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To determine whether back foot (BF) position influences dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) during three different positions of the weight bearing lunge test (WBLT). Randomised, repeated measures design. Sports clubs. 52 athletes participating in cutting and pivoting sports. DFROM was obtained using a WBLT in three different BF positions: BF heel in full contact with the floor, BF heel raised off the floor and BF was non weight bearing (NWB). All measurements were obtained using three methods: inclinometer at the tibial tuberosity, toe to wall distance and goniometer angle from the lateral malleolus to the fibula head. Differences between testing positions were determined using a repeated measures one-way ANOVA and reliability analysis was performed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). DFROM was statistically significantly different for all three positions of the WBLT for each measurement technique (P <.001). These results were associated with large effect sizes for all BF positions and measurement techniques. Reliability ICC values were excellent for all measurements (ICC 0.94–0.99). Results show that DFROM differs depending upon the position of the BF during the WBLT. Further research is needed to establish the reproducibility of these three BF positions due to the variability observed. • First study to investigate the influence of the back-foot position during the weight bearing lunge test. • Evidence to show that back-foot position affects front foot dorsiflexion range of movement. • Clinicians should state back foot positioning to ensure consistency of assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: (1) to analyse the accumulative effects of a 12-week active stretching program on hip flexion passive range of motion (HF-PROM), and (2) to compare whether participants with different PROM baseline scores (normal and limited hamstring flexibility) respond in the same way to stretching. Design: Repeated measures design. Setting: Controlled laboratory environment. Participants: 138 males were categorized according to hamstring flexibility in the unilateral passive straight-leg raise test (PSLR) and assigned to one of two groups: normal hamstring flexibility (⩾80°) or limited hamstring flexibility (<80°). In each group, participants were randomly distributed into one of two treatment subgroups: (a) control or (b) active stretching. The active stretching subgroups performed 12 weeks of flexibility training, the control subgroups did not stretch. Main Outcome Measures: HF-PROM was determined through the PSLR test. Results: Both stretching subgroups significantly improved (p < 0.01) their HF-PROM from baseline. The control subgroups did not. Conclusions: 12 weeks of an active stretching program performed 3 days per week with a daily stretch dose of 180 s improved HF-PROM in both populations (normal and limited hamstring flexibility). The stretching programwas equally effective in terms of absolute improvement values for males with normal and limited hamstring flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: 1) to examine the test-retest reproducibility and criterion-related validity of the sit and reach test (SRT) and the toe touch test (TT) for estimating hamstring flexibility measured through the passive straight leg raise test (PSLR); and 2) to determine whether the SRT cut-off scores may be used for the TT test to identify participants in this sample of young healthy adults as having short hamstring flexibility. Design: Test-retest design. Setting: Controlled laboratory environment. Participants: 243 active recreationally young adults. Main outcome measures: Participants performed the SRT, the TT test and PSLR twice in a randomized order with a 4-week interval between trials. Reproducibility was examined using typical percentage error (coefficient of variation [CV]) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) as well as their respective confidence limits. Regression and Kappa correlation statistical analyses were performed to study the association of the SRT and TT test with the PSLR test and the 95% limits of agreement (LoA) between SRT and TT test were calculated to explore differences in the mean differences between these measurements. Results: The finding showed acceptable reproducibility measures for SRT (8.74% CV; 0.92 ICC), TT test (9.86% CV; 0.89 ICC) and PSLR (5.46% CV; 0.85 ICC). The SRT (R 2 = 0.63) and TT test (R 2 = 0.49) were significantly associated with PSLR. The 95% LoA between SRT and TT test reported systematic bias (2.84 cm) and wide 95% random error (±9.72 cm). Conclusions: Reproducibility of SRT, TT test and PSLR is acceptable and the criterion-related validity of SRT and TT test is moderate. Furthermore, the SRT cut-off scores should not be used for TT test for the detection of short hamstring muscles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To examine the criterion related validity of the sit-and-reach test (SR), toe touch test (TT), modified sit-and-reach test (MSR) and back-saver sit-and-reach test (BSSR) for estimating hamstring flexibility measured through the passive straight leg raise test (PSLR) in professional futsal players. Design: Correlation laboratory study. Setting: Controlled laboratory environment. Participants: One hundred and three futsal players (55 males age 26 ± 4 years, 48 females age 23 ± 5 years). Main outcome measures: Two trials of SR, TT, MSR, BSSR (left and right) and PSLR right and left (hamstring criterion measure) in a randomized order. Results: Regression analysis was performed to examine the association of SR, TT, MSR and BSSR with PSLR in both males and females separately. In males, only MSR test had moderate association criterion with PSLR (R 2 = 0.57). In females, SR (R 2 = 0.86), TT (R 2 = 0.85), MSR (R 2 = 0.53) and average BSSR (R 2 = 0.82) were associated with PSLR. Conclusions: SR, TT, MSR and BSSR had moderate criterion related validity for estimating hamstring flexibility in female but not male professional futsal players. The authors recommend that researchers, clinicians, and physical therapists adopt one angular test as a measure of hamstring muscle length in futsal players. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article examines the effect of cognitive anxiety on the biomechanics of the golf swing. Golfers of varying abilities were studied during practice and competition. Human movement analysis software was used to evaluate their swings. Anxiety levels were notably lower during practice. Swings made during competition were far quicker than in practice.