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Fourteen college softball players were recruited to participate in this study to determine if a strength imbalance between the lower extremities, how significant this difference this may be and of any correlations existed among all the functional tests. Subjects took part in isokinetic flexion and extension at 60 and 240 deg/sec, parallel squats, 2-legged vertical jump, single leg vertical jump, and a five-hop test. Peak and average torque was recorded for isokinetic testing and revealed significant differences between the dominant and non-dominant limbs (13.00%- 16.00%). Peak and average force was analyzed for squats and all vertical jumps. Significance was found among all activities between dominant and non-dominant legs, other than average force for single leg vertical jump. A significant difference was also exhibited for the five-hop test between the lower extremities. Significant correlations were also found at the 0.05 and 0.01 levels amongst the various functional tests. Overall findings revealed a significant strength imbalance between the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Further research needs to be conducted in determining how detrimental these differences could be in daily performance for athletes. / School of Physical Education

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A strategy was proposed to the rule for paralyzed patients. One goal of the design is to reduce or avoid the occurrence of decubitus ulcer. The other goal is to reduce the decline of muscle strength of patient. The contents of the study include collection and system analysis. The issue is know how the burdens of muscles are affected by the locations and postures that sickbed supporting the body. To attack this issue, a simplified body model, which is consisted of 11 rigid bodies, is proposed. An analysis method, which adopts the optimization approach, is suggested to calculate the ¡§ relaxed burdens of muscles ¡¨. Apply the mathematical model of the optimization to acquire an analysis method of the relaxed burdens of muscles, modeling the concern of the support loading and burdens of muscles. According to the analysis answer of the mathematical model verified that a patient lay on the bed by the horizontal postures and variation postures, the best support locations resulted in the relaxed burdens of muscles and strengthen muscles. So, the rule of the logical thinking to reduce or avoid the occurrence of decubitus ulcer and the decline of muscle strength.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Kinesiology and Health Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR45950

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The purpose of this research was to investigate the efficacy of a 12 week isokinetic conditioning progam for the lower limbs in 12 young adults with acquired brain injury. There is strong evidence that young adults following ABI (Acquired Brain Injury) have on-going issues with physical impairments and functional limitations many years after their brain injury, and that these limitations are substantial and restrictive. As most therapy resources are available for early rehabilitation only, and these resources are mainly located in large cities, there are many people who are not receiving rehabilitation to support their on-going progress. / There is a paucity of studies investigating conditioning programs in young adults with ABI, and the effect of focusing treatment on the negative rather than the positive features of the Upper Neurone Syndrome (UMNS). The dose prescription for strengthening programs is uncertain, the effect of resistive exercise on tone is controversial and the changes following exercise on muscle strength, muscle power, functional abilities, and quality of life are largely unknown. / The research was in the form of a series of single case studies, with an A-B-A design. For each subject, a series of isokinetic (strength, power, tone) and mobility (gait speed and time to rise from a chair) baseline assessments and 6 subsequent assessments at 2-weekly intervals were performed. The last assessment was performed 4 weeks after cessation of the program to determine any carryover effect. The Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) and semi-structured interviews were administered pre- and post- exercise to reflect the life satisfaction of subjects, and their perspective of any changes in response to the conditioning program. / The multiple isokinetic and mobility measures provided data for analysis of individual cases which were managed statistically, and for clinically significant change. Data was also analysed for the group. Group isokinetic and mobility measures were compared at pre-exercise, post-exercise and 4 weeks following cessation of the conditioning program using repeated measures analysis of variance. / The isokinetic exercise program, on a Kin Com dynamometer, consisted of nine sets of maximal contractions at velocities of 60 and 90 deg/s for unilateral knee flexors and extensors, and ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors. These sets were divided into three cycles of six reciprocal contractions. Subjects attended twice weekly for 12 weeks. / The conditioning program resulted in significant improvements in peak torque and power of ankle plantarflexors and peak torque of knee extensors for the group. In addition, functional improvements resulted, in particular fast walking activity, repeated chair rises and participation in activities the subjects valued. There was a carryover effect after the program ceased for some measures. There was no deleterious effect on tone in response to the exercise program. Quality of life of all subjects assessed by using the SF36 questionnaire improved in the area of physical functioning. Occupational status, vitality, self-esteem and optimism were further common themes of improvement obtained from interview data at the completion of the exercise program. / This study demonstrated that a 12 week intensive, resistive, conditioning program produced significant improvement in muscle performance in ankle plantarflexors, knee extensors, function, and participation in valued activities, as well as in feelings of well-being, in a group of ABI subjects. There were no adverse symptoms in response to the high intensity, high repetition exercise protocol at the ankle, indicating that the exercise protocol is suitable for strengthening ankle muscles in individuals following ABI who have a broad range of abilities. / Three subjects experienced knee pain and stiffness in response to the exercise program. These three TBI subjects, who had the highest functional mobility of the group, were able to develop higher torques when exercising, and, the twice weekly, maximal, isokinetic conditioning program might have been excessive for these subjects. The other nine subjects with moderate to severe muscle weakness of knee muscles did not suffer any adverse knee symptoms in response to the conditioning program, and demonstrated improvements in muscle performance of knee muscles. Therefore, when exercising knee muscles, a similar intensive protocol should only be utilized when the individuals have marked or moderate weakness of knee muscles. / These results indicate that a change in therapeutic approach is needed and that the focus for treatment should shift from the positive to the negative features of the UMNS. Rehabilitation of individuals following ABI should incorporate muscle conditioning programs for the lower limbs. Also, many individuals who are currently not receiving therapy may benefit from muscle strengthening exercises. It is important that further research is conducted to establish the most useful conditioning protocol for individuals following ABI. / Thesis (PhDPhysiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 2005.

Thesis (M App Sci) -- University of South Australia, 1992

Thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy) -- University of South Australia