Objectives: Anthropometric and physiological profiles of national sepak takraw players were determined. Methods: Thirty nine players, specialising in the three playing positions (tekong/server, feeder, and killer/ spiker) were divided into three age categories of under 15 (U15), under 18 (U18), and under 23 (U23) years of age. Height, weight, percent body fat (%bf), maximum oxygen consumption (Vo 2max ), range of motion (ROM), back and leg strength, and heart rate, for the estimation of oxygen consumption during matches, were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA for independent measurements and data are presented as mean¡standard deviation. Results: The U23 players were significantly taller and heavier with significantly better ROM of the neck, trunk, and ankle joints and back and leg strength than the U15 players. No significant difference was found in %bf between the three age categories. Mean maximum heart rate during exercise was significantly higher in the U15 group when compared to the U18 and U23 groups (p,0.05). Mean Vo 2max was similar between the three groups. Estimated oxygen consumption during matches was 69.1%, 68.5%, and 56.4% of Vo 2max in the killer, tekong, and the feeder groups, respectively. Conclusions: The mean height, body weight, and cardiopulmonary capacities of the players were within the Malaysian population norms, but were somewhat lower than those of players of other court games from other countries. %bf was also lower in these players. This study provides the much needed anthropometric and physiological data of sepak takraw players for further development of this sport. F ollowing its introduction in the 10th Asian Games in Beijing in 1990, and as a demonstration sport in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, sepak takraw has become one of the fastest growing games in Asia and has spread to over 20 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Korea, Germany, England, India, Japan, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the USA. The game is played on an area the size of a doubles badminton court, with three players on each side of a 1.52 m high net (fig 1). A team consists of three players: feeder, tekong/server, and spiker/killer.

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Background Older adults experience persistent symptoms post-COVID-19, termed as Long COVID, affecting their physical and mental health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Long COVID, level of physical activity, and functional decline on older adults’ health-related quality of life post-COVID-19. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 121 older adults with 60 to 90 years old post-coronavirus infection. The standardized metrics used in the study were Fatigue Severity Scale, Physical Activity Elderly, SF12, Post-COVID-19 functional status scale, and COVID-19 Yorkshire rehabilitation screening scale. The severity of coronavirus infection was evaluated by changes in chest CT scan images and O2 saturation at hospital admission. Data were analyzed using linear regression analyses. Results The results of regression analysis revealed six factors to be predictors of physical health at 6 months post-COVID-19 (F = 9.046, P < 0.001; explained variance 63%), which the significant factors were fatigue, level of physical activity, worsened pain, difficulties in activities of daily living and cognitive-communication problems. Among these factors, greater fatigue and worsened pain intensity were the strongest predictors. Mental health was associated with days of hospitalization and cognitive-communication problems (F = 2.866, P < 0.001; explained variance 35%). Conclusions Considering the negative impact of fatigue, pain, low physical activity, and cognitive-communication problems on health-related quality of life, early and accurate evaluation and management are required for recovered older adults post-COVID-19.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of dry needling as local treatment of upper trapezius trigger points related to chronic neck pain on pain and pain pressure threshold in women with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Methods: Thirty females with an active myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle were randomly divided into two groups: dry needling with passive stretch (n=15) and passive stretch alone (n=15). They received 5 sessions of the intervention for three weeks. The outcomes were pain intensity and pain pressure threshold. Every outcome was recorded at baseline and 2 days after the fifth session. Results: Significant improvement in pain and pain pressure threshold was observed in both groups (P=0.0001) after the treatment. The results of the independent t-test showed a significant difference in measurements between the dry needling and passive stretch groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Dry needling with passive stretch can be more effective on pain and pain pressure threshold than passive stretching alone in short term in women with nonspecific neck pain.

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Background and Objectives: This study was done to translate and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) among Iranian martial arts athletes. Methods: Translation and adaptation were performed in several stages with the instructions provided by Beaton et al. A total of 86 Persian-speaking martial arts athletes (42 males and 44 females) participated in this study. Descriptive statistics were reported for all items of SCAT5. For determining construct validity, the correlations between items of the Persian version of the SCAT5 and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were all reviewed. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined from two different aspects of test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Results: The processes of translation and cultural adaptation were done by maintaining cultural adaptation through replacing appropriate words and terms, and finding semantic and perceptual equivalents. There was a significant difference between the results of male and female participants. For components of the SCAT5 in comparison with BDI, Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient (rho) was moderate with the Persian version of BDI 0.57 (p<0.001) in terms of the number of symptoms and severity of symptoms 0.50 (p<0.001). Regarding the test-retest reliability, the Persian version of the SCAT5 questionnaire showed excellent reliability for all items (ICC>0.75) and moderate reliability for the number of symptoms (ICC=0.48) and severity of symptoms (ICC=0.49). The coefficient of Cronbach’s alpha was more than 0.70 for all items of the Persian version of the SCAT5. Conclusion: The Persian version of the SCAT5 is a valid and moderate reliable instrument for medical professionals and health care providers in concussion assessment. The ceiling effect was observed in three components, including orientation and two parts of concentration (backward recalling of digits+recalling of months in reverse order).

Background: Myofascial trigger points are known as the main reasons for the neck pain. Myofascial trigger points may change the coordination of cervical muscles and cause impaired proprioception. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the onset of shoulder and cervical muscles activity and muscles recruitment pattern in patients with an active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius. Methods: 15 patient subjects (aged 26.80 ± 2.67 years) with one active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius and 15 control subjects (aged 27.73 ± 3.43 years) participated in this study. The subjects flexed their arms in response to a sound stimulus. The onset time of anterior deltoid was chosen as the initial point in showing the onset time of cervical paraspinal, lumbar paraspinal, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and medial head of gastrocnemius muscles.Results: The patient group represented a delay in the onset of muscles activity and altered muscle recruitment pattern compared to the control subjects (P < 0.001). However, the sternocleidomastoid muscle showed no delay in this group (P = 0.67). Conclusions: These results showed latency in the onset of muscles activity and altered muscles recruitment patterns. The altered muscles recruitment pattern may lead to changes in motor control strategies and poor control of movement. Finally, these changes can cause a poor control of movement and increase the possibility of damage to the shoulder and cervical muscles in patients with an active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius.

Introduction: Neck pain is a highly prevalent disorder in developed countries. A myofascial trigger point (MTrP) is distinguished under the name of the fundamental excessive menstruation for it and certain reason for musculoskeletal dysfunction. MTrP refers to a sensitive spot in a taut band whose stretch and compression can induce pain. Modifications in the motor cortex, sensory input, irritability, and integration are the adaptive mechanisms to pain. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the preparatory brain activity and anticipatory postural control in chronic neck pain. Materials and Methods: The study participants included 25 women with an active MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle and 25 healthy women in the control group. We recorded the brain activities from Cz, Pz, and Fz regions and muscle activities of both sides of the upper trapezius, anterior deltoid, cervical and lumbar paraspinal, sternocleidomastoid, and medial head of the gastrocnemius. The participants had to flex their arms in reply to the second sound stimulus, followed by the first sound. Then, their reaction time and brain activity were evaluated. Results: Significant differences between the two groups were detected in brain activities’ measurements and the onset of muscle activation (P<0.001). The exception was the onset of gastrocnemius muscle activation (P>0.05). Conclusion: The current study suggests that active MTrP induces latency and lengthens the muscle reaction time; thus, the production of suitable motion after the stimulus will be affected. Brain alteration after pain damages movement changes and postural control mechanism.