Objective Handball requires high levels of anaerobic power, explosive strength, and repeated sprint ability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of power cycling training on anaerobic capacity and explosive performance in elite female handball players. Methods Forty-three elite female handball players who had participated in the Bangladesh National Female Handball League and had at least five years of continuous handball experience were recruited. Participants were allocated to either a control group (n = 21) or a training group (n = 22). All data were recorded in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0. Results Between-group comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences in most power cycling variables at baseline (all p > 0.05), confirming group homogeneity. However, significant within-group improvements in mean power and peak power relative to body weight were observed in the training group following the intervention (p < 0.05). Strong positive correlations were identified between peak power performance and lower-extremity skeletal muscle mass as well as thigh circumference (r = 0.91, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression models explained 86.6% of the variance in peak power and 82.8% of the variance in mean power, indicating that lower-limb morphological indices are reliable predictors of anaerobic cycling performance. Conclusion The training group demonstrated improvements in key Wingate performance variables despite the absence of significant between-group differences. Lower-extremity skeletal muscle mass and thigh circumference were strong predictors of anaerobic cycling performance, and the proposed regression models may offer a practical approach for monitoring anaerobic capacity in female handball players.
Objective Walking is a fundamental daily activity that depends on coordinated neuromuscular and musculoskeletal function. Hamstring tightness and low back pain may alter gait biomechanics and ground reaction force patterns. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a NASM-based corrective exercise program on ground reaction forces during walking in individuals with hamstring tightness and low back pain. Methods This quasi-experimental study included 30 men aged 20–30 years assigned to experimental (n=15; hamstring tightness and low back pain) and control (n=15; healthy) groups. The experimental group performed an 8-week NASM corrective exercise program, while the control group maintained usual activities. Ground reaction forces were recorded during walking at 2.3 m/s using a Bertec force plate. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS version 26 at a significance level of 0.05. Results Significant time effects were observed for peak mediolateral ground reaction forces at heel strike (p = 0.024; d = 0.201) and push-off (p = 0.001; d = 0.633). A significant time × group interaction was found for peak anterior–posterior ground reaction force at heel strike (p = 0.001; d = 0.399). Additionally, a significant time × group interaction was observed for peak vertical ground reaction force during push-off (p = 0.010; d = 0.254). The time × group interaction was also significant for the time to peak anterior–posterior ground reaction force at heel strike (p = 0.006; d = 0.276). Conclusion The findings suggest that a NASM-based corrective exercise program may influence specific ground reaction force characteristics during walking in individuals with hamstring tightness and low back pain. These changes may reflect improvements in neuromuscular control and gait mechanics; however, further studies with larger samples are required to confirm these effects.
Objective The present study aimed to investigate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of lower limb and trunk muscles in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and healthy controls during normal and dual-task walking. Methods Twelve CP patients and twelve age-matched healthy volunteers participated in this study. Surface EMG signals from the erector spinae (ES), biceps femoris (BF), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles were recorded during normal walking and motor, cognitive, and visual dual-tasks using a bipolar EMG USB2+ system. Acquired signals were processed using OT Biolab software. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS 22, with significance set at p<0.05. Results Significant differences were observed in normalized EMG of L3, BF, and RF muscles between CP and healthy groups (p<0.001). Motor and visual dual tasks differentially affected muscle activation intensity in both groups (p=0.020). While dual tasks produced symmetrical muscle activation increases in healthy participants, CP patients demonstrated significantly greater left-side activation (p=0.010). Conclusion CP patients exhibited significantly higher EMG activity in L3, BF, and RF muscles across all conditions except normal walking and motor dual-task (where right BF showed no difference). Notably, motor and visual dual-tasks elicited greater muscle activity than cognitive tasks in CP patients, suggesting preferential reliance on visual over proprioceptive feedback due to sensory integration deficits. So, these information, can serve as a useful guide for assessing and designing appropriate exercise and rehabilitation programs for individuals with CP.
Objective PScapular dyskinesia, characterized by altered scapular motion during shoulder activity, is commonly observed in swimmers and is associated with shoulder pain, reduced performance, and an increased risk of injury. Traditional rehabilitation primarily focuses on strengthening and mobility exercises but lacks real-time monitoring of muscle recruitment. Surface electromyography (EMG) enables direct assessment of muscle activation, allowing athletes to optimize scapular control during training and rehabilitation. To develop an EMG-guided exercise protocol to enhance scapular stabilizer muscle activation in swimmers with scapular dyskinesia. Methods This protocol development study recruited 18 male professional swimmers aged 19–23 years who were diagnosed with unilateral scapular dyskinesia using the Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST). Participants performed 15 commonly used scapular stabilization exercises. Surface EMG was used to record bilateral muscle activation of the trapezius (upper, middle, and lower fibers), serratus anterior, infraspinatus, rhomboids, and latissimus dorsi. Peak muscle activation values were compared between the affected and unaffected sides to identify the most effective exercises. Results Five exercises—push-up plus, elbow-knee push-up, lawnmower, Blackburn, and V-W dumbbell drill—elicited significantly greater activation of the scapular stabilizing muscles. These exercises were subsequently integrated into an evidence-based training protocol termed SCAP-SYNC. Conclusion The SCAP-SYNC protocol provides a concise and targeted set of exercises designed to enhance activation of key scapular stabilizers. This protocol may be incorporated into rehabilitation and conditioning programs for swimmers with scapular dyskinesia.
Objective Taekwondo is an Olympic combat sport that requires a high level of integration between physical fitness and technical skills. However, evidence regarding the relationships between physical fitness components and skill performance in adolescent female taekwondo athletes remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationships between selected physical fitness components, including flexibility, explosive power, reaction time, and balance, and skill performance indicators, namely kicking speed, punching power, and combined skill performance, in adolescent female taekwondo athletes. Methods This cross-sectional correlational study employed a quantitative research design. The study included 31 female taekwondo athletes aged 14–18 years with 3–5 years of training experience. Physical fitness components were assessed using the Sit-and-Reach Test (flexibility), Sargent Vertical Jump Test (explosive power), Nelson Ruler Drop Test (reaction time), and Stork Balance Test (balance). Skill performance indicators included kicking speed (FSKT-10s), punching power, and combined skill performance. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results Flexibility was significantly correlated with reaction time (r = −0.38), explosive power (r = 0.36), kicking speed (r = 0.50), and combined skill performance (r = −0.51). Reaction time was also significantly associated with combined skill performance (r = 0.44), whereas kicking speed showed a significant negative correlation with combined skill performance (r = −0.40). In contrast, static balance and punching power were not significantly associated with the assessed skill performance indicators. Conclusion The findings indicate that flexibility and reaction time are significantly associated with skill performance in adolescent female taekwondo athletes. Athletes with greater flexibility and faster reaction times demonstrated superior performance in both kicking speed and combined technical skills. These findings provide practical insights for developing targeted training programs to enhance competitive performance in taekwondo.
