Trunk strength plays a vital role in athletic performance, rehabilitation and general health, however, current assessment methods are expensive, non-portable or unreliable. This study aimed to ...investigate the within- and between-session reliability, variability, standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change (MDC) of trunk strength in the sagittal (flexion and extension) and frontal planes (left and right lateral flexion) using a fixed digital dynamometer. Eighteen participants (ten men and eight women) attended two sessions separated by 7 days. Participants were fitted with a trunk harness which was secured to an immovable base via a digital dynamometer. Three maximal voluntary isometric contractions were completed across four positions (prone, supine, left-side recumbent and right-side recumbent, respectively) on a glute-hamstring raise machine. All positions demonstrated excellent reliability and low variability within session (ICC: 0.95-0.98; CV: 5-7%) and between sessions (ICC: 0.98-0.99; CV: 4-6%), across all positions. The between-session MDC ranged from 8% (prone) to 13% (right-side recumbent), translating to absolute values between 2.9 and 3.2 kg across all positions. Maximal isometric force testing using a fixed digital dynamometer provides reliable measurements of multiplanar trunk strength, providing a practical method for use in clinical practice.
The use of trunk diameter fluctuations and their derived parameters for irrigation scheduling in woody crops is reviewed. The strengths and weaknesses of these continuously measured plant-based water ...stress indicators compared with other discretely measured indicators for diagnosing plant water status in young and mature trees are discussed. Aspects such as sensor reading variability, signal intensity and the relationship between trunk diameter fluctuations and plant water status are analyzed in order to assess their usefulness as water stress indicators. The physiological significance of maximum and minimum daily trunk diameter and maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) are also considered. Current knowledge of irrigation protocols and baselines for obtaining maximum daily trunk shrinkage reference values is discussed and new research objectives are proposed. We analyze the response of woody crops to continuous deficit irrigation scheduled by maintaining MDS signal intensity at threshold values to generate mild, moderate and severe water stress and assess the possibility of using linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT) sensors in trunk as a precision tool for regulated deficit irrigation scheduling. Finally, the possibility of using MDS signal intensity as a tool to match the irrigation regime to tree water requirements is also reviewed.
Kicking is a sporting gesture that generates high stress demands on the musculoskeletal system. The participation of the trunk in the kick has been studied since the flexion-extension and rotation ...moments of the trunk and pelvis can favor the energy transmission mechanism for the kicking lower limb. This allows the performance of the maximum kick with sharing of demands between the trunk and the lower limb. Thus, the magnitude of the joint moment produced in the trunk during the kick can influence the magnitude of the moment produced in the lower limb and the power of the kick. However, there are no reports on the existence of these possible relationships.
To investigate the relationship between bisegmented trunk moments (thoracolumbar and lumbopelvic) and kicking lower limb moments, as well as kick power (foot velocity pre-impact with the ball) in a maximum instep soccer kick.
Cross-sectional study carried out with eighteen male volunteers who practiced soccer as a recreational activity (1x/week, for at least 1 year and without musculoskeletal injuries in the last 6 months), between 18 and 35 years old, with a body mass index ≤ 25 kg/m². Data collection was carried out at the Movement Analysis Laboratory (LAM), at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). The variables collected were the peak moment of ipsilateral thoracolumbar and lumbopelvic flexion and rotation, peak moment of flexion of the right hip, peak moment of extension of the right knee, and peak velocity of the foot pre-impact with the ball. Pearson's correlation analyzes were performed to investigate the relationships between trunk moment and lower limb moment and pre-impact foot velocity.
Peak thoracolumbar flexor moment had a moderate to good significant negative correlation with knee extensor peak moment (r= -.519, p < 0.05). Peak ipsilateral thoracolumbar and lumbopelvic rotator moments, and peak knee extensor and hip flexor moments had significant positive correlations, from moderate to good, with pre-impact foot velocity peak (.481≤ r ≥ .677 p < 0.05). Peak ipsilateral thoracolumbar and lumbopelvic rotator moments had significant positive correlations, from moderate to good, with peak hip flexor moment (r= .671, p < 0.01; r= .659, p < 0. 01, respectively).
There are relationships between the magnitudes of trunk moment, the magnitudes of hip and knee moments and kick power. There seems to be a compensatory relationship in which the knee extension moment is greater in those individuals who produce lower thoracolumbar flexion moment. In addition, more powerful kicks are related both to greater hip flexion and knee extension moments and to greater thoracolumbar and lumbopelvic rotation moments in the transverse plane.
The findings make it possible to explain possible mechanisms of stress demands that can lead to typical kicking injuries, providing the planning of prevention and rehabilitation strategies.
The predissection aortic diameter is the best reference for determining the size of the frozen elephant trunk in aortic dissection. We aimed to develop a new prediction method to estimate the ...predissection diameter of proximal descending aorta. Furthermore, we evaluated the accuracy of the estimated predissection proximal descending aortic diameters calculated using 3 prediction methods.
A total of 39 patients with acute type A aortic dissection who underwent predissection computed tomography were included in derivation sets. We measured the aortic dimensions at 3 levels of the proximal descending aorta: 5, 10, and 15 cm from zone 2. We developed a new prediction method—postdissection aortic diameter divided by 1.13 (AoDNew factor)—and estimated the predissection aortic diameter using the new and previously proposed methods by Rylski (AoDRylski) and Yamauchi (EquationYamauchi). Furthermore, we validated the new prediction method using a validation dataset with 24 patients.
The rate of bias ≤2 mm was significantly greater with EquationYamauchi and AoDNew factor than with AoDRylski in the derivation group at each level of the proximal descending aorta (P < .001). In the validation group, the rate of bias ≤2 mm was significantly greater with EquationYamauchi and AoDNew factor than with AoDRylski at 10 cm and 15 cm from zone 2 (10 cm: P = .014, 15 cm: P < .001).
These results suggest that the new prediction method can be used as a simple and accurate estimation method for the predissection aortic diameter at the proximal descending aorta.
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OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 12-week online-delivered isometric and dynamic core stability exercises on functional movements, dynamic postural control, and core ...endurance in healthy young adults.METHODS This is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty young adults (age range: 19-34 years; 12 males, 48 females) participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to the isometric core exercise ICE, dynamic core exercise DCE, or control group. Participants in the ICE and DCE groups performed 40-60 min real-time online-delivered core exercise session via Zoom video conferencing application, twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants in the control group did not participate in exercise intervention. All participants were asked not to participate in other exercises for 12 weeks. The outcome measurements include the functional movement screen, Y-balance test (upper & lower), and core endurance tests (flexor, extensor, and lateral flexor of the trunk).RESULTS The results of this study showed significant improvement in core endurance, functional movement, and dynamic postural control of the upper body in the ICT and DCE groups compared with the control group. However, significant differences were not found between the ICE and DCE groups in all variables.CONCLUSIONS Both types of online-delivered core exercise programs have been shown to be effective in improving functional movement, dynamic posture control, and core endurance in young adults. In addition, since both types of exercise have been shown to be effective on core stability related variables, both types of exercise can be recommended for young adults. However, further studies are warranted to investigate the gender differences on the effects of the core stability exercises.
Hemifacial spasm (HFS) results from vascular compression at the root exit of the facial nerve. Although the underlying etiology has yet to be identified, it has been suggested that congenital ...vascular anomalies are involved. We have hypothesized common trunk anomaly of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) which may play a role in HFS. However, no previous studies have directly compared the incidence of this anomaly between HFS patients and normal subjects. The present study was designed to address this gap in the literature.
This case-control study compared magnetic resonance angiography data from 65 HFS patients and 65 normal subjects. Dominant AICA/PICA is defined as the absence of PICA/AICA, with the remaining AICA/PICA supplying both vascular territories. The term “common trunk” encompasses both dominant AICA and dominant PICA. The frequency of common trunk and dominant AICA/PICA was compared between the 2 groups.
There were no significant differences in the incidence of a common trunk (68.5% and 64.6%), dominant AICA (30.8% and 32.3%) and dominant PICA (37.7% and 32.3%) between the 2 groups. Additionally, no differences were found in the frequency of atherosclerosis risk factors.
There was no apparent association between common trunk anomaly and HFS. It is suspected that some vascular anomalies other than a common trunk are involved in HFS.
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