هومن مینونژاد

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 4-week core stability training program on landing kinetic parameters in athletes with functional ankle instability during a single-leg drop landing exercise. Methods: This study used a pre-post quasi-experimental design and was conducted in the biomechanics laboratory. A total number of 24 athletes with functional ankle instability participated in two experimental (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. The experimental group performed core stability training for 4 weeks. The kinetic variables (maximum vertical Ground-Reaction Force [GRF], maximum shear GRF, and time to peak vertical GRF) were measured with force plate at the frequency of 400 Hz, in the pre-test and post-test. The obtained data were compared using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance MANCOVA in SPSS V. 18. Results: In the experimental group, all variables significantly differ between the pre-test and post-test. Also, the ANCOVA and MANCOVA indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in all variables. Conclusion: The results indicated that the core stability training improved the kinetic parameters of landing in people with functional ankle instability; thus, it can reduce the re-injury risk of the ankle.

Introduction: The present research aimed to compare and follow-up the effect of 8-week corrective exercises with and without the myofascial release on functional kyphosis deformity in young adults. Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial in the university laboratory. Forty-five male students suffering from abnormal hyperkyphosis deformity (kyphosis of more than 42°) were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: corrective exercises, combinational exercises (corrective and myofascial release), and control. The Mean±SD age, height, and weight of the study sample were 22.12±2.88 years, 175.44±6.80 cm, and 71.21±7.31 kg, respectively. The study groups did the exercises for 8 weeks, under the direct observation of the researchers. The kyphosis angle of the participants was measured using a flexible ruler, at the baseline, post-test, and follow-up (4 weeks after the end of the exercises) stages. The collected data were analyzed with repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) tests. Results: After 8 weeks of exercises, the degree of kyphosis in the post-test and follow-up stages was significantly lower than that in the pre-test, in both training groups. The results of the ANCOVA test demonstrated that the thoracic kyphosis degree in the combinational exercises group was significantly lower than that of the corrective exercises group (P≤0.05), in the post-test and follow-up stages. Conclusion: According to the results, the corrective exercises program in combination with the myofascial release is more effective than the corrective exercises alone, in correcting the thoracic kyphosis deformity.

Introduction: Since people experience fatigue after anterior cruciate ligament injury during exercises, it is important to understand how fatigue affects the biomechanical movement patterns. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of fatigue on ground reaction force variables during single-leg landing in athletes with a history of an anterior cruciate ligament sprain. Methods: it was a case-control study conducted in the University Laboratory. The sample consisted of 36 male athletes who were divided into three groups: 12 people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR), 12 people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency (ACLD), and 12 people as the control group. Fatigue was induced via the repetitive sets of double-leg squats (n=8), which were interspersed with the sets of countermovement jumps (n=2) and single-leg landings (n=3) until squats were no longer possible. A 2×2 repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to detect the main effects of group (ACLD, ACLR, control) and fatigue state (prefatigue, postfatigue) on the ground reaction forces variables. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the peak vertical force and internal-external ground reaction force in the ACLD group after fatigue. Regardless of the fatigue state, the peak vertical ground reaction force in ACLD and ACLR groups was significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusion: The athletes with the ACL injury, regardless of the selective treatment type, use compensatory strategies to reduce the contact forces on the lower extremity, compared with healthy athletes.

The musculoskeletal and support systems along with biomechanical factors lead to tissue adaptations in the skeletal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems, resulting in changes in movement pattern. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tactile feedback along with corrective exercises on the degree of thoracic kyphosis in people with Hyperkyphosis . Twenty patients with postural kyphosis greater than 42 were selected voluntarily and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the pre-test and post-test, the degree of kyphosis of both groups was measured using a flexible ruler. In the intervention phase, both groups performed corrective exercises for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week and each session for 30 to 45 minutes. With this difference, the experimental group received tactile feedback, but the control group did not receive any feedback. The results of 2-factor analysis of variance showed that tactile feedback along with corrective exercises (D = -12%) compared to corrective exercises (D = -8%) led to a reduction in kyphosis in people with Hyperkyphosis (P = 0.018).It seems that tactile feedback with changes in sensory inputs can be an effective complement to corrective exercises to reduce the degree of kyphosis.

Introduction: To examine the effects of a 6-week hopping exercise program on time to stabilization and perceived stability among athletes with chronic ankle instability. This is a randomized controlled trial.Materials and Methods: A total of 28 basketball players with chronic ankle instability (Mean±SD age; 22.67±2.88 y, Mean±SD weight: 80.47±8.48 kg, Mean±SD height: 186.82±3.09 cm) participated in this study and were randomly divided into two equal groups of 14 people each: 1. Experimental; and 2. Control. The experimental group performed hop exercises 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Time to stabilization for anterior-posterior and medial-lateral components of ground reaction force, as well as ankle joint function assessment tool were found before and immediately after the exercise program. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and paired sample t-test were used to analyze the data at the significance level of 95% (α≤0.05).Results: The 6-week hopping exercise program led to a significant decrease in the time to stabilization of medial-lateral and anterior-posterior of ground reaction force and also a significant increase in the score of ankle joint function assessment tool (p <0.05).Conclusion: Given the effectiveness of hopping exercises, postural control deficit, and time to stabilization in sport exercises, it is suggested that these selected exercises be used in training and rehabilitation protocols.

Background: Karate consists of two somewhat different disciplines, kata, and kumite; each one may have a different effect on foot structure and dynamics in the longterm.   Aim : As pedobarography is indicative of foot function, the present study aimed to compare pedobarographic profile during gait between young females participating in international kata and kumite competitions and non-karate-ka females. Materials and Methods: Displacement and velocity of the center of pressure, and peak pressure in ten regions of the foot of 10 kata-ka, 12 kumite-ka, and 16 non-karate-ka were measured with a pressure platform during barefoot walking. Results: Peak pressure in the lateral-heel and lateral-toes of kata-ka and kumite-ka was significantly lower than non-karate-ka ( P <0.05). Furthermore, peak pressure in the kata-ka midfoot was lower than non-karate-ka ( P =0.01 in medial-foot, P =0.01 in lateral-midfoot). In the anteroposterior direction, center of pressure velocity and displacement were significantly different among the three groups ( P <0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the practice of repeated intensive karate exercises has a demonstrable effect on foot progression, dynamic loading velocity, and plantar load distribution during gait. Moreover, practicing kata probably has a greater impact on the measured parameters.

Background: Both of transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) and neuromuscular training (NMT) have used to relive motor deficits in neurological disease.Aim: We decided to investigate augmenting effect of tDCS and NMT to improve static and dynamic balance and gait parameter in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Materials and Methods: 24 children with ASD aged 6-10 years old were randomly assigned to one of three groups: NMT+ sham, anodal tDCS, and NMT + tDCS. NMT consisted of 10 sessions motor training (each for 40 min). tDCS training was performed with 1.5 mA on left primary motor cortex for 20 min. Pre-test and post-test evaluations included static and dynamic balance and gait parameters (length and width of stepping and speed of gait).Results: Although improvement of variables were seen in all groups, but in post intervention comparison, combined group was better in static and dynamic balance and gait parameters than two other groups. NMT was more effective than tDCS only in dynamic balance.Conclusion: Our findings were indicated tDCS enhance NMT effect on neuromuscular function in ASD, so regarding the augmented effect in combination of NMT and tDCS, it can be considered in rehabilitation of motor deficits in these children.