The relationship between bone parameters, body composition, and lower extremity strength in road cyclists.

Background: This study aimed to compare the relationships between bone and body composition parameters, and isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of knee extensor (KE) muscles in road cyclists and untrained controls.

Methods: Twelve male road cyclists and 12 controls aged 20-34 years participated. The isometric MVC force of the KE muscles was assessed by a custom-made dynamometer.

Changes in irisin, inflammatory cytokines and aerobic capacity in response to three weeks of supervised sprint interval training in older men.

Background: This study investigated the effects of supervised short-term sprint interval training (SIT) on circulating irisin, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations, and aerobic capacity and body composition values in healthy older men.

Methods: Eleven older men (63±8 years; 178.0±5.

Single session exercises and concurrent functional electrical stimulation are more effective on muscles' force generation than only exercises in spinal cord injured persons: a feasibility study.

Objectives: To evaluate impact of first therapy session, containing functional electrical stimulation (FES) and therapeutic exercises (TE) on erector spinae (ES) and rectus abdominis (RA) force generation in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Five men with SCI were divided in two groups - FES+TE received concurrent FES on ES and RA and TE, TE only TE. Participants performed exercises for improving sitting balance and posture.

Pre-Practice Hydration Status in Soccer (Football) Players in a Cool Environment.

Only a few studies have reported the pre-practice hydration status in soccer players (SPs) who train in a cool climate. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the hydration status of male semiprofessional SPs immediately before their regular training session in winter. The secondary purpose was to compare the urinary indices of the hydration status of Estonian and Latvian SPs.

Upper Extremity and Cue Kinematics, and Shoulder Muscle Electromyographic Activity of Novus Players of Different Skill Levels.

Our aim with the current study was to compare upper extremity and cue kinematics, and electromyographic (EMG) activation of shoulder muscles during novus (a special form of billiards) shots of different difficulty levels. Ten proficient and 10 less-skilled novus players performed 3 types of novus shots (penalties, cuts, rebounds) 10 times each. During each shot, elbow flexion and cue-forearm angles (using a movement analysis system), and surface EMG activity of the trapezius, posterior, and lateral deltoid muscles of each subject's dominant side, were measured.

Body Composition, Neuromuscular Performance, and Mobility: Comparison Between Regularly Exercising and Inactive Older Women.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in body composition, neuromuscular performance, and mobility in healthy, regularly exercising and inactive older women, and examine the relationship between skeletal muscle indices and mobility. Overall, 32 healthy older women participated. They were divided into groups according to their physical activity history as regularly exercising (n = 22) and inactive (n = 10) women.

Postural stability in relation to anthropometric and functional characteristics in women with knee osteoarthritis following total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction: Due to the controversial information about postural stability in patients with lower limb joints osteoarthritis (OA), the following main questions are raised: how serious is the postural stability disturbance and which factors have an impact on postural stability before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Materials And Methods: Force plate was used to assess postural stability and custom-made dynamometer was used to assess isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of leg extensor muscles; besides, knee pain and knee range of motion (ROM) was evaluated in 14 female patients (aged 46-68 years) with knee OA 1 day before, and 3 and 6 months following TKA and once in healthy controls (aged 48-70). Relationship between postural stability during standing and selected anthropometric and functional characteristics were investigated with Spearman's correlation coefficients.

Leg extensor muscle strength, postural stability, and fear of falling after a 2-month home exercise program in women with severe knee joint osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to compare the leg extensor muscle strength, the postural stability, and the fear of falling in the women with severe knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) before and after a 2-month home exercise program (HEP). MATERIAL AND METHODS.

Relationship between leg extensor muscle strength and knee joint loading during gait before and after total knee arthroplasty.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate an isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of the leg extensor muscles and its relationship with knee joint loading during gait prior and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Custom-made dynamometer was used to assess an isometric MVC force of the leg extensor muscles and 3-D motion analysis system was used to evaluate the knee joint loading during gait in 13 female patients (aged 49-68 years) with knee osteoarthritis. Patients were evaluated one day before, and three and six months following TKA in the operated and non-operated leg.

Shoulder muscle isometric strength and active range of motion in patients with frozen shoulder syndrome after manipulation under anesthesia.

Background And Objective: Frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS) causes pain and restriction of movement in the shoulder. The aim was to assess changes in shoulder muscle isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force and active range of motion (AROM) in patients with frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS) after manipulation under general anesthesia (MUA).

Material And Methods: In total, 18 patients with FSS (9 women and 9 men) with a mean age of 53.

Quadriceps femoris muscle function prior and after total knee arthroplasty in women with knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate an isometric voluntary force generation and relaxation capacity of the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle prior and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Isometric maximal voluntary contraction force, rate of force development, voluntary activation, half-relaxation time, and latency of contraction of the QF muscle were recorded in 12 female patients (aged 49-68 years) with knee osteoarthritis one day before, 3 and 6 months following TKA in the operated and nonoperated leg. Knee pain intensity was assessed by visual analog scale, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire was used to assess knee problems during daily living.

Relationships between contraction properties of knee extensor muscles and fasting IGF-1 and adipocytokines in physically active postmenopausal women.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to find possible relationships between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), adipocytokines (leptin and adiponectin) and twitch contraction (TC) characteristics of the knee extensor (KE) muscles in healthy physically active postmenopausal women (n = 28, 64-78 years old). We hypothesized that IGF-1 is related at least to isometric TC peak torque (Pt) as the highest value of isometric torque production and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, and there will not be any relationships between TC characteristics and leptin and adiponectin. During the measurement of MVC torque and twitch contractile properties of KE muscles, the subjects sat in a custom-made dynamometric chair with the knee and hip angles equal to 90 degrees and 100 degrees, respectively.

Relationship between postactivation potentiation of knee extensor muscles, sprinting and vertical jumping performance in professional soccer players.

Little is known about the relationship between postactivation potentiation (PAP) in human muscles, assessed by enhancement of twitch torque after a conditioning maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and performance in activities requiring power and speed. Moreover, no studies have assessed PAP in soccer players who train power and endurance simultaneously. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between twitch PAP in knee extensor (KE) muscles, and sprinting and vertical jumping performance in soccer players.

Functional performance, maximal strength, and power characteristics in isometric and dynamic actions of lower extremities in soccer players.

The purposes of the present study were to determine muscle strength and power output characteristics in a group of professional soccer players and to identify their relationships with 2 functional performance tests (vertical jumping height and 15-m sprint time). Maximal strength and power indices attained against different loads in barbell back squat exercise, isometric maximal force of the knee extensor and plantar flexor muscles, isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors muscles, vertical jumping height in squat and counter-movement jumps, and 15-m sprint time tests were assessed in 21 semiprofessional soccer players (age 20 +/- 3.8 years).

Motor performance in 5-year-old preschool children with developmental speech and language disorders.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate motor performance in 5-year-old children with mild-to-moderate developmental speech and language disorders (DSLD) in comparison of age- and gender-matched healthy children.

Materials And Methods: A total of 32 DSLD children and 45 control group (CG) children participated in our study. The children were examined for dexterity skills and gross motor function through vertical jumping performance, maximal isometric strength of the leg extensors and isometric hand-grip strength.

Twitch potentiation after voluntary versus electrically induced isometric contractions in human knee extensor muscles.

Twitch potentiation in knee extensor (KE) muscles after a 7-s conditioning isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC trial), submaximal (25% MVC) voluntary contraction (SVC trial) and submaximal tetanic contraction (25% MVC) induced by percutaneous electrical stimulation at 100 Hz (PES trial) was compared in 12 men aged 19-25 years. Isometric twitch characteristics of KE muscles were measured before conditioning contraction and following 10-min recovery by supramaximal electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve. During MVC trial, twitch peak torque (Pt) potentiated (P < 0.

Quadriceps femoris muscle voluntary force and relaxation capacity in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Isometric voluntary force production and relaxation capacity of the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle was compared between 12 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) and healthy controls, age 10-11 years. Children with CP had less (p < .05) maximal voluntary-contraction force, voluntary activation, and rate of force development than controls.

Acute effects of self-selected regimen of rapid body mass loss in combat sports athletes.

The purpose of the study was to assess the acute effects of the self-selected regimen of rapid body mass loss (RBML) on muscle performance and metabolic response to exercise in combat sports athletes. Seventeen male athletes (20.8 ± 1.

Postactivation potentiation of knee extensor muscles in power- and endurance-trained, and untrained women.

This study compared postactivation potentiation (PAP) in knee extensor muscles after a 10 s conditioning isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in female power- (PT, n=12) and endurance-trained (ET, n=12) athletes, and untrained (UT, n=12) women aged 20-24 years. Isometric twitch characteristics of the knee extensor muscles were assessed in pre-MVC condition and during 15 min post-MVC period using supramaximal electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve by rectangular pulses of 1 ms duration. A significant (P<0.

Muscle contractile properties in children with spastic diplegia.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate contractile properties of the plantarflexor muscles in children with spastic diplegia (SD) in comparison of age-matched healthy children. Twelve prepubertal children with SD aged 11-12 years (6 girls and 6 boys) and 12 age- and gender-matched healthy control children (6 girls and 6 boys) participated in this study. Subjects were seated in a custom-made dynamometric chair with the dominant leg flexed 90 degrees at the knee and ankle joints.

Twitch contractile properties of plantarflexor muscles in young and middle-aged recreationally physically active and non-active women.

Background And Aims: This study examined the effect of recreational physical activity on the contractile properties of skeletal muscles in middle-aged vs young women.

Methods: A total 74 young (20-29-year-old) and middle-aged (45-54-year-old) women participated. The subjects were distributed into four groups: 1) young recreationally physically active (RPA) (n=19), 2) young recreationally physically non-active (RPN) (n=21), 3) middle-aged RPA (n=23) and 4) middle- aged RPN (n=16).

Quadriceps femoris muscle voluntary isometric force production and relaxation characteristics before and 6 months after unilateral total knee arthroplasty in women.

The purpose of the present prospective intervention study was to evaluate voluntary isometric force production, relaxation and activation capacity of the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle before and 6 months after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). TKA was performed in ten women with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) using the condylar endoprostheses. Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, rate of force development at 50% of MVC (RFD50) and their ratio to body mass, half-relaxation time (HRT) and voluntary activation (VA) of the QF muscle were recorded in patients for operated and non-operated leg before and 6 months after TKA.

Effect of post-tetanic potentiation of pectoralis and triceps brachii muscles on bench press performance.

The effect of post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) induced in the pectoralis and triceps brachii muscles by high-frequency submaximal percutaneous electrical stimulation (PES) on average and maximal power attained in bench press throwing was measured in 12 healthy men. Three PES regimens were used: (a) a 7-second and (b) a 10-second trial at 100 Hz, and (c) an intermittent trial with 8 1-second tetanic trains at 100 Hz with rest periods of 20 seconds. Only nonsignificant (p > 0.

Leg-extension strength and chair-rise performance in elderly women with Parkinson's disease.

The lower extremity performance in elderly female patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (PD; n = 12) and controls (n = 16) was compared. Isometric dynamometry and force-plate measurements were used. PD patients had lower (p < .

Shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulder before and after 4-week rehabilitation.

Unlabelled: This study evaluated changes in shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulder after 4-week rehabilitation combining exercise with electrical therapy and massage.

Material And Methods: Ten patients with frozen shoulder (mean +/- standard error (SE) age 50.2+/-4.