Effects of Functional Movement Training on Batting Kinematics in Adolescent Baseball Players.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8-week functional movement training on batting kinematics and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score in young baseball athletes with a composite FMS score of ≤14.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 26 male junior high school baseball players (chronological age 13.52 y [0.

Altered Abdominal Muscle Recruitment and Declined Physical Function in Postpartum Individuals With Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Introduction: The influence of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) on lumbopelvic muscles has not been comprehensively examined in postpartum individuals. Previous research also presented self-reported activity limitations without objective measures.

Methods: Thirty postpartum individuals with PPGP (PPGP group) and 30 age-, parity-, and postpartum duration-matched asymptomatic individuals (healthy group) were recruited.

Transabdominal ultrasonography-guided biofeedback training for pelvic floor muscles integrated with stabilization exercise improved pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and disability: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Investigate effects of integrated training for pelvic floor muscles (PFM) with and without transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) imaging-guided biofeedback in postpartum women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP).

Design: Three-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled trial SETTING: University laboratory PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three postpartum women with PPGP randomized into stabilization exercise with TAUS-guided biofeedback (BIO+EXE), exercise (EXE), and control (CON) groups.

Interventions: The BIO+EXE and EXE groups underwent an 8-week exercise program, with the BIO+EXE group receiving additional TAUS-guided biofeedback for PFM training during the first 4 weeks.

Ultrasonographic measurement indicated patients with chronic neck pain had reduced diaphragm thickness and mobility along with declined respiratory functions.

Background: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition including notable impairments in respiratory function. The diaphragm, serving dual roles in respiration and spinal stability, is intricately linked to the cervical spine through fascial, neurophysiological, and biomechanical connections. However, to date, none has investigated the diaphragm function in patients with CNP.

The fully engaged inspiratory muscle training reduces postoperative pulmonary complications rate and increased respiratory muscle function in patients with upper abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Upper abdominal surgical treatment may reduce respiratory muscle function and mucociliary clearance, which might be a cause of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Threshold inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may serve as an effective modality to improve respiratory muscle strength and endurance in patients. However, whether this training could help patients with upper abdominal surgery remains to be determined.

The Influence of Nordic Walking on Spinal Posture, Physical Function, and Back Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study.

Nordic walking is an increasingly popular form of exercise among the elderly. Using poles is thought to facilitate a more upright posture; however, previous studies primarily investigated the effects of Nordic walking on respiratory function and physical fitness. The aims of this study were to investigate the influence of Nordic walking on spinal posture, physical functions, and back pain in community-dwelling older adults.

Sitting Posture during Prolonged Computer Typing with and without a Wearable Biofeedback Sensor.

Prolonged sitting combined with an awkward posture might contribute to the increased risks of developing spinal pain. Maintaining an upright sitting posture is thus often suggested, especially nowadays when people spend longer periods in the sitting posture for occupational or leisure activities. Many types of assistive devices are commercially available to help computer users maintain an upright sitting posture.

Effects of Sling Exercise for Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effects of sling exercise on pain intensity, disability, and health-related quality of life in adults with neck pain.

Methods: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and 6 other databases were searched from inception to July 2020. The reference lists of relevant articles to identify additional trials were also screened.

Abdominal Expansion versus Abdominal Drawing-In Strategy on Thickness and Electromyography of Lumbar Stabilizers in People with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The abdominal expansion (AE) strategy, involving eccentric contraction of the abdominal muscles, has been increasingly used in clinical practices; however, its effects have not been rigorously investigated. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of the AE versus abdominal drawing-in (AD) strategy on lumbar stabilization muscles in people with nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Thirty adults with nonspecific LBP performed the AE, AD, and natural breathing (NB) strategies in three different body positions.

Evaluation of a Cervical Stabilization Exercise Program for Pain, Disability, and Physical Impairments in University Violinists with Nonspecific Neck Pain.

Cervical stabilization exercises are frequently used to reduce pain, maximize function, and improve physical impairments for people with nonspecific neck pain. We conducted a single arm study to evaluate the effects of a home-based cervical stabilization exercise program for university violin players with nonspecific neck pain who frequently assume an asymmetrical neck posture and activate their superficial cervical flexors to stabilize the violin. Twenty violin players with nonspecific neck pain from university symphony orchestras participated in this study.

A Pilot Study of Hip Corrective Taping Using Kinesio Tape for Pain and Lower Extremity Joint Kinematics in Basketball Players with Patellofemoral Pain.

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility of hip corrective taping to improve self-reported knee pain and lower extremity joint kinematics in basketball players with patellofemoral pain.

Patients And Methods: A single group pre-test and post-test design. Collegiate basketball players with patellofemoral pain were recruited.

Landing Kinematics, Sports Performance, and Isokinetic Strength in Adolescent Male Volleyball Athletes: Influence of Core Training.

Context: Core control and strength are important for reducing the risk of lower-extremity injury. Current evidence on the effect of core training in male adolescent athletes is limited, and other investigations into the effects of core training often emphasized core strength only.

Objective: To examine whether core training emphasizing both control and strength of the trunk and hip would improve joint kinematics during landing, sports performance, and lower-extremity muscle strength in adolescent male volleyball athletes.

Immediate effects of real-time postural biofeedback on spinal posture, muscle activity, and perceived pain severity in adults with neck pain.

Background: Previous studies have investigated various types of postural biofeedback devices on different body regions to improve posture; however, they focused only on healthy adults without a history of chronic musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, those postural biofeedback devices used in previous studies are often designed for experimental research. The designs are usually bulky with many wires, which is not practical for everyday use.

Collegiate baseball players with more optimal functional movement patterns demonstrate better athletic performance in speed and agility.

Sports injuries are common among baseball players and may result in abnormal movement patterns, increased risks of future injury, and unsatisfactory performance. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) has been developed to detect abnormal functional movement patterns and can be used for predicting risks of sports injury. However, whether FMS™ scores are associated with athletic performance remains unclear.

The Association Between Built Environment Attributes and Physical Activity in East Asian Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Asian adolescents living in Australia and England were found to be less active than their Western peers. We aimed to systematically examine evidence of the associations between attributes of the built environment and physical activity in adolescents dwelling in East Asian countries. A total of 10 electronic databases for relevant observational studies without time limit were searched.

Steadiness of Spinal Regions during Single-Leg Standing in Older Adults with and without Chronic Low Back Pain.

The aims of this study were to compare the steadiness index of spinal regions during single-leg standing in older adults with and without chronic low back pain (LBP) and to correlate measurements of steadiness index with the performance of clinical balance tests. Thirteen community-dwelling older adults (aged 55 years or above) with chronic LBP and 13 age- and gender-matched asymptomatic volunteers participated in this study. Data collection was conducted in a university research laboratory.

Does pilates-based exercise improve postural alignment in adult women?

A randomized, controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of Pilates-based exercise on postural alignment. Seventy-four adult women (mean age ± SD, 34.9 ± 16.

Bird species migration ratio in East Asia, Australia, and surrounding islands.

Bird migration and its relationship with the contemporary environment have attracted long-term discussion. We calculated the avian migration ratio (the proportion of breeding species that migrate) in the areas from 70°E to 180°E and examined its relationship with the annual ranges of ambient temperature, primary productivity (estimated by the Enhanced Vegetation Index), and precipitation, along with island isolation and elevational range. The avian migration ratio increased with increasing latitude in general but varied greatly between the two hemispheres.

The influence of chair seat height on the performance of community-dwelling older adults' 30-second chair stand test.

Background And Aims: Although chair seat height affects the performance of sit-to-stand movement, no previous study has examined the influence of chair seat height on the 30-second chair stand test (CST).

Methods: Fifty-five community-dwelling older adults (age 70.0 ± 6.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with spinal pain in adolescent computer users: a systematic review.

Background: Increased computer use has been suggested as a contributing factor for a rapid increase in the prevalence of neck and back pain in adolescents in the late 1990s and the beginning of 2000.

Objective: The overall objective of this review was to synthesise the best available evidence on the estimates of prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, spinal discomfort in adolescent computer users.

Inclusion Criteria: This review considered cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies.

The effects of verbal instructions on gait in people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized trials.

Objective: To collate and appraise empirical evidence relating to the effects of verbal instructions (verbal commands given by another person) on stride length, gait velocity and stride variability in people with Parkinson's disease.

Data Sources: Cinahl, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PEDro, PsycINFO and Web of Science.

Review Methods: Independent reviewers extracted data from eligible studies and assessed methodological quality.

Kinematics of sagittal spine and lower limb movement in healthy older adults during sit-to-stand from two seat heights.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study to examine the sagittal kinematics of spine and lower limb movement during sit-to-stand (STS).

Objective: To describe the sagittal kinematics of the spine and lower limb in healthy older adults during STS from 2 seat heights.

Summary Of Background Data: Older adults with age-related changes in the neuromusculoskeletal system are likely to have difficulty in STS.

Lumbofemoral rhythm during active hip flexion in standing in healthy older adults.

The 2D PEAK Motus motion analysis system was used to measure the sagittal lumbofemoral rhythm during active hip (knee) flexion in standing in 34 healthy older adults whose movement may be influenced by age-related changes in the neuromusculoskeletal system. When the thigh was raised, the lumbar spine moved concurrently with the hip joint throughout the movement. Approximately 5 degrees of initial hip flexion occurred before 1 degrees of lumbar flexion.

Sagittal spinal posture after Pilates-based exercise in healthy older adults.

Study Design: Longitudinal, repeated-measures study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine changes in sagittal spinal posture in older adults during standing and sitting after a Pilates-based exercise program.

Summary Of Background Data: Pilates exercise is purported to improve posture, however, few peer-reviewed articles are available to provide scientific support.