Isokinetics and Exercise Science - Volume 28, issue 2

Authors: Erdağı, Kenan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Many daily functions and sporting events need high activity level of the flexor muscles of the forearms and hands. Handgrip strength is measured by a handheld dynamometer which is a reliable, safe and inexpensive device. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to find out whether the presence or absence of flexor digitorum superficialis tendon of the fifth (little) fingers (FDS-V) affects handgrip strength of athletes from different types of sports. METHODS: The effect of presence or absence of the FDS-V in a total number of 788 fingers of athletes (male n = …200, female n = 194) was assessed using isometric handgrip strength. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference existed in handgrip strength of the participants with and without the FDS-V of the little finger (p > 0.025). CONCLUSION: The presence or absence of FDS-V of the little finger in athletes has no effect on handgrip strength. Show more

Keywords: Handgrip strength, flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, little finger

DOI: 10.3233/IES-202103

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 191-197, 2020

Authors: Garcia-Ramos, Amador | Janicijevic, Danica

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Reliability refers to the consistency of one outcome when the measurement is repeated. Sport scientists are aware of the importance of reliability and, consequently, a large number of single-center studies (performed in only one research center following specific protocols) have been conducted to evaluate the reliability of different testing procedures. Although single-center reliability studies are valuable, their findings could be compromised by the generally low sample size that can be gathered and restricted to the specific population and testing procedures used, reducing external validity. More robust information about the reliability of fitness tests could be obtained by pooling the data …collected in independent research centers on a collaborative basis (multicenter reliability studies). This manuscript highlights the potential benefits of multicenter reliability studies and provides a number of recommendations for conducting multicenter reliability studies based on both a priori (researchers from different centers agree to collect data to address a specific question) and a posteriori (the data of published single-center studies are post-hoc combined) approaches. Show more

Keywords: Coefficient of variation, collaborative research, fitness tests, reproducibility, testing

DOI: 10.3233/IES-192242

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 199-204, 2020

Authors: Kaneda, Hiroaki | Takahira, Naonobu | Tsuda, Kouji | Tozaki, Kiyoshi | Sakai, Kenta | Kudo, Sho | Takahashi, Yoshiki | Sasaki, Shuichi | Fukushima, Kensuke | Kenmoku, Tomonori

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tissue flossing is a new method aiming to improving range of motion (ROM), pain, and enhancing injury prevention. Tissue flossing involves passive twisting and active movement with the muscle or joint tightly wrapped with a floss band. However, evidence is lacking regarding the effects of flossing. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of flossing and static stretching (SS) on gastrocnemius (GC) function. METHODS: Twenty healthy young men received three interventions (Flossing, SS, Rest). The experimental intervention involved flossing using a floss band (Sanctband COMPRE Floss TM Blueberry), and the …control intervention involved SS for 5 minutes. The following outcomes were measured before (pre) and after (post) each intervention: dorsiflexion ROM, passive moment, fascicle length, muscle hardness, maximal isometric voluntary plantar flexion contraction, rate of force development (RFD), and muscle activity. RESULTS: The pre-post changes in RFD 0–50 and RFD 0–100 ms were significantly higher with Flossing compared to SS. The pre-post changes in dorsiflexion ROM was significantly higher with Flossing compared to Rest. CONCLUSIONS: Flossing on GC improved RFD 0–50 and RFD 0–100 ms with an increase in dorsiflexion ROM unlike SS. Research is warranted whether flossing before exercise may be more beneficial than SS for injury prevention and physical performance enhancement. Show more

Keywords: Floss band, fascia, compression, range of motion, rate of force development

DOI: 10.3233/IES-192235

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 205-213, 2020

Authors: İnce, İ. | Ulupinar, S. | Özbay, S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although it is known that isokinetic knee extensor strength and balance ability are important, valid and reliable parameters, they have not been used hitherto to predict the performance of junior weightlifters. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among body composition, isokinetic knee extensor strength, balance, and weightlifting performance and to determine whether these factors predict competition performance in junior men weightlifters. METHODS: Fifty-one male junior weightlifters (age: 15.9 ± 1.2 years, height: 161.9 ± 7.7 cm, body mass: 62.7 ± 11.3 kg) participated in …this study. Participants performed isokinetic knee extensor strength tests in concentric mode (at 60 and 180 ∘ /s) and balance tests (static and dynamic). Competition performance was calculated according to the Sinclair equation, which was used as the dependent variable in the statistical analysis. The extent to which the independent variables predicted competition performance was determined by bivariate correlations and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between the Sinclair score and the independent variables (r = 0.496–0.804, p < 0.05). Three models were fitted by hierarchical linear regression analysis. Body fat percentage was determined as a control variable in step one, isokinetic knee extensor strength at 180 ∘ /s was included in step two, and static balance was included in step three, with all three contributing to the models significantly (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, and p = 0.003, respectively). The variance of competition performance was explained by approximately 65% in step one, approximately 78% in step two, and approximately 82% in step three. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that isokinetic knee extensor strength, static balance, and body fat percentage are effective for predicting competition performance in junior weightlifters. Show more

Keywords: Olympic weightlifting, knee extensor, Sinclair, snatch, clean, and jerk

DOI: 10.3233/IES-192220

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 215-222, 2020