Mr. Hamed Sheikhalizade, Mr. Fariborz Imani, Dr. Amirali Jafarnezhadgero, Ms Sara Imani Brouj,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (4-2024)
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigates the effects of exercises on sand on the frequency content of the lower limb muscles in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and pronated feet during walking.
Methods: This was a semi-experimental and laboratory-type study. The study samples included 28 male students with pronated feet and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction aged 22 to 25 years. The participants were randomly allocated into the following two groups: The experimental and the control group. The electrical activity of the lower limb muscles was recorded using an electromyography system before and after performing the exercises. The statistical analysis was done using a two-way analysis of variance method with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The findings showed that the main effect of time for the frequency content of the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis muscles during loading and push-off phases, the vastus lateralis muscle during the mid-stance, the rectus femoris at the mid-stance and push-off phases, semitendinosus muscle during the loading, mid-stance and push-off phases, biceps femoris muscle during the mid-stance and push-off phases, and gluteus medius muscle during the push-off phase (P<0.039; d=0.166-0.606).
Conclusion: The group-by-time interaction for the semitendinosus muscle during the loading phase was significant. Exercise on sand can improve walking performance by altering muscular frequency content.
Mr. Hamed Sheikhalizade, Dr. Amirali Jafarnezhadgero, Sara Imanibrouj, Dr. Majid Mafi, Dr. Mahsa Asheghan,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (7-2024)
Abstract
Purpose: People with both pronated feet and anterior cruciate ligament repair may benefit from walking on sand as a therapeutic option. The consequences of walking on sand on the muscular activity and gait biomechanics of these people are not well understood. This study aims to determine how sand training affects gait mechanics in individuals with both anterior cruciate ligament repair and pronated foot.
Methods: The intervention and control groups included 28 adult males with pronated feet, where anterior cruciate ligament repair was randomly performed. The walking task was done on an 18-meter walkway at a consistent velocity. Muscle activities and ground reaction forces (GRF) were recorded using an electromyography system and a Bertec force plate, respectively.
Results: Group-by-time interactions were significant for anterior and posterior reaction forces (P<0.019; d=0.49-0.66). Post hoc analysis demonstrated a significant increase for anterior and posterior reaction forces in control but not in the intervention groups. Also, group-by-time interactions were significant for vastus activities during heel contact (P=0.033; d=0.88).
Conclusion: The results showed that vastus lateralis activity was higher in the intervention group during the heel contact than those of the control group.
