Comparing Multiple Versus Sustained Insertion Dry Needling Therapy for Myofascial Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare the Hong (GH) and sustained insertion (GS) dry needling methods in patients with myofascial neck pain, this experimental study was conducted.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial included 30 participants, assigned to either the GH (n=15) or GS (n=15) group. Each group received treatment on either the right or left side, with one side receiving experimental DN and the other receiving control (sham) DN.

The relationship of gender and training experience with post-occlusive hyperemia: experimental comparative study.

Purpose: Aim was to investigate relationship of gender and training experience with post-occlusive hyperemia (PORH) and answer how differences between men and women and their training status led to differences in vascular responses after occlusions.

Methods: This prospective experimental study included 80 healthy volunteers divided into four groups of 20: trained men, trained women, non-training women, and non-training men. The occlusion intervention on the dominant thigh was performed.

Acute effects of BFR intra-conditioning on torque and muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during isokinetic knee extensions.

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of blood flow restriction (BFR) used only before sets of isokinetic knee extensions on torque and muscle activity of the Rectus Femoris muscle. Twenty healthy physically active males (age = 22.7 ± 6.

Effect of ischemic preconditioning on microvascular post-occlusive hyperemic reactions and quadriceps morphology in MMA: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 14-day daily ischemic preconditioning (IPC) intervention versus a sham IPC intervention on microvascular post-occlusive hyperemic reactions and quadriceps muscle morphology in martial arts athletes.

Design: This randomized controlled trial involved 28 adults specializing in martial arts, who were randomly assigned to either the IPC or sham IPC group.

Methods: Participants in the IPC intervention completed two daily sessions over 14 consecutive days.

Reliability and reproducibility of the Kinvent K-push dynamometer for assessing quadriceps strength and force development in athletes and untrained individuals.

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) analyze the reliability of the Kinvent K-push handheld dynamometer for assessing quadriceps maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD), and (2) evaluate inter-rater reliability by assessing the reproducibility of measurements between examiners.

Methods: A blinded, randomized, comparative study evaluated the reliability of quadriceps femoris MVC and RFD measurements obtained by two independent researchers. Forty-four male volunteers participated, divided into three groups based on motor skill level: elite mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes (n = 15), amateur football players (n = 15), and untrained healthy volunteers (n = 14).

Sports Massage and Blood Flow Restriction Combined with Cold Therapy Accelerate Muscle Recovery After Fatigue in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the combined effects of sports massage, blood flow restriction (BFR), and cold therapy on quadriceps recovery in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes following eccentric exercise, focusing on muscle biomechanical properties, pain, and strength.

Methods: This randomized, single-blind clinical trial involved 36 men and women MMA-trained participants, divided into three groups: massage (n = 12) received massage, BFR/cool (n = 12) received combined BFR and cooling, and control (n = 12) received passive rest as a control. The fatigue protocol involved MMA fighters performing five sets of plyometric jumps on a 50 cm box until exhaustion, with 1-min breaks between sets.

The Effect of Well-Being and Exercise Intensity on Enjoyment in Soccer Players.

This study examined the relationship between well-being, exercise intensity, and enjoyment in soccer players. Seventy-seven players participated in this study. Participants performed the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test and took part in four training formats: 5v5 and 1v1 small-sided games (SSGs), long HIIT, and short HIIT.

Acute Impact of Different Reperfusion Duration Following Blood Flow Restriction on Bar Velocity during the Bench Press Exercise.

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of different reperfusion duration following intra-conditioning blood flow restriction (BFR) on bar velocity during the bench press exercise and muscle viscoelastic properties of the triceps brachii. Eleven resistance trained males (age: 24.3 ± 4.

Postexercise Physical Recovery Methods for Combat Sports: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review (1) summarizes postexercise recovery methods for combat sports (CS) athletes and (2) synthesizes their effects on key biochemical, physiological, and physical outcomes. Trained CS athletes were included. Studies examined active (exercise) and passive (e.

Influence of contrast compression therapy and water immersion contrast therapy on biomechanical parameters of the forearm muscles in martial arts athletes.

Objective: This study compared the immediate effects of game-ready contrast therapy (GRT) and contrast water immersion therapy (CWT) on stiffness, muscle tone, flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and isometric muscle strength.

Design: Experimental, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Thirty volunteers training MMA (age: 28.

Physiological, Physical and Technical Demands During Sided Soccer Game Formats: a Review.

This meta-analysis aimed to compare the acute physiological, physical, and technical demands in soccer players during different sided game formats (1v1 to 10v10). This review included studies on soccer players with a competitive or developmental level, focusing on games with at least one comparison of sided formats. Outcomes assessed included physiological parameters (e.

Immediate effect of ice and dry massage during rest breaks on recovery in MMA fighters : a randomized crossover clinical trial study.

The MMA fight consists of 5 rounds of 5 min with minimal breaks between the rounds. The exertion load is excessive for the fighters, and the 1-minute breaks give little time for any intervention. This study aimed to examine the acute effects of two methods of regenerative strategies, ice massage and dry massage, and analyze their impact on Reactive Strength Index (RSI - m s), muscles' biomechanical properties: muscle tone (T-Hz), elasticity (E - arb- relative arbitrary unit), stiffness (S - N/m), pressure pain threshold, (PPT - N/cm²), and compare their influence with passive rest.

The effects of fascial manipulation on pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the effects of fascial manipulation (FM) on pain alleviation in adults, providing valuable insights for future research and practitioners by addressing a significant gap in the existing literature.

Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Key databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for relevant studies.

Problems in Diagnosis and Treatment of Soleus Muscle Injuries-Narrative Review and Case Report.

Injuries to the soleus muscle are often unrecognized, which increases the risk of complete tearing. Consequently, it results in the need for a long break in sports. This is mainly because the soleus muscle is complex, and the clinical signs of injury are difficult to capture, which can mimic Achilles tendinopathy and tennis player's calves.

Comparing The Effects of Small-Sided and Medium-Sided Soccer Games on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Untrained Men: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Smaller formats of sided games (SSG), such as 1v1 to 4v4, are often reported to be more physically and physiologically demanding than medium-sided games (e.g., 6v6 to 8v8).

Impact of isolated lumbar extension strength training on reducing nonspecific low back pain, disability, and improving function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Nonspecific low back pain (LBP), a prevalent condition with a lifetime prevalence of up to 84%, presents a considerable burden on individuals and healthcare systems. Isolated lumbar extension (ILEX) has been studied for its ability to exercise the lumbar region with more controlled activation of the erector spinae and other paravertebral muscles. It aims to serve as a specific resistance training method to improve outcomes related to pain, disability, and physical functionality in adults with nonspecific low back pain (LBP).

Dry Needling in Sports and Sport Recovery: A Systematic Review with an Evidence Gap Map.

Background: Dry needling is an increasingly popular technique used in sports and regenerative medicine contexts. However, there is no comprehensive overview of investigations of dry needling in sports and sport recovery.

Objectives: The objectives were to perform a systematic review of dry needling in sports athletes with an evidence gap map, to identify current gaps in the literature, and to provide stakeholders with direction for future research.

Assessment of ipsilateral and contralateral perfusion after contrast compression therapy of upper limb muscles in MMA athletes - a cross-over study.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to compare the immediate effect of contrast compression therapy with the use of Game Ready (GRT) on hyperaemic reactions in the upper limb on the application and contralateral sides, specifically in the context of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes.

Design: In this experimental, single-blind, randomized crossover study, we recruited 30 male volunteers training in MMA (mean age: 28.33 ± 3.

Immediate Effect of Compression Contrast Therapy on Quadriceps Femoris Muscles' Regeneration in MMA Fighters.

This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effect of Game Ready (GR) heat-cold compression contrast therapy (HCCT) on changes in the biomechanical parameters of the quadriceps femoris muscles and tissue perfusion. Fifteen male MMA fighters were subjected to HCCT on the dominant leg's thigh and control sham therapy on the other. The experimental intervention used a pressure cuff with the following parameters: time-20 min; pressure-25-75 mmHg; and temp.

Adverse Reactions to Dry Needling Therapy: Insights from Polish Physiotherapy Practice.

: The current study aimed to characterize the adverse reactions associated with dry needling (DN) treatments reported by Polish physiotherapists, with a secondary objective of investigating whether the level of DN experience influences the occurrence of these adverse effects. : A total of 102 Polish physiotherapists, all with regular DN practice, participated in an ad hoc online survey. The participants were categorized by their level of experience in DN treatment: 44 with 0-2 years, 43 with 3-6 years, and 15 with more than 7 years of experience.

Combination of Manual Therapy and Dry Needling Effectively Improves Acute Neck Pain and Muscular Tone and Stiffness in Combat Sports Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study aimed to compare the effects of manual therapy combined with dry needling (MTDN) to a control group, focusing on the impact on pressure pain threshold (PPT), muscle tone (MT), muscle stiffness (MS), muscle strength, and range of motion in the neck muscles of adult combat sports athletes. A randomized controlled study design was employed, with one group of athletes (n = 15) receiving MTDN intervention, while the other group (n = 15) underwent a control treatment (CG) involving a quasi-needle technique combined with manual therapy. Both groups participated in three sessions, either in the MTDN intervention or the control condition.

The Effects of Combined Contrast Heat Cold Pressure Therapy on Post-Exercise Muscle Recovery in MMA Fighters: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of contrast heat and cold pressure therapy (CHCP) on muscle tone, elasticity, stiffness, perfusion unit, and muscle fatigue indices after plyometric training consisting of five sets of jumping on a 50-cm high box until exhaustion. A prospective, randomized, controlled single-blind study design was used. Twenty professional MMA fighters were included in the study.

Locomotor performance parameters as predictors of high-performing male soccer teams. A multiple-season study on professional soccer.

This study aims to explore the interplay between locomotor demands and goal differentials to better understand their combined influence on overall success. Spanning three competitive seasons within the male Turkish Super League, this study analyzed all participating teams across 124 matches. Locomotor demands, including total distance (m) covered (TD), distances covered (m) at different speed thresholds (0.