Validation of Muscle Ultrasound Speckle Tracking and the Effect of Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Biceps Femoris Displacement.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the ultrasound speckle tracking (UST) algorithm, determine the optimal probe location by comparing normalized cross-correlation (NCC) values of muscle displacement at two locations (proximal vs. middle) of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) using the UST, and investigate the effects of Nordic hamstring curl exercise (NHE) training on BFlh displacement.

Methods: UST efficacy was verified with ex vivo uniaxial testing of porcine leg muscles.

Optimizing Recovery Strategies in Elite Speedskating: A Comparative Analysis of Different Modalities.

As short-track speed skaters have to race multiple races to achieve success during competition, optimizing the recovery between efforts is a noteworthy performance determinant. Therefore, we compared three different recovery modalities (active cycling recovery, pneumatic compression boots, and isocapnic breathing protocol) in the context of perceived subjective pain and recovery variables, multiple biochemical and biomechanical indices, CMJ height and power, as well as repeated efforts on the ice track. Fifteen elite short-track speed skaters (eight males and seven females; age 18.

Combination of Manual Therapy and Dry Needling Effectively Improves Acute Neck Pain and Muscular Tone and Stiffness in Combat Sports Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study aimed to compare the effects of manual therapy combined with dry needling (MTDN) to a control group, focusing on the impact on pressure pain threshold (PPT), muscle tone (MT), muscle stiffness (MS), muscle strength, and range of motion in the neck muscles of adult combat sports athletes. A randomized controlled study design was employed, with one group of athletes (n = 15) receiving MTDN intervention, while the other group (n = 15) underwent a control treatment (CG) involving a quasi-needle technique combined with manual therapy. Both groups participated in three sessions, either in the MTDN intervention or the control condition.

Dependence of Rotator Cuff Muscle Thickness and Stiffness on Low-Level Contractions: Metrology of the Contraction Level Using Shear-Wave Imaging.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effects of the level of contraction during isometric shoulder abduction at different abduction angles on muscle thickness and stiffness of the shoulder girdle in asymptomatic individuals.

Design: Measurement properties study.

Setting: Biomechanics and motion analysis lab.