Vol.20(No.1 2020)

【The Original】 page 1-4

Cumulative effects of resistive static contraction of the lower trunk depressors on gait speed after ankle fractures

Tomoko Shiratani, Mitsuo Arai, Hironobu Kuruma, Rui Hobara, 

Kazue Masumoto

Abstract: Resistive static contraction in the mid-range of the pelvic posterior depressors (SCPD) for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation may have successive effects on increasing gait speed after ankle fracture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cumulative effects of SCPD on gait ability after such a fracture. A single-subject experimental design was used for a patient aged 52 years old in recovery from an ankle fracture. In phases A1 and A2, the subject was treated with sustained contraction facilitation (SCF) in the middle range of motion of the triceps surae. In phases B1 and B2, the subject underwent SCPD. Baseline measurements were taken over a 2-day period twice per week at various intervals in phase A1. Phase A1 was followed by similar measurements in 2-day periods for phases B1, A2, and B2.. Measurement of the 5m gait time was used to evaluate the effect of each phase. We found that SCPD had cumulative effects on reduction of the gait time, compared to SCF.

Key words: PNF, ankle fracture, SCPD, sustained contraction

【Research/Report】 page 5-10

Effects of static contraction in the mid-range of the pelvic posterior depressors for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on gait time and fatigue in elderly females with orthopedic disorders 

Ryo Ueda, Yugo Sakino, Tomoko Shiratani, Ken Yanagisawa

Abstract: Elderly patients with orthopedic diseases have a weak condition, and therapy that considers muscle weakness and rapid fatigue is necessary. The purpose of this study is to examine whether static contraction in the mid-range of the pelvic posterior depressors (SCPD) for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) can improve gait ability without causing fatigue. The subjects were seven elderly females with orthopedic disease in the spine and lower limbs who attended daycare with rehabilitation. Their average age (SD) was 85.5 (7.6) years. SCPD and hip lift (HL) were conducted in random order for the subjects, with two periods of 10 s of exercise and 20 s of rest. Immediately after each procedure, the 5m gait time and fatigue were measured. The change in gait time was calculated based on the gait time before the intervention. A two-way ANOVA without replication for technique and individual was performed. The mean (SD) changes in gait time were -14.6 (12.8) % after SCPD, and -9.5 (10.6) % after HL. A main effect was shown, and a multiple comparison test (Scheffé method) was performed. SCPD had a more significant effect than HL, but both significantly reduced the gait time (P <0.05). The mean (SD) changes in fatigue (SD) were 7.8 (65.3) % after SCPD, and 54.0 (78.3) % after HL. No main effect was observed. These results show that SCPD may improve gait time in elderly females with double orthopedic diseases without placing a burden on the patient.

Key words: PNF, SCPD, orthopedic disorders, gait time, fatigue

【The Original】 page 11-15

Remote aftereffects of resistive static contractions of the lower trunk depressors on strength of the plantar flexor muscles in young adults

Masato Takahashi, Tomoko Shiratani, Hironobu Kuruma, Miwa Kawamura

Abstract: Previous studies have shown that application of resistive static contraction with manual resistance in the mid-range of the pelvic posterior depressors (RSCPD) using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation improves temporary loss of function of a motor unit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the temporal aftereffects of RSCPD on the strength of the plantar flexor muscles compared with sustained stretch (SS) of these muscles in healthy adults. The subjects were 14 healthy adults (11 men and 3 women, mean (SD) age 21. 2 (0.9) years) who underwent RSCPD and SS in a random order. The strength of the plantar flexor muscles was measured at 0, 5, and 10 min after the intervention. Two-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the strength of these muscles among the time points. There was a significant decrease in strength at 0 min after RSCPD compared to at rest in healthy adults. This finding suggests that RSCPD might be effective for cool-down in young healthy people.

Key words: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, pelvic posterior depression, strength of the plantar flexor muscle, static contraction

【Research/ Report】page16- 21

Cumulative effect of resistive static contraction of the lower trunk muscles on the strength of knee flexor muscles in patients with vertebral compression fracture

Rui Hobara, Tomoko Shiratani, Mitsuo Arai, Kazue Masumoto

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the cumulative effects of resistive static contraction of the lower trunk muscles for 3 sec (SC), as a direct approach, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) in the mid-range of the pelvic posterior depressors for 3 sec (SCPD), as an indirect approach, on knee flexor muscles in patients with vertebral compression fracture. The subjects were 4 patients with a mean (SD) age of 80.8 (9.3) years who had this fracture. A single-subject experimental design was used with SC and SCPD performed in random order. The intervention period was 2 weeks for each procedure, for 5 days a week. Regarding the immediate effects, a Bonferroni post-hoc test showed that the change in average muscle strength on the first day of each intervention was significantly greater after SCPD than after SC. However, on the second day, the change in average muscle strength was significantly reduced after SCPD compared to that after SC. This suggests that muscle strength was increased by a rebound effect on the excitability of motor units of the knee flexor muscles. 

Key words:  SCPD, Knee flexor strength, Static contraction