Individualized transcranial direct current stimulation combined with foot core exercise improves foot and ankle sensorimotor function and static postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of four-week individualized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with foot core exercise (FCE) on foot and ankle sensorimotor function and postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods: Thirty-four CAI individuals were randomly assigned to a tDCS combined with FCE group (tDCS group, n = 17) and a sham stimulation combined with FCE group (control group, n = 17). All participants received individualized stimulation combined with FCE and sham stimulation combined with FCE, respectively, three times a week for 20 min per session over four weeks.

Bioinformatics analysis of FCER1A as a key immune marker in dilated cardiomyopathy and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are closely linked biologically, especially regarding immune responses. However, key biomarkers mediating the onset and development of both diseases are still lacking. This study uses bioinformatic methods to analyse the immune microenvironment of the ventricles of DCM patients and to search for biomarkers related to DCM and SLE.

Cortical Activation during Dorsi-Plantarflexion Tasks and Its Association with Sensorimotor Function in Ankle Instability.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate differences in cortical activation between individuals with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI) during a dorsi-plantarflexion task and further explore its association with sensorimotor function.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 62 participants were recruited, including 31 adults with CAI and 31 healthy adults. Sensorimotor functions, including joint position sense and force sense, were tested using absolute error associated with joint position reproduction and force reproduction tasks.

The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Lower-Limb Endurance Performance: A Systematic Review.

This study systematically reviews the literature on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) interventions for lower-limb endurance performance in healthy adults and provides a summary of the effects and underlying mechanisms of tDCS on lower-limb endurance performance. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool.

Gray Matter Volumes Mediate the Relationship Between Disease Duration and Balance Control Performance in Chronic Ankle Instability.

The relationship between structural changes in the cerebral gray matter and diminished balance control performance in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) has remained unclear. This paper aimed to assess the difference in gray matter volume (GMV) between participants with CAI and healthy controls (HC) and to characterize the role of GMV in the relationship between disease duration and balance performance in CAI. 42 participants with CAI and 33 HC completed the structural brain MRI scans, one-legged standing test, and Y-balance test.

Balance Control Deficits are Associated With Diminished Ankle Force Sense, Not Position Sense, in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability.

Objectives: To compare balance control and ankle proprioception between athletes with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI). A further objective was to explore the relationship between balance control performance and ankle proprioception in athletes with CAI.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Cerebral hemodynamics underlying ankle force sense modulated by high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation on ankle force sense and underlying cerebral hemodynamics. Sixteen healthy adults (8 males and 8 females) were recruited in the study. Each participant received either real or sham high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation interventions in a randomly assigned order on 2 visits.

Effects of gait retraining using minimalist shoes on the medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit behavior and dynamics during running.

The effects of a 12-week gait retraining program on the adaptation of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and muscle-tendon unit (MTU) were investigated. 26 runners with a rearfoot strike pattern (RFS) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: gait retraining (GR) or control group (CON). MG ultrasound images, marker positions, and ground reaction forces (GRF) were collected twice during 9 km/h of treadmill running before and after the intervention.

Effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation on the cortical-muscular functional coupling and muscular activities of ankle dorsi-plantarflexion under running-induced fatigue.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve motor control performance under fatigue. However, the influences of tDCS on factors contributing to motor control (e.g.

Effects of a 12-week gait retraining program on the Achilles tendon adaptation of habitually shod runners.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of a 12-week gait retraining program on the morphological and mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon (AT) during running on the basis of real-time dynamic ultrasound imaging.

Methods: A total of 30 male recreational runners who were used to wearing cushioned shoes with a rearfoot strike (RFS) pattern were recruited. They were randomized into a retraining group (RG, n = 15) and a control group (CG, n = 15).

Effects of tDCS on Foot Biomechanics: A Narrative Review and Clinical Applications.

In recent years, neuro-biomechanical enhancement techniques, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), have been widely used to improve human physical performance, including foot biomechanical characteristics. This review aims to summarize research on the effects of tDCS on foot biomechanics and its clinical applications, and further analyze the underlying ergogenic mechanisms of tDCS. This review was performed for relevant papers until July 2023 in the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCO.

Morphological and viscoelastic properties of the Achilles tendon in the forefoot, rearfoot strike runners, and non-runners .

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the morphological and viscoelastic properties of the Achilles tendon (AT) among different groups (rearfoot strikers vs. forefoot strikers vs. non-runners).

Mechanics of The Medial Gastrocnemius-Tendon Unit in Behaving more Efficiently in Habitual Non-Rearfoot Strikers than in Rearfoot Strikers during Running.

This study aims to quantify how habitual foot strike patterns would affect ankle kinetics and the behavior and mechanics of the medial gastrocnemius-tendon unit (MTU) during running. A total of 14 runners with non-rearfoot strike patterns (NRFS) and 15 runners with rearfoot strike patterns (RFS) ran on an instrumented treadmill at a speed of 9 km/h. An ultrasound system and a motion capture system were synchronously triggered to collect the ultrasound images of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and marker positions along with ground reaction forces (GRF) during running.

Acute effect of foot strike patterns on in vivo tibiotalar and subtalar joint kinematics during barefoot running.

Background: Foot kinematics, such as excessive eversion and malalignment of the hindfoot, are believed to be associated with running-related injuries. The majority of studies to date show that different foot strike patterns influence these specific foot and ankle kinematics. However, technical deficiencies in traditional motion capture approaches limit knowledge of in vivo joint kinematics with respect to rearfoot and forefoot strike patterns (RFS and FFS, respectively).

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation enhances ankle force control and modulates the beta-band activity of the sensorimotor cortex.

This study aimed to investigate the cortical responses to the ankle force control and the mechanism underlying changes in ankle force control task induced by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Sixteen young adults were recruited, and they completed the electroencephalogram (EEG) assessment and high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) sessions. Root mean square (RMS) error was used to evaluate ankle force control task performance.

Effects of intervention combining transcranial direct current stimulation and foot core exercise on sensorimotor function in foot and static balance.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and foot core exercise (FCE) on the sensorimotor function of the foot (i.e., toe flexor strength and passive ankle kinesthesia) and static balance.

Is Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation an Effective Ergogenic Technology in Lower Extremity Sensorimotor Control for Healthy Population? A Narrative Review.

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) aims to hone motor skills and improve the quality of life. However, the non-repeatability of experimental results and the inconsistency of research conclusions have become a common phenomenon, which may be due to the imprecision of the experimental protocol, great variability of the participant characteristics within the group, and the irregularities of quantitative indicators. The aim of this study systematically summarised and analysed the effect of a-tDCS on lower extremity sensorimotor control under different experimental conditions.

Effects of 4 Weeks of High-Definition Transcranial Direct Stimulation and Foot Core Exercise on Foot Sensorimotor Function and Postural Control.

This study aimed to examine the effects of 4 weeks of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and foot core exercise (FCE) on foot sensorimotor function (i.e., toe flexor strength and passive ankle kinesthesia) and postural control.

Effects of 12-week transition training with minimalist shoes on Achilles tendon loading in habitual rearfoot strike runners.

Minimalist shod runners have reported greater material and mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon (AT) due to increased loading than runners who wear more cushioned running shoes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 12-week transition training from conventional shoes to minimalist shoes on AT loading in habitual rearfoot strike runners. Seventeen healthy male habitual rearfoot strikers completed 12-week transition training.

Sex Differences in the Morphological and Mechanical Properties of the Achilles Tendon.

Background: Patients with Achilles tendon (AT) injuries are often engaged in sedentary work because of decreasing tendon vascularisation. Furthermore, men are more likely to be exposed to AT tendinosis or ruptures. These conditions are related to the morphological and mechanical properties of AT, but the mechanism remains unclear.

Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius-Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo.

This study aims to explore whether gender differences exist in the architectural and mechanical properties of the medial gastrocnemius-Achilles tendon unit (gMTU) in vivo. Thirty-six healthy male and female adults without training experience and regular exercise habits were recruited. The architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU were measured via an ultrasonography system and MyotonPRO, respectively.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Physical Training on the Excitability of the Motor Cortex, Physical Performance, and Motor Learning: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aims to examine the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with physical training on the excitability of the motor cortex, physical performance, and motor learning. A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases for relevant research published from inception to August 2020. Eligible studies included those that used a randomized controlled design and reported the effects of tDCS combined with physical training to improve motor-evoked potential (MEP), dynamic posture stability index (DPSI), reaction time, and error rate on participants without nervous system diseases.

Systematic Review of the Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Neuromechanical Management of Foot and Ankle Physical Performance in Healthy Adults.

This study aims to review existing literature regarding the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the physical performances of the foot and ankle of healthy adults and discuss the underlying neurophysiological mechanism through which cortical activities influence the neuromechanical management of the physical performances of the foot and ankle. This systematic review has followed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. A systematic search was performed on PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science.

Effectiveness of Using Compression Garments in Winter Racing Sports: A Narrative Review.

Nowadays, compression garments (CGs) are widely used in winter racing sports, such as speed skating, short-track speed skating, alpine skiing, and cross-country skiing. However, the effect of wearing CGs on athletic performance in these specific sports is still not fully examined. Thus, the aim of this narrative review is to summarize the research and application of CGs in winter racing sports and to discuss how the CGs help athletes improve their performance in an integrative manner (i.