Modulation of Isometric Quadriceps Strength in Soccer Players With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: A Crossover Study.

Vargas, VZ, Baptista, AF, Pereira, GOC, Pochini, AC, Ejnisman, B, Santos, MB, João, SMA, and Hazime, FA. Modulation of isometric quadriceps strength in soccer players with transcranial direct current stimulation: a crossover study. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1336-1341, 2018-The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the maximum isometric muscle contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors in soccer players at the preprofessional level. Twenty female soccer players aged 15-17 years (mean = 16.1; SD = 0.9) with 5.2 ± 2.6 years of training were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive either active or sham tDCS in a single session (2 mA; 0.057 mA·cm). The MVIC of the knee extensors was evaluated in both lower limbs by manual dynamometry in 5 sets of contractions divided into 4 blocks: (a) prestimulation, (b) during tDCS, (c) 30 minutes after tDCS, and (d) 60 minutes after tDCS. After an interval of 7 days, the groups were evaluated again, and the type of initial stimulation was inverted between participants. The MVIC of the knee extensors increased significantly during active tDCS (dominant limb (DL) = 0.4; IC = 0.1-0.8 N·Kg), 30 minutes after active tDCS (DL = 0.9; IC 0.4-1.4 N·Kg), and 60 minutes after active tDCS (DL = 1.0; IC 0.3-1.6 N·Kg) but not for sham tDCS. Our conclusion was that tDCS temporarily increases isometric quadriceps strength in adolescent female soccer players, which may be useful for both strength training and rehabilitation.

Rodeo athletes: management of shoulder instability.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological data and evaluate the clinical results of traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability in rodeo athletes. METHODS: Thirteen patients, all male, with a mean age of 23.2 (18-31) years old, with anterior glenohumeral instability were include in this study. In 9 patients, the right side was affected. The mean time elapsed between injury and undergoing surgery was 56 months (24-120 months). The surgical technique used (arthroscopic or open bone block procedure) was chosen based on the ISIS (Instability Severity Index Score). Only professional athletes who had been in the sport for at least 60 months were included. Functional evaluation was conducted using the UCLA scale, after a 24-month follow-up period. RESULTS: The number of dislocation episodes varied from 10 to 100 (mean 27 episodes). All of the patients were submitted a surgical treatment open bone block procedure, due to their degree of sport participation, type of sport (forced overhead and collision) and the presence of associated bone defect lesions. According to UCLA criteria, the results were excellent in 12 patients and good in one. The mean time elapsed before returning to the sport was five months, varying between two and ten months. Complications included one patient developing axillary neuropraxia, which was completely resolved six months after the operation, and another patient developed a superficial skin infection. CONCLUSIONS: The rodeo athletes with anterior shoulder instability had serious associated bony lesions and has good outcome after bone block procedure.

Absorbable versus nonabsorbable sutures for the arthroscopic treatment of anterior shoulder instability in athletes: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the functional results of arthroscopic treatment for traumatic anterior shoulder instability in 2 groups of athletes. METHODS: Fifty patients were randomly assigned to 2 different groups with comparable patient demographics. Group A was treated with anchors loaded with absorbable sutures, and group B was treated with the same type of anchors loaded with nonabsorbable sutures. The same type of absorbable anchor, surgical technique, and rehabilitation protocol was used in both groups. The outcomes were evaluated after a minimum postoperative period of 24 months. The Rowe score and the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System were applied, and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean Rowe score was 83.8 in group A and 79.5 in group B. The mean values for the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System were 84 and 79.2, respectively. Good or excellent results were found in 90.5% of patients in group A and 87.5% in group B. We had 2 failures (9.5%) in group A and 3 (12.5%) in group B. No statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of the outcomes (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The type of suture used, absorbable or nonabsorbable, did not influence the functional results of arthroscopic treatment for traumatic anterior shoulder instability in this series.