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Kong, Pui Wah
- PublicationOpen AccessMuscle rub enhanced explosive leg power but not flexibility or balance in college athletesAthletes often use muscle rub to heat up the muscles during warm-up as they believe this will improve their sports performance. However, there is no clear evidence on whether muscle rub application to the upper legs can improve physical performance in athletes. Twenty college athletes were randomized to either receiving 3g of muscle rub or a placebo. Static flexibility, dynamic balance, and explosive leg power were measured before and after the application of the muscle rub/placebo. Percentage changes in the performance scores (post–pre) were calculated and compared between the muscle rub and placebo groups using the Mann–Whitney U test and the smallest worthwhile change was calculated to offer further insights for individual participants. Results showed that jump distance significantly increased by 1.7% (p=0.028, large effect size) with muscle rub application compared to placebo. There was no significant difference in the percentage change between muscle rub and placebo groups in flexibility (p=0.520) and dynamic balance (p=0.529) performances. In conclusion, application of muscle rub on the upper legs positively enhanced explosive leg power but did not affect flexibility or dynamic balance performances.
58 50 - PublicationOpen AccessTowards inclusive sports engineering research: Considerations of research methods(Springer, 2024)
;Mears, Aimee C. ;Williams, Elisabeth M. P.; ;Wood, Paul ;Brubacher, KristinaAllen, TomUnderstanding and addressing the needs of diverse demographics is critical for creating sports products or technologies that can enhance the enjoyment, safety, or performance for more inclusive populations. This perspective article has identified opportunities for innovative sports engineering research by considering factors such as sex, socioeconomic background, culture, religion, age, ethnicity, or neurodiversity when developing research studies. The importance of considering diverse study populations, appropriate data collection methods, and ethical considerations to avoid biases is addressed and supported by research.29 456 - PublicationOpen AccessHamstring muscle architecture and viscoelastic properties: Reliability and retrospective comparison between previously injured and uninjured athletesThe architecture of the biceps femoris (BF) and stiffness of the hamstrings have been found to be associated with injury risk. However, less is known about the architecture of the equally voluminous semitendinosus (ST) and viscoelastic properties of both muscles in individuals with a prior injury. Methods: BF and ST of 15 athletes (previously injured, n=5; control, n=10) were assessed using ultrasonography and myotonometry. Mean architecture (muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA) and fascicle length (FL)) and viscoelastic measures (stiffness, oscillation frequency and decrement) were compared between the previously injured and contralateral uninjured limb, and between the previously injured and control limbs (mean of both limbs of the control group). Control group participants returned for a duplicate measurement. Findings: Both muscles exhibited high reliability between sessions (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)=0.89−0.98) for architecture. BF PA was larger in the previously injured than both uninjured (+1.1∘,d=0.65) and control (+1.51∘,d=0.71). BF fascicles were shorter in the previously injured limb compared to the uninjured (−0.4cm,d=0.65) and control (−0.6cm,d=0.67). BF was stiffer in the previously injured compared to uninjured (+9.2Nm−1,d=1.28). ST architecture and viscoelasticity were similar across limbs. Conclusion: A prior hamstring strain injury is associated with a stiffer BF characterized by larger PAs and shorter fascicles.
WOS© Citations 4Scopus© Citations 8 136 270 - PublicationOpen AccessImmediate comfort perception of 3D-printed foot orthoses in individuals with unilateral heel pain(Sage, 2022)
;Ho, Malia Tsai Djun ;Nguyen, Julie ;Talbot, Kerwin ;Heales, Luke ;Kean, Crystal; Stanton, RobertBackground: Custom-made foot orthoses (FOs) play an integral part in managing foot disorders. Traditional FO fabrication is time-consuming and labor intensive. Three-dimensional (3D) printed FOs save time and cost compared with the traditional manufacturing process. To date, the differences in dimensions and comfort perception of these orthoses have not been compared in a pathological population.
Objective:
Compare the dimensions between 3D-printed and traditionally made FOs and comfort perception between 3D-printed, traditionally made, and no FOs in individuals with flatfeet and unilateral heel pain.Study design:
Within-subject single-blinded randomized crossover study design.Methods:
Thirteen participants had custom-made FOs using 3D-printing and traditional processes. Orthotic lengths, widths, arch heights, and heel cup heights were compared. Participants performed walking trials under three conditions: (1) no orthoses, (2) 3D-printed orthoses, and (3) traditionally made orthoses. Comfort perception was recorded. Orthotic dimensions were compared using paired t tests, and comfort perception were compared using one-way multiple analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests.Results:
Three-dimensional–printed orthoses were wider, have higher arch heights, and heel cup heights compared with traditionally made FOs (medium to large effect sizes). There was a difference in comfort perception between the three orthotic conditions, F(12,62) = 1.99, P = 0.04; Wilk Λ = 0.521, ηp2= 0.279. Post hoc tests show that there is no difference in comfort perception between the 3D-printed and traditionally made FOs. Both FOs were significantly more comfortable than no orthoses.Conclusions:>br>Three-dimensional printing seems to be a viable alternative orthotic fabrication option. Future studies should compare the biomechanical effects of 3D-printed and traditionally made FOs.
WOS© Citations 2 278 119 - PublicationOpen AccessEffects of ankle orthoses, taping, and insoles on postural stability of individuals with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review(MDPI, 2023)
;Tang, Yunqi ;Liang, Peiyao ;Pan, Jingwen ;Zhang, Cui ;Ren, Hui ;Cheng, ShizheChronic ankle instability (CAI) is a prevalent condition characterized by recurring instances of the ankle giving way and persistent symptoms, including pain and diminished function. Foot and ankle external supports are commonly used in clinical practice and research for treating CAI. This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of foot and ankle external supports on the postural stability of individuals with CAI to guide clinical practice and inform future research. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases from 1 January 2012 to 1 November 2022. Eighteen studies involving individuals with CAI were chosen in this systematic review. The quality of the included studies and risk of bias were assessed using Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for randomized controlled trials, the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for case–control studies, and the DELPHl-list for crossover trial studies. The external supports included in this review were ankle orthoses (elastic, semi-rigid, and active orthoses), taping (kinesiotaping and fibular reposition taping), and insoles (textured and supportive insoles). The outcome measures included static and dynamic postural stability tests, such as the single-leg stance test, star excursion balance test, Y-balance test, single-leg landing test, lateral jump test, walking test, and running test. The results showed that elastic orthoses, Kinesiotaping, and textured insoles demonstrated potential benefits in improving postural stability in individuals with CAI. Elastic orthoses decreased ankle joint motion variability, kinesiotaping facilitated cutaneous receptors and proprioceptive feedback, while textured insoles increased tactile stimulation and foot position awareness. However, the effects of semi-rigid orthoses, fibular reposition taping, and arch support insoles were inconsistent across studies. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these external supports, analyze the effects of different characteristics and combinations of supports, and employ standardized outcome measures and testing protocols for assessing postural stability.Scopus© Citations 1 45 131 - PublicationOpen AccessEffect of body mass and midsole hardness on kinetic and perceptual variables during basketball landing manoeuvresThis study investigated the effects of body mass and shoe midsole hardness on kinetic and perceptual variables during the performance of three basketball movements: (i) the first and landing steps of layup, (ii) shot-blocking landing and (iii) drop landing. Thirty male basketball players, assigned into ‘heavy’ (n=15, mass 82.7±4.3kg) or ‘light’ (n=15, mass 63.1±2.8kg) groups, performed five trials of each movement in three identical shoes of varying midsole hardness (soft, medium, hard). Vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) during landing was sampled using multiple wooden-top force plates. Perceptual responses on five variables (forefoot cushioning, rearfoot cushioning, forefoot stability, rearfoot stability and overall comfort) were rated after each movement condition using a 150-mm Visual Analogue Scale. A mixed factorial analysis of variance (Body Mass×Shoe) was applied to all kinetic and perceptual variables. During the first step of the layup, the loading rate associated with rearfoot contact was 40.7% higher in the ‘heavy’ than ‘light’ groups (P=.014) and 12.4% higher in hard compared with soft shoes (P=.011). Forefoot peak VGRF in soft shoe was higher (P=.011) than hard shoe during shot-block landing. Both ‘heavy’ and ‘light’ groups preferred softer to harder shoes. Overall, body mass had little effect on kinetic or perceptual variables.
WOS© Citations 30Scopus© Citations 40 296 313 - PublicationOpen AccessThe biomechanical effects of 3D printed and traditionally made foot orthoses in individuals with unilateral plantar fasciopathy and flat feet(Elsevier, 2022)
;Ho, Malia Tsai Djun ;Nguyen, Julie ;Heales, Luke ;Stanton, Robert; Kean, CrystalBackground Foot orthoses (FOs) are used to manage foot pathologies such as plantar fasciopathy. 3D printed custom-made FOs are increasingly being manufactured. Although these 3D-printed FOs look like traditionally heat-moulded FOs, there are few studies comparing FOs made using these two different manufacturing processes. Research question How effective are 3D-printed FOs (3D-Print) compared to traditionally-made (Traditional) or no FOs (Control), in changing biomechanical parameters of flat-footed individuals with unilateral plantar fasciopathy? Methods Thirteen participants with unilateral plantar fasciopathy walked with shoes under three conditions: Control, 3D-print, and Traditional. 2 × 3 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVAs) with Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to compare discrete kinematic and kinetic variables between limbs and conditions. Waveform analyses were also conducted using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Results There was a significant condition main effect for arch height drop (p = 0.01; ηp2 =0.54). There was 0.87 mm (95% CI [−1.84, −0.20]) less arch height drop in 3D-print compared to Traditional. The SPM analyses revealed condition main effects on ankle moment (p < 0.001) and ankle power (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between control condition and both 3D-print and Traditional conditions. For ankle moment and power, there were no differences between 3D-print and Traditional conditions. Significance 3D-printed FOs are more effective in reducing arch height drop, whist both FOs lowered ankle plantarflexion moment and power compared to no FOs. The results support the use of 3D-printed FOs as being equally effective as traditionally-made FOs in changing lower limb biomechanics for a population of flat-footed individuals with unilateral plantar fasciopathy.WOS© Citations 3Scopus© Citations 10 234 101 - PublicationOpen AccessInfluence of basketball shoe midsole inserts featuring different mechanical rebound properties on biomechanical loading and subjective perception during a side-cutting maneuverThis study examined the influence of basketball shoe midsole inserts with different forefoot and rearfoot rebound properties on biomechanical loading and subjective perception during a side-cutting maneuver. Eleven male basketball players executed side cutting in four shoe conditions mechanically characterized for their rearfoot/forefoot rebound: compliant/compliant, springy/springy, compliant/springy, and springy/compliant. Lower extremity kinetics and kinematics (normalized to body mass), as well as subjective perception, were measured. During the weight-acceptance phase, there were no differences between shoes in all biomechanical variables, except a slightly greater ankle range of motion (1.2° greater than the other three shoes) in the frontal plane for shoe compliant/springy. During the push-off phase, shoe springy/springy led to a greater ankle plantarflexion moment (1.21 Nm/kg greater than the other three shoes, p < 0.001) and knee internal rotation moment (0.09 Nm/kg greater than the other three shoes, p = 0.012), while shoe compliant/springy resulted in a greater ankle range of motion in the frontal plane (1.4° greater than the other three shoes, p < 0.001). Perception data showed no statistically significant difference among any shoes. In conclusion, springy inserts of basketball shoe midsoles induced a biomechanical loading effect. Perception of players being unaffected indicates the importance of biomechanical evaluation to examine the effects of the given shoe modifications during side cutting.
Scopus© Citations 2 324 218 - PublicationOpen AccessEffect of caffeine ingestion on free-throw performance in college basketball playersBackground: It is currently unclear whether pre-exercise caffeine ingestion can improve free-throw shooting performance, a vital skill in basketball. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine on free-throw shooting performance in college-aged basketball players.
Methods: Twelve males (23.1 ± 1.9 years; 180.1 ± 8.8 cm; 77.1 ± 12.4 kg) and six females (22.0 ± 1.3 years; 169.4 ± 8.9 cm; 67.0 ± 11.1 kg) who competed at the college level ingested 6 mg per kg of body mass of (a) caffeine or (b) maltodextrin (placebo) on two separate occasions in a random order. After 60 min, they performed five sets of a match-simulated basketball protocol comprising six sideline-tosideline sprints on a standard basketball court followed by two free-throws after each set. The number of successful shots was counted. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after each sprint set were also recorded.
Results: Caffeine ingestion did not improve overall free-throw success (caffeine = 6.1 ± 1.7 vs. placebo = 5.5 ± 2.0; p = 0.34) compared with placebo across all five sets. There was no change in shooting accuracy across sprint sets in either trial despite significant increases in both heart rate and RPE. Caffeine increased heart rate (p = 0.02) but had no effect on RPE (p = 0.57) across five sets compared with placebo.
Conclusions: Ingestion of 6 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass did not improve basketball free-throw performance. Free-throw performance did not deteriorate with increasing number of sprint sets.WOS© Citations 11Scopus© Citations 15 186 232 - PublicationOpen Access
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