Anterior Research Articles

The role of body mass index on dynamic balance and muscle strength in Saudi schoolchildren

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of increased body mass on the performance of the dynamic balance (LQYBT) and isometric muscle strength (peak torque) in healthy weight (HW), overweight (OW), and obese (O) schoolchildren. Cross sectional design. Participants included 51 male schoolchildren, aged 12 to 15 years from King Saud educational complex-The Middle School, Riyadh. Dynamic balance was analyzed by Lower quarter Y balance test (LQYBT) and isometric muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors with Handheld Dynamometry (HHD). The dynamic balance scores of HW children, in the right anterior (AT) direction, were significantly different from OW and O children ( P = 0.010), but no differences were found between O and OW children. Significant differences were shown in the strength of the extensor and flexor muscles of both limbs in HW, OW, and O children (extensors left: F = 11.853, right: F = 7.660; P = 0.001; flexors left: F = 16.417, right: F = 4.576; P = 0.001). Knee extensors and flexors in the HW group were significantly positively correlated with the reach scores of right AT direction, but none with the other directions. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and Hamstring strength, while this correlation is far less obvious with the quadriceps. The findings imply that increased BMI reduces balance ability in anterior reach direction (LQYBT) and none in other directions. The isometric strength of obese children was different from the healthy weight children. Le but de cette УЉtude est dт€™УЉtudier les effets de lт€™augmentation de la masse corporelle sur la performance de lт€™УЉquilibre dynamique (LQYBT) et la force musculaire isomУЉtrique (pic de couple de force) chez des УЉcoliers de poids normal (HW), en surpoids (OW) et obУЈses (O). У‰tude transversale. Parmi les participants figuraient 51Т УЉcoliers de 12Т У 15Т ans du complexe УЉducatif King SaudТ т€“Т The Middle School , Riyadh. La stabilitУЉ dynamique a УЉtУЉ analysУЉe avec le test Balance Y pour les membres infУЉrieurs (LQYBT) et la force musculaire isomУЉtrique des extenseurs et des flУЉchisseurs du genou par dynamomУЉtrie manuelle (HHD). Les scores dт€™УЉquilibre dynamique des enfants HW, dans la direction antУЉrieure droite (AT), УЉtaient significativement diffУЉrents de ceux des enfants OW et O ( p = 0,010), mais aucune diffУЉrence nт€™a УЉtУЉ constatУЉe entre les enfants OW et O. Des diffУЉrences significatives ont УЉtУЉ mises en УЉvidence dans la force des muscles extenseurs et flУЉchisseurs des deux membres chez les enfants HW, OW et O (extenseurs У gaucheТ : F = 11,853, У droiteТ : F = 7,660Т ; p = 0,001Т ; flУЉchisseurs У gaucheТ : F = 16,417, У droiteТ : F = 4,576Т ; p = 0,001). Les extenseurs et les flУЉchisseurs du genou du groupe HW УЉtaient significativement corrУЉlУЉs positivement avec les scores dт€™atteinte de la bonne direction, mais pas avec les autres directions. Il y avait une corrУЉlation positive significative entre lт€™IMC et la force des ischio-jambiers, alors que cette corrУЉlation est beaucoup moins УЉvidente avec le quadriceps. Les rУЉsultats impliquent quт€™une augmentation de lт€™IMC rУЉduit la capacitУЉ dт€™УЉquilibre dans la direction de la portУЉe antУЉrieure (LQYBT) et pas dans les autres directions. La force isomУЉtrique des enfants obУЈses УЉtait diffУЉrente de celle des enfants en bonne santУЉ.

Dynamic balance performance of professional turkish soccer players by playing position

Background and Study Aim: Balance control has been regarded as a crucial factor in sports and indicated as an important element to be examined for the risks of injury. But it is unknown whether the dynamic balance changes according to the player positions in professional soccer players. To determine whether there were differences in the dynamic balance performance of the different positions of Turkish professional soccer players from within one squad. Material and Methods: Twenty-four professional soccer players were divided into 4 groups by the coach, including goalkeepers (n = 3), midfielders (n = 6), defenders (n = 7) and forwards (n = 8). Prior the competition season, anthropometric characteristics of players were measured. Then, players were tested Y Balance Test (YBT) for the anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) reach distances and limb lengths bilaterally. Results: The goalkeepers were heavier compared with the midfielders. Furthermore, the BMI of the goalkeepers were higher than midfielders and defenders (p< 0.05). There were no significant differences in the ANT, PM, PL, and COMP score between the groups (p> 0.05). The values for reach asymmetry were lower than four centimeters among groups in the all reach direction with regards to reach asymmetries, except normalized posterolateral direction. Conclusions: The results of this study have shown that the YBT performance scores do not differ between the groups. Future studies are required to create specific norms related to dynamic balance performance and establish risk cut-off score for professional soccer players.

Examination of Balance and Isokinetic Strength in Female Volleyball Players

The purpose of this research is: (a) to compare the dominant and non-dominant leg isokinetic strength and balance, (b) to compare the balance applied on the same side to different directions and isokinetic strength applied to the same side at different angular velocities and (c) to examine the relationship between the balance and isokinetic strength applied at different angular velocities in female volleyball players. Eleven senior female volleyball players voluntarily participated in the research. Isokinetic knee flexion and extension strength were separately obtained on concentric/concentric dominant and non-dominant leg as 5 repetitions at 60˚.s-1 angular velocity, 10 repetitions at 180˚.s-1 and 15 repetitions at 300˚.s-1. The balance test was performed for both sides in anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PL) and posteromedial (PM) directions. In female volleyball players, there is no significant difference between the dominant and non-dominant leg in terms of isokinetic strength and balance. A significant difference was detected between the balance applied in different directions on the same side and isokinetic force applied at different angular velocities. However, there is not any significant relationship between isokinetic strength and balance in female volleyball players. As a result, there is no isokinetic strength and balance asymmetry in volleyball and there is no relationship between them. This may be an indication of the need for both legs in volleyball.

LOWER QUARTER- AND UPPER QUARTER Y BALANCE TESTS AS PREDICTORS OF RUNNING-RELATED INJURIES IN HIGH SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNERS

While cross-country running is a popular interscholastic sport, it also has a high incidence of running-related injuries (RRIs). Recent literature suggests that functional tests may identify athletes at increased risk of injury. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is an objective measure used to assess functional muscle strength, balance, and expose asymmetries between tested limbs. The purpose of this study was to determine if the YBT could predict RRI in high school cross-country runners. It was hypothesized that an asymmetric right (R)/left (L) YBT reach distance for the lower or upper extremities would be associated with an increased risk of RRI. Prospective observational cohort. One hundred forty-eight athletes (80 girls, 68 boys) who competed in interscholastic cross-country in Southern California during the 2015 season participated in the study. Prior to the cross-country season, the runners completed Lower-Quarter YBT (LQ-YBT) and Upper-Quarter YBT (UQ-YBT) testing to assess lower and upper extremity asymmetry, respectively. The runners were prospectively monitored for RRI occurrence throughout the season using the Daily Injury Report form. Forty-nine runners (33.1%) incurred a RRI during the 2015 season, with the lower leg (shin/calf) and knee the most common RRI sites. Girls had a higher RRI occurrence (38.8%) than boys (26.5%) (p = 0.12). Boys had greater raw scores for LQ-YBT R and L anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), posterolateral (PM) and composite reach distances than girls (p<0.05). With the exception of normalized superolateral reach distance, boys had significantly greater scores for raw and normalized R and L UQ-YBT reach distances and raw composite scores than girls (p<0.05). After adjusting for prior RRI, while boy runners with a LQ-YBT PM reach difference ≥4.0 cm were five times more likely to incur a RRI (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.05, 95% CI: 1.3-19.8; p = 0.02), girl runners with a UQ-YBT inferolateral (IL) reach difference ≥ 4.0 cm were 75% less likely to incur a RRI (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.1-0.7; p = 0.005). By lower extremity body region, boy runners with a UQ-YBT superolateral (SL) reach difference ≥ 4.0 cm were seven times more likely to incur a hip/thigh/knee RRI [AOR] = 7.20, 95% CI: 1.1-45.6; p = 0.002). Greater lower extremity (PM) or upper extremity (SL) reach distance asymmetry, as measured by the LQ-YBT or UQ-YBT, respectively, were associated with RRI in boy high school cross-country runners. 2b.

(193) Comparison of Y-Balance Test Scores in Young Adults with and without Chronic Low Back Pain

Low back pain (LBP) can cause balance disturbances, and individuals with LBP have demonstrated poorer balance than those without it. Previous literature has reported that diminished balance is associated with increased injury risk, therefore contributing to an individual's increased re-injury risk and chronicity. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is a functional and inexpensive tool for measuring dynamic balance and has been used with diverse populations to predict risk for injury. However, there is contradicting evidence about the ability of the YBT to detect dynamic balance deficits in LBP populations, primarily due to heterogeneity of the participants in previous studies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare dynamic balance between young adults with chronic LBP (CLBP) and a healthy group using the YBT. Fifteen individuals with CLBP (≥ 12 weeks) and 15 gender- and age-matched young, healthy adults completed the study. Each group consisted of 6 males and 9 females who were 21 - 38 years of age (27.46 ± 4.9 years). The YBT was used to measure each participant's dynamic balance in three different reach directions, anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM) and posterolateral (PL). Both the YBT reach distances and composite scores (CS) collected from the dominant leg of healthy individuals and the involved side of participants with CLBP were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that the reach distances of the CLBP group were significantly shorter than those of the healthy group in the ANT (p = .023), PM (p

RELIABILITY AND STABILITY OF THE Y BALANCE TEST IN HEALTHY EARLY ADOLESCENT FEMALE ATHLETES

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Adolescent females are at an increased risk of lower extremity injuries and may be partially explained by the interaction of peak rates of skeletal growth, an immature neuromuscular system, and deficits in muscle strength and recruitment patterns. Reliable tests of dynamic stability can help identify athletes with balance deficits and assess changes in limb function after injury. Sophisticated measures of dynamic postural control, such as stabilometry, are able to detect subtle deficits in young athletes, but are expensive and may not be readily available in a clinical setting. The Y Balance Test (YBT) is a low-cost, clinical measure of dynamic postural control that mimics the demands of sports requiring unilateral balance. It requires the athlete to dynamically balance on each leg while performing a maximal reach with the other limb in three different directions: anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL). The athlete is required to maintain unilateral balance during the test as maximal reach distance is measured to the nearest 0.5 cm. Though the YBT has been predicative of injury in the adult population, studies are lacking regarding the utility in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to estimate the inter- and intra- rater reliability and stability of the YBT in early adolescent females over a one-month period. METHODS: Twenty-five female athletes (mean age 12.7 ± 0.6 years) participated. Subjects were tested at their respective practice facilities and participated in various sporting activities (Figure 1). Two novice raters with minimal training in YBT administration were randomly selected from a pool of five. The raters simultaneously assessed each subject’s YBT performance and were blinded to each other’s results. A second testing session was performed approximately one month later (n=21, mean 32.3± 9.6 days) by the same two raters, blinded to previous measurements (Figure 2). The time interval was chosen to mimic a typical duration between reassessments in standard clinical care. Maximum reach distances and composite (COMP) scores were collected on both limbs and normalized to leg length (Figure 3). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for between rater (ICC 2,1) and between session (ICC 3,1) agreement. Measurement error and minimal detectable change (MDC) values were calculated for clinical interpretation. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in height (p=0.016) and weight (p=0.003) from day 1 to day 2 of testing. Interrater reliability was excellent for all corrected reach directions and COMP scores of the right limb (ICC 0.973- 0.998) and left limb (ICC 0.960-0.999) except for the day 1 left ANT reach which was good (ICC 0.811) (Figure 4). Intrarater (test-retest) reliability were moderate to excellent for the right limb (ICC 0.681- 0.908) and moderate to good for left limb (ICC 0.714 - 0.811). Standard error of measurement (SEM) percentages were all less than 2% of all respective mean reach distances. MDC values for the right and left limbs ranged between 2.02-3.62% and 2.77-3.63%, respectively (Figure 5). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The early adolescent female is a unique population, where dynamic balance deficits are escalated by the interaction of an immature neuromuscular system, peak maturational growth rates, and emergence of sex specific differences. The incidence of ACL injuries is greatest during the high school years and recommendations support the implementation of targeted neuromuscular interventions prior to the time of this peak injury risk. The YBT is a reliable and stable tool to assess dynamic balance in early adolescent females and may be utilized by clinicians, physical education teachers, and coaches to help identify high risk individuals, mitigate the risk of injury, and determine functional improvements. The time span between testing sessions in the current study was longer than previous work in attempt to improve external validity by mimicking a typical time interval between outcome measure reassessments performed in a clinical setting. Between session reliability measures were lower than previous studies in adults and highlights the unique performance variation with dynamic balance tasks in the female preadolescent population. This is exemplified by the anthropometric changes that occurred over just a one month interval. This study supports the reliability and stability of the YBT in healthy early adolescent females and can be administered by those with minimal YBT training. Though the YBT has been shown to be predicative of injury in adults and is often included in return to sport functional test batteries after injury, future studies are needed to further understand its utility in this high-risk early adolescent female population. [Figure: see text]

CSM 2019 American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy Poster Presentations (Abstracts SPO1–SPO132)

CSM 2019 American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy Poster Presentations (Abstracts SPO1–SPO132)

Effects of balance evaluation comparison of dynamic balance and Y balance.

This study measured balance ability using both an existing clinical test tool, the Y-balance test (YBT), and an automated version of the YBT named the dynamic balance test (DBT) developed in this study. Correlations between the two methods were examined to determine whether the DBT can be used as an objective tool for balance ability evaluation. The subjects included in the study were 32 healthy male adults in their 20s, who were randomized into two groups, YBT and DBT, to compare the balance ability between the two groups. The maximum stretching distances of both legs in the anterior (AT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) directions were measured. Furthermore, to compensate for the difference in length between left and right legs, the mean and standard deviations were determined using the standardization formula, and the standardized values were represented as percentages. For the statistical analysis of the data, an independent t-test was performed using SPSS ver. 18.0. The test results showed no significant differences between the two groups in both left and right legs in the AT, PM, and PL directions (P>0.05). Therefore, measuring balance ability with the DBT, which uses digital sensor measurement technology (an automated data recording, wireless data transmission, storage, and management system; measurement is possible even by one subject of balance ability test), was found to be advantageous in respect to the YBT in terms of time, efficiency, and convenience.

Functional performance tests identify lateral ankle sprain risk: A prospective pilot study in adolescent soccer players.

Determining the clinical utility of functional performance tests (FPTs) and establishing cutoff scores could be useful in identifying those athletes who could benefit from effective injury prevention interventions. Our purpose was to determine the accuracy of FPTs in identifying adolescent athletes who go on to experience lateral ankle sprain(s) and establish specific cutoff scores capable of identifying those who sustain a lateral ankle sprain in the near future. Sixty-four participants (age=15.5±1.3years; height=161.7±7.7cm; mass=57.1±8.4kg) were recruited from a junior soccer club and tracked for 10months. Participants performed the anterior (AN), posterior-medial (PM), and posterior-lateral (PL) reach directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and the Single-Leg Hop Test (SLHT) in pre-season, and then were followed for the 10-month competitive season (12 injured, 52 uninjured). Significant Area Under the Curve (AUC) values and cutoff scores were found for the PM (AUC=0.78; 95% CI 0.61-0.95; P=0.003; Sn=0.83; Sp=0.77; cutoff=76%) and the PL (AUC=0.82; 95% CI 0.71-0.94; P=0.001; Sn=0.92; Sp=0.65; cutoff=70%) reach directions of the SEBT and the SLHT (AUC=0.77; 95% CI 0.60-0.95; P=0.003; Sn=0.67; Sp=0.94; cutoff=15.4seconds). The PM and PL reach directions of the SEBT and the SLHT may be useful as pre-season screening measures to help clinicians identify adolescents who will go on to experience a lateral ankle sprain.

Optimizing resident operative self-confidence through competency-based surgical education modules: are we there yet?

Self-confidence is the belief in one's ability to perform and can be enhanced by training. Surgical education should aim to optimize trainee confidence. We designed three procedure-specific competency-based modules to teach vaginal hysterectomy (VH), anterior (AR) and posterior repair (PR) to novice gynecology residents. We hypothesized each module would improve self-confidence and satisfaction during index procedure performance in the operating room. This was an ancillary analysis of a larger randomized-controlled trial of gynecologic educational interventions. Residents at three Canadian universities were included if they had previously performed fewer than five index procedures independently. Intervention residents received educational modules; controls engaged in self-directed learning. All residents performed one or more of the three surgeries and filled out a validated Self-Confidence Scale and a Satisfaction Scale. Scores were compared between groups. Correlations were sought between self-confidence and various variables. Forty-six residents at three Canadian universities were randomized (21 intervention, 25 control). Most residents had never performed the index procedure. Overall, self-confidence was significantly higher (p = 0.021) in the intervention group for VH, but not for AR and PR (p = 0.94 and p = 0.12, respectively). Compared with controls, self-confidence was also significantly higher in intervention residents who had never performed VH (p = 0.026) or PR (p = 0.027) and in first and second year intervention residents. There was a positive correlation between self-confidence and satisfaction. Surgical modules improved self-confidence preferentially in the most junior residents and for more complicated procedures. The wide self-confidence ranges observed suggest that optimization should be an important goal for surgical educators.

Dynamic balance asymmetries in pre-season injury-prevention screening in healthy young soccer players using the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test-a pilot study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate whether young players with no history of injury, have developed early asymmetries in dynamic balance ability tested via the recommended for screening in sports, Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (MSEBT). [Participants and Methods] Twenty-four young healthy male soccer players participated in the study having at least 4 years of systematic soccer training. The Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire was used to discriminate the stability dominant leg (STAB) from the non-stability dominant leg (NSTAB). Dynamic balance was assessed via the MSEBT. Participants, after familiarization, made 3 attempts in each direction for both legs: a) Anterior (AN), b) Posterolateral (PL) and c) Posteromedial (PM). [Results] The sole statistically significant performance asymmetry was in the PL direction, in favor of the STAB (94.5 ± 13.3 cm vs. 98.1 ± 10.4 cm). [Conclusion] The results of this pilot study showed a potential for developing dynamic balance asymmetries, in soccer players at the age of 13–14 years. Since asymmetry was significant in only one direction, further long term monitoring would be helpful to evaluate whether this is a growing functional deficit, potentially involving any of the other two directions of testing or if it is alleviated with increasing training age. These asymmetries could comprise an injury risk factor.

Real-time fMRI neurofeedback of the mediodorsal and anterior thalamus enhances correlation between thalamic BOLD activity and alpha EEG rhythm.

Real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) with simultaneous EEG allows volitional modulation of BOLD activity of target brain regions and investigation of related electrophysiological activity. We applied this approach to study correlations between thalamic BOLD activity and alpha EEG rhythm. Healthy volunteers in the experimental group (EG, n = 15) learned to upregulate BOLD activity of the target region consisting of the mediodorsal (MD) and anterior (AN) thalamic nuclei using rtfMRI-nf during retrieval of happy autobiographical memories. Healthy subjects in the control group (CG, n = 14) were provided with a sham feedback. The EG participants were able to significantly increase BOLD activities of the MD and AN. Functional connectivity between the MD and the inferior precuneus was significantly enhanced during the rtfMRI-nf task. Average individual changes in the occipital alpha EEG power significantly correlated with the average MD BOLD activity levels for the EG. Temporal correlations between the occipital alpha EEG power and BOLD activities of the MD and AN were significantly enhanced, during the rtfMRI-nf task, for the EG compared to the CG. Temporal correlations with the alpha power were also significantly enhanced for the posterior nodes of the default mode network, including the precuneus/posterior cingulate, and for the dorsal striatum. Our findings suggest that the temporal correlation between the MD BOLD activity and posterior alpha EEG power is modulated by the interaction between the MD and the inferior precuneus, reflected in their functional connectivity. Our results demonstrate the potential of the rtfMRI-nf with simultaneous EEG for noninvasive neuromodulation studies of human brain function.

Performance and reliability of the Y-Balance Test™ in high school athletes.

Lower extremity injuries account for 32.9% of the overall injuries in high school athletes. Previous research has suggested that asymmetry greater than 4 cm using the Y-Balance Test™ Lower Quarter (YBT-LQ) in the anterior direction is predictive of non-contact injuries in adults and collegiate athletes. The prevalence of asymmetries or abnormal YBT-LQ performance is not well documented for adolescents. The primary purposes of this study are: 1) to characterize the prevalence of YBT-LQ asymmetries and performance in a cross-sectional sample of adolescents; 2) to examine possible differences in performance on the YBT-LQ between male and female adolescents; and 3) to describe the test-retest reliability of the YBT-LQ in a subsample of adolescents. Observational cross-sectional study. High-school athletes completed the YBT-LQ as main outcome measure. A total of 51 male and 59 female high-school athletes participated in this study. Asymmetries greater than 4cm in the posteromedial (PM) reach direction were most prevalent for male (54.9%) and female (50.8%) participants. Females presented with slightly higher composite scores. Good reliability (ICC=0.89) was found for the anterior (ANT) direction, and moderate reliability with 0.76 for posterolateral (PL) and 0.63 for PM directions. The MDC95 for the ANT direction was 6% and 12% for both the PL and PM directions. The YBT-LQ performance can be beneficial in assessing recovery in an injured extremity compared to the other limb. However, due to the large MDC95, noted in the PM and PL directions, the differences between sequential testing cannot be attributed to true change in balance unless they exceed the MDC95. In this study, 79% of the athletes presented with at least one asymmetry in YBT-LQ reach distances. Moderate reliability in the PL and PM directions warrants reexamination of the definition of asymmetry in these directions.

Seizures and Sleep in the Thalamus: Focal Limbic Seizures Show Divergent Activity Patterns in Different Thalamic Nuclei.

The thalamus plays diverse roles in cortical-subcortical brain activity patterns. Recent work suggests that focal temporal lobe seizures depress subcortical arousal systems and convert cortical activity into a pattern resembling slow-wave sleep. The potential simultaneous and paradoxical role of the thalamus in both limbic seizure propagation, and in sleep-like cortical rhythms has not been investigated. We recorded neuronal activity from the central lateral (CL), anterior (ANT), and ventral posteromedial (VPM) nuclei of the thalamus in an established female rat model of focal limbic seizures. We found that population firing of neurons in CL decreased during seizures while the cortex exhibited slow waves. In contrast, ANT showed a trend toward increased neuronal firing compatible with polyspike seizure discharges seen in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, VPM exhibited a remarkable increase in sleep spindles during focal seizures. Single-unit juxtacellular recordings from CL demonstrated reduced overall firing rates, but a switch in firing pattern from single spikes to burst firing during seizures. These findings suggest that different thalamic nuclei play very different roles in focal limbic seizures. While limbic nuclei, such as ANT, appear to participate directly in seizure propagation, arousal nuclei, such as CL, may contribute to depressed cortical function, whereas sleep spindles in relay nuclei, such as VPM, may interrupt thalamocortical information flow. These combined effects could be critical for controlling both seizure severity and impairment of consciousness. Further understanding of differential effects of seizures on different thalamocortical networks may lead to improved treatments directly targeting these modes of impaired function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Temporal lobe epilepsy has a major negative impact on quality of life. Previous work suggests that the thalamus plays a critical role in thalamocortical network modulation and subcortical arousal maintenance, but its precise seizure-associated functions are not known. We recorded neuronal activity in three different thalamic regions and found divergent activity patterns, which may respectively participate in seizure propagation, impaired level of conscious arousal, and altered relay of information to the cortex during focal limbic seizures. These very different activity patterns within the thalamus may help explain why focal temporal lobe seizures often disrupt widespread network function, and can help guide future treatments aimed at restoring normal thalamocortical network activity and cognition.

Comparison Kinematic Patterns between the Star Excursion Balance Test and Y-Balance Test in Elite Athletes

Objective: The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Y-Balance Test (YBT) have been commonly applied to measure dynamic postural stability ability. These two tests are utilized interchangeably in various settings. However, they could in fact require different movements to assess dynamic postural stability, as one uses a platform and different measuring techniques than the other. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference in the kinematic patterns in physically active population while performing the SEBT and the YBT. Method: Seventy participants performed in the Anterior (AN), Posteromedial (PM), and Posterolateral (PL) directions of the SEBT and the YBT. The kinematics of hip, knee, and ankle in sagittal plane was calculated and analyzed. Paired-sample t-tests were performed to compare joint angular displacement in the ankle, knee, and hip between the SEBT and the YBT. Results: Significant differences in angular displacement at the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane between performance on the SEBT and on the YBT were observed. Conclusion: Clinicians and researchers should not apply these dynamic postural control tasks interchangeably from one task to another. There appear to be kinematic pattern differences between tests in healthy physical active population.

Associations Between Functional and Isolated Performance Measures in College Women's Soccer Players.

The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) are functional performance measures capable of predicting lower-extremity injury risk. While suboptimal SEBT and FMS performances are influenced by multiple factors, the contribution of hip strength and flexibility to these tests is mostly unknown. Examination of hip strength and flexibility influences on the SEBT and FMS may direct clinicians to better methods of correcting functional deficits. Determine the relationships of isometric hip strength and hip passive range of motion (PROM) with functional performance measures. Cross-sectional. Athletic training facility. 43 NCAA Division I women's soccer players (19.65 ± 1.12 y; 166.93 ± 3.84 cm; 60.99 ± 4.31 kg) volunteered. All participants were tested bilaterally in the SEBT; the deep squat, in-line lunge, hurdle step, and straight leg raise, comprising a lower-extremity FMS (FMS-LE); hip internal and external rotation PROM; and isometric hip extension strength (HEXT). The mean of the 3 averaged, normalized SEBT scores was used as a composite score. Pearson product moment correlations assessed relationships of SEBT and FMS-LE scores with PROM and HEXT. Significance was set a priori at P < .05. Pearson correlations revealed anterior (ANT) SEBT scores had a low negative association with HEXT (r = -0.33,P = .004) and a low positive association with hip internal rotation PROM (PROM-IR) (r = .43,P = .003). All other correlations were negligible. Flexibility training aimed at PROM-IR may contribute to improved ANT scores. Targeting HEXT and hip external rotation PROM are likely not preferred means of correcting deficits in SEBT and FMS-LE performance.

Biomechanical simulations of costo-vertebral and anterior vertebral body tethers for the fusionless treatment of pediatric scoliosis.

Compression-based fusionless tethers are an alternative to conventional surgical treatments of pediatric scoliosis. Anterior approaches place an anterior (ANT) tether on the anterolateral convexity of the deformed spine to modify growth. Posterior, or costo-vertebral (CV), approaches have not been assessed for biomechanical and corrective effectiveness. The objective was to biomechanically assess CV and ANT tethers using six patient-specific, finite element models of adolescent scoliotic patients (11.9 ± 0.7 years, Cobb 34° ± 10°). A validated algorithm simulated the growth and Hueter-Volkmann growth modulation over a period of 2 years with the CV and ANT tethers at two initial tensions (100, 200 N). The models without tethering also simulated deformity progression with Cobb angle increasing from 34° to 56°, axial rotation 11° to 13°, and kyphosis 28° to 32° (mean values). With the CV tether, the Cobb angle was reduced to 27° and 20° for tensions of 100 and 200 N, respectively, kyphosis to 21° and 19°, and no change in axial rotation. With the ANT tether, Cobb was reduced to 32° and 9° for 100 and 200 N, respectively, kyphosis unchanged, and axial rotation to 3° and 0°. While the CV tether mildly corrected the coronal curve over a 2-year growth period, it had sagittal lordosing effect, particularly with increasing initial axial rotation (>15°). The ANT tether achieved coronal correction, maintained kyphosis, and reduced the axial rotation, but over-correction was simulated at higher initial tensions. This biomechanical study captured the differences between a CV and ANT tether and indicated the variability arising from the patient-specific characteristics. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:254-264, 2018.

12 h abstinence-induced right anterior insula network pattern changes in young smokers

BackgroundThe strong craving to smoke is a core factor of smoking abstinence that precipitates relapse. Insula plays critical roles in maintaining nicotine dependence, especially in the interoceptive awareness of craving. Despite evidence indicating a link between insula and abstinence-induced craving, less is known about the neural basis of abstinence-induced craving from the circuit level of insula. MethodsThe present study examined the effects of 12h of abstinence from smoking on the resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) of anterior (AI) and posterior insula in young smokers using a within-subject design. Thirty-three young male smokers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning on two separate sessions: (1) smoking satiety and (2) abstinence (after ≥12h of smoking deprivation), in counterbalanced order. Multiple regression analysis was applied to investigate the possible relationships between the RSFC changes of insula (abstinence minus satiety) and the abstinence-induced craving changes. ResultsSmoking abstinence state (versus satiety) was associated with increased RSFC between right AI and right medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), ventromedial prefrontal cortex as well as anterior cingulate cortex. The abstinence-induced RSFC changes between right AI and right lateral OFC was significantly correlated with the craving changes. ConclusionsThese findings improve the understanding of the effects of short-term smoking abstinence on insula circuit connectivity and may contribute new insights into the neural basis of abstinence-induced craving to smoke.

Chin-throat anatomy: Normal relations and changes following orthognathic surgery and growth modification

To determine if a new facial line (T), tangent to the throat, intersects the mandibular border in anterior (ANT) and posterior (POST) parts in proportions varying with facial configuration, and to evaluate the association between chin projection and throat inclination and the potential for the T-line to reflect this association. Measurements on profile photographs and cephalograms of 135 adults (aged 18-50 years)-45 each of Class I, II, and III (CI, CII, CIII) malocclusions-included ANT and POST, chin-throat (CTA), and mento-cervical (MCA) angles. Pre- and posttreatment measurements were compared in two subgroups (n = 25 each) of CII and CIII orthognathic surgery patients and in CII, division 1 early-treatment patients (n = 63). Statistics included analysis of variance and t-test for group differences, and Pearson correlation for associations among variables. ANT was nearly equal to POST in CI (50.99%) and CIII (51.86%) subjects and shorter in CII (36.01%) subjects. CTA and MCA were greater in CII profiles and smaller in CIII profiles. Significant differences (P < .0001) were observed for ANT, POST, CTA, and MCA between Classes I/II and II/III and for MCA between Classes II/III (P = .016). High correlations were noted between ANT and CTA in Classes I (r = -0.83), II (r = -0.73), and III (r = -0.68). In surgically treated patients, posttreatment measurements approached CI values. In the early-treatment group, ANT increased but remained smaller than POST; CTA decreased by nearly 13%. Chin-throat relations and chin extension are associated and require routine assessment in terms of diagnosis and treatment outcome. A practical tool to assess chin-throat relationship, the T-line bisects the mandibular body nearly equally in Class I faces.

Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Functional Specialization along the Intestinal Tract of a Carnivorous Teleostean Fish (Dicentrarchus labrax).

High-quality sequencing reads from the intestine of European sea bass were assembled, annotated by similarity against protein reference databases and combined with nucleotide sequences from public and private databases. After redundancy filtering, 24,906 non-redundant annotated sequences encoding 15,367 different gene descriptions were obtained. These annotated sequences were used to design a custom, high-density oligo-microarray (8 × 15 K) for the transcriptomic profiling of anterior (AI), middle (MI), and posterior (PI) intestinal segments. Similar molecular signatures were found for AI and MI segments, which were combined in a single group (AI-MI) whereas the PI outstood separately, with more than 1900 differentially expressed genes with a fold-change cutoff of 2. Functional analysis revealed that molecular and cellular functions related to feed digestion and nutrient absorption and transport were over-represented in AI-MI segments. By contrast, the initiation and establishment of immune defense mechanisms became especially relevant in PI, although the microarray expression profiling validated by qPCR indicated that these functional changes are gradual from anterior to posterior intestinal segments. This functional divergence occurred in association with spatial transcriptional changes in nutrient transporters and the mucosal chemosensing system via G protein-coupled receptors. These findings contribute to identify key indicators of gut functions and to compare different fish feeding strategies and immune defense mechanisms acquired along the evolution of teleosts.