Physical Treatments Journal
Volume:7 Issue: 3, Autumn 2017

With the global growth of elderly population, their increasing need to public and recreational spaces has become a novel challenge. Such spaces should be designed based on ergonomic principles in order to decrease their risk of injury. This research aimed to design an ergonomic bench for the elderly people with respect to their anthropometric dimensions. In this descriptive study, 90 older participants, 24 females and 66 males, aged over 60 years, were recruited by cluster sampling method. A trained ergonomists measured their 13 anthropometric dimensions based on ISO (7250-1:2008). The dimensions of the available benches in the parks were also measured. Then, the fitness of elderly’s anthropometric parameters were compared with the dimensions of the benches (N=100) in the parks. We also explored the problems and difficulties of the using benches by “future workshop technique”. A total of 45 elder subjects were participated in the workshop (recruited by convenience sampling method). They were asked about their problems in using the benches. Their comments and suggestion were sorted and prioritized. Then, using CATIA software and considering the proposed solutions, a pilot ergonomic bench was designed in accordance with the elder anthropometric dimensions. The descriptive and inferential analyses were done by SPSS V. 16. Descriptive results of the anthropometrics dimensions of the older people including Mean, Standard Deviation (SD) as well as percentiles, frequency, cumulative frequency, percentage, Mean and SD for the dimensions of the benches were provided. The study results show a significant difference between the bench seating depth and elderly’s buttock-popliteal length, also between bench seating width and elderly’s buttock width, and finally between bench backrest height and elderly’s shoulder height. There was no significant difference between bench seating height of concrete benches and popliteal height dimension, as well as between elbow rest height of iron benches and arm support height. The elderly take undesirable postures during sitting on incompatible furniture (knee bending, trunk flexion, twisting, etc.).These unnatural postures impose physical strain on them. It is recommended that an anthropometric database of older adults be prepared so that new adjustable furniture can be designed based on these data.

Overweight or obese children and adolescents face a lack of confidence in their physical abilities, and show poorer motor and fitness performances, compared to healthy weight peers. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical self-efficacy and VO2 max in healthy weight versus overweight female adolescents. This was a cross-sectional correlational study. The relationship between physical self-efficacy and aerobic capacity was examined in 60 Healthy Weight (HW) and 60 Overweight (OW) adolescent girls with a sedentary lifestyle in Iran. They were selected through cluster sampling method. The participants filled out a physical self-efficacy questionnaire developed by Ryckman et al. and underwent a treadmill progressive running test to determine their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) using a gas analyzer system. Independent t test was used to analyze data regarding between-group differences, whereas Fisher Z test was used to compare the calculated Pearson correlation coefficient between both outcome measures of OW vs. HW participants. SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis. The results indicate that HW girls have higher physical self-efficacy, perceived physical ability and physical self-presentation confidence (P≤0.01). In addition, they have higher VO2 max (t=11.72, df=118, P=0.001). Results also show a significant positive relationship between the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and physical self-efficacy in both groups (HW: r=0.77, P=0.001; OW:r=0.64, P=0.001), with a significantly stronger association found in the HW adolescent girls (z=2.21, P=0.03). The findings confirm that OW adolescent girls have a significantly lower physical self-efficacy and poor performance on Bruce treadmill test; therefore, the special attention should be paid to psychological factors in the prevention of obesity in adolescence.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of 8 weeks resistance training with and without vascular occlusion on physical fitness indicators and growth hormone and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in male judokas. In this semi-experimental study, 20 male judokas were divided into two groups: 1. traditional resistance training軧 training without blood vascular occlusion (n=10), 2. Resistance training group軧 training with blood vascular occlusion (n=10). Resistance training schedule included 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week and each session lasting 45 to 60 minutes. To compare the means within groups and among groups repetitive measurements statistical method was used. Results were tested at significance level of p≤0.05. Results showed that cardio respiratory endurance, anaerobic ability, speed, agility, muscular endurance and power, changed significantly in both resistance groups with and without vascular occlusion. Growth hormone and insulin-like factor growth changed significantly. Concerning intergroup means changes in variables of cardio respiratory endurance, anaerobic ability, speed, agility, muscular endurance, power, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor, there was a significant change between two groups of resistance training with vascular occlusion and without vascular occlusion. Eight weeks of resistance training with and without vascular occlusion, led to the improvement of motor-physical fitness indicators and increase of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor in male judokas.

Flat feet areassociated with altered knee kinematics, kinetics, and knee pain.Fatigue of plantar intrinsic foot muscles mayincrease the navicular drop. However, it is not clear how fatigue may influence the knee pain in individuals with flat feet.The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of fatigue on knee kinematics and kinetics in flatfeet during walking. This is a quasi-experimental research. Ten flat feet individuals(age: 24.4±2.16Yrs;height: 177.2±4.31cm;mass: 81.9±17.4Kg), and 10 normal subjects (age: 25.28±6.33Yrs;height: 168.61±27.71cm;mass: 78.13±26.93Kg) were participated in this study, randomly. A Vicon motion analysis system (100 Hz) with four cameras and as well as two Kistler force plates (1000 Hz) were used to measure knee kinematics and kinetics during gait which were repeated after fatigue. For between group and within group comparisons independent t-test and Repeated Measure analysis of variance were used, respectively. SPSS software (version 22) was used to analyze datat with the significance level of p Knee range of motion of Flatfeet group in frontal plane (9.37º±2.54º)was significantly higher than that of Healthy group (p=0.01) in pretest. In Flatfeet group, the knee moment in sagittal, frontal and horizontal plan was significantly greater than those in Healthy group by 0.86 (p= 0.002), 0.25 (p= 0.016) and 0.19 (p= 0.000) Nm/BW, respectively in pretest. Adductor moment increased after fatigue protocol in Healthy group by 0.08 Nm/BW. Before exhaustion, the knee moments in sagittal, frontal, and horizontal planes in the Flatfeet group were significantly higher than that of Healthy group. In Flatfeet group, fatigue resulted in a decrease on the knee flexion and abduction moments and increase on knee ROM in sagittal and frontal plane in flat foot group. The decreased knee muscle moments may result in an increased loading on the knee joint. It appears that extreme exhausting activity might place the knee of Flatfeet individuals at the risk of pathology and injury.

In recent years, many people show interest to Paralympics competition because it is dedicated to athletes with disabilities. In order to affect the throwing, static stretching can be applied on the two muscles, i.e. pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi that play an important role in the arm acceleration phase. Normally, before sport activities, static stretching is applied. Stretching increases the flexibility that is effective in the throwing. The important point is the effect of this type of stretching on the throwing function, which is a combination of muscular strength, range of motion and productive torque. This study is going to examine this issue. In this study, 45 disabled male athletes (15 discus throwers, 15 shot put throwers, and 15 javelin throwers) participated. Before stretching, each athlete did 3 throws, then a static stretching session consisting of 5 sets of 30 seconds stretching followed by 30 seconds of rest between each set, was performed. One minute after the stretching, the athletes did throwing 3 more times. Stretch was of the static type applied on the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles. Based on study results, no significant change was observed in the amount of throw before and after the stretching (Discus: P=0.47, Shot put: P=0.46, Javelin: P=0.14). Considering data analysis, one session of static stretching of pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles does not create a significant change in the magnitude of throw in disabled athletes engaged in discus, shot put, and javelin throw.

Design and development of functional movement screening in athletes are one of the important measures taken for reducing the injury in professional sports. Today, functional movement screening aimed at identifying athletes susceptible to injury is designed and implemented based on fundamental functional patterns and the performance of that particular sport. Currently, there are no standard protocols for the screening of volleyball-specific performance movements. In this study, 20 volleyball high level experts were selected through purposive sampling method. The study data were collected by semi-structured interviews and field notes in 2017. The interview transcripts were encoded using MAXQDA V. 10 software. To extract categories and subjects, the thematic analysis approach was used. The results of interviews were conducted in a questionnaire to determine the validity and reliability was investigated. Face validity, content validity and construct validity (convergent and divergent validity) of the questionnaire was evaluated, too. The reliability was estimated by a test-retest method of 2 weeks interval using the intraclass correlation coefficient. In first analysis process, initial codes were extracted and then, 38 (out of the 82 existing potential tests) tests were identified. Finally, after proper examining of the validity and reliability of the tests, 12 tests including deep squat, inline lunge, trunk stability push up, rotary stability, shoulder mobility, triple hop for distance, hexagon, lateral lunge, triple jump for distance, sidearm medicine ball throw, closed kinetic chain upper extremity, and squat jump were identified for inclusion in screening test battery. Based on the results of the interviews, the interviewees’ choices are more based on the similarity of the tests with the movement patterns and performance capabilities in volleyball and considering the anatomical areas prone to injury. More prospective and follow up studies with various volleyball players are needed to show the capability of these tests to predict injuries.

Chronic diseases affect patients’ Quality of Life (QoL) and even their caregivers. By evaluating the QoL of patients with multiple sclerosis, the undiagnosed problems of the patients can be detected and the appropriate treatment objectives can be determined. This study was conducted to evaluate the QoL in patients with different types of MS. A total of 314 patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) referred to “Society for the support of MS patients”, “Raad Charity and Education complex”, and an outpatient clinic in Tehran during fall and winter 2014-2015 were recruited. All patients completed the 36-Item Short Form questionnaire (SF-36) and Dartmouth Coop Functional Health Assessment/World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Association of General Practitioners (COOP/WONCA) functional health assessment charts as self-report. To investigate the research hypothesis and analyzing the results of the two questionnaires, 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. The results of the analysis showed a significant difference between the three types of MS (relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive and primary progressive) in the scores of all SF-36 questionnaire subscales. A significant difference was also found between the three types of MS regarding the scores of all charts of COOP/WONCA, except for social support. Then with the use of LSD post hoc test, scores of both questionnaires subscales in these three types of MS were pair-wisely compared. The results showed that the type of MS disease can affect the patients’ QoL. Patients with relapsing-remitting MS had the best level of QoL among all others. The COOP/WONCA charts were more sensitive in measuring the differences between the secondary-progressive MS and primary-progressive MS.

The number and severity of injuries in football matches have increased in recent years. On average, the injury rate is 10 to 35 injuries per 1000 hours matching, half of which are severe and cause more than 4 weeks of absence from football matches. Recent studies have reported that pre-season functional tests may predict the future injuries to athletes; however, the related findings are contradictory. This study aims to investigate common pre-season musculoskeletal assessments approved by FIFA and functional tests to predict the rate and severity of injuries to elite football players. A total of 92 elite football players aged 17-35 years who were members of three professional football clubs were selected for the study using purposeful sampling method. Then, five functional tests including the Y-Balance Test (YBT), Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Single-Leg Hop (SLH), Carioca and Co-Contraction Tests were performed and the pre-season medical assessment forms were collected by the club medical staff. The training and match times of the teams were recorded during the research period along with the number of players’ injuries. To predict severity and rate of injuries, univariate regression analysis was used. In total, 3120 hours of activity was recorded. Univariate regression analysis results showed that, of functional test, just SLH test could predict the severity of injury (P=0.035), and Carolina test (combination of Carioca and Co-Contraction Tests) predicted the injury rate (P=0.010). SLH test was able to predict mild injuries (time-loss injuries with less than 10 days), and Carolina test could predict injury rate. Screening tests for functional and medical activities have very limited application in identifying athletes who are at risk of injury in various sports.