Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to compare central and peripheral bone mineral density at different regions including spine, hip, and wrist in postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty postmenopausal women participated in this study. Their mean age, body mass, height, and body mass index were 53.5 ± 2.75 y, 68.6 ± 8.68 kg, 167.8 ± 6.46 cm, and 24.31 ± 1.69 kg/m 2 , respectively. Bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores of spine, hip, and wrist regions were measured for all participants with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Results: All measured regions (spine, hip, and wrist) had low BMD T-scores. Bone mineral density of the wrist was significantly lower (-2.58 ± 2.18) than that of both spine (-1.79 ± 0.98) and hip (-1.69 ± 1.37). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in BMD between the spine and hip. Conclusions: In this group of postmenopausal women, wrist BMD decreased more than spine and hip BMD. Both spine and hip BMD decreased by nearly the same percentage in postmenopausal women. Peripheral sites may be more representative of osteoporosis than central sites.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the isokinetic strength of hip muscles in dominant vs nondominant legs in healthy adults. Methods: Thirty-two healthy college students (15 male and 17 female) volunteered to participate in this study. A Biodex system 3 was used to measure isokinetic peak torque at an angular velocity of 60°/s for the hip flexors, extensors, abductors, and adductors in both dominant and nondominant legs. Hip flexors and extensors were tested from the supine lying position while hip abductors and adductors were tested from the side lying position using concentric mode of muscle contraction. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the dominant and nondominant sides for all tested hip muscles. Conclusion: Leg dominance does not appear to affect hip muscle strength in healthy adults. This may be used as normative data for those with differences in muscle strength between involved and uninvolved sides.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how the hip, knee, and ankle moments in the sagittal plane contribute to the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) in healthy participants during normal speed of walking. Methods: Forty healthy male individuals volunteered to participate in this study. They were filmed using 6 highspeed (120 Hz) Pro-Reflex infrared cameras (Qualisys) while walking on an Advanced Mechanical Technology Incorporation force platform. The data collected were the percentage contribution of the moments of the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane at the instant of occurrence of the first peak, second peak, and trough of the vertical GRF. Results: The results revealed that at the first peak of the GRF (loading response), the highest contribution was generated from the knee extension moment followed by the hip extension moment. Knee flexion and ankle plantar flexion moments produced a high contribution to the trough of the GRF (midstance) with approximately equal values. The second peak of the GRF was mainly produced by the ankle plantar flexion moment. Conclusion: The role of hip extension moment is secondary to knee extension moment in the first peak of GRF. Knee flexion moment is secondary to ankle plantar flexion moment in the second peak of GRF. Both knee flexion and ankle plantar flexion moments have equal contribution during midstance.

Introduction. Swimmer's shoulder syndrome (SSS) is the most common overuse injury affecting swimmers and surfers. Core stability is crucial to prevent SSS. The study investigated the effect of isokinetic core strength of trunk flexors and extensors and core endurance on shoulder stability in adolescent swimmers with SSS. Methods. The study involved 30 swimmers, assigned to 2 equal groups. The experimental group (A) suffered from SSS; the control group (B) included healthy swimmers with no history of shoulder pain or instability. The mean values of age, body mass, and height were 12.86 ± 1.59 years, 41.73 ± 3.99 kg, and 142.0 ± 3.96 cm, respectively, in group A and 13.2 ± 1.56 years, 42.66 ± 3.9 kg, and 142.26 ± 4.39 cm, respectively, in group B. isokinetic peak torque (PT) for trunk flexors and extensors was measured with a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Four functional tests assessed core endurance: side bridge endurance test, static back endurance test, ball bridge test, and unilateral bridge test.Results. There was a statistically significant between-group difference in mean PT of trunk extension at both angular velocities: 60°/s, 180°/s. No significant differences were detected in mean PT of trunk flexion. All functional core stability tests revealed a greater endurance time in group B. Conclusions. Weak core inhibits shoulder muscles, which is a major risk factor for shoulder instability and SSS. it is crucial to incorporate core stability training into the rehabilitation plan to provide proximal stability for obtaining safe and proper distal mobility across the shoulder joint.

Context: Upper limb activities require a repetitive movement of the shoulder external rotator and abductor muscles. The malfunction of the proximal part of the upper limb kinetic chain tends to change the mechanics of the distal part and increase the risk of injuries. Objectives: To compare the normalized eccentric peak torque (NEPT) of the shoulder external rotator and abductor muscles among healthy athletes and those with tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Design: An experimental cross-sectional study. Setting: Isokinetic laboratory, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. Participants: A total of 30 male athletes participated voluntarily in this study. Intervention: Participants were distributed into 3 groups: healthy group, tennis elbow group, and golfer’s elbow group. Main Outcome Measures: NEPT of shoulder abductors and external rotators. The Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer was used to measure the variables of interest. Results: There was a significant increase in the NEPT of shoulder abductors and external rotators in healthy control group compared with both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow groups at an angular velocity of 60°/s (P < .05). Moreover, there was a significant increase in the NEPT of shoulder external rotators and abductors at an angular velocity of 120°/s in healthy control group compared with tennis elbow group and in golfer’s elbow group compared with tennis elbow group (P < .05). Conclusion: Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are associated with decreased NEPT of shoulder external rotators and abductors compared with those of healthy athletes. This tends to decrease the external stability of the shoulder joint and put high stress on the distal joints of the upper kinetic chain.