Introduction: The objective of this review is to know the existing scientific evidence about the effects of mechanical ventilation (MV) on neurological development in low-birth-weight premature pediatric patients after 12 months of life, taking as background the direct impact that ventilation has on the central nervous system in the newborn during the first days of life.Methods: A systematic search was carried out between 2003 and 2024 in the data bases of: PUBMED, Cochrane Library Plus, PEDro, CINAHL, and SciELO, and two investigators scored the articles according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Assessment scale.Results: Were found 129 non-replicated articles, and 10 cohort and cross-sectional studies were selected that performed an assessment of neurodevelopment in the three spheres after 12 months of life in corrected age of premature infants exposed to ventilator support and related the two variables independently.Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation is an independent neurodevelopmental risk factor in low-birth-weight preterm infants. The time of exposure and the type of ventilation were the variables with the most scientific evidence.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, Identifier CRD42023446797.

Introduction: Neural mobilization (NM) is a physiotherapy technique involving the passive mobilization of limb nerve structures with the aim to attempt to restore normal movement and structural properties. In recent years, human studies have shown pain relief in various neuropathic diseases and other pathologies as a result of this technique. Improvement in the range of motion (ROM), muscle strength and endurance, limb function, and postural control were considered beneficial effects of NM. To determine which systems generate these effects, it is necessary to conduct studies using animal models. The objective of this study was to gather information on the physiological effects of NM on the peripheral and central nervous systems (PNS and CNS) in animal models.Methods: The search was performed in Medline, Pubmed and Web of Science and included 8 studies according to the inclusion criteria.Results: The physiological effects found in the nervous system included the analgesic, particularly the endogenous opioid pathway, the inflammatory, by modulation of cytokines, and the immune system.Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we can conclude that NM physiologically modifies the peripheral and central nervous systems in animal models.

The prevention and management of injuries in runners is a key area of research in sports medicine. Fatigue during running can lead to biomechanical imbalances and inhibition of stabilizing muscles, increasing the risk of injury. With the ankle being the most commonly injured joint in runners, rigid tape (RT) and Kinesiotape (KT) have been proposed as effective methods to improve joint stability and reduce injury risk. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a KT and RT and no tape (control group) on lower limb balance, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, and electromyographic (EMG) activation of the pronator and supinator muscles of the ankle during a Single Leg Drop Jump (SLDJ) following a treadmill fatigue protocol. From March 1^st until April 10^th, 2024, a cross-over clinical trial with three conditions: control group, with a RT, and with KT was conducted with n = 22 well-trained runners aged 29.29 ± 10.98 years. Lower limb stability, ankle dorsiflexion mobility, SLDJ parameters, and electromyographic activation of the ankle muscles (tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), peroneus longus (PL), and medial gastrocnemius (MG)) during a SLDJ were analyzed Pre and Post fatigue protocol, involving a 30-minute run at 85% of the maximal aerobic speed on a treadmill. Statistical analysis was conducted using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. The RT bandage decreased ankle dorsiflexion ROM compared to both KT bandage and a control group during pre fatigue treadmill protocol measurements in the lunge and Y Balance Tests (specifically in the anterior direction). Group-by-time interaction showed significant differences for the lunge test (p = 0.045), SLDJ height (p = 0.014), flight time (p = 0.019) and ground contact time (p = 0.035). With the RT condition, the runners exhibited higher peak activation of the EDL muscle compared to the KT and control group during initial landing (p = 0.028), with a lesser decay in activation during take-off (p = 0.016). The KT showed a significant increase in the activation of the PL muscle during the first contact phase of the SLDJ (p = 0.046). Concerning flight and contact time during the SLDJ, both KT and RT proved beneficial in mitigating fatigue symptoms before and after the treadmill protocol. Regarding the RT bandage’s specific effects on muscle activation, our findings indicate that the RT group exhibited higher peak activation of the EDL muscle compared to the KT and control groups during initial landing, with a lesser decay in activation during take-off. The KT showed a significant increase in the activation of the PL muscle during the first contact phase of the SLDJ. To conclude, our study highlights the potential benefits of both KT and RT in reducing fatigue symptoms during SLDJ. The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000099527) on February 2^nd, 2024 (https://anzctr.org.au/).

Blood flow restriction (BFR) is an innovative technique widely utilized in sports and rehabilitation for enhancing muscle strength and hypertrophy with low-load exercises. A critical factor for its efficacy and safety is determining the appropriate limb occlusion pressure (LOP). This study aimed to develop predictive formulas for estimating LOP in the upper and lower limbs based on anthropometric and hemodynamic variables, enabling a standardized and personalized approach to BFR application. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 39 healthy participants aged 18-40 years. Variables such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, limb circumferences, and BMI were analyzed. LOP was measured by two independent raters using Doppler ultrasound, and multiple linear regression models were developed for each limb. Results showed that systolic blood pressure and limb circumferences were key predictors for LOP in both upper and lower limbs, explaining 39.5 % and 40.9 % of the variance, respectively. BMI was not a significant predictor in either model. High intra- and inter-rater reliability of LOP measurements was demonstrated, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of 0.99 for intra-rater and 0.98 for inter-rater reliability, indicating excellent agreement. The standard error of measurement (SEM), ranged from 1.08 to 4.10 mmHg across measures, while the minimum detectable change (MDC), ranged from 2.99 to 11.37 mmHg. The findings provide a reliable framework for personalizing BFR protocols, improving safety and efficacy while reducing variability in clinical and sports settings. Future research should validate these formulas in diverse populations and explore their application during exercise.

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training has gained growing attention in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Effects of resistance training with and without BFR on lower-limb muscle activation were analyzed in a crossover study including 8 subjects (27.5 ± 4.8 years) engaged in regular CrossFit^® training. Two 48 h-separated sessions (high bar back squat), with BFR (80% of individualized arterial occlusion pressure) and without BFR, were performed in a randomized order. Muscle activation (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis (VM), gluteus maximus (GM) and biceps femoris) was electromyographically recorded. The average electromyographic activity of the first four repetitions of the first set (T1), and the last four of the final set (T2) were considered, and intra- and inter-group comparisons were calculated. Pain (VAS) and fatigue (Borg scale) were recorded. Significant differences between BFR and non-BFR conditions were observed only for T1 peak BF activation values. Within the BFR experiments, no significant differences in EMG activation were detected between T1 and T2. In contrast, within the non-BFR experiments, T1 values were statistically significant higher (vs. T2) for mean VL, mean VM, peak VM, mean GM and peak GM. Median pain perception was 3.5 (0.75–6.75) and 4.0 (1.25–6.0), and fatigue perception was 8.0 (7.0–8.0) and 7.0 (7.0–8.0), respectively, with and without BFR. In this exploratory study, BFR maintained EMG activation (VM and GM) and suggests a strategy to minimize mechanical load while preserving muscle activation.

Background: Shoulder injuries are highly prevalent in overhead sports such as water polo due to repetitive high-intensity throwing demands. While structural pathologies have been widely studied, there is a lack of evidence regarding the role of myofascial dysfunction in this athletic population. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study aims to analyze the relationship between myofascial dysfunction in the shoulder musculature and self-perceived functional capacity in competitive water polo players. Design: Observational cohort Methods: Male water polo players from youth and senior categories of two clubs in Madrid (Spain) were recruited for participation in this study. A clinical evaluation of myofascial dysfunction was performed through manual assessment of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) using a composite score (0–6) based on the presence of six diagnostic criteria and completion of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow Score questionnaire were performed. Spearman correlation analysis and hierarchical multiple regression were performed to examine the association between MTrPs and shoulder function. Results: A total of 33 water polo players aged 18.30 ± 2.82 years were included. Significant moderate negative correlations were found between myofascial trigger point scores and the KJOC score for the infraspinatus (r = -0.413, p = 0.017), subscapularis (r = -0.377, p = 0.030), and anterior (r = -0.580, p < 0.001), middle (r = -0.480, p = 0.005), and posterior deltoid (r = -0.534, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that myofascial dysfunction significantly negatively impacts shoulder function and performance in water polo athletes. Level of Evidence: Level 3