Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions最新文献

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.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to assess gross motor function and describe musculoskeletal deformities in patients diagnosed with Congenital zika syndrome (CZS).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, carried out at the Association for Assistance of Disabled Children (AACD) in Pernambuco, Brazil, between June 2017 and April 2023. Medical records and assessments were carried out to describe musculoskeletal deformities and measure gross motor function, using the GMFM-88.

Results: The study included 37 patients between 1 and 2 years old, 56.8% infected during the first trimester of pregnancy. The patients' mean GMFM value was 5.63 and standard deviation was 6.37. A moderate correlation was observed between head circumference at birth and the patients' current gross motor function (Pearson coeficient = 0.594) (p<0.001). We also observed 19 types of deformities, which were more prevalent in the lower limbs.

Conclusion: CZS brings significant impairments to motor function and the musculoskeletal system. In this context, measuring head circumference at birth can serve as a predictor of impaired gross motor function in these children.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between muscle strength in various flexor muscle groups of the fingers and wrist and establishes a method for identifying simulated paralysis using the MicroFET2 muscle strength tester.

Methods: Subjects were divided into three groups: a young cooperative group (n = 60), an elder cooperative group (n = 17), and a simulated paralysis group (n = 25). The peak force of wrist palmar flexion, thumb palmar abduction, and distal finger flexion was measured in different positions using the MicroFET2.

Results: The highest muscle strength was observed in wrist joint dorsal extension at 30°, followed by the neutral position at 0°, and then palmar flexion at 30°. For thumb palmar abduction, strength was higher at 30° than at 60°. Regarding overall flexion strength, wrist palmar flexion was the strongest, followed by the thumb, then the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and finally, the little finger. In contrast, the simulated paralysis group exhibited irregular muscle strength patterns, providing a basis for identifying simulated muscle weakness.

Conclusion: The use of MicroFET2 for measuring finger and wrist flexor muscle strength reveals consistent patterns, aiding in the detection of simulated muscle weakness. These findings enhance the objectivity and accuracy of muscle strength testing in forensic clinical practice.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare the effects of low-intensity strength training applied with blood flow restriction (BFR) method to the lower and upper extremities with classical hypertrophy (CH) training on isokinetic strength parameters, muscle thickness (MT), and athletic performance.

Methods: The participants were divided into 2 groups as BFRG and CHG. The BFRG applied the strength training program with 20-40% of their 1 repetitive maximal (1 RM) and the CH with 60-80% of 1 RM for 8 weeks, including the lower and upper extremities. To analyze the results of different protocols (BFRG and CHG), as well as pre and post-test measurements and the protocol by time interaction effect, a repeated-measures two-way ANOVA test was employed.

Results: In both groups observed isokinetic strength parameters, MT and athletic performance were increased similarly (p<0.05).

Conclusions: BFR with low-intensity strength training elicits similar adaptations to that obtained with high-intensity strength training without BFR.