Relationship Between Mandibular Position, Activation of the Masticatory Musculature and Free-Throw Accuracy in Female Basketball Players.

Background: Current research relates jaw clenching to athletic performance, in terms of force and agility. However, the impact of jaw clenching on sports accuracy is unclear.

Objectives: To analyse the impact of jaw position and chewing type on free-throw accuracy and electromyographic (EMG) activity of masticatory muscles during free-throws.

Coactivation of the Pelvic Floor and Gluteus Medius Muscles While Walking and Running in Female Runners.

(1) Background: Pelvic-floor-muscle (PFM) activation acts synergistically with multiple muscles while performing functional actions in humans. The purpose of this study was to characterize the activity of the PFMs and gluteus medius (GM) while walking and running in physically active nulliparous females. (2) Methods: The peak and average amplitude of maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) during 60 s of walking (5 and 7 km/h) and running (9 and 11 km/h) were measured with electromyography of the GM and PFMs in 10 healthy female runners.

Changes in the Activity of the Erector Spinae and Gluteus Medius Muscles with the Presence of Simulated Lower Limb Dysmetria.

(1) Background: Leg length discrepancy (LLD), regardless of its origin, is a very common pathology that can contribute to low back pain. Various authors have pointed out its relationship with the lack of activation of both the gluteus medius (GM) and the ipsilateral erector spinae (ES). The purpose of this study was to identify the activation of the ES and GM with different simulated LLDs, correlating this activation with LBP.

Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus Percutaneous Electrolysis in Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae in Short-Term: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Deep dry needling (DDN) and percutaneous electrolysis (PE) provide the benefit of the mechanical effect of the needle, and PE adds the potential advantages of the galvanic current it incorporates in myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term efficacy between PE and DDN on active MTrPs of the levator scapulae by considering pain intensity. A simple-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out, recruiting patients suffering from non-specific neck pain lasting more than 3 months and with active MTrPs in the levator scapulae muscle (n = 52).

Acoustic Environmental Conditions (Do Not?) Affect the Static Posturography Diagnostic Accuracy: A Test-Retest Reliability Study.

Static posturography assessed with force platforms is a procedure used to obtain objective estimates related to postural adjustments. However, controlling multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy is essential to obtain reliable measurements and recommend its use with clinical or research purposes. We aimed to analyze how different environmental acoustic conditions affect the test−retest reliability and to analyze the most appropriate number of trials to calculate a valid mean average score.

Electromyographic Assessment of the Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus the Ischemic Compression Technique in Gastrocnemius of Medium-Distance Triathletes.

Several studies have shown that gastrocnemius is frequently injured in triathletes. The causes of these injuries are similar to those that cause the appearance of the myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The ischemic compression technique (ICT) and deep dry needling (DDN) are considered two of the main MPS treatment methods in latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs).

Flexor Digitorum Brevis Muscle Dry Needling Changes Surface and Plantar Pressures: A Pre-Post Study.

Background: The effects of the dry needling technique and pain reduction have been demonstrated in numerous quality studies. However, the mechanical effects of dry needling are largely unknown.

Methods: A total of 18 subjects with flexor digitorum brevis muscle myofascial trigger point were evaluated pre- and post-deep dry needling.

Intramedular transfer of the flexor digitorum brevis tendon for the correction of clawtoe/hammertoe deformity: A cross-sectional study.

Background: A literature review did not reveal any studies concerning the intramedullary transfer of the flexor digitorum brevis tendons (FDB) technique with a single longitudinal incision through the proximal phalanx of the toes. The main goal of this investigation was to demonstrate whether the FDB tendons of the toes are long enough to enable intramedullary transfer to the dorsal area of the proximal phalanx.

Methods: We examined whether the technique would allow the surgeon to transfer the FDB tendons through the proximal phalanx of the toes.

Ultrasonography Comparison of the Plantar Fascia and Tibialis Anterior in People With and Without Lateral Ankle Sprain: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the thickness of the plantar fascia (PF) at the insertion of the calcaneus and the midfoot and forefoot fascial locations, in addition to the thickness of the tibialis anterior, by ultrasound imaging in individuals with and without lateral ankle sprain (LAS).

Methods: A sample of 44 participants was recruited and divided in 2 groups: 22 feet with a prior diagnosis of grade 1 or 2 LAS (case group) and 22 feet without this condition (healthy group). The thickness and cross-sectional area were evaluated by ultrasound imaging in both groups.

Fear Avoidance Beliefs and Kinesiophobia Are Presented in Athletes who Suffer from Gastrocnemius Chronic Myofascial Pain.

Objective: To compare and predict kinesiophobia and fear avoidance beliefs between athletes with gastrocnemius myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and healthy athletes.

Design: Case-control.

Setting: Outpatient clinic.

Vibration increases multifidus cross-sectional area versus cryotherapy added to chronic non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy eccentric exercise.

Objective: To assess multifidus muscle thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA) and disability in patients with chronic non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy (AT) who developed an eccentric exercise (EE) vibration program compared to an EE program with cryotherapy.

Design: Single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Outpatient clinic.

Effectiveness between Dry Needling and Ischemic Compression in the Triceps Surae Latent Myofascial Trigger Points of Triathletes on Pressure Pain Threshold and Thermography: A Single Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Deep dry needling (DDN) and ischemic compression technic (ICT) may be considered as interventions used for the treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) in latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). The immediate effectiveness of both DDN and ICT on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and skin temperature of the latent MTrPs of the triceps surae has not yet been determined, especially in athletes due to their treatment requirements during training and competition.

Objective: To compare the immediate efficacy between DDN and ICT in the latent MTrPs of triathletes considering PPT and thermography measurements.

Thermography related to electromyography in runners with functional equinus condition after running.

Objectives: To assess how skin temperature could be related with gastrocnemius muscle activation and thus detect association between the extensibility of the triceps-surae and the skin temperature pattern.

Design: A Cross Sectional Study. Secondary level of care.

Effectiveness of Deep Dry Needling vs Ischemic Compression in the Latent Myofascial Trigger Points of the Shortened Triceps Surae from Triathletes on Ankle Dorsiflexion, Dynamic, and Static Plantar Pressure Distribution: A Clinical Trial.

Objective: To determine the immediate efficacy of a single session of deep dry needling (DDN) vs ischemic compression (ICT) in a latent myofascial trigger point (MTrP) of the shortened triceps surae from triathletes for ankle dorsiflexion and redistribution of plantar pressures and stability.

Design: A randomized simple blind clinical trial (NCT03273985).

Setting: An outpatient clinic.