An examination of changes in psychological status across four phases of injury recovery and return to sport: A prospective weekly study of competitive athletes from acute care to return to sport.

While ample research has shown that sport injuries are associated with poor psychological status, scant attention has been given to changes in injured athletes' psychological status over the full course of recovery and return to sport. The aim of the present study was to prospectively investigate potential changes in injured athletes' psychological status across four phases of recovery and return to sport. A total of 38 severely injured adult competitive athletes (58% female; mean age 24.1 ± 7.18 years) participated in this prospective weekly investigation (n = 319 observations). Athletes' were asked to indicate their current phase of recovery or return to sport (acute care, rehabilitation, adapted training, or full return to sport) after which they responded to visual analog scales assessing post-injury psychological status, including: perceived pain (frequency and intensity), emotions (positive and negative), anxiety (cognitive and physiological), motivation, self-efficacy, and satisfaction. During the acute care phase, participants showed higher scores of perceived pain, and physiological anxiety compared to the other phases. During the adapted training phase, amotivation was higher than in the acute care phase, and self-efficacy was lower than in other phases. At full return to sport, athletes showed less perceived pain, cognitive anxiety, and more satisfaction than during other phases. The present study provides a deeper prospective understanding of changes in athlete's psychological status over the course of injury recovery and return to sport and highlight the importance of monitoring psychological status.

Acute effects of ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on lower limb muscle activation

There is little information regarding the acute repercussions of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on muscle activation, especially on the proximal hip muscles. Thus, this study analyzed the acute effects of ACL reconstruction with doubled semitendinosus/gracilis (ST/G) autografts on lower limb muscle activation. Fourteen male recreational athletes that presented a primary unilateral ACL rupture and underwent the ACL reconstruction with an ST/G graft. Surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal were recorded from each participant during the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and medial gastrocnemius muscles and also during bipodal mini-squatting with open and closed eyes, before surgery and 15 days postoperatively. (sEMG) signal were normalized to isometric peak electromyography. The postoperative assessment showed reduced muscle activation in the gluteus maximus (p = 0.013, d:0.48) in non-operated limb and also in the muscle gluteus medius (p = 0.013, d:0.79), vastus medialis (p = 0.035, d:0.63) semitendinosus (p = 0.001, d:2.46), biceps femoris (p<0.001, d:1.5), and medial gastrocnemius (p = 0.001, d:1.45) during MVIC in the operated limb. The postoperative assessment also revealed alterations in the sEMG activity of the hip and local thigh muscles in the operated and non-operated limbs during mini-squatting with opened eyes and closed eyes (p<0.05). ACL reconstruction surgery with a doubled ST/G autograft may promote immediate changes in lower limb muscle activation of the operated and non-operated limb. (AU)

Return to Sport After Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of the Criteria.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative rehabilitation is an important component of recovery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR), facilitating successful return to sport (RTS) by reducing risk factors for repeat injury. PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to determine the best protocol for RTS after ACLR in children. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched from October 3, 2014, to November 3, 2022. The inclusion criteria were the pediatric population (<18 years old) after ACLR with clear RTS criteria and/or mean/median time to RTS. Multiligament knee injuries were excluded from this study. The methodologic quality of the included articles was assessed using the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS). The highest possible score was 24 points for comparative studies (ie, a study comparing 2 protocols or more). Noncomparative studies or studies with a single protocol could score a maximum of 16 points as assessed by the MINORS score. RESULTS: The search yielded 1816 titles, and 24 were retained based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Every study was published between 2015 and 2022. Among the 24 studies included, 13 were retrospective and 11 were prospective. The mean MINORS score for the noncomparative studies was 13 of 16 (n = 23) and 23 of 24 for the comparative study (n = 1). The studies were categorized into unspecified clearance (n = 10), milestone based (n = 13), and combined time and milestone (n = 1). A total of 1978 patients (57% female) were included in the review. The mean age at ACLR was 14.7 years. The most common endpoint used was graft rupture (0% to 35%). In the unspecified group, the quickest RTS was 5.8 months and the longest was 9.6 months. Statistically significant risk factors for ACL reinjury included younger age and earlier RTS. The latter was a significant contributor to graft failure for combined time-based and milestone-based RTS. In the milestone-based group, the most common criteria were ≥90% limb symmetry measured using hamstring strength, quadriceps strength, and/or hop tests. The mean RTS time was 6.8 to 13.5 months. CONCLUSION: RTS should be delayed, when possible, especially in the younger population. A combination of quantitative tests and qualitative tests is also recommended. However, optimal RTS criteria have yet to be determined. Future prospective studies should focus on comparing the different times and milestones currently available.

Translation and Adaptation of the Reinjury Anxiety Inventory, the Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale, and the Athletic Injury Self-Efficacy Questionnaire Into Turkish.

CONTEXT: Psychological difficulties can adversely affect rehabilitation outcomes and make return to sport more difficult. Identifying psychological difficulties is possible with valid and reliable measurement tools. The purpose of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the Reinjury Anxiety Inventory (RIAI), the Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (SIRAS), and the Athletic Injury Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (AISEQ) into Turkish and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish versions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The instruments were forward- and back-translated, culturally adapted, and validated on 248 athletes and 34 physical therapists. The physical therapists of the athletes completed the SIRAS to evaluate the athletes. Statistical analysis included reliability tests (Cronbach alpha and test-retest), exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlational analysis. Floor and ceiling effects (<15%) were also assessed. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a satisfactory model fit for the RIAI and the AISEQ, and exploratory factor analysis revealed the 1-factor structure for the SIRAS as in the original. All 3 instruments displayed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach alpha coefficients ranged from .84 to .88) and test-retest reliability (coefficients ranged from .81 to .93). Convergent validity of the instruments was supported by significant correlations between the AISEQ and both the RIAI and the SIRAS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the Turkish versions of the instruments were valid, consistent, and reliable in athletes who have serious injuries. Scores on these instruments could be useful for evaluating the contributions of psychological factors to return to sport following serious injuries. Clinicians are encouraged to use RIAI-Turkish (RIAI-TR), SIRAS-Turkish (SIRAS-TR), and AISEQ-Turkish (AISEQ-TR) together to make decisions about the treatment and rehabilitation plans of injured athletes.

Are all hamstring injuries equal? A retrospective analysis of time to return to full training following BAMIC type 'c' and T-junction injuries in professional men's rugby union.

We aimed to determine whether the anatomical location (intramuscular tendon or T-Junction) of hamstring muscle injuries in professional men's rugby union associates with a prolonged time to return to full training and a higher rate of re-injury/subsequent injury. We reviewed the medical records of an Irish professional rugby union club to identify hamstring muscle injuries incurred across five seasons. Clinicians and players were not blinded to MRI results at the time of rehabilitation. A blinded musculoskeletal radiologist re-classified all included injuries (n = 91) according to the British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification framework. Players who sustained an injury with intramuscular tendon involvement required a longer time to return to full training compared to players who sustained an injury without intramuscular tendon involvement (78 days vs. 24 days). Players who sustained a biceps femoris injury with T-junction involvement did not require a longer time to return to full training compared to players who sustained a biceps femoris injury without T-junction involvement (29 days vs. 27 days). Injuries with either intramuscular tendon or T-junction involvement were not associated with an increased rate of re-injury/subsequent injury to the same limb (intramuscular tendon involvement - odds ratio = 0.96, T-junction involvement - odds ratio = 1.03). When a hamstring muscle injury involves the intramuscular tendon, the injured player and stakeholders should be made aware that a longer time to return to full training is likely required. T-junction involvement does not alter the expected clinical course of biceps femoris injuries.

Nursing practice and effect evaluation of cupping therapy in the rehabilitation of sports-induced cervical spine injuries

Cupping has been extensively used in the treatment of various medical conditions since antiquity. In this randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effects of wet cupping therapy on the outcomes of football athletes with cervical spine injuries and low back pain. Our study was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine involving 40 athletes consisting of 28 males and 12 females. Single blinding was used and participants were divided into an intervention (wet cupping) and a sham group. Our findings showed significant reduction in pain intensity scores from the pre-intervention (7.2 ± 1.5) to post-intervention (4.5 ± 1.2), suggesting a positive effect of wet cupping therapy on cervical spine injuries (Mean Difference [MD] = -2.7 ± 1.3, p = 0.001). Statistically significant increase in functional improvements in the intervention group from pre-intervention (28.3 ± 4.0) to post-intervention (18.9 ± 3.5) due to the wet cupping therapy (MD = -9.4 ± 2.1, p = 0.021). Significant improvements in the range of motion assessed from cervical flexion, cervical extension, cervical lateral flexion, and cervical rotation. Sleep quality based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores exhibited a mean difference of -1.4 ± 1.2 which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Muscle strength of Neck Flexors, Neck Extensors, Upper Trapezius, Rhomboids, Cervical Rotators, Deltoids and Biceps were significantly while minimal adverse outcomes were observed in the intervention group. In conclusion, the application of wet cupping therapy could be an effective treatment for alleviating pain, improving muscle strength, quality of life, range of motion, functional improvements and reducing adverse outcomes in athletes with cervical spine injuries (AU)

Hamstring muscle injuries in athletics.

Hamstring muscle injuries (HMI) are a common and recurrent issue in the sport of athletics, particularly in sprinting and jumping disciplines. This review summarizes the latest literature on hamstring muscle injuries in athletics from a clinical perspective. The considerable heterogeneity in injury definitions and reporting methodologies among studies still needs to be addressed for greater clarity. Expert teams have recently developed evidence-based muscle injury classification systems whose application could guide clinical decision-making; however, no system has been adopted universally in clinical practice, yet.The most common risk factor for HMI is a previously sustained injury, particularly early after return-to-sport. Other modifiable (e.g. weakness of thigh muscles, high-speed running exposure) and non-modifiable (e.g. older age) risk factors have limited evidence linking them to injury. Reducing injury may be achieved through exercise-based programs, but their specific components and their practical applicability remain unclear.Post-injury management follows similar recommendations to other soft tissue injuries, with a graded progression through stages of rehabilitation to full return to training and then competition, based on symptoms and clinical signs to guide the individual speed of the recovery journey. Evidence favoring surgical repair is conflicting and limited to specific injury sub-types (e.g. proximal avulsions). Further research is needed on specific rehabilitation components and progression criteria, where more individualized approaches could address the high rates of recurrent HMI. Prognostically, a combination of physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) seems superior to imaging alone when predicting 'recovery duration,' particularly at the individual level.

Comparison of effectiveness between different interventions in postconcussive symptoms in adolescents and young people: a literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, concussion considers a problem of great magnitude, adolescents and young people being the population at risk, since it is in the process of maturation. Our goal has been to compare the effectiveness of different interventions (exercise therapy, vestibular rehabilitation and rest) in adolescents and young people with concussion. DEVELOPMENT: A bibliographic search was carried out in the main databases. Once the inclusion/exclusion criteria and the PEDro methodological scale were applied, 6 articles were reviewed. The results support the use of exercise and vestibular rehabilitation in the initial stages to reduce post-concussion symptoms. According to most authors, therapeutic physical exercise and vestibular rehabilitation report greater benefits, although a protocol that unifies assessment scales, study variables and analysis parameters would be needed to be able to make the inference in the target population. CONCLUSIóN: From the moment of hospital discharge, the combined application of exercise and vestibular rehabilitation could be the best option to reduce post-concussion symptoms.

Rehabilitation of the painful elbow.

Although lateral elbow pain and medial ulnar collateral ligament injury are common musculoskeletal pathologies in overhead athletes, the evidence supporting specific interventions for managing these conditions is scarce. Management of these conditions has been guided mostly by expert opinion rather than empirical evidence, yet the lack of comparative data in the literature has not negatively affected return-to-play rates following surgery. However, an understanding of what is known regarding unimodal and multimodal treatments for lateral elbow pain and medial ulnar collateral ligament injury is needed for clinicians to select evidence-based treatment pathways and highlight what is not known to develop future high-quality investigations.

Return to play decision after shoulder dislocation in upper limb athletes: Critical analysis between the habits of medical professionals and the literature.

BACKGROUND: The return to field is a critical moment for an athlete who has dislocated his shoulder as there is a significant risk of recurrence. The decision to return to field made by the doctor will therefore be crucial for the smooth continuation of the athlete's career. HYPOTHESIS: This objective is to compare the criteria most used by specialists in clearing an overhead athlete to return to competition after a first episode of antero-internal dislocation of the glenohumeral joint with or without surgery and those mentioned in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The target population consisted of French-speaking physicians in orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation or sports medicine. This study was conducted by the means of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated by three experts in sports medicine and published on an online survey website. RESULTS: Sixty-three medical specialists responded to the questionnaire. On average, they use more than nine criteria to decide if an athlete is fit to return to competition. Over the 12 criteria proposed, four are used by more than 90% of respondents: laxity/instability, pain, range of motion and patient's subjective feeling. The methods used to evaluate certain criteria such as pain, joint range or muscular strength are often subjective and very often not validated by the literature. CONCLUSION: Doctors use a set of criteria to allow an overhead athlete to return to competition. This study highlights that the techniques employed to evaluate these criteria are not always thoroughly validated by literature reviews. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; observational study.

Effectiveness of cryo plus ultrasound therapy versus diathermy in combination with high-intensity laser therapy for pain relief in footballers with muscle injuries: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Muscle injuries are common traumatic events in the clinical practice of the rehabilitation field. There is still a gap in the scientific literature on the effectiveness of physical agent modalities in the management of muscle injuries in athletes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of cryo plus ultrasound therapy com-pared to diathermy in combination with high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) for pain relief in professional footballers with muscle injuries. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on 31 professional footballers with a muscle injury of the lower limbs. Of these, 17 patients, assigned to a Group A (AG), were treated with HILT and cryoultrasound therapy; the remaining 14 patients, assigned to a Group B (BG), underwent HILT and diathermy. We assessed the extent of the pain, the size of the muscle injury, frequency of recurrence and number of days to recovery, at the time of recruitment, at the end of the rehabilitation and 3 months after the injury. RESULTS: Group A athletes had a greater benefit on pain (4.65 ± 0.61 vs 3.24 ± 0.63; p< 0.05) and muscle injury recurrence. The return to play in the athletes of group A took place 4.73 days earlier. CONCLUSION: HILT and cryo plus ultrasound therapy, in combination with therapeutic exercise, rep-resent a valid strategy in the treatment of muscle injuries in professional footballers.

The impact of accelerated rehabilitation surgical nursing combined with rosenthal effect nursing intervention on the rehabilitation and quality of life of athletes with spinal fractures

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of accelerated rehabilitation surgical nursing combined with Rosenthal effect nursing intervention on the rehabilitation process and quality of life in athletes undergoing spinal fracture surgery. Given the unique physical demands and recovery goals of athletes, this study provides insights into tailored postoperative care strategies for this specific population. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 129 postoperative athlete patients with spinal fractures treated in our hospital from March 2020 to March 2021. Due to various reasons, 9 patients were excluded, leaving 60 patients in both the control and observation groups. The control group received accelerated rehabilitation surgical care, while the observation group additionally received Rosenthal effect nursing intervention. The study compared the rehabilitation progress, quality of life, and self-efficacy post-surgery between these two groups. Results: Initially, there was no significant difference in quality-of-life scores between the groups (P>0.05). Post-intervention, the observation group, which included athletes, showed significantly higher improvements in social function, psychological function, and material life status than the control group (P<0.05), the observation group exhibited better motor function scores, neurological recovery, and self-efficacy post-nursing (P<0.05). Additionally, the observation group had lower Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, and shorter times for intestinal function recovery, first exhaust, and first defecation compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of accelerated rehabilitation surgical nursing and Rosenthal effect nursing intervention is particularly effective for athletes recovering from spinal fractures (AU)

Hamstring Injury Treatments and Management in Athletes: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature.

BACKGROUND: The field of sports medicine presents a varied landscape of research on hamstring injuries in athletes, characterized by inconclusive and sometimes conflicting findings on effective treatment and rehabilitation strategies. This discordance prompted the current systematic investigation. METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed for conducting the systematic review. Multiple international bibliometric databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) were searched to identify studies evaluating any treatment option for the management of hamstring injuries in athletes. Eligible studies were appraised for quality using Joanna Briggs Institute and Risk of Bias 2 tools. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies with 1,195 participants were included. Of the reviewed studies, treatments varied from aggressive rehabilitation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, manual techniques, various exercise protocols to modalities like high-power laser and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Evidence suggested benefits from treatments like extensive muscle lengthening during eccentric actions, progressive agility, and trunk stabilization. PRP injections produced mixed results regarding return to sport and reinjury rates. Stretching exercises, sometimes combined with cryotherapy, showed benefits. CONCLUSION: Treatments for hamstring injuries exhibit varied efficacy. Although rest, ice, compression, and elevation remains essential for acute management, rehabilitation focusing on muscle strengthening and flexibility is crucial. The potential benefits of PRP injections, especially for chronic cases, require more conclusive research. A comprehensive approach, combining evidence-based practices and patient-centric factors, is vital for effective management and recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Force plate methodologies applied to injury profiling and rehabilitation in sport: A scoping review protocol.

Musculoskeletal injuries are a common health problem among sporting populations. Such injuries come with a high financial burden to the involved organisations and can have a detrimental impact on the career attainment of injured individuals. Force plates are now a common tool available to sport and exercise science and medicine professionals to enable them to profile injury risk predisposition and modulate the rehabilitation process within sporting environments. This is because contemporary force plate technology is portable and affordable and often comes with software that enables the automatic and immediate feedback of test variables to key stakeholders. However, to our knowledge, to date, there has been no comprehensive review of the scientific literature pertaining to clinical applications of force plate technology. Therefore, this article presents a protocol and a methodological framework to perform a scoping review to identify and map the available scientific literature in which force plates have been applied to the injury profiling and rehabilitation of athletes. The specific aims of the scoping review are 1) to identify and describe the force plate tests, methodologies, and metrics used to screen for injury risk and guide the return of injured athletes to full-time training and competition, 2) to identify potential trends and/or differences by participants' age, sex, and/or level of performance in tests, methodologies, and metrics selected, and 3) to identify key gaps in the existing evidence base and new questions that should be addressed in future research. The global aim of the scoping review is to improve practitioner decision-making around force plate test and variable selection when applied to the injury prevention and rehabilitation of sporting populations.

Influence of Functional Training on Special Technical Movement Ability and Athletic Performance of Male Basketball Players / Influencia del entrenamiento funcional en la capacidad de movimientos técnicos especiales y el rendimiento atlético de jugadores de baloncesto masculinos

Functional training, since Beijing Olympic Games, from field of medical rehabilitation to field of competitive sports, advanced scientific training concepts and training methods have gradually been recognized by domestic competitive sports workers and coaches. Therefore, functional training should be developed to grass-roots team to lay a solid foundation for sustainable development of competitive sports in our country. In this paper, a complete set of functional physical training program is designed by using methods of literature, expert interviews, experiments, mathematical statistics, and logical analysis. Finally, it is found that functional training can improve physical coordination of men's basketball. And symmetry, flexibility of athletes' ankle joints, thoracic spine, shoulder joints and stability of knee joints and cores have been improved, reducing probability of sports injuries, providing a theoretical basis for innovative scientific training of male basketball players in my country.(AU)

Psychological injury rehabilitation lags behind physical rehabilitation: Elite athletes' experiences and support within Chinese context.

This qualitative study was focused on two objectives: to explore (a) Chinese elite athletes' perceptions of their rehabilitation experiences after severe acute injuries, and (b) support strategies facilitating their return to competition. We interviewed 10 Chinese elite athletes through a semi-structured interview guide consisting of open questions and requests for information about the participants' injury and rehabilitation experiences. We utilized a reflexive thematic analysis to interpret participants' accounts. Two themes are presented to reveal the Chinese elite athletes' perceptions: (a) psychological injury rehabilitation lags behind physical rehabilitation and (b) post-injury psychological support within the CWNS.This study contributes to athlete rehabilitation scholarship by providing a unique Eastern, collective perspective embedded with the Chinese Whole Nation System (CWNS).

Effect of Psychological Dredging on Joint Injury Rehabilitation Training / Efecto del dragado psicológico en el entrenamiento de rehabilitación de lesiones articulares

Joint injury refers to the injury of soft tissue around the joint, such as capsule, ligament and tendon, caused by the joint suddenly moving to one side and exceeding its normal range of motion under the action of external force. It is called joint sprain. Psychological dredging has been widely used in the field of psychology and medicine. Therefore, it plays a very important role in the rehabilitation training of joint injury.(AU)

Progressing On-Court Rehabilitation After Injury: The Control-Chaos Continuum Adapted to Basketball.

BACKGROUND: Sport-specific training is an integral component of returning to sport following injury. Frameworks designed to guide sport-specific rehabilitation need to integrate and adapt to the specific context of elite sport. The control-chaos continuum (CCC) is a flexible framework originally designed for on-pitch rehabilitation in elite football (soccer). The concepts underpinning the CCC transfer to other elite sport rehabilitation environments. CLINICAL QUESTION: How can practitioners and clinicians transfer the CCC to elite basketball, to support planning and return to sport? On-court rehabilitation is a critical sport-specific rehabilitation component of return to sport, yet there are no frameworks to guide practitioners when planning and delivering on-court rehabilitation. KEY RESULTS: Based on our experience working in the National Basketball Association, we report how the CCC framework can apply to elite basketball. We focus on the design and delivery of progressive training in the presence of injury in this basketball-specific edition of the CCC. Given the challenges when quantifying "load" in basketball, we encourage practitioners and clinicians to consider the qualitative aspects of performance such as skill, sport-specific movement, contact, and decision making. CLINICAL APPLICATION: The 5-phase framework describes training progression from high control, a return to on-court running, to high chaos, a return to "live" unrestricted basketball. The model can be adapted to both short- and long-term injuries based on injury and progression criteria. Strength and power "diagnostics" can be strategically implemented to enhance decision making throughout the return to sport continuum. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023;53(9):1-12. Epub: 9 August 2023. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11981.

The effects of high-intensity functional training on muscle damage and recovery capacity in trained individuals / Los efectos del entrenamiento funcional de alta intensidad sobre el daño muscular y la capacidad de recuperación en individuos entrenados

Objective: High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) is nowadays widely used due to low time demand and efficiency to improve performance and health. The dynamics of recovery of muscle damage and physical fitness after a HIFT in individuals with different fitness status provide a practical informationfor coaches and practitioners. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the muscle damage and performance recovery responses after an acute HIFTsession in healthy young men with different fitness status. Method: Sixteen recreationally trained participants (age: 23.4 ± 2.4 y; body mass index: 24.6 ± 2.4 kg·m-2; 1RM back squat: 120.1 ± 19.9 kg) were dividedinto two groups according to their maximum strength (higher-trained [HT] and lower-trained group [LT]), and performed a single HIFT session. Muscledamage (creatine kinase [CK] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) and physical fitness tests (strength, power, and oxygen consumption) were analyzedbefore, immediately after, 24h and 48h after the HIFT session. The internal training load for both groups was equalized using the Rating of PerceivedExertion method (RPE) and the percentage 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Results: Biochemical markers and performance indicators showed that both groups suffered exercise-induced muscle damage. There was a trend towardsfaster muscle damage recovery in HT group.Conclusions: HT group showed higher muscle damage recovery compared to the LT group. A longer recovery time to complete muscle recovery might beexpected in the LT group.(AU)

Objetivo: El Entrenamiento Funcional de Alta Intensidad (HIFT) se utiliza hoy en día ampliamente debido a la baja demanda de tiempo y la eficiencia para mejorar el rendimiento y la salud. La dinámica de recuperación del daño muscular y la forma física después de un HIFT en individuos con diferentes estados de forma proporcionan una información práctica para entrenadores y profesionales. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue verificar el daño muscular y las respuestas de recuperación del rendimiento después de una sesión aguda de HIFT en hombres jóvenes sanos con diferentes estados de forma física. Método: Dieciséis participantes entrenados de forma recreativa (edad: 23,4 ± 2,4 y; índice de masa corporal: 24,6 ± 2,4 kg-m-2; 1RM back squat: 120,1 ± 19,9 kg) se dividieron en dos grupos en función de su fuerza máxima (grupo de mayor entrenamiento [HT] y grupo de menor entrenamiento [LT]), y realizaron una única sesión de HIFT. Se analizaron el daño muscular (creatina quinasa [CK] y lactato deshidrogenasa [LDH]) y las pruebas de aptitud física (fuerza, potencia y consumo de oxígeno) antes, inmediatamente después, 24h y 48h después de la sesión de HIFT. La carga de entrenamiento interna para ambos grupos se igualó utilizando el método de Valoración del Esfuerzo Percibido (RPE) y el porcentaje de 1 repetición máxima (1RM). Resultados: Los marcadores bioquímicos y los indicadores de rendimiento mostraron que ambos grupos sufrieron daños musculares inducidos por el ejercicio. Hubo una tendencia a una recuperación más rápida del daño muscular en el grupo HT. Conclusiones: El grupo HT mostró una mayor recuperación del daño muscular en comparación con el grupo LT. Podría esperarse un mayor tiempo de recuperación hasta la recuperación muscular completa en el grupo LT.(AU)

The Use of Imagery to Improve Self-Efficacy of Rehabilitation Capabilities in Athletes Following a Sport-Related Injury: A Critically Appraised Topic.

CLINICAL SCENARIO: Sport-related injuries are a common occurrence within the athletic population and every athlete responds differently. The cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses associated with injuries ultimately impact the injury rehabilitation process and return to play. Specifically, self-efficacy significantly impacts the rehabilitation process and psychological techniques to improve self-efficacy are crucial in the recovery process. Imagery is one of these beneficial techniques. CLINICAL QUESTION: Does the use of imagery during injury rehabilitation improve self-efficacy of rehabilitation capabilities compared with rehabilitation alone in athletes with a sport-related injury? SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS: The current literature was searched to identify the effects of imagery use to improve self-efficacy of rehabilitation capabilities, and 2 studies were selected: a mixed methods ecologically valid design and randomized controlled trial. Both studies investigated the relationship between imagery and self-efficacy and found positive results for imagery use in rehabilitation. Additionally, one of the studies specifically assessed rehabilitation satisfaction and found positive results. CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: The use of imagery should be considered as a clinical option for increasing self-efficacy during injury rehabilitation. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION: Based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine strength of recommendation, there is a grade B of recommendation to support the use of imagery to improve self-efficacy of rehabilitation capabilities during an injury rehabilitation program.