Three-dimensional scapulothoracic motion during active and passive arm raising.
Ebaugh DD, McClure PW, Karduna AR. Three dimensional scapulothoracic motion during active and passive arm elevation. Clinical Biomechanics 20 (2005) 700 - 709
The article concludes that a reduced level of muscle activity causes altered scapulothoracic kinematics, including upward rotation of the scapula, outward rotation of the scapula, retraction and elevation of the clavicle.
This confirms the important role of the trapezius muscle (upper and lower parts) and the serratus anterior muscle in providing upward rotation of the scapula, especially throughout the mid-range of arm elevation.
Repetitive training of neck joint position sense: result of exposure to two exercise regimens.
Jull G, Falla D, Treleaven J, Hodges P, Vicenzino. Retraining Cervical Joint Position Sense: The Effect of Two Exercise Regimes. Journal of Orthopedic Research 2007.
The results of this study indicate that both proprioceptive training and C-CF training are effective in neck SPK (joint position error) after a 6-week training period.
Effects of weight-lifting exercises with low-frequency whole-body vibration on proprioception: a pilot study in a population of normal individuals.
Fontana, Richardson CA, Stanton. The effect of weight bearing exercise with low frequency whole body vibration on lumbosacral proprioception: A pilot study on normal subjects. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy (2005) 51: 259 - 263.
In patients with low back pain, motor control in the lumbopelvic region is known to be altered, and there is emerging evidence that proprioception is also impaired. The results of this pilot study show that a five-minute block of low-frequency WBW induces a rapid improvement in proprioceptive abilities in the lumbar-pelvic region of the back in healthy individuals.
Stability of the "corset" portion of the body and its relationship to lower extremity function and injury.
Willson JD, Dougherty CPA, Ireland ML, Davis IM. Core stability and its relationship to lower extremity function and injury. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 2005;13:316-325.
The article states that the stability of the "corset" of the body is necessary to ensure the integrity of the spine and resistance to perturbations, as well as to provide a stable basis for the movements of the limbs. Current literature suggests that lower extremity injuries may impair measurements of 'corset' stability. A predetermined lack of "corset" stability can increase the risk of lower extremity injuries.
Comparison of upper trapezius, anterior deltoid, and serratus anterior muscle activity during push-up plus exercises in a sling and on a stable surface.
Jeong SY et al. Comparison of Upper Trapezius, Anterior Deltoid, and Serratus Anterior Muscle Activity during Push Up plus Exercise on Slings and a Stable Surface. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2014;26:937–939.
This article concludes that scapular protraction exercises are more effective in increasing muscle activity compared to exercises on a stable surface. The results also indicate that the relationship between the upper trapezius muscle and the serratus anterior muscle is beneficial during sling exercises, which may be important in rehabilitation.
scapulohumeral kinesis.
Impaired nerve conduction in patients with low back pain.
Chiou SY et al. Impaired neural drive in patients with low back pain. European Journal of Pain 2014;18:794–802.
The results of this study suggest that the use of high-intensity exercise that facilitates neuromuscular function is an advantage in the treatment of low back pain.
Effects of a combination of resistance and stability exercises on the lumbar musculature
strength, surface area and balance: exercises for low back pain.
Kim J et al. The Effects of Resistivity and Stability-Combined Exercise for Lumbar Muscles on Strength, Cross-Sectional Area and Balance Ability: Exercises for Prevention of Lower Back Pain. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2011;23: 247–250.
Data from this study show that an exercise program consisting of only strength training on machines will only affect the superficial muscles. By adding stabilization exercises to the sling, the deep muscles will also be positively affected locally.
Therapeutic effects of weight-lifting exercises on Q-angle and onset time of muscle activity in elite athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Lee et al. Effect of Weight-bearing Therapeutic Exercise on the Q-angle and Muscle Activity Onset Times of Elite Athletes with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2014;26: 989–992.
The results of this RCT (randomized controlled trial) show that weight-bearing exercises are effective in improving the condition of patients with PFPS (patellofemoral pain syndrome). The program, which included weight-bearing exercises in slings, reduced pain and improved muscle function in the VL and VMO.
Exercise in mechanical neck disorders: an updated version of a Cochrane review.
AR Gross et al. Exercises for mechanical neck disorders: A Cochrane review update. Manual Therapy 2016;24:25-45
This recent Cochrane review concluded that specific strengthening exercises for the neck, scapulothoracic and shoulders are helpful in the management of chronic cervical spine pain and cervicogenic headaches.
Outcomes of hip exercise and patellofemoral pain: a systematic review of the literature.
C. Thomson et al. The outcome of hip exercise in patellofemoral pain: A systematic review. Manual Therapy 2016;26:1-30
This systematic review of hip exercises in PFP confirms that there is evidence for the use of these exercises in the management of the hip in PFP patients.
Effects of exercise interventions on frail seniors requiring care: a half-day program for seniors in a day care center specializing in functional training.
R. Sakamoto and Y. Miura. The effect of exercise intervention on frail elderly in need of care: half-day program in a senior day-care service facility specializing in functional training. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2016;28:1957-63
This study concluded that an individualized exercise program for the elderly in a senior day care facility improves physical function and quality of life.
Lumbar spine - effects of pelvic sling and abdominal pull-up exercises and lung volume in healthy adults.
M.-K. Kim et al. Effects of lumbopelvic sling and abdominal drawing-in exercises on lung capacity in healthy adults. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2016;28:2181-3
The results of this study show that sling exercises targeting the lumbar-pelvic region combined with abdominal pull-ups have a positive effect on lung capacity.
Effects of vibration frequency on serratus anterior muscle activity during push-ups plus with the Redcord Sling.
Kim ER et al. Effect of Vibration Frequency on Serratus Anterior Muscle Activity during Performance of the Push-up Plus with a Redcord Sling. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2014;26(8):1275–6.
This study concluded that the addition of 50 Hz frequency vibration is effective in improving the activity of the serratus anterior muscle during the push-up plus exercise.
Effect of transition exercise in combination with vibration training and unstable foundation to support stabilization of the lumbar spine.
Park J et al. The effects of a bridge exercise with vibration training and an unstable base of support on lumbar stabilization. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2015;27(1):63–5
When transition exercises in slings aim to increase muscle activity, both locally and in general muscle groups, research suggests that adding vibration to the exercises is valuable.
The effect of closed-circuit exercises on the lumbar spine when performed using local vibration and an unstable support surface, evaluating the thickness and length of the transversus abdominis muscle.
Yun K et al. Effects of closed chain exercises for the lumbar region performed with local vibration applied to an unstable support surface on the thickness and length of the transverse abdominis. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2015;27(1):101–3
This measurement study shows that adding vibration to transition exercises performed in slings is effective in increasing transversus muscle activity.
Best practice guide for conservative management of patellofemoral pain: incorporating first-level evidence with expert clinical considerations.
Barton JB et al. The 'Best Practice Guide to Conservative Management of Patellofemoral Pain': incorporating level 1 evidence with expert clinical reasoning. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2015;0:1–13
This study concluded that the best treatment practice for PFP is an individually designed multimodal intervention program. This includes gluteal and quadriceps strengthening, patellar taping, and an emphasis on education and activity modification.
Comparison of torso muscle activity during transition exercises using a sling in patients with low back pain.
Kang HK et al. Comparison of trunk muscle activity during bridging exercises using a sling in patients with low back pain. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2012;11:510-15
The results of the study support the theory that an unstable surface can increase general and local activation of the torso muscles during transition exercises in supine and prone positions. In addition, the authors conclude that transitional exercises in a sling may provide a therapeutic effect in patients with LBP by increasing activation of the torso muscles in rehabilitation programs.
Post-exercise changes in deep neck flexor activity in patients with chronic neck pain correlate with degree of pain relief.
Fall D et al. The change in deep cervical flexor activity after training is associated with the degree of pain reduction in patients with chronic neck pain. Clin J Pain 2012;28(7): 628-34
The study concluded that repeated specific training in training the deep neck flexor muscles in women with chronic neck pain reduces pain and increases the activation of these muscles, especially in patients with the least activation of the deep neck muscles before starting training.
Existing pain and fear of pain contribute to the reduction of maximal voluntary contractions of neck muscles in patients with chronic neck pain.
Lindstrom R et al. Current pain and fear of pain contribute to reduced maximum voluntary contraction of neck muscles in patients with chronic neck pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2012: 1-7
The study shows that mean MVC in patients with neck pain is moderately and inversely correlated with pain experienced by patients during maximal muscle contraction, fear of movement, and some aspects of neck range of motion limitations.
Effects of motor control exercises compared with graded activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Macedo LG et al. Effect of motor control exercises versus graded activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy 2012;92(3): 363-77
The article suggests that motor control exercises and graded activity have similar effects in reducing pain and disability
and improving function, as well as overall changes and quality of life when used in non-specific chronic low back
in case of pain. These results are similar to the recommendations of clinical guidelines, which state that exercise therapies are not superior to each other. The authors recommend that therapists in clinical practice be sure to identify their area of expertise and treat their patients accordingly.
