Short-term effects of lumbopelvic complex stability training in elite female road cyclists.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of short-term lumbopelvic stability training on muscular endurance and stability in elite female cyclists. METHODS: Twenty-four female road cyclists were randomly allocated to a core training group (CTG, n=12) or control group (CG, n=12). In addition to their scheduled training the CTG performed a core training program, that consisted of 6 core exercises performed in a session every other day until a total of 8 training sessions were completed. The CG did not receive the core training program and completed their scheduled training. The lumbopelvic-hip complex was assessed pre- and post-core program included the following exercises: single leg deadlift (SLD), bird-dog (BD), plank test (PT), and side-bridge plank test (SPT). RESULTS: In comparison to CG, CTG significantly improved the time to failure in PT, SPT-Left, and SPT-Right (p<0.05). Further, CTG resulted in a significant decrease in SLD (p<0.05) compared to CG for the three accelerometry measures. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that following 8 sessions of lumbopelvic stability training muscular endurance and core stability were enhanced.

Effect of cycling exercise on lumbopelvic control performance in elite female cyclists.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to assess the effects of an intense cycling training session on the stability of the lumbopelvic-hip complex through two dynamic exercise tests - the single-leg-deadlift (SLD) and a variation of the bird-modified dog (BD), via the OCTOcore application. METHODS: Thirty-one elite female road cyclists were self-evaluated with their own smartphones, before and immediately after finishing their training sessions. Right, left and composite were measured for each exercise test. RESULTS: There was a significant time effect on performance for both the SLB and BD tests (p<0.05; η2=0.137), and the SLD and BD tests were increased with respect to the pre-test at 15% and 17%, respectively. CONCLUSION: An intense cycling training session produced significant alterations in lumbopelvic behavior in the elite female cyclists. The OCTOcore application demonstrated that it was a sensitive tool in detecting these changes and it could easily be used by the cyclists themselves.

Cross transfer acute effects of foam rolling with vibration on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.

INTRODUCTION: Foam roller is a device used as a massage intervention for rehabilitation and fitness performance. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects on the ankle dorsiflexion mobility of the foam roller as well as the combination of foam roller and vibration applied to the ankle plantarflexors muscles, and to observe the possible cross-effect. METHODS: Thirty-eight undergraduate students participated in the study (19 males and 19 females). This study investigated. Three conditions (3 sets of 20 s) were performed in a randomized order (independent variables): 1) foam roller (Roller), 2) foam roller and vibration (Roller+VIB), and 3) no foam roller or vibration (Control). to determine whether of foam roller with or without vibration would benefit ankle dorsiflexion mobility. Ankle dorsiflexion ROM and plantar flexor were measured in both legs before and immediately after the treatment. RESULTS: A cross-effect was found in the non-stimulated leg. There was a significant effect on ankle mobility of Roller and Roller+VIB conditions (6% and 7%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Foam roller massage and vibration stimulus' foam roller massage increase ankle mobility producing a cross-effect.

Associations between ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and foot and ankle strength in young adults.

[Purpose] This study assessed the relationships between the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and foot and ankle strength. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-nine healthy (young adults) volunteers participated in this study. Each participant completed tests for ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, hallux flexor strength, and ankle plantar and dorsiflexor strength. [Results] The results showed (1) a moderate correlation between ankle dorsiflexor strength and dorsiflexion range of motion and (2) a moderate correlation between ankle dorsiflexor strength and first toe flexor muscle strength. Ankle dorsiflexor strength is the main contributor ankle dorsiflexion range of motion to and first toe flexor muscle strength. [Conclusion] Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion can play an important role in determining ankle dorsiflexor strength in young adults.

Validity and inter-rater reliability of ankle motion observed during a single leg squat.

BACKGROUND: The single leg squat (SLS) test is a clinical functional test commonly used to evaluate clinically aberrant movement patterns of the knee. The SLS could be an interesting option to analyze ankle control in the frontal plane during dynamic load analysis. However, to date, there are no studies that have analyzed the associations between the increased subtalar joint pronation by navicular drop (ND) test and ankle control with single leg squat (SLSankle) using a three-point scale. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a clinical observation method to assess and determine the relationship between navicular drop (ND) and ankle control on the SLSankle score. METHODS: A total of fifty-five healthy, physically active (31 females and 24 males) volunteers participated in this study. The degree of subtalar pronation was assessed through the ND test, and the ankle control was defined as the ankle displacement in the frontal plane during the SLS. RESULTS: We found good intra-rater and inter-rater agreement during SLSankle, with Kappa values from 0.731 to 0.750. The relationship between the SLSankle and ND was significant ; the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was 0.504 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The SLSankle score supplied the clinical practice with a reliable and valid alternative for quantifying foot mobility in comparison to the ND test.

Are Core Stability Tests Related to Single Leg Squat Performance in Active Females?

Core stability (CS) deficits can have a significant impact on lower limb function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between two dynamic core exercise assessments and dynamic knee valgus during single-leg squats. In total, 20 physically active female students participated in this study. The OCTOcore smartphone application assesses CS during two dynamic exercise tests, the partial range single-leg deadlift (SLD) test and the bird-dog (BD) test. A two-dimensional assessment of a single-leg squat test was used to quantify participants' hip frontal angle (HFASLS) and knee frontal plane projection angle (FPPASLS). Ankle dorsiflexion was evaluated through the weight-bearing dorsiflexion test. The correlational analyses indicated that the HFASLS was significantly related to the partial range single-leg deadlift test (r = 0.314, p < 0.05) and ankle dorsiflexion (r = 0.322, p < 0.05). The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the CS test between cases categorised as dynamic knee valgus (>10°) and normal (≤10°). The CS deficit may influence the neuromuscular control of the lumbopelvic-hip complex during single-leg movements. The link between CS and kinematic factors related to knee injuries was only observed when CS was measured in the SLD test but not in the BD test.

Test-retest reliability of a smartphone app for measuring core stability for two dynamic exercises.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been growing interest in using smartphone applications to assess gait speed and quantify isometric core stability exercise intensity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the between-session reliability and minimal detectable change of a smartphone app for two dynamic exercise tests of the lumbopelvic complex. METHODS: Thirty-three healthy young and active students (age: 22.3 ± 5.9 years, body weight: 66.9 ± 11.3 kg, height: 167.8 ± 10.3 cm) participated in this study. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (%CV), and Bland-Altman plots were used to verify the reliability of the test. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimum detectable difference (MDD) were calculated for clinical applicability. RESULTS: The ICCs ranged from 0.73 to 0.96, with low variation (0.9% to 4.8%) between days of assessments. The Bland-Altman plots and one-sample t-tests (p > 0.05) indicated that no dynamic exercise tests changed systematically. Our analyses showed that SEM 0.6 to 1.5 mm/s-2) and MDD (2.1 to 3.5 mm/s-2). CONCLUSION: The OCTOcore app is a reliable tool to assess core stability for two dynamic exercises. A minimal change of 3.5 mm/s-2 is needed to be confident that the change is not a measurement error between two sessions.

Measurement of ankle dorsiflexion: comparison between twodifferent positions / Medición de la dorsiflexión del tobillo: comparación entre dos posicionesdiferentes

Background: Several closed-chain activities, including walking, running, squatting or jumping, require normal flexibility ofthe ankle joint. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion range of motion will limit the forward progression of the tibia over the talus duringthese skills. A restriction ankle dorsiflexion range of motion has been associated with several clinical conditions in the lowerextremities. Weight bearing dorsiflexion measurements has been shown to be more reliable than non-weight bearing and aremore clinically relevant. In clinical practice and research, multiple protocols and positions have been utilized when measuringweight bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, although the differences among have not been studied.Objective: The purpose of this study was to come ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in two different positions: standingand kneeling.Material and method: Sixty physically active participants (51 men, 9 women; average age 21.6 ± 1.2 years) participated in thisstudy. Weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was evaluated, in random order, in two positions: a standard positionof the weight-bearing lunge test (WBL-Nor) and with the modified weight-bearing lunge test, one knee on the floor (WBL-Mod).Results: Statistically significant differences were found (p < 0.001; η2=0.513) between the values recorded during the WBL-Nor(12.5 ± 3.2 cm) vs. WBL-Mod (10.9 ± 3.5 cm).Conclusion: The standing and kneeling tests of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion cannot be used interchangeably, if theobjective is to measure peak ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. It is recommended that this test is performed in standing ifthe patient/research participant is capable.(AU)

Antecedentes: Varias actividades en cadena cerrada, como caminar, correr, ponerse de cuclillas o saltar, requieren un rangode movimiento normal de la articulación del tobillo. La reducción del rango de movimiento de la dorsiflexión del tobillolimitará la progresión hacia adelante de la tibia sobre el astrágalo durante estas acciones. Una restricción de la dorsiflexión deltobillo se ha asociado con varias disfunciones clínicas en las extremidades inferiores. Se ha demostrado que las mediciones dedorsiflexión en carga son más fiables que las que no soportan carga y son más relevantes clínicamente. En la práctica clínicay en la investigación, se han utilizado múltiples protocolos y posiciones al medir el rango de movimiento de la dorsiflexióndel tobillo en carga, aunque las diferencias entre ellas no se han estudiado.Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue obtener el rango de movimiento de la dorsiflexión del tobillo en dos posicionesdiferentes: de pie y arrodillado.Material y método: Sesenta participantes físicamente activos (51 hombres, 9 mujeres; edad promedio 21,6 ± 1,2 años)participaron en este estudio. Se evaluó el rango de movimiento de la dorsiflexión del tobillo en carga, en orden aleatorio, endos posiciones: una posición estándar (WBL-Nor) y otra modificada, con una rodilla en el suelo (WBL -Modificación).Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p <0,001; η2 = 0,513) entre los valores registradosdurante el WBL-Nor (12,5 ± 3,2 cm) vs. WBL-Mod (10,9 ± 3,5 cm).Conclusión: La posición de medición condicionan los valores de la dorsiflexión del tobillo. Si el objetivo es medir el rango demovimiento máximo de la dorsiflexión del tobillo, se recomienda que esta prueba se realice en WBL-Nor.(AU)