The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the short-term effects of resisted sprint and plyometric training on sprint performance together with lower limb physiological and functional performance in collegiate football players. Ninety collegiate football players participated in this three-arm, parallel group randomized controlled trial study. Participants were randomly divided into a control group and two experimental groups: resisted sprint training (RST) (n = 30), plyometric training (PT) (n = 30), and a control group (n = 30). Participants received their respective training program for six weeks on alternate days. The primary outcome measures were a knee extensor strength test (measured by an ISOMOVE dynamometer), a sprint test and a single leg triple hop test. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 6 weeks post-training. Participants, caregivers, and those assigning the outcomes were blinded to the group assignment. A mixed design analysis of variance was used to compare between groups, within-group and the interaction between time and group. A within-group analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) when compared to the baseline with the 6 weeks post-intervention scores for all the outcomes including STN (RST: d = 1.63; PT: d = 2.38; Control: d = 2.26), ST (RST: d = 1.21; PT: d = 1.36; Control: d = 0.38), and SLTHT (RST: d = 0.76; PT: d = 0.61; Control: d = 0.18). A sub-group analysis demonstrated an increase in strength in the plyometric training group (95% CI 14.73 to 15.09, p = 0.00), an increase in the single leg triple hop test in the resisted sprint training group (95% CI 516.41 to 538.4, p = 0.05), and the sprint test was also improved in both experimental groups (95% CI 8.54 to 8.82, p = 0.00). Our findings suggest that, during a short-term training period, RST or PT training are equally capable of enhancing the neuromechanical capacities of collegiate football players. No adverse events were reported by the participants.

Background: The shortening of the pectoralis minor muscle (PMi-M) and weakening of the lower trapezius muscle (LTr-M) affect scapular movement, resulting in the development of a rounded shoulder posture and reduction in the shoulder flexion range of motion (SFROM). Objective: This study evaluated the combined effect of LTr-M strengthening and PMi-M stretching on correcting the rounded shoulder postures and SFROM among young Saudi females. Methods: This study was based on a two-arm parallel-group repeated measures randomized comparative design. A total of sixty female participants with rounded shoulder postures were recruited and randomly allocated into groups 1 and 2 (n = 30/group). Each group performed supervised PMi-M stretching; however, group 2 performed a combination of LTr-M strengthening and PMi-M stretching. The outcomes, including rounded shoulder posture and SFROM, were assessed using the pectoralis minor length test (PMLT) and universal goniometer. A repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the differences within-group and between-group for the outcomes measures at one-week (baseline) pre-intervention, two weeks, and three -weeks post-intervention. The significance level was set at q > 2.00 and p < 0.05 for all respective statistical analyses. Results: The within-group comparison revealed significant improvements (q > 2.00) in the outcomes of PMLT and SFROM when comparing their post-intervention scores to the baseline scores. The between-group comparison revealed a significant and an insignificant (q < 2.00) difference in the outcomes of PMLT and SFROM, respectively when comparing their scores at the second- and third-week post-intervention. Furthermore, the effect size of the intervention suggests an advantage of group 2 over group 1 in increasing the resting length of the PMi-M only among young Saudi females. Conclusions: The combined effect of LTr-M strengthening and PMi-M stretching was more beneficial than PMi-M stretching alone in correcting the rounded shoulder posture among young Saudi females by increasing PMi-M resting length. However, it could not yield a differential improvement in the SFROM outcome among them.

Knee injuries represent a significant health concern for young male football players in Saudi Arabia. Despite global research on football-related injuries, there is a distinct lack of studies focusing on this demographic in the Saudi context. This research aims to fill this gap, offering insights into injury prevalence and risk factors, thereby contributing to athlete well-being and informing tailored interventions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of knee injuries among youth male football players in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on injury patterns, risk factors, and associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 104 male football players who represent five Saudi clubs and are aged 18.82 ± 0.68 years. Injury data, including severity, timing, and mechanisms, were collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of various factors on the likelihood of knee injuries. The study revealed that 37.5% of participants reported prior knee injuries, predominantly muscle injuries (61.5%) occurring during training. Ligamentous injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament injuries, were also notable (25.6%). Logistic regression analyses indicated that factors such as age, weight, height, body mass index, playing position, duration of playing football, and playing surface significantly influenced the odds of sustaining a knee injury. This study provides insights into the prevalence and patterns of knee injuries among youth male football players in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Muscle injuries are common. Factors such as age, weight, and playing position contribute to the risk of knee injuries. The findings underscore the need for targeted injury prevention strategies and player education programs.

Background: Numerous strategies and techniques are designed to treat disorders that cause body imbalance. These techniques, known as vestibular rehabilitation, focus on various exercises ranging from substitution, adaptation, habituation, and compensation. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in improving balance among patients with different disorders. Material and Methods: A search of research articles in 2021 was accomplished by exploring electronic databases such as Embase, PubMed, and Scopus. Following a systematic screening and searching of articles. Fourteen relevant articles were found that were included in the review. As per the eligibility criteria, all eligible research studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results: All the included studies revealed the positive effect of vestibular rehabilitation in improving balance, and other symptoms (fatigue, vertigo, ankle sway, falls, and disequilibrium) among patients with different conditions, except one study did not find any difference between vestibular rehabilitation and standard of care. Furthermore, the reported studies indicated the benefits of the vestibular rehabilitation programs tailored to the patient's needs and requirements compared with a single program that may not fit everyone. Conclusion: Vestibular rehabilitation protocols integrated with some technological techniques and home-based exercise programs can be considered safe and effective in improving balance among older adults suffering from different conditions affecting their balance. However, future studies with a relatively large sample size are required to assess the effectiveness of the same interventions in resource-poor settings before large-scale implementation.

Background and Objectives: Abdominal obesity significantly impacts postural control and fall risk, yet its specific association with stepping reaction time (SRT), a critical component of balance recovery, remains underexplored in obese individuals. This study investigated the relationship between abdominal circumference (AC) and SRT while considering gender and body mass index (BMI). Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study conducted at Majmaah University Virtual Reality Laboratory using advanced motion capture technology. In this cross-sectional study, 199 adults (104 males, 89 females) underwent AC measurement and SRT assessment using the Stability and Balance Learning Environment Apparatus (STABLE) with motion capture technology. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify associations between the variables. Results: The regression model for right SRT was statistically significant (F(8, 184) = 10.24, p < 0.001), explaining 30.8% of variance. Limits of stability with legs apart was negatively associated with right SRT (β = −0.144, p = 0.039), while left SRT was strongly associated (β = 0.451, p < 0.001). AC did not show any association with either right or left SRT. Males demonstrated significantly faster left SRT than females (b = −0.061, p = 0.048), and age was positively associated with left SRT (β = 0.203, p = 0.002). Conclusions: While AC shows correlation with overall obesity measures, it is not significantly associated with stepping reaction time when evaluated concurrently with balance performance and demographic factors. Limits of stability, age, and gender were more consistently associated with stepping reaction time. The cross-sectional design of this study precludes causal inference; longitudinal investigations are necessary to confirm these associations before implementing targeted fall prevention strategies.

Background/Objectives: Bariatric surgery has emerged as an effective intervention for severe obesity; however, post-operative dizziness remains poorly characterized in the literature. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dizziness, imbalance, and hearing problems following bariatric surgery and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at multiple centers in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, surgical details, and post-operative vestibular symptoms. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of dizziness. Results: The prevalence of post-operative dizziness was 77.3% (95% CI: 70.0–83.3%), imbalance was 38.0% (95% CI: 30.6–46.0%), and hearing problems were 10.7% (95% CI: 6.7–16.6%). Bivariate logistic regression identified weight loss was significantly associated with dizziness (OR = 1.063, 95% CI: 1.024–1.103, p = 0.001). In the multivariate model, each percentage point increase in weight loss was associated with a 6.1% increased dizziness (adjusted OR = 1.061, 95% CI: 1.017–1.107, p = 0.006). Dizziness was strongly associated with imbalance (chi-square = 14.325, p < 0.001) and falls (chi-square = 7.085, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Vestibular complications, particularly dizziness, are highly prevalent following bariatric surgery and demonstrate a significant dose–response relationship with the magnitude of weight loss. Enhanced awareness and systematic screening for dizziness in post-bariatric patients are warranted.