Muscle Strengthening Exercise Program Research Articles

Exploring the Feasibility of Digital Voice Assistants for Delivery of a Home-Based Exercise Intervention in Older Adults With Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Current clinical guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in older adults recommend the use of antihyperglycemic medications, monitoring of blood glucose levels, regular exercise, and a healthy diet to improve glycemic control and reduce associated comorbidities. However, adherence to traditional exercise programs is poor (<35%). Common barriers to adherence include fear of hypoglycemia and the need for blood glucose level monitoring before exercise. Digital health strategies offer great promise for managing T2DM as they facilitate patient-practitioner communication, support self-management, and improve access to health care services for underserved populations. We have developed a novel web-based software program allowing practitioners to create tailored interventions and deliver them to patients via digital voice assistants (DVAs) in their own homes. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of a 12-week, home-based, personalized lifestyle intervention delivered and monitored by DVAs for older adults with obesity and T2DM. In total, 50 older adults with obesity aged 50-75 years with oral hypoglycemic agent-treated T2DM were randomized to the intervention (DVA, n=25) or a control group (n=25). Participants allocated to the DVA group were prescribed a home-based muscle strengthening exercise program (~20- to 30-min sessions) and healthy eating intervention, delivered via DVAs (Alexa Echo Show 8; Amazon) using newly developed software ("Buddy Link"; Great Australian Pty Ltd). Control group participants received generalized physical activity information via email. Outcomes were feasibility, DVA usability (System Usability Scale), and objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary time (wrist-worn accelerometers). In total, 45 (90%) out of 50 participants completed this study. Mean adherence to prescribed exercise was 85% (SD 43%) with no intervention-related adverse events. System usability was rated above average (70.4, SD 16.9 out of 100). Compared with controls, the DVA group significantly decreased sedentary time (mean difference -67, SD 23; 95% CI -113 to -21 min/d), which was represented by a medium to large effect size (d=-0.6). A home-based lifestyle intervention delivered and monitored by health professionals using DVAs was feasible for reducing sedentary behavior and increasing moderate-intensity activity in older adults with obesity and T2DM. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12621000307808; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=381364&isReview=true.

Delivery of a telehealth supported home exercise program with dietary advice to increase plant-based protein in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a 12-week pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial

Telehealth overcomes common geographical barriers to community/clinic-based healthcare and lifestyle interventions, (1,2) but whether it is a feasible and safe mode of healthcare service delivery for lifestyle-based interventions in those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unknown. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of a home exercise program with dietary advice to increase plant-based protein delivered and monitored by healthcare professionals via telehealth in adults with NAFLD. Secondary aims were to assess changes in macronutrient intake including protein from plant and animal sources, body weight, physical activity and physical function. This was a 12-week pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial conducted in 28 inactive adults (&gt;45 years) with NAFLD. Participants were randomly allocated to receive: 1) a home-based, muscle strengthening exercise program (3 days/week) delivered and monitored remotely by an exercise physiologist using the TeleHab exercise platform/app (VALD Health) plus support from a nutritionist to increase daily protein intake to ~1.2-1.5 g/kg/day from predominately plant-based sources and behavioural change support delivered via 3-4 weekly text messages (Pro-Ex, n = 14) or 2) usual care (UC, n = 14). Feasibility was assessed via retention (defined as ≤10% attrition), adherence [≥66% to the muscle strengthening program and ≥80% to the recommended daily protein serves [total (≥3-3½), plant (≥2) and animal (≤1-1½) per day (via protein checklist)] and safety (intervention-related adverse events). Secondary outcomes included macronutrient intake (3x24-hour records), weight (self-reported), habitual physical activity (PA) [moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA), minutes/week via the Short International Physical Activity Questionnaire], and physical function [30-second sit-to-stand (STS) performance]. Since this was a pilot feasibility study, mean group differences (6 and 12-weeks) were estimated, with 95% confidence intervals, and standardised effects [Cohen D, effect size (ES)] reported for secondary outcomes. Overall, 25 participants (89%) completed the intervention. In Pro-Ex, mean adherence to the exercise program was 52%, while adherence to the recommended plant, animal and total protein serves/day was 32%, 42% and 14% of participants, respectively. One minor exercise-related adverse event occurred from 241 completed sessions over 12 weeks. Relative to UC, Pro-Ex experienced a mean 2.7 (95%CI: 0.9, 4.4; large ES d = 1.29) increase in 30-sec STS number, 46 minute (95%CI: −153, 245; small ES d = 0.19) increase in MVPA, 1.7kg (95%CI: −3.5, 0.2; moderate ES d = 0.54) decrease in body weight, 35.2g (95%CI: 11.0, 59.3; large ES d = 1.23) increase in protein and 8.3g (95%CI:-20.5, 4.0; moderate ES d=-0.57) reduction in saturated fat. In middle-aged and older adults with NAFLD, a home exercise and plant-based dietary protein intervention delivered via telehealth was safe, but not feasible in terms of achieving the desired level of adherence. Despite this, exploratory analysis indicates this mode of healthcare service delivery could play a role to support weight management and improve physical activity and physical function in adults with NAFLD.

A randomised controlled pilot study of a Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure™ balance and strengthening exercise program in community-dwelling older adults with a history of falls.

This pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of a Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure™-based balance and muscle strengthening exercise program in community-dwelling older adults with a history of falls. Older adults who have had at least one fall in the past year were randomly assigned to an experimental (n = 21) or control group (n = 21). The experimental group performed 16 exercise sessions in total, lasting 60 min each, twice a week for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received usual care. Feasibility was evaluated based on the scores of participants in the exercises. Acceptance was evaluated using a customised questionnaire examining participants' self-perceived enjoyment, feasibility and improvements. Clinical outcomes including balance (Mini-BESTest), lower limb muscle strength (Five-Time Sit-to-Stand test), mobility (Timed-Up and Go test), dual-task ability (Timed-Up and Go test-Dual Task), fear of falling (Icon-FES) and executive function (Color Trails Test) were evaluated at baseline and 8 weeks. Thirty-one participants (74%) finished the 8-week assessment. The experimental group significantly improved their scores in six out of eight exercises (all p < .031). The mean scores of the self-perceived enjoyment, feasibility and improvement domains of the acceptability questionnaire were 3.46 ± .53, 3.08 ± .59, and 3.47 ± .57 respectively. A significant improvement in the anticipatory subscore of the Mini-BESTest was found in the experimental group compared to the control group (p = .02; Partial eta squared = .14). The Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure™-based exercise program was feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective in community-dwelling older adults with a history of falls.

Intervention strategies with muscle strengthening exercises to improve walking speed in the older adults

The fact of performing physical activity is of vital importance and if a muscle strengthening exercise program plan is added to this, it is even more beneficial for the health of our body. The aim of this study was to determine if muscle strengthening exercise helps improve walking speed in these people. Information was collected from the main scientific bases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Scielo, Elsevier. For the investigation of the information, the following descriptors of health sciences were used: Gait; Walking speed; Pass test; Exercise techniques with movement; old man; Exercise with therapy. The inclusion criteria were the articles that were within the period 2017-2022, in the English, Portuguese and Spanish languages. 30 articles were incorporated into this review article. In these articles, information was found on the speed of walking and muscle strength exercises in the elderly. With the information collected, it is concluded that the application of a program of muscle strengthening exercises in the lower limb helps to improve the speed of walking in older adults.

S05-4 Progressive muscle-strengthening exercise is feasible among older people in the ‘Strength in Old Age Program'

Abstract Strong legs and good balance increase mobility and prevent falls in old age. Gym exercise is an effective way to improve muscle strength in old age, particularly when organized in a progressive training program. Current challenge is to recognize and motivate older people to join muscle-strengthening exercise groups. The national “Strength in Old Age Program” (2005-) aims to launch guided strength and balance exercises for independently living older adults with decreased functional capacity. One core activity is to find and motivate old people to participate in a progressive 8-12-week muscle strengthening exercise program. We aimed to increase participation in the organized activity and support participation after the progressive program had ended, to improve the exercise facilities at local level, and to study the perceived benefits from the participants in the Program. Setting was real-life setting, i.e. no case-control trials were set. Good practices were developed to recognize and recruit participants for the program: perform functional capacity tests in locations where old people go as part of their routines, such as free flu vaccination events, use screening questionnaires systematically for all, and activate/guide health care professionals to refer the high-risk patients to gym training. Further, as many municipalities were limited in their gym facilities, the program developed the following solutions: collaborate with private sector service providers, purchase only the essential leg-strengthening devices and use cheap solutions, improve the quality of training by increasing training frequency and combine nutritional advice. The program aimed to improve sustainability of training, where several approaches were found successful: educate peers who instruct gym groups in future, develop the chain of professional exercise counselling from health care to sport sector, and provide free-of-charge gym training sessions to continue after their progressive program. The participants (Survey of exercise group participants, n = 1022) of the progressive gym training program perceived mostly good or strong benefits from their participation in the program. Participants who attended gym training felt the highest impact on muscle strength, fitness and activities of daily living, when compared to other types of training groups (eg balance training) in the program. Conclusion suggests that gym exercise is a feasible good practice that should be encouraged in real-life setting.

Effects of adding aerobic physical activity to strengthening exercise on hip osteoarthritis symptoms: protocol for the PHOENIX randomised controlled trial

BackgroundHip osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of musculoskeletal pain. Exercise is a core recommended treatment. Most evidence is based on muscle-strengthening exercise, but aerobic physical activity has potential to enhance clinical benefits. The primary aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that adding aerobic physical activity to a muscle strengthening exercise leads to significantly greater reduction in hip pain and improvements in physical function, compared to a lower-limb muscle strengthening exercise program alone at 3 months.MethodsThis is a superiority, 2-group, parallel randomised controlled trial including 196 people with symptomatic hip OA from the community. Following baseline assessment, participants are randomly allocated to receive either i) aerobic physical activity and muscle strengthening exercise or; ii) muscle strengthening exercise only. Participants in both groups receive 9 consultations with a physiotherapist over 3 months. Both groups receive a progressive muscle strengthening exercise program in addition to advice about OA management. The aerobic physical activity plan includes a prescription of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity with a goal of attaining 150 min per week. Primary outcomes are self-reported hip pain assessed on an 11-point numeric rating scale (0 = ‘no pain’ and 10 = ‘worst pain possible’) and self-reported physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index physical function subscale) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include other measures of self-reported pain (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), self-reported physical function (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), performance-based physical function (assessed at 0, 3 months), joint stiffness (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), quality of life (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), muscle strength (assessed at 0, 3 months), and cardiorespiratory fitness (assessed at 0, 3 months). Other measures include adverse events, co-interventions, and adherence. Measures of body composition, serum inflammatory biomarkers, quantitative sensory measures, anxiety, depression, fear of movement and self-efficacy are included to explore causal mechanisms.DiscussionFindings will assist to provide an evidence-based recommendation regarding the additional effect of aerobic physical activity to lower-limb muscle strengthening on hip OA pain and physical function.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry reference: ACTRN 12619001297112. Registered 20th September 2019.

Barriers and enablers for older adults participating in a home-based pragmatic exercise program delivered and monitored by Amazon Alexa: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe remote delivery and monitoring of individually-tailored exercise programs using voice-controlled intelligent personal assistants (VIPAs) that support conversation-based interactions may be an acceptable alternative model of digital health delivery for older adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enablers and barriers for older adults participating in a home-based exercise program delivered and monitored by VIPAs.MethodThis qualitative study used videoconferencing to conduct semi-structured interviews following a 12-week, prospective single-arm pilot study in 15 adults aged 60 to 89 years living alone in the community. All participants were prescribed an individualized, brief (10 min, 2–4 times per day), home-based muscle strengthening and balance exercise program delivered and monitored using an Amazon Echo Show 5 device (Alexa). Qualitative interview data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsAll 15 participants (aged 70.3 ± 4.3 years, mean ± SD) attended the semi-structured interview. Themes including enjoyability and ease of use, social engagement and motivation were enablers for participation in the exercise program. Errors in voice recognition, lack of feedback, and preference for other existing digital health modes of exercise delivery were barriers associated with the Alexa technology.ConclusionsThis qualitative study identified enablers and barriers associated with using an Alexa device to deliver and monitor an individualized, home-based exercise program in older adults living alone. Future interventions using VIPAs should focus on reducing technical errors, providing regular exercise feedback, and comparing participants’ experiences of exercise programs delivered by VIPAs to programs delivered via other digital health tools.

Comparison of the effects of muscle-strengthening exercise using free weights and elastic resistance bands to maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii muscle on untrained subjects

Background: Impaired muscle performance, muscle weakness and atrophy, even sarcopenia (reduced muscle mass and strength) can be caused by injury, disease, immobilization, disuse, and inactivity. Resistance training is an appropriate therapeutic intervention to increase integrated muscle power, strength, and endurance during functional movement, to reduce the risk of injury or re-injury, and to improve physical performance. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of free weights (dumbbells) and elastic resistance bands in increasing the biceps brachii muscle strength on untrained subjects during four weeks of training. Methods: The study was conducted from February to March 2021. Twenty-four men with low and moderate activity levels were recruited and randomized into the dumbbell group (DB) and the elastic resistance bands (ERB) group. Each group was given a biceps brachii muscle strengthening exercise program for 4 weeks. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of biceps brachii muscle was collected before and after treatment. Results: There was a significant difference in the MVIC value before and after 4 weeks of exercise in the DB group (right p-value 0.002 and left p-value 0.003) and the ERB group (right p-value 0.000 and left p-value 0.001), there was no difference significant difference in MVIC of the right and left biceps brachii muscles before and after 4 weeks of exercise between the two groups (right p-value 0.453 and left 0.714). Conclusion: Free weights and elastic resistance bands show the same effect in increasing MVIC on untrained subjects

Effectiveness of a Community-Based Muscle Strengthening Exercise Program to Increase Muscle Strength Among Pre-frail Older Persons in Malaysia: A Pilot Study.

Deterioration in muscle mass and muscle strength is common among the frail older persons, cause functional dependence and decrease in the quality of life. Therefore, the identification of cost-effective interventions to prevent or ameliorate frailty is crucially needed. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a Community-based Muscle Strengthening Exercise (COME) program to increase muscle strength among pre-frail older persons. This study was a quasi-experimental study. A total of 32 older persons aged 60 years and older with pre-frail symptoms were recruited from the community center. The COME was developed based on the Growing Stronger program and the Otago Home Exercise Program. COME was designed to strengthen all of the major muscle groups in the upper and lower extremities. The exercise program was conducted for 12 weeks and divided into 3 parts; (1) to strengthen the body slowly and gently, using only body weight, (2) to introduce dumbbells and ankle weights to increase strength and (3) to add various new ways to boost strength even more. Functional tests were measured before and after the intervention. The results revealed non-significant p-value for pre- and post-intervention comparison for all study outcomes. Observing the values of mean difference, the study intervention was shown to have slightly improved the time up and go (Mean difference = −0.25), and sit-to-stand duration (Mean difference = −0.41) as well as the handgrip strength (Mean difference = 0.68) among the participants. On the assessment of Cohen ES, all three improvements exhibited small effect sizes. Sit-to-stand duration was shown to have most benefited from the intervention with highest ES among the outcome variables (ES = 0.20). COME intervention program among pre-frail older persons showed favorable trend toward improvement of upper and lower extremities muscle strength. This study should be further tested in randomized control trial to confirm its effectiveness.

Effect of Additional Hip Strengthening on Anterior Knee Pain, Strength, and Health Status in Patients with Total Knee Replacement: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Total knee replacement (TKR) is a standard surgical option for advanced-stage knee osteoarthritis. The primary indication of TKR is incapacitating knee pain. 75% to 89% of patients undergoing TKR reports a satisfactory reduction in pain. However, some patients develop anterior knee pain post-TKR. Therefore, different treatment strategies are used for the management of pain post TKR. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the additional effects of hip strengthening on pain, muscle strength, and health status in TKR patients.Methods: We randomized patients into two groups: knee group and knee hip group. The knee group (n=6) did knee flexors and extensors strengthening. The knee hip group (n=6) performed knee strengthening with additional hip abductors, lateral rotators, and extensors strengthening exercises. Both groups received four-session/week for six weeks. The pain was measured on NPRS, muscle strength on a hand-held dynamometer, and health status using the WOMAC scale. The data was collected at the baseline and post intervention (six weeks).Results: The knee hip group shows more marked improvements in pain than the knee group, t value =3.3 (p=0.012). The data did not suggest any difference in knee muscle strength between the groups. Hip muscle strength showed a significant difference. Health status significantly improved in the knee hip group compared to the knee group, t value = 4.68 (p=0.005).Conclusion: We can conclude that a six-week hip muscle strengthening exercise program effectively improves pain, muscle strength, and health status than a conventional knee strengthening program.

Correlation Between Muscle Strength and Functional Improvement After a Neuromuscular Electrical Strengthening Associated with Undenatured Type II Collagen in Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, affecting 2693 out of every 100,000 women and 1770 out of every 100,000 men. The main treatment for OA is education and exercise. Aerobic and strengthening exercises are effective in reducing pain and disability. Moreover, the nutraceutical undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) has been studied in patients with knee OA. Knee muscle strength is shown to be related to physical function in people with knee OA. This study analyzed the correlation between muscle strength and function in patients with knee OA after a muscle strengthening exercise program and UC-II supplementation. A randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 100 patients with grade I to III knee OA. The groups were as follows: UC-II (CG), placebo UC-II (PCG), UC-II and NMES Strengthening (CNSG), placebo UC-II and NMES Strengthening (PCNSG), and NMES Strengthening (NSG), each with 20 participants. The following were evaluated: knee quadriceps muscle strength, objective function (6MWT and TUG), and subjective function (WOMAC and Lequesne), at 30 days, 90 days, and 6 months after the intervention. The CG improved function only 6 months after the interventions (p < 0.05). The CNSG and PG improved quadriceps strength and function in all reevaluations (p < 0.05). There was a moderate to strong correlation between bilateral quadriceps strength and objective function as assessed by TUG and 6MWT at 30 days in the CNSG and PG (p < 0.005), this effect remaining after 6 months of intervention (p < 0.05). There was a moderate to strong correlation between bilateral quadriceps muscle strength and objective function as assessed by WOMAC and Lequesne scores in the CNSG and NSG at all times of the study (p < 0.05). Muscle strength gain was significantly correlated with objective and subjective functional improvement in patients with knee OA. The combination of muscle strengthening and UC-II administration potentiated this functional gain. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC): RBR-8ghcx3

Effects of Muscle Strengthening around the Hip on Pain, Physical Function, and Gait in Elderly Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Functional limitations may still remain even after a patient completes a traditional quadriceps-based rehabilitative program after total knee arthroplasty. Based on studies reporting that patients with knee osteoarthritis have muscle weakness around the hip joint after total knee arthroplasty, we investigated whether strengthening the hip muscles can reduce pain and improve the physical function and gait of patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Patients were randomly divided into three groups: hip, quadriceps, and control. The hip group (n = 19) completed an extensor, adductor, and external muscle strengthening exercise program. The quadriceps group (n = 20) completed a quadriceps strengthening exercise program. The control group (n = 16) completed an active range of motion exercises. Therapy was conducted thrice weekly for 12 weeks. Pain and function items from the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Alternate Step Test, Five Times Sit to Stand Test, and Single Leg Stance Test were performed to assess pain and physical function. In the gait analysis, stride, single-stance (%), double-stance (%), and gait speed were measured. Data were collected at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the intervention. Results: The hip group showed more significant improvements in pain and performance on the Alternate Step Test and Single Leg Stance Test than the quadriceps and control groups. In the gait analysis, the hip group showed the largest improvements in single stance and double stance. Conclusions: In conclusion, a 12-week hip muscle strengthening exercise program effectively improves the physical function and gait of patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty.

Annals for Educators - 20 October 2020

Annals for Educators - 20 October 2020

Effectiveness of quadriceps muscle strengthening on knee joint stability and activities of daily living in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis

Objectives: Knee is the largest weight bearing joint in the body and thereby is affected by diseases such as osteoarthritis more frequently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 4 week physiotherapy exercise program, designed to improve quadriceps muscle strength and girth, and to observe its effect on knee pain and activities of daily life through a pre and post exercise analysis in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with knee joint osteoarthritis irrespective of gender, over the age of 45 and less than 75 years were recruited for the study. Initially knee joint pain severity was assessed using the VAS (visual analogue scales) and WOMAC questionnaire was used to assess the activities of daily living. The thigh circumference was measured in centimeters. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20. Results: Mean age of osteoarthritis patients was 54 years. There was a statistically significant, reduction in knee pain (p=0.001), improvement of quadriceps muscles girth (p=0.012) and an improvement of daily living activities (p=0.001) after engaging in the physiotherapy exercise program. Conclusion: A four week guided quadriceps muscle strengthening exercise program can significantly increase the quadriceps muscles girth and knee joint stability and reduce pain and improve the activities of daily living in patients with knee OA.

Effect of different exercise programs on non-specific chronic low back pain and disability in people who perform sedentary work

BackgroundThis study compared the short- and long-term effects of different exercise programs on lumbar muscle function, cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle, functional disability and low back pain in people who perform sedentary work. MethodsA total of 70 volunteer women with sedentary occupations suffering from low back pain were randomized to either the lumbar stabilization exercise program group or the lumbar muscle strengthening exercise program group. All subjects entered the 20-week exercise programs. The measurement of the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle was executed by using an ultrasound system, isokinetic peak torque was measured applying an isokinetic dynamometer. FindingsThe results indicated that the 20-week exercise programs reduced low back pain and functional disability. Positive effects for the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle, functional disability and low back pain lasted for 4 weeks after the application of lumbar muscle strengthening exercise program and for 12 weeks after the application of lumbar stabilization exercise program. The lumbar muscle strength increased and lasted for 8 weeks after both exercise programs. InterpretationThe 20-week lumbar stabilization exercise and muscle strengthening exercise programs were efficacious in decreasing LBP and functional disability in people performing sedentary work, however the lumbar stabilization exercise program was more effective, and this effect lasted for 12 weeks after completion of the program.

The Effect of Lower Extremity Strengthening Exercise Using Sliding Stander on Balance and Spasticity in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: Generally, patients with stroke present with decreased balance and increased spasticity following weakness of the paralyzed muscles. Muscle weakness caused by stroke has two causes. This is caused by a decrease in motor output and an adaptive muscle change, resulting in muscle weakness and muscle paralysis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of strengthening ex ercise on balance and spasticity in chronic stroke patients and to suggest the basis of clinical treatment. Methods: Twenty subjects were divided into two groups: a lower-extremity strengthening group (experimental group) and a general physical therapy group (control group). The sliding stander equipment was used for the experimental group and a regimen of warm-up exercise, the main exercise routine, and cool-down exercise were used for the muscle strengthening exercise program. Balance and spas ticity were measured before and after the training period. Balance ability was measured by the Berg balance scale, the Timed up and Go test and the weight distribution of the paralyzed muscles by the Spacebalance 3D. Spasticity was measured by the Biodex system. Results: After the training periods, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in BBS, weight distribution of the para lyzed muscles, and decreased spasticity when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study supported the hypothesis that lower-extremity strengthening exercise improves the balance and decreases the spasticity of stroke patients. If it is combined with conventional neurologic physiotherapy, it would be effective rehabilitation for stroke patients.

THE EFFECT OF STRENGTH EXERCISE ON THICKNESS AND FUNCTION OF QUADRICEPS MUSCLE IN SPORTING AND NON-SPORTING 11-13 YEAR OLD CHILDREN

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is the key factor in a child’s development and strong health. This includes physical, mental and functional body states. In Lithuania, as in the whole world, the physical activity of children is decreasing and this affects their growth and maturation.OBJECTIVE OF STUDY: To evaluate the effect of exercises on the thickness and function of the quadriceps thigh muscle of sporting and non-sporting children 11-13 years of age.METHODS: The research was carried out at one of Kaunas basic schools. Two tests were performed for this purpose before and after the study. In the study, a dominant leg measuring test and the thickness, volume and strength measuring of the quadriceps thigh muscle was performed. The received data was processed using SPSS 17.0 and a mathematical calculator in Microsoft Office Excel. The study lasted 5 months and a leg muscle strengthening exercise program was performed for 30 minutes twice a week. The participants performed 30 exercises in total.RESULTS: The study involved 36 participants, which were grouped in two groups of 18 participants. Assessing the results of a study between a dominant and non-dominant leg, we found that the results of all measurements in both groups were not significantly different (p&gt;0.05). By analyzing the results of sporting and non-sporting groups before as well as after the study and after calculation of Pearson correlation coefficients, a greater link between the measured parameters was determined in the sporting group.CONCLUSION: The results showed that the studied parameters (thickness, force and volume of the quadriceps thigh muscle) statistically increased significantly after strength exercises.

여성노인에게 적용한 12주간 복합하지근력 운동프로그램이 낙상위험도에 미치는 영향

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12weeks complexed lower body muscle-strengthening exercise program on fall risk in elderly women. Twenty subjects volunteered to participate who use a welfare center in W city For the study we divided into two groups: exercise group (EC, n=10, mean age:69.6±2.2), comparative group(CG, n=10, mean age:71.3±4.6). In order to investigate the effect of lower body muscle-strengthening program on the degree of risk of fall. It reached a conclusion as follows after having applied BBS (Berg Balance Scale) and OLST (One -Leg Stance Test) to examine the degree of risk of fall. As a result of changes in BBS and OLST, there were significant differences between EG and CG for each test(p<.00). Therefore, it confirmed that the application of complexed lower body muscle-strengthening program to the elderly who have a high risk of fall influences the risk of fall positively. Key Words : Complexed Lower Body Muscle-Strengthening, Elderly Women, Fall, Berg Balance Scale, One -Leg Stance Test, Convergence

The effects of a community-centered muscle strengthening exercise program using an elastic band on the physical abilities and quality of life of the rural elderly.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a muscle strengthening exercise program using an elastic band on changes in the physical abilities and quality of life of the rural elderly. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 46 elderly people (8 males, 38 females) aged 65 or older, who lived in a rural area and managed their daily lives independently. [Methods] The study’s exercise program was conducted 16 times for 80 minutes each session over an eight-week period. This program consisted of several exercises to strengthen muscular endurance and improve balance ability based on exercises using Thera-bands. The physical abilities of the subjects were divided into muscular endurance, upper-extremity flexibility, balance, and low-extremity agility. Each ability was measured to compare the effects of the exercise program. In addition, the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaire was used to examine changes in the subjects’ quality of life. [Results] The subjects showed improvements in muscular endurance, balance, and low-extremity agility. They also exhibited an overall statistically significant improvement in quality of life scores after the exercise program. In terms of the main items, changes were observed in the areas of psychological relations, social relations, and environment. [Conclusion] The community-centered muscle strengthening exercise program using the elastic band was found to improve muscular endurance, balance, agility, and quality of life of rural elderly subjects.

Effect of a muscle strengthening exercise program for pelvic control on gait function of stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of strengthening exercises for the hip extensors on the gait performance and stability of patients with hemiplegia. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were fifteen stroke patients (ten males, five females). The experimental subjects performed a hip extensor strengthening exercise (HESE) program for a total of four weeks. [Results] The experimental subjects showed significant improvements after the HESE program. Especially, walking speed and the affected side stance phase time significantly increased after the HESE program. Furthermore, the affected side stride length and symmetry index in the stance phase significantly increased after HESE program. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the HESE program may, in part, help to improve gait performance ability and stabilize physical disability after stroke.