[Purpose] To assess the effect of hamstring and quadriceps strengthening exercises on pain intensity, gait velocity, maximum isometric strength, and activities of daily living of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). [Subjects and Methods] A total of 20 patients with knee OA, 50 to 65 years of age (57.65 ± 4.78 years), received hot packs, strengthening exercises for the quadriceps and the hamstring muscles and stretching exercises for hamstring muscles. Outcome measures included: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA index questionnaire (WOMAC) scores for assessing health status and health outcomes of knee OA; self-reported pain intensity scores, measured using a visual analogue scale; the 50 ft walk test (a measure of gait velocity and function); and handheld dynamometry (a tool used to measure maximum isometric strength of knee extension and flexion). [Results] There was a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention measures of pain intensity, 50 ft walk times, hamstring strength, and quadriceps strength. Significant differences in WOMAC measures were also observed in the subscales of pain, stiffness and physical function, as well as WOMAC total scores. [Conclusion] Strengthening the hamstring muscles in addition to strengthening the quadriceps muscles proved to be beneficial for perceived knee pain, range of motion, and decreasing the limitation of functional performance of patients with knee OA.

Purpose: There are several treatments available for the management of lateral epicondylitis, but there is a dearth of clinical trials compared to the efficacy of a forearm band over supportive elbow taping technique as an adjunct measure in the management of lateral epicondylitis. Materials and Methods: Totally 45 subjects with the mean age of 30±5 years diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis participated in the study based upon inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 15 in each); Group-A (forearm band), Group-B (elbow taping) and Group-C (control), provided with a forearm band, supportive elbow taping technique and as a control group, respectively, although all groups received the conventional physiotherapy in addition to these adjunct measures. The outcome measurements included pain-free grip strength and functional improvement, assessed by using hand-held dynamometer and patient-rated forearm evaluation questionnaire (PRFEQ), respectively. Total duration of study was four weeks. Results: Although all the groups showed improvement with respect to increase in the pain-free grip strength and enhancement of functional independence, however, Group-A has shown the maximum improvement followed by Group-B which in turn proved to be more effective than conventional physiotherapy alone. Conclusion: The application of the forearm band produced a significant increase in the grip strength and function as compared to the elbow taping and control groups. The study implies the potential use of a forearm band in the future in addition to the conventional therapy in the management of patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Fast bowlers are very prone to low back pain. Due to persistence of chronic low back pain (cLBP) fast bowlers suffer disturbances in their daily living and sports specific activities that lead to functional disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of spinal core stabilization exercises on the pain intensity and the functional activity of fast bowlers. [Subjects] Thirty male fast bowlers with cLBP with a mean age of 20.79 ± 2.08 years [Methods] Subjects were screened for this study by using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Experimental and control groups (n=15 in each group) received core stabilization exercises and conventional lumbar flexion-extension exercises respectively. The total study duration of the interventions was 8 weeks. The outcome variables used were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure pain and the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (OLBPDQ) to measure functional disability. [Results] The results showed significant functional improvement (post OLBPDQ score) and decreased pain intensity (VAS score) in both the groups but the experimental group which received spinal core stabilization exercises showed more significant improvements than the control group. [Conclusion] We conclude that the incorporation of spinal core stabilization exercises in the management of chronic low back pain would have better results than conventional exercises for cases of cLBP in fast bowlers.

Objective: Hamstring muscle strain is one of the most frequently occurring injuries in sports. Backward Walking (BW) and Forward Walking (FW) on the treadmill are as a common tool for fitness training in the sports. However minimal clinical research has been conducted on the effectiveness of BW in addition to conservative hamstring strain rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: Thirty, grade I and II hamstring strain subjects with mean age of 25.19 ± 5.02 years were included in the study and, randomly assigned into two groups, BW and FW groups, (n=15) in each group and received 20 minutes of BW and FW respectively. All the participants in the both groups were treated with moist heat and followed by passive stretching. The total duration of the study was for three weeks and the treatment regime were administered four times a week for a total of 12 sessions. The study outcomes for pre and post treatment were measured before and after by lower extremity muscle strength, static and dynamic balance. Results: The results of the study indicate that determinants of quadriceps and ankle plantar flexors strength was significantly improved in the BW group (p<0.05) as compared with FW group and non-significant changes in hamstring strength for both groups (p>0.05). Although static balance improved significantly in BW group (p=0.000), whereas (p=.315) in FW group. Dynamic balance showed significant improvement in both groups (p<0.002). Conclusions: The results of the current study suggest that the static balance and muscle strength especially quadriceps and ankle plantar flexor were improved with BW. Study also concluded that the BW can be incorporated as a safe method of training during hamstring strain rehabilitation in addition to conservative management as there is less eccentric loading on hamstring muscle group during BW.

Study concluded that knee stability and Lysholm functional Knee Score were significantly improved by early mobilization although functional score was more significant in single elbow crutch group than walker and also recommended early weaning off walking aids for faster outcomes during rehabilitation of post-ACL repair.