The Effects of a 16-Week School-Based Exercise Program on Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Physical activity interventions have been shown to decrease anxiety in children with ASD. There is little known regarding the effects of an exercise program on anxiety in both home and school settings and the optimal dosage to reduce anxiety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 16-week exercise program on the anxiety levels of children with moderate to severe symptoms of ASD in home and school settings, and to compare the effects at 8 and 16 weeks. This study was a within-subject, non-controlled design, intervention study. Twenty-four children (5−18 years) with moderate to severe ASD were included. A school-based exercise program was implemented three days a week for 16 weeks. Parents and teachers completed the Anxiety Scale for Children for ASD (ASC-ASD) at baseline, week 8, and week 16. A one-way repeated-measure ANOVA with post hoc analysis using Bonferroni adjustment was used to test for a significant effect for time (p < 0.05), with Cohen's d used to calculate the effect size. For teacher-reported anxiety, there were significant decreases from baseline to week 16 for total ASC-ASD (p < 0.001), performance anxiety (p < 0.001), anxious arousal (p < 0.001), and uncertainty (p < 0.001). There was no significant decrease in parent-reported anxiety. The findings demonstrate that a 16-week exercise program can reduce anxiety in children with ASD in school settings. Results demonstrate that 16 weeks, as opposed to 8, may be necessary to have a significant effect on in-school anxiety.

Short-Term Effects of "Composite" Training on Strength, Jump, and Sprint Performance in Hurling Players.

ABSTRACT: Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, S-M, Farrell, E, and Kinsella, S. Short-term effects of "composite training" on strength, jump, and sprint performance in hurling players. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2253-2261, 2022-The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of "composite" training to sprint training on strength, jump, and sprint acceleration performance in hurling players. A randomized counterbalanced group design with baseline test, pretest and post-test measures was used. Twenty-five hurling players volunteered to participate and 21 completed the study. Subjects were divided into a "composite" (COMP group, n = 10) or a sprint training (SPRINT group, n = 11) group. Both groups trained twice per week for 7 weeks with the SPRINT group performing 6 repetitions of 20 m sprints and the COMP group completing 6 repetitions (1 repetition = 3 bounce drop jumps [BDJs] with a 20 m sprint after 15 seconds recovery). Significant differences existed pretraining to post-training for the COMP group for BDJ contact time (-7.25%; p = 0.05) and countermovement jump (CMJ) variables (height: 7.43%, p = 0.006; force: 5.24%, p = 0.05; power: 15.11%, p = 0.001). No significant differences were found between groups at baseline and for group by time interactions. Significant improvements were observed pretraining to post-training in both groups for the following: absolute 3 repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength (12.73-17.62%, p = 0.01), 5 m (5.74-9.49%, p = 0.006-0.04), 10 m (4.27-5.59%, p = 0.007-0.02), and 20 m (3.35-3.98%, p = 0.003-0.01). In conclusion, "composite" training is effective in enhancing fast stretch-shortening cycle efficiency inducing CMJ force and power augmentation. However, "composite" and sprint training are effective training approaches for enhancing maximal strength and sprint performance in a time efficient manner in hurling players.

Comparison of fitness levels between elementary school children with autism spectrum disorder and age-matched neurotypically developing children.

Low physical fitness is associated with reduced physical activity and increased cardiovascular diseases. To date, limited research has compared physical fitness levels between children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, the primary aim was to investigate if differences in fitness levels exist between children with ASD and age-matched neurotypically developing children (ND). The second aim was to examine if age, sex, height and weight could be used to predict potential fitness levels. The third aim was to examine if the developmental trajectory of fitness is comparable between children with ASD and ND children. The modified Eurofit test battery was used to compare fitness levels between 244 children aged 4-13 years old (n = 152 ND and n = 92 ASD). Independent samples t tests and regression analyses were used to investigate differences in fitness levels between the two groups. The results indicated that statistically significant differences exist in fitness levels between children with ASD when compared to ND children across all ages, favoring the ND children, with small to large effect sizes noted (p < 0.05, d = 0.36-1.13). Regression analysis could not accurately predict fitness measurements in children with ASD but could for ND children. The developmental trajectories were significantly delayed on the 20 m sprint and standing broad jump for children with ASD when compared to ND children. Future studies should seek to address the disparities in physical fitness experienced by children with ASD by using relevant neuromuscular interventions.

Acute Effects of "Composite" Training on Neuromuscular and Fast Stretch-Shortening Cycle Drop Jump Performance in Hurling Players.

ABSTRACT: Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, SM, and Kinsella, S. Acute effects of "composite" training on neuromuscular and fast stretch-shortening cycle drop jump performance in hurling players. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3474-3481, 2021-"Composite" training is a term developed by the authors and defined as the combination of a plyometric exercise with an explosive activity such as a sprint run, performed as a "combined repetition"/session. The purposes of this study were to investigate the acute effect of a "composite" training session on neuromuscular and fast stretch-shortening cycle bounce drop jumps (BDJs) in hurling players' immediately, after session, and after 7 days of recovery. Eight hurling players first completed a drop jump test to identify individual BDJ drop height, followed 72 hours later with a single "composite" training session. Three repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength, BDJ, countermovement jump (CMJ), and sprint performance testing were performed 10 minutes before and immediately after session and 7 days after session. An analysis of variance reported a significant decrease in CMJ measures (height, velocity, and eccentric rate of force development) and sprint performance from presession to postsession (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, a significant increase was evident for CMJ performance (height and power), sprint performance (5 and 20 m), 3RM back squat strength, and BDJ performance (reactive strength index and height) from postsession to post-7-day recovery (p ≤ 0.05). Pairwise comparisons indicated that absolute and relative 3RM strength significantly increased from presession to post-7 days (absolute 3RM: p = 0.0001; relative 3RM: p = 0.01). The findings indicate that "composite" training results in an immediate decline in CMJ measures after session possibly due to acute muscle fatigue, and supercompensation augments maximum lower-limb strength after 7 days of recovery.

Potentiating Response to Drop-Jump Protocols on Sprint Acceleration: Drop-Jump Volume and Intrarepetition Recovery Duration.

Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, SM, Callanan, D, and Kinsella, S. Potentiating response to drop-jump protocols on sprint acceleration: drop-jump volume and intrarepetition recovery duration. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 717-727, 2020-The purpose of this study was to investigate the postactivation potentiation response first to bounce drop jump (BDJ) volume; second, BDJ intrarepetition recovery duration and recovery duration between BDJs and 20-meter (including 5- and 10-m split times) sprint performance. The study was undertaken in 2 parts, the first part compared different volumes of BDJs and the second part compared different BDJ intrarepetition recovery periods. The effect of recovery periods between the BDJs and the subsequent 20-m sprints was examined in both parts 1 and 2 (15 seconds, 4, 8, and 12 minutes). Fourteen (mean ± SD: age = 20.83 ± 1.26 years; height = 1.77 ± 0.04 m; and mass = 74.89 ± 6.07 kg) (part 1) and 15 (mean ± SD: age = 20.64 ± 1.00 years; height = 1.78 ± 0.06 m; and mass = 75.67 ± 6.28 kg) (part 2) male collegiate and club hurling players volunteered to participate. A randomized cross-over design was used to compare BDJ volumes (1, 2, and 3 sets of 3 repetitions) and BDJ intrarepetition recovery time (15 vs. 60 seconds) after a warm-up followed by 2 baseline 20-m sprints. The results in part 1 reported a significant improvement in 5- and 10-m sprint time for 1 set of 3 BDJs between baseline and 4 minutes (5 m: -2.34%, p = 0.04, effect size [ES] = -0.043; 10 m: -1.42%, p = 0.03, ES = -0.35), and baseline and 12 minutes (5 m: -3.33%, p = 0.03, ES = -0.57; 10 m: -2.13%, p = 0.01, ES = -0.52). Part 2 reported a significant improvement in 5-m sprint time between baseline and 15 seconds (5 m: -3.38%, p = 0.01, ES = -0.83; 10 m: -2.07%, p = 0.02, ES = -0.58) after the BDJs. The findings support the use of 1 set of 3 BDJs using a 15-second intrarepetition recovery period to maximize 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint performance after 15 seconds of recovery after the final BDJ in hurling players. The acute response to this BDJ protocol proves to be time efficient and effective in acutely improving sprint acceleration.

The effects of dry needling and radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy on latent trigger point sensitivity in the quadriceps: A randomised control pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Latent myofascial trigger points (TrP) can alter joint kinematics, reduce strength and alter activation patterns, affecting athletic performance. TrP sensitivity can be measured with the pressure pain threshold (PPT). Dry needling (DN) has been used to treat latent TrPs, but may cause post-needling soreness. Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) could be used as an alternative to DN during heavy training or competition. METHODS: After baseline measures, 21 recreational athletes were split into three groups: DN, rESWT or control group, and were treated for three sessions in one week. Follow-up outcome sessions were conducted two to four and seven days after the last treatment. TrP sensitivity was measured using the PPT. RESULTS: There was a groupXtime interaction for the PPT (p < 0.05). After a decrease in PPT during treating, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in PPT for the DN group (12.92%). The rESWT group also significantly (p < 0.05) increased (13.26%), but did not show any post-treatment soreness during the treatment phase. There was no difference in the PPT in the control group during any session. CONCLUSION: DN is effective for increasing PPT of latent TrPs, but can be associated with post-treatment soreness. rESWT is as effective, but without the post-treatment soreness. Future studies should include treating multiple TrPs in the lower kinetic chain as well as measuring muscle activation and joint function. Furthermore, consideration for the current training load and up-coming competition is needed. Optimum timing and longer follow-up periods of such interventions should be explored. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. SUMMARY: Treating latent TrPs in the lower kinetic chain may improve muscle activation. Unlike DN, rESWT does not cause post- treatment soreness. Consideration of training load and up-coming competition is needed to deliver the optimum treatment strategy for athletes with latent TrPs.

Effects of Myofascial Trigger Point Release on Power and Force Production in the Lower Limb Kinetic Chain.

Devereux, F, O'Rourke, B, Byrne, PJ, Byrne, D, and Kinsella, S. Effects of myofascial trigger point release on power and force production in the lower limb kinetic chain. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2453-2463, 2019-The purpose of this study was to first investigate the effects of treating latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the lower limb kinetic chain with respect to performance during sporting actions, as opposed to the traditional goal of pain management with active MTrPs. The second aim was to investigate the effects of dry needling (DN) on performance parameters over time to establish treatment timeframe guidelines before performance. Forty male athletes were assigned to 4 groups; rectus femoris DN (group 1), medial gastrocnemius DN (group 2), rectus femoris and medial gastrocnemius DN (group 3), and no DN (group 4). Subjects completed 6 sessions; familiarization, baseline, immediately after DN, 48, 72, and 96 hours after intervention. Subjects performed squat jumps at 5 incremental loads and were recorded using the My Jump app (iOS) for jump height, power output, optimal force, and optimal velocity. A between-within subject's analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Results showed a significant increase in jump height in group 2 (gastrocnemius muscle only) from immediately after to 48 hours after intervention (p = 0.01); however, no other statistical significance was observed. From 48 hours onward, a trend for improved performance was observed, with jump height, power, and velocity showing trivial increases. This study found improved jump performance from immediately after to 48 hours post-DN of the gastrocnemius muscle only. This study suggests a likely immediate decrease in jump performance after DN, with levels increasing above baseline between 48 and 96 hours, which may have clinical significance.

The intra-rater reliability of locating and measuring the severity of latent trigger points in the quadriceps.

BACKGROUND: Trigger points (TrPs) in the lower-limb are under-investigated and may be a contributory factor in knee pathologies. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish the intra-rater reliability of assessing the location and severity of latent TrPs in the quadriceps. METHODS: Twenty-nine asymptomatic subjects were palpated for TrPs in the middle and quadriceps. The location and severity was then measured using the anatomical landmark system (ALS) and pain pressure threshold (PPT). The subject was re-tested the next day. RESULTS: The intra-class coefficient [ICC(3,1)] for the ALSs and PPTs were found to be reliable. Gender appears to be a factor in the severity of TrPs in the quadriceps. Females reported some of the features of TrPs more often than males (jump sign, twitch response, referred pain). CONCLUSION: Further investigation is needed to understand the relationship between TrPs around the knee and knee pathologies, particularly in females.

The effects of caudal mobilisation with movement (MWM) and caudal self-mobilisation with movement (SMWM) in relation to restricted internal rotation in the hip: A randomised control pilot study.

BACKGROUND: A loss of internal rotation (IR) of the hip is associated with hip pathology. Improving IR may improve hip range of motion (ROM) or prevent hip pathology. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of caudal mobilisation with movement (MWM) and caudal self-mobilisation with movement (SMWM) on young healthy male subjects with reduced IR of the hip. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial was performed. Twenty-Two subjects were randomised into a MWM group (n = 6), SMWM group (n = 8) or a control group (n = 8). METHOD: The primary outcome measures included the functional internal rotation test (FIRT) for the hip and the passive seated internal rotation test (SIRT) for the hip. Outcomes were captured at baseline and immediately after one treatment of MWMs, SMWMs or control. RESULTS: A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), group × time interaction was conducted. The ANOVA revealed the only significant improvement was in the MWM group for the FIRT (p = 0.01), over the control group. Subjects with reduced IR of the hip who receive a single session of MWMs exhibited significantly improved functional IR of their hip than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: From the data presented, it can be suggested that caudal MWMs of the hip appear to have a positive effect on functional IR of healthy young hips. This may be due to addressing the positional fault theory or the arthrogenic muscular inhibition theory. SMWMs may be effective in augmenting treatments for patients waiting for hip operations.

A comparison of methods used to identify 'optimal' drop height for early phase adaptations in depth jump training.

The purpose of this study was to compare 2 methods of identifying an appropriate drop height for bounce depth jump (DJ) training, which aimed to improve reactive strength and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. The maximum jump height (MJH) method was compared to the reactive strength index (RSI) method. The first part of the study identified each participant's drop height for both methods and determined the extent to which both methods differed. The subsequent part of the study used an 8-week bounce DJ training program to compare the effectiveness of the MJH and RSI methods. Twenty-two male participants volunteered. There was a significant difference between the MJH and the RSI methods in the optimal drop height they identified (median = 0.40 and 0.30 m, respectively), with 19 participants exhibiting a difference of 0.10 m or more. These 19 participants were assigned to 1 of 3 training groups: a control, an MJH method, and an RSI method group. The results demonstrated a significant increase in pre to posttraining in reactive strength (MJH: 27.3 +/- 18.7%, p = 0.025; RSI: 11.8 +/- 10.1%, p = 0.019) and CMJ performance (MJH: 9.9 +/- 5.2%, p = 0.009; RSI: 9.2 +/- 4.8%, p = 0.006) in both the MJH and RSI groups, respectively, with no change in the control group. The study concluded that either method can be used to identify the optimal drop height in bounce DJ training to increase CMJ performance, but the MJH method should be used to improve reactive strength.

Gait pattern categorization of stroke participants with equinus deformity of the foot.

Following stroke an equinus deformity of the foot may develop, which may affect the gait pattern of patients differently. Sub-categorization of gait patterns in these patients would be helpful in developing and delivering more targeted treatment. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify the gait patterns of 23 chronic stroke patients with equinus deformity of the foot based on temporal distance parameters and joint kinematic and kinetic measures in the sagittal and coronal planes. Cluster analysis showed that gait patterns were not singularly homogenous and identified three subgroups that contained within group homogenous levels of function. Further analysis identified significant differences between the subgroups in some of the temporal distance and kinematic and kinetic measures examined. The results from this study can be used to categorise patients, facilitating appropriate development of targeted treatment.