Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key marker of autonomic nervous system function and has been proposed as a tool for monitoring training adaptations. However, its relationship with performance beyond aerobic capacity remains unclear in football players. This study aimed to examine the associations between resting HRV and aerobic capacity, agility, neuromuscular coordination, sleep quality, and body awareness. Twenty-five male football players (mean age 20 ± 3 years) underwent HRV assessment via the Polar H10 system. Performance tests included the 20 m Shuttle Test (VO2max), Illinois Agility Test, Hexagon Test (neuromuscular coordination), and Vertical Jump Tests (muscular strength). Sleep quality and body awareness were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Body Awareness Questionnaire. HRV Score was positively correlated with VO2max (r = 0.4, p = 0.04), while LF/HF ratio showed a negative correlation with shuttle test distance (rs=-0.52, p = 0.007). Mean RR correlated with neuromuscular coordination (r = 0.56, p = 0.004), sleep quality (r = 0.45, p = 0.024), and body awareness (rs = 0.46, p = 0.019). No significant correlations were found with muscular strength. Resting HRV is associated with key performance indicators in football players, supporting its potential use in monitoring physiological readiness and training adaptations. Future research should establish reference values and evaluate HRV-based interventions for performance enhancement.

Alt ekstremite yaralanması geçiren sporcular rehabilitasyonun tamamlanmasından sonra spora dönüş aşamasında; denge, propriyosepsiyon, kas gücü ve nöromüsküler kontrolde önemli eksiklikler sergilemektedir. Özellikle de denge bozukluğunun varlığı, spora dönüş aşamasında sporcuların alt ekstremite yaralanma riskini arttırmaktadır. Bu sistematik derlemenin amacı: alt ekstremite yaralanmaları sonrası kullanılan denge testlerini değerlendirerek mevcut kanıtların özetini sunmaktır. İnceleme, üç veritabanını kapsayan bir literatür taraması ile PRISMA yönergelerine göre yapıldı. Çalışmaların metodolojik kalitesi, NIH Study Quality Assessment Tools kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Çalışmada alt ekstremite yaralanma öyküsü olan ve olmayan yaş ortalaması 20,03±2,88 yıl, 1515’i kadın toplam 1575 sporcudan oluşan 8 çalışmanın tam metni incelendi. Tüm çalışmalar Study Quality Assessment Tools’a göre metodolojik olarak sınıflandırıldı. Dahil edilen çalışmadaki sporcuların diz ve ayak bileği eklemini içeren yaralanma öykülerinin olduğu belirlendi. Sporcuların denge değerlendirilmesinde Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)’ nin daha çok tercih edildiği görüldü. Bu derlemeye alt eksremite yaralanması sonrasında spora dönüş için yapılan, dört adet SEBT, bir adet The Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test, bir adet Dynamic Postural Stability Index bir adet Single-leg stance postural stability ve bir adet de COP ile sporcuların dengelerini değerlendiren çalışma dahil edildi. Alt ekstremite yaralanması olan sporcuların spora dönüş için gerekli denge kriterleri açısından literatürde kesin bilgi bulunmadığı tespit edildi. Sonuç olarak denge kriterinin alt ekstremite yaralanması sonrasında spora dönüşte yapılan sporun, yaralanmanın zamanının, değerlendirmenin şeklinin, daha önceden yaralanma öyküsünün olup olmadığına bağlı olarak değiştiğini tespit ettik.

Objective: To investigate the effect of protrusion amount on pain, lumbar mobility, physical dysfunction, and the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: 54 male patients aged 20 to 50 years were included in this study in 2 groups. The control group (n = 18) consisted of patients with disc herniation without nerve root compression, and the study group (n = 36) consisted of patients with lumbar disc herniation and nerve root compression in 3 subgroups according to the amount of protrusion. The multifidus muscle cross-sectional area and the amount of protrusion were measured using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Pain Scale, physical dysfunction was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index, flexion-extension was measured with TiltMeter, and trunk rotation was measured with smartphone applications called iPhone Compass. Results: There were no differences in pain levels (P > .05), mean trunk rotation movements of the affected and unaffected sides (P = .001, P = .001, P = .983, and P = .954, respectively), Oswestry Disability Index results (P = .967), or cross-sectional area sizes of the multifidus muscle (P = .866, P = .552, P = .787, respectively). There was a difference between the groups in terms of the mean trunk flexion and extension movement values (P = .001). The regression analysis indicated that there was no significant correlation between the binary variables, and the models exhibited a low explanatory rate for the dependent variable. Conclusion: A relationship has been identified between lumbar disc herniation and low back pain, lumbar movement limitation, and physical functionality. Nevertheless, subsequent to the regression analysis, it became evident that the binary variables did not exhibit a noteworthy relationship, leading to a decrease in the explanatory capacity of the models for the dependent variable. In forthcoming studies, it is advisable to contemplate the augmentation of the subject pool or the incorporation of multiple independent variables into the regression analysis as potential strategies to enhance the model capability in elucidating variations in the dependent variable.

Background/Objectives: Migraine is a complex neurological disorder often associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fascia exercises on migraine symptoms and explore their potential as a novel conservative treatment approach. Methods: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 migraine patients who were randomly assigned to a treatment group (fascia exercises) or a control group (conventional physiotherapy). Both groups underwent a six-week intervention consisting of two sessions per week. Pain intensity, migraine-related disability, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, heart rate variability (HRV), and patient satisfaction were assessed before and after the intervention using validated scales. Results: Significant improvements in pain intensity, attack frequency and duration, migraine-related disability, sleep quality, and anxiety levels were observed in both groups (p < 0.05). However, the treatment group demonstrated a more pronounced reduction in depression scores compared to the control group (p < 0.05). While no significant changes in HRV parameters were detected in either group, patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the treatment group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Fascia exercises represent a promising complementary therapy for migraine management, offering significant improvements in both physical and psychological symptoms. While immediate effects on HRV were not evident, the potential to modulate autonomic balance and address migraine pathophysiology warrants further exploration. These findings highlight the value of fascia exercises as a low-cost, non-invasive approach, emphasizing the need for further research to confirm their long-term clinical benefits and integration into migraine treatment protocols.

Background: The integration of AI in healthcare, particularly in clinical decision-making, has shown promising results. This study focuses on evaluating the performance of GPT-4 and GPT-3.5, two advanced AI models, in the context of spinal neurosurgery and physiotherapy, areas that require precise and dynamic decision-making. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study with 64 participants, including neurosurgeons and physiotherapists, who evaluated AI-generated responses for 10 detailed clinical scenarios. The assessment criteria included diagnostic accuracy, treatment suitability, surgical technique detail, and rehabilitation planning. Each scenario was meticulously crafted to reflect common yet complex clinical situations. Results: The study revealed that the GPT-4 consistently outperformed the GPT-3.5 across all the evaluated criteria, with the most significant differences observed in treatment suitability and rehabilitation planning. Statistical analyses, including paired t tests and ANOVA, confirmed the superiority of the GPT-4, highlighting its advanced language processing capabilities and broader medical knowledge base. Reliability analyses further supported these findings. Cronbach’s alpha values indicated moderate internal consistency for GPT-4 (α = 0.344) and lower consistency for GPT-3.5 (α = 0.133). Additionally, Cohen’s Kappa values demonstrated moderate agreement for GPT-4 (κ = 0.65) and fair agreement for GPT-3.5 (κ = 0.48), further validating the reliability of the participants’ evaluations. Conclusions: While the GPT-4 has significant potential as a clinical decision support tool, especially in complex and multidisciplinary fields such as spinal neurosurgery and physiotherapy, its recommendations should be carefully integrated with clinical expertise. Further research is essential to enhance its application and ensure that AI can effectively support dynamic medical environments.

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı fizyoterapi ve rehabilitasyon bölümü öğrencilerinin e-Sağlık okuryazarlığı (eSOY) düzeylerinin araştırılması ve yaşam kalitesi ile ilişkisinin incelenmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Mart-Haziran 2021 tarihleri arasında yürütülen kesitsel araştırmaya 18-27 yaşları arasında, 146’sı kadın (%87,42 ve 21'i (%12,57) erkek toplam 167 öğrenciye online anket formu gönderilerek veriler toplandı. e- SOY düzeyi e-SOY Ölçeği ile yaşam kalitesi ise yaşam kalitesi anketinin 12 maddelik versiyonu (SF-12) ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların 146’sı kadın (%87,40) ve 21'i (%12,60) erkek öğrenci idi ve yaşları 18-27 arasındaydı. e-SOY ölçeği ortanca değeri 30 puan idi ve bu sonuç ‘nispeten yüksek’ şeklinde yorumlandı. Öğrencilerin eSOY düzeyleri cinsiyet, sınıf, kendisinde ve ailesinde kronik hastalık olup olmama durumu açısından anlamlı bir farklılık göstermedi(p>0,05). Çalışmada e-SOY ile SF-12 fiziksel bileşen puanı arasında düşük düzeyde, pozitif ve anlamlı korelasyon bulunurken (rho:0,307, p0,05). Sonuç: Öğrencilerin e-SOY düzeyinin nispeten yüksek olduğu ve yaşam kalitesi ile ilişkili olduğu görüldü. eSOY düzeyi nispeten yüksek görünse de öğrencilerin özellikle sağlık alanında eğitim aldığı düşünüldüğünde bu düzeyin geliştirilmesinin yaşam kalitesindeki iyileşme ile ilişkili olabileceği düşünülmektedir.