The Effects of Dry-Needling Therapy on the Quality of Life in Athletes with Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Repeated Measures Design Study.

Background: This study aims to investigate the effects of dry-needling treatment on the quality of life in athletes with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Methods: The participants included in the study were 50 athletes (38 males and 12 females) diagnosed with MPS. The treatments were carried out in four sessions, 5/7 days apart on 55 muscles in total. A 36-item health survey (SF-36) was implemented to determine the participants' quality of life. The chi-square test was used to determine the differences between measurements. Results: Dry-needling treatment has a positive influence on self-perspective of physical functioning (p = 0.011, on average), physical problems (p = 0.001, on average), emotional problems (p = 0.004, on average), social functioning (p = 0.001, on average), pain (p = 0.001, on average), and mental health and vitality (p = 0.001, on average) in athletes with MPS. The only quality-of-life dimension not influenced by the dry-needling treatment is the general health perception (p = 0.340, on average). Conclusions: Dry-needling therapy has positive effects on the perception of quality of life in athletes with MPS.

Effects of Structured Physical Activity on Motor Fitness in Preschool Children.

The aim was to investigate the impact of a specific structured movement activities (SMA) program compared to free play activity (FRP) on the strength, speed, agility, coordination, and balance of motor fitness (MF) in 6-year-old boys and girls. A total of 53 children (24 boys, 29 girls) were randomly allocated to either the SMA group or the FRP group. Both group activities were administered three times a week over a 6-month period. MF variables were assessed before (pre-) and after (post-) using tests: the flamingo balance (FLA), the standing long jump (SLJ), plate tapping (PTT), the obstacle course backwards (OCB), and the shuttle run 4 × 5 m (SRT). At the post-test, the SMA program resulted in significant (p < 0.05) improvements in OCB, PTT, SLJ, and SRT tasks. For FRP, a noteworthy improvement was observed only in OCB (ES = 0.45, p < 0.05). An ANCOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction (F = 21.71-52.41, η2 = 0.258-0.512, p < 0.01) for OCB, PTT, and SRT, favoring SMA over FRP. The present findings suggest that SMA may be more effective than FRP when aiming to develop motor coordination, agility, and speed of movement in children.

Acute Effects of Short-Term Massage Procedures on Neuromechanical Contractile Properties of Rectus Femoris Muscle.

Background and Objectives: In many sports, maintaining muscle work at an optimal level despite fatigue is crucial. Therefore, it is essential to discover the most efficient way of recovery. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the acute effects of four different recovery methods on muscle neuromechanical properties. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted using a randomized, quasi-experimental, repeated-measures design. Fourteen healthy and active male students of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (age 25.1 ± 3.9 years) were included in this study. The tensiomyography was used to evaluate muscle responses after four different types of short-term recovery methods (passive rest, percussive mechanical, vibro-mechanical, and manual massage) on the rectus femoris muscle on four occasions: baseline, post fatigue, post recovery and prolonged recovery. Results: The ANOVA revealed that muscle fatigue decreased maximal vertical muscle displacement (Dm) and muscle contraction time (Tc) in post fatigue compared to the baseline. The most important finding shows that only the vibro-mechanical massage resulted in an increase in Tc in the prolonged recovery compared to the post fatigue (p = 0.028), whereas only manual massage showed no differences in Dm from the baseline in post-recovery (p = 0.148). Moreover, both manual and vibro-mechanical massages increased Dm and Tc in prolonged recovery, indicating no differences from the baseline (all p > 0.05), thus showing signs of muscle recovery. Percussion mechanical massage and passive rest did not show indices of muscle recovery. Conclusions: Manual massage could induce immediate positive changes in Dm by reducing muscle stiffness. In addition, vibro-mechanical and manual massage improved muscle tissue by rapidly returning Dm and Tc values to baseline at prolonged recovery measurement (5 min after the fatigue protocol). These findings can benefit sports practitioners, and physical therapists in developing the best recovery method after muscle fatigue.

The Effects of Massage Therapy on Sport and Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: A massage is a tool that is frequently used in sports and exercise in general for recovery and increased performance. In this review paper, we aimed to search and systemize current literature findings relating to massages' effects on sports and exercise performance concerning its effects on motor abilities and neurophysiological and psychological mechanisms. METHODS: The review has been written following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) guidelines. One hundred and fourteen articles were included in this review. RESULTS: The data revealed that massages, in general, do not affect motor abilities, except flexibility. However, several studies demonstrated that positive muscle force and strength changed 48 h after the massage was given. Concerning neurophysiological parameters, the massage did not change blood lactate clearance, muscle blood flow, muscle temperature, or activation. However, many studies indicate pain reduction and delayed onset muscle soreness, which are probably correlated with the reduction of the level of creatine kinase enzyme and psychological mechanisms. In addition, the massage treatment led to a decrease in depression, stress, anxiety, and the perception of fatigue and an increase in mood, relaxation, and the perception of recovery. CONCLUSION: The direct usage of massages just for gaining results in sport and exercise performance seems questionable. However, it is indirectly connected to performance as an important tool when an athlete should stay focused and relaxed during competition or training and recover after them.

Muscle Contractile Properties Measured by the Tensiomyography (TMG) Method in Top-Level Football Players of Different Playing Positions: The Case of Serbian Super League.

The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in muscle contractile properties measured by the TMG method between top-level football players of different playing positions. The sample consisted of 57 football players from the Serbian Super League, divided into three groups: defenders-DF, midfielders-MF, and forwards-FW. Muscles included in the study were the Rectus Femoris (RF), Vastus Medialis (VM), Vastus Lateralis (VL), Biceps Femoris (BF), and Semitendinosus (ST) of the right (R) and left (L) leg. The TMG parameters used in this study were contraction time (Tc), delay time (Td), relaxation time (Tr), maximal displacement (Dm), and sustain time (Ts). The ANOVA results showed that differences in TMG parameters between top-level football players of different playing positions are small and exist only in the Tr of RF (F = 4.658, p = 0.014), BF (F = 4.433, p = 0.016), and ST muscle (F = 3.808, p = 0.028), and the Tc (F = 3.214, p = 0.048) and Td (F = 3.705, p = 0.031) of the VM muscle. All differences were detected between DF and FW players, and all differences were in the left (non-dominant) leg. The results obtained in this study indicate that the training and selection process in football, from the aspect of functional and mechanical muscle properties, should be similar for all players, regardless of playing position. It has been shown that TMG has relatively low sensitive strength for detecting differences between football players of different playing positions.

Sensitivity of Field Tests for Assessment of Wrestlers Specific Fitness.

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in performance, cardiac, and metabolic variables of combat-specific fitness of wrestlers from varying sports levels. The sample consisted of 61 active and highly trained adult wrestlers of national and international levels from Serbia, from both Greco-Roman and freestyle forms of wrestling, allocated into three groups: national team wrestlers (N = 15), first league competitive wrestlers (N = 20), and second league competitive wrestlers (N = 26). Participants performed two tests: a Specific Wrestling Fitness Test (SWFT) and a Specific Wrestling Performance Test (SWPT). Between-group differences were determined using multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA). Significant differences were obtained between wrestlers of different sports levels in TnThrows (F = 77.491, p < 0.001), SJFIndex (F = 49.710, p < 0.001), and SWPIndex (F = 31.205, p < 0.001) in the SWFT and in TnThrows (F = 71.051, p < 0.001), SJFIndex F = 45.343, p < 0.001), and SWPIndex (F = 26.820, p < 0.001) in the SWPT. Based on the results, it could be concluded that the SWFT and the SWPT provide very good sensitivity in the evaluation of the wrestlers specific fitness of wrestlers.

Muscle Contraction Adaptations in Top-Level Karate Athletes Assessed by Tensiomyography.

BACKGROUND: This paper aimed to compare the involuntary stimulated neuromuscular response of thigh muscles in top-level karate athletes and recreational groups. METHODS: The study included 13 male karate athletes (KAs) and 14 non-athlete male individuals (NAs). Tensiomyographic (TMG) measurements were obtained from the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between KAs and NAs in knee extensor/flexor delay time (Td), contraction time (Tc), total contraction time (Tct), maximal radial displacement of the muscle belly (Dm) and rate of muscle tension development (RMTD). On a group level, KA dominant-leg extensors and flexors and also non-dominant-leg knee flexors had significant differences when compared to NA. Tct is a TMG parameter in which the KAs and NAs differ the most in the case of the knee extensors, while flexor muscles differ the most in the RMTD parameter. CONCLUSIONS: The lower Tct values indicate an improved ability of top-level karateka to make fast contractions of the agonist muscles. KAs' higher RMTD values suggest on strength characteristics needed in breaking actions of the antagonist muscles. Existence of contraction-relaxation-contraction neuromuscular pattern in the RF muscle suggests on implementation of training strategies that involves both rapid muscle contractions and relaxations.

Mechanical and Contractile Properties of Knee Joint Muscles Measured by the Method of Tensiomyography in Differently Trained Men and Women.

ABSTRACT: Toskic, LD, Dopsaj, MJ, Markovic, MR, Toskic, DR, Ignjatovic, AM. Mechanical and contractile properties of knee joint muscles measured by the method of tensiomyography in differently trained men and women. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1532-1539, 2022-The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in mechanical and contractile properties of knee joint flexor and extensor muscles between differently trained men and women, using tensiomyography (TMG). The sample consisted of 159 subjects (84 men and 75 women), who were assigned to one of 5 groups according to the following levels and types of their physical activity: physically inactive, physically active nonathletes, strength and power athletes, endurance athletes, and team sports athletes. Measurements were performed on the following knee flexor and extensor muscles of the dominant leg: rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus. The results showed significant differences in contraction time-Tc (F = 1.911, p = 0.010) and delay time-Td (F = 1.989, p = 0.007) parameters between differently trained men and women, whereas in other TMG parameters, there were no differences between groups. It is indicated that physical activities characteristic of strength and power sports (combat sports and sprint disciplines) could lead to an increased speed of twitch force generation and fast twitch muscle fibers, and that almost any regular, systematic, and planned physical activity leads to increased muscle responsiveness. Obtained results also indicated that TMG parameters do not have enough specific discriminatory power for detecting differences between differently trained young adults.

Validity of a Novel Specific Wrestling Fitness Test.

ABSTRACT: Markovic, M, Kukic, F, Dopsaj, M, Kasum, G, Toskic, L, and Zaric, I. Validity of a novel specific wrestling fitness test. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S51-S57, 2021-The specific wrestling fitness test (SWFT) is a novel test aiming to estimate the level of physical preparedness of wrestlers; therefore, it should posses an acceptable level of validity. The aim of this study was to investigate an internal, external, and construct validity of SWFT. The sample consisted of 15 national level male wrestlers (age = 22.6 ± 2.3 years, body mass [BM] = 83.3 ± 6.5 kg, and BM index [BMI] = 25.36 ± 1.2 kg·m-2). They performed the SWFT, specific judo fitness test (SJFT), and specific wrestling performance test (SWPT), each test on a separate day. For each test, performance was evaluated in absolute measure as total number of throws at the end of the test (TnThrows) and relative measure as TnThrows/BM and TnThrows/BMI. Heart rate at the end of the test (HR0min) and 1 minute into recovery (HR1min) was used as a measure of cardiovascular functionality, whereas specific judo fitness index (SJFIndex) was used as an indicator of cardiovascular functionality relative to given performance. A correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate the internal, external, and construct validity of SWFT. The SWFT_TnThrows/BM had the highest internal validity relative to SJFT_TnThrows/BM (R2 = 0.722, p < 0.001) and the highest external validity relative to SWPT_TnThrows/BM (r = 0.846, p < 0.001). SWFT_TnThrows/BM predicted SWPT_TnThrows/BM with a large coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.818, p < 0.001). SWFT_TnThrows/BM is valid and easily attainable predictor of wrestlers' specific physical preparedness and as such is of high practical value.

Effects of calorie restricted low carbohydrate high fat ketogenic vs. non-ketogenic diet on strength, body-composition, hormonal and lipid profile in trained middle-aged men.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of this paper was to investigate and compare the effects of two iso-energetic hypo-caloric ketogenic hyper-ketonemic and non-ketogenic low carbohydrate high fat high cholesterol diets on body-composition, muscle strength and hormonal profile in experienced resistance-trained middle-aged men. METHODS: Twenty non-competitive experienced resistance-trained middle-aged men were on the supervised calorie maintenance western diet and resistance-training regimen for 4 weeks and then divided into ketogenic and non-ketogenic groups for 8 weeks period. Keto bodies (ß-hydroxybutyrate) levels were measured weekly, testosterone and insulin biweekly, strength and body-composition monthly, lipid profile and blood sugar level at the beginning and at the end of the study. RESULTS: Both groups lost a similar amount of lean body mass and fat tissue (from F = 248.665, p < 0.001 to F = 21.943, p = 0.001), but preserved maximal upper and lower body strength (from F = 1.772, p = 0.238 to F = 0.595, p = 0.577). Basal testosterone and free testosterone increased (from F = 37.267, p = 0.001 to F = 16.261, p = 0.005) and insulin levels decreased significantly in both groups (F = 27.609, p = 0.001; F = 54.256, p < 0.001, respectively). No differences in lipid profile and blood sugar level were found (from F = 4.174, p = 0.058, to F = 0.065, p = 0.802). CONCLUSIONS: Ketogenic diet with sustained hyper-ketonemia above 1 mol/l has the same impact as low carbohydrate non-ketogenic diet on muscle strength, body-composition, and hormonal and lipid profile in hypo-caloric dietary conditions in strength-trained middle-aged men.

Body Height of Elite Basketball Players: Do Taller Basketball Teams Rank Better at the FIBA World Cup?

Body height is among the most important attributes of basketball players. Whether it differs among the basketball players who compete at the world basketball championship (FIBA-WC) is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between the basketball players from the teams ranked 1-16 and those ranked below 16th place. The body heights of all players from the last three FIBA-WCs were collected and allocated according to the ranking at the FIBA-WC and analyzed by position in team. An independent sample t-test was conducted to analyze the difference in body height of players ranked 1-16 and players who ranked below 16th place. The players from the first 16 teams were significantly taller at three positions: point guards (Difference = 2.92 cm, p < 0.05), shooting guards (Difference = 2.16 cm, p < 0.05), and small forwards (Difference = 2.49 cm, p < 0.01). Body height seems to be an important factor for the performance of the basketball team at the FIBA-WC. Considering that all players at the FIBA-WC went through rigorous selection process to be in their national teams, body height of the higher-ranked players could be used as a reference value.