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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: Capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy is an interesting rehabilitation treatment to use in musculoskeletal injuries. The purpose is to analyze the temperature change and current flow in superficial and deep biceps femoris and quadriceps tissues when applying different protocols of capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy. Methods: Five cryopreserved cadavers (10 legs) were included in this study. Four interventions (high/low power) were performed for 5 minutes. Dynamic movements were performed to the biceps femoris and quadriceps. Superficial, middle, and deep temperature were recorded at 1-minute intervals and 5 minutes after the treatment using invasive temperature meters placed with ultrasound guidance. Results: Low-power applications have generated a very low thermal effect and an important current flow. The high-power capacitive application achieves a greater increase in superficial temperature compared with low power (P < .001). The high-power resistive application recorded a greater increase in superficial, middle, and deep temperatures with a greater current flow compared with the other applications (P< .001). Conclusion: This study could serve as basic science data to justify the acceleration of the processes of muscle recovery, improving cell proliferation without increasing the temperature in acute muscle injuries and increasing the temperature and viscoelasticity of the tissues in chronic processes with this therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Quadriceps muscle weakness is implicated in the onset and persistence of patellofemoral joint (PFJ) pain, which commonly manifests during the early stance-phase of gait when eccentric quadriceps muscle performance (ecc- QMP) is required to decelerate momentum and shock-absorb forces away from articular tissues. Therefore, assessment of eccQMP is prudent in PFJ primary and secondary injury prevention, but reliable measurement procedures are scarce in the literature. Objective: To assess critical psychometric properties of a new isokinetic eccQMP assessment procedure linked closely to the biomechanics of gait during stair and hill descent, using a specific knee range-of-motion and velocity-of-motion (specificity of testing1). It was hypothesised that procedures would demonstrate good intra-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥0.75). Study design: Between-day (D1/D2) repeated measures. Setting: biomechanics laboratory. Study population: eight athletes volunteered (male n=6, female n=2, age 23.0±3.6yr; height 157.0±35.8cm; mass 86.0±36.4kg). Assessment: athletes were seated on an isokinetic dynamometer set to eccentric mode. For specificity of testing, dynamometer configuration was knee flexion/extension range-of-motion 10-80° and velocity-of-motion 60°/s then 120°/s. Three maximal-effort knee flexion (eccQMP) trials were performed for both velocities. Peak torque (PT; Newton-metres [Nm]) and time-to-peak torque (TTPT; milliseconds [ms]) were measured. Limb order was ran- domised for D1 then repeated D2. Main outcome measurements: relative reliability (ICC 2,1) and absolute reliability (standard error of measurement (SEM)). Results: For 60°/s: PT ICC/SEM, right 0.95/13.5Nm, left 0.98/10.2Nm; TTPT ICC/SEM, right 0.12/1121.0ms, left 0.12/666.3ms. For 120°/s: PT ICC/SEM, right 0.85/23.8Nm, left 0.96/15.1Nm; TTPT ICC/SEM, right 0.76/174.4ms, left 0.05/694.7ms. Conclusion: For both 60°/s and 120°/s, eccentric PT consistently demonstrated good relative reliability (ICC>0.75) but TTPT did not (ICC<0.75). The SEM was consistently lowest when the highest ICCs were evident. The new isokinetic eccentric quadriceps PT assessment procedures demonstrate psychometric properties that qualify them for potential use in PFJ primary and secondary injury prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur frequently during change-of-direction/landing tasks when eccentric muscle performance is required to decelerate momentum and shock-absorb forces away from noncontractile tissues. Therefore, assessment of knee eccentric muscle performance is prudent in noncontact ACL injury prevention screening, but reliable measurement procedures are scarce in the literature. Objective: To assess critical psychometric properties of a new knee isokinetic eccentric muscle performance assessment procedure linked closely to noncontact ACL injury mechanisms and using a specific knee range-of-motion and velocity-of-motion (specificity of testing.1,2 It was hypothesised that procedures would demonstrate good intra-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥0.75). Study design: Between-day (D1/D2) repeated measures. Setting: biomechanics laboratory. Study population: 12 agility-sport athletes volunteered (male n=7, female n=5, age 23.5±4.6yr; height 170.0±10.1cm; mass 75.7±12.3kg). Assessment: athletes were seated on an isokinetic dynamometer set to eccentric mode. For specificity of testing, dynamometer configuration was knee flexion/extension range-of-motion 0-60° and velocity-of-motion 240°/second. Five maximal-effort knee flexion (eccentric quadriceps) and extension (eccentric hamstrings) trials were performed. Peak torque (PT; Newton-metres [Nm]) and time-to-peak torque (TTPT; milliseconds [ms]) were measured. Limb order was randomised for D1, the order repeated for D2. Main outcome measurements: relative reliability (ICC 2,1), absolute reliability (standard error of measurement [SEM]). Results: For eccentric quadriceps PT ICC/SEM: right 0.76/22.8Nm, left 0.78/19.0Nm. For eccentric quadriceps TTPT ICC/SEM: right 0.07/213.0ms, left 0.13/316.3ms. For eccentric hamstrings PT ICC/SEM: right 0.92/13.7Nm, left 0.96/8.0Nm. For eccentric hamstrings TTPT ICC/SEM: right 0.74/12.5ms, left 0.41/16.6ms. Conclusion: For both eccentric quadriceps and hamstrings, PT consistently demonstrated good relative reliability (ICC>0.75) but TTPT did not (ICC<0.75). Interestingly, right and left eccentric hamstring TTPT absolute reliability (SEM) were <17.0ms. These new knee isokinetic eccentric PT assessment procedures possess critical psychometric properties that qualify them for use in ACL injury prevention screening systems with adult agility-sport athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of diacutaneous fibrolysis in reducing musculoskeletal disorders symptoms such as pain, range of motion and functionality. Data sources: A systematic review of MEDLINE, Cochrane, PEDro and Science Direct was conducted until September 2020. Review methods: Computerized search strategy was performed to identify randomized controlled trials applying diacutaneous fibrolysis, on subjects with musculoskeletal disorders. Eligible articles and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. Methodology quality and risk of bias were assessed by Risk of Bias 2 tool from the Cochrane Collaboration and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Outcomes assessed were pain intensity, range of motion and functionality. Results: Search strategy identified 98 potential randomized control trials and six studies involving 386 participants, were finally included. Diacutaneous fibrolysis intervention added to usual physiotherapy treatment was compared to control group. Pain intensity immediately after treatment showed a pooled Standard Mean Difference (SMD) of –0.58 with 95% confidence interval (CI) from –1.12 to –0.04, and in the longest follow-up SMD was –0.63 with 95% CI (–1.21 to –0.05). Functionality showed a pooled SMD of –1.02 with 95% CI (–1.67 to –0.36) immediately after intervention and a SMD of –0.84 with 95% CI (–1.54 to –0.14). Range of motion could not be included in the quantitative synthesis. Conclusion: Diacutaneous fibrolysis is an effective treatment, when combined with conventional physiotheraphy, reducing pain immediately after treatment and long term follow-up and improving function in both, short and long term in musculoskeletal disorders. [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]