This study aimed to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a well-used and a less-used IsoMed-2000 dynamometer for knee flexion and extension peak torque (PT) measurements in a concentric test in athletes. Two IsoMed-2000 isokinetic dynamometers were used, an old one that was well-used and a new one that was less-used. Thirty-seven weight-lifting athletes (12 female, 25 male) were included in this study. Both legs of each athlete were tested twice on each isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s and 180°/s. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Standard Error Measurement (SEM), Smallest Detectable Change (SDC), SDC% and 95% limits of agreement were calculated to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a well-used and a less-used IsoMed 2000 dynamometer for knee flexion and extension peak torque in athletes. Intra-rater reliability was moderate to excellent (ICCs: 0.516–0.928) for knee muscle strength parameters, and the highest SDC and SEM values were 0.76 N/kg and 0.28 N/kg, respectively. Inter-rater reliability was moderate to excellent (ICCs: 0.519–915) for knee muscle strength parameters, and the highest SDC and SEM values were 0.81 N/kg and 0.29 N/kg, respectively. At least 89.2% of the obtained values of parameters fell within the 95% limits of agreement. Our findings demonstrate the intra and inter-rater reliability of a Well-Used and a Less-Used IsoMed 2000 Dynamometer for Knee Flexion and Extension Peak Torque in Athletes.

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.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between trunk muscle endurance and upper extremity performance in healthy adult individuals. Materials and Methods: A total of 139 healthy individuals aged between 18-59 were recruited for the study. The McGill Trunk Muscle Endurance Tests, Upper Limb Rotation Test, Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test, and Upper Extremity Y-Balance Test were evaluated to investigate the correlation between trunk muscle endurance and upper extremity performance. Results: A same-directional and low-level relationship was found between upper extremity rotation test scores and extensor endurance and flexor endurance test scores [r_s=0.382; r_s=0.329; r_s=0.244; r_s=0.243; (p<0.001)]. A same-directional and moderate relationship was found between upper extremity rotation test scores and flexor endurance, right and left lateral endurance scores [r_s=0.446; r_s=0.453; r_s=0.460; r_s=0.476; (p<0.001)]. A direct low level relationship was found between closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test score and trunk endurance test scores [r_s=0.265; r_s=0.208; r_s=0.319; r_s=0.359; (p<0.001)]. Also, a same-directional and low-level relationship was found between upper extremity Y-balance test scores and extensor and flexor endurance test scores [r_s=0.275; r_s=0.232; r_s=0.274; r_s=0.361; (p<0.001)]. A same-directional and moderate relationship was found between upper extremity Y-balance test scores and right and left lateral endurance test scores [r_s=0.460; r_s=0.432; r_s=0.503; r_s=0.455; (p<0.001)]. Conclusions: The results indicate that as trunk muscle endurance improved in healthy adults, there is a linear increase in upper extremity performance. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of the kinetic chain in movements and the significant relationship between upper extremity and trunk stability. Therefore, this study suggests that to enhance individuals’ upper extremity performance, trunk muscle endurance exercises should take place in training programmes.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the acute effects of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (r-ESWT) and focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (f-ESWT) on pain, muscle strength, and function in patients with lateral epicondylitis (LE). Patients and methods: Fifty-six patients (31 males, 25 females; mean age: 44.6±8.4 years; range, 19 to 60 years) who were diagnosed with LE participated in the randomized study between August 2023 and October 2023. The patients were stratified by pain level to have four r-ESWT or f-ESWT treatments once a week. Patients were evaluated on the first day of treatment and one week after the last treatment. The outcome measures used were the Visual Analog Scale for pain, isokinetic dynamometer for wrist muscle strength measurement, the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) score for functional status, and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for health-related quality of life. Results: After the treatment, the pain at rest and during activity decreased in both groups (p=0.018, p=0.001, p=0.003, and p<0.001). Nocturnal pain was found to be lower in the f-ESWT group (p=0.028). The isokinetic muscle strength of the wrist extensors was higher in the r-ESWT group compared to the f-ESWT group (p=0.002 and p=0.017). The DASH performance score of the r-ESWT group was higher compared to the f-ESWT group (p=0.009). Both groups showed improvements in SF-36 scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both groups showed a decrease in pain levels, but the effects were superior in the f-ESWT group. However, r-ESWT was found to present better results in terms of its effect on isokinetic muscle strength. While f-ESWT may be more effective in reducing pain, r-ESWT may be more effective in increasing muscle strength.