The acute effects of dynamic stretching on the neuromuscular system are independent of the velocity.

This study examined the acute effects of dynamic stretching at different velocities on the neuromuscular system. Fourteen participants underwent four experimental sessions in random order: (1) control (lying at rest with the ankle in a neutral position); (2) slow velocity dynamic stretching (50 beats/min; SLOW); (3) moderate velocity dynamic stretching (70 beats/min; MOD); and (4) fast velocity dynamic stretching (90 beats/min; FAST). The stretching protocols consisted of four sets of 10 repetitions and targeted the plantar flexor muscles of the right ankle.

MRI-Based Morphometric Comparison of Lower Leg Muscles and Tendons in Individuals With Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome.

Runners frequently suffer from medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), often linked to excessive eccentric muscle contractions causing periosteal traction by the muscles in the deep posterior compartment. However, the effects of MTSS on these muscles and tendons remain underexplored. This study is aimed at investigating changes in muscle and tendon volumes in this compartment, as well as cross-sectional area measurements, using magnetic resonance imaging.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability, agreement, and minimal detectable change of the handheld dynamometer in individuals with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis.

Introduction: The handheld dynamometer has been validated to measure muscle strength in different muscle groups. However, to date, it has not been tested in individuals who experience pain induced by hip osteoarthritis. The current study aimed to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability, agreement, and minimal detectable change of the Lafayette handheld dynamometer, model 1165, to assess the peak force (Pk) and average peak force (Af) of hip muscles in individuals with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability and agreement of stimulus electrodiagnostic tests in post-COVID-19 patients.

. COVID-19 patients may present sequelae, such as neuromuscular electrophysiological disorders (NED), that can be assessed using the stimulus electrodiagnostic test (SET). However, little is known about the reliability and agreement of the SET in post-COVID-19 patients.

Kilohertz Frequency Alternating Current Induces Less Evoked Torque and Less Neuromuscular Efficiency Than Pulsed Current in Healthy People: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Context: Pulsed current and kilohertz frequency alternating current are 2 types of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) currents often used by clinicians during rehabilitation. However, the low methodological quality and the different NMES parameters and protocols used in several studies might explain their inconclusive results in terms of their effects in the evoked torque and the discomfort level. In addition, the neuromuscular efficiency (ie, the NMES current type that evokes the highest torque with the lowest current intensity) has not been established yet.

Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability and Agreement of Ultrasound Imaging of Muscle Architecture and Patellar Tendon in Post-COVID-19 Patients Who Had Experienced Moderate or Severe COVID-19 Infection.

COVID-19 is associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Ultrasound is a tool to assess muscle architecture and tendon measurements, offering an idea of the proportion of the consequences of the disease, since significant changes directly reflect the reduction in the ability to produce force and, consequently, in the functionality of the patient; however, its application in post-COVID-19 infection needs to be determined. We aimed to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of ultrasound measures of the architecture of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), soleus (SO), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, as well as the patellar tendon (PT) cross-sectional area (CSA) in post-COVID-19 patients.

Differences in the cross-sectional area along the ankle tendons with both age and sex.

Increasing age appears to influence several morphologic changes in major tendons. However, the effects of aging on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of different ankle tendons are much less understood. Furthermore, potential differences in specific tendon regions along the length of the tendons have not been investigated in detail.

Different Cryotherapy Modalities Demonstrate Similar Effects on Muscle Performance, Soreness, and Damage in Healthy Individuals and Athletes: A Systematic Review with Metanalysis.

Background: There are extensive studies focusing on non-invasive modalities to recover physiological systems after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) and Partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) have been recommended for recovery after EIMD. However, to date, no systematic reviews have been performed to compare their effects on muscle performance and muscle recovery markers.

Hip and Knee Joint Angles Determine Fatigue Onset during Quadriceps Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used to increase muscle strength and physical function. However, NMES induces rapid fatigue, limiting its application. To date, the effect of quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle length by knee and hip joint manipulation on NMES-induced contraction fatigability is not clear.

Adipose Tissue Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Response to Dietary Patterns and Exercise: Molecular Landscape, Mechanistic Insights, and Therapeutic Approaches.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a 3-dimensional network of molecules that play a central role in differentiation, migration, and survival for maintaining normal homeostasis. It seems that ECM remodeling is required for adipose tissue expansion. Despite evidence indicating that ECM is an essential component of tissue physiology, adipose tissue ECM has received limited attention.

Neuromuscular disorders in women and men with spinal cord injury are associated with changes in muscle and tendon architecture.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the association between neuromuscular function, motor function impairment, and muscle and tendon structures in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) compared to a control (non-disabled) population.

Design: A cross-sectional study with a control group.

Setting: Center of Adapted Sports Training and Special Physical Education.

Effects of Kilohertz Frequency, Burst Duty Cycle, and Burst Duration on Evoked Torque, Perceived Discomfort and Muscle Fatigue: A Systematic Review.

Kilohertz-frequency alternating current is used to minimize muscle atrophy and muscle weakness and improve muscle performance. However, no systematic reviews have evaluated the best Kilohertz-frequency alternating current parameters for this purpose. We investigated the effects of the carrier frequency, burst duty cycles, and burst durations on evoked torque, perceived discomfort, and muscle fatigue.

The Effect of Mat Pilates Training Combined With Aerobic Exercise Versus Mat Pilates Training Alone on Blood Pressure in Women With Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mat Pilates (MP) versus MP plus aerobic exercise (AE) compared with the effects of no intervention on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in women with hypertension.

Methods: This 3-arm, parallel-group randomized clinical trial assessed 60 women who had hypertension and were 30 to 59 years old. The intervention lasted 16 weeks, and the participants were allocated into 3 groups: MP only (MP group), MP with alternating bouts of AE on a treadmill (MP + AE group), and control group (CG) with no exercises.

Contraction fatigue, strength adaptations, and discomfort during conventional versus wide-pulse, high-frequency, neuromuscular electrical stimulation: a systematic review.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be delivered in a conventional form (CONV) and using relatively wide-pulses and high-frequencies (WPHF). WPHF is proposed to reduce contraction fatigability and generate larger contractions with less discomfort than CONV; however, there are no systematic reviews to guide the selection of NMES types. This systematic review compared the effects of CONV versus WPHF on contraction fatigability, strength adaptations, and perceived discomfort in clinical and non-clinical populations.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability for the measurement of the cross-sectional area of ankle tendons assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The cross-sectional area (CSA) records make an essential measurement for determining the mechanical properties of tendons, such as stress and strength. However, there is no consensus regarding the best method to record the CSA from different tendons.

Purpose: To determine intra- and inter-rater reliability for CSA measures from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the following tendons: tibialis anterior; tibialis posterior; fibularis longus and brevis; and Achilles.