Four minutes of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy increased jump performance

Capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRET) therapy can improve flexibility and increase muscle activity and may be useful as a warm-up technique. This study examined the effects of short-time CRET on jump performance. Thirty healthy men (age range, 20-40 years) were randomly divided into passive (n = 15) and active (n = 15) warm-up groups. The participants and statisticians were blinded to the participant allocation. The passive warm-up group underwent 4 min of CRET therapy on their posterior lower legs. The active warm-up group performed stretching and jogging for 4 min. Calf muscle temperature and rebound jump (RJ) index were measured before and after the intervention. The mean (± standard deviation) muscle temperature increased by 2.0 ± 0.5°C and 1.4 ± 0.6°C in the passive and active warm-up groups, respectively (p < 0.05). RJ index increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, passive warm-up using CRET may help avoid energy loss while increasing the muscle temperature in a short time when compared with traditional active warm-up techniques.

Effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy on pain and lumbar muscle stiffness and activity in patients with chronic low back pain

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with chronic low back pain. [Participants and Methods] The study included 24 patients with chronic low back pain (12 patients each in the intervention and sham groups). Pain intensity, superficial and deep lumbar multifidus stiffness and maximum forward trunk flexion and associated activation level of the iliocostalis (thoracic and lumbar component) and lumbar multifidus muscles were measured. [Results] Post-intervention pain intensity and muscle stiffness were significantly lower than pre-intervention measurements in the intervention group. However, no between-group difference was observed in the muscle activation level at the end-point of standing trunk flexion. [Conclusion] Our findings highlight a significant therapeutic benefit of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with chronic low back pain and muscle stiffness.

Changes in the awareness and understanding of trunk muscle training in high school athletes

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the results of two questionnaires administered in 2013 and 2020, on the level of awareness and understanding of trunk muscle training. [Participants and Methods] In total, 238 soccer club members in high schools responded to our questionnaire regarding trunk muscle training. Two teams were recruited from the top (top 4), middle (top 16), and bottom levels (first-round losers), according to the prefectural tournament's results in 2019. This questionnaire comprised questions divided into four parts: 1. Prevalence of trunk muscle training; 2. Knowledge of the classification of trunk muscles (local and global); 3. Consciousness of local and global muscles during trunk muscle training; and 4. Knowledge of the role of each muscle. These results were compared to those obtained from the survey in 2013. [Results] A significant difference was observed only in the responses to question 2. Regarding question 2 in 2020, several student-athletes in the top-level teams were aware of muscle classification compared to those in the middle- and lower-level teams. [Conclusion] The number of athletes who understood the classification of trunk muscles increased significantly in 2020. Therefore, in the future, we would need to better educate young athletes concerning the purpose of trunk muscle training and the role of each muscle.

Calf circumference positively correlates with calf muscle thickness and negatively correlates with calf subcutaneous fat thickness and percent body fat in non-obese healthy young adults

BACKGROUND

Calf circumference is measured for assessing sarcopenia, nutrition status, percent body fat or obesity. However, there has been no study that investigated the relationship between calf circumference and calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between calf circumference, calf muscle thickness, and calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness in nonobese healthy young adults.

METHODS

The study participants were non-obese 22 women (20.1 ± 0.8 years) and 21 men (20.0 ± 0.8 years). The right calf circumference was measured in prone position at the point where the circumference was maximal by visual recognition using a measuring tape. Then, thickness of calf subcutaneous fat tissue and calf muscles were measured with an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.

RESULTS

There was a positive relationship between calf circumference and calf muscle thickness both in women (r = 0.58, P < 0.01) and men (r = 0.46, P < 0.05), negative relathionship between calf circumference and calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness both in women (r = -0.43, P < 0.05) and men (r = -0.67, P < 0.001), no correlation between calf circumference and percent body fat both in women (r = 0.04, P = 0.87) and men (r = 0.41, P = 0.06), and a negative relationship between calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness and percent body fat both in women (r = -0.48, P < 0.05) and men (r = -0.46, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our present study showed that a larger calf indicated larger calf muscle thickness, and largely different from previous studies, a lower calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness. That is because when the calf circumference increases, calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness should be thinner to keep the percent body fat equal in non-obese healthy young adults. The finding will help to get a better understanding of the nature of the calf.

Training effects of wheelchair dance on aerobic fitness in bedridden individuals with severe athetospastic cerebral palsy rated to GMFCS level V

BACKGROUND

There were few studies about training effects of wheelchair dance on aerobic fitness in the bedridden individuals with severe cerebral palsy for whom the traditional maximal or submaximal exercise tests were not applicable. As the oxygen pulse (O2P), the oxygen uptake divided by the heart rate, is regarded to be a relative measure of stroke volume and the O2P correlates to peak oxygen uptake, we would be able to assess the training effects of wheelchair dance on aerobic fitness in those individuals measuring O2P.

AIM

To study training effects of wheelchair dance on aerobic fitness in bedridden individuals with severe athetospastic cerebral palsy.

DESIGN

Pre-post study design.

SETTING

A laboratory and a community care center.

POPULATION

Bedridden individuals with athetospastic cerebral palsy rated to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level V (N.=6).

METHODS

The O2P was compared between during the rest, the waltz, and the jive at the baseline, the 3rd, the 6th, and the 12th month of the intervention of wheelchair dance 6 to 15 minutes at a time, 2 days a week or more.

RESULTS

Paired Student's t-test showed that O2P during the waltz and the jive was significantly increased compared with that during the rest at the 6th and the 12th month, and O2P during the jive was also significantly increased compared with that during the rest at the 3rd, the 6th, and the 12th month of the intervention period.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

This is the first study that shows wheelchair dance may possibly increase aerobic fitness in bedridden individuals with severe athetospastic cerebral palsy rated GMFCS level V. Future studies with a larger sample will be warranted to prove the claim.

Aerobic fitness and skewness of frequency distribution of continuously measured heart rate in adults with brain injury

BACKGROUND

Determinant factors of aerobic fitness have not been clearly demonstrated in individuals with brain injury.

AIM

To investigate the relationship between aerobic fitness and gender, age, intensity and total duration of aerobic physical activity, and skewness of the frequency distribution of 6-h continuous heart rate values in a larger sample of adults with brain injury.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional and correlative study.

SETTING

Research laboratory setting.

POPULATION

Thirteen adult women and 20 adult men with cerebral palsy or stroke participated in this study.

METHOD

VO2max was estimated using the multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test. Heart rate was recorded continuously for 6 h on a weekday. Relationships between predicted VO2max and gender, age, intensity and total duration of aerobic physical activity, skewness of frequency distribution, and average heart rate over 6 h were determined.

RESULTS

Significant differences were seen in predicted VO2max between genders (P < 0.05). Predicted VO2max correlated significantly only with the skewness of the frequency distribution of values for continuous heart rate (r = -0.53, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

The results suggest that brief and frequent physical activity may also improve aerobic fitness in adults with brain injury.

Ratings of perceived exertion in adults with chronically physical challenges

AIM

The purposes of this study were to investigate: the relationship between ratings perceived exertion (RPE) and percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (%VO2max) during submaximal exercise; the influence of daily physical activities on RPE; and the influence of aerobic fitness on RPE.

METHODS

The participants were thirty-eight adults with chronically physical challenges. Submaximal exercise testing was conducted to estimate VO2max. The participants themselves declared their perceived exertion just before the end of the exercise testing by indicating the Borg's 6-20 RPE scale. Measurement of continuous heart rates was employed for measurement of the intensity of daily physical activities. The relationship between %VO2max and RPE was analyzed.

RESULTS

There was a significant correlation between %VO2max and RPE only in the active men who did daily aerobic physical activities with intensity of 30%HRR and more (N.=9, r=0.74, P=0.02). In the good fitness groups of both women and men, the actual %VO2max in 11 out of 12 participants was lower than the reference value of %VO2max of the RPE while the opposite trend was found in poor aerobic fitness group.

CONCLUSION

Our results recommend that RPE should be used together with objective physiological variables such as HR for assessment of exercise intensity in people with chronically physical challenges, especially who are low in aerobic fitness or who are inactive.

Validity of submaximal exercise testing in adults with athetospastic cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVE

To examine the validity of the multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test for adults with athetospastic cerebral palsy.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional and correlative study. Oxygen uptake and heart rates were recorded while the participants underwent the maximal cycle ergometer test and the multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test. Peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)peak) was achieved by the maximal cycle test. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO(2)max) was predicted by the multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test.

SETTING

Research laboratory setting.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with athetospastic cerebral palsy (N=16; 10 women and 6 men; mean age ± SD, 43.7±14.5y).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Peak VO(2) was compared with the predicted VO(2)max.

RESULTS

Mean VO(2)peak and the predicted VO(2)max ± SD were 866.9±202.9 mL/min(-1) and 857.4±248.4 mL/min(-1), respectively. There was not a significant difference between VO(2)peak values and the predicted VO(2)max values (r=.28). And there was a significant correlation between VO(2)peak values and the predicted VO(2)max values (r=.94, P<.001). SE of the estimate (or SE for X to Y) was 71.2 mL/min(-1), equivalent to 7.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The multistage submaximal cycle ergometer test may provide a valid VO(2)max estimate of adults with athetospastic cerebral palsy.