To compare the efficacy and adherence rates of two parallel home exercise therapy programs-multiple exercise (training and stretching the knee and hip muscles) and control (training the quadriceps muscles)-on knee pain, physical function, and knee extension strength in community-dwelling elderly individuals with pre-radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA). One hundred patients with medial knee pain were randomly allocated to one of two 4-week home exercise programs. Individuals with a Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade 0 or 1 OA (pre-radiographic knee OA) in the medial compartment were enrolled. Primary outcomes were knee pain (visual analog scale), self-reported physical function (Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure [JKOM]), and isometric maximum muscle strength of the knee extensor measured using a hand-held dynamometer. A total of 52 patients (28 [53.8%] in the multiple exercise group, 24 [46.2%] in the control group) completed the trial. The JKOM activities of daily living and general health conditions outcomes improved significantly in the multiple exercise group compared to the control group (JKOM activities of daily living, beta = - 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], - 1.39 to - 0.13; p = 0.01; JKOM general health conditions, beta = - 0.25; 95% CI, - 0.48 to - 0.01; p = 0.03). The home exercise compliance rates of the multiple exercise and control groups were 96.6 and 100%, respectively. When targeting pre-radiographic knee OA in community-dwelling elderly, it is important to implement home exercise programs that aim to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility rather than knee extension muscle power only.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the effects of Capacitive and Resistive electric transfer (CRet) on changes in muscle flexibility and lumbopelvic alignment after fatiguing exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two healthy males were assigned into either the CRet (n=11) or control (n=11) group. Fatiguing exercise and CRet intervention were applied at the quadriceps muscle of the participants’ dominant legs. The Ely test, pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and superficial temperature were measured before and after exercise and for 30 minutes after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance, with Tukey’s post-hoc multiple comparison test to clarify within-group changes and Student’s t-test to clarify between-group differences. [Results] The Ely test and pelvic tilt were significantly different in both groups after exercise, but there was no difference in the CRet group after intervention. Superficial temperature significantly increased in the CRet group for 30 minutes after intervention, in contrast to after the exercise and intervention in the control group. There was no significant between-group difference at any timepoint, except in superficial temperature. [Conclusion] CRet could effectively improve muscle flexibility and lumbopelvic alignment after fatiguing exercise.

Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis; RM) and thyme ( Thymus vulgaris; TV) are used as remedies. We designed this work to investigate the preventive effect of aqueous extracts of RM or TV on the gentamicin (GM)-induced hepatotoxicity and abnormalities of lipid profile in rats. Both plant extracts exhibited an in vitro antioxidant activity as determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay. Radical scavenging activity for TV extract was 48.7% and for RM extract was 25.6%. Polyphenolic determination by high-performance liquid chromatography for both extracts revealed that catechin, coumarin, cinnamic acid and rutin were detected in both extracts. RM extract had higher values than TV extract in all except rutin. Ferulic acid and quercetin were also detected in TV extract and sinapic acid and oleuropein were detected in RM extract. In rats given GM intraperitoneally for 10 days and coadministered either RM extract or TV extract orally, both aqueous extracts demonstrated similar hepatoprotective effects manifested by approximate normalization of plasma liver enzymes (AST and ALT), bilirubin level and total protein concentration compared with the group given GM only. Abnormal lipid parameters and raised hydrogen peroxide levels were ameliorated by both extracts. Pancreatic lipase activity was markedly reduced by RM extract. Also, the atherogenic index value was significantly reduced by both extracts as compared to that of GM group. DNA fragmentation analysis confirmed tissue damage by GM and its amelioration by the extracts. These findings suggest that RM and TV extracts could be helpful in ameliorating some aspects of gentamicin toxicity.

[Purpose] Few studies on the transverse arch (TA) in the forefoot have been conducted. The forefoot is where pains occur most frequently and is related to walking and balance; hence, paying attention to TA is vital. However, the relationship between TA and foot muscles has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aims to investigate muscles related to TA. [Subjects and Methods] Nineteen healthy young males were included. Measurements of their feet, excluding one foot with recent foot pain (n=37), were obtained. The height of TA (TAH) was measured in two ways: during 10% and 90% loading of body weight. The cross-sectional area and thickness of five muscles were measured: flexor digitorum longus, peroneus longus and brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) and abductor hallucis (ABH). All measurements were performed with an ultrasound device. [Results] FDB and ABH were correlated with TAH during 10% and 90% loading after removing the effect of body mass index and age. The greater FDB and ABH, the higher TAH. [Conclusion] As FDB becomes larger, the second, third and fourth metatarsal heads are raised more. Furthermore, the height of the first metatarsal head is lowered by a larger ABH. These mechanisms may increase TAH.

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