Volleyball is an anaerobic team sport that involves various complex movements and requires adequate body position sense. Therefore, volleyball players' most important physical characteristics are balance, agility, endurance, reaction speed, explosive strength, and quick strength. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between core strength and functional performance of lower extremities in male and female volleyball players. A total of 19 (11 female, eight male) volleyball players aged 16-20 years (11 female, eight male) who were students of Ondokuz Mayıs University Yaşar Doğu Faculty of Sports Sciences participated in the study voluntarily. The inclusion criteria were determined as athletes with at least three years of active sports history and regular training. Height, weight, and Body Mass Index measurements were taken at the first visit. Then, shuttle test, plank test, push-up, single hop for distance (SH), triple hop for distance (TH), crossover triple hop for distance (CH), medial side triple hop for distance (MSTH), and medial rotation ( ) with hop for distance (MRH) and Y Balance Test were performed with randomized practice cards. When the push-up, sit-up, and plank tests were compared between men and women, a significant difference was found in the shuttle parameter (p 0.05). When the athletes' Single Leg Hop test parameters were evaluated, there was no significant difference, only in SH between the sides in men. At the same time, there was no significant difference only in medial rotation ( ) with hop in women (p 0.05). While there was a significant difference in triple hop for distance, crossover triple hop for distance, medial side triple hop for distance (MSTH) and medial rotation ( ) with hop between the parties in men, a statistically significant difference was found in single hop for distance, triple hop for distance, crossover triple hop for distance, medial side triple hop for distance parameters in women (p 0.05). When single-leg hop Tests LSIs were compared between male and female groups, no statistically significant difference was found in all parameters (p 0.05). When the findings of our study were examined, it was determined that although there was a significant difference in Single Leg Hop test parameters between dominant and non-dominant sides in the groups, the LSI values seen in male and female groups were between normal values, and there was no limb asymmetry. However, there was no difference between genders in LSIs, and similar results were found for men and women. In the core strength tests, while similar results were seen between genders in push-up and plank parameters, the significant difference in the shuttle test revealed that men had better core strength than women.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of 8-week bosuball exercises on Yo-Yo running performance of soccer referees. A total of 40 active soccer referees between the ag-es of 19-48 participated in the study voluntarily. In the study, Yo-kYo test and maximum oxygen capacity (VO2max) obtained from running distances were used to determine the aerobic capacity of the participants. The results of the pre test were evaluated and the par-ticipants were homogenously divided into control and experimental groups. During 8 weeks, the experimental group performed bosuball exercises in the last 30 minutes of their training while the control group continued their routine training. The results of the study showed a significant increase in Yo-Yo running distances and VO2max parameters of the experimental group after the intervention. The change between pre and post aerobic per-formance test results was not significant in the control group. : Bosuball exercises signifi-cantly improve aerobic performance of soccer referees. It is recommended to include bo-suball exercises in the scientifically based training programmes of soccer referees.

Joint Diseases and Related Surgery (JDRS), the official journal of the Turkish Joint Diseases Foundation, is an international, peer-reviewed, immediate open access journal. All published articles in JDRS has been free for everyone, without embargo, since 1990.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week core training program on the lower-extremity, upper-extremity, and core strength of judokas. Methods: This study is based on a pre-test/post-test experimental design involving repeated measures and a control group. The study was conducted with the voluntary participation of 20 judo athletes (10 females and 10 males) aged between 18 and 22 years (mean age: 18.60 years; height: 163 cm; body weight: 59.40 kg; BMI: 22.30 kg/m²). Participants were divided into two groups: a control group that continued routine judo training and an experimental group that performed core training in addition to routine judo training. Participants performed Medial Push-Ups (MPUs) to assess upper-extremity muscle strength; sit-ups and Plank Tests (PTs) to assess core strength; five different Single-Leg Hop Tests (SLHTs) to assess lower-extremity muscle strength; and the Y Balance Test (YBT) to assess balance. These tests were conducted before and after the 8-week core training program. Results: PT performance improved significantly in both groups, with a significant group × time interaction (p < 0.001, η²p = 0.623), indicating greater improvement in the core training group compared to the control group. No significant interaction was observed for MPU and Sit-up tests; however, a significant main effect of time was detected for MPU (p = 0.032, η²p = 0.231), suggesting general improvements in both groups. For SLHT parameters, no significant group × time interactions were detected (p > 0.050); improvements were observed over time across groups. In balance performance, a significant group × time interaction was found only in the NDS postero-medial (PM) direction (p = 0.020, η²p = 0.267), whereas the other parameters demonstrated time-related improvements without between-group differences. Conclusions: Core stability training resulted in greater improvements in PT performance and influenced balance performance in the NDS PM direction. Improvements observed in other performance parameters appeared to be time-related rather than intervention-specific. Overall, core stability training may contribute to core endurance and certain aspects of lower-extremity function in judokas.

This study aimed to determine the differences in pain, quality of life and functional status of individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) between grades. The study included 90 patients with different grades (Grades 1, 2, and 3) of KOA. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Shortform (KOOS-PS), Short Form Health (SF-12), Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scales were applied. Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Five Times Sit to Stand Test (5STS), Stair Climb Test (SCT), 6-minute Walking Test (6MWT) and proprioception measurements were performed for functional assessments. Foot Posture Index (FPI-6), Navicular Drop Test (NDT) and Foot Function Index (FFI) tests were used for foot posture evaluations. In the functional tests performed in the study, a significant decrease in test performance was observed in the 6MWT and SCT tests as the grade level increased (P<0.05). In TUG and 5STS tests, a significant decrease in performance was detected only in Grade 3 compared to other grades (P<0.05). Similarly, there were significant differences between the grades in all scales applied (P0.05). In FFI averages, significant differences were found especially in pain (P=0.036) and insufficiency (P=0.008) parameters compared to grade 3. This study revealed noticeable differences in knee scores, pain, quality of life scales and functional tests at different stages of KOA. These differences were generally negative as grade levels increased. However, consistent with previous research, conflicting results were identified, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of KOA.

Background and Objectives: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic pain disorder that is ranked as one of the four most common rheumatological diseases in the world. This study aims to investigate the effects of an eight-week mat Pilates and electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) with combined mat Pilates exercises on pain, depression, anxiety, and strength in sedentary women. Methods: This study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 30 sedentary female patients (Pilates (n = 15), EMS (n = 15)) diagnosed with FM were included in the study. The patients were subjected to Beck Depression (BDIs) and Anxiety Inventories (BAIs); a Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ); five different Single-Leg Hop Tests (SLHTs); modified push-up (MPU), Handgrip Strength (HGS), Deep Squat (DSQ), V-Sit Flexor, bent-arm hang (BA), sit-up and Biering-Sørensen tests; and anthropometric tests before and after the 8-week exercise program. Results: The eight weeks of mat Pilates exercises combined with mat Pilates and EMS revealed significant results (p < 0.05) in anthropometric data (abdomen, lower abdomen, hips) (p < 0.05) except for the results of chest circumference measurements (p > 0.05). In addition, there were statistically significant positive results in BDIs, BAIs, FIQs, lower extremity (all SLHTs and DSQ), upper extremity (MPU, HGS, BA), and core (V-SIT, sit-up, Biering-Sørensen test) strength test findings (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Combining the mat Pilates exercises with EMS is an effective and reliable method to improve the pain, anxiety, depression, and strength of female patients diagnosed with FM.