مطالب

Introduction: The present study aimed to compare hip muscle resistance training with and without feedback on trunk, pelvis, and lower extremity motions in frontal and sagittal planes among active females with dynamic valgus. Materials and Methods: Twenty-Nine active females (Mean±SD age: 22.8±2.4 years, height: 1.70±0.6 m, weight: 69±7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to a hip muscle resistance training with feedback group (n=15) or a hip muscle resistance training without feedback group (n=14). Both training programs lasted 6 weeks (3 sessions/week). The peak angles of lateral trunk flexion, contralateral pelvic drop, hip flexion, knee flexion, and valgus during single-leg drop landing and single-leg vertical drop jump were assessed in the research participants at baseline and 6 weeks post-training. Unipodal functional screening tests were captured with two standard digital video cameras. Results: After 6 weeks, significant differences were observed in knee valgus and lateral trunk flexion, contralateral pelvic drop, and knee flexion angles, i.e., compared between hip muscle resistance training with feedback and hip muscle resistance training without feedback (P<0.05), except for non-dominant leg hip flexion in single-leg vertical drop jump (P>0.05). Conclusion: In the explored active females with dynamic valgus, hip muscle resistance training with feedback seems to be better at improving trunk, pelvis, and lower extremity motions in frontal and sagittal planes, compared to hip muscle resistance training without feedback; however, no significant difference was observed concerning hip flexion during single-leg vertical drop jump between the study groups.

Introduction: Children and adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) usually fail to understand spatial awareness and motor timing. The present study assessed Rhythmic Auditory Stimulations (RAS) and Simple Auditory Stimulations (SAS) to facilitate the learning of timing in sequential motor task and recorded the results of their relative and absolute timing errors.  Materials and Methods: 56 male students aged 9-12 years with DCD in Neyshabur city were selected by diagnosing with the following tools: Teacher Motor Inventory, Parental Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second (MABC-2 movement test), spatial-visual memory assessment, intelligence assessment, RT test, and biopsychological health status evaluation. Then, they were divided into RAS, SAS, control group 1 (visual), and control group 2. Moreover, a pretest score was performed. Next, the training protocol was presented in 10 blocks of 5 attempts and the acquisition test was performed. Finally, the retention and transfer tests were performed after 48 hours and 10 minutes, respectively.  Results : Based on the obtained results, a significant difference was observed between the visual stimulation group and the RAS and SAS groups in relative and absolute timing components (P≤0.05). However, no significant difference was reported between the rhythmic, SAS, and visual-auditory stimulation groups in relative and absolute timing variables (P˃0.05). Conclusion: Finally, no significant difference was observed between the RAS and simple stimulations although the graphs displayed the effect of the first stimulation more than that of the second one.

Introduction: Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is among the most common injuries in distance runners. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of a special strengthening exercise program for abductor’s muscles according to NSCA protocol, on pain reduction and lower extremity function improvement among elite distance runners with ITBS. Materials and Methods: The subjects of the present study were 32 elite distance runners who were randomly divided into two groups of control and experimental (n=16/group). The experimental group performed the exercise program for 8 weeks; however, the control group followed their routine program. The pain was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale of pain (VAS) and the lower extremity function was assessed by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). In the statistical procedure, the repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni test was applied to determine the within-group and between-groups differences of the study variables, and for assessing the stability level of protocols’ effect on the experimental group and comparing the stages, respectively. The significance level was considered 0.05, test power as 95%, and effect size as 0.7; SPSS was used for all data analyses. Results: The present study data indicated that the strengthening exercise program on hip abductor muscles caused a significant decrease in pain (P=0.0001). The lower extremity function manifested a significant improvement in the experimental group after 8 weeks of strengthening exercise protocol (P=0.0001); it was durable even 3 months after the end of the exercise program. Conclusion: Hip abductor muscle strengthening, based on NSCA protocol, can be an effective approach in reducing pain and improving lower extremity function in elite distance runners with ITBS.