Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

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Introduction: Studies have shown that anterior cruciate ligament injury causes long-term periods of disability and long-term effects; Therefore, it is necessary to adopt preventive measures as well as to have studies that determine the effect of injury prevention programs in improving the performance level of players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of the anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program on the function of elite female kabaddi athletes.
Materials and Methods: This research is semi-experimental based on the application of the intervention variable. 27 female kabaddi athletes with an age range of 18-24 years were randomly divided into two intervention and control groups. The intervention group performed prevention injury and enhance performance program exercises for 8 weeks. The tests were taken before and after eight weeks of the PEP program. These evaluations included T-test, 20-meter sprint test, Y-balance test, sitting and reaching flexibility test, hopping test and functional movement screening test. leven's statistical test was used to check the homogeneity of variances and ANCOVA test was used to evaluate and compare the data.
Findings: The results of the covariance analysis test showed that the intervention group had significantly better scores compared to the control group in the Y-balance tests of the right (p=0.002) and left leg (p=0.001), single leg hopping with right leg (p=0.004) and left leg (p=0.000), crossover hopping with right leg (p=0.023) and sit and reach flexibility test (p=0.003) after eight weeks of exercises In addition, in the tests of sprinting (p=0.649), agility (p=0.073), triple hopping with left leg (p=0.784) and right leg (p=0.204), crossover hopping with left leg (p=0.540) and functional movement screening test (p=0.943) did not show any significant difference between the two groups.
Results: The results of this research showed that the eight-week prevention injury and enhance performance program  has a significant effect on the dynamic balance of the right and left legs, hopping (single leg hopping and crossover hopping of the right leg), and the flexibility of the hamstrings and lower back of elite female kabaddi athletes; But hopping (triple hopping and left leg crossover hopping), speed, agility and FMS test scores have no significant effect.

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 Rectal prolapse is a complication arising from internal sphincter dysfunction causing significant challenges. A primary factor in its development is pelvic floor muscle weakness. Accordingly, the present study aimed to compare the effects of core stabilization functional, EMS, and combined exercises on muscle strength and endurance of the pelvic floor in patients with rectal prolapse. In this semi-experimental study, with a design pre and post-test and a control group, 48 women with rectal prolapse in Isfahan with an average age=45.2 years and a BMI=26.2 kg/m2, were selected and divided into 4 groups(n= 12); Functional training, EMS training, Combined training and Control randomly. Functional training protocol consisted of 9 movements, 3 sessions per week and each session lasted for 30 minutes in the first week and gradually increased to 90 minutes in the 8 week. Also, EMS trainings were carried out for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week for 40 minutes, using EMS and Biofeedback devices. Furthermore, the combined training protocol was implemented for 8 weeks and 3 sessions per week (in each session, at first EMS training and then functional training) for 40 minutes according to the overload principle. Strength and endurance of pelvic floor muscles were measured before and after the exercise program. In order to analyze the data, multivariate covariance and post hoc Bonferroni tests were used using SPSS 26 software at a significant level (P≥0.05). The results of the study showed a significant increase in the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles in EMS and combined exercise groups (P≥0.05). However, in the functional exercises group, although an increase in the strength of the pelvic floor muscles was observed, this increase was not significant (p≥0.05). Also, the changes caused by the combined group on the variables were significantly more than the groups of functional and EMS exercises alone (P≥0.05). These results show the effect of electrical stimulation along with functional training on increasing the endurance and strength of the pelvic floor muscles, which, as a result, improves rectal prolapse. Therefore, it is suggested that sports therapy centers, doctors, and therapists use these methods, especially combined exercises, to improve rectal prolapse.

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This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of 4 weeks swimming training with
chest wall restriction on aerobic power, cardio-respiratory functions and
swimming performance of elite female swimmers. 24 elite female swimmers
volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly divide into two
groups: Control (swimming training without chest wall restriction) and
experimental group (swimming training with chest wall restriction). Both groups
were in a monthly swimming program (they trained 3 times a week for a total of
4 weeks). They swam almost 3.5 to 4 km/d with 70 – 85% of HRmax. Aerobic
power, pulmonary parameters, time to exhaustion and swimming performance
were measured. To analyze data, student t test was used. The results showed
that Time to exhaustion increased in group training with chest wall restrictor
(P=0/012). T-20 test results showed improvements in experimental group. No
significant difference was observed in VO2max, MVV, FVC, and FEV1/FVC in
two groups. Also there was no significant difference between the groups.
Therefore, the results showed that using chest elastic band in order to impose
more stress on respiratory muscles during exercise leads to some adaptations
in these muscles and it is associated with some improvements in exercise
performance.

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After an ankle injury, residual symptoms can followed to recurrent sprain in
physical activity and 30% of its lead to functional ankle instability (FAI)
Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the isokinetic concentric and
eccentric torque measures of the ankle musculature to body weight in female
athletes with and without FAI.30 female athletes, who play in pro league of
Tehran, participated in this descriptive study. Participants were assessed using
questionnaire and clinical tests. Isokinetic measurement speed for inversion and
eversion was 60 and plantar flexion and dorsi flexion was 120 degree/
second.Data were analyzed by independent T- test.The results indicated a
significant difference in peak torque of concentric plantar flexor to body weight
in FAI and healthy groups (P<0.05).Therefore, concentric plantar flexion may be
an important contributing factor to FAI; this finding could also lead to more
effective protocols in the treatment and rehabilitation of FAI

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The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of functional fatigue on the dynamic and static balance of male students aged 15 to 18 with different plantar arch. To measure the subjects' foot arch, the Navicular Drop Test was used. The subjects were then randomly divided into three groups of 22 members with different foot arches. Later on, SEBT test, Modified Stork Balance, Fatigue Protocol and Borg (RPE) scale were run. Using SPSS (version 18), the data were analyzed (p< .05); in particular, dependent t-tests, One-way ANOVA and Scheffe's post hoc test were run. The results showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores of dynamic and static balance in all three groups. Scheffe's post hoc test revealed that there was a significant difference between the mean difference of pre-test and post-test scores of the dynamic and static balance group of normal foot arch, the flat foot arch group and the cavus foot arch group. Meanwhile, the difference between flat and cavus foot group was not statistically significant. Due to the significant reduction in the balance of subjects with abnormal arch, the correction of the abnormality of the foot arch as well as the use of appropriate training courses are recommended to improve their physical fitness.

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One of the factors affecting jump-landing patterns is fatigue. Fatigue is an inevitable component of physical
activity, hence the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of functional fatigue on landing
mechanics through Landing Error Scoring System (LESS).Fourteen male college students with a mean age of
22±2 years, weight of 68.3±7.2 kg and height of 174±4 were randomly divided into two groups: experimental and
control. Effect of independent variable, fatigue, due to activities resembling athletic training or competition (6-
stations functional fatigue protocol) on dependent variable, landing mechanics, through pre test-post test was
investigated. The independent t-tests and non-parametric U-Mann Whitney test was used for statistical analysis
of data (P < 0.05). The results of the present study indicated the relationship between fatigue and attenuation of
landing mechanics (P=0.02), and therefore an increase in injury risk. Also it was shown that the effect of fatigue
on decreasing knee flexion angle at initial contact was significant (P=0.022). With regard to the results, it can be
concluded that functional fatigue induced by physical activities can alter landing mechanics, and increase loading
of lower extremity joints, particularly the knee. So the risk of injury in these joints may be increased.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of soccer specific functional fatigue on hip and knee
joints angles during landing in professional players.15 soccer players with at least 2 years experience in
Kerman soccer clubs were selected randomly. To evaluate the lower extremity kinematics following
jumping and soccer specific- heading, three cameras (with50Hz) were used. To cause fatigue in subjects,
specific functional protocol similar to specific bangsbo soccer was used and Quantic sport v21 soft ware
was administrated for kinematic analysis of the recorded films. To statistical analyzing of data, descriptive
statistical methods, and paired-t test were administrated at α=0.05.Finding revealed that hip and knee
angles in sagittal and frontal plane in landing is influenced by functional fatigue. This results has been
reducing knee and hip flexion angles and increased varus in knee joint. Results demonstrated a more
erect landing posture due to a decrease in hip and knee flexion angles in the post fatigue condition.
However, functional fatigue significantly decrease lower extremity control ability in male soccer player
during landing.

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Due to the necessity of screening injury the aim of this study was to screen the scores of Functional movement screening tests in active and inactive subject . The study population consisted of University Students aged 18 to 25 years out of which 50 students (25 active and 25 inactive) were selected. Functional Movement Screen by Cook were used for functional screening. After the normality of the overall scores for FMS, Independed-Samples T-Test was used in SPSS (version 16) to analyze the data at significant level of 0/05. According to the findings, overall scores of FMS was significantly different between active and inactive subjects (P=0/001). Cut-off point of 17 was obtained for all subjects. There was no significant difference in shoulder mobility and straight leg raise test scores in the active and inactive people but there was significant difference among the scores of other five tests This prospective study shows that due to the overall score FMS inactive people than in active people are more prone to injury.

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Meningomyelocele after cerebral palsy is the most common congenital defects of the nervous system that impairs the functioning of many body’s structures. This study aimed to assess the effect of six weeks selected physical training on balance, postural control and lower limb function in children with Meningomyelocele. In this quasi-experimental study, 10 boys aged 10-11 years with Meningomyelocele in L4-L5 levels that independently able to stand and take at least 5 steps were selected and after obtaining written consent from the parents, placed in an experimental group. Before and after 6 weeks (four 60-minute sessions per week) participation in a researcher-designed exercise protocol, Static and dynamic balance (Balance Scale PBS), postural sway (foot pressure device), neck craniovertebral angle and knee and hip range of motion (goniometer), thoracic arch angle (flexible ruler) and trunk and knee extensors strength (dynamometer) were measured. Data by t-test in SPSS 22 software was analyzed (p≤0/05). The results were showed significant difference between pre-test and post-test in all variables except the total index of postural control and trunk extensors strength (P≥0/05). Due to the effectiveness of the used exercise protocol, this protocol can be used to improve the postural control, balance and lower extremity function in rehabilitation of patients with Meningomyelocele and similar to those.

 

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Judo is one of the most popular martial arts in the world. Researchers reported a higher risk of injuries during training rather than the time of competition. So, the safe and effective training methods should be considered. As development and application of injury prevention approaches and athletic performance enhancement is necessary, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-week Judo Specific Functional Training on the injury risk factors and athletic performance in non-elite male judokas. 46 non-elite judokas participated in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (23:N) and control (23:N). For a period of 8 weeks, the experimental group attended a special judo functional training program designed by the researchers. At the same time, the control group participated in the usual judo training program presented by the coaches. The exercises were performed 3 sessions per week and 90 minutes per session. The subjects participated in pre- and post-tests. After data collection, in order to approve data normality and compare the variables, Shapiro-wilk, ANCOVA analysis was implemented at the significant level (p≤0.05) using SPSS version 21. The results showed that scores of functional movement screening (p=0.001), upper extremity Y balance test (p=0.001), vertical jump (p=0.001) and special judo fitness test (p=0.001) significantly increased among the experimental group in comparison to the Control group. This Judo specific functional training program simultaneously modifies or decreases the injury risk factors and improves the athletic performance and has more efficiency and effectiveness rather than the usual judo training program.    

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The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effect of warm-up protocols (general and post-activation potentiation) on vertical jump performance and jump-landing technique in female handball players with trunk dysfunction. Twelve trained female handball players with trunk dysfunction participated voluntarily in this study. Subjects randomly performed three different warm-up protocols on separate days: 1- general warm-up protocol, 2- general warm-up with 2 repetitions of dynamic half-squat at %90 of one repetition maximum, 3- general warm-up with 2 repetitions of static half-squat at %90 of one repetition maximum. In the fifth minutes of recovery period after 3 protocols, subjects performed vertical jump and the Landing Error Scoring System tests, and Landing Error Scoring System scores, valgus and flexion angles, and vertical jump height was assessed. ANOVA with repeated measures was used for statistical data analysis. The jump height increased significantly after performing the second and third protocols related to general warm-up (p=0.039, p=0.047 respectively), but there weren’t a significant difference in Landing Error Scoring System score, valgus and flexion angles for three protocols. It seems that the special warm-up method by post-activation potentiation can improve vertical jump performance without influencing Anterior cruciate ligament injury risk.
 

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 Upper-crossed syndrome is one of the most common disorders of the upper body, which is associated with 45-65% of shoulder pain. This study has been conducted to investigate the effect of corrective exercises focused on chain reactions, on scapular position, proprioception and shoulder functional stability of female students with UCS. 30 female students between 14 and 18 years of age in Urmia city who had the mentioned disorder were selected using the purposive sampling method and were randomly divided into two experimental groups (15 people) and control (15 people). A tape measure was used to evaluate the distance between the median of the sternum to the coracoid ridge and the posterior-lateral distance of the acromion to the thoracic vertebra (scapular position), the Layton flexometer to measure proprioception, the Y Balance Test to evaluate the function of the upper limb, and the goniometer, tape measure and flexible ruler, respectively were used to measure head and shoulder forward angle and kyphosis. Independent and dependent t-tests were used to compare inter-group and intra-group means, respectively. The present study showed that the effect of corrective exercises on scapular position, proprioception and shoulder functional stability of female students with UCS was significant.

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