Asymmetry in kinematics of dominant/nondominant lower limbs in central and lateral positioned college and sub-elite soccer players.

Change of direction, stops, and pivots are among the most common non-contact movements associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in soccer. By observing these dynamic movements, clinicians recognize abnormal kinematic patterns that contribute to ACL tears such as increased knee valgus or reduced knee flexion. Different motions and physical demands are observed across playing positions, which may result in varied lower limb kinematic patterns. In the present study, 28 college and sub-elite soccer players performed four dynamic motions (change of direction with and without ball, header, and instep kick) with the goal of examining the effect of on-field positioning, leg dominance, and gender in lower body kinematics. Motion capture software monitored joint angles in the knee, hip, and ankle. A three-way ANOVA showed significant differences in each category. Remarkably, centrally positioned players displayed significantly greater knee adduction (5° difference, p = 0.013), hip flexion (9° difference, p = 0.034), hip adduction (7° difference, p = 0.016), and dorsiflexion (12° difference, p = 0.022) when performing the instep kick in comparison to their laterally positioned counterparts. These findings suggest that central players tend to exhibit a greater range of motion when performing an instep kicking task compared to laterally positioned players. At a competitive level, this discrepancy could potentially lead to differences in lower limb muscle development among on-field positions. Accordingly, it is suggested to implement position-specific prevention programs to address these asymmetries in lower limb kinematics, which can help mitigate dangerous kinematic patterns and consequently reduce the risk of ACL injury in soccer players.

Efficacy of high-frequency chest wall oscillations vs. lung flute in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with post-COVID.

OBJECTIVE: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), high-frequency chest wall oscillations (HFCWO) and lung flute (LF) are used to improve COPD patients' pulmonary functions, exertional dyspnea, as well as life quality. This comparative study aimed to assess the efficiency of HFCWO vs. LF in post-coronavirus-disease (COVID) men with COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty post-COVID men with COPD, who were aged 40-60 years old, were included in this HFCWO-vs.-LF comparative study and were divided into two groups. One group (N=30) received HFCWO, and the other group (N=30) received LF three times per week. Both groups' pulmonary functions, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1), the ratio of FEV1/FVC (FEV1/FVC), forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25-75%) were assessed. Also, the COPD assessment test score (CAT score) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were measured before and following the trial. RESULTS: Regarding all variables (post-COVID patients' FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%, CAT score, as well as 6MWD), both groups had substantial changes after the three-week HFCWO-vs.-LF interventional period as the p-value was below 0.05. The changes in post-COVID patients' FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and 6MWD were high in the HFCWO group, while the changes in post-COVID patients' CAT score, FVC, and FEF25-75% were high in the LF group. CONCLUSIONS: HFCWO is more efficient than the LF in improving pulmonary functions and exertional dyspnea in post-COVID men with COPD.