Validity of Lower-Extremity Strength Between Push- and Pull-Based Handheld Dynamometers: A Technical Report.

Context: Handheld dynamometers provide clinicians an objective measure of lower-extremity force production at the hip and knee. While push-based dynamometers are common in clinical practice, they can be associated with patient discomfort, and standardization of methods is challenging when patient forces can exceed the ability of the rater. Development of novel, pull-based dynamometers allow for better patient comfort, but validity between dynamometers must be established before integration into clinical practice.

Carbon Fiber Insoles Enhance Perception of Performance Despite Variable Objective Outcomes: Specific to the Moderately Active Individual.

Carbon fiber insoles (CFIs) may benefit performance in elite athletes, however, their use in moderately active individuals has been adopted without evidence supporting such enhancements in this population. Fifteen male subjects performed vertical jump (VJ) and repeat treadmill sprint tests before and after a VO while wearing 1) CFIs and 2) control insoles (CON). Subjects completed a subjective survey regarding their perceived performance abilities for both conditions.

The Comparison of Psychological Barriers Between Individuals with a History of Anterior Knee Pain, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, and Healthy Individuals.

Background: Psychological barriers due to anterior knee pain (AKP) and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may have a direct impact on an individual's return to physical activity. A comprehensive understanding of these psychological barriers in individuals with AKP and ACLR may help clinicians to develop and implement better treatment strategies to address deficits that may exist in these individuals.

Hypothesis/purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate fear-avoidance, kinesiophobia, and pain catastrophizing in individuals with AKP and ACLR compared with healthy individuals.

Youth Perceptions of Sport-Confidence.

Zuk, EF, Maksymiw, K, Evanovich, J, McGarry, JE, Root, HJ, and Distefano, LJ. Youth perceptions in sport-confidence. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3232-3235, 2021-Sport-confidence is an important construct that is often missed during physical activity interventions in youth.

The impact of body fat on thermoregulation during exercise in the heat: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of body fat on thermoregulatory responses to exercise in the heat.

Design: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Methods: We systematically searched databases (N = 8) for studies that included: healthy participants; an aerobic exercise intervention under heat stress; a measure of body fat by a high and low body fat group; pre- and post-exercise internal temperature, and/or post-exercise mean skin temperature and whole body sweat loss.

The Utilization of Core Exercises in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Clinical Scenario: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is characterized by general anterior knee pain around the patella and is one of the most prevalent knee conditions. PFP is challenging to treat due to a wide range of contributing factors and often has chronic, reoccurring symptoms. Traditional treatment focuses on quadriceps and gluteal strengthening with minimal emphasis on deep trunk musculature.

MODIFYING MIDSOLE STIFFNESS of BASKETBALL FOOTWEAR AFFECTS FOOT and ANKLE BIOMECHANICS.

Background: There is a growing incidence of foot injuries in basketball, which may be from the sport's repetitive, forceful multi-directional demands. Modifying midsole stiffness of the basketball shoe has been reported to alter ankle motion and plantar forces to reduce the risk of injury; however, the effects on anatomical, in-shoe foot (metatarsal), motion is not well understood.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in foot and ankle biomechanics between basketball shoes with differing midsole stiffness values during single-leg jump landings.

Longitudinal Changes in Hip Strength and Range of Motion in Female Youth Soccer Players: Implications for ACL Injury, A Pilot Study.

Context: Risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in young female athletes increases with age, appearing to peak during maturation. Changes in hip muscle strength and range of motion (ROM) during this time may contribute to altered dynamic movement patterns that are known to increase risk of ACL injuries. Understanding the longitudinal changes in hip strength and ROM is needed to develop appropriate interventions to reduce the risk of ACL injuries.

An evidence-based review of hip-focused neuromuscular exercise interventions to address dynamic lower extremity valgus.

Deficits in proximal hip strength or neuromuscular control may lead to dynamic lower extremity valgus. Measures of dynamic lower extremity valgus have been previously shown to relate to increased risk of several knee pathologies, specifically anterior cruciate ligament ruptures and patellofemoral pain. Therefore, hip-focused interventions have gained considerable attention and been successful in addressing these knee pathologies.