eS894 WCPT Congress 2015 / Physiotherapy 2015; Volume 101, Supplement 1 eS833–eS1237 Research Report Poster Presentation Number: RR-PO-09-13-Sun Sunday 3 May 2015 12:15 Exhibit halls 401–403 MUSCLE STIFFNESS OF THE SUPERFICIAL HEADS OF QUADRICEPS FEMORIS DURING SUBMAXIMAL ISOMETRIC CONTRACTION C.L. Liu 1,2 , J.-F. Xu 2 , Z.-J. Zhang 2 , S.N. Fu 2 1 Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; 2 The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong Background: Torque-angle measurement reflects ten- sion from the contractile and non-contractile structures. This global measurement cannot provide information on isolated muscle within a muscle group. Recent development in Elas- tography technique allows non-invasive measurement on muscle stiffness during isometric contraction. Purpose: To explore muscle stiffness of the superficial heads of the quadriceps femoris during sub-maximal isomet- ric contraction with the knee at different angles. Methods: Fourteen subjects (7 males, 7 female; age: 28.4 ± 4.9 years; height: 166.0 ± 7.4 cm and weight: 61.9 ± 11.7 kg) participated in this study. The Subjects were requested to have isometric contraction at 30% maximal iso- metric contraction for 15 seconds with the knee positioned at 30 ◦ , 60 ◦ and 90 ◦ of knee flexion using Cybex dynamome- ter. During the contraction, muscle stiffness was measured by elastograph (SuperSonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France) on the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles, at random orders. Three Measurements were taken on each muscle and on the dom- inant leg. Shear elastic modulus (sEM) was computed from the ultrasound system. Mean sEM from the 3 measurements on each muscle at each angle were calculated for further analysis. Results: Significant increase in sEM was observed on the 3 tested muscles during isometric contraction at 30% MVC with the knee positioned from 30 ◦ to 60 ◦ and from 60 to 90 ◦ of knee flexion. RF had earlier rise in sEM (during 30 ◦ –60 ◦ ) when compared with VL and VMO muscles. The VL and VMO muscles had similar pattern of activation at different knee positions. Conclusion(s): Muscle behaviours during sub-maximal isometric contraction with the knee positioned at different angles was dissimilar between the superficial muscle heads of the quadriceps femoris. Implications: Measurement of isolated muscle stiffness during contraction is essential for better understanding of motor control in healthy and individuals with pathologies. Keywords: Elastography; Muscle stiffness; Superficial heads of quadriceps femoris Funding acknowledgements: No. Ethics approval: This study was conducted according to the Helsinki statement and has been approved by the local ethics committee. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1729 Research Report Poster Presentation Number: RR-PO-17-13-Mon Monday 4 May 2015 12:15 Exhibit halls 401–403 EFFECTIVENESS OF A FAMILY-CENTERED INTERVENTION PROGRAM IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT PRETERM INFANTS AT TERM AGE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL F.C. Liu 1 , W.S. Hsieh 2 , C.H. Hsu 3 , Y.J. Lin 4 , W.J. Chen 5 , C.H. Lin 4 , R.J. Cherng 6 , S.L. Hsieh 7 , L. Lu 8,9 , Y.J. Chang 10 , L.C. Chen 11,12 , S.F. Jeng 11,12 1 School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; 2 National Taiwan University Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei, Taiwan; 3 Mackay Memorial Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei, Taiwan; 4 National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Tainan, Taiwan; 5 Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; 6 School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; 7 National Cheng Kung University, Department of Psychology & Institute of Cognitive Science, and Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Tainan, Taiwan; 8 National Taiwan University, Department of Psychology, Taipei, Taiwan; 9 National Taiwan University Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei, Taiwan; 10 College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Department of Nursing, Tainan, Taiwan; 11 College of Medicine, School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; 12 Physical Therapy Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Background: Preterm birth (gestational age < 37 weeks) with very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight < 1500 g) is a public health issue globally. The advancement of peri- natal care has significantly improved the neonatal survival rate of preterm infants with VLBW, however their risk of neurodevelopmental disorders remains high. Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a family- centered intervention program (FCIP) for VLBW preterm infants and to examine its short-term effect on neonatal morbidity, growth and neurodevelopment in comparison to standard developmental care.