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Showing posts from October, 2008

Plyometrics: An important exercise

Plyometrics is basically any exercise that involves a dynamic shift from the absorption of force to the expression of force. A typical example would be two consecutive bunny (two-footed) jumps. On landing from the first jump the muscles of the legs, calves and ankles would be put on stretch (this is technically known as an ‘eccentric contraction’). They then transfer power, by way of a shortening muscular contraction (technically known as a ‘concentric contraction’). Because sports science research proves that muscles are able to exert much more force when they perform plyometrically. It’s a bit like pulling out a spring to its fullest length and then letting it go. Immense amounts of energy will be released in the split second the spring recoils. Significant improvements are achieved by (1) boosting muscle and tendon strength, and (2) improving the neuromuscular activation of the response (basically, our brain becomes better at co-ordinating what is required). Although our body natura

Choline & Our Brain

Brain may be starving. It may lack a vital nutrient one need to think and remember. This vital brain booster is choline. Our brain uses it to make acetylcholine, one of your key neurotransmitters – the chemicals our brain needs to transmit signals and messages. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter of memory and muscle stimulation. It’s responsible for muscle control, sleep, arousal, attention, memory, intelligence and mood. Your brain needs a constant, rich supply of choline to keep all of these functions going strong. Without acetylcholine one can’t string thoughts together or have full access to memory. So you can imagine not having enough can lead to real problems. Forgetting keys, can be an early symptom of choline deficiency. Research shows people with a variety of mental illnesses are severely lacking in choline. The brain scans of people suffering from both mild cognitive impairment and full-blown Alzheimer’s showed these diseases are directly related to low choline levels. Sev

Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases]

Mirat J (2007) Abstract.... Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading health problem of the modern age. They are the first cause of mortality in developed as well as in transition countries. Physical activity has a beneficial impact on the cardiovascular system, both directly by improving endothelial function and indirectly by normalizing risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, obesity and by positive effects on coagulation mechanism. The impact of physical activity on the cardiovascular system is manifested by immediate changes in hemodynamics, blood pressure and heart rate during physical training. After some time, consequences of continuous training are manifested as a decrease in the basal heart rate, blood pressure and heart rate responsiveness to physical activity stress, which indicates good conditioning i.e. increased physical capacity. Prospective epidemiological studies have shown that sedentary style of life has a twice-higher risk o

Causes of joint pain and stiffness in exercising population

There are a large number of possible causes of joint pain and stiffness, and the diagnosis of a particular problem can be a very complex process – just ask any physiotherapist! Exerciser's lists causal factors: 1. Acute injuries: come on suddenly and are usually associated with some kind of trauma. Common examples include: Ligaments torn or damaged by unusual or excessive movement of the joint; Impact injuries: where one or more of the joint structures is damaged by an external blow; Protruding/prolapsed intervertebral disc: where unusual intervertebral forces lead to the deformation of the disc, allowing it to come into close proximity with nerves 2. Chronic injuries tend to come on quite gradually, thus making them trickier to diagnose. Common examples include: Overuse injuries, where the long-term training volume exceeds the capacity of the joints involved to undergo adequate repair and recovery a. Muscle imbalance injuries , where the joint fails to operate through its corr

The effects of PNF training on the facial profile.

Namura M et al (2008) Abstract……. Although orthodontic treatment improves dentoalveolar problems, the facial profile seldom changes because the perioral muscles do not easily adapt to the new morphological circumstances. We employed proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), which is training with added resisted movement to motions such as lifting the upper lip, lowering the lower lip, and sticking out the tongue, to adapt the perioral muscles to the new morphological circumstances. The subjects were 40 adults with an average age of 29.6 years. A series of PNF exercises was performed three times per day for 1 month. Lateral facial photographs were taken using a digital camera before training (T(0)), after training (T(1)), and 1 month after the end of training (T(2)). The nasolabial (NL), mentolabial (ML), and mentocervical (MC) angles were measured, and linear measurements were taken to verify the change of each measurement point. In the test group, the NL and ML angles signific

Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on the plantar flexor muscle-tendon tissue properties.

Mahieu NN et al (2008) Abstract….. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching programs have been shown to be the most effective stretching technique to increase the range of motion (ROM). The objective of this study was to examine the mechanism of effect of PNF stretching on changes in the ROM. Sixty-two healthy subjects were randomized into two groups: a PNF stretching group and a control group. The PNF group performed a 6-week stretching program for the calf muscles. Before and after this period, all subjects were evaluated for dorsiflexion ROM, passive resistive torque ( PRT ) of the plantar flexors and stiffness of the Achilles tendon. The results of the study revealed that the dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in the PNF group (DeltaROMext: 5.97+/-0.671 degrees ; DeltaROMflex: 5.697+/-0.788 degrees ). The PRT of the plantar flexors and the stiffness of the Achilles tendon did not change significantly after 6 weeks of PNF stretching. These findings pr

Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease - current status and trends.

Review of Korianth MC (2008)...... Although less frequent than lumbar degenerative disc disease, cervical disc disease may be much more neurologically compromising due to anatomical particularities. Since its first description together with the typical signs and symptoms the operative therapy of cervical disc disease has undergone a changeful evolution over the years. The frequent shifts of paradigms in treatment are particularly noticeable compared to other neurosurgical diseases. Initially, the dorsal decompression of neural structures (laminectomy) with a more or less invasive posterior approach (posterior foraminotomy) was the primary aim of the operation. Because of anatomical limitations, a paradigm shift occurred in the middle of the last century, favouring an anterior approach and discectomy, without and with implantation of various spacers (arthrodesis). A large variety of different materials and designs for these implants as alternatives to autologous iliac crest bone were e

KNOW MORE ON FITNESS TESTINGS IN THE CONTEXT OF ENERGY SYSTEM TESTINGS

please read my forthcoming book on obesity for fitness tests specially focsing on testing of different energy systems.

9- Fitness tests employed in Indian cricket team during the period of Gregory King as the fitness trainer.

1. Skin fold test. 2. Bib test 3. Sprint repeat 4. Bench press 5. Pull ups 6. Push ups 7. Sit ups 8. Sit & reach 9. Vertical jumps

Biomechanics of running & mechanics of shoes: PART I

This is part I of my forthcoming article on shoe mechanics & running biomechanics (may be published in this site within 10 days). this part introduces how a properly designed may help in reducing injuries, also how mechanical considarations may revolutionize the running gait biomechnics and the sunning sports? The Human Performance Laboratory in Calgary, Canada, concluded that shoe design: 1. Increases rotational ankle movement, notably plantar flexion and foot inversion (particularly in the first half of ground contact) 2. Decreases ankle joint impulses for the knee joint, which means that the knee has to withstand fewer repetitive rotational stresses (27%reduction) 3. Increases the user’s oxygen consumption by 2.5% 4. Increases movement of the ‘centre of pressure’ during standing, which allows force to be dissipated across a greater area of the foot. (High forces going through small cross-sectional areas of the foot are strongly linked to an increase in injury incidence with

Know your Shoulder joint complex – The 4 in 1 joint

The shoulder joint complex comprises of following 4 joints: 1. Sternoclavicular (SC) joint - this is actually the only bony connection that the shoulder has with the main skeleton 2. Acromioclavicular (AC) joint - between the collar bone and the point of the shoulder called the acromion, which is part of the scapula or shoulder blade 3. Glenohumeral (GH) joint - between the glenoid part of the scapula - the socket - and the head of the humerus (HOH) - the ball 4. Scapulothoracic (ST) joint - the ‘false joint’ between the scapula and the rib cage that it rides over.

Nutritional Engineering: THE CONCEPT ANTI-AGING

One can play an active role in his own future by turning on the genes i.e. “Good Genes,” that promote longevity and turning off the genes that let cells die. This is very exciting news seems like science fiction but scientists are looking forward to this latest medical breakthrough. Twenty years ago “longevity gene” was discovered. It’s activated by caloric restriction. Researchers found that giving mice reduced calories increased their lifespan dramatically. Later studies revealed this effect wasn’t limited to mice: Calorie-restricted diets produced similar results across the board, from single celled organisms to mammals. Recently a family of life-protecting genes called sirtuins (“silent information regulator proteins”) ware found. Sirtuins serves conditions of severe stress. They transmit signals to every cell in your body that literally cancel out the effects of aging. The process leads to cell death to slow to a crawl, buying your body more time to repair the DNA damage that brin

Proteins in sports performance: More queries & few answers; part I

In ‘sports nutrition’ the first word that comes to mind is carbohydrates. That’s understandable. We all know how essential carbohydrate is to sports performance. But there’s another essential component of sports nutrition that’s equally important and that’s PROTEIN. Because protein is so much more than just an essential nutrient – it’s the largest component in the body after water, typically representing about 15% of body weight. What’s more, most of this protein mass is found in muscle, which explains the importance of protein to athletes. However, while the basic biochemistry and functional roles of protein in the body have long been understood, there’s still a huge amount of mythology and confusion surrounding protein nutrition – especially where performance athletes are concerned. This is partly because of general misconceptions about basic protein metabolism, and partly because new research continues to throw up surprises about exactly what constitutes optimum protein nutrition! N

Proteins in sports performance: More queries & few answers; Part II

Questions on utility of proteins in sports nutrition. A) Which groups of athletes are known to be at risk of eating insufficient protein – and thus undermining their sports performance? What, if any, are the REAL health risks of a high-protein diet? Which forms of natural protein work best – and which are largely a waste of your time and effort? How does the average athlete’s Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of protein differ from that of a sedentary individual – and are the various national and international regulatory authorities correct in the advice they post on their web sites? What’s the most convenient way to get the optimal amount of protein into your diet – without having to eat absurd quantities of foodstuffs? How can protein ingestion be used to accelerate post-exercise recovery –even following a particularly strenuous work-out? What forms of protein have been proven to reduce the perception of fatigue in endurance athletes, while improving mood and cognitive performance, w

4-major nutritional requirements during post-exercise recovery

Water – to replace fluid lost as sweat and to aid the process of ‘glycogen fixation’ Electrolytes – to replenish minerals lost in sweat (eg sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium) Carbohydrate – to replenish muscle glycogen, the body’s premium grade fuel for strenuous exercise, and also to top up liver glycogen stores, which serve as a reserve to maintain correct blood sugar levels Protein – to repair and regenerate muscle fibres damaged during exercise, to promote muscle growth and adaptation, and to replenish the amino acid pool within the body.

WHAT SPORTS PHYSIO'S KIT MUST CONTAIN

i believe that following are essential for a sports physio attending team & matches played by them. 1 x Crepe Bandage 7.5x4.5cm 1 x Zinc Oxide 2.5x10cm 10 x Waterproof Dressings 2 x Sterile Dressing 12x12cm 1 x Finger Dressing 4 x Big Plasters 10x9cm 5 x Double Sided Non-Adherent Dressing 5x5cm 6 x Wound Cleansing Wipes (Alcohol Free) 2 x Vulkan Ice Pack 2 x Vinyl Gloves Powder Free (Medium) 10 x Cotton Buds 1 x Swabs Sterile 10x10cm 1 x Triangular Bandage 1 x Skin Closures 3x75mm 1 x EAB 5x4.5cm 1 x Pet Jelly 1 x Resuscitation Shield many other are mising from the list such as vapocoolant anesthetic sprays (magic sprays).

Alien abduction: a medical hypothesis.

Essentially my blog site is not covering any discussions like this. But I myself from my childhood am fascinated by alien abduction stories. I personally believe in alien theories. Let us discuss the current medical hypothesis presented by Forrest DV , M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Consultant to Neurology (Movement Disorders) and Faculty, Psychoanalytic Center, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Abstract… In response to a new psychological study of persons who believe they have been abducted by space aliens that found that sleep paralysis, a history of being hypnotized, and preoccupation with the paranormal and extraterrestrial were predisposing experiences, I noted that many of the frequently reported particulars of the abduction experience bear more than a passing resemblance to medical-surgical procedures and propose that experience with these may also be contributory. There is the altered state of consciousness, uniformly colored figures with promin

Stress management techniques: are they all equivalent, or do they have specific effects?

Lehrer PM et al (1994) evaluateed the hypothesis that various stress management techniques have specific effects. Studies comparing various techniques are reviewed, as well as previous literature reviews evaluating the effects of individual techniques. There is evidence that cognitively oriented methods have specific cognitive effects, that specific autonomic effects result from autonomically oriented methods, and that specific muscular effects are produced by muscularly oriented methods. Muscle relaxation and/or EMG biofeedback have greater muscular effects and smaller autonomic effects than finger temperature biofeedback and/or autogenic training. EMG biofeedback produces greater effects on particular muscular groups than progressive relaxation, and thermal biofeedback has greater finger temperature effects than autogenic training. Disorders with a predominant muscular component (e.g., tension headaches) are treated more effectively by muscularly oriented methods, while disorders i

A discussion on adult lateral meniscus.

Lateral meniscus induced antero-posterior translational during knee flexion is 12 mm & it contributes to the congruence of the knee joint. Meniscal lesion does not mean meniscectomy and this is particularly true for the lateral meniscus. Following are some facts from Beaufils P et al’s review: 1. The rate of joint space narrowing after lateral meniscectomy is of 40% at a follow-up of 13 years compared to 28% for the medial meniscus (symposium SFA 1996). 2. Lateral meniscectomy must be as partial as possible. Particularly, a discoid meniscus presenting a complete tear should be treated by a meniscoplasty in order to shape the meniscus in a more anatomic form than a total meniscectomy. Lateral meniscectomy is indicated in complex or horizontal cleavage, symptomatic, on stable knees. Meniscal repair is highly performed when the meniscal tear is associated to a rupture of the ACL (simultaneous reconstruction of the LCA). Postoperative outcome is different of that of a "simple&quo

Changed Biomechanics of Knee after meniscus injury & effect of meniscus repair on knee Mechanics.

1. Posterior root of Medial meniscus: A vital area for knee Injuries to posterior root of the medial meniscus are becoming increasingly recognized as a factor that can cause rapidly progressive arthritis. 2. Biomechanical changes after partial or total meniscus removal Shoemaker SC et al studied the role of the meniscus in the anterior-posterior stability of the loaded anterior cruciate-deficient knee and effects of partial versus total excision on cadaver knee in 1986. The effects of progressive removal of the menisci on the anterior-posterior force-versus-displacement response of the anterior cruciate-deficient knee were studied in fresh cadaver specimens at 20 degrees of flexion without and with tibial-femoral contact force (joint load). The findings are as follows: 1. In the absence of joint load, removal of the medial meniscus increased total anterior-posterior laxity and subsequent lateral meniscectomy produced an additional 10 per cent increase. 2. When a bucket-handle tear of

Modern sports training 2: Part I

Example of Exclusive Dynamic Power circuit workout by elite training coaches “Whatever one’s sport or event - whether he is a cyclist, race-walker, runner, rugby player, swimmer, or a participant in racket sports, he’ll improve his strength, mobility and stamina through this following training plan. As a result, he will move much more powerfully in his sport.” The following plan has been fully field-tested. The basic training circuit is combined with ‘dynamic mobility’ exercises to form a well-rounded training session. It includes warm-up, mobility training, circuit work and a 10-minute cool-down and can be completed in an hour or less. The main points of the program are as follows. A. Increasing the general work capacity: Increase in the general work capacity helps in 1. To improve ability to tolerate increasing levels of muscular fatigue (stamina improvement) 2. To elevate heart rates to upgrade cardiorespiratory capacity (stamina improvement). 3. To enhance overall body strength, in

Modern sports training 2: Part II

Part II: Dynamic Mobility workout This second part of training contains pre-workout exercises to give a valuable boost to competitive performances. So why is this neglected area so important? Quote “What you do just before your workout begins can have a big impact on what you are able to do during your workout.” Many athletes prepare for a training session by carrying out some routine stretching exercises, but it's important to remember that although stretching helps to improve static (non-moving) flexibility, it does not do a good job at preparing body to move quickly and efficiently. That's why current recommends focuses much on Dynamic Mobility exercises before every workout. Here are the facts: Dynamic Mobility exercises prepare body completely for the vigorous movements that make up the main part of workout. Most sports involve forceful, strenuous activity, and mobility exercises and drills stimulate your nervous system, muscles, tendons, and joints in a very dynamic mann

Factors for knee injury in habitual runners

Running is a popular form of exercise all over the world. Many do it for fitness all through out the year. According to a USA based statistics 36 million Americans participate in running each year, with 10.5 million running at least 100 days per year. Although running injuries are well understood medically, their potential risk factors are not. All behavioral and physiological risk factors influences potential knee injury mechanisms, including knee joint forces and knee moments. According to research carried out by Messier SP et al the most important factors for running knee injuries are due to increased knee loads. Larger knee joint loads are due to poor hamstring flexibility, greater body weight, greater weekly mileage etc. Most of these risk factors could potentially be modified to reduce joint loads to lower the risk of injury.

Cuboid "pseudotumour"

Oedema with erosion of the cuboid bone, simulating a bone lesion (cuboid "pseudotumour"), may be caused by adjacent tendinopathy of peroneus longus. It is vital to be aware of this entity to avoid unnecessary biopsy of the cuboid. O'Donnell P et al reported Cuboid oedema due to peroneus longus tendinopathy in acase series of 4 cases. The tendon and/or paratendinous tissues were abnormal in all cases, but no tendon discontinuity was identified. This highlights focal bone abnormality in the cuboid due to tendinopathy of the adjacent peroneus longus.

Modern sports training 1:

Increasing passive stiffness In our bodies, the biochemical elements of the muscle-spring system are the protein titin (in muscle tissue) and collagen (in tendon tissue). The stiffness of these proteins determines the passive stiffness of our muscles and tendons, respectively. The long-term objectives of ‘ spring training ’, should be to create shorter titin molecules and more cross-linked collagen to increase the passive stiffness of the muscles and tendons that make up our springs. For athletes and coaches, the important question is ‘can training produce these changes?’ The answer to this question is ‘yes’. For example, training basketball players for eight weeks results in approximately 10% improvement in two measures of passive stiffness, which in turn translates into better jumping performance. This tells us that our springs can be stiffened with the appropriate training. Increasing active stiffness Increasing the passive stiffness of muscles and tendons is all well and good, b

Updates on tendon disorders

Certain tendons are particularly more vulnerable to degenerative pathology; these include the Achilles, patella, elements of the rotator cuff, forearm extensors, biceps brachi and tibialis posterior tendons. Often tendonitis in above said conditions becomes chronic and can be difficult to manage successfully in the long term. Additionally the presence of neovascularization is now well-recognized in long-standing tendinopathy. Current histopathological & imaging technique evidences suggests: tendonitis seen in the above said tendons are degenerative rather than inflammatory in nature. Strategies loosing support: Traditional treatments of anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) strategies, which are often inappropriate. Strategies gaining support: In particular the advent of ' eccentric loading ' training programmes has revolutionized the treatment especially of Achilles tendinopathy. This concept is currently being extended to include other commonly injured tendons.

Chromium polynicotinate is also an anti-obesity agent!!!

There’s another natural substance that works in much the same way as HCA. It’s a micronutrient called chromium polynicotinate works for glucose metabolism . Like HCA, chromium polynicotinate operates against weight gain by throwing a number of genetic “ switches .” In a recent animal study, scientists Roy et al found that it had the power to activate four muscle-specific genes that tell “ pre-adipocytes ,” pre-cursors of fat cells, to turn into muscle instead of fat. It also turned off two genes that make brown fat, the hardest kind of fat to shed. Even more interesting, chromium polynicotinate powers down the gene that provides antioxidant support to your fat cells. This means it literally accelerates fat cell death while letting other types of cells thrive. The problem is most doctors and nutritional experts don’t know about them—or where to get them. There are a few supplements on the market that offer HCA and chromium polynicotinate in varying amounts. But it’s hard to know for ce

HCA in Tamarind an anti-obesity agent!!!

Most weight loss specialists don’t know about following fact For centuries people in Indonesia, Asia, and Africa have used the Malabar tamarind to make food more filling. It works with your body to reduce appetite and shed fat, safely and naturally. The latest research by Francis et al confirms its hunger suppressing power. These Geneticists discovered that its active ingredient, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), actually switches on the genes that accelerate the breakdown of fat. It also switches off the genes that make you fatter. Researchers Rink et al took fat tissue from obese women and exposed it to HCA for two weeks. What they found HCA activated genes within fat cells that secrete several key compounds, one that breaks down fat and another that “starves” your fat cells of oxygen. HCA also activate “ leptin ” which signals one’s brain that he has eaten enough. This means that one is shedding the pounds and feeling full without harming his body or altering its nutritional balance.

TRAINING TIPS: HOW DO SOME ATHLETES SUDDENLY IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE TO WORLD STANDARDS?

If you have ever wondered how some athletes, having competed for years, suddenly improve their performance to world class standards the answer is latest training procedures adopted by them is similar to used by the world’s top athletes. Following are few points of focus: 1. Exercises to increase strength, stamina, fitness and speed 2. Stop out-of-date exercise routines & getting involved with new scientifically approved training methods 3. Being specific & categorical: Why selective training techniques produce better results? 4. Relying on long, tough workouts (Hard workouts) to attain peak performance may not produce the results. 5. Understanding the coupling of neurological, biomechanical & muscular systems in exercise. This helps further to increase strength and power by altering the way one’s muscles are controlled by the nervous system. Improving fitness, including one’s speed, endurance and work capacity, while at the same time enjoying the schedule and introducing v

Heel pain and calcaneal spurs

Plantar calcaneal spurs are common, however their pathophysiology is poorly understood. In a Chinese study in 1996 Lu H et al reviewed 137 X-ray films of the involved feet in order to find out the relationship between the length, shape and the direction of the spurs with the heel pain. Lu H et al found: (1) There are no clear relationship between heel pain and the length, shape and the direction of the calcaneal spur. (2) The plantar soft tissue of the painful foot was thickened, indicating the heel pain was due to inflammation in the plantar soft tissue. (3) Heel pain is related to the patient's age and sex. (4) The spurs still exist and grow even bigger after the syndrome disappears. However one will always find few things very tricky. If spurs are thought to be produced by pull of tight planter fascia then why it is reported in the above study that there is no relationship between heel pain & direction of the calcaneal spur? Controversy in Pathogenesis: Vertical loading re

New modalities for recovery after exercises

1. Our very own DR. AG Sinha (PHD, PT) have shown that faradic stimulation can be used as a recovery modality after exercise. Those attending the IAP conference at Kolcutta had a chance to hear his PHD thesis based on this concept. 2. According to a study by Broadbent S et al in British journal of sports medicine Vibration therapy reduces plasma IL-6 and muscle soreness after downhill running. Hence as Vibration therapy reduces muscle soreness and IL-6; It may stimulate lymphocyte and neutrophil responses, and be a useful modality in treating muscle inflammation. 3. Curcumin effects on inflammation and performance recovery following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Curcumin, a constituent of the Indian spice turmeric has been investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity. In an animal study Davis JM et al of Division of Applied Physiology, Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, USA. examined the effects of curcumin

Unspecific features that might be venous insufficiency & medical compression stockings

The cause of occasional pain in the legs of apparently healthy people is unknown. Some features of the syndrome reflect an emotional disorder while others mirror venous insufficiency. Occasional leg symptoms, like feelings of heaviness and tension, and occupational or evening oedema are considered typical features of a venous disorder but have shown low specificity in epidemiological and observational studies. Blättler W evaluated the prevalence and nature of such symptoms in subjects with no history or signs of venous disease and investigated the optimal strength that medical compression stockings (MCS) should exert in order to alleviate the symptoms and to prevent leg swelling. They found MCS of 15 mmHg effectively relieve the symptoms resembling venous insufficiency, prevent oedema and are well-tolerated.

Eccentric Exercises in patellar tendinopathy.

A comparison of decline eccentric squats to standard eccentric squats: Kongsgaard M et al in a recent study have shown excellent clinical results using eccentric squat training on a 25 degrees decline board to treat patellar tendinopathy. To explore why therapeutic management of patellar tendinopathy using decline eccentric squats offer superior clinical efficacy compared to standard horizontal eccentric squats, their study compared EMG activity, patellar tendon strain and joint angle kinematics during standard and decline eccentric squats. This study suggested the use of a 25 degrees decline board increases the load and the strain of the patellar tendon during unilateral eccentric squats. See the following URL for single leg eccentric exercise of Quads on a declining plane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY98htXP0O4 . Now when you have seen watching the video we will go through current researches on the topic. Single-limb squats on a decline angle have been suggested as a rehabilitati

Diagnosis of Intersection syndrome & Dequervain’ tenosynovitis may pose challenge.

According to Parellada AJ et al distal intersection tenosynovitis of the wrist is a lesser-known extensor tendinopathy. Intersection syndrome is a condition that should be differentiated from DeQuervain's stenosing tenosynovitis, as there are many subtle differences in treatment and prognosis. Hanlon DP et al discussed intersection syndrome, describing its characteristic clinical and anatomic features in journal of emergency medicine. They highlighted differences in the areas of diagnosis and treatment relative to the better known DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. Parellada AJ et al presented the MRI imaging findings of extensor tenosynovitis at the distal intersection or crossover between the second (extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and brevis (ECRB)) and third (extensor pollicis longus (EPL)) extensor compartment tendons, and the anatomical details that may play a role in the pathogenesis of this condition. They concluded that distal intersection tenosynovitis may be relate

Tension myositis syndrome: A new thing to ponder!!!, A research topic!!!

This article is taken from wikipedia for the knowledge of physiotherapists & physicians who refer this site for updating their skills. Tension myositis syndrome (TMS) is a name given by Dr. John E. Sarno to a condition he describes as characterized by psychosomatic musculoskeletal and nerve symptoms, most notably back pain. Sarno, a Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University School of Medicine and Attending Physician at The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center, has described TMS in four books, and has stated that the condition may be involved in other pain disorders as well. The treatment protocol for TMS includes education, writing about emotional issues, resumption of a normal lifestyle and, for some patients, support meetings and/or psychotherapy . In 2007, Dr. David Schechter (Sarno's former medical student and research assistant) published a peer-reviewed study of TMS treatment showing a 54% success