Physical Treatments Journal
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Winter 2021

This paper reviews the studies on balance in the blind. 

The paper comprehensively reviewed studies on balance in the blind from the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, Google Scholar, and Scopus, from 2001 to 2019. Also, other available papers were examined. 

Out of 35 evaluated studies, 32 articles were fully represented and the rest were only summarized. These articles covered two issues: 1) balance adaptation in the blind, 2) the effects of training protocols on the balance in the blind.

The blind suffer from poor balance. However, they tend not to differ from normal people, when sufficient data from the vestibular and proprioception systems are available. Also, balance in the blind improves by age, which increases the efficiency and maturity of vestibular and proprioception systems. The blind tend to be more reliant on the hip than ankle strategy. All the training protocols reviewed in this paper have positively affected balance in the blind. Nevertheless, it was impossible to determine the most efficient protocol, and further qualitative studies are required for this purpose.

This study aimed to compare the effect of corrective exercise and corrective games on upper crossed syndrome in female students. 

This was a quasi-experimental study performed with the pre-test and post-test method. The study sample consisted of 60 people who were selected purposely, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and the rate of the disorder. In the study sample, the mean±SD of age, height, and weight were 14.16±1.08 years, 133.49±5.59 cm, and 44.73±8.24 kg, respectively. The study samples were randomly assigned into three groups: corrective exercises group (n=20), corrective games group (n=20), and control group (n=20). Students with upper extremity syndrome were first identified through checkered screening and the New York test. Then, the subjects of both intervention groups performed the selected training programs for eight weeks, based on the defined protocols. Finally, the one-way ANOVA, paired t-test, and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to compare the between-group differences. Also, the significance level was considered as P<0.05. 

After eight weeks of exercise, the intra-group changes in head forward, kyphosis, and shoulder angle were significant in the corrective exercises group (P=0.001) and the corrective games group (P=0.001). Also, the three study groups significantly differed in frontal angle, kyphosis, and shoulder angle (P=0.001).

According to the findings, the corrective exercises and corrective games can effectively reduce the angle of head forward, kyphosis, and shoulder in affected persons. Therefore, researchers and specialists should plan these programs. Moreover, it is recommended to use the corrective exercises used in this study with the mentioned principles and have direct and accurate supervision of their implementation to ensure the correctness of the movements.

The present research aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence rate of low back pain and injury in 12 Olympic sports athletes presenting to the injury surveillance system of the Sports Medicine Federation of Iran.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of athletes from the injury surveillance system of the Sports Medicine Federation of Iran, for three years. Descriptive statistic was used for the study. 

The incidence rate of 6.7 injuries per 10000 athletes registered was calculated for low back complaints in 12 sports disciplines. Weightlifting, wushu, and judo had the highest, and gymnastic and soccer had the lowest low back injuries incidence. More than one-third of the low back complaints involved the lumbar spine. Also, females were at higher risk of low back pain and injury than males. Of age categories, adults and elderlies had the highest prevalence of low back complaints with more involvement in the lumbar spine. 

According to the results, wushu, judo, and especially weightlifting should be the priority of prevention. Furthermore, females and elderlies require more focus on preventive measures.

Menopause in women causes problems, including osteoporosis due to hormonal changes. Besides, osteoporosis in postmenopausal women may be associated with musculoskeletal disorders followed by changes in the alignment of the body, especially the spine. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the posture of osteopenic, osteoporotic, and healthy menopausal women.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted on postmenopausal women (age range, 45-65 years) referred to the Endocrinology and Rheumatology Clinic of Guilan University of Medical Sciences. Using the purposive sampling method, 90 people were selected as the study sample from this population and divided into three groups of 30 people: osteopenic, osteoporotic, and healthy. Then, the three groups were evaluated for body alignment (forward head, unequal shoulder, rounded shoulder, kyphosis, lordosis, and lower limb alignment). The obtained data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Scheffe Post Hoc test at the significance level of 0.05, in SPSS v. 22.

The osteopenic and osteoporotic menopausal women significantly differed from the healthy menopause women in the following measures: forward head angle, curved neck angle, unequal shoulder (P=0.003), kyphosis, lordosis, varus knee, flat foot (P=0.006), and pelvic tilt (P=0.001).

According to the results, the decrease in bone density at the osteopenic and osteoporotic levels can affect the postural alignment of the head, shoulders, and neck and the curvature of the spine in postmenopausal women in the three study groups. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the postural evaluation and screening of people prone to osteoporosis, to provide preventive training programs and exercises to improve their physical condition.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 8 weeks  virtual reality training on static and dynamic balance and performance of in male athletes with functional ankle instability

or this research, 30 volleyball, basketball, football and handball players ranged from 18 to 25 years were selected purposefully from Tehran province league male athletes based on inclusion and Exclusion criteria. Then Subjects were randomly divided into two groups included 15 subjects of virtual reality exercises and control group. After a 5 minute warm-up program, the static and dynamic balance and performance were measured by stork test, y balance test and side jump and triple jump test respectively. Then, training group completed an 8-week (24 sessions) exercise program. Finally, after completing the training protocol, a similar post-test with pre-test was done. To test and analyze datum, also analysis, paired t-test and ANCOVA statistical method was used.

Paired t-test and analysis of covariance showed that there was a significant difference in all variables in the post-test compared to the pre-test and also between the two groups (05.0>p).The balance of subjects and their performance in the experimental group was improved

The 8 weeks of virtual reality training significantly improve balance and performance of male with functional ankle instability; therefore coaches and athletes can use this exercises to improve balance and performance in athletes with functional ankle instability.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of core stability training on the functional movement screen (FMS) test scores in elite goalball players. 

The study sample included 26 elite goalball players. The players were randomized into the two groups of experimental (n=13) and control (n=13). Besides, FMS was used to evaluate the study variables in both groups, before and after the eight weeks of training. After the pretest, the experimental group performed the core stability training using a Swiss ball, three days a week for eight weeks; the control group did the usual training. Then, the analysis of covariance at the significant level of 0.05 was used to analyze the obtained data. 

The results showed a significant difference in the adjusted mean scores of the FMS test between the experimental and control groups (P=0.021). 

The positive effect of core stability training on the FMS test scores of the motor function in goalball players emphasizes the effectiveness of this training in core stability muscles. Therefore, it is suggested to use core stability training combined with exercises as an effective way to improve movement patterns and prevent injury in goalball players.

Lumbar hyperlordosis is one of the main physical abnormalities that occur in the lumbopelvic region and affect the body movement system in daily life. This condition can also lead to chronic injuries and pain. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of the nine-test screening battery to predict the incidence of lumbar hyperlordosis in adolescent boys.

This causal study described and analyzed the data with a cross-sectional design. In this regard, 60 adolescents (age range: 13 to 15 years) were selected. After the initial assessments, they were assigned into two groups: the lumbar hyperlordosis group (n=31) and the normal lordosis group (n=29). The angle of lumbar lordosis curvature and functional movements were measured using a flexible ruler and the nine-test screening battery instruction, respectively. The obtained data were analyzed using the logistic regression test at a significance level of 0.05, in SPSS v. 24.

The examination of the coefficients of predictive variables showed that the Wald test is statistically significant for deep squat (P=0.023) and straight leg raise (P=0.033). Also, these variables significantly contribute to the predictability of the model and the likelihood of lumbar hyperlordosis.

Based on the results, the nine-test screening battery can predict the occurrence of lumbar hyperlordosis in adolescent boys through the components of deep squat and straight leg raise.