Exploring variations in gait patterns and joint motion characteristics in school-aged children across different walking speeds: a comprehensive motion analysis study.

This study aimed to investigate differences in gait patterns among individuals with different walking speeds and identify the range of motion (ROM) and angular velocity for various joints during gait. Forty-five schoolchildren were randomly selected for this study. To capture their walking patterns, two FDR-AX700 4K HDR camcorders were positioned to observe the predetermined walkway. Each participant completed a 5-meter walk at various speeds, including slow, normal, and fast, while maintaining a straight stride. There were significantly higher ROM and angular velocity (p<0.05) at the hip, knee, and ankle joints across most stages of walking at a faster speed compared to slow and normal speeds. At the same time, the angular velocity was significantly higher at the hip joint during hip extension terminal stance at normal speed compared to slow and fast speeds (p<0.05, ƞ2 =0.74). Similarly, the ROM of knee flexion swing, ankle plantar flexion loading response, and ankle dorsiflexion midswing angular velocity were significantly higher during normal walking speed (p<0.05). Conversely, slow-speed walking showed significantly higher ROM at knee extension terminal swing (ƞ2=0.52) and ankle dorsiflexion terminal stance (ƞ2=0.78) (p<0.05). The results indicate that individuals with different walking speeds exhibit significant differences in gait patterns. Slower walking speeds resulted in lower gait velocity and different joint motions compared to faster walking speeds.

Analysis of the kinematic variables that predict jump serve efficacy among volleyball players.

In volleyball, a strong correlation exists between the proper application of kinematics factors and the serve results. Therefore, this study compared the kinematics parameters of the volleyball jump serve among different functional classes and established an appropriate multilinear regression model of performance. This correlational observational study involved thirty male collegiate volleyball players categorized into under twenty-three (U-23) men, under twenty-one (U-21) junior men, and under nineteen (U-19) youth boys. Data acquisition entailed the utilization of synchronized cameras to capture the volleyball serves meticulously, while subsequent data analysis was conducted through the implementation of silicon coach-pro 8 motion analysis software. Analysis of variance and multiple linear regressions were performed to analyze data, with a predetermined significance level of P < .05. Jump serve analysis showed significant mean differences in selected major kinematic variables among all 3 classes (U-23 men, U-21 junior men, and U-19 youth boys). U-23 men Model-3, which includes 3 independent variables (approach velocity [AV], shoulder extension angles during the cocking phase, and center of gravity [CG] height), predicted velocity with an R-square of 1.00, indicating that the selected independent variable caused 100% variation in ball velocity (BV), whereas models 1 and 2 showed 99% variation in BV, respectively. The U-21 Junior men Model-2, which includes 2 independent variables (height of CG and shoulder extension angles during the cocking phase), predicted velocity with an R-square of 9.80, indicating that the selected independent variable caused a 98% variation in BV. In contrast, model 1 showed a 94% variation in BV, respectively. U-19 youth boys Model-1, which includes one independent variable (AV), predicted velocity with an R-square of 0.89, indicating that the selected independent variable caused 89% variation in BV. The jump serve exhibits similar biomechanical characteristics across different classes. However, the major independent variables of the jump serve: U-23 men were AV, shoulder extension angles at cocking phase (SEACP), the height of CG, U-21 junior men were SEACP and height of CG, and U-19 youth boys were SEACP and height of CG AV showed significant with the dependent variable (BV).

Effects of an aerobic training program on liver functions in male athletes: a randomized controlled trial.

The optimal functioning of the liver is essential for athletic performance. It is necessary to maintain the liver's enzymes at an optimal level so that liver cells can be protected from inflammation or damage. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise program on the liver function of adult athletes. A pretest-posttest experimental design was used. A total of thirty healthy male athletes (football players) aged 21 to 24 years were recruited for this study and randomly and equally divided into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). The CG did not participate in any special activities. The EG performed an aerobic training program consisting of several exercises for 12 weeks. Evaluation of all participants in both groups was carried out before and after the intervention by measuring the blood levels of Alkaline phosphate, AST/SGOT, ALT/SGPT, Bilirubin Total/indirect/direct, Albumin, Globulin, and Total protein using the standard methods by collecting blood samples. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in Bilirubin and globulin levels in the EG after 12 weeks of aerobic training sessions. However, there was no significant difference in alkaline phosphate, AST/SGOT, ALT/SGPT Total protein, and Albumin (p > 0.05) between both groups post-treatment. The 12 weeks of aerobic training used in the study can potentially improve the liver function of adult athletes.

Impact of Rehabilitation on Gait Kinematic following Grade II Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury among Wrestlers.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common injuries in wrestling. Even though there are several studies available in the literature about the changes in gait kinematics following ACL injury and ACL reconstruction surgery, none of these studies investigated the changes in gait kinematics following nonoperative rehabilitation protocol. So, this study is aimed at investigating the changes in gait kinematic following a supervised ACL rehabilitation protocol among wrestlers following a grade II ACL injury. Methods: Fifteen male professional wrestlers with recent grade II ACL injury with mean age: 19.93 ± 2.01 years, weight: 72.33 ± 7.46 kg, and height: 173 ± 4.95 cm volunteered for this single-arm pretest-posttest study. Kinematic parameters during walking pre- and postrehabilitation were examined by two-dimensional (2D) video graphic analysis. Paired sample t-test and Cohen's d were used to determine significant differences and effect size of segmental angle, cadence, step length, stride length, etc. Results: Injured wrestlers after the rehabilitation program walked significantly faster and had a 10.13% higher cadence, a 10.89% faster gait velocity, a 05% greater step length, and a 4.69% longer stride length, compared with a prerehabilitation program of injured wrestlers. Furthermore, joint angles at the hip, knee, and ankle were significantly different between pre- and postrehabilitation. Conclusion: Research findings suggest that rehabilitation programs significantly impact the gait pattern of injured wrestlers. A 19-week supervised rehabilitation protocol can increase gait velocity and related parameters in ACL injured wrestlers.

Patellar Tendinopathy-Does Injection Therapy Have a Role? A Systematic Review of Randomised Control Trials.

Injection treatment is one of the most widely used methods for the conservative management of patellar tendinopathy. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise data from randomised control trails on the effectiveness of various injections used in the management of patellar tendinopathy. An electronic search was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus databases. To be included in the current systematic review, the study had to be an RCT conducted on human participants that investigated the effect of at least one injection treatment on the management of patellar tendinopathy. Selected studies were required to report either patient-reported outcomes or biological and clinical markers of the tendon healing. The methodological quality of the studies was appraised using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for RCTs (RoB 2.0). Nine RCTs on seven types of injections were included in this review, with an overall positive outcome. Pain intensity was measured in all the studies. The VISA P score was the most used outcome measure (n = 8). A wide variety of interventions were compared with injection therapy, including eccentric training, extracorporeal shockwave, and arthroscopy. It can be concluded that the injection treatments can produce promising results in the management of patellar tendinopathy. However, because of the limited number of studies and the disparities in the study populations and protocols, it is not possible to make a firm conclusion on the efficacy of these injection methods, and these results should be inferred with care.

Reliability and validity of smartphone applications to measure the spinal range of motion: A systematic review.

Introduction: The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review on the reliability and validity of various smartphone applications for spinal range of motion (ROM) measurements.Methods: Eleven studies were selected following an electronic search of PubMed, CINAHAL, Medline, Embase and SPORTDiscus. Quality appraisals of selected studies were conducted using a standardized appraisal tool.Results: Most studies demonstrated a good intra- and inter-rater reliability, as well as validity in more than 50% of joint movements. At the same time, relative reliability/validity outcomes (e.g. interclass correlation co-efficient) were stronger than absolute reliability/validity outcomes (e.g. mean differences, limits of agreement). Spinal rotation movement showed less reliability and validity when compared to other spinal movements.ConclusionsːResult of the study supports the use of smartphone applications for ROM measurements of spinal joints. However, we cannot advocate the most appropriate application for spinal ROM measurement or suggest which application is superior to all others. As clinicians have multiple options in selecting applications, it is recommended they use applications that have proven reliable and valid for that particular joint. Data from this study provides clinicians with evidence-based research on smartphone devices for measuring spinal joint ROM in clinical settings.