Search

Background: After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), asymmetry is likely to persist in single-leg (SL) vertical jump and drop jump performance than in SL hop distance. However, its relationship with the return to sport (RTS) remains unclear. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study aimed to determine the association between vertical jump performance after primary ACLR using hamstring tendon autograft and RTS at a pre-injury competitive level. Study design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Patients who underwent primary ACLR using hamstring tendon autograft were recruited for this study. Participants who returned to pre-injury competition after ACLR were recruited at least eight months postoperatively. Knee condition was assessed, including joint laxity, range of motion, muscle strength, and knee pain intensity during sports activities. Performance variables were also assessed, including SL hop distance, jump height in SL vertical jump, and reactive strength index (RSI; jump height/contact time) in SL drop jump. Participants were asked to subjectively report whether they had returned to the same level of competition as pre-injury and their perceived sport performance intensity. Those who answered "Yes" to the dichotomous question and had a postoperative subjective athletic performance of > 80% were categorized into the Yes-RTS group. The primary outcome was the ability to achieve RTS at the preinjury level. Results: Sixty-five patients (female, 35; male, 30) at 13.0 (13.0) [median (interquartile)] months after ACLR participated in this study. Thirty-nine (60%) were assigned to the Yes-RTS group. Regarding knee conditions, the No-RTS group had a significantly higher knee pain intensity, as assessed using a numerical rating scale (p<0.001, effect size -0.45). In the performance tests, the No-RTS group exhibited a significantly lower limb symmetry index of RSI during the SL drop jump compared to the Yes-RTS group (p=0.002, effect size 0.81). Conclusion: Patients unable to achieve RTS after primary ACLR using hamstring grafts are more likely to exhibit asymmetric performance during the SL drop jump test, suggesting the significance of assessing jump symmetry when evaluating post-ACLR rehabilitation success. Level of Evidence: 3c [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine differences in the hip abductor muscle activity during clam exercise at different hip flexion and femoral anteversion angles. Thirty healthy females were divided into two groups based on the femoral anteversion angle: the excessive femoral anteversion group and the normal group. Clam exercise was performed at three different hip flexion angles (60°, 45°, and 30°). Tensor fascia latae, gluteus medius, and superior portion of gluteus maximus activities were measured during the exercise, and the results were normalized to the activity during maximum voluntary isometric contraction to calculate the gluteal-to-tensor fascia latae muscle activation index. The superior portion of gluteus maximus activities at a hip flexion of 60° and 45° were greater than that at 30°. The excessive femoral anteversion group had a lower gluteal-to-tensor fascia latae muscle activation index than the normal group; the gluteal-to-tensor fascia latae muscle activation index for hip flexion at 60° was higher than that at 45°, and the gluteal-to-tensor fascia latae muscle activation index for hip flexion at 60° and 45° were higher than that at 30°. Therefore, the femoral anteversion angle and hip joint position were related to the activity of the hip abductor muscles during clam exercise. These findings may provide a rationale for instructing exercises to maximize the activity of the hip abductor muscles in individuals with an excessive femoral anteversion angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domino reaction is proposed as a convenient stereoselective synthetic procedure for the production of fluorinated trisubstituted alkenes. 2-Substituted malonates were found to be required as a donor in the domino reaction, given the formation of a stable intermediate by the proton transfer of malonate to produce a Michael addition product. The bulkiness of substituent groups and the anti-elimination reaction process were credited for the stereoselective synthesis of alkenes.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of a heel-arch pad on anterior pelvis and knee joint acceleration and timing of the "foot flat" (FF) phase during walking. [Subjects] The subjects were 43 legs of 28 healthy adults, 22 male legs and 21 female legs. [Method] Subjects were allocated to the Early group or Delayed group according to the timing of the incidence of FF, early or delayed. Using an accelerometer, we investigated the differences in acceleration rates between the two groups and the changes in acceleration rates after fixation of the heel-arch pad. [Results] In the Early group, anterior acceleration of the knee joint increased just before FF, and just after FF anterior acceleration of the knee joint decreased. In the Delayed group, anterior acceleration of the knee and pelvis just before FF were significantly decreased by fixation of the heel-arch pad, and just after FF, anterior acceleration of the pelvis was significantly decreased by fixation of the heel-arch pad, revealing the mutual interaction of pad height and the timing of FF. [Conclusion] The results suggest the timing of FF and heel-arch pad influence anterior acceleration of the pelvis and knee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]