Cross-Sectional study with control group, Level II.

Background GIRD is a condition resulting in the loss of internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint as compared to the contralateral side. Mechanism of GIRD is caused by repetitive throwing such as a handball throw. Difference between total shoulders range of motion (ROM) more than 25°is considered as GIRD positive sign. Objective To compare glenohumeral rotation motion between dominant and non-dominant shoulder in handball players. Design Cross sectional study. Setting Elite handball division players. Participants The pilot studies included 48 professional handball players of average age 24.0±4.5 years, height 187.1±5.9 cm, weight 91.0±11.6 kg.Interventions All handball players were tested for internal (IR) and external (ER) glenohumeral rotation range of motion. Mean values, minimum, maximum and standard deviation were calculated. Differences between the dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) shoulder were determined. T-Test for two independent samples was used to analyze differences between D and ND shoulder. Statistical significance was set at P<.05. Main OutcomesROM. Results We obtained:for ER_D 60.63°±13.23°and for ED_ND 58.65°±13.98°, respectively; for IR_D: 92.60°±6.92°and for IR_ND 88.96°±6.99°. Total ROM values were 153.23°±17.79°f or D and 147.60°±18.76°for ND shoulder. Differences between D and ND shoulders was statistically significant only for IR: 3.65°± 4.34°; P=.0118. For ER: 1.98°±4.92°and Total ROM: 5.63°± 7.76°there was no significant differences (P>.05). Conclusions However there are some cases with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit there is more evidence that such a deficit does not exists in handball players. To verify this results further study with grater sample size should be conducted in comparison to other professional overhead athletes.

The invention of inertial measurement units allowed the construction of sensors suitable for human motion tracking that are more affordable than expensive optical motion capture systems, but there are a few factors influencing their accuracy, such as the calibration methods and the fusion algorithms used to translate sensor readings into angles. The main purpose of this study was to test the accuracy of a single RSQ Motion sensor in comparison to a highly precise industrial robot. The secondary objectives were to test how the type of sensor calibration affects its accuracy and whether the time and magnitude of the tested angle have an impact on the sensor’s accuracy. We performed sensor tests for nine repetitions of nine static angles made by the robot arm in eleven series. The chosen robot movements mimicked shoulder movements in a range of motion test (flexion, abduction, and rotation). The RSQ Motion sensor appeared to be very accurate, with a root-mean-square error below 0.15°. Furthermore, we found a moderate-to-strong correlation between the sensor error and the magnitude of the measured angle but only for the sensor calibrated with the gyroscope and accelerometer readings. Although the high accuracy of the RSQ Motion sensors was demonstrated in this paper, they require further study on human subjects and comparisons to the other devices known as the gold standards in orthopedics.

No abstract

Autorzy nie zgłosili źródła finansowania. Autorzy nie deklarowali konfliktu interesów.

Background Muscle strength and endurance of the shoulder rotators is important for overhead throwing performance and dynamic glenohumeral stability. Isokinetic assessment of shoulder internal and external rotators is commonly used by clinicians to assess muscle performance. Objective To evaluate the external (ER) and internal rotator (IR) muscles isokinetic peak torque, total work and strength ratios in handball players. Design Prospective study with control group and descriptive analysis. Setting Elite division handball players. Participants The pilot studies included 48 professional handball players of average age 24.0 (±4.5 years), height 187.1 (±5.9) and weight 9.0 (±11.6). Interventions Isokinetic tests were performed concentrically at 180 and 270 deg/s using Biodex System 3 PRO in standard sitting position. Main outcome measurements Isokinetic peak torque, total work and strength ratios. Results: The differences between the athletes and controls regarding the peak torque at 180 deg/s and total work at 270 deg/s of the ER and IR muscles for dominant and non dominant shoulder were statistically significant. The control group presented higher ratios (D 85.8±26.9; ND 82.8±23.4) than handball players (D 65.4±13.3; ND 63.0±16.0)–differences were statistically significant. There were statistical differences between dominant and non dominant shoulder in both group for total work of the ER muscles. There were no statistical differences between dominant and non dominant shoulder in both group for peak torque of the ER and IR muscles. Conclusions Handball players present higher isokinetic parameters comparing to normal population. The study establishes additional normative data on ER and IR muscle torque and total work on high-level male handball players.

Background and objectives: The Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in the body, is vulnerable to injury because of its limited blood supply and the combination of forces to which it is subjected. Given the relevance of the Achilles tendon in the proper function of the foot and ankle, the primary goal of the present study was to use a holistic approach for a comprehensive evaluation of Achilles tendon reconstruction results on multiple levels. Materials and Methods: The study was designed in the following way: 30 patients with partial or total Achilles tendon tears were subjected to the minimally invasive Achilles tendon reconstruction. Patients were then subjected to the clinical, functional and isokinetic tests 12 and 24 months after the treatment. The clinical evaluation included calf circumference measurements and subjective patient-reported tests: ATRS, EQ-5D-5L and VAS scales. The functional evaluation was based on three tests: the weight-bearing lunge test, the heel rise test and single leg hop. Isometric and isokinetic evaluation was performed using a Biodex 3 dynamometer. Results: The calf circumference of the operated limbs was significantly lower than the non-operated limb 12 months after the surgical procedure, however this improved at the second evaluation. All subjective outcomes improved significantly 24 months after the surgery. Significantly better results in the function of the operated limbs were also obtained 24 months after the surgery. However, most of the muscle strength parameters of the operated limbs were already comparable to non-operated ones 12 months after the surgery and were comparable between two evaluation times. The overall results of this extensive evaluation are highly satisfactory and patients returned to their normal physical activity. From a medical point of view, it is assumed that the healing process is completed 12 months after the surgery, however, importantly, our results indicate that we should consider the healing process and the rehabilitation process separately.

Introduction Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 5 Times Sit to Stand test (STS) and 10-meter Walk test (WT) are often used in clinical trials. Aim The purpose of this study is to determine the test-retest reliability of TUG, STS, 10WT and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors and flexors and to determine a minimal detectable change (MDC) for those tests in a population of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who will undergo conservative treatment. Material and methods Sixty-one patients with symptomatic knee OA were included in this study. The testing protocol consisted of TUG, STS, 10WT and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of knee extensors and flexors. Participants were tested twice. Results TUG, STS, 10WT and MVIC and standardised MVIC of knee extensors and flexors showed an excellent test-retest reliability. Standard Error of Measurement and MDC95 for TUG was 0.37s and 1.01s, respectively; for STS was 0.69s and 1.91s, respectively; for 10WT was 0.23s and 0.65s, respectively; for MVIC of extensors was 19.66N and 54.5N, respectively; for MVIC of flexors was 9.73N and 26.96N, respectively; for standardised MVIC of extensors was 0.22 and 0.62, respectively; for standardised MVIC of flexors was 0.11 and 0.31, respectively. Conclusions TUG, STS, 10WT, and MVIC measurements have excellent test-retest reliability in mild to moderate knee OA patients. Changes greater than 1.01s for TUG, 1.91s for STS, 0.65s for 10WT, 0.62 for standardised MVIC of knee extensors and 0.31 for standardised MVIC of knee flexors may be used as clinically significant.