Effects of an 8-week basketball-specific proprioceptive training with a single-plane instability balance platform.

BACKGROUND: To avoid injuries in basketball players, they are recommended to pay more attention to improve their body balance. Therefore new training methods and equipment need to be devised. This study examined the effects of an 8-week basketball-specific proprioception training program while using a new developed one plane instability balance board during warm-up for improving balance ability in basketball players. Players who obtained basketball-specific balance training were compared to a control group. METHODS: Thirty-one male university basketball players (age: 21.35, SD = 0.605 years; height: 190.97, SD = 1.88; body mass: 86.95, SD = 2.61) participated in this study. Seventeen participants were assigned to the basketball-specific 8-week balance training group (BTG) while 14 participants served as a control group (CG). Both groups were tested with the Y balance test (YBT) and postural stability test (PST) at baseline and 8 weeks later. RESULTS: The results indicate significant improvements in the overall YBT for both legs in BTG, but not in CG. However, no group differences were found for dynamic balance performance, but static balance (i.e., postural stability) differed between groups after 8 weeks. A statistically significant moderate inverse correlation was computed between the total score of YBT and the total score of the overall stability index (r=-0.404; p= 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week basketball-specific proprioception training program with a single-plane instability balance platform improved balance ability (Y balance test and postural stability test) of basketball players.

Translation and cultural adaptation of Lithuanian version of the anterior cruciate ligament return to sport after injury (ACL-RSI) scale.

PURPOSE: To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the scale to Lithuanian. METHODS: The process of translation and cultural adaptation followed the recommendations of international guidelines. All included patients were after unilateral ACL reconstruction. Study participants completed Tegner Activity Scale, IKDC and ACL-RSI-Lt questionnaires. Reliability, construct validity and internal consistency were measured. RESULTS: Study included sixty-five patients after ACL reconstruction: mean age 25.55 ± 6.77, mean height 180.91 ± 11.78 cm, mean weight 79.12 ± 14.88 kg and mean BMI 24.01 ± 2.90. The ACL-RSI-Lt showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbanch's alpha 0.94). Scale scores were correlated with IKDC score (r = 0.637, p < 0.001) and IKDC subscales (r = 0.530-0.581, p < 0.001) and Tegner activity score (r = 0.303-0.493, p < 0.001). Tegner activity score before injury was significantly higher than after ACLR (6.95 ± 1.49 vs. 6.1 ± 1.37, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The ACL-RSI is successfully translated into Lithuanian (ACL-RSI-Lt). It is valid and reliable scale to evaluate the psychological impact of returning to sports in Lithuanian patients after ACLR surgery.

Association of pre-season musculoskeletal screening and functional testing with sports injuries in elite female basketball players.

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Lithuania, and participation in women's basketball is on the rise. Pre-participation examinations, including musculoskeletal screening and functional performance testing, is an essential part of a multidisciplinary approach to prevent future injuries. Because the lower extremities are the most commonly-injured body area in basketball players. Assessing fundamental movement qualities is of utmost importance. The aim of our study was to determine if functional tests can predict sports injuries in elite female basketball players. A total of 351 records for professional female basketball players were screened during 2013-2016 season. We analysed functional characteristics before the season and used functional performance tests for injury risk assessment: the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), the lower quarter Y Balance test (YBT-LQ) and the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Data from 169 players' records were analysed: 77 of them made it to the end of season without injury, making up the non-injured group, while 92 of them suffered lower limb sport injuries during the sport season (injury group). Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used to determine differences between groups. The most commonly encountered sports injuries in our population were those of knee 40.2% and ankle 38%. The injury group had a lower total FMS score (p = 0.0001) and higher total LESS score (p = 0.028) than non-injury group. The dynamic balance of lower limbs was similar in both groups. Imperfect functional movement patterns and poor jump-landing biomechanics during pre-season screening were associated with lower extremity injuries in elite female basketball players. Impairments of dynamic stability in the lower extremities were not associated with injury rates in our population. A combination of functional tests can be used for injury risk evaluation in female basketball players.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Injuries, Pain, and Illnesses in Elite Female Basketball Players.

Background and Objectives: The participation of women in sports, including basketball, is becoming increasingly common, and this increased involvement raises concerns about the potential risk of sports injuries, but there is a lack of epidemiological studies about the incidence of sports injuries in women's basketball, especially in Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and localizations of sport related injuries and illnesses in elite female basketball players. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study. The sample consisted of 358 elite female basketball players, with a mean age of 23.4 ± 5.93 years, participated in the study. The players were interviewed using a pre-participation health questionnaire during the 2013-2016 sport seasons in the pre-season preparation phase. Results: 155 health problems were reported in 358 athletes during the screening period. The most frequently injured body parts were lower limbs: more than 60%, representing an injury rate of 0.14 per athletes and a 0.2 pain rate per athlete during the study period. Conclusions: The main findings showed the importance of monitoring lower extremity injuries and pain to pay attention to the players, which are at risk. The occurrence of injuries and pain among female basketball players was high. The lower extremities are the most frequently injured body area in the Lithuanian Women's Basketball League.

Monitoring Workload in Elite Female Basketball Players During the In-Season Phase: Weekly Fluctuations and Effect of Playing Time.

PURPOSE: To assess the weekly fluctuations in workload and differences in workload according to playing time in elite female basketball. METHODS: Twenty-nine female basketball players (mean ± standard deviation, age: 21±5yr; stature: 181±7cm; body mass: 71±7kg; and playing experience: 12±5yr) belonging to the 7 female basketball teams competing in the first division Lithuanian Women's Basketball League (LMKL) were recruited. Individualized training loads (TL) and game loads (GL) were assessed using the session-RPE following each training session and game during the entire in-season phase (24 weeks). Percentage (%) changes in total weekly TL (weekly TL+GL), weekly TL, weekly GL, chronic workload, acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR), training monotony, and training strain were calculated. Mixed linear models were used to assess differences for each dependent variable, with playing time (low vs high) used as fixed factor and subject, week, and team as random factors. RESULTS: The highest changes in total weekly TL, weekly TL, and ACWR were evident in week 13 (47%, 120%, and 49% respectively). Chronic workload showed weekly changes ≤10%, while monotony and training strain registered highest fluctuations in weeks 17 (34%) and 15 (59%), respectively. A statistically significant difference in GL was evident between players completing low and high playing times (p=0.026, moderate), while no significant differences (p>0.05) were found for all other dependent variables. CONCLUSIONS: Coaches of elite female basketball teams should monitor weekly changes in workload during the in-season phase to identify weeks that may predispose players to unwanted spikes and adjust player workload according to playing time.

The Patello-Femoral Joint Degeneration and the Shape of the Patella in the Population Needing an Arthroscopic Procedure.

Background: the main goal of the study was to investigate the prevalence of the articular cartilage defects (ACD) in the patellofemoral (PF) region of the knee joint based on the anatomical shapes of patella and its impact on the level of physical activity in the population needing arthroscopic procedures for all types of pathologies in the knee. Methods: The articular cartilage status of the PF region was obtained from 1098 arthroscopic procedures of the knee joint. The ACD were correlated to Wiberg's shape of the patella and classified according to the degree, size and depth of the ACD in the PF region using the ICRS (International Cartilage Repair Society) system: group I consisting of patients with Wiberg type I shape (W1), group II-patients with Wiberg type II shape (W2) and group III-patients with Wiberg type III shape (W3). The Tegner physical activity scale was used to evaluate the physical activity of the patients. Results: The mean of ACD size (PF region) in the W3 group was 3.10 ± 0.99 cm², which was a statistically significantly larger area in comparison with the W1 (1.90 ± 0.63 cm²; p < 0.0000) and W2 (1.95 ± 0.71 cm²; p < 0.0000). The patients from the W3 group (mean 3.10 ± 0.99) were less physically active (<4 Tegner) compared to the W2 group (mean of 4.48 ± 0.88; p = 0.004) and W1 group (mean of 4.55 ± 0.72; p = 0.002). Conclusions: The patients with the Wiberg type III patella shape had a higher incidence and larger size of ACD in the PF of the knee compared to the groups of Wiberg type I and II. Wiberg III patients with a lower level of physical activity had a larger size of ACD in the PF joint.

Dynamics of pelvic floor muscle functional parameters and their correlations with urinary incontinence in men after radical prostatectomy.

AIMS: To evaluate the dynamics of pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, and urinary incontinence in a 6-month period in men after radical prostatectomy and to determine correlations between pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, and urinary incontinence. METHODS: Forty-two men with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy participated in the study. Pelvic floor muscles parameters were evaluated using the anal perineometer. An 8-hour pad test was used with the catheter removed. RESULTS: The greatest change in strength occurred during the last 3 months, i.e., from the third to the sixth month following surgery (P ≤ 0.05). The average amount of urinary incontinence on the day of catheter removal was approximately 311 g per 8 hr. Urinary incontinence decreased by 93.6% from the day of catheter removal 6 months later. A strong correlation (P ≤ 0.001) of reverse dependence was determined between pelvic floor muscle strength before surgery and the amount of urinary incontinence 6 months following surgery. CONCLUSION: The greatest change of pelvic floor muscles strength and endurance occurred during the third to the sixth month following surgery. The greatest change in urinary incontinence occurred during the first month following surgery. Pelvic floor muscle strength causes a greater decrease in urinary incontinence than endurance. The greater the pelvic floor muscle strength before surgery, the lower the amount of urinary incontinence. Age also affects pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance; this relation gradually weakens and with age disappears. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:126-131, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cardiological telemonitoring in rehabilitation and sports medicine.

The paper presents the development results of teleconsultative cardiology systems and their application in rehabilitation and sport medicine. The first teleconsultative cardiology (TELECARD) system was developed for outpatient departments in the city of Kaunas, using Internet links. It was based on the CompCardioSignal terminal. One branch of the TELECARD system with a mobile CompCardioSignal terminal was used for functional state evaluation of Lithuanian sportsmen during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The examined results have shown that every sportsman responded differently to acclimatization and the TELECARD system provided support to physicians and coaches for making optimal decisions regarding the sportsmen's adaptation and other situations. The final telemetry system was used for rower monitoring. It was based on the new CompCardioSignal terminal with three EASI ECG leads and synchronously recorded motion signals for evaluation of human reaction to physical load. The developed telemonitoring systems were a useful tool for evaluation of human reaction to physical load in rehabilitation and sports activities.