Lack of Neuromuscular Origins of Adaptation After a Long-Term Stretching Program

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley T. Hayes ◽  
Rod A. Harter ◽  
Jeffrey J. Widrick ◽  
Daniel P. Williams ◽  
Mark A. Hoffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Reciprocal Inhibition ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Reflex Pathway ◽  
Medicine Research

Context:Static stretching is commonly used during the treatment and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries to increase joint range of motion (ROM) and muscle flexibility. Understanding the physiological adaptations that occur in the neuromuscular system as a result of long-term stretching may provide insight into the mechanisms responsible for changes in flexibility.Objective:To examine possible neurological origins and adaptations in the Ia-reflex pathway that allow for increases in flexibility in ankle ROM, by evaluating the reduction in the synaptic transmission of Ia afferents to the motoneuron pool.Design:Repeated-measures, case-controlled study.Setting:Sports medicine research laboratory.Participants:40 healthy volunteers with no history of cognitive impairment, neurological impairment, or lower extremity surgery or injury within the previous 12 mo.Intervention:Presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms were evaluated with a chronic stretching protocol. Twenty subjects stretched 5 times a wk for 6 wk. All subjects were measured at baseline, 3 wk, and 6 wk.Main Outcome Measures:Ankle-dorsiflexion ROM, Hmax:Mmax, presynaptic inhibition, and disynaptic reciprocal inhibition.Results:Only ROM had a significant interaction between group and time, whereas the other dependent variables did not show significant differences. The experimental group had significantly improved ROM from baseline to 3 wk (mean 6.2 ± 0.9, P < .001), 3 wk to 6 wk (mean 5.0 ± 0.8, P < .001), and baseline to 6 wk (mean 11.2 ±0.9, P < .001).Conclusions:Ankle dorsiflexion increased by 42.25% after 6 wk of static stretching, but no significant neurological changes resulted at any point of the study, contrasting current literature. Significant neuromuscular origins of adaptation do not exist in the Ia-reflex-pathway components after a long-term stretching program as currently understood. Thus, any increases in flexibility are the result of other factors, potentially mechanical changes or stretch tolerance.

Correlation Between Ankle-Dorsiflexion and Hip-Flexion Range of Motion and the Functional Movement Screen Hurdle-Step Score

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob J. Janicki ◽  
Craig L. Switzler ◽  
Bradley T. Hayes ◽  
Charlie A. Hicks-Little
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Functional Movement ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
Movement Screening ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hip Flexion

Context:Functional movement screening (FMS) has been gaining popularity in the fields of sports medicine and performance. Currently, limited research has examined whether FMS screening that identifies low FMS scores is attributed primarily to limits in range of motion (ROM).Objective:To compare scores from the FMS hurdle-step movement with ROM measurements for ankle dorsiflexion and hip flexion (HF).Design:Correlational research design.Setting:Sports medicine research laboratory.Participants:20 healthy active male (age 21.2 ± 2.4 y, weight 77.8 ± 10.2 kg, height 180.8 ± 6.8 cm) and 20 healthy active female (21.3 ± 2.0 y, 67.3 ± 8.9 kg, 167.4 ± 6.6 cm) volunteers.Intervention:All 40 participants completed 3 trials of the hurdle-step exercise bilaterally and goniometric ROM measurements for active ankle dorsiflexion and HF.Main Outcome Measures:Correlations were determined between ROM and FMS scores for right and left legs. In addition, mean data were compared between FMS scores, gender, and dominant and nondominant limbs.Results:There were no significant correlations present when all participants were grouped. However, when separated by gender significant correlations were identified. There was a weak correlation with HF and both hurdle-step (HS) and average hurdle-step (AHS) scores on both left (r = .536, P = .015 and r = .512, P = .012) and right (r = .445, P = .049 and r = .565, P = .009) legs for women. For men, there was a poor negative correlation of HF and both HS and AHS on the left leg (r = –.452, P = .045 and r = .451, P = .046).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that although hip and ankle ROMs do not have a strong relationship with FMS hurdle-step scores, they are a contributing factor. More research should be conducted to identify other biomechanical factors that contribute to individual FMS test scores.

Fatigue’s Effect on Eversion Force Sense in Individuals With and Without Functional Ankle Instability

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia J. Wright ◽  
Brent L. Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Ankle Instability ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Functional Ankle Instability ◽  
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
Force Sense

Context:Force sense (FS), the proprioceptive ability to detect muscle-force generation, has been shown to be impaired in individuals with functional ankle instability (FAI). Fatigue can also impair FS in healthy individuals, but it is unknown how fatigue affects FS in individuals with FAI.Objective:To assess the effect of fatigue on ankle-eversion force-sense error in individuals with and without FAI. Design: Case control with repeated measures.Setting:Sports medicine research laboratory.Participants:32 individuals with FAI and 32 individuals with no ankle sprains or instability in their lifetime. FAI subjects had a history of ≥1 lateral ankle sprain and giving-way ≥1 episode per month.Interventions:Three eversion FS trials were captured per load (10% and 30% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction) using a load cell before and after a concentric eversion fatigue protocol.Main Outcome Measures:Trial error was the difference between the target and reproduction forces. Constant error (CE), absolute error (AE), and variable error (VE) were calculated from 3 trial errors. A Group × Fatigue × Load repeated-measures ANOVA was performed for each error.Results:There were no significant 3-way interactions or 2-way interactions involving group (all P > .05). CE and AE had a significant 2-way interaction between load and fatigue (CE: F1,62 = 8.704, P = .004; AE: F1,62 = 4.024, P = .049), and VE had a significant main effect for fatigue (F1,62 = 5.130, P = .027), all of which indicated increased FS error with fatigue at 10% load. However, at 30% load only VE increased with fatigue. The FAI group had greater error as measured by AE (F1,62 = 4.571, P = .036) but not CE or VE (P > .05).Conclusions:Greater AE indicates that FAI individuals are less accurate in their force production. Fatigue impaired force sense in all subjects equally. These deficits provide evidence of impaired proprioception with fatigue and in individuals with FAI.

Effects of gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping on ankle dorsiflexion and balance in individuals with limited ankle dorsiflexion: A randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jong-Chul Jung ◽  
Yong-Il Shin ◽  
Da-In An ◽  
Won-Young Park ◽  
Soo-Yong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Repeated Measures Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND: Various interventions have been recommended to increase ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM); however, few studies have investigated the long-term effects of applying gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping (GSTST). OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of gastrocnemius stretching (GS) and GSTST on DFROM and balance in subjects with limited DFROM. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects with limited DFROM were randomly allocated to either the GS group (n= 13) or GSTST group (n= 13) for 6 weeks. Maximum DFROM before heel-off during gait, passive DFROM, posterior talar glide, flexibility of the gastrocnemius, and the lower-quarter Y-balance test (YBT-LQ) were assessed pre-intervention and post-intervention. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the changes in variables. RESULTS: The GSTST group had greater maximum DFROM before heel-off, passive DFROM, and posterior talar glide than the GS group. Gastrocnemius flexibility and YBT-LQ scores increased significantly post-intervention in both groups; however, there was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: GSTST is recommend for improving ankle DFROM and balance in subjects with limited DFROM.

Reliability of 5 Novel Reaction Time and Cognitive Load Protocols

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Picha ◽  
Carolina Quintana ◽  
Amanda Glueck ◽  
Matt Hoch ◽  
Nicholas R. Heebner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Medicine Research

Context: Reaction time (RT) is crucial to athletic performance. Therefore, when returning athletes to play following injury, it is important to evaluate RT characteristics ensuring a safe return. The Dynavision D2® system may be utilized as an assessment and rehabilitation aid in the determination of RT under various levels of cognitive load. Previous research has demonstrated good reliability of simple protocols when assessed following a 24- to 48-hour test–retest window. Expanding reliable test–retest intervals may further refine novel RT protocols for use as a diagnostic and rehabilitation tool. Objective: To investigate the test–retest reliability of a battery of 5 novel RT protocols at different time intervals. Design: Repeated measures/reliability. Setting: Interdisciplinary sports medicine research laboratory. Participants: Thirty healthy individuals. Methods: Participants completed a battery of protocols increasing in difficulty in terms of reaction speed requirement and cognitive load. Prior to testing, participants were provided 3 familiarization trials. All protocols required participants to hit as many lights as quickly as possible in 60 seconds. After completing the initial testing session (session 1), participants waited 1 hour before completing the second session (session 2). Approximately 2 weeks later (average 14 [4] d), the participants completed the same battery of tasks for the third session (session 3). Main Outcome Measures: The intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and repeated-measures analysis of variance were calculated for RT. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient values for each of the 5 protocols illustrated good to excellent reliability between sessions 1, 2, and 3 (.75–.90). There were no significant differences across time points (F < 0.105, P > .05). Conclusions: The 1-hour and 14-day test–retest intervals are reliable for clinical assessment, expanding the time frames previously reported in the literature of when assessments can be completed reliably. This study provides novel protocols that challenge cognition in unique ways.

Lack of Effect of Influenza Vaccine on Anticoagulation by Acenocoumarol

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan C. Souto ◽  
Artur Oliver ◽  
Isabel Montserrat ◽  
José Mateo ◽  
Anna Sureda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
International Normalized Ratio ◽  
Repeated Measures Anova ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Trivalent Vaccine

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of influenza vaccine on patients receiving chronic anticoagulant therapy with acenocoumarol. DESIGN: A prospective trial. SETTING: Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona. PATIENTS: Forty-three patients who received acenocoumarol, had stable levels of International Normalized Ratio (INR), and did not need dosage modification for four months before entering the study. INTERVENTION: A study of anticoagulation levels measured by INR at 7, 15, and 30 days from administration of the trivalent vaccine from the 91–92 campaign was conducted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison was made between basal values (day 0) and anticoagulation levels at 7, 15, and 30 days from vaccine administration by means of a repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Nine patients (21 percent) had INR levels out of the therapeutic range during the study period. INR increased in three of these patients and decreased in six. There were no significant intraindividual changes in INR values during the time period analyzed (p=0.125). No hemorrhagic or thrombotic manifestations occurred and no significant changes in renal or hepatic biochemistry were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccine does not modify acenocoumarol activity in patients receiving long-term anticoagulant therapy.

Rehabilitation After Hamstring-Strain Injury Emphasizing Eccentric Strengthening at Long Muscle Lengths: Results of Long-Term Follow-Up

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy F. Tyler ◽  
Brandon M. Schmitt ◽  
Stephen J. Nicholas ◽  
Malachy P. McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Recurrence Rate ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
High Recurrence Rate ◽  
Hamstring Strain ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Recurrent Injuries

Context:Hamstring-strain injuries have a high recurrence rate.Objective:To determine if a protocol emphasizing eccentric strength training with the hamstrings in a lengthened position resulted in a low recurrence rate.Design:Longitudinal cohort study.Setting:Sports-medicine physical therapy clinic.Participants:Fifty athletes with hamstring-strain injury (age 36 ± 16 y; 30 men, 20 women; 3 G1, 43 G2, 4 G3; 25 recurrent injuries) followed a 3-phase rehabilitation protocol emphasizing eccentric strengthening with the hamstrings in a lengthened position.Main Outcome Measures:Injury recurrence; isometric hamstring strength at 80°, 60°, 40°, and 20° knee flexion in sitting with the thigh flexed to 40° above the horizontal and the seat back at 90° to the horizontal (strength tested before return to sport).Results:Four of the 50 athletes sustained reinjuries between 3 and 12 mo after return to sport (8% recurrence rate). The other 42 athletes had not sustained a reinjury at an average of 24 ± 12 mo after return to sport. Eight noncompliant athletes did not complete the rehabilitation and returned to sport before initiating eccentric strengthening in the lengthened state. All 4 reinjuries occurred in these noncompliant athletes. At time of return to sport, compliant athletes had full restoration of strength while noncompliant athletes had significant hamstring weakness, which was progressively worse at longer muscle lengths (compliance × side × angle P = .006; involved vs noninvolved at 20°, compliant 7% stronger, noncompliant 43% weaker).Conclusion:Compliance with rehabilitation emphasizing eccentric strengthening with the hamstrings in a lengthened position resulted in no reinjuries.

Effects of Core-Musculature Fatigue on Maximal Shoulder Strength

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Rosemeyer ◽  
Bradley T. Hayes ◽  
Craig L. Switzler ◽  
Charlie A. Hicks-Little
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Strength Test ◽  
Core Stability ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
The Core ◽  
Shoulder Strength

Context:Core stability has been shown to affect lower-extremity motion, but activation of the core has also been observed just before movements of the upper extremity. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effects that core musculature has on upper-extremity strength.Objective:To determine the effects of core fatigue on maximal shoulder strength.Design:Crossover study.Setting:Sports-medicine research laboratory.Participants:23 participants (15 male and 8 female, age 21.3 ± 2.5 y, height 174.5 ± 10.3 cm, weight 71.3 ± 12.0 kg).Intervention:All participants performed maximal voluntary isometric contractions in 3 different planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse) of shoulder-joint motion. A core-fatiguing protocol was conducted, and the same 3 shoulder-strength tests were repeated and compared with the initial measurements.Main Outcome Measures:Strength measures were recorded in kilograms with a dynamometer.Results:Results showed a significant decrease in strength in the frontal (−0.56 ± 1.06 kg, P = .020) and transverse (−0.89 ± 1.49 kg, P = .012) planes but not in the sagittal plane (−0.20 ± 0.98 kg, P > .05). Furthermore, regardless of the specific strength test measured, results revealed that the 1st (−7.05% ± 11.65%, P = .012) and 2nd (−5.71% ± 12.03%, P = .042) strength-test measurements after the fatiguing protocol were significantly decreased, while the 3rd strength-test measurement (−4.19% ± 12.48%, P = .140) did not show statistical significance.Conclusion:These results indicate that decrease in core stability may have an influence on shoulder strength. The literature suggests that the core is designed for endurance, and this study helps validate its recovery properties. Further research is needed to determine the significance of this effect and how injury rates coincide.

Effects of a Single-Task Versus a Dual-Task Paradigm on Cognition and Balance in Healthy Subjects

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke M. Ross ◽  
Johna K. Register-Mihalik ◽  
Jason P. Mihalik ◽  
Karen L. McCulloch ◽  
William E. Prentice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Auditory Task ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Task Conditions

Context:Recent evidence has revealed deficiencies in the ability to divide attention after concussion.Objective:To examine the effects of a single vs a dual task on cognition and balance in healthy subjects and to examine reliability of 2 dual-task paradigms while examining the overall feasibility of the tasks.Design:Pretest–posttest experimental design.Setting:Sports medicine research laboratory.Patients:30 healthy, recreationally active college students.Intervention:Subjects performed balance and cognitive tasks under the single- and dual-task conditions during 2 test sessions 14 d apart.Main Outcome Measures:The procedural reaction-time (PRT) test of the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (eyes-closed tasks) and an adapted Procedural Auditory Task (PAT; eyes-open tasks) were used to assess cognition. The NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) were used to assess balance performance. Five 2-way, within-subject ANOVAs and a paired-samples t test were used to analyze the data. ICCs were used to assess reliability across 2 test sessions.Results:On the SOT, performance significantly improved between test sessions (F1,29 = 35.695, P < .001) and from the single to the dual task (F1,29 = 9.604, P = .004). On the PRT, performance significantly improved between test sessions (F1,29 = 57.252, P < .001) and from the single to the dual task (F1,29 = 7.673, P = .010). No differences were seen on the BESS and the PAT. Reliability across test sessions ranged from moderate to poor for outcome measure.Conclusions:The BESS appears to be a more reliable and functional tool in dual-task conditions as a result of its increased reliability and clinical applicability. In addition, the BESS is more readily available to clinicians than the SOT.

Effects of a 3-Minute Standing Stretch on Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Pratt ◽  
Richard Bohannon
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Type Design ◽  
Experimental Subjects ◽  
Passive Stretch ◽  
University Laboratory ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Context:Stretching exercise regimens are routinely prescribed to increase range of motion (ROM) and diminish injuries.Objective:To examine the effect of a 3-minute passive stretch on ankle-dorsiflexion ROM in a nonpathological population.Setting:University laboratory.Design:Prospective, randomized, controlled study.Participants:24 apparently healthy volunteers.Interventions:Subjects stood with their heels suspended from the edge of a platform. The experimental subjects stretched for 3 minutes on 3 consecutive days.Main Outcome Measures:Passive ankle-dorsiflexion ROM.Results:Ankle-dorsiflexion ROM increased significantly (P< .0005) over the course of each day’s stretch. No significant gains in ankle-dorsiflexion ROM were realized over 3 days.Conclusions:These findings suggest the need for further research to determine the stretching frequency and duration that will result in lasting increases in ankle-dorsiflexion ROM

Performance in Static, Dynamic, and Clinical Tests of Postural Control in Individuals with Recurrent Ankle Sprains

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Nakagawa ◽  
Mark Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Clinical Tests ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
Balance Tests

Objective:To evaluate postural control in individuals with recurrent ankle sprains with static, dynamic, and clinical balance tests and to examine the relationships between performances in each of these tests.Design:Postural control was evaluated with 3 different balance tests in individuals with and without recurrent ankle sprains.Participants:19 volunteers with recurrent ankle sprains and 19 uninjured control subjects.Interventions:None.Setting:University sports-medicine research laboratory.Main Outcome Measures:Total excursion of the center of pressure (COP) was calculated for the static and dynamic balance tests. Total reach distance was measured for the Star Excursion Balance Test.Results:Subjects with recurrent ankle sprains demonstrated significantly greater excursion of the COP in both the static and dynamic balance tests. Correlations between performances in all tests were very low.Conclusions:Recurrent ankle sprains might be associated with reduced postural control as demonstrated by decreased performance in static and dynamic balance tests.

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