Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions最新文献

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of external load on the contribution of tendon lengthening during eccentric phase and tendon shortening velocity during concentric phase in stretch-shortening cycle exercises.

Methods: Fifteen men performed no-countermovement jump (noCMJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) using only ankle joint with three different loads (0, 30, and 70% of 1 repetition maximum (RM)). Mean torque, angular velocity, power, and fascicle length of the medial gastrocnemius muscle were measured during jumping. In addition, the relative differences in the measured variables of CMJ compared to noCMJ were defined as pre-stretch augmentation.

Results: During concentric phase, the pre-stretch augmentation in angular velocity and power was significantly correlated with that in tendon shortening velocity (except for 70%1RM) but not in fascicle shortening velocity. The increases in tendon length during eccentric phase of CMJ were highly correlated with mean power during concentric phase for all load conditions.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the tendon shortening velocity during concentric phase and the amount of tendon lengthening during eccentric phase (i.e., tendon dynamics) strongly contribute to increased performance in stretch-shortening exercises.

Objectives: This study investigated the relationships between ankle dorsiflexion, first toe strength, and core stability in male and female futsal players.

Methods: Fourteen male professional players from the Spanish first division and 22 female players from the second division were evaluated. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was measured using the LegMotion® system. Core stability was assessed via the OCTOcore app during single-leg deadlift (SLD) and bird-dog (BD) exercises. Toe flexor strength (TFS) was measured with a handheld dynamometer, and plantar flexor endurance was evaluated using the heel-raise test (HR). Statistical correlations were analyzed to explore neuromuscular relationships.

Results: In males, a moderate positive correlation (p < 0.01) was found between ankle dorsiflexion and TFS, suggesting enhanced ankle mobility may increase toe strength. A negative correlation between TFS and SLD performance indicated stronger toe flexors correlated with better core stability. In females, a negative correlation between ankle dorsiflexion and BD performance implied greater ankle mobility improved core stability. Conversely, a positive correlation between TFS and SLD performance suggested stronger toe flexors were linked to poorer core stability.

Conclusions: Ankle mobility and toe strength enhance core stability in males, while females employ distinct neuromuscular strategies, highlighting the need for gender-specific training programs.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the validity and reliability of the AST and explore its measurement precision through standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC). A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify studies evaluating the AST's psychometric properties. Studies reporting quantitative validity or reliability data (e.g., correlation coefficients, ICC) were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to pool validity and reliability estimates, with heterogeneity assessed using I² and Tau². SEM and MDC values were systematically reviewed to evaluate measurement precision. Seven studies were included in the systematic review, with five studies (42 validity estimates) and six studies (35 reliability estimates) contributing to the meta-analysis. The AST demonstrated promising levels of validity (pooled r = 0.923) and reliability (pooled r = 0.958), although substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² > 85%) and should be considered when interpreting these findings. No significant publication bias was detected. SEM ranged from 0.85 - 20.43 N, and MDC from 2.37 - 56.63 N, indicating variable measurement precision. Overall, the AST appears to be a potentially useful tool for assessing shoulder function, with relevance for clinical and research applications.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle properties in infants with Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) using myotonometry and determine its sensitivity to changes following physiotherapy.

Methods: Twenty-five infants (0-12 months) diagnosed with CMT participated in this study from May 2023 to February 2024. They underwent an 8-week physiotherapy program. Muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness were measured using myotonometry, muscle strength by the Muscle Function Scale (MFS), and neck range of motion by an arthrodial protractor before and after treatment.

Results: The mean age was 4 ± 1.56 months. Significant differences in SCM tone and stiffness between affected and intact sides were observed pre-treatment (p<0.05) but were not significant post-treatment (p>0.05). Intra-group improvements were significant for muscle tone (p=0.005), elasticity (p=0.009), stiffness (p=0.009), strength (p=0.006), and neck range of motion (p=0.021). Muscle tone decreased by 19.65%, muscle stiffness by 24.99%, and muscle elasticity improved by 9.42%. Passive lateral flexion increased by 59.09% and passive rotation by 25.40%.

Conclusions: SCM muscle properties differ between sides in individuals with CMT; however, myotonometry effectively detects improvements following physiotherapy, making it a valuable clinical evaluation tool. Nevertheless, the relatively small sample size should be taken into account when interpreting the findings.

Objectives: This study examined the acute impact of percussion massage therapy (PMT) on calf muscle activation during heel raises in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods: Thirty-nine university students, 20 with CAI and 19 controls, were randomized to 30 seconds of PMT or no intervention (NOPMT). Surface EMG measured medial gastrocnemius activity during heel raise before and after.

Results: Pre-intervention, CAI limbs displayed significantly lower peak muscle activation than limbs without CAI (26%, p = 0.012). Post-intervention, both PMT groups showed significant reductions in peak EMG (CAI: 10%, controls: 12%, p < 0.05), while NOPMT groups remained unchanged.

Conclusion: These results indicate CAI is associated with reduced calf muscle activation, and PMT further decreases it. However, PMT's activation-reducing effect may be counterproductive when increased muscle activation is desired, necessitating further research on PMT's interaction with activation exercises. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and optimal timing of PMT in rehabilitation and athletic settings.

Objectives: This study assessed the impact of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise with a low frequency (30 Hz) on anterior trunk flexion flexibility among sedentary female university students.

Methods: A pre-test and post-test experimental study design was carried out with 60 sedentary females in the age range of 20 to 30 years, who were divided evenly into an experimental group and a control group. Participants in the experimental group underwent three sessions of WBV exercise on a Power Plate platform (2 minutes each session, frequency 30 Hz, and amplitude 2 mm), followed by 1 minute of rest in between sessions. The participants in the control group stood on the Power Plate platform with the mechanical vibration turned off. The anterior trunk flexion test was used to assess the degree of flexibility.

Results: The WBV technique significantly improved the anterior trunk flexion (mean difference 2.60; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2384-2.9617, p<0.05). The experimental group showed greater improvement (mean difference 2.20; 95% CI: 1.037-3.363, p<0.05) compared to the control group, as well as a larger effect size.

Conclusion: Acute WBV immediately improved the anterior trunk flexion flexibility in female sedentary university students.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the morphological characteristics and stiffness of the bilateral Achilles tendon (AT) and jump performance, as well as to investigate the relationship between these factors in male and female university Kendo athletes.

Methods: Ten male and ten female trained university Kendo players participated in the study. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to capture images of the sagittal and transverse images of the AT, from which the transverse cross-sectional area (CSA), length, and volume were calculated. AT stiffness was also assessed using the MyotonPRO, and rebound jump and single-leg hop performance were measured.

Results: The maximum CSA of the AT was significantly greater in the left leg than in the right leg (p<0.05). No significant relationship was found between AT characteristics and jumping performance, regardless of gender or whether the left or right leg was considered.

Conclusions: These results suggest that the characteristic kinematic loading of the left leg during jumping in Kendo may lead to different adaptations in AT morphology between the left and right legs, regardless of gender.

Objective: To explore the expression levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and biomarkers (MMPs, COMP) in the synovial fluid of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) at different Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grades and to analyze their predictive effect on disease progression.

Methods: This was a retrospective single-center study involving 154 KOA patients, divided into four K-L grades: grade 1 (37 cases), grade 2 (39 cases), grade 3 (42 cases), and grade 4 (36 cases). Inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and biomarkers (MMPs, COMP) were measured in synovial fluid. Visual analog scale (VAS) and WOMAC scores were also assessed. One-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare differences between groups, while correlation and multiple regression analyses evaluated the impact of these indicators on disease progression.

Results: IL-6 levels significantly increased with higher K-L grade. COMP levels also varied significantly across grades. Correlation analysis revealed that IL-6 (r=0.7021, P<0.001) and COMP (r=0.8579, P<0.001) were strongly correlated with K-L grade. Multiple regression analysis identified IL-6 and COMP as independent predictors of disease progression.

Conclusion: IL-6 and COMP in synovial fluid are significantly associated with KOA disease grading and progression. These biomarkers can aid in disease monitoring and early intervention, providing a basis for personalized treatment.

Objective: We examined the effect of atorvastatin on the prevention and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: A total of 300 patients were equally assigned to a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group received oral atorvastatin calcium tablets (20 mg/day) starting on the first day after surgery. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, incision hemorrhage, postoperative infection, and incision ecchymosis were evaluated in both groups. Additionally, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, Harris hip scores, and Harris grading were compared between the two groups.

Results: The incidence of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, incision hemorrhage, postoperative infection, and incision ecchymosis was significantly lower in the treatment group after atorvastatin intervention (P < 0.05 vs. control group). The hemoglobin levels, hematocrits, and VAS scores in the treatment group were significantly lower on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after surgery (P < 0.05 vs. control group). The Harris hip scores and the number of patients with excellent Harris grading were significantly higher in the treatment group (P < 0.05 vs. control group).

Conclusion: Atorvastatin is effective in preventing VTE after THA and in improving postoperative joint function.