Exercise and physical activity have a positive impact on an individual’s health and social life. Exercising regularly will ensure physical fitness and fortify the body’s immune system. But, incorporating sports in one’s lifestyle is hardly possible with the ever-accelerating pace of modern life, in addition to health problems that may limit mobility making it almost impossible to engage in any form of sports or regular physical activity.

Nonetheless, modern smart technology offers an effective solution to people with limited mobility, through the Electrical Muscle Stimulation technology known as Electromyostimulation.

The European College of Sport Science during its 23rd annual congress held in the Irish capital Dublin, published an abstract about “Whole-body Electromyostimulation” (WB-EMS) to treat patients with chronic nonspecific back pain. We gladly present the abstract to you below:

WHOLE-BODY ELECTROMYOSTIMULATION (WB-EMS) TRAINING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC UNSPECIFIC BACK PAIN

INTRODUCTION: The preferred intervention for treating patients with chronic nonspecific back pain, according to the German National Care Guideline, is active exercise and to establish regular exercise in daily life. The lifestyle of patients with chronic nonspecific back pain mostly does not include any sports. They also often suffer from limitations of their mobility due to degenerative diseases of further joints. Therefore, there is an urgent need to help physical passive people to enable them to exercise easier. The use of Electromyostimulation (EMS) in order to train specific muscles has been established in physiotherapy for decades. Within the fitness industry, supported training by WB-EMS is becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, applying this kind of training seems logical in patients with chronic unspecific back pain.

METHODS: In an ongoing prospective clinical trial, 49 patients with chronic nonspecific back pain have been enrolled for WB-EMS training. The average age is 53.7 years (27-85 years). The first evaluation takes place after 3 months. The training is carried out according to the usual recommendations in fitness training once a week for 20 minutes under the guidance of a trained physiotherapist. The core muscles are trained upper and lower limbs.

RESULTS: The pain sensation averages on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; 1-10) improved significantly by 1.198 (from 4.66 to 3.46, p <0.05). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) improved significantly, resulting in a significant 3.37% reduction in disability (p <0.05). The NASS also achieved a significant improvement of 0.51 points (p <0.05). The pain value of the SF 36 questionnaire improved by 8.88 (p <0.05). The other SF-36 parameters also tended to improve without reaching significance levels. In the point "limitations due to emotional problems", no improvement could be achieved. In the HADS score, improvements could be found for depression and anxiety, but these changes were also not significant.

CONCLUSION: By training with WB-EMS, all the back and pain parameters in the examined scores could be improved. It is thus an efficient training tool for people with chronic nonspecific back pain. In the further course of the study, the long-term effect will be evaluated by extending the training period. A comparison group with a traditional physiotherapy program will show the efficiency compared to a physiotherapeutic therapy concept.

Original Article-Link: www.researchgate.net/publication/327137101

Congress-Link:  http://ecss-congress.eu/2018

By Damsco Media

When Simon Sinek published his book “Start with Why” in 2009, he contemplated on the critical importance of having a clear answer to the question WHY and a strong commitment to defined goals, for companies and individuals who seek to achieve prosperity and success.

Sinek thoroughly analyzed and explained the value of this question, and presented his theory The Golden Circle to guarantee sustainable success and prosperity to the institutions that imply its concepts. But, there is still no research that studies and compares the integration and effect of this concept in competing companies across the globe.

During the last decade, we have witnessed pivotal changes and developments in smart communication technologies, and the emergence of giant companies like Apple, Samsung, and Huawei.

Has Apple maintained its answer to WHY?

Simon Sinek mentions Apple as one of the successful companies that had clearly understood and successfully integrated the concepts of the Golden Circle, for its founder genuinely believed in the objectives of the company.

Sinek described the company’s accomplishments explaining in detail the factors that made them possible.

Without a doubt, Apple challenged, innovated, and made a difference in the world. People trust this trademark and believe in the quality of its products, and would excitedly stand for hours in long lines to purchase one of their pricey high-end new releases.

Apple dominated the smartphone market but not for long. The company didn’t face any real competition until Samsung entered the playground and started producing rival smartphones registering growing revenues.

At times, Samsung had to face and deal with problems. But, through perseverance and excellence was able to withstand and produce devices that surpassed Apple in specifications and revenues as well.  

Anyone who is familiar with Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle will logically ask the following question: Has Apple diverted and lost vision of its WHY which inspired and transformed our technology and its applications?

We may not be able to give a definite answer to this question now, but we can observe the decline in the sales of Apple smart devices in contrast to the stable growth of Samsung customers community.

Samsung: The Flexible Titan

It is somewhat entertaining to watch the ongoing competition between Samsung and Apple which resembles the rivalry chase between Tom and Jerry.

Both companies need to keep this battle between them going so that the world continues to witness brilliant innovations in smartphones and their applications.

Samsung obliged Apple to rethink its WHY which Sinek assumed the company believed in, trusting that their consumers loved their products.

This can be a pretty reasonable interpretation.But, we also need to consider that after ten years of rapid technological evolution, and with the constant change in the needs and expectations of new generations, Apple may have to reevaluate its vision.

On the other hand, we cannot definitely claim that Samsung has applied Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle even though the company continues to increase its sales, revenues, and the number of its committed customers, transcending those of Apple.

Huawei: The Attainable Red Treasure

Probably, the founder and president of Huawei Ren Zhengfei, has read Sinek’s book “Start with Why” or at least heard of it or considered the concept of WHY when he set his company’s vision.

What if this company has a clear vision of its Golden Circle and is indeed challenging that in which Apple believes?

Huawei’s slogan“Building a fully connected, intelligent world” might reveal to us the answer Ren Zhengfei envisages for his company’s Golden Circle’s central question WHY.

Today, Huawei smartphones are possessed by millions of people, who may not share its vision, but are glad to be able to obtain high-end technology with an affordable price.

Mr. Zhengfei repeatedly proclaimed that Huawei is a competitive company with advanced technology and pioneering innovative approach.

Is the affordability of Huawei devices the only contributor to its triumph? The company, indeed, aims to make new state-of-the-art smart technology available for everyone with affordable prices.

There could be other reasons for the rise in Huawei’s shares in the stock market, in addition to the ideology of its founder who believes in everyone’s equal right to access technology.

Until Simon Sinek delivers a new study in this regard, let us meditate in a quote from his book “Start with Why” in which he states: “Knowing WHY is essential for lasting success and the ability to avoid being lumped in with others.”

Damsco Media

After adopting the vision of Sheikh Zayed, and with the wisdom and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has succeeded in attracting major leading international, commercial and economic Institutions to compete on its territory, in accordance with the UAE’s legislation, laws and facilities. Faced with this great economic momentum Mr. Mohannad Fayez Al Masre, Chairman of Damsco Group decided to enter UAE’s investment market in 2011, after successful experiences in the Middle East.

The Dawn of Damsco group

Damsco Group was established in Damascus in 2004, when it started its investments in the fields of the Stock Exchange Market, the Main Food Commodities Trade, and the Automotive Trade. Soon, the Group was able to raise its revenues in the local market, and registered significant growth during the first four years of its inception.

After their success, the Group’s Board of Directors, led by Mr. Mohannad Al Masre decided to expand the geographical area of ​​its investments by opening a branch in Baghdad in 2008, in addition to its projects in Syria.

These investments began in the oil and electric power generation sectors. The group has also entered major food tenders in Iraq to continue their success story further.

In 2011, the group opened an office in the heart of Dubai’s commercial city to enter the UAE’s economic competition. The Group’s Board of Directors believed that it was imperative to diversify investments. Thus they launched new projects in the real estate market, media marketing and government-related events in the UAE.

It was not long before the group set out for Europe through investments in Turkey. Indeed, an office was opened in Istanbul in 2017, to launch enterprises in the power generation sector and the trading of minerals and oil derivatives.

Why invest in the future?

Damsco Group is currently studying the possibility of digital transformation and the inclusion of digital applications within its diverse companies.

The group looks forward to competing in the “Joint Arab Vision for Digital Economy” launched at the end of 2018 in Abu Dhabi, and become a part of the digital equation in the future economic competition within the UAE.

The Group’s management believes that modern investment rules have evolved, and ambitious companies have to renew their “economic cells” to become more flexible and receptive to technological requirements, digital applications and challenges in the area of artificial intelligence.

People who are not familiar with the dynamics of the economy in Dubai may think that private companies, adopting digital transformation and smart applications, is a kind of “commercial vanity.” However, the city’s access to advanced infrastructure, communication technology, and the smart road transportation network allows for such “intellectual appearances”, and effectively contributes to the implementation of any project, regardless of its needs.

With these facilities offered by Dubai government departments, companies and institutions have two choices: Either a gradual shift to intelligent applications and a digitization policy, which is not easy, as this requires a clear strategic vision as well as an assessment of the company’s financial, human and technological capabilities that can make this vision a success.

Or, making a bold decision, and climbing the economic ladder to reach the summit, a necessary part of the future economic system in the UAE.

Damsco Group believes that conducting a digital transformation in its administrative and financial structure through the development of its internal departments such as public relations, human resources, financial management, personnel and other departments, will reflect in the productivity of its employees and its relationship with customers and competitors.

The Chairman of the Group, Mr. Mohannad Al Masre, through his cadres, seeks to develop innovative digital models to test the quality of their services and ensure the welfare of customers, while maintaining their professionalism and excellence. However, the Group did not disclose details about future implementation mechanisms as they prefer to wait until the right time in the future.

In this regard, the Group coordinates and cooperates with renowned UAE companies in the field of technology and innovative industries to ensure high quality and technological advancement.

In the end, everyone can start investing, but, a solid foundation and proper planning in any organization are what ensure its continuity and economic leadership.

Damsco Media