Background: ‪‪The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the Sit-and-Reach (SR) test and the height, the leg length, and the trunk length of the male and female adolescent athletes, and to obtain relative SR test results using these anthropometric values. Material and methods: ‪‪Fifty-six adolescent athletes were included in the study. The athletes’ trunk, hip, and hamstring flexibility were evaluated with the SR test (traditional). The height-relative SR, leg length-relative SR and trunk length-relative SR test values were calculated by proportioning each data with the SR test values. Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis were used according to the distribution status. Statistical significance was taken as p<0.05. Results: There was a very strong positive correlation between the traditional SR and all relative SR in female and male athletes (r:0.991/0.996; p<0.05). Traditional values of SR flexibility were similar between genders; however, relative SR according to the height, the trunk length, and the leg length were found to be higher in female athletes. Conclusions: ‪We think that the height-relative SR, leg length-relative SR and trunk length-relative SR values will give more accurate results in comparing trunk, hip, and hamstring flexibility. Therefore, we suggest that flexibility should be evaluated with relative SR tests, and its practical use should be increased.

Although skinfold-derived equations seem to be practical for field application in estimating body fat percentage (BF%) and minimum body mass in Olympic wrestlers, prediction equations applied first need to be cross-validated in Olympic wrestlers to define the best prediction equation. This study aimed to evaluate the most accurate field method to predict BF% in Olympic wrestlers compared to BF% estimated by air displacement plethysmography (ADP). Sixty-one male (body mass 72.4 ± 13.5 kg; height 170.3 ± 7.0 cm; body mass index (BMI) 24.9 ± 3.5 kg.m⁻²; BF% 8.5 ± 4.9%) and twenty-five female wrestlers (body mass 60.3 ± 9.9 kg; height 161.3 ± 7.1 cm; BMI 23.1 ± 2.5 kg.m⁻²; BF% 18.7 ± 4.7%) undertook body composition assessments including ADP and nine-site skinfold measurements. Correlations, bias, limits of agreement, and standardized differences between alterations in BF% measured by ADP and other prediction equations were evaluated to validate measures, and multiple regression analyses to develop an Olympic wrestlers-specific prediction formula. The Stewart and Hannan equation for male wrestlers and the Durnin and Womersley equation for female wrestlers provided the most accurate BF% compared to the measured BF% by ADP, with the lowest bias and presented no significant differences between the measured and predicted BF%. A new prediction equation was developed using only abdominal skinfold and sex as variables, predicting 83.2% of the variance. The findings suggest the use of the new wrestler-specific prediction equation proposed in the study as a valid and accurate alternative to ADP to quantify BF% among Olympic wrestlers.

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.

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.