Publications (11) View all
-
Article: Fatigue-induced alterations of static and dynamic postural control in athletes with a history of ankle sprain
Journal of athletic training 01/2013; · 1.80 Impact Factor -
Chapter: Running a Complementary Stroke Rehabilitation and Aftercare Program: Experiences of Four European Centres
04/2012; , ISBN: 978-953-51-0459-9 -
Article: Effects of localized and general fatigue on static and dynamic postural control in male team handball athletes.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In team sports, sensorimotor impairments resulting from previous injuries or muscular fatigue have been suggested to be factors contributing to an increased injury risk. Although it has been widely shown that physical fatigue affects static postural sway, it is still questionable as to what extent these adaptations are relevant for dynamic, sports-related situations. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of whole-body and localized fatigue on postural control in stable and unstable conditions. Nineteen male team handball players were assessed in 2 sessions separated by 1 week. Treadmill running and single-leg step-up exercises were used to induce physical fatigue. The main outcome measures were center of pressure (COP) sway velocity during a single-leg stance on a force plate and maximum reach distances of the star excursion balance test (SEBT). The COP sway velocity increased significantly (p < 0.05) after general (+47%) and localized fatigue (+10%). No fatigue effects were found for the SEBT. There were no significant correlations between COP sway velocity and SEBT mean reach in any condition. The results showed that although fatigue affects static postural control, sensorimotor mechanisms responsible for regaining dynamic balance in healthy athletes seem to remain predominantly intact. Thus, our data indicate that the exclusive use of static postural sway measures might not be sufficient to allow conclusive statements regarding sensorimotor control in the noninjured athlete population.The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 04/2012; 26(4):1162-8. · 1.83 Impact Factor -
Article: Length changes of human tibialis anterior central aponeurosis during passive movements and isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The behavior of aponeuroses during voluntary contractions is still poorly understood and results provided in the literature are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of the tibialis anterior aponeurosis during passive movements and active isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions in vivo. Based on previous findings, we hypothesized that the aponeurosis exhibits behavior that is not consistent with a serial alignment with the contractile element of the muscle. Nine subjects participated in the study and performed contractions on a Biodex-dynamometer. Two ultrasound probes were used to visualize the proximal and distal ends of the tibialis anterior aponeurosis from which length changes were calculated. The main findings were that: (1) During isometric contractions, aponeurosis lengths increased and decreased with increasing and decreasing forces by about 2.8 (±1.5) mm while tendon length changes were much greater and averaged 15 (±3.3) mm, (2) during passive movements, aponeurosis lengths did not change significantly, and (3) despite similar average torque changes during concentric and eccentric contractions, aponeurosis lengths changed by 2.2 mm in concentric but only by 1.2 mm in eccentric contractions. The results of this study did not provide clear evidence for or against a serial alignment of the aponeurosis with the contractile elements. However, at low activation levels during force ramp contractions, there was a small but consistent shortening of aponeuroses with increasing torque. Our findings suggest that aponeurosis length changes do not depend on force alone but depend critically on activation level and the type of contraction.Arbeitsphysiologie 08/2011; 112(4):1485-94. · 2.15 Impact Factor -
Article: [Tai Chi as Intervention to Reduce Falls in Older People]
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Falls in older people are a major public health problem. A limited number of randomised controlled trials could show that Tai Chi interventions reduce falls outcomes in independent living older people but not in the institutionalised setting. The eff ectiveness can primarily be attributed to improvements in postural stability. The minimum duration of interventions should be 3–6 months.Physikalische Medizin Rehabilitationsmedizin Kurortmedizin 08/2011; 21(4):199-202. · 0.31 Impact Factor
