[Robotic mechanotherapy in a complex of procedures for the functional state recovery of the neuromuscular system and peripheral hemodynamics in track-and-field athletes].

The background of the study is caused by the need to develop methods of drug-free neuromuscular system and peripheral hemodynamics recovery of athletes to optimize their functioning after intense physical activity in current conditions of high sporting competition.

Objective: To develop a program of comprehensive recovery of neuromuscular apparatus and hemodynamics of the lower limbs of track-and-field athletes during intense physical activity, including mechanotherapy on the robotic biomechanical complex with biological feedback and to evaluate its efficacy, comparing with a standard recovery program.

Material and methods: The study involved 23 track-and-field athletes (the mean age 24.6±3.8 years) with qualification «master of sports» and «master of sports of international class». The athletes were randomly divided into two groups (study and control). In the study group athletes received hydro-, presso- and magnetotherapy procedures, as well as mechanotherapy procedures on a robotic biomechanical complex with biological feedback. The athletes from control group received only traditional rehabilitation with hydro-, press- and magnetotherapy. The examination of the functional state of the neuromuscular apparatus and peripheral hemodynamics was performed with the use of stimulation electroneuromyography, robotic dynamometry and rheovasography.

Results: When registering a motor response from a foot extensor digitorum brevis, innervated by the deep fibular nerve, after conduction of procedures set, a decrease in the residual latency parameters of study group's athletes was found. The dynamometric investigation showed a decrease in the fatigue coefficient of knee joint's flexors and extensors, as well as an increase in the strength of knee joint's extensors in the athletes from the study group. During the rheovasography the decrease of the rheographic index in the «foot» and «lower leg» segments in the study group was revealed. The decrease of the geographic index in the «lower leg» segment and normalization of the rheographic waves distribution time in the «foot» segment in control group were identified.

Conclusion: The study results showed the efficacy of both the standard recovery program for athletes and the program, supplemented by mechanotherapy. It has been found that the use of hydro-, presso- and magnetotherapy is more conductive to the normalization of the blood flow, while the inclusion of mechanotherapy, in addition to the action on peripheral hemodynamics, improves the neuromuscular transmission, reduces fatigue of muscular system and increases its strength indicators.