Trunk Curl Research Articles

Neuromotor deficits and altered physiological responses to repeated exertional heat stroke exposures in mice.

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a life-threatening illness that can lead to negative health outcomes. Using a "severe" preclinical mouse model of EHS, we tested the hypotheses that one EHS exposure results in altered susceptibility to a subsequent EHS and reduced neuromotor performance. Female C57BL/6 mice underwent two protocols, 2 wk apart, either an EHS trial (EHS) or a sham exercise control trial (EXC). For EHS, mice ran in a forced running wheel at 37.5°C/40% relative humidity until loss of consciousness, followed by a slow cooling protocol (2 h recovery at 37.5°C). EXC mice exercised equally but in ∼22°C. Mice were randomized into three groups: 1) EXC-EXC (two consecutive EXC, n = 6, 2) EHS-EXC (EHS followed by EXC, n = 5), and 3) EHS-EHS (repeated EHS, n = 9). Mice underwent noninvasive neuromotor and behavioral tests during recovery and isolated soleus force measurements at the end of recovery. At the first EHS, mice reached average peak core temperatures (Tc,max) of 42.4°C, (46% mortality). On the second EHS, average Tc,max was reduced by ∼0.7°C (P < 0.05; mortality 18%). After the first EHS, both EHS-EX and EHS-EHS showed significant reductions in maximum strength (24 h and 1 wk post). After the second EHS, strength, horizontal rotation, hindlimb tone, suspended hindlimb splay, trunk curl, and provoked biting continued to decline in the EHS-EHS group. In conclusion, exposure to a second EHS after 2 wk leads to increased exercise times in the heat, symptom limitation at a lower Tc,max, and greater deficits in neuromotor and behavioral function during recovery.

Gender Mediation in Adolescents’ Back Pain and Physical Fitness: A Cross-Sectional Study

There is a lack of studies that analyze the interaction between risk variables as predictors of back pain (BP) in adolescents. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between BP and several risk variables, and to analyze the effect of the mediation of gender in this association. This cross-sectional study included n = 617 adolescents (mean age: 14.10 ± 1.18 years old) who completed the BP Adolescent Survey and who performed the bench trunk curl (BTC) and Sorensen (SOR) tests. Males showed a significantly lower prevalence (OR: 0.67) and frequency (contingency coefficient: 1.73) of BP than females, less participation in leisure-time sedentary behaviors (LRSBs) per day of more than 2 h (Cramer’s V: 0.110), a higher sufficient Physical Activity (PA) (Cramer’s V: 0.323) and a higher score in the BTC test (Contingency coefficient: 0.346). A high BTC score indicated significantly lower risk of BP than mid (OR: 1.74; p = 0.025) or low (OR: 1.62; p = 0.022) BTC. The mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect with a significant value for the Sobel test (z = 7.45 ± 0.111). When the BTC test value was included in the equations, the connection between gender and BP was no longer significant. There was a difference in the prevalence between gender in BP and LRSB and PA. BP was associated with the SOR test. The association between BP and gender was mediated by SOR results.

KONTRIBUSI LATIHAN HORIZONTAL SWING DAN TWISTING TRUNK CURL TERHADAP HASIL PUSH PADA ATLET PUTRI TELADAN HOCKEY CLUB BATU BARA TAHUN 2021

This study aims to determine the contribution of horizontal swing and twisting trunk curl exercises to the improvement of push hockey results in female athletes of the Batu Bara Exemplary Hockey Club in 2021. The research method used in this research is the experimental method, the sample used in this study is 12 people. The research was conducted on May 24, 2021 until July 3, 2021, the statistical calculations used in this study are; requirements analysis test, normality test, homogeneity test and regression significance test. The first analysis is that the horizontal swing exercise provides a significant contribution to increasing the results of push hockey in female athletes of the Batu Bara Exemplary Hockey Club in 2021, based on the calculation results Fcount = 18.990 and Ftable(0.05;1/10) = 4.96 so Fcount &gt; Ftable it can be concluded that the regression equation model is significant about 65.5%. Analysis of the second hypothesis, namely, twisting trunk curl exercise contributes to increasing push hockey results in female athletes of the Batu Bara Exemplary Hockey Club in 2021, based on the calculation results Fcount = 21.670 and Ftable(0.05;1/10) = 4.96 so Fcount &gt; Ftable it can be concluded that the regression equation model is significant about 65.3%. Analysis of the third hypothesis, namely, horizontal swing and twisting trunk curl exercises jointly contributed significantly to the improvement of push hockey results in female athletes at the Batu Bara Exemplary Hockey Club in 2021. Approximately 74.2% of horizontal swing and twisting trunk curl exercises contributed to push hockey results for female athletes of the Batu Bara Exemplary Hockey Club in 2021. From hypothesis testing it can be concluded that; there is a significant contribution from the horizontal swing and twisting trunk curl exercises, there is a significant contribution jointly from both forms of exercise to the improvement of push hockey results in female athletes of the Batu Bara Exemplary Hockey Club in 2021.

등척성 체간 운동이 젊은 성인의 근지구력과 균형능력에 미치는 영향

This study aims to identify the effects of an isometric trunk exercise program on muscle endurance and balance ability in young adults. Fourteen young adults volunteered to participate in this study. Isometric muscle endurance tests (trunk curl in supine, hyperextension of trunk in prone, and arm-supporting side bridge) and one-leg standing test were used to measure muscle endurance and balance of subjects. Isometric trunk exercises were performed for 30 minutes, twice per week for 6 weeks (a total of 12 sessions), including upper and lower abdominal drawing, abdominal bracing, posterior pelvic tilting, supine bridge exercise, and alternating raising of limbs in quadruped position. After the intervention, significant improvements were found for all items of muscle endurance and balance (p<.05). These findings suggest that an isometric trunk exercise program might be favorably used to enhance muscle endurance if the trunk and balance in young adults. Further studies need to support our findings.

Effect of Pilates Method on muscular trunk endurance and hamstring extensibility in adolescents during twelve weeks training and detraining

BackgroundThoracic hyperkyphosis and lumbar hyperlordosis have been associated with low values of flexibility in the hamstring muscle and endurance of the trunk musculature. These are areas that are worked using the Pilates Method (PM), however, there are only two studies that assess its effect on these variables in adolescence, and none that measure the retention time of the acquired improvements. The main objective of this research was to assess the effect of 10 min of adapted exercise program from PM in a Physical Education class (PE) for 12 weeks, on trunk muscle endurance and hamstring flexibility, and to evaluate the retention of resulting changes. MethodsThe sample consisted of 441 adolescents (age = 13.9 ± 1.3 years). The experimental group (EG) performed two weekly 10-min sessions of PM for 12 weeks. The control group (CG) performed its usual sessions of PE. The endurance of the trunk flexor muscles and trunk extensor muscles, toe touch test (TT), bench trunk curl test (BTC) and the Biering-Sörensen test (SOR), were used to evaluate hamstring flexibility, before application of the program, at the end, 12 weeks later. ResultsA significant improvement was found in the EG for all variables analyzed, with an average improvement of 9.37 repetitions in the BTC test, 19.4 s in the SOR test and 2.75 in the TT test. The CG did not show significant changes. The EG's improvements were retained 12 weeks later, except in the SOR test. ConclusionThe inclusion of 10 min of adapted exercise program from PM in PE classes, for two weekly sessions over 12 weeks, produces improvements in trunk muscle endurance and hamstring flexibility, and these gains are retained in the flexor and hamstring muscles 12 weeks later.

Deficits in Motor Function After Repeated Exertional Heat Stroke Exposure in Female Mice

Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS) is a life‐threatening illness that can result in a number of negative health outcomes. Once exposed to EHS, patients are considered to be at greater risk of subsequent EHS. In this study we hypothesized that a single EHS exposure would result in greater susceptibility to a second EHS, and that the consequences of EHS on skeletal muscle/motor function would be more profound. Twelve female mice were exposed to an initial EHS, allowed to rest for 2 weeks and then exposed to a second EHS and followed for 1 week. All mice reached symptom limitation (loss of consciousness) at lower maximum core temperatures (Tc, max) in their second EHS. Mice also had lower durations of unconsciousness after the second EHS. We evaluated motor function, before and after the EHS using behavior assessments including trunk curl, horizontal rotation response, catalepsy and a ‘weight test’ protocol. Mice showed a significant decrease in the strength (P = 0.0182) after the second EHS, as measured by the weight test protocol, an impaired rotation response (P = 0.0061), catalepsy (P = 0.0398) and trunk curl (P = .0001). These measures indicate reductions in strength and/or motor coordination. In conclusion, we identified that exposure to EHS increases the susceptibility to a second EHS with worsening outcomes in motor function after the second EHS. These data suggest that following a single exposure to EHS there is a prolonged period of increased vulnerability to EHS and greater potential risk of deficits in organ function.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the BK and Betty Stevens Endowment and a Fellowship from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Factors that Explain the Cancer-Related Insomnia.

A better understanding of cancer related insomnia and its relationship with other associated factors is necessary to improve its management. To clarify the relationship between insomnia and treatment related variables, sociodemographic data, health related fitness, pain, anxiety, and depression in breast cancer patients. One hundred twenty-three patients participated in this cross-sectional study. As a primary variable was insomnia using The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 version. Other variables included: stage of treatment, type of treatment, multiple sit to stand test, trunk curl test, 6-min walk test, back muscle strength test, the Brief Pain Inventory short form and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Insomnia was negatively associated with the treatment stage (p = 0.01), the 6-min walk test (p = 0.01) and the back muscle strength test (p = 0.01), while it was positively associated with the type of treatment (p = 0.01) and the multiple sit-to-stand test (p = 0.05). In addition, higher levels of insomnia were associated with higher scores on the Brief Pain Inventory short form (p = 0.01) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p = 0.01). Anxiety, type of treatment, back muscle strength, pain severity and stage of treatment were predictors of insomnia, and when they were combined they explained 51.2% of insomnia in our sample. The variability in insomnia related breast cancer is explained by anxiety, type of treatment, pain, treatment stage, and back muscle strength. Clinicians should take these results into account when generating cancer care programs to control pain and health-related-fitness (Registration of Trials NCT01801527).

Effectiveness of Lumbopelvic Exercise in Colon Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of lumbopelvic exercise in improving health-related fitness, anthropometric measurements, and body composition in colon cancer survivors (CCS). Forty-six CCS (35% female, n = 14) were assigned to two groups for this randomized controlled clinical trial: a trunk muscle stabilization exercise program group (CO-CUIDATE) and a usual-care group. The CO-CUIDATE program was conducted for 8 wk (three times per week). The primary end point was isometric abdominal strength measured using the trunk curl test. The secondary end points used were isometric back strength, functional capacity, lower-body flexibility, weight, and anthropometric measurements evaluated at baseline, after the physical exercise program and after 6 months of follow-up. A trained member of the research group with 5 yr of experience working with cancer patients and who was blinded to the patient group assessed the variables. All physical tests were conducted with multiple observations. The adherence to intervention was 88.36%, and two dropouts (10.5%) were recorded. Minor side effects, including discomfort with the exercises in the first sessions, were reported by the participants. ANOVA demonstrated significant differences in group-time interactions for isometric abdominal strength (F = 7.7; P = 0.001), functional capacity (F = 4.6; P = 0.015), lower-body flexibility (right, F = 4.3, P = 0.021 and left, F = 3.6, P = 0.034), and waist circumference (F = 5.7; P = 0.07), which were the best values for the CO-CUIDATE group. No significant changes in isometric back strength, weight, hip circumference or body composition were observed. An 8-wk program based on stabilization exercises is a promising strategy to increase health-related fitness and to reduce waist circumference in CCS. An exercise program based on lumbopelvic exercise is a feasible intervention to improve the control of deep abdominal muscles and health-related fitness.

Abstract 355: Generation of a murine model of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 that accurately recapitulates the spontaneous development of vestibular and spinal schwannomas found in NF2 patients.

Abstract Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic disease resulting from germline loss of the NF2 tumor suppressor gene. The hallmark of NF2 is hearing and vestibular loss of function in young adults caused by the development of vestibular schwannomas, which occur bilaterally in nearly all patients and are associated with homozygous loss of NF2. Individuals affected with NF2 also acquire schwannomas of other cranial, spinal and peripheral nerves. Importantly, non-familial schwannomas, the most common tumor of the peripheral nervous system, are also caused by bi-allelic loss of NF2 gene function. A major limitation in the identification of genetic and pharmacologic targets for schwannomas has been the lack of a robust preclinical model that accurately recapitulates human NF2 disease. In order to develop a more robust model, we intercrossed a mouse expressing Cre Recombinase under the control of the 3.9PeriCre promoter with an Nf2 conditional knockout mouse previously generated by Dr. Marco Giovannini to conditionally ablate Nf2 in neural crest-derived cell populations. Histological analysis of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and proximal spinal nerves of 3.9PeriCre+;Nf2flox/flox mice revealed that intercrossed mice spontaneously develop tumors between 8 and 10 months at every single spinal level. Microscopic analysis implicated these tumors as schwannomas, as they display a dense pattern of cellularity consistent with the established criteria of GEM schwannoma, including S100β1 positivity. Quantitation of the DRG volume indicated that 3.9PeriCre+ mice have a statistically significant increase when compared to 3.9PeriCre- littermates. FDG-PET studies corroborated this finding, as comparative studies showed an increase in the metabolic activity of paraspinal tumors found in 3.9PeriCre+ mice. Auditory Brainstem Response testing has revealed that 3.9PeriCre+ mice acquire an age-dependent increase in hearing threshold by 8 months when compared to age-matched 3.9PeriCre- controls. Histological analysis of Cranial Nerve VIII confirmed that the hearing loss was directly associated with the development of vestibular schwannomas. To test for concomitant vestibular loss of function, three different behavioral studies (contact righting, trunk curl, and swim) were performed to isolate and test the integrity of the vestibular sense in 3.9PeriCre;Nf2flox/flox mice. These studies indicated that 3.9PeriCre+ mice develop vestibular deficits, as all three studies identified highly significant differences between the two genotypes. Collectively, these genetically engineered mice acquire a physiologic phenotype that closely recapitulates important features of human NF2 disease and provides opportunities for testing putative therapeutic targets using genetic intercrosses or novel small molecule inhibitors. Citation Format: Jeff R. Gehlhausen, Su Jung Park, Matthew Shew, Wade Clapp, Charles Yates. Generation of a murine model of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 that accurately recapitulates the spontaneous development of vestibular and spinal schwannomas found in NF2 patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 355. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-355

The Effectiveness of a Deep Water Aquatic Exercise Program in Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of an 8-week aquatic program on cancer-related fatigue, as well as physical and psychological outcomes in breast cancer survivors. DesignA randomized controlled trial. SettingOutpatient clinic, urban, academic medical center, and a sport university swimming pool. ParticipantsBreast cancer survivors (N=68) were randomly assigned to either an experimental (aquatic exercise group in deep water pool) group or a control (usual care) group. InterventionsThe intervention group attended aquatic exercise sessions 3 times per week for 8 weeks in a heated deep swimming pool. Sessions lasted 60 minutes in duration: 10 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of aerobic and endurance exercises, and 10 minutes of cool-down exercises. Patients allocated to the usual care group followed the oncologist’s recommendations in relation to a healthy lifestyle. Main Outcome MeasuresValues for fatigue (Piper Fatigue Scale), mood state (Profile of Mood States), and abdominal (trunk curl static endurance test) and leg (multiple sit-to-stand test) strength were collected at baseline, after the last treatment session, and at a 6-month follow-up. ResultsImmediately after discharge, the aquatic exercise group showed a large effect size in total fatigue score (d=.87; 95% confidence interval, .48–1.26), trunk curl endurance (d=.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.97–3.83), and leg strength (d=1.10; .55–2.76), but negligible effects in vigor, confusion, and disturbance of mood (d<.25). At the 6-month follow-up period, the aquatic exercise group maintained large to small effect sizes in fatigue scores, multiple sit-to-stand test, and trunk curl static endurance (.25>d>.90) and negligible effects for the fatigue-severity dimension and different scales of the Profile of Mood States (d<.25). ConclusionAn aquatic exercise program conducted in deep water was effective for improving cancer-related fatigue and strength in breast cancer survivors.

The Handgrip Strength Test as a Measure of Function in Breast Cancer Survivors

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of muscular strength, as measured by the handgrip strength (HGS) test, with pain, fitness, fatigue, mood, and autonomic nervous system function in breast cancer survivors. A cross-sectional study comprising 95 breast cancer survivors was conducted. HGS; heart rate variability; pressure pain threshold of the neck, shoulder, hand, and tibia of the affected side; and fitness level (6-min walk test, neck-shoulder mobility, vertical jump, sit-to-stand test, and trunk curl test) were assessed as outcomes. Participants completed the Fatigue Piper Scale and Profile of Mood States questionnaires and the neck-shoulder visual analog scale. Correlation was conducted to examine the relationship of HGS with pain, fitness, fatigue, and mood. We observed a fair relationship of HGS with shoulder pain and a moderate to fair relationship with fitness (all P < 0.01; ρ range, 0.24-0.56). The relationship between HGS and heart rate variability (high-frequency domain) was weak (P = 0.049, ρ = 0.23). Likewise, the relationship between HGS and Profile of Mood States subscales ranged from weak to fair (all P < 0.001; ρ range, -0.22 to -0.36). HGS showed a weak relationship with Fatigue Piper Scale (all P < 0.01; ρ range, -0.28 to -0.35). Passive shoulder flexion, fatigue, and vertical jump were independent and significant predictors of HGS (P < 0.01; R = 0.466). These results suggest that the HGS test might be an important correlate of health in breast cancer survivors. This finding suggests that HGS could be recommended as an adjuvant method of evaluation, which may help with efficiency of clinical practice. Further research on breast cancer patients is needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Neurologic function during developmental and adult stages in Dab1scm ( scrambler) mutant mice

Homozygous Dab1 scm mouse mutants with cell ectopias in cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, and neocortex were compared to non-ataxic controls on the SHIRPA primary screening battery on postnatal days 8, 15, and 22, as well as in the adult period. Dab1 scm mutants were distinguished from non-ataxic controls as early as postnatal day 8 based on body tremor, gait anomalies, and body weight. On postnatal day 15, motor coordination deficits were evident on horizontal bar and inclined or vertical grid tests in association with a weaker grip strength. Likewise, mutants were distinguished from controls on drop righting and hindpaw clasping tests. Further differences were detected on postnatal day 22 in the form of fewer visual placing, touch escape, trunk curl, freezing, and vocalization responses, as well as squares traversed in the open-field. Evaluation at the adult age demonstrated similar impairments, indicative of permanent motor alterations. Neuronal metabolic activity was estimated by cytochrome oxidase histochemistry on cerebellar sections. Cerebellar cortical layers and efferent deep nuclei of Dab1 scm mice appeared hypometabolic relative to non-ataxic mice despite normal metabolism in both regular and ectopic Purkinje cells.

Effectiveness of Core Stability Exercises and Recovery Myofascial Release Massage on Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week multimodal program focused on core stability exercises and recovery massage with DVD support for a 6-month period in physical and psychological outcomes in breast cancer survivors. A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed. Seventy-eight (n = 78) breast cancer survivors were assigned to experimental (core stability exercises plus massage-myofascial release) and control (usual health care) groups. The intervention period was 8 weeks. Mood state, fatigue, trunk curl endurance, and leg strength were determined at baseline, after the last treatment session, and at 6 months of followup. Immediately after treatment and at 6 months, fatigue, mood state, trunk curl endurance, and leg strength exhibited greater improvement within the experimental group compared to placebo group. This paper showed that a multimodal program focused on core stability exercises and massage reduced fatigue, tension, depression, and improved vigor and muscle strength after intervention and 6 months after discharge.

Effects of Specific Exercise Instructions on Abdominal Muscle Activity During Trunk Curl Exercises

Effects of Specific Exercise Instructions on Abdominal Muscle Activity During Trunk Curl Exercises

Relative Activity of Abdominal Muscles During Commonly Prescribed Strengthening Exercises

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper and lower rectus abdominis and the external oblique muscles during 5 commonly performed abdominal strengthening exercises. Twenty-five healthy subjects participated in the study. EMG data were collected under isometric and dynamic conditions. The reverse curl resulted in the greatest amount of lower rectus activity, the v-sit and reverse curl exercises resulted in the greatest amount of external oblique activity, and the trunk curl, reverse curl, trunk curl with a twist, and v-sit all resulted in similar amounts of upper rectus EMG activity. The vacuum exercise resulted in moderate levels of external oblique EMG activity but very low levels of activity in the rectus abdominis. Our findings support the concept that abdominal strengthening exercises can differentially activate various abdominal muscle groups, but contradict some traditionally held assumptions regarding the effects of pecific exercises.

Relative Activity of Abdominal Muscles During Commonly Prescribed Strengthening Exercises

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper and lower rectus abdominis and the external oblique muscles during 5 commonly performed abdominal strengthening exercises. Twenty-five healthy subjects participated in the study. EMG data were collected under isometric and dynamic conditions. The reverse curl resulted in the greatest amount of lower rectus activity, the v-sit and reverse curl exercises resulted in the greatest amount of external oblique activity, and the trunk curl, reverse curl, trunk curl with a twist, and v-sit all resulted in similar amounts of upper rectus EMG activity. The vacuum exercise resulted in moderate levels of external oblique EMG activity but very low levels of activity in the rectus abdominis. Our findings support the concept that abdominal strengthening exercises can differentially activate various abdominal muscle groups, but contradict some traditionally held assumptions regarding the effects of specific exercises.

The importance of normalization in the interpretation of surface electromyography: A proof of principle

Objective: To demonstrate the errors in surface electromyogram (EMG) interpretation that can be made when the EMG signal is not normalized. Design: A case study as a proof of principle. Main Outcome Measures: The EMG amplitude between the upper and lower portions of the rectus abdominis in one subject during a trunk curl when the EMG signal was normalized (expressed as a percentage of a maximum voluntary contraction) and the amplitude when the signal was expressed in raw, unnormalized arbitrary units or raw millivolts directly read from the instrumentation. Results: Interpretation of the unnormalized EMG signal suggests that a large difference in neural activation of the upper and lower sections of the rectus abdominis is occurring. In this condition the average activity in the lower rectus is 60.9% of that in the upper portion. This interpretation is incorrect. When the EMG signal is normalized, the differences between the upper and lower segments are reduced. When normalized, the lower segment activity is equal to that of the upper segment. Conclusions: Because of the inherent EMG signal variability, clinical interpretation of surface EMG signals requires normalization of the signal for physiologic interpretation and for comparison between bilateral muscles and between the same muscle on different days and between different subjects. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999;22:444–6)

RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW BACK PAIN IN RUNNERS

958 A case-control study was undertaken to investigate risk factors for low back pain (LBP)in 29 runners with LBP compared with 23 matched (age, height, weight, gender, training volume) control (CON) runners. The following were assessed in each runner: history of stretching routine, previous injuries, type and intensity of training, lower limb biomechanics (Q angle, genu valgus, rearfoot valgus, forefoot varus, leg length), spinal flexibility, lower limb flexibility, abdominal muscle strength (trunk curl up score, 1-5), and lumbar spine stability (decrease in manometer reading during the knee flexion/extension and the abduction/adduction knee drop test). Runners in the LBP group, had significantly (p<0.05) lower number of weekly stretching sessions [2.9(2.1) vs 4.2(2.3) sessions/week], lower frequency or lumbar spine joints with "normal" mobility (4% vs 39%), larger forefoot varus [7.8(2.4) vs 6.7(2.4) deg], lower abdominal muscle stregth grading [2.1(1.5) vs 3.3(1.3)], and larger decrease in manometer reading during the abduction/adduction knee drop test [7.8(2.4 vs 6.1(2.2) mmHg]. A number of training, functional and biomechanical risk factors are assciated with LBP in runners, and these can be corrected by a rehabilitation program.

Group rehabilitation for chronic back pain: a pilot study

Twelve subjects recruited by an advertisement in the Sheffield University newsletter and from referral from the pain clinic at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, began a 12-week group exercise. Emphasis was placed on identifying specific impairments in back function and focusing on the functional restoration of these deficits using mobility, progressive strengthening and stretching exercises for the trunk, pelvis and hips. Physical function was assessed by measuring total lumbosacral flexion and extension, straight leg raising, hip extension, trunk curl and lifting capacity. Disability and pain beliefs were measured using the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability questionnaire and Survey of Pain Attitudes questionnaire respectively. Ten subjects completed the exercise programme (mean attendance of 16 sessions). Patients showed statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) improvements in total lumbosacral extension, trunk curl and lifting capacity and perceived disability was reduced from a classification of ‘moderate’ to ‘minimal’ (Oswestry). There were also significant favourable changes in the pain beliefs about control and disability. The results demonstrated that moderately disabled subjects with chronic low back pain can benefit from a structured group exercise programme. This type of programme may be suitable for small groups of 10–12 patients, requires simple equipment and a modest amount of space.

Abdominal muscle training in sport.

This paper evaluates several abdominal exercises, and highlights factors which are important for their safe prescription and effective use. The function of the abdominal muscles and hip flexors is considered, and the importance of the infra-umbilical portion of the rectus abdominis is emphasized. The effects of flexion on the lumbar spine are outlined. The trunk curl, sit-up, and straight leg raise are analysed, together with modifications of these exercises. The effect of foot fixation and hip flexion during the performance of the sit-up is discussed. The sit-up performed with foot fixation, and the bilateral straight leg raise can compound hip muscle imbalance, and both hyperextend and hyperflex the lumbar spine and are therefore not recommended. The importance of muscular control of pelvic tilt is considered with reference to muscle imbalance around the pelvis. It is recommended that a musculoskeletal assessment should be performed before prescribing abdominal exercises. Exercise therapy to re-educate control of pelvic tilt is described. Intra-abdominal pressure, and the effects of abdominal exercise on this mechanism, and lumbar stabilization are examined. The importance of training specificity is stressed.