In this study, crude petroleum benzene, chloroform, methanol and water extracts of six selected vegetables namely, garlic chives (Allium tuberosum), celery (Apium graveolens (L.)), sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas (L.)), curry leaves (Murraya koenigii (L.)), winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and sweet leaves (Sauropus androgynus) were tested for antioxidant activities using three bioassays namely 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay and metal chelating assay. Overall, among the 24 crude extracts tested, petroleum benzene and chloroform extract of Murraya koenigii (L.) showed higher free radical scavenging activities (IC50 = 0.02 mg/mL and 0.0225 mg/mL, respectively) when compared to ascorbic acid (IC50 = 0.00375 mg/mL) and strong reducing powers with absorbance value of 1.208 ± 0.006 and 1.833 ± 0.003 when compared to butylated hydroxyanisole with absorbance value of 2.625 ± 0.004 at the highest concentration tested, 1 mg/mL in both DPPH and reducing power assay, respectively. In metal chelating assay, methanol, petroleum benzene and chloroform extracts of Murraya koenigii (L.) showed moderate metal chelating activities of 88.60 ± 0.02%, 78.30 ± 0.23% and 73.61 ± 0.22%, respectively, at 1 mg/mL when compared to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid which is 98.63 ± 0.13%. These findings suggested the important significance of Murraya koenigii (L.) consumption in prevention of diseases.
Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 5(2): 1-8, 2016 - The objective of this
study was to determine the number of familiarisation sessions required for isokinetic knee
extension and flexion in female varsity athletes. Thirty right footed dominance female varsity
athletes (n=30; age: 21.73 ±0.22 years, body mass index (BMI): 22.58 ±0.52 kg/m2), with no
history of knee injuries were recruited. The design started with either with the dominant or
non-dominant limb, followed by the opposite limb. Four sets of isokinetic maximal voluntary
contraction at 60 o/s were performed for each limb. The results showed that for knee
extension regardless of which limb starts first is 2 sessions, however for knee flexion, 3
sessions is required for dominant limb while 2 for non-dominant. In addition, the presence of
cross-education effect is observed for knee flexion from non-dominant to dominant limb,
where the number of session was reduced from three to two. In conclusion, we propose that
two sessions of familiarisation are required for female varsity athletes and should begin with the non-dominant limb followed by dominant limb.
The objective of the present preliminary study was to investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment
alongside rehabilitation programme compared with rehabilitation programme alone on antioxidant enzymes’ (superoxide
dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT) activity and time to return to play (RTP) following hamstring injury among Malaysian
athletes. Participants diagnosed with grade-2 acute hamstring injury (n=10) were randomised into 2 groups of PRP
treatment and rehabilitation programme (PRP-T) and rehabilitation programme alone (CON). Blood samples were collected
at baseline and 2 fortnightly (week-2, W2; week-4, W4) for the biochemical assessments. Participants were certified to
have recovered upon fulfilling RTP criteria. PRP-T group showed a significantly lower CAT activity compared to CON group
(47.55% lower at W2, 37% lower at W4, p<0.05), while there was no significant difference in SOD activity between the
groups. Although PRP-T group benefited from an earlier (~15 days) time to RTP compared to the CON group, no statistically
significant difference was noted; however, the effect size was large (Cohen’s d=0.9). These findings suggested that PRP
treatment alongside rehabilitation potentially reduces the degree of secondary tissue damage and facilitates muscle
recovery through regulation of antioxidant enzymes, which subsequently hastens time to RTP. Athletes and coaches could
consider PRP as viable treatment for hamstring injury.
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the pattern of muscle injuries and the factors that predict the return-to-play duration among Malaysian athletes.
METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the case notes of athletes who attended the National Sports Institute Clinic in Malaysia. The medical records of athletes with muscle injury, diagnosed on clinical assessment and confirmed by diagnostic ultrasonography, were included for final analysis.
RESULTS: From June 2006 to December 2009, 397 cases of muscle injury were diagnosed among 360 athletes. The median age of the athletes with muscle injuries was 20.0 years. Muscle injuries were mostly diagnosed among national-level athletes and frequently involved the lower limb, specifically the hamstring muscle group. Nearly all of the athletes (99.2%) were treated conservatively. The median return-to-play duration was 7.4 weeks. Athletes who waited more than one week before seeking medical attention, those with recurrent muscle injuries and female athletes were significantly more likely (p < 0.05) to take more than six weeks before returning to the sport.
CONCLUSION: Grade 2 lower limb muscle injury was commonly diagnosed among national-level athletes in this study. The frequency of weekly physiotherapy sessions did not affect the return-to-play duration. Factors such as initial consultation at more than one week post injury, recurrent muscle injuries and female gender were significant predictors of return-to-play duration among Malaysian athletes. These predictive factors should be kept in mind during clinical assessment so as to aid in prognosticating recovery after muscle injury.