Search results for "Physical Medicine"

Changes induced by eccentric training on force-velocity relationships of the elbow flexor muscles.

1995

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a short term eccentric training period on force-velocity relationships of the elbow flexor muscles. From a muscle model, the maximal shortening velocity Vo(x) and the af parameter which varies according to the curvature of the force-velocity relationship of the muscle were determined. Sixteen volunteer subjects divided into 2 groups participated in this study (Group Eccentric GE, n = 8; Group Control GC, n = 8). The subjects performed, on an isokinetic ergometer, 2 maximal concentric elbow flexions at different angular velocities (60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 degrees s-1) and held maximal and submaximal isometric actions at an elbow flexion…

Methods and Strategies for Reconditioning Motor Output and Postural Balance in Frail Older Subjects Prone to Falls

2021

In frail older subjects, the motor output of the antigravity muscles is fundamental in resisting falls. These muscles undergo accelerated involutions when they are inactive and the risk of falling increases during leisure and domestic physical activity. In order to reduce their risk of falling, frail older subjects limit their physical activities/exercises. The problem is that the less they exercise, the less they are able to exercise and the greater the risk in exercising. Hence, a vicious circle sets up and the antigravity muscles inevitably continue to deteriorate. This vicious circle must be broken by starting a reconditioning program based on developing the strength of antigravity musc…

Effects of electrical stimulation pattern on quadriceps force production and fatigue

2014

Introduction: Mixed stimulation programs (MIX) that switch from constant frequency trains (CFT) to variable frequency trains have been proposed to offset the rapid fatigue induced by CFT during electrical stimulation. However, this has never been confirmed with long stimulation patterns, such as those used to evoke functional contractions. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that MIX programs were less fatiguing than CFTs in strength training-like conditions (6-s contractions, 30-min). Methods: Thirteen healthy subjects underwent 2 sessions corresponding to MIX and CFT programs. Measurements included maximal voluntary isometric torque and torque evoked by each contraction. …

Effect of gender and obesity on electrical current thresholds

2011

Introduction: In this study we investigated the influence of gender and obesity on electrical current thresholds in an attempt to optimize the application of skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (ES) in clinical practice. Methods: Thirty- two obese and 35 age-matched, non-obese men and women received graded ES to the quadriceps muscle for sensory (detection) and motor (contraction) threshold assessment. Con- comitant pain and tolerance to ES were recorded. Results: Sen- sory threshold was lower in women than in men (P < 0.001), both obese and non-obese. Sensory and motor thresholds were higher in obese than in non-obese subjects (P < 0.05), and body mass index was a strong predictor of mo…

A systematic review of physical fitness, physiological demands and biomechanical performance in equestrian athletes

2012

This article presents a systematic review of the literature investigating physical fitness, physiological demands and biomechanical performance in equestrian athletes. Three databases (SportsDiscus, CAB abstracts and PubMed) were searched to identify the literature. The main search term of ‘horse-riding’ was combined with eleven specific keywords (‘fitness’, ‘physiology’, ‘biomechanics’, ‘equestrian’, ‘athlete’, ‘co-ordination’, ‘heart rate’, ‘oxygen consumption’ ‘kinematic’ ‘EMG’ and ‘skill’). Exclusion criteria were: conference proceedings, abstracts, theses, and non-peer reviewed articles. Subsequently, 15 peer-reviewed papers were identified and included within this review. The main re…

Kinematics of shoulder abduction in the scapular plane

1995

In this paper the kinematics of arm abduction in the scapular plane of 38 healthy experimental subjects is reported. The ratio of the glenohumoral and the scapulothoracic components of the motion were determined and the influence of the abduction speed and of the external load on it were investigated. The investigation of the effect of abduction speed involved all 38 subjects. Each of them performed one slow and one fast abduction. Statistical analysis showed that there were large differences between individuals, but that for any one individual the abduction process is essentially reproducible. For the one individual there is a strong, linear relationship between glenohumeral and scapulotho…

2021

Abstract Background As virtual reality (VR) has become more accessible, it has increasingly come into focus for clinical application. Therapy with VR shows potential as an engaging, effective, and economic way to improve cognitive abilities following a stroke. Objectives While application of VR in clinical settings appears promising, its widespread use will crucially depend on acceptance of immersive head mounted display virtual reality (HMD-VR) systems when used in different patient groups. This study aimed to investigate acceptance of HMD-VR in stroke patients compared to a control group of healthy age-matched adults. Methods The attitude towards HMD-VR, as one of the most important predi…

Low Back Pain: Guidelines for the Clinical Classification of Predominant Neuropathic, Nociceptive, or Central Sensitization Pain

2015

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a heterogeneous disorder including patients with dominant nociceptive (e.g., myofascial low back pain), neuropathic (e.g., lumbar radiculopathy), and central sensitization pain. In order to select an effective and preferably also efficient treatment in daily clinical practice, LBP patients should be classified clinically as either predominantly nociceptive, neuropathic, or central sensitization pain. Objective: To explain how clinicians can differentiate between nociceptive, neuropathic, and central sensitization pain in patients with LBP. Study Design: Narrative review and expert opinion. Setting: Universities, university hospitals and private practices. …

Power of lower extremities and age were the main determinants on the agility test for adults in a cohort of men aged 66–91 years

2019

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between agility and personal factors, muscle strength and power, mobility, self-reported balance and physical activity among older men. Methods: Agility was measured by using the Agility Test for Adults (ATA). We studied 100 Finnish male former elite athletes (endurance n = 50; power n = 50) and 50 matched controls aged 66 to 91 years (mean age 75.5 years). The associations between agility and other variables were similar between three groups; thus, multiple linear regression analyses were done by using the pooled data of the participants. Results: On the basis of multiple linear regression analyses, combination of…

Improved Postural Control after Behavioural Short Term Intervention in Patients with Psychiatric Dizziness

2009

Background:Patients with psychiatric dizziness often report subjective instability of stance and gait and fear of falls. They showed increased activity of their body sway in static posturography compared to normals (1, 2). Aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of a behavioural therapy by static posturography.Methods:14 patients with psychiatric dizziness were included in the prospective study on static posturography to quantify the postural sway (sway path) during upright stance under different conditions. the psychosomatic examination comprised of standardized interviews (SCID-Interview) and a psychometric examination battery (SCL-90, VSS, VHQ). Results of static posturog…