Best core stabilization exercise to facilitate subcortical neuroplasticity: A functional MRI neuroimaging study

Sustainable effectiveness of kinetic chain stretching on active hip flexion movement and muscle activation for hamstring tightness: A preliminary investigation

BACKGROUND

Conventional hamstring (HAM) stretching therapeutic effects are not substantiable in neuromusculoskeletal conditions with HAM tightness or shortness. We developed a kinetic chain stabilization exercise to provide a more sustainable effectiveness in adults with HAM tightness. However, its therapeutic effects and underlying motor mechanisms remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of traditional active HAM stretching (AHS) and kinetic chain stretching (KCS) on electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and hip flexion range of motion (ROM) in participants with HAM tightness.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 18 participants (mean age: 25.01 ± 2.47 years) with HAM tightness were assigned to the AHS or KCS group. Hip joint movement, EMG amplitude, and onset times were recorded in the bilateral erector spinae, HAM, transverse abdominis/internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis during a straight leg raise test.

RESULTS

Compared to AHS, KCS led to greater increase in the hip flexion ROM and EMG activation amplitudes in the left and right EO and left IO. Post-test hip flexion ROM data in both the groups were higher than the pre-test data.

CONCLUSION

KCS produced more sustainable effectiveness in hip flexion movement and EMG motor control patterns in participants with HAM tightness than AHS.

EFFECTS OF CORE STABILIZATION EXERCISE ON MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING HORIZONTAL SHOULDER ADDUCTION WITH LOADS IN HEALTHY ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

The importance of core stabilization exercises for extremities associated with dynamic spinal stabilization prior to movement has been demonstrated. However, no previous studies have investigated the muscle-coordinated effects on the upper trapezius (UT), anterior deltoid (AD), pectoralis major (PM), bilateral transverse abdominis (TrA), bilateral internal oblique (IO), and bilateral external oblique (EO) in healthy adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) breathing technique and the abdominal bracing (AB) technique on UT, AD, PM, bilateral IO/TrA, and bilateral EO motor control in healthy participants during horizontal shoulder adduction. Thirty-six participants, eight of whom were female, were randomized into an AB and a DNS group and performed horizontal shoulder adduction with loads (8 and 17 lb). The clinical outcomes were UT, AD, and PM muscle activation and TrA/IO and EO muscle activation. Paired t-tests were used to analyze electromyography (EMG) data to determine statistically significant differences in muscle activity between the two techniques. For the EMG analysis, the maximal voluntary isometric contraction was measured for normalization and then divided by the EMG amplitude value. The results showed that UT, AD, and PM muscle amplitudes were lower and TrA/IO and EO muscle amplitudes were higher with DNS than with AB ([Formula: see text]). Our findings provide clinical evidence that core exercise with DNS is more effective in lessening UT, AD, and PM muscle activation and improving bilateral TrA/IO motor control than with AB.

Correlation between palpatory assessment and pressure sensors in response to postural trunk tests

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of postural trunk muscle function is a critical component of clinical assessment in patients with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Postural activation of the trunk muscles has been evaluated by various methods. This study evaluates the correlation between subjective assessment of postural trunk muscle function with an objective measurement of abdominal wall expansion. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy participants (16 women, 9 men, age 22.4 years) were assessed. The subjective assessment was performed by two experienced Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) clinicians evaluating the quality of trunk stabilization using five postural stability tests through palpation and observation. Interrater reliability was determined using an intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Objective measurement was performed using a new device (DNS Brace) which externally measures abdominal wall pressure. Spearman rank correlations were calculated for both palpation and observation measures with DNS Brace data. RESULTS: The interrater reliability (ICC2,k) estimates demonstrated moderate reliability in palpation measures for three DNS tests: Hip flexion test, Diaphragm test, & Intra-abdominal pressure regulation test (IAPRT) (ICC = 0.645–0.707). For observation measures, good reliability was found in IAPRT (ICC = 0.835), and three tests demonstrated moderate reliability: Hip flexion test, Diaphragm test, & Breathing Stereotype (ICC = 0.577–0.695). Correlation analysis demonstrated several moderate to strong correlations between palpation and DNS brace values (Assessor 1): IAPRT, rs= 0.580, p= 0.002, Diaphragm test, rs= 0.543, p= 0.005, (Assessor 2): IAPRT, rs= 0.776, p< 0.001, Breathing Stereotype, rs= 0.625, p= 0.001, Diaphragm test, rs= 0.519, p= 0.008, Hip Flexion test, rs= 0.536, p= 0.006, and Arm Elevation test, rs= 0.460, p= 0.021. For observation, several moderate correlations were demonstrated with DNS brace values (Assessor 1): Arm Elevation test, rs= 0.472, p= 0.017, (Assessor 2) Diaphragm test, rs= 0.540, p= 0.005, IAPRT rs= 0.475, p= 0.016, Hip Flexion test, rs= 0.485, p= 0.014, and Arm Elevation, rs= 0.451, p= 0.024. CONCLUSION: Based on inter-rater reliability and DNS brace correlations with trained DNS professionals, the IAPRT, Diaphragm test, and Hip Flexion test may prove useful when assessing asymptomatic individuals. More research is needed in order to establish the utility of DNS brace and clinical testing both in asymptomatic and back pain populations. DNS tests must be supplemented by further examinations for definitive clinical decision making.

Acute Aerobic Exercise Ameliorates Cravings and Inhibitory Control in Heroin Addicts: Evidence From Event-Related Potentials and Frequency Bands

Objective

Aerobic exercise is considered a potential adjunctive treatment for heroin addicts, but little is known about its mechanisms. Less severe cravings and greater inhibitory control have been associated with reduced substance use. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects, as measured by behavioral and neuroelectric measurements, of acute aerobic exercise on heroin cravings and inhibitory control induced by heroin-related conditions among heroin addicts.

Design

The present study used a randomized controlled design.

Methods

Sixty male heroin addicts who met the DSM-V criteria were recruited from the Isolated Detoxification Center in China and randomly assigned to one of two groups; one group completed a 20-min bout of acute stationary cycle exercise with vigorous intensity (70-80% of maximum heart rate, exercise group), and the other group rested (control group). The self-reported heroin craving levels and inhibitory control outcomes (measured by a heroin-related Go/No-Go task) were assessed pre- and post-exercise.

Results

The heroin craving levels in the exercise group were significantly attenuated during, immediately following, and 40 min after vigorous exercise compared with before exercise; moreover, during exercise, a smaller craving was observed in the exercise group than in the control group. Acute exercise also facilitated inhibition performance in the No-Go task. After exercise, the participants' accuracy, the N2d amplitudes, and the theta two band spectral power during the No-Go conditions were higher in the exercise group than in the control group. Interestingly, significant correlations between the changes in these sensitive measurements and the changes in cravings were observed.

Conclusions

This is the first empirical study to demonstrate that aerobic exercise may be efficacious for reducing heroin cravings and promoting inhibitory control among heroin addicts.