Shoulder muscle electromyographic activity and stiffness in patients with frozen shoulder syndrome: six-month follow-up study

This study evaluated changes in shoulder muscle isometric endurance, deltoideus and trapezius muscle electromyographic activity (EMG) and stiffness in patients with frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS) before and after manipulation under general anaesthesia (MUA). Eighteen FSS patients with mean age of 53±9 years participated. Isometric endurance of shoulder muscles was characterized by endurance test time and deltoideus and trapezius muscles EMG activity that were assessed by electromyograph during weight holding in hand until exhaustion. Stiffness of deltoideus and trapezius muscles was assessed by myotonometer (MYOTON-3). Patients were screened by self-administered shoulder rating questionnaire (SRQ). Data was collected before one and six months after MUA. Six months aft er MUA endurance test time remained reduced (p<0.05) for the involved extremity as compared with the uninvolved extremity. Deltoideus and trapezius muscle EMG activity decreased (p<0.05) at the end of the endurance test, whereas in the beginning of the endurance test the trapezius muscle EMG was lower (p<0.05) for the involved extremity. Deltoideus and trapezius muscle stiffness did not differ (p<0.05). SRQ score points decreased (p<0.05) one and six months aft er MUA. In conclusion, six months after MUA the shoulder muscle EMG activity and stiffness for the involved extremity was normalized in patients with FSS

Range of motion and pain intensity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in women with hallux valgus deformation after two-month home exercise programme

Hallux Valgus (HV) (also Hallux abducto valgus) is a common deformity of the foot, which causes pain, inflammation and decreased joint mobility in the big toe. There are no universally accepted protocols for treating advanced phase HV, corrective surgery seems to be the most common direction of curing advanced HV deformation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of two-month home exercise programme (HEP) on joint mobility and pain of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP-joint) in women with advanced phase HV deformation. Seven women with mean age 55.6±2.9 years with advanced phase HV deformation (first MTP-joint angle more than 20 degrees) participated in the study. Foot pain in different conditions was assessed with modified Foot Function Index's (FFI) pain subscale before and after HEP. Passive range of motion (PROM) of flexion and extension of the first MTP-joint was measured before and after HEP using a standard mechanical goniometer. A significant increase (p<0.001) in the passive extension of the first MTP-joint was noted after HEP compared with the joint mobility before HEP, also passive flexion increased considerably but no significant difference was noted (p>0.05). Foot pain score decreased significantly (p<0.05) after HEP. In conclusion, in advanced phase HV two-month HEP was an effective therapeutic approach for increasing first MTP-joint mobility and reducing foot pain

Influence of 3-month therapy using the neuro-orthopaedic suit Atlant on gait characteristics in preschool children with spastic cerebral palsy

Different kinds of physical therapy are used in medical rehabilitation of neurological patients with motor deficiency: partial body weight-supported treadmill training, driven gait orthosis, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and neuro-orthopaedic suit therapies. Neuro-orthopaedic pneumosuit (NOPS) Atlant (Dynaforce, Russia) creates a muscle framework by dynamic proprioceptive stimulation, stabilizing the trunk and the extremities, reducing pathological synergies and normalizing patient’s motor activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of 3-month therapy using the NOPS Atlant on gait characteristics in preschool children with spastic form of cerebral palsy (CP). Six CP children with spasticity of lower extremities with (mean±SE) age of 5.2±0.8 years participated in the present study. Children had NOPS Atlant therapy sessions during three months, supervised by an experienced physiotherapist. The kinematic and kinetic characteristics of gait were measured using 3-D movement analysis system Elite Clinic (BTS S.p.A., Italy). After 3-month therapy using the NOPS Atlant, significant increase (7.9%) of the stride length of gait was found as compared with the initial data. Children with spastic CP demonstrated significant improvement of range of motion of hip joint abduction, decrease of knee joint external rotation, as well as positive changes in foot progression angle during gait. In conclusion, motor function re-activation during gait in preschool children with spasticity caused by cerebral palsy was noted after 3-month therapy using the NOPS Atlant. However, future research is needed to elucidate mechanisms of neurodynamic therapy effect on motor ability in children with CP

Gait parameters of individuals with Parkinson disease decline during one-year period

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, influencing mainly elderly. The key motor factor affecting the level of participation in activities of daily living is the gait function, which is known to be progressively impaired in PD. However, gait characteristics also worsen due to normal aging. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether gait parameters decline in individuals with PD in an interval of one year compared to healthy elderly. Selected gait characteristics were recorded using 3-D optoelectronic movement analysis system ELITE in 13 patients with mild-to-moderate PD and 13 age- and gender-matched controls. Hoehn and Yahr Scale and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale were used for clinical assessment. It was found that PD patients walk with significantly shorter steps and stride and reduced gait speed. In one year, the stride length initiated with right foot and stride walk ratio further decrease in PD patients. On re-evaluation the percentages of stance, swing and double support phase differed significantly between groups. In second measurement, control subjects walked with reduced step width. It was concluded that gait speed and stride length decline in patients with PD in a period of one year, whereas no indication of deterioration of gait function is evident in healthy controls

Fourth Baltic Conference in Exercise and Sport Sciences, April 7-9, 2011, Tartu, Estonia

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Gait and muscle strength characteristics in total knee arthroplasty patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome before and six months after surgery

The aim of the present study was to investigate the gait and muscle strength characteristics in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) before and six months after surgery. Eight patients (4 men and 4 women) aged 58–77 years with PFPS following unilateral TKA who had primary degenerative knee OA participated in the study before and six months after reoperation.In patients was registered the active range of motion (AROM) of knee extension and flexion, hip abduction and adduction. Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (IMVC) force of knee flexors, extensors, abductors and adductors was measured and gait kinematic characteristics and kinetic characteristics of knee joint were recorded. Knee flexion AROM in the involved leg was significantly lower (p<0.05) as compared to the uninvolved leg pre- and post-surgery. The patients had greater (p<0.05) hip abduction AROM and significant increase (31%, p<0.05) of IMVC force of the involved legʼs hip abductors postoperatively as compared before surgery. Six months after surgery 38 H. Gapeyeva et al. a significant (p<0.05) improvement of gait spatiotemporal characteristics (increase of swing time and stride length (p<0.05), together with decrease of stance time and cadence, as well increase of stride length) was noted in the involved leg. In TKA patients 6 months after reoperation due to PFPS the knee joint function in involved leg was significantly improved and the positive changes in gait with comfortablevelocity took place as compared before surgery

Effect of home exercise programme on thigh muscle strength before total knee arthroplasty

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of home exercise programme (HEP) on thigh muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) before unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Five female OA patients with mean age 67.8±5.9 years participated in the study. Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of the quadriceps femoris (QF) and hamstring (HM) muscles was measured by hand-held dynamometry. Knee active range of motion (aROM) in flexion was measured by goniometer. Knee pain score was evaluated by knee pain scale before and after HEP.A significant reduction (p<0.05) in MVC force of the QF and HM muscles and aROM in flexion were noted before HEP, comparing the involved and uninvolved leg. After HEP, MVC force of the QF muscle increased significantly (p<0.05) for the involved and uninvolved leg, whereas no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed between the limbs. MVC force of the HM muscle and aROM in flexion remained significantly lower (p<0.05) for the involved leg as compared with the uninvolved leg after HEP. Knee pain score was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the involved leg before and after HEP as compared with the uninvolved leg.Two months before the operation, HEP was an effective therapeutic procedure for increasing QF muscle strength in patients who underwent TKA

Activity of shoulder muscles during shots of different difficulty level in more and less skilled novus players

The aim of the present study was to compare the activation of the shoulder muscles in more and less skilled novus players during shots of different difficulty level. Nineteen competitive novus players (9 more skilled and 10 less skilled) were recruited to examine bioelectrical activity of the shoulder muscles (trapezius, deltoid lateral and posterior muscles) during a striking accuracy task. Participants performed 3 series, each consisted of 10 novus shots – 10 penalties, 10 cut and 10 rebound shots. Surface EMG (sEMG) amplitude of posterior and lateral deltoid and trapezius muscle of the subjects' dominant side was measured during the shot and compared between successful versus unsuccessful shots in more skilled and less skilled players. Unsuccessful penalties and rebound strokes compared to successful ones in more and less skilled players, and unsuccessful cut shots compared to successful ones in more skilled players are characterized by higher activity in trapezius muscle. Higher activity of trapezius muscle is a characteristic feature of less skilled players' novus shots. During successful penalties, cut and rebound shots the sEMG amplitude of trapezius muscle in more skilled players was significantly lower (34%; p<0.05; 19%; p<0.001 and 60%; p<0.01, respectively) than in less skilled players

Skeletal muscle tone and motor performance characteristics in dentists as compared to controls

ArticleThe daily work tasks of dentists are associated with repeated movements and static load during the treatment of patients. Dentists’ profession includes manual dexterity and maintaining the occupational posture for a long time. Previously it has been noted that dentists have increased muscle stress in neck, shoulder and lower back regions. The aim of the present study was to compare the muscle tone and motor performance characteristics of neck and shoulder region in dentists and representatives of other professions who do not have similar static load of long-time duration (as controls). Twenty women aged 34–55 years participated in the study: ten dentists with the age (mean and SE) of 40.2 ± 3.9 years and ten controls (bookkeepers, security guards, office workers, printing house workers, laundry and dry cleaning workers) with the age of 40.9 ± 2.4 years; working period was on the average 14 years in both groups. The tone characteristics of m. trapezius and m. extensor carpi radialis were investigated by device Myoton- 2 (Müomeetria Ltd, Estonia) at rest and at maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in sitting position at the workplace of participants. The cervical range of motion (CROM) and the handgrip strength were measured. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) tone and elasticity characteristics of m. extensor carpi radialis and lower (P < 0.05) tone and elasticity characteristics of m. trapezius at rest were noted in dentists compared to controls. At MVC, no significant differences were found in the studied characteristics between body sides in the measured groups. Dentists had lower (P < 0.05) CROM of flexion and rotation than controls. In dentists emerged significant difference in muscle elasticity characteristics for the right body side, this is related with stretching for dentistry instruments

Changes in electromyographic parameters during cycling exercise at constant intensity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in surface electromyography (sEMG) parameters during 30-minute cycling exercise (250 W) at constant intensity in laboratory conditions. Ten male cyclists with the mean (±SE) age of 23.8±3.7 years participated. The sEMG power spectrum median frequency (MF) of rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and erector spinae muscles, heart rate and the subjective rate of fatigue by Borg scale were measured in the beginning, during and at the end of exercise. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of the knee extensor muscles was assessed before and after the end of exercise. A significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in sEMG power spectrum MF for erector spinae muscle at the end of exercise compared to the initial level was found, whereas the knee extensor and flexor muscles revealed no significant changes in this parameter. The subjective rate of fatigue increased moderately during the cycling exercise (p &lt; 0.05). The heart rate was stable during the exercise, remaining predominantly in the aerobic zone. After the exercise, MVC force was significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased compared to the pre-exercise level.We concluded that based on sEMG power spectrum MF, 30-minute cycling exercise at constant intensity caused a marked fatigue of erector spinae muscle with no significant fatigue-induced changes in knee extensor and flexor muscles. A marked decrease of voluntary force capacity of knee extensor muscles was found after exercise. A moderate subjectively assessed fatigue was established at the end of exercise