Effect of Six Weeks of Progressive Jump-Landing Training on Jump Shooting Accuracy and Knee Valgus Angle in Male Basketball Players with Dynamic Knee Valgus

Objective: Dynamic Knee Valgus (DKV) causes many acute and chronic knee injuries during deceleration and landing in sports activities and can affect the athletes’ specific skills. This study aims to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of progressive jump-landing training on jump shooting accuracy and knee valgus angle in male basketball players with DKV. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study conducted on 24 male basketball players with DKV in Mazandaran, who were selected purposefully. They were randomly divided into training and control groups. Their jump shooting accuracy was assessed by Boddington’s Basketball Jump Shooting Accuracy Test, and their DKV angle was measured by a two-dimensional evaluation method in Quinoa software. In addition to their routine exercises, the training group performed the jump-landing training for 6 weeks at 3 sessions per week, while the control group performed their usual exercises only. In order to compare the two study groups, ANCOVA was used. Results: The progressive jump-landing program had a significant effect on jump shooting accuracy (P=0.001) and DKV angle (P=0.001). Conclusion: Six weeks of progressive jump-landing training can improve the jump shooting accuracy and knee valgus angle in basketball players with DKV. Therefore, jump landing exercises are recommended for improving the jump shooting skill and knee alignment in these athletes.

Exercise-associated Muscle Cramps in Runners: A Review

Objective: Exercise-associated Muscle Cramp (EAMC) is an intense, painful, and involuntary contraction of skeletal muscles during a physical activity. Runners are more prone to this syndrome than other athletes. The present paper aims to review of the literature on EAMC in runners to determine the reasons and nature of EAMC in this sports field. Methods: A search was conducted for related studies from 1997 to 2021 in MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE/SCOPUS, LILACS, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science, PEDro, Google Scholar as well as MagIran, IranDoc, IranMedex, MedLib using MeSH Keywords. The reference section of the studies were also checked to find more studies. Finally, 15 eligible papers on EAMC in runners were reviewed and findings were reported. Results: Several factors were found to be effective in EAMC among runners, including dehydration, electrolyte deficit, cold, long training or competition period, increased body temperature during training or competition, history of injury or muscle cramp, increased training intensity in short time, and dietary restrictions. Conclusion: The cause of EAMC in runners seems to be multifactorial.

Effect of 12 Weeks of Core Stability Exercises on Functional Movement and Balance of Women Working in Hospitals

Objective: This study aims to assess the effect of 12 weeks of core stability exercises on functional movement and balance of women working in hospitals. Methods: Participants were 34 women aged 30-50 years working in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran. They were randomly divided into two groups of exercise and control. The exercise group performed core stability exercises for 12 weeks. The functional movement was evaluated using the valid Function Movement Screen (FMS) method. The dynamic balance, power, agility, speed and flexibility of subjects were also measured using Y balance test, Sargent Jump Test, agility T-test, 20-meter running test, and seated bending forward test, respectively before and after exercise. Paired T-test was used to examine the difference between pre- and post-test scores of each group. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine the effect of intervention on the study variables. Results: Results of ANCOVA showed that 12 weeks of core stability exercises significantly improved functional movement performance, dynamic balance, power, agility, speed and flexibility in women. Conclusion: Core stability exercises can improve the performance of neuromuscular system leading to proper movement of spinal, pelvic and hip joints, proper muscle balance, enhanced proximal stability, functional strength and resulting in decreased injury.

Comparison of Plantar Force, Pressure and Impulse During Walking in Men and Women With Flat Feet

Objective: This study aims to compare the variables of plantar force, pressure and impulse during walking in men and women with flat feet. Methods: The study population consists of non-athlete students with and without flat feet. Of these, 48 (male and female) were selected as study samples. The peak pressure, force and impulse on the foot were measured during walking by a foot scanner at a sampling frequency of 253 Hz. Shapiro-Wilks test was used to examine the normality of data distribution, and data analysis was performed using MANOVA in SPSS software, considering the significance level at P<0.05. Results: Men with flat feet had more peak plantar pressure and force in the midfoot than healthy men, and more peak plantar pressure on the hallux. Women with flat feet had more peak plantar pressure and force on the hallux, toes T2-T3-T4-T5, M2 metatarsal head, and midfoot than healthy women. Men with flat feet had peak plantar pressure on the M4 metatarsal head than women with flat feet. Men with flat feet had different plantar impulses in the hallux, M2 metatarsal head, and lateral heal. Women with flat feet had more plantar impulses in the hallux, toes T2-T3-T4-T5, and midfoot than healthy women. There was a significant difference between men and women with flat feet in plantar impulses in metatarsal heads M3 and M4, midfoot, and lateral and medial heels Conclusion: Different effects of gender and sole structure on the distribution of plantar pressure should be considered in the production and design of shoes, medical insoles and special sports footwear.

Comparison of the Effect of Eight Week Training Program Schedule With Two Different Stretching Patterns Strengthening on Changes in the Status of Lower Cross Syndrome

Objective: Different timing of performing stretching and strengthening exercises can have different effects on the condition of Lower Crossed Syndrome (LCS). This study aims to compare the effects of eight-week training using stretching and strengthening exercises intermittently and simultaneously on the status of LCS in female college students. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, the study population consists of 300 female students of Guilan University aged 19-25 years. To assess LCS, the New York Posture Rating tool was used. 120 patients who had hyperlordosis were re-evaluated using flexible ruler for precise measurement of LCS. Finally, 45 students with a lumbar curvature angle of >45 degrees were selected and randomly divided into three groups of intermittent training (n=15), simultaneous training (n=15), and control (n=15). The training program consisted of corrective exercises for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, each for 60 minutes. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis in SPSS v. 20 software Results: The difference between the intermittent training and control groups was significant (P=0.30), while no significant difference was observed between the simultaneous training and control groups (P=0.68). Conclusion: Performing stretching and strengthening exercises intermittently has a greater effect on reducing LCS than performing these exercises simultaneously.

Comparison of Parametric Indices of Anthropometric and Biomechanical Characteristics of Female Basketball Players, Volleyball Players and Handball Players

Objective: This study aimed to Compare parametric indices of anthropometric and biomechanical characteristics of female basketball, volleyball, and handball players. Methods: This research is purposive comparative-descriptive study. A total of 100 female students (35 handball players, 37 volleyball players, and 28 basketball players) participated in this study. The normality of the data distribution was examined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Mean±SD and percentage rank to describe the information, multiple correlation coefficient to reduce the overlapping data, and analysis of the main components of the data to determine the leading indicators of anthropometric and biomechanical characteristics of female handball, volleyball, and basketball players and ANOVA was used to compare the corresponding leading indices in different age groups. Results: Ten parameters for female handball and volleyball players and nine parameters for female basketball players were highlighted as the leading indicators. Head width, leg length, ankle width, scapular fat for basketball and handball players, biceps and weight for handball and volleyball players, abdominal fat, leg length for volleyball and basketball players, and height introduced as the leading common indicators among all groups of players. The results related to the variance extracted in each of the main components of anthropometric features after rotation showed that the main parameters related to anthropometric characteristics in female handball players are: height, weight, knee-to-ground height, head width, Head circumference, waist circumference, leg length, ankle width, scapular fat, and biceps fat; in female volleyball players are: height, weight, trunk width at the navel, sitting pelvis width, elbow circumference, knee circumference, foot arc circumference, leg length, biceps fat, triceps fat; in female basketball players are: height, elbow circumference, head width, trunk circumference at chest level, trunk circumference at navel level, leg length, ankle width, scapular fat, and abdominal fat; and in players of the three groups of athletes are: height, knee-to-ground height, elbow circumference, head circumference, waist circumference, trunk circumference at chest level, scapular fat and maximum forearm circumference. Conclusion: The height is the leading standard index between different female handball, volleyball, and basketball players. Most of the anthropometric characteristics are various, related to the type of sport. Also, the biomechanical characteristics vary according to the unique skills in each discipline. In some sports, the biomechanical factors vary due to the features of the common sport and the design of specific training programs. Every sport needs to evaluate and study the anthropometric and biomechanical aspects of individuals.

The Effect of Eight Weeks of Selected Exercises in Water on Pain and Balance of Female Nurses With Chronic Back Pain

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of selected exercises in water on pain and balance of nurses with chronic back pain. Methods: This semi-experimental study was carried out on 30 nurses working in Sanandaj city hospitals. Selected exercises in water for eight weeks, three sessions per week, which was carried out progressively and with the practice of central stability exercises on the experimental group. To assess the pain and balance of the patients in the pre and post test tests, both groups used the standard questionnaire of Quebec, FBT test, berg balance test. Independent and dependent t-test was used to analyze the data. The significance level was considered as P<0.05. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean scores of pain and the static and dynamic balance in the experimental and control groups, respectively, with a significant decrease and significant increase in the pain (P=0.001) and static (P=0.001) and dynamic (P=0.001) balance variables in the experimental group. Conclusion: Regarding the effectiveness of selected exercises in water on the pain and balance of nurses with non-specific chronic low back pain, it is recommended to design the training protocols for patients with Special attention should be given to the chronic pain, to the practice of water therapy (and to the importance of taking core stability of the workout in these exercises).

The Effect of Comprehensive Corrective Exercises on Posture of Wushu Practitioners With Upper Cross Syndrome

Objective: Perform repetitive movements or long-term positioning causes adaptations in muscles and jointsand it can cause various disorders. To correct it, it is necessary to correct the movement pattern and use exercises to return to the desired muscle and joint position. The aim of this study was to investigate The effect of comprehensive corrective exercises on posture of the wushu athletes with upper cross syndrome. Methods: The method of the present study is quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test. The statistical population of this study included wushu men living in Kerman province with at least 3 years of sports experience. To this end, 30 Wooshakar males with forward Head, forward shoulder and kyphosis malalignment participated voluntarily in this study. A randomized placebo group was divided into two control groups and experimental were divided. Experimental group was selected for correction exercises for 10 weeks and 3 sessions per week for 20 to 60 minutes, while the control group did not receive any training program during this period. The evaluation of forward Head and forward shoulder and kyphosis angle were performed in two stages. Paired t-test and covariance analysis were used for data analysis. SPSS software was used at the significance level (P≤0.05). Results: The results showed that the mean forward Head and forward shoulder and kyphosis angle of the subjects decreased after participating in the corrective training program (P=0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to use the selected corrective exercise program to reduce the amount of head forward, shoulder forward, kyphosis and improve the upper limb function of athletes prone to the upper cross syndrome. Therefore, in addition to reducing the mentioned complications, it can also affect their performance.

Comparison of Motion Control Screening Test Scores in Active Women with a History of Knee and Ankle Injuries

Objective: Commenting on the return to sport after some injury is in doubt. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between test scores of movement control and a history of knee and ankle injury in active females. Methods: Statistical population of this study was 57 active females (22 healthy subjects, 19 subjects with a history of previous knee injury and 16 subjects with a history of previous ankle injury) with age ranging from 18 to 25 years old. In order to evaluate subjects, were used to the movement control test set consists of nine separate questions. Total maximum points in the subtests were 40 points, which less point was a better result in these tests. For statistical analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test were used (Significant at 95% and the alpha less than or equal 0.05, and using of the SPSS software v. 22). Results: The results of this study showed test scores of movement control earned by females with a history of ankle and knee injuries was significantly different with the healthy females (P=0.001).Compare scores of subjects with contact and non-contact injuries with healthy women showed that contact injury had higher scores than those who are non-contact injuries. The differences between the groups with any of these injuries are significant with no injury group (P=0.001).Cut-off point for this test was about 15.5. Conclusion: The scores of functional movement screening give a detailed model of the injury prevention to coaches in order to predict the risk of lower extremity injuries in athletes. So its need to coaches in order to the prevention of sports injuries, use the functional movement screening tests. To measure the performance level of the athletes before the start of the season, in order to identified athletes that are at risk of injury, in order to improve their capabilities.

The Effects of an Eight-week Cawthorne-Cooksey Training Program on Balance and Lower Limb Strength in the Elderly

Objective: With age, the problems associated with loss of balance, followed by decreased muscle strength and physical function, increase. Therefore, the elderly are exposed to serious injuries. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Cawthorne Cooksey training on balance and lower limb strength in the elderly. Methods: Subjects including 24 elderly men and women participated in this study voluntarily and were divided into experimental groups (n‌=‌12) and control (n‌=‌12). The design of the present study was pre-test and post-test. Cawthorne Cooksey training were performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week and each session for 60 minutes. The main variables were balance and lower limb strength, and the leaf test was used to assess balance and the rise and fall test was used for lower limb strength. One-way covariance and dependent t-test in SPSS software version 26 were used to analyze the pre-test and post-test results and compare the groups. Results: The results of this study showed that the balance in the experimental group had a significant improvement compared to the control group (P‌=‌0.001). There was also a significant difference in lower limb strength in the experimental group compared to the control (P‌=‌0.002). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, these exercises positively affect balance and lower limb strength in the elderly. Due to the decline in physical function of the elderly, performing these exercises increases the level of physical function and quality of life of the elderly.