Quantitative ultrasonography of the foot muscles: a comprehensive perspective on reliability.

Background: Quantitative ultrasound imaging is a popular technique to assess the structural properties of the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles. Although several studies examined test-retest reliability, specific gaps remain in assessing inter-rater reliability, particularly distinguishing between image acquisition and muscle measurement. Additionally, these studies utilized equipment that may not be generalizable across both clinical and research settings and often involved small sample sizes without prior sample size calculations.

Validation of Impact Forces Estimated by Wearable Device VERT in Volleyball.

De Bleecker, C, Vermeulen, S, Willems, T, Segers, V, Spanhove, V, Leys, R, Vanrenterghem, J, and De Ridder, R. Validation of impact forces estimated by wearable device VERT in volleyball validation impact forces VERT. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-As volleyball players are exposed to high volumes of forceful jump-landing actions, the risk of injuries is increased.

Reliability of direct and indirect measures of intrinsic foot muscle strength in adults: A systematic review.

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the existing literature on evaluation methods developed to measure intrinsic foot muscle strength in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. The specific objectives was to provide an overview of the evaluation methods with their protocols and reliability.

Methods: Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and SPORTDiscus) were searched up to August 2023.

The Utility of High-Intensity, Intermittent Exercise Protocols to Induce Fatigue for Screening Purposes in Jump-Landing Sports.

Short-term fatigue protocols simulating sports participation are scarce and not well-documented in jump-landing sports. Therefore, this study investigated physiological and physical responses following high-intensity, intermittent exercise protocols (HIIPs) with a standardized level of subjective exhaustion (Borg ≥18/20) and a modified fixed version of five circuits (HIIP-5) for future inclusion in biomechanical screening protocols. Twenty male volleyball and basketball players participated in this study to complete the HIIP and the HIIP-5.

How reliable are lower limb biomechanical evaluations during volleyball-specific jump-landing tasks?

Background: Biomechanical evaluations of sport-specific jump-landing tasks may provide a more ecologically valid interpretation compared to generic jump-landing tasks. For accurate interpretation of longitudinal research, it is essential to understand the reliability of biomechanical parameters of sport-specific jump-landing tasks.

Research Question: How reliable are hip, knee and ankle joint angles and moment curves during two volleyball-specific jump-landing tasks and is this comparable with the reliability of a generic jump-landing task?

Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) biomechanical analyses of 27 male volleyball players were performed in two sessions separated by one week.

Defining characteristics of independent walking persons after stroke presenting with different arm swing coordination patterns.

Background: Persons after stroke present with an altered arm swing during walking. Given the known influence of the arm swing on gait, it is important to identify the characteristics of persons with stroke with different arm-to-leg coordination patterns during walking.

Methods: Twenty-five persons after stroke walked on a self-paced treadmill at comfortable walking speed.

The Effect of Fatigue on Trunk and Pelvic Jump-Landing Biomechanics in View of Lower Extremity Loading: A Systematic Review.

Fatigue has often been considered a risk factor for developing sports injuries, modulating lower extremity jump-landing biomechanics. The impact of fatigue on proximal trunk and pelvic biomechanics has been suggested to play an important role in lower extremity loading and injury risk, yet the available evidence remains ambiguous as the trunk and pelvis were often not the primary focus of research. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to determine how fatigue affects trunk and pelvic three-dimensional jump-landing biomechanics.

Biomechanical differences between self-paced and fixed-speed treadmill walking in persons after stroke.

Background: Using self-paced treadmills for gait analysis requires less space compared to overground gait labs while a more natural walking pattern could be preserved compared to fixed-speed treadmill walking. Although self-paced treadmills have been used in stroke related intervention studies, studies comparing self-paced to fixed-speed treadmill walking in this population are scarce.

Methods: Twenty-five persons after stroke (10 males/15 females; 53 ± 12.

The development of a clinical screening tool to evaluate unilateral landing performance in a healthy population.

Objectives: To develop a clinical tool to evaluate unilateral landing quality in a healthy population. The reliability of the novel tool was evaluated, and the influence of gender and leg-dominance was investigated.

Design: An experimental study for developing a test protocol, scoring criteria, and scoring method, based on observable landing errors, for the novel Unilateral Landing Error Scoring System (ULESS).

Trunk and lower extremity biomechanics during sit-to-stand after stroke: A systematic review.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to pool available evidence of differences in trunk and lower extremity biomechanics during the different phases of a sit-to-stand (STS) task between persons with stroke and to healthy controls.

Methods: Four electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) were systematically searched up to, and including, December 2021. Studies were included if they investigated kinematic, kinetic and/or electromyographic outcome measures of adults with stroke during STS and compared results with healthy controls.

Comparing spatiotemporal gait parameters between overground walking and self-paced treadmill walking in persons after stroke.

Purpose: Since self-paced treadmills enable more natural gait patterns compared to fixed-speed treadmills we examined the use of a self-paced treadmill as a alternative for overground gait analysis in persons after stroke.

Material And Methods: Twenty-five persons after stroke (10 males/15 females; 53 ± 12.05 years; 40.

Most amateur football teams do not implement essential components of neuromuscular training to prevent anterior cruciate ligament injuries and lateral ankle sprains.

Purpose: Neuromuscular training (NMT) is effective at reducing football injuries. The purpose of this study was to document the use of NMT to prevent anterior cruciate ligament injuries and lateral ankle sprains in adult amateur football and to identify barriers for using NMT.

Methods: A preseason and in-season online survey was completed by players and coaches of 164 football teams.

The role of core stability in the development of non-contact acute lower extremity injuries in an athletic population: A prospective study.

Objectives: Stability of the core is associated with lower extremity functioning. Consequently, impaired core stability might play a role in developing non-contact acute lower extremity sports injuries. The objective was to investigate components of core stability as potential risk factors for acute lower extremity injuries.

Altered Multisegment Ankle and Foot Kinematics During Gait in Patients With Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: Ankle-foot problems have a considerable impact on daily functioning in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder (hEDS/HSD). Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify alterations in multisegment ankle and foot kinematics during gait and to assess foot function and pain in these patients.

Methods: Twenty-three women with hEDS/HSD and 23 healthy controls participated in this 3-dimensional gait analysis.

Relationship Between Jump-Landing Kinematics and Lower Extremity Overuse Injuries in Physically Active Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Lower extremity overuse injuries are common in athletes participating in sports with repeated bouts of landing manoeuvres. Biomechanical alterations during landing may be associated with these types of injuries. The objective of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to summarise and determine the relationship between kinematic alterations during a landing task and the development of lower extremity overuse injuries in physically active populations.

Predicting physical activity recovery after hip and knee arthroplasty? A longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Recovery of physical activity (PA) after telerehabilitation following knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA-THA) has rarely been studied. An improved understanding of PA recovery is needed, as it could be influenced by many factors such as age, gender or pre-operative physical function.

Objectives: To assess PA recovery weekly for 3 months after TKA-THA and to determine perioperative factors that could help predict PA recovery at 3 months.

The predictive value of the multiple hop test for first-time noncontact lateral ankle sprains.

Unlabelled: The predictive value of the multiple hop test for first-time noncontact lateral ankle sprains.

Background: Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are very common sports injuries, cause high health care costs and are associated with postural control deficits. From a preventive point of view, clinicians should dispose valid field tests to identify athletes at risk for a LAS.

Neurodynamic sliders promote flexibility in tight hamstring syndrome.

Hamstring injury prevention puts emphasis on optimizing the muscle's strength-length relationship. To assure appropriate muscle length, flexibility training is imperative. As neurodynamics play an important role herein, the goal of this study was to explore the intervention effect of home-based neurodynamic slider program on hamstring flexibility.

Is consumer behaviour towards footwear predisposing for lower extremity injuries in runners and walkers? A prospective study.

Background: Runners and walkers often suffer from lower extremity injuries. Little is known about the relationship between their consumer behaviour towards footwear and the development of those injuries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate if consumer behaviour towards footwear is a risk factor for lower extremity injuries.

Impaired Core Stability as a Risk Factor for the Development of Lower Extremity Overuse Injuries: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Core stability has been suggested to influence lower extremity functioning and might contribute to the development of lower extremity overuse injuries. However, prospective studies to investigate this relationship are limited.

Purpose: To research the role of different components of core stability as risk factors for the development of lower extremity overuse injuries.

Activity trackers are not valid for step count registration when walking with crutches.

Background: The use of activity trackers has been proposed in rehabilitation where resuming physical activity is deemed crucial, e.g. after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Concurrent Validity of a Commercial Wireless Trunk Triaxial Accelerometer System for Gait Analysis.

Context: Wearable sensor devices have notable advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, easy to use, and real-time feedback. Wirelessness ensures full-body motion, which is required during movement in a challenging environment such as during sports. Research on the reliability and validity of commercially available systems, however, is indispensable.

Taping Benefits Ankle Joint Landing Kinematics in Subjects With Chronic Ankle Instability.

Context: Although taping has been proven effective in reducing ankle sprain events in individuals with chronic ankle instability, insight into the precise working mechanism remains limited.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the use of taping changes ankle joint kinematics during a sagittal and frontal plane landing task in subjects with chronic ankle instability.

Design: Repeated measure design.