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Background and aim: Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disorder in childhood that affects on motor performance and functional activity. Impaired hand function is the secondary problem in children with spastic diplegia.

Individuals with hand dysfunction encounter with difficulties in self care, educational and recreational activities. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of task oriented training on upper extremity function in children with spastic diplegia (8-12 years old).

Material and methods: Fifteen spastic diplegic children were participated in task oriented training three days weekly up to 8 weeks. The outcomes were measured with Jebsen-Ttaylor hand function test for upper extremity function, Purdue peg board test for hand dexterity, goniometer for range of motion and Ashworth scale for spasticity.

 Results: The data showed significant improvement in upper extremity function (P≤0.0001) , hand dexterity (P≤0.001) , wrist and elbow range of motion (P≤0.0001) and wrist and elbow spasticity (P≤0.05) after interventions.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that task oriented training can improve upper extremity function in children with spastic diplegia.

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Background and aim: Sensory deficits after stroke are common with prevalence rates variously reported to be 11% to 85%. In spite of the fact that Sensory deficits can decrease  the quality of upper limb's movements and result in impairments in fine motor manipulation of objects, grasp and manipulative skills and finally  decrease the patient's quality of life but commonly overlooked in stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory retraining on upper limb recovery. 
Materials and methods: In this study we studied 5 chronic stroke patients were participated using a single-system (A-B) design. During the baseline phase patient's function and motor impairment of upper limb were measured by Fugl-Meyer and Motoricity Index and their hand dexterity were measured by Box and Block test on three days intervals. When Patients reached to a stable pattern of changes, their treatment program began. In this phase they received sensory retraining intervention for 6 weeks. Based on sensory retraining principles and according to each patient's abilities, intervention began with detection and localization of constant and moving touch and followed by higher discriminatory tasks, suchas graphestesia. Then results of evaluations of two phases were analyzed.Results: Four patients showed significant improvements in upper limb function. The data showed significant improvements in motor impairments and hand dexterity in all of them. 
Conclusion: Regarding of significant recovery of upper limb function, motor impairment and hand dexterity of patients, sensory retraining can be considered as a practical method in rehabilitation of stroke patients. However further research with larger sample size is needed.

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Background and Aim: One of the consequences of obesity is coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes. Effective exercise programs for patients with the coronary artery disease is a strategy for decreasing obesity and is expected to help in eventually limiting obesity-associated long-term health. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a physiotherapy and exercise based cardiac rehabilitation  on the anthropometric measurements of obesity in the diabetic and non diabetic men. 

Materials and Methods: Seventy one 45- to 75-years-old male volunteers with coronary artery disease (32 diabetic & 39 non diabetic patients) participated in 6-8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise training consisting of 45 min sessions of  treadmill, stationary bicycle and arm bicycle. Anthropometric measurements of obesity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio and waist to height ratio) were measured at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of exercise sessions in both groups.

Results: Following the cardiac rehabilitation program, all of the anthropometric measurements except hip circumference in diabetic patients decreased significantly (P<0.05). BMI, waist circumference and waist to height ratio  increased in non diabetic patients (P<0.05).

 Conclusion: Exercise training alone in cardiac rehabilitation program is not sufficient to reduce the anthropometric measurements of obesity in non-diabetic patients. 

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Background and Aim: One of the consequences of obesity is coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes. Effective exercise programs for patients with the coronary artery disease is a strategy for decreasing obesity and is expected to help in eventually limiting obesity-associated long-term health. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a physiotherapy and exercise based cardiac rehabilitation  on the anthropometric measurements of obesity in the diabetic and non diabetic men.

Materials and Methods: Seventy one 45- to 75-years-old male volunteers with coronary artery disease (32 diabetic & 39 non diabetic patients) participated in 6-8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise training consisting of 45 min sessions of  treadmill, stationary bicycle and arm bicycle. Anthropometric measurements of obesity (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist the hip ratio and waist to height ratio) were measured at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of exercise sessions in both groups.

Results: Following the cardiac rehabilitation program, all of the anthropometric measurements except hip circumference in diabetic patients decreased significantly (P<0.05). BMI, waist circumference and waist to height ratio  increased in non diabetic patients (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Exercise training alone in cardiac rehabilitation program is not sufficient to reduce the anthropometric measurements of obesity in non-diabetic patients. 

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Background and Aim: Rehabilitation interventions have significant role in reducing the disabilities of Down syndrome. Due to great role of balance in the function of individuals particularly in Activity of Daily Living and the effect of strength on balance, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Progressive Resistive Exercise on functional balance in children with Down syndrome.
Material and Methods: Fifteen girls children aged between 8 and 12 years, with Down syndrome participated in this study by available sampling method. The subjects participated three times per week in a six-week progressive strengthening program. During intervention, 3 of them excluded. Balance were measured by Berg Balance Scale and right/left hip abductor and flexor, knee extensor and flexor muscles isometric strengths were measured by Nickolas hand-held dynamometer. Paired-sampled T-Test was used for data analysis.
Results: The results of this study showed that the mean of functional balance and muscles isometric strengths were significantly increased after intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: It seems that the results of this study confirm the effect of progressive resistance training on progressing functional balance, and 8-12 years old children with Down syndrome can benefit from these exercises.

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Background and Aim: Some studies indicated that training in elderly persons is very important for decrease of aging changes. Many investigations have reported the increase in muscular strength as a consequence of training performed on the contralateral limb. There are few clinical trials that quantify the effect of cross training in elderly adults .The aim of the study was to evaluate of unilateral biceps brachialis strength training on countralateral peak force in elderly persons
Materials and Methods: A total of 12 elderly females (age = 73.08) with no history of strength training and upper limb movement impairments enrolled in this study. Subjects performed unilateral elbow flexion exercises in dominant upper limb, using progressive resistance training three times a week for six weeks. After determining the maximal isometric force of elbow flexion , the subjects performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions of the 60-70% maximal force. The isometric force of elbow flexion were measured at the start and after 2 weeks by tensiometer. Paired t test was used to analysis the data
Results: The results showed that progressive unilateral elbow flexion training led to an increase in maximal isometric force of biceps brachialis muscles at two sides (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The increased muscle strength observed during training indicates positive effect of training in old adult. The increased muscle strength in untrained limb suggests the capacity of neuromuscular adaptation in old adult that it can be used in cases of limb immobility.

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Abstract

Background and Aim: Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency are divided to coper and noncoper groups. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of perturbation training with traditional rehabilitation on functional tests of lower extremity and knee muscles isokinetic peak torque ratio in two groups of patients with ACL-deficient: coper and noncoper

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 24 patients with ACL-deficient were divided to two groups: coper and noncoper. They participated in a management plan for 4 weeks, three times a week, including perturbation exercises and traditional rehabilitation (stretching, strengthening, and endurance exercises). Lower extremity functional tests through hop tests and knee muscles isokinetic peak torque ratio were evaluated.

 Results: After 4 weeks, all the functional tests improved significantly in both groups and timed 6-meter hop test showed significant improvement in coper group with respect to noncoper grouop (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in knee flexors to extensors isokinetic peak torque ratio but this ratio was lower and close to normal values in coper group.

Conclusion: Perturbation training with traditional rehabilitation improves functional abilities of lower extremity in both groups of coper and noncoper of the patients with ACL-deficient. Probably, the patients of noncoper ACL-deficient have chance to return in some daily activities too.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament, perturbation training, functional tests, knee isokinetic peak torque

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Background and Aim : The aim of this study was to determine the effects of fatigue due to plyometric training on vertical jump ability and activity pattern of rectus femoris of dominant leg of high jump of active girls .

 

Materials and Methods : Seventeen females , mean age (21.5 ± 0.76 years ) were randomly assigned to two experimental (n = 10 ) and control ( n = 7) groups. Experimental group performed plyometric training and control group had no activity. Before and after training , vertical jump test using Ergo jump and electrical activity of rectus femoris muscle of dominant leg using electromyography were tested . The results of vertical jump test showed a decrease in performance (p: 0.04, F: 4.5) and fatigue process was confirmed . The raw EMG signal based on deep jump phases was divided in three phases and only 2 phases of the first were analyzed . In every phase, the maximum activity , amplitude and total time were obtained .respectively. M ultivariate analysis of variance (2×2) was used to compare of post-test of two groups.

 

Results : After one session training , rectus femoris maximum activity of the experimental group showed a significant decrease in pre-activation phase of motor program .

 

Conclusion : This study showed that neural fatigue due to plyometric training can occur in motor program (especially in pre-activation phase of motor program ).

  

Keywords : Deep jump, Plyometric training, Vertical jump, Electromyography, Rectus femoris muscle.

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Background and Aim: Despite the widespread use of whole body vibration (WBV),especiallyin recent years, its neurophysiological mechanism is still unclear and the results about the facilitatory or inhibitory effects of WBV widely vary in different studies. The aim of this study was to compare between immediate (one session) and short term (12 sessions) effects of WBV on the spinal motor neurons excitability in healthy young men.

  

Materials and Methods: Ten voluntary non-athlete healthy young-men (mean age:26.1±2.23) were participated in this study.In the sham sessions subjects stood on the turned off vibration plate while were maintaining the semi-squat position and then after 2 weeks wash-out, vibration training sessions were done on the same position with frequency of 30 HZ and peak to peak amplitude of 3 mm training sessions (sham & vibration) consisted of 12 sessions (3 sessions per week) and 4 set in each of them, weekly one set added to the training protocol. H reflex recruitment curve of soleus muscle was recorded before and after first and also 12th sessions in both sham and vibration training protocol. Ascending slope of recruitment curve, threshold and peak amplitudes and related intensities, amplitude of Mh and Hmax/Mmax ratio were determined.

  

Results: Immediate effects of vibration training 12th session caused a significant decrease of threshold amplitude and an increase of peak intensity (p=0.05 and p=0.05 respectively). Short term WBV training significantly decreased the threshold intensity of soleus recruitment curve (p=0.01).

  

Conclusion: The results suggest the inhibitory effect of acute WBV training on the spinal motor neurons excitability. It seems that short term WBV training may be effective to facilitate the motor neurons excitability or increase the muscle spindle sensitivity.

  

Key Words: Whole body vibration, H reflex recruitment curve, Soleus muscle, Short term training

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Background and Aim : Trauma or micro-trauma over prolonged period of time can lead to

  pathoanatomical changes and passive instability of the sacroiliac joint. These subjects often reluctant to bear full weight through the impaired side of the pelvis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise therapy on symmetric distribution of weight in sacroiliac joint instability in standing and walking through Alfoot device.

 

Materials and Methods : In this study, 17 subjects with sacroiliac joint instability with age range of 20-40 years were selected by simple sampling. Subjects performed a single session of training that involve five tasks in 3 sets, including sitting on gym ball, lying on gym ball, quadruped, standing near wall and standing on tilt board. Before, immediately after, 5 and 10 minutes after intervention , scanning the both feet were recorded during standing and walking.

 

Results : The amount of weight on both feet in bipedal stance position were significantly different before and immediately after the intervention. But this difference , 5 minutes (p =0.058) and 10 minutes (p =0.110) was not significantly different after exercise therapy. The pressure on the middle part of the foot during walking significantly increased immediately after the intervention and it continues up to 10 minutes .

  

Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that training of lumbopelvic muscles can be an effective way to improve weight distribution on the affected side in patients with sacroiliac joint instability .

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Background and Aim: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is common in sports competition and training. Following ACL rupture, neuromuscular system performance is disrupted. Perturbation training can improve the function of patients with ACL reconstruction. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of perturbation training on ground reaction force and functional status of these patients .

  

Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with ACL reconstruction were randomly assigned into intervention (mean age: 24/2 ±3/4 years) and control (mean age: 27/1 ± 2/5 years) groups. The intervention group performed ten sessions perturbation training with rocker board, wobble board and Bosu. Peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF) and time to peak vertical GRF were recorded by KISTLER force plate during single leg landing from a 30cm height step. In addition, cross hop test also was evaluated as a functional test.

  

Results: Before perturbation training, both GRF and time to peak vertical GRF in reconstructed knee had not significant difference between two groups (P>0/05). In addition, functional test score had not significant difference between the groups (P=0/62). Following perturbation training, peak vertical GRF in reconstructed knee was greater than that in control groups (P<0/003).Although time to peak vertical GRF in reconstructed knee increased, there was not statistically significant difference between two groups (P=0/50). Furthermore, functional test score was statistically greater in intervention group (P=0/03).

  

Conclusion: This s tudy showed that perturbation training can improve functional status in patients with ACL reconstruction. In addition, force plate findings indicated that the patients tolerated more forces at longer time in single leg landing.

  

Key words: Perturbation training, Ground reaction force, ACL reconstruction, Function

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Background and Aim: Physical and cognitive performance changes such as impairment in balance and reaction time occur with aging. In according to some studies, these disorders may be delayed by systematic physical activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Pilates training on the improvement of balance and reaction time of sedentary adulthood men in Kermanshah city.

  

Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 sedentary adulthood men, aged (72.15±6.74), selected and divided into two equal groups randomly. These old men lived in Elderly centers in Kermanshah. In order to measure the participants’ balance and reaction time, static balance test stork, timed up and go test and reaction time system was used. Participants participated in a course of 8-week Pilates exercise program such as stretching movements in the muscular joints balance practicing of legs, standing on one foot and deep breathing. After assurance of normality using K-S test, independent t-test was used

  for data analysis.

  

Results : The results showed in comparison with control group, participation in Pilates protocol, could improve balance and reaction time in elderly men significantly (p<.0.05).

  

Conclusion: According to results of this study , Pilates training can improve balance and reaction time of the elderly . So to improve the cognitive and motor functions of the elderly , it can be recommended to participate in physical activities such as Pilates training .

  

Key Words: Pilates training, Elderly, Static balance, Dynamic balance, Reaction time

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Background and Aim: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculo-skeletal problems and can effect on patient's daily activity and produce dependency in their daily activity and functional disability such as including the balance of these patients. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the effect of a period of therapeutic exercise and detraining after that on balance in the women with knee OA.

 

Materials and Methods: This research was a semi-empirical and applied on 24 inactive female patients with osteoarthritis of the knee with a physician's diagnosis and entering in Research. Subjects randomly classified into two groups, the therapeutic exercise and control. The Biodex Balance machine was used to determine static and dynamic balance in patients with pre-test and post-test in order to stabilize the situation and jeopardize. After pre-test in order to evaluate the durability of training, the tests were repeated after one months of detraining experimental group subjects. The therapeutic exercise protocols executed on subjects over 20 sessions (4 weeks and duration of each session about 60 minutes). During this time, the control group did not do any practice. The raw data was analyzed by SPSS version19. Friedman test and wilcoxon were used.

 

Results: Application of one course of treatment on the static balance: the overall stability and also dynamic balance of women with knee OA was significantly affected of (P &le; 0/05). Also, one month detraining after of the training period showed lasting improvement of balance (static-dynamic).

 

Conclusion: Based on the results of the present research, execution of period of 4 weeks in therapeutic exercise can significantly effect on balance improvement in women with knee OA. This change will be stable after one month of detraining. Therefore, therapeutic exercise even in a short period of 4 weeks can be advised to be effective way to cure and improve balance in patients.

Key words: Therapeutic Exercise, Detraining, Balance, Knee Osteoarthritis

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Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of perceptual – motor training on motor proficiency in children with hyperactivity disorder.

Materials and Methods: This study was semi-experimental. Fifty hyperactive children referred to Farabi hospital of  Kermanshah. Thirty patients (mean age, 8.8 years old) were randomly selected and examined in the control group were evaluated. The tools of the research were the Conners parent questionnaire, Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency. Firstly, the per-test was held for all participants. Then, the experimental group did the perceptual- motor activities for 2 months (24 sessions) and after this period, the post test was administered to both groups. Paired t-test and t-test were used to compare the means (P<0.01).

the significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores of experimental group,  Results: In motor proficiency (total subtests: running speed and agility, balance, bilateral coordination, strength, upper body coordination, response speed, visual controls - motor skills and a high-speed trunk) was found.

Conclusion: It seems that perceptual – motor training improves motor skills in children.

Keywords: Perceptual – motor training, ADHD, Motor proficiency, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills.