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The aim of the study was the effectiveness comparison of two rehabilitation home exercise programs (one program consisted of mobilization - strengthening exercises and one program consisted of McKenzie method principles exercises), concerning pain, mobility and functionality of the neck. In the investigation, there were totally 20 subjects participated of age 37 -75 years, 8 men of age 65,2 ± 8,34 and 12 women of age 61,5 ± 12,51 with medical diagnosis of Cervical Syndrome, allocated at random selection in 2 equal teams. Data collection instruments were the Short Form-36, the Visual Analogue Scale of pain, the Neck Disability Index, a common full cycle goniometer, a centimeter measure tape and the Neutral -Zero range of motion-measurement method. Each program was of 8 weeks duration (3 times per week), including 2 introductive sessions at the hospital, for giving guidelines about the exercises. Statistical analysis used, was ANOVA analysis 2×3 for repeated measures. 3 evaluations took place, one at the beginning, another one just after the end, and a final one, of result maintenance, one month after the intervention end. The McKenzie exercise program was more effective than the mobilization - strengthening one, only in relation with the mobility improvement, in flexion -extension and protraction - retraction of cervical spine. About the intensity of pain, there was significant improvement in the McKenzie team, especially at maintenance evaluation, but not statistically important. In conclusion, a standardized McKenzie home exercise program for neck disorders rehabilitation is more practical and more beneficial than a conventional mobilization - strengthening program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to introduce a technique using computer-assisted image analysis for measuring body segmental angles during a static strength element on parallel bars. Criterion validity and intra-rater reliability of measurements were evaluated using digital photography, skin markers and a gravity-reference goniometer. Twenty male former gymnasts participated in this study. They performed a strength hold element on parallel bars (V-sit) and they were photographed with legs extended and stabilized at the highest possible level. The leg to horizontal, trunk to vertical and arm to vertical angles were calculated and examined for reliability using image-pro software. The leg angle was also examined for its validity, by simultaneously using a Myrin goniometer. The two goniometric techniques indicated high leg angle measurements agreement (R = 0.997, p < 0.001). However, Bland-Altman analysis showed that there was a slight leg angle measurement overrating using image-pro software, especially at smaller angles. The Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values were high for leg angle (R = 0.971), trunk angle (R = 0.957) and arm angle (R = 0.945), showing an excellent test-retest agreement. It was ascertained that the measurement of segmental angles during V-sit on parallel bars using digital photography and computer-assisted image analysis can be highly reliable when taken by the same experienced examiner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hamstring muscle strains often recur. The authors studied the effect of the grade of initial injury on the subsequent risk of reinjury.Hypothesis: No difference in reinjury rate between acute low-grade (grades I and II) and high-grade (III and IV) hamstring muscle strains would be seen.Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 1.Methods: Between 1999 and 2007, the authors managed 165 elite track and field athletes with acute, first-time unilateral hamstring muscle strains. Strains were classified into 4 grades (I, II, III, and IV) based on knee active range of motion deficit at 48 hours. The same rehabilitation protocol was prescribed, and the rate of reinjury was recorded during the following 24 months.Results: The average time to return to sport after initial injury was 7.4 days for grade I injuries, 12.9 days for grade II injuries, 29.5 days for grade III injuries, and 55.0 days for grade IV injuries. At follow-up, 23 of the 165 athletes (13.9%) had experienced a second hamstring muscle strain. Of the 75 athletes with a grade I injury, 7 (9.3%) had experienced a recurrence after 24 months. Of the 58 athletes with a grade II injury, 14 (24.1%) experienced a recurrence. Of the 26 athletes with a grade III injury, 2 (7.7%) experienced a recurrence, and of the 6 athletes with a grade IV injury, none had experienced a recurrence after 24 months.Conclusion: Low-grade hamstring muscle lesions appear to lead to a higher risk of reinjury than high-grade hamstring muscle lesions. However, there were disproportionately fewer high-grade injuries than low-grade injuries. Objective clinical findings can accurately determine the risk of reinjury after acute hamstring muscle strains in elite track and field athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine feasibility and reproducibility of muscular strength measurements in young gymnasts, using hand-held dynamometry in gymnastics-specific body positions. A group of 32 male and female young gymnasts 8-11 years-old, performed different strength tests using a Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester (NMMT). The measurements were collected in 4 major muscle groups (shoulder flexors and extensors, hip flexors and extensors) at 22 different joint angular positions, with the active elbow or knee joint in full extension. The maximal strength was obtained by placing the NMMT in a distal forearm or shank position, with the gymnast in supine or prone position stabilized on a vault. A Myrin goniometer, attached on the sagittal plane near elbow or knee joint, was used to specify the shoulder and hip joint angular positions. In the majority of the measurements (18 out of 22 angular positions) the intra-class correlation coefficients revealed a good level of test-retest reliability (R = 0.80-0.88). In four cases (3 in shoulder flexors and 1 in shoulder extensors) intra-class reliability was fair, with R-values ranging from 0.70 to 0.78. The low coefficients of variation and standard errors of measurements affirmed the reproducibility of measurements. In conclusion, this study showed the feasibility and the reproducibility of shoulder and hip flexor and extensor muscles maximal strength measurements using NMMT in gymnastics-based settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mulligan's mobilisation techniques are thought to increase the range of movement (ROM) in patients with low back pain. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the application of the Mulligan's Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure. Methods: 49 asymptomatic volunteers participated in this double-blinded study. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either SNAG mobilisation (n = 25), or a sham mobilisation (n = 24). The SNAG technique was applied at the L3and L4 spinal levels with active flexion in sitting by an experienced manual therapist. Three sets of 10 repetitions at each of the two spinal levels were performed. The sham mobilisation was similar to the SNAG but did not apply the appropriate direction or force. Lumbar ROM was measured by a three dimensional electronic goniometer (Zebris CMS20), before and after each technique. For the reliability, five measurements in two different days (one week apart) were performed in 20 healthy subjects. Results: When both interventions were compared, independent t tests yielded no statistically significant results in ROM between groups (p = 0.673). Furthermore no significant within group differences were observed: SNAG (p = 0.842), sham (p = 0.169). Intra- and inter-day reliability of flexion measurements was high (ICC1,1 > 0.82, SEM < 4.0°, SDD<16.3%) indicating acceptable clinical applicability. Conclusion: While the Zebris proved to be a reliable device for measuring lumbar flexion ROM, SNAG mobilisation did not demonstrate significant differences in flexion ROM when compared to sham mobilisation. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials NCT00678093. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]