The stiffness distribution among the hamstring muscles during submaximal isometric contractions is heterogeneous, but symmetric between limbs, and changes depending on the contraction intensity. Shear wave elastography is a reliable tool to assess the stiffness of hamstring muscles during contraction.

ASTAdeli AIM This systematic review and meta-analysis presents an overview of the efficacy of suit therapy on functioning in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).METHOD A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed articles was performed on electronic databases, from their inception to May 2014. Studies included were rated for methodological quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Effects of suit therapy on functioning were assessed using metaanalytic techniques.RESULTS From the 46 identified studies, four met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Small, pooled effect sizes were found for gross motor function at posttreatment (g=0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10-0.82) and follow-up (g=0.47, 95% CI 0.03-0.90). INTERPRETATIONThe small number of studies, the variability between them, and the low sample sizes are limitations of this review. Findings suggest that to weigh and balance benefits against harms, clinicians, patients, and families need better evidence to examine and prove the effects of short intensive treatment such as suit therapy on gross motor function in children and adolescents with CP. Therefore, more research based on high-quality studies focusing on functioning in all dimensions of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health perspective is necessary to clarify the impact of suit therapy.Cerebral palsy (CP) designates a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, which causes activity limitations. These disorders are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occur in the developing fetal or infant brain, and are often accompanied by other conditions such as: (1) disturbances of sensation, perception, cognition, communication, and behaviour; (2) epilepsy; and (3) secondary musculoskeletal problems. 1 In the general population, the estimated prevalence is two in every 1000 live births. 2,3 From an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health perspective (ICF), CP affects a person's 'functioning', inclusive of body structures and functions, activities, and participation, which may in turn cause 'disabilities' such as impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. 4 The limitations in activity require individual rehabilitation throughout the lifespan. 5 Rehabilitation in children with CP aims to minimize the effect of physical impairments, promote independence, and improve the quality of life of children and their families who play a major role in the process. 6,7 The process of rehabilitation is influenced by the clinical type and severity of the CP, the existence of additional disabilities (e.g. visual, auditory, or cognitive), emotional problems, the physiological age of the child, and the family's socioeconomic status. 8 The management of motor disability in CP includes physical therapy and a wide spectrum of other therapeutic interventions. 9 Physical therapy focuses on function, movement...

This study examined whether a knee flexor isometric contraction at 20% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction until exhaustion would alter the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) and semitendinosus (ST) active stiffness, assessed using ultrasound-based shear wave elastography. Twelve healthy individuals participated in 2 sessions separated by 7 days. Time to exhaustion was similar in both sessions (day 1: 443.8 ± 192.5 s; day 2: 474.6 ± 131.7 s; p = 0.323). At the start of the fatigue task, the ST showed greater active stiffness than the BFlh (p < 0.001), with no differences between days (p = 0.08). The ST active stiffness then decreased from 40% of the task time to exhaustion (− 2.2 to − 13.3%, p = 0.027) until the end of the task (− 16.1 to − 22.9%, p = 0.012), while no significant changes were noted in the BFlh (p = 0.771). Immediately after the fatigue task, a decrease in active stiffness was observed in the ST (− 11.8 to − 17.8%, p < 0.001), but not in the BFlh (p = 0.551). Results were consistent between the 2 testing sessions (p = 0.07–0.959). The present results indicate that fatigue alters the hamstring active stiffness pattern.

These findings suggest that both AKE and SLR have excellent intrarater reliability. The SEMs and MDDs recorded are also very encouraging for the use of these tests in subjects with flexibility deficits.

Although there might be an association trend toward low muscle strength and dance injuries, the nature of that relation remains unclear, and presently the state of knowledge does not provide a solid basis for designing interventions for prevention.

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Background: Participation is a major pediatric rehabilitation goal according to The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Children and Youth version (ICF-CY). ICF-based leisure participation measures for Portuguese-speaking children with cerebral palsy are currently not available. The aim of this study is to assess validity and reliability of the Portuguese (European) version of the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). Methods: CAPE Portuguese version was applied to 170 children with cerebral palsy ( n = 69) and typical development ( n = 101) aged between 8 and 18 years (mean = 12.5 years; SD = 2.91). Construct validity was assessed by using the know-groups method and the correlation between participation and quality of life. Reliability was determined by internal consistency and test-retest. Results: CAPE discriminates between participation scores of children with cerebral palsy and typical development. A positive correlation was found between participation frequency and physical well-being. Internal consistency was not entirely satisfactory but comparable with that from the original CAPE study. Test-retest reliability was considered good. Conclusions: CAPE Portuguese (European) version showed satisfactory validity and test-retest reliability to assess leisure participation in children with cerebral palsy and typical development aged between 8 and 18 years.

This study sought to examine the active stiffness of semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris long head (BFlh) during a knee flexor isometric contraction at 20% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction until failure in elite footballers (n = 50, age: 22.3 ± 5.3 years; height: 1.82 ± 0.08 m; body mass: 74.7 ± 9.0 kg). Active stiffness was assessed using ultrasound-based shear wave elastography by means of shear modulus quantification. Comparisons were performed between limbs with (n = 11) vs. without (n = 89) previous hamstring injury. A similar time until failure in the knee flexor fatigue task was observed between groups (p = .401). At the start of the task, lower limbs with previous hamstring injury showed a lower BFlh active stiffness (31.0.1 ± 10.4 kPa, p = .023) and BFlh/ST active stiffness ratio (0.50 ± 0.29), and no differences for ST (72.8 ± 26.8 kPa, p = .221) compared to lower limbs without previous hamstring injuries (BFlh: 38.0 ± 9.6 kPa; ST: 64.0 ± 18.4 kPa; BFlh/ST: 0.65 ± 0.27). During the task, the ST active stiffness in both groups decreased from 80% of task time (p = .032), in the absence of changes in BFlh active stiffness (p = .534), resulting in an increase in BFlh/ST active stiffness from 80% of task time (p = .029). No differences between limbs were observed during the fatigue task for all parameters (p > .099). Future research is warranted to verify if the differences found represent an increased risk of hamstring injury. Highlights. The hamstring's active stiffness response to a fatigue protocol in soccer athletes with a history of injury is unknown. . Athletes with previous injury showed less active stiffness in the biceps femoris long head.. Similar response to fatigue was observed between athletes with and without hamstring injury history.