To investigate the relationship between predicted risk of injury based on the dichotomous classification of the weight-bearing lunge (WBL) test scores and variables related to jumping and sprinting ability in young athletes. Furthermore, to compare the impact of the classical dichotomous classification versus a more specific quartile subdivision of the WBL test scores on the explored variables. Cross-sectional study. 125 healthy athletes (mean age 10.38 (SD = 2.28) years) were recruited. Ankle dorsiflexion was evaluated with the WBL test, jumping distance with the standing long jump (SLJ) test, and maximal running speed with the 14-m and 28-m sprint test. Athletes with WBL test scores lower than 10 cm exhibited significantly poorer results for the SLJ test as well as lower 14-m and 28-m sprint times than those with WBL test scores higher than 10 cm (p < 0.05). Likewise, when WBL test scores were subdivided by quartiles, a positive trend between range of motion and improved performance was shown. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion mobility may affect sprinting and jumping ability in young athletes. In addition, a more detailed classification of ankle restriction by quartiles is proposed in this study in order to prevent injury and enhance athletic performance.

Background and Objectives: While suspension training devices are increasingly gaining popularity, there is limited evidence on their effects on balance, and no comprehensive assessment has been conducted. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 9-session suspension training program on dynamic and static balance, stability, and functional performance. Materials and Methods: A total of forty-eight healthy adults, aged between 18 and 30, participated in a 9-session suspension training program. The program included exercises targeting upper and lower body muscles as well as core muscles. Balance was comprehensively assessed using various dynamic balance tests, including the Y Balance Test (YBT) as the primary outcome, single-leg Emery test, and sideways jumping test. Static balance was evaluated through the monopedal and bipedal Romberg tests. Changes from baseline were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test. Results: Thirty-nine participants (mean age: 21.8 years) completed the intervention. The intervention resulted in significant improvements in YBT, jumping sideways, Emery, and 30s-SST scores (p < 0.001). Platform measures indicated enhanced monopedal stability (p < 0.001) but did not show a significant effect on bipedal stability (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Suspension training is a safe and feasible method for improving dynamic balance and functional performance in healthy, untrained young adults. However, it does not appear to significantly impact the ability to maintain a static posture while standing.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of vertical jump inter-limb asymmetries among young highly-trained basketball athletes and to analyze its impact on sport performance, specifically in sprints, agility, and vertical jumps. Materials and Methods: A unilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) was employed to determine Inter-limb Index Asymmetry (IAI) in 320 participants aged from 14 to 18 years, from the Valencia Basket youth academy. IAI was categorized into three groups: 0–9.9%, 10–14.9%, and >15%. The relationship between IAI and performance variables was analyzed through correlation studies (Pearson or Spearman’s). The influence of IAI magnitude was assessed using ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis analysis, with leg dominance as a covariable. SPSS Statistics version 26 was used for analysis. Results: Among all the participants, the mean IAI was 10.6%. Correlation studies revealed non-significant values (p < 0.05) between IAI and sport performance variables. The three IAI magnitude groups did not show statistically significant differences in sprint, agility, and jump outcomes. Leg dominance did not seem to influence performance outcomes, except for unilateral CMJ. Conclusions: The results obtained challenge the assumption that an IAI above 10% negatively affects sprint, agility, or jump performance in young basketball athletes. Notably, the magnitude of IAI did not influence sport performance parameters, suggesting that the 10–15% threshold from previous studies may not be applicable to this population. The study emphasizes the need to understand lower-limb asymmetries in the context of specific sport task performance, considering the potential evolution over time among affected young athletes.

Background: Prostate and colorectum cancers rank among the most common cancers, and incontinence is a significant postsurgical issue affecting the physical and psychological well-being of cancer survivors. Social media, particularly YouTube, has emerged as a vital source of health information. While YouTube offers valuable content, users must exercise caution due to potential misinformation. Objective: This study aims to assess the quality of publicly available YouTube videos related to incontinence after pelvic cancer surgery. Methods: A search on YouTube related to “Incontinence after cancer surgery” was performed, and 108 videos were analyzed. Multiple quality assessment tools (DISCERN, GQS, JAMA, PEMAT, and MQ-VET) and statistical analyses (descriptive statistics and intercorrelation tests) were used to evaluate the characteristics and popularity, educational value, quality, and reliability of these videos, relying on novel graphical representation techniques such as Sankey and Chord diagrams. Results: Strong positive correlations were found among quality rating scales, emphasizing agreement. The performed graphical analysis reinforced the reliability and validity of quality assessments. Conclusions: This study found strong correlations among five quality scales, suggesting their effectiveness in assessing health information quality. The evaluation of YouTube videos consistently revealed “high” quality content. Considering the source is mandatory when assessing quality, healthcare and academic institutions are reliable sources. Caution is advised with ad-containing videos. Future research should focus on policy improvements and tools to aid patients in finding high-quality health content.

This research aims to evaluate whether a basketball-specific warm-up (Basket-Up) provides immediate benefits in terms of the essential physical performance requirements of basketball and to compare these effects to those obtained from FIFA 11+. In total, 95 highly trained basketball athletes (49 women, 46 men), aged between 13 and 17, were randomly divided to either perform the FIFA 11+ program (n = 48) or the Basket-Up program (n = 47). Immediate evaluation encompassed the assessment of vertical jump (countermovement jump), agility (Lane Agility Test), and 20 m sprint. A two-way mixed analysis of variance was conducted with time (preintervention and postintervention), sex (men and women), and training group (FIFA 11+ and Basket-Up) as the within- and between-participant factors, respectively. Agility (p < 0.001, F = 66.759) and jumping (p < 0.001, F = 78.062) outcomes exhibited significant differences between pre- and postintervention values in both groups. Basket-Up agility values were significantly higher than those from FIFA 11+ (p = 0.001, F = 12.998). The implementation of a specific basketball warm-up program (Basket-Up) appears to be both safe and effective in enhancing immediate athletic performance among highly trained young basketball athletes. Moreover, the effects of this program are comparable to those obtained by a nonspecific basketball warm-up (FIFA 11+) in terms of sprint and jumping performance but demonstrate superiority in agility outcomes, favoring the Basket-Up program.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze social inequalities in the use and access of physiotherapy service and its clinical and socio-economic determinants in women diagnosed with breast cancer in the hospital network of Barcelona. Methods: Data from 2235 women belonging to the mixed (prospective and retrospective) DAMA Cohort were analyzed, including demographic, socio-economic, clinical, and breast cancer treatment outcomes. To determine the influence of such variables on access to physiotherapy, different Poisson regression models with robust variance (obtaining Prevalence Ratios and confidence intervals) were estimated. Results: Although when experiencing different chronic and acute symptoms, only between 20 and 35% of women visited physiotherapist. Two out of 3 women reported to have received insufficient information about medical care and rehabilitation. Age of women, job occupation, education level, having a mutual or private insurance, as well as outcomes related to breast cancer, appear to be factors influencing the access to physiotherapy. Conclusions: Social and economic inequalities exist on the access to physiotherapy by women diagnosed with breast cancer, which is generally low, and may clearly impact on their functional recovery. Promoting strategies to reduce social bias, as well as improve communication and patient information regarding physiotherapy may be of interest for a better health care in breast cancer diagnosed women.