Molecular Biological Verification of the Healing Effect of Biphasic Microcurrent Electrical Stimulation in Model Rats of Skin Abrasion.

In this study, we investigated the effect of biphasic microcurrent electrical stimulation (b-MES) on the epidermal healing process using a rat model of skin abrasion. We analyzed the expression levels of growth factors [fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)] and keratin subtypes (K10) in both the b-MES and control groups at different time points after wounding. The b-MES group showed a significantly accelerated healing process of the epithelial tissue, resulting in more consistent healing as compared to the control group.

Evaluation of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk During a Jump-Landing Task Using 3-Dimensional Kinematic Analysis Versus the Landing Error Scoring System.

Background: The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) has been utilized on the field or in the clinic to identify patients with an increased risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries; however, its validity and efficacy have not been fully confirmed.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of the LESS in identifying the ACL injury risk by examining the correlation between the LESS score and motion patterns on 3-dimensional kinematic analysis.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Effects of increased physical activity on body composition, physical functions, vascular functions, HR-QOL, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling elderly people.

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of increased number of steps on body composition, physical functions, vascular functions, health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and self-efficacy in elderly people. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 47 elderly persons who resided in Port Island in the Chuo Ward of Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. After the calculation of the mean preintervention physical activity (PA), the subjects were instructed to increase their PA to a target baseline + 1,300 steps/day.

Effects of High- and Low-Velocity Resistance Training on Gait Kinematics and Kinetics in Individuals with Hip Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-velocity (HV) and low-velocity (LV) resistance training on gait kinematics and kinetics in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

Design: This was a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Forty-six women with hip osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to the HV (n = 23) or LV (n = 23) training group.

Near falls predict substantial falls in older adults: A prospective cohort study.

Aim: Little is known about the relationship between near falls and substantial falls in older adults. Clarifying this relationship would be helpful to assess fall risk in greater detail. The purpose of the present study was to clarify whether near falls predict future falls.

Associations of radiographic degeneration and pain with daily cumulative hip loading in patients with secondary hip osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of radiographic and clinical variables of hip osteoarthritis (OA) with alterations in gait and joint loading in patients with secondary hip OA. Fifty females with secondary hip OA were participated. The minimum joint space width (mJSW) of the hip as a degenerative sign and Sharp and center edge (CE) angles as morphological variables were measured radiographically.

Factors associated with restricted hip extension during gait in women after total hip arthroplasty.

Purpose: A decreased peak hip extension angle in the late stance phase is a major gait abnormality in patients with THA. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between peak hip extension angle during gait and functional impairments such as muscle weakness and the limitation in joint range of motion and to identify the clinical factors influencing peak hip extension angle during gait.

Methods: 67 female volunteers with THA were examined.

Age-Related Ultrasound Changes in Muscle Quantity and Quality in Women.

This study investigated the age-related changes in muscle quantity and quality in the trunk and limbs of women. A total of 128 females were divided into four age groups: young, middle-aged, young-old and old-old. Muscle thickness (MT) and echo intensity (EI) of the biceps brachii, quadriceps femoris, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis were measured using B-mode ultrasonography.

Association of sagittal spinal alignment with thickness and echo intensity of lumbar back muscles in middle-aged and elderly women.

Objective: Quantitative changes, such as a decrease in muscle mass, and qualitative changes, such as an increase in the amount of intramuscular non-contractile tissue, occur with aging. However, it is unclear whether quantitative or qualitative changes in back muscles are associated with spinal alignment in the standing position. We investigated the association of sagittal spinal alignment with muscle thickness as an index of the mass of lumbar back muscles and muscle echo intensity as an index of the amount of non-contractile tissue within these muscles.

Electromyographic analysis of training to selectively strengthen the lumbar multifidus muscle: effects of different lifting directions and weight loading of the extremities during quadruped upper and lower extremity lifts.

Objective: The lumbar multifidus muscle (LMF) is a lower back muscle that contributes to spinal stability. Several electromyographic analyses have evaluated LMF activity during various types of training. The present study examined the activity of the back muscles during quadruped upper and lower extremity lifts (QULELs) with different lifting direction and weight loading of extremities.

Compensatory turning strategies while walking in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

The ability to change directions while walking is an integral component of adaptive locomotor behavior. Patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) experience prolonged hip dysfunction. Gait compensation adopted by the patients with hip OA may become more pronounced while they turn.

Effects of high-velocity resistance training on muscle function, muscle properties, and physical performance in individuals with hip osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of high-velocity resistance training on muscle function, muscle properties, and physical performance in patients with hip osteoarthritis by comparison with those of low-velocity resistance training.

Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Home-based exercise programmes.

Changes in hip and knee muscle strength in patients following total hip arthroplasty.

Objective: To investigate changes in hip and knee muscle strength in patients before and after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in comparison with that in healthy adults.

Methods: The study included 21 women who underwent unilateral THA (THA group) and 21 age-matched healthy women (healthy group). Maximal isometric strengths of hip flexors, extensors, and abductors, and knee extensors and flexors were measured before surgery and at 4 weeks and 6 months after surgery.

Pelvic instability and trunk and hip muscle recruitment patterns in patients with total hip arthroplasty.

Hip and lumbar spine disorders often coexist in patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA). The current study aimed to reveal pelvic motion pathology and altered trunk and hip muscle recruitment patterns relating to pelvic motion in patients with THA. Twenty-one women who underwent THA and 12 age-matched healthy women were recruited.

Muscle mass and composition of the hip, thigh and abdominal muscles in women with and without hip osteoarthritis.

The objective of this study was to compare muscle mass and composition between individuals with and without hip osteoarthritis. Twenty-four women with hip osteoarthritis (OA group) and 16 healthy women (healthy group) participated in this study. Muscle thickness (MT) and echo intensity (EI) were measured as indices of muscle mass and composition, respectively, using ultrasound imaging.

Stepping exercises improve muscle strength in the early postoperative phase after total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of stepping exercises in addition to conventional physical therapy on the recovery of muscle strength and walking speed after total hip arthroplasty.

Design: This was a retrospective study with 6 wks of follow-up care and evaluation. Patients (n = 30) undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty for hip osteoarthritis were divided into two groups based on whether stepping exercises were performed after surgery.

Associations of muscle stiffness and thickness with muscle strength and muscle power in elderly women.

Aim: The aims of this study were to investigate the influence of age on muscle stiffness and to examine the relationships among muscle stiffness, muscle thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, muscle strength and muscle power in elderly women.

Methods: The subjects were 16 young (mean age 20.3 years) and 34 elderly (mean age 84.

Skeletal muscle quality assessed from echo intensity is associated with muscle strength of middle-aged and elderly persons.

Enhanced echo intensity (EI) on an ultrasound image of skeletal muscle indicates changes in muscle quality, including increases in intramuscular fibrous and adipose tissues. However, it is not known whether muscle quality assessed from the EI of computer-aided gray-scale analysis of an ultrasound image is associated with the muscle strength or body composition of a subject. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether muscle quality assessed from EI measured using gray-scale analysis is associated with muscle strength independently of age or muscle thickness (MT), and to examine the relationship between muscle EI and body composition.

Dynamic hip joint stiffness in individuals with total hip arthroplasty: relationships between hip impairments and dynamics of the other joints.

Background: Little is known about hip joint stiffness during walking (dynamic joint stiffness) and the effect of hip impairments on biomechanical alterations of other joints in patients with total hip arthroplasty.

Methods: Twenty-four patients (mean age 61.7 years) who underwent unilateral (n=12) or bilateral total hip arthroplasty (n=12) and healthy subjects (n=12) were recruited.

Immediate effects of different ankle pushoff instructions during walking exercise on hip kinematics and kinetics in individuals with total hip arthroplasty.

Residual hip impairments, such as decreased hip muscle moment and power during walking, have been reported in patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA). Meanwhile, greater ankle power has also been reported in these patients. We investigated the interaction between hip and ankle joints during walking to determine the effects of different ankle pushoff instructions on hip biomechanics in patients with THA.