Immediate effect of manual therapy techniques on the limitation of ankle dorsiflexion: a randomized, controlled, blind clinical trial protocol.

Background: The range of motion (RoM) of dorsiflexion (DF) plays an important role in human mobility, such as absorption of body weight during gait deceleration, jump landings, balance, and eccentric movements. This limitation can generate potentially damaging movements. This way, evaluating techniques for DF RoM increase could help improve immediate performance in such functional activities.

Evaluating eccentric hip torque and trunk endurance as mediators of changes in lower limb and trunk kinematics in response to functional stabilization training in women with patellofemoral pain.

Background: Altered movement patterns of the trunk and lower limbs have been associated with patellofemoral pain (PFP). It has been assumed that increasing the strength of the hip and trunk muscles would improve lower limb and trunk kinematics in these patients. However, evidence in support of that assumption is limited.

Effects of functional stabilization training on pain, function, and lower extremity biomechanics in women with patellofemoral pain: a randomized clinical trial.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To compare the effects of functional stabilization training (FST) versus standard training on knee pain and function, lower-limb and trunk kinematics, trunk muscle endurance, and eccentric hip and knee muscle strength in women with patellofemoral pain.

Background: A combination of hip- and knee-strengthening exercise may be more beneficial than quadriceps strengthening alone to improve pain and function in individuals with patellofemoral pain.

Effect of plyometric training on lower limb biomechanics in females.

Objective: To verify the effects of plyometric training on lower limb kinematics, eccentric hip and knee torques, and functional performance.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Effects of the use of oral contraceptives on hip and knee kinematics in healthy women during anterior stair descent.

Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate the effects of the use of oral contraceptives (OC) on the hip and knee kinematics of healthy women during anterior stair descent.

Methods: Forty volunteers aged from 18 to 26 years were divided into two groups: 1-Group of women who had used OC for at least 3 months prior to evaluation (n = 20) and 2-Group of women who did not use OC (n = 20). The knee flexion/extension and abduction/adduction, hip flexion/extension, abduction/adduction and medial/lateral rotation excursions (degrees) were calculated for the dominant (supporting) limb during anterior stair descent.

Relationships between eccentric hip isokinetic torque and functional performance.

Context: Recently, attention in sports has been given to eccentric hip-muscle function, both in preventing musculoskeletal injuries and improving performance.

Objective: To determine the key isokinetic variables of eccentric hip torque that predict the functional performance of women in the single-leg triple long jump (TLJ) and the timed 6-m single-leg hop (TH).

Design: Within-subject correlational study.

Relationship between eccentric hip torque and lower-limb kinematics: gender differences.

The purposes of this study were to compare lower-limb kinematics between genders, and determine the relationships among eccentric hip abductor and lateral rotator torques and lower-limb kinematics. The movements of the pelvis, femur, and knee were calculated for 16 women and 16 men during the single-leg squat. Eccentric hip abductor and lateral rotator torques were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer.

Relationship among eccentric hip and knee torques, symptom severity and functional capacity in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Objective: To determine the relationships between eccentric hip and knee torques, symptom severity and functional capacity in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

Design: Within-subject correlational study.

Setting: University biomechanics laboratory.

Effect of functional stabilization training on lower limb biomechanics in women.

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effects of functional stabilization training on lower limb kinematics, functional performance, and eccentric hip and knee torques.

Methods: Twenty-eight women were divided into a training group (TG; n = 14), which carried out the functional stabilization training during 8 wk, and a control group (CG; n = 14), which carried out no physical training. The kinematic assessment of the lower limb was performed during a single-leg squat, and the functional performance was evaluated by way of the single-leg triple hop and the timed 6-m single-leg hop tests.

Eccentric hip muscle function in females with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Context: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee condition in athletes. Recently, researchers have indicated that factors proximal to the knee, including hip muscle weakness and motor control impairment, contribute to the development of PFPS. However, no investigators have evaluated eccentric hip muscle function in people with PFPS.

The effect of additional strengthening of hip abductor and lateral rotator muscles in patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Objectives: To study the effect of additional strengthening of hip abductor and lateral rotator muscles in a strengthening quadriceps exercise rehabilitation programme for patients with the patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial.

Setting: Clinical setting with home programme.