International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy最新文献

{"title":"Physiological Effects of Local Theragun™ Application: An Observational Study in Healthy Female Participants.","authors":"Ron Clijsen, Livia Freitag, Erich Hohenauer, Giannina Bianchi","doi":"10.26603/001c.141342","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.141342","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>While the clinical effects of localized percussive therapy (PT) are well-documented, studies investigating the underlying physiological mechanisms remain scarce. # Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the changes and time course of local skin temperature (Tskin), deep tissue perfusion (erythrocyte flow velocity [speed] and deep tissue blood flow [flux]), and muscle oxygenation (SmO2) after a standardized 4-minute treatment with a TheragunTM of the vastus medialis muscle of healthy women. # Study design Descriptive Laboratory Study. # Methods Tskin, speed, flux and SmO2 were measured in the treated area in 26 healthy female participants at baseline and following a 4-minute TheragunTM application, with recordings taken at 5-minute intervals for up to 50 minutes post-application. Additionally, Tskin was also measured on the control leg. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed to assess temporal changes and differences between the treated and control conditions. # Results Following the Theragun™ treatment, significant increases were observed in the treated area at all time points for Tskin (p < 0.001), speed (p < 0.001), flux (p < 0.001), and SmO2 (p < 0.05) compared to baseline. Tskin (mean change of 3.76 °C) and SmO2 (mean change of 5.78%) reached their highest values at five minutes post-treatment (t5), whereas speed (mean change of 23.79 arbitrary units [AU]) and flux (mean change of 115.66 AU) peaked immediately (t0) after the application. Tskin on the control leg also differed significantly across all time intervals compared to baseline (p < 0.05), peaking at t30 (mean change 0.64°C). # Conclusion A 4-minute localized Theragun™ application enhances physiological responses in cutaneous, subcutaneous, and muscle tissues. It increases skin temperature and improves deep tissue blood flow, red blood cell movement, and muscle oxygenation. These findings highlight the impact of TheragunTM on deep tissue layers, offering valuable insights into the physiological mechanisms of PT. The results support the potential for its use in optimising athletic performance and recovery through enhanced blood flow and muscle oxygenation.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>2b.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"1018-1028"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222033/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment Methods of Sport-Induced Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Jose L Muñoz-Gracia, Eduard Alentorn-Geli, Martí Casals, Timothy E Hewett, Ernest Baiget","doi":"10.26603/001c.141230","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.141230","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) has been defined as the exercise-induced performance decrease associated with muscular activity. # Purpose The primary aim was to identify the available evidence regarding the testing tasks used to assess NMF in the lower limbs and to determine the most commonly used test in specific sports. The secondary aim was to group the tests found according to the type of sport. # Study Design Scoping review. # Methods A literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, SportDiscus, and Web of Science databases. Search terms were \"neuromuscular fatigue\" and (\"test\" or \"tests\" or \"testing task\" or \"task\"). Studies that analyzed healthy humans, voluntary contractions, and participants under 50 years old were included. Studies in which the main focus was not NMF, the lower limbs were not analyzed, the knee joint was not involved, the pre-post analysis of fatigue was not used, or there was no sport fatigue protocol between tests were excluded. The PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. # Results A total of 97 studies were included. Most of these included males (68.0%) and professional athletes in their samples (46.4%) . The data most commonly studied for NMF were athletes from team sports (74.2%), specifically soccer (32.0%) and rugby (18.6%). Matches and trainings sessions were the fatiguing protocols (59.8%), whereas vertical jumps (82.5%), measured by force platforms (77.5%), was the test most commonly used. The most commonly evaluated parameters were jump height (75.0%) and peak power (41.3%). Tests varied different according to the sport, and vertical jumps (77.8%), and sprints (15.3%) were the tests most commonly used for the athletes in team sports. For athletes in individual sports, vertical jumps (72.0%) and isometric knee extension/knee flexion (24.0%) were most utilized. # Conclusions Different fatigue protocols, test tasks, materials, and variables are used to assess NMF. Veritcal jump is the most commonly utilized test task for athletes of both team and individual sports. It appears necessary to choose the most appropriate test tasks according to each type of sport.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>Level 2b.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"943-956"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222557/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rehabilitation of a Professional Ballerina Post-Traumatic Fourth Toe Fracture: A Case Report.","authors":"Madeline G Morgan, Annemieke D Corbitt, Charlotte C Yates","doi":"10.26603/001c.140891","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.140891","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dance is a complex sport with a high prevalence of associated musculoskeletal injuries, especially among ballet dancers. Acute lower extremity (LE) fractures may occur in this population due to losses of balance and landing from high impact dance skills, but there is limited current evidence detailing the physical therapy rehabilitation of such injuries. The purpose of this case report is to describe the physical therapy management of a professional ballerina post-traumatic fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fourth toe. # Case Description The subject was a 27-year-old dancer employed by a professional ballet company. Ten months prior to her initial physical therapy evaluation, the subject landed from a leap on the lateral border of the left foot and flexed fourth and fifth toes. Plain film radiographic imaging revealed a nondisplaced fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fourth toe with a small section of avulsed bone. The avulsed bone was surgically resected eight months post-injury due to persistent pain with continued dance rehearsals. The subject was referred to outpatient physical therapy for post-operative rehabilitation and return to sport training. # Outcomes The subject attended 18 therapy visits over an eight-week period with documented improvements in ankle strength in all planes, fourth toe range of motion, and self-reported LE functional mobility with the Outpatient Physical Therapy Improvement in Movement Assessment Log (OPTIMAL). The subject improved by 14 points on the OPTIMAL, with additional improvements reported in her tolerance of en pointe and demi pointe ballet positions. Upon discharge, she was cleared for return to full training and performance en pointe using a novel return to sport protocol for body-region specific rehabilitation for ballet dancers. # Conclusion This case report outlines the successful rehabilitation of a high-level dance professional post-traumatic toe fracture. Additional research is needed to further examine return to sport protocol and testing with ballet professionals after an acute traumatic ankle or foot fracture. # Level of Evidence 4.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"1050-1059"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222042/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Professional Baseball Pitchers Use of Weighted Ball Training, Injury Incidence, and Time Loss: A Preliminary Study.","authors":"Ellen Shanley, Thomas J Noonan, Michael J Kissenberth, Daniel Kline, Charles A Thigpen, Garrett S Bullock","doi":"10.26603/001c.140886","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.140886","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Little is known about the injury risk associated with weighted ball use by professional baseball pitchers. The purpose of this study was to describe weighted ball training and injuries and compare injury rates between those professional pitchers using weighted ball training and those that did not use weighted ball training during the 2023 pre- and regular season.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study, intended as a multi-year project, serves as an interim safety analysis after one year of follow up. Pitchers underwent routine physical examination and injury screening and were surveyed about their use of weighted baseball training. Throughout spring training and the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) season, all pitchers were monitored daily for athletic exposures and injuries. The outcome of interest was non-traumatic baseball injuries to any tendon, ligament, nerve, muscle, or bone that occurs during any baseball team sponsored activity or event that was confirmed by the team athletic trainer. Injury rates per 1000 game exposures (GE) was calculated by weighted ball use and grouped by body part.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty-eight pitchers were included (Weighted Ball: n = 46; No Weighted Ball: n = 42) A total of 28 injuries were reported ((Upper extremity=20 (Shoulder Injury:9; Elbow Injury 11); Trunk/Core=8; Lower Extremity=0). Pitchers that used weighted ball training suffered eight more injuries at a 1.1 greater injury rate per 1,000 athlete exposure days compared to pitchers that did not use weighted ball training. Weighted ball pitchers arm injury rate was 11.8 per 1000 GE, and no weighted ball arm injury rate was 7.5 per 1000 GE. Weighted ball pitcher trunk injury rate was 5.9 per 1000 GE, and no weighted ball trunk injury rate was 2.1 per 1000 GE.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this interim safety analysis, professional pitchers that performed weighted ball training suffered from greater arm and core/trunk injuries compared to professional pitchers that did not perform weighted ball training.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>3.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"995-1005"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222035/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tailoring Rehabilitation Following Periacetabular Osteotomy for Acetabular Dysplasia: A Qualitative Interview Study on Challenges and Opportunities among Physiotherapists in Denmark and Australia.","authors":"Julie Sandell Jacobsen, Michael J M O'Brien, Jeanette R Christensen, May Arna Risberg, Gitte H Madsen, Andrew K Wallis, Inger Mechlenburg, Joanne Kemp","doi":"10.26603/001c.140883","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.140883","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) surgery provides better coverage of the femoral head and alleviates symptoms of acetabular dysplasia. While guidelines on rehabilitation following PAO exist, these guidelines may not sufficiently address the challenges and opportunities in providing rehabilitation for patients with diverse needs and goals in various healthcare contexts.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose was to investigate the perceived challenges and opportunities of various post-PAO rehabilitation approaches from the perspectives of physiotherapists in Denmark and Australia. Study design: Qualitative study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A hermeneutic, phenomenological approach and semi-structured interviews were applied to explore the perspectives of 18 physiotherapists (7 males), aged 29-63 years, who rehabilitate patients with acetabular dysplasia following PAO. To ensure diversity in the characteristics of physiotherapists, purposeful sampling based on age and sex was employed. The interviews were coded and analyzed using inductive content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed three themes: \"Identifying crucial factors for successful recovery\", \"Managing the recovery process through targeted rehabilitation\", and \"Building a trustworthy relationship\". Several subthemes were identified, showing consistent patterns across countries. However, the Australian physiotherapists focused more on returning to sport and related milestones and providing structure-specific exercises. In contrast, the Danish physiotherapists emphasized addressing socioeconomic backgrounds and vulnerability among their patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The physiotherapists involved in the rehabilitation of patients with acetabular dysplasia shared common perspectives regarding post-PAO rehabilitation. However, the Australians prioritized returning to sport, while the Danes emphasized socio-economic background. This indicates an opportunity to leverage these insights by focusing on tailored rehabilitation strategies in future initiatives that accommodate patients' needs within their specific healthcare contexts, ultimately enhancing recovery outcomes.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"1006-1017"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222038/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resident Case Series: The Utility of the Athletic Shoulder Test Using Wireless Portable Force Plates for Measuring Peak Force in NCAA Division One Collegiate Quarterbacks.","authors":"Carmen Sclafani, Patrick Smith, Terry McHugh, Patricia Crane","doi":"10.26603/001c.141279","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.141279","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Given the high incidence of shoulder injuries among quarterbacks due to the repetitive stress of the overhead throwing motion, there is a need for targeted, sport-specific assessments that reflect the functional demands of throwing. The Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test, previously validated in rugby and baseball populations, offers a potential solution for upper extremity strength assessment in football quarterbacks. The primary purpose of this case series was to explore the feasibility of conducting the ASH test as a method for evaluating upper extremity strength in overhead athletes, specifically collegiate quarterbacks.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Case series.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three NCAA Division I quarterbacks participated in weekly ASH testing over a nine-week period. Peak isometric force, peak force normalized to body weight, and limb symmetry indices were measured in the shoulder \"Y\" and \"T\" positions using portable force plates. Testing was completed pre-practice on non-game days to minimize fatigue effects and maintain consistency.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The dominant shoulder consistently produced greater peak force than the non-dominant side in both Y and T positions. The mean dominant-to-non-dominant limb symmetry index was 1.13 in the Y position and 1.14 in the T position. Within limbs, peak force was greater in the Y position than in the T position. In both positions and in both arms, athletes generated at least 14% of their body weight in force on average.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings can provide insight into strength asymmetries and functional performance benchmarks, enabling strength coaches, athletic trainers, and rehabilitation professionals to fine-tune training and rehabilitation programs. Incorporating the ASH test into a standardized assessment battery may enhance the ability to evaluate an athlete's readiness to train or compete, promoting a proactive approach to performance optimization and injury prevention. Its utility and actionable metrics make the ASH test a practical tool for in-season monitoring, allowing practitioners to make informed, data-driven adjustments throughout the season.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>Level 4.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"1039-1049"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222037/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Return to Sport Criteria and Outcomes in Javelin Athletes Following Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: a Systematic Review.","authors":"Stuart Wallace, Jacob Ober, Laurie Devaney","doi":"10.26603/001c.141277","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.141277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are common among javelin throwers and surgical intervention is the preferred treatment method. Universally accepted javelin-specific return-to-sport (RTS) guidelines would benefit healthcare providers in returning athletes safely to the sport.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To systematically assess the current literature for RTS criteria and identify gaps and opportunities for developing javelin-specific return to throwing (RTT) and RTS recommendations.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Systematic review.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A Boolean search related to javelin, UCL surgery, RTS was performed using PubMed/Medline, ProQuest, PEDro, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus databases. Studies published between 2000, and May 2024 were included if they had a population of javelin athletes of any level of competition who underwent UCL reconstruction (UCLR) with a minimum follow-up of one year.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four studies met inclusion criteria for this review with a total population of 34 athletes (mean age, all studies: 19.7 years) and an average follow-up period of 3.8 years for all studies. Of the 34 athletes, 82% returned to any level of play at an average of 11.2 months post-surgery, with 70.1% returning to their previous level of competition. Only one study provided a specific RTT program, which included stepwise progressions for number, effort, quality, and distance for throws and javelin weights used for each program phase.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review found no studies providing guidelines for RTT/RTS criteria for javelin athletes following UCLR that emphasized objective measures of rehabilitation progress and completion. Further research on post-surgical physical function and subsequent programming tailored to the demands of javelin athletes is needed to guide safe return to sport.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>3a.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"931-942"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222558/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Comprehensive Biomechanical and Clinical Analysis of a Youth Ambidextrous Baseball Pitcher: A Case Report.","authors":"Sarah L Woelfel, Dimitri D Haan, Cameron B Jensen, Katie T Martens, Adam B Rosen, Samuel J Wilkins, Brian A Knarr","doi":"10.26603/001c.140546","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.140546","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ambidextrous baseball pitchers are a rare phenomenon and present unique challenges in performance optimization and injury mitigation. Biomechanical and clinical analyses are fundamental to understanding performance adaptations and injury risks in developing athletes.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this case report is to describe key biomechanical and clinical differences between the dominant and nondominant throwing arms of a youth ambidextrous baseball pitcher across three timepoints using a multidisciplinary approach. The authors hypothesized that both age-related changes and arm-to-arm differences would be observed in the athlete's anthropometric and biomechanical measurements.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Case Report.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The athlete was a youth ambidextrous baseball pitcher who underwent voluntary pitching evaluations at ages 11, 12, and 14, while actively competing in organized youth baseball. The athlete first completed a clinical analysis, consisting of a passive range of motion assessment of shoulder internal and external rotation, hip internal rotation, and hamstring flexibility. Then the athlete completed a biomechanical analysis consisting of 3D motion capture to acquire kinematic and kinetic data of both throwing arms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The athlete demonstrated a progressive decline in total shoulder arc of motion bilaterally, with the greatest reduction observed on the nondominant side by age 14. Biomechanical data showed improvement in trunk rotation (>30°) and shoulder abduction angles, aligning with recommended values. However, shoulder distraction force and elbow varus torque increased over time, especially by the third evaluation, potentially reflecting increased pitch velocity and musculoskeletal loading.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Few studies have examined side-to-side biomechanical and clinical differences in ambidextrous pitchers. This case highlights changes over time that may reflect developmental adaptations, emphasizing the value of regular monitoring to identify asymmetries and manage injury risk.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>4.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"1060-1073"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222031/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Running Speed on Cadence and Running Kinetics.","authors":"Abbey Leacox, Lucy Fashingbauer, Thomas Ferguson, Anna Zajakowski, Brian Baum, Mark Reinking","doi":"10.26603/001c.140544","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.140544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previous studies have shown that a lower running cadence (<170 steps/min) increases the risk of injury in runners. However, the immediate effect of increasing running speed on running cadence and ground reaction forces in experienced runners has not been well studied.</p><p><strong>Purpose/hypothesis: </strong>The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effect of running speed on running cadence and ground reaction forces in a sample of experienced runners.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross-sectional study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty runners ages 21-49 (11 female, 19 male) consented to participate. Inclusion criteria included running at least 24 km (15 miles) per week for the past year, and no running-related injury in the prior three months. Subjects completed a 6-minute acclimatization to running on an instrumented treadmill, during which they identified their preferred training pace. After a short break, each runner then ran at seven predetermined speeds in the order as listed: 2.68 m/s, 2.82 m/s, 2.98 m/s, 3.35 m/s, 3.58 m/s, and 3.83 m/sec. Participants ran for 90 seconds at each of the speeds and during the final 30 seconds of each running bout, cadence was counted and ground reaction forces were recorded. Ground reaction forces measured included overall peak vertical force, vertical impact peak, vertical average loading rate, peak braking force, and braking impulse. Temporospatial and ground reaction forces were analyzed using repeated measures general linear model. Kinetic data from left and right limbs were compared using paired t-tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences existed between the right and left limb force data so only the left limb data are reported. Mean cadence increased from 169 steps/min at 2.68 m/s to 178 steps/min (p<0.001) at 3.83 m/s. All ground reaction force variables also increased significantly (p<0.001) from the slow to fast speed. Both stance time and step time decreased significantly (p<0.001) from the slow to the fast speed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of this study demonstrate that in a group of experienced runners, as running speed increases, both cadence and ground reaction forces increase. Concurrently, both stance time and step time decreased.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>Level 3.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"957-963"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222555/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validity & Reliability of Using Musculoskeletal Ultrasound to Measure Cervical Disc Height.","authors":"Jeffrey Thompson, Jean-Michel Brismée, Phillip Page, Troy Hooper, Kathleen Rosendahl-Garcia, Stéphane Sobczak","doi":"10.26603/001c.140889","DOIUrl":"10.26603/001c.140889","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical intervertebral disc (IVD) height can be used to indirectly measure of IVD hydration status. Intervertebral disc dehydration results in height loss, which can contribute to degenerative disc disease. There is need for in situ cervical IVD ultrasound assessment to better understand spinal health.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To determine reliability and validity of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSU) as a tool to measure cervical IVD height compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7 spinal segments.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This three-phase study enrolled 40 participants. Over the course of the study, 900 measurements of IVD were taken. Ten subjects participated in cervical spine MRI and MSU imaging to determine inter-rater reliability for cervical IVD height measurements. Twenty subjects underwent MRI and MSU to obtain images for measurement comparison and Bland-Altman Analysis assessed agreement between MSU and MRI (α=.05) for validity. Randomized, blinded, repeated-measures design using mean values was used to determine inter-rater reliability with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(2,3)) and standard error of measurement (SEM) at each IVD segment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Anterior cervical IVD height of MRI and MSU were ≥0.91(95%CI=0.66-0.98) and ≥0.68(95%CI=0.27-0.92), respectively. Musculoskeletal ultrasound measurement's SEM between raters was comparable to MRI at ≤0.43mm (7.9%). No significant differences nor proportional bias between MRI and MSU measurements (p<0.05) were found at any IVD spinal level, r(18)=0.83, p<0.01. Average underestimation of MSU measurements compared to MRI was ≤ -0.10mm (2.2%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Methodology used for MSU cervical IVD height imaging and measurements was found to be moderately to highly reliable. Comparisons measurements between MRI and MSU support the use of MSU to measure cervical IVD height in future investigations, including variables which may affect the IVD hydration and homeostasis.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>I 3.</p>","PeriodicalId":47892,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy","volume":"20 7","pages":"964-973"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222554/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}