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This study aimed to examine the effects of 6-week vibration (VFR) and non-vibration foam rolling (FR) on muscle strength, hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratio, flexibility, and dynamic balance in soccer players. Thirty-six players were included in the study. The players were randomly assigned to either VFR (n=12), FR (n=12), or control group (CG) (n=12). The players in VFR and FR groups performed VFR or FR thrice per week for 6 weeks. The CG did not receive any intervention. Pre- and post-test assessment included muscle strength, H:Q ratio, flexibility, and dynamic balance. Dominant extremity knee flexor and non-dominant extremity knee flexor and extensor muscle strength improved in VFR and FR groups (p<0.05). Flexibility and dynamic balance improved in VFR group (p<0.05). Both 6-week VFR and FR increased muscle strength without affecting H:Q ratio. VFR was more effective than FR for improving flexibility and dynamic balance. The results can be stunning for performance enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knee muscles strength is an important factor influencing postural stability in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, there is no evidence regarding the relationship between the knee flexor/extensor strength ratio, which is suggested to be a good indicator of knee stability, and postural stability. We aimed to investigate postural stability and its relation to knee flexor and extensor strength and strength symmetry in women with KOA. Thirty-five women with unilateral KOA and thirty-five asymptomatic women were assessed with the Prokin system to collect the following parameters during quiet standing with eyes-open and eyes-closed: ellipse area, perimeter, forward-backward standard deviation, mediolateral standard deviation, the average centre of pressure displacement on the x- and y-axises (COPX and COPY), and the limit of stability (LoS) score. Higher scores mean better balance for LoS and poorer balance for other parameters. Knee flexor and extensor strength were assessed bilaterally with the Lafayette hand-held dynamometer. The COPX during standing with eyes-closed was higher in women with KOA than controls and the LoS score was lower (p < 0.05, Cohens'd = 0.72 and 0.65). Postural stability was correlated with knee muscles strength and the flexor/extensor strength ratios in both groups (r = between 0.395 and 0.456 for LoS, r = between −0.335 and −0.639 for the others, p < 0.05). Women with KOA had poorer postural stability in the mediolateral direction during standing with eyes-closed and a worse LoS score than controls. Postural stability was related to knee flexor and extensor strength and the flexor/extensor strength ratio in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data on the action mechanism of the kinesiology taping (KT) used to reduce pain and inflammation, provide mechanical support, and facilitate or inhibit muscles in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee are contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of KT treatment on muscle strength, tissue temperature, balance, and mobility in female patients diagnosed with OA of the knee. Thirty-four female patients (age: 60.26 ± 6.51 years) who were diagnosed with Kellgren–Lawrence Grade 2 OA according to the American Rheumatology Association (ACR-1986) criteria were included in the study. Patients who were performed KT with the superior Y, inferior Y, and U strip techniques were evaluated before and 30 min after taping. Muscle strength was assessed with a handheld dynamometer, tissue temperature with a thermal camera, balance with a monoaxial balance platform, and mobility the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. After taping, there was a significant increase in the muscle strength during both extension and flexion (p<.001, p=.005). There was no statistically significant difference in the tissue temperature and balance scores before and after taping (p=.219, p>.05). There was a significant improvement in TUG scores, which evaluated mobility, after taping (p=.033). Although KT treatment seems to be ineffective on tissue temperature and balance in the short term in patients with OA of the knee, we are of the opinion that patients should be included in the treatment program due to its positive effects on muscle strength and mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess and compare the effects of 6 mo of Pilates and calisthenics on multijoint coordination and proprioception of the lower limbs at the 3rd and 6th mo of training. Design: Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, repeated-measures. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants and Intervention: Healthy, sedentary, female participants age 25-50 y were recruited and randomly divided into 3 groups: a calisthenic exercise group (n = 34, mean age ± SD 40 ± 8 y, body-mass index [BMI] 31.04 ± 4.83 kg/m2), a Pilates exercise group (n = 32, mean age ± SD 37 ± 8 y, BMI 31.04 ± 4.83 kg/m2), and a control group (n = 41, mean age ± SD 41 ± 7 y, BMI 27.09 ± 4.77 kg/m2). The calisthenics and Pilates groups underwent related training programs for 6 mo, while the controls had no specific training. Main Outcome Measures: Coordination and proprioception of the lower extremities with concentric and eccentric performances in the closed kinetic chain assessed with the monitored rehab functional squat system at baseline and at the 3rd and 6th mo of training. Results: For the within-group comparison, coordinative concentric and eccentric deviation values were significantly decreased for both dominant and nondominant lower limbs at pretraining and at the 3rd and 6th mo posttraining in the calisthenics group (P < .05). In contrast, there was no improvement in the Pilates group throughout the training. However, for comparisons between groups, the baseline values of coordinative concentric and eccentric deviations were different in the calisthenics group than in Pilates and the controls (P < .05). There were no differences in the proprioception values of either visible or nonvisible movement in any group throughout the training (P > .05). Conclusions: It seems that calisthenic exercises are more likely to improve coordination of the lower extremity after 3 and 6 mo of training than Pilates exercises. Calisthenic exercises may be useful for individuals who require improved coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare psychological factors and the number of painful sites between wheelchair basketball athletes (WBA) with and without shoulder pain and examine their associations with shoulder pain., Design: A cross-sectional, case-control study., Methods: Forty-three WBA participated. Shoulder pain was assessed with the Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI), pain catastrophizing with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), kinesiophobia by the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), self-efficacy with the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the number of painful sites using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Disability and sport-related data were collected. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated. Mann-Whitney U and independent samples t-tests were used for between-group comparisons., Results: Athletes with shoulder pain ( n  = 21) had an increased number of painful sites (P < .050) and higher PCS ( P  = .003). The WUSPI exhibited moderate associations with the number of painful sites during the last year (rho = .581) and past seven days (rho = .602), and PCS (rho = .470), and a weak association with the TKS (rho = .333)(P < .050). The number of painful sites with disability exhibited moderate associations with PCS (rho = .427) and GSES (rho = -.473)(P < .050). WBA classification levels showed moderate associations with the WUSPI (rho = -.400) and the number of painful sites during the last year (rho = -.437), and a weak association with the number of painful sites during past seven days (rho = -.315)(P < .050). The PCS showed weak associations with the number of painful sites during the last year (rho = .365) and the past seven days (rho = .398)(P < .050)., Conclusions: Results suggest considering WBA classes, pain catastrophizing, self-efficacy and multisite pain in the pain management of WBA.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to translate the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) into Turkish and investigate the perceptions of Turkish-speaking patients with different axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) subtypes regarding exercise benefits and barriers., Patients and Methods: This validation study was conducted between June 2018 and December 2021. Patients with axSpA were consecutively assessed regarding physical (age, sex and body mass index) and disease-related characteristics (disease activity, spinal mobility, functional status, quality of life, health status, emotional status, and kinesiophobia). Eligible participants were asked to complete the EBSS and other outcome measurements during their initial visits. EBBS was readministered 7 to 14 days later., Results: One hundred forty-eight patients (89 males, 59 females; mean age: 44.3±11.8 years; range, 19 to 65 years) were included in the study. Of the patients, 108 had radiographic axSpA, and 40 had nonradiographic axSpA. EBBS-Barriers and EBBS-Benefits subscales demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas of 0.82 and 0.95, respectively) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.837 and 0.807, respectively). No significant differences were observed between axSpA subtypes regarding EBBS-Barriers (p=0.12) and EBBS-Benefits (p=0.10) subscales. Significant relationships were detected between kinesiophobia and EBBS-Barriers scores (r=-0.424, p<0.01), as well as EBBS-Benefits scores (r=-0.344, p<0.01) for all patients. EBBS-Benefits scores were correlated to health status (r=-0.412, p=0.08) and quality of life (r=-0.394, p=0.01) in patients with nonradiographic axSpA., Conclusion: According to our results, the Turkish EBBS is a valid and reliable tool for patients with axSpA. Perceptions of the patients with axSpA regarding exercise barriers and benefits do not differ according to the disease subtype. It appears that kinesiophobia may be an important parameter regarding exercise perception in axSpA., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024, Turkish League Against Rheumatism.)