Biography:

Helen Julia Lavelle has completed her MCSP and MSc. She is an experienced Physiotherapist who has worked in Elite Sport at the highest level. She has worked in premiership rugby and cricket in the UK before her current role in rowing. She has lectured on many occasions both nationally and internationally and is best known for her work in knee rehabilitation. She has recently presented at the MAT fest conference on meniscal allograft transplantation and the national exhibition centre in Birmingham- rehabilitation post ACL reconstruction.

Abstract:

This paper reviews the latest hypotheses concerning the aetiology of rib injury and proposes reasoned prevention strategies. In addition to it, it explains a structured method to assess the severity of the lesion and therefore the likely period of interrupted training. Rib pain constitutes a major cause of training and competition days lost. It may afflict any rower but is a common injury in athletes training for more than seven sessions a week and can result in long periods of lay off. Rib pain lies within a continuum with an occult stress fracture needing 6 to 12 weeks to heal adequately to withstand intensive training whereas a minor periosteal reaction may settle in just a few days. The Cambridge protocol assessment tool helps the clinician determine the severity of the lesion and therefore how long the rower may need to recuperate. The Cambridge protocol guides the medical team looking after these patients through techniques to keep the athlete fit whilst unable to train fully and then a careful graduated return to normal training and competition. The paper will also review the issue of bone density and the evidence to support the use of Exogen (ultra sound bone stimulation) and spinal logic (electromagnetic energy) to accelerate bone healing and improve bone density.

Biography:

Mariam A Ameer has completed her PhD in Biomechanics in 2013 from Cairo University, College of Physical Therapy, Biomechanics Department. After her graduation, she had worked in different fields in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which includes teaching, private clinic and sports field. Her main field of interest is sports injuries and motion analysis. She is also highly enthusiastic to enhance her research activities and improve her communication skills by interacting with researchers, experts and professionals around the globe.

Abstract:

Background & Aim: Knee and ankle joints are often stressed in the landing phase of single leg-jump with increasing of the knee flexion angle, causing several injuries. The main aim of this study is to identify the relationship between the peak knee flexion angle and knee-ankle varus stress in the landing phase of single-leg jump from running.

Methodology: 15 male handball players from the first Saudi Arabian handball team have been engaged in this study. Each player performed a single leg-jump-land after running a fixed distance of 450 cm. The data was measured using a 3D motion analysis system. The maximum knee flexion angle, knee varus angle, center of pressure pathway in the medio-lateral direction and ankle varus moment were detected.

 

Results: Person product moment correlation reveal that greater knee flexion angle is related to greater lateral displacement of the center of pressure (r=0.794, P<0.01), greater ankle varus moment (r=0.707, P<0.01) and greater knee varus angle (r=0.753, P<0.01). In addition, more ankle varus moment is also related to the greater lateral displacement of the center of pressure (r=0.734, P<0.01).

Conclusion: These findings may help physical therapists and conditioning professionals to know the impact of increasing knee flexion angle on the lower limb joints and to develop training protocols to enhance the lateral body reaction during landing phase to protect the knee and ankle joints from excessive varus stresses.

Recent Publications

1. Mariam A Ameer, Mohamed E Khallaf (2017) Effect of treadmill gait training on diplegic children swing phase gait parameters. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research; 5(1): 1829-35.

2. Mohamed E Khallaf, Mariam A Ameer (2017) Effect of wrist-fingers extension splint and task specific training on hand joints range of motion and function after stroke. Journal of NeuroRehabilitation; 41(2):437-444.

Biography:

Jo Brown has her expertise in swimming and other overhead athlete injuries, understanding their aetiology, progression and rehabilitation. She is passionate about decreasing shoulder injury in swimmers particularly young swimmers, strengthening and understanding the link between sports science and the clinic.

Abstract:

Abnormal scapulothoracic mechanics and scapulohumeral rhythm are implicated in shoulder pathologies, including glenohumeral impingement and rotator cuff tears. Upward scapula rotation, specifically asymmetry of scapula motion and associations of patterns through range with injury, was investigated in dominant and non-dominant limbs of nationally ranked junior and paralympic swimmers during competition season. The static and throughout phases measures of upward scapula rotation were: Phase I (start position, 45”), Phase II (45” to 90”), Phase III (90” to 135”) and Phase IV (135” to max). Injury was assessed with a validated questionnaire. Differences between side (dominant and non-dominant), group (junior and paralympic) and phase were examined. Significant differences (P<0.05) between groups were identified for dominant side at rest, 45” and 135” and in phases II and IV (including range). Scapulohumeral rhythm was higher in the non-dominant limb of paralympic swimmers but in the dominant limb of junior swimmers. Greatest differences in upward rotation between injured and non-injured swimmers were found in Phase 1:43.6% (3.3”) paralympic; 73.1% (8”) junior. Results suggested that the asymmetry of movement in both limbs, through all phases and at single points in range, should be investigated for assessing injury and developing preventive strategies and rehabilitation protocols.

Figure-1: Comparison of phases of upward rotation between dominant and non-dominant limbs for junior and paralympic swimmers. * and ^ indicates significant differences between groups with matching symbols (P<0.05).

Recent Publications

1. Fagher K, Lexell J (2014) Sports-related injuries in athletes with disabilities. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports; 24: e320-e331.

2. Magno e Silva M, Bilzon J, Duarte E, Gorla J, Vital R (2013) Sport injuries in elite paralympic swimmers with visual impairment. Journal of Athletic Training; 48: 493-498.

Biography:

Jose Garcia Romero has been a Certified Massage Therapist for 10 years and is also a Certified Instructor by the National Board of Massage since 2017. Currently he is working at a physical therapy and pain clinic in Las Vegas. He is also an Inventor with a focus on creating products that enhance the physical therapy world, as well. Over the last several years, he has invented the power of one belt, the rehab box and the Romero brackets with adjustable facilitation bands. He has research and the body stemmed from being an athlete all of his life coupled with 20 years of coaching experience in football, soccer and softball. It was through this work that he then developed a passion for aiding athletes in their recovery from injuries and helping them return to an active, healthy and pain free life.

Abstract:

Being a massage therapist who specializes in sports rehabilitation, I realized that when an athlete obtains an injury, they don’t necessarily want to heal completely; the goal of the athlete is simply to get to a tolerable level of pain that allows them to return to the field or court, as soon as possible. This realization helped me to develop the Romero brackets with adjustable facilitation and the Romero technique that increases the pace at which an athlete can come back from injury. The Romero bracket with adjustable facilitation is a modality consisting of four brackets that attach to the sides of a massage table. The brackets each have an attached adjustable facilitation band with a strap on the end that goes around each of the client’s wrists and ankles. The adjustable facilitation bands facilitate muscle manipulation and create a kinetic chain movement by adding resistance to the different positions the therapist puts the athlete in. In return, the therapist’s hands are left free to isolate individual muscles, break down scar tissue and release the muscles quicker and more efficiently. My invention and technique stem from my experience in sports massage and a methodology based in kinetic movement and active release. By combining the principles of static stretching with the different elements of sports massage, the Romero brackets increase range of motion and flexibility quicker than if the client was just stretching or just receiving a massage. Using terms like open and close allows the athlete to work with the therapist in changing positions while the therapist focuses on releasing the muscles. Ultimately, the Romero bracket with adjustable facilitation is a new modality that will decrease pain, increase range of motion and allow athletes and clients to return to their daily activities quicker.

Biography:

Kwan-Hwa Lin has completed BPT from National Taiwan University and PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from University of Kentucky, USA. Her expertise is in neurological physical therapy, especially in the field of Parkinson disease, spinal cord injuries and the elderly. She is in charge of a Human Motion and Behavior Analysis Laboratory in Tzu Chi University, and has several studies and publications related to gait analysis and motor control. She has received several research grants from government, i.e., The Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan and the results include new inventory patents. She has written the book “Neurological Physical Therapy” in Chinese in 2012 and won “Who’s Who in Asia 2012”.

Abstract:

Introduction: Multi-Sensory Stimulation (MSS), previously known as snoezelen, is usually provided to stimulate the senses through the provision of un-patterned visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile stimuli in a leisure room for people with learning disabilities. Preliminary investigations have suggested that MSS is beneficial for improving cognition, life of quality in people with dementia. However, one leisure room requires large space with sensory modalities which can be expensive. In this study, a portable recliner with MSS was developed.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to record the brain activity before and after MSS in persons with dementia.

Method: Six old persons living in the long-term care facilitate with mild to moderate dementia were recruited. The participants were arranged individually to sit on a recliner for 10 minutes. The chair was equipped with music-induced vibration for tactile stimulation and music-induced optic fibers lightening for visual stimulation. The 14-lead Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before, during and after MSS. The EEG was analyzed by time-frequency Fourier transform. The α-wave (8~12 Hz), β-wave (12~30 Hz), θ-wave (4~8 Hz) and δ-wave (0.5~4 Hz) were quantified. The nonparametric Wilcoxon-signed rank test was performed.

Results: The energy of α, β and θ waves especially in frontal-temporal lobes increased significantly after MSS.

Conclusion & Significance: This was a pilot study and the preliminary data indicated that the frontal-temporal activities increased immediately after MSS. After musical vibration, the increase inαwave might increase relaxation. The increase in β wave might increase attention to environmental stimulation. Furthermore, the increase in θ wave might be related to subconscious mood change after MSS. Therefore, the change in the brain activities with MSS might be beneficial for persons with mild dementia.

Biography:

John Tan is currently a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education and Sports Science, National Institute of Education (NIE) an institution of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) of Singapore. He has a Doctoral degree in Sports Biomechanics from Loughborough University. His areas of research are in kinematic video analysis, jumps golf swing; movement and gait analysis. He is currently a Member of Singapore armed forces’ fitness advisory board and an Associate Lecturer with SUSS. He has also been invited by the Philippine association for sport and exercise sciences as an Invited Speaker to their annual conference in 2013, 2014 and 2016 to Lecture in various topics on PE and sports biomechanics.

 

Abstract:

It is believed that the flat and high arched feet are structurally mal-aligned and exhibit gait deviations compared to normal arched feet. These deviations are believed to be the precursors to running related foot injuries. However, current literature investigating the relation between foot structure and running gait pattern have been inconclusive. We hypothesized that good functional foot stability can reduce these gait deviations; thereby reduce the risk of running related foot injuries. The effect of foot structure and functional stability on running gait pattern of the foot has not been studied. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the effect of functional foot stability on running gait pattern. 69 subjects (age=30.6±7.29) who were asymptomatic had their foot structure and functional foot stability assessed. The foot structures were assessed with foot posture index scores and the foot stability with modified Romberg’s test. Kinematic and kinetic running gait variables (such as rear foot eversion, mid foot dorsiflexion, maximum vertical ground reaction force and loading rate) were recorded while subjects ran barefooted on an instrumented treadmill. The results showed that foot with higher foot posture index scores (more flat-footed) ran with greater rear foot eversion, mid foot dorsiflexion and weight acceptance rate whereas, foot with better foot stability ran with lower rear foot eversion.

Recent Publications

1. Ho M and Tan J (2015) The effect of taping on foot structure, functional foot stability and running gait patterns of the foot. Journal of Sports Science; http://www.davidpublishing.com, 3: 1-12.

2. Kim W, Joao F, Tan J, Mota P, Vleck V, Aguiar L and Veloso A (2013) The natural shock absorption of the leg spring. Journal of Biomechanics; 46(1): 129-136.

3. Wangdo Kim, John Tan, Antonio Veloso, Veronica Vleck, Arkady S Voloshin (2011) The natural frequency of the foot-surface cushion during the stance phase of running. Journal of Biomechanics; 44(4): 774-779.

 

Biography:

Tiwari Ashutosh has competed BPT from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, India in 2009. He has completed MD in Integrative Medicine from Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkata, India in 2012. He was trained at F I Hospital Lucknow and Santosh Medical College Ghaziabad. He is a Certified Manual Therapist and Research Fellow in Rural Health in Alternative Medicine. He was a coauthor of many research papers for international academies. He has presented many research papers in national conferences in India. He is dealing with spine and arthritis patients and has special interest to treat children with disabilities. He has founded Indian United Trust for social welfare activities in 2009. He is a well-known person to be engaged in social welfare in the society.

Abstract:

Aside from common cold, backache is our leading public health problem, well defined conditions as well as symptoms for which no specific treatment available. Acute back pain is most common among sports person. Prevention is more favorable even without comprehensive assessment and treatment. Most of sports person may resume their normal sporting activity within 1 or 2 weeks. The prevalence of backache varies from sport to sport. In weightlifting nearly every elite athlete affected annually whereas other such as other athlete such as runners, rarely have back trouble while swimmers are 30 to 40% and skiers 60%. A Swedish epidemiological study that included soccer and tennis players, wrestlers and gymnast revealed that 50 to 85% of the athletes had experienced back pain. Radiographic changes were seen in 36 to 55% of the athletes depending on their sports. The prevalence of spondylolysis among wrestlers was five times more than in general population. The causes may be different person to person and sport to sport. But some common factors are listed here as: Shortening of muscles; over use, stress and stretch; frequency of forward bending, extension and torsion; repeated loading; lifting weight or partners many times; loading during growth period; sudden strong muscle contraction; poor posture; hamstring pull or strain; sciatica; groin pull; hip flexor strain; facet joint arthritis; spondylolysi; spondylisthesis; PIVD; traumatic injury or fracture; osteoporosis and degenerative disorders; sport injury; nutritional facts; and hyperlaxity syndrome. Diagnosis should be immediate and correct to prevent more future problems. If it is affecting more than a week we should be careful for it and go through further physical examination and if we are crossing more than two week then we should go through comprehensive examination and supplemental examinations like: (1) MRI: For full evaluation of spine and spinal cord with identification of particular issue as stenosis, lysthesis, black disks and other pathology; (2) CT scan: To examine the facet joints and useful in radiating pain; (3) X-ray: For identification of degenerative disorders, and anatomical symmetry; (4) Skeletal Scintigraphy: For clarification of malignancy and stress fractures; and (5) Diskography: Useful in disk related pain. Treatment is different and depends on person to person and causes of problem. It has a very wide range of choice as rest, medication, physical therapy and nutrition therapy, braces and belts. The preventive formula is the best way to ensure the good sport life. As a prevention or routine workout for our back care athletes should follow strategies: (1) Proper and correct stretching as hamstring, groin, IT band, quadriceps, calf and back flexors and extensors prior to sport and post sport rest; (2) strengthening of back and abdomen; (3) maintain correct posture during sport as don’t over bend or extend; (4) avoid direct hit with person or object; (5) proper water intake prior and post sport activity, to maintain aerobic and anaerobic capacity; (6) warm-up; (7) maintain deal weight; (8) plenty of sleep and rest; (9) proper techniques to weight lift and perform sport activity; and (10) fit emotionally and focused to avoid any kind of issue and injury or backache.