M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / More than 90% of all injuries that occurs while participating in sport will either be a strain or a contusion. Strains occur when the muscle is subjected to excessive tensile forces that lead to overstraining of the muscle fibres, resulting in tearing (Järvinen et al., 2007:318). Symptoms of minor muscle strains (first and second degree strains) include pain on isometric movements and on stretching the affected muscles (Magee, 2008:28). Homoeopathic remedies may be useful in the treatment of exercise induced muscle strain, however there is very little research done to date on its efficacy (Jones & Wilson, 2010:11). This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a complex homoeopathic topical cream for pain relief from acute exercise induced minor muscle strains. The complex consisted of Arnica montana, Bellis perennis, Bryonia alba, Rhus toxicodendron and Ruta graveolens. Pain levels were measured on a visual analogue pain scale, and pain relief was rated relative to baseline. Participants rated their satisfaction with the cream at the end of the study. This study was conducted on thirty adult volunteers who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This was a double-blind placebo controlled study that was conducted over a period of three days. Once participants were accepted into the study they were placed in matched pairs according to pain severity to ensure equal distribution in both groups. Group A, the control group, received the un-medicated aqueous cream while group B, the treatment group, received the homoeopathically medicated aqueous cream. The cream was applied seven times in total to the affected area. Statistical analyses were done to determine if any significant changes occurred in either group or between the two groups over time.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a supplement containing polyunsaturated phoshphatidylcholine (PPC) on physical performance, delayed muscle soreness (DOMS), markers of membrane damage, and lipid peroxidation after repeated bouts of whole body resistance on men ages 18-35 years. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either PPC or placebo supplements for 31 days. After 3 weeks of supplementation, subjects were to perform 3 whole body resistance exercise sessions with 3 days of recovery between sessions. In order to document the effects of supplementation on recovery, fasting blood samples for determination of creatine kinase (CK) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and muscle soreness ratings were obtained each day in the morning after the initial 3 weeks of supplementation. The data was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA. The results indicate notable trends favoring PPC supplementation, such as lower ratings of perceived muscle soreness, lower CK and MDA responses to repeated bouts, improved maintenance of upper body strength and power, and increased lean body mass. However, these findings were not statistically different when compared to the placebo group. / School of Physical Education

No description available.

Work related musculoskeletal disorders are the dominating causes of reported ill-health in industrialized countries. These chronic pain conditions are one of the most costly public health problems in Europe and North America. When work related musculoskeletal disorders are considered to be of muscular origin and the trapezius muscle is affected, the common appellation is trapezius myalgia. Since little is known about the genesis or how it is maintained, it is of great importance to better understand the pathophysiology of trapezius myalgia; doing so will better enable recommendations for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Several hypotheses have been presented based on biochemical alterations in the muscle, suggesting increased signaling of inflammatory substances and altered metabolism. Previous research has not been able to present the comprehensive picture of the muscle in pain. Thus there is a demand for more comprehensive research regarding the biochemical milleu of the chronic trapezius muscle. Proteomic and metabolomic methods allow non-targeted simultaneous analyses of a large number of proteins and metabolites. The main emphasis in this thesis is on a proteomic method, two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). The method is validated to human skeletal muscle biopsy research with laboratory specific settings. In the baseline study, there were 14 metabolic, contractile, structural and regulatory proteins that differed significantly in abundance when trapezius and vastus lateralis muscles were compared. Using the validated 2D-DIGE method and the baseline study, a comparison between healthy and myalgic muscles was made. Biopsies from female cleaners with and without myalgia were compared to obtain results from women with the same type of work exposure. In the multivariate model, 28 identified unique proteins separated healthy and myalgic muscle and were grouped according to function: metabolic (n=10), contractile (n=9), regulatory (n=3), structural (n=4), and other (n=2). Finally, a second screening method, metabolomics, was introduced to analyze differences in metabolite content as a complement to and verification of the proteomic results. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed on muscle interstitial fluid samples obtained with microdialysis, and differences in the abundance of extracellular metabolites were revealed.  The 2D-DIGE method is a reliable method to analyze human skeletal muscle. The outcomes of the proteomic analyses were dependant on the statistical approach. Systematic differences in protein and metabolite content were detected using a multivariate approach. Univariate analyses were used to analyze individual proteins for their significance. The significant proteins in the baseline study were predominately related to muscle fiber type which correlated with the differences in fiber type content between trapezius and vastus lateralis. The proteomic and metabolomics studies where myalgic and healthy muscles were compared provide us with new clues and new aspects regarding the pathophysiology of the myalgic muscle. Technically advanced methods employed in the thesis enabled an explorative screening of proteins of relevance for the pathophysiology of the myalgic muscle. The results of these analyses may contribute to the formulation of future hypothesis that need to be further evaluated.

Neck-shoulder pain (NSP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with unclear causes, and effective prevention and treatment require a further understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Aberrant autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation is a hypothesized causal element in the development and maintenance of chronic muscle pain. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate possible differences in ANS regulation between chronic NSP and healthy control (CON) groups using both laboratory assessment and ambulatory monitoring in daily life. Four papers are included in this thesis, based on data from three groups with chronic NSP. Autonomic responses to laboratory stressors were assessed using heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, trapezius muscle activity and blood flow measurements (Study І) in NSP and CON. Long-term ambulatory monitoring of HRV, physical activity and perceived symptoms were assessed in Studies ІІ and IV to investigate group differences in real-life conditions. Finally, the effects of a ten-week intervention (using individually adjusted HRV biofeedback) to reinstating ANS balance in subjects with chronic NSP were evaluated using self-reported symptoms and health ratings, as well as autonomic regulation testing (i.e., evaluating HRV at rest and in response to stress) (Study ІІІ). The main findings from the four studies demonstrated aberrant ANS regulation in the NSP group compared to CON, which was predominantly characterized by diminished parasympathetic cardiac activity during rest and sleep, and altered sympathetic reactivity to laboratory stressors (Studies І, ІІ and IV). Different patterns in physical activity were observed between the NSP and CON groups, with reduced physical activity during leisure time in the NSP group (Studies ІІ and IV). Physical activity was found to be positively associated with HRV. Positive effects of HRV-biofeedback were found on perceived health, including social function, vitality and bodily pain, and improved HRV (Study ІІІ). In conclusion, imbalanced ANS regulation was demonstrated among persons with chronic NSP at both the systemic and local levels. Diminished parasympathetic activity in NSP was modulated by lower levels of physical activity in leisure time. Interventions targeting ANS functions might benefit persons with chronic NSP.

The purpose of this study was to examine collegiate female swimmers' attitudes toward gender and coaching. The study also examined the coaching styles of male and females coaches and determined whether a difference between styles existed. A purposeful sample of 250 female swimmers from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2001-2002 swimming season participated in the study. Swimmers were required to have been coached by both female and male coaches in order to be eligible to participate. Addressing the purpose of this study, participants were asked to complete a 30-item questionnaire developed by the researcher. Frequency counts revealed that 23 of the 57 participants preferred a male coach to a female coach. Only two individuals reported their preference for a female with 32 participants citing no gender preference. Two sections, including 14 questions for each gender on the Gender Preference Instrument, assessed coaching style. Independent t -tests were calculated on each question (p < .05). Eight significant gender differences were observed on coaching styles, with the participating athletes scoring the male coach higher on all of the eight categories. / School of Physical Education

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Introduction The aim of this study is to determine whether standard leg rubs and reassurance combined with lumbosacral manipulations have an effect on growing pain symptoms by comparing it to standard leg rubs and reassurance only. The study can possibly serve as a platform for further research. Furthermore, this will be one of the first chiropractic studies done in this field and may provide the chiropractic profession with a proven treatment for growing pains. Methodology Thirty participants with growing pains between the ages of 4 and 12 years were recruited. The participants were placed into two groups of fifteen participants each on a first come first serve basis. The two groups received different treatment protocols according to their group allocation. Group One received chiropractic manipulative therapy to the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint restrictions combined with legs rubs and reassurance administered by the parent(s)/guardian(s). Group Two received only legs rubs and reassurance administered by the parent(s)/guardian(s). The participants completed the study over a period of three weeks. Subjective and objective readings were taken. Subjective readings from each participant were taken using the Oucher self-rating pain scale (OSRPS) and a pain diary completed by the parent(s)/guardian(s). Objective readings were taken using a pressure algometer over the anterior tibial muscles bilaterally. A six-week post study follow up was done via email. Results The statistical data was analyzed using the Friedman test, Mann-Whitney test and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. The results demonstrated that both groups responded favourably to their specific treatment over time. However, Group One proved to show a quicker response to treatment over time; and the post study follow up of Group One proved to be significantly more positive than Group Two. These results highlight the positive effects of the chiropractic manipulation. Discussion The fact that the participants of Group One have improved in subjective and objective measurements and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the participants have responded very positively to the post study follow up, one has to consider that the anatomical theory proposed by Evans and Scutter (2007), the pain referral theory supported by Cookson (2003) and the activation of pain inhibitory systems supported by Wright (1995) and Sterling et al. (2001) might all be a likely aetiologies for growing pains. However, one has to consider that the participants from Group Two, who received no spinal manipulation, have also improved in subjective and objective readings. Therefore it is possible, and cannot be excluded, that the leg rubs administered to both groups could also have played a role in relieving the growing pains. Conclusion The results of the data collected from this study, the pressure algometer and OSRPS readings, showed that spinal manipulation did not have much of a benefit. However, the pain diaries and feedback from the parent(s)/guardian(s), which are probably more reliable for growing pains, indicates that spinal manipulation does show to be beneficial.

M.Tech. (Homeopathy) / Students of Chiropractic, attending the University of Johannesburg (UJ), start the practical component of their training from their third year of study (Bunge & Tyranes, 2007). Each student must be proficient in 250 adjustments (200 of which must be spinal) by the end of their fifth year of study (Fletcher et al., 2005). As these manual manipulations are complex psychomotor skills, they require a good deal of practice to master (Bunge & Tyranes, 2007). Due to the practical nature of the course, Chiropractic students are required to practice their techniques of adjustment on each other. This places the students under a great deal of physical and mental strain as adjustments and techniques designed to reduce pain and restore normal musculoskeletal and neurological function in the presence of pathology are being consistently and repetitively applied to healthy individuals (Ebrall, 2003). This in turn results in the individuals experiencing various adverse effects such as headaches, muscular pain and joint pain (Bergman & Peterson, 2011; Botha, 2011; Venter, 2011). Conventional treatment for musculoskeletal pain (such as the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and analgesic drugs) can be costly and are known to have potential adverse effects (Neal, 2002). No research has been done to date on the effect of Homoeopathic Similimum treatment on musculoskeletal pain, as a result of practicing adjustments in Chiropractic students. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the Homoeopathic Similimum on musculoskeletal pain produced in Chiropractic students (attending the University of Johannesburg) as a result of practicing adjustments, by means of a Numeric Pain Scale Rating as well as via a 5-Point (Likert-type) Treatment Satisfaction Scale. This was a 2 week, randomised double-blind placebo-controlled, matched-pair study using 30 participants (third to fifth year UJ Chiropractic students, males and females, aged 20-35). Participants who met the inclusion criteria were matched according to the body-region affected (i.e. head, upper limb, back, lower limb or whole body) (Appendix C); they were then randomly divided into either the placebo or treatment group. Thereafter, an initial case-taking and focused physical examination (including vital signs) was conducted and the initial Numeric Pain Scores (baseline measurements) obtained (Appendix C) (Cox, 2010). The participant’s case was analysed, repertorised (using the Mercurius Computer Repertory-The Complete Repertory 2012) and the Similimum remedy was selected. The Homoeopathic Dispenser dispensed the medications and participants received either their Similimum remedy (in a 30cH potency to be administered in a dosage of 5 pillules once a day and as needed by the individual participant) or the placebo (composed of unmedicated pillules with identical dosage instructions). A follow-up consultation (on day 7) was conducted to assess progress, obtain the participant’s intermediate numeric pain score and to assess the prescription (Appendix E). After careful evaluation of the case, the researcher considered (depending on the participant’s response to the initial treatment) whether to change the prescription, alter the repetition of the dose, continue the same course of treatment or to stop the prescription altogether. On day 14 a final consultation was conducted (including a final physical examination) to assess overall progress, obtain final Numeric Pain (Appendix E) and Treatment Satisfaction Scores (Appendix F) (Cox, 2010; Pellegrin et al., 2001) and terminate prescriptions. Data collected from the Numeric Pain Scale Ratings and Treatment Satisfaction Score Sheets was analysed by STATKON. Frequencies, descriptives and cross-tabulations were done. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed normality. A Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the two groups. Comparisons over time for each group were assessed using a Friedman test and a Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was done to ascertain where the differences occurred (Smith, 2011). The Friedman test results showed significant differences in both groups (i.e. the pain scores decreased in comparable increments for both groups over the two-week study period) and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test showed that both groups’ pain scores started to decrease at the 2nd consultation (i.e. at the end of week one). The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the treatment and placebo groups, either in terms of reduction of pain or participant satisfaction with treatment. Therefore it can be concluded that the Homoeopathic Similimum was not more effective than placebo in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain experienced by UJ Chiropractic students as a result of practicing adjustments. However, further research utilising a larger study sample and a longer period of study should be conducted before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Orientadores: Maria Cláudia Gonçalves de Oliveira Fusaro, Andrea Maculano Esteves / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T04:11:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jorge_CarolinaOcanha_M.pdf: 1325403 bytes, checksum: 6635807ae28ce8dbb49ec5d1bcc74a75 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: A dor musculoesquelética é um importante problema de saúde mundial. Dentre todos os tipos de dor, àquela induzida pela contração isométrica sustentada está relacionada com os movimentos corporais nas atividades da vida diárias e apresenta um alto impacto socioeconômico. Apesar da sua relevância clínica, os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos no desenvolvimento da dor muscular induzida pela contração isométrica sustentada são pouco conhecidos. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o envolvimento dos receptores TRPV1 e TRPA1 na hiperalgesia muscular mecânica induzida pela contração isométrica sustentada no músculo gastrocnêmio de ratos machos, da linhagem wistar. O antagonista seletivo do receptor TRPV1, AMG9810, reduziu significativamente a hiperalgesia muscular mecânica induzida pela contração isométrica sustentada quando administrado no músculo gastrocnêmio ipsilateral, mas não no contralateral. A administração intratecal de AMG9810 apresentou a mesma resposta. Similar ao TRPV1, a administração intramuscular e intratecal do antagonista seletivo do receptor TRPA1, HC030031, reduziu significativamente a hiperalgesia muscular induzida pela contração isométrica sustentada. No entanto, não foi observado modificação da expressão proteica dos receptores TRPV1 e TRPA1 no tecido muscular após a contração isométrica sustentada. Os dados sugerem que os receptores TRPV1 e TRPA1 expressos no músculo gastrocnêmio e corno dorsal da medula espinhal estão envolvidos na hiperalgesia muscular mecânica induzida pela contração isométrica sustentada em ratos. Sugerimos, portanto, que os receptores TRPV1 e TRPA1 co-expressos nas fibras aferentes primárias trabalhem juntos para ativar os nociceptores das fibras aferentes durante a contração isométrica sustentada. Além disso, nós sugerimos que os receptores TRPV1 e TRPA1 sejam potenciais alvos para o controle da dor muscular inflamatória / Abstract: Musculoskeletal pain is an important health issue in the world. Among the kinds of muscle pain, the one induced by sustained isometric contraction is associated with body movements of the daily life and has a high socio-economic impact. Despite its clinical relevance, the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of muscle pain induced by sustained isometric contraction are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors in the mechanical muscle hyperalgesia induced by sustained isometric contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle of rats. The selective TRPV1 receptor antagonist AMG 9810 reduced the mechanical muscle hyperalgesia induced by sustained isometric contraction when administered in the ipsilateral but not in the contralateral gastrocnemius muscle. Also, the intratecal administration of AMG9810 reduced the same response. Similar to TRPV1, intramuscular and intrathecal administration of selective TRPA1 receptor antagonist HC030031 reduced the mechanical muscle hyperalgesia induced by sustained isometric contraction. Finally, the sustained isometric contraction did not modify the protein expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors in muscle tissue. We concluded that TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors expressed in gastrocnemius muscle and spinal cord dorsal horn are involved with the mechanical muscle hyperalgesia induced by sustained isometric contraction in rats. We suggest that TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors co-expressed in primary afferent fibers work together to activate nociceptive afferent fibers during sustained isometric contraction. Also, we suggest that TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors are potential target to control inflammatory muscle pain / Mestrado / Biodinâmica do Movimento Humano e Esporte / Mestra em Ciências da Nutrição e do Esporte e Metabolismo

Masseter muscle is one of the major muscles of mastication, and is comprised of actin and myosin myofibrils organized into sarcomeric contractile units. Structurally, sarcomeres are repeating portions of myofibrils between neighboring Z-lines (a.k.a. Z-disc, Z-band). The Z-line or Z-disc is composed of non-contractile proteins that provide mechanical stability to the sarcomere. One of the proteins of Z-disc is alpha-B-crystallin, a protein product of the gene CRYAB. Together with several other proteins of the Z-disc, CRYAB gene has been found to be up-regulated in Actn3 knock-out mice. In addition, CRYAB is suspected to be a pain mediator gene, having similar structure and function to CRYAA (alpha,A-crystallin) identified as one of the candidate genes from the Pain Research Panel, previously investigated in the Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) Study. Finally, in a microarray of global gene expression CRYAB was increased in subjects with facial asymmetry. We have examined CRYAB expression in masseter muscle of 64 orthognathic surgery patients to determine associations with skeletal malocclusions. Salivary DNA was genotyped for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for ACTN3 (rs1815739) and masseter muscle RNA isolated from an orthognathic surgery patient population. These genotyping and expression data have been used to identify differences in CRYAB expression in sub-groups of our patient population with Class II and III, normal, open and deep bite malocclusions who are null for ACTN3. In addition, we evaluated expression levels of CRYAB in patients with TMD-related myalgia. We found that relative quantities of CRYAB expression differed very significantly between sexes (p=0.005). ANOVA comparison between all subjects with and without TMD-myalgia indicated that males with TMD-myalgia had significantly greater (p&lt;0.02) expression than other groups. An unpaired t-test showed that with TMD-related myalgia, CRYAB expression was significantly higher (p=0.03) in males than in females. ANOVA comparison between sexes with Class II and Class III malocclusions showed greater expression of CRYAB (p=0.005) in males with Class II. Expression was likewise greater in males with Class III malocclusion than in females with Class III (p&lt;0.01). Among different age groups, subjects 25 years of age or younger had significantly (p value=0.025) increased expression of CRYAB gene. There were no significant differences for genotypes or facial asymmetry. / Oral Biology