Implication of inter-joint coordination on the limb symmetry index measured during the seated single-arm horizontal push test.

Introduction: The seated single-arm horizontal push test (SSAHPT) could be used to assess unilateral upper-extremity power. While superior performance of the dominant side compared to the nondominant one (LSI) is often observed, causes of this bilateral imbalance remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the influence of upper-extremity dominance on both inter-joint coordination and joint contribution in SSAHPT.

Are the dominant-nondominant functional differences at 4.5 months after open Latarjet procedure better predictors for successful return-to-sport at 1-year postoperatively than the operated-nonoperated differences?

Background: There is no evidence on which functional levels have to be recovered to return to the preinjury sport at preinjury level, i.e. successful RTS, after open Latarjet procedure.

Influence of phase and dominance on ground reaction forces and upper extremity muscle activity during the modified-Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test.

Background: The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) is a physical performance test designed to assess the upper extremity (UE) stability. However, only one outcome measure is provided for both UEs, limiting its application if the UEs are not similarly involved. Moreover, the changes in loads sustained by the support UE throughout the movement may influence the support UE stability.

Interlimb transfer of sequential motor learning between upper and lower effectors.

Background: Interlimb transfer of sequential motor learning (SML) refers to the positive influence of prior experiences in performing the same sequential movements using different effectors. Despite evidence from intermanual SML, and while most daily living activities involve interlimb cooperation and coordination between the four limbs, nothing is known about bilateral SML transfer between the upper and lower limbs.

Research Question: We examined the transfer of bilateral SML from the upper to the lower limbs and vice versa.

Effects of the open Latarjet procedure on shoulder kinematics and periscapular muscle activity 3 months postoperatively.

Background: The debate surrounding the influence of the open Latarjet procedure on postoperative scapular motions persists, and there is no evidence regarding its effects on periscapular muscle activation. This study aimed to assess the short-term influence of the open Latarjet procedure on scapular kinematics and periscapular muscle activity during arm raising and lowering based on comparisons between patients and healthy athletes.

Methods: 22 healthy male athletes and 22 male athletes scheduled for glenohumeral stabilization surgery by the open Latarjet procedure were included.

Is an ellipsoid surface suitable to model the scapulothoracic sliding plane?

Closed loop kinematic chain approaches are commonly used to assess scapular kinematics but with heterogeneous ellipsoid calibration procedures. This study aimed to assess whether an ellipsoid surface can model the scapulothoracic sliding plane and determine the optimal number of static poses to calibrate the ellipsoid parameters. An intracortical pin with a rigid cluster of four reflective markers was inserted into the left scapular spine of two healthy males (P1 and P2).

Effect of Robotic-Assisted Gait at Different Levels of Guidance and Body Weight Support on Lower Limb Joint Kinematics and Coordination.

The Lokomat provides task-oriented therapy for patients with gait disorders. This robotic technology drives the lower limbs in the sagittal plane. However, normative gait also involves motions in the coronal and transverse planes.

Influence of marker weights optimization on scapular kinematics estimated with a multibody kinematic optimization.

Scapular kinematic estimates are altered by soft tissue artefacts, therefore experimental and numerical methods should be developed to improve their accuracy. This study aimed to assess the influence of weights applied to the scapula markers within a closed-loop multibody kinematic optimization on scapular kinematic estimates. Fifteen healthy volunteers performed static postures mimicking analytical, daily living and sport movements.

Effects of morning and evening physical exercise on subjective and objective sleep quality: an ecological study.

To optimise the relationship between exercise and sleep quality, the intensity of exercise and its proximity to sleep are key factors to manage. Although low-to-moderate exercises promote sleep quality, late-evening vigorous exercise instead of morning should still be avoided. It potentially impacts the objective and subjective markers of sleep quality.

Effects of an 8-week multimodal program on thoracic posture, glenohumeral range of motion and serve performance in competitive young tennis players.

Introduction: Intensive tennis practice is known to generate sport-specific adaptations at the shoulder region and influence the sagittal spinal curvature. However, increased thoracic kyphosis decreases the shoulder functional capacity, which could limit tennis performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week multimodal program on thoracic posture, glenohumeral range of motion, and serve performance in competitive young tennis players.

Functional Deficits After Open Latarjet Procedure and Dominance of the Operated Shoulder: An Analysis of 133 Patients.

Background: Return to sport after stabilization surgery using the open Latarjet procedure remains challenging. Additional knowledge is needed about postoperative shoulder functional deficits in order to better design return-to-sport programs.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of the dominance status of the operated shoulder on the shoulder functional profile recovery at 4.

Does neuromuscular fatigue generated by trail running modify foot-ground impact and soft tissue vibrations?

The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of a preceding mountain ultramarathon on the impact between the foot and the ground and the resulting soft tissue vibrations (STV). Two sessions of measurements were performed on 52 trail runners, before and just after mountain trail running races of various distances (from 40 to 171 km). Triaxial accelerometers were used to quantify the foot-ground impact (FGI) and STV of both (GAS) and (VL) muscles during level treadmill running at 10 km·h.

Intra-cycle analysis of muscle vibration during cycling.

Cyclists are exposed for a long period to continuous vibrations. When a muscle is exposed to vibration, its efficiency decreases, the onset of fatigue occurs sooner, and the comfort of the cyclist is reduced. This study characterised the (VL) soft tissue vibrations for different input frequencies and different pedalling phases.

Uncertainty analysis and sensitivity of scapulothoracic joint angles to kinematic model parameters.

The purposes of this study were to determine the influence of kinematic model parameter variability on scapulothoracic angle estimates, and to define which parameters of the kinematic model have the largest effect on scapulothoracic angle estimates. Nominal subject-specific kinematic models of nine participants were implemented. Fifteen parameters of the nominal models relative to the clavicle length, ellipsoid, sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joint centers, and contact point location were altered from - 1 to 1 cm.

Factors affecting the shoulder functional profile in elite judo athletes.

The aim was to investigate the effects of sex, age, preferred judo technique, dominance, and injury history on the shoulder functional status of elite judo athletes. Sixty-one elite judo athletes (38 males, age: 18.1 ± 1.

Optimal Combination of Femoral Tunnel Orientation in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using an Inside-out Femoral Technique Combined With an Anterolateral Extra-articular Reconstruction.

Background: The optimal orientation of the anterolateral extra-articular reconstruction (ALLR) femoral tunnel to avoid collision with the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) femoral tunnel is not clearly defined in the literature.

Purpose: To define the optimal combination of orientations of the ALLR femoral tunnel and the ACLR femoral tunnel using an inside-out technique to minimize risk of collision between these tunnels.

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Three-Dimensional Upper Body Kinematics and Inter-articular Kinematic Sequence During a Canoe Polo Throw.

Canoe polo is an increasingly popular discipline requiring both kayaking and ball-handling skills. While the kinematics of the upper body during throw has been investigated for several overhead sports, the canoe polo throw has still to be studied. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the canoe polo throw kinematics in terms of angles and inter-articular sequencing to understand its specificity.

Closed-loop multibody kinematic optimization coupled with double calibration improves scapular kinematic estimates in asymptomatic population.

Non-invasive methods still need to better estimate scapular kinematics because of soft tissue artifact issue. This study aimed to develop and assess new procedures to estimate scapular kinematics by combining closed kinematic chain optimization and double calibration. Sixteen healthy volunteers performed static postures mimicking analytical and daily living movements.

Intra- and intersession reliability and agreement of the Unilateral Seated Shot-Put Test outcome measures in healthy male athletes.

Background: The Unilateral Seated Shot-Put Test (USSPT) consists of pushing an overweight ball as far as possible to assess upper extremity power unilaterally and bilateral symmetry. Literature however reports various body positions and upper limb pushing patterns to perform USSPT, demanding to provide additional guideline to achieve overweight ball push. This study therefore aimed at assessing the reliability and agreement of USSPT outcome measures when pushing an overweight ball in a horizontal direction.

Revisiting the acute effects of resistance exercise on motor imagery ability.

Motor imagery (MI) shares psychological and physiological similarities with the physical practice of the same action. Yet, it remains unclear whether fatigue elicited by exercise impairs MI ability. Fourteen participants performed MI of a self-paced walking sequence of 22 m before and after a resistance exercise eliciting muscle fatigue from upper and lower limbs, selectively.

The S-STARTS Test: Validation of a Composite Test for the Assessment of Readiness to Return to Sport After Shoulder Stabilization Surgery.

Background: The time elapsed since surgery is the primary criterion for allowing athletes to return to sport after shoulder stabilization surgery using the Latarjet procedure. The objective assessment of shoulder functional status through the return-to-sport continuum demands a scoring instrument that includes psychological and physical dimensions. This study aimed to statistically validate the Shoulder-SanTy Athletic Return To Sport (S-STARTS) score in patients who have undergone primary shoulder stabilization surgery.

Isokinetic Strength After ACL Reconstruction: Influence of Concomitant Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: To reduce the rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture, recent surgeries have involved anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR). This reconstruction procedure harvests more knee flexor muscle tendons than isolated ACL reconstruction (ACLR), but its influence on knee muscle strength recovery remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the influence of ALLR with a gracilis graft on the strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles at 6 months postoperatively.

Is Accelerometry an Effective Method to Assess Muscle Vibrations in Comparison to Ultrafast Ultrasonography?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether accelerometry effectively reflects muscle vibrations measured with ultrafast ultrasonography.

Methods: Vibration characteristics initiated on the vastus lateralis muscle by an impactor were compared when assessed with accelerometry and ultrasonography. Continuous wavelet transforms and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) were performed to identify discrepancies in vibration power over time and frequency between the two devices.