Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a fatal and pandemic disease discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, with lots of asymptomatic cases and a long incubation period. The researchers suggested that high d-dimer levels could predict disease severity, lung complications, and thromboembolic events before they occur. We searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using the keywords "D-dimer" and "coronavirus" or "D-dimer" and "COVID-19." We used Standardized Mean Differences (SMD) to build forest plots of continuous data and assess differences in serum D-dimer concentrations between severe and non-severe patients with COVID-19 disease. We evaluated p-value < 0.05 as statistically significant and preferred 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The pooled results of all studies revealed that the D-dimer concentrations were significantly higher in patients with more severe COVID-19 (SMD: 2.32 μg/mL; 95% CI, 0.72 3.92 μg/mL, p< 0.001). We evaluated severe patients with total D-dimer levels. D-dimer concentrations were significantly higher in severe patients against total COVID-19 patients (SMD: 2.01 μg/mL; 95% CI, 0.25 to 3.77 μg/mL, p= 0.08). We do not know the D-dimer increment mechanism in severe patients yet, but we think that these findings will be useful in the early diagnosis of severe disease and the first treatment.

Introduction: Scapular asymmetry may affect the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle joints and muscles by changing the contraction angles of the muscles. The purpose of this prospective cohort, matched-controlled study was to compare shoulder muscle strength, proprioception sense and internal/external rotation flexibility between adolescent athletes with and without scapular asymmetry. Material and methods: Nineteen athletes of tennis, fencing, shooting, archery, gymnastics, and badminton branches with left side (non-dominant) scapular asymmetry were included in the study as asymmetry group. Nineteen athletes who have similar gender, sports branch, professional experience, physical characteristics with asymmetry group were included in the study as the control group. Scapular asymmetry was measured using a tape measure with the Lateral Scapular Slide Test. Shoulder horizontal abduction/adduction isokinetic muscle strength and shoulder abduction/adduction isometric muscle strength was tested by an isokinetic dynamometer. The proprioception sense of the glenohumeral joint was evaluated with a digital inclinometer, and the flexibility of the internal and external rotation of the shoulder was evaluated by the flexibility test. Results: There was not any significant difference between the groups in isokinetic muscle strength, isometric muscle strength, and proprioception sense of shoulder (p > 0.05). Shoulder internal rotation flexibility of both dominant and non-dominant sides was higher in the asymmetry group than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It was determined that the flexibility of shoulder internal rotation in adolescent athletes with scapular asymmetry was higher than those without asymmetry.

Leg-length discrepancy (LLD) is a common condition that may cause posture changes and clinical consequences. Rasterstereography is a valid and reliable method that analyzes posture without radiation exposure and invasive procedures. This study aimed to assess the immediate effect of artificial LLD on pelvic position and spinal posture in athletes. Twenty-four elite karate athletes (14 men, 10 women) were included in the study. Sagittal imbalance, coronal imbalance, pelvic obliquity, pelvic torsion angle, thoracic kyphosis angle and lumbar lordosis angle were measured at different artificial LLD heights (5 –10 –15 –20 mm). Statistical analysis was performed with One-Way ANOVA with repeated measures or Friedman test. In cases where there were significant differences, pairwise comparisons were performed with least significant differences (LSD) test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. There were statistically significant differences in pelvic obliquity (p = 0.001), pelvic torsion (p = 0.001) and lumbar lordosis (p = 0.001) with varying LLD. However, there was no significant difference in sagittal imbalance, coronal imbalance and thoracic kyphosis angle. It has been observed that even a 5-mm LLD causes pelvic position and spinal posture changes. Future studies detecting these changes in populations with LLD via rastersterography may prevent possible musculoskeletal disorders.

Introduction: Lower extremity injuries may be associated with proximal muscle weakness and decreased motor control. Our study aims to examine knee flexor and extensor muscle strength in athletes with and without trunk muscle strength asymmetry. Materials and methods: This matching control study involved a total of 80 athletes; 40 athletes with asymmetrical trunk muscle strength (asymmetric group) and 40 athletes with symmetrical trunk muscle strength (symmetrical group). Strength measurements of trunk and knee muscles were made with the IsoMed 2000 isokinetic device. Independent Samples T-Test or Mann Whitney-U test was used to compare variables according to their distribution status. The statistical error level was determined as p < 0.05. Results: In the symmetric group, the isokinetic muscle strength of the trunk flexor muscles was stronger than the asymmetric group (p < 0.05) and the trunk extensor muscles were weaker than the asymmetric group (p < 0.05). The Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) value of the two groups at 60°/sec was significantly different (p = 0.032), and the dominant side in the symmetric group and the non-dominant side in the asymmetric group were stronger than the other side. Conclusions: This result may be associated with knee joint injuries which are common in athletes with weak muscle strength, and can be attributed to the literature knowledge that core muscle weakness may increase the frequency of knee injury. Therefore, symmetrical core strengthening training can prevent possible injuries of athletes with asymmetrical trunk muscle strength. However, we think that more studies are needed to reveal this relationship.

Different types of stretching exercises are utilized prior to physical exercises as a part of warming-up. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the dynamic and static stretching exercises on ankle muscle strength and single-leg balance. Twenty healthy male participants, who were between 25 and 30 years old and did not have a previous ankle injury, were included in the study. This study is a cross-over designed study. Isokinetic ankle muscle strength tests and single-leg balance tests were applied to the participants after different intervention protocols (two intervention protocols and one control protocol) on 6 different days. With isokinetic testing, peak torque and average power were measured at 60/s and 120/s angular velocities. The tests were performed to the participants after static stretching, dynamic stretching and for a resting period without stretching. The order of stretching intervention was determined randomly. The Peak Torque results of the 120/s angular velocity isokinetic strength test after the dynamic stretching exercises were found significantly improved than those without stretching exercises (p0.05). It was also shown that the dynamic stretching significantly enhanced the balance scores (p<0,05). In the current study, dynamic stretching exercises were found to have positive effects on isokinetic peak torque and balance scores.