We have investigated the cardioprotective effects of exercise training and/or curcumin on lead acetate-induced myocardial damage. Forty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) lead acetate, (2) curcumin, (3) endurance training, (4) training + curcumin, (5) sham groups. The rats in groups 3 and 4 experienced the treadmill running of 15 to 22 m/min for 25 to 64 minutes, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Groups 1 to 4 received lead acetate (20 mg/kg), the sham group received curcumin solvent (ethyl oleat), and the curcumin and training + curcumin groups received curcumin solution (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Lead administration resulted in significant increases in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), malondialdehyde (MDA), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and significantly decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Treadmill running and\or curcumin supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in hs-CRP, CK-MB, MDA, and LDL levels and significantly increased GPx, TAC, and HDL levels. These results suggest a lifestyle-induced cardioprotective potential in ameliorating lead-induced cardiotoxicity.

Gait asymmetries have been documented in individuals after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). The relationship between gait asymmetry and associated psychological factors, however, is not yet known. This study aimed to examine the relationship between kinesiophobia (fear of reinjury) and asymmetry of vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and lower-extremity muscular activity in individuals after ACLR during gait. Twenty-eight males with a history of ACLR participated in the study. Force plate and surface electromyography was used to record peak vGRF and muscular activity. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) was used to measure kinesiophobia. Spearman’s rank correlations analysis was used to examine the relationship between TSK-11 scores and both gait asymmetry variables. There was a significant positive relationship between TSK-11 and asymmetry of the second peak of vGRF (r_s = 0.531, p = 0.002). In addition, there was a significant positive association between asymmetry of rectus femoris activity (r_s = 0.460, p = 0.007) and biceps femoris activity (r_s = 0.429, p = 0.011) in the contact phase. Results revealed a significant relationship between kinesiophobia and asymmetry in muscle activity and vGRF in different phases of the gait cycle. Interventions addressing kinesiophobia early in the rehabilitation after ACLR may support the restoration of gait symmetry, facilitate a more rapid return to sport, and reduce the risk of ACL reinjury.

We aimed to understand whether ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and dynamic knee valgus (DKV) kinematic inter-limb asymmetries would be associated with the Lateral Step-Down Test (LSD) in basketball players with chronic ankle instability (CAI), patellofemoral pain (PFP) and healthy controls (HC). An observational cross-sectional study with a between-subject design was employed. Female basketball athletes with CAI (n = 20), PFP (n = 20) and HC (n = 20) were recruited. Ankle dorsiflexion-ROM, DKV angle during a single-limb squat, and LSD quality were measured bilaterally. The Asymmetry index (ASI) was calculated to identify between-limb percentage imbalances. The correlation matrix between the tasks was calculated. Ankle dorsiflexion-ROM was less in the CAI and PFP than in the HC group regardless of limb (p < 0.001). DKV angle was greater in the CAI and PFP than in the HC group bilaterally (p < 0.001). LSDs were similar between the PFP and CAI groups (p = 0.698) but worse than the HC group (p = 0.001). The ASI showed asymmetry across all tasks (p < 0.001), with the greatest asymmetry for the DKV angle. The correlation matrix between tasks on both limbs was significant (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest significant asymmetries in ankle dorsiflexion-ROM and frontal plane knee control are present in female basketball athletes with CAI and PFP, and thus, highlights need to evaluate and reduce limb asymmetries in these populations.

We aimed to investigate whether composite Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test scores can predict musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in youth volleyball players. 131 national young volleyball players (Males: n = 100, age = 16.5 years, height = 1.787 m, mass = 68.32 kg; Females: n = 31, age = 13.83 years, height = 1.684 m, mass = 65.12 kg) participated in this prospective cohort study. The FMS screen was performed before starting the season. MSI and exposure data were collected during the season via each team’s certified athletic trainer. The mean FMS score and standard deviation for all volleyball players was 15.85 ± 3.31. A score of ≤ 14 was positive to predict MSI with specificity of 0.60 and sensitivity of 0.93. The odds ratio for (≤ 14/˃14) was 0.048. The relative risk for being injured was 3.46. Positive likelihood ratio was 2.34, and negative likelihood ratio was 0.11. The findings of this study demonstrated that an FMS score of ≤ 14 is an identifiable risk factor for injury in young volleyball players. The FMS can be used as a pre-season screening test to identify volleyball players who may be predisposed to sustaining MSI during the season ahead.

Context: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to identify whether Y-Balance Test (YBT) performance and asymmetry are associated with lower limb injury in elite adult football athletes. Design: A prospective cohort study. Methods: Preseason YBT measures were obtained from 121 male footballers participating in National League One across the 2021–2022 season. Lower limb injuries were tracked across the season to determine the relationship between YBT variables and injury incidence using logistic regression analysis. The statistical significance level was .05. Results: The average YBT score was 111.0 (5.8) cm on the left limb and 112.0 (5.5) cm on the right limb, with an average asymmetry of 2.3 (1.4) cm. Athletes with lower YBT scores on both the left (odds ratio = 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 4.8: P ≤ .001) and right (odds ratio = 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 3.2: P ≤ .001) limbs were at a greater risk of injury. Similarly, athletes with greater amounts of asymmetry were also more likely to get injured (odds ratio = 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 3.3: P = .002). Conclusions: Results indicate that lower and asymmetrical YBT scores have a significant relationship with future lower limb injuries in professional male footballers. The YBT offers a simple, reliable, and effective screening tool that can be used by practitioners in football to help identify players at a greater risk of injury before the season commences.