Acute effect of dry needling on trunk kinematics and balance of patients with non-specific low back pain.

Background: Limited knowledge exists about the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) concerning the torso kinematics in patients with non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP). Acute effects of DN in NS-LBP patients from a functional perspective were investigated.

Methods: Sixteen NS-LBP patients and 11 healthy individuals (HG) were examined.

An echocardiographic study of acute, progressive cardiac changes following a 246 km running race.

We describe the case of an ultra-marathon runner who finished first the "Spartathlon", a 246 km running race. The finishing time was the second fastest time ever in "Spartathlon". After finishing the race, the athlete suffered non-cardiac syncope and was administered intravenously 3 L of fluids for 5 hours.

Impact of a 246 Km ultra-marathon running race on heart: Insights from advanced deformation analysis.

Although previous studies suggest that prolonged intense exercise such as marathon running transitorily alters cardiac function, there is little information regarding ultramarathon races. Aim of this study was to investigate the acute impact of ultra-endurance exercise (UEE) on heart, applying advanced strain imaging. Echocardiographic assessment was performed the day before and at the finish line of "Spartathlon": A 246 Km ultra-marathon running race.

Comparative study of cardiorespiratory adaptations in elite basketball players of different age groups.

Background: Systematic training of basketball causes morphological cardiac and cardiorespiratory adaptations. Previous studies have mainly focused either on only cardiac or respiratory changes. However, the extent of these cardiac adaptations and their relationship with aerobic capacity remain unclear in basketball athletes of different ages.

Exploring the determinants of the cardiac changes after ultra-long duration exercise: The echocardiographic Spartathlon study.

Aim: The investigation of the pathophysiological determinants of cardiac changes following ultra-long duration exercise.

Methods: Twenty-seven runners who finished a 246 km running race were examined both before and after the finish of the race. Examinations included echocardiography and measurement of body weight and blood biochemical parameters.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of noncardiac syncope in athletes.

Objective: The investigation of the differences in orthostatic responses of individuals with a history of noncardiac syncope(NCS) between athletes and nonathletes.

Methods: A passive tilt test for 30min was performed in 133 athletes (54 with NCS, 79 without NCS) and 48 nonathletes (15 with NCS, 33 without NCS). We performed measurement of haemodynamic, heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity parameters.

Eighteen years' experience applying old and current strategies in the pre-participation cardiovascular screening of athletes.

Introduction: Cardiovascular pre-participation screening (PPS) is recommended for the identification of athletes at risk for sudden cardiac death. However, there is currently no universally accepted screening protocol.

Methods: Two distinct PPS strategies were studied in a large cohort of Greek athletes (5 to 39 years old): PPS I, with routine 12-lead ECG and echo, in addition to personal and family history, and physical examination; and PPS II, without routine echo.

Comparative study of field and laboratory tests for the evaluation of aerobic capacity in soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2)max) values in soccer players as assessed by field and laboratory tests. Thirty-five elite young soccer players were studied (mean age 18.1 +/- 1.

Non-invasive cardiac electrophysiological indices in soccer players with mitral valve prolapse.

Background: Cardiac disorders constitute the most common causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is one of the cardiac structural causes in young populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate some reliable non-invasive electrophysiological variables of SCD in young athletes with mild or moderate MVP and to compare them with their cardiorespiratory adaptations.

Design: The study population comprised of 40 amateur male soccer players, who were equally subdivided into those with (group A, aged 20.