Triple Hop Test Research Articles

Autograft Choice and Jumping Performance After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparative Study on Professional Athletes.

The extensor apparatus of the knee is of paramount importance in generating the torque needed for a countermovement jump (CMJ), especially in jumping athletes. In anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) procedures, graft harvesting from the extensor apparatus may dramatically affect extensor strength and jumping performance. The focused jump training of professional jumping athletes would increase the likelihood of restoring jumping performance after ACLR, despite the graft choice (autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone [BPTB] or hamstring [HS] tendon). Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. A retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data was carried out. Only professional athletes were included, and all surgical procedures were performed by a single experienced surgeon. Data collection considered the type of surgery, sports activity, and functional evaluation at 3 months after surgery. From the functional evaluation, data on single-leg hop (SLH) test, triple hop (TH) test, and CMJ were extracted. Limb symmetry index (LSI) for maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the quadriceps and for each of the jumping tests was calculated. Multiple analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were used to assess mean differences among groups for the LSI in CMJ, SLH, and TH and estimate the effect of confounders. From a subsequent series of 208 athletes, 44 professional athletes were included for data collection. Of these, 26 were male and 18 were female. A jumping sport (basketball, volleyball) was played by 17 athletes, while a running sport (soccer, judo, rugby, tennis, ski) was performed by 27 athletes. The mean time from injury to surgery was 17.8 ± 14.5 days. At 90 days from surgery, the overall mean LSI for CMJ was 85.3% ± 8.9%, for SLH was 92.2% ± 6.4%, and for TH was 90.8% ± 6.1%. When ANCOVA was fitted using the interaction term with BPTB autograft and jumping sport, a nonsignificant effect on LSI for CMJ (P = .56), SLH (P = .72), and TH (P = .98) was observed. The results of the present investigation on professional athletes showed that no difference occurred within the study cohort in overall jumping performance between jumping and running athletes undergoing ACLR either with BPTB or with HS tendon grafts. Although some evidence suggests that quadriceps strength may be dramatically affected by the harvesting of BPTB, the overall performance of the jump was not compromised.

Successful ACL repair by dynamic intraligamentary stabilisation is non-inferior in functional performance and worse in proprioception compared to healthy controls in a case-matched study.

The primary aim of this study was to assess non-inferiority in functional performance of the knee after dynamic intraligamentary stabilisation (DIS) surgery at a minimal follow-up of 1 year compared to healthy controls, based on limb symmetry index (LSI) of the single leg hop test (SLH). Additionally, functional performance based on the single leg triple hop test (SLTH) and side hop test (SH), proprioception and subjective outcome were evaluated. A total of 45 DIS patients were 1-to-1 matched to a healthy control. Functional performance was evaluated by LSI and absolute values on the SLH, SLTH and SH. Proprioception was assessed by joint position sense (JPS) test and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were obtained. Non-inferiority in functional performance after DIS compared to healthy controls was confirmed based on the mean LSI of the SLH and SLTH (97.6% vs. 99.6% and 97.5% vs. 100.6%, respectively) and non-confirmed on the SH (98.8% vs. 100.0%, respectively). No significant differences were found in absolute value of the SLH and SLTH and a significantly higher absolute value of the SH was found in the DIS group (p = 0.01). JPS absolute angular error was significantly higher in the DIS group compared to the control group (p = 0.01). The median IKDC score of the DIS group was significantly lower (92, IQR 85-95) than the control group (100, IQR 99-100), p < 0.001. In conclusion, functional performance after DIS was confirmed non-inferior compared to healthy controls based on the SLH and SLTH, although non-confirmed on the SH. Level III.

Evaluation of hop tests based on Y-Balance test and FMS test outcomes in volleyball and basketball players to identify those prone to injury: a potential predictor of injury

BackgroundThe quest for a reliable and effective method to identify athletes at risk of injury holds the promise of significantly reducing injury rates and improving overall athletic performance. This research delved into the relationship between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test (YBT), and Hop tests (Side hop, Medial triple hop, and Lateral step-down hop), aiming to determine the potential in predicting injuries of hop tests among division 1 volleyball and basketball players.MethodsThis research was conducted with fifty-two participants from the Division 1 league, encompassing both volleyball and basketball players. The study rigorously employed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), the Y-Balance Test (YBT), and various hop tests (side hop test, medial triple hop test, lateral step-down hop) to measure relevant variables. The data analysis used logistic regression, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the study.ResultsResults showed no significant relationship between FMS and Hop test for predicting injuries, but there was a relationship between ΔY and side hop that shows side hop test can predict injury, but there was no relationship between Lateral step down, Medial triple hop, and ΔY.ConclusionsBased on our findings, side hop, despite the medial triple hop and lateral step-down test, can be used as a sports injury predictor.

Assessing the Impact of Psychological Readiness on Performance and Symmetry in Functional Testing After ACL Reconstruction in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients.

Readiness for return to sports involves both physical and psychological aspects of recovery; however, the relationship between psychological and physical variables after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) is poorly understood. ACLR patients with a higher psychological readiness would demonstrate better functional testing results at 6 months. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Participants were evaluated at 6 months after ACLR with various patient-reported outcome metrics: Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale, pediatric or adult International Knee Documentation Committee Questionnaire (IKDC), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Psychological Stress Experience and ACL - Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. Functional testing included quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteal strength testing; Y-balance test; single-leg single hop, crossover hop, and triple hop tests; and timed 6-m hop test. Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariable regression were used to determine associations between the limb symmetry index (LSI) on functional testing and patient-reported outcomes. Those with LSI deficits <20% (better performance) were compared with those with deficits >20% (worse performance). A total of 229 participants (89 male, 140 female) with a median age of 17 years (range, 10.3-30.6 years) were enrolled. IKDC had a moderate negative correlation with PROMIS - Psychological Stress Experience (r = -0.39; 95% CI = -0.49, -0.27; P < .001) and a moderate positive correlation with ACL-RSI (r = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.46, 0.64; P < .001). A total of 151 patients completed functional testing. ACL-RSI demonstrated a positive correlation with single-hop LSI (r = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.05, 0.35; P = .01) and timed 6-m hop (r = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.42; P = .001). When adjusting for sex, age, and graft type, patients who had <20% deficit on the single-hop test scored 16.6 points higher on ACL-RSI (P = .001), and those with <20% deficit on crossover hop testing scored a mean 13.9 points higher on ACL-RSI (P = .04). Higher psychological readiness for return to sport was associated with better performance and greater symmetry on hop testing 6 months after ACLR, suggesting a potential link between physical and psychological recovery.

Patients undergoing multiligamentknee reconstruction injured during pivoting sports demonstrate similar clinical, functionaland return to sport outcomes by 2 years compared with those undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

This study investigates the clinical and activity-based outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) versus multiligamentous knee reconstruction (MLKR) following a pivoting sports injury. Fifty MLKR patients were included, of which 20 (40%) were injured during pivoting sports. A further 50 patients undergoing ACLR following an injury during pivoting sports were consecutively recruited for comparison. Patients were assessed before the surgery and at 6-, 12- and 24 months with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, Tegner activity scale (TAS) and anterior cruciate ligament return to sport after injury (ACL-RSI) score. Knee movement, the single (SHD) and triple (THD) hop tests for distance, and peak isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength were assessed, with Limb Symmetry Indices (LSIs) calculated. Outcomes were compared across groups: (1) ACLR (n = 50), (2) MLKR (n = 50)and (3) MLKR due to pivoting sport injury (n = 20). IKDC, TAS and ACL-RSI scores remained lower (p < 0.05) in the full MLKR versus ACLR cohort at all timepoints. Comparing the ACLR and MLKR cohort that had injuries specifically during pivoting sports, the IKDC (p < 0.001) and TAS (p = 0.009) were higher in the ACLR group at 6 months, and the ACL-RSI was higher at 6 (p < 0.001) and 12 (p = 0.007) months, there were no further differences. Hop and knee extensor strength LSIs were lower (p < 0.05) in the full MLKR (versus ACLR) cohort at all timepoints (apart from the 24-month SHD LSI). However, the ACLR group only demonstrated greater LSIs than the pivoting sport MLKR for the SHD at 6 months (p < 0.001), and knee extensor strength at 6 (p < 0.001) and 12 (p < 0.001) months. While the recovery of patients undergoing MLKR due to a pivoting sports injury is delayed compared with their ACLR counterparts, the clinical outcome and activity profile are similar by 24 months. Level IV.

Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Female Sepak Takraw Players: An Observational Study

This study investigated the magnitude and direction of inter-limb asymmetry in 21 professional female sepak takraw players across several task-specific tests. Five inter-limb asymmetry assessments were employed: unilateral countermovement jump (Uni-CMJ), bilateral countermovement jump (Bi-CMJ), single-leg hop (SLH), triple hop test (THOP), and isokinetic concentric peak torque of the knee flexors and extensors at 60 deg/s−1, 120 deg/s−1, and 180 deg/s−1 angular velocities. A “true” inter-limb asymmetry was only observed for Uni-CMJ jump height (16.62%) and THOP distance (6.09%). Kappa coefficients demonstrated fair agreement in the direction of asymmetry between the Uni-CMJ and Bi-CMJ tests for jump height (Kappa = 26.67), but only slight agreement for peak force (Kappa = 0.11), propulsive impulse (Kappa = −0.12), and eccentric impulse (Kappa = −0.14). Fair agreement was observed between the SLH and THOP (Kappa = 0.32). Slight to moderate agreement was found for concentric peak torque across angular velocities for the knee extensors (Kappa = 0.08 to 0.48), while fair to nearly perfect agreement was noted for the knee flexors (Kappa = 0.31 to 1). The Uni-CMJ and THOP are most sensitive to detect between-limb asymmetries in female sepak takraw players. Given the inconsistencies in asymmetry direction across tests, monitoring asymmetry direction is important for strength and conditioning.

Anabolic/Catabolic Hormone Imbalance but Still Jumping Further? Negative Association of Free Testosterone With Jumping Performance in Elite Handball Players Following a Preparatory Period

ABSTRACT Purpose: The present study investigated the effects of a 10-week preparatory training period on biomarkers and jumping performance and associations of changes in biomarkers, load, and jumping performance from the beginning (PRE) to the end of the preparatory period (POST) in elite handball players. Methods: Seventeen elite handball players competing in the first Slovenian men’s League were recruited. Training, competition and academic loads were reported weekly, while biomarkers and jumping performance were assessed at PRE and POST. Results: At POST, decreased levels of free testosterone (large effect size [ES] = -1.69, p < .001) and free testosterone to cortisol ratio [FTCR] (large ES = −.95, p = .004) were observed; whereas, better performance on the single leg lateral hop test [SLLH] (large ES = .85, p = .007) and single leg triple hop test [SLTH] (large ES = 1.05, p = .002) were observed compared to PRE. Furthermore, changes in FTCR correlated with changes in cortisol (high r = -.751, p = .001), SLLH (moderate r = -.603, p = .022), and SLTH (moderate r = -.643, p = .013), while changes in free testosterone correlated with SLTH (moderate r = -.645, p = .013). Conclusions: High intensity trainings with a saturated competition schedule can result in disturbed anabolic/catabolic hormone ratio observed through FTCR decrease, which could indicate either an optimal state or early exhaustiveness. It seems that SLLH and SLTH are more sensitive to changes in biomarkers than a single leg hop test. Sport professionals may use the results for individualized monitoring of an athlete’s health and performance, specifically, as an aid for adjusting training loads accordingly to prevent performance declines and potential injury/illness events.

Reliability of Spatiotemporal Characteristics During Single-Legged Hop and Bilateral Drop Jump Tasks Using an Instrumented Pressure Walkway.

Single-legged hop tests have been widely used to assess performance-based outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Traditional single, triple, or 6-meter (6m) timed hop tests only measure distance or time as the principal variables, neglecting other variables, such as individual hop distances within a series of hops, flight time, and stance time. The development of portable instrumented pressure walkways has made it possible to collect parameters such as hop velocity, flight time, stance time, distance, and pressure outside of a laboratory setting. However, the reliability of instrumented pressure walkways in measuring spatial and temporal variables during single-legged hop tests is unknown. This study aimed to determine if the Zeno walkway can reliably measure spatiotemporal (ST) characteristics of hop tests. Cross-Sectional Study. Individuals (n=38) in this cross-sectional study performed single, triple, and 6m hop tests on a pressure-sensitive Zeno walkway. Twenty-one participants completed follow-up testing between one and 14 days later. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(3,k)) were used to assess test-retest reliability of ST variables. The accuracy of vertical jump height and 6m hop timing were also measured. All ST variables demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.86) with small minimal detectable change (MDC) values during single-legged hop tests. Six-meter hop time and jump height during a bilateral drop jump were also accurately measured by the walkway. An instrumented pressure walkway is a novel tool to reliably assess non-traditional parameters of clinically relevant hop and jump tests such as flight time, stance time, and jump height after lower extremity injury, surgery, and rehabilitation. 3b.

ACUTE EFFECT OF ANKLE DYNAMIC TAPING AND KINESIO TAPING ON BALANCE AND LOWER EXTREMITY FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Objective: The ankle-foot complex is integral to maintaining balance as it gathers proprioceptive data. Dynamic taping (DT) and Kinesio taping (KT) are special elastic therapeutic tape applied to the skin. This study aims to investigate the acute effect (2 hours) of DT and KT on dynamic balance and functional performance in healthy individuals. Method: A total of 15 adults (7 males and 8 females) were included in the study. Participants underwent testing under three conditions (No taping, DT, and KT). Balance was assessed with Y Balance Test, while functional performance was evaluated with Single Hop Test, Triple Hop Test, Cross Over Hop Test, and 6 Meter Timed Hop Test. Results: There was a significant difference in Y balance posteromedial test between three conditions (p0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that ankle KT enhances dynamic balance in healthy individuals.

Estimating the Reliability and Validity of the Quadrant Hop Test in the Assessment of the Functional Stability of the Knee.

Background Many sporting activities demand multidirectional skills and movements, emphasizing the importance of various fitness components such as functional stability, strength, power, endurance, and range of motion. These aspects must be thoroughly assessed before athletes can return to sports safely following an injury. Although the single-leg hop test (SHT) is widely used as the gold standard for evaluating joint stability, it has limitations in assessing multidirectional movements. Therefore, further research is necessary to explore whether increasing the dynamicity of the hop test in different directions enhances its sensitivity in assessing knee joint stability across all four directions. The objective of this study was to investigate the applicability of a new functional assessment tool, the quadrant hop test (QHT), for evaluating lower limb functional stability. Methodology One hundred nineteen amateur sportsmen who are in the age group of 18-25 years with a limb symmetry index of the lower limb calculated through SHT of >80% were included. All the participants performed the SHT, a triple hop test (THT), a crossover hop test (CHT), and the QHT on two different days, with two investigators assessing the QHT on different days and then recording the measurements of Hop distance. Results The mean difference between SHT, THT, and CHT with QHT was 4.59%, with a moderate correlation between all the hop tests. The Cronbach's alpha revealed good intra-rater (0.917) and inter-rater reliability (0.912) of the QHT. Conclusion The QHT proves to be a reliable and valid measure for assessing the functional stability of the lower limb and is 4.59% more sensitive than SHT, THT, and CHT in assessing knee stability and in return to sports criteria.

Dynamic Single-Leg Balance Tests of Physiotherapy Students: A Comparison of Body-Active Weight Shift Test and Two Sudden Disturbance Tests

BACKGROUND: Balance is essential to maintain and stabilize the transition from static to dynamic posture. The human body can maintain the center of gravity within the base of support and to process input from vision, the vestibular apparatus, and the somatic senses. AIM: The research aimed to check the correlation of the active body-weight shift test (Y balance test [YBT]) and two sudden perturbation tests in physiotherapy students. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a descriptive research design was used. Twenty-nine healthy adults (14 men and 15 women) with a mean age of 23.6 ± 6.3 were tested using the active body-weight shift test and two sudden perturbation tests. A descriptive statistical analysis using correlation coefficients was performed. RESULTS: Our subjects’ average values of the test results meet the normative values. There is a correlation between the YBT test and the crossover hop test in the anterior (p &lt; 0.01), posterior-medial, and posterior-lateral directions (p &lt; 0.05), and the triple-hop test forward in the posterior-medial and posterior-lateral directions (p &lt; 0.05), and anterior direction (p &lt; 0.01) for the left extremity, except for the anterior direction to the right. With the right extremity, there is a correlation between the YBT test and the crossover hop test and triple-hop test forward in the posterior medial (p &lt; 0.05), the crossover hop test in the posterior medial and posterior lateral to the left (p &lt; 0.05), and the right (p &lt; 0.01), but no correlation in the anterior direction in either of them. CONCLUSION: The data of all physiotherapy students in our study meet the normative data, and no difference due to gender has been observed. There is a correlation between the active body-weight shift test and sudden perturbation tests with or without lateral movement for the left extremity, but not for the right extremity. We can assume better results when standing on an undominant limb, which can lead to insufficient support when standing on a dominant limb. What should not be the case in providing patient safety.

The Influence of Functional Movement and Strength upon Linear and Change of Direction Speed in Male and Female Basketball Players.

The present study aimed to analyse the relationship between functional movement and strength variables upon linear speed (Ls) and change of direction (COD) based on gender. It also aimed to identify the determinants of performance of Ls and COD according to gender. Fifty basketball players (54% female) completed the assessment in which the weight-bearing dorsiflexion test, the Y-balance test, the unilateral countermovement jump, the unilateral drop jump, the unilateral triple hop test, Ls and CODs were performed. Speed variables were divided according to time execution into "low-performance" and "high-performance" to establish a comparison between performance groups. Strength variables significantly influenced speed tests' performance in both genders (p < 0.05). For males, the greater the Ls, the higher the change of direction deficit (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that a long and vertical stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) was the most influential physical ability for speed performance in females (45-65% variance explained; p < 0.001), while in males, a short and horizontal SSC played a significant role (30-61% variance explained; p < 0.022). These results suggest that gender should be considered in programming strength training to improve speed, as each gender will benefit most from the application of different force-orientations and different SSC. Also, the faster the male players were in Ls, the less efficient they were in the COD performance. This is why for men, it would be recommended to perform eccentric exercises along with deceleration and technique drills to improve COD speed.

Are trunk stability and endurance determinant factors for whole-body dynamic balance in physically active young males? A multidimensional analysis.

Determine if (a) a better trunk stability and endurance are associated with an improved whole-body dynamic balance, and if (b) the assessment tests can be interchanged within each capability. Sixty-three physically active young males performed three trunk stability (i.e., the lumbopelvic stability, the unstable sitting and the sudden loading sitting tests), three trunk muscle endurance (i.e., the Biering-Sørensen, the side bridge and the front bridge tests) and four whole-body dynamic balance (i.e., the tandem and the single-leg stance, the Y-Balance, and the single-leg triple hop tests) tests two times. After assessing the reliability of the variables, a Pearson correlation analysis was performed. The correlations between trunk stability and endurance tests with dynamic balance tests were non-significant except for the unstable sitting test with both the tandem (r = 0.502) and the single-leg stance (r = 0.522) tests. Moreover, no relationships were observed between the trunk stability and the trunk muscle endurance tests. Interestingly, no relationships were found between most tests within each capability (i.e., trunk stability, trunk endurance, and dynamic balance) except: (i) the front bridge stability test and the back (r = 0.461) and the side (r = 0.499) bridge stability tests; (ii) the two side bridge endurance tests (r = 0.786); (iii) the tandem and the single-leg stance tests (0.439 ≤ r ≤ 0.463); (iv) the Y-Balance and the single-leg triple hop tests (0.446 ≤ r ≤ 0.477). Better trunk function does not seem to be a relevant factor for dynamic balance in young active males. In this population, specific measures are needed as the test interchangeability is questioned.

Pain and disability were related to Y-balance test but not with proprioception acuity and single-leg triple-hop test in patients with patellofemoral pain: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionPatellofemoral pain is a common complaint between physically active subjects. Patients with patellofemoral pain present limitations to performing daily activities. Pain could alter proprioceptive acuity and lead to movement impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of pain and disability with proprioception acuity and physical performance in patients with patellofemoral pain. Methods: Forty-eight patients with patellofemoral pain [age 31.15 (5.91) years; 30 (62.50%) males] were recruited. Data collected included pain intensity, pain duration, disability, joint position sense (JPS) test at 20° and 60° of knee flexion, and physical performance tests (Single-Leg Triple-Hop Test and Y- Balance Test). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to assess the relationship between the variables. ResultsPain intensity was correlated with Y-Balance Test posteromedial component (rs = −0.32, 95%CI = −0.55 to −0.03, p = 0.029) and the composite score (rs = −0.35, 95%CI = −0.58, −0.07, p = 0.015). Pain duration was correlated with Y-Balance Test posterolateral component (rs = −0.23, 95% CI = −0.53 to −0.01, p = 0.047). Disability was correlated with Y-Balance Test posteromedial component (rs = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.62, p = 0.004). Pain and disability were not correlated with JPS and the Single-Leg Triple-Hop Test. ConclusionPain and disability were related to Y-Balance Test but not to proprioceptive acuity and Single-Leg Triple-Hop Test in patients with patellofemoral pain.

Normative Reference Value of Hop Test and its Association with Body Mass Index in Football Players: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Football is a highly regarded and widely appreciated sport that is played throughout the globe. It is a quick game that involves continuous running and jumping activities as per game demands. Hop tests are functional test that can be used to assess power and strength of lower limbs and helps to decide fitness level of a player. In most studies this test is used after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction for return to sport and comparison between dominant and non dominant leg. Aim: To establish a normative value of hop test {Single Leg Hop Test (SLHT), Triple Leg Hop Test (TLHT) and 6-minute Timed Hop Test (6-mHT)} and its association with Body Mass Index (BMI). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024 in the Department of Physiotherapy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India, from December 2023 to February 2024. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 280 players, aged between 18-25 years. Inclusion criteria was 3 years of systematic football training with 3-4 training sessions weekly and 8 hour of football training per week. The SLHT, TLHT and 6-mHT were used to assess functional testing of players. Kolmogorov Smirnov test showed data was non normal, expressed in the form of Median {Interquartile Range (IQR)} and Median (Range). Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to check association between BMI and hop test. Results: Normative values were established for SLHT 150 (25), 153.64 (127-177); TLHT 448 (101.25), 446.88 (368-522); 6-mHT 2.45 (1.49), 2.84 (1.95-4.30). Phi-Cramer’s test showed that SLHT and 6-mHT have a very weak association with BMI having p-value=0.047 and &lt;0.001 respectively. Conclusion: Normative values were established for hop test and it showed a very strong association between BMI and TLHT.

Effects of photobiomodulation applied at different times on functional performance and ergogenic response of rugby athletes: Randomized clinical trial

BackgroundPhotobiomodulation (PBM) is indicated to accelerate the recovery of athletes and reduce muscle damage caused by physical exercise. The objective of this study was to establish the best time to apply photobiomodulation to increase the functional performance and ergogenic response of rugby athletes. MethodsRandomized crossover clinical trial with 18 rugby athletes of both sexes. The interventions were carried out from January to May 2019. The blood levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate, and performance in the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test, Single Hop Test, Triple Hop Test, Bangsbo Sprint test (BST), and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (YoyoIR1) were evaluated. The athletes underwent two blocks of exercises with the BST and Yoyo-IR1, as well as the random application of four interventions: without application of photobiomodulation (CO), pre-exercise photobiomodulation (PBpre), PBM during the exercise interval (PBint), or post-exercise photobiomodulation (PBpos). The photobiomodulation using light-emitting diodes (850 nm, 8 J/cm2) lasted 10 min and was applied to the quadriceps, hamstrings, and triceps surae muscles. The results were compared between groups and times, and the effect size for the interventions was established. ResultsNo differences were found between groups in CK, lactate, and performance in the functional tests between groups and times. Only the PBpre presented improved performance in the first Yoyo-1R1 test (p < 0.01), while the PBint improved in the second Yoyo-IR1 test and BST (p < 0.05). ConclusionThe PBM did not change muscle damage markers or performance in the functional tests. For an ergogenic response, photobiomodulation applied before exercise improves performance, which can be maintained when PBM is performed in the exercise interval.

Plyometric Training's Effects on Young Male Karatekas' Jump, Change of Direction, and Inter-Limb Asymmetry.

This study analysed the effects of performing a plyometric training programme on different types of jumping and specific changes of direction, and their respective asymmetries in karatekas. Twenty male karatekas (age 19 ± 4 years) were distributed in two groups, the control group (CG) and the experimental group (EG). The EG group (n = 10) performed a 6-week intervention of unilateral plyometric training, performing countermovement jumps (CMJ), drop jumps (DJ), and long jumps (SH). The tests performed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention were a unilateral and bilateral countermovement jump test (CMJ), single-leg hop test (SH), single-leg side-hop test (SSH), triple hop test (TH), and change of direction in a karate position test (MKUKS). The EG group obtained improvements in the CMJ with the stronger (p = 0.01; ES = 0.39) and weaker leg (p = 0.01; ES = 0.59), in the SH with the weaker leg (p = 0.01; ES = 0.45), in the SSH with the weaker leg (p = 0.03; ES = 0.33), in the MKUKS (p = 0.00; ES = 0.98), and improved the asymmetries obtained in the TH (p = 0.02; ES = -0.85). The GC group obtained significant differences in the CMJ with the stronger (p = 0.03; ES = 0.46) and weaker leg (p = 0.00; ES = 0.69), in the bilateral CMJ (p = 0.02; ES = 0.24), in the SH with the weaker leg (p = 0.00; ES = 0.34), in the TH with the stronger (p = 0.00; ES = -0.15) and weaker leg (p = 0.01; ES = 0.09), and in the MKUKS test (p = 0.04; ES = -0.94). A between-group analysis showed improvements of the EG over the GC in the TH with the stronger leg (p = 0.02; ES = 1.05). Performing plyometric training provides improvements in jumping, mainly in horizontal jumps, reducing inter-limb asymmetries in repetitive jumps.

Recreational male athletes’ single leg forward hop and crossover triple hop test kinetics, kinematics, peak frequency and magnitude alterations

Objective: Single-leg forward and crossover triple hop tests are predictors of recovery and return-to-sports after lower extremity injury and treatment. The purpose of the study is to assess the kinematic and kinetic feasibility and repeatability of a motion analysis base for these hop tests in recreational male athletes. Methods: Normal ranges of single- and crossover triple hop tests kinetics, kinematics, peak frequencies and magnitude alterations in spectral distributions were evaluated in 11 recreational male athletes. Ground reaction forces were measured using a force plate. A motion capture system was used to record peak knee flexion-extension angles. Peak frequency and magnitude characteristics in spectral distributions were calculated from these measurements. Results: Ground reaction force normalized to body weight at landing was 2.9±0.1 (N/kg*10) in both legs during repetitions. Average flight over total time was 0.49±0.03 and 0.38±0.01 (s/s) for single and crossover triple hop tests, respectively. Flight, preparatory and total jump times were 0.301±0.020, 0.331±0.033 and 0.641±0.038 s for single, and 0.261±0.014, 0.453±0.024 and 0.701±0.046 s for crossover tests. Knee angle variations except for peak flexion angles were similar in both extremities. Main frequency spectral characteristic was about 2-4 Hz. First and second peak frequencies for the left and right leg were 3.19±0.17 and 7.16±0.17, and 3.15±0.16 and 7.18±0.19 Hz, respectively. Hop tests presented similar flight times during repetitions. This was however different during crossover jumps tests: flight times were shorter while preparatory times were longer. First characteristic frequency and magnitude were common in two tests. Conclusions: Peak flexion and extension angles and second characteristic frequency in single tests were specific to each participant. Hop tests are responsive to different performance metrics and are repeatable and feasible, so these tests can be used to create a comparative database for athletes.

Development and Reliability of a Visual-Cognitive Reactive Triple Hop Test.

Current lower-extremity return to sport testing primarily considers the physical status of an athlete; however, sport participation requires continuous cognitive dual-task engagement. Therefore, the purpose was to develop and evaluate the reliability of a visual-cognitive reactive (VCR) triple hop test that simulates the typical sport demand of combined online visual-cognitive processing and neuromuscular control to improve return to sport testing after lower-extremity injury. Test-retest reliability. Twenty-one healthy college students (11 females, 23.5 [3.7]y, 1.73 [0.12]m, 73.0 [16.8]kg, Tegner Activity Scale 5.5 [1.1] points) participated. Participants performed a single-leg triple hop with and without a VCR dual task. The VCR task incorporated the FitLight system to challenge peripheral response inhibition and central working memory. Maximum hop distance, reaction time, cognitive errors, and physical errors were measured. Two identical testing visits were separated by 12 to 17days (14 [1]d). Traditional triple hop (intraclass correlation coefficients: ICC(3,1) = .96 [.91-.99]; standard error of the measurement = 16.99cm) and the VCR triple hop (intraclass correlation coefficients(3,1) = .92 [.82-.97]; standard error of the measurement = 24.10cm) both demonstrated excellent reliability for the maximum hop distance, and moderate reliability for the VCR triple hop reaction time (intraclass correlation coefficients(3,1) = .62 [.09-.84]; standard error of the measurement = 0.09s). On average, the VCR triple hop resulted in a hop distance deficit of 8.17% (36.4 [5.1]cm; P < .05, d = 0.55) relative to the traditional triple hop. Hop distance on the VCR triple hop had excellent test-retest reliability and induced a significant physical performance deficit when compared with the traditional triple hop assessment. The VCR triple hop reaction time also demonstrated moderate reliability.

Effectiveness of single leg standing up exercise for recovery of knee muscle strength and lower extremity motion function following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

PurposeWe investigated the effectiveness of single-leg standing exercise (SLSE) as a home-based self-exercise for the recovery of knee joint muscle strength and lower limb motor function after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MethodsIn addition to postoperative rehabilitation, 55 patients who underwent ACL repair were asked to begin SLSE as a home-based self-exercise 50 times per day using a platform elevated at 40 ​cm for 2 months, 30 ​cm at 3 months, 20 ​cm at 4 months, and 10 ​cm at 5 months (intervention group). Sixty-four patients who underwent ACL reconstruction and followed the existing rehabilitation protocol were included in the control group. Isokinetic knee extension and flexion at 60° angular velocity at 3, 8, and 10 months after surgery and lower limb motor function performance at 8 and 10 months after surgery were compared within and between the two groups. ResultsKnee extension and flexion muscle strength and lower-extremity motor function recovered over time in both groups. There were no significant differences in knee extension and flexion muscle strength between the two groups at 3 months after surgery. However, knee extension strength, flexion strength, and triple hop test (THT) results were significantly higher in the intervention group (p ​< ​0.01) 8 months after surgery. In addition, knee flexion strength and THT were significantly higher in the intervention group (p ​< ​0.01) 10 months after surgery. ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that SLSE can be an effective exercise for recovering knee joint muscle strength and lower limb motor function.