The Effects of the Get Off Your Rocker Exercise Class on Balance

The purpose of this study was to determine if the six-week Get Off Your Rocker balance exercise class, promoted by HealthSouth®, had a significant effect on balance in the geriatric population. If proven to be effective, this class could be an additional tool for physical therapists to utilize to aid in improving a patient\u27s balance. A total of 22 subjects volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (n=1 0, 8 females and 2 males) and an exercise group (n=12, 8 females and 4 males). All subjects were high functioning and were found to be at a low risk for falls as determined by the Berg Balance Measure. The age of subjects ranged from 60-87, with a mean age of 74.77. The study included an initial and final evaluation using the Berg Balance Measure, Timed Up and Go Test (TU&GT), the Functional Reach Test, and ankle range of motion measurements. Following the initial assessment, the control group was instructed to continue their normal daily activities during the following six-week period. The exercise group participated in the balance exercise class three times per week for six weeks. The exercises they performed included single leg stance activities, Swiss Ball exercises, tandem walking, and activities that challenged the base of support. Following the six-week period, the Berg Balance Measure, TU&GT, Functional Reach, and ankle range of motion results were again obtained. An Analysis of Covariance was used to compare the control group to the exercise group using scores from the Berg Balance Measure, TU&GT, Functional Reach, and ankle range of motion measurements. An alpha level of p=O.OS was used to determine significance. Following six weeks of exercising, there was a significant difference between the control group and the exercise group on two tests [F (1,19) = 6.092, p=0.023 for the Berg; F (1,19) = 4.997, p=0.038 for the Functional Reach], with the exercise group demonstrating an increase in scores. There was no significant difference found between the groups for the TU&GT [F (1,19) = 0.442, p=0.S14] or for ankle range of motion measurements [F (1,19) = 0.110, p=0.743 for ankle dorsiflexion with knee extension; F (1,19) = 0.491, p=0.492 for ankle dorsiflexion with knee flexion]. This six-week balance exercise class significantly improved scores on the Berg Balance Measure and the Functional Reach Test. The Get Off Your Rocker balance exercise class can be an effective tool for physical therapists to use for balance training and promoting wellness among the elderly

Collagen Fiber Regulation in Human Pediatric Aortic Valve Development and Disease

Congenital aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) affects up to 10% of the world population without medical therapies to treat the disease. New molecular targets are continually being sought that can halt CAVS progression. Collagen deregulation is a hallmark of CAVS yet remains mostly undefined. Here, histological studies were paired with high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) collagen-targeting proteomics to investigate collagen fiber production with collagen regulation associated with human AV development and pediatric end-stage CAVS (pCAVS). Histological studies identified collagen fiber realignment and unique regions of high-density collagen in pCAVS. Proteomic analysis reported specific collagen peptides are modified by hydroxylated prolines (HYP), a post-translational modification critical to stabilizing the collagen triple helix. Quantitative data analysis reported significant regulation of collagen HYP sites across patient categories. Non-collagen type ECM proteins identified (26 of the 44 total proteins) have direct interactions in collagen synthesis, regulation, or modification. Network analysis identified BAMBI (BMP and Activin Membrane Bound Inhibitor) as a potential upstream regulator of the collagen interactome. This is the first study to detail the collagen types and HYP modifications associated with human AV development and pCAVS. We anticipate that this study will inform new therapeutic avenues that inhibit valvular degradation in pCAVS and engineered options for valve replacement