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Context: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are directly related to the control of dynamic knee valgus in the landing of a jump, and this is mainly due to the correct activation and neuromuscular function of the lower-extremity muscles. The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between lower limb muscle activity during a single-legged drop jump and knee frontal plane projection angle (FPPA). Design: A correlation study. Methods: Thirty healthy collegiate female athletes were included in the study. Main outcomes measures were peak knee FPPA and muscle activity (% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction). Peak knee FPPA during a single-legged drop jump test was identified using a 2-dimensional motion analysis system. Muscle activity was assessed using a surface electromyograph for gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, vastus medialis quadriceps, vastus lateralis quadriceps, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius. All variables were assessed for both dominant and nondominant limbs. A correlation analysis between peak knee FPPA and muscle activity was performed. Statistical significance was set at P <.05. Results: A mean peak knee FPPA of 14.52° and 13.38° was identified for dominant and nondominant limb single-legged drop jump test, respectively. Muscle activity (% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction) for muscles assessed ranged from 43.97% to 195.71% during the single-legged drop jump test. The correlation analysis found no significant correlation between any of the muscles assessed and peak knee FPPA during the single-legged drop jump test (Pearson coefficient between −.3 and.1). Conclusions: There is no association between muscle activity from the lower limb muscles and the knee FPPA during a single-legged drop jump in female athletes. Thus, different muscle properties should be assessed in order to understand such an important movement as the knee FPPA during a jump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To examine the correlation between physical performance and muscle strength and the variables obtained from tensiomyography and myotonometry. Methods: Fifty-two older adults able to complete functional tests participated in this observational study. Variables of maximal radial muscle displacement (Dm) and contraction time (Tc) (using tensiomyography) and muscle stiffness (using myotonometry) of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles were assessed. Physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery, Timed Up and Go, Five Times Sit to Stand, and walking speed), isometric knee extension strength, and grip strength were assessed. A correlation analysis was performed between all the variables. Results: A significant correlation between the Short Physical Performance Battery and the rectus femoris (rho = 0.491) and vastus lateralis Dm (rho = 0.329) was found. Significant correlations between the Five Times Sit to Stand Test and the Dm values of the rectus femoris (rho = −0.340) and Dm (rho = −0.304), and stiffness (rho = −0.345) in the vastus lateralis, were also found. No significant correlations were found between tensiomyography and myotonometry, the Timed Up and Go, and walking speed, nor between tensiomyography and myotonometry and grip strength or isometric knee extension strength. Conclusions: Functional tests should be prioritized in the assessment of older adults, but further research into muscle quality using technology is advisable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Dry needling is commonly used for the management of plantar fasciitis. This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of dry needling over trigger points associated with plantar heel pain on pain intensity and related disability or function. Methods Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials in which at least one group received dry needling, not acupuncture, for trigger points associated with plantar heel pain and in which outcomes were collected on pain intensity and related disability. The risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, methodological quality was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) score, and the level of evidence is reported according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Between-groups mean differences (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated. Results The search identified 297 publications, with six trials eligible for inclusion. The meta-analysis found low-quality evidence that trigger point dry needling reduces pain intensity in the short term (MD −1.70 points, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.80 to −0.60; SMD −1.28, 95% CI −2.11 to −0.44) and moderate-quality evidence that it improves pain intensity (MD −1.77 points, 95% CI −2.44 to −1.11; SMD −1.45, 95% CI −2.19 to −0.70) and related disability (SMD −1.75, 95% CI −2.22 to −1.28) in the long term, as compared with a comparison group. The risk of bias of the trials was generally low, but the heterogeneity of the results downgraded the level of evidence. Discussion Moderate- to low-quality evidence suggests a positive effect of trigger point dry needling for improving pain intensity and pain-related disability in the short term and long term, respectively, in patients with plantar heel pain of musculoskeletal origin. The present results should be considered with caution because of the small number of trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the effects of muscle dry needling alone or combined with other interventions on post-stroke spasticity (muscle tone), related pain, motor function, and pressure sensitivity. Databases and Data Treatment Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials including post-stroke patients where at least one group received dry needling and outcomes were collected on spasticity and related pain. Secondary outcomes included motor function and pressure pain sensitivity. Data were extracted by two reviewers. The risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, methodological quality was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database score, and the quality of evidence was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Between-groups mean differences (MDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated. Results Seven studies (three within the lower extremity, four in the upper extremity) were included. The meta-analysis found significantly large effect sizes of dry needling for reducing spasticity (SMD: -1.01, 95%confidence interval [CI] -1.68 to -0.34), post-stroke pain (SMD -1.01, 95%CI -1.73 to -0.30), and pressure pain sensitivity (SMD 1.21, 95% CI: 0.62 to 1.80) as compared with a comparative group at short-term follow-up. The effect on spasticity was found mainly in the lower extremity (MD -1.05, 95% CI: -1.32 to -0.78) at short-term follow-up. No effect on spasticity was seen at 4 weeks. No significant effect on motor function (SMD 0.16, 95% CI: -0.13 to 0.44) was observed. The risk of bias was generally low, but the imprecision of the results downgraded the level of evidence. Conclusion Moderate evidence suggests a positive effect of dry needling on spasticity (muscle tone) in the lower extremity in post-stroke patients. The effects on related pain and motor function are inconclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Physical performance is a good predictor of possible adverse events in the elderly. • Multicomponent training is an effective tool for improving the physical performance of healthy older people. • Multicomponent training improves overall physical function, muscle strength, walking speed and aerobic capacity. Multicomponent training (MCT) is characterized by the combination of at least 3 types of training. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of MCT programs for improving physical performance in healthy older adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) was conducted. The systematic search was performed in the Web of Sciences, PubMed (MEDLINE), and Cochrane Library databases. Articles were included if participants were healthy and 65 years or older, and the control group did not perform any type of training. Studies were excluded if the interventions lasted less than 8 weeks. PEDro scale and Risk of Bias tool (RoB) were used in order to assess the quality of the articles. The search strategy found a total of 388 studies. After inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 studies were included for the qualitative analysis. Finally, 13 articles were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 808 healthy older adults analyzed. The main results of the meta-analysis showed that MCT improves physical performance significantly more than no training (SMD: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.55, 1.00; Z = 6.84, p < 0.01; I2 = 54%). In addition, the MCT also seems to significantly increase in upper and lower limb strength, walking speed and aerobic capacity. MCT improves general functionality, strength in upper and lower extremities, walking speed and aerobic capacity. Implementation of MCT programs should be encouraged as an effective strategy in the prevention of adverse conditions in the older adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]