Muscle Strengthening Exercises Research Articles

A wearable hip exoskeleton for anaerobic exercise in healthy adults

Guidelines encouraging social distancing, limited outings, and remote work due to COVID-19 have increased sedentary periods and reduced levels of physical activity. These habits increase the risk of metabolic diseases, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. The World Health Organization recommends muscle-strengthening exercises as well as regular physical activity to promote overall health. This study investigates the effect of a wearable hip exoskeleton on muscle activity and heart rate during anaerobic exercise in 40 healthy adults (mean age of 40.00 ± 11.51 years; n = 20 females). Bot Fit, a wearable hip-type robotic exoskeleton, was developed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon, Republic of Korea) to enhance the effects of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. All study participants performed a fitness exercise protocol, including knee-ups, good mornings, squats, mountain climbs, kick-backs, reverse lunges, and split jacks, with and without a Bot Fit. To evaluate the effect of anaerobic exercise with the Bot Fit, muscle activity and heart rate were measured during fitness exercises with and without a Bot Fit. Measured muscles were the rectus abdominis (RA), erector spinae (ES), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GCM), and gluteus maximus (GM). During anaerobic exercises with the Bot Fit, there was a significant increase in muscle activity compared to exercising without the Bot Fit. Muscle activity increased significantly in the RA, RF, VL, BF and TA muscles during knee-ups; in the ES, BF, and GM during good mornings; in the RF, VL, VM, BF, and GM during squats; in RA, RF, VL, VM, and GM during mountain climbs; in the RA and BF during kick-backs; in the RF, BF, and GCM during reverse lunges; and in the RF and VL during split jacks (p < 0.05). Heart rates showed a statistically significant increase during good mornings, mountain climbs, and reverse lunge exercises while wearing the Bot Fit (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that anaerobic exercises by healthy adults using a Bot Fit led to enhanced activation of abdominal and lower-limb muscles as well as an improved heart rate, maximizing the effect of anaerobic exercise compared with the same exercise protocol without a Bot Fit. This suggests that use of a Bot Fit can increase the effectiveness of anaerobic exercise in healthy adults.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DA FISIOTERAPIA EM LUXAÇÃO DE PATELA EM CÃES

Physical therapy in cases of patellar luxation in dogs is an essential therapeutic approach that aims not only to alleviate pain but also to restore functionality and prevent future complications. Patellar luxation can result in significant discomfort and difficulty in locomotion, affecting the animal's quality of life. The physiotherapeutic intervention is designed to address these issues through a set of techniques that include muscle strengthening exercises, which help stabilize the knee joint, and stretching, which improves flexibility and range of motion. Hydrotherapy, for example, is often used to allow low-impact exercises, reducing stress on the joints while promoting muscle strengthening. Additionally, manual therapy can be applied to relieve muscle tension and improve blood circulation in the affected area. Physical therapy not only accelerates post-surgical recovery when surgery is necessary but can also be an effective alternative for conservative management in less severe cases. By tailoring treatment protocols to the specific needs of each dog, physical therapy significantly contributes to the rehabilitation and overall well-being of the animals, standing out as a fundamental part of the multidisciplinary treatment of patellar luxation.

ATUAÇÃO FISIOTERAPÊUTICA NA PREVENÇÃO DE LESÃO MENISCAL EM JOGADORES DE FUTEBOL: UMA REVISÃO BIBLIOGRÁFICA INTEGRATIVA

Meniscal injuries are common among football players due to the high physical demands and repetitive movements required by the sport. Given the importance of preventing and treating these injuries, this study aims to explore physiotherapeutic treatment in football, as the role of physiotherapists has been gradually expanding in sports, seeking more effective approaches to prevent these injuries. The objective was to analyze the role of physiotherapy in preventing meniscal injuries in professional football players of both sexes. An integrative literature review was conducted using the PICO methodology, covering studies published in the last five years. The results indicate that 193 articles were initially identified, of which 5 randomized clinical trials were selected after applying inclusion criteria. Physical therapy, through muscle strengthening exercises, proprioception, and other techniques, can be as effective as surgery in the recovery of athletes. In addition to helping prevent new injuries, physical therapy can, in some cases, replace the need for surgical interventions. It is concluded that physiotherapy is a viable strategy for preventing and treating meniscal injuries, although more research is needed to understand its long-term effects.

Quantitative analysis of effectiveness and associated factors of exercise on symptoms in osteoarthritis: a pharmacodynamic model-based meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the time point and magnitude of peak effectiveness of exercise and the effects of various exercise modalities for osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and to identify factors...

Resistance exercise snacks as a workplace health intervention

Introduction &amp; Purpose Although resistance training (RT) is essential to preserve musculoskeletal fitness and maintain a healthy, independent life into old age, only 10-30% of adults perform the recommended number of 2 RT per week, with women participating in even less RT (Bennie et al., 2016, 2018). As women have less skeletal muscle mass, experience an earlier strength loss, and a greater decline in muscle quality, RT appears especially beneficial for them (Doherty, 2001; Janssen et al., 2000). A novel approach to deal with common participation barriers (lack of time, limited access to equipment/facilities) are resistance exercise snacks (RES; Fyfe et al., 2022). Therefore, it was investigated whether RES is an efficient concept for the workplace health promotion (WHP) to facilitate RT in women and improve musculoskeletal fitness. Methods This pilot-study followed a prospective, controlled intervention design. Female employees with sedentary occupations doing RT on less than 2 days/week before study participation were included. Participants self-selected for intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). While the IG (N = 15, mean age 42.1 ± 11.1 years) completed 10 min of RES each working day for 12 weeks supervised by a trainer, the CG (N = 15, mean age 49.9 ± 9.7 years) maintained their habitual physical activity. Primary outcome was change in muscle mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis, SECA® mBCA515 scale). Secondary outcome was change in maximum isometric strength (Dr. WOLFF BackCheck® 617). Balance (Y-balance composite-score, Y-Balance test kit), cardiovascular fitness, (6-minute walking test), perceived health (minimum European health module), and general life satisfaction (general life satisfaction short scale) were assessed for exploratory purpose. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention. The difference in change between groups for muscle mass, strength, balance, and cardiovascular fitness was analyzed via mixed model ANOVA. For perceived health and general life satisfaction Wilcoxon test was applied to analyze within group changes. Results 12 participants of IG and 14 of CG completed the study. Muscle mass improved significantly more in the IG (+.42 kg ± .54) compared to the CG (-.16 kg ± .51) (p = .01, ⴄ²p = .24). Strength did not change significantly between groups. Nevertheless, there was a trend for greater improvements in the IG compared to the CG for trunk extension, trunk flexion, and upper body push but not upper body pull. Regarding exploratory endpoints, no significant changes were found. Discussion Findings of the present study support the notion that training with light loads (&lt; 30% of 1RM) effectively stimulate muscle protein synthesis if the intensity of effort is high. Higher training loads might be required to maximally recruit muscle fibers and induce optimal strength gains. For improvements in balance and cardiovascular fitness more specific training programs are required. Future studies should investigate what training stimuli are needed within RES (e.g., volume, load, frequency) to optimize improvements in musculoskeletal fitness and motivate participants in the long-term applying randomized controlled intervention designs. Conclusion RES is an efficient approach for the WHP to improve muscle mass in inactive women with sedentary occupations. References Bennie, J. A., Lee, D.-C., Khan, A., Wiesner, G. H., Bauman, A. E., Stamatakis, E., &amp; Biddle, S. J. H. (2018). Muscle-strengthening exercise among 397,423 U.S. adults: Prevalence, correlates, and associations with health conditions. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55(6), 864–874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.07.022 Bennie, J. A., Pedisic, Z., van Uffelen, J. G. Z., Charity, M. J., Harvey, J. T., Banting, L. K., Vergeer, I., Biddle, S. J. H., &amp; Eime, R. M. (2016). Pumping iron in Australia: Prevalence, trends and sociodemographic correlates of muscle strengthening activity participation from a national sample of 195,926 adults. PLoS ONE, 11(4), Article e0153225. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153225 Doherty, T. J. (2001). The influence of aging and sex on skeletal muscle mass and strength. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition &amp; Metabolic Care, 4(6), 503–508. Fyfe, J. J., Hamilton, D. L., &amp; Daly, R. M. (2022). Minimal-dose resistance training for improving muscle mass, strength, and function: A narrative review of current evidence and practical considerations. Sports Medicine, 52(3), 463–479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01605-8 Janssen, I., Heymsfield, S. B., Wang, Z., &amp; Ross, R. (2000). Skeletal muscle mass and distribution in 468 men and women aged 18–88 yr. Journal of Applied Physiology, 89(1), 81–88. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.2000.89.1.81

Adapted physical activity: Benefit on oxidative, functional capacity and exercise tolerance of elderly people in Kinshasa

In basketball, shooting stands out as a vital technique directly affecting the game results. Identifying shooting mechanics early in a basketball player's career can significantly develop shooting performance in subsequent years. This study aimed to explore shooting percentages based on angular positions of joint parts in the shooting techniques of youth basketball players. Fifteen male participants (average age: 14.1±0.7 years, height: 180.7±7.9 cm, body weight: 65.4±10.0 kg, sports experience: 4.7±0.4 years) voluntarily participated in the study. They were divided into high shooting rate (n: 7) and low shooting rate (n: 8) groups. Both groups attempted 60 shots from the free throw line (20 shots), right forward position (20 shots), and left forward position (20 shots). Joint angle values during the initial and final shooting phases were compared between groups using Independent t-tests. Significant differences were found between groups in the shoulder part during the beginning phase and the wrist part during the final shooting phase (p

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.

Effect of whole-body vibration on postural stability in young adults with generalized joint hypermobility: A comparative study.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is being used in rehabilitation and sport. Studies confirm its positive impact on muscle strength and power or regulating muscle hypertension. However, there are some uncertainties regarding its influence on postural stability. This issue seems particularly interesting in the case of individuals with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), for whom proprioceptive training and muscle strengthening exercises are recommended while techniques that decrease muscle tension are not advised. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute effect of WBV on postural stability in adults with GJH. 60 participants were categorized into the groups: 1) hypermobility with vibration (GJH+WBV), 2) hypermobility without vibration (GJH-WBV), 3) control group with vibration (CTRL+WBV), 4) control group without vibration (CTRL-WBV). The first and the third group completed WBV (frequency: 15Hz and 30Hz, amplitude 3mm, 3 × 3min). The second and fourth groups participated only in measurement sessions. GJH was assessed using the Beighton test. Postural stability was measured as the overall stability index (OSI) on the Biodex Balance System on the stable and unstable platform with open and closed eyes. Measurements were taken before and after WBV for two weeks. At a frequency of 15Hz, a significant time effect was observed for measurements Before and After in CTRL-WBV on the stable platform with open eyes (p= 0.012) and on the unstable platform with closed eyes (p= 0.000) for the GJH+WBV and CTRL+WBV groups. There were no significant interactions (p> 0.05) between factors. At a frequency of 30Hz, there was a significant time effect Before and After (p= 0.047) on the stable platform with open eyes, but no interaction was found between factors (p= 0.835). There is no positive acute effect of WBV on postural stability in adults with and without GJH.

Exploring the sports participation, muscle-strengthening exercise and active commuting with comorbidity of depression and anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

Hence, the primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sport participation, muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE), and active commuting (AC) in the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety in Chinese children and adolescents. This cross-sectional investigation occurred in various cities across the southeastern region of China between March 2021 and October 2021. A convenient sampling method was utilized. We invited children and adolescents to participate in the questionnaire survey. A total of 1,996 participants completed the questionnaires with the endorsement of their parents or guardians under the supervision of schoolteachers and headmasters. Girls comprised 47.5% of the participants, and the average age of participants was 14.8 ± 2.0 years. We conducted a logistic regression analysis, including 95% confidence intervals, to explore the association between sports participation, MSE, AC, and the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety. No significant association was observed between weekday active commuting for travelling to and from school and MSE and the comorbidity of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents. A negative association was only detected for those who engaged in muscle-strengthening exercises 4 days a week (OR = 0.540, 95% CI = 0.345-0.845) compared to those who did not partake in such exercises. The present study has provided evidence of the connection between sports participation and the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents. Sports participation is more likely to help adolescents relieve anxiety and depression than AC, MSE. In forthcoming research, it is imperative to delve deeper into strategies that enhance the impact of sports on the mental well-being of children and young individuals. Furthermore, optimizing the magnitude of this effect may be achievable by focusing on neurobiological, behavioral, and psychosocial mechanisms.

Isokinetic Knee Strengthening Impact on Physical and Functional Performance, Pain Tolerance, and Quality of Life in Overweight/Obese Women with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

Background/Objectives: Patellofemoral syndrome is a common osteoarticular condition that affects many individuals. Various treatment options are available, with a significant emphasis on targeted muscle-strengthening exercises. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of isokinetic muscle strengthening on muscle strength, joint range of motion, quality of life, physical performance, and pain tolerance in overweight/obese women with patellofemoral syndrome. Methods: Twenty-four overweight or obese women with patellofemoral syndrome participated in the study during September and October 2023 in a private medical facility for physical medicine and functional rehabilitation. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups for six weeks of isokinetic muscle strengthening. The first group (ISO.G) followed a rehabilitation program combined with isokinetic muscle strengthening. A second group (PCM.G) followed a rehabilitation program that includes an isokinetic protocol in passive compensation movement. The extensors' peak torque was measured before and after training. Results: The flexors' peak torque, stair climbing test, 10 m walk, chair lift, monopodal support, goniometric knee flexion test, heel-buttock distance measurement, pain, and quality of life scores improved significantly in both groups. The ISO.G, on the other hand, benefited from a significant increase in quadriceps muscle strength revealed by the extensors' peak torque. Conclusions: For the treatment of patellofemoral syndrome, isokinetic muscle strengthening in concentric mode appears to have a significant advantage over the classic rehabilitation program with isokinetic passive compensation, particularly in muscle strength gain, in addition to the improvement of joint range of motion, quality of life, physical performance, and pain tolerance. Isokinetic training may be recommended as a beneficial approach for the rehabilitative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome in overweight/obese women.

Impact of the ActTeens Program on physical activity and fitness in adolescents: a cluster randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the ActTeens Program on physical activity and health-related physical fitness among adolescents in Brazil.MethodsThe “ActTeens Program” was conducted using a cluster-randomized controlled trial during 24-week school term. The sample consisted of 317 adolescents (52.7% girls; 13.61 ± 0.70 years) from four secondary schools that were randomly assigned to intervention group (N = 169) or control group (N = 148). This school-based physical activity (PA) intervention involved two components: (i) structured physical activity sessions delivered within physical education (PE) and (ii) healthy lifestyle guidance (mHealth). The primary outcome was PA assessed using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A); secondary outcomes included muscular (MF) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) assessed using 90-push-up, handgrip dynamometer, standing long jump, and 20 m PACER shuttle run test. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 12- and 24-week. Intervention effects were assessed using linear mixed models (LMM).ResultsFor the primary outcome (PA), no significant group-by-time effects were observed for physical education based-PA (0.3 score; 95%CI: -0.1; 0.6; and − 0.01 score; 95%CI: -0.03; 0.03, at 12-wk and 24-wk respectively) and total PA (-0.02 score; 95%CI: -0.2; 0.2; and − 0.01score; 95%CI: -0.2; 0.2, at 12 and 24 weeks respectively). After 24 weeks, we observed a significant group by time effects for lower body muscular fitness (12.9 cm; 95%CI, 3.2 to 22.2).ConclusionThe implementation of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises used in the ActTeens intervention did not lead to improvements in physical activity. The intervention resulted in improved lower body muscular fitness, however, we found no significant differences for upper body muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Comparative Effects of Isometric Quadriceps Training, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate Iontophoresis on Pain Intensity and Physical Functions of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

This study was with a view to comparing the effective means of alleviating pain and improving physical functions in patients with knee osteoarthritis using quadriceps strengthening exercises, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis. Seventy-eight participants with grade II knee OA were purposively selected and randomly assigned to three groups using fish bowl technique. Group one participants received 1g of glucosamine sulphate (GS) through iontophoresis while group two received 1g of chondroitin sulphate (CS) iontophoresis (40mA- min as dosage) using trans-arthral electrode placement technique twice a week, for 12 weeks. Group three participants had intervention in the form of quadriceps muscle strengthening exercise (1RM, 10 reps and 3 sets), which was a baseline treatment for all the groups. Pain intensity, active knee range of motion and physical function were assessed. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Kruskal-wallis test were used to analyze the data. Alpha level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The three modes of interventions significantly alleviated pain (p = 0.001), improved the Functional Activity Level and active ranges of motion (p = 0.001) in the groups after 12 weeks. Although, the administration of Quadriceps strengthening exercise alone, significantly improved the Functional Activity Level than Chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis and Glucosamine sulphate (H = 19.89, p = 0.001). However; there was no significant difference in the active range of motion across the 3 groups. In conclusion, Quadriceps strengthening exercise, Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis were effective in alleviating pain, enhancing range of motions and improving physical functions. However, Quadriceps strengthening exercise showed higher efficacy compared to others.

PRISE EN CHARGE DES PERSONNES ATTEINTES DE TROUBLES MUSCULO SUELETTIQUES ET DE MALADIES CHRONIQUES NON TRANSMISSIBLES PAR DES ACTIVITES PHYSIQUES ADAPTEES SANTE (APS) DURANT LE CONFINEMENT EN PERIODE DE COVID 19 AU SENEGAL

The appearance of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in China, and more specifically in Wuhan, triggered a pandemic, declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, which rapidly spread around the world, causing several thousand deaths. All countries have taken preventive measures, including containment, which reduces the mobility of populations. Consequently, inactivity among individuals, especially the elderly and women suffering from certain pathologies, further increases the risk of certain non-transmissible chronic diseases, as well as musculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders. Thus, our study consisted in providing a remedy during the period of relief from restrictive measures or decontainment through a health adapted physical activity program (APAS). Anthropometric variables and musculoskeletal disorders in 11 Senegalese women, all suffering from musculoskeletal disorders and some from chronic non-transmissible diseases (diabetes, sickle-cell anemia AS, osteoarthritis) aged between 31 and 55, were measured before and at the end of a month-long program consisting of treadmill walking combined with muscle-strengthening exercises. Students t-tests performed to compare the mean values of variables measured in our sample before and at the end of the physical activity program revealed no statistically significant differences, although the women showed an absolute reduction in weight, body fat and Body Mass Index, a remarkable reduction in musculoskeletal disorders and a stabilization of chronic non-transmissible diseases.

Manual Therapy Versus Exercise Therapy in Patients with Osteoarthritis of Knee -A Comparative Study

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study to compare the effectiveness of manual therapy versus exercise therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis in terms of decreasing pain HYPOTHESIS • Null Hypothesis: There may be no significant difference in the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis • Alternate Hypothesis: There may be significant difference in the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis INTERVENTION Group A: MANUAL THERAPY Manual physiotherapy protocol consisted of Treatment is done for two sessions per week for four weeks. Knee Mandatory interventions: 1. Knee flexion, non-thrust Antero-posterior directed force to the tibia, 2. Tibio-femoral joint ,non-thrust 3. Knee extension, non-thrust Postero-anterior directed force to the tibia 4. Tibio-femoral joint, non-thrust 5. Patellar gliding force, non-thrust 6. Manual stretch to quadriceps, hamstring, triceps surae muscle groups 7. Soft tissue manipulation ,quadriceps and Peripatellar connective tissue, hamstring, hip adductor and triceps surae muscles groups Treatment is done for two sessions per week for four weeks. Group B: EXERCISE THERAPY This group performed a closely supervised standardized knee exercise program at twice a week for four weeks at eight treatment sessions. This program consists of active range of motion exercise for knee, muscle strengthening exercise for hip and knee, muscle stretching for lower limbs and riding a stationary bike. Aerobic exercises • Up to 10 minutes stationary bicycle or walk. Stretching exercises: • Standing calf stretch – 3 repetitions with 30 sec hold • Supine hamstring stretch -3 repetitions with 30 sec hold • Prone quadriceps stretch –3 repetitions with 30 sec hold Range of motion exercises: • In long sitting position, • Knee mid flexion to end range extension – two 30 sec bouts with 3 sec hold at end range • In long sitting position, knee mid flexion to end range flexion – two sec bouts with 3 sec hold at end range Strengthening exercises: • Static quad sets in knee extension –one set of 10 repetitions with 6 sec hold,10 sec rest between repetitions. • Short arc terminal extension exercises for the knee joint. • Quadriceps non-weight bearing progressive resistance exercises with weighted cuffs. • Supine Straight Leg Rise (SLR) Neuro muscular control exercises: Closed chain progression: • Seated leg press – one 30 sec bout • Standing weight –shifting exercises • Side- stepping • Step ups • Forward-backward and shuttle – walking drills RESULTS: Knee function of all patients increased significantly after the 4-week intervention program in both the groups of MANUAL THERAPY and EXERCISE THERAPY but Group A Manual therapy improved more significantly when compared to Group B Exercise therapy. CONCLUSION: Treatment effect was more in the patients received Manual therapy when compared to Exercise therapy. This finding suggest that Manual therapy can be useful intervention supplement in patients with osteoarthritis of knee.

Postoperative Rehabilitation Program for Increasing Muscle Mass in Patients With Hip Fracture: A Retrospective Study.

Hip fractures are most likely to occur in older people, and after hip surgery muscle mass and the ability to perform activities of daily living often decline. In this study, we conducted inpatient rehabilitation after surgery for hip fracture and measured changes in muscle mass and physical performance. We retrospectively analyzed patients aged 65 years or older who underwent surgery (prosthetic replacement or internal fixation) and inpatient rehabilitation for hip fracture at our hospital between August and December 2020. The training included a joint range of motion exercise, muscle-strengthening exercise, gait training, early mobilization training, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. We measured the following factors after one and six weeks postoperatively: muscle mass, body weight, fat mass, grip strength, bilateral knee extension strength, ability to walk, and ability to perform activities of daily living. Seventeen patients were included. Median age was 84 years (interquartile range, 72-90). Lower limbs skeletal muscle mass increased(median 4.8 kg to 4.9 kg, p = 0.045), while upper limbs skeletal muscle mass and body weight decreased(median 1.2 kg to 1.1 kg, p = 0.0027), (median 46.8 kg to 45.5 kg, p = 0.0039), respectively. Total skeletal muscle mass and fat mass remained unchanged. Grip strength was maintained, and knee extension muscle strength on the healthy and affected sides increased (healthy side median 10.7 kgf to 13.7 kgf, p = 0.019; affected side median 5.5 kgf to 9.5 kgf, p < 0.001). All patients exhibited improved ability to perform activities of daily living; however, 52.9% of patients regained their pre-injury walking ability. Our rehabilitation program increased lower limbskeletal muscle mass in patients with hip fractures.

Association between depressive symptoms and sarcopenia among middle-aged and elderly individuals in China: the mediation effect of activities of daily living (ADL) disability

BackgroundDepressive symptoms and sarcopenia, often observed among middle-aged and elderly individuals, are significant health concerns in China, particularly given the country’s rapidly aging population. Depressive symptoms, characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest, can significantly impact quality of life. Little is known about the underlying pathway connecting these two conditions.MethodsThe data for this study were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CSED) scale. Logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the association between depressive symptoms, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, and sarcopenia, while adjusting for potential confounding factors. The selection of predictor variables, including social activity, chronic diseases, demographic factors, and lifestyle habits, was based on their known associations with mental health, physical functioning and sarcopenia. These variables were included to ensure a comprehensive adjustment for potential confounding factors and to provide a more accurate estimation of the relationship between depressive symptoms and sarcopenia. Additionally, mediation analysis was conducted to assess the mediating role of ADL disability in the relationship between depressive symptoms and sarcopenia.ResultsA comprehensive study was conducted on a total of 8,238 participants aged 45 years and older, comprising 3,358 men and 4,880 women. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify significant associations between depressive symptoms (OR = 1.30, P = 0.0269,95%CI = 1.03–1.63), ADL disability (OR = 1.94, P < 0.001,95%CI = 1.37–2.75) and sarcopenia. The results revealed significant relationships among these variables. Furthermore, mediation effect analyses demonstrated that ADL disability partially mediated the association between depressive symptoms and sarcopenia (estimated indirect effect: 0.006, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.008, proportion of mediation effect: 20.00%).ConclusionsThe study underscores a significant association between depressive symptoms and sarcopenia among middle-aged and elderly individuals in China, with ADL disability acting as a mediator. These findings offer novel insights for targeted health interventions. Future interventions should effectively combat sarcopenia by integrating psychological support with muscle-strengthening exercise programs. By addressing both depressive symptoms and ADL disability, clinicians and public health professionals can enhance outcomes for this demographic. Collaborative efforts across disciplines are essential for providing comprehensive health management tailored to the needs of middle-aged and elderly individuals. Future research should longitudinally assess the impact of such integrated interventions on sarcopenia prevention and depressive symptom alleviation. Additionally, investigating the role of social and environmental factors in mediating this relationship is crucial for developing more effective health strategies for this vulnerable population.

Comparison of effects of Otago exercise program vs gaze stability exercise on balance and fear of fall in older adults: A randomized trial.

Fall occurrences and the associated risk of injury are debilitating and major health concerns in the older population. Several interventions have been investigated and implemented to address the needs of balance impairments and to reduce the increased risk of falls. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Otago exercise program (OEP) and gaze stability exercises (GSE) on balance and the risk of falls in older adults residing at an old age home facility. Thirty elderly participants were equally and randomly divided into 2 groups: Group OEP received the OEP, and group GSE received GSE for 8 weeks (thrice a week). In addition, both groups also performed core muscle-strengthening exercises. The outcome measures were the Berg balance scale (BBS) and the Fall efficacy scale-International (FES-I). The interventions resulted in significant improvements (P < .001) in both outcome measures in both groups. The mean pretest BBS scores of groups OEP and GSE increased from 40.4 and 39.2 to the mean post-test scores of 48 and 45.2, respectively. Similarly, the mean pretest FES-I scores of groups OEP and GSE also improved from 39.47 and 40.4 to the mean post-test scores of 32.73 and 36.07. The between-group comparison showed greater improvement (P < .05) in OEP group in both variables. OEP and GSE were found to be beneficial rehabilitation programs in improving balance and fear of falls in healthy older adults. However, the OEP was found to be a more effective intervention and may allow better balance and fall prevention improvements. The study has been registered in clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT05781776; on 23/03/2023).

The effects of resistance exercise on cardiometabolic health and body composition in obese or overweight individuals undergoing dietary weight loss interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Obesity prevalence has tripled in over the past 35 years and has detrimental effects on physical and psychological health(1). Weight loss via dietary intervention is a mainstay for the treatment of obesity and reduces body fat(2), but also results in loss of lean tissue(3). A potential solution to mitigate the loss of lean tissue, and thus enhance the benefits of weight loss, is resistance exercise. The aim of the current systematic review was to examine the impact of resistance exercise on body weight/composition and markers of cardiometabolic health, as well as physical function, in people living with overweight or obesity undergoing dietary weight loss interventions.A search was performed in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) based on the set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Systematic searches yielded N=5147 studies of which n=27 were relevant for inclusion after screening for eligibility. We included randomised controlled clinical trials of adult participants (18-65 years of age) with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25kg/m2) that compared dietary weight loss interventions including resistance exercise with 1) dietary weight loss interventions including other non-resistance exercise and/or 2) dietary weight loss interventions without any exercise. Resistance exercise was classed as any form of resistance or muscle strengthening exercise (e.g. gym or home- based, supervised or non-supervised, used equipment or body weight only). Key data were extracted, risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the quality of evidence assessed using Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Meta-analysis was performed including only studies that compared dietary weight loss plus resistance exercise interventions to diet-only (i.e. not including any other exercise) weight loss interventions to explore differences in body weight/composition and cardiometabolic health changes between diet plus resistance exercise and diet only interventions.Overall, resistance exercise in addition to diet-induced weight loss had no effect on weight loss (mean difference between groups: -0.32kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.00 to 0.35; p=0.35) but did preserve fat free mass (between-group standardised mean difference (SMD): 0.40, 95%, [CI] 0.18 to 0.61; p=0.0003) and increase loss of fat mass (SMD: -0.36, 95% [CI] -0.49 to -0.23; p&lt; 0.00001). Muscular strength was also improved (SMD: 2.36, 95% [CI] 1.38 to 3.34; p=0.00001) by the inclusion of resistance exercise. No effects of resistance exercise were seen in any of the other cardiometabolic markers studied, although data were limited.In people who are obese or overweight, the addition of resistance exercise to dietary restriction may enhance its beneficial effects. Current evidence, therefore, supports the inclusion of resistance exercise during weight loss to attenuate the loss of lean mass, increase fat mass loss and improve muscle strength.

Effect of Cervical and Shoulder Complex Exercises on Improvement of Forward Head Posture

Background: Forward head posture is anterior positioning of the head with respect to neck in sagittal plane. Craniovertebral angle is used to measure forward head posture. Craniovertebral angle is formed at the junction of a line drawn from the tragus of the ear through the spinous process of the C7 vertebra and a horizontal line through the C7 vertebra. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cervical and shoulder complex exercises on improvement of forward head posture. Objectives: To improve the forward head posture by- Cervical and shoulder complex exercises. Method: 30 participants, whose craniovertebral angle (CVA) was less than 50° were selected and further divided into experimental group (Group-A) (15 participants) and control group (Group- B) (15 participants). Photos of participants in standing position were taken using mobile camera and craniovertebral angle was measured using autocad software. Experimental group performed exercises such as chin tucks, cervical posterior isometric, scapular retraction exercise, Y to W exercise, middle trapezius fibres muscle strengthening exercise for 6 week interval. Whereas the control group was asked to carry on with routine activities. Pre (0th week ), mid (4th week), and post (6th week ) photos of participants of both groups were taken to see the effect of exercises along with numerical pain rating and neck disability score Results: This study signified that craniovertebral angle (p value=0.001), numerical pain rating scale score ( p value=0.001) and neck disability index scores (p value=0.001) were statistically significant. Conclusion: This study proved that 6 week cervical and shoulder complex exercises protocol has significant effect in improving forward head posture and reducing neck pain and neck disability. Keywords: Autocad software, Craniovertebral angle, chin tucks, forward head posture, neck pain, neck disability

Effects of Gluteal Muscle Strengthening Exercise-Based Core Stabilization Training on Pain and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.

Background: The World Health Organization reports that back pain is a major cause of disorder worldwide. It is the most common musculoskeletal disorder with limited pain, muscle tension, and stiffness, and 70-80% of all individuals experience it once in their lifetime, with higher prevalence in women than in men. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gluteal muscle strengthening exercise- based core stabilization training (GSE-based CST) on pain, function, fear-avoidance patterns, and quality of life in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: This study included 34 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Seventeen individuals each were included in GSE-based CST and control groups. The GSE-based CST group performed GSE and CST for 15 min, three times a week for four weeks, and the control group performed CST for 30 min a day, three times a week for four weeks. The numeric pain rating scale was used to evaluate pain before and after treatment, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire was used to evaluate function, fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire was used to evaluate fear-avoidance patterns, and quality of life was measured using the short form-36. Results: In this study, pain, function, and fear-avoidance pattern decreased significantly in both groups (All p < 0.05). During the evaluation of quality of life, both groups showed significant increase in physical and mental factors (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in pain and quality of life (p < 0.05) between the GSE-based CST and control groups. Conclusions: Therefore, GSE-based CST can be used as a basis for effective intervention to enhance pain, function, fear-avoidance patterns, and quality of life, emphasizing the need for gluteal muscle strengthening exercises in patients with non-specific chronic back pain in the future.