This study compared the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (r-ESWT) with ultrasound (US) therapy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF). Level II, randomized controlled study. A total of 54 female patients with unilateral PF were randomly assigned to two study groups and one control group. All groups performed home exercises. In addition, the first study group received three sessions of r-ESWT treatment and the second study group received seven sessions of US treatment. The Foot Function Index (FFI) and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) hind foot score were determined. Static and dynamic equilibrium were evaluated with the single leg standing test and the functional reach test. Ankle proprioception sense was determined with the Biodex III isokinetic device. Patients were evaluated before and four weeks after the first treatment. According to the evaluation results, there was a decrease in FFI values in all groups and these decreases were more prominent in the US group than the other groups (P < 0.05). It was observed that the hind foot AOFAS scores increased in all groups, but this increase was less in the control group (P < 0.05). Static and dynamic balance increased in all groups (P < 0.05). Ankle proprioception sense increased only in the r-ESWT group (P <0.05). All groups and particularly the r-ESWT and US groups’ symptoms were decreased after treatment. However; FFI parameters were reduced more in the US groups than the other two groups, the ankle proprioception sense increased in the r-ESWT group, and there was no change in the other groups.

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between athletic performance and physiological characteristics in wheelchair basketball (WB) athletes with different classification scores. Methods: Twenty-six (24 male and 2 female) WB athletes were involved into the study. The participants were divided into two functional categories (Category A:1.0–2.5 points, category B: 3.0–4.5 points) according to the IWBF rules. Shoulder internal (IR) and external rotation (ER) muscle strengths were evaluated with the ISOMED 2000® isokinetic dynamometer. Handgrip strength was evaluated with hydraulic hand dynamometer. Custom ramp protocol on treadmill was employed to measure aerobic capacity. Anaerobic capacity was evaluated with Wingate anaerobic power test in standard laboratory conditions. The athletic performance was assessed by 20 m Sprint test, Slalom Test, and Zone Shot tests. Results: Category B athletes achieved significantly better results in the measurements of shoulder IR and ER muscle strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and athletic performance while the grip strength was found similar in the categories. There was a significant correlation between the athletic performance and shoulder IR and ER muscle strength, and aerobic and anaerobic capacities in two categories. There was no significant relationship between grip strength and athletic performance parameters in two categories. Conclusion: It was concluded that athletic performance in WB athletes with different classification scores is related to upper extremity muscle strength, aerobic, and anaerobic capacity. Additionally, upper limb muscle strength, athletic performance, aerobic and anaerobic capacity assessments to be made will contribute positively to the planning of individual training and exercise programs.

This study was conducted to compare the acute effects of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (r-ESWT), ultrasound (US) therapy and home exercise therapy on pain, fatigue, performance and walking distance in women with plantar fasciitis (PF). Fifty-four female patients diagnosed with PF participated in the study. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups as r-ESWT and home exercise groups, US and home exercise groups, and only home exercise groups. Patients' pain and fatigue levels were assessed by using a visual analog scale. Also walking distances, walking speed and plantar flexor muscles performance were assessed. Patients' pain at night before bedtime and leg fatigue after the 6-min walking test decreased in the US therapy group in comparison to the other two groups (P0.05). However, all three groups' complaints decreased after treatment. Our study results illustrated that r-ESWT, US, and home exercise therapy have acute effects on the PF treatment and when there is no possibility of practising any treatment to patients, home exercises such as r-ESWT, US treatment are effective therapies for decreasing pain and fatigue levels and improving performance and walking distance.

The objective of this study was to reveal characteristics of muscle strength of upper extremities of wheelchair (WC) basketball players and to ensure more-specific training program preparation. Isokinetic muscle strength of 12 WC basketball players were assessed by ISOMED 2000 device. The assessment protocol was evaluated at 60°/sec velocity with 5 times repeated force and at 240°/sec with 15 times repeated force. This protocol was carried out individually for shoulder flexion-extension and wrist flexion-extension movements at the right and left extremities. The flexion/extension ratio was determined to be outside of the ratios accepted as normal for primarily shoulder joint and for wrist joint. The extension movement was stronger than flexion movement in the shoulders at both velocities and the flexion movement was stronger than ex-tension movement in the wrist. The repeat times where the peak torque occurred were 2-3 repeats at 60°/sec velocity during flexion and extension movements for the wrist and shoulders, and the peak torque occurred at an average of 5-6 repeats in the shoulders at 240°/sec velocity and it occurred at 3-4 repeats in the wrist. The angles where the peak torque of the shoulder flexion and extension occurred varied between 80°-115° at both velocities, and it varied between 5°-30° angles for the wrist. As this study revealed, determination of muscle strength characteristics of WC athletes and especially using objective isokinetic devices will guide the planning of the appropriate training and exercise programs and preventing sports injuries in long term.

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between peripheral muscle strength, respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength in athletes. The study included a total of 150 elite athletes (judo, rowing, gymnastics) (age, 16.94 ± 2.37 years; length, 167.70 ± 12.23 cm; body weight, 62.87± 17.33 kg; body mass index, 21.95± 2.92 kg/m 2). Isomed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess peripheral muscle strength. The strength of the dominant side knee flexor and extensor muscles was evaluated at 60°/sec and 180°/sec. At the end of the evaluation; knee flexion and extension peak torque (PT) values and flexion and extension PT values rates were obtained at 60°/sec and 180°/sec. Respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength of the athletes were evaluated using a digital spirometer. To assess respiratory function, forced vital capacity maneuver and maximal minute ventilation test; to assess the strength of the respiratory muscles, maximum inspi-ratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure tests were performed. There was a strong relationship between muscle strength of knee flexor and extensor muscles and respiratory function (r =-0.268/0.813, P< 0.05). There was a strong moderate correlation between knee flexor and extensor muscle strength and all parameters of respiratory muscle strength (r= 0.206/0.411, P< 0.05). The knee flexor and extensor muscle strength, respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength develops parallel to each other and the codevelopment of these parameters together with special exercises to increase respiratory muscle strength will improve the performance of the athletes.

Muscle strength and core endurance are both factors contributing to athletes' performance and prevalence of injuries. There are no studies indicating the relationship between muscle strength around the shoulder and knee joints and core endurance. The aim of our study is to determine the relationship between core endurance and isokinetic muscle strength of knees and shoulders of elite athletes. Seventy-one elite athletes (weight lifting, boxing, taekwondo, biathlon, and ice skating) (age, 18.13±2.9 years) were included in the study. Isokinetic muscle strength of shoulder internal-external rotation and knee flexion-extension were determined by using an Isomed 2000 device. Core endurance of athletes was assessed using the Mcgill Core Endurance Tests. There was a relationship between the shoulder internal rotation and external rotation peak torque/body weight (PT/W) and all endurance tests except extension endurance tests. There was also a relationship between knee flexion PT/W and all core endurance tests. While there was a relationship between knee extension PT/W and extension endurance and the lateral bridge test, this relationship was not found with the flexor endurance test. These results indicate that the upper and lower extremity muscle strength and core endurance of athletes are related with each other and must be evaluated and trained as a whole with each other.