Comparison of the effects of cold water immersion and percussive massage on the recovery after exhausting eccentric exercise: A three-armed randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Athletic training requires both challenging stimuli for adaptation and sufficient recovery for improved performance. While cold water immersion (CWI) is already a popular recovery method, handheld percussive massage (PM) devices have also gained popularity in recent years. This study aims to assess the effects of CWI and PM on performance recovery after strenuous eccentric exercises compared to a passive rest (PR) control condition.

Impact of work pace on cardiorespiratory outcomes, perceived effort and carried load in industrial workers: a randomised cross-over trial.

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of different work paces on cardiorespiratory outcomes, perceived effort and carried load (CL) in industrial workers.

Methods: A randomised cross-over trial was conducted at a mid-sized steel company. We included 12 healthy industrial workers (8 females, age: mean 44±SD 9 years, height: 1.

Age, sex, endurance capacity, and chronic heart failure affect central and peripheral factors of oxygen uptake measured by non-invasive and continuous technologies: support of pioneer work using invasive or non-continuous measures.

Introduction: It is known that maximum oxygen uptake depends on age, sex, endurance capacity, and chronic heart failure. However, due to the required invasive or often applied non-continuous approaches, less is known on underlying central and peripheral factors. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of age, sex, endurance capacity, and chronic heart failure on non-invasively and continuously measured central and peripheral factors of oxygen uptake.

Effects of Different Orthoses on Neuromuscular Activity of Superficial and Deep Shoulder Muscles during Activities of Daily Living and Physiotherapeutic Exercises in Healthy Participants.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different shoulder orthoses on the neuromuscular activity of superficial and deep shoulder muscles during activities of daily living (ADL) and physiotherapeutic exercises.

Methods: Ten participants with healthy shoulders (31 ± 3 years, 23.1 ± 3.

An International Multidisciplinary Delphi-Based Consensus on Heat Therapy in Musculoskeletal Pain.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal pain (MP) is prevalent in our society, having a strong negative impact on physical and psychosocial quality of life. Heat therapy (HT) has been frequently described as a treatment strategy for musculoskeletal pain, but scientific evidence is still poor. The aim of the present Delphi method study is to gather a consensus among European experts on the role of HT in MP.

Expert Consensus on the Contraindications and Cautions of Foam Rolling-An International Delphi Study.

Background: Foam rolling is a type of self-massage using tools such as foam or roller sticks. However, to date, there is no consensus on contraindications and cautions of foam rolling. A methodological approach to narrow that research gap is to obtain reliable opinions of expert groups.

Rehabilitation after a Complete Avulsion of the Proximal Rectus Femoris Muscle: Considerations from a Case Report.

Background: A complete avulsion of the proximal rectus femoris muscle is a rare but severity injury. There is a lack of substantial information for its operative treatment and rehabilitation; in particular there is a lack of biomechanical data to evaluate long-term outcomes.

Case Presentation: The case report presents the injury mechanism and surgical treatment of a complete avulsion of the proximal rectus femoris muscle in a 41-year-old recreational endurance athlete.

A Role for Superficial Heat Therapy in the Management of Non-Specific, Mild-to-Moderate Low Back Pain in Current Clinical Practice: A Narrative Review.

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability. It significantly impacts the patient's quality of life, limits their daily living activities, and reduces their work productivity. To reduce the burden of LBP, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are available.

Effects of Hip Flexion on Knee Extension and Flexion Isokinetic Angle-Specific Torques and HQ-Ratios.

Background And Methods: During isokinetic knee strength testing, the knee flexion angles that correspond to the measured torque values are rarely considered. Additionally, the hip flexion angle during seated testing diverges from that in the majority of daily life and sporting activities. Limited information concerning the influence of hip angle, muscle contraction mode, and velocity on the isokinetic knee strength over the entire range of motion (ROM) is available.

Quantifiable Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Explores the Role of Protection, Rest, Ice (Cryotherapy), Compression and Elevation (PRICE) Therapy on Microvascular Blood Flow.

The aim of this randomized controlled laboratory study was to evaluate the role of standardized protection, rest, ice (cryotherapy), compression and elevation (PRICE) therapy on microvascular blood flow in human skeletal muscle. Quantifiable contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to analyze intramuscular tissue perfusion (ITP) of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus intermedius (VI) muscles in 20 healthy athletes who were randomly assigned to PRICE or control groups. Baseline perfusion measurements (resting conditions, T) were compared with cycling exercise (T), intervention (PRICE or control, T) and follow-up at 60 min post-intervention (T).

Validity of a Local Positioning System during Outdoor and Indoor Conditions for Team Sports.

This study aimed to compare the validity of a local positioning system (LPS) during outdoor and indoor conditions for team sports. The impact of different filtering techniques was also investigated. Five male team sport athletes (age: 27 ± 2 years; maximum oxygen uptake: 48.

Effects of passive, active, and mixed playing strategies on external and internal loads in female tennis players.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different playing strategies on external and internal loads in female tennis players during match play. Also, the underlying effects on the technical-tactical actions and activity profiles were examined. Twelve well-trained female players (age: 25±5 years; maximum oxygen uptake: 40.

Non-invasively measured central and peripheral factors of oxygen uptake differ between patients with chronic heart failure and healthy controls.

Background: Maximum oxygen uptake is an established measurement of diagnosing chronic heart failure and underlies various central and peripheral factors. However, central and peripheral factors are little investigated, because they are usually measured invasively. The aim of this study was to compare non-invasively measured central and peripheral factors of oxygen uptake between patients with chronic heart failure and healthy controls.

Low-intensity blood flow restriction calf muscle training leads to similar functional and structural adaptations than conventional low-load strength training: A randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a six-week, twice weekly resistance training (4 sets at 30% 1-RM until failure) with practical blood flow restriction (BFR) using 7cm wide cuffs with a twist lock placed below the patella is superior to training without BFR (NoBFR) concerning muscle mass and strength gains in calf muscles. A two-group (BFR n = 12, mean age 27.33 (7.

Contrary to endurance, power associated capacities differ between different aged and starting-nonstarting elite junior soccer players.

This study aimed to investigate differences in anthropometric characteristics and physical capacities (1) between under (U) 17, 19, and 21 years old elite junior soccer players, and also (2) between starting and nonstarting players within each age group. Ninety-two male elite German junior field players were tested for height, mass, fat, and fat-free mass as well as aerobic endurance, squat (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ), linear sprint, core strength-endurance, and one repetition maximum (1RM) bench press performance. According to their age and competitive match playing times, the players were divided into the mentioned different groups.

Contrasts in intermittent endurance performance and heart rate response between female and male soccer players of different playing levels.

This study compared intermittent endurance performance and heart rate (HR) response, as well as their relationship, by sex and competitive level in soccer. A total of 68 outfield (18 elite and 16 sub-elite female, 17 elite and 17 sub-elite male) soccer players performed the Interval Shuttle Run Test (ISRT) with monitored HR. Sex and level effects were evaluated by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the relationships between parameters using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Different Effects of Foam Rolling on Passive Tissue Stiffness in Experienced and Nonexperienced Athletes.

Context: Foam rolling (FR) has been developed into a popular intervention and has been established in various sports disciplines. However, its effects on target tissue, including changes in stiffness properties, are still poorly understood.

Objective: To investigate muscle-specific and connective tissue-specific responses after FR in recreational athletes with different FR experience.

Advances in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) - Part II: Treatment and Prevention.

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) describes an entity of ultrastructural muscle damage. The manifestation of DOMS is caused by eccentric muscle contractions or unaccustomed forms of exercise. Clinical signs include impaired muscular force capacities, painful restriction of movement, stiffness, swelling, and altered biomechanics in adjacent joints.

Foam Rolling of the Calf and Anterior Thigh: Biomechanical Loads and Acute Effects on Vertical Jump Height and Muscle Stiffness.

When considering the scientific lack concerning the execution and acute effects and mechanism of foam rolling (FR), this study has evaluated the biomechanical loads by the force-time characteristics during two popular FR exercises. Additionally, the acute effects of FR on jump height and muscular stiffness were simultaneously assessed. Within a randomized cross-over design, 20 males (26.

Advances in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Part I: Pathogenesis and Diagnostics.

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a type of ultrastructural muscle injury. The manifestation of DOMS is caused by eccentric or unfamiliar forms of exercise. Clinical signs include reduced force capacities, increased painful restriction of movement, stiffness, swelling, and dysfunction of adjacent joints.

Angle-specific analysis of isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring torques and ratios in patients after ACL-reconstruction.

Background: Strength deficits, muscle imbalances, and quadriceps inhibition are common after the surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), even after the patient's returned-to-sport. Typically, asymmetries between the operated and non-operated leg as well as the hamstring/quadriceps (HQ) ratio are calculated using maximum isokinetic torque values. Moreover, the knee flexion angles, which correspond to the measured torque values, were not considered.

Sprint Mechanical Properties of Female and Different Aged Male Top-Level German Soccer Players.

This study compared the sprint mechanical properties of female and different aged male top-level soccer players. A total of 14 adult females (FEM) and 115 different aged male field players, competing at German top levels, participated in this study. The males belonged to teams of under 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, and 23 years (U 12⁻23) and professionals (PRO).

Effects of supplemental heat therapy in multimodal treated chronic low back pain patients on strength and flexibility.

Background: The beneficial effects of thermotherapy on analgesia and relaxation are widely known for various diseases. To date, however, thermotherapy in chronic low back pain is not explicitly recommended in international guidelines. The effects of thermotherapy on biomechanical parameters within a multimodal back pain treatment concept are also unknown.

Sex Differences in Physical Capacities of German Bundesliga Soccer Players.

Cardoso de Araújo, M, Baumgart, C, Jansen, CT, Freiwald, J, and Hoppe, MW. Sex differences in physical capacities of German Bundesliga soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2329-2337, 2020-Sex differences in physical capacities of elite soccer players have received limited attention.