[Critical observation of selected exercises of power training in relation to prevention of postural damage and physical handicaps].

Prevention of and compensation for muscular weaknesses in postural disorders and physical disability are priority tasks of physiotherapy. A range of typical exercises are therefore being used to strengthen weakened groups of muscles, some of them traditionally already included in school sports. Most therapy concepts primarily focus on muscle strengthening, without taking into consideration that it is crucial to redress muscular imbalances by stretching contracted muscle groups as well. Based on this experience, the effectiveness of several specifically modified exercises was tested, derived from the usual range of physiotherapy activities in strengthening very commonly weakened muscle groups, i.e. the abdominal, gluteal, sacrospinalis and shoulder-blade affixing musculature. To increase exercise effectiveness, training machines were used in addition. Stretching exercises were carried out initially, in terms of passive stretching with isometric pre-tension. The following muscle groups were stretched: rectus femoris m., iliopsoas m., pectoralis m., and lumbar sacrospinalis m. Altogether, 64 patients between age 16 and 27 were examined following training therapy, 58 patients presented pure postural disorders, 6 had slight cerebral movement disorders. Two almost equal study groups were formed, one (31 patients) receiving only gymnastic exercises, the other (33 patients) using training machines. The muscular situation was tested after 6 months by means of Janda's semiquantitative muscle-testing. For further objective assessment of therapy outcome, Neugebauer's 'back-index' was determined. Muscular harmony and spinal balance were found to have significantly improved in the second group who had used the training machines. A slight reduction of muscle spasticity in addition was found in the patients with cerebral movement disorders.