Comparison of effects of static,proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Mulligan stretching on hip flexion range of motion: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and Mulligan technique on hip flexion range of motion (ROM) in subjects with bilateral hamstring tightness. A total of 40 students (mean age: 21.5±1.3 years, mean body height: 172.8±8.2 cm, mean body mass index: 21.9±3.0 kg · m^-2) with bilateral hamstring tightness were enrolled in this randomized trial, of whom 26 completed the study. Subjects were divided into 4 groups performing (I) typical static stretching, (II) PNF stretching, (III) Mulligan traction straight leg raise (TSLR) technique, (IV) no intervention. Hip flexion ROM was measured using a digital goniometer with the passive straight leg raise test before and after 4 weeks by two physiotherapists blinded to the groups. 52 extremities of 26 subjects were analyzed. Hip flexion ROM increased in all three intervention groups (p<0.05) but not in the no-intervention group after 4 weeks. A statistically significant change in initial–final assessment differences of hip flexion ROM was found between groups (p<0.001) in favour of PNF stretching and Mulligan TSLR technique in comparison to typical static stretching (p=0.016 and p=0.02, respectively). No significant difference was found between Mulligan TSLR technique and PNF stretching (p=0.920). The initial–final assessment difference of hip flexion ROM was similar in typical static stretching and no intervention (p=0.491). A 4-week stretching intervention is beneficial for increasing hip flexion ROM in bilateral hamstring tightness. However, PNF stretching and Mulligan TSLR technique are superior to typical static stretching. These two interventions can be alternatively used for stretching in hamstring tightness.     

Upper limb kinematical analysis of an elite weight lifter in the squat snatch

The kinematical parameters such as translational acceleration and angular acceleration in the upper limb of a weightlifter may change regularly during different phases of squat snatch. This study aims to make this question clear. At first, the joint coordinate system (JCS) of human upper limb based on the anatomical landmarks is defined. Then a novel method for calculating the kinematical parameters was brought forward, which was based on analyzing the relative position of the JCS to world coordinate system during an instantaneous situation and the relationship among each JCS at different times during squat snatch. Motion capture system is used to gather the data of the upper limb in an elite weightlifter during squat snatch (the mass of the barbell is 20 kg) and the method mentioned before is applied to analyze the data. Finally, the law of the change of kinematical parameters in each phase of squat snatch is found.     

Effect of Adaptation to Graduated Physical Exercises on the Function of the Rat Myocardium

On isolated hearts obtained from control rats and rats subjected to regular physical exercises (forced swimming) during 6 weeks, we studied the contractile activity of the heart, resistance of the myocardium to ischemia/reperfusion-induced injuries, as well as the dependence of the developed and end-diastolic pressures in the aortic ventricle (AV) on the strain of the myocardium (by means of a dosed increase in the volume of a polyethylene reservoir inserted into the ventricle). It was demonstrated that adaptation to regular graduated physical exercises exerts a positive effect on the functional state of the AV myocardium and its contractile function. This was manifested in intensification of the contractile activity of the myocardium, a decrease in its oxygen “job cost,” and an increase in the resistance to injuries induced by ischemia-reperfusion. In addition, regular physical trainings led to an increase in the resistance of the AV myocardium to the strain. In trained rats, the plateau of the Frank–Starling plot was significantly greater than that in control animals, while the rigidity of the AV myocardium was significantly lower. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 41–47, January–February, 2009.     

“医学微生物学”本科实验教学中生物安全的落实与实践

"医学微生物学"实验课的主要实验材料是病原微生物,因此实验室生物安全是本课程区别于其它实验课程的重要特征之一。因条件限制,我校以前的"医学微生物学"实验课只能安排在不具备生物安全防护等级的普通实验室中进行,不仅存在安全隐患,也使一部分内容不能正常进行,使医学微生物实验教学的发展遇到了瓶颈。为解决这一矛盾,本研究通过医学微生物学教学师资队伍的培训、实验室硬件条件升级改造以及对课程内容涉及的菌(毒)种及其配套软件建设等一系列措施,建立了具有北京大学医学特色的"医学微生物学"实验教学新体系,保证了微生物实验室生物安全相关法规条例的落实及实验教学的正常进行。     

改革微生物实验教学 强化技能训练

为了提高学生的微生物实验技能,通过实验教学研究,对高职微生物实验教学进行了改革探讨。采用逻辑连贯性实验设计、加强基础实验教学、开设综合性实验强化实验技能训练。创新实验教学方法,运用多媒体展示、讲练融合增强实践动手能力。推行徒手练习、加强实验指导与严格规范操作,建立较完善的综合考核机制以调动学生实验的积极性和主动性,促进学生实验技能的提升与实验教学质量的提高。     

Diffusion activities in college laboratory manuals

Many have called for reform of the science curriculum to incorporate the process of inquiry: this has been shown to improve student understanding of biological concepts. Laboratory activities provide excellent opportunities to incorporate inquiry in to the curriculum. This study used a modified version of the Laboratory Task Analysis Instrument (LAI) to analyse diffusion activities in 10 manuals available to two-year and four-year colleges in the United States. The analyses revealed that most manuals did not include much inquiry, similar to previous studies of high school laboratory manuals. Furthermore, they often failed to engage students in the planning and design of the activity, and they did not encourage students to apply what they learned in a broader context — two essential components of inquiry. This study showed the need for educators to review the materials that are available and implement changes that would promote the use of inquiry.     

Effect of shoulder stability exercises on hand grip strength in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the second most common musculoskeletal condition that causes shoulder pain in the general population. Shoulder girdle muscle imbalance and posterior capsule tightness have been implicated as contributing factors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shoulder stability exercises (SSEs) on hand grip strength in patients with unilateral SIS.

Methods: A total of 16 patients with a mean age of 32?±?9.3?years diagnosed with stage II unilateral SIS participated in this study. A standardized SSE programme was conducted in the clinic under the direct 1-to-1 supervision of a physical therapist thrice weekly for 4?weeks for a total of 12 sessions on the affected and non-affected shoulders. The effect of the SSE programme on isometric hand grip strength was analysed.

Results: A significant difference (p?=?.016) was observed in the hand grip strength of the affected shoulder side before and after the intervention, but no significant difference (p?=?1.0) was found in the hand grip strength of the non-affected shoulder side post-intervention.

Conclusion: The reduction in isometric hand grip strength of the affected shoulder side compared to that of the non-affected shoulder side in the same subject before the intervention shows that SIS significantly affects the hand grip strength of the affected side. SSEs significantly affect the isometric hand grip strength of SIS patients.     

Effect of yogic exercises on thyroid function in subjects resident at sea level upon exposure to high altitude

Using radioactive iodine, the effect of 1 month's yogic exercises has been investigated on the thyroid function of subjects resident at sea level (SL) specially after their exposure to high altitude (HA). The results have been compared with a group of SL subjects who underwent physical training (PT) exercises for the same duration. Ten healthy male volunteers in the age range of 20–30 years were used as test subjects in this study with each serving as his own control. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 5 each. One group practised hatha yogic exercises, while the other group performed the regular PT exercises. The thyroidal accumulation and release of radioactive iodine have been measured in each of the subjects of both groups before and after 1 month of their respective exercises at SL. One month of yogic exercises at SL has been observed to cause a significant reduction in the trans-thy-roidal availability of radioiodine. The thyroid radioactivity in this group of subjects was always below normal levels with the exception of two peaks of radioactive iodine uptake, when the levels of radioactivity in the thyroid were similar to the control values of pre-yogic exercises. The release of radiolabel at 24–48 h was significantly increased after yogic exercises. In contrast, the subjects performing PT exercises for the same duration at SL showed significant thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine at 24 h. Subsequently their¹³¹I uptake continued to rise slowly until 72 h without any demonstrable thyroidal release of radiolabel. This indicated that increased thyroid activity was induced by conventional PT exercise. Exposure of SL residents to HA irrespective of their exercise regime altered the thyroidal handling of radioiodine. Thyroidal concentrations of freshly administered radioiodine at early and late sampling intervals were very high in both of the groups, especially the yogics, after their return to SL from HA. Possible mechanisms of the observed changes have been discussed.     

Optimal Foraging Theory and the Racecar Driver: The Impact of Student-Centered Learning on Anthropological Pedagogy

This article contributes to the field of anthropological pedagogy, adding to recent articles regarding needed change in anthropology teaching methods. All have in common the practice of anthropology in the classroom. The author used the theory of optimal foraging to encourage students to operationalize human behavior. The economic benefit that students reaped warrants discussion. Students rapidly and measurably improved several areas of their lifestyle including health, finance, and home. Pursuing an anthropology degree thus becomes a personal journey.