The Effects of Soft Tissue Flossing on Hamstring Range of Motion and Lower Extremity Power

# Background Flossing includes wrapping a specialized latex band around a muscle group providing compression, partially occluding blood flow, followed by performing exercises. This is hypothesized to improve flexibility by dissipating myofascial adhesions; however, research is lacking. # Objective To determine the effect of the application of a floss band to the thigh on hamstring flexibility and lower extremity power. # Design Crossover Study # Setting Exercise Physiology Laboratory. # Participants Twenty-one recreationally active individuals (8 male, 13 female; age = 22.62±2.99 years; height = 171.52±9.08 cm; mass = 73.57±11.37 kg). # Methods Three counterbalanced interventions were studied during body weight squats, lunges, and hamstring curls (without resistance): floss, sham, and control. The floss treatment included wrapping the Rogue Wide Voodoo Floss Band™ from the proximal knee to the gluteal fold at a pressure of 140 to 200 mmHg. The sham treatment included wrapping the same band in the same location with less pressure (10 to 40 mmHg) while the control treatment did not include floss band application. Hip flexion range of motion, via the straight leg raise, and power (single-leg vertical jump) were compared from pre-test to post-test using a 3x2 repeated measures ANOVA. # Results There was a significant interaction between time and session for hamstring flexibility (F~(2,40)~=17.54, *p*<0.001, η^2^=0.47). Post hoc tests showed significant differences between pre- (86.14±8.06 degrees) and post-test (90.81±7.69 degrees) for the floss session (*p*<0.001, Mean Difference=4.67, CI~95~=3.35-5.98) and between pre- (87.67±7.51 degrees) and post-test (89.86±7.88 degrees) for the sham session (*p*=0.001, Mean Difference=2.19, CI~95~=0.98-3.40). There were no significant interactions for jump power (F~(2,40)~=1.82, *P*=0.18, η^2^=0.08, 1-β=0.36). # Conclusions Flossing treatment increased hamstring flexibility more than the sham session without affecting lower body power. Flossing could be beneficial when treatment or performance preparation goals are increased flexibility without decreased power. Future studies should continue to examine the clinical effectiveness of flossing on an injured population

Shallow seafloor gas emissions near Heard and McDonald Islands on the Kerguelen Plateau, Southern Indian Ocean

© The Author(s), 2020. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Spain, E. A., Johnson, S. C., Hutton, B., Whittaker, J. M., Lucieer, V., Watson, S. J., Fox, J. M., Lupton, J., Arculus, R., Bradney, A., & Coffin, M. F. Shallow seafloor gas emissions near Heard and McDonald Islands on the Kerguelen Plateau, Southern Indian Ocean. Earth and Space Science, 7(3), (2020): e2019EA000695, doi:10.1029/2019EA000695.Bubble emission mechanisms from submerged large igneous provinces remains enigmatic. The Kerguelen Plateau, a large igneous province in the southern Indian Ocean, has a long sustained history of active volcanism and glacial/interglacial cycles of sedimentation, both of which may cause seafloor bubble production. We present the results of hydroacoustic flare observations around the underexplored volcanically active Heard Island and McDonald Islands on the Central Kerguelen Plateau. Flares were observed with a split‐beam echosounder and characterized using multifrequency decibel differencing. Deep‐tow camera footage, water properties, water column δ3He, subbottom profile, and sediment δ13C and δ34S data were analyzed to consider flare mechanisms. Excess δ3He near McDonald Islands seeps, indicating mantle‐derived input, suggests proximal hydrothermal activity; McDonald Islands flares may thus indicate CO2, methane, and other minor gas bubbles associated with shallow diffuse hydrothermal venting. The Heard Island seep environment, with subbottom acoustic blanking in thick sediment, muted 3He signal, and δ13C and δ34S fractionation factors, suggest that Heard Island seeps may either be methane gas (possibly both shallow biogenic methane and deeper‐sourced thermogenic methane related to geothermal heat from onshore volcanism) or a combination of methane and CO2, such as seen in sediment‐hosted geothermal systems. These data provide the first evidence of submarine gas escape on the Central Kerguelen Plateau and expand our understanding of seafloor processes and carbon cycling in the data‐poor southern Indian Ocean. Extensive sedimentation of the Kerguelen Plateau and additional zones of submarine volcanic activity mean additional seeps or vents may lie outside the small survey area proximal to the islands.We thank the Australian Marine National Facility (MNF) for its support in the form of sea time on RV Investigator , support personnel, scientific equipment, and data management. We also thank the captain, crew, and fellow scientists of RV Investigator voyage IN2016_V01. We also thank specifically the following: T. Martin, F. Cooke, S. L. Sow, N. Bax, J. Ford, and F. Althaus, CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation); Echoview Software Pty. Ltd. (Hobart, Australia); C. Dietz and C. Cook, Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania; C. Wilkinson and T. Baumberger, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; R. Carey, University of Tasmania; T. Holmes, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania; N. Polmear; and A. Post, Geoscience Australia. The overall science of the project is supported by Australian Antarctic Science Program (AASP) grant 4338. E.S.' PhD research is supported by the Australian Research Council's Special Research Initiative Antarctic Gateway Partnership (Project ID SR140300001) and by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. S.C.J. is supported by iCRAG under SFI, European Regional Development Fund, and industry partners, as well as ANZIC‐IODP. J.M.W. is supported by ARC grant DE140100376 and DP180102280. This is PMEL publication number 4910. All IN2016_V01 data and samples acquired on IN2016_V01 are made publicly available in accordance with MNF policy

Mediation in the Law Curriculum

Cited by Lord Neuberger in ‘Educating Future Mediators’ at the 4th Civil Mediation Council National Conference, May 201

Shallow Seafloor Gas emissions Near Heard and McDonald Islands on the Kerguelen Plateau, Southern Indian Ocean

Bubble emission mechanisms from submerged large igneous provinces remains enigmatic. The Kerguelen Plateau, a large igneous province in the southern Indian Ocean, has a long sustained history of active volcanism and glacial/interglacial cycles of sedimentation, both of which may cause seafloor bubble production. We present the results of hydroacoustic flare observations around the underexplored volcanically active Heard Island and McDonald Islands on the Central Kerguelen Plateau. Flares were observed with a split‐beam echosounder and characterized using multifrequency decibel differencing. Deep‐tow camera footage, water properties, water column δ3He, subbottom profile, and sediment δ13C and δ34S data were analyzed to consider flare mechanisms. Excess δ3He near McDonald Islands seeps, indicating mantle‐derived input, suggests proximal hydrothermal activity; McDonald Islands flares may thus indicate CO2, methane, and other minor gas bubbles associated with shallow diffuse hydrothermal venting. The Heard Island seep environment, with subbottom acoustic blanking in thick sediment, muted 3He signal, and δ13C and δ34S fractionation factors, suggest that Heard Island seeps may either be methane gas (possibly both shallow biogenic methane and deeper‐sourced thermogenic methane related to geothermal heat from onshore volcanism) or a combination of methane and CO2, such as seen in sediment‐hosted geothermal systems. These data provide the first evidence of submarine gas escape on the Central Kerguelen Plateau and expand our understanding of seafloor processes and carbon cycling in the data‐poor southern Indian Ocean. Extensive sedimentation of the Kerguelen Plateau and additional zones of submarine volcanic activity mean additional seeps or vents may lie outside the small survey area proximal to the islandsThe overall science of the project is supported by Australian Antarctic Science Program (AASP) grant 4338. E.S.' PhD research is sup- ported by the Australian Research Council's Special Research Initiative Antarctic Gateway Partnership (Project ID SR140300001) and by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. S.C.J. is sup- ported by iCRAG under SFI, European Regional Development Fund, and industry partners, as well as ANZIC‐ IODP. J.M.W. is supported by ARC grant DE140100376 and DP18010228

Mucosal Targeting of a BoNT/A Subunit Vaccine Adjuvanted with a Mast Cell Activator Enhances Induction of BoNT/A Neutralizing Antibodies in Rabbits

We previously reported that the immunogenicity of Hcβtre, a botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) immunogen, was enhanced by fusion to an epithelial cell binding domain, Ad2F, when nasally delivered to mice with cholera toxin (CT). This study was performed to determine if Ad2F would enhance the nasal immunogenicity of Hcβtre in rabbits, an animal model with a nasal cavity anatomy similar to humans. Since CT is not safe for human use, we also tested the adjuvant activity of compound 48/80 (C48/80), a mast cell activating compound previously determined to safely exhibit nasal adjuvant activity in mice.New Zealand White or Dutch Belted rabbits were nasally immunized with Hcβtre or Hcβtre-Ad2F alone or combined with CT or C48/80, and serum samples were tested for the presence of Hcβtre-specific binding (ELISA) or BoNT/A neutralizing antibodies.Hcβtre-Ad2F nasally administered with CT induced serum anti-Hcβtre IgG ELISA and BoNT/A neutralizing antibody titers greater than those induced by Hcβtre + CT. C48/80 provided significant nasal adjuvant activity and induced BoNT/A-neutralizing antibodies similar to those induced by CT.Ad2F enhanced the nasal immunogenicity of Hcβtre, and the mast cell activator C48/80 was an effective adjuvant for nasal immunization in rabbits, an animal model with a nasal cavity anatomy similar to that in humans

Bone mass of female dance students prior to professional dance training: A cross-sectional study

Article Authors Metrics Comments Related Content Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusions Acknowledgments References Reader Comments (0) Media Coverage (0) Figures Abstract Background Professional dancers are at risk of developing low bone mineral density (BMD). However, whether low BMD phenotypes already exist in pre-vocational dance students is relatively unknown. Aim To cross-sectionally assess bone mass parameters in female dance students selected for professional dance training (first year vocational dance students) in relation to aged- and sex-matched controls. Methods 34 female selected for professional dance training (10.9yrs ±0.7) and 30 controls (11.1yrs ±0.5) were examined. Anthropometry, pubertal development (Tanner) and dietary data (3-day food diary) were recorded. BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) at forearm, femur neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) were assessed using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. Volumetric densities were estimated by calculating bone mineral apparent density (BMAD). Results Dancers were mainly at Tanner pubertal stage I (vs. stage IV in controls, p<0.001), and demonstrated significantly lower body weight (p<0.001) and height (p<0.01) than controls. Calorie intake was not different between groups, but calcium intake was significantly greater in dancers (p<0.05). Dancers revealed a significantly lower BMC and BMD values at all anatomical sites (p<0.001), and significantly lower BMAD values at the LS and FN (p<0.001). When adjusted for covariates (body weight, height, pubertal development and calcium intake), dance students continued to display a significantly lower BMD and BMAD at the FN (p<0.05; p<0.001) at the forearm (p<0.01). Conclusion Before undergoing professional dance training, first year vocational dance students demonstrated inferior bone mass compared to controls. Longitudinal models are required to assess how bone health-status changes with time throughout professional training

The mode of school transportation in pre-pubertal children does not influence the accrual of bone mineral or the gain in bone size - two year prospective data from the paediatric osteoporosis preventive (POP) study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Walking and cycling to school are one source of regular physical activity. The aim of this two years observational study in pre-pubertal children was to evaluate if walking and cycling to school was associated with higher total amount of physical activity and larger gain in bone mineral content (BMC) and bone width than when going by car or bus.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>133 boys and 99 girls aged 7-9 years were recruited to the Malmö Prospective Paediatric Osteoporosis Prevention (POP) study. BMC (g) was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in total body, lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femoral neck (FN) at baseline and after 24 months. Bone width was measured in L2-L4 and FN. Skeletal changes in the 57 boys and 48 girls who consistently walked or cycled to school were compared with the 24 boys and 17 girls who consistently went by bus or car. All children remained in Tanner stage I. Level of everyday physical activity was estimated by accelerometers worn for four consecutive days and questionnaires. Comparisons were made by independent student's t-tests between means and Fisher's exact tests. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to adjust for group differences in age at baseline, duration of organized physical activity, annual changes in length and BMC or bone width if there were differences in these traits at baseline.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After the adjustments, there were no differences in the annual changes in BMC or bone width when comparing girls or boys who walked or cycled to school with those who went by car or bus. Furthermore, there were no differences in the levels of everyday physical activity objectively measured by accelerometers and all children reached above the by the United Kingdom Expert Consensus Group recommended level of 60 minutes moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A physical active transportation to school for two years is in pre-pubertal children not associated with a higher accrual of BMC or bone width than a passive mode of transportation, possibly due to the fact that the everyday physical activity in these pre-pubertal children, independent of the mode of school transportation, was high.</p