Application Of Functional Tests Research Articles

Application of Functional Tests in the Prevention from Musculoskeletal Injuries in Young Classical Style Wrestlers

Backgorund: Wrestling is a contact sport with a high risk of injury occurrence caused by typical motor system dysfunctions. In wrestling training a high value is put on the development of power and muscle strength, however, a program aimed at improving motor control is not introduced. Methods: The study involved 25 men wrestlers from School of Sporting Excellence in Radom Poland. To identify musculoskeletal system weak links low threshold Performance Matrix Tests were used. An analysis of weak links occurrence in biokinematics chain was done using ANalysis Of Variance (ANOVA), location and direction of weak links occurrence was identified. Results: The low threshold tests provide the information that tested athletes (n = 25) have weak links in musculoskeletal system. Players training experience has significant influence on their occurrence Pr (>F) 0.01809. The values p3 = Pr (>F) 0.03215 and p5 = Pr (>F) 0.04042 reflect significant correlation with occurrence of weak links number in various places in wrestlers musculoskeletal system. The results Pr (>F) for training frequency, wrestlers age and sports level indicate no significant effect of these characteristics on weak links location in musculoskeletal system. Conclusions: Obtained results lead to the following conclusions: (1) training loads in wrestling cause weak links occurrence in musculoskeletal system among juniors; (2) wrestlers training in junior category significantly affects weak links occurrence in chain of musculoskeletal system in different locations; (3) wrestlers training frequency does not have a significant impact on weak links location estimated by low threshold tests.

On the choice issue of functional tests in physical fitness of the undergraduates

Purpose: The purpose of our research is to determine, on the basis of mathematical processing of the experimental results, the most informative functional test, which makes it possible with a greater degree of reliability to assess the state of the vestibular apparatus and the presence of deviations in the work of the nervous system of students of higher educational institutions, and thereby recommend it for use in the practice of physical education in higher educational institutions. Results: Data analysis of the ascertaining experiment for evaluation of the condition of the vestibular system and possible nervous system disorder of the undergraduates shows a significant difference in functional test indicators which makes it necessary to choose the most informative one. Considering the comparison of the test results according to the normal distribution law and further calculation of variation coefficient of the received data it was defined that Romberg test example assuming to hold the balance standing on one leg with eyes closed with hands upwards is the most informative test allowing to more exactly define the condition of the vestibular system and nervous system of the undergraduates. Conclusion: Practical application of functional tests in physical training of students and interpretation of received data regarding the actual biological age of students allows us to actualize their need in physical activity increase. Herewith it is necessary to rely on results of the most informative functional tests, which do not require the application of complex measuring equipment and are quite simple in calculation of results.

Функціональний стан м`язів черевної стінки при післяопераційних вентральних грижах: сучасні клінічні інструменти діагностики та прогнозу

Мета. Комплексне оцінювання функціонального стану м’язів черевної стінки при післяопераційних вентральних грижах з використанням функціональних тестів та інтерференційної електроміографії.
 Матеріал і методи. Робота виконана на базі клініки кафедри хірургії № 1 з післядипломною підготовкою Одеського національного медичного університету. За період з 2003 по 2016 рр. було обстежено і прооперовано 280 хворих з післяопераційними вентральними грижами (ПОВГ) віком від 30 до 75 років. До першої групи (порівняння) увійшли 140 пацієнтів, яким виконували алопластику за методикою «onlay». До другої (основної) групи увійшли 140 пацієнтів, прооперованих за оригінальною методикою алопластики з переміщенням прямих м’язів живота. На віддаленому етапі після проведеного оперативного втручання оцінювали частоту рецидивів, наявність синдрому хронічного абдомінального болю, функцію черевного преса. Усі пацієнти були обстежені неврологом та терапевтом. Отримані в результаті дослідження дані обробляли за методами дисперсійного аналізу за допомогою пакету прикладних програм Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft Inc., США).
 Результати. У пацієнтів основної групи наприкінці 1-го року спостереження вдалося значно покращити результати виконання функціональних тестів: сила черевного пресу (СЧП) 7,3 ± 0,2 балів, тоді як в контрольній групі цей показник становив 4,0 ± 0,2 балів. Аналіз амплітудно-частотних характеристик електроміограми (ЕМГ) показав, що через 6 міс. після оперативного втручання в основній групі значення максимальної амплітуди турнів становило 1195,5 ± 55,1 мкВ, а частота турнів – 121,2 ± 6,7 Гц, тоді як в контрольній групі максимальна амплітуда турнів була 788,8 ± 89,2 мкВ, а частота турнів – 111,5 ± 9,9 Гц.
 Висновки. Використання функціональних тестів разом з проведенням інтерференційної електроміографії дозволяє оцінити функціональний стан прямих м’язів живота та клінічний ефект проведення оперативних втручань у хворих з ПОВГ.

Ultrasound Diagnostic compared with angiography of low extremity arteries in the diagnosis of multifocal atherosclerosis

In clinical practice the combined atherosclerotic lesions of several arterial regions are observed twice often in comparison with the isolated lesions. About 25 % of cases of multifocal stenoses are significant (> 50 %) and demand surgical correction. For the purpose of definition of surgical tactics (staging and sequence of revascularization of each region), and tracking of results of treatment, high-informative, available and, as possible, noninvasive diagnostic methods are necessary. Ultrasonic visualization of the arteries is one of such methods. However, so far an X-ray angiography (AG) remains the conventional method of «the gold standard». The screening part is traditionally assigned to the ultrasonic duplex scanning (USDS). Recently several authors report about a successful application of USDS, in a combination with magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography or independently, as a decisive method before operation. The purpose of the current study was to compare the USDS and AG of low extremity arteries in terms of their sensitivity and specificity in patients with multifocal atherosclerosis (MFA). By means of screening of 565 men at the age of 45-59 years, 64 patients with multifocal lesion of coronary, carotid and low extremity arteries were identified. The degree of stenosis had been defined both by USDS and AG. USDS provided best results compared with angiography which failed in detection of smaller grades of stenoses and abdominal aorta aneurysms. Sensitivity of duplex scanning was 90 vs. 75 % for angiography. Application of functional tests can further extend the possibilities of USDS. Thus, ultrasound assessment may be considered a useful method for detecting different characteristics of multifocal athero-sclerotic lesion and planning surgical tactics.

The correction of vertebral joint dysfunctions changes cerebrovascular and cerebrospinal fluid functional parameters improving some Primary Respiratory Mechanism parameters

Introduction The driving force of the Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM) is the fluctuation of the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and the cerebrospinal vascular circulation. 1–4 Dynamic components are appreciated by osteopaths on palpation without reproducibility or research result concordance. 5 The aim of this study is to evidence, by using the equipment-based methods devised by Prof. Moskalenko, any PRM changes induced by osteopathic treatments. The study examines whether the momentary corrections of a given vertebral segment, previously diagnosed as the most important dysfunction at the spinal level (primary dysfunction), improve the rhythm, amplitude, and force of the cranial PRM. Design Pre–post randomised controlled double-blind clinical trial including placebos. Methods Participants: Eighteen male and female subjects aged between 18 and 100 divided into two even groups. Intervention: Step 1: objective osteopathic examination; Step 2: transcranial dopplerography (TCDG) and rheoencephalography (REG) at rest and with the application of functional tests (Transitional Respiratory Arrest and Stoockey Maneuver); Step 3: Group 1 received a vertebral manual input specific for the primary dysfunction while Group 2 received a specific vertebral manual input in a non-dysfunctional area; Step 4: step 2 repeated. Outcome Measures: Pre–post technique equipment-based evaluation using TCDG and REG with data analysed through spectral, pattern and phase analysis. Results PRM amplitude and rhythm showed an increase in Group 1: calculated from cerebrospinal flow and meningeal vasal tone parameters and cerebrospinal fluid displacement from the spine to the skull. Values showed greater changes in Group 1, while for Group 2 the changes were minor, absent or worsened. Conclusions The findings demonstrate cerebral flow and the change in brain vessel tone vary sufficiently after applying a vertebral manual input in the areas of maximum spinal restriction (Group 1). With regard to the vascular flow, an interesting fact is that there is no significant change in cerebral blood flow of the middle cerebral artery in both groups, however, a significant increase in blood flow was detected for both vertebral arteries only in Group 1 after the vertebral input. All changes, in particular the parameters concerning vascular and cerebrospinal fluid flows, could account for the marked increase in only one PRM parameter: amplitude.

Disorders of faecal continence

Disorders of continence are disorders of the ability to perceive, retain, or excrete faeces, or a combination of these. Disorders of perception are an absent or false feeling of urge. Retentional disorders are soiling, insufficiency and incontinence; disorders of excretion are constipation and complete rectal prolapse. Application of functional tests from the colorectal laboratory is helpful in diagnosing these functional disorders and in arriving at a strategy for treatment. Single tests represent different aspects of anorectal function and need to be performed together. Abnormal results in one test must be interpreted with caution, especially when therapeutic surgery is considered. Continence disorders are difficult to deal with as the symptomatology is often not specific

THE CLINICAL VALUE OF TESTS OF LIVER FUNCTION

This study is an effort to evaluate clinically certain so-called tests of liver function on the basis of the results obtained from their use in cases of known or anticipated diseases of the liver. The difficulties encountered in the application of functional tests to the liver have been commented on frequently in recent literature and have been concisely summarized by Carlson.1A critical survey of the many liver function tests which have been introduced led Mann and Bollman2to the conclusion that the tests which offered the greatest clinical possibilities were those concerned with the measurement of serum bilirubin and the excretion of specific dyes. These observations have been supported in general by the workers who have applied the tests to clinical material, the van den Bergh reaction and the icterus index being used in the study of serum bilirubin and one of the halogenated phenolphthaleins as the specific dye.