Background: The hamstring muscles are described as forming part of myofascial chains or meridians, and the superficial back line (SBL) is one such chain. Good hamstring flexibility is fundamental to sporting performance and is associated with prevention of injuries of these muscles. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of self-myofascial release (SMR) on hamstring flexibility and determine which segment of the SBL resulted in the greatest increase in flexibility. Methods: 94 volunteers were randomly assigned to a control group or to one of the five intervention groups. In the intervention groups, SMR was applied to one of the five segments of the SBL (plantar fascia, posterior part of the sural fascia, posterior part of the crural fascia, lumbar fascia or epicranial aponeurosis) for 10 min. The analyzed variables were hamstring flexibility at 30 s, 2, 5, and 10 min, and dorsiflexion range of motion before and after the intervention. Results: Hamstring flexibility and ankle dorsiflexion improved when SMR was performed on any of the SBL segments. The segments with the greatest effect were the posterior part of the sural fascia when the intervention was brief (30 s to 2 min) or the posterior part of the crural fascia when the intervention was longer (5 or 10 min). In general, 50% of the flexibility gain was obtained during the first 2 min of SMR. Conclusions: The SBL may be considered a functional structure, and SMR to any of the segments can improve hamstring flexibility and ankle dorsiflexion.

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Background Impingement syndrome is currently estimated to represent 60% of all shoulder pain disorders. Capacitive-Resistive electric transfer therapy is aimed to provoke temperature and current flow changes in superficial and deep tissues. This in vitro study has evaluated the variation of temperature and current flow in the shoulder tissues during two different areas of application of the movable capacitive-resistive electric transfer electrode. Methods A cross-sectional study designed, five fresh cryopreserved cadavers (10 shoulders) were included in this study. Four interventions (capacitive and resistive modes; low- and high-power) were performed for 5 min each by a diathermy “T-Plus” device in two shoulder regions: postero-superior and antero-lateral. Supraspinatus tendon, glenohumeral capsule and superficial temperatures were recorded at 1-min intervals and 5 min after treatment. Results A statistically significant difference was found only for the superficial area and time interaction, with high power-resistive application at the postero-superior shoulder area (P< 0.035). All the applications showed a 5 min after treatment temperature increase compared with the basal data, in all the application points. Superficial temperature in the high power-resistive application showed the greatest percent increase (42.93% ± 22.58), followed by the temperature in the tendon area with the same high power-resistive application (22.97% ± 14.70). The high power-resistive application showed the greatest percent of temperature increase in the applications, reaching 65.9% ± 22.96 at 5-min at the superficial level, and 32% ± 24.25 at 4-min at the level of the supraspinatus tendon. At the capsule level, high power-resistive was also the application that showed the greatest percent of increase, with 21.52% ± 16.16. The application with the lowest percent of temperature increase was the low power-capacitive, with a mean value of 4.86% at supraspinatus tendon level and 7.47% at capsular level. Conclusion The shoulder postero-superior or antero-lateral areas of application of capacitive-resistive electric transfer did not cause statistically significant differences in the temperature changes in either supraspinatus tendon or glenohumeral capsule tissues in cadaveric samples. The high power-resistive application in the postero-superior area significantly increased superficial temperature compared with the same application in the antero-lateral position area.

Background The popliteus muscle attaches posteriorly to the joint capsule of the knee. Although it is an important rotational stabiliser and has been implicated in various knee pathologies, research on its treatment with dry needling is scarce. Objective To determine if a needle accurately and safely penetrates the popliteus muscle during the clinical application of dry needling. Methods A cadaveric descriptive study was conducted. Needling insertion of the popliteus muscle was conducted in 11 cryopreserved cadavers with a 50‐mm needle. The needle was inserted at upper third of the posterior part of the tibia closest to the knee towards the popliteus. The needle was advanced into the muscle based upon clinician judgement. Cross‐sectional anatomical dissections were photographed and analysed by photometry. Safety of the intervention was assessed by calculating the distance from the tip of the needle to the proximate neurovascular structures. Results Accurate needle penetration of the popliteus muscle was observed in 10 out of 11 (91%) of the cadavers (mean needle penetration: 25.7 ± 6.7mm, 95% CI 21.3‐30.3 mm). The distances from the tip of the needle were 17±6mm (95% CI 13‐21 mm) to the tibial nerve and 15 ± 0.7mm (95% CI 10‐20 mm) to the popliteus vascular bundle. Conclusion The results from this cadaveric study support the notion that needling of the popliteus can be accurately and safely conducted by an experienced clinician. Future studies investigating the clinical effectiveness of these interventions are needed.

Background: The wind tunnel is a compression cabin through which a stream of air rises homogeneously, generated by fans. To perform different acrobatics, indoor skydivers have to change their body position by turning their body and orientation in reference to the space. Thus, the vestibular, visual and somatosensory systems are subjected to multiple disturbances. Postural control could be affected by altering the visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems during indoor skydiving in the wind tunnel. The aim of this study is to describe the influence of a standard wind tunnel training session on postural control in a normal gravitational situation in indoor skydiving. Methods: Ten indoor skydivers registered with the Royal Spanish Aeronautical Federation, who had participated in national or international competitions one year ago, were recruited. A single 30 min training session was performed. Postural control was assessed through posturographic analysis using a stabilometric platform immediately before and after the training session. The variables studied were related to the relative position and length of the centre of pressure. Results: No statistically significant changes were found between the initial and final assessment for the posturographic variables studied. Conclusions: No differences in postural control were found after a standard wind tunnel training session in indoor competition skydivers.

Background Impingement syndrome is currently estimated to represent 60% of all shoulder pain disorders. Capacitive-Resistive electric transfer therapy is aimed to provoke temperature and current flow changes in superficial and deep tissues. This in vitro study has evaluated the variation of temperature and current flow in the shoulder tissues during two different areas of application of the movable capacitive-resistive electric transfer electrode. Methods A cross-sectional study designed, five fresh cryopreserved cadavers (10 shoulders) were included in this study. Four interventions (capacitive and resistive modes; low- and high-power) were performed for 5 minutes each by a diathermy “T-Plus” device in two shoulder regions: postero-superior and antero-lateral. Supraspinatus tendon, glenohumeral capsule and superficial temperatures were recorded at 1-min intervals and 5 min after treatment. Results A statistically significant difference was found only for the superficial area and time interaction, with high power-resistive application at the postero-superior shoulder area (P < 0.035). All the applications showed a final temperature increase compared with the basal data, in all the application points. Superficial temperature in the high power-resistive application showed the greatest percent increase (42.93% ± 22.58), followed by the temperature in the tendon area with the same high power-resistive application (22.97% ± 14.70). The high power-resistive application showed the greatest percent of temperature increase in the applications, reaching 65.9% ± 22.96 at 5-min at the superficial level, and 32% ± 24.25 at 4-min at the level of the supraspinatus tendon. At the capsule level, high power-resistive was also the application that showed the greatest percent of increase, with 21.52% ± 16.16. The application with the lowest percent of temperature increase was the low power-capacitive, with a mean value of 4.86% at supraspinatus tendon level and 7.47% at capsular level. Conclusion The shoulder postero-superior or antero-lateral areas of application of capacitive-resistive electric transfer did not cause statistically significant differences in the temperature changes in either supraspinatus tendon or glenohumeral capsule tissues in cadaveric samples. The high power-resistive application in the postero-superior area significantly increased superficial temperature compared with the same application in the antero-lateral position area.

Background: the use of stretching techniques in the sports world is frequent and common thanks to their many effects. One of the main benefits of stretching is an increased range of motion (ROM). Recently, the use of a foam roller has spread in sports practice due to benefits that are similar to those of shoes observed in stretching. The objective of the following study was to compare the results of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNF) with foam rolling (FR). Methods: The design of the study was a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrial.gov NCT05134883), and the participants were 80 healthy young athletes. The range of motion was evaluated with a modified sit-and-reach test before, during (at 30 s), and at the end of the intervention (at 2 min). The subject’s discomfort sensation was measured using the Borg scale. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d coefficient. Volunteers were randomized into the PNF group or FR group. Results: the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001) during the intervention in favor of PNF group. The differences at the end of intervention showed that the PNF group had a greater increase in flexibility, with this difference being statically significant (p < 0.001). The sensation of perceived exertion with PNF at the end of the intervention was similarly classified as moderate for both groups. Conclusion: Despite the fact that the use of FR is spreading in the field of sports and rehabilitation, the results of the present study suggest that the gain in flexibility in the hamstrings is greater if PNF-type stretches are used instead of FR.

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