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Sports (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024(1) Background: The aim of this paper is to analyze the acute effects of different velocity loss (VL) thresholds during a full squat (SQ) with blood-flow restriction...
(1) Background: The aim of this paper is to analyze the acute effects of different velocity loss (VL) thresholds during a full squat (SQ) with blood-flow restriction (BFR) on strength performance, neuromuscular activity, metabolic response, and muscle contractile properties. (2) Methods: Twenty strength-trained men performed four protocols that differed in the VL achieved within the set (BFR0: 0% VL; BFR10: 10% VL; BFR20: 20% VL; and BFR40: 40% VL). The relative intensity (60% 1RM), recovery between sets (2 min), number of sets (3), and level of BFR (50% of arterial occlusion pressure) were matched between protocols. Tensiomyography (TMG), blood lactate, countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal voluntary isometric SQ contraction (MVIC), and performance with the absolute load required to achieve 1 m·s at baseline measurements in SQ were assessed before and after the protocols. (3) Results: BFR40 resulted in higher EMG alterations during and after exercise than the other protocols ( < 0.05). BFR40 also induced greater impairments in TMG-derived variables and BFR10 decreased contraction time. Higher blood lactate concentrations were found as the VL within the set increased. BFR0 and BFR10 showed significantly increased median frequencies in post-exercise MVIC. (4) Conclusions: High VL thresholds (BFR40) accentuated metabolic and neuromuscular stress, and produced increased alterations in muscles' mechanical properties. Low VL could potentiate post-exercise neuromuscular activity and muscle contractile properties.
PubMed: 38921865
DOI: 10.3390/sports12060171 -
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Cold water immersion (CWI) and percussive massage therapy (PMT) are commonly used recovery techniques in team sports. In particular, despite its wide use, PMT has been...
Cold water immersion (CWI) and percussive massage therapy (PMT) are commonly used recovery techniques in team sports. In particular, despite its wide use, PMT has been scarcely investigated in the literature, especially regarding neuromuscular measures and in comparison with other techniques. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the acute and short-term effects (24 h) of CWI and PMT on muscle strength, contractile properties, and soreness after exercise. A randomized crossover study was performed on sixteen male soccer players (22 years, 20-27) who participated in three experimental sessions involving a fatiguing protocol consisting of a Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test followed by 3 × 10 squat jumps and a wall sit for 30 s, and 12 min of recovery including CWI (10 °C water), bilateral PMT on the anterior and posterior thigh, or passive resting. Outcomes were assessed immediately after the exercise protocol, after the recovery intervention, and at 24 h. Isometric knee extension (IKE) and flexion (IKF) and tensiomyography (TMG) were assessed. Muscle soreness and fatigue were scored from 0 to 10. PMT increased strength after the treatment ( = 0.004) and at 24 h ( = 0.007), whereas no significant differences were found for the other two recovery modalities. At post-recovery, compared to CON, CWI resulted in a longer TMG contraction time ( = 0.027). No significant differences were found at 24 h. Finally, PMT and CWI enhanced muscle soreness recovery compared to passive rest (F = 3.095, = 0.022, η = 0.171). Preliminary results from this study suggest that PMT might improve isometric strength after strenuous exercise, and both PMT and CWI reduce muscle soreness perception, while the effects on TMG parameters remain controversial.
PubMed: 38921861
DOI: 10.3390/sports12060167 -
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The aim of our research is to introduce Kin Ball for the first time in Romania and assess its impact on the motor capacities of practitioners, particularly focusing on...
UNLABELLED
The aim of our research is to introduce Kin Ball for the first time in Romania and assess its impact on the motor capacities of practitioners, particularly focusing on its potential contribution to developing motor skills in young students within the academic sphere, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DESIGN
A retrospective, case-control study with a focus on four distinct research groups.
SETTING
The research was conducted in a camp setting, situated in the mountainous region of Bughea de Sus, Romania.
PARTICIPANTS
The study included 94 students, comprising 54 boys and 40 girls, with an overall average age of 20.85 ± 2 years. All participants were classified as non-athletes based on their level of sports practice.
INTERVENTIONS
The Kin Ball initiation program, a key component of the study, comprised 20 training sessions conducted in 10-day stages, systematically evaluating participants' motor skills.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The study assessed palmar muscle strength, endurance, and co-ordination function.
RESULTS
Statistical analyses, including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, revealed notable differences in the initiation process and significant variations ( < 0.05) in all measurements performed in 2022. In 2019, the tests recorded both significant and statistically insignificant differences, as indicated by the calculation of Cohen's d indicator.
CONCLUSIONS
The study underscored the influence of reduced movement during the pandemic on motor skills and highlighted Kin Ball's potential as an alternative sport within physical education curricula. Despite lower baseline motor capacities observed in 2022, participants exhibited significant progress, emphasizing Kin Ball's capacity to improve physical skills. These findings underscore the importance of alternative sports such as Kin Ball in fostering holistic personal development and mitigating the impact of pandemic-induced disruptions on motor skills.
PubMed: 38921852
DOI: 10.3390/sports12060158 -
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The treatment of myofascial pain in athletes requires a set of rehabilitation techniques that aim to be effective quickly. In this context, dry needling (DNY) has shown... (Review)
Review
The treatment of myofascial pain in athletes requires a set of rehabilitation techniques that aim to be effective quickly. In this context, dry needling (DNY) has shown interesting results due to its ability to reduce pain in the short term. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of DNY in managing myofascial shoulder pain in overhead athletes. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were screened up to March 2024, to identify studies that met the following inclusion criteria: overhead athletes with shoulder pain with a DNY approach for myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), RCT, case-control study, feasibility study as the study design. Exclusion criteria were studies that did not include athletes, studies that did not focus on the treatment of MTrPs with DNY, other reviews, no full-text availability and papers written in a language other than English. Out of 399 articles, 165 were excluded as duplicates. Of the 234 articles screened, only 6 articles met the inclusion criteria. A total of 6 studies were included in the systematic review. Initial results showed that DNY improved pain rapidly and in the short term; however, there is still no consensus on the minimum number and the interval between treatments. Major findings reported a rapid potential decrease in perceived pain, shoulder disability and an increase in muscle strength; in this scenario, DNY might be a valid solution in a sports rehabilitation setting.
PubMed: 38921850
DOI: 10.3390/sports12060156 -
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of plyometric-jump training (PJT) on the physical fitness of youth with cerebral palsy (CP) compared with... (Review)
Review
The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of plyometric-jump training (PJT) on the physical fitness of youth with cerebral palsy (CP) compared with controls (i.e., standard therapy). The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed. Eligibility was assessed using the PICOS approach. Literature searches were conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases. Methodological study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Data were meta-analyzed by applying a random-effects model to calculate Hedges' g effect sizes (ES), along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The impact of heterogeneity was assessed ( statistic), and the certainty of evidence was determined using the GRADE approach. Eight randomized-controlled studies with low-to-moderate methodological quality were included, involving male (n = 225) and female (n = 138) youth aged 9.5 to 14.6 years. PJT interventions lasted between 8 and 12 weeks with 2-4 weekly sessions. Compared with controls, PJT improved the muscle strength (ES = 0.66 [moderate], 95% CI = 0.36-0.96, < 0.001, = 5.4%), static (ES = 0.69 [moderate], 95% CI= 0.33-1.04, < 0.001, = 0.0%) and dynamic balance (ES = 0.85 [moderate], 95% CI = 0.12-1.58, = 0.023, = 81.6%) of youth with CP. Therefore, PJT improves muscle strength and static and dynamic balance in youth with CP compared with controls. However, more high-quality randomized-controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to provide a more definitive recommendation regarding the use and safety of PJT to improve measures of physical fitness.
PubMed: 38921846
DOI: 10.3390/sports12060152 -
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Stretch-induced force deficit suggests an acute stretch-specific strength capacity loss, which is commonly attributed to EMG reductions. Since those deficits could also...
PURPOSE
Stretch-induced force deficit suggests an acute stretch-specific strength capacity loss, which is commonly attributed to EMG reductions. Since those deficits could also be attributed to general fatigue induced by overloading the muscle, this study aimed to compare stretching with an exhausting calf raise programme to compare strength and stretching responses.
METHOD
This study included 16 participants with different, high-duration calf muscle stretching effects (10, 20, 30 min of stretching) with resistance training (RT) (3 × 12 repetitions) performed until muscle failure, by using a cross-over study design with pre-post comparisons. Strength was tested via isometric plantar flexor diagnostics, while flexibility was assessed using the knee-to-wall test (KtW) and an isolated goniometer test.
RESULTS
Using a three-way ANOVA, RT strength decreases were greater compared to 10 and 20 min of stretching ( = 0.01-0.02), but similar to those of 30 min of stretching. ROM in the KtW showed no specific stretch-induced increases, while only the stretching conditions enhanced isolated tested ROM ( < 0.001-0.008). No RT-related isolated ROM increases were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The results showed both interventions had similar effects on strength and ROM in the calf muscles. More holistic explanatory approaches such as fatigue and warm-up are discussed in the manuscript and call for further research.
PubMed: 38921839
DOI: 10.3390/sports12060145 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) May 2024In the lives of those who are the target of community health nursing, it is important to collaborate with individuals and communities to improve their quality of life....
In the lives of those who are the target of community health nursing, it is important to collaborate with individuals and communities to improve their quality of life. Herein, we aimed to determine the association between Internet use among older individuals and locomotive syndrome (LS), frailty, and sarcopenia. In this cross-sectional study conducted between July 2022 and March 2023, we recruited 105 community-dwelling older Japanese adults who participated in a care prevention project called "Kayoi-no-ba". All participants were divided into Internet and non-Internet user groups according to the classification of a previous study. We assessed LS (standing test, two-step test, and five-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale), frailty (through the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old-Old), and sarcopenia (grip strength, normal walking speed, and skeletal muscle mass index) and made group comparisons between Internet users and non-users. Binomial logistic regression analyses were performed with Internet use as the independent variable and sarcopenia or LS as the dependent variables. The Internet and non-Internet user groups had 69 and 36 participants, respectively. The Internet user group comprised 65.7% of all participants, which was similar to that reported in a previous study of the same age group. Between-group comparisons showed significant differences in sarcopenia and LS items, whereas adjusted binomial logistic analysis showed a significant association between sarcopenia and Internet use. In summary, among LS, frailty, and sarcopenia, sarcopenia showed the highest association with Internet use. Older adults without sarcopenia having good physical functions, such as grip strength, walking speed, and skeletal muscle index, more likely used the Internet; while older adults with sarcopenia were less likely to use the Internet. This implied that Internet use may be associated with physical function.
PubMed: 38921715
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14020105 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... Jun 2024This study aimed to compare neuromuscular fatigability of the elbow flexors and extensors between athletes with amputation (AMP) and athletes with spinal cord injury...
This study aimed to compare neuromuscular fatigability of the elbow flexors and extensors between athletes with amputation (AMP) and athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) for maximum voluntary force (MVF) and rate of force development (RFD). We recruited 20 para-athletes among those participating at two training camps (2022) for Italian Paralympic veterans. Ten athletes with SCI (two with tetraplegia and eight with paraplegia) were compared to 10 athletes with amputation (above the knee, N = 3; below the knee, N = 6; forearm, N = 1). We quantified MVF, RFD at 50, 100, and 150 ms, and maximal RFD (RFDpeak) of elbow flexors and extensors before and after an incremental arm cranking to voluntary fatigue. We also measured the RFD scaling factor (RFD-SF), which is the linear relationship between peak force and peak RFD quantified in a series of ballistic contractions of submaximal amplitude. SCI showed lower levels of MVF and RFD in both muscle groups (all values ≤ 0.045). Despite this, the decrease in MVF (Cohen's d = 0.425, < 0.001) and RFDpeak (d = 0.424, = 0.003) after the incremental test did not show any difference between pathological conditions. Overall, RFD at 50 ms showed the greatest decrease (d = 0.741, < 0.001), RFD at 100 ms showed a small decrease (d = 0.382, = 0.020), and RFD at 150 ms did not decrease ( = 0.272). The RFD-SF decreased more in SCI than AMP ( < 0.0001). Muscle fatigability impacted not only maximal force expressions but also the quickness of ballistic contractions of submaximal amplitude, particularly in SCI. This may affect various sports and daily living activities of wheelchair users. Early RFD (i.e., ≤50 ms) was notably affected by muscle fatigability.
PubMed: 38921644
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9020108 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... Jun 2024With a growing aging population, the routine assessment of physical function may become a critical component of clinical practice. The purpose of this cross-sectional...
With a growing aging population, the routine assessment of physical function may become a critical component of clinical practice. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to compare two common assessments of muscular function: (1) isometric knee extension strength (KES) and (2) sit-to-stand (STS) muscle power tests, in predicting objective physical function (i.e., gait speed) in aging adults. 84 adults (56% female, mean (SD) age = 66.6 (9.4) years) had their relative KES, STS power, usual gait speed (UGS), and fast gait speed (FGS) assessed. Multiple linear regression examined the associations between KES, STS power, and gait outcomes. When entered in separate models, KES and STS power were both independently associated with UGS and FGS (Std. β = 0.35-0.44 and 0.42-0.55 for KES and STS power, respectively). When entered in the same model, STS power was associated with UGS and FGS (Std. β = 0.37 [95%CI: 0.15, 0.58] and 0.51 [95%CI: 0.31, 0.70], respectively), while KES was only associated with FGS (Std. β = 0.25 [95%CI: 0.02, 0.48]). STS power seems to be a valid indicator of function in aging adults. Its feasibility as a screening tool for "low" function in the primary care setting should be explored.
PubMed: 38921639
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9020103 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... May 2024Hypoxia increases inspiratory muscle work and consequently contributes to a reduction in exercise performance. We evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up...
Hypoxia increases inspiratory muscle work and consequently contributes to a reduction in exercise performance. We evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) on a 10 km cycling time trial in normoxia (NOR) and hypoxia (HYP). Eight cyclists performed four time trial sessions, two in HYP (FiO: 0.145) and two in NOR (FiO: 0.209), of which one was with IMW (set at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure-MIP) and the other was with the placebo effect (PLA: set at 15% MIP). Time trials were unchanged by IMW (NOR: 893.8 ± 31.5 vs. NOR: 925.5 ± 51.0 s; HYP: 976.8 ± 34.2 vs. HYP: 1008.3 ± 56.0 s; > 0.05), while ventilation was higher in HYP (107.7 ± 18.3) than HYP (100.1 ± 18.9 L.min; ≤ 0.05), and SpO was lower (HYP: 73 ± 6 vs. HYP: 76 ± 6%; ≤ 0.05). A post-exercise-induced reduction in inspiratory strength was correlated with exercise elapsed time during IMW sessions (HYP: r = -0.79; ≤ 0.05; NOR: r = -0.70; ≤ 0.05). IMW did not improve the 10 km time trial performance under normoxia and hypoxia.
PubMed: 38921633
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9020097