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BackgroundThe aim of this study is to assess if the application of different methods of active recovery (working the same or different muscle groups from those which were active during fatiguing exercise) results in significant differences in muscle performance and if the efficiency of the active recovery method is dependent upon the specific sport activity (training loads).DesignA parallel group non-blinded trial with repeated measurements.MethodsThirteen mountain canoeists and twelve football players participated in this study. Measurements of the bioelectrical activity, torque, work and power of the vastus lateralis oblique, vastus medialis oblique, and rectus femoris muscles were performed during isokinetic tests at a velocity of 90°/s.ResultsActive legs recovery in both groups was effective in reducing fatigue from evaluated muscles, where a significant decrease in fatigue index was observed. The muscles peak torque, work and power parameters did not change significantly after both modes of active recovery, but in both groups significant decrease was seen after passive recovery.ConclusionsWe suggest that 20 minutes of post-exercise active recovery involving the same muscles that were active during the fatiguing exercise is more effective in fatigue recovery than active exercise using the muscles that were not involved in the exercise. Active arm exercises were less effective in both groups which indicates a lack of a relationship between the different training regimens and the part of the body which is principally used during training.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of excessive feet arching (symmetrical and asymmetrical) on plantar pressure distribution and on the alignment of pelvis, spine and shoulder girdle. Eighty-one women (20–40 years old, 61 +/− 12 kg, 165 +/− 5 cm) were divided into 3 groups based on the foot arch index (Group 1 - with normally arched feet, Group 2 with one foot properly arched and the other high-arched, Group 3 with both feet high-arched). Plantar pressure distribution between the right and left foot for the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot, respectively and body posture were assessed. A slight increase in longitudinal arch of the foot caused changes in the distribution of feet loads both between limbs and between the forefoot and rearfoot and also influenced the whole body. Asymmetrical high-arching of the feet resulted in asymmetry of lower limb load and in the height of the shoulder girdle. We have suggested that any alteration of the foot arch may be harmful to body tissues and should not be considered as correct. Due to the fact that slight increases in longitudinal arch of the foot are very common, they should be considered as a foot defect, and appropriate corrective exercises should be used to prevent forefoot overload and alterations in body posture.

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 3-week rehabilitation programme focusing only on the cervical region, pain intensity, range of motion in the cervical spine, head posture, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) functioning in subjects with idiopathic neck pain who did not report TMJ pain. Design. A parallel group trial with follow-up. Methods. The study included 60 participants divided into 2 groups: experimental: n = 25 , 27-57 years old, experiencing idiopathic neck pain and who underwent a 3-week rehabilitation programme, and the control, n = 35 , 27-47 years, who were cervical pain-free. At baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment in the experimental group and with a 3-week time interval in the control group, pain intensity, head posture in the sagittal plane, range of motion in the cervical spine, and TMJ functioning were evaluated. Results. After 3 weeks of rehabilitation, there was a significant decrease in pain intensity, improved range of motion of the cervical spine and head posture, and improved clinical condition of TMJ in participants with idiopathic neck pain who did not report TMJ pain. Conclusion. The study suggested that idiopathic neck pain is associated with limited range of motion in the cervical spine, incorrect head posture, and TMJ dysfunction. Our data suggests that therapy focusing only on the cervical region may improve the clinical condition of the TMJ in subjects with idiopathic neck pain who do not report TMJ pain. These observations could be helpful in physiotherapeutic treatment of neck and craniofacial area dysfunctions. This trial is registered with ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN14511735.

The aim of the study was to evaluate pelvic floor muscle bioelectrical activity in healthy, young, and nulliparous women, and to present normative values for all phases and parameters measured with the Glazer Protocol. In this study, 96 healthy, young, nulliparous women (age 22–27 years; 168.6 ± 5.1 cm; 57.1 ± 11.8 kg) were tested. The bioelectrical activity of the pelvic floor muscles was collected using an endovaginal electrode with the Glazer Protocol, which included the following series of muscles contractions and relaxations: pre-baseline rest, phasic contractions, tonic contractions, isometric contractions for muscle endurance evaluation, and post-baseline rest. The following normative values of the bioelectrical signal for all phases of the Glazer Protocol were calculated: mean, minimal, and maximal values, 95% confidence interval, standard deviation, 95% standard deviation confidence interval, variance, coefficient of variation, and standard error of measurement. Average Mean Amplitude (μV) was as follows: pre-baseline rest (6.26 ± 3.33 μV), phasic contractions (49.76 ± 26.44 μV), tonic contractions (37.05 ± 25.99 μV), endurance contraction (16.10 ± 6.68 μV), and post-baseline rest (6.93 ± 3.99 μV). This study was the first in which normative values for all phases of the Glazer Protocol were reported. This protocol is very often used in electromyography devices as a tool for pelvic floor muscle assessment. Due to the fact that the interpretation of the pelvic floor muscle evaluation is complex and difficult, the authors believe that the normative values proposed in this study allow for comprehensive interpretation of this test (both qualitatively and quantitatively) and provide a reference point for parameters measured in women with different pelvic floor dysfunctions.