Effects of Deficits in the Neuromuscular and Mechanical Properties of the Quadriceps and Hamstrings on Single-Leg Hop Performance and Dynamic Knee Stability in Patients After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Understanding the role of neuromuscular and mechanical muscle properties in knee functional performance and dynamic knee stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may help in the development of more focused rehabilitation programs.

Purpose: To compare the involved and uninvolved limbs of patients after ACLR in terms of muscle strength, passive muscle stiffness, muscle activation of the quadriceps and hamstrings, hop performance, and dynamic knee stability and to investigate the association of neuromuscular and mechanical muscle properties with hop performance and dynamic knee stability.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Are muscle weakness and stiffness risk factors of the development of rotator cuff tendinopathy in overhead athletes: a systematic review.

Background: Underlying muscle weakness and stiffness may increase the risk of developing rotator cuff tendinopathy. This systematic review aims to assess existing prospective studies to summarize whether muscle weakness and stiffness are risk factors for the development of rotator cuff tendinopathy in overhead athletes.

Methods: A systematic search was performed using PRISMA guidelines.

Decreased passive muscle stiffness of vastus medialis is associated with poorer quadriceps strength and knee function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Background: Muscle deficits of the quadriceps and hamstrings are common after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and increase the risk of knee reinjury. Muscle stiffness is an important factor for dynamic joint stability. However, the changes in quadriceps and hamstring muscle stiffness and its influence after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction remain unclear.

The effect of psychological factors on pain, function and quality of life in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review.

Background: Psychological factors may affect the pain level, shoulder function and quality of life in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Objective: To systematically review the prevalence of psychological factors reported in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy; and to determine the association between psychological factors and pain, function and quality of life in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Study Design: Systematic review METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science were systematically searched from inception to June 2019.

Altered Neuromuscular Activity of the Lower-Extremities During Landing Tasks in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Electromyographic Studies.

Context: Altered lower-limb biomechanics have been observed during landing task in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), which increases the risk of secondary anterior cruciate ligament injury. However, the alteration in neuromuscular activity of the lower-extremity during landing task is not clear.

Objective: To compare the muscle activity pattern assessed by electromyography between the involved limb of patients with ACLR and the contralateral limb or control limb of matched healthy subjects during landing task.

Scapular Kinematics in Athletes With and Without Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review.

Context: Rotator cuff tendinopathy is one of the most frequently reported shoulder injuries in athletes of overhead sports. Abnormal scapular kinematics has been proposed as one of the contributing factors of rotator cuff tendinopathy in overhead athletes.

Objectives: To review the literature on 3-dimensional scapular kinematics in overhead athletes with and without rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Risk factors for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify risk and associated factors for symptomatic rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus were searched from inception to June 2017.

Study Selection: Participants presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of rotator cuff tendinopathy/tendinosis/tendinitis, shoulder impingement syndrome, or subacromial bursitis diagnosed by clinical tests and/or conventional imaging.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Immediately Affects Achilles Tendon Structure and Widespread Pressure Pain Thresholds in Healthy People: A Repeated-Measures Observational Study.

Objective: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a common clinical treatment for tendinopathy, yet negative effects on tendon structure have been shown in animal studies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in healthy participants (i.e.

The Effects of Rigid Scapular Taping on the Subacromial Space in Athletes With and Without Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Context: Reduction of the subacromial space (SAS) during arm elevation may contribute to rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy. The effects of scapular taping on the SAS in athletes with and without RC tendinopathy are unknown.

Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of scapular taping on the SAS in athletes with and without RC tendinopathy.

Tendon vascularity in overhead athletes with subacromial pain syndrome and its correlation with the resting subacromial space.

Background: Supraspinatus tendinopathy is one of the common causes of subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) in overhead athletes. Changes in tendon vascularity have been reported in painful tendons; however, the prevalence and distribution have not been investigated in young overhead athletes.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 47 overhead athletes (male, 31; female, 16) aged 18 to 36 years with SAPS for >3 months.

Effects of scapular taping on the activity onset of scapular muscles and the scapular kinematics in volleyball players with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Objectives: To examine the effect of scapular taping on the activity onset of scapular muscles and the scapular kinematics during arm elevation in volleyball players with rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy.

Design: Randomized placebo-controlled repeated measures METHODS: Twenty-six male volleyball players with RC tendinopathy (mean age=23.6±3.

Increased Upper Trapezius Muscle Stiffness in Overhead Athletes with Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy.

Although excessive tension of the upper trapezius (UT) is thought to contribute to rotator cuff tendinopathy, no study examined UT tension in athletes with and without rotator cuff tendinopathy. Here we used UT shear modulus measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography as an index of muscle stiffness/tension. The aims of this study were twofold: 1) to determine whether the UT muscle shear modulus is altered in athletes with rotator cuff tendinopathy compared to asymptomatic athletes, and 2) to detect optimal cut-off points of UT shear modulus in identifying athletes with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Quantitative estimation of muscle shear elastic modulus of the upper trapezius with supersonic shear imaging during arm positioning.

Pain and tenderness of the upper trapezius are the major complaints among people with chronic neck and shoulder disorders. Hyper-activation and increased muscle tension of the upper trapezius during arm elevation will cause imbalance of the scapular muscle force and contribute to neck and shoulder disorders. Assessing the elasticity of the upper trapezius in different arm positions is therefore important for identifying people at risk so as to give preventive programmes or for monitoring the effectiveness of the intervention programmes for these disorders.

Ultrasound measurements on acromio-humeral distance and supraspinatus tendon thickness: test-retest reliability and correlations with shoulder rotational strengths.

Objectives: To establish the test-retest reliability of ultrasound measurements on acromio-humeral distance (AHD) and supraspinatus tendon thickness; and to explore their relationships with shoulder rotational strengths.

Design: Test-retest observational study.

Methods: Thirty-seven individuals (age: 21.

Low-level Taekwondo practitioners have better somatosensory organisation in standing balance than sedentary people.

Sports training, especially for those requiring fast and skilled movements have been reported to improve one's postural control, but the underlying sensory integration mechanism is unknown. The purpose is to explore the sensory organisation strategies for maintaining standing balance in Taekwondo practitioners, and to examine the quasi-static and dynamic balance performance in subjects with and without TKD training. Case-control study was used as a study design.