Knee pain can alter lower-extremity neuromechanics and often results in functional disability. The relationship between lower-extremity neuromechanical alterations, due to anterior knee pain, and articular cartilage condition is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the independent effect of anterior knee pain during running on articular cartilage condition, as reflected by serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentrations and muscle cocontraction duration. Seven men and five women completed a 30-min run in three different sessions: control (no infusion), sham (isotonic saline infusion), and pain (hypertonic saline infusion). Saline was infused into the right infrapatellar fat pad for the duration of the run. Subject-perceived pain was recorded every 3 min on a 100-mm visual analog scale. During the run, bilateral electromyography was recorded for five leg muscles, and heel and toe markers were used to track foot position. During the 30-min run of the pain session average subject-perceived pain was 27.8 (SD = 2.3 mm) and 19.7 (SD = 1.9) mm greater than during the control (0.0 mm) and sham (8.1 mm) session, respectively (p < 0.01). Knee pain while running did not result in changes in muscular cocontraction duration (p = 0.13). Blood samples were drawn prior to the run, immediately following the run, and 60 min following the run. Samples were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosortbent assay to determine serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentration. Average serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentration was 14% greater at immediate post run (132.19 ± 158.61 ng/ml; Range = 22.61-290.81 ng/ml) relative to pre run (116.02 ± 118.87 ng/ml; Range = 19.81-234.89 ng/ml) (p < 0.01), and 18% less at 60 min post run (108.45 ± 171.78 ng/ml; Range = 20.84-280.23 ng/ml) relative to immediate post run (Figure 4; p < 0.01). Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein did not significantly differ between baseline and 60 min post-exercise (p = 0.29). There was not a difference in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentration between sessions. Knee pain while running does not cause an increase in serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentration (p = 0.29). There are two important findings from this study. First, anterior knee pain during a 30 min running session does not appear to independently affect cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentrations. This implies other factors, aside from anterior knee pain alone, influence articular cartilage degradation during movement that occurs while individuals are experiencing anterior knee pain. Second, the present experimental anterior knee pain model can be used to evaluate the independent effects of anterior knee pain over an extended duration while subjects perform a dynamic activity like running.

Background: Vascular dysfunction due to hyperglycemia in individuals with diabetes is a factor contributing to distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduce the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a powerful vasodilator, resulting in reduced circulation and nerve ischemia. Increases in blood NO concentrations and circulation have been attributed to whole body vibration (WBV). The purpose of this study was to the determine the effects of low frequency, low amplitude WBV on whole blood NO concentration and skin blood flow (SBF) in individuals with symptoms of DSP. Research Design and Methods: Ten subjects with diabetes and impaired sensory perception in the lower limbs participated in this cross-over study. Each submitted to two treatment conditions, WBV and sham, with a one week washout period between. Blood draws for NO analysis and Doppler laser image scans of SBF were performed before, immediately after and following a 5 minute recovery of each the treatments. Results: Low frequency, low amplitude WBV vibration significantly increased skin blood flow compared to the sham condition (p=0.0115). Whole blood nitric oxide concentrations did not differ between the WBV and sham condition immediately or 5 minutes post-treatment ( p=0.1813) Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that subjects with diabetes respond to whole body vibration with increased skin blood flow compared to sham condition. The implication is that WBV is a potential non-pharmacological therapy for neurovascular complications of diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to observe the joint reposition error and tactile acuity of patients with chronic mild to moderate neck pain and compare those values to healthy controls to further investigate the effect of neck pain on neck function and the need for sensorimotor training in patients with chronic neck pain. In spite of some inconsistencies in the literature and methodology, both the two-point discrimination test and the joint reposition error test can give clinicians valuable, inexpensive and quick objective data that can be used in the diagnostic portion of an examination as well as in designing and assessing change during a rehabilitation program. This study found a significant increase in neck joint reposition error (JRE) in flexion in participants suffering from neck pain when compared to healthy controls. JRE averaged 2.75° ± 1.52° in flexion healthy controls and 4.53° ± 1.74° in flexion in participants with chronic neck pain. Additionally, the dermatome found to be most affected by neck pain was C5. Further research is needed to examine both the effect of proprioceptive training on neck pain and the effectiveness of the two-point discrimination threshold test and the joint reposition error test as diagnostic tools and indicators of progress in the treatment of chronic neck pain.

Jumping ability in volleyball players is crucial to a team's success. There are both muscular and neural components in jumping. Coaches often test jumping ability and body composition prior to the start of the competitive season, but many fail to monitor these important variables during the course of the season. Jumping ability can decrease over the course of the season as the focus moves from strength training in the weight room to skill development on the court. It is imperative that players maintain their jumping ability and body composition over the course of the season. Seasonal changes in elite-male volleyball players were determined by testing the players body composition, spike jump, block jump and lower body power index at three distinct time points: prior to the first game, during their bye-week, and at the end of their regular season. It was found that these players were able to maintain their vertical jump and lower body power index. Also, those who were deemed players (those who played throughout the course of the season) had lower body fat percentages and higher jump scores. These results will aid coaches in understanding the changes that occur over the course of the season in elite-male collegiate volleyball players.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular dysfunction (MD: impaired performance of blood flow, tissue perfusion, blood pressure, etc.) is one of the earliest stages in the progression of various chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if a difference in microvascular function existed between two metabolically healthy groups that differed in BMI and waist circumference. DESIGN: This study employed a causal comparative design, with two groups: I) normal weight (n =14, BMI 28 kg/m2). METHODS: Microvascular function was assessed by measuring skin blood flow (SkBF) using laser Doppler flowmetry during postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH). The area under the SkBF time curve during the 60-second PORH response was used to quantify the magnitude of the microvascular response. RESULTS: Group I (control) had a significantly higher average area under the SkBF time curve (3240 ± 879) than Group II (1948 ± 808) (Z= -3.0094, p = 0.0026). CONCLUSIONS: The overweight/obese subjects exhibited a diminished skin blood flow response to occlusion compared to their normal-weight counterparts. This supports the hypothesis that overweight/obese subjects who are otherwise metabolically healthy exhibit a biological change that is linked to chronic disease.

The problem in this study was to investigate the effect that home recreational activities have on the attitudes of family members toward a family home evening program. A questionnaire was constructed to gather data regarding these attitudes. The questionnaire was then administered randomly to 250 families residing in Sharon East, Sharon West, Provo, and Provo East Stakes in Provo, Utah. All of the families were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were families of one or more children and held regular family home evening.The findings indicate that the children had a more positive attitude toward family home evening when recreational activities were prevalent. The study also indicates that the participation of family members will be greater if recreational activities are a part of family home evening.

The purpose of this study was to construct a physical fitness program for the needs of full-time missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two groups, a control and experimental, were selected from the missionaries entering the Language Training Mission on February 16, 1972. The experimental group, consisting of thirty-two subjects, participated in a structured physical fitness class for seven weeks. The control group, consisting of twenty students, participated in no structured program. Each group took a pre- and post-test consisting of four strength factor tests and Cooper's twelve-minute run.Findings of the study suggested no significant difference between the experimental and control groups for the shuttle run, hand grip, and twelve-minute run. An analysis of variance showed a significant difference for the softball throw and pull-ups and the .01 level of confidence. An analysis of variance showed a significant difference at the .01 level between the groups for the four strength factor tests.

The purpose of this study was to examine burnout in Mormon mothers in a suburban Utah town. Specifically the amount and some determinants of burnout among these Mormon women was studied. A random sample of 266 Mormon mothers completed a questionnaire and a modified version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) which consisted of three subscales, (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment), and two categories in each subscale (Frequency and Intensity). The subjects scored in the moderately burned out category in each subscale. Significant relationships were found between the amount of burnout and the following: the age of the mother, the number of children residing in the home, the number of children residing out of the home, and the average age of the children. Significant differences were found in the amount of burnout according to activity in the church, job status, and expectations of the mother in some of the subscales. Significant differences existed in amount of reported burnout according to moral support from the husband and moral support from the children in every subscale in frequency and intensity.

This study identified and analyzed the influence the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had on the decision of 309 respondents to exercise. The data obtained from the questionaires were analyzed using chi-square to compare males and females. Within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions were justified: women were more influenced by the LDS Church to exercise than men; LDS males and females exercised more than average American adults; walking, jogging, and aerobic dance were the most popular choices of LDS exercisers; and, there is a need to improve the awareness of LDS members concerning the Physical Fitness Awards Program.

The purpose of this study was to compile a history of dance in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1830 to 1940. The following subproblems have been investigated: 1. What was the history of dance in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? 2. What was the philosophy of dance in the LDS Church? 3. What were the dance forms, music, and attire in dance within the LDS church? 4. What was the contribution of the LDS Church towards the preservation of folk dances in America?