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Background: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate FAI (functional ankle instability) in fencers using CAIT (Cumberland ankle instability tool) and to check balance, strength & endurance using SLS (single leg stance test) and CRT (calf raise test). Using ZEBRIS HP Cosmos Gait Analysis System and find out the alterations in the gait parameters and effect of 4 week comprehensive rehabilitation program that targets strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, agility, mind body connection and functional tasks and to reevaluate the effect of the rehabilitation program on each of the above parameters. Methods: 40 male fencers with FAI with the age groups between 18-25 years. Experimental group (n=20) age (21.55 + 2.08) and the Controlled group (n=20) with age (21.95 + 1.905). Subjects were classified on the severity based upon the scores of CAIT scale. Age, BMI, height, weight were the baseline evaluations. Dominance, side of injury, no. of times ankle was injured, and treatment taken was also documented. The experimental group underwent a 4 weeks rehabilitation program and the control group was not put on any rehab program. Each of the parameters were measured again after 4 weeks. Conclusions: There were significant differences in the balance, balance improved significantly in the experimental group (P value of 0.00), the strength and endurance was also improved in the experimental group (P value of 0.00), the CAIT score was also improved significantly in the experimental group indicating the improvement in the stability of the affected ankle (P value of 0.00). The foot rotation degree showed no significant differences with (P value of 0.34). Step length showed significant differences in the experimental group (P value of 0.00). Stride length also showed significant post rehabilitation in the experimental group (P value of 0.00). No significant differences were seen in step width, step time and cadence. Velocity showed significant differences in the experimental group in post rehab readings (P value of 0.01). Finally the evidence suggests that the 4 weeks rehabilitation program improves the ankle instability in fencers, strength and balance was improved rendering the joint less chances of repeated & concurrent injuries, possibly improves the performance and game quality.

Amrinder, S., Sakshi, G., & Singh, S.J. (2014). Effect of plyometric training on sand versus grass on muscle soreness and selected sport-specific performance variables in hockey players. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(1), pp.59-67.The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 4-week plyometric training on two different surfaces, sand and grass on muscle soreness and selected sport-specific performance variables in national level hockey players. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups- grass training group (N=20) and sand training group (N=20). After the baseline measurements of strength, endurance, balance, and agility, plyometric training was given for 4-weeks,three sessions per week. Muscle soreness was assessed at the end of each training session on a 7-point likert scale.Post-readings of strength, endurance, balance and agility were taken after the 4-week training programme. Data when compared after plyometric training revealed no significant changes between two groups (p>0.05), however players in the sand group experienced less muscle soreness (p

Background: No profiling studies have been done on the Elite Indian Football players. The purpose of the study was to study the physical and physiological characteristics of Elite Indian Football Players. Methods: In order to explore the physical and physiological characteristics of elite Indian football players and compare these results according to playing positions 28 current and past Indian under/22 years national players (height 1.73 ± 0.03 m; body mass 71.8 ± 2.5 kg; age 25.1 ± 1.1 years) underwent a series of anthropometric, physical and physiological assessments including skinfold assessment, isokinetic knee extensors and flexors strength, vertical jump, maximal ball kick velocity, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, Illinois agility test, and sprint performance. Results: Positional differences influenced results. Body fat was lowest (16.0 ± 0.7%) for forwards (p < 0.01) who were also most agile. Midfielders were strongest (p < 0.01) and the most aerobically fit players (p < 0.05). Significant correlations between isometric strength and jumping performance (r = 0.37) and kicking velocity (r = 0.43) were found. Body fat was well correlated to agility (r = 0.70), dynamic knee flexion (r = 0.78) and extension (r = 0.76) strength, and maximal ball kick velocity (r = 0.42). Conclusion: Position specific characteristics appear to exist and need to be considered for training purposes. However, results suggest that currently Indian players are not meeting physical and physiological standards expected for professional international footballers.

BACKGROUND Preprogrammed reactions (PPR) appear at a latency of higher than 40 ms, but before the voluntary muscle responds (approximately 120 ms) to postural perturbations. OBJECTIVE To examine the difference in magnitude of preprogrammed reactions in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and without low back pain. METHODS we analyzed electromyographic Root Mean Square (RMS) amplitudes of asymptomatic (n=25) and CLBP patients (n=25) on stable and unstable surfaces during expected and unexpected perturbations for rectus abdominus and erector spinae muscles. The mean PPR and PPR-combined voluntary response RMS amplitudes (VRPPR) were compared between the two groups. To find the presence of PPR in LBP patients, a criteria was set that the obtained PPR RMS amplitude value should exceed 60% mean reflex RMS amplitude that occur within 50 ms after perturbation. RESULTS Fleiss' kappa revealed a good agreement (kappa = 0.7 to 0.9) among raters for absence of PPR in patients with CLBP and presence of PPR in asymptomatic population. The two way ANOVA revealed significantly different mean PPR and VRPPR RMS amplitudes between asymptomatic and LBP population for rectus abdominus and erector spinae muscles (p

Golf is a popular sport and golf swing is a complex movement which requires a coordinated sequence of muscle activity. Two types of golf swing exists i.e. “Classical” and “Modern”. Classical swing differs from modern swing in several respects, which are important when considering their effects on the lower back. The present study compared muscle activation amplitudes in the trunk region of golfers during two different types of golf swing. 22 golfers (21.5 years ±3.4) were instructed to perform modern and classical golf swing and surface EMG activity was recorded from external oblique (E.O.), internal oblique (I.O.), and erector spinae (E.S.) muscles of both sides. Results showed muscle activity of right and left side of E.O. and I.O. to be lower in modern swing than classical swing (significant difference p menor que 0.05 in downswing and impact phase), whereas it is higher for both sides E.S. in modern swing. The E.S. muscle activity during follow-through phase was significantly higher (p menor que 0.05) in modern swing compared to classical swing. Significant differences in E.S. and other muscles activity suggest inappropriate recruitment of these muscles in golfers during the modern swing. EMG evidence proposes that the modern golf swing produces more extension forces in the lower back compared with the forces of classical swing. Key words/palabras clave : EMG | modern swing | classical swing | abdominal obliques | erector spinae | swing clasico | swing moderno | abdominales oblicuos Resumen El Golf es un deporte popular y el swing en golf es un movimiento complejo que reclama una secuencia coordinada de movimientos. Existen dos tipos de swing: el clasico y el moderno. El Clasico se diferencia del Moderno en varios aspectos que son importantes cuando se consideran sus efectos en la parte inferior de la espalda. Este estudio comparo la amplitud de la activacion muscular en el tronco de los golfistas al realizar los dos tipos de swing. Veintidos jugadores de golf (21.5 anos ±3.4) fueron instruidos para realizar el swing moderno y clasico, tomandose la actividad muscular (actividad EMG) del Oblicuo Externo (O.E.), Oblicuo Interno (O.I), y Erector Spinae (E.S.) de ambos lados del cuerpo. Los resultados mostraron que la actividad muscular de los dos lados del cuerpo fue menor en el swing moderno que en el clasico, tanto en el O.E. y O.I. (diferencia significativa p menor que 0.05) en el downswing y en la fase de impacto, mientras que fue mayor, en ambos lados del cuerpo, en el E.S. en el swing moderno. La actividad del E.S. durante la fase de seguimiento (follow-through) fue significativamente mayor (p menor que 0.05) en el swing moderno en comparacion con el clasico. Las diferencias significativas en la actividad muscular del E.S. y en otros grupos musculares, sugieren el reclutamiento inapropiado de estos musculos en los jugadores de golf. La actividad electromiografica (EMG) evidencio que el swing moderno produce una mayor extension de las fuerzas en la parte inferior de la espalda, en comparacion con las fuerzas que produce el swing clasico. doi:10.5232/ricyde2008.01204 Texto completo en PDF --------------------------------------------------------------------- References/referencias Batt, M., E. (1993). Golfing Injuries: An Overview. Sports Medicine, 16 (1), 64-71. doi:10.2165/00007256-199316010-00006 PMid:8356378 Hume, P., A., Koegh, J., Reid, D. (2005). The role of biomechanics in maximizing distance and accuracy of golf shots. Sports Med, 35(5), 429-449. doi:10.2165/00007256-200535050-00005 PMid:15896091 Lindsay, D. and Horton, J. (2002). Comparison of spine motion in elite golfers with and without low back pain. Journal of Sports Sciences, 20, 599-605. doi:10.1080/026404102320183158 McHardy A., Pollard, H. (2005). Muscle activity during the golf swing. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39, 799-804. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2005.020271 PMid:16244187 PMCid:1725059 Morris, J., M., Benner, G., Lucas, D., B. (1962). An electromyographic study of the intrinsic muscles of the back in man. Journal of Anatomy, 96(4), 509-520. PMid:17105132 PMCid:1244095 Pink, M., Perry, J., Jobe, F., W. (1993). Electromyographic analysis of the trunk in golfers. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 21(3), 385-388. doi:10.1177/036354659302100310 PMid:8346752 Watkins, R., G., Uppal, G., S., Perry, J., Pink, M., Dinsay, J., M. (1996). Dynamic electromyographic analyses of trunk musculature in professional golfers. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 24(4), 535-538. doi:10.1177/036354659602400420 PMid:8827315

The evaluation of postural stability during quiet stance, step up and step up task with perturbation using posturography could be useful in treatment and outcome monitoring in chronic low back pain rehabilitation (CLBP). The aims of this study were twofold and investigating 1) differences of postural stability measures between CLBP patients and healthy participants during above mentioned tasks. 2) postural stability characteristics between control and movement impairment groups of CLBP patients on above tasks. Fourteen CLBP and fifteen normal individuals participated and posturography outcome variables were obtained during above tasks. The low back pain subjects showed significantly different anterior-posterior (p=0 .01) as well as medio- lateral (p=0.05) postural stability characteristics during the step up task with external perturbation, whereas quiet standing and simple step up task did not show any differences. In addition to these values, in CLBP population, the maximum COP excursion (p=0.01), standard stability (p=0.02) and the stability scores (p=0.02) were also found significant in step up with perturbation task compared to healthy participants. As the task difficulty increases CLBP patients exhibited significantly different postural stability characteristics compared to healthy participants. Conversely, sub-group analysis in CLBP patients revealed significant differences only in medio-lateral COP excursions during normal standing (p=0.005). No significant differences were observed in tasks of higher difficulties such as step up and step up task with lateral perturbation in-between patients with movement and control impairment groups of CLBP. These findings have implications for assessment and optimizing postural control interventions on functional back pain rehabilitation.