The Effects of a Bridging Exercise Applying Changes in the Base of Support for the Shoulders on Trunk Muscle Activation

The effects of various stair-climbing exercises on functional mobility and trunk muscle activation in community-dwelling older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Stair-climbing (SC) is an essential daily life skill, and stair-climbing exercise (SCE) serves as a valuable method for promoting physical activity in older adults. This study aimed to compare the impact of SCEs with heel contact (HC) and heel off (HO) during SC on functional mobility and trunk muscle (TM) activation amplitudes in community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

In the pilot randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated to either the HC group (n = 17; mean age 75.9 ± 6.3 years) or the HO group (n = 17; mean age 76.5 ± 4.6 years). The HC participants performed SCE with the heel of the ankle in contact with the ground, while the HO participants performed SCE with the heel of the ankle off the ground during SC. Both groups participated in progressive SCE for one hour per day, three days per week, over four consecutive weeks (totaling 12 sessions) at the community center. We measured timed stair-climbing (TSC), timed up and go (TUG), and electromyography (EMG) amplitudes of the TMs including rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominus and internal oblique abdominals (TrA-IO), and erector spinae (ES) during SC before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

Both groups showed a significant improvement in TSC and TUG after the intervention (P < .01, respectively), with no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference in the EMG activity of the TMs between the groups after the intervention. The amplitude of TMs significantly decreased after the intervention in both groups (P < .01, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Both SCE methods could improve balance and SC ability in older adults while reducing the recruitment of TMs during SC. Both SCE strategies are effective in improving functional mobility and promoting appropriate posture control during SC in older adults.

The effects of lower extremity cross-training on gait and balance in stroke patients: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Cross-training is an indirect intervention to promote muscle activity on the affected side by applying resistance exercise to stronger parts of the body. Indirect interventions are useful for treating patients who have difficulty with direct interventions. Previous studies have focused on measuring increased muscle strength and muscle activity in healthy individuals.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the effects of cross-training on gait and balance in hemiplegic patients when applied to the affected and unaffected lower extremities.

DESIGN

Double-blinded randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

In-patients attending the rehabilitation treatment room of a single center.

POPULATION

Fifty-two stroke patients were randomly allocated to a control group (N.=19), affected side cross-training group (N.=15), and unaffected side cross-training group (N.=18).

METHODS

Patients were administered general neurological physiotherapy for 30 mins, twice daily, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The two intervention groups underwent 30 mins of cross-training instead of general neurological physiotherapy once daily, 3 days/week for 4 weeks (postintervention). For data analysis, one-way ANOVA for between-group comparisons and paired t-tests were performed for within-group comparisons between pre- and postintervention groups (significance level of 0.05).

RESULTS

In the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), comparing pre- and postintervention, the control group showed no significant change (P>0.05), while the affected side and unaffected side cross-training groups showed significant improvements in function (P<0.05). In the 10-meter Walk Test, the control group showed no significant change (P>0.05), while the affected side and unaffected side cross-training groups showed significant increases in speed (P<0.05). In balance testing, the limits of stability showed a significantly increase in all three groups (P<0.05). There were no pre- or postintervention differences in gait or balance between the groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Gait and balance improved in hemiplegic stroke patients who participated in cross-training, regardless of the intervention applied to the affected or unaffected side.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

In clinical settings, for patients who experience difficulties with direct interventions on the affected side, we propose indirect interventions to improve gait and balance.