This study was conducted to compare and analyze whether Pilates exercise and yoga exercise help improve the performance of female fencers and prevent injury, and the dynamic balance test (LQ-YBT) and functional movement screening (FMS) test score of the elite adult female fencers were compared and analyzed as evaluation indicators. Participants were randomly classified into Pilates (n = 10) and yoga groups (n = 10), members of which took part in 50 min of exercise (5 min of warm-up, 40 min of main exercise, and 5 min of cool-down) twice weekly for eight weeks. The results obtained from this study were analyzed via independent t-test and 2-way ANOVA. The results were as follows: LQ-YBT measures (reaching distance) increased significantly for both groups, as did FMS scores (deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk-stability push-up, and rotary stability). These results suggest that Pilates exercise and yoga exercise might be likely effective in improving the performance of adult female fencers and injury prevention by increasing their dynamic balance ability and functional movement.

Objective: To determine whether a neuromuscular rehabilitation program can improve postural stability and ankle-evertor strength and to examine the temporal changes and persistence of the rehabilitation effects in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI).Design: A total of 21 national women field hockey players participated in this study (CAI, n = 12; control, n = 9).Main Outcome Measures: Isokinetic ankle-evertor strength (peak torque [PT], total work [TW]) at 30°/s, 60°/s, 90°/s, and 120°/s, mediolateral stability index (MSI), and dynamic stability test (TCT). Data were recorded at baseline, 6 wk, and 24 wk.Results: At baseline, isokinetic evertor strength was comparable between groups. At 6 wk, the CAI group demonstrated significantly increased eccentric PT and TW at 30°/s and 60°/s and increased concentric/eccentric TW at 90°/s. The control group showed significantly increased concentric TW at 30°/s and increased concentric PT and TW at 90°/s. At 24 wk, except for eccentric PT at 60°/s and 120°/s, concentric/eccentric PT and TW were significantly increased in the CAI group. The control group showed significantly increased TW at all angular velocities regardless of contraction mode. The CAI group exhibited significant increases in concentric/eccentric evertor PT and TW at 120°/s in comparison with the control group. MSI and TCT decreased in both groups at 6 wk; however, the CAI group demonstrated significant increases in both measures at 24 wk, whereas the control group showed no significant change.Conclusions: The results suggest that the neuromuscular rehabilitation program had an immediate effect on gaining eccentric evertor strength and improving postural control and appeared to contribute to enhancing the evertor strength of unstable ankles in the longer term. On the other hand, improved postural stability did not seem to persist.

We describe a patient with tarsal tunnel syndrome in whom ultrasound imaging revealed compression of the posterior tibial nerve by a pulsating artery. High-resolution ultrasound showed a round pulsating hypoechoic lesion in contact with the posterior tibial nerve. Ultrasound-guided injection of 0.5% lidocaine temporarily resolved the paresthesia. These findings suggest an arterial etiology of tarsal tunnel syndrome. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 100(3): 209–212, 2010)

Background: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an effective surgical method for treating medial compartment osteoarthritis. However, in most cases after surgery, muscle strength is decreased, and rapid muscle atrophy is observed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to verify the effects of low-intensity resistance exercise (LIE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of thigh muscles, knee extensor strength, pain, and knee joint function and investigate proper arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) in middle-aged women who underwent HTO. Method: This study was designed as a prospective randomized controlled trial. Forty-two middle-aged women who underwent HTO were randomly divided into three groups and participated in LIE with (40% or 80% AOP applied) or without BFR. The main outcome was the measurement of the CSA of thigh muscles (at 30% and 50% distal length of the femur) before and 12 weeks after treatment. Additionally, knee extension muscle strength, pain, and joint function were evaluated before and 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. Results: CSA of thigh muscles at 30% and 50% distal length of the femur decreased in the AOP 40% and control groups and was the largest in the AOP 80% group 12 weeks after treatment. Knee extension strength increased in all groups and was the highest in the AOP 80% group 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. Pain improved in all groups, with no intergroup differences. Knee joint function improved in all groups and was superior in the 80% AOP group 12 weeks after treatment. Conclusion: LIE with BFR at 80% AOP was effective in preventing atrophy of the thigh muscle, increasing muscle strength, and improving function. BFR at 40% AOP had no difference in the results when compared with the group in which BFR was not applied. Therefore, LIE with an AOP of 80% is recommended for patients undergoing HTO.