published_or_final_version / Sports Science / Master / Master of Science in Sports Science

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-101).

Thesis (M.A.)--Sam Houston State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-44). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--Sam Houston State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-44).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Exercise Sciences, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-58).

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Through the literature review it has become apparent that low back pain is a very real problem in most societies. It has been suggested that there is enough evidence to prove the relationship between low back pain and local muscle dysfunction and that focus in management of these patients should be the rehabilitation of these muscles by exercise. Literature suggests that optimal core muscle strength, control and endurance working synergistically with the rest of the neuromusculoskeletal system is necessary for lumbar spine stability . Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition is caused by distension and/or damage of a joint and is thought to disable the muscle from contracting all its muscle fibres. When a joint is injured it is thought that AMI causes muscle weakness, which in turn hampers the rehabilitation process of that joint despite complete muscle integrity. Spinal manipulative therapy has been shown to alter the excitability of spinal muscle motor neurons due to the stimulation of mechanoreceptors in the joint capsules suggesting that SMT could be a means to remove this inhibitory action. The literature supports the hypothesis that a decrease in the neurological deficit caused by AMI may result in a faster recovery rate. Aims The aim of this study is to determine the immediate effect of thoraco-lumbar spinal manipulation compared to lower lumbar spinal manipulation on core muscle endurance and activity in patients with mechanical low back pain by assessing the correlation between the objective and subjective measures. Method A prospective, convenience sample with purpose allocation (pre /post) clinical trial was used as the sampling method. Thirty participants where placed in two groups, group one and group two, of fifteen people each. Group one underwent spinal v manipulative therapy between L4 and S1 spinal levels. Group two underwent spinal manipulative therapy in between T8 and L1 spinal levels. The objective and subjective testing was done pre- and post-intervention. The objective data was that of a surface EMG attached bilaterally over the internal oblique as well as a prone abdominal draw in biofeedback test. The subjective data included a pain numerical rating scale (0-100). Results The results showed to partially favour group two (thoraco-lumbar), in both increased endurance time that would prove that AMI does in fact inhibit the transversus abdominis and obliques internus, thus it would hinder the rehabilitative process. Some of the statistics where not in favour of the aims, as there was no difference in the effect of group one or two on the NRS, as both improved consistently. It would be recommended that use be made of fine-wire EMG for testing the activity in both the obliques internus and the transversus abdominis, which would allow for more consistent readings, thus adding strength to the research.

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is muscular pain which ranges from mild discomfort to severe debilitating pain, caused by eccentric exercise. It generally sets in 12 - 24 hours after the causative activity and subsides within approximately seven days. The aim of this study was to determine whether proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitated (PNF) stretching immediately after eccentric exercise was more beneficial than PNF stretching 24 hours after eccentric exercise on the muscle pain experienced in DOMS. This study was a prospective, randomised clinical trial. Thirty healthy sedentary male participants were randomly selected to participate in the study by advertising in local newspapers and pamphlet distribution in Durban and its surrounding areas. The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 32 years of age. Subjective and objective readings were taken at the beginning and end of each visit, over the three-day study period. This was done with the numerical pain rating scale and the algometer force gauge, respectively. Baseline measurements were taken before any exercise or stretching at the initial visit. All participants then were asked to do squats until fatigue to induce delayed onset muscle soreness. III The participants were divided randomly into two groups, Group A and Group B. The former group underwent PNF stretching immediately after exercise and the latter group underwent PNF stretching twenty four hours after exercise. Both groups were asked to return for two subsequent days following the initial visit and they again underwent PNF stretching at each visit. Comparison was made between the individual patients' pain perception over time, as well as between each group. Descriptive analysis was done using frequency tables (reporting counts and percentages) for categorical variables and summary statistics (reporting mean, standard deviation and range), for quantitative variables. Baseline and demographic characteristics were compared between the two treatment groups using independent t-tests for quantitative variables and Pearson's chisquare tests for categorical variables. The treatment effect was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA testing. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no difference in the improvement of pain experienced between the two groups. However, Group B (PNF stretching 24 hours after exercise) appeared to improve at a greater rate than Group A (PNF stretching immediately after exercise). A larger study needs to be conducted in order to provide statistically relevant results. / M

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree of Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / The Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscle is recognised in the literature as playing a vital and protective role in maintaining a healthy core and aiding lumbar biomechanics in the dampening of external forces applied to the lumbar spine. Pilates purports to employ the principles of core training yet there remains a deficit in the literature despite its popularity in rehabilitation and fitness industries. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pilates method in training the TrA in comparison to a moderately active population that regularly exercises in a gym environment, as well as a sedentary control. / M

This study focuses on developing a new approach to seated work positions. It was conducted on 67 office workers who use the Video Display Terminal (VDT) as a major function of their working day. Muscle tension was measured by surface electromyography when subjects were asked to adopt four selected working postures. Pain was measured before and after ergonomic intervention on the Nordic scale, which was modified for this study. Performance was measured on timed typing tests. A psychosocial questionnaire was used to determine influences of job demands, and a diagnostic assessment was performed to determine symptoms and pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions. Furniture was used to place subjects in desired positions during the clinical testing sessions and the extended intervention period. The chair seat pan was adjusted to a forward tilt to promote a lordotic curve of the low back, resulting in an erect upper body and upright head position. The desk and keyboard were adjusted to the proper height for each worker. A neutral wrist position was obtained by lowering and tilting the keyboard away from the user. Results revealed muscle tension scores in the upper trapezius and forearm extensors were significantly reduced when the workers were placed with the head in a midline position, with forward-tilting seating and with use of a negative sloping keyboard tray. Subjects reported low pain scores at pretest so no changes were noted after intervention. Loss of control over job elements, lack of job satisfaction, and fear of job loss were related to an increase in muscle tension. Only fear of job loss correlated to increased pain levels. There was no relationship between any of the job demand factors and performance.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Through the literature review it has become apparent that low back pain is a very real problem in most societies. It has been suggested that there is enough evidence to prove the relationship between low back pain and local muscle dysfunction and that focus in management of these patients should be the rehabilitation of these muscles by exercise. Literature suggests that optimal core muscle strength, control and endurance working synergistically with the rest of the neuromusculoskeletal system is necessary for lumbar spine stability . Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition is caused by distension and/or damage of a joint and is thought to disable the muscle from contracting all its muscle fibres. When a joint is injured it is thought that AMI causes muscle weakness, which in turn hampers the rehabilitation process of that joint despite complete muscle integrity. Spinal manipulative therapy has been shown to alter the excitability of spinal muscle motor neurons due to the stimulation of mechanoreceptors in the joint capsules suggesting that SMT could be a means to remove this inhibitory action. The literature supports the hypothesis that a decrease in the neurological deficit caused by AMI may result in a faster recovery rate. Aims The aim of this study is to determine the immediate effect of thoraco-lumbar spinal manipulation compared to lower lumbar spinal manipulation on core muscle endurance and activity in patients with mechanical low back pain by assessing the correlation between the objective and subjective measures. Method A prospective, convenience sample with purpose allocation (pre /post) clinical trial was used as the sampling method. Thirty participants where placed in two groups, group one and group two, of fifteen people each. Group one underwent spinal v manipulative therapy between L4 and S1 spinal levels. Group two underwent spinal manipulative therapy in between T8 and L1 spinal levels. The objective and subjective testing was done pre- and post-intervention. The objective data was that of a surface EMG attached bilaterally over the internal oblique as well as a prone abdominal draw in biofeedback test. The subjective data included a pain numerical rating scale (0-100). Results The results showed to partially favour group two (thoraco-lumbar), in both increased endurance time that would prove that AMI does in fact inhibit the transversus abdominis and obliques internus, thus it would hinder the rehabilitative process. Some of the statistics where not in favour of the aims, as there was no difference in the effect of group one or two on the NRS, as both improved consistently. It would be recommended that use be made of fine-wire EMG for testing the activity in both the obliques internus and the transversus abdominis, which would allow for more consistent readings, thus adding strength to the research.