ARTICLES
Secretly Strengenthing your Child's Core: Fun with the Physio Ball
TANYA BELL JENJE
As adults, most of us have heard of the 'core'’ or stabilising muscles of the trunk. They are vital to assist in trunk stability, and joint control. The muscles of this ‘abdominal canister’ co‐contract to produce and control intra‐abdominal pressure and assist in stability and load transfer across the lumbo‐pelvic area. These muscles, or 'core'’, atrophy, or weaken, due to pain and/or sustained postural dysfunction (eg slump sitting).
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Insulin Resistance – an Underlying Health Epidemic
STACEY HEYINK
Most people with pre-diabetes or insulin resistance don’t know it yet.More than 60% of the South African population are clinically obese, and roughly one in every 17 South Africans are diabetic! This is a huge problem if we consider that obesity and diabetes are the leading causes of heart disease, dementia, cancer and premature death in the world. Even if you do have perfectly normal blood sugar levels, you may still be insulin resistant. This article should help answer some questions: What is insulin resistance?
How can I identify if I am insulin resistant?
And, what can I do to reduce my risk?
Pretty Shoes, Ugly Feet?
JESSICA SPENCE
Fashions come and go, but guaranteed, as summer arrives, so do all those gorgeous sandals and open-toed shoes. The last thing one wants is to have to cover up due to unsightly toes! South African women are exhibiting common toe ‘deformities’ and these often infringe on our fashion choices. Bunions and hammer/claw toes are two of the most common toe problems affecting women today.
Whilst these conditions are sometimes caused by biomechanical and structural abnormalities, shoe-wear has become a strong causative and aggravating factor in women.
Your ankles matter: Reduced flexibility in cyclists predisposes to hip and knee injuries.
TANYA BELL-JENJE
In recent years, a wealth of valuable research has been done into hip biomechanics. It is well known that the weakness of certain hip muscles, particularly the hip extensors, abductors and lateral rotators (such as Gluteus Maximus and Medius), and the tightness of other
hip muscles, especially the hip flexors, adductors and medial rotators, predispose us to poor lower limb alignment, resulting in torsion at the hip, knee and ankle during loading.
Marathon injuries: Illiotibial band friction syndrome and Achilles tendinopathy
JESSICA SPENCE
Many athletes experience lower limb injuries due to the repetitive nature of long distance running. Marathon runners are most likely to suffer from an overuse injury due to the repetitive nature of running and the extreme nature of the sport. This article discusses two lower limb injuries common to long distance runners: Illiotibial Band Friction Syndrome and Achilles tendinopathy.
ARTICLES
Biokinetics - its role in health and physical maintenance, and final phase rehabilitation
MONIQUE VAN MEYEREN
According to the World Health Organization, lack of physical activity is the cause of approximately 17% of reported cases of heart disease and diabetes. More doctors are thus leaning towards exercise as a method of treatment, and this has led to the growth of Biokinetics as a profession.
Biokinetics is the medical profession – recognized by the Health Professions Council of South Africa – that is concerned with health promotion, the maintenance of physical abilities and final phase rehabilitation. Biokinetics is not only prescribed for individuals with chronic conditions, but also for individuals with orthopaedic conditions needing final phase treatment, athletes that want to improve sport performance, and for the general population seeking to improve wellbeing through physical activity.
Falling Onto The Outstretched Arm: A Common Cause of Hand Stiffness
ROXANNE WENTZEL
Think about a time when you have tripped or stumbled, your first reaction is to maintain your balance with your hand and arm. Often one will break a fall by the use of the hand bent backwards, and on an outstretched arm. Either this will result in a saved fall, a sprained wrist or worse - a broken bone. The most commonly broken bone in the arm is the radius. This can then lead to disuse of the arm and further to a very stiff hand. A stiff hand can be highly limiting when trying to carry out activities within your life.
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