Research Report
Wendell Liemohn, Larry B. Snodgrass, Gina L. Sharpe
In the past few years there has been an evolution of activity and exercise recommendations for individuals with low back pain. Although many individuals specializing in back-pain management procedures are familiar with this area, there are still in existence a number of exercise and activity protocols which do not reflect pertinent research. The purpose of this study was to synthesize the research in four different areas in which controversy exists relative to low back-pain management; these areas are a) trunk flexion strength, b) trunk flexibility, c) postural considerations in jogging, and d) mechanical aspects of lifting. The authors propose a) an abolishment of an exercise that is commonly used in physical fitness programs, b) a closer examination of the nuances of trunk flexibility testing, c) that jogging can be an appropriate activity even for low back patients, and d) a re-examination of typical clinical lifting recommendations.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;9(7):239-244.
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Research Report
Charles LoPresti, Donald T. Kirkendall, Glenn M. Street, Alden W. Dudley
This study was originally presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting in San Diego, CA, 1984.
Following repair of the anterior cruciate ligament, it is fairly typical for a patient to return to activity at approximately 12 months postsurgery. The purpose of the study was to quantify quadriceps size and function at 1 year postsurgery. Bilateral isokinetic torque measurements, tomographic scans, muscle biopsies, and anthropometrics were performed on 13 patients (3 females, 10 males) at 13 months post-surgery. The operative leg was 3% smaller in circumference, 10% smaller in total muscle area, 12% smaller in quadriceps area (all p < 0.05) and had a 9% larger subcutaneous fat area (p = 0.06). No difference in hamstrings area was seen. Isokinetic torques for the quadriceps were reduced by 11-15% in the operative leg (p < .05) with no difference seen between the hamstrings torques. Types I and II fibers were clinically smaller in both legs with the type II fibers being significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the operative leg. It was concluded that 1) leg circumference was a poor indicator of muscle size due to the selective fat deposition in the operative leg, 2) the cross-sectional area of muscle was proportional to isokinetic torque at 240/sec, and 3) there were clinically and statistically significant isokinetic torque differences between quadriceps 13 months post-surgery.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;9(7):245-249.
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Research Report
Leanne K. Lyon, Laurence N. Benz, Kevin K. Johnson, Agnes C. Ling, Jean M. Bryan
* This study was conducted in partial fulfillment for the requirements the U.S. Any-Baylor University Program in Physical Therapy, Academy of Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston, TX. The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the U.S. Army or the Department of the Defense.
The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in peak torque occurrence during knee extension range of motion between groups of subjects with varying quadriceps-angle (Q-angle). Fifty-six female subjects, aged 18 to 35, participated in the study. The subjects were separated into three groups: low (N = 12) consisted of subjects with Q-angles <11°; moderate (N = 27), 13-17°; and high (N = 17), > 19°. Three sets of subjects, grouped according to Q-angle, were evaluated using the Cybex II Isokinetic Dynamometer. Each subject was tested at three isokinetic speeds (30, 60, and 180°/sec) utilizing only the right lower extremity. The results suggest that the point at which peak torque occurs within knee extension range of motion is not significantly different between the three groups of subjects tested at the three test speeds.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;9(7):250-253.
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Research Report
Debra A. Van Horn, Joyce L. Mackinnon, Philip L. Witt, Daniel N. Hooker
* This study was completed in partial fulfillment of Ms. Van Horn's master's degree, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The purpose of this study was to compare gait patterns among subjects wearing Anderson Knee Stabler braces, McDavid Knee Guards, and no braces. Fifteen male subjects were filmed while running on a treadmill at 4 mph and 8 mph without a brace, with an Anderson Knee Stabler, and with a McDavid Knee Guard. Fourteen gait variables were measured for each brace and speed condition. Analysis of the variables with multivariate ANOVA indicated that there was an increase in hip and knee flexion and knee angular velocity with and without braces at 8 mph as compared to 4 mph, a decrease in knee extension when either brace was worn, and minimal gait pattern differences with the Anderson Knee Stabler as compared with the McDavid Knee Guard (all results p < 0.05). The results of this study demonstrate that no clear superiority exists between the braces' effect on the gait characteristics measured. Therefore, other parameters should be considered when making brace selections.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;9(7):254-260.
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