Objectives: To compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and isokinetic training on fibre type distribution and cross sectional area of the vastus lateralis muscle. Methods: Twenty four male university students were divided into two equal groups: PNF training and isokinetic training (ISO). The training regimen for the PNF group consisted of three sets of 30 repetitions against maximal resistance, alternating two patterns of sequential movements of the right lower extremity: (a) toe flexion and ankle plantar flexion and eversion; (b) knee extension and hip extension, abduction, and internal rotation. The ISO group performed three sets of 30 repetitions alternating knee extension and flexion of the right leg at angular velocities of 180 and 90˚/s in an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex). Both groups trained three times a week for a total of eight weeks. Muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from the right vastus lateralis muscle before and after training. 1 This means that PNF exercises are very similar to the actions and movements found in various sports. They therefore appear to be more suitable for performance enhancement than conventional weight training programmes. PNF is therefore often used as an alternative form of progressive resistive exercise by physiotherapists as its use should be more advantageous than the usual strength programmes in athletic injury rehabilitation.2 Nelson et al 3 compared the effects of PNF and weight training. They reported similar strength gains, but PNF was better at enhancing performance, as evidenced by the larger gains in throwing distance and jumping height.The use of isokinetic exercise in rehabilitation, conditioning, and research has become widespread since the development of modern isokinetic dynamometers, which provide data on the mechanical properties of muscle under conditions of constant velocity in vivo.Cross sectional studies, using histochemical methods on skeletal muscle from various groups of elite athletes, suggest that the pattern of physical activity affects muscle fibre type predominance. 5More recent longitudinal studies have shown changes in the histochemical fibre type profile after a period of increased physical activity. The effects of PNF training on skeletal muscle fibre composition are not known. Based on the evidence that the pattern of physical activity affects muscle fibre type predominance, we hypothesised that PNF, like isokinetic training, would affect vastus lateralis muscle fibre type predominance and mean area, and that these changes would appear in the type II fibre subgroup. METHODS SubjectsTwenty four male university students were informed of the test procedure, purpose, and known risks before giving their informed consent to participate. The subjects were divided into two equal groups: (a) PNF training (mean (SEM) age 22.2 (1.3) years, height 178.2 (5.3) cm, weight 74.5 (9.2) kg); (b) isokinetic training (ISO; age 20.5 (1.7) years, height 178.9 (6.7) cm, weight 73.3 (9.5) kg). PNF trainingThe training regimen fo...

The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common type of peripheral entrapment of the median nerve that occurs in the wrist and specifically in the carpal tunnel. Laser therapy is one of the most widely used therapies available to the physiotherapist for the treatment of symptoms in the management of patients with CTS. However, its exact effects as well as the appropriate treatment parameters have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this review is to describe recent research data on the efficacy of the application of laser in improving symptoms in patients with CTS as well as to provide data on device configurations and treatment time. The following databases were searched: PEDro, PubMed and Google Scholar, with the following keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome, physiotherapy, Low-Power Laser Therapy, High-Power Laser Therapy, rehabilitation. Both clinical studies and systematic reviews were included in the review and in total 10 articles were included. The results of this review show that laser treatment seems to have a positive effect on the treatment of symptoms in patients with CTS. However, the treatment parameters need to be further investigated, as different results can be obtained with different parameters.

Huntington's Disease (HD) is a progressive degenerative brain disease manifested by motor, mental and behavioral disorders. Physiotherapy is necessary especially in patients in the middle and late stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of different physiotherapy interventions to improve the clinical picture of patients with HD in the middle and late stage. The Google Scholar, PubMed and PEDro databases were searched with different combinations of the following keywords: Huntington's disease, HD, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, respiratory physiotherapy, PNF, neuroplasticity. This review included clinical studies, reviews and case studies. It seems that physiotherapy in patients with HD cannot inhibit the progression of the disease, but can significantly improve the functioning of patients; thus, contributing to improving their quality of life. The results of this review show that physiotherapy should be an integral part of a holistic approach that includes interventions that address all the manifestations of the disease, both physical (motor, nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory) and mental.