Introduction The gastrocsoleus complex via the Achilles tendon exerts a plantar flexion moment on the foot and ankle. The manifestation of this moment on the forefoot during gait is that of plantar pressure. Stretching is routinely recommended by physicians to provide relief of forefoot pain, heel pain and plantar fasciitis, as well as being advised prior to sporting activities to minimize inju...

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of self-stretching of cervical muscles, because the accessory inspiratory muscle is considered to improve pulmonary function. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 healthy university students 19-21 years old who did not have any lung disease, respiratory dysfunction, cervical injury, or any problems upon cervical stretching. [Methods] Spirometry was used ...

To acquire and maintain precise movement controls over a lifespan, changes in the physical and physiological characteristics of muscles must be compensated for adaptively. The cerebellum plays a crucial role in such adaptation. Changes in muscle characteristics are not always symmetrical. For example, it is unlikely that muscles that bend and straighten a joint will change to the same degree. T...

BACKGROUND Although most pediatric Chance fractures (PCFs) can be treated successfully with casting and bracing, some PCFs cause progressive spinal deformities requiring surgical treatment. There are only few reports of asymmetrical osteotomy for PCF-associated spinal deformities. CASE PRESENTATION We here report a case of a 10-year-old girl who suffered an L2 Chance fracture from an asymmetr...

Force induced stretching of polymers is important in a variety of contexts. We have used theory and simulations to describe the response of homopolymers, with N monomers, to force (f) in good and poor solvents. In good solvents and for sufficiently large N we show, in accord with scaling predictions, that the mean extension along the f axis 〈Z〉 ∼ f for small f , and 〈Z〉 ∼ f 2 3 (the Pincus regi...

BACKGROUND Many people stretch before or after (or both) engaging in athletic activity. Usually the purpose is to reduce risk of injury, reduce soreness after exercise, or enhance athletic performance. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to determine effects of stretching before or after exercise on the development of post-exercise muscle soreness. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane...

The diffraction efficiency behavior of reflection gratings with an asymmetrical trapezoidal groove profile has been studied. Theoretical calculations predict that at certain grating parameters superior efficiency compared to the conventional ruled gratings can be achieved.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy usually involves the left ventricle more severely than the right, and when asymmetrical may. produce the syndrome of idiopathic subaortic stenosis. Less commonly, clinical manifestations of inflow-tract obstruction predominate and produce a syndrome that may be mistaken for mitral stenosis, principally because of an apical diastolic rumbling murmur. The probability o...