Physical Treatments: Specific Physical Therapy Journal
Year:2018 | Volume:7 | Issue:4|Papers Count:7

Purpose: Several studies have reported that musculoskeletal disorders and discomforts experienced by children and adolescent students are closely related to the weight of bags or backpacks carried by them. Since students are at growth and spinal development age, attention to the pressures on their bodies is important. These pressures can cause musculoskeletal problems and various growth disorders. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Low Back Pain (LBP) and its relation with the backpack weight among students.Methods: This cross-sectional study with non-experimental design was conducted on 2000 elementary and secondary school students (1000 boys and 1000 girls) who were randomly selected from schools in 5 regions of Tehran City, Iran. Students with LBP for more than 6 weeks during the study or during the last 3 years at 3 intervals that each lasted for 1 week or more were listed in a group with LBP and others in a group with no LBP (the control group). The weight of their bags or backpacks was measured over a week, and the average was recorded as the weight of carrying load. The intensity of pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale. To examine the prevalence of LBP in students, absolute and relative frequency distribution tests, and for examining the correlation between LBP and weight of backpacks, Independent t test were employed. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the weight of backpacks and the intensity of pain. In addition, logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictability of LBP based on the backpack weight.Results: Based on the results, 26% of students had LBP (29.6% girls, and 21.8% boys). Mean±SD scores of LBP in girl and boy students were reported as 3.4±2.8 and 2.3±5.8, respectively. According to t test results, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of backpack weight both in girls and boys (P<0.05). The Pearson correlation test results showed a significant correlation between the weight of backpacks and intensity of LBP among boys (r=0.26, P=0.007) and girls (r=0.31, P<0.001). Furthermore, results of logistic regression analysis indicated that the variable of backpack weight can predict LBP (B=0.52, P=0.01).Conclusion: The weight of the bags or backpacks carried by children and adolescent students has a significant relationship with the prevalence and intensity of LBP in this age group.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the electromyographic activities and balance of Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO) and Vastus Lateralis (VL) muscles during Straight Leg Raise (SLR) in individuals with and without Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS).Methods: Through an analytical case-control study, 26 persons with PFPS and 26 healthy subjects were recruited by non-random and convenience sampling method. All subjects performed SLR movement. The EMG activity of VMO, VL and VMO/VL ratio were recorded and measured. The muscles activation level were compared between the 2 groups using the Independent t test. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS.Results: The mean and maximum EMG activity of VMO, VL and VMO/VL ratio did not have any significant differences between the PFPS and healthy groups (P>0.05). In other words, during SLR, the VMO and VL muscles activation in the PFPS group were approximately the same as the healthy group.Conclusion: These data suggest that not all individuals with PFPS had weak quadriceps muscles. Many factors may contribute to PFPS that should be considered in the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with PFPS.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of genu varum abnormality on the activity of the anterior leg calf muscle during single-leg jump-landing task.Methods: A total of 28 male students of Physical Education (Mean±SD age: 21.53±1.65 y, weight: 66.67±7.15 kg, height: 173.38±4.54 cm) were assigned into the genu varum (n=14) and normal knee (n=14) groups. Their level of activity of tibialis anterior muscle and ground reaction force were analyzed using an electromyography and force plate in single-leg jump-landing task. In order to analyze the data, the Independent t test was used at the significance level of P<0.05. In jump-landing task, the subjects were required to jump up to 50% of maximum vertical jump and land with one leg on the plate. Root-Mean Square (RMS) level of tibialis anterior muscle was calculated by MATLAB.Results: The study results showed no significant differences between genu varum and normal knee groups (P>0.05) in the mean scores of the tibialis anterior muscular activity before and after landing.Conclusion: In performing the jump-landing task, tibialis anterior muscular activity of the two groups was similar before and after floor contact. Therefore, activity of tibialis anterior muscle does not seem responsible for differences observed in the balance between people with genu varum and normal knee. In addition to biomechanical reasons, other muscles or muscle groups might responsible for weaker balance observed in people with genu varum.

Purpose: A variation in squatting technique is using arms to actively push the bar up with the upper limbs which is common in bodybuilding. This study aimed to compare the Electromyography (EMG) activity of selected muscles during squat with and without upper limb assistance.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. Fifteen healthy male power lifters (using the convenience sampling method) participated in this study. Participants performed 2 sets of 5 repetitions while squatting 70% of their one-repetition maximum with and without upper limb assistance. Surface EMG signals were collected from 6 muscles using a wireless electromyography with a sampling frequency of 1200 Hz. The paired sample t test was used for statistical analyses at a significance level of P<0.05. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS.Results: Average activity of the gluteus medius during the upward phase of squatting with upper limb assistance increased by 17.1% (P=0.017), compared to squatting without upper limb assistance. Mean activity ratio of the vastus medialis during the downward phase with upper limb assistance showed a 6% decrease (P=0.008). During the downward phase of squatting with upper limb assistance, the mean activity ratio of the vastus medialis to vastus lateralis increased by 15% (P=0.039). During the upward phase with upper limb assistance, the maximum activity of the gluteus medius increased by 22% (P=0.043).Conclusion: The activity level of the gluteus medius and the activity ratio of the vastus medialis to vastus lateralis increased as a result of squatting with upper limb assistance. This could possibly be helpful in the rehabilitation or prevention of injuries such as patellofemoral pain or iliotibial band friction syndrome. It could also have implications for training variation.

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of voluntary and electrically stimulated quadriceps muscle fatigue on postural control.Methods: Sixteen healthy young males participated in this quasi-experimental study. All subjects performed two fatiguing exercises with equal intensity of isometric maximal voluntary contraction: Voluntary (VOL) and Electrical Stimulation (ES). The Centre of Pressure (CoP) displacement in the VOL and ES exercises were measured before and after conducting each protocol. The CoP displacement variables were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS. The Newman-Keuls post hoc test was used to determine the mean score differences.Results: The VOL and ES fatiguing exercises had significant effects on mean scores of sway area, mean velocity, anteroposterior, and mediolateral displacements. There was a significant difference between VOL and ES fatigue on postural control (P<0.05).Conclusion: The VOL fatiguing exercise impaired postural control more significantly than the ES fatiguing exercise. The disturbance of postural control in quadriceps muscle fatigue is related to the nature of the muscle contractions rather than the magnitude of strength loss.

Purpose: Low Back Pain (LBP) is among the most common reasons of medical visits worldwide. It can cause limited movements, long lasting disability, and low quality of life and work. Thus, studying the efficacy of conservative treatment strategies to help patients with LBP is very important. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of kinesiotaping in addition to conventional physiotherapy on pain and disability in patients with non-specific chronic LBP.Methods: Of the non-specific chronic LBP patients who referred to a private physiotherapy clinic in Karaj City, Iran, patients with the age range of 20-55 years were included in this study, using simple random sampling method. Before the onset of intervention, patients on the waiting list for treatment for 2 weeks were considered as the controls. The intervention program performed in 10 sessions (2 weeks), comprising physiotherapy (ultrasound, hot pack, electrical stimulation and stability exercise) in addition to kinesiotaping which was applied on every session. Pain severity (using Visual Analog Scale) and disability (using Oswestry) were evaluated before, during and after the intervention. The repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.Results: Overall, 15 patients with the Mean±SD age of 39±8.9 years and the body mass index of 26.92±5.46 kg/m2, participated in the study. During the time that we considered as the period of control, assessments were performed and the results regarding pain and disability showed no significant changes (P>0.05). Changes in the mean score of pain severity were significant (P>0.001); it altered from 7.33 before the intervention to 1.80 after the intervention. Disability based on the Oswestry scale changes were also significant (P>0.03); it changed from 50% before the intervention to 11% after that.Conclusion: Combined kinesiotaping and conventional physiotherapy can decline pain and disability in patients with LBP.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effect of 4 weeks of suspension exercises with TRX and hopping on the static and dynamic balance of male college athletes.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. In total, 36 male volleyball, basketball, soccer and handball players of the University of Tehran with an age range between 20 and 28 years were selected purposefully and then randomly assigned into 3 groups of control (n=12), TRX suspension exercise (n=12), and hopping exercise (n=12). The exercise groups performed hopping and TRX exercise 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks (12 sessions). Static and dynamic balance of the participants were measured before and after 4 weeks of suspension exercises with TRX and hopping using Biodex balance system. For data analysis paired t test, ANCOVA and Bonferroni test were performed in SPSS. P£0.05 was considered as the significant level.Results: The scores of the general indicator of the static and dynamic balance test in the 2 exercise groups showed significant improvements, compared to the control group (P≤0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the effect of hopping and TRX exercise on the static and dynamic balance of the athletes (P>0.05).Conclusion: Four weeks of hopping and TRX exercise significantly improves the static and dynamic balance of college athletes; Athletes and coaches can use both of these 2 sets of exercises for improving the static and dynamic balance and for prevention of injury.