Search

Introduction: The aim of this study was to undertake a randomized control trial examining the effects of a 10-week footstrike transition program on tibial stress fracture risk compared to control. Material and methods: Twenty habitual rearfoot strike runners were randomly assigned to either footstrike or control groups. The footstrike group undertook a graduated 10-week program which allowed them to convert their habitual rearfoot strike pattern, whereas the control group maintained normal training regime without any alterations to their strike pattern. Running biomechanics were collected using an eight-camera motion capture system and ground reaction forces using a force plate. Tibial strains were quantified using finite element modelling and stress fracture probability calculated via probabilistic modelling over 100 days of running. The primary outcome tibial stress fracture probability, and secondary outcomes running biomechanics, muscle forces, joint contact forces, and tibial strain indices; were measured at baseline and 10-weeks. Results: Intention-to-treat analyses revealed no significant alterations in the primary outcome (Footstrike: baseline = 12.82% & 10-weeks = 10.82%, Control: baseline = 15.43% & 10-weeks = 13.39%) between arms. However, alterations in the strike index (Footstrike: baseline = 21.79% & 10-weeks = 65.74%, Control: baseline = 13.61% & 10-weeks = 12.41%) and the loading rate (Footstrike: baseline = 165.85BW/s & 10-weeks = 100.01 BW/s, Control: baseline = 170.13 BW/s & 10-weeks = 197.87 BW/s) were significantly greater in the footstike group compared to control. Conclusion: This trial concludes that the footstrike intervention adopted in this study was not effective in mediating improvements tibial stress fracture risk, although future intervention trials could examine the efficacy of footstrike modification on other musculoskeletal injuries in runners.

This study examined the efficacy of wide compared to self-selected stance width squats in terms of mediating performance improvements during an 8-week period of pre-season training in elite rugby league players. Participants (N=26) were randomly separated into either wide (N=13) (i.e. self-selected squat stance width increased by 20%) or self-selected (N=13) squat stance width training groups, and they completed an 8-week pre-season training block. Measures of 505-agility test time (primary outcome), 3 repetition maximum (3RM) squat strength in participants self-selected stance position and counter movement jump height were measured at baseline and 8-weeks. There were no significant differences between training groups in terms of the improvements made during the intervention period for 505-agility test (wide: pre = 2.47±0.08 & post = 2.34±0.11’s and self-selected: pre = 2.46±0.05 & post = 2.35±0.08’s), counter movement jump (wide: pre = 42.68±9.57 & post = 44.65±9.04cm, and self-selected: pre = 49.33±6.70 & post = 50.33±4.67cm) or 3RM squat strength (wide: pre = 159.00±15.24 & post = 178.00±19.32kg and self-selected: pre = 168.33±11.73 & post = 185.56±16.48kg). As such the findings from the current randomized controlled trial suggest that there is not sufficient evidence to suggest that wide stance width squats represent a more efficacious method of resistance training prescription in elite rugby league.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic disease affecting the digestive tract, has a significant impact on health-related quality of life. Pharmaceutical treatment is typically adopted, yet exercise is increasingly becoming recognized as an adjunct therapy. This study aimed to explore the perspectives, behaviours, and barriers of IBD patients in terms of their exercise habits. A 16-item closed-ended questionnaire was completed by 463 adult IBD patients (Ulcerative colitis = 57.02%, Crohn’s dis-ease = 40.60% and Other = 2.38%) (Female = 76.67%, Male = 22.46 and Non-binary = 0.86%). The questionnaire was divided into three sections: baseline/demographic characteristics, disease characteristics, and exercise perceptions, beliefs, and behaviours. Significantly (P<0.001) more participants (63.07%) reported that they engage regularly with exercise compared to those who do not; however, engagement was significantly lower in female patients (59.72%) compared to males (74.04%). Respondents also rated significantly (P<0.001) that a combination of factors prevents engagement in exercise (74.30%). Moderate intensity exercise was the predominant (P<0.001) aerobic modality (39.04%), the majority (P<0.001) response was that patients undertake no resistance training (27.74%), and significantly more (P<0.001) patients indicated that they don’t know whether resistance training can influence IBD either positively (57.53%) or negatively (62.33%). Whilst it is encouraging that IBD patients are engaging regularly with exercise, the reduced levels of engagement in females and lack of knowledge/ engagement with resistance training, indicate that future implementation and educational developments are necessary to enhance exercise in females and resistance training engagement in all IBD patients.

Wheat biofortification through conventional breeding and/or agronomic methods to increase zinc content may be a promising strategy for addressing zinc deficiency (Reference Gupta, Brazier and Lowe1). However, evidence on the effectiveness of zinc biofortification interventions on health outcomes are lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of consuming zinc-biofortified wheat flour (Zincol-2016) on growth and zinc-related morbidity among children (aged 1–5 years), living in a rural community in northwest Pakistan. Households (N = 486) with at least one adolescent girl aged 10–16 years and one child aged 1–5 years (N = 517) near Peshawar were recruited to a double-blind, cluster-randomised controlled trial (BiZiFED2 RCT)(Reference Lowe, Zaman and Moran2,Reference Gupta, Zaman and Fatima3) . During phase 1 of the trial (November 2019 to September 2020), households were provided with locally procured flour from standard wheat varieties (control) to establish a baseline. During phase 2 (September 2020 to March 2021), households received either zinc-biofortified flour or control flour. Anthropometric measurements were collected at the beginning, middle and end of phase 2(Reference Lowe, Zaman and Moran2). Data pertaining to incidence and duration of respiratory tract infection (RTI) and diarrhea in the preceding two weeks were collected fortnightly. Analysis was performed using linear mixed models for continuous variables adjusted for baseline, and Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables. No significant effect of the intervention was observed on linear growth (height: control 2.3 ± 1.32 cm vs intervention 2.2 ± 1.41 cm; height-for-age Z scores: control -0.21 ± 0.35 vs intervention -0.21 ± 0.38) and weight gain (control 1.7 ± 1.16 kgs vs intervention 1.5 ± 0.98 kgs; weight-for-age Z scores: control 0.39 ± 0.60 vs intervention 0.29 ± 0.54). Caregiver-reported incidence of RTIs were not significantly different for the two study arms

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PAP induced by different squat amplitudes on squat jump and the interaction between squat amplitude, stimulus load (%1RM) and PAP duration, and to establish an exercise intervention programme. Method: Fifteen track and field athletes aged 20-22 years were selected to perform barbell back squats at knee angles of 60°, 90° and 120° and loads of 75% 1RM, 85% 1RM and 95% 1RM, and their flat squat heights were tested at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th minute after each combination of barbell back squats. Results: (1) The 120° knee angle-95%1RM combination produced the best squat jump performance after stimulation (42.47±5.26cm), combinations close to this result include the 120° knee angle-85%1RM (42.27±4.70cm) and the 90° knee angle-95%1RM (42.40±5. 50cm); (2) when load and interval were the same, the effect of different knee angles on squat performance was 120 knee angle > 90 knee angle > 60 knee angle, and when knee angle and interval were the same, the effect of different loads of 1RM on squat performance was 95%1RM>85%1RM>75%1RM, with a high probability of peak occurring at the 9th minute after stimulation. Conclusion: Athletes participating in lower limb explosive power events such as the high jump and long jump should perform a PAP induction with a back squat at a knee angle of 90°-120° and 85-95% of 1RM weight 6-12 minutes prior to competition.