Exercise vs Intermittent Fasting for Longevity

Differential effects of intermittent feeding and voluntary exercise on body weight and lifespan in adult rats. Goodrick CL, Ingram DK, Reynolds MA, Freeman JR, Cider NL. J Gerontol. 1983 Jan;38(1):36-45. AbstractMale wistar rats were housed in laboratory cages or activity-wheel cages at eight 10.5 or 18 months of age. Part of each cage group continued … Read more

Anorexia: Light Weightlifting is all but Worthless

Does resistance training improve the functional capacity and well being of very young anorexic patients? A randomized controlled trial. del Valle MF, Pérez M, Santana-Sosa E, Fiuza-Luces C, Bustamante-Ara N, Gallardo C, Villaseñor A, Graell M, Morandé G, Romo GR, López-Mojares LM,Ruiz JR, Lucía A. J Adolesc Health. 2010 Apr;46(4):352-8. AbstractPURPOSE:We determined the effects of … Read more

Chiropractor Debunks Manipulation/Manual Therapy for Low Back Pain

Do manual therapies help low back pain? A comparative effectiveness meta-analysis. Menke JM. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 Apr 1;39(7) :E463-72. AbstractSTUDY DESIGN:Meta-analysis methodology was extended to derive comparative effectiveness information on spinal manipulation for low back pain. OBJECTIVE:Determine relative effectiveness of spinal manipulation therapies (SMTs), medical management, physical therapies, and exercise for acute and … Read more

Electrical Stimulation for Aerobics

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation can elicit aerobic exercise response without undue discomfort in healthy physically active adults. Crognale D, Vito GD, Grosset JF, Crowe L, Minogue C, Caulfield B. J Strength Cond Res. 2013 Jan;27(1):208-15.[Free Full Text] Abstract Recent studies have suggested that subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) protocols applied to the quadriceps and hamstrings may … Read more

Tennis Elbow and Treatment Frequency

Changes in pain, dysfunction, and grip strength of patients with acute lateral epicondylitis caused by frequency of physical therapy: a randomized controlled trial. Lee S1, Ko Y1, Lee W1. J Physical Therapy Science. 2014 Jul;26(7):1037-40. [Free Full Text] Abstract[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in pain, dysfunction, and grip strength … Read more

McKenzie Method as Lackluster as Back School for Back Pain

Effectiveness of back school versus McKenzie exercises in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Garcia AN, Costa Lda C, da Silva TM, Gondo FL, Cyrillo FN, Costa RA, Costa LO. Physical Therapy. 2013 Jun;93(6):729-47. AbstractBACKGROUND:Back School and McKenzie methods are popular active treatment approaches that include both exercises and information … Read more

Just Squats for Osteoporosis Increases Bone Mineral Content

Maximal strength training in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Mosti MP1, Kaehler N, Stunes AK, Hoff J, Syversen U. J Strength Cond Res. 2013 Oct;27(10):2879-86. AbstractCurrent guidelines recommend weight-bearing activities, preferably strength training for improving skeletal health in patients with osteoporosis. What type of strength training that is most beneficial for these patients is … Read more

Physical Therapy After Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Significantly fewer refractures after vertebroplasty in patients who engage in back-extensor-strengthening exercises. Huntoon EA, Schmidt CK, Sinaki M. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008 Jan;83(1):54-7. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To determine whether patients with osteoporotic compression fractures would have decreased fracture recurrence or a longer time before refracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) if they also participated in the Rehabilitation of Osteoporosis … Read more

So Called “Trunk Stabilization” Exercises are Anything but…

Trunk muscle stabilization training plus general exercise versus general exercise only: randomized controlled trial of patients with recurrent low back pain. Physical Therapy. 2005 Mar;85(3):209-25. Koumantakis GA1, Watson PJ, Oldham JA. AbstractBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the usefulness of the addition of specific stabilization exercises to a general … Read more

Cervicogenic Headaches Reduced Most with Strength Training

Effect of neck exercises on cervicogenic headache: a randomized controlled trial. J Rehabil Med. 2010 Apr;42(4):344-9. Ylinen J1, Nikander R, Nykänen M, Kautiainen H, Häkkinen A. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy of three 12-month training programmes on headache and upper extremity pain in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS:A total of 180 female office workers, with … Read more

Fibromyalgia Pain Decreased 30% with TENS and Exercise

Effectiveness of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at tender points as adjuvant therapy for patients with fibromyalgia. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2013 Apr;49(2):197-204. Carbonario F, Matsutani LA, Yuan SL, Marques AP. AbstractBACKGROUND:Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome associated with sleep disorders, fatigue and psychological symptoms. Combinations therapies, such as electrotherapy and therapeutic exercises have … Read more

Neck Pain Immediately Reduced After Strength and Posture Exercise

Specific therapeutic exercise of the neck induces immediate local hypoalgesia. J Pain. 2007 Nov;8(11):832-9. Epub 2007 Jul 19. O’Leary S, Falla D, Hodges PW, Jull G, Vicenzino B. AbstractThis study compared the effect of 2 specific cervical flexor muscle exercise protocols on immediate pain relief in the cervical spine of people with chronic neck pain. … Read more

Strength Training with Chronic Neck Pain Improves Quality of Life

Effect of neck strength training on health-related quality of life in females with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled 1-year follow-up study. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2010 May 14;8:48. Salo PK, Häkkinen AH, Kautiainen H, Ylinen JJ. Abstract BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain is a common condition associated not only with a decrease in neck muscle … Read more

Intermittent Claudication and the Importance of Supervision

The Effect of Supervision on Walking Distance in Patients with Intermittent Claudication: A Meta-analysis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2014 Jun 10. pii: S1078-5884(14)00206-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2014.04.019. [Epub ahead of print]  Gommans LN, Saarloos R, Scheltinga MR, Houterman S, de Bie RA, Fokkenrood HJ, Teijink JA. AbstractBACKGROUND:A number of reviews have reported the influence of exercise therapy … Read more

Exercise for Intermittent Claudication

Exercise for intermittent claudication. Physical Therapy. 2011 Jul;91(7):997-1002 Brunelle CL, Mulgrew JA. My Comments This was short review paper but I liked it because it gave consensus recommendations from both the TASC II (Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus Document on Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease) as well as the program from the American Heart Association.  The TASC … Read more

Physical Therapy for Peripheral Artery Disease and Intermittent Claudication

Functional impairment in peripheral artery disease and how to improve it in 2013. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2013 Apr;15(4):347. McDermott MM. AbstractLower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 8 million men and women in the United States and will be increasingly common as the U.S. population lives longer with chronic disease. People with PAD have poorer … Read more

Muscle Spasms and Low Back Pain

This was a pair of studies by the same authors that have some great, real world implications with regards to prevention and physical therapy treatment of low back pain and neck pain. Short rest periods after static lumbar flexion are a risk factor for cumulative low back disorder. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2005 Feb;15(1):37-52. Courville A, … Read more

Abdominal Hollowing, Core / Spine Stabilization, and Low Back Pain

This study explains a lot with regards to differential, and failure to differentiate exercise outcomes in people with low back pain. Effects of abdominal stabilization maneuvers on the control of spine motion and stability against sudden trunk perturbations. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2007 Oct;17(5):556-67. Vera-Garcia FJ1, Elvira JL, Brown SH, McGill SM. Abstract Much discussion exists … Read more

Not Just Strength but Also Neuromuscular Exercise and Counseling Decreases Low Back Pain.

Neuromuscular exercise and counseling decrease absenteeism due to low back pain in young conscripts: a randomized, population-based primary prevention study.   Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Mar 1;38(5):375-84.   Suni JH, Taanila H, Mattila VM, Ohrankämmen O, Vuorinen P, Pihlajamäki H, Parkkari J.   Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Controlled intervention with group randomization. OBJECTIVE: To investigate … Read more

Strength Better than Stretch for Neck Pain AND Range of Motion

This was one of the earlier cervical strength training studies on neck pain that influenced my physical therapy treatments for neck pain. Active neck muscle training in the treatment of chronic neck pain in women: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003 May 21;289(19):2509-16. Ylinen J1, Takala EP, Nykänen M, Häkkinen A, Mälkiä E, Pohjolainen T, Karppi … Read more

ACL Repair: Abnormal Gait, Future Arthritis Due to Low Strength

The effect of insufficient quadriceps strength on gait after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2002 Jan;17(1):56-63. Lewek M1, Rudolph K, Axe M, Snyder-Mackler L. From the study: BACKGROUND:Individuals following anterior cruciate ligament rupture often demonstrate reduced knee angles and moments during the early stance phase of gait. Alterations in gait can neither … Read more

After ACL Repair: Lunges Appear Particularly Safe

Rehabilitation after ACL Injury: A Fluoroscopic Study on the Effects of Type of Exercise on the Knee Sagittal Plane Arthrokinematics. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013 Norouzi S1, Esfandiarpour F, Shakourirad A, Salehi R, Akbar M, Farahmand F. From the study: AbstractA safe rehabilitation exercise for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries needs to be compatible with the … Read more

Rehabilitation after ACL Reconstruction: Leg Extensions, Knee Laxity, and Training Load (Not What You Would Expect)

Is knee laxity change after ACL injury and surgery related to open kinetic chain knee extensor training load? Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 May;88(5):369-75. Morrissey MC, Perry MC, King JB.From the study: OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether knee anterior laxity changes after anterior cruciate ligament injury and surgery are related … Read more

Wall Squats Not so Good after ACL Reconstruction

Tibial displacement and rotation during seated knee extension and wall squatting: a comparative study of tibiofemoral kinematics between chronic unilateral anterior cruciate ligament deficient and healthy knees. Knee. 2013 Oct;20(5):346-53. Keays SL1, Sayers M, Mellifont DB, Richardson C. From the study: “Following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, the knee becomes unstable with alterations in joint … Read more

ACL Reconstruction, Leg Extensions Safe but Timing is Everything

Early versus late start of open kinetic chain quadriceps exercises after ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon or hamstring grafts: a prospective randomized outcome study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2007 Apr;15(4):402-14. Epub 2007 Jan 12. Heijne A, Werner S. From the study: AbstractThe purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate physical outcome after anterior … Read more

After ACL Repair, Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises Not Enough to Restore Quadriceps Strength

Closed kinetic chain alone compared to combined open and closed kinetic chain exercises for quadriceps strengthening after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with respect to return to sports: a prospective matched follow-up study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2000;8(6):337-42.  Mikkelsen C1, Werner S, Eriksson E. From the study: AbstractRehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has … Read more

No Rest Necessary for Achilles Tendinopathy

Continued sports activity, using a pain-monitoring model, during rehabilitation in patients with Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled study. Silbernagel KG, Thomeé R, Eriksson BI, Karlsson J. Am J Sports Med. 2007 Jun;35(6):897-906. AbstractBACKGROUND: Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse injury, especially among athletes involved in activities that include running and jumping. Often an initial period … Read more

How Soon is Too Soon to Lift Weights after Total Knee Arthroplasty?

Progressive strength training (10 RM) commenced immediately after fast-track total knee arthroplasty: is it feasible? Disabil Rehabil. 2012;34(12):1034-40. From the study: “Fourteen patients with unilateral TKA were included from a fast-track orthopedic arthroplasty unit. They received rehabilitation including progressive strength training of the operated leg (leg press and knee-extension), using relative loads of 10 repetition … Read more

Tennis Elbow: Ice Has Zero Effect

A controlled clinical pilot trial to study the effectiveness of ice as a supplement to the exercise programme for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy. Manias P, Stasinopoulos D. Br J Sports Med. 2006 Jan;40(1):81-5. AbstractBACKGROUND: The use of ice as a supplement to an exercise programme has been recommended for the management of lateral … Read more

Low Back Pain. Free Weights Good, Weight Machines and Stretching Bad — It’s Science.

Are flexibility and muscle-strengthening activities associated with a higher risk of developing low back pain? J Sci Med Sport. 2013 Aug 8 The researchers followed 4610 adults and compared their exercise program and incidence of low back pain over an average of 4.9 years. Quotes from the study:“CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, stretching or use of … Read more