Exercise Participants Research Articles

The effect of table tennis combined with resistance training on the rehabilitation of patients with coronary heart disease

Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of table tennis combined with resistance training on coronary heart disease (CHD) rehabilitation and to evaluate its potential in improving cardiopulmonary function, arterial stiffness, blood lipids, and psychological indicators in participants with CHD. METHODS: Seventy patients with confirmed CHD were chosen and randomly separated into two groups, 35 cases each. The test group performed table tennis combined with resistance training, and the reference group (RG) received standard resistance training as the control group. By comparing the differences in cardiopulmonary function, arterial stiffness, sleep and diet, psychological indicators, and blood lipids between the two groups of patients, the role of table tennis combined with resistance training in CHD rehabilitation was evaluated. RESULTS: Relative to the control group, participants in the table tennis exercise combined with the resistance training group had significant improvement in cardiopulmonary function (P < 0.05). In addition, table tennis combined with resistance training can reduce patients’ arterial stiffness, improve sleep and eating habits, and reduce blood lipid levels. Relative to the RG, the data possess the statistical significance (P < 0.05). Finally, the psychological quality of the two groups of patients was compared. The anxiety, depression, and confrontation ability of the patients in the test group were 7.15 ± 0.39, 7.03 ± 0.29, and 6.86 ± 0.46, respectively, which were superior to the RG. The comparison among the participants of data possesses the statistical significance (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The research results show that table tennis combined with resistance training possesses an essential influence on CHD rehabilitation. It can significantly enhance patients’ cardiopulmonary function, reduce arterial stiffness, improve sleeping and eating habits, reduce blood lipid levels, and improve psychological indicators. As a low-intensity aerobic exercise, table tennis possesses an essential influence on facilitating the recovery of patients with CHD and is worthy of further promotion and application in clinical practice.

Effects of group-based versus individual physical exercise programs for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease worldwide and is associated with a high rate of disability and poor quality of life. However, little is known about the therapeutic effects of group-based versus individual-based physical exercise protocols. Objective: To investigate the effects of individual versus group-based physical exercises on pain intensity and functional outcomes in people with knee OA. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and PEDro databases were searched from the earliest date available to July 2023. Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Mean difference (MD), standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random effect model. Results: Six studies, with 763 patients, met the study criteria. Group-based physical exercises improved pain intensity (VAS 0-100) MD -17.2 (95% CI: -22.2 to -12.3), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale MD -0.54 (95% CI: -1.0 to -0.08), WOMAC function subscale MD -2.1 (95% CI: -4.1 to -0.08) compared to individual modality. No significant difference regarding muscle strength and exercise tolerance was found for participants in the group-based physical exercises compared with individual physical ones. Conclusion: Group-based physical exercise was more successful in reducing pain intensity and functional impairment in patients with knee OA than individual exercise programs. Both group-based and individual physical exercise programs enhanced muscle strength and 6-minute walk distance.

Leveraging Collaborative Partnerships to Enhance NWS and Emergency Management Communications through Exercising

Abstract Tabletop exercises examining weather-related hazards are not uncommon but are often built around somewhat generic scenarios that only touch on the meteorological communication environment at a very shallow level. A recent exercise in central Oklahoma sought to change that. A local emergency manager, personnel from a National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office, and a severe weather researcher with a background in exercise design and facilitation worked together to create and deliver a realistic severe weather simulation. Exercise participants were exposed to detailed forecast information via NWSChat—a dedicated communication tool used to connect NWS forecasters, emergency managers, and media members for real-time information sharing. NWS forecasters were able to both actively play in the exercise due to the use of NWSChat and observe how local decision-makers interpreted and utilized the impact-based decision support service (IDSS) graphics and short-term forecast updates. The collaborative approach of developing a detailed scenario with numerous real-world IDSS graphics, along with the use of NWSChat for real-time delivery, resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback from the participants. The local emergency management office identified numerous areas for improvement in communicating real-time forecast information across their jurisdiction, along with gaps in current plans and resources. Meanwhile, the NWS forecast office had the opportunity to experiment with using the new NWSChat platform in a high-impact severe weather environment before a real-world event took place. Forecasters also gained insight into current IDSS graphic interpretation, noting areas for improved messaging to end users, such as adding storm motion to existing severe weather graphics.

Get Fit! With Math and Lit: Pedagogical Implications for a Newly Developed Physical Activity Program

This article details the development of a physical activity curriculum used in an after-school program for youths. The program, Get Fit! With Math & Lit, employed culturally relevant pedagogies as its guiding framework and the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model to structure its content. This multifaceted framework of the curriculum elevates holistic health considerations of youths to include social, emotional, mental, and physical needs, especially in relation to academic achievement. Particularly, positively engaging youths in physical activity and academics necessitates an integrated approach to instruction. The program utilized multimodal literacies to engage participants in collaborative games, physical exercises, mathematical problems, literacy practices, and reflective discussions. These multimodal literacies can be incorporated into various settings such as middle school classrooms, after-school programs, and physical education contexts. The purpose of this article is to share the curriculum's objectives, content, learning activities, materials, processes, evaluation, and implications.

Exercise and Acute Cognitive Enhancement.

Substantial research has explored the effects of a single session of exercise on cognitive performance. Meta-analytic reviews provide summary statistics relative to these effects when the cognitive task is performed while exercising and when performed after exercise. When performed concomitantly the effects of exercise are typically small or negative with the exception of moderate effects for speed of cognitive performance during moderate intensity exercise. When cognitive performance is assessed following the cessation of exercise, the effects are typically positive. When considering the effects following exercise, most studies have focused on executive function and episodic memory as the cognitive outcomes of interest with meta-analyses supporting small-to-moderate benefits. When potential moderators related to exercise parameters or participants characteristics are examined, results suggest that 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise consistently benefits performance with larger effects evident for executive function tasks with higher cognitive demands, for long-term memory tasks when exercise is performed prior to information encoding, and when considering individuals with lower initial cognitive performance levels. These observed benefits are likely due to the impacts acute exercise can have on physiological arousal, brain function, and brain neurotrophic factors. Advancements in our understanding of the potential of a single session of exercise to benefit cognitive performance are important for exercise prescription and to inform chronic exercise programs designed to benefit cognition.

Feasibility and Acceptability Evaluation of a Digital Therapeutic Program for Improving Cancer Prevention: A Quasi-experimental Pre-post Interventional Pilot Study.

Previous studies have proved that healthy behaviors hinder the onset and progression of tumors. Digital therapeutics (DTx), playing a pivotal role in facilitating behavioral adjustments through educational interventions, lifestyle support, and symptom monitoring, contribute to the goal of tumor prevention. We aim to optimize the evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of DTx for cancer prevention. This involves assessing AITI's daily activity rates and user feedback, and comparing changes in behavioral habits and differences in SF-36 before and after the intervention. In a 4-week trial with 57 participants engaging actively, we found both the average daily activity rate and 4-week retention rate at 35 (61.4%). The USE Questionnaire scores (validity, ease of use, acquisition, and satisfaction) ranged from 68.06 to 83.10, indicating AITI's user-friendliness and acceptability. Furthermore, positive habit changes were noted among participants in exercise and diet (p < 0.0001), suggesting the effectiveness of the DTx approach in modifying behavioral habits related to physical activity and nutrition. This pilot study underscores the potential of DTx in advancing cancer prevention. However, larger and longer studies are needed to comprehensively assess its impact.

Enhancing cognitive motivation: an evaluation model for emergency preparedness exercises

Purpose Evaluating emergency preparedness exercises is crucial for assessing enhanced knowledge, facilitating learning and implementing knowledge in organizations. The cognitive process of motivation for action is a precursor for action, coping behavior and individual learning. This study aims to focus on how guided evaluation of emergency preparedness exercises can enhance cognitive motivation and influence the mental readiness of exercise participants. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper with a model approach design. The main conceptual contribution is suggesting a model for guided evaluation in emergency preparedness exercises. We present a theoretical background for understanding the increase in motivation based on social cognitive learning theory. In particular, this study discusses how different evaluation steps contribute to enhanced motivation and learning for exercise participants. Findings Increased motivation and enhanced personal performance standards could be achieved through using processes that lead to self-efficacy in guided exercise evaluation. Specifically, sources of enhanced motivation, such as repeated coping experiences, self-regulation processes, mastery motivation and performance motivation, would proliferate the readiness of individual crisis managers and teams. Practical implications This article suggests an evaluation model for use in emergency preparedness exercises. This approach combines bottom-up and top-down processes for debriefing, reflection and feedback, both individually and in teams. This approach aims to enhance exercise participants’ motivation and utilize exercise evaluation for organizational learning. Originality/value The conceptual discussion leads to developing implications for evaluation practice, suggesting how to structure evaluation and why. This study is novel for its explanation of how to use evaluation in the learning process.

The 40-min HIIT acutely induced bone formation which was likely through the increases in muscle derived interleukin 6 and adiponectin activation: The 16 weeks of HIIT intervention, longitudinal randomized controlled trial

PurposeThere is some controversy regarding cytokines released from adipocytes, particularly adiponectin, leptin, and IL6 that regulate bone remodeling. In addition, IL6 is released from muscle contraction, which might have a distinct role in bone remodeling. Hence, this study investigated whether muscle contraction during a session of 40 min of high intensity interval training (40-min HIIT) and after 16 weeks of HIIT (16-wk HIIT) altered the release of those cytokines and bone remodeling in overweight women. MethodsIn total, 22 overweight, premenopausal women were randomly assigned to either the exercise or the control group. The exercise participants engaged in the 40-min HIIT session at 80–90 % of their heart rate reserve (HRR) three times weekly for 16 weeks, while the control participants performed their routine daily activities. Blood was drawn after overnight fasting and immediately after completing the 40-min HIIT sessions to investigate the association of adiponectin, leptin, IL6, CTX, and P1NP through the acute effect of the 40-min HIIT sessions. This process was repeated after the 16-wk intervention program to observe the training effect of HIIT on cytokines linkage. The bone mineral density (BMD) levels of the distal tibia, femur, and lumbar spine were determined prior to and after the 16-wk intervention using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. ResultsThe P1NP level increased by 8.29–20.52 % (95 % CI) and by 2.91–15.54 % after completing the first and last bouts of the 40-min HIIT sessions, respectively. In addition, IL6 increased by 13.39–28.03 % (95 % CI), while serum CTX and adiponectin were unaltered from the acute effect of the 40-min HIIT sessions. There was an association between the increases in P1NP and adiponectin (r = 0.682, p = 0.015); however, the increase in P1NP was mostly associated with the increase in IL6 (r = 0.572, p = 0.054) after completing a 40-min HIIT session. After the 16-wk HIIT program, the resting adiponectin level of the exercise participants increased; however, this was associated with neither bone biomarkers nor BMD. The BMDs of the exercise participants were maintained; however, the tibial BMD of the control participants decreased with an increase in the resting CTX level after 16 weeks. ConclusionMuscle contraction during the 40-min HIIT session elevated the IL6 level, which might have subsequently enhanced bone formation. Furthermore, the association between acute changes in adiponectin and P1NP suggested the possibility of an increase in the sensitivity of the adiponectin receptor in osteoblasts.

Development of Evaluation Criteria for Training Fire Students to Enable New Rescue Roles in Vietnam

The literature on the appropriate education criteria for training young emergency responders in developing countries is scarce. A gap exists between general education and emergency responder education regarding the criteria used for designing education courses and evaluating students. This study reviewed the criteria used at the University of Fire Prevention and Fighting in Vietnam. Although the university had used Bloom’s taxonomy, one of the well-known evaluation criteria for general education programs, in addition to the professional criteria for emergency management, only the bottom three levels of the taxonomy were considered. The authors designed a new training course to prepare and conduct landslide rescue exercises, and applied all six levels of Bloom’s taxonomy to evaluate students’ performance and responses. The course included lectures, an exercise, and a hot debriefing session for 52 third-year students. Consideration of all levels of Bloom’s taxonomy enabled the identification of differences in learning performance between exercise participants and observers among the students. The evaluation results based on the general and professional education criteria differed regarding the performance of students with work experience. This study showed that the full use of Bloom’s taxonomy could help improve firefighters’ training courses. Assessing students from different perspectives using both general and professional education evaluation criteria is important for measuring students’ diverse abilities.

Mood Profile Clusters among Greek Exercise Participants and Inactive Adults

Mood profile clusters have previously been identified in several cultural contexts. In the present study, six mood profile clusters referred to as the iceberg, inverse Everest, inverse iceberg, shark fin, submerged, and surface profiles, were investigated in a Greek population. The names of the mood profiles reflect how they appear after raw scores for Tension, Depression, Anger, Vigor, Fatigue, and Confusion (in that order), are converted to T-scores and depicted graphically. A Greek translation of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS-Greek) was completed by 1786 adults, comprising 1417 exercise participants and 369 physically inactive adults (male = 578, female = 1208) aged 18–64 years (M = 34.73 ± 11.81 years). Although the male–female ratio emphasized females, sample sizes of over 500 suggest some degree of representativeness. Seeded k-means cluster analysis clearly identified the six hypothesized mood profiles. Men were over-represented for the iceberg profile. For age, the 18–25 years group were under-represented for the iceberg profile, whereas the 46–55 and 56+ years groups were over-represented. The 56+ years group were under-represented for the inverse Everest, and the 18–25 years group were over-represented for the shark fin profile. For body mass index (BMI), participants in the obese weight category were over-represented for the inverse iceberg and shark fin profiles and under-represented for the submerged profile. Active participants were over-represented for the iceberg and submerged profiles, and under-represented for the inverse Everest, inverse iceberg, and surface profiles. Findings supported the cross-cultural equivalence of the mood profile clusters and confirmed the link between physical inactivity, obesity, and negative mood profiles.

Capturing Exercise Psychological Need Satisfaction Among Older Adults: The BPNES

ABSTRACT Regular exercise participation which is a component of promoting health and healthy aging among older adults necessitates the creation of environments that fulfill participants’ needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, thus, providing opportunities to promote authentic interest in the activities and meaningful social engagement. Appropriate tools to capture satisfaction of these needs may prove invaluable to gain an understanding of the effectiveness of exercise programs from participants’ perspective. The aim of the study was to examine psychometric aspects of the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES) scores based on responses of 675 older adult Greek exercise participants, men and women, aged 65 to 80 years, attending indoor group-based exercise programs. The data supported the factorial validity, internal reliability, nomological validity, and equivalent item interpretation of BPNES scores between groups differing in demographic characteristics. Older adults with exercise experience greater than three years reported higher exercise needs satisfaction for all three needs compared to those exercising less than three years. The favorable psychometric characteristics of the BPNES in this population make it a valuable tool for the assessment of the extent to which older adults’ needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are fulfilled in group-based exercise settings.

Evaluations of virtual exercise programmes for adults with mobility limitations: a scoping review protocol incorporating an equity lens to inform the development of strategies to optimise participation of under-represented groups

IntroductionFor individuals with mobility limitations, virtual exercise programmes can address the challenges of in-person participation in community exercise programmes. A synthesis of studies of virtual exercise programmes targeting mobility limitations...

Engaging African American Faith Leaders as Partners in Ethical Research

This paper outlines an initiative to adapt the Community Partnered Research Ethics Training (CPRET) for the cultural context of the CHURCH (Congregation as Healers Uniting to Restore Community Health) project. The CHURCH project is a community-partnered participatory research project that seeks to promote the mental well-being of African American populations by developing, implementing, and evaluating a mental health training curriculum for faith leaders in Black churches. Participatory research, in which community stakeholders collaborate with researchers as equal partners to address problems impacting marginalized communities, has recently become more popular in academia. Training is necessary to equip community partners with the skills and knowledge required for full research participation. Community partners frequently encounter ethical issues in participatory research, but limited training resources are available to proactively prevent and address such issues. The CPRET was developed through a collaboration between the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and the Human Research Protection Office and Community Research Advisory Board at the University of Pittsburgh. It surveys research processes and core research ethics principles, and it stimulates discussion regarding best practices by engaging participants in scenario-based exercises in which they identify ethical and unethical research. By describing how we utilized the CPRET in the CHURCH project and presenting a summary of participant feedback, we aim to build resources for community-engaged scholars seeking to engage community members in ethical research.

Does basketball training increase balance scores in children?

Background and Study Aim. Balance is a motor skill that enables children to perform physical activities fluently and regular physical activity is needed for the development of balance skills. In this context, the problem of which physical activity should be directed to the balance development of children arises. The study is aimed to determine the effect of basketball training on balance skills in children aged 7-10 years. Material and Methods. The participant group of the study consisted of 24 children aged 7-10 years with a mean age of 9.25±0.94 who did not regularly perform physical activity and lived in rural or non-rural areas. Participants living in non-rural areas were included in the exercise group (n=12) and participants living in rural areas were included in the control group (n=12). The exercise group received basketball training for 8 weeks, two days a week, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Before and after the training process, all participants were tested at Level 1 in TOGU Challenge Disc and software to determine static and dynamic balance levels. As a result of the balance test, participants' static balance score (SBS), dynamic balance score (DBS), general balance score (GBS) and dynamic balance sub-parameter scores as right and left dynamic balance score (RL-DBS), superior inferior dynamic balance score (SI-DBS), horizontal plane dynamic balance score (HP-DBS), vertical plane dynamic balance score (VP-DBS), clockwise (C-DBS) and opposite clockwise dynamic balance score (OC-DBS) were taken as percentage. Descriptive statistics, Skewness, Kurtosis and Kolmogorov-Smirnov values, paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test were used to analyse the data. Statistical significance level was determined as p&lt;0.05. Results. In the study, no difference was found between the exercise group and the control group in terms of pre-test results, which indicated that the participant groups showed homogeneous characteristics. In the exercise group, a significant increase was found in DBS, RL-DBS, SI-DBS, C-DBS, GBS levels after 8 weeks of basketball training. In the control group, there was a significant decrease in SBS and a significant increase in DBS, RL-DBS, SI-DBS, C-DBS and OC-DBS levels at the end of 8 weeks. Conclusions. As a result, regular basketball training provided an increase in dynamic balance level and general balance scores. Moreover, basketball training can slow the decrease in static balance that may occur as a result of growth spurts in children aged 7-10 years. Children targeted to develop balance skills can be directed to basketball training.

Engagement of people diagnosed with schizophrenia in a five-month exercise program: CORTEX-SP study

Exercise programs represent useful non-pharmacological resources in preventing and treating mental disorders such as schizophrenia (SZ), but there are aforementioned reasons, (i.e., low rates of participation). The study aimed to explore the engagement of people diagnosed with SZ in a five-month exercise program. Therefore, purposive criterion sampling was utilized to recruit 35 participants who were diagnosed with SZ. Qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews; these were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified from the analysis: intrapersonal factors (characteristics and clinical consequences of the SZ and pharmacotherapy), interpersonal factors (relationships with people that participate, health professionals, and family and friends), and environmental factors (exercise program organization and participants’ perception regarding the program). In conclusion, the symptoms and pharmacological treatments for the illness were perceived to be the primary barriers to engaging in exercise for the participants. Participants gave great importance to interpersonal factors, they perceived the group atmosphere and the program environment to be fundamental axes of the program. The presence of healthcare professionals, as well as the support, were also perceived to facilitate engagement in the exercise program. Keywords: schizophrenia, community exercise, qualitative methods, environmental health, mental health.

Development of an accreditation process for analytical methods to measure microplastics in drinking water for regulatory monitoring

Development of a laboratory accreditation program to ensure competency of laboratories performing analytical measurements is a key step in adopting new analytical measurement methods for regulatory decision-making. Here, we describe California's three-part accreditation process for spectroscopically measuring microplastics in drinking water, and show how data from a multi-laboratory method comparison study informed development of accreditation programs for the resulting methods, which can inform analogous future work for other analytes. The first part is periodic performance evaluation (PE) samples, in which laboratories are provided blind samples of known composition to quantify within acceptable performance limits. The second is inspection, or audit, assessing whether the laboratory has the proper equipment to conduct the work and whether it is correctly employing proper procedures. The third is implementation of a quality management system providing documentation that protocols demonstrated during inspection are continuously maintained. These fell into three broad categories: instrument maintenance; laboratory cleanliness, especially important for microplastics and one that must be accompanied by a blanks measurement and correction process; and training so samples are being processed by qualified analysts. An intercomparison exercise among 22 laboratories was necessary to determine what parameter permutations were important for PE samples, and expected accuracy from competent laboratories. The recommended PE sample composition was two size categories (20-50um and 500um-1mm), two polymer types, and two morphologies (fibers and non-fibers). Discussions among intercomparison exercise participants were key in determining the factors that most contributed to laboratory variability, and the focus for both on-site inspections and quality management systems.

Using simulations to compare the current Davis Cup ranking system to Elo.

The Davis Cup is the premier men's team event in tennis, run by the International Tennis Federation and in which over 130 nations compete. It uses a merit-based ranking system that allows nations to gain a pre-determined number of points when they win. The rankings are integral to the competition structure and used in the draws of every round. Therefore, it is essential that the ranking method performs well with respect to required performance criteria of the International Tennis Federation. The Elo rating method is a commonly used method of rating and ranking participants in a competitive exercise and is used by FIFA for the ranking of male and female national teams. The performance of the current Davis Cup ranking method and Elo rating were compared using a simulation of the Davis Cup competition structure. Four criteria were used for the comparison: Finishing Order Correlation, Skill Level Correlation, Responsiveness, and Protection. Such a comparison has not previously been published. The two methods were comparable across three of the criteria, with the Davis cup easily outperforming Elo in responsiveness. Indeed, the Elo method had such poor responsiveness that improved performance may not be fully recognised within a player's career. An alternative method of optimising the Elo K-factor parameter was developed and this improved the performance of Elo to match the current Davis Cup method. In conclusion, the current Davis Cup ranking method is performing at a standard that cannot be matched by typically optimised Elo but can be matched when an alternative optimisation method is used. Therefore, no evidence was found to suggest that the current Davis Cup ranking method could be improved upon by using Elo. However, alternative K-factor optimisation methods should be considered when applying Elo to a competition.

Efficacy of Traditional Kegels Versus Reverse Kegels on Vaginal Atrophy among Post Menopausal Women

Background: Menopause leads to a dramatic drop in ovarian function which lower the oestrogen in the circulatingblood may cause atrophy of vaginal epithelium. Traditionally the atrophy of vaginal epithelium was managed byKegels exercise but not attempted using reverse Kegels exercise.Purpose: This present study attempted the reverse Kegels exercise and compares the effectiveness with traditionalKegels exercise on vaginal atrophy and vaginal pH among postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods: 32 postmenopausal women in the age group between 40 to 60 years with vaginal atrophywere recruited and randomly assigned to one of the two groups: Traditional Kegels group (n=16) and ReverseKegels group (n=16). The vulvovaginal symptom questionnaire (VSQ) and vaginal pH test kit were used asoutcome measures to assess the vulvovaginal symptoms and vaginal pH level before and after the intervention.Results: The t-test analysis was used to analyse the comparison within and between the groups. The p value of theVulvovaginal symptom questionnaire in post-test values between the groups was 0.0256 (p value &lt; 0.05) whichwas statistically significant.Conclusion: Based on the outcome measures the participants in the traditional Kegels exercise found to be betterin reliving the vulvovaginal symptoms. However, the vaginal pH level in both the groups after intervention doesnot show any changes.

Edukasi Fisioterapi Stretching Pada Senam Prolanis Lansia di Puskesmas Sibela Kelurahan Mojosongo Surakarta

Elderly people are individuals over 60 years old. The elderly is related to the aging process accompanied by physical, mental and social changes, which have an impact on health such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Stretching before exercise is to prevent injury, maintain the elasticity of muscles and tendons, thereby increasing the range of movement. Prolanis is a health service system and a proactive approach that is implemented in an integrated, involving manner. participants, health facilities and the Social Security Administering Agency (BPJS). The aim of this activity is to increase the effectiveness of prolanis exercise in the elderly and prevent injuries from occurring when carrying out prolanis exercise activities. The activity stages were given stretching education before starting prolanis exercises in the Sibela Community Health Center environment. The results obtained from prolanis exercise activities show that prolanis exercise is carried out 4 (four) times a month, education is given once in the second week to prolanis exercise participants through direct practical activities in the field before the exercise is carried out so that participants can understand the importance of stretching or stretching the muscles of the upper and lower limbs to prevent injury.

A controlled clinical trial investigating the effects of stretching and compression exercises on electromyography of calf muscles in chronic LBP patients with a deep gluteal syndrome

BackgroundIn deep gluteal syndrome (DGS), the piriformis muscle could impinge the sciatic nerve. The FAIR (flexion adduction internal rotation) test is a provocation test used to identify sciatic nerve irritation caused by this muscle. Compression and stretching exercises are usually prescribed to treat this syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of these two treatments on surface electromyography (sEMG) of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior in patients with low back pain (LBP) and DGS.Materials and methodsForty-five participants were allocated to three groups of stretching exercise, compression or control. In addition to 15 min of heat and 15 min of electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief, participants in the compression exercise (CE) group received self-compression exercise, those in the stretching exercise (SE) group received self-stretching exercise and those in the control group received no extra interventions. For the two intervention groups, three sets of two minutes of exercise with two minutes of rest in between were applied. The sEMG amplitude values of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles of the affected buttock side of any one group while performing the FAIR test were compared to the others. Pain and disability were assessed and the changes were compared between the two groups.ResultsAfter the intervention period, no group demonstrated a change in the sEMG of the gastrocnemius or tibialis anterior muscles (p > 0.05). There was no difference in the change in this variable between groups (Mean difference (95% CI) of gastrocnemius was ranged over= -4.04 to 7.72 (-19.44 to 23.14); p = 0.603); (Mean difference (95% CI) of tibialis anterior muscles was ranged from − 2.44 to -6.43 (-18.28 to 9.31); p = 0.550).; Pain and disability also decreased significantly in all three study groups (p < 0.05). However, only the disability of patients who performed stretching exercises improved compared to the compression exercise group (Mean difference (95% CI) = -12.62 (-20.41 to -4.38); p = 0.009).ConclusionNeither stretching nor compression exercises altered the sEMG of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles in patients with DGS. Furthermore, performing stretching exercises improved disability compared to the other interventions.Trial registrationThe trial was retrospectively registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) on 10/01/2017 as IRCT201604178035N4. URL of the record: https://en.irct.ir/trial/8473.