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Effect of Stretching on Strength Loss and Pain After Eccentric Exercise. Fall 2008
PURPOSE: The purposes of the this study were to determine whether stretch-induced strength loss was muscle length dependent (study 1) and whether passive stretching prior to eccentric exercise affected strength loss and pain on subsequent days (study 2).
CONCLUSION: Stretch-induced strength loss was dependent on muscle length, such that strength was decreased with the muscle group in a shortened position, but not with the muscle group in a lengthened position. Strength loss and pain after eccentric exercise were generally unaffected by prior stretching, with the exception that stretching prevented strength loss when assessed with the muscle in a lengthened position.
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The Effect of Abdominal Stabilization Contractions on Posteroanterior Spinal Stiffness. Fall 2008
OBJECTIVE: To quantify the immediate change in posteroanterior (PA) spinal stiffness produced by different combinations of trunk muscle contraction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The abdominal hollow and the abdominal brace are 2 different combinations of trunk muscle contractions that are commonly prescribed to increase spinal stability. Unfortunately, the immediate effect of these different contractions on spinal stiffness (one indicator of spinal stability) has not yet been quantified directly.
CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic subjects, the abdominal brace contraction provided an OBJECTIVE: To quantify the immediate change in posteroanterior (PA) spinal stiffness produced by different combinations of trunk muscle contraction. immediate PA stiffening effect that was significantly greater in magnitude when compared with conditions of rest and abdominal hollowing. These findings may allow clinicians to better match commonly prescribed contraction-based interventions with specific patient needs. Future work is required to assess the long-term effect of repeated abdominal brace and hollow contractions on PA spinal stiffness and low back pain.
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Effects of a Single Session of Posterior-to-Anterior Spinal Mobilization and Press-up Exercise on Pain Response and Lumbar Spine Extension in People With Nonspecific Low Back Pain Fall 2008
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Posterior-to-anterior (PA) mobilization and press-up exercises are common physical therapy interventions used to treat low back pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of PA mobilization and a press-up exercise on pain with standing extension and lumbar extension in people with nonspecific low back pain.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the use of PA mobilization and a press-up exercise for improving lumbar extension in people with nonspecific low back pain. Although statistically significant within-group changes in pain were detected, the clinical meaningfulness of these changes is questionable.
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Effects of a Single Session of Posterior-to-Anterior Spinal Mobilization and Press-up Exercise on Pain Response and Lumbar Spine Extension in People With Nonspecific Low Back Pain Summer 2008
PURPOSE: This study examined the immediate effects of Posterior-to-anterior (PA) mobilization and a press-up exercise on pain with standing extension and lumbar extension in people with nonspecific low back pain.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the use of PA mobilization and a press-up exercise for improving lumbar extension in people with nonspecific low back pain. Although statistically significant within-group changes in pain were detected, the clinical meaningfulness of these changes is questionable.
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The role of pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic and genital pain-related sexual dysfunction Summer 2008
PURPOSE: This Continuing Medical Education article is to describe the musculoskeletal components involved in pelvic and genital pain syndromes and associated sexual dysfunction, introduce specific physical therapy assessment and intervention techniques, and provide suggestions for facilitating an effective working relationship among practitioners involved in treating these conditions.
CONCLUSIONS: Physical therapy treatment of pelvic pain is an integral component of the multidisciplinary approach to CPP and associated sexual dysfunction.
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Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Eccentric Exercises in the Treatment of Recreational Athletes With Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy Summer 2008
BACKGROUND: Eccentric exercises (EEs) are recommended for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy, but the clinical effect from EE has a slow onset. Hypothesis: The addition of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to EE may cause more rapid clinical improvement.
CONCLUSION: Low-level laser therapy, with the parameters used in this study, accelerates clinical recovery from chronic Achilles tendinopathy when added to an EE regimen. For the LLLT group, the results at 4 weeks were similar to the placebo LLLT group results after 12 weeks.
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Specific Strength Training Helpful for Neck Muscle Pain Summer 2008
PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of specific strength training of the painful muscle versus general fitness training without direct involvement of the painful muscle (leg bicycling) on work-related neck muscle pain.
CONCLUSION: Supervised high-intensity (8 - 12 RM) dynamic strength training of the painful muscle 3 times a week for 20 minutes should be recommended in the treatment of trapezius myalgia.
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Adherence to physiotherapy clinical guideline acute ankle injury and determinants of adherence: a cohort study. Spring 2008
Background: Clinical guidelines are considered important instruments to improve quality in health care. In physiotherapy, insight in adherence to guidelines is limited. Knowledge of adherence is important to identify barriers and to enhance implementation. Purpose of this study is to investigate the ability to adherence to recommendations of the guideline Acute ankle injury, and to identify patient characteristics that determine adherence to the guideline.
Conclusion: Adherence to the clinical guideline Acute ankle sprain showed that the guideline is applicable in daily practice. Adherence to the guideline, even in a group of physiotherapists familiar with the guideline, showed possibilities for improvement. The necessity to exceed the expected number of treatment sessions may be explained by co-morbidity and recurrent sprains. It is not clear why female patients were treated with more sessions. Experience of the physiotherapist reduced the number of treatment sessions. Quality indicators may be used for audit and feedback as part of the implementation strategy.
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The Immediate Effect of Passive Scapular Elevation on Symptoms With Active Neck Rotation in Patients With Neck Pain. Spring 2008
Objective: To examine the effect of elevating the scapulae on symptoms during neck rotation.
Conclusion: Passive elevation of the scapulae resulted in a decrease in symptoms with right and left neck rotation in the majority of patients. These findings are important because they indicate that neck symptoms can be immediately improved within the context of the examination. Such information potentially can be used to assist in directing intervention.
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Joint Loading in the Lower Extremities During Elliptical Exercise Spring 2008
Purpose: To determine the joint loading during elliptical exercise (EE) by a detailed three-dimensional dynamic analysis, and to compare the results with those during level walking.
Conclusion: Different lower-limb kinematics and kinetics were found between EE and level walking. Smaller vertical PRF and loading rates during EE were achieved at the expense of greater hip flexor and knee extensor moments. Use of the elliptical trainer for athletic and rehabilitative training would have to consider users' joint function and muscle strength, especially at the knee, to avoid injuries.
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Differential effects of strength versus power training on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a 2-year longitudinal study Spring 2008
Objectives: To investigate the effect of two different schemes of loading in resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) and pain in pretrained postmenopausal women.
Methods: 53 pretrained women (mean (SD) age 58.2 (3.7) years) who carried out a mixed resistance and gymnastics programme were randomly assigned to a strength training (ST) or power training (PT) group. The difference between the two groups was the movement velocity during the resistance training (ST, 4 s (concentric)/4 s (eccentric); PT, explosive/4 s).
Conclusion: The results show that PT may be superior for maintaining BMD in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, PT was safe as it did not lead to increased injury or pain.
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Longitudinal excursion and strain in the median nerve during novel nerve gliding exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome Fall 2007
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate various nerve gliding exercises, including novel techniques that aim to slide the nerve through the carpal tunnel while minimizing strain ("sliding techniques").
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The effect of a 4-week comprehensive rehabilitation program on postural control and lower extremity function in individuals with chronic ankle instability Fall 2007
Objective: Prospective, randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of a 4-week rehabilitation program for chronic ankle instability (CAI) on postural control and lower extremity function.
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Rehabilitation of Scapular Muscle Balance: Which Exercises to Prescribe? Fall 2007
Background: Strengthening exercises for the scapular muscles are used in the treatment of scapulothoracic dysfunction related to shoulder injury. In view of the intermuscular and intramuscular imbalances often established in these patients, exercises promoting lower trapezius (LT), middle trapezius (MT), and serratus anterior (SA) activation with minimal activity in the upper trapezius (UT) are recommended.
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Effect of static stretching of muscles surrounding the knee on knee joint position sense. Summer 2007
Muscle stretching is widely used in sport training and rehabilitation. Considering the important contribution of joint position sense (JPS) for knee joint stability and function, it is legitimate to question if stretching could alter the knee JPS. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if a stretch regimen consisting of three 30-second stretches would alter the knee JPS.
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Effect of neck exercise on sitting posture in patients with chronic neck pain. Summer 2007
Poor sitting posture has been implicated in the development and perpetuation of neck pain symptoms. This study had two purposes: (1) to compare change in cervical and thoracic posture during a distracting task between subjects with chronic neck pain and control subjects and (2) to compare the effects of two different neck exercise regimens on the ability of people with neck pain to maintain an upright cervical and thoracic posture during this task.
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Plantar fascia-specific stretching exercise improves outcomes in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Summer 2007
A Prospective Clinical Trial with Two-Year Follow-Up. In a previous investigation, 82 patients with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis for a duration of more than 10 months completed a randomized, prospective clinical trial. The patients received instructions for either a plantar fascia-stretching protocol or an Achilles tendon-stretching protocol and were evaluated after eight weeks. Substantial differences were noted in favor of the group managed with the plantar fascia-stretching program. The goal of this two-year follow-up study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the plantar fascia-stretching protocol in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.
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High-intensity resistance training amplifies muscle hypertrophy and functional gains in persons with Parkinson's disease. Summer 2007
Strength deficits in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) have been identified as a contributor to bradykinesia. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine, in persons with PD, the changes in quadriceps muscle volume, muscle force production and mobility as a result of a 12-week high-force eccentric resistance training program and to compare the effects to a standard-care control.
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Effects of early progressive eccentric exercise on muscle structure after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Spring 2007
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of progressive eccentric exercise on thigh muscle structure following reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.
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Acute treatment of inversion ankle sprains: immobilization versus functional treatment. Spring 2007
Inversion ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in sports. Although these injuries are often considered minor, they can lead to persistent disability in athletes. This is a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effect of immobilization versus early functional treatment on time to return to preinjury activity after inversion ankle sprain. Residual subjective instability, recurrent injury, and patient satisfaction were secondary outcomes.
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Strength and endurance exercises decrease chronic neck pain. Spring 2007
The purpose of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship of specific strength- and endurance-training regimes for the cervical muscles that have been shown to be effective among women with chronic neck pain and disability.
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A comprehensive review of 46 exercise treatment studies in fibromyalgia (1988–2005). Spring 2007
The purpose of this review was to: 1) locate all exercise treatment studies of fibromyalgia (FM) patients from 1988 through 2005, 2) present in tabular format the key details of each study and 3) provide a summary and evaluation of each study for exercise and health outcomes researchers.
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A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of hydrotherapy and land exercises on overall well being and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis. Spring 2007
Hydrotherapy is highly valued by people with rheumatoid arthritis yet few studies have compared the benefits of exercises in heated water against exercises on land. In particular, data on quality of life is rarely reported. This is especially important because patients treated with hydrotherapy often report an enhanced sense of well-being. This is a randomised controlled trial in which the effects of hydrotherapy were compared with exercises on land on overall response to treatment, physical function and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
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Lengthening the Hamstring Muscles Without Stretching Using "Awareness Through Movement". Winter 2006
Purpose. Passive stretching is widely used to increase muscle flexibility, but it has been shown that this process does not produce long-term changes in the viscoelastic properties of muscle as originally thought. The authors tested a method of lengthening hamstring muscles called "Awareness Through Movement" (ATM) that does not use passive stretching.
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Rehabilitation of the Rotator Cuff: An Evaluation-Based Approach. Winter 2006
Rotator cuff disease of the shoulder, a common condition, is often incapacitating. Whether nonsurgical or surgical, successful management of rotator cuff disease is dependent on appropriate rehabilitation. Numerous rehabilitation protocols for the management of rotator cuff disease are based primarily on anecdotal clinical observation. The available literature on shoulder rehabilitation, in conjunction with clinical observation that takes into consideration the underlying tissue quality and structural integrity of the rotator cuff, can be compiled into a set of rehabilitation guidelines. The four phases of rehabilitation begin with maintaining and protecting the repair in the immediate postoperative period, followed by progression from early passive range of motion through return to preoperative levels of function.
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High-intensity resistance training amplifies muscle hypertrophy and functional gains in persons with Parkinson's disease. Winter 2006
The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine, in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), the changes in quadriceps muscle volume, muscle force production, and mobility as a result of a 12-week high-force eccentric resistance training program and to compare the effects to a standard-care control.
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Neuromuscular Activation in Conventional Therapeutic Exercises and Heavy Rresistance Exercises: Implications for Rehabilitation. Fall 2006
This study examined the level of knee joint neuromuscular activation during four conventional therapeutic exercises (quadriceps femoris muscle setting, manual lateralization of the patella, rhythmic stabilization, and the pelvic bridging exercise) and four heavy resistance exercises (free-weight squat with a barbell, horizontal seated leg press, isolated knee extension with a cam mechanism, and isolated hamstring muscle curl) in young, untrained men who were healthy.
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Management of Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Fall 2006
Case report: Rehabilitation after shoulder hemiarthroplasty for rotator cuff tear arthropathy (RCTA) represents a significant challenge to physical therapists.
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Effect of Brisk Walking in 1 or 2 Daily Bouts and Moderate Resistance Training on Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength, Balance, and Walking Performance in Women Who Recently Went Through Menopause: a Randomized, Controlled Trial. Fall 2006
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects and feasibility of an exercise program of one or two bouts of walking and resistance training on lower-extremity muscle strength (the force-generating capacity of muscle), balance, and walking performance in women who recently went through menopause.
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Low Intensity Resistance Exercise for Breast Cancer Patients With Arm Lymphedema With or Without Compression Sleeve. Fall 2006
Clinical trials of the effect of physical exercise on breast cancer related arm lymphedema (ALE) are very rare. The aim of this study was to examine if controlled low intensity arm exercises with weights, with or without a compression sleeve, influence breast cancer related ALE.
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Rehabilitation After Cell Transplantation for Cartilage Defects. Fall 2006
Rehabilitation is a key element of successful treatment of cartilage defects with cell transplantation. The process of graft maturation takes approximately 18 months and cannot be accelerated, but requires carefully introduced steps leading to early recovery of joint function.
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The Effects of a 12-Week Strength-Training Program on Strength and Functionality in Women With Fibromyalgia. Summer 2006
Objective: To determine whether women with fibromyalgia benefit from strength training.
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Resistance Training for Strength: Effect of Number of Sets and Contraction Speed. Summer 2006
Objective: To compare effects on strength in the early phase of resistance training with one or three sets and fast or slow speeds.
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Stage I and II Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction Treated by a Structured Nonoperative Management Protocol: An Orthosis and Exercise Program. Summer 2006
The purpose of this study was to identify strength deficits with early stage PTTD and to assess the efficacy of a focused nonoperative treatment protocol.
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To Treat or Not to Treat Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain with Stabilizing Exercises? Summer 2006
The question is thus, whether stabilizing exercises should be recommended as treatment for women with pelvic girdle pain PGP.
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Manual Physical Therapy, Cervical Traction, and Strengthening Exercises in Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy: A Case Series. Summer 2006
Purpose: To describe the outcomes of a consecutive series of patients presenting to physical therapy with cervical radiculopathy and managed with the use of manual physical therapy, cervical traction, and strengthening exercises.
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Physical Therapy Treatment Effectiveness for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Comparison of Supervised Clinical Exercise and Manual Therapy Procedures Versus a Home Exercise Program. Spring 2006
Objective: To compare outcomes between a home-based physical therapy program and a clinically based physical therapy program.
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Efficacy of Isokinetic Exercise on Joint Position Sense and Muscle Strength in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Spring 2006
Objective: To demonstrate the impairment of knee joint position sense in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome and investigate the effects of isokinetic exercise on knee joint position sense and muscle strength.
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Interventions that Increase or Decrease the Likelihood of a Meaningful Improvement in Physical Health in Patients with Sciatica. Spring 2006
Objective: To determine whether physical therapy interventions predicted meaningful short-term improvement in physical health for patients diagnosed with sciatica.
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Management of Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction During Pregnancy Using Exercise and Pelvic Support Belts. Spring 2006
Objective: To investigate the effects of exercise, advice and pelvic support belts on the management of symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy.
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Use of Ultrasound to Increase Effectiveness of Isokinetic Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis. Fall 2005
Objective: To investigate the effects of ultrasound in isokinetic muscle strengthening exercises on functional status of patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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Passive Stretching Does Not Enhance Outcomes in Patients with Plantarflexion Contracture After Cast Immobilization for Ankle Fracture: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Fall 2005
Objective: To compare the efficacy of short and long duration passive stretches with a control treatment for the management of plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture.
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Randomized, Controlled Trial of BreathTherapy for Patients with Chronic Low-back Pain. Fall 2005
Breath therapy is a western mind-body therapy integrating body awareness, breathing, meditation, and movement. Preliminary data suggest benefits from breath therapy for proprioception and low back pain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of breath therapy on cLBP.
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Two Exercise Interventions for the Management of Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Randomized Control Trial. Summer 2005
Objective: The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the impact of a 4-month comprehensive protocol of strengthening and flexibility exercises developed by the research group versus conventional exercises for patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis on functional and mobility outcomes.
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Physical Therapy Improves Knee Flexion During Stair Ambulation in Patellofemeral Pain. Summer 2005
Objective: This study aimed to examine whether a physical therapy intervention designed to reduce pain and improve the neuromotor control resulted in greater improvements in stance-phase knee flexion during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral pain.
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Replacing a Swiss Ball for an Exercise Bench Causes Variable Changes in Trunk Muscle Activity During the Performance of Upper Limb Strength Exercises. Summer 2005
Objective: It was the aim of this study to determine if the use of a Swiss ball instead of an exercise bench results in consistent increases across subjects in trunk muscle activation levels during upper body strength training exercises.
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A New Treatment Programme to Improve Balance in Elderly People--an Evaluation of an Individually Tailored Home-Based Exercise Programme in Five Elderly Women with a Feeling of Unsteadiness. Summer 2005
Objective: To evaluate an individually tailored home-based exercise program of balance in the elderly. The aim was also to examine if the degree of confidence of a person in performing common daily activities without falling could be influenced by training and if there were any relations between different physical factors and balance as well as between the degree of confidence in performing common daily activities without falling and balance.
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Efficacy of Bobath Versus Orthopaedic Approach on Impairment and Function at Different Motor Recovery Stages after Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Study. Summer 2005
Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Bobath on stroke patients at different motor stages by comparing their treatment with orthopaedic treatment.
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Effectiveness of a Home-Based Balance-Training Program in Reducing Sports-Related Injuries Among Healthy Adolescents: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Summer 2005
Objective: To study the effectiveness of a home-based balance-training program using a wobble board in improving static and dynamic balance and reducing sports-related injuries among healthy adolescents.
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The Prevalence of Inappropriate Muscle Sequencing in Recurrent Shoulder Instability. Summer 2005
Objective: To demonstrate that inappropriate sequencing of activation of shoulder muscles can cause shoulder instability.
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Exercises to Prevent Lower Limb Injuries in Youth Sports: Cluster Randomised Control Trial Spring 2005
Objective: To investigate the effect of a structured warm-up program designed to reduce the incidence of knee and ankle injuries in young people participating in sports.
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Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: The Effect of Changing Posture on Shoulder Range of Movement Spring 2005
Objective: To investigate the effect of changing thoracic and scapular posture on shoulder flexion and scapular plane abduction range of motion in asymptomatic subjects, and in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome.
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The Effectiveness of 3 Stretching Techniques on Hamstring Flexibility Using Consistent Stretching Parameters Spring 2005
Objective: This study compares the effects of 3 common stretching techniques on the length of the hamstring muscle group during a 4-week training program. Subjects were 19 young adults between the ages of 21 and 35.
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The Effect of a 5-Week Wobble-Board Exercise Intervention on Ability to Discriminate Different Degrees of Ankle Inversion, Barefoot and Wearing Shoes: A Study in Healthy Elderly Winter 2005
Objective: There is some evidence of an improvement in falls risk in the elderly after completing a wobble-board training program. This study examined the effects of wobble-board training on ability to discriminate between different extents of ankle inversion movements in a group of older subjects, tested wearing shoes and barefoot. (Requires site registration for full text.)
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Research on the Elderly Seeks Path of Best Resistance Training Winter 2005
Objective: To evaluate the most effective resistance training regimen for healthy elderly individuals.
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Rehabilitation of Ligamentous Ankle Injuries: A Review of Recent Studies Winter 2005
Objective: There are many treatment modalities for ankle rehabilitation. These are reviewed, and the most effective training program for rapid restoration of ankle movement, strength, endurance and proprioception is selected.
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Weight Loss Plus Exercise in Knee Osteoarthritis Fall 2004
The combination of weight loss and exercise is significantly better than either intervention alone, or healthy lifestyle counseling, in reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. (Requires site registration.)
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Myths and Truths of Stretching Fall 2004
Many different stretching recommendations have come out of the medical literature, and new research has challenged some long-held concepts about common stretching practices. As a result, misconceptions and misinterpretations are common--not just among patients, but among healthcare professionals, as well. Thus, many clinicians are at a difficult crossroads when making sound recommendations to patients.
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Effectiveness of Exercise in Management of Fibromyalgia Fall 2004
This review discusses the benefits of exercise alone and provides practical suggestions on how patients can exercise without causing long-term exacerbation of pain. (Requires site registration.)
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