The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of different ankle strengthening training programs: eccentric, concentric, and resistance bands, on performance of university level ...sedentary males.
Sixty-three males between the ages of 18 and 26 years were randomized to either eccentric isokinetic (N.=21), concentric isokinetic (N.=21), and resistance bands ankle strengthening groups (N.=21). Training was performed three days a week, for eight weeks for both sides of ankle. Each program was made progressively harder by increasing the number of repetitions or sets. Measurements evaluating strength, balance and jumping performance were repeated pre, post and at one month (follow-up) after training.
Statistical significance was observed for concentric evertor strength for both sides of the ankle for all groups after training (P<0.05). In addition, statistically significant increases were seen in jumping performance for all groups and dynamic balance for eccentric and concentric groups (P<0.05), with the concentric being statistically higher compared to the resistance bands group for all parameters (P<0.05).
Ankle isokinetic strength (eccentric, concentric) training is more effective than resistance bands regarding improvement on strength, explosive strength, and dynamic balance. Ankle isokinetic strength training, which includes evertor and invertor muscles, improves performance, especially when applied concentrically. Therefore, the proper strengthening of ankle muscles will prevent the re-injury of ankles with individuals returning to activities.
To investigate the effect of a 6-week stroboscopic balance training program on cortical activities in athletes with chronic ankle instability.
Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Single-center.
...Thirty-nine participants were assigned to the strobe group (SG, n = 13), non-strobe group (NSG, n = 13), and control group (CG, n = 13).
Cortical activity and balance velocity were evaluated while the athletes were on the HUBER balance device. Electroencephalographic measurements of cortical activity were made at the transition from bipedal stance to single-leg stance.
The SG showed significant increases in Cz theta and alpha values and COP-v (center of pressure velocity) between pretest and posttest (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001). Posttest Cz theta was significantly higher in the SG compared to the CG (p = 0.009) and posttest Cz alpha was significantly higher in the SG compared to the NSG (p = 0.039) and CG (p = 0.001). Posttest COP-v was significantly higher in the SG than in the CG (p = 0.031) and NSG (p = 0.03).
Stroboscopic training may be clinically beneficial to improve balance parameters in athletes with CAI, and may have utility in sport-specific activity phases of rehabilitation to reduce visual input and increase motor control.
•Strobe training increases theta and alpha waves on cortical activities.•Strobe training increases center of pressure velocity.•Stroboscopic training can be used to enhance traditional balance training.
The purpose of this study was to measure isokinetically glenohumeral joint movement peak torque and work in professional basketball, volleyball, handball and baseball players and determine whether ...significant differences exist between the dominant and non‐dominant extremity in athletes and controls. Eighty healthy professional overhead athletes (basketball, volleyball, handball and baseball players) and 20 controls were tested bilaterally on a CYBEX 6000 isokinetic dynamometer at 60° and 180° s−1 for diagonal pattern of the glenohumeral joint. A standardized protocol and testing guidelines were strictly followed. The range of motion of internal rotation (IR) on the dominant side of baseball players was significantly smaller than those on the dominant side of basketball, handball and volleyball players, and controls (P<0.01). Flexion/abduction/external rotation were consistently higher on the dominant arm (8.5%) for peak torque at 60° s−1 in baseball players, and bilateral ratios were lower on the dominant arm (14.8%) for peak torque at 180° s−1 in basketball players. The results of this study are important for the application and interpretation of isokinetic data and flexibility and mobility characteristics on unilaterally dominant overhead athletes. Functional weakness in external rotators, mobility impairments in IR and muscle imbalance have been shown in the dominant arm of these overhead athletes.
To investigate the effect of a 12-wk weighted-jump-rope training program on shoulder strength.
Pretest to posttest experimental design.
University sports physiotherapy laboratory.
24 healthy ...volleyball players age 13-16 y.
Group 1 took weighted-rope training (n = 9), group 2 took unweighted-rope training (n = 8), and group 3 did not train with any specific program (n = 7).
Players' strength determined with an isokinetic dynamometer (Isomed 2000) at 180 and 60 degrees on external and internal rotators, supraspinatus peak torque, and total work of the dominant shoulder. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine the difference among the groups.
At pretraining evaluation, there were no significant differences in the test scores of the isokinetic test of full can and empty can between the groups at 60 and 180 degrees. There was no statistically significant difference for 60 and 180 degrees between pretraining and posttraining assessment (P > .05) except that total eccentric work increased in groups 1 and 3 but decreased in group 2 at 180 degrees during the full can (P < .05). There was no significant difference among the groups between the pretraining and posttraining testing at both 180 and 60 degrees for the empty can (P > .05). Internal-rotation values at 60 and 180 degrees decreased for both peak torque and total work for all groups. External-rotation peak torque and total work at 60 degrees increased for group 1. External-rotation peak torque and total work at 180 degrees increased for all groups.
The results indicate that a jump-rope training program is a good conditioning method for overhead athletes because of its potential benefits to shoulder strength.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate visual perception of hearing-impaired children, and to determine their insufficiency in rehabilitation programs.
Methods:
Forty children with ...hearing impairment aged 8–10 years were evaluated, and were compared with age matched 40 healthy children. Children having 71
dB and over sensorineural auditory impairment in both ears were included in this study. Figure-ground perception, position in space, and design copying tests were used to evaluate the visual perception of the subjects (Ayres Southern California Sensorial Integration tests).
Results:
The mean hearing impairment level was 95.5±13.86
dB for the right ear, and 92.25±14.3
dB for the left. There were no significant differences by mean of age, height, and body weight between the groups (
P>0.05). All of the test scores of the control group were significantly higher than those of hearing-impaired children (
P<0.05). However there was no significant difference in the completion time of the design copying test between the groups (
P>0.05).
Conclusions:
Motivation insufficiency and learning difficulty may be developed in hearing-impaired children depending on the communication problems. The result of this study may bring light into literature about the development of new assessment techniques, and proper rehabilitation programmes for hearing-impaired children or adults in different age groups.