Improving locomotor performance with motor imagery and tDCS in young adults.

The study aimed to assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of a non-motor intervention utilizing motor imagery (MI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance motor function. The research involved a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with three groups: MIActive, MISham, and Control. Participants engaged in a cognitively demanding obstacle course, with time and prefrontal activation (ΔO2Hb and ΔHHb) measured across three-time points (Baseline, Post-test, 1-week follow-up).

Exploring the role of ankle muscle function in gait impairments and fall risk in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impacts mobility, with gait disturbances and muscle impairments contributing to a fall risk five times higher than similarly aged adults. Falls significantly impact the quality of life in those with PD, yet the role of ankle muscle function in gait disturbances remains underexplored. This study investigated whether deficits in ankle force and steadiness contribute to gait variability and fall risk, potentially uncovering therapeutic targets for fall prevention in individuals with PD compared with age-matched older adults (OA).

Neural-Targeted Rehabilitation Strategies to Address Neuroplasticity After Joint Injury.

In patients with musculoskeletal injury, changes have been observed within the central nervous system that contribute to altered movement planning. This maladaptive neuroplasticity potentially explains the clinical disconnect where residual neuromuscular dysfunction and high rates of reinjury are often observed even after individuals clear return-to-activity functional testing. An improved understanding of these neural changes could therefore serve as a guide for facilitating a more complete recovery and minimizing risk of reinjury.

The Effect of Different Weight Plate Widths (Bumper vs. Standard) on the Biomechanics of the Bench Press.

Fiedler, MJ, Triplett, NT, Hamilton, KC, Needle, AR, and van Werkhoven, H. The effect of different weight plate widths (bumper vs. standard) on the biomechanics of the bench press.

Soleus arthrogenic muscle inhibition following acute lateral ankle sprain correlates with symptoms and ankle disability but not with postural control.

Background: Acute lateral ankle sprains (ALAS) are associated with long-term impairments and instability tied to altered neural excitability. Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) has been observed in this population; however, relationships with injury-related impairments are unclear, potentially due to the resting, prone position in which AMI is typically measured. Assessing AMI during bipedal stance may provide a better understanding of this relationship.

Design, Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of New -(1-Hydroxy-1,3-dihydrobenzo[][1,2]oxaborol-6-yl)(hetero)aryl-2-carboxamides as Potential Inhibitors of Mycobacterial Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase.

Tuberculosis remains a serious killer among infectious diseases due to its incidence, mortality, and occurrence of resistant mycobacterial strains. The challenge to discover new antimycobacterial agents forced us to prepare a series of -(1-hydroxy-1,3-dihydrobenzo[][1,2]oxaborol-6-yl)(hetero)aryl-2-carboxamides 1-19 via the acylation of 6-aminobenzo[][1,2]oxaborol-1(3)-ol with various activated (hetero)arylcarboxylic acids. These novel compounds have been tested in vitro against a panel of clinically important fungi and bacteria, including mycobacteria.

What interventions can treat arthrogenic muscle inhibition in patients with chronic ankle instability? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Purpose: To identify, critically appraise, and synthesize the existing evidence regarding the effects of therapeutic interventions on arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Materials And Methods: Two reviewers independently performed exhaustive database searches in Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus.

Results: Nine studies were finally included.

The effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the ankle pronators on neural excitability & functional status in patients with chronic ankle instability.

Objectives: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is associated with decreased neural excitability that negatively impacts function. This study assessed a 2-week neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) intervention over the ankle pronators on neural excitability, performance, and patient-reported function in patients with CAI.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Conduction Velocity of Spinal Reflex in Patients with Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain.

Recent literature has highlighted altered spinal-reflex excitability following acute lateral ankle sprain (ALAS), yet there is little information on the conduction velocity of spinal reflex pathways (CV-SRP) in these patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of ALAS on the CV-SRP. We employed a cross-sectional study with two groups: ALAS (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 30).

Spinal Reflex Excitability of Lower Leg Muscles Following Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain: Bilateral Inhibition of Soleus Spinal Reflex Excitability.

Neural changes in the ankle stabilizing muscles following ankle sprains are thought to be one contributing factor to persistent ankle dysfunction. However, empirical evidence is limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine spinal reflex excitability of lower leg muscles following acute ankle sprains (AAS).

The effects of 72 h of dynamic ankle immobilization on neural excitability and lower extremity kinematics.

Background: Ankle injuries can foster maladaptive changes in nervous system function that predisposes patients to subsequent injury. Patients are often placed in a dynamic boot immobilizer (BI) following injury; however, little is known about the effects of this treatment on neuromechanical function.

Research Question: We aimed to determine the effect of 72 h of BI-use on neural excitability and lower extremity joint motion in a healthy cohort.

The Effects of Concussions on Batting Performance in Major League Baseball Players: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Clinical Scenario: The impact of concussion in baseball athletes is far reaching although typically less studied than collision sports. The neuromotor sequelae of these injuries can have lasting effects on the high level of coordination needed in baseball skills. In professional athletes, the long-term effects of concussion combined with the high demands for performance can potentially shorten athletes' careers.

Continuous Tracking of Foot Strike Pattern during a Maximal 800-Meter Run.

(1) Background: Research into foot strike patterns (FSP) has increased due to its potential influence on performance and injury reduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in FSP throughout a maximal 800-m run using a conformable inertial measurement unit attached to the foot; (2) Methods: Twenty-one subjects (14 female, 7 male; 23.86 ± 4.

Acute Effect of Ankle Kinesio™ Taping on Lower-Limb Biomechanics During Single-Legged Drop Landing.

Context: Chronic ankle instability is documented to be followed by a recurrence of giving away episodes due to impairments in mechanical support. The application of ankle Kinesiotaping (KT) as a therapeutic intervention has been increasingly raised among athletes and physiotherapists.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of ankle KT on the lower-limb kinematics, kinetics, dynamic balance, and muscle activity of college athletes with chronic ankle instability.

Ankle-knee coupling responses to ankle Kinesio™ taping during single-leg drop landings in collegiate athletes with chronic ankle instability.

Background: Ankle Kinesio-taping (KT) is being globally used an intervention to provide the ankle joint complex with sufficient support against sudden excessive mechanical stress during various activities. However, its effects on proximal joints are unclear. This study investigated the impact of ankle KT on ankle-knee joint coupling in sagittal, frontal and transverse planes.

The effect of ankle Kinesio™ taping on ankle joint biomechanics during unilateral balance status among collegiate athletes with chronic ankle sprain.

Objectives: To determine the effects of ankle Kinesio-taping (KT) on postural sway, lower limb ROM, and muscle activity during a unilateral balance tasks.

Design: Case control study design.

Setting: Data were collected at the human movement analysis laboratory.

Use of an Instrumented Ankle Arthrometer and External Strain Gauge to Assess Ankle Dorsiflexion Motion and Plantarflexor Stiffness.

Background: Ankle dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness measurement offer clinical insight into the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders. We aimed to determine reliability and concurrent validity of an ankle arthrometer in quantifying dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness.

Methods: Ten healthy individuals were assessed for dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness using an ankle arthrometer with a 6 degree-of-freedom kinematic linkage system and external strain gauge to apply dorsiflexion torque.

THE EFFECTS OF MULTIPLE MODALITIES OF COGNITIVE LOADING ON DYNAMIC POSTURAL CONTROL IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC ANKLE INSTABILITY.

Background: Evidence of neuroplasticity after joint injury has suggested that individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) may have degraded movement when facing cognitive demand. To date, research into these effects have been limited to static balance models, and typically only incorporate a single type of cognitive demands.

Research Question: We aimed to determine the effects of multiple modalities of cognitive load (quantitative, verbal-memory, visuospatial) on dynamic postural control strategies in a sample of patients with CAI compared to uninjured controls.

Daily watermelon consumption decreases plasma sVCAM-1 levels in overweight and obese postmenopausal women.

Postmenopausal status is associated with an increase in total and abdominal body fat as well as increased incidence of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine if watermelon supplementation affects select systemic markers of atherosclerosis and measures of insulin resistance in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. We hypothesized that overweight and obese postmenopausal women consuming 100% watermelon puree daily for 6 weeks would have improved levels of select systemic markers connected with cardiovascular disease without changing markers of insulin resistance.

Bone health, muscle properties and stretch-shortening cycle function of young and elderly males.

The aim of this study was to examine bone, muscle, strength and stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) performance in young and elderly individuals with an ankle model to elucidate potential effects of ageing that have been suggested to influence fall risk. Moderately active young (n=10; age=22.3±1.

Ability of Functional Performance Tests to Identify Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of functional performance tests (FPTs) in differentiating between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy controls.

Data Sources: The National Library of Medicine Catalog (PubMed), the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the SPORTDiscus, from inception to June 2017 were searched. Search terms consisted of: "Functional Performance Test*" OR "Dynamic Balance Test*" OR "Postural Stability Test*" OR "Star Excursion Balance Test*" OR "Hop Test*" AND "Ankle Instability" OR "Ankle Sprain.

The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Chronic Ankle Instability.

Purpose: Given maladaptive neuroplasticity after musculoskeletal injury, interventions capable of restoring corticospinal excitability should be considered. We therefore aimed to determine if a 4-wk intervention of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (aTDCS) with eccentric exercise would improve neural excitability, functional performance, and patient-reported function in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods: Twenty-six individuals with CAI were recruited to undergo 4 wk of eccentric evertor strengthening.

Reactive knee stiffening strategies between various conditioning histories.

Optimizing joint stiffness through appropriate muscular activation is crucial for maintaining stability and preventing injury. Conditioning techniques may affect joint stability by increasing joint stiffness and altering neuromuscular control; however no studies have assessed this in a controlled setting. Fifteen endurance athletes, 12 power athletes, and 15 control subjects sat on a stiffness device that generated a rapid knee flexion perturbation and were instructed to react to the perturbation.

The Effects of Cognitive Loading on Motor Behavior in Injured Individuals: A Systematic Review.

Background: Research suggests that individuals with musculoskeletal injury may have difficulty negotiating physical tasks when they are combined with cognitive loads.

Objective: Our objective was to conduct a systematic review to understand the effects of increased cognitive demand on movement patterns among individuals with musculoskeletal injuries.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and SPORTDiscus was conducted to find research reports that included a population that had previously experienced an ankle, knee, or low back injury, included an uninjured control group, and assessed a dual-task paradigm.