Effects of combined whole body vibration and resistance training on lower quadrants electromyographic activity,muscle strength and power in athletes

BackgroundWhole body vibration (WBV) with resistance training is one of the increasing ways of gaining ankle and foot complex muscle strength and power for the rehabilitative and prophylactic purpose in athletes.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to compare the effects of combined WBV and resistance training (RVE) with strength training alone (RE) on alteration of gastrocnemius lateralis and vastus medialis obliquus muscle activity and strength, and power performance in athletes.MethodsThe study was performed on 23 university-level male athletes who were randomized into two groups as RVE (n = 12; age 22.2 ± 1.94 years) and RE (n = 11; age 21.60 ± 1.78 years). The training program was scheduled three times per week for six weeks (18 sessions). Gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) were measured for muscle activity and isometric strength with surface EMG device and handheld dynamometer respectively. Counter-movement jump (CMJ) was used for measuring power. All the participants were assessed for outcome measures at baseline and then after 6 weeks. Group (RVE vs. RE) by time (pre vs. post) effects were compared through a 2-way interaction utilizing mixed model repeated measure ANOVA.ResultsAfter training, VMO muscle activity (group effects) increased significantly in the RVE group (p < 0.05). However, both the groups showed statistically significant time and group × time interaction effects for muscle activity of VMO, isometric strength (VMO and GL), and CMJ (p < 0.05).ConclusionWBV might serve as an adjunct modality for enhancement of the neuromuscular activity of the VMO muscle. However, RVE had no additive effect when compared to RE alone on muscle strength and power in athletes. The long-term impacts of combined WBV and resistance training on other foot and ankles muscle should be investigated in future studies.     

振动性血管损伤的生物监测指标的实验研究

目的探讨振动性血管损伤的生物监测指标。方法将新西兰兔分为A组（接振强度3．04m／s^2）、B组（接振强度6．13m／s^2）、c组（接振强度12．26m／s^2）和1个对照组，分别于不同接振时间测定各组新西兰兔血浆内皮素、血管紧张素Ⅱ和一氧化氮的浓度。结果随接振时间的延长和接振强度的增高，血浆内皮素和血管紧张素Ⅱ的浓度有升高的趋势（P〈0．05，P〈0．01），而一氧化氮的浓度有降低的趋势（P〈0．05，P〈0．01）。结论振动导致内皮素、血管紧张素Ⅱ浓度的增高和一氧化氮浓度的降低，可能与振动性血管损伤有一定的关系，因此，选择内皮素、血管紧张素Ⅱ、一氧化氮作为振动性血管损伤的生物监测指标有一定意义。     

The effect of tactile feedback on gait initiation in people with Parkinson's disease: A pilot study

BackgroundGait initiation and turning are common triggers for Freezing of Gait (FOG) in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, it has been shown that closed-loop tactile feedback (CLTF) can be effective to improve turning performance in people with FOG.Research questionDoes CLTF change the preparation and execution of the first step during gait initiation?MethodsPeople (n = 36) with PD with FOG (PD + FOG) (n = 18) and without FOG (PD-FOG) (n = 18) were included in the study and performed self-initiated gait with or without CLTF under single and dual task conditions. Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and step kinematics were quantified with inertial measurement units (IMUs). Muscle activity of the right and left tensor fasciae latae (TFL) was measured via EMG recordings.ResultsPD + FOG and PD-FOG did not differ in age, gender and disease duration and severity (p > 0.05). PD + FOG performed smaller APAs (F = 4.559, p = 0.04) with a higher amount of TFL co-contraction (F = 6.034, p = 0.02) compared to PD-FOG. CLTF had no effect on APAs but led to an increase in first step duration (F = 7.921, p = 0.008).ConclusionsPD + FOG had smaller APAs and higher left and right TFL co-contraction during gait initiation. CLTF did not impact preparation of the first step but led to a slower execution of the first step. We speculate that, similarly to findings from turning, CLTF might result in the participant attending more closely to the first step compared to without CLTF. Whether increased attention on gait initiation is beneficial in diminishing FOG should be investigated in more detail.     

Acute effects of whole-body vibration on spinal excitability level and ankle plantar flexion spasticity in post-stroke individuals: A randomized controlled trial

IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate the acute effects (up to 30 min) of whole-body vibration (WBV) on spinal excitability level and ankle plantar flexion spasticity in chronic stroke subjects.MethodsTwenty-one subjects (age 30–70 years old) with chronic stroke and ankle plantar flexion spasticity were randomly assigned to the vibration group (VG, n = 11) or the control group (CG, n = 10). Subjects in the VG underwent 10 minutes of WBV with a frequency of 35 Hz and amplitude of 2 mm. Subjects in the CG remained on the platform for 10 min without receiving vibratory stimulus. The spinal excitability level was estimated by the Hmax/Mmax ratio extracted from the H-reflex with simple stimulus examination. The value of the second/first wave ratio (H2/H1 ratio) at the peak of the first facilitation was also considered through the recovery curve with double stimulation. Spasticity was estimated by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and global perception of change. All outcomes were assessed before and at 10, 20, and 30 min after the WBV, except for MAS, which was evaluated only 10 min after WBV.ResultsNo between-group differences were found in either the spinal excitability level or plantar flexor spasticity at the three evaluated moments after WBV.ConclusionThese results suggest that WBV does not reduce spinal excitability level or spasticity of the plantar flexor muscles in chronic stroke patients in the first 30 min after vibratory stimulus.     

An exploratory study of vibration therapy on muscle function in patients with peripheral artery disease

ObjectiveThe purpose of this exploratory study was to determine whether a single session of vibration therapy (VT) would improve muscular and functional performance in individuals with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD).MethodsIn a randomized, balanced cross-over design fourteen PAD participants with intermittent claudication (mean ± standard deviation; age, 73.9 ± 4.6 years; height, 172.6 ± 68.4 cm; body mass, 85.2 ± 15.7 kg) performed VT and control that involved repeated chair rises, timed up-and-go test, and 6-minute walk test. Each intervention was separated by at least 2 days. Wearable VT devices were positioned on the right and left lower limbs that were turned on during functional testing but were turned off for the control intervention.ResultsVT significantly improved (P < .05) repeated chair rises and timed up-and-go test compared with control with a small effect size of 0.46 and 0.45, respectively. Similarly, a significant (P < .01) and meaningful change in 6-minute walk test was noted in VT compared with control.ConclusionsThis exploratory study suggest that VT may enhance functional strength, mobility, and walking performance by extending the onset of claudication and increasing walking distance in PAD with intermittent claudication. However, further study is required to confirm and extend these preliminary findings and determine the potential mechanisms of action in VT.     

胎儿声振动刺激反应的研究

目的：了解不同孕龄胎儿对声振动刺激的反应。方法：对４３５例次正常中、晚期妊娠妇女进行声振胎心试验（ＶＡＳ－Ｔ）、声振胎动试验（ＳＰＦＭ），并对声振动刺激前、后胎心率变化规律进行前瞻性研究。结果：（１）从２４周开始，胎儿对声振刺激有反应，但大部分未能达到ＶＡＳ－Ｔ诊断标准，而胎动反应良好。（２）妊娠２８周开始，声振刺激后，９０％以上的胎儿出现显著的胎动、胎心率加速反应，足月胎儿反应率在９８％以上。（３）ＳＰＦＭ阳性率的显著提高早于ＶＡＳ－Ｔ。提示：２８周后胎儿神经系统发育已趋完善。胎儿运动神经的发育成熟早于植物神经。     

Quantitative measurements of vibration threshold in healthy adults and acrylamide workers

Summary The early detection of impaired of vibration sensation is necessary in order to monitor the adverse effects in workers occupationally exposed to neurotoxic chemicals such as acrylamide. The conventional neurological examination which assesses vibration sensation by utilizing a tuning fork is relatively insensitive for this purpose. In the present study, the Vibratron II, a new device for the quantitative measurement of vibration thresholds, was used in 105 healthy Chinese adults. A new testing procedure combining the two-alternative forced-choice procedure and the yes-or-no method-of limits procedure showed good reliability and was less time consuming. The results indicate that significant differences in the vibration threshold of index fingers and great toes were found neither between males and females, nor between the left and the right side. However, there was an age-dependent increase in vibration threshold in nonexposed healthy subjects. The vibration thresholds of 41 workers exposed to acrylamide detected by the Vibratron II were significantly higher than those of the healthy adults in the same age group. The quantitative measurement of vibration threshold seems to be potentially useful for screening peripheral nerve dysfunction in field studies.     

纤支镜肺灌洗联合振动排痰治疗呼吸机相关性肺炎的临床评价

目的 探讨纤支镜肺灌洗联合振动排痰治疗呼吸机相关性肺炎的临床疗效.方法 40例呼吸机相关性肺炎患者随机分为治疗组与对照组各20例.对照组常规全身抗感染治疗,治疗组在常规抗感染治疗基础上采用纤支镜肺灌洗及振动排痰治疗.结果 经治疗后治疗组患者氧分压较对照组明显上升,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;治疗组总有效率（95％）明显高于对照组（70％）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.结论 纤支镜肺灌洗联合振动排痰仪治疗呼吸机相关性肺炎是安全有效的方法之一,具有一定的临床意义.     

磁热振配合运动疗法治疗肩周炎

目的：探讨磁热振疗在肩周炎康复治疗中的应用价值。方法：92例肩周炎患者随机分为两组：52例采用磁热振配合运动疗法进行治疗，40例采用单纯运动疗法进行治疗。结果：单纯体疗的基愈显效率为42％，总有效率为85％；磁热振配合体疗的基愈显效率为69％，总有效率为96％。两组疗效相比，P＜0．05，差异有显著性。结论：磁热振疗具有交变、脉冲磁场以及温热和微振动功能，它可减轻疼痛，增加关节活动度。