Effects of an eight-week training programme on pain relief and physical condition of overweight and obese women with early stage primary knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common and symptomatic health problem for many middle-aged and elderly individuals and is especially common in females and overweight and obese individuals, particularly at the weight-bearing joints such as the knee. This study aimed at determining the effect of progressive and combined resistance and aerobic exercise on early primary knee osteoarthritis in overweight and obese, middle-aged and elderly females. Sixteen overweight and obese Asian females (50-64 years) with primary stages I and II knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to either an eight-week intervention (n = 8) or non-exercising control group (n = 8) and assessed in line with the requirements of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Committee in terms of pain, physical function, strength and cardiorespiratory endurance. The intervention programme resulted in significant (p . 0.05) improvements in pain and physical function score, knee extensor concentric peak torque at 120 and 180 ./seconds and six-minute walking distance. The study concludes that progressive combined resistance and aerobic exercises can impact positively on early stage primary knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly, overweight and obese females

Enhancing jump ground reaction forces in children through jump training

Plyometric training is a popular form of exercise training and is often included in exercise programmes and tests for children. As such, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of different types of plyometric jumps on jump performance in children. Forty children were randomly assigned into either one of three experimental groups: Group 1, mean age 13.80±1.23, (training based on jumps) (JUM); Group 2, mean age, 13.50±0.97 (training based on hops) (HOP); Group 3, mean age, 13.90±1.20 (training based on box drills) (BOX); Group 4, mean age 13.90±1.20 (non-exercising control group) (CON). Training lasted nine weeks. Jump ground reaction forces were assessed using: counter-movement jump (CMJ), continuous jump with bent legs (CJb) and drop jump (DJ). This study elicited significant (p≤0.05) improvements in jump height in all test jumps (CMJ, CJb and DJ) in the JUM, HOP and BOX. Furthermore, the JUM and HOP resulted in increases in jumping power during CMJ and CJb with only the BOX improving jump power during the DJ. Only the JUM resulted in significant increases in jump force during the CMJ. These improvements following simple jumps requiring minimal equipment strongly support the use of jump training to enhance athletic performance in children.Key words: Jump intervention; Plyometric training; Jump performance; Children; Stretch-shortening exercises