Maximal and Explosive Muscle Strength During Hip Adduction Squeeze and Hip Abduction Press Test Using A Handheld Dynamometer: An Intra- and Inter-tester Reliability Study

Randomized controlled trial study of intelligent rehabilitation training system for functional ankle instability

To investigate the intervention effect of an intelligent rehabilitation training system on patients with functional ankle instability (FAI) and to advance the research to optimise the effect of FAI rehabilitation training. Thirty-four FAI patients who participated in this trial in Guilin City from April 2023 to June 2023 were recruited as research subjects, and all subjects were randomly divided into the control group (n = 17) and the observation group (n = 17). Both groups received the conventional rehabilitation training intervention for 6 weeks, and the observation group received the additional training using the intelligent rehabilitation training system training invented by our team. Visual analogue scale (VAS), ankle active mobility, ankle muscle strength and Y-balance test (YBT) were assessed before and after treatment. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA shows that the interaction effect between time and group of VAS scores was significant (F = 35.644, P < 0.05). The interaction effect between time and group of plantar flexion mobility was significant (F = 23.948, P < 0.05), the interaction effect between time and group of dorsiflexion mobility was significant (F = 6.570, P < 0.05), the interaction effect between time and group of inversion mobility was significant (F = 8.360, P < 0.05), the interaction effect between time and group of eversion mobility was significant (F = 10.113, P < 0.05). The interaction effect between time and group of inversion muscle strength was significant (F = 18.107, P < 0.05). The interaction effect between time and group of YBT scores was significant (F = 33.324, P < 0.05). The Intelligent Rehabilitation Training System can effectively reduce pain in FAI patients, improve joint range of motion, increase inversion strength, and improve dynamic balance of the affected limb.

Monitoring modifiable injury risk factors over an in-season mesocycle in semi-professional female field hockey players

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine changes of modifiable injury risk factors and fatigue parameters during a mesocycle (4 months of the competitive season) in semi-professional female field hockey players (Spanish 2nd Division).

METHODS

Fourteen female field hockey players (age: 22.6 ± 4.9 years) participated in the study over 4 months of the competitive season (September-December 2019). The players were tested each month for their: maximal isometric knee flexion, hip adduction, and abduction muscle strength; passive straight leg raise and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM); countermovement jump height; and perceptual fatigue (through a perceived well-being questionnaire).

RESULTS

Statistical differences were reported in isometric knee flexion torque in the dominant and non-dominant limb (p = < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.629,0.786 respectively), non-dominant isometric hip abductors torque (p = 0.016, ηp2 = 0.266) and isometric hip adductors torque in dominant and non-dominant limbs (p = < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.441-546). Also, significant differences were reported in the straight leg raise test (p = < 0.001, ηp2 = 0-523, 0.556) and ankle dorsiflexion (p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.376, 0.377) for the dominant and non-dominant limb respectively. Finally, the jump height measured showed significant differences (p = <.001, ηp2 = 0.490), while no differences were reported in perceived well-being parameters (p = 0.089-0.459).

CONCLUSION

Increments in isometric muscle strength and fluctuations in ROM values and vertical jumping capacity are reported over an in-season mesocycle (i.e., 4 months of the competitive season). This information can be used to target recovery strategies to make them more efficient.