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Publication Date: 2025
Journal Of Rehabilitation Sciences And Research (23456159)12(4)pp. 113-119
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in reduced core region function and shoulder pain among wheelchair users. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of modified dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) exercises on core region function and shoulder pain in patients with incomplete paraplegic SCI. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, ten male patients with SCI were purposefully selected based on inclusion criteria and participated as an experimental group. Core region function and shoulder pain were measured before intervention using the modified plank test, an abdominal pressure cuff device, and the Wheelchair Users' Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI) questionnaire. Participants first completed an eight-week non-exercise period, followed by an intermediate assessment. They then engaged in eight weeks of modified DNS exercises, after which measurements were repeated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with repeated measures ANOVA applied (P≤0.05). Results: Significant improvements were observed in core function, transverse abdominal muscle strength, and shoulder pain (measured by WUSPI scores) after the exercise period compared to the non-exercise phase. These improvements were statistically significant (P≤0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that modified DNS exercises can be an effective and low-cost addition to the physical rehabilitation of patients with incomplete paraplegic SCI. © 2025 Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2025
PLoS ONE (19326203)20(5 May)
Knee and ankle injuries are the most common injuries in handball players. Many of these injuries occur toward the end of the game when fatigue sets in. The underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon are not well understood. This study investigated the effect of a handball match-simulation protocol on the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H:Q) and evertor-to-invertor (E:I) peak torque ratios. Thirty professional male handball players from Iranian super league teams participated in this study. Isokinetic concentric peak torque of the hamstrings, quadriceps, ankle invertor, and ankle evertors were measured at angular velocities of 60, 120, and 180 deg/s before and after the simulated handball match-induced fatigue protocol using a Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer. Peak torque ratio of H:Q and E:I were calculated and compared between pre- and post-fatigue conditions. Fatigue significantly reduced H:Q peak torque ratio at 60 (p=0.049), 120 (p=0.002) and 180 (p=0.014) deg/s, as well as E:I peak torque ratio at 60 (p=0.010), 120 (p=0.003) and 180 (p=0.003) deg/s. These changes could contribute to an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and lateral ankle sprains. Given the greater reduction in the H:Q peak torque ratio in hamstring muscles, targeted strengthening and improving the endurance of these muscles is recommended for professional handball players to mitigate fatigue effects. © 2025 Dastjerdi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Publication Date: 2024
Journal Of Rehabilitation Sciences And Research (23456159)11(2)pp. 109-116
Background: The present study focuses on elucidating the effects of an eight-week combined turning exercise program on the physical performance of female students with Down syndrome (DS), a genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability and often associated with weaker muscle strength. Individuals with DS typically exhibit reduced muscle strength due to a lower percentage of slow-twitch muscle fibers and a diminished overall number of muscle fibers. Methods: In this semi-experimental clinical trial, the authors used purposive sampling to enroll 26 female students diagnosed with DS. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=13; mean age: 12.15±1.62 years, mean height: 139.23±8.94 cm, mean weight: 42.62±13.44 kg, mean IQ: 63.02±5.54) and a control group (n=13; mean age: 12.23±1.53 years, mean height: 141.15±10.31 cm, mean weight: 45.46±15.94 kg, mean IQ: 63.05±5.49). The authors evaluated muscle strength using a hand-held digital dynamometer, push-up test, long jump, and sit-up before and after the eight-week training period. The experimental group underwent a combined turning training program lasting 45-60 minutes daily, thrice a week, for eight weeks. We analyzed the data using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a significance level set at P≤0.05. Results: The findings revealed a significant enhancement in physical performance among participants in the experimental group compared to those in the control group (P≤0.05). Specifically, the combined turning exercise program positively influenced upper body, middle body, and lower body muscle strength in female students diagnosed with DS. Conclusion: The results of this investigation imply that incorporating combined turning exercises could serve as an effective strategy for enhancing muscle strength among female students diagnosed with DS. Integrating these exercises into rehabilitation programs tailored for individuals with DS may improve their physical performance and enhance their overall quality of life. 2024 © The Authors. Published by JRSR. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2024
Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (19455763)30(3)pp. 59-66
Walking ability is a crucial factor for recovery and rehabilitation of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of rebound therapy on walking parameters in SCI patients. Methods: Thirty members of Isfahan Spinal Cord Injury Association participated in this experimental study using a convenience sampling method. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Isfahan (IR.UI.REC.1400.118). The participants were randomly assigned to control and rebound groups using a matched randomization method. Data were collected before and after 12 weeks of rebound therapy exercise (three sessions per week) in the walking laboratory, using a seven-camera 3D motion capturing system (Qualisys motion analysis). The final data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS software (significance level p < .05). Results: Rebound therapy training significantly improved all dependent variables (p < .05) except hip rotation, indicating its effectiveness for enhancing walking ability. Conclusion: Given the importance of walking function, we recommend the use of rebound therapy training as an exercise rehabilitation method for spinal cord injury patients. © 2024 American Spinal Injury Association.
Publication Date: 2023
Journal Of Rehabilitation Sciences And Research (23456159)10(4)pp. 188-193
Background: This study aimed to investigate stance phase characteristics and asymmetry in females with non-specific low back pain (LBPP) which they adopt different strategies in walking to reduce pain and enhance walking quality. The results of this research can provide new insight into gait characteristics for individuals with LBPP by examining temporal characteristics and asymmetry in their stance phase during walking. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 36 females were purposefully recruited and divided into two groups: one consisting of 18 individuals with low back pain (LBPP) and the other without LBPP. Data were collected using the Footscan system and analyzed with the Footscan Gait 7 gait generation software. Independent t-tests were employed to compare the outcomes between the two groups. Results: The results indicated that the right (P=0.001) and left (P=0.001) foot progression angles in the low back pain group were higher than those in the healthy group. Additionally, the low back pain group exhibited higher asymmetry in the timings of the initial contact phase (P=0.02) and forefoot contact phase (P=0.02), as well as in foot progression angle asymmetry (P=0.009) compared to the healthy group. Conclusion: Given the higher foot progression angle and observed asymmetries in individuals with low back pain, rehabilitative exercises need to consider these differences when evaluating and planning rehabilitation procedures. 2023© The Authors. Published by JRSR.
Publication Date: 2023
Sadra Medical Sciences Journal (23224339)11(1)pp. 55-64
Introduction: The path of the center of pressure while walking reflects the general mechanics of the body. Also, the electrical stimulation system triggers movement units, including the lower limbs. The present study investigated the effect of the electrical stimulation system on gait and balance patterns in young athletes. Methods: This research is applied and semi-experimental. In this study, 15 male athletes were selected by convenience sampling. The present study was performed in February 1400 at Shahriar Health Club. Participants were asked to walk at a self-selected speed. In the middle of the walking path, a foot-scanning device was placed, which recorded information about the path of the center of pressure, the relative duration of the stance phases, and the forward angle in both positions with and without the muscle stimulation vest. After checking the normality of the data using the Shapiro-Wilk test, paired sample t-test was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that the electrical muscle stimulation system had a favorable effect on the gait pattern of athletes compared to those without a vest. Electrical stimulation led to a slight increase in pressure center oscillations and improved displacement of pressure fluctuations (p=0.001) in the vest mode, which showed the effectiveness of this method. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that strengthening the muscles of the lower extremities by the electrical muscle stimulation system had favorable effects on athletes' gait pattern and foot pressure fluctuations © 2023, Sadra Medical Sciences Journal.All Rights Reserved.
Publication Date: 2019
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation (15433072)28(5)pp. 464-467
Background: To resolve the impairments associated with spinal cord injury (SCI), such as decreased balance, patients have been recommended to undergo various therapeutic strategies, including the use of different physical exercise methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of using rebound therapy (exercise on a trampoline) on SCI individuals' static stability. Methods: Sixteen people with SCI (American Spinal Cord Association classification: A = 6, B = 6, C = 2, and D = 2) were randomly assigned to an experimental (rebound exercise) group or a control group. The rebound therapy exercise program, lasting 12 weeks, was performed by means of a modified trampoline. During the said period, the experimental group received rebound therapy exercise for 10 to 30 minutes 3 sessions a week. Standing stability parameters (ie, excursion, velocity, and path length of the center of pressure in mediolateral and anteroposterior plane) were assessed before and after the exercise intervention by Kistler force plate (50 × 60 cm). Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Significant interactions were observed for all 6 dependent variables except excursion of the center of pressure in mediolateral and the path length of center of pressure in anteroposterior plane (P < .01). This means that the control group had no progress, whereas the experimental group made a significant improvement in terms of static stability. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that rebound therapy could reinforce the static stability of individuals with SCI during motionless standing. It suggests that rebound exercise is a useful sports rehabilitation method for patients with SCI and other wheelchair-bound individuals. © 2019 Human Kinetics, Inc.
Publication Date: 2017
Technology and Health Care (18787401)25(3)pp. 591-597
BACKGROUND: Subjects with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) should use various assistive devices to stand and walk. Unfortunately they suffer from slow walking speed, high energy consumption, and too much force applied on upper limb while walking. The aim of this study was to determine the gap between the gait performance of SCI and normal subjects to conclude how the performance of SCI can be improved. METHOD: Three groups of SCI walked with orthosis, SCI walked without orthosis, and normal subjects were recruited in this study. The normal subjects also walked with the same orthoses as SCI subjects. Some parameters such as ranges of motion of hip, knee and spatiotemporal gait parameters were evaluated by use of Qualysis motion analysis system. The difference between the gait parameters of three groups were evaluated by use of two sample t test. RESULTS: The mean values of hip joint range of motion of normal subjects while walking with and without orthosis were 48.3 ± 2.5 and 18.5 ± 8.8 degrees, respectively (p-value = 0.00). There was a significant difference between walking speed of normal subjects with and without orthosis. The walking speed of SCI subject with and without orthosis differed significantly. CONCLUSION: Although use of orthosis enable SCI subjects to stand and walk, but has some restrictions. As use of orthosis decreased the abilities of normal subjects it can be concluded that more attention should be done on design of orthosis and style of walking. © 2017-IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.
