[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of dynamic exercise utilizing the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns accompanied by the abdomen drawing-in on balance of healthy adults. [Participants and Methods] The total number of participants was 30, and 15 were randomly placed in the training group (TG) and 15 in the control group (CG). The participants in the TG have conducted the 3 sets to 5 sets of dynamic exercise utilizing the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns per day, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The balance was measured by the Terax, a balance-measuring device with force plates. [Results] Comparing the TG’s balance pre-test and post-test, there was a statistical significance in stability score (SS), weight distribution index (WDI), CD force plates and AC force plates (A: left rearfoot, B: left forefoot, C: right rearfoot, D: right forefoot). [Conclusion] Dynamic trunk stabilization exercise utilizing the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns seem to help increase the balance of healthy adults.

[Purpose] The mortality rate increases when peak oxygen uptake is less than 5 metabolic equivalents, and peak oxygen uptake correlates with knee extensor muscle strength. This study aimed to determine the knee extensor muscle strength at peak oxygen uptake corresponding to 5 metabolic equivalents. [Participants and Methods] We enrolled 45 consecutive patients (29 males and 16 females; average age, 63.6 ± 13.7 years) with heart disease receiving outpatient rehabilitation with us. We performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with a bicycle ergometer to measure peak oxygen uptake. We investigated the relationship between peak oxygen uptake and isometric knee extensor muscle strength divided by the body weight (kgf/kg). The cutoff value for knee extensor muscle strength with peak oxygen uptake corresponding to 5 metabolic equivalents was calculated. [Results] Knee extensor muscle strength was significantly positively associated with peak oxygen uptake. The cutoff value for knee extensor muscle strength at peak oxygen uptake corresponding to 5 metabolic equivalents was 0.46 kgf/kg. [Conclusion] In this study, the cutoff value for knee extensor muscle strength for achieving peak oxygen uptake corresponding to 5 metabolic equivalents in patients with heart disease was 0.46kgf/kg.

[Purpose] The present study aimed to investigate whether self-paced walking training utilizing the facilitating effect of skin cooling with menthol gel application was effective in untrained older healthy females. [Participants and Methods] Forty-two untrained healthy older females (aged 60–69 years) were divided into the following three groups: (i) Walking training with menthol group: G_M, (ii) Walking training group: G_W, and (iii) Control group: G_C. The participants in G_M and G_W performed self-paced walking for 30 minutes a day, 2 times a week, for 6 weeks. Menthol gel was applied to the front of the thigh of the participants in G_M. Maximal voluntary contraction and rate of force development were measured pre- and post-training and walking speed was measured during the training. The number of steps taken and walking speed in daily activity were measured and the average of these parameters per day were calculated. [Results] The main findings were [1] knee extension muscle strength increased in G_M and G_W, and [2] rate of force development only improved in G_M. [Conclusion] These results suggest that walking training utilizing the facilitating effect of skin cooling enhances muscle function in untrained older healthy females and that the present skin cooling method with menthol gel application may be recommended as a training strategy.

[Purpose] The present study aimed to determine the effects of eccentric calf raise exercise, which has the characteristics of plyometric training, on the fascicle length and muscle thickness of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle and range of motion of the ankle using ultrasonography. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-one healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to the eccentric calf raise exercise group or normal calf raise exercise group. Measurements were performed before training and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after training. [Results] In the eccentric calf raise exercise group, the fascicle length significantly increased after 6 weeks compared to that at baseline and at 3 weeks after training. The dorsiflexion angle and muscle thickness after three weeks significantly increased compared to that at baseline, but the pennation angle was not significantly different. The fascicle length, pennation angle, dorsiflexion angle, and muscle thickness showed no significant difference at all time points in the NCR group. [Conclusion] The results of this study showed that continued stretching of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle during eccentric calf raise exercise enhanced the morphological structures, such as the a fascicle length and muscle thickness. Eccentric calf raise exercise training may aid in injury prevention.

[Purpose] While there is a need for reliable field tests for the evaluation of physical fitness in pediatric obesity, the present work i) evaluates the validity of the Spartacus 15-15 test in indirectly assessing maximal aerobic capacity in adolescents with obesity and ii) evaluates its sensibility to weight loss. [Participants and Methods] Fifty-five 11–16 year-old adolescents with obesity (Tanner 3–4) were enrolled in a 12-week weight-management intervention. Maximal Aerobic fitness (VO_2peak test + Spartacus test) and body composition (Dual X-ray absorptiometry) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. [Results] Moderate correlations were found at baseline between VO_2peak (2,231.90 ± 465.6 mL/min) and Spartacus stage (6.83 ± 1.8 stage, r=0.52; p≤0.05), speed (12.85 ± 1.8 km/h, r=0.52 ; p≤0.05) and time (20.6 ± 5.4 min; r=0.50; p≤0.05). The intervention favored significant improvements for VO_2peak, Spartacus Rate of Perceived Exertion final stage, maximal speed and time. Change over time in VO_2peak and Spartacus variables were not correlated. [Conclusion] The Spartacus test can be used as a proxy for VO_2peak at baseline and can be used to estimate VO_2peak using the proposed equation. The Spartacus 15-15 test might be a better indicator for changes in functional capacity than an indicator of VO_2peak changes in youth with obesity.

[Purpose] This study was aimed to compare the effects of three soft tissue treatments in different parts of the myofascial lateral line (LL) on the hip adduction range of motion (ROM). [Participants and Methods] Thirty university students received Ergon^® instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) treatment, foam rolling, and static stretching on the upper or lower part of the LL on the side of their non-dominant lower limb, while the other body side served as control. The participants received one treatment per week for six weeks with a simultaneous pre-and post-therapy assessment of their hip adduction ROM. [Results] The hip adduction ROM was improved on the intervention side in all experimental groups. The gains were more significant in groups that received the Ergon treatment. All Ergon interventions, as well as foam rolling on the upper part of the LL, led to the greatest hip adduction ROM improvement compared to the control side. No differences were observed between the Ergon groups. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that the implementation of Ergon IASTM, foam rolling, and stretching can produce positive effects on the hip ROM. The Ergon Technique is more effective compared to foam rolling and stretching, irrespective of the application site.

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the posterior thigh’s skin thermal responses to 448-kHz radiofrequency-based therapy applied either in the form of standard application (Indiba^®Activ) or combined soft tissue treatment (Indiba^®Fascia treatment). [Participants and Methods] Ten healthy males (22 ± 3 years of age, weight 75.2 ± 4.9 kg, height 178.5 ± 4.7) received four different treatments which included a) Indiba^®Activ (IA) radiofrequency treatment, b) Indiba^®Fascia (IF), c) Indiba^®Activ placebo (IAP) and d) Indiba^®Fascia Placebo (IFP) in the posterior thigh of their dominant lower limb, while the non-dominant served as the control. Skin temperature was recorded pre- and post-treatment and every minute until the surface temperature reached pre-treatment levels using a wireless infrared thermometer. [Results] Both radiofrequency-based therapy groups IA and IF led to a significant increase in skin temperature compared to placebo applications. The IF intervention led to an average retention of elevated temperature for 164.2 minutes compared to 54.8 minutes of IA, 23.17 of IFP and 17.6 minutes of IAP. [Conclusion] These findings indicate that radiofrequency treatment at 448 kHz can induce and sustain significant thermal skin adaptations reflecting an increased blood circulation and metabolism of underlying tissues.

[Purpose] Discrimination between end-feel types is difficult, and years of clinical experience is considered a factor for improving the accuracy of the discrimination. The present study investigated whether the accuracy of classification of end-feel types improves with the increase in years of clinical experience. [Participants and Methods] In total, 44 therapists (range of years of clinical experience: 1–26 years) and 13 students were included. The participants identified the type of end feel simulated by our newly developed simulator. The proportion of correct answers of the therapists was compared with that of the students. For the therapists, years of clinical experience and their awareness of end feel were examined, and their relationships with the ability to classify end-feel types were analyzed. [Results] The therapists showed a higher ability to identify end-feel type than the students. The ability of the therapists improved according to their years of clinical experience. The cutoff values for years of clinical experience to improve the ability for identifying bone-to-bone, muscular, and tissue approximations were 15, 6, and 15, respectively. The therapists who were always conscious about end feel were associated with a higher ability to classify end-feel types. [Conclusion] Our present study demonstrated that the ability to classify end feel improves with the increase in years of clinical experience.

[Purpose] To describe (1) the current knowledge on gait and postural control in individuals with Down syndrome in terms of spatiotemporal, kinematics and kinetics, and (2) relevant rehabilitation strategies. [Methods] Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials published between January 1997 and October 2019 were selected by searching four scientific databases. We included studies on patients with Down syndrome involving gait analysis or postural control. A custom data-extraction and appraisal form was developed to collect the key features of each article. The PEDro Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. [Results] A total of 37 out of 146 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were included in the review. The main abnormalities included: reduction of gait velocity and step length, poor static balance with increased anteroposterior and mediolateral oscillations and a larger step width. [Conclusion] A number of compensatory patterns during movement was observed, with a direct influence on improvements in stability and postural control throughout daily life. Intensive gait training at an early age appears to produce long-term improvements in this population. Future research should focus on the interaction between the motor and cognitive function, and on the functional effects due to the exposure to an enriched environment.