Axial rotation is regarded as an essential movement of the trunk that allows many individuals to participate in vocations, sports and activities of daily living. Unfortunately when the destabilising nature of rotation is combined with that of spinal flexion, the risk of injuring the spine can increase significantly. Few studies have investigated the potential benefits that maximizing trunk rotation has in certain vocation and sport-related arenas and none have looked at whether adopting certain spinal postures in the sagittal plane can maximise trunk rotation more than others. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of alterations of trunk inclination, spinal posture, pelvic fixation and turning direction on the active range of motion (ROM) of trunk rotation. Twenty healthy individuals participated in the main study. Retro-reflective markers were placed on key anatomical locations and used to track the movement of the thorax and pelvis during a series of repeated maximal trunk rotations in ten different spinal positions within the sagittal plane. Trunk kinematics and kinetics were recorded simultaneously using an optoelectronic motion analysis and force platform measuring system. A repeated-measures multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test for the main effects of trunk inclination, spinal posture, fixation of pelvis and direction of turn on maximum active ROM of trunk rotation, maximum pelvic rotation and the anterior-posterior and lateral displacement of the centre of pressure (COP). To investigate test-retest reliability, ten participants were tested on two separate days. Repeatability for each outcome measure was investigated using interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland Altman graphs. The majority of subjects showed reasonable test-retest reliability for trunk rotation measures in each of the test positions, with ICC’s ranging between 0.562 – 0.731. Overall, trunk inclination (0°, 22.5°, 45°) forward in the sagittal plane had a significant effect on trunk and pelvic rotation (p<0.001) and lateral displacement of the COP (p<0.005) during trunk rotation. As trunk inclination increased from 0° to 45° there was an average increase in trunk rotation ROM of approximately 10 % (approximately 3.4°). Furthermore, increasing trunk inclination led to an increase in lateral displacement of the COP and a decrease in pelvic rotation. Spinal posture (neutral, flexed, extended) at a forward inclination of 45° had a significant effect on trunk rotation (p<0.01) and pelvic rotation (p<0.05), with a neutral spine averaging approximately 3 % (approximately 1.1°) more trunk rotation than a flexed or extended posture. The position and posture of the spine in the sagittal plane appears to have a significant influence on ranges of trunk rotation. The study suggests that rotating the trunk when adopting a neutral spine inclined to 45° will maximise range of trunk rotation and encourage a natural stabilisation of the lower body. This posture meets the unique set of biomechanical requirements for the sport of golf and may help to reduce the risk of injury in manual material handling tasks. Conversely, rotating the trunk whilst the thoracolumbar spine is flexed leads to a reduction in trunk rotation ROM, encourages greater pelvic and lower body rotation, reduces torque production of the trunk and may increase the risk of lower back injury. These findings have important implications in relation to the teaching of spinal position during vocations, sports and activities of daily living that seek to maximise trunk rotation.

Stretching is a widely prescribed technique that has been demonstrated to increase range of motion. Consequently it may enhance performance and aid in the prevention and treatment of injury. Few studies have investigated the frequency of stretching on a daily basis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stretching frequency on range of motion at the ankle joint. The detraining effect was also investigated after a period without stretching. Thirty-one female subjects participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to a control group who did not stretch a group who stretched two times per week (Stretch-2) or a group who stretched four times per week (Stretch-4). The stretching intervention was undertaken over four weeks and targeted the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Each stretch was held for duration of 30 seconds and repeated five times. Prior to the intervention (PRE), dorsiflexion was measured using a weights and pulley system that passively moved the ankle joint from a neutral position into dorsiflexion. After the four week stretching period (POST), dorsiflexion was measured once again to determine the change following the stretching programme. Following a further four week period where no stretching took place (FINAL), dorsiflexion was measured to determine the detraining effect. Electromyography was used to monitor the activity of the plantarflexors and dorsiflexors during the measuring procedure. The results of the study showed a significant increase in ankle joint range of motion for the Stretch-4 group (p<0.05) when comparing PRE and POST measurements. The Stretch-2 and control groups did not show significant differences (p>0.05) between PRE and POST measurements. When comparing the PRE and FINAL measurements of the Stretch-4 group, no significant differences were recorded (p>0.05). The POST and FINAL measurements were significantly different (p<0.05). After the detraining period the Stretch-4 group lost 99.8% of their range of motion gains. The present data provide some evidence that the viscoelastic properties of the muscle stretched were unchanged by the four week static stretching programme. The mechanism involved in the observed increase in range of motion for the Stretch-4 group is possibly that of enhanced stretch tolerance of the subject. Further research is required to support this conjecture.

TThis thesis looks at the development of a Hand and Wrist Strength Gauge. The gauge was developed by the author at the Flinders Medical Centre Occupational Therapy Department in 1997. / thesis (MApSc(OccupationalTherapy))--University of South Australia, 2003.

Infants explore environments through repetitive movements which are constrained or facilitated by the environmental context. The current studies analyzed how typically developing infants bounced in four environments that differed by system natural frequency. Four pre-walking infants (age 9.7 months ±1.8) were placed in four spring conditions with natural spring frequencies of 0.9, 1.15, 1.27 and 1.56 Hz. All infants bounced above the natural spring frequency in all conditions suggesting that they do not solely behave like a mass-spring system. Two patterns of bouncing adaptations were identified. Three infants regulated bounce frequency, while one infant regulated the percentage of time on the ground. When infants matched their bounce frequency to the natural frequency, trunk vertical displacement and joint ranges of motion decreased across conditions and demonstrated a shift from non-spring like to circular spring-like phase planes. Moderate to high correlations were found for inter- and intra-limb coordination. Conversely, when an infant regulated time on the ground, trunk vertical displacement and joint ranges of motion remained the same across conditions and inter- and intra-limb correlations were low to moderate. Phase planes remained circular spring-like for this infant. Asymmetrical loading patterns and decreasing vertical ground reaction forces were found in all infants suggesting that a timing component is always regulated. The difference in bouncing pattern may be indicative of different bouncing skill level.

Pedicle screw-rod instrumentation is considered a standard treatment for spinal instability, and titanium is the most common material for this application. Cobalt-chromium has several advantages over titanium and is generating interest in orthopedic practice. The aim of this study was to compare titanium versus cobalt-chromium rods in posterior fusion, with and without transverse connectors, through in vitro biomechanical testing and determine the optimal configuration. Six cadaveric lumbar spines (L1-S1) were used. Posterior and middle column injuries were simulated at L3-L5 and different pedicle screw constructs were implanted. Specimens were subjected to flexibility tests and range of motion, intradiscal pressure and axial rotation energy loss were statistically compared among the following conditions: intact, titanium rods (without transverse connectors), titanium rods with transverse connectors, cobalt-chromium rods (without transverse connectors) and cobalt-chromium rods with transverse connectors. The novel measurement of energy loss was examined to determine its viability in fusion investigations. All fusion constructs significantly (p0.05) were observed in axial rotation among all conditions. Intradiscal pressure significantly increased (p≤0.01) after fusion, except for the cobalt-chrome conditions in extension (p≥0.06), and no significant differences (p>0.99) were found among fixation constructs. Energy loss, differences became significant between the cobalt-chrome with transverse connector condition with respect to the cobalt-chrome (p=0.05) and titanium (p There is not enough evidence to support that the cobalt-chrome rods performed biomechanically different than the titanium rods. The use of titanium rods may be more beneficial because there is a lower probability of corrosion. The inclusion of the transverse connector only increased stability for the cobalt-chromium construct in axial rotation, which suggests that it is beneficial in complete facetectomy procedures.

Su juosmeninės stuburo dalies skausmu, populiariai dar vadinamu juosmens skausmu, bent kartą per gyvenimą susiduria apie 80 proc. žmonių. Ši patologija rimtai komplikuoja gyvenimo kokybę – ją dažnai lydi neigiamos tiek ekonominės, socialinės (pvz., nedarbingumas), tiek psichologinės (pvz., depresija) pasekmės. Medicininiu požiūriu didžiausia problema, susijusi su šia patologija, yra ta, kad itin komplikuotas juosmeninės stuburo dalies skausmo atsiradimo priežasties nustatymas (net 90 proc. atvejų ji yra nespecifinė, nenustatoma tiksli mechaninė disfunkcija, lemianti sutrikimą). Tai žymiai apsunkina gydymo bei reabilitacijos procesą. Vienas novatoriškiausių būdų nugaros skausmo diagnostikai mokslo pasaulyje – šlaunies sukamųjų (rotaciniai) judesių amplitudės klubo sąnaryje rodikliai. Mokslininkų požiūriai šiuo klausimu iki šiol gan kontraversiški. Tad atsižvelgiant į problemos aktualumą bei svarbą kineziterapiauto praktikai, buvo bandoma detaliau patikslinti hipotezę, kad egzistuoja ryšys tarp lėtinio juosmenin��s stuburo dalies nugaros skausmo ir šlaunies sukamųjų judesių amplitudės klubo sąnaryje. Atliktas tyrimas, kurio pagrindiniai uždaviniai buvo šie: 1. Nustatyti ir įvertinti klubo sąnario sukamųjų judesių amplitudę, žmonių jaučiančių lėtinį juosmeninės stuburo dalies skausmą ir palyginti juos pagal lytį bei amžių. 2. Nustatyti ir įvertinti klubo sąnario sukamųjų judesių amplitudę, žmonių nejaučiančių lėtinio juosmeninės stuburo dalies skausmo ir palyginti juos pagal... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Around 80% of the population encounter pain in low back part of the spine, commonly also known as low back pain, at least once in the lifetime. This pathology seriously complicates the quality of life: it is oftentimes accompanied by negative economic and social consequences (e.g. incapacity for work) as well as psychological consequences (e.g. depression). From medical point of view, the biggest problem associated with this pathology is that the diagnostics of the reason for emergence of low back pain is extremely complicated (in even 90% of the cases, this reason is non-specific, no accurate mechanical dysfunction is detected that would result in the disorder). This significantly aggravates the treatment and rehabilitation process. One of the most novel ways of diagnostics for the back pain worldwide is the establishment of indicators for hip rotation range of motion in the hip joint. So far, the views of scientists on this issue are rather controversial. Therefore, taking into account the relevance of the problem and its importance for the practice of a physicaltherapist, the objective was to adjust the hypothesis that a particular relation exists between the pain in the low back part of the spine and the hip rotation range of motion in the hip joint. A research has been made to fulfill the following tasks: 1. Definition and evaluation of the hip rotation range of motion of the people suffering from chronic low back pain and their comparison by sex and age. 2... [to full text]

Recorded by Eugene Barsky, Physiotherapy Outreach Librarian, UBC / This is a Systematic Review Presentation titled - "Effect of Manual Therapy on ROM Following Lateral Ankle Sprains: A Systematic Review", created by Master of Physical Therapy Graduating Students, University of British Columbia - 2006, Presented on September 14-15, 2006 , Vancouver, BC, Canada

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While military body armor is used among warfighters for protection on and off the battlefield, it has been suggested to impede performance and act as a risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain. Apart from personal suffering, low back pain in soldiers is a great economic burden on the US economy. The objective of this study was to quantify the changes in trunk mechanical and neuromuscular behavior following prolonged exposure to body armor compared to exposure without. A crossover study design was used where 12 sex-balanced participants completed a series of tests before and after 45 minutes of treadmill walking with and without body armor. The tests included range of motion, isometric trunk tests, sudden perturbations, and stress relaxation. As a whole, exposure duration considered in this study resulted in no significant differences in performance between armor and no armor conditions. However, comparing the effects of body armor among the sex-differentiated groups showed a body armor -induced increase in range of trunk motion in the sagittal plane among females (p = 0.0018) and a decrease in pelvic range of motion in the transverse plane among both males (p=0.025) and females (p=0.004).