Female Adolescent Soccer Players Utilize Different Neuromuscular Strategies Between Limbs During the Propulsion Phase of a Lateral Vertical Jump.

Background: Multiplanar dynamic stability is an important unilateral function in soccer performance but has been scarcely examined in female soccer players. The lateral vertical jump task assesses unilateral functional performance, and energy generation contribution examines how each joint (hip, knee, ankle) contributes to the vertical component of the vertical jump phase to measure inter- and intra-limb differences.

Purpose: To examine dominant versus non-dominant limb performance using energy generation contribution of the hip, knee, and ankle during the vertical jump component of the lateral vertical jump.

Twelve-Week Quadriceps Strength as A Predictor of Quadriceps Strength At Time Of Return To Sport Testing Following Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Restoration of quadriceps strength following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) continues to challenge both patients and clinicians. Failure to adequately restore quadriceps strength has been linked to decreased patients' self-reported outcomes and an increased risk for re-injury. Early identification of quadriceps strength deficits may assist in tailoring early interventions to better address impairments.

U.S. Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Decreases Bone Resorption in Women Aged 65-80 Years.

Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that tart cherries, rich in hydroxycinnamic acids and anthocyanins, protect against age-related and inflammation-induced bone loss. This study examined how daily consumption of Montmorency tart cherry juice (TC) alters biomarkers of bone metabolism in older women. Healthy women, aged 65-80 years ( = 27), were randomly assigned to consume ~240 mL (8 fl.

β-carotene oxygenase 2 deficiency-triggered mitochondrial oxidative stress promotes low-grade inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

Low-grade inflammation is a critical pathological factor contributing to the development of metabolic disorders. β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) was initially identified as an enzyme catalyzing carotenoids in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Mutations in BCO2 are associated with inflammation and metabolic disorders in humans, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Quadriceps strength changes across the continuum of care in adolescent male and female athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction.

Objectives: To examine the quadriceps strength (QUADS) on the surgical (SURG) and non-surgical (Non-SURG) limbs in adolescent male and female athletes at pre-operative (PRE), 12 weeks post-operative (12WK), and return to sport (RTS) time points following ACL injury and reconstruction.

Design: Prospective cohort study design.

Setting: Clinical Research Laboratory.

Effects of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on patellofemoral joint stress and lower extremity biomechanics at 12 weeks post-surgery and at time of return to sport in adolescent females.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic and kinetic differences associated with patellofemoral pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between limbs at 12-week post-surgery and at time of return to sport.

Method: Twenty-four adolescent females completed 5 consecutive single leg squats on each limb at 12-weeks post-surgery and again during their RTS assessment. Peak knee extension moment, peak hip adduction angle, and patellofemoral joint stress at 45 degrees of knee flexion were calculated.

Thigh-Muscle and Patient-Reported Function Early After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Clinical Cutoffs Unique to Graft Type and Age.

Context: Patient-reported function is an important outcome in anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation. Identifying which metrics of thigh-muscle function are indicators of normal patient-reported function can help guide treatment.

Objective: To identify which metrics of thigh-muscle function discriminate between patients who meet and patients who fail to meet age- and sex-matched normative values for patient-reported knee function in the first 9 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and establish cutoffs for these metrics by covariate subgroups.

Effect of Meniscal Repair on Joint Loading in Athletes With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at 3 Months Following Surgery.

Context: Joint loading following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is thought to influence long-term outcomes. However, our understanding of the role of meniscus repair at the time of ACL-R on early joint loading is limited.

Objective: To assess if differences in total energy absorption and energy absorption contribution of the hip, knee, and ankle exist in the early stages of rehabilitation between patients who received an isolated ACL-R and those with concomitant meniscal repairs.

Normalized Hip and Knee Strength in Two Age Groups of Adolescent Female Soccer Players.

Hannon, JP, Wang-Price, S, Garrison, JC, Goto, S, Bothwell, JM, and Bush, CA. Normalized hip and knee strength in two age groups of adolescent female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 207-211, 2022-Limb symmetry strength measures are used for clinical decision-making considering when an athlete is ready to return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

Knee Loading After ACL-R Is Related to Quadriceps Strength and Knee Extension Differences Across the Continuum of Care.

Background: Quadriceps strength and knee extension are believed to be important in the ability to effectively load the knee after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACL-R).

Purpose: To compare quadriceps strength (QUADS), side-to-side knee extension difference (ExtDiff), and knee energy absorption contribution (EAC) in patients preoperatively, 12 weeks postoperatively, and at return to sport (RTS). A secondary aim was to determine how the factors of QUADS and ExtDiff contributed to the ability to load the knee (knee EAC) at each of the 3 time points.

The validity and reliability of the Vail Sport Test™ as a measure of performance following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objectives: To determine the validity and inter-session reliability of the Vail Sport Test™.

Design: Cohort study-exploratory methodological research design.

Setting: Clinical Research Laboratory.

Validity and Reliability of a Commercially-Available Velocity and Power Testing Device.

Given the relationship between explosive-type training and power adaptation, tracking movement velocity has become popular. However, unlike previous variables, tracking velocity necessitates the use of a valid and reliable tool to monitor adaptation over time. Therefore, the primary purpose of this research was to assess the validity and reliability of a commercially-available linear position transducer (LPT).

Joint-Level Analyses of the Back Squat With and Without Intraset Rest.

To provide a joint-level analysis of traditional (TS) and cluster (CS) set structure during the back-squat exercise. Eight men (24 [3] y, 177.3 [7.

Participants at three months post-operative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) demonstrate differences in lower extremity energy absorption contribution and quadriceps strength compared to healthy controls.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare hip and knee energy absorption contribution (EAC) during a double limb squat (DLS) and quadriceps strength in patients three months post-operative ACL-R versus matched healthy controls.

Methods: Twenty-four ACL-R participants (Age = 15.5 ± 1.

Energy Absorption Contribution and Strength in Female Athletes at Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Comparison With Healthy Controls.

Background: Female patients are more likely to suffer a second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and return to sport (RTS) compared with healthy female controls. Few studies have examined the energy absorption contribution (EAC) that could lead to this subsequent injury.

Hypothesis: The ACLR group would demonstrate an altered EAC between joints (hip, knee, and ankle) but no difference in quadriceps, hip abduction, or hip external rotation (ER) strength at the time of RTS.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRE-OPERATIVE AND TWELVE-WEEK POST-OPERATIVE Y-BALANCE AND QUADRICEPS STRENGTH IN ATHLETES WITH AN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TEAR.

Background: Pre-operative quadriceps strength may have a positive influence on post-operative function and outcomes at time of return to sport. Little consideration has been given to quadriceps strength during the early post-operative timeframes. Twelve-week post-operative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is considered a critical time point for progression in the rehabilitation process.

Do Muscle Strength Deficits of the Uninvolved Hip and Knee Exist in Young Athletes Before Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

Background: Muscle strength of the involved limb is known to be decreased after injury. Comparison with the uninvolved limb has become standard of practice to measure progress and for calculation of limb symmetry indices (LSIs) to determine readiness to return to sport. However, some literature suggests strength changes in the uninvolved limb also are present after lower extremity injury.

Knee Extension Range of Motion at 4 Weeks Is Related to Knee Extension Loss at 12 Weeks After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is commonly torn, and surgical reconstruction is often required to allow a patient to return to their prior level of activity. Avoiding range of motion (ROM) loss is a common goal, but little research has been done to identify when ROM loss becomes detrimental to a patient's future function.

Purpose: To determine whether there is a relationship between early knee side-to-side extension difference after ACL reconstruction and knee side-to-side extension difference at 12 weeks.

Y BALANCE TEST™ ANTERIOR REACH SYMMETRY AT THREE MONTHS IS RELATED TO SINGLE LEG FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE AT TIME OF RETURN TO SPORTS FOLLOWING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION.

Background: Restoration of symmetrical strength, balance, and power following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) are thought to be important factors for successful return to sports. Little information is available regarding early rehabilitation outcomes and achieving suggested limb indices of 90% on functional performance measures at the time of return to sports (RTS).

Hypothesis/purpose: To examine the relationship between symmetry of the anterior reach of the Y Balance Test™ at 12 weeks and functional performance measures at time of return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.