Articles

Low back pain and FokI (rs2228570) polymorphism of vitamin D receptor in athletes

Low back pain (LBP) is common in athletes. LBP can be detrimental to athletic performance and health. Factors predisposing to LBP in athletes remain elusive and require further studies. We investigated whether...

Authors: Sabina Cauci, Francesca Migliozzi, Carlo Simone Trombetta, Ilaria Venuto, Paola Saccheri, Luciana Travan and Giovanni Chiriacò

Differences in life expectancy between olympic high jumpers, discus throwers, marathon and 100 meter runners

Several studies have demonstrated that body habitus is associated with survival (life expectancy) time. We sought to determine if survival differed between elite athletes with a range of body types. We hypothe...

Authors: Jeffrey Lee-Heidenreich, David Lee-Heidenreich and Jonathan Myers

Self-determined motivation in rehabilitating professional rugby union players

The aim of the present study was to explore the views of professional rugby union players during the early rehabilitation, late rehabilitation and return to play stages, following anterior cruciate ligament (A...

Authors: Fraser Carson and Remco C. J. Polman

The effect of ongoing feedback on physical activity levels following an exercise intervention in older adults: a randomised controlled trial protocol

Physical inactivity ranks as a major contributing factor in the development and progression of chronic disease. Lifestyle interventions reduce the progression of chronic disease, however, compliance decreases ...

Authors: Katie-Jane Brickwood, Stuart T. Smith, Greig Watson and Andrew D. Williams

Physical inactivity among physiotherapy undergraduates: exploring the knowledge-practice gap

Physical inactivity is a common risk factor for several non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Increasing physical activity could reduce the burden of disease due to major NCDs and increase life expectancy. Undergr...

Authors: Chathuranga Ranasinghe, Chathurani Sigera, Priyanga Ranasinghe, Ranil Jayawardena, Ayodya C. R. Ranasinghe, Andrew P. Hills and Neil King

Incidence of back pain in adolescent athletes: a prospective study

Recently, the incidence rate of back pain (BP) in adolescents has been reported at 21%. However, the development of BP in adolescent athletes is unclear. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the inc...

Authors: Steffen Mueller, Juliane Mueller, Josefine Stoll, Olaf Prieske, Michael Cassel and Frank Mayer

Normative values for musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy Norwegian adults and the association with obesity: a cross-sectional study

Up-to-date research on musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness (MSMF) is lacking. The aims of the present paper were to a) establish normative values of MSMF by gender and age, and b) to assess how much of the...

Authors: Ingirid Geirsdatter Heald Kjær, Monica Klungland Torstveit, Elin Kolle, Bjørge Herman Hansen and Sigmund Alfred Anderssen

Effectiveness and implementation of a community-based prevention programme targeting anabolic androgenic steroid use in gyms: study protocol of a quasi-experimental control group study

During the past decades, concerns about increased anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use among recreational sportspeople have been raised, yet there is a paucity of AAS prevention efforts targeting this group. ...

Authors: Yasmina Molero, Johanna Gripenberg and Ann-Sofie Bakshi

Concurrent validity of the Gyko inertial sensor system for the assessment of vertical jump height in female sub-elite youth soccer players

The aim of the present study was to verify concurrent validity of the Gyko inertial sensor system for the assessment of vertical jump height.

Authors: Melanie Lesinski, Thomas Muehlbauer and Urs Granacher

Changes in exercise capacity, muscle strength, and health-related quality of life in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy

Surgery for cancer of the thoracic esophagus is a challenging procedure associated with high morbidity and mortality. Perioperative rehabilitation has been introduced to promote early mobilization of the patie...

Authors: Takayuki Inoue, Satoru Ito, Masahiko Ando, Motoki Nagaya, Hiromichi Aso, Yota Mizuno, Keiko Hattori, Hiroki Nakajima, Yoshihiro Nishida, Yukiko Niwa, Yasuhiro Kodera, Masahiko Koike and Yoshinori Hasegawa

Time-dependent postural control adaptations following a neuromuscular warm-up in female handball players: a randomized controlled trial

Female handball athletes are at a particular risk of sustaining lower extremity injuries. The study examines time-dependent adaptations of static and dynamic balance as potential injury risk factors to a speci...

Authors: Simon Steib, Peter Zahn, Christine zu Eulenburg, Klaus Pfeifer and Astrid Zech

The physiological, musculoskeletal and psychological effects of stand up paddle boarding

Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is a rapidly growing sport and recreational activity where anecdotal evidence exists for its proposed health, fitness and injury rehabilitation benefits. While limited scientific...

Authors: Ben Schram, Wayne Hing and Mike Climstein

Criterion validity and reliability of a smartphone delivered sub-maximal fitness test for people with type 2 diabetes

Prevention of multi-morbidities following non-communicable diseases requires a systematic registration of adverse modifiable risk factors, including low physical fitness. The aim of the study was to establish ...

Authors: Cecilie Fau Brinkløv, Ida Kær Thorsen, Kristian Karstoft, Charlotte Brøns, Laura Valentiner, Henning Langberg, Allan Arthur Vaag, Jens Steen Nielsen, Bente Klarlund Pedersen and Mathias Ried-Larsen

Erratum to: The Sports-Related Injuries and Illnesses in Paralympic Sport Study (SRIIPSS): a study protocol for a prospective longitudinal study

Authors: Kristina Fagher, Jenny Jacobsson, Toomas Timpka, Örjan Dahlström and Jan Lexell

Effects of exercise on fatigue and physical capacity in men with chronic widespread pain - a pilot study

There is very limited knowledge about the effects of exercise on men with Chronic Widespread Pain (CWP), especially regarding fatigue. We wanted to investigate the effects of resistance exercise compared with ...

Authors: Anna Ericsson, Tomas Bremell, Åsa Cider and Kaisa Mannerkorpi

The Sports-Related Injuries and Illnesses in Paralympic Sport Study (SRIIPSS): a study protocol for a prospective longitudinal study

Paralympic sport provides sporting opportunities for athletes with a disability, with the Paralympic Games as the main event. Participation in sport is, however, associated with a significant risk for sustaini...

Authors: Kristina Fagher, Jenny Jacobsson, Toomas Timpka, Örjan Dahlström and Jan Lexell

Is an in-home telerehabilitation program for people with proximal humerus fracture as effective as a conventional face-to face rehabilitation program? A study protocol for a noninferiority randomized clinical trial

Proximal humerus fractures can be treated surgically (eg: pinning, plate and screws) or conservatively by wearing a splint or a cast. Following both of these approaches, rehabilitation has proven effective to ...

Authors: François Cabana, Catherine Pagé, Amy Svotelis, Samuel Langlois-Michaud and Michel Tousignant

An empirical study of race times in recreational endurance runners

Studies of endurance running have typically involved elite athletes, small sample sizes and measures that require special expertise or equipment.

Authors: Andrew J. Vickers and Emily A. Vertosick

Exergaming (XBOX Kinect™) versus traditional gym-based exercise for postural control, flow and technology acceptance in healthy adults: a randomised controlled trial

The use of exergaming is a potential alternative to traditional methods of balance training, which can be repetitive and somewhat monotonous. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of exergaming u...

Authors: Gillian Barry, Paul van Schaik, Alasdair MacSween, John Dixon and Denis Martin

Pedometer use and self-determined motivation for walking in a cardiac telerehabilitation program: a qualitative study

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation reduces morbidity and mortality. Walking is a convenient activity suitable for people with cardiac disease. Pedometers count steps, measure walking activity and motivate p...

Authors: Charlotte Brun Thorup, Mette Grønkjær, Helle Spindler, Jan Jesper Andreasen, John Hansen, Birthe Irene Dinesen, Gitte Nielsen and Erik Elgaard Sørensen

Investigating physical fitness and race performance as determinants for the ACL injury risk in Alpine ski racing

ACL ruptures in Alpine ski racers are frequently observed. This study analysed the association between physical fitness, race performance and the knee injury history.

Authors: Kai-Uwe Schmitt, Nicole Hörterer, Michael Vogt, Walter O. Frey and Silvio Lorenzetti

Volume kinetic evaluation of fluid turnover after oral intake of tap water, lemonade and saline in volunteers

Volume kinetic fluid turnover of three beverages was investigated for the purpose of estimating their rates of absorption and elimination as well as their maximum effect on the blood volume. The results were t...

Authors: Joachim Zdolsek, Annika Metander and Robert Hahn

Bovine colostrum supplementation and upper respiratory symptoms during exercise training: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Bovine colostrum is proposed as a nutritional countermeasure to the risk of upper respiratory symptoms (URS) during exercise training. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the si...

Authors: Arwel W. Jones, Daniel S. March, Ffion Curtis and Christopher Bridle

Rehabilitation after first-time anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction in female football players: a study of resilience factors

Most of the research in the area of psychosocial factors in rehabilitation after sports injuries has focused on risk behaviors, while relatively few studies have focused on behaviors that facilitate rehabilita...

Authors: Urban Johnson, Andreas Ivarsson, Jón Karlsson, Martin Hägglund, Markus Waldén and Mats Börjesson

The association between generalized joint hypermobility and active horizontal shoulder abduction in 10–15 year old competitive swimmers

Increased shoulder mobility and Generalised Joint Hypermobility (GJH) are assumed to be predisposing risk factors for shoulder injuries. The association between GJH and shoulder mobility among competitive swim...

Authors: Tina Junge, Peter Henriksen, Heidi Lund Andersen, Linette Dyg Byskov, Hans Kromann Knudsen and Birgit Juul-Kristensen

Ultrasound assessment of fascial connectivity in the lower limb during maximal cervical flexion: technical aspects and practical application of automatic tracking

The fascia provides and transmits forces for connective tissues, thereby regulating human posture and movement. One way to assess the myofascial interaction is a fascia ultrasound recording. Ultrasound can fol...

Authors: Carlos Cruz-Montecinos, Mauricio Cerda, Rodolfo Sanzana-Cuche, Jaime Martín-Martín and Antonio Cuesta-Vargas

The effectiveness of physiotherapy treatment on balance dysfunction and postural instability in persons with Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Balance dysfunction and postural instability in Parkinson’s disease are among the most relevant determinants of an impaired quality of life. Physiotherapy interventions are essential to reduce the level of dis...

Authors: Asmare Yitayeh and Amare Teshome

Pre-pubertal males practising Taekwondo exhibit favourable postural and neuromuscular performance

The postural and neuromuscular performances in healthy children taekwondo (TKD) practitioners in comparison with control children were examined.

Authors: Mohamed Chedly Jlid, Nicola Maffulli, Nisar Souissi, Mohamed Souheil Chelly and Thierry Paillard

A systematic review of financial incentives given in the healthcare setting; do they effectively improve physical activity levels?

According to current physical activity guidelines, a substantial percentage of the population in high-income countries is inactive, and inactivity is an important risk factor for chronic conditions and mortali...

Authors: Claudia C. M. Molema, G. C. Wanda Wendel-Vos, Lisanne Puijk, Jørgen Dejgaard Jensen, A. Jantine Schuit and G. Ardine de Wit

The feasibility of progressive resistance training in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the feasibility of executing a randomized controlled trial of progressive resistance training (PRT) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Authors: Lisa Vizza, Caroline A. Smith, Soji Swaraj, Kingsley Agho and Birinder S. Cheema

Effect of fatigue caused by a simulated handball game on ball throwing velocity, shoulder muscle strength and balance ratio: a prospective study

Arm throwing represents a deciding element in handball. Ball velocity, aim accuracy, and dynamic stability of the shoulder are factors that influence throwing effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to ex...

Authors: Marília Santos Andrade, Fabiana de Carvalho Koffes, Ana Amélia Benedito-Silva, Antonio Carlos da Silva and Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira

Muscle strength differences in healthy young adults with and without generalized joint hypermobility: a cross-sectional study

Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), in the absence of symptoms, is a common clinical finding. The joint instability present due to excessive musculoskeletal flexibility in hypermobile joints impairs the ext...

Authors: Pranay Jindal, Amitesh Narayan, Sailakshami Ganesan and Joy C. MacDermid

Development of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS BrP): a cross-cultural adaptation with reliability and construct validity evaluation

There is a need for a patient-relevant instrument to evaluate outcome after treatment in patients with a total Achilles tendon rupture. The purpose of this study was to undertake a cross-cultural adaptation of...

Authors: Roberto Zambelli, Rafael Z. Pinto, João Murilo Brandão Magalhães, Fernando Araujo Silva Lopes, Rodrigo Simões Castilho, Daniel Baumfeld, Thiago Ribeiro Teles dos Santos and Nicola Maffulli

Cancer patients participating in a lifestyle intervention during chemotherapy greatly over-report their physical activity level: a validation study

The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-sf) is a validated questionnaire used to assess physical activity (PA) in healthy adults and commonly used in both apparently healthy a...

Authors: Karianne Vassbakk-Brovold, Christian Kersten, Liv Fegran, Odd Mjåland, Svein Mjåland, Stephen Seiler and Sveinung Berntsen

Relationship of post-exercise muscle oxygenation and duration of cycling exercise

Aerobic adaptations following interval training are supposed to be mediated by increased local blood supply. However, knowledge is scarce on the detailed relationship between exercise duration and local post-e...

Authors: Fabian Stöcker, Christoph Von Oldershausen, Florian Kurt Paternoster, Thorsten Schulz and Renate Oberhoffer

Joint torque variability and repeatability during cyclic flexion-extension of the elbow

Joint torques are generally of primary importance for clinicians to analyze the effect of a surgery and to obtain an indicator of functional capability to perform a motion. Given the current need to standardiz...

Authors: Laurent Ballaz, Maxime Raison, Christine Detrembleur, Guillaume Gaudet and Martin Lemay

Maximal strength training as physical rehabilitation for patients with substance use disorder; a randomized controlled trial

Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) suffer from multiple health and psychosocial problems. Because poor physical capacities following an inactive lifestyle may indeed contribute to these problems, physi...

Authors: Runar Unhjem, Grete Flemmen, Jan Hoff and Eivind Wang

Age profiles of sport participants

Participation in sport has many health benefits, and is popular amongst children. However participation decreases with age. While the membership records of peak sports organisations have improved markedly in r...

Authors: Rochelle M. Eime, Jack T. Harvey, Melanie J. Charity, Meghan M. Casey, Hans Westerbeek and Warren R. Payne

A pilot study on biomarkers for tendinopathy: lower levels of serum TNF-α and other cytokines in females but not males with Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is a painful musculoskeletal condition that is common among athletes, and which limits training capacity and competitive performance. The lack of biomarkers for tendinopathy limits resear...

Authors: James E. Gaida, Håkan Alfredson, Sture Forsgren and Jill L. Cook

Reliability of the Q Force; a mobile instrument for measuring isometric quadriceps muscle strength

The ability to generate muscle strength is a pre-requisite for all human movement. Decreased quadriceps muscle strength is frequently observed in older adults and is associated with a decreased performance and...

Authors: K. W. Douma, G. R. H. Regterschot, W.P. Krijnen, G. E. C. Slager, C. P. van der Schans and W. Zijlstra

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation reviewer acknowledgement 2015

The editors of BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation would like to thank all our reviewers who have contributed to the journal in Volume 7 (2015).

Authors: Clare Partridge

Comparison of three activity monitors for estimating sedentary time among children

Time spent sedentary appears to be associated with several health outcomes in adults, but findings are inconsistent in children. Further, the assessment of sedentary time represents a major challenge. The obje...

Authors: Jarle Stålesen, Frøydis Nordgård Vik, Bjørge Herman Hansen and Sveinung Berntsen

Effects of conditioning hops on drop jump and sprint performance: a randomized crossover pilot study in elite athletes

It has previously been shown that conditioning activities consisting of repetitive hops have the potential to induce better drop jump (DJ) performance in recreationally active individuals. In the present pilot...

Authors: Jakob Kümmel, Julian Bergmann, Olaf Prieske, Andreas Kramer, Urs Granacher and Markus Gruber

Effects of a home-exercise therapy programme on cervical and lumbar range of motion among nurses with neck and lower back pain: a quasi-experimental study

Cervical and lumbar range of motion limitations are usually associated with musculoskeletal pain in the neck and lower back, and are a major health problem among nurses. Physical exercise has been evaluated as...

Authors: Tiina Freimann, Eda Merisalu and Mati Pääsuke

Can previously sedentary females use the feeling scale to regulate exercise intensity in a gym environment? an observational study

Recent research suggests that the Feeling Scale (FS) can be used as a method of exercise intensity regulation to maintain a positive affective response during exercise. However, research to date has been carri...

Authors: Charlotte C. Hamlyn-Williams, Gavin Tempest, Sarah Coombs and Gaynor Parfitt

Validity of treadmill- and track-based individual calibration methods for estimating free-living walking speed and VO₂ using the Actigraph accelerometer

For many patients clinical prescription of walking will be beneficial to health and accelerometers can be used to monitor their walking intensity, frequency and duration over many days. Walking intensity shoul...

Authors: Anthony Barnett, Ester Cerin, Corneel Vandelanotte, Aya Matsumoto and David Jenkins

Erratum to: Smartphone apps for orthopaedic sports medicine – a smart move?

Authors: Seng Juong Wong, Greg A. Robertson, Katie L. Connor, Richard R. Brady and Alexander M. Wood

Differences in ball speed and three-dimensional kinematics between male and female handball players during a standing throw with run-up

The purpose of this paper was to examine differences in ball release speed and throwing kinematics between male and female team-handball players in a standing throw with run-up. Other research has shown that t...

Authors: Ben Serrien, Ron Clijsen, Jonathan Blondeel, Maggy Goossens and Jean-Pierre Baeyens

Does the frequency and intensity of physical activity in adolescence have an impact on bone? The Tromsø Study, Fit Futures

Optimization of the genetic potential for bone accrual in early life may prevent future fractures. Possible modification factors include lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity. Measured leve...

Authors: Tore Christoffersen, Anne Winther, Ole Andreas Nilsen, Luai Awad Ahmed, Anne-Sofie Furberg, Guri Grimnes, Elaine Dennison and Nina Emaus

Cognitive-motor integration deficits in young adult athletes following concussion

The ability to perform visually-guided motor tasks requires the transformation of visual information into programmed motor outputs. When the guiding visual information does not align spatially with the motor o...

Authors: Jeffrey A. Brown, Marc Dalecki, Cindy Hughes, Alison K. Macpherson and Lauren E. Sergio