Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a prevalent consequence of lateral ankle sprain. Electromyographic (EMG) investigations examining neuromuscular control

Objective Jumping performance is a critical skill in gymnastics, and previous research has highlighted the role of anthropometric characteristics in jump ability, particularly for talent identification. This study aimed to examine the predictive relationships between anthropometric features and key biomechanical variables during the execution of a gymnastics back salto. Methods Sixty-eight elite ...

Purpose: One of the most significant risk factors for throwing athletes is an internal rotation deficit of the shoulder joint. This study aims to investigate 8-week online scapular-focused training on the scapular kinematics, proprioception, and strength of particular shoulder muscles in female volleyball players with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit. Methods: The present study was conducted using a two-group with pre and post-test design. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 female athletes with abnormalities in the shoulder joint’s internal rotation were split into two groups, experimental (n=15) and control (n=15). In the pre-test, goniometers were used to measure shoulder range of motion, isokinetic devices were used to measure proprioception and rotator cuff muscle strength, and inclinometers were used to measure scapular kinematics. The experimental group’s participants underwent 8-week online scapular-focused training, lasting 30 minutes over three sessions each week. These exercises encompassed strength (with TheraBand) and stretching activities. Ultimately, intra-group and inter-group differences were examined using SPSS software, version 20 using paired t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of 0.95. Results: The results of paired t-test revealed that only the experimental group and the pre-test and post-test had a significant difference in all study variables (P<0.05). Additionally, the results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups’ shoulder proprioception at 45° and 90° in the post-test (P=0.001 and P=0.01, respectively). The two groups also differed significantly in the scapular kinematics at all angles of 45°, 90°, and 135° as well as at the limit of the shoulder’s range of motion (P=0.01, P=0.04, P=0.001, and P=0.001, respectively). Additionally, significant differences were observed between the two groups in all variables of isokinetic strength of concentric internal rotation, isokinetic strength of concentric external rotation, isokinetic strength of eccentric internal rotation, and isokinetic strength of eccentric external rotation (P=0.001, P=0.02, and P=0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that 8-week online scapular-focused training improves scapular kinematics, proprioception, and shoulder internal and external rotator muscle strength in female volleyball players experiencing internal rotation deficiencies of the shoulder joint. It is advised that coaches, experts, and occupational therapists employ these workouts to enhance the aforementioned factors in female volleyball players experiencing shoulder internal rotation deficiencies.

Background: Balance disorders are among the most significant challenges faced by children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (SDCP). Objectives: This study investigates the effect of selected exercises from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) approach on the functional balance of children with SDCP. Methods: Thirty-eight children aged 4 to 10 years with SDCP were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. Inclusion criteria included grades 1 - 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Functional balance was assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). The experimental group participated in selected NASM exercises over eight weeks, with two sessions per week, while the control group received standard rehabilitation interventions, including neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) techniques, over the same period. Results: The ANCOVA results indicated no significant difference between the adjusted means of functional balance between the experimental and control groups. However, intra-group analysis using the dependent t-test showed a significant increase in average functional balance from pre-test to post-test within both groups. The control group exhibited a moderate effect size (effect size = 0.66), while the experimental group demonstrated a very large effect size (effect size = 1.17). Conclusions: National Academy of Sports Medicine exercises may serve as an effective alternative to conventional interventions for improving functional balance in children with SDCP.

Background: Scapular dyskinesis (SD) is a prevalent dysfunction among overhead athletes. Although the kinetic chain emphasizes the functional linkage of the core and shoulder musculature, limited evidence exists regarding the endurance and electromyographic (EMG) characteristics of core muscles in athletes with SD. This study aimed to compare core muscle endurance and EMG activity during closed kinetic chain tasks between overhead athletes with and without SD. Methods: Thirty female overhead athletes were divided into two groups: SD (n = 15) and without SD (n = 15), diagnosed using the Kibler lateral scapular slide test. Core endurance was assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test, including the trunk flexor test, the trunk extensor test, and the right and left lateral plank. Surface EMG (ME6000, Finland) was used to record muscle activity of the erector spinae, multifidus, gluteus medius, transversus abdominis/internal oblique, external oblique, rectus abdominis, and serratus anterior during plank and push-up tasks. Independent t-tests and Cohen’s d were used to compare groups ( α ≤ 0.05). Results: Athletes with SD demonstrated significantly lower endurance across all McGill tests ( p ≤ 0.05, d = 0.81–0.88). EMG data showed reduced activation of the erector spinae, multifidus, gluteus medius, rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis/internal oblique, and serratus anterior muscles in the SD group during both tasks ( p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the external oblique activity. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of integrating targeted core stabilization and scapular control exercises into training and rehabilitation programs to optimize performance and prevent shoulder injuries in overhead athletes.