Earticle

Combining blood flow restriction (BFR) with exercise is considered a relevant, helpful method in load-compromised individuals and a viable replacement for traditional heavy-load strength training. BFR exercise may be particularly useful for those unable to withstand high mechanical stresses on joints resulting in skeletal muscle dysfunction, such as patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Current literature suggests that BFR training displays similar positive health benefits to exercise training alone for CKD patients, including maintenance of muscle strength, glomerular filtration rate maintenance, uremic parameters, inflammatory profile, redox status, glucose homeostasis, blood pressure adjustments, and low adverse reports. In this review of nine studies in CKD patients, we clarify the potential safety and health effects of exercise training with BFR compared to exercise training alone and recommend insights for future research and practical use. Furthermore, we introduce relevant gaps in this emerging field, providing substantial guidance, critical dis-cussion, and valuable preliminary conclusions in this demographic of patients. However, based on the limited studies in this area, more re-search is necessary to determine the optimal BFR exercise program-ming.

This study determined the effectiveness of 16 multisensory storytelling sessions on physical function and activity participation in children with cerebral palsy. Twenty-four children aged 7 to 8 who belonged to stage I to III of the Gross Motor Function Classification System were randomly divided into experimental and control groups, with 12 children in each group. The experimental group performed group activities through mul-tisensory storytelling for 60 min, twice a week for 8 weeks, while the control group performed structured physical activities. The motor func-tion, activity participation, and peer relationship skills were measured. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 for windows program, and the significance level (α) for statistical verification was set to 0.05. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for intragroup changes in motor function and activity participation in the experimental and control groups. The Mann–Whitney U-test was used to compare the difference between the 2 groups. Both groups improved gross mo-tor function (P<0.05) and activity participation (P<0.05). A significant difference between both groups was also measured. Multisensory sto-rytelling resulted in significant improvements in large motor function and activity participation. Therefore, it can be an effective intervention for improving gross motor function and activity participation in children with cerebral palsy.

Single mothers are vulnerable to mental health such as depression, but emotional support is insufficient. Yoga is known to be effective in reduc-ing negative emotions and promoting resilience. This study was con-ducted in order to verify the effectiveness of yoga training programs in reducing depression and improving the resilience of single mothers. Participants in the study included 20 single mothers who belonged to the Single Mothers Association, who were randomly assigned to train-ing (n=10) and nontraining (n=10) groups. The yoga training program for single mothers consisted of Asana yoga, meditation, and mind ex-pression through expert meetings; a total of eight sessions were con-ducted once a week for 120 min. Testing for depression and resilience was performed before and after the program in order to verify the ef-fectiveness of the program. According to the results of the study, de-pression in single mothers who participated in the yoga training pro-gram was significantly decreased, and resilience was significantly in-creased. Therefore, the effectiveness of the yoga training program in lowering the depression of single mothers and improving resilience was confirmed. In the future conduct of many studies will be required in order to help the mental health of single mothers.

An elongation band (EB) is used to improve the physical strength of older adults. However, the evidence of its effect on the upper limb is a deficiency. This study investigated the effectiveness of EB exercises on upper limb function in the elderly. Participants were divided into two groups: EB (n=16) and control (n=14). The EB group performed exer-cises in a sitting position using an EB while the control group performed active stretching exercises without bands. The exercise regimen con-sisted of four shoulder joint movements. Each group performed the ex-ercise for 20 min per day, 5 days per week over a period of 2 months. Measurements included upper limb muscle strength, shoulder joint range of motion, and grip strength. Measurements were performed at baseline, and 1 and 2 months after the intervention. Analysis of covari-ance was used to compare differences between the groups. The EB group demonstrated significant increases in muscle strength (upper trapezius, deltoid, middle trapezius muscle), shoulder joint range of mo-tion (right shoulder flexion, internal rotation, external rotation, left shoul-der joint extension), and grip strength. In conclusion, EB exercises in-creased upper limb muscle strength, shoulder joint range of motion, and grip strength in older adults.

Definition of strength imbalance between legs and muscles does not only play a decisive role for higher performance but also prevents sport injury. The purpose of this study was to determine bilateral differences on isokinetic and isometric strength of knee extensor and flexor mus-cles in male and female elite young taekwondo athletes. Ten male (age: 19.40±0.84 years) and female (age: 18.24±1.42 years) taekwondo ath-letes of the Turkish national team between 17–20-year of age participat-ed in the study. Concentric peak torque of hamstring (H) and quadriceps (Q) of the dominant (D) and nondominant leg (ND) was evaluated using isokinetic machine (Cybex Humac Norm) at 60° and 180°/sec. Isometric peak torque of both legs was determined at 60°. Significant differences were found between genders (P<0.05). Concentric and isometric knee strength was significantly greater in male than that of female (P< 0.05). Although no significant bilateral strength difference was found in both sexes in concentric and isometric strength (P>0.05), and isometric H strength was in favor of the dominant leg 15% for men athletes and 11% for women. H/Q ratio was similar between gender and legs. The study revealed no bilateral knee strength asymmetry in both male and female taekwondo athletes. However, male had 20%–30% higher iso-metric and concentric knee extensor and flexor strength than female in both legs.

Blood flow restriction (BFR) resistance exercise has been advocated as an alternative approach for improving muscle strength in patients un-dergoing musculoskeletal rehabilitation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 4-week supervised rehabilitation (R) with and without BFR on muscle strength, cross-sectional area (CSA), dynamic balance, and functional performance in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). A total of 16 collegiate athletes with CAI partici-pated in this study. They were randomly assigned to the BFR+R group (n=8) or the R group (n=8). Both groups underwent supervised rehabil-itation 3 times weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Additionally, the BFR+R group was applied with a cuff around the proximal thigh at 80% arterial occlusion pressure in addition to the traditional rehabilitation program, whereas the R group received the sham BFR only. Before and after 4 weeks of intervention, isokinetic muscle strength, CSA, Y-balance test, and side hop test (SHT) were measured. Following a 4-week inter-vention, the BFR+R group exhibited significant improvements in muscle strength of ankle plantarflexor and evertor, CSA of fibularis longus, and SHT timed performance compared with prior training and the R group (all, P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed on dy-namic balance among the groups. The present finding indicated that a 4-week supervised rehabilitation combined with BFR is more effective in improving muscle strength and size and functional performance compared with the traditional rehabilitation alone. This information could have implications for physical therapists and clinician in develop-ing and designing a rehabilitation program for athletes with CAI.

The aim of this study was to compare the physical fitness and cardiac autonomic activity among women with moderate and severe fibromyal-gia (FM) and healthy women. This study included 35 women with FM (age: 46.2±8.9 years) and 17 healthy women (age: 44.3±9.9 years). Par-ticipants with FM were divided into moderate FM (n=15) and severe FM (n=20) according to the total score obtained in FM impact question-naire. The heart rate variability was monitored using a portable cardiac monitor with participants resting in supine position during 10 min. Thereafter, the participants performed the chair sit and reach test, the chair stand test, and the 6-min walk test to measure the lower-body flexibility, lower-body muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness, respectively. The lower-body muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were both reduced in moderate and severe FM compared to healthy women (P<0.01), with greater reduction in severe FM when compared to moderate FM (P<0.05). In addition, the parasympathetic indexes of heart rate variability were all similarly decreased in both moderate and severe FM, when compared to healthy women (P<0.05). The cardiac parasympathetic activity is similarly decreased in women with both moderate and severe FM in comparison to healthy women, despite a greater physical deconditioning in severe FM.