Stretching and Multicomponent Training to Functional Capacities of Older Women: A Randomized Study

Background and Purpose: The real benefits of stretching when used as training for the older adult population and for developing other physical capacities are still uncertain. Thus, the objective of the present work is to investigate the effects of stretching training combined with multi-component training on the physical capacities of physically inactive older women. Methods: Women aged 60 to 70 years were randomized into three groups: multicomponent training (MT), multicomponent training combined with flexibility training (CT), and control group (CG). Both training interventions were carried out for 14 weeks, with two weekly sessions. Participants were assessed for agility, muscle strength (sitting and standing and elbow flexion/extension), and cardiorespiratory fitness (6-min walk). Results and Discussion: Multicomponent training with flexibility presented a very large effect on the variables of strength, agility, and aerobic fitness, while multicomponent training had a medium effect on agility and a large and very large effect on muscle strength variables. This is the first study in the literature to analyze the effect of flexibility training, associated with multicomponent training, on other physical capacities. Conclusions: The results of the current study suggest that adding flexibility training to a multicomponent training program generates additional benefits to the development of other physical capacities.

Changing the pattern of the back-muscle flexion–relaxation phenomenon through flexibility training in relatively inflexible young men

Although several studies have investigated the back-muscle flexion–relaxation phenomenon (FRP), the effect of individual flexibility on the FRP has been discussed infrequently, with very limited data on the influence of flexibility training on the FRP. This study thus examined the effect of flexibility training on the change of back-muscle FRP pattern in relatively inflexible young men. We collected and analyzed the valid data from 20 male participants (10 each with high and low flexibility included in the control and trained groups, respectively) when flexing their trunks at seven trunk flexion positions (0°–90°, in increments of 15°); their erector spinae and hamstring activation, pelvic tilt, and lumbosacral angle were then recorded. After 7 weeks of flexibility training for the low-flexibility group, no difference in flexibility was discovered between this group and the control (originally high-flexibility) group. The trunk flexion experiment was then repeated. The results showed that before the training stage, the low-flexibility group had lower erector spinae and higher hamstring activation, a larger pelvic tilt, and a smaller lumbosacral angle. By contrast, after training, the erector spinae and hamstring activation, pelvic tilt, and lumbosacral angle were significantly changed, and no intergroup differences were observed in FRP patterns. The study results suggest that flexibility training changes lumbopelvic movement and thereby reduces the degree of the back-muscle FRP when trunk flexion is performed.

Effect of Flexibility Training Associated with Multicomponent Training on Posture and Quality of Movement in Physically Inactive Older Women: A Randomized Study

Background: Multicomponent training has considerable adherence among older populations, but there is a lack of literature on the benefits of this training on older people’s posture. Literature also lacks stretching protocols that work the body in an integrated/unified way and respect the principle of individuality in exercise training. We evaluated the effect of a multicomponent training protocol combined or not with flexibility training in improving the posture and quality of movement in physically inactive older women, according to a score lower than 9.11 in the Modified Baecke Questionnaire for the Elderly (MBQE). Methods: 142 participants were evaluated and randomized in three training groups: multicomponent training (MT = 52), multicomponent and flexibility training (MFT = 43), and a control group (CG = 47). We evaluated joint amplitude using goniometry, flexibility with sit and reach and hands behind the back tests, quality of movement with the functional movement screen, and posture using biophotogammetry. Results: The MFT group had 15 parameters—flexibility and posture—with a very large effect size (ES > 1.30) and nine with average ES (0.50–0.79). MT presented two variables with large ES (0.80–1.25) and seven with average ES. CG presented three variables with high ES and five with average ES. Both interventions improved the quality of movement. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that 14 weeks of multicomponent and flexibility training in a group intervention can improve flexibility and posture levels in physically inactive older women.

Integrative flexibility training to improve joint mobility and range of movement in jazz dancing girls

Flexibility is one of the physical capacities associated with improved performance in jazz dancers girls. However, jazz training being a complex physical activity is not only based on flexibility training, it also focuses on the development of motor skills, technique, posture, and rhythm. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate whether a passive stretching training, with minimum frequency, generates favorable results on flexibility. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of flexibility training on active and passive range of motion (ROM), as well as joint mobility in girls jazz dancers by chronological caracterizar la muestra age group. 30 jazz dancers with an average age of 8.5 ± 1.6 years with no more than four years practicing professional sports practice, enrolled in an integrative flexibility training program developed once a week for 12 weeks, and were assessed for active and passive hip joint mobility through goniometry in conjunction with six flexibility tests. There was an increase in all flexibility variables with a moderate size-effect, except for the joint ROM in active and passive left abduction and active right flexion, which had a high effect. In conclusion, training focused on static exercises can be considered an effective strategy to develop ROM, because it's possible to increase flexibility and stretch in lower extremities with a frequency of once a week in jazz dancing girls.

Hamstring Injury Prevention Program and Recommendation for Stride Frequency during Tow-Training Optimization

(1) Background: Although innovations and improvements in towing systems have been available, tow-training method has not been considered favored in the training context. Tow-training may enable high stride frequency if hamstring injuries do not occur. The purpose of this study was to prevent hamstring injuries during supramaximal running and to optimize tow-training. (2) Methods: We investigated the relationship between the number of hamstring injuries that occurred during supramaximal running and the contents of the prevention programs that have been implemented, i.e., 4 years of the baseline programs and 12 years of the intervention. (3) Results: The incidence of hamstring injuries per 1000 sprinters was 57.5 for baseline and 6.7 for intervention. A significant difference was observed in the incidence of hamstring injury between the different combinations of prevention programs (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: Tow-training was optimized by (1) preventing hamstring injuries by combination of strength, agility, and flexibility training programs and (2) advising the sprinters to press the leg onto the ground as fast as possible to increase stride frequency and to prevent stride lengthening.

Overcoming Barriers to Walk With Ease Implementation in Community Organizations

Introduction The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) program has been shown to reduce arthritis symptoms and increase physical performance for up to 1 year. However, research on community-based WWE implementation is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine early implementation at community organizations that received 1-year WWE implementation grants from the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance. Method Program managers at five Osteoarthritis Action Alliance grantee organizations participated in 45-minute telephone interviews. Interviewees represented organizations with the highest WWE enrollment at 6 months ( n = 3, >30% of goal enrollment) and no enrollment at 6 months ( n = 2). The Planning for Sustainability framework guided qualitative analysis of factors affecting early implementation. Results All grantees were confident in WWE’s evidence base, thought it a beneficial supplement to other programming, stressed the importance of senior leadership support for WWE, and engaged community partners for marketing support and as walking sites. Implementation experiences unique to low enrollment grantees were (1) recent major structural changes within their organization, (2) difficulties in communicating logistics internally, and (3) difficulties in balancing WWE with other responsibilities. All organizations experienced barriers that required altering their original implementation plans; however, practical solutions like adapting the program to improve flexibility, training organizational staff as leaders, and utilizing community partnerships served to address multiple barriers simultaneously. Discussion Building organizational capacity by overcoming early barriers is a key element of early implementation. Our findings offer concrete solutions to early WWE implementation barriers and suggest the need for further research on adaptations to improve WWE’s flexibility in community organizations.

Muscle activity of cutting manoeuvres and soccer inside passing suggests an increased groin injury risk during these movements

Cutting manoeuvres and inside passing are thought to increase the risk of sustaining groin injuries. But both movements have received little research attention in this regard. The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle activity of adductor longus and gracilis as well as hip and knee joint kinematics during $$90^{\circ }$$ 90 ∘ -cutting and inside passing. Thirteen male soccer players were investigated with 3D-motion capturing and surface electromyography of adductor longus and gracilis while performing the two movements. Hip and knee joint kinematics were calculated with AnyBody Modelling System. Muscle activity of both muscles was significantly higher during the cutting manoeuvre compared to inside passing. Kinematics showed that the highest activity occurred during phases of fast muscle lengthening and eccentric contraction of the adductors which is known to increase the groin injury risk. Of both movements, cutting showed the higher activity and is therefore more likely to cause groin injuries. However, passing might also increase the risk for groin injuries as it is one of the most performed actions in soccer, and therefore most likely causes groin injuries through overuse. Practitioners need to be aware of these risks and should prepare players accordingly through strength and flexibility training.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Flexibility Training Program on Cognitive Functions and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive flexibility training program on cognitive functions and activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods: A single blind randomized controlled trial study was conducted in a stroke unit of a tertiary hospital in a Bangkok setting. The sample size was 80 participants of both genders, aged 18 – 80 years. The sample size was stratified by age. Randomization was generated by a computer program dividing 40 participants into the experiment and 40 into the control group. Eleven participants dropped out during data collection. Therefore, 34 participants in the experimental group received cognitive flexibility training four days a week for 30-40 minutes per day over a period of 4 weeks in addition to usual care. There were 35 participants in the control group who received diary recording and usual care. The study used various instruments for data collection, including a Thai version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Barthel’s Index of Activities of Daily Living. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).Results: The experiment group had higher cognitive functions and abilities in performing activities of daily living than the control group with statistical significance (p < .05).Conclusion: The study suggested that the program can be used to increase both cognitive functions and activities of daily living. Nurses and healthcare staff should apply this program in patients with acute ischemic stroke for nervous system recovery.