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

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

Evaluation of work-related neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort in female sales workers

The aim of this study was to compare neuromuscular fatigue anddiscomfort following workday in groups of sales workers, who were working predominantly in standing or sitting position. Ten female sales workers (aged 21–66 yrs), who worked predominantly in standing position (ST) and 9 female sales workers (aged 20–54 yrs), who worked predominantly in sitting position (SI) participated in this study. Neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort after the workday immediately was subjectively evaluated by 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) in neck, shoulder, low-back and leg regions. Visual-motor coordination was assessed by Grooved Pegboard test and hand grip strength for both arms was tested by hand dynamometer before and after the workday. The results indicated that after the workday, subjectively evaluated neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort in ST group was higher (p&lt;0.05) in posterior calf region compared with SI group. SI group felt subjectively significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort in shoulder region after the workday as compared to ST group. Before the workday, the Grooved Pegboard test time was shorter (p&lt;0.05) in SI group, whereas hand grip strength for right arm was higher (p&lt;0.05) in ST group. No significant workrelated changes were found in Grooved Pegboard test time and hand grip strength in the measured groups. It was concluded that following the workday, subjectively evaluated neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort was more pronounced in ST group in posterior calf region and in SI group in shoulder muscles. No significant fatigue-induced changes in visual-motor coordination and in voluntary isometric forcegeneration capacity of hand muscles were established in female sales workers following the workday

The acute effects of warm-up, static and dynamic stretching exercises on biceps brachii muscle function in female basketball players

Static and dynamic stretching exercises are often used in sports before competition and training sessions. Recent studies have shown different effects of dynamic and static stretching exercises on physical performance capacity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effect of warm-up, 30s static and dynamic stretching exercises on biceps brachii muscle function. Nine athletes were examined twice in different days: after performing static and dynamic stretching exercise. Isometric maximal voluntary contraction characteristics were measured using dynamometry; muscle tone, elasticity and stiffness characteristics of biceps brachii muscle were measured using myotonometer Myoton-3. All measurements were performed before and after the warm-up (5-min jogging with self-selected speed), immediately after stretching exercise and after 10 min rest. Warm-up did not cause any changes in the isometric maximal voluntary contraction, strength of elbow flexor muscle as well as in muscle tone and elasticity. Static stretching was effective to increase elasticity of biceps brachii muscle, but did not influence the isometric strength characteristics of elbow flexor muscles. Shortening of isometric contraction latency of elbow flexor muscles after dynamic stretching exercise and increase of strength after 10 min rest were noted. Therefore this type of stretching can be recommended to prepare muscles for explosive maximal exercise