Determinants of Maximal Dorsiflexion Range of Motion: Multi-Perspective Comparison Using Mechanical, Neural, Morphological, and Muscle Quality Factors.

: the purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of mechanical, neural, morphological, and muscle quality factors on individual differences in the maximal ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). : A sample of 41 university students performed passive-dorsiflexion and morphological measurements. In the passive-dorsiflexion measurement, while the ankle was passively dorsiflexed, maximal dorsiflexion ROM was measured in addition to passive torque at a given angle and muscle-tendon junction (MTJ) displacement during the last 13° as mechanical factors, and stretch tolerance and muscle activation were measured as neural factors.

Chronic effects of a static stretching intervention program on range of motion and tissue hardness in older adults.

Introduction: Clinically, knowing whether a static stretching (SS) intervention program conducted for several weeks can reduce passive muscle stiffness is important. Still, only a few previous studies have evaluated the chronic effects of an SS intervention program in older adults, and the potential relationship between ROM changes and muscle stiffness changes is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 10- week SS intervention partially supervised program on joint range of motion (ROM) and tissue hardness in older adults.

Acute local and non-local morphological, sensory and fluid responses to stretching and foam rolling in young females.

Background: This study aimed to compare and examine the local and non-local effects of a foam rolling (FR) and static stretching (SS) intervention applied to the plantar flexor (PF).

Methods: Fourteen female participants were investigated. Each participant underwent three conditions in a random order at least 48h apart and at the same time of the day: Control (CC), SS, and FR.

Comparison of the effects of three different resistance training methods on muscle fatigue in healthy untrained men.

Introduction: Traditional set (TS), paired-set (PS), and super-set (SS) are used as resistance training methods. However, the effects of these methods on muscle fatigue (muscle strength and training volume) are not clear. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of TS, PS, and SS on the muscle fatigue of the hamstrings and quadriceps.

The acute cross-education effect of foam rolling on the thigh muscles in patients after total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction: In the early postoperative period after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), joint range of motion (ROM) limitation and increased stiffness due to pain are commonly observed. Previous studies have reported that a single bout of foam rolling (FR) can acutely increase ROM and pain threshold on the contralateral (non-intervention) side in healthy participants. In this study, we aimed to expand this knowledge for TKA rehabilitation and investigated the acute effects of FR intervention on the non-operative side on ROM, stiffness, and pain of the operative side in postoperative patients within the first week after TKA.

Efficacy of self-care foam rolling intervention on muscle function and pain conducted by postoperative patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty from the second to the third postoperative week.

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether self-care foam rolling (FR) intervention, in addition to regular physical therapy, effectively improves pain, knee joint range of motion (ROM), muscle function (knee extension strength and gait speed), and balance function in patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) during the second and third postoperative weeks.

Methods: A total of 15 patients admitted to the hospital and who underwent TKA for knee osteoarthritis were enrolled. FR was performed for more than 10 min in the morning and 10 min in the afternoon each day from the second to the third postoperative week.

Foam Rolling Intervention Improves Lactate Clearance After High-Intensity Exercise.

The acute effects of a foam rolling intervention on lactate clearance and the impaired executive function associated with fatigue after high-intensity exercise remain unclear. This study examined whether foam rolling is an effective tool for fatigue recovery. Eighteen healthy adults without consistent exercise habits participated in this study.

Relationship Between the Flexion Torque of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint and Intrinsic Foot Muscles Depends on the Ankle Joint Position.

Background: Clinicians and researchers are beginning to pay attention to the importance of the intrinsic foot muscles (IFMs). Among IFMs, the abductor hallucis (AbH) is associated with foot disorders. However, so far no method for assessing the strength of the AbH has been established.

Minimum Intensity of Daily Six Eccentric Contractions to Increase Muscle Strength and Size.

Our previous study showed that daily six maximal eccentric contractions that were performed 5 days a week for 4 weeks increased maximal voluntary isometric (MVC-ISO), concentric (MVC-CON), and eccentric contraction (MVC-ECC) strength of the elbow flexors and muscle thickness of biceps brachii and brachialis (MT) by 8.3 ± 4.9%, 11.

Characteristics of injuries related to Kin-Ball sport in Japan: A questionnaire study.

Introduction: The number of Kin-Ball sport participants is expected to increase in the future. However, there is no report on the characteristics of the injuries associated with Kin-Ball sport.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of injuries relate to Kin-Ball sport.

Determining Changes in Muscle Size and Architecture After Exercise Training: One Site Does Not Fit all.

Nunes, JP, Blazevich, AJ, Schoenfeld, BJ, Kassiano, W, Costa, BDV, Ribeiro, AS, Nakamura, M, Nosaka, K, and Cyrino, ES. Determining changes in muscle size and architecture after exercise training: One site does not fit all. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 787-790, 2024-Different methods can be used to assess muscle hypertrophy, but the effects of training on regional changes in muscle size can be detected only using direct muscle measurements such as muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, or volume.

Combined Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching on the Muscle-Tendon Unit Stiffness and Strength of the Hamstrings.

Takeuchi, K, Nakamura, M, Matsuo, S, Samukawa, M, Yamaguchi, T, and Mizuno, T. Combined effects of static and dynamic stretching on the muscle-tendon unit stiffness and strength of the hamstrings. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 681-686, 2024-Combined static and dynamic stretching for 30 seconds is frequently used as a part of a warm-up program.

Relationship between pectoralis major stiffness and shoulder extension range of motion.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the passive muscle stiffness of the pectoralis major muscle pars clavicularis (PMc) and shoulder extension range of motion (ROM) in both male and female participants. Thirty-nine (23 male/16 female) physically active and healthy participants volunteered in this study. After a standardized warm-up, the PMc stiffness was tested via shear wave elastography at a slightly stretched position (long muscle length) and in a non-stretched position (short muscle length).

Effects of lunges inserted in walking (eccentric walking) on lower limb muscle strength, physical and cognitive function of regular walkers.

Introduction: Walking is a popular exercise but does not increase lower limb muscle strength and balance. We hypothesized that muscle strength, physical and cognitive function would be improved by inserting lunges in conventional walking.

Methods: Eleven regular walkers (54-88 years) who had more than 5000 steps in exercise walking a day at least 5 days a week participated in this study.

The Acute Effect of Percussive Massage Intervention with and without Heat Application on Plantar Flexor Muscles' Passive and Active Properties.

Recently, percussive massage (PM) intervention using a handheld percussive massage device, namely a massage gun, has been used as an easy way to perform vibration functions. Additionally, a product has been developed that allows PM intervention and heat application to be performed simultaneously. Thus, this study aimed to compare the acute effects of PM intervention with and without heat application on dorsiflexion (DF) range of motion (ROM), passive stiffness, and muscle strength in the gastrocnemius muscle.

Trends and associations between kinesiophobia and knee function from preoperatively to three and six months postoperatively in patients post-ACL reconstruction surgery.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the transition of kinesiophobia and knee joint function from the preoperative period to three months postoperative, the time to resume running, six months post-ACLR, and the goal time to resume sports.

Methods: 54 patients who underwent initial ACLR were included in this study. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11) was used to assess kinesiophobia.

The effect of massage on the plantar flexor muscles during the fixation period in postoperative patients with an ankle fracture.

Introduction: Ankle fractures are one of the most common lower extremity fractures. After surgery, the ankle joint is often immobilized in a plantar flexion position, and there have been many reported cases of limited ankle joint range of motion. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of regular massage interventions on ankle joint range of motion after removal of fixation.