To analyze the impact of balance, lower-limb explosive strength and anthropometric variables on the result of the hop test in young elite female basketball athletes. Ninety young elite female ...basketball athletes (13-17 years), without current or recent lower-limb injury, were assessed in the off-season period of July 2021. Single leg hop test, countermovement jump, Y balance test and anthropometric outcomes were assessed. A correlation study and a regression model were performed to investigate the influence of such outcomes and the value of their participation on the hop test results. It was found a low-to-moderate correlation effect size for both countermovement jump (distance and power flight) and Y balance test values (except interlimb outcomes) with the single leg hop test results. Anthropometric outcomes did not show significant correlation (p > 0.05). Regression model revealed that for right hop test, countermovement jump values exhibited an adjusted determination coefficient of 0.408, (β = 0.249, p = 0.013), For left hop test, again the countermovement jump values (β = 0.229, p = 0.025), and left Y balance test values (β = 0.331, p = 0.011) jointly obtained an adjusted determination coefficient of 0.263 significant predictive value for countermovement jump outcomes in both right (β = 0.249, p = 0.013; β = 0.301; p = 0.031) and left leg (β = 0.229, p = 0.025; β = 0.365, p = 0.040), as well as certain Y balance outcomes values. Explosive strength, and dynamic balance although to a lesser extent, appear to be the most relevant physical-functional factors influencing the single leg hop test results among young elite female basketball athletes. These findings may a serve as a basis to implement targeted interventions, such as plyometric and balance training, for an enhancement on functional rehabilitation and reducing the risk of injury related to the hop test results.
Background
Chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis treatment are characterized by increased levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, in addition to a significant deterioration in ...physical function. The benefits of physical exercise on the functional capacity of this patients are well known; however, it can also improve the endogenous antioxidant defense system and the inflammatory state, but still very few studies have been carried out. This is the first study to analyze the effect of a 4-month exercise program with combined aerobic and strength training in patients undergoing hemodialysis, under two modalities.
Methods
Seventy-one patients undergoing hemodialysis were enrolled and randomized in two groups, one of them performing an intra-dialysis exercise program (
n =
36), and the other carrying out a home-based exercise program (
n =
35). Serum levels of oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers were determined before and after the intervention.
Results
IL-6 plasma levels showed a significant decrease in the intra-dialysis group after exercise (42.61 ± 9.21 to 26.40 ± 7.84,
p =
0.03), while CRP levels decreased significantly in the home-based group (16.12 ± 24.18 to 8.50 ± 11.28,
p =
0.03). MCP-1, TNF-α, ICAM-1 and the oxidative stress markers MDA, GSH and GSSG, did not undergo significant changes after the intervention.
Conclusion
Four months of combined strength and aerobic endurance exercise improve the inflammatory status of hemodialysis patients by significantly reducing IL-6 levels in those subjects who perform intra-dialysis exercise and CRP levels in those who do it at home.
Background. Chronic kidney disease is an exponentially growing medical and economic worldwide problem. There are specific elements used to assess patient’s functional capacity loss and overall ...deterioration in order to determine the patient’s clinical status, and muscle impairment is one of the most common. It is therefore necessary to develop reliable and applicable methods to determine muscle impairment in patients with chronic kidney disease Methods. This is a prospective, nonexperimental, descriptive methodological investigation performed in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study analyzes the reliability and validity of muscle strength assessments performed with handheld dynamometry in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. Results. Results show overall high reliability and validity in the assessment of muscle strength of the lower limbs Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess handheld dynamometry in patients undergoing hemodialysis, presenting promising results with a relatively affordable and easily applicable method.
Intradialytic exercise (ID) programs are effective and safe for hemodialysis (HD) patients to avoid functional deterioration. However, exercise is not routinely undertaken in most HD units, and we do ...not know if home-based (HB) programs are as effective as ID programs. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 16 weeks of ID exercise versus a HB exercise program for HD patients. A total of 46 patients were randomly assigned to the ID group (n = 24) or HB group (n = 22). They completed a 16-week combined exercise program 3 times/week. We measured physical activity level, physical functioning, depression level, and health-related quality of life at baseline and after 16 weeks. A significant time effect was found in both groups for the physical activity level (p = 0.012). There was also a significant group-time interaction effect for the one-leg standing test (OLST) (p = 0.049) and a significant time effect for the Short Physical Performance Battery (p = 0.013), timed up-and-go test (p = 0.005), sit-to-stand-10 (p = 0.027), right and left hand handgrip (p = 0.044, p < 0.001), one-heel left leg raise (p = 0.019), and 6-minute walking (p = 0.006), depression (p = 0.017). HRQoL remained unchanged. There was no difference between the two interventions on the tested outcomes (besides OLST). Both interventions were associated with positive changes of the physical activity levels and physical function.
(1) Background: Chronic pelvic pain represents a prevalent condition afflicting women. Research has highlighted the presence of psychological distress and sexual dysfunction in these individuals. ...Regrettably, myofascial pelvic pain often goes unnoticed and untreated despite its integral role in chronic pelvic pain. (2) Methods: By employing a longitudinal case series design, we studied eighteen women afflicted with chronic pelvic pain. Over a 12-week period, these participants underwent 15 sessions of myofascial therapy. Data encompassing sociodemographic particulars, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index were collected at baseline, 12 weeks post-intervention, and again at the 24-week mark. (3) Results: After a span of 12 weeks subsequent to the intervention, the participants demonstrated noteworthy enhancements (
< 0.001) in their depression and anxiety scores, their overall Mental Component scores in the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12, as well as sexual function. Importantly, these gains were sustained at the 24-week juncture post-therapy. (4) Conclusions: The findings stemming from our prospective case study underscore the potential utility of myofascial therapy for women grappling with chronic pelvic pain. This form of intervention yields significant advancements in alleviating anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life, and sexual function.
Objective
The main objective of this investigation was to assess feasibility of conducting a future RCT with an intradialysis non‐immersive virtual reality exercise intervention. The secondary aim ...was to explore the impact of either conventional or VR exercise on physical function.
Design
Feasibility randomized trial.
Participants
Eighteen subjects who participated in a 16‐week intradialysis combined exercise program.
Interventions
The program lasted four additional weeks of either combined exercise or virtual reality exercise.
Main outcome measures
Physical function was measured through several reliable tests (sit‐to‐stand‐to‐sit tests 10 and 60, gait speed, one‐leg heel‐rise tests, and 6‐minute walk test) at baseline, after 16 weeks of intradialysis combined exercise and by the end of four additional weeks of exercise. Adherence to the exercise programs was registered.
Results
There was a significant time effect, so that physical function improved in both groups. By the end of the 20 weeks, function improved as measured through the sit‐to‐stand‐to‐sit tests 10 and 60, gait speed, one‐leg heel‐rise left leg, and the 6‐minute walk test. Changes that did not occur due to error in the test were seen after 20 weeks were achieved in the sit‐to‐stand‐to‐sit test 60, gait speed, one‐leg heel‐rise test for the left leg, and 6‐minute walking test.
Conclusion
Virtual reality was a feasible intervention. Both interventions improved physical function. Adherence was not significantly different between groups.
The dataset presented in this article belongs to a test-retest reliability study of the assessment of lower limb muscle strength through handheld dynamometry in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease ...undergoing hemodialysis. The intervention was carried out at the Hospital de Manises, in Manises (Spain). The strength of different muscle groups in the lower limbs of participants undergoing hemodialysis was assessed at different points. The same researcher was in charge of doing all of the assessments, and a standardized protocol was followed to conduct the assessment. Data was collected during the dialysis sessions at different points of time. This dataset contains raw data obtained from those assessments. The analysis consisted in assessing the test-retest reliability, through the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), of the measurement of strength in the lower limbs through handheld dynamometry. Further analysis for this raw data could be to compare results obtained in this sample with results obtained in the assessment of similar samples, or to supply relevant scientific evidence to include the measurement of lower limb strength in patients undergoing hemodialysis in experimental studies conducted in this population, such as interventions that include resistance training for the lower limbs as the intervention.
The dataset presented in this article belongs to a randomized controlled trial, conducted between November 2015 and May 2016, where therapeutic exercise interventions were implemented in patients ...with End-Stage Renal Diseases undergoing hemodialysis. The intervention was carried out at the Hospital de Manises, in Manises (Spain). Participants performed a 16-week exercise program either during dialysis (intradialytic) or at home, combining resistance and aerobic training. Tests were assessed prior to the dialysis session, and include several dimensions of the patient's functional status, such as functional capacity, physical performance, balance, lower limb strength and endurance, and handgrip strength. Data was collected prior to and after the implementation of an intervention. The dataset contains the raw data obtained in this data collection. The analysis consisted in the improvement of these outcomes when a therapeutic exercise intervention is implemented. Further analysis could potentially include the stratification of the sample in several subgroups according to demographic characteristics of the participants, according to levels of compliance to the intervention and according to even more specific changes within the tests performed. For instance, the improvement of the overall assessment of the Short Performance Physical Battery Test might differ from the improvement of any of the components that build this “battery” of tests, such as gait speed, balance, or the Sit-to stand-to sit 5 tests.
(1) Background: To develop an instrument in Spanish to assess beliefs and feelings about vaginal penetration and assess its psychometric properties. (2) Methods: This study translated and adapted the ...Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire into Spanish, and a total of 225 women who suffered from Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder were included in the study. The psychometric properties, including construct, convergent and discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the translated version were assessed. (3) Results: The Spanish version of the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire is a valid, reliable, and consistent tool to assess beliefs and thoughts about vaginal penetration in women suffering from Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder. The exploratory factor analysis yielded four domains that explained 62.5% of the variance. Convergent and discriminant validity was also confirmed. Test-retest reliability was high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.90, a standard error of measurement of 4.21, and a minimal detectable change of 11.66 points. Every domain also showed good internal consistency levels, with Cronbach's α values ranging from 0.84 to 0.89. (4) Conclusion: The Spanish version of the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire is a valid, reliable, and consistent tool to assess vaginal penetration cognition in women suffering from Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder.
Pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) encompass an array of conditions with discrepant classification systems, hampering accurate prevalence estimation. Despite potentially affecting up to 25% of women ...during their lifetime, many remain undiagnosed, underestimating the true extent.
This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the impacts of the menstrual cycle on PFDs and dysfunctions. Secondary objectives included investigating differences between athletic and nonathletic women.
An online questionnaire examined the effects of the menstrual cycle (MC) on 477 women's pelvic symptoms (aged 16-63 years), stratified by athletic status. This ad hoc instrument built upon a validated screening tool for female athletes.
Most participants reported symptom fluctuations across menstrual phases, with many modifying or reducing exercise participation. A concerning number experienced daily undiagnosed pelvic floor symptoms, emphasizing needs for comprehensive medical evaluation.
Exacerbated pelvic symptoms showed complex relationships with menstruation, highlighting the importance of considering the MC in customized clinical management approaches. Symptoms demonstrated differential links to menstruation, indicating needs for individualized evaluation and tailored treatment plans based on symptom profiles and hormonal interactions. Educating professionals and patients remains essential to enhancing awareness, detection, and therapeutic outcomes. Further controlled longitudinal research should elucidate intricate relationships between menstrual cycles and pelvic symptom variability.
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