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Physical Activity and Exercise for Prevention or Functional Recovery in Musculoskeletal Injuries

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 August 2022) | Viewed by 9409

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Prof. Dr. Alejandro San Juan Ferrer

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Guest Editor

Department of Health and Human Performance, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: sports biomechanics; injury prevention and treatment; fatigue; strength evaluation; biomechanics; physiology and exercise programs in chronic diseases (e.g., cancer); physical activity and ergonomics at work
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Enrique Navarro

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Guest Editor

Department of Health and Human Performance, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: running; kicking in soccer; hamstring injury; refereeing in soccer; performance analysis in swimming; strength exercises
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Dr. Santiago Veiga

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Guest Editor

Department of Sports, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: performance analysis; technical analysis; coordination analysis; skill acquisition; aquatic sports
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to present this Special Issue on “Physical Activity and Exercise for Prevention or Functional Recovery in Musculoskeletal Injuries”.

Today, musculoskeletal injuries are a common health problem around the world, affecting both sexes and all age ranges (i.e., children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly). Moreover, sedentary behavior and postural disbalance at work have increased its incidence. This situation has augmented health care costs, mainly due to injury rehabilitation treatments (e.g., surgery, imaging tests, and pharmacological treatment).

In these last two decades, exercise programs have been introduced as a powerful tool to prevent and treat musculoskeletal injuries. They started in professional sports disciplines, but they spread and now actually cover all people (e.g., amateur sportsmen and women, healthy people, and injured patients). For example, exercise programs are included in the professional environment to avoid work absenteeism and to improve the worker’s health and quality of life. Furthermore, exercise is essential for completely recovering the functions and capabilities of the patient after a musculoskeletal injury.

Moreover, the control of physical activity or exercise loads could be an important way to prevent tissue overcharge and the subsequent musculoskeletal injury (e.g., load control of an exercise session, match, or competition).

We hope that this Special Issue on “Physical Activity and Exercise for Prevention or Functional Recovery in Musculoskeletal Injuries” will be received by exercise researchers as a good chance for publishing their results. We encourage you to send work focused on the control of physical activity loads for injury prevention, or the use of exercise programs to prevent or treat musculoskeletal injuries in humans.

Prof. Dr. Alejandro San Juan Ferrer
Prof. Enrique Navarro
Prof. Santiago Veiga
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Injury
Injury prevention
Strain
Fracture
Sprain
Luxation
Rehabilitation
Reconditioning
Exercise program
Balance skills
Strength training
Sport
Work

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1022 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Could Mini-Trampoline Training Be Considered as a New Strategy to Reduce Asymmetries?

by Marianna De Maio, Francesca Di Rocco, Olga Papale, Emanuel Festino, Andrea Fusco and Cristina Cortis

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 3193; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13053193 - 2 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1742

Abstract

Inter-limb asymmetry is defined as the performance imbalance of a limb with respect to the other one. Studies demonstrated how plyometric training could minimize inter-limb imbalance by reducing asymmetries and the relative risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Among the different plyometric training modalities, SuperJump^® represented a reliable method. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of SuperJump^® training on dynamic balance Unilateral Asymmetry and Bilateral Asymmetry Indexes. Thirty-seven subjects were randomly allocated in two groups: SuperJump^® (N = 20) and Control (N = 17). The SuperJump^® group participated in the SuperJump^® session, whereas the Control group did not receive any workout session. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the SuperJump^® session, both groups performed the Wobble Board balance test. A significant difference (p < 0.003) between the SuperJump^® in POST and Control groups in PRE intervention for dominant leg was found. No significant differences (p > 0.05) emerged between groups in testing time on Bilateral Asymmetry Index. Significant differences (p = 0.005) between PRE and POST in the SuperJump^® group and an 18.9% Unilateral Asymmetry Index threshold reduction for the subjects were found. A strong relationship (R² = 0.79) between delta (∆) change Unilateral Asymmetry Index and Unilateral Asymmetry Index baseline parameters was tested. Lastly, no significant differences (p > 0.05) in Unilateral Asymmetry Indexes between the Bilateral Asymmetry equal and change categories in the SuperJump^® group was found. In conclusion, SuperJump^® training played a key role in reducing Unilateral Asymmetry Index. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise for Prevention or Functional Recovery in Musculoskeletal Injuries)

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11 pages, 1015 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Hip Abductor Muscle Strength and Frontal Plane Kinematics: A Cross-Sectional Study in Elite Handball Athletes

by Luis Ceballos-Laita, Andoni Carrasco-Uribarren, Sara Cabanillas-Barea, Silvia Pérez-Guillén, Ricardo Medrano-de-la-Fuente, Ignacio Hernando-Garijo and Sandra Jiménez-del-Barrio

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(19), 10044; https://doi.org/10.3390/app121910044 - 6 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1937

Abstract

Frontal plane kinematics of the lower limb could be especially relevant in the risk of injuries in handball (HB) athletes. An association between lower limb frontal plane kinematics and hip abductor muscles strength has been investigated in different populations. However, the relationship between pelvis, hip, and knee frontal plane kinematics and the hip abductor strength in HB athletes has not been considered. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hip abductor muscles strength and frontal plane kinematics (contralateral pelvic drop, femoral adduction, and knee valgus) in elite HB athletes using 2D analysis. Design: Cross-sectional and correlational study. Methods: Thirty-four male professional HB athletes were recruited. Athletes had to perform a deep single-leg squat. The frontal plane was recorded using the Camera app on iPhone (5SE). The clinical variables were hip abductor muscles strength assessed using a Lafayette hand-held dynamometer version 01165, and frontal plane kinematics measured with Kinovea 2D software version 0.9.4. Both variables were measured independently by two different examiners. Results: The correlation analysis showed a statistically significant negative correlation between the hip abductor muscles strength and the pelvic drop angle (p < 0.001; PCC: −0.873). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the hip abductor muscles strength and the femoral adduction angle (p < 0.001; PCC: 0.767) and between the hip abductor muscles strength and the knee valgus angle (p < 0.001; PCC: 0.855). Conclusion: Hip abductor muscles strongly correlate with frontal plane kinematics in HB athletes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise for Prevention or Functional Recovery in Musculoskeletal Injuries)

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12 pages, 295 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Injury Incidence and Pattern in Elite Young Male and Female Trail Runners

by Luis F. Sanchez-Garcia, Alfonso Penichet-Tomas, Basilio Pueo and Jose M. Jimenez-Olmedo

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031155 - 22 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2769

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the injury incidence in young trail runners according to the body region, type, mode of onset, and moment of occurrence, both in total and detailed by sex. Thirty-five male and sixteen female young elite trail runners, aged between 15 and 22 years, completed a questionnaire regarding the injury incidence in the last 2 years. Comparison of the proportions of the injury incidence within groups (all, male, and female runners) and between groups (male vs. female runners) was computed using z and Fisher’s exact tests. Results showed that most of the injuries in male runners occurred in ankle (54.3%; p < 0.001; ES = 0.520). New injuries were the most common type in male (60.0%; p < 0.001; ES = 0.829) and female runners (52.0%; p = 0.005; ES = 0.585). Acute sudden onset (55.7%; p = 0.002; ES = 0.722) and repetitive sudden onset injuries (48.0%; p = 0.002; ES = 0.141) were the most frequent in male and female athletes, respectively. Joint sprains (48.6%; p < 0.001; 0.464) were the most reported injuries in male runners. Comparative analysis between sexes showed that exacerbation injuries were higher in females (24.0%) than in male runners (8.6%), with p = 0.046 (ES = 0.205). However, female runners reported less incidence by acute sudden onset injuries (32.0%) than male runners (55.7%), with p = 0.042 (ES = 0.209). Young trail runners showed a specific injury profile due to the distinctive characteristics of the mountain terrain compared to the athletic modalities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise for Prevention or Functional Recovery in Musculoskeletal Injuries)

11 pages, 1404 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Consecutive Matches on Isometric Hamstring Strength, Flexibility Values and Neuromuscular Performance in Female Field Hockey Players. A Prospective, Observational Study

by Violeta Sánchez-Migallón, Víctor Moreno-Pérez, Alvaro López-Samanes, Vicente Fernández-Ruiz, Sofía Gaos, José Bernardo Díaz-Maroto, Roland van den Tillaar and Archit Navandar

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 8938; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11198938 - 25 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2053

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the effects of match congestion in a short period on isometric hamstring strength and hip/ankle range of motion in female field hockey players. Fourteen professional female field hockey players (age: 20.0 ± 5.4 years) played two consecutive hockey matches in 24 h and maximal isometric hamstring strength and hip and ankle range of motion were obtained before and after the first match, after the second match, and 48 h after the second match. Furthermore, locomotion patterns and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded during hockey competitions. Isometric knee flexion strength showed significantly higher values 48 h after the second match for the non-dominant limb (p ≤ 0.005, ηp² = 0.19), while no differences were reported in the dominant limb (p = 0.370, ηp² = 0.05). In addition, no differences were reported in the range-of-motion (ROM) variables such as the straight leg raise test or ankle dorsiflexion test (p = 0.075–0.217, ηp² = 0.01–0.03). The countermovement jump height steadily increased over the matches except between post-match 2 and 48 h after post-match 2 (p < 0.001, η² = 0.382). Two consecutive official league field hockey matches played within 24 h did not have a negative effect on lower-limb risk factors (strength, hip and ankle ranges of motion, and ratings of perceived exertion) in female field hockey players directly, but they improved 48 h after the matches. This could indicate that 48 h recovery period following matches might be ideal for female field hockey players. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise for Prevention or Functional Recovery in Musculoskeletal Injuries)

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