This study aimed to compare the effects of dry needling (DN) versus placebo DN applied to the peroneus longus (PL) and tibialis anterior (TA) on neuromuscular control and static postural control in basketball players with chronic ankle instability (CAI). A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. Thirty-two male and female basketball players with CAI were randomly assigned to receive either DN (n = 16) or placebo DN (n = 16). Pre-activation amplitudes of PL and TA were assessed with surface electromyography (EMG) during a dynamic landing test. Center of pressure (CoP) displacement and sway variability in anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions were measured with a force platform during a single leg balance test (SLBT). Measures were obtained prior to a single DN intervention, immediately after, at 48 h, and 1 month after. The DN group displayed a significant increase in PL and TA pre-activation values, which were maintained 1 month later. Significant reductions in the ML and AP displacements and sway variability of CoP were found for the DN group. These results showed improvements in feedback/feed-forward strategies following DN, including enhanced neuromuscular control and static postural control, with the potential to become a convenient and accessible preventive treatment in CAI subjects.

El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer las tasas de incidencia lesional en entrenamiento y competición, tipos de lesión y tiempo de baja deportiva en jugadores/as de baloncesto amateur de las categorías comprendidas entre Benjamín y Senior. Se realizó un seguimiento de las lesiones sufridas en 25 equipos (289 jugadores/as de entre 8-34 años) adscritos a los juegos municipales y federados de la Comunidad de Madrid. Se contabilizaron 48 lesiones durante 10.961 Exposiciones de los jugadores/as a la actividad (AEs). Un 16,61% se lesionó durante este periodo. Las tasas de incidencia fueron 1,77-11,8/1.000 AEs para el sexo femenino y 3,63-9,3/1.000 AEs para el masculino en práctica y competición respectivamente. El esguince de ligamento fue el tipo de lesión más común (45,83%) y el esguince de tobillo el diagnóstico lesional más frecuente para la muestra total (20,83%). El mecanismo de lesión y tiempo de baja difirió entre sexos. PALABRAS CLAVE: deporte, epidemiología, incidencia, lesiones, baloncesto, jugadores de baloncesto. ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to determine the injury rate both in practice and competition, injury diagnoses and time loss in amateur basketball players within Benjamin and Senior categories. Injuries suffered in 25 teams (289 basketball players aged 8-34) were followed up as long as they were affiliated with municipal and federation competitions in Madrid (Spain). 48 injuries were sustained during 10961 athletes’ exposures (AEs). 16.61% of basketball players got injured during this time. Injury rate was 1.77-11.8 per 1000 AEs for girls and 3.63-9.3 per 1000 AEs for boys in practice and competition respectively. Ligament sprains became the most common injury diagnoses (45.83%) and ankle sprain the most common injury (20.83%). As for mechanisms that resulted in injury and time loss there were wide differences according to gender. KEY WORDS: sport, epidemiology, incidence, injuries, basketball, basketball players.

Introducción: La epicondilalgia lateral (EL) es una afección común causada por microtraumatismos debido a movimientos repetidos, afectando al 40% de la población en algún momento de su vida. La falta de éxito a largo plazo en el tratamiento de la EL puede estar relacionada con la subestimación de deficiencias de fuerza en las estructuras proximales al codo, contribuyendo a tensiones excesivas en el tendón extensor corto del carpo (TECC). Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la combinación de un programa de ejercicio de fuerza en la región escapular (PEE) junto con un programa de ejercicio convencional (PEC) resultó en mejoras estadísticamente significativas en pacientes con EL. Metodología: Este ensayo clínico aleatorizado (ECA) incluyó 60 pacientes que se asignaron a 2 grupos de manera aleatoria. El grupo control (GC) recibió solo PEC, mientras que el grupo experimental (GE), además del PEC, implementó un PEE. Se evaluaron variables relacionadas con dolor, funcionalidad, umbral de dolor a la presión, fuerza prensil. Se llevaron a cabo 12 sesiones de 30 minutos cada una distribuidas en 3 sesiones por semana durante 4 semanas. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos en cuanto al dolor (p = 0,104), la funcionalidad (p = 0,08), así como en el umbral de dolor a la presión (p = 0,999) o la fuerza prensil, ya sea con el brazo flexionado (p = 0,94) o en extensión (p = 0,70). Además, se encontró una interacción significativa entre el tiempo y el tratamiento (p = 0,046). Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la intensidad del dolor entre los grupos (p = 0,788). Conclusiones: La combinación de ambos programas parece ser una herramienta terapéutica prometedora para el tratamiento de la EL. Sin embargo, no se ha podido afirmar que la realización de un PEE junto con un PEC sea superior en términos de efectividad a corto y medio plazo. Palabras clave: Epicondilalgia lateral (lateral epicondylalgia), Codo de tenista (tennis elbow), Epicondilitis lateral (lateral epicondylitis), Ejercicio (exercise), Musculatura escapular (scapular muscle). Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) is a common condition caused by microtrauma due to repeated movements, affecting the 40% of the population at some point in their lives. The lack of long-term success in the treatment of EL may be related to underestimation of strength deficiencies in structures proximal to the elbow, contributing to excessive stresses on the extensor carpi brevis tendon (ECC). Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the combination of a scapular strength exercise programme (SEP) in conjunction with a conventional exercise programme (CEP) resulted in statistically significant improvements in patients with EL. Methodology: This randomised clinical trial (RCT) included 60 patients who were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The control group (CG) received only the exercise program conventional (PEC) for the epicondylar muscles, while the group Experimental (GE), in addition to the PEC, implemented an exercise program of strength in the scapular region (SEP). Variables related to pain, functionality, threshold were evaluated for pressure, pain, grip strength and quality of life. There were 12 sessions of 30 minutes each distributed in 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of pain (p = 0.104), functionality (p = 0.08), as well as pain threshold to pressure (p = 0.999) or prehensile strength, either with the arm flexed (p = 0.94) or in extension (p = 0.70). Conclusions: The combination of both programmes seems to be a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of EL. However, it could not be affirmed that the implementation of a PEE together with a CEP is superior in terms of effectiveness in the short and medium term. Key Words: Lateral epicondylalgia, tennis elbow, lateral epicondylitis, exercise, scapular muscle.

Lower back pain (LBP) has been the leading cause of disability since 1990. Objectives: The main objective of this observational case–control study was to evaluate, using ultrasound, whether there were differences in the onset and ratio of core muscle contraction between subjects with non-specific chronic lower back pain and healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 60 participants (52% women), split between those with non-specific chronic lower back pain (n = 26) and healthy (n = 34) subjects, were recruited. Initial muscle contraction of the lateral abdominal wall, pelvic floor, lumbar multifidus, and respiratory diaphragm was measured using ultrasound. The abdominal drawing-in maneuver, contralateral arm elevation, the Valsalva maneuver, and voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor in seated and standing positions were performed. The muscle thickness of the lateral abdominal wall and lumbar multifidus and excursion of the pelvic floor and diaphragm at rest and during testing were also analyzed. Results: No differences were found between the groups in the initial contraction. Statistically significant differences were found in the following variables: diaphragm excursion (p = 0.032, r = 0.277) and lumbar multifidus ratio (p = 0.010, r = 0.333) in the standing–abdominal retraction maneuver; pelvic floor excursion (p = 0.012, r = 0.325) in the standing–contralateral arm raise; and transverse abdominis ratio (p = 0.033, r = 0.275) in the sitting–contralateral arm raise. A statistically significant interaction between the groups and body mass index was observed in resting diaphragm excursion (p = 0.018, partial eta squared = 0.096) during sitting–voluntary pelvic floor contraction. Conclusions: It cannot be concluded that there is a specific pattern of core activation in any of the groups. However, statistically significant differences were found in the contraction indexes of the lumbopelvic musculature.

To evaluate the effectiveness of non-ablative radiofrequency therapy combined with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) compared with sham radiofrequency therapy plus PFMT in improving symptoms associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in breast cancer survivors. A randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial is currently underway. The participants and outcome assessors are blinded to group allocation. Participants have been, and are still being, recruited from oncology, gynaecology and rehabilitation services, and assigned at random to the experimental group (non-ablative radiofrequency therapy plus PFMT) or the placebo group (sham radiofrequency therapy plus PFMT). The intervention lasts for 6 weeks, with one session per week. Following this period, participants continue with a home-based PFMT programme for an additional 3 months without supervision. The outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome is the reduction of vaginal dryness (measured with the Numeric Rating Scale). Secondary outcomes include symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy (e.g. dyspareunia, burning, itching), urinary symptoms, Vaginal Health Index score, vaginal pH, sexual function (assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index), pelvic floor muscle strength, vaginal morphology (assessed with the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system), and patient satisfaction. Adherence to PFMT protocols and adverse events will also be recorded. The results of this trial are expected to provide preliminary data on the short-term effects and feasibility of non-ablative radiofrequency therapy combined with PFMT as a non-invasive therapeutic option for GSM in breast cancer survivors.