Mini-Trampoline Jumping as an Exercise Intervention in Postmenopausal Women to Improve Women Specific Health Risk Factors.

Background: Women tend to outlive men and are at higher risks of functional disability compared to men. Specifically, women are more likely to develop conditions like osteoporosis and stress urinary incontinence which can further increase the risk of functional disability. Regular physical activity and/or exercise programs can minimize the physiological decline that occurs during aging and can improve overall physical fitness, bone health, and pelvic floor muscle function; however, exercise programs tend to focus on only one parameter.

The Effects of Uniquely-Processed Titanium on Balance and Walking Performance in Healthy Older Adults.

The increased risk of falls associated with advancing age has increased demand for methods to improve balance and mobility. The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether wearing Aqua Titan-treated stockings could improve balance and walking performance in an older population; secondary was to elucidate the mechanisms. In a randomized, double-blind crossover, 16 healthy older adults (age, 67.

Lower extremity muscle function of front row rugby union scrummaging.

A rugby scrum's front row must act uniformly to transfer maximal horizontal force and improve performance. This study investigated the muscle activation patterns of lower extremity muscles in front row forwards during live and machine scrums at professional and amateur levels. Electromyography was collected bilaterally on vastus lateralis, rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles of 75 male rugby prop players during live and machine scrums.

Muscle activation and local muscular fatigue during a 12-minute rotational bridge.

Due to anecdotal reports of back pain during a 12-minute rotational bridge test by uniformed services, the level of fatigue leading to possible back pain and or injury was investigated. We hypothesised a high level of fatigue due to diminishing core muscle activation. Nineteen highly trained uniformed service members were measured by surface electromyography of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, lumbar erector spinae, thoracic erector spinae and latissimus dorsi.

Electromyographic analysis of muscle activation during pull-up variations.

This study sought to identify any differences in peak muscle activation (EMGPEAK) or average rectified variable muscle activation (EMGARV) during supinated grip, pronated grip, neutral grip and rope pull-up exercises. Nineteen strength trained males (24.9±5y; 1.

Wearing American Football helmets increases cervicocephalic kinaesthetic awareness in "elite" American Football players but not controls.

Background: While there have been investigations into the reduced neck injury rate of wearing protective helmets, there is little information on its effects on normal kinaesthetic neck function. This study aims to quantify the kinaesthetic and movement effects of the American football helmet.

Methods: Fifteen British Collegiate American football players (mean age 22.

Physiological, psychological and functional changes with whole body vibration exercise in the elderly: FEVER methodology and protocols.

Background: The FEVER (Frail Elderly Vibration Exercise Response) study aims to address a paucity of research focusing on the use of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) by frail elderly who, with the highest levels of dependence and fall-related hospitalisation/mortality, potentially stand to benefit most from such accessible exercise.

Methods: FEVER is an open, randomised feasibility study, consisting of multiple parallel arms and a longitudinal element. Rest-home residents aged 70+years will be recruited, and assigned to a WBV-exercise group (WBV), a simulated-WBV-exercise group (SIM), or a control group (CON).

Mass affects lower extremity muscle activity patterns in children's gait.

Overweight children demonstrate biomechanical differences during gait; however it is not known if these differences occur within active or passive tissue. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in lower extremity muscle activation patterns of children with different body mass during three walking speeds. Twenty children (8-12 years) were recruited and classified as overweight (OW), normal-weight (NW), or underweight (UW).

Reliability of the parallel walk test for the elderly.

Objective: To determine interrater agreement and test-retest reliability of the parallel walk test (PWT), a simple method of measuring dynamic balance in the elderly during gait.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Outpatient clinic.

The effects of a rugby playing season on cervical range of motion.

Rugby players have a reduced active cervical range of motion (ACROM) mid-season compared with age-matched controls. This is most evident in rugby forwards, who have ACROM similar to patients with acute whiplash. This study aims to show if the change in ACROM over an entire rugby season (pre-, mid-, and end of season) shows a pattern of decline.

Validity of a functional dynamic walking test for the elderly.

Objective: To determine the validity of a safe, quick, and simple method of measuring dynamic balance in the elderly during gait called the parallel walk test.

Design: Control study.

Setting: Outpatient clinic, community.

The effects of a single game of rugby on active cervical range of motion.

The cumulative effect of playing rugby over many years decreases active cervical range of motion, especially in the forwards. This in itself should influence long-term neck care; however, it leaves the important question of how noticeable the acute effects of active cervical range of motion are following a single game. The active cervical range of motion was measured in 21 elite rugby players (mean age 24.

Cervical range of motion and proprioception in rugby players versus non-rugby players.

In this study, we examined the effects of number of years of playing rugby on neck function. Active cervical spine range of motion and proprioception were assessed in 14 non-rugby-playing but trained sportsmen (mean age 28 years, s = 7) and 46 rugby players (26 rugby forwards: mean age 26 years, s = 5; mean years played 14 years; 20 backs: mean age 24 years, s = 5; mean years played 14 years). Active cervical range of motion in flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion, plus left and right rotation were measured using a cervical range of motion device.

Knee and ankle range of motion during stepping down in elderly compared to young men.

A major factor limiting mobility in elderly subjects is their difficulty with descending steps but the physiological and biomechanical basis of this problem is not well understood. To address this question we have compared the kinematics of stepping down in six elderly male subjects and six weight- and height-matched younger subjects. Five reflective markers were positioned on the lower limbs and subjects were filmed stepping down from four heights (200, 250, 300, and 335 mm).

Joint torques and dynamic joint stiffness in elderly and young men during stepping down.

Objective: To compare the joint torque pattern and dynamic joint stiffness at the knee and ankle in elderly and young men during stepping down.

Background: Adequate joint stiffness is critical during the single support phase to control forward and downward body momentum.

Design: Six active elderly men (mean 67.