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This two-experiment study aimed to examine the effects of different habitual foot placement angles and also the effects of manipulating the foot placement angle on the kinetics, three-dimensional kinematics and muscle forces of the squat. In experiment 1, seventy lifters completed squats at 70% of their one repetition maximum using a self-preferred placement angle. They were separated based on their habitual foot angle into three groups HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW. In experiment 2, twenty lifters performed squats using the same relative mass in four different foot placement angle conditions (0°, 21°, 42° and control). Three-dimensional kinematics were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system, ground reaction forces (GRF) using a force platform, and muscle forces using musculoskeletal modelling techniques. In experiment 1, the impulse of the medial GRF, in the descent and ascent phases, was significantly greater in the HIGH group compared to LOW, and in experiment 2 statistically greater in the 42° compared to the 21°, 0° and control conditions. Experiment 2 showed that the control condition statistically increased quadriceps muscle forces in relation to 0°, whereas the 0° condition significantly enhanced gluteus maximus, gastrocnemius and soleus forces compared to control. In experiment 1, patellofemoral joint stress was significantly greater in the HIGH group compared to LOW, and in experiment 2, patellar and patellofemoral loading were statistically greater in the control compared to the 42°, 21°, 0° and control conditions. Owing to the greater medial GRF’s, increased foot placement angles may improve physical preparedness for sprint performance and rapid changes of direction. Reducing the foot angle may attenuate the biomechanical mechanisms linked to the aetiology of knee pathologies and to promote gluteus maximus, gastrocnemius and soleus muscular development. As such, though there does not appear to be an optimal foot placement angle, the observations from this study can be utilised by both strength and conditioning and sports therapy practitioners seeking to maximise training and rehabilitative adaptations.

The current study aimed to investigate the influence of tart cherry and blueberry juices on cardiometabolic and other health indices following a 20-day supplementation period. Forty-five adults were randomly assigned to receive tart cherry, blueberry, or a placebo; of which they drank 60 mL per day for 20-days. The primary outcome; systolic blood pressure and secondary measures; anthropometric, energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, haematological, diastolic blood pressure/resting heart rate, psychological wellbeing and sleep efficacy were measured before and after the intervention. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) for systolic blood pressure, however total and LDL cholesterol were significantly improved with blueberry intake (pre: total cholesterol=4.36mmol/L and LDL cholesterol=2.71mmol/L & post: total cholesterol=3.79mmol/L and LDL cholesterol=2.23mmol/L) compared to placebo (pre: total cholesterol=4.01mmol/L and LDL cholesterol=2.45mmol/L & post: total cholesterol=4.34mmol/L and LDL cholesterol=2.67mmol/L). Furthermore, psychological wellbeing indices measured using the Beck Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory and COOP WONCA improved statistically in the blueberry arm compared to placebo. Given the clear association between lipid concentrations and the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as the importance of psychological wellbeing to health- related quality of life, this investigation indicates that it could be a useful tool to help in managing cardiovascular diseases.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the efficacy of U.S. Montmorency tart cherry in treating recreationally active individuals with patellofemoral pain.\ud METHODS: Twenty-four recreationally active participants with patellofemoral pain were randomly separated into either placebo () or Montmorency tart cherry () groups. Both groups ingested 60 ml of either Montmorency tart cherry concentrate or taste matched placebo daily for 6-weeks. Measures of self-reported pain (KOOS PF), psychological wellbeing (COOP WONCA) and sleep quality (PSQI) alongside blood biomarkers (C-reactive protein, uric acid, TNF alpha, creatinine and total antioxidant capacity) and knee biomechanics were quantified at baseline and 6-weeks. Differences between groups were examined using linear mixed effects models.\ud RESULTS: There was 1 withdrawal in the cherry group and 0 in the placebo group and no adverse events were noted in either group. The placebo group exhibited significant improvements (baseline = 67.90±16.18 & 6-weeks = 78.04±14.83) in KOOS PF scores compared to the tart cherry group (baseline = 67.28±12.55& 6-weeks = 67.55±20.61). No other statistically significant observations were observed. \ud CONCLUSION: Tart cherry supplementation as specifically ingested in the current investigation, does not appear to be effective in mediating improvements in patellofemoral pain symptoms in recreationally active individuals.