Cross country has grown in popularity and provides youth with the ability to put into practice both physical capability and mental strength and preparedness. However, such preparedness can also lead ...to physical injuries such as shin splints, or mental fatigue, which can lead to dropout and/or burnout. Yoga is an activity that has become increasingly popular and has been shown to present both physical and mental benefits to its participants. This article aims to provide foundational information for coaches and young cross country and distance athletes to put yoga into action for physical and mental practice. Specific postures are provided with special benefits, stretches, and strengthening information to ensure the basic understanding of the why behind each pose and how that pose tackles a particular challenge for runners.
Perception of the usefulness /value of yoga as an adjunct intervention is a significant factor for the injured athlete's adherence to the customised sport injury rehabilitation program. The findings ...from 12 week rehabilitation progress assessment post Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction of an injured skier, highlight improvement in the injury rehabilitation goals which influence the performance goals of the injured athlete. A customised program was designed for the injured athlete with a 30 minute yoga protocol as an adjunct intervention, thrice a week along with 90 minute physical therapy session. IKDC score improved from 49.4 to 63.2. Range of Motion (ROM) of the injured right knee improved from −3 to normal, knee flexion increased by 20 deg, external rotation flexion enhanced (active 20 deg and passive 10 deg), passive hip flexion increased by 15 deg. Muscle test for hip extension increased from 4 to 5, flexion (from 3+ to 5), knee flexion (from 3 to 4), knee extension (3+ to 5). The perceived value of the injured athlete to practice yoga as part of rehabilitation is 5.8 whereas the perceived choice is 3.9 on a 7 point scale of Perception of Activity. While yoga and physical therapy improve flexibility, muscle strength, stability and balance of the injured athlete, perception about usefulness of the customised yoga and physical therapy influences adherence to rehabilitation and effective participation in the rehabilitation program. Biopsychosocial model (Brewer et al 2002) helps to understand rehabilitation of sport injury rehabilitation. Yoga and physiotherapy as a combined intervention, could enhance the biological and psychological factors that have a significant effect on the intermediate biopsychological outcomes. In this research, knowledge about usefulness of yoga in sport injury treatment could benefit the sport medicine and physiotherapy fraternity to include yoga as an adjunct intervention. Collaboration of physiotherapists, yoga professionals, doctors and coaches with an athlete-centric approach might help injured athletes to enhance adherence to sport injury rehabilitation programs. Further studies are warranted to measure long term effect of yoga on sport injury rehabilitation and prevention of non-contact injuries of athletes.
Lakshmi Nair and Arushi Singh offer a summary of the personal narratives and peer reviewed essays by South Asian writers featured in this issue within the context of the events of 2020.
Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex musculoskeletal disorder treated with multidisciplinary therapies. It is manifested by widespread musculoskeletal pain, functional disability, sleep ...disturbances and poor quality of life. Classical Indian Yoga is an ancient life style healing technique which has an integrated mind-body approach to enhance both physical and mental health, thus having a positive impact in treatment of FM. Objectives To study the role of Classical Indian Yoga as an integrated mind-body healing approach in the comprehensive treatment of fibromyalgia. Methods This study incorporated a 6 months, single-blind, randomized trial of Classical Indian Yoga (50 patients) versus attention control group (stretching and wellness education) of 50 patients for Fibromyalgia. The classical Yoga involved 60-minute group sessions thrice-weekly. The primary outcome measure was change in the FM Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) score at 1 year. Secondary outcome measures were tender point count, patient and physician global assessments, sleep quality (PSQI), 10-minute walk, timed chair stand, grip strength, depression and quality of life. These outcome measures were repeated at 1 year to test durability of response. Both groups were compared using an intent-to-treat analysis. Results Mean age of 100 patients was 55 years (SD 11), disease duration 10 years (SD 7) and BMI 30 kg/m2 (SD 8), 80 patients were females. Patients baseline expectations of benefit from an exercise intervention were similar: Classical Yoga =4.1 and the controls=4.3. After 6 months patients in the classical Yoga group had a significantly greater improvement in FIQ score: between-group change -20, 95% CI (-24.0 to -8.8); P=0.0005). The Yoga group patients also had significant improvement in secondary outcome measures: reduction in pain scale (VAS), improved patient global assessment, physical function, depression, and health status. After 1 year patients compliant with the classical Yoga had sustained and durable benefits in FIQ score quality of sleep and quality of life. The two groups did not differ in medication usage. No adverse events were noted. Conclusions Classical Indian Yoga appears to be highly effective in the management of FM having a positive impact on physical, psychological and social aspects of FM. Yoga can be used as a useful adjunctive treatment in the multidisciplinary treatment of this complex disorder. Disclosure of Interest : None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1020
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