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Aim: To generate, test and refine programme theories that emerged from a rapid realist review investigating practising UK Nurses' and Midwives' experiences of effective leadership strategies during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background: The realist review of literature generated six tentative theories of healthful leadership practices reflecting, working with people's beliefs and values; being facilitative; multiple means of communication and; practical support. The review yielded little insight into the actual impact of the leadership approaches advocated. Methods: A realist study, informed by person‐centredness using mixed‐methods. Online survey (n = 328) and semi‐structured interviews (n = 14) of nurses and midwives across the UK in different career positions/specialities. Quantitative data analysed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. Framework analysis for qualitative data using context (C), mechanism (M), outcome (O) configurations of the tentative theories. Results: Three refined theories were identified concerning: Visibility and availability; embodying values and; knowing self. Healthful leadership practices are only achievable within organisational cultures that privilege well‐being. Conclusions: Leaders should intentionally adopt practices that promote well‐being. 'Knowing self' as a leader, coaching and mentoring practice development is important for leadership development. Implications for Clinical Practice: Nurses who feel valued, heard, cared for and safe are more likely to remain in clinical practice. Job satisfaction and being motivated to practice with confidence and competence will impact positively on patient outcomes. Impact: The study addresses the role of leadership in developing healthful workplace cultures. The main findings were six leadership practices that promote healthful cultures. The research will have an impact on strategic and clinical leaders, nurses and midwives. Reporting Method: This study used EQUATOR checklist, RAMASES II as reporting standards for realist evaluations. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess neuromuscular performance capabilities over an in-season mesocycle in early-career professional soccer players and examine the relationship with training workload. Methods: Neuromuscular performance capabilities (isometric knee extensor: peak force, rate of force development, and peak twitch force) of 12 professional soccer players were assessed weekly over a 6-week period. Training and match workload were also recorded over the same period for each player (high-intensity running distance). Changes in neuromuscular performance and workload variables were analyzed. Results: There was evidence of fluctuations in neuromuscular performance capability over the mesocycle that reached statistical (P <.05) and practical (13.3% [peak-to-peak]) significance alongside interweek heterogeneity in training and match workload (∼17.5% [coefficient of variation], P <.05). Congruence among fluctuating patterns of intramesocycle training load and concomitant neuromuscular performance responses was noted over time for acute training load and acute:chronic workload ratio with peak force and rate of force development. Conclusion: Neuromuscular performance capabilities fluctuate over an in-season mesocycle and are influenced by high-intensity running workload, emphasizing the need for acute monitoring in elite soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Long-term conditioning programs for enhanced sensorimotor performance have been causally linked to reduced risk of serious ligamentous injury. However, the efficacy of brief, short-term conditioning interventions has not been established. Objective: To assess the effects of short-term sensorimotor conditioning on the knee flexors. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: 23 males randomly assigned to conditioning (n = 12; age: 20.5 ±1.8 y; height: 1.80 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 74.3 ±6.0 kg [mean±SD]) and no-conditioning control (n = 11; age: 20.6 ±1.9 y; height: 1.79 ±0.05 m; body mass: 73.6 ±6.3 kg) groups. Intervention: Sensorimotor conditioning of the nondominant leg (4 sessions/wk; 3 wk). Main Outcome Measures: Sensorimotor (blind force and limb-position-replication errors) and neuromuscular (peak force, electromechanical delay [volitional and magnetically evoked]) performance of the knee flexors of both legs were assessed. The contralateral limb and an antecedent period of no conditioning were controls. Results: The conditioned leg showed decreased force error to 3.8% (3.8 ± 6.9% vs 6.3 ± 3.7% [mean ± SD], post- vs preconditioning, respectively; F1,21 = 5.4; P = .04) and a trend toward decreased positional error to 2.0% (2.0 ± 6.9% vs 4.7 ± 7.7%, post- vs preconditioning; F1,21 = 2.7; P = .06). Performances were not altered in the control conditions. Modest improvements were noted for volitional electromechanical delay following conditioning (39.8 ± 4.3 ms vs 42.3 ± 5.2 ms [F1,21 = 7.2; P = .01]), but peak force (overall, 202 ± 78 N) and magnetically evoked electromechanical delay (24.7 ± 4.2 ms) were not influenced. Conclusion: Short-term conditioning offered improved sensorimotor performance and positively affected neuromuscular determinants of knee flexor performance in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To determine the impact of real‐time continuous glucose monitoring (RT‐CGM) in conjunction with 'Open loop'‐ continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) as compared to conventional multiple daily injections (MDI) in type 1 diabetes. Methods: We explored the COCHRANE database, MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE, GOOGLE SCHOLARS, PUBMED, EMBASE, and cited literature in articles retrieved (2010–2021) for all randomized controlled trials and real‐world trials of more than 6 months duration in patients with type 1 diabetes that compared RT‐CGM+CSII vs RT‐ CGM+MDI. A total of 1645 publications have been identified; however, only 3 trials fulfilled our inclusion criteria with a total number of 150 patients (72 patients using RT‐CGM+CSII and 78 patients on RT‐CGM+MDI). A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis were carried out. Results: No statistically significant reduction in HbA1c was found on comparing RT‐CGM+CSII vs RT‐ CGM + MDI, with p‐value =.75. Likewise, impact on TIR, weight and insulin usage was found to be statistically insignificant with p‐value of 0.15, 0.75 and 0.20 respectively. There was an overall homogeneity between the 3 trials in respect to all previous variables with I2 being 0%. Conclusions: Real‐time continuous glucose monitors in conjunction with MDI open‐loop CSII had a similar impact on HbA1c, weight, insulin usage and TIR. In addition, RT‐CGM when combined with CSII was associated with higher costs and reduced quality of life, hence RT‐ CGM+MDI can be considered as a cheaper, safer yet equivalent substitute. Review Registration: This study was registered in PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews). Registration Name: RT‐CGM in conjunction with CSII vs MDI in optimizing glycaemic control in T1DM: a systematic review. Registration No: CRD42021255333. Accessible at: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display%5frecord.php?ID=CRD42021255333. Amendments: Few amendments to the above‐mentioned registration were made: (1) Title (Meta‐analysis was added). (2) Prof. Gleeson was added as an author. (3) Real‐world trials were included. (4) Outcomes required in studies as per our inclusion criteria amended to include at least 1 outcome. (5) Bias risk was assessed by the CASP tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide clinicians a greater understanding of patients' perceived ability in their physical performance. Existing PROMs on falls efficacy provide meaningful information about the perceived ability in older people to perform common activities of daily living without falling. However, the perceived ability to recover balance from a slip, a trip, or volitional movements has been inadequately assessed. Balance recovery confidence relates to the judgment of self-reactive ability. The scale of balance recovery confidence (BRC) is a new PROM that measures perceived balance recovery self-efficacy. The purpose of the study protocol is to describe the first psychometric evaluation of BRC's measurement properties. This study is a validation phase of a newly developed PROM conducted in Singapore. Two hundred community-dwelling older adults, aged 65 years and older, will complete five self-reported instruments (BRC, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale-International, Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument-Function and Global Perceived Effect) and three performance measures (Hand strength dynamometer, 30-second Chair Stand, Mini BESTest). Classical test theory methods will assess acceptability, data completeness, targeting of the items, scaling assumptions, internal consistency reliability and construct validity. Factor analysis will establish unidimensionality. Rasch analysis will evaluate item fit, differential item functioning, response scale ordering, targeting of persons and items and the reliability. The findings from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences in rehabilitation-specific context. This is the first validation study of BRC. The study will give confidence among clinicians and researchers to use the BRC in fall management research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in clinical practice to restore hyaline cartilage. It highlights the contemporary regenerative procedures for autologous chondrocyte graft implantation of adjacent chondral tissue. It notes that the rehabilitative period after ACI surgery varies on the physical activity of the patients to protect the ACI site and promote healing.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions among professional musicians and music students are frequent and may have significant physical and psychosocial consequences on their lives and/or on their playing abilities. The Risk of Music Students (RISMUS) research project was set up in 2018 to longitudinally identify factors associated with increased risk of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) in a large sample of music students enrolled in pan-European institutions. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) in this novel population at baseline of the RISMUS project. A further goal was to begin to identify variables that might be associated with the self-reported presence of PRMDs among music students. Eight hundred and fifty students from fifty-six conservatories and music universities in Europe completed a web-based questionnaire on lifestyle and physical activity participation levels, musical practice habits, health history and PRMDs, psychological distress, perfectionism and fatigue. A total of 560 (65%) out of 850 participants self-reported a positive history of painful MSK conditions in the last 12 months, 408 (48%) of whom self-reported PRMDs. Results showed that coming from West Europe, being a first- or a second-year Masters student, having more years of experience and higher rates of perceived exertion after 45 minutes of practice without breaks were factors significantly associated with self-reported presence of PRMDs. According to the authors' knowledge, a large-scale multicentre study investigating prevalence and associated factors for PRMDs among music students at different stages of their education (from Pre-college to Masters levels) has not been conducted before. The high prevalence of PRMDs among music students, especially those studying at university-level, has been confirmed in this study and associated factors have been identified, highlighting the need for relevant targeted interventions as well as effective prevention and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effects of early self-managed focal sensorimotor training compared to functional exercise training after total knee replacement on functional mobility and sensorimotor function. Design: A single-blind controlled clinical trial. Setting: University Hospital of Rion, Greece. Subjects: A total of 52 participants following total knee replacement. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was the Timed Up and Go Test and the secondary outcomes were balance, joint position error, the Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale, and pain. Patients were assessed on three separate occasions (presurgery, 8 weeks post surgery, and 14 weeks post surgery). Intervention: Participants were randomized to either focal sensorimotor exercise training (experimental group) or functional exercise training (control group). Both groups received a 12-week home-based programme prescribed for 3–5 sessions/week (35–45 minutes). Results: Consistently greater improvements (F2,98 = 4.3 to 24.8; P < 0.05) in group mean scores favour the experimental group compared to the control group: Timed Up and Go (7.8 ± 2.9 seconds vs. 4.6 ± 2.6 seconds); balance (2.1 ± 0.9° vs. 0.7 ± 1.2°); joint position error (13.8 ± 7.3° vs. 6.2 ± 9.1°); Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale (44.2 ± 11.3 vs. 26.1 ± 11.4); and pain (5.9 ± 1.3 cm vs. 4.6 ± 1.1 cm). Patterns of improvement for the experimental group over time were represented by a relative effect size range of 1.3–6.5. Conclusions: Overall, the magnitude of improvements in functional mobility and sensorimotor function endorses using focal sensorimotor training as an effective mode of rehabilitation following knee replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the methodologic quality of resistance training interventions for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Data Sources A search of the literature for studies published up to August 10, 2015, was performed on MEDLINE (OVID platform), PubMed, Embase, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database databases. Search terms associated with osteoarthritis , knee , and muscle resistance exercise were used. Study Selection Studies were included in the review if they were published in the English language and met the following criteria: (1) muscle resistance training was the primary intervention; (2) randomized controlled trial design; (3) treatment arms included at least a muscle conditioning intervention and a nonexercise group; and (4) participants had osteoarthritis of the knee. Studies using preoperative (joint replacement) interventions with only postoperative outcomes were excluded. The search yielded 1574 results. The inclusion criteria were met by 34 studies. Data Extraction Two reviewers independently screened the articles for eligibility. Critical appraisal of the methodology was assessed according to the principles of resistance training and separately for the reporting of adherence using a specially designed scoring system. A rating for each article was assigned. Data Synthesis There were 34 studies that described a strength training focus of the intervention; however, the principles of resistance training were inconsistently applied and inadequately reported across all. Methods for adherence monitoring were incorporated into the design of 28 of the studies, but only 13 reported sufficient detail to estimate average dose of exercise. Conclusions These findings affect the interpretation of the efficacy of muscle resistance exercise in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Clinicians and health care professionals cannot be confident whether nonsignificant findings are because of the lack of efficacy of muscle resistance interventions, or occur through limitations in treatment prescription and patient adherence. Future research that seeks to evaluate the effects of muscle strength training interventions on symptoms of osteoarthritis should be properly designed and adherence diligently reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The B-B Score is a straightforward kinematic shoulder function score including only two movements (hand to the Back + lift hand as to change a Bulb) that demonstrated sound measurement properties for patients for various shoulder pathologies. However, the B-B Score results using a smartphone or a reference system have not yet been compared. Provided that the measurement properties are comparable, the use of a smartphone would offer substantial practical advantages. This study investigated the concurrent validity of a smartphone and a reference inertial system for the measurement of the kinematic shoulder function B-B Score. Methods: Sixty-five patients with shoulder conditions (with rotator cuff conditions, adhesive capsulitis and proximal humerus fracture) and 20 healthy participants were evaluated using a smartphone and a reference inertial system. Measurements were performed twice, alternating between two evaluators. The B-B Score differences between groups, differences between devices, relationship between devices, intra- and inter-evaluator reproducibility were analysed. Results: The smartphone mean scores (SD) were 94.1 (11.1) for controls and 54.1 (18.3) for patients (P < 0.01). The difference between devices was non-significant for the control (P = 0.16) and the patient group (P = 0.81). The analysis of the relationship between devices showed 0.97 ICC, −0.6 bias and −13.2 to 12.0 limits of agreement (LOA). The smartphone intra-evaluator ICC was 0.92, the bias 1.5 and the LOA −17.4 to 20.3. The smartphone inter-evaluator ICC was 0.92, the bias 1.5 and the LOA −16.9 to 20.0. Conclusions: The B-B Score results measured with a smartphone were comparable to those of an inertial system. While single measurements diverged in some cases, the intra- and inter-evaluator reproducibility was excellent and was equivalent between devices. The B-B score measured with a smartphone is straightforward and as efficient as a reference inertial system measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Vitamin D is important for skeletal muscle health and deficiency is associated with clinical neuromuscular symptoms of poor strength and gait. Supplementation can independently increase muscle strength in chronically deficient populations. However, the regulatory role of vitamin D on neuromuscular remodelling and adaptation subsequent to exercise conditioning or injury has not been systematically reviewed.Objective: to systematically review the available evidence of the role of vitamin D on neuromuscular remodelling following exercise conditioning, exercise- or experimentally induced injury. We searched Medline (OVID platform), PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) including measures of neuromuscular function, injury and/or inflammation; a physiologically stressful intervention involving exercise conditioning, exercise- or experimentally induced injury and; vitamin D supplementation. Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Significant heterogeneity of methodological approaches and outcomes meant that meta-analysis of data was limited. Qualitative findings indicated that vitamin D may be an effective accelerant of neuromuscular remodelling in animal models (24-140 % improved recovery vs. control); the effects in humans are inconclusive and likely influenced by baseline vitamin D and supplementation strategy. Results of the meta-analyses indicated no effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength adaptation following resistance training [standardised mean difference (SMD): 0.74, P = 0.42] or muscle damage (SMD: -0.03, P = 0.92), although inflammatory markers were elevated in the latter (SMD: 0.56, P = 0.04). Data from animal models offer promising and plausible mechanisms for vitamin D as an agent for neuromuscular adaptation. Further high-quality research is needed to offer clearer insight into the influential role of vitamin D in human populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 22-year old patient who was diagnosed with rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his right knee joint. He undergoes unilateral surgical reconstruction and volunteers for the research project in a contemporary hospital-based rehabilitation programme. The patient was able to return to the sport after the 24-week rehabilitation period of supervised physiotherapy.

This study is aimed at the determination of the measurement properties of the shoulder function B-B Score measured with a smartphone. This score measures the symmetry between sides of a power-related metric for two selected movements, with 100% representing perfect symmetry. Twenty healthy participants, 20 patients with rotator cuff conditions, 23 with fractures, 22 with capsulitis, and 23 with shoulder instabilities were measured twice across a six-month interval using the B-B Score and shoulder function questionnaires. The discriminative power, responsiveness, diagnostic power, concurrent validity, minimal detectable change (MDC), minimal clinically important improvement (MCII), and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) were evaluated. Significant differences with the control group and significant baseline-six-month differences were found for the rotator cuff condition, fracture, and capsulitis patient groups. The B-B Score was responsive and demonstrated excellent diagnostic power, except for shoulder instability. The correlations with clinical scores were generally moderate to high, but lower for instability. The MDC was 18.1%, the MCII was 25.2%, and the PASS was 77.6. No floor effect was observed. The B-B Score demonstrated excellent measurement properties in populations with rotator cuff conditions, proximal humerus fractures, and capsulitis, and can thus be used as a routine test to evaluate those patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Vitamin D status has never been investigated in children in Northern Ireland (UK). (2) Methods: Children (4–11 years) (n = 47) were recruited from November 2019 to March 2020 onto the cross-sectional study. Anthropometry was assessed. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was analysed. Vitamin D intake, parental knowledge and perceptions, participant habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour were established via questionnaire. Muscle strength was assessed via isometric grip strength dynamometry and balance via dominant single-leg and tandem stance. Parathyroid hormone, bone turnover markers (OC, CTX and P1NP), glycated haemoglobin and inflammatory markers (CRP, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) were analysed. (3) Results: Mean (SD) 25(OH)D was 49.17 (17.04) nmol/L (n = 47); 44.7% of the children were vitamin D sufficient (25(OH)D >50 nmol/L), 48.9% were insufficient (25–50 nmol/L) and 6.4% were deficient (<25 nmol/L). 25(OH)D was positively correlated with vitamin D intake (µg/day) (p = 0.012, r = 0.374), spring/summer outdoor hours (p = 0.006, r = 0.402) and dominant grip strength (kg) (p = 0.044, r = 0.317). Vitamin D sufficient participants had higher dietary vitamin D intake (µg/day) (p = 0.021), supplement intake (µg/day) (p = 0.028) and spring/summer outdoor hours (p = 0.015). (4) Conclusion: Over half of the children were vitamin D deficient or insufficient. Wintertime supplementation, the consumption of vitamin D rich foods and spring/summer outdoor activities should be encouraged to minimise the risk of vitamin D inadequacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of flexibility conditioning on neuromuscular and sensorimotor performance were assessed near to full knee extension (25°). Eighteen males who were randomly assigned into two groups underwent eight weeks (three-times per week) of flexibility conditioning (hip region/knee flexor musculature; dominant limb) involving either proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) (n=9) or passive stretching (PASS) (n=9). Both modes of flexibility conditioning are popular within contemporary exercise and clinical settings and have demonstrated efficacy in improving range of motion. The contralateral limb and a prior ‘no exercise’ condition were used as controls. The PNF and PASS modes of conditioning improved passive hip flexibility to a similar extent (mean 19.3% vs. baseline, intervention limb,p<0.01) but did not alter knee flexor strength (overall mean 309.6±81 N) or sensorimotor performance (force and positional errors: 2.3±8.2% and 0.48±7.1%). Voluntary and magnetically evoked electromechanical delays (EMDVand EMDE, respectively) were increased but to a greater extent following PASS compared to PNF (PASS: 10.8% and 16.9% lengthening of EMDVand EMDE, respectively vs. PNF: 3.2% and 6.2%,p<0.01).The attenuated change to electromechanical delay (EMD) performance during PNF conditioning suggests a preserved capability for rapid muscle activation, which is important in the maintenance of dynamic joint stability. That PNF was also equally efficacious in flexibility conditioning would suggest that this mode of flexibility training should be used over passive to help preserve dynamic joint stability capabilities at this extended and vulnerable joint position. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examined the concurrent effects of exercise-induced muscle damage and superimposed acute fatigue on the neuromuscular activation performance of the knee flexors of nine males (age: 26.7±6.1 years; height 1.81±0.05 m; body mass 81.2±11.7 kg [mean±s]). Measures were obtained during three experimental conditions: (i) ‘fatigue-muscle damage’, involving acute fatiguing exercise performed on each assessment occasion plus a single episode of eccentric exercise performed on the first occasion and after the fatigue trial; (ii) ‘fatigue’, involving the fatiguing exercise only; and (iii) ‘control’ consisting of no exercise. Assessments were performed prior to (pre) and at 1 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 168 h relative to the muscle damaging eccentric exercise. Repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) showed that muscle damage elicited reductions of up to 38%, 24% and 65% in volitional peak force, electromechanical delay and rate of force development compared to baseline and controls, respectively (F [10, 80] = 2.3 to 4.6; P < 0.05) with further impairments (6.2% to 30.7%) following acute fatigue (F [2, 16] = 4.3 to 9.1; P < 0.05). By contrast, magnetically-evoked electromechanical delay was not influenced by muscle damage and was improved during the superimposed acute fatigue (∼14%; F [2, 16] = 3.9; P < 0.05). The safeguarding of evoked muscle activation capability despite compromised volitional performance might reveal aspects of capabilities for emergency and protective responses during episodes of fatigue and antecedent muscle damaging exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effects of serial episodes of fatigue and recovery on volitional and magnetically evoked neuromuscular performance of the knee flexors were assessed in 20 female soccer players during: (i) an intervention comprising 4 × 35 s maximal static exercise, and (ii) a control condition. Volitional peak force was impaired progressively (∼16% vs. baseline: 235.3 ± 54.7 to 198.1 ± 38.5 N) by the fatiguing exercise and recovered to within ∼97 % of baseline values following 6 min of rest. Evoked peak twitch force was diminished subsequent to the fourth episode of exercise (23.3%: 21.4 ± 13.8 vs. 16.4 ± 14.6 N) and remained impaired at this level throughout the recovery. Impairment of volitional electromechanical delay performance following the first episode of exercise (25.5%: 55.3 ± 11.9 vs. 69.5 ± 24.5 ms) contrasted with concurrent improvement (10.0%: 24.5 ± 4.7 vs. 22.1 ± 5.0 ms) in evoked electromechanical delay (P < 0.05), and this increased disparity between evoked and volitional electromechanical delay remained during subsequent periods of intervention and recovery. The fatiguing exercise provoked substantial impairments to volitional strength and volitional electromechanical delay that showed differential patterns of recovery. However, improved evoked electromechanical delay performance might identify a dormant capability for optimal muscle responses during acute stressful exercise and an improved capacity to maintain dynamic joint stabilty during critical episodes of loading. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plyometric exercise on unilateral balance performance. Nine healthy adults performed baseline measurements on the dominant limb that consisted of: a 20-s unilateral stability test on a tilt balance board, where a higher stability index represented deterioration in balance performance; isokinetic plantar flexion torque at 0.52 and 3.14 rad · s-1; muscle soreness in the calf region; and resting plantar flexion angle. Plyometric exercise consisted of 200 counter-movement jumps designed to elicit symptoms of muscle damage, after which baseline measurements were repeated at 30 min, 24, 48, and 72 h. Perceived muscle soreness of the calf region increased significantly following the plyometric exercise protocol (F4,32 = 17.24, P < 0.01). Peak torque was significantly reduced after the plyometric exercise protocol (F4,32 = 7.49, P < 0.05), with greater loss of force at the lower angular velocity (F4,32 = 3.46, P < 0.05), while resting plantar flexion angle was not significantly altered compared with baseline values (P > 0.05). The stability index was significantly increased (F4,32 = 3.10, P < 0.05) above baseline (mean 2.3, s = 0.3) at 24 h (3.3, s = 0.4), after which values recovered. These results indicate that there is a latent impairment of balance performance following a bout of plyometric exercise, which has implications for both the use of skill-based activities and for increased injury risk following high-intensity plyometric training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the changes in psychophysiological fitness following reconstructive knee surgery and early phase physical rehabilitation. Spearman rank correlation coefficients identified significant relationships between musculoskeletal fitness and emotional profile scores at pre-surgery and at 8 weeks after surgery. Patteing of changes and association among emotional performance profile discrepancy scores in conjunction with the scores from indices of musculosketal fitness performance.

The article presents a preliminary study about the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) flexibility training of the hamstring muscle group on the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Measurements of muscle length, isometric strength, flexibility, and perceived soreness were conducted on the study's participants.

The purpose of this study was to compare symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage after an initial and repeated bout of plyometric exercise in men and boys. Ten boys (9-10 yr) and 10 men (20-29 yr) completed two bouts of eight sets of 10 plyometric jumps, 2 wk apart. Perceived soreness (0-10, visual analog scale), isometric strength of the quadriceps at six knee flexion angles, and countermovement jump and squat jump height were assessed before and at 30 min, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after each bout. All variables followed the expected patterns of change in men, with soreness peaking at 24-48 h (5.8 ± 1.7) and decrements in muscle function peaking at 30 min after the first bout (73-85% of baseline scores). Symptoms remained for 72 h after the first bout in men. In boys, symptoms were much less severe and peaked at 30 min (visual analog scale = 2.1 ± 1.8, functional decrements 87-92% of baseline) and, with the exception of soreness, returned to baseline after 24 h. After the second bout of plyometric exercise, the level of soreness and decrements in countermovement jump, squat jump, and isometric strength were lower, although the effect was stronger in men, in all cases. The results of this study suggest that although children may experience symptoms of muscle damage after intensive plyometric exercise, they are much less severe. A prior bout of plyometric exercise also appears to provide children with some protection from soreness after a subsequent bout of plyometric exercise. Explanations for milder symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage in children include greater flexibility leading to less overextension of sarcomeres during eccentric exercise, fewer fast-twitch muscle fibers, and greater and perhaps more varied habitual physical activity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of an acute, prolonged, intermittent, high-intensity single-leg pedalling exercise task (PIHIET) on the isokinetic leg strength of the knee flexors in six male and seven female collegiate soccer players. Following determination of single-leg VO2peak, subjects completed a PIHIET designed to simulate the energetics of soccer match play (~90 min in total; ~70% single-leg VO2peak). Pre-, mid- and post-PIHIET gravity-corrected indices of knee flexion peak torque (PT) and range of motion-relativised torque at 15% of knee flexion (RRT15%; 0% = full knee extension) were assessed at a lever-arm angular velocity of 1.05 rad·s-1 for intervention and control limbs using an isokinetic dynamometer. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant condition (PIHIET, control) × time (pre-, mid-, post-PIHIET) interactions for knee flexion PT (F[2,22]=26.2; P<0.001) and RRT15% (F[2,22]=20.1; P<0.001). Flexion PT and RRT15% were observed to decrease, pre- to post-intervention, from 92.8 (28.7) N·m to 72.1 (28.0) N·m and from 63.8 (17.5) N·m to 47.9 (18.4) N·m respectively, for the intervention limb alone. These data corresponded to 22.3% and 24.9% mean reductions pre–post intervention in PT and RRT15%. Exploratory post hoc analysis of the pattern of the relative deterioration (%) of PT and RRT15%, for the intervention limb alone, revealed a three-way interaction [group (male, female) x parameter (PT, RRT15%) x assessment phase (pre- to mid-PIHIET, mid- to post-PIHIET)] (F1,11=5.2; P<0.05). This interaction characterised a greater deterioration of strength performance during the mid- to post-PIHIET assessment phase, at the extremes of range of motion (RRT15%) for the female group. The greater percentage of mid–post phase strength loss observed in women near the end-range extension may potentially be implicated in the higher incidence of knee injury reported in female soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]