Research Report
Gordon S. Cummings
Nine middle-aged women were examined to determine whether extension of the elbow in normal adults is limited primarily by muscle, or by ligaments and capsule. Terminal range of elbow extension was measured when the subject was normally relaxed and in the same subjects under conditions of paralysis induced by a myoneuro blocking agent. Relaxation of the unparalyzed subject was confirmed with a biofeedback machine. Paralysis resulted in increased elbow extension in all subjects. Since the myoneuro blocking agent affects only muscle and not the connective tissue, it is concluded that elbow extension in the normal adult woman is limited primarily by muscle.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;5(4):170-174.
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Research Report
Robert E. McCray, Nancy J. Patton
This study compared the pain-relieving effects of shortwave diathermy and moist heat on trigger points. Patients with trigger points on the neck or back were randomly assigned one of these treatments. The sensitivity of each trigger point was measured with a pressure algometer before treatment, 5 minutes after treatment, and 30 minutes after treatment. Sensitive trigger points, at which 2000 grams of force or less caused pain, were more responsive to treatment than moderate trigger points (painful only at 2000 grams or greater force). Both treatments were effective in relieving the pain of sensitive trigger points but shortwave diathermy was more effective at decreasing the sensitivity of both sensitive and moderate trigger points (P > 0.0581). The pressure algometer was shown to be a useful device for objectively measuring pain and may be useful in selecting the most effective type of treatment for trigger points.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;5(4):175-178.
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Case Report
Edward Ayub, Marybeth Glasheen-Way, Steven Kraus
Previous research has shown a relationship between head posture and the rest position of the mandible. The purpose in this study was to investigate the changes in the resting vertical dimension of the mandible with correction of a forward head posture in an edentulous patient. Ten treatments of manual physical therapy techniques, such as joint mobilization and muscle stretching to correct the forward head posture, were administered. A plumb line test showed an improvement of the forward head posture. In addition, the resting vertical dimension of the mandible increased an average of 8 millimeters. This result suggests that correct head posture may be necessary to precisely calculate the resting vertical dimension of the mandible.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1985;5(4):179-183.
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Literature Review
Gary Sutton
The purpose of this paper is to review those studies which have attempted to delineate causative factors of hamstring strains. Anatomy and biomechanics of the hamstring muscle group are reviewed. Mechanisms of injury and various etiological factors are presented. Decreased hamstring muscle flexibility and decreased hamstring muscle strength were factors most frequently studied, yet the relationship of these factors to the incidence of hamstring strains remains unclear. Future studies should seek to test hamstring muscle flexibility and strength under conditions simulating the proposed mechanisms of injury. Results of further research examining decreased hamstring muscle flexibility and strength must be viewed in light of age, levels of maturity, history of previous injury, demands of specific activities, and psychological characteristics of the participants.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;5(4):184-195.
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Research Report
Richard Costain, Ann K. Williams
Using a Cybex II® dynamometer, the quadriceps and hamstring torque levels of 16 female high school soccer players were measured. Both the dominant and nondominant knees were tested at a fast (1 80 per second) and slow (30 per second) speed. The results were similar to those of previous studies that used men as subjects. The conclusions were: 1) Extension torque is significantly greater than flexion torque for both legs and at both speeds. At 30 per second the hamstring1 quadriceps ratio is 0.6 1. This ratio increases to 0.78 at 180 per second. 2) There is no significant difference between dominant and nondominant legs for either flexion or extension torque at fast or slow speed. 3) At 30' per second, peak quadriceps torque is achieved at approximately 73 of extension, and peak flexion torque is achieved at approximately 38 flexion. 4) Slow speed flexion and extension torque levels are significantly greater than fast speed torque levels for both legs.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;5(4):196-200.
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Case Report
Jonathan M. Cooperman
Three cases of isolated strains of the tensor fasciae latae muscle are reviewed. Objective and subjective findings, including the differentiation between iliotibial band and tensor fasciae latae are discussed. Conservative measures of treatment and the technique of stretching the tensor fasciae latae are described. The importance of examining this muscle in the evaluation of the contractile elements of the hip is stressed.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1985;5(4):201-203.
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Clinical Commentary
Diana Fond
Flexor hallucis longus tendinitis and posterior impingement syndrome, two problems commonly encountered by dancers, but sometimes misdiagnosed, are presented and discussed in terms of anatomy, evaluation, and management.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;5(4):204-206.
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Research Report
Donald T. Kirkendall, J. A. Bergfeld, L. Calabrese, J. A. Lomabrdo, Glenn M. Street, G. G. Weiker
Clinical isokinetic characteristics for professional ballet artists were determined preseason and at "peak" season. Twenty-eight dancers (equal N/sex) were studied at 45, 90, and 180 per second. The data indicated that, while male relative torques were similar to other athletes previously reported, the females were lower than most other female athletes. With training, males showed virtually no change at the slow and intermediate speeds, but improved at 180 per second, while females improved at all three speeds but, significantly, only at 180 per second. Males generated significantly more torque than females and the torque-velocity characteristics between sexes were parallel. Clinical characteristics showed the dancers to have quadricep balance between legs and proportional (hamstrings/quadriceps) within legs (no effects of training on either). The data indicates that male dancers have characteristics similar to other athletes, that females are lower in relative torque than other female athletes, and that dance training affects only torque at functional velocities.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;5(4):207-211.
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