Reliability of sonographic measurements of the ulnar collateral ligament: a multi-rater prospective study.

Background: The use of sonography is a cost-effective and reliable method to evaluate upper extremity superficial tissue structural integrity and pathology. Establishing the measurement reliability of widely used diagnostic ultrasound evaluation for musculoskeletal assessment is paramount enhance accurate clinical evaluations. The objective of this study was to establish the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of select ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) thickness measures at two distinct anatomical locations in intercollegiate baseball athletes using ultrasound imaging (USI).

The Relationship Between Early-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis and Lower-Extremity Alignment, Joint Laxity, and Subjective Scores of Pain, Stiffness, and Function.

Context: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease that affects an estimated 27 million Americans. Changes in lower-extremity alignment and joint laxity have been found to redistribute the medial and/or lateral loads at the joint. However, the effect that changes in anteroposterior knee-joint laxity have on lower-extremity alignment and function in individuals with knee OA remains unclear.

Intensity-dependent reductions in resting blood pressure following short-term isometric exercise training.

To reduce resting blood pressure, a minimum isometric exercise training (IET) intensity has been suggested, but this is not known for short-term IET programmes. We therefore compared the effects of moderate- and low-intensity IET programmes on resting blood pressure. Forty normotensive participants (22.

Application of statistics in establishing diagnostic certainty.

The examination and assessment of injured and ill patients leads to the establishment of a diagnosis. However, the tests and procedures used in health care, including procedures performed by certified athletic trainers, are individually and collectively imperfect in confirming or ruling out a condition of concern. Thus, research into the utility of diagnostic tests is needed to identify the procedures that are most helpful and to indicate the confidence one should place in the results of the test.

Temporal-spatial gait adaptations during stair ascent and descent in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for more functional disability of the lower extremity than any other disease. We recruited 18 patients with knee OA and 18 healthy age-, height-, mass-, and gender-matched control subjects to investigate the effects knee OA has on select spatial and temporal gait variables during a stair climbing task. No group-by-direction interaction was observed; however, significant effects did occur for group and direction.

Three-dimensional joint kinematics of ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed knees during stair ascent and descent.

Mechanical environmental changes in the knee are induced by altered joint kinematics under cyclic loading during activities of daily living after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. This is considered a risk factor in progressive cartilage degeneration and the early onset of osteoarthritis following ACL injury and even after reconstructive surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine 3D joint kinematics of ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed knees to health controls during stair ascent and descent.

Six weeks of balance training improves sensorimotor function in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess the effect of 6 weeks of balance training on sensorimotor measures previously found to be deficient in participants with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Background: CAI is the tendency toward repeated ankle sprains and recurring symptoms, occurring in 40% to 70% of individuals who have previously sustained a lateral ankle sprain.

Mechanical joint laxity associated with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review.

Context: Lateral ankle sprains can manifest into chronic mechanical joint laxity when not treated effectively. Joint laxity is often measured through the use of manual stress tests, stress radiography, and instrumented ankle arthrometers.

Purpose: To systematically review the literature to establish the influence of chronic ankle instability (CAI) on sagittal and frontal plane mechanical joint laxity.

Lower extremity joint kinematics during stair climbing in knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent chronic lower extremity diseases, causing profound limitation of movement and ability to perform activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to compare various hip, knee, and ankle joint kinematic variables between knee OA subjects and matched healthy controls during stair ascent and descent.

Methods: Eighteen subjects with knee OA (age = 60.

Influence of external ankle support on lower extremity joint mechanics during drop landings.

Objective: To investigate the effects of external ankle support (EAS) on lower extremity joint mechanics and vertical ground-reaction forces (VGRF) during drop landings.

Design: A 1 x 3 repeated-measures, crossover design.

Setting: Biomechanics research laboratory.

Threshold frequency of an electrically induced cramp increases following a repeated, localized fatiguing exercise.

Though clinical observations and laboratory data provide some support for the neuromuscular imbalance theory of the genesis of exercise-associated muscle cramps, no direct evidence has been published. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of local muscle fatigue on the threshold frequency of an electrically induced muscle cramp. To determine baseline threshold frequency, a cramp was electrically induced in the flexor hallucis brevis of 16 apparently healthy participants (7 males, 9 females; age 25.

A comparison of physiologic and physical discomfort responses between exercise modalities.

To determine differences in physiologic responses and perceived discomfort during maximal and submaximal exercise with 2 common exercise modalities, the elliptical cross-trainer (ECT) and the arc trainer (ARC) were used, which undergoes an excursion of motion using an arc pathway. Eighteen subjects (10 male and 8 female; age = 24.7 +/- 2.

Cryotherapy and ankle bracing effects on peroneus longus response during sudden inversion.

Cryotherapy and ankle bracing are often used in conjunction as a treatment for ankle injury. No studies have evaluated the combined effect of these treatments on reflex responses during inversion perturbation. This study examined the combined influence of ankle bracing and joint cooling on peroneus longus (PL) muscle response during ankle inversion.

Sensorimotor function as a predictor of chronic ankle instability.

Background: Recurrent ankle injury occurs in 70% of individuals experiencing a lateral ankle sprain. The cause of this high level of recurrence is currently unknown. Researchers have begun to investigate sensorimotor deficits as one possible cause with inconclusive and often conflicting results.

Contributing factors to medial tibial stress syndrome: a prospective investigation.

Purpose: To conduct a prospective, multisite, cohort study investigating the possible risk factors for medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) in college athletes.

Methods: One hundred and forty-six healthy, collegiate athletes from NCAA Division I and Division II institutions participated in the study. Subjects first completed a health history questionnaire to establish previous history of injury and underwent a physical examination to assess their ankle/foot strength, ankle/foot range of motion, tibial varum, and navicular drop before the start of their respective athletic season.

Segmental spinal reflex adaptations associated with chronic ankle instability.

Objective: To further understanding of the role that segmental spinal reflexes play in chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Design: A 2 x 2 repeated-measures case-control factorial design. The independent variables were ankle group with 2 levels (healthy, CAI) and stance with 2 levels (single, double legged).

Certified athletic trainers' knowledge and perception of professional preparation involving eating disorders among athletes.

The perceived adequacy of professional preparation about eating disorders and disordered eating has not been evaluated in certified athletic trainers (ATCs). This study was intended to establish how ATCs perceive their professional preparation and educational background in identifying and managing eating disorders. A 42-item Web-based survey was specifically created for this study and disseminated to certified 14,477 members of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), of whom 13.

Local ice-bag application and triceps surae muscle temperature during treadmill walking.

Context: Ice bags "to go" are a common practice in athletic training.

Objective: To determine the effect of submaximal exercise on tissue temperatures during a common ice-bag application.

Design: 2 X 5 fully repeated-measures design with treatment (cooling while resting, cooling while walking) and time (pretreatment, immediately after ice application, and at 10, 20, and 30 minutes during treatment) as the independent variables.

Exercise and quadriceps muscle cooling time.

Context: Cryotherapy is commonly used for a variety of purposes; however, the body's response to cryotherapy immediately postexercise is unknown.

Objective: To investigate the effect of prior exercise on crushed-ice-bag treatment of a large muscle group.

Design: 2 x 3 repeated-measures design on depth (1 cm and 2 cm below adipose tissue) and treatment (exercise followed by ice, exercise followed by no ice, and no exercise followed by ice).

Effects of ankle support on lower-extremity functional performance: a meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Clinicians surmise that the application of external ankle support reduces the ability to perform functional skills and movements, but the outcomes from some of these studies have been inconclusive.

Purpose: To meta-analyze studies regarding the effects of external ankle support on lower-extremity functional performance measures.

Methods: A total of 93 effects from 17 randomized controlled trials utilizing predominantly crossover designs with recreationally active participants and competitive athletes were subjected to a random-effects meta-analysis.

Three-MHz Ultrasound Heats Deeper Into the Tissues Than Originally Theorized.

OBJECTIVE: To measure muscle temperature of ultrasound at 1-MHz and 3-MHz frequencies at a depth of 2.5 cm and to compare treatment durations for vigorous heating (increase of 4 degrees C) and for heating to 40 degrees C. DESIGN AND SETTING: A counterbalanced, repeated-measures design with 1 fixed, independent variable, 1.

Arthrogenic muscle inhibition is not present in the limb contralateral to a simulated knee joint effusion.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to estimate bilateral neuromuscular activity in the vastus medialis on induction of a unilateral knee joint effusion.

Design: Eight subjects each were assigned to effusion or control groups. The effusion group had 60 ml of sterile saline injected into their superolateral knee joint capsules.

The Spectral Qualities of Postural Control are Unaffected by 4 Days of Ankle-Brace Application.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the spectral qualities of medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) center of pressure during a 1-legged stance are affected by 4 days of ankle-brace application. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study, which consisted of a pretest-posttest randomized group design, took place in the Sports Injury Research Laboratory at Indiana State University. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight Indiana State University students, who had not suffered from any ankle injuries within the past 2 years and were free of any neurologic or vestibular disorders, participated in the study.