<![CDATA[Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy - Andrew Leger, PT, PhD]]> http://www.jospt.org/andrewleger Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:05:25 EST 0 Oarside and Nonoarside Knee Extensor Strength Measures and Their Relationship to Rowing Ergometer Performance http://www.jospt.org/issues/articleID.1652/article_detail.asp John F. Kramer, Andrew Leger, Alan Morrow
Laterality difference in strength characterize some sports and occupations. The purposes of this study were to compare oarside and nonoarside knee extensor strength of intercollegiate rowers and to determine the relationship between joint-specific strength measures and rowing ergometer performance. Fifteen light-weight sweep oarsmen performed concentric-eccentric cycles with a five-second pause between muscle actions through the range of 90° to 10° flexion at angular velocities of 160 and 200°/sec. Although the oarside knee extensors produced greater peak and average torques in seven of eight comparisons, only the peak torque during oarside concentric muscle actions at 160°/sec angular velocity was significantly greater (p < 0.05), i.e., about six percent. Correlations between rowing ergometer scores and strength measurements were low (r = -0.26 to -0.43) and nonsignificant (p > 0.05). A tendency may exist for light-weight sweep rowers to develop greater strength in the oarside knee extensors. Unilateral and joint-specific tests may provide valuable comparative information to guide rehabilitation and training; however, these tests of knee extensor strength are poorly related to and should not be used as the only predictors of readiness to return to activity and rowing performance.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1991;14(5):213-219.

Key Words: rowing ergometry, muscle strength, exercise specificity

]]> http://www.jospt.org/issues/articleID.1652/article_detail.asp Pilates-Based Therapeutic Exercise: Effect on Subjects With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain and Functional Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial http://www.jospt.org/issues/articleID.1140/article_detail.asp Rochenda Rydeard, Andrew Leger, Drew Smith

Study Design: A randomized controlled trial, pretest-posttest design, with a 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up.
Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of a therapeutic exercise approach in a population with chronic low back pain (LBP).
Background: Therapeutic approaches developed from the Pilates method are becoming increasingly popular; however, there have been no reports on their efficacy.
Methods and Measures: Thirty-nine physically active subjects between 20 and 55 years old with chronic LBP were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. The specific-exercise-training group participated in a 4-week program consisting of training on specialized (Pilates) exercise equipment, while the control group received the usual care, defined as consultation with a physician and other specialists and healthcare professionals, as necessary. Treatment sessions were designed to train the activation of specific muscles thought to stabilize the lumbar-pelvic region. Functional disability outcomes were measured with The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ/RMDQ-HK) and average pain intensity using a 101-point numerical rating scale.
Results: There was a significantly lower level of functional disability (P = .023) and average pain intensity (P = .002) in the specific-exercise-training group than  in the control group following the treatment intervention period. The posttest adjusted mean in functional disability level in the specific-exercise-training group was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.3 to 2.7) RMQ/RMDQ-HK points compared to a posttest adjusted mean in the control group of 3.2 (95% CI, 2.5 to 4.0) RMQ/RMDQ-HK points. The posttest adjusted mean in pain intensity in the specific-exercise training group was 18.3 (95% CI, 11.8 to 24.8), as compared to 33.9 (95% CI, 26.9 to 41.0) in the control group. Improved disability scores in the specific exercise-training group were maintained for up to 12 months following treatment intervention.
Conclusions: The individuals in the specific-exercise-training group reported a significant decrease in LBP and disability, which was maintained over a 12-month, follow-up period. Treatment with a modified Pilates-based approach was more efficacious than usual care in a population with chronic, unresolved LBP.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(7):472-484. doi:10.2519/jospt.2006.2144

Key Words: exercise rehabilitation, lumbar spine muscle recruitment, stabilization exercises

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