Analysis of Different Lymphedema Assessment Tools in Women with Breast Cancer After Mastectomy.

Background: Lymphedema is a common complication after mastectomy in women with breast cancer. Several methods have been described to assess and diagnose lymphedema, one of the most studied being the perimeter and ultrasonography. However, the reliability of these methods and the correlation between them are still controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability of cytometry and ultrasound imaging in the assessment of lymphedema after mastectomy in women with breast cancer and to study the correlation between them. Methods and Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 29 women with mastectomy after breast cancer. Lymphedema in the arm was measured both with cytometry and ultrasonography. Reliability was calculated with intraclass correlation coefficient. The correlation between the two methods was carried out with the Pearson correlation coefficient. Both cytometry (M1: α = 0.999, ICC = 0.996; M2=: α = 0.998, ICC = 0.994) and ultrasonography (M1: α = 0.992, ICC = 0.976; M2=: α = 0.991, ICC = 0.973) are reliable methods to assess lymphedema in the arm. No significant correlation was found between them (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Cytometry and ultrasonography appear to be adequate for the measurement of edema in women with breast cancer after mastectomy. However, for an accurate measurement of lymphedema, these measurements should not be used interchangeably.

Is the Absence of Manual Lymphatic Drainage-Based Treatment in Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Harmful? A Randomized Crossover Study.

(1) Background: Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), included within the complex decongestive therapy, as a therapy for the treatment of lymphedema has raised controversy about its benefits for lymphedema after breast cancer. The aim of this research is to test the effects of MLD on lymphedema after breast cancer during the treatment maintenance phase. (2) Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled crossover trial was conducted to analyze the effects of a manual lymphatic drainage intervention compared to a control group without MLD intervention for the treatment of lymphedema. Arm volume measured by circumference measurement, subcutaneous tissue thickness measured by ultrasound, and the sensation of pain, heaviness, and swelling were evaluated as outcome measures. (3) Results: For the control group, an increase in volume was found in some of the circumference and subcutaneous tissue thickness measurements, in addition to a worsening of arm pain, swelling and heaviness. (4) Conclusion: The absence of treatment based on MLD in lymphedema after breast cancer worsens volume measurements, as well as arm heaviness. Therefore, it would be advisable to carry out this type of therapy as part of the maintenance treatment for lymphedema in breast cancer.

Menstrual Cycle and Sport Injuries: A Systematic Review.

The presence of female athletes has only increased in recent years, as has the incidence of injuries in female sports activities. These injuries are conditioned by multiple factors, including hormonal agents. It is estimated that the menstrual cycle may be related to the predisposition to suffer an injury. However, a causal relationship has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the menstrual cycle and injuries in female sports practice. A systematic search of the scientific literature available in PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Sport Discus was carried out in January 2022. With 138 articles, only eight studies were found that met the selection criteria for this study. Peak estradiol is associated with increased laxity, strength, and poor use of neuromuscular control. Thus, the ovulatory phase is associated with an increased risk of injury. In conclusion, it seems that hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle alter values such as laxity, strength, body temperature, and neuromuscular control, among others. This fact causes women to constantly adapt to hormonal variations, which exposes them to a higher risk of injury.

Changes in rectus femoris architecture induced by the reverse nordic hamstring exercises.

BACKGROUND: Injuries and mechanical stimuli alter the muscle architecture and, therefore, its function. The changes in the architecture of the rectus femoris (RF) induced by an eccentric training protocol with reverse nordic hamstring exercises (RNHE) have never been studied. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the architectural adaptations of the RF after an eccentric training with RNHE, followed by a subsequent detraining period. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects performed a first week of control, 8 weeks of eccentric training, concluding with a 4-week period of detraining. The architectural characteristics of the RF were evaluated using 2D ultrasound at rest (pretest: week 1), after the training (post-test: week 9), and at the end of the detraining period (retest: week 13). RESULTS: At the end of the training period, a significant increase in the muscle fascicle length (FL) (t=-8.96, d=2.22, P<0.001), muscle thickness (MT) (t=-8.76, d=2.219, P<0.001), pennation angle (PA) (t=-9.83, d=2.49, P<0.05) and cross-sectional area (CSA) (t=-13.06, d=3.06, P<0.001) was observed. After the detraining period FL, MT, PA and CSA showed a significant decrease. CONCLUSIONS: The eccentric training with RNHE may cause changes in the architectural conditions of RF, which, in addition, are also reversible after a 4-week detraining period. The adaptations produced by RNHE may have practical implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation programs, which include the changes in muscle architecture variables.

Análise da incidência lesional na ginástica aeróbica espanhola de elite / Analysis of incidence of injury in Spanish elite in aerobic gymnastics

INTRODUÇÃO: A ginástica aeróbica (GA) é uma disciplina que possui exigências físicas específicas e treinamento adequado para prevenir ou minimizar a ocorrência de lesões esportivas. OBJETIVO: Analisar a incidência de lesões na GA e a sua vinculação com fatores de treinamento MÉTODO: Realizou-se um estudo em 40 desportistas valencianos com idades compreendidas entre nove e 17 anos. O procedimento de coleta de informações foi através de um questionário de morbidade. A variável dependente foram as lesões durante a temporada 2009-2010 e as variáveis independentes principais foram a carga de treinamento, o material de proteção, superfície de treinamento, gesto técnico e tipo de lesão e zona corporal lesionada. RESULTADOS: As lesões mais reincidentes foram as relacionadas a ligamentos, afetando por igual os membros superior e inferior. A metade das lesões ocorreu após a realização dos saltos, apesar do uso de algum material de proteção, além de terem ocorrido no início da temporada. Relações significativas entre o número de lesões e a experiência, os dias de treinamento e o número de competições (p < 0,05) foram encontradas. CONCLUSÕES: O número de lesões diminuiu enquanto o uso de medidas de proteção, com destaque para as munhequeiras, aumentou. Metade das lesões produziu-se durante o período de aprendizagem técnica de dificuldades.

INTRODUCTION: Aerobic Gymnastics (GA) is a gymnastic discipline that requires specific physical needs and proper training to prevent or minimize the occurrence of sports injuries. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence of injuries in the GA and its relationship with training factors. METHODS: A study with 40 Valencian athletes aged between 9 and 17 years was performed. Data was collected through a questionnaire of morbidity. The dependent variable was the injuries during the 2009-2010 season and the main independent variables were the training load, the protective equipment, training surface, technical movements and type of injury and body part injured. RESULTS: The most recurrent injuries were the ones related to ligaments, affecting both the upper and lower limbs. Half of the injuries occurred after performing jumps, despite the use of protective equipment and took place at the beginning of the season. Significant correlation was found between the number of injuries and the experience, training days and number of competitions (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: the number of injuries has decreased and the use of protective equipment has increased, with special attention to wristbands. Half of the injuries occurred during the learning period of technical difficulties.