Investigation of lumbopelvic region flexibility, trunk muscle endurance and lower extremity neuromuscular activity in hyperlordosis females.

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) causes progressive muscle weakness, limits function and may lead to altered muscle co-contraction patterns to accomplish task performance and joint stability. In this study we examined time-changes in co-contraction of scapular and humeral muscles in persons with FSHD vs. healthy controls during reaching. Participants with FSHD (N=12, 56.0±14.5 yrs) and age-matched healthy controls (N=12, 55.8±13.1 yrs) performed ipsilateral and contralateral reaching to target. Surface electromyograms, kinematics and maximum voluntary force data were recorded. The co-contraction index CI1 was calculated as mean over the whole movement and further compared over time using statistical parametric mapping. During contralateral reaching, mean co-contraction of the trapezius ascendens-serratus anterior (TA-SA) muscle pair was higher in persons with FSHD vs. healthy controls (P=0.007, Delta CI1: +16, Hg: 1.15) and increased in the last phase of reaching (P<0.008, Delta CIi1: +30 to+48, normalized time: 75-100%), consistent with a pattern of high excitation of the TA muscle in FSHD participants. The increase in TA-SA co-contraction in FSHD during contralateral reaching is required to accomplish scapular stability and mobility, in the presence of muscle weakness when approaching the target. A higher co-contraction has implications for higher energy expenditure and affects joint loads.

Differences in neuromechanics during walking in individuals with bilateral and unilateral chronic ankle instability.

Relationship between navicular drop and muscle onset timing during single-leg stance: A cross-sectional study.

Investigation of the effectiveness Of 'Nordic Walking' training on geriatric individuals: a randomized comparative study.

Post-stroke lower limb dysfunction affects the quality of life. Previous studies have confirmed that lower limb exoskeleton robots can improve the walking ability of stroke patients. This study aims to explore the impact of the UGO220 exoskeleton rehabilitation robot on the motor function and daily living ability of chronic stroke patients and to observe changes in lower limb muscle activity by surface electromyography before and after treatment. Sixty stroke patients with hemiplegia were randomly divided into a conventional (CT, n = 30) group or a robot (RT, n = 30) group. Patients in both groups received 60min of routine physical therapy and occupational therapy. The robot group received 30min of lower limb exoskeleton robot-assisted gait training per day, whereas the conventional group received 30min of physical therapist-assisted gait training per day, six days a week, for three consecutive weeks. The primary outcome was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer assessment-lower extremities (FMA-LE), and the secondary outcomes included the modified Barthel index (MBI) score, Berg balance scale (BBS), and lower extremity muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, anterior tibialis and medial gastrocnemius muscles, including the integrated EMG (iEMG) and root-mean-square (RMS) values. The robot group had significantly greater improvements in FMA-LE and MBI compared to the conventional group. The electromyography results indicated that in terms of the activation of the anterior tibial muscle, the robot group performed better than the traditional group. The UGO220 exoskeleton robot training is superior to conventional training in improving Activities of daily living and lower limb motor function. Moreover, it can better promote the improvement of the ankle dorsiflexion function. ClinicalTrials.gov (ChiCTR2500096316)(2025-01-21).

The purpose of this study was to examine functional movement patterns and physical functions, including strength, flexibility, balance, and agility in emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and to compare physical function outcomes between EMTs with different levels of functional movement performance. We hypothesized that EMTs with poorer functional movement patterns would perform worse in physical function tests than those with better patterns. This cross-sectional study recruited 91 EMTs from the Bureau of Fire in Tainan, Taiwan. Functional movement patterns were assessed using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS™). Muscle strength and flexibility of the upper and lower extremities and core stability were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer and clinical tests. The dynamic balance ability of each leg was assessed using the Y-balance test, and agility was assessed using the agility T-test. The average FMS™ score for all EMTs was 14.1, and 44 participants (48%) were classified as the higher-scoring group (FMS™ score higher than 14), and 47 (52%) were the lower-scoring group (FMS™ score 14 or less). The lower-scoring group exhibited significantly poorer fundamental movement patterns, reduced lower-body flexibility (sit-and-reach and straight-leg raise), and lower Y-balance test scores compared to the higher-scoring group. No differences were observed in upper and lower extremity muscle strength, core stability, shoulder mobility, or agility. The current results indicate that EMTs exhibit impaired functional movement patterns, with those with lower FMS™ scores demonstrating reduced lower body flexibility and dynamic balance compared with those with higher scores. These findings highlight the importance of movement-focused assessment and support the need for intervention strategies targeting movement quality, flexibility, and balance to promote occupational health in EMTs.

Basketball is a high-intensity sport that often results in lower extremity muscle and tendon injuries due to its rapid tempo and complex movement mechanics. Consequently, plyometric exercises are widely implemented in basketball training programs to enhance athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury. Recently, however, the benefits and drawbacks of plyometrics performed in various conditions have been widely debated. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of land- and aquatic-based plyometric training on lower-limb performance parameters including jumping, sprinting, agility, and flexibility in young male basketball players. A total of 32 male basketball players aged 15.15 ± 0.807 years participated in the study. Participants were assigned to one of four groups: aquatic vertical plyometric (AVP, n = 8), land-based vertical plyometric (LVP, n = 8), land-based horizontal plyometric (LHP, n = 8), and a control group (CG, n = 8). The training program was conducted three days per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately 90min in total, including warm-up, plyometric exercises, and cool-down phases. The sit-and-reach, standing long jump, vertical jump, 30m sprint, RAST, agility T-test, and lane agility tests were administered before and after the intervention. Significant improvements were found in flexibility performance in the aquatic vertical plyometric group (+ 1.62cm, + 4.8%; p = 0.001). The land-based horizontal plyometric group showed a significant increase in standing long jump performance (+ 0.05m, + 2.3%; p = 0.006). In the land-based vertical plyometric group, agility performance improved significantly, as evidenced by reductions in both lane agility test time (- 0.07s, - 0.6%; p = 0.035) and agility T-test time (- 0.62s, - 6.1%; p = 0.015). No statistically significant improvement was detected in vertical jump performance in the aquatic group (+ 0.71cm, + 1.8%; p > 0.05). Between-group analysis revealed a significant post-test difference in RAST fatigue index values (ANCOVA, p = 0.021), indicating differential training responses among the intervention groups. The study demonstrated that plyometric training can effectively improve specific anaerobic performance parameters in young basketball players. Among the examined methods, aquatic plyometric training produced more favorable outcomes in flexibility and fatigue-related parameters and may represent a potentially lower-impact training alternative for young athletes.

To investigate the relationship between hip and knee muscle volume and neuromuscular function (isokinetic strength, rate of torque development, and torque variability) in women with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Cross-sectional study. University research laboratory. Twenty women with PFP. Isokinetic strength (60 degrees/second and 180 degrees/second), rate of torque development, and torque variability were assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer for hip extension, hip abduction, knee extension, and knee flexion. Muscle volume of the lower extremity muscles (cm 3 /kg·m) was quantified through magnetic resonance imaging. Pearson r correlation or Spearman ρ coefficients were calculated to evaluate the relationship between muscle volume and neuromuscular function, with significance set at P < 0.05. Muscle volume for all muscle groups was moderately correlated with isokinetic strength at 60 degrees/second, r ≥ 0.452, P ≤ 0.046. Hip abduction and extension were moderately correlated with isokinetic strength at 180 degrees/second, r ≥ 0.485, P ≤ 0.030; however, no significant correlations were identified between muscle volume and rate of force development or torque variability, P < 0.05. The results suggest that isokinetic strength is associated with hip and knee muscle volume in women with PFP; however, additional measures of neuromuscular function (rate of torque development and torque variability) are not associated with muscle volume in lower extremity muscles.

Muscle architecture predicts lower extremity power generation during a power leg press test in individuals with cerebral palsy.

Prediction of ankle kinematics and kinetics in stair ascent motion using surface EMG feature inputs of lower extremity muscle combinations.

Age-related changes to BMD, morphometry, and microarchitecture do not occur uniformly across the population and the common skeletal phenotypes beyond BMD are not well defined. Additionally, the associations between bone and muscle are critical to understanding fall and fracture risk. We hypothesized that unsupervised clustering of High Resolution-peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (HR-pQCT) measures at the distal tibia (DT) and radius (DR), separately, would reveal unique skeletal phenotypes; and certain phenotypes would be associated with worse muscle function. In the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA; first annual follow-up visit), a cohort of community-dwelling older women and men (61% women; 87% White), HR-pQCT parameters acquired at the DT (N = 321; 76.3 ± 4.6yr) and DR (N = 295; 76.1 ± 4.5yr) were standardized within-sex then combined to form clusters. This resulted in 3 phenotypic clusters, (C1) high total BMD (Tt.BMD) and cortical area (Ct.Ar); (C2) medium Tt.BMD, Ct.Ar and low trabecular BMD (Tb.BMD); and (C3) low Tt.BMD, and Ct.Ar. DT C2 and C3 exhibited lower micro finite element analysis failure loads, with the cortical load fraction higher in C2 and lower in C3. C2 and C3 both had a similar proportion of osteoporotic and osteopenic/low bone density individuals, highlighting the novel granularity of HR-pQCT clusters vs. aBMD clinical cutoffs. In linear regression models for women, DT C3 was associated with lower leg power (p < .05). For men, DT C3 was associated with lower stair climb and leg power (p < .05). No significant difference was found in grip strength between DT clusters. For DR, no significant difference or association was found between muscle function and clusters for women and men. These findings suggest the concept of bone phenotypic-specific associations with lower but not upper extremity muscle function and have possible implications for the interaction between skeletal phenotypes and muscle function as potential contributory factors to fracture risk.

Biallelic pathogenic variants in TTN cause rare forms of early-onset myopathy, manifesting with variable severity, distribution, and progression of muscle weakness, often associated with respiratory insufficiency and potentially cardiomyopathy. The large size of TTN and phenotypic heterogeneity in TTN-related myopathy (TTN-RM) makes variant interpretation challenging. Here, we aim to evaluate suggestive imaging patterns of differential muscle involvement in the upper extremities in patients with biallelic TTN-RM that can aid in the diagnostic process. Thirty patients with confirmed biallelic TTN-related myopathy were evaluated by muscle ultrasound during the study visit (16 males, 14 females; ages 2-47 years). Study images were reviewed retrospectively for this analysis. Two independent raters graded each of the triceps brachii heads using a modified Heckmatt scale. Biceps images were analyzed semi-quantitatively for a layering pattern. Eleven patients demonstrated maximum involvement, as capturable on ultrasound, of all the triceps heads. Excluding these, 15/19 patients demonstrated a greater modified Heckmatt score in the long head compared to the lateral and medial heads of the triceps. Analysis of biceps images revealed greater increased echogenicity in the deeper portion of the biceps brachii muscle. We present an analysis of upper extremity muscle ultrasound findings in patients with biallelic TTN-related myopathy, revealing a suggestive pattern of triceps involvement and characteristic appearance of the biceps brachii. These "TTN compatible imaging phenomena" will aid in variant interpretation and help substantiate a diagnosis of TTN-related myopathy.

Background: This study aimed to compare muscle quality between women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and age-matched healthy controls and to explore the associations with muscle strength and walking speed. Methods: Thirty women with RA and 30 healthy controls participated. Muscle thickness and echo intensity (EI) of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis, tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography. Disease activity was evaluated using the 28-joint Disease Activity Score. Isometric knee and ankle muscle strength were measured by handheld dynamometry and walking speed by the 20-meter Walk Test. Results: Women with RA exhibited significantly lower muscle thickness in the RF (1.08 vs. 1.51 cm; P = .032), TA (1.46 vs. 1.98 cm; P = .027), MG (1.09 vs. 1.53 cm; P = .040), and LG (0.86 vs. 1.13 cm; P = .013) compared with controls. Echo intensity values were significantly higher in the RA group across all muscles examined (all P &lt; .05). Knee extensor strength (109.26 vs. 122.35 N; P = .004) and walking speed (1.09 vs. 1.98 m/s; P = .032) were also reduced in RA. Disease Activity Score correlated positively with EI (RF: rho = 0.425) and negatively with muscle thickness (RF: rho = −0.456). Conclusion: Women with RA show significant impairments in muscle quality, strength, and mobility, which worsen with increasing disease activity. Regular assessment of muscle morphology and functional performance may support early identification of functional decline and guide appropriate management strategies in this population. Cite this article as: Karapınar M, Ayyıldız VA, Alsa. A, Doğru A, Şahin M. Comparison of lower extremity muscle deterioration in women with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls: relationship with disease activity, muscle strength, and walking speed. Eurasian J Med. 2026, 58(3), 1144, doi: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2026.251144.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of taping on change of direction (CoD) performance in soccer players using a systematic literature review (SLR) approach. The method followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, with literature searches conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases from 2010 to 2026. Article selection was performed using the PICOS framework, resulting in eight eligible studies. The findings indicate that most studies reported improvements in agility performance related to CoD following the application of taping, although some studies found no significant differences. The types of taping applied included kinesio taping, neuromuscular taping, and dynamic taping, primarily on lower extremity muscles such as the quadriceps and gastrocnemius. These improvements are associated with enhanced proprioceptive stimulation and joint stability. In conclusion, taping has potential as a complementary intervention to improve change of direction (CoD) performance; however, its effectiveness remains inconsistent due to variations in application techniques, duration, and subject characteristics. Therefore, taping is more effective when combined with structured physical training programs rather than being used as a primary intervention. Keywords: Agility, Change of Direction, Soccer, Taping

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of lower extremity muscle strength on inside-foot and instep kick performance in young football players. The study included 36 young male football players. The study consisted of three sessions with 72-hour intervals. The first session involved anthropometric measurements and tests of inside-foot and instep kick speed. The second session involved isometric tests of abductor and adductor muscles, and the final session involved isometric tests of quadriceps muscles. The relationships between muscle strength and kick speed were examined using Pearson correlation analysis, and the effect of muscle strength on kick speed was evaluated using linear regression analysis. A positive correlation was found between quadriceps and adductor muscle strength and instep kick performance (p &lt; .05). In addition, adductor muscle strength was positively associated with insidefoot kick speed (p &lt; .05). Regression analyses revealed that quadriceps and adductor muscle strength significantly affected instep kick speed, while adductor muscle strength also significantly affected inside-foot kick speed (p &lt; .05). In conclusion, it can be said that quadriceps and adductor muscle strength are important determinants of insidefoot and instep kick speed; therefore, coaches should prioritize exercises targeting quadriceps and adductor muscle strength in training programs aimed at improving kicking performance in football players. Cite this article as: Öztürk, B. (2026). The effect of lower extremity muscle strength on inside-foot and instep kick performance in young football players. Research in Sports Science, 16, 0001, doi:10.5152/rss.2026.26001.

This study examined the effects of elastic band exercises added to a traditional warm-up program on throwing performance and viscoelastic properties of upper extremity muscles in adolescent female handballers. Thirty female handballers aged 12-18 years participated in the study. The athletes were randomly divided into control (n = 15) and experimental (n = 15) groups. While elastic band exercises in addition to a traditional warm-up program, six days a week for six weeks. Throwing performance, viscoelastic properties, strength, and endurance of the upper extremity were evaluated by the Throwing Accuracy Test, Myotonometry, Modified Push-Up, and Medicine Ball-Throw Test, respectively. Immediate effects of warm-up showed significant improvements in standing and jumping throws in the experimental group (p &amp;lt; 0.05), but no improvement in standing throws in the control group (p = 0.504). Regarding viscoelastic properties, a significant increase in deltoid elasticity was observed in the Experimental Group (p = 0.023). Long-term effects showed improvements in throwing accuracy and changes in viscoelastic properties in both groups, with significant differences in biceps muscle tone and stiffness in the experimental group (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Significant improvements were also observed in Modified Push-Up and Medicine Ball Throwing Test results in both groups (p &amp;lt; 0.05). In conclusion, elastic band exercises added to the traditional warm-up improved throwing accuracy and altered the viscoelastic properties of upper extremity muscles in handballers.

Over the past decade, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of clinical trials using electrical spinal cord stimulation to alleviate sensorimotor dysfunctions caused by traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Interestingly, despite using different stimulation modalities across studies, such as epidural stimulation (ES) or dorsal root ganglia stimulation (DRGS), similar motor outcomes have been achieved, and in turn, strengthened momentum to translate spinal stimulation as a robust clinical tool for SCI rehabilitation. To investigate how spinal stimulation affects motor outcomes, surface electromyography is used to assess muscle activity in response to specific stimulation parameters (e.g., frequency, amplitude) and contact configurations. We characterized lower extremity evoked responses produced by ES and DRGS in 19 clinical trial participants with traumatic SCI. Our results showed that at threshold intensity, ES demonstrated bias for activating distal muscles whereas DRGS preferentially activated proximal muscles ipsilateral to the stimulation electrode. Following paired stimulation pulses spaced 50 ms apart, suppression of the second pulse response was observed in both modalities for all participants, while more pronounced suppression was observed with ES compared with DRGS. DRGS-evoked electromyography (EMG) response latencies were shorter compared with ES-evoked EMG response across proximal leg muscles. Altogether, these results demonstrate that ES and DRGS activate motoneurons projecting to lower extremity muscles through distinct yet overlapping mechanisms. These electrophysiological signatures are unique to each stimulation modality and may guide individually tailored therapies to improve task-specific lower extremity motor function.

Retrospective cohort study. To examine the impact of lumbar canal stenosis (LSS) severity on paraspinal muscles in patients undergoing surgery. LSS commonly causes back pain, leg pain, and sensory disturbances, and severe cases may result in muscle weakness. Dysfunction of the lumbar paraspinal muscles is linked to low back pain, and lower extremities muscle weakness is common in severe LSS. However, few studies have investigated the condition of paraspinal muscles in LSS patients. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between LSS severity and paraspinal muscle degeneration by comparing muscle area and fat content in surgical LSS cases. Seventy-eight patients with LSS (51 males, 27 females) who underwent posterior decompression or decompression with fusion were included. On preoperative T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, total muscle cross-sectional area, muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA), fat cross-sectional area, and fat percentage (FP) were measured for the multifidus, longissimus, and psoas muscles. Patients were categorized by stenosis count (single or multiple) and anatomical level (above L3/4, below L4/5, or extensive). The MCSA of the multifidus and longissimus muscles was significantly smaller in the multiple stenosis group than in the single stenosis group (56.5±2.1 cm2 vs. 51.0±1.5 cm2, p=0.0384). FP was significantly higher in the multiple stenosis group (multifidus: 25.5%±1.4% vs. 30.3%±1.0%, p=0.0081; longissimus: 14.3%±0.9% vs. 17.2%±0.7%, p=0.0123) across all levels. No significant differences in MCSA were observed among different anatomical levels. An increased number of stenotic levels were associated with significant paraspinal muscle atrophy and fat infiltration, whereas the anatomical stenosis level showed minimal impact on muscle condition. Stenosis severity, rather than its location, may primarily contribute to paraspinal muscle degeneration in LSS patients.

Balance Impairment, Muscle Oxygenation, and Functional Exercise Capacity in Patients With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.