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BACKGROUND: Kinesio Taping (KT) is used for musculoskeletal problems. KT optimizes and reduces mechanical stresses on soft tissues. However, the benefits of KT and traditional exercises for different severities of knee osteoarthritis (OA) remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effects of tension KT and traditional physical therapy on different severities of knee OA. METHODS: Fifty-six male patients with knee OA, aged 60–75-y years, were allocated to groups A and B based on grades 1 and 2 and grades 3 and 4 on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale, respectively. Tension KT and traditional physical therapy were administrated to both groups for 6-wks. The extensor peak moment of quadriceps and knee flexion range of motion (ROM) were recorded using an isokinetic dynamometer and universal goniometer, respectively. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to score pain level. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANCOVA test. RESULTS: ANCOVA revealed an increase in peak extensor moment of quadriceps (Pre: 51.6 ± 2.8 Nm; Post: 63.3 ± 4.3 Nm), knee flexion ROM (Pre: 112.8∘ 7.2; Post: 122.9∘ 4.8), and pain improvement (Pre: 5.1 ± 1.07; Post: 2.8 ± 1.6) in group A (p < 0.001). Group B showed insignificant improvements in all outcome measures (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: KT with traditional physical therapy improved knee pain, quadriceps strength, and knee ROM in older males with knee OA grades 1 and 2. KT and traditional physical therapy were insufficient to produce considerable effects on grades 3 and 4 of knee OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Hamstring shortening altered joint reaction forces during activities of daily living (ADL), causing knee pain. Moreover, weak quadriceps may negatively distribute the compressive and shear forces at the knee joint. PURPOSE: The study examined the effect of adding hamstring stretching to quadriceps strengthening exercises on joint space narrowing (JSN), medial joint space width (mJSW), and physical abilities in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: A total of 42 osteoarthritis patients, aged from 50 to 65 years, were randomized and assigned into 2 groups: the study and the control groups. Quadriceps strengthening exercises were given to both groups, while static hamstring stretching was applied to only the study group. Patients of both groups were screened with a weight-bearing x-ray beam to investigate the JSN, mJSW, and functional abilities measured in the WOMAC scale. The Outcomes were evaluated at the baseline and immediately after 6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The mJSW improved in the study group (p < 0.001) compared to the control group (p = 0.07). The OARSI JSN was enhanced significantly in both groups, but in favor of the study group (p < 0.001) over the control group (p = 0.046). Both MVIC and total score of WOMAC were significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Adding static hamstring stretching to quadriceps strengthening exercises provided a substantial effect on mJSW, JSN, and functional abilities in KOA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Abnormal foot mechanics in foot over-pronation has an identified relationship with mechanical low back pain (MLBP). OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of short foot exercises (SFEs) as a standalone treatment for MLBP with foot over-pronation. METHODS: Forty-six patients with MLBP (PwMLBP) presenting with and foot over-pronation were analyzed. They were randomized into the SFE (short foot exercise), SFE plus traditional physical therapy treatment (SFE + TPT), and control (CG) groups. Functional disability and pain level were measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. Ultrasonography measured the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscle. The foot posture and navicular drop (ND) were investigated using the foot posture index-6 (FPI) score and ND test, respectively. RESULTS: The CSA of the AbdH and VAS scores improved significantly (p < 0.001) between the groups, more in the SFE + TPT group than in the SFE group (p < 0.001). The ND, FPI, and ODI measures improved significantly among the groups (p < 0.001), with no significant difference (p > 0.002) between the SFE and SFE + TPT groups. The CG did not show significant differences in the outcome measures (p > 0.002). Based on the effect size, SFEs significantly improved all the variables of interest (d > 1). CONCLUSION: SFEs, with or without TPT may offer an effective treatment for PwMLBP with foot over-pronation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal exercise program incorporating plyometric and balance training on muscle strength and postural stability in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (SHCP). A total of 57 children with SHCP were enrolled in the study and randomly allocated into three treatment-based groups: plyometric exercises (PLYO group; n = 19), balance exercises (BAL group, n = 19), and combined plyometric and balance exercises (PLYO-BAL group; n = 19). The maximum isometric muscle strength (IMSmax) and postural stability [anterior-posterior stability index (AP-SI), mediolateral stability index (ML-SI), and overall stability index (O-SI)] were measured pre- and post-intervention. By applying the intention-to-treat analysis, the PLYO-BAL group showed greater post-treatment IMSmax than the PLYO and BAL groups for the quadriceps (p=.03 and p=.0002 respectively), hamstrings (p=.018 and p<.0001 respectively), and dorsiflexors (p=.006 and p<.0001 respectively). Also, the PLYO-BAL group achieved better post-intervention stability scores as compared to PLYO and BAL groups regarding AP-SI (p<.0001 and p=.0001 respectively), ML-SI (p=.001 and p=.015 respectively), and O-SI (p=.011 and p=.04 respectively). Incorporation of plyometric and balance exercises in a multimodal rehabilitation program could be an important consideration for enhancing muscle strength and boosting postural stability in children with SHCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common chronic diseases impacting millions of elderly people. OBJECTIVES: The study compared the effects of two intensities of partial blood flow restriction (BFR) with low-intensity resistance training on quadriceps strength and cross-sectional area (CSA), and pain in people with knee osteoarthritis (PwKOA). METHODS: Thirty-five PwKOA, aged 50–65, participated. Quadriceps CSA was measured by ultrasonography, quadriceps strength – by isokinetic dynamometry and pain by VAS. These outcome variables were obtained at the beginning of the study and re-evaluated eight weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: An interaction effect was present for quadriceps CSA (P = 0.042) and quadriceps strength (P = 0.006), showing that using 70% of total occlusion pressure with 30% 1RM had a more significant effect. Knee pain improved significantly through the main effect of BFR (P < 0.001), and low-intensity resistance training (P = 0.011). Pain improved more at 70% of total occlusion pressure, with 30% of 1RM (2.5 ± 1.06) than 50% total occlusion pressure with 10% of 1RM (5.77 ± 1.46). CONCLUSION: A combination of 70% of total occlusion pressure with 30% 1RM could be beneficial in PwKOA in improving pain, and increasing the quadriceps strength. The changes in the quadriceps strength could be a predictor for knee pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the subsequent effects of plyometric training on weight-bearing symmetry, muscle strength, and gait performance in children with unilateral cerebral palsy., Methods: Thirty-nine children with spastic hemiplegia (age 8-12 years) were randomly divided into either the PLYO group ( n =19, received a 30-minute plyometric exercise program plus the traditional physical rehabilitation, twice/week for eight consecutive weeks) or Non-PLYO group ( n =20, received the traditional physical rehabilitation only). The weight-bearing symmetry index (WB-SI), maximum isometric muscle strength (MIMS) of quadriceps and hamstring muscles, and spatial-temporal gait parameters were assessed pre and post-intervention., Results: From pre- to post-intervention, changes of WB-SI among PLYO and Non-PLYO groups did not differ significantly ( P =.81; hindfoot and P =.23; forefoot). MIMS of quadriceps and hamstring muscles at 90° knee flexion ( P =.008 and .013 respectively) increased significantly in PLYO compared to Non-PLYO group. Walking speed ( P =.033), stride length ( P =.002), and step time ( P <.001) improved markedly in PLYO group more than in Non-PLYO group. The proportion of single leg support ( P =.14) among PLYO and Non-PLYO groups did not differ significantly., Conclusion: Addition of plyometric exercises to the physical rehabilitation programs of children with unilateral CP could achieve greater improvement in muscles strength and walking performance, but not in WB-SI.