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Objective. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the short-, medium-, and long-term effectiveness of dry needling (DN) applied by physical therapists to myofascial trigger points for the treatment of pain. Methods. PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception to February 2020. Randomized controlled trials that compared DN with other treatments or placebo and measured pain with a visual analog Scale or another numerical pain rating scale were included. Two authors used a personalized form to collect the following data relevant to the objectives of the review from each article independently: study design, purpose, sample size, diagnosis, characteristics of DN intervention, characteristics of placebo intervention, outcome measures, period of assessment, body region, DN technique, and number of sessions. The initial search identified 1771 articles. After the selection, 102 articles were assessed for eligibility; 42 of these articles measuring pain were used for the meta-analysis. Four meta-analyses were performed according to the follow-up period from the last reported treatment. Results. This meta-analysis found a large effect to decrease pain within 72 hours (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.81; 95% CI = -1.21 to -0.40), a moderate effect in 1 to 3 weeks (SMD = -0.69; 95% CI = -1.02 to -0.35), a large effect in 4 to 12 weeks (SMD = -0.85; 95% CI = -1.30 to -0.40), and a large effect in 13 to 24 weeks (SMD = -0.81; 95% CI = -1.64 to -0.03). The risk of bias was generally low; however, the heterogeneity of the results downgraded the level of evidence. Conclusions. Low-quality evidence that the immediate to 72-hour (large) effect, 4- to 12-week (large) effect, 13- to 24-week (large) effect, and moderate-quality 1-to 3-week (moderate) effect suggested that DN performed by physical therapists was more effective than no treatment, sham DN, and other therapies for reducing pain. Impact. DN is commonly used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain, and it is very important for physical therapists to know the clinical conditions and time periods for which DN is effective in reducing pain in their patients. Keywords: Pain, Trigger Points, Randomized Controlled Trial, Physical Therapy, Introduction The International Association for the Study of Pain recognizes that myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common source of musculoskeletal pain. (1) MPS is defined as a cluster of [...]

Background: Running can be considered a high-impact practice, and most people practicing continuous running experience lower-limb injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of 45 min of running on foot posture and plantar pressures.Methods: The sample comprised 116 healthy adults (92 men and 24 women) with no foot-related injuries. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 28.31 ± 6.01 years; body mass index, 23.45 ± 1.96; and training time, 11.02 ± 4.22 h/wk. Outcome measures were collected before and after 45 min of running at an average speed of 12 km/h, and included the Foot Posture Index (FPI) and a baropodometric analysis.Results: The results show that foot posture can be modified after 45 min of running. The mean ± SD FPI changed from 6.15 ± 2.61 to 4.86 ± 2.65 (P< .001). Significant decreases in mean plantar pressures in the external, internal, rearfoot, and forefoot edges were found after 45 min of running. Peak plantar pressures in the forefoot decreased after running. The pressure-time integral decreased during the heel strike phase in the internal edge of the foot. In addition, a decrease was found in the pressure-time integral during the heel-off phase in the internal and rearfoot edges.Conclusions: The findings suggest that after 45 min of running, a pronated foot tends to change into a more neutral position, and decreased plantar pressures were found after the run.

The aim of the study was to assess physical performance during competition in elite youth rugby players with respect to their specific position on the field (backs vs. forwards). Twenty two elite male under-19 rugby union players voluntary participated in the study (13 forwards and 9 backs). Players’ activity profiles were assessed using Global Positioning System technology during three rugby union friendly matches. Players’ heart rates were also recorded. No significant differences were found between forwards and backs in total distance covered, average speed, or maximum and average heart rate. Backs covered significantly greater running distance than forwards at 0 to 6 km.h-1(35.5±4.1 vs. 28.7±4.0 m·min-1; p<0.05) and greater distance at speeds of 20 km.h-1and greater (7.5±2.8 vs. 2.6±2.2 m·min-1; p<0.05) whereas forwards covered greater distance at 6 to 12 km.h-1(26.6±4.8 vs 19.9±4.8 m·min-1; p<0.05) and at 12 to 14 km.h-1(8.8±2.7 vs. 6.5±2.0 m·min-1; p<0.05). Backs performed more very high-intensity runs than did forwards (0.33±0.13 vs. 0.14±0.10 no·min-1; p<0.05). In conclusion physical demands during the match differed between backs and forwards with backs performing a greater number of high intensity efforts than did forwards.

The purpose of the study was to compare the notational structure in men’s singles games between the Olympic Games in Beijing and London to observe how badminton evolved from 2008 to 2012. Twenty games of each event (n=40), were analyzed using the official videos of the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games. Game duration (Beijing:1124.6±229.9 s vs. London:1260.3±267.1 s; P<0.05), real time played (Beijing:306.9±45.7 s vs. London:354.7±86.5 s; P<0.05), rally time, shots per rally, rest time at point 11, rest time between games and shots per rally were significantly higher in London than in Beijing. Rally time intervals between 0-2.9 s were more frequent in Beijing (P<0.05) than in London and rest time between rallies of 27-29.9 s were more frequent in London (P<0.05); this distribution of time intervals suggests that badminton is evolving towards longer rallies with greater rest intervals pushing the limits of the badminton regulations. No differences were found between Beijing and London in the distribution of the last shot in each rally. In conclusion the timing factors of the badminton game was different in London 2012 from Beijing 2008, badminton is evolving towards longer rallies with greater rest intervals resulting in longer matches.

The purpose of the study was to compare the temporal and notational structures in games and matches between men’s singles (MS) and women’s singles (WS) in the current top level of world badminton players. Ten matches of each event (n=20), from the official videos of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, were analyzed. Match duration (MS: 2378.0±387.9 s, WS: 1696.1±170.4 s.; P<0.05), real time played (MS: 613.7±80.1 s and WS: 493.6±70.2 s; P<0.05), rally time, rest time and shots per rally were significantly higher in men’s singles than in women’s singles, whereas work density and percentage of time played (MS: 26.0±2.1%, WS: 29.0±2.0%; P<0.05) were higher in women’s single. There were no differences in variables between the first and the second game in any event. For the final shot of each rally it was observed that the unforced error, the smash, the net and the drive were the most decisive shots in matches. It was also found differences (P<0.05) between the two events; the smash and the drive were commonly used by men and the drop was commonly used by women. In conclusion the temporal and notational structure of the badminton match was different when comparing men’s singles from women’s singles.