Core Muscle Activity during TRX Suspension Exercises with and without Kinesiology Taping in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: Implications for Rehabilitation

The effect of TRX, combined with vibration training, on BMI, the body fat percentage, myostatin and follistatin, the strength endurance and layup shot skills of female basketball players

Introduction

Trx Vibration Training (TVT) focuses on using the entire body weight in combination with vibration. While research has separately examined TRX training and vibration training, there is limited literature on the combined effects of these two methods specifically for female individuals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of combining TRX and vibration training (TVT) on various factors including body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), myostatin (MSTN), follistatin (FLST), endurance, and Lay up shooting skills of female basketball players. By addressing this research gap, we aim to shed light on the potential benefits of incorporating TRX and vibration exercises into the training regimen of female basketball players.

Method

The study sample comprised 24 female players who were divided into two groups of equal size, with each group consisting of 12 female players: the experimental group (n = 12, age = 19.17 ± 0.68 years, height = 168.33 ± 0.89 cm, weight = 67.00 ± 2.17 kg, training age = 4.54 ± 0.45 years) and the control group (n = 12, age = 19.33 ± 0.78 years, height = 168.08 ± 2.02 cm, weight = 67.33 ± 1.50 kg, training age = 4.58 ± 0.52 years). The experimental method was employed in the study. For eight weeks, the program was used (TVT), with the experimental group participants completing three training sessions each week. The TVT training lasted between 30 and 45 min, out of the overall training session time, which ranged from 90 to 120 min. The control group used a conventional program without Trx Vibration training. Study variables were evaluated before and after the intervention, and a two-way ANOVA was used for repeated measures.

Results

The results of the study showed the superiority of the experimental group over the control group in BMI (p = 0.037, [d] = 0.64), BFP (p = 0.001, [d] = 2.97), FLST levels (p = 0.029, [d] = 0.68), MSTN (p = 0.001, [d] = 2.04), endurance (CMS) (p = 0.001, [d] = 4.56), and Lay up skill Y (s) (p = 0.001, [d] = 4.27), Y (sc) (p = 0.012, [d] = 4.27).

Conclusion

The results showed that, when comparing the two groups, the TVT program significantly improved the study's variables. Basketball players' motor abilities and skill performance improved after eight weeks of training, and coaches are advised to take this into account when developing seasonal training plans.

Effect of two suspension training programs on pain and musculoskeletal function in chronic low back pain: study protocol

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of two suspension training (ST) protocols on pain and musculoskeletal function in women with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The study will be randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial. Women aged 18-60 years who present CLBP will be selected. They will be randomized into three groups: STG1, which will carry out the program with difficulty progression in the exercises; STG2, in which the progression will be made by increasing the number of sets; and control group. STG1 and STG2 will perform the training two-times a week for 60 min for 12 weeks. It is expected that ST will effectively reduce pain and improve functionality in CLBP and that the best protocol will be verified. Clinical Trial Registration: RBR-10rv3fqt.

Characteristics of Surface Electromyograph Activity of Cervical Extensors and Flexors in Nonspecific Neck Pain Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: We identified typical surface electromyogram (sEMG) activities of the cervical extensors and flexors during motions in the three anatomical planes in healthy adults. The aim of this study was to explore characteristics of sEMG activities of these cervical muscles in nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) patients based on healthy adults. Materials and Methods: Participants were 24 NSNP patients (NSNP group, mean ± SD of age, 47.5 ± 15.5) and 24 healthy adults (control group, 20.5 ± 1.4). For each participant, sEMG of the cervical extensors and flexors was recorded during neck flexion, extension, bilateral lateral flexion, bilateral rotation, and at the neutral position in Phase I (the neck from the neutral position to the maximum range of motion), Phase II (at the maximum range of motion), and Phase III (from the maximum range of motion to the neutral position), yielding a total of 42 phases. A percentage of maximum voluntary contraction to normalize muscle activity in each phase was calculated to obtain the ratio of muscle activities in the extensors and flexors in each of 36 phases of the motions to the neutral position and ratio of the flexors to extensors in activity for 21 phases. Results: In 28 of 36 phases of the motions, the ratios of muscle activities in the extensors and flexors to the neutral position in the NSNP group were significantly larger than the control group (p < 0.05). In 6 of 21 phases, the ratios of the flexors to extensors in activity in the NSNP group were significantly larger than in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In NSNP patients, the activity of the cervical extensors and flexors associated with neck motion increased with an imbalance in activity between these muscles compared to their activity in healthy adults. The results of this study will be useful in understanding the pathogenesis of NSNP and in constructing an objective evaluation of the treatment efficacy on NSNP patients.

The Clinical Study of Bladder Flap Ureteroplasty (Psoas Hitch) in the Treatment of Lower Ureteral Injuries and Strictures (19 Cases)

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of bladder flap ureteroplasty (psoas hitch) in the treatment of lower ureteral injuries and strictures.

Methods

19 patients with lower ureteral injuries and strictures scheduled for a bladder flap ureteroplasty (psoas hitch) in our hospital from January 2020 to January 2021 were recruited. The outcome measures included treatment efficacy and safety.

Results

The operative time, intraoperative bleeding, catheter extubation time, hospital stay, extubation time of ureteral stent, and follow-up time were (125.36 ± 15.38) min, (75.37 ± 11.09) ml, (7.25 ± 1.04) d, (8.76 ± 1.11) d, (46.34 ± 7.66) d, and(19.27 ± 1.27) months, respectively. No serious perioperative adverse reactions were observed, and all the symptoms of patients were relieved.

Conclusion

Bladder flap ureteroplasty (psoas hitch) is safe and effective for the treatment of lower ureteral injuries, with advantages such as less intraoperative bleeding and trauma and rapid recovery, so it is worthy of promotion. This was a retrospective study supervised by the Ethics Committee of Hebei Yanda Hospital.This trial is registered with no. hebYD076.

The Mode of Activity of Cervical Extensors and Flexors in Healthy Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of bilateral cervical extensors and flexors on the sagittal, frontal, and horizontal planes of healthy adults during motions of the neck in a sitting position, which has not been satisfactorily investigated by surface electromyogram (sEMG). Materialand Methods: We recruited 35 healthy participants (mean ± standard deviation of age, 20.3 ± 2.4). sEMG recordings of the cervical extensors and flexors were performed for a total of nine seconds in three phases: Phase I involved the motion of the neck from the neutral position to the maximum range of motion; Phase II involved maintaining the neck at the maximum range of motion; and Phase III involved the motion of the neck from the maximum range of motion to the neutral position during neck flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, right and left rotation, and maintaining the neck in the neutral position. Muscle activities in each motion were normalized as a percentage of maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) so that the muscles could be compared. Results: The %MVC of the extensors was significantly larger than that of the flexors in the neutral position (p < 0.001). In addition, the %MVCs of the following were significantly larger than the %MVC in the neutral position: the extensors in flexion (p = 0.014) and extension (p = 0.020), the ipsilateral extensors (p = 0.006) and flexors (p < 0.001) in lateral flexion in Phase I; the flexors in flexion (p < 0.001), the extensors in extension (p = 0.010), and the ipsilateral extensors and flexors in lateral flexion (p < 0.001) in Phase II; the extensors and flexors in flexion (p < 0.001), the flexors in extension (p < 0.001), the ipsilateral flexors (p < 0.001), the contralateral flexors (p = 0.004) and the contralateral extensors (p = 0.018) in lateral flexion in Phase III; and the bilateral extensors and contralateral flexors during rotation in all three phases (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The typical sEMG activities of the extensors and flexors during motion of the neck in healthy adults were identified in this study; this information can be used to understand the pathophysiology of non-specific neck pain and to provide an index for evaluating the effect of treatment.

Can Kinesio Taping® influence the electromyographic signal intensity of trunk extensor muscles in patients with chronic low back pain? A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The evidence of the influence of Kinesio Taping® in changing electromyographic signal intensity of the lumbar musculature in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) is very sparse.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate if Kinesio Taping® changes the electromyographic signal intensity of the longissimus and iliocostalis muscles in patients with chronic non-specific LBP.

METHODS

Prospectively registered, three-arm randomized controlled trial with a blinded assessor. Patients were randomly allocated to the following interventions: 1) Kinesio Taping® Group (n=21), where patients received the tape according to the manufacturer's manual; 2) Placebo Group (i.e. normal surgical tape) (n=21); and 3) Non-treatment control Group (n=21). Assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after, and 30min after the intervention. The primary outcome was muscle activity of the iliocostalis and longissimus muscles as measured by surface electromyography. The secondary outcome was pain intensity (measured with a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale). The effects of treatment were calculated using linear mixed models.

RESULTS

A total of 63 patients were recruited. Follow up rate was high (98.4%). Patients were mostly women with moderate levels of pain and disability. Kinesio Taping® was better than the control and placebo groups in only 4 of 96 statistical comparisons, likely reflective of type I error due to multiple comparisons. No statistically significant differences were identified for the immediate reduction in pain intensity between groups.

CONCLUSION

Kinesio Taping® did not change the electromyographic signal intensity of the longissimus and iliocostalis muscles or reduce pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02759757 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02759757).

Trunk Muscle Activation During Dynamic Sling Training Exercises

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of trunk muscle activation to characterize different dynamic sling training exercises. Thirty-six young adults (25±3 years, 1.78±0.1 m, 71.5±10.4 kg) performed six different sling training exercises while muscle activation of eight different trunk muscles was measured unilaterally by surface electrodes. Four of the exercises were conducted at two different difficulty levels (an easy and a hard version) by changing the body angle. The six sling training exercises differed regarding muscle activation, with significant differences (p< 0.05) between the three body parts (front, side, back). High muscle activations (76-87%) of the (front) trunk flexor muscles were measured. The back muscles tested reached more than half of their peak reference trial values only during one exercise tested. Regarding the side muscles, three of the sling exercises achieved muscle activations of 60% and higher (66-92%). All eight trunk muscles tested demonstrated a significantly (p< 0.05) higher muscle activation in the harder version compared with the easy version. Based on the results, the sling training exercises tested in this study seem to be most effective for the abdominal muscles. As assumed based on the former literature, changing the body angle during sling training exercises is shown to be a feasible way of adjusting the intensity of sling training. This could potentially be used in longitudinal sling training studies to assure a controlled, progressively increasing training intervention.

Effects of kinesiotape on pain and disability in individuals with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the effects of kinesiotape on pain and disability in individuals with chronic low back pain.

DATA SOURCES:

PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for English language publications from inception to 13 February 2018.

REVIEW METHODS:

This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018089831). Our key search terms were ((kinesio taping) OR (kinesiotaping) OR (kinesiotape)) AND (low back pain). Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of kinesiotape published in English language were included in this review. The reference lists of retrieved studies and relevant reviews were also searched. Quality of the included trials was assessed according to 2015 updated Cochrane Back and Neck Review Group 13-Item criteria.

RESULTS:

A total of 10 articles were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 627 participants were involved, with 317 in the kinesiotape group and 310 in the control group. The effects of kinesiotape on pain and disability were explored. While kinesiotape was not superior to placebo taping in pain reduction, either alone ( P = 0.07) or in conjunction with physical therapy ( P = 0.08), it could significantly improve disability when compared to the placebo taping ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Since kinesiotape is convenient for application, it could be used for individuals with chronic low back pain in some cases, especially when the patients could not get other physical therapy.

Effects of kinesiology taping on shoulder girdle muscle activity and sports performance during badminton forehand overhead strokes in amateur badminton players with shoulder impingement syndrome

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine the influence of kinesiology taping (KT), various overhead stroke techniques, and their interactions on shoulder girdle muscle activity and on sports performance in badminton players with shoulder impingement syndrome.

METHODS

Twenty-five amateur badminton players with shoulder impingement syndrome participated in the study. Each was exposed to two KT conditions (no taping and taping) while performing four badminton strokes (defensive clear, attacking clear, smash, and drop shot) in a random order. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to evaluate the activity of the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, infraspinatus, and latissimus dorsi muscles. The EMG data are expressed as a percentage of the EMG amplitude recorded during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the respective muscles. The shuttlecock speed was also measured via video analysis.

RESULTS

The pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, infraspinatus, and latissimus dorsi EMG amplitudes were greatest during smashes (P<0.05), followed in general by attacking clearances (P<0.05) and defensive clearances (P<0.05). Drop shots induced the lowest EMG amplitudes in the shoulder girdle muscles (P<0.05). No significant main effect of the KT condition or KT-badminton stroke interaction effects were found (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of KT conferred no immediate benefits in improving shoulder girdle muscle activity or sports performance in amateur badminton players with shoulder impingement syndrome. Shoulder girdle muscle activity and sports performance were primarily influenced by the badminton overhead stroke techniques.

Influence of pelvic padding and Kinesiology Taping on pain perception, kinematics, and kinetics of falls in female volleyball athletes

BACKGROUND

Volleyball digging techniques may cause pelvic injuries among female volleyball athletes. Pelvic padding and Kinesiology Taping (KT) may reduce impact force and pain and improve posture during a fall. This study examined the effects of pelvic padding and KT on pain perception, fall kinematics, and kinetics among female volleyball athletes.

METHODS

Twenty-four female volleyball athletes were exposed to two pelvic padding scenarios (with and without padding) and two KT conditions (with and without KT applied on the rectus abdominis muscle) during a fall in the forward direction. The maximum impact force during landing and maximum acceleration of the pelvis were registered using a force platform and an accelerometer, respectively. The maximum lumbar (hyper) extension angle, forward reach distance, and total fall time were measured by video analysis. Pain level was quantified using a visual analog scale.

RESULTS

The application of pelvic padding (with and without KT) reduced pain when compared to the no padding condition (p < 0.008). Applying KT alone reduced forward reach distance when compared to the 'pelvic padding and KT' condition (p < 0.010). In fact, when both pelvic padding and KT were applied, participants reached further when compared to the 'no pelvic padding and no KT' condition (p < 0.001). No significant main and interaction effects were found in all other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Volleyball shorts with pelvic pads are recommended for female volleyball athletes to reduce pain in the digging maneuver and may help to increase their forward reach distance. However, KT is not recommended as it reduces the forward reach distance and cannot reduce pain or improve fall kinematics and kinetics.

Muscle activation in suspension training: a systematic review

Suspension training is an adjunct to traditional strength and conditioning. The effect of added instability on muscle activation during traditional exercises is unclear and depends on the exercise and type of instability. The purpose of this review was to compare the activations of different muscles in suspension training exercises and their traditional counterparts. A search of the current literature was performed without language restrictions using the electronic databases PubMed (1969-12 January 2017), SPORTDiscus (1969-12 January 2017) and Scopus (1969-12 January 2017). The inclusion criteria were: (1) descriptive studies; (2) physically active participants; and (3) studies that analysed muscle activation using normalised electromyographic signals during different suspension training exercises. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. For the push-up, inverted row, prone bridge and hamstring curl in suspension, the activation of upper-body and core muscles ranged between moderate (21-40% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)) and very high (>60% MVIC). Muscle activation in these same muscle groups was greater with suspension exercises relative to comparable traditional exercises, except for the inverted row. Muscle activation in the upper extremity and core muscles varied greatly amongst studies.

Muscle Activation of Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis in Sling-Based Exercises in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Cross-Over Study

Objectives. To examine what changes are caused in the activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) at the time of sling-based exercises in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) and compare the muscular activations in patients with PFPS among the sling-based exercises. Methods. This was a cross-over study. Sling-based open and closed kinetic knee extension and hip adduction exercises were designed for PFPS, and electromyography was applied to record maximal voluntary contraction during the exercises. The VMO and VL activations and VMO : VL ratios for the three exercises were analyzed and compared. Results. Thirty male (age = 21.19 ± 0.68 y) and 30 female (age = 21.12 ± 0.74 y) patients with PFPS were recruited. VMO activations during the sling-based open and closed kinetic knee extension exercises were significantly higher (P = 0.04 and P = 0.001) than those during hip adduction exercises and VMO : VL ratio for the sling-based closed kinetic knee extension and hip adduction exercises approximated to 1. Conclusions. The sling-based closed kinetic knee extension exercise produced the highest VMO activation. It also had an appropriate VMO : VL ratio similar to sling-based hip adduction exercise and had beneficial effects on PFPS.