Procedures such as dry needling (DN) or percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) are commonly proposed for the treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTrP). The aim of the present study is to investigate if PENS is more effective than DN in the short term in subjects with mechanical neck pain. This was an evaluator-blinded randomized controlled trial. Subjects were recruited through announcements and randomly allocated into DN or PENS groups. Pain intensity, disability, pressure pain threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM), and side-bending strength were measured. The analyses included mixed-model analyses of variance and pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction. The final sample was composed of 44 subjects (22 per group). Both groups showed improvements in pain intensity (η_p² = 0.62; p < 0.01), disability (η_p² = 0.74; p < 0.01), PPT (η_p² = 0.79; p < 0.01), and strength (η_p² = 0.37; p < 0.01). The PENS group showed greater improvements in disability (mean difference, 3.27; 95% CI, 0.27–6.27) and PPT (mean difference, 0.88–1.35; p < 0.01). Mixed results were obtained for ROM. PENS seems to produce greater improvements in PPT and disability in the short term.

Background: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is considered a widespread musculoskeletal condition which affects the quality of life and is associated with scapular stabilizer dysfunction patterns. This study aimed to compare the morphological, functional, and strength-related characteristics of the lower trapezius muscle (such as muscle thickness at rest and during contraction, contraction-to-relaxation ratios, contraction and relaxation velocities, and force production) between individuals with CNP and asymptomatic controls. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprises 144 participants (78 with CNP and 76 controls) aged 18–30 years. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess muscle thickness, contraction and relaxation velocities, and contraction ratios. Muscle strength, including peak force and rate of force development, was evaluated using dynamometry. Participants with CNP were categorized by neck disability index (NDI) scores into mild, moderate, and severe groups. Results: Participants with CNP showed reduced contraction velocity (0.60 ± 0.24 cm/s vs. 0.81 ± 0.44 cm/s; p < 0.001; d = 0.61), lower relaxation velocity (0.48 ± 0.28 cm/s vs. 0.58 ± 0.32 cm/s; p = 0.038; d = 0.34), and decreased peak force (4.83 ± 3.27 kg vs. 6.00 ± 3.87 kg; p = 0.043; d = 0.33) compared to controls. Muscle thickness and contraction ratio differences were non-significant. Among CNP subgroups, the contraction ratio was lower in the severe disability group compared to the mild group (0.25 ± 0.19 vs. 0.53 ± 0.33; p = 0.015). Conclusions: The present study showed functional impairments of the lower trapezius muscle in individuals with CNP, particularly reduced contraction and relaxation velocities and lower peak force, with more pronounced deficits in those with severe disability. While no significant differences in muscle thickness were found, these findings suggest that functional alterations may precede structural changes.

Background/Objectives: Performance in track cycling depends on efficiently generating and applying force, with kinetic variables like force, torque, and power being critical. Although force-related qualities are more trainable for sprint power, research in track cycling is limited, especially in women, restricting equity and application. This study aimed to describe strength-related parameters and assessment methods in female track cyclists. Methods: A systematized review following PRISMA 2020 was conducted. Databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Dialnet, Scielo) were searched from 1 January 2016, to 16 April 2025. Inclusion criteria: primary studies on female track cyclists assessing kinetic strength variables. Exclusions: studies with Paralympic-classified disabilities or without sex-specific results. Data on power, force, torque, protocols, and participants were extracted; quality was assessed using the Downs and Black scale. Registered in INPLASY (INPLASY202550092). Results: From 6391 records, 3514 duplicates were removed, and 2877 were analyzed to eligibility criteria; 4 studies (n = 32 athletes) were included. All reported power; three reported torque (n = 25), one reported force (n = 6), and one reported rate of force development (n = 6). Assessments used cycle ergometers (n = 3), a bicycle with a potentiometer (n = 1), and a force platform (n = 1). Conclusions: Power and torque are the most studied kinetic variables in female track cycling. Evidence shows substantial methodological heterogeneity and a scarcity of studies in women, highlighting the need for standardized protocols and increased research in this population.