ABSTRACT
Risk factors that can determine knee and ankle injuries have been investigated and causes are probably multifactorial. A possible explanation could be related by the temporary inhibition of muscular control following an alteration of proprioceptive regulation due to the ankle imbalance pathology. The purpose of our study was to validate a new experimental set up to quantify two kinesiologic procedures (Shock Absorber Test (SAT) and Kendall and Kendall's Procedure (KKP)) to verify if a subtalus stimulus in an ankle with imbalance can induce a non-appropriate response of controlateral tensor fascia lata muscle (TFL). Fifteen male soccer players with ankle imbalance (AIG) and 14 healthy (CG) were tested after (TEST) before (NO-TEST) a manual percussion in subtalus joint (SAT). A new tailor-made device equipped with a load cell was used to quantify TFL's strength activation in standardized positions. Two trials for each subject were performed, separated by at least one 4-min resting interval. In NO-TEST conditions both AIG and CG showed a progressive adaptation of the subject to the force imposed by operator. No reduction in mean force, mean peak force, and muscle force duration (p>0.5). AIG presented significant differences (mean difference 0.92+/-0.46 s; p=0.000) in muscle force duration in TEST conditions. Our results indicated that "wrong" proprioceptive stimuli coming from the subtalus joint in AIG might induce inhibition in terms of duration of TFL muscle altering the knee stability. This kinesiological evaluation might be useful to prevent ankle and knee injuries.
Subject(s)
Joint Instability/complications , Joint Instability/physiopathology , Muscle Contraction , Muscle Weakness/etiology , Muscle Weakness/physiopathology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology , Soccer , Adult , Humans , Male , Risk Assessment , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The aims of this study were to determine in elite master swimmers of both genders whether, using anthropometric variables and the hand grip strength measure, it was possible to predict freestyle performance time, whether the considered predictors were related similarly to different events (50, 100, 200, 400, 800 m), and whether they were the same in male and female master swimmers. The relationships between performance times and age, body mass, height, arm length, forearm length, forearm muscle volume, and hand grip strength were examined in 135 elite master swimmers. Pearson's simple correlation coefficients were calculated and then prediction equations were developed. Age, height, and hand grip strength were the best predictors in short-distance events, whereas only age and height were predictors in middle- and long-distance events. The corresponding coefficient of determination (R) of performance times were 0.84 in the 50-m event, 0.73 in the 100-m event, 0.75 in the 200-m event, 0.66 in the 400-m event, and 0.63 in the 800-m event. These regression equations were then cross-validated in a control group of 126 nonelite, age-matched swimmers, obtaining significant and good correlations for all distances (range, r = 0.67 and 0.83; p < 0.01), indicating that predictors are valid in an extended sample of master swimmers. Differences between sexes were not found in 50-m event, but were present in all other events. These models might be useful to determine individual performance times by contributing to improving the individual's training program and the selection of master swimmers. Coaches could have better accuracy in determining whether an athlete needs a strength training program in order to optimize performance time.
Subject(s)
Athletic Performance/physiology , Muscle Strength/physiology , Swimming/physiology , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Height/physiology , Case-Control Studies , Female , Forearm/anatomy & histology , Hand Strength/physiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle, Skeletal/anatomy & histology , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
This study evaluated the variability of the carrying angle during flexion-extension of the elbow and defined a description of the movement applicable in sport and rehabilitation.The arm and forearm of 7 healthy volunteers were marked and the coordinates were acquired during motion using 6 infrared cameras. Five repeated measures were performed for each volunteer to verify the reliability.Our results demonstrated that this movement can be easily modeled as a linear variation of the carrying angle in function of the flexion angle.The reliability between repeated measures was high and adopting a linear fit the accuracy was >94%.
Subject(s)
Elbow Joint/physiology , Models, Biological , Range of Motion, Articular/physiology , Adult , Computer Simulation , Female , Humans , Male , Pilot Projects , Reference Values , Reproducibility of Results , Rotation , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
In clinical practice, the carrying angle of the elbow is assessed by radiographs or goniometers to evaluate the reduction of distal humerus or radial head fractures and epicondylar pathology. This study evaluated a noninvasive technique for estimating the carrying angle in full extension using a 3-dimensional digitizer. Data acquisition was performed on 37 healthy adults. Mean carrying angle was 12.7 degrees +/-3.8 degrees. No side or gender differences were observed (P>.05). Interoperator repeatability was good (interclass correlation coefficient, 0.7), and intraoperator repeatability was excellent (interclass correlation coefficient, 0.85).The major advantage of this technique is the possibility of being adapted to commercial digitizers and being used in new computer technologies for better qualifying anatomic and functional features of the elbow joint.
