The Effectiveness of a Specific Exercise Program in Alleviating Work-Related Neck and Upper Back Pain and Improving Mood State in Various Occupational Populations-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges across governmental, industrial, and social systems. Additionally, numerous studies have reported a sharp increase in both mental health issues and musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. This study aimed to investigate whether a specific exercise program could alleviate neck and upper back pain symptoms and improve mood state among healthcare and office employees during the post-COVID-19 period.

Effect of concentric exercise-induced fatigue on proprioception, motor control and performance of the upper limb in handball players.

Background: The last phases of a competitive game are when shoulder injuries most commonly happen, and fatigue is thought to be a major contributing factor, perhaps because of reduced proprioception and motor control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of concentric fatigue on proprioception, motor control, and performance of the upper limb in handball players.

Methods: Forty-six right-handed handball players (all males, age 26.

Concentric exercise-induced fatigue of the shoulder impairs proprioception but not motor control or performance in healthy young adults.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of concentric fatigue on proprioception, motor control and performance of the shoulder in healthy young adults.

Design: Test-retest experimental design.

Setting: Human performance laboratory.

Can resistance training improve throwing performance in handball players? A Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Throwing is one of the most important movement in handball. Throwing performance is crucial for success in handball.

Objective: Τo investigate the level of evidence for the effect of resistance training (RT) on throwing performance in handball players.

The effect of periodized flywheel training on power of lower limbs.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of semi-squat exercise with a flywheel device and free weights on parameters of physical performance.

Methods: 48 well-trained male athletes were randomly divided into three subject groups (N.=16 each), two training groups (DT and RT) and one control group (CON).

Reproducibility of gait kinematics and kinetics in chronic stroke patients.

Background: The search for reliable techniques to assess gait in stroke patients is crucial for the design and follow-up of rehabilitation programs.

Objective: To assess the reproducibility of kinematic and kinetic gait parameters in chronic stroke patients using a three-dimensional gait analysis system.

Methods: Ten chronic stroke patients were assessed while walking along a 20 m walkway at their natural speed, using a gait analysis system of six infrared cameras and two force plates.

Risk factors for fear of falling in elderly patients with severe knee osteoarthritis before and one year after total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the regression of fear of falling (FOF) and identify its risk factors in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis before and one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: 11 men and 57 women with a mean age of 73 years and a mean body mass index of 30.36 kg/m2 who had severe (grade 3 or 4) knee osteoarthritis and knee pain of ≥1 year were included.

Analyzing the History of Falls in Patients with Severe Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: One out of three adults over the age of 65 years and one out of two over the age of 80 falls annually. Fall risk increases for older adults with severe knee osteoarthritis, a matter that should be further researched. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the history of falls including frequency, mechanism and location of falls, activity during falling and injuries sustained from falls examining at the same time their physical status.

Recovery kinetics of knee flexor and extensor strength after a football match.

We examined the temporal changes of isokinetic strength performance of knee flexor (KF) and extensor (KE) strength after a football match. Players were randomly assigned to a control (N = 14, participated only in measurements and practices) or an experimental group (N = 20, participated also in a football match). Participants trained daily during the two days after the match.

Effects of stabilization exercises on health-related quality of life in women with chronic low back pain.

Background: The study examined the effects of a 4-week intensive isometric and isotonic stabilization exercise program on dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in women with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: A total of 39 women (27-72 years old) provided data in an experimental study with a 9-month follow-up. Random allocation was undertaken for the two treatment groups out of the 3 groups: isometric stabilization (n = 13), isotonic stabilization (n = 13), and a control group (n = 13) that did not participate in any form of exercise.

Typical balance exercises or exergames for balance improvement?

Background And Objectives: Balance training is an effective intervention to improve static postural sway and balance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus exercises for improving balance ability in healthy collegiate students in comparison with a typical balance training program.

Methods: Forty students were randomly divided into two groups, a traditional (T group) and a Nintendo Wii group (W group) performed an 8 week balance program.

Aquatic training for ankle instability.

Unlabelled: The aim of the present study was to evaluate balance deficits after an ankle sprain in collegiate students and to examine the effectiveness of 2 different balance rehabilitation programs on balance ability. Thirty collegiate students with functional ankle instability were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups followed an intervention balance program for 6 weeks, 3 times per week, 20 minutes per session, using balance boards.

Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses following an acute bout of isokinetic exercise in obese women with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Obesity is associated with osteoarthritis and it is accompanied by chronic inflammation and elevated oxidative stress. Strengthening-type exercise is used in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rehabilitation. This study determined how acute isokinetic exercise influences inflammatory responses of obese middle-aged women with KOA.

Muscle performance following an acute bout of plyometric training combined with low or high intensity weight exercise.

To determine the time course of performance responses after an acute bout of plyometric exercise combined with high and low intensity weight training, a 3-group (including a control group), repeated-measures design was employed. Changes in performance were monitored through jumping ability by measuring countermovement and squat jumping, and strength performance assessment through isometric and isokinetic testing of knee extensors (at two different velocities). Participants in both experimental groups performed a plyometric protocol consisting of 50 jumps over 50 cm hurdles and 50 drop jumps from a 50 cm plyometric box.

Assessment of patients with neck pain: a review of definitions, selection criteria, and measurement tools.

Objective: The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize the existing literature on various definitions, classifications, selection criteria, and outcome measures used in different studies in patients with neck pain.

Methods: A literature search of MEDLINE and CINAHL through September 2008 was performed to gather articles on the reliability, validity, and utility of a wide variety of outcome measurements for neck pain.

Results: Different types of definitions appear in the literature based on anatomical location, etiology, severity, and duration of symptoms.

Time course of changes in performance and inflammatory responses after acute plyometric exercise.

The objectives of the present investigation were to study the inflammatory and performance responses after an acute bout of intense plyometric exercise during a prolonged recovery period. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (P, n = 12) that performed intense plyometric exercises or a control group (C, n = 12) that rested. The delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), knee range of motion (KROM), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, white blood cell count, C reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA), cortisol, testosterone, IL-6, IL-1b strength (isometric and isokinetic), and countermovement (CMJ) and static (SJ) jumping performance were measured at rest, immediately postexercise and at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours of recovery.

Young tennis players and balance performance.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a tennis training session on the balance performance of young tennis players. The study was conducted on 36 elite tennis players (age 14 +/- 2 years; body mass 55 +/- 6 kg; body height 165 +/- 6 cm; mean +/- SD) participating in the national young tennis championship. Balance performance was assessed before and immediately after a tennis training session (pre-training and post-training, respectively).

A pilot study of the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise versus passive interventions on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain.

Background And Purpose: Given the complex nature of chronic pain, the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on pain, disability, psychological strain, and serum cortisol concentrations in people with chronic low back pain were investigated.

Subjects: Twenty subjects receiving primary health care were randomly allocated into exercise and control groups.

Methods: Subjects in the exercise group received a 12-week, high-intensity aerobic exercise program.

The effects of high- and moderate-resistance training on muscle function in the elderly.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week resistance-training program on muscle strength and mass in older adults. Thirty-three inactive participants (60-74 years old) were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: high-resistance training (HT), moderate-resistance training (MT), and control. After the training period, both HT and MT significantly increased 1-RM body strength, the peak torque of knee extensors and flexors, and the midthigh cross-sectional area of the total muscle.

Isolated vs. complex exercise in strengthening the rotator cuff muscle group.

The purpose of this study was to compare 2 different training modes in improving shoulder cuff muscular performance. Thirty-nine participants were randomly assigned into 3 groups: the isolated group exercised using 2-kg dumbbells; the complex group used a protocol with complex exercises; and the control group had no training. All participants trained for 6 weeks (3 times per week) and were evaluated isokinetically before (pretest) and after the training period (posttest).