrated potential health benefits that could be incorporated by healthcare workers into whole-person wellness programs

Effect of Tai Chi Exercise Combined with Mental Imagery Theory in Improving Balance in a Diabetic and Elderly Population

BACKGROUND: One of the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM), peripheral neuropathy, affects the sensation in the feet and can increase the chance of falling. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of Tai Chi (TC) training combined with mental imagery (MI) on improving balance in people with diabetes and an age matched control group.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen healthy subjects and 12 diabetic sedentary subjects ranging from 40–80 years of age were recruited. All subjects in both groups attended a Yang style of TC class using MI strategies, 2 sessions a week for 8 weeks. Each session was one hour long. Measures were taken using a balance platform test, an Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, a one leg standing test (OLS), functional reach test (FRT) and hemoglobin A1C. These measures were taken twice, pre and post-study, for both groups.RESULTS: Both groups experienced significant improvements in ABC, OLS, FRT (P\u3c0.01) after completing 8 weeks of TC exercise with no significant improvement between groups. Subjects using the balance platform test demonstrated improvement in balance in all different tasks with no significant change between groups. There was no significant change in HbA1C for the diabetic group.CONCLUSIONS: All results showed an improvement in balance in the diabetic and the control groups; however, no significant difference between the groups was observed. Since the DM group had more problems with balance impairment at baseline than the control, the diabetic group showed the most benefit from the TC exercise

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

ケンジョウジン ニオケル GAZE STABILITY EXERCISE ノ コウカ ジュウシン ドウヨウ ト ドウタイ シリョク デノ ケントウ

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of gaze stability exercises on healthy young subjects. Subjects were randomly divided into experimental （n=28） and control groups （n=13）. The experimental group performed gaze stability exercise for three weeks and the control group did not. Pre and post body sway during quiet standing, standing with neck rotation, and dynamic visual acuity were measured on both groups. RESULTS: The results showed significant differences in body sway during standing with neck rotation and dynamic visual acuity in the experimental group （p<0.01. No significant differences were found in body sway and dynamic visual acuity in the control group.） DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These improvements in postural stability and dynamic visual acuity after three weeks of gaze stability exercises suggest improved neural adaptation of the vestibular nuclear complex and cerebellum, as well as enhanced central pre-programming. These results of this study suggest that gaze stability exercises may be beneficial for healthy young adults, and these data may be adapted to elderly or sports fields in further study

Effect of Monophasic Pulsed Current on Heel Pain and Functional Activities Caused by Plantar Fasciitis

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a soft tissue disorder considered to be one of the most common causes of inferior heel pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of monophasic pulsed current (MPC) and MPC coupled with plantar fascia-specific stretching exercises (SE) on the treatment of PF. Material and Methods: Forty-four participants (22 women and 22 men, with a mean age of 49 years) diagnosed with PF were randomly assigned to receive MPC (n=22) or MPC coupled with plantar fascia-specific SE (n=22). Prior to and after 4 weeks of treatment, participants underwent baseline evaluation; heel pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), heel tenderness threshold was quantified using a handheld pressure algometer (PA), and functional activities level was assessed using the Activities of Daily Living subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (ADL/FAAM). Results: Heel pain scores showed a significant reduction in both groups compared to baseline VAS scores (P Conclusions: This trial showed that MPC is useful in treating inferior heel symptoms caused by PF

The Feigned Annoyance and Frustration Test to Activate the Sympathoadrenal Medullary System

When perceived as threatening, social interactions have been shown to trigger the sympathoadrenal medullary system as well as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis resulting in a physiologic stress response. The allostatic load placed on human health and physiology in the context of acute and chronic stress can have profound health consequences. The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol for a lab-based stress stimulus using social-evaluative threat. While several valid, stress-stimulating protocols exist, we sought to develop one that triggered a physiologic response, did not require significant lab resources, and could be completed in around 10 min. We included 53 participants (29 men and 24 women) and exposed them to a modified version of the Stroop Color-Word Interference Task during which the participants were made to feel they were performing the task poorly while the lead researcher feigned annoyance and frustration. After exposure to this Feigned Annoyance and Frustration (FAF) Test, both the men and women in this study demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful increase in subjective stress on the visual analog scale. Additionally, the men in this study demonstrated a statistically significant increase in heart rate and salivary α-amylase concentrations after exposure to the test. The women in this study did not demonstrate a statistically significant increase in the physiologic stress biomarkers. This protocol for the FAF Test shows promise to researchers with limited time and resources who are interested in experimentally activating the sympathoadrenal medullary system

EFFECTS OF WEARING HEADSCARVES ON CERVICAL SPINE MOBILITY

Background: Cervical spine provides three-dimensional movements of the head on the body while keeping the horizontality of visual gaze. Thus, cervical range of motion (ROM) is an important assessment that is commonly used in clinical practice. The headscarf is commonly used attire by females in Islamic cultures. The study aimed to investigate the effect of wearing headscarves on cervical ROM in females who wear headscarves compared with females who don’t wear headscarves. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fifty-two females with mean age 28.1±3.1 years were divided into two groups: Headscarf group (n=26) and no-scarf group (n=26). Cervical Range of Motion Device was used to measure cervical spine range of motion in a seated position for flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion, right rotation and left the rotation. Results: The headscarf group reported a significant limitation in cervical ROM in all six directions. Moreover, females in the headscarf group who wore the headscarf for more or equal to 6 hours had significantly less left rotation compared to those who wear it for less than 6 hours (71.3±2.1 vs. 64.5±2.1, η2=2.2; p=0.045). No significant differences in mean ROM by age at onset of wearing a headscarf (≤12 years vs. > 12 years) or a number of years worn (≤15 years vs. > 15 years) were detected (p>0.05). Conclusion: Wearing the headscarf may influence cervical ROM. Also, six hours or more of daily wear may result in further decline of cervical ROM

コウレイシャ ノ バランス シジ ヨウソ ニ オイテ カンカクキ ガ オヨボス エイキョウ

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the postural control on different conditions in health elder. METHOD: Twenty-four healthy older adults without history of neurological disease or falls participated in this study. Postural control was measured using the NeuroCom Equi-testR to examine the 6 different conditions; （1） eyes open with no movement of the support surface and visual surround, （2） eyes closed with no movement of support surface, （3） eyes open with a sway referenced visual surround and no movement of support surface, （4） eyes open with a sway referenced support surface and no movement of visual surround, （5） eyes closed with a sway referenced support surface, （6） eyes open with both a sway referenced support surface and a sway referenced visual surround. RESULT: The healthy elderly showed that postural control was unstable in condition 4 and 5 compared with condition 1 in static visual condition. Moreover, the postural control was unstable in condition 6 compared with condition 1 and 3 in dynamic visual situation. CONCLUSION: Vestibular and somatosensory systems were more important than visual system for maintaining the stable posture in healthy elderly

ジャクネンシャ ト コウレイシャ ノ シセイ セイギョジ ニ オケル クウカンテキ シンタイ ドウヨウ ノ ケントウ

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activation using electromyography （EMG）, postural control using computerized dynamic posturography （CDP） and spatioal body movements using accelerometery in different conditions in healthy young and older adults. METHOD: Nine healthy young adults and eight healthy older adults without history of neurological disease or falls participated in this study. Postural control was measured using the NeuroCom Equi-test CDP in 6 different conditions. Spatial body movements were measured by an accelerometer placed on the top of subject\u27s head, sacrum and lateral knee joint. RESULTS: Compared to the young adults, healthy older adults had lower postural control scores in conditions 2, 5 and 6; spatial body movements were larger in forward-backward direction during condition 5 and in vertical direction during condition 6. EMG of Tibialis Anterior, Stenocreidmastoid and Rectus Abdominals in the older adults were more activated. CONCLUSION: Young adults were able to maintain better postural control with lower muscle activation compared to older adults