AI-driven histologic analysis of human Achilles tendinopathy provides a roadmap to unravel pathogenesis.

Objectives: Achilles tendinopathy is a common source of pain and dysfunction, yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Research on human tendons is hampered by lack of standardisation in tissue sample validation, making interpretation of results challenging. We sought to develop an automated and operator-independent approach to histologically score human tendons.

Performance Quality Assessment in Ballet, Modern and Contemporary Dance: A Two-Step Systematic Review.

Measurement of performance quality in dance is important but challenging and few dance performance quality measures exist. This study aims to (1) identify and (2) assess the quality of dance performance outcome measures for ballet, modern and contemporary dance. A 2-step systematic review with two separate literature searches was conducted.

A 6-Week Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment Intervention to Improve Professional Ballet Dancers' Psychological States Around Performance.

Mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches have been trialled in professional sport. The present pilot study was a randomized controlled trial with professional ballet dancers investigating the effectiveness of the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach, developed for athletes, compared to an education program which included topics relevant to ballet and performance. Participants included 16 professional ballet dancers (2 men and 14 women) who were randomly assigned into either the MAC or education group for 1 session per week, for 6 weeks.

Female Tendons are from Venus and Male Tendons are from Mars, But Does it Matter for Tendon Health?

Tendons play fundamental roles in the execution of human movement and therefore understanding tendon function, health and disease is important for everyday living and sports performance. The acute mechanical behavioural and physiological responses to short-term loading of tendons, as well as more chronic morphological and mechanical adaptations to longer term loading, differ between sexes. This has led some researchers to speculate that there may be a sex-specific injury risk in tendons.

"A sprained ankle is the biggest sign of mental fatigue": A qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of mental fatigue in professional ballet.

Unlabelled: Mental fatigue is known to influence endurance, skill, and tactical performance in sport. Research investigating the impact of mental fatigue on tasks that combine physical, cognitive, and aesthetic performance such as professional ballet does not exist.

Objective: To understand the perceptions and experiences of mental fatigue in professional ballet.

The Effects of Pointe Shoes on Ballet Dancers' Biomechanics, Muscle Activity, Movement and Symptoms: A Scoping Review.

Dancing en pointe requires ballet dancers to stand on the tips of their toes while wearing a structured pointe shoe. Understanding the effect of pointe shoes on ballet dancers' biomechanics, function, symptoms and skin health is essential to guide shoe development and ultimately improve dancer performance. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to map the evidence and identify knowledge gaps related to the effect of wearing pointe shoes on professional and recreational ballet dancers.

Isometric thumb extension exercise as part of a multimodal intervention for de Quervain's syndrome: A randomised feasibility trial.

Introduction: de Quervain's syndrome is a painful condition commonly presented to hand therapists. Exercise is utilised as an intervention, but isometric exercise has not been investigated. We aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of isometric thumb extension exercise for de Quervain's syndrome and to explore differences between high-load and low-load isometric exercise.

Women's preferences for pelvic floor screening in sport and exercise: a mixed-methods study integrating survey and interview data in Australian women.

Objectives: One in two women experiencing pelvic floor (PF) symptoms stop playing sport or exercising. The study examines the perspective of women with PF symptoms to inform acceptable screening practices within sport and exercise settings.

Methods: Explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods design.

TENDINopathy Severity Assessment - Achilles (TENDINS-A): Development and Content Validity Assessment of a New Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Achilles Tendinopathy.

To develop a new patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) assessing TENDINopathy Severity of the Achilles (TENDINS-Achilles) and evaluate its content validity. Mixed-methods, modified Delphi. We performed 1 round of semistructured one-on-one interview responses with professionals and patients, for initial item generation.

Experience of Playing Sport or Exercising for Women with Pelvic Floor Symptoms: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Women participate in sport at lower rates than men, and face unique challenges to participation. One in three women across all sports experience pelvic floor (PF) symptoms such as urinary incontinence during training/competition. There is a dearth of qualitative literature on women's experiences of playing sport/exercising with PF symptoms.

The VISA-A (sedentary) should be used for sedentary patients with Achilles tendinopathy: a modified version of the VISA-A developed and evaluated in accordance with the COSMIN checklist.

Objective: To develop and evaluate a modified version of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire, for use in sedentary patients with Achilles tendinopathy, using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments recommendations.

Methods: Twenty-two sedentary patients with Achilles tendinopathy completed the VISA-A and provided feedback regarding the relevance, comprehensiveness and comprehensibility of each item, response options and instructions. Patient and professional feedback was used to develop the VISA-A (sedentary) questionnaire.

Screening for pelvic floor symptoms in exercising women: a survey of 636 health and exercise professionals.

Objectives: This study aimed to establish health and exercise professionals' (i) current practice of screening for pelvic floor (PF) symptoms in women within sports/exercise settings (ii) between-professional group differences in screening practice (iii) confidence and attitudes towards screening for PF symptoms and (iv) barrier/enablers towards engagement in future screening practice.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional survey.

Methods: Australian health and exercise professionals (n = 636) working with exercising women participated in a purpose-designed and piloted, online survey about PF symptom screening in professional practice.

Proximal patellar tendon abnormalities on ultrasound can develop in male adolescent basketball players: A longitudinal study.

Introduction: Adolescent patellar tendinopathy is reported but the pubertal-stage of onset of abnormal tendon structure has not been investigated with grayscale ultrasound.

Aims: To investigate abnormal tendon structure using grayscale ultrasound and its association with pubertal-stage and pain.

Methods: Forty-three male basketball players aged 13.

Short-Term Exposure to Ciprofloxacin Reduces Proteoglycan Loss in Tendon Explants.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are associated with increased risk of tendinopathy and tendon rupture, which can occur well after cessation of treatment. We have previously reported that the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin (CPX) reduced proteoglycan synthesis in equine tendon explants. This study aimed to determine the effects of CPX on proteoglycan catabolism and whether any observed effects are reversible.

Exploring the role of intratendinous pressure in the pathogenesis of tendon pathology: a narrative review and conceptual framework.

Despite the high prevalence of tendon pathology in athletes, the underlying pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Various aetiological theories have been presented and rejected in the past, but the tendon cell response model still holds true. This model describes how the tendon cell is the key regulator of the extracellular matrix and how pathology is induced by a failed adaptation to a disturbance of tissue homeostasis.

Association of Calcaneal Bone Marrow Lesions and Plantar Fascia Imaging Biomarkers With Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: To determine associations between chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) and imaging biomarkers derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography.

Methods: We compared 218 participants with CPHP with 100 age- and sex-matched population controls. We assessed imaging biomarkers on MRI (calcaneal bone marrow lesions [BMLs], plantar fascia [PF] signal and thickness, spurs, and fat pad signal) and B-mode/power Doppler ultrasound (PF thickness, echogenicity, and vascularity).

Free Achilles tendon strain during selected rehabilitation, locomotor, jumping, and landing tasks.

A better understanding of the strains experienced by the Achilles tendon during commonly prescribed exercises and locomotor tasks is needed to improve efficacy of Achilles tendon training and rehabilitation programs. The aim of this study was to estimate in vivo free Achilles tendon strain during selected rehabilitation, locomotor, jumping, and landing tasks. Sixteen trained runners with no symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy participated in this study.

Association between knee pain location and abnormal imaging or arthroscopic findings: A systematic review.

Background: Assessment of pain location is an essential component of the differential diagnosis of knee pain because pain location is thought to indicate pathology. Previous studies have questioned whether abnormal imaging findings are related to the presence of pain, but none has systematically reviewed the association between knee pain location and the location of abnormal imaging or arthroscopic findings.

Objective: To systematically review the association between the location of knee pain and the location of abnormal imaging or arthroscopic findings.

Putting "Heavy" into Heavy Slow Resistance.

The body of literature on tendinopathy management has come a long way in the last few decades and a variety of changes in the clinical approach have emerged from this research. One particular approach that shows promise has been called "heavy slow resistance" (HSR), and this has been the subject of investigation in a number of randomized controlled trials. While the premise for this approach is defensible, a critical examination of the implementation of these HSR protocols results in some concerns when compared to basic exercise science principles.

Pelvic Floor Symptoms Are an Overlooked Barrier to Exercise Participation: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey of 4556 Women Who Are Symptomatic.

Objective: This study aimed to: (1) investigate barriers to exercise in women with pelvic floor (PF) symptoms (urinary incontinence [UI], anal incontinence [AI], and pelvic organ prolapse [POP]); (2) determine factors associated with reporting PF symptoms as a substantial exercise barrier; and (3) investigate the association between reporting PF symptoms as an exercise barrier and physical inactivity.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, Australian women who were 18 to 65 years of age and had PF symptoms completed an anonymous online survey (May-September 2018) containing validated PF and physical activity questionnaires: Questionnaire for Female Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis, Incontinence Severity Index, Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants reported exercise barriers and the degree to which the barriers limited participation.