Knee Osteoarthritis and the Efficacy of Kinesthesia, Balance & Agility Exercise Training: A Pilot Study

Kinesthesia, balance and agility (KBA) neuromuscular exercises are commonly used for rehabilitation of lower extremity injuries. KBA combined with strength training (ST) reportedly improves function among persons with knee osteoarthritis (OA), but independent effects of KBA are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of KBA exercises, independent of ST, to improve function among persons with knee OA. Twenty participants (69.3, SD 11.4 y) were randomized to 8 weeks, 3-days per week, instructor-lead KBA or ST groups. Self-reported physical function (difficulty with daily living activities such as walking, bending, stair climbing, etc.) was measured at baseline and every two weeks. Community physical activity level, negative and positive outcome expectancies for exercise, self-reported knee stability, and timed 10-stair climb, 10-stair descent, and ‘get up and go’ 15 m walk were measured at baseline and follow-up. Physical function improved 59% (p = 0.02) with KBA and 40% (p = 0.02) with ST at 8 weeks. Community physical activity level improved only in KBA (p = 0.04); knee stability improved in both KBA (p = 0.04) and ST (p = 0.01). There were no significant between-group differences (p \u3e 0.05). In conclusion, both interventions appear to improve function and knee stability among persons with symptomatic knee OA. As KBA has never been studied as an independent treatment program, our results indicate it is a promising stand-alone intervention worthy of further study

Modifiable risk factors of coronary heart disease in male first time entrants to a health and fitness centre in South Africa

The objective of the study was to draw up a profile of modifiable risk factors among male first time entrants to a health and fitness centre. Data for 257 males with mean age of 31 years were documented between 1999 and 2001. All assessments were done at the Empangeni Health and Fitness Centre. The following parameters were recorded: personal details, health status, smoking habits, mass, height, body composition, blood pressure, total cholesterol, physical working capacity and predicted aerobic capacity. The majority of subjects (50.9 %) displayed two or more, 27.3 % three or more and 8.2 % four or more, risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Of the 253 subjects tested 43.2 % were inactive before they joined the health and fitness centre. Smoking ³ 10 cigarettes per day was prevalent in 19.2 % of subjects. At risk due to obesity (body fat >20 %) was prevalent in 45.9 % of subjects and 36.2 % had a BMI of >27.8 kg.m-2. Elevated cholesterol (>5.2 mmol.l-1) was found in 51.1 % of the subjects. Hypertension (systolic >140 mmHg and/or diastolic >90 mmHg) were prevalent in 16.1 % of subjects. It is clear that much room for improvement in the modifiable risk factors exists in the subjects. The findings have important implications for health and fitness providers in planning preventive strategies. Key words: Modifiable CHD risk factors, exercise, health and finess, males. (Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2002 8(1): 26-36

An assessment of the physical fitness and coronary heart disease risk factors of white females in the Zululand area that attend health and fitness clubs

Health and fitness clubs play an important role in addressing the causes of hypokinetic diseases and coronary heart disease (CHD). In order to be well prepared, service providers should be aware of the health and fitness profiles of their clients when they join their clubs. In the current study 243 white female subjects between ages 13 to 70 years were assessed, the results analysed for risk factors and the findings compared with existing norms in literature. This study found that 19.8% of subjects smoked > 10 cigarettes per day which is a cause for concern. Although this is lower than the general female population of Durban the current subjects joined a health and fitness centre and could thus be regarded as health conscious. Before joining almost half (49.4%) of the subjects were inactive. The incidence of hypertension (systolic >140 mmHg and/or diastolic > 90 mmHg) as a risk factor for (CHD) among 16.5% of subjects was relatively low when compared to that reported for females in Durban. Cholesterol levels were also lower than the average for Durban females because 28.6% of the subjects were found to be borderline (5.2-6.2 mmol.l-1) and 16.7% to be of a high risk (>6.2 mmol.l-1). When using BMI, 19.3% of subjects were > 37.3 kg.m-2 and therefore in a high-risk group for CHD. Multiple risk factor analysis revealed that 42.0% of subjects displayed two or more risk factors for CHD while 12.0% had three or more and 2.0% had four or more. (S. African J. for Research in Sport, Physical Ed. and Recreation: 2003 25 (1): 13-22

Physical fitness and health risk assessment of urban black females

Whereas coronary heart disease was not a major cause of death among black populations of South Africa in the past, the situation is fast changing. Health and fitness providers should give special attention to the modifiable risk factors of coronary heart disease for all populations. The aim of the present study was to identify the health risk factors present among 65 urban black females joining a health and fitness centre in Zululand, South Africa. In the present study only 3.2% subjects smoked. Before joining the health and fitness centre 72.6 % of the subjects did not participate in any physical activity. Hypertension was prevalent in 15.4 % of subjects. Cholesterol levels were very low among 94.4 % of subjects displaying a desirable cholesterol level

A comparison of the motor proficiency of children with and without learning disabilities : research article

This study aimed to determine if children with learning disabilities showed any significant differences in motor proficiency from "normal" children, that would warrant special attention when addressing their physical education movement needs. Sixty children with learning disabilities and sixty children without learning disabilities between the ages of 8 to 12 years, were randomly selected and matched by age, gender and home language. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency was used to assess the motor proficiency of the subjects. An independent t-test indicated that the children without learning disabilities performed significantly better (

The effect of Prophylactic knee bracing on selected performance patameters

The objective of this study was to determine if the wearing of a prophylactic knee brace by uninjured rugby players affected the following performance based parameters: speed, agility, strength, proprioception and economy of running. Thirty rugby players were subjected to a selected number of carefully monitored performance tests, with and without the wearing of a prophylactic knee brace. Testing took place on the rugby field at Mick Kelly Park, Empangeni and in the Biokinetics laboratory at the University of Zululand. Performance in speed, agility (which includes other rugby skills) and economy of running were all significantly (