Leg asymmetry and muscle function recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in elite athletes: a pilot study on slower recovery of the dominant leg.

The aim of this study was to examine performance in hopping tests in male athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in the 4-to-6 months post-surgery period. A total of 36 athletes (24 ACLR and 12 controls) participated in this study. The ACLR group consisted of athletes who had undergone an ACLR on their dominant side (ACL DG n=16) or non-dominant side (ACL NDG n=8).

Kinetic analysis of push-up exercises: a systematic review with practical recommendations.

Push-ups represent one of the simplest and most popular strengthening exercise. The aim of this study was to systematically review and critically appraise the literature on the kinetics-related characteristics of different types of push-ups, with the objective of optimising training prescription and exercise-related load. A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct up to April 2018.

Reliability and validity of the Zebris FDM-THQ instrumented treadmill during running trials.

Little is known about the reliability, validity and smallest detectable differences of selected kinetic and temporal variables recorded by the Zebris FDM-THQ instrumented treadmill especially during running. Twenty male participants (age = 31.9 years (±5.

Motor Skill Interventions in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To determine the characteristics and effectiveness of motor skill interventions in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and to identify potential moderators of training effects using meta-analysis.

Data Sources: A search was conducted in 6 databases (CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Embase, ERIC, PsycINFO, and PubMed) for articles published between 1995 and August 2017 using search items which were grouped into 3 components (motor skill interventions, DCD, and age group of interest).

Study Selection: Studies were included if they recruited children 3 to 17 years of age with DCD, reported performance of motor-related skills as outcomes, were published in peer-reviewed journals, and were written in English.

A comprehensive strength testing protocol offers no clinical value in predicting risk of hamstring injury: a prospective cohort study of 413 professional football players.

Background: Hamstring injuries remain prevalent across a number of professional sports. In football, the incidence has even increased by 4% per year at the Champions League level over the last decade. The role of muscle strength or strength ratios and their association with risk of hamstring injury remain restricted by small sample sizes and inconclusive results.

Impact of Climatic Conditions on Physical Activity: A 2-Year Cohort Study in the Arabian Gulf Region.

Background: Little is known about the effects that climatic conditions, especially extreme heat, have on physical activity (PA) levels. The aim of this 2-year cohort analysis undertaken in the Arabian Gulf region was to assess changes in objectively-assessed PA as a result of changes in climatic conditions.

Methods: A total of 2088 adults (1390 men and 698 women) from many regions of the world were enrolled in a community health program in Qatar, were included in this study.

Change of direction ability in young elite soccer players: determining factors vary with angle variation.

Background: The ability to change direction is considered of paramount importance in team sports. Currently there is a lack of consensus regarding the most important physical factors that determine change of direction (COD) ability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between COD ability and targeted selected physical attributes of sprinting, isometric strength and explosive power.

The Effect of Variation of Plyometric Push-Ups on Force-Application Kinetics and Perception of Intensity.

Purpose: To examine differences between ground-reaction-force (GRF)-based parameters collected from 5 types of plyometric push-ups. Between-trials reliability and the relationships between parameters were also assessed.

Methods: Thirty-seven highly active commando soldiers performed 3 trials of 5 variations of the plyometric push-up in a counterbalanced order: standard countermovement push-up (SCPu), standard squat push-up (SSPu), kneeling countermovement push-up (KCPu), kneeling squat push-up (KSPu), and drop-fall push-up (DFPu).

Effects of Fundamental Movement Skills Training on Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of fundamental movement skills (FMS) training on FMS proficiency, self-perceived physical competence (SPC), physical activity (PA), and sleep disturbance in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) compared with children with typical development (TD). A total of 84 children were allocated into either experimental group (DCD[exp], TD[exp]) who received 6 weeks of FMS training or control groups (DCD[con], TD[con]). FMS were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2, whereas PA was monitored using accelerometers.

A preliminary investigation of trunk and wrist kinematics when using drivers with different shaft properties.

It is unknown whether skilled golfers will modify their kinematics when using drivers of different shaft properties. This study aimed to firstly determine if golf swing kinematics and swing parameters and related launch conditions differed when using modified drivers, then secondly, determine which kinematics were associated with clubhead speed. Twenty high level amateur male golfers (M ± SD: handicap = 1.

Multi-segment trunk models used to investigate the crunch factor in golf and their relationship with selected swing and launch parameters.

The use of multi-segment trunk models to investigate the crunch factor in golf may be warranted. The first aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the trunk and lower trunk for crunch factor-related variables (trunk lateral bending and trunk axial rotation velocity). The second aim was to determine the level of association between crunch factor-related variables with swing (clubhead velocity) and launch (launch angle).

An exploration of familial associations of two movement pattern-derived subgroups of chronic disabling low back pain; a cross-sectional cohort study.

Background: Altered movement patterns with pain have been demonstrated in children, adolescents and adults with chronic disabling low back pain (CDLBP). A previously developed classification system has identified different subgroups including active extension and multidirectional patterns in patients with CDLBP. While familial associations have been identified for certain spinal postures in standing, it is unknown whether a familial relationship might exist between movement pattern-derived subgroups in families with CDLBP.

Back pain beliefs in adolescents and adults in Australasia: A cross-sectional pilot study of selected psychometric properties of paper-based and web-based questionnaires in two diverse countries.

Background: It is unknown whether questionnaires measuring psychosocial constructs related to low back pain (LBP) that were originally designed for adults are suitable for adolescents, and if paper and web-versions have similar measurement properties.

Objectives: To examine selected psychometric properties for the paper- and web-based Back-Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ-phys) among adults and adolescents in two diverse countries and to determine whether differences existed between countries and pain groups.

Methods: A sample of 156 adults (Hong Kong, n= 75; Australia, n= 81) and 96 adolescents (Hong Kong, n= 61; Australia, n= 35) participated in this cross-sectional study.

Low BACK PAIN BELIEFS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH Low BACK PAIN-RELATED DISABILITY IN NURSES WORKING IN MAINLAND CHINA AND IN AUSTRALIA.

Beliefs held about low back pain (LBP) can influence treatment outcomes and the development of LBP-related disability. Beliefs are shaped by cultural norms but few cross-cultural studies have been done. This cross-sectional study investigated the back pain beliefs and their associations with disability in 109 Chinese nurses and 165 Australian Caucasian nurses.

Spinal Kinematics of Adolescent Male Rowers with Back Pain in Comparison with Matched Controls During Ergometer Rowing.

There is a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in adolescent male rowers. In this study, regional lumbar spinal kinematics and self-reported LBP intensity were compared between 10 adolescent rowers with moderate levels of LBP relating to rowing with 10 reporting no history of LBP during a 15-minute ergometer trial using an electromagnetic tracking system. Adolescent male rowers with LBP reported increasing pain intensity during ergometer rowing.

Outcomes of the Rope Skipping 'STAR' Programme for Schoolchildren.

Physical activity in children and adolescents is on a decline trend. To this end, we conducted a matched-pair randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of a 4-week STAR (School-based; Train-the-trainer; Accessibility of resources; Recreational) skipping programme. 1,386 schoolchildren from 20 primary and secondary schools were recruited.

Carry-Over of Force Production Symmetry in Athletes of Differing Strength Levels.

This study sought to determine the level of association between bilateral force production symmetry assessment methods (standing weight distribution [WtD], unloaded and lightly loaded jumps, and isometric strength) and to determine whether the amount of symmetry carry-over between these tasks differs for strong and weak athletes. Subjects for this study included male (n = 31) and female (n = 32) athletes from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I sports. Athletes performed WtD, unloaded and lightly loaded (20 kg) static and countermovement jumps, and isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) assessments on 2 adjacent force plates.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese (Cantonese) versions of the KIDSCREEN health-related quality of life questionnaire.

Purpose: The KIDSCREEN questionnaire assesses health-related quality of life in children and adolescents. In this study, the questionnaire was translated into Chinese (Cantonese) and administered to two independent groups of Hong Kong Chinese students. Various aspects of reliability and validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 and KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaires were examined.

Fundamental movement skills proficiency in children with developmental coordination disorder: does physical self-concept matter?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (1) examine differences in fundamental movement skills (FMS) proficiency, physical self-concept, and physical activity in children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (2) determine the association of FMS proficiency with physical self-concept while considering key confounding factors.

Method: Participants included 43 children with DCD and 87 age-matched typically developing (TD) children. FMS proficiency was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development - second edition.

Cognitive functional approach to manage low back pain in male adolescent rowers: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is prevalent among adolescent rowers. This study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive functional approach to reduce LBP in this population.

Methods: Thirty-six adolescent male rowers reporting LBP participated.

Force-production asymmetry in male and female athletes of differing strength levels.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the existence of bilateral strength and force-production asymmetry and evaluate possible differences based on sex, as well as strength level. Asymmetry was assessed during weight-distribution (WtD) testing, unloaded and lightly loaded static- (SJ) and countermovement-jump (CMJ) testing, and isometric midthigh-pull (IMTP) strength testing. Subjects included 63 athletes (31 male, 32 female) for WtD, SJ, and CMJ tests, while 129 athletes (64 male, 65 female) participated in IMTP testing.

Low back pain beliefs are associated to age, location of work, education and pain-related disability in Chinese healthcare professionals working in China: a cross sectional survey.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Evidence pointing towards a more efficacious model of care using a biopsychosocial approach for LBP management highlights the need to understand the pain-related beliefs of patients and those who treat them. The beliefs held by healthcare professionals (HCPs) are known to influence the treatment advice given to patients and consequently management outcomes.

Development and measurement properties of a putting skill test for high-level golf.

Despite a recent increase in the amount of research investigating performance in golf, a comprehensive putting skill test has not been reported in the peer-reviewed literature. In this study, the Golf Australia Putting Test (GAPT) was developed and a series of measurement properties were assessed. Elite (n = 18) and high-level amateur (HLA; n = 22) participants completed six single putts from various areas on six concentric circles (circle radii = 0.

Two tests of approach-iron golf skill and their ability to predict tournament performance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the convergent and predictive validity of two skill tests that examine the ability of golfers to hit accurate approach-iron shots. Twenty-four high-level golfers (handicap = 2.6 ± 1.

Tests examining skill outcomes in sport: a systematic review of measurement properties and feasibility.

Background: A high level of participant skill is influential in determining the outcome of many sports. Thus, tests assessing skill outcomes in sport are commonly used by coaches and researchers to estimate an athlete's ability level, to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or for the purpose of talent identification.

Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to examine the methodological quality, measurement properties and feasibility characteristics of sporting skill outcome tests reported in the peer-reviewed literature.