Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Yayınlar
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Neuromuscular and Kinetic Adaptations to Symmetric and Asymmetric Load Carriage During Walking in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain
Tajik, Raheleh; Dhahbi, Wissem; Mimar, Raghad; Khaleghi Tazji, Mehdi; Ceylan, Halil İbrahim; Bayrakdaroğlu, Serdar; Stefanica, Valentina; Hammami, Nadhir
Aim: This study examined how load size and symmetry affect trunk muscle activation patterns, vertical ground reaction forces, and estimated lumbar spine compression during overground walking in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and those without symptoms. Methods: Thirty male participants (15 with CLBP, 15 controls; ages 23–28 years) performed walking tests under four load conditions: symmetric and asymmetric carriage at 10% and 20% of body weight. Bilateral surface electromyography measured activation from seven trunk muscles (rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, latissimus dorsi, lumbar erector spinae, multifidus) and the thoracolumbar fascia region, normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contractions (%MVIC). Force plates recorded vertical ground reaction forces synchronized with heel-strike events. A repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections was used to analyze the effects of load configuration and magnitude. Results: Asymmetric loading at 20% body weight caused significantly higher peak vertical ground reaction forces compared to symmetric loading (mean difference = 47.3 N, p < 0.001), with a significant interaction between load magnitude and configuration (p = 0.004, ηp2 = 0.26). Participants with CLBP showed consistently higher trunk muscle activation throughout the gait cycle (peak: 37% MVIC vs. 30% MVIC in controls; p < 0.001, d = 1.68), with maximum recruitment at shorter muscle lengths and 24% less activation at optimal length (95% CI: 18.2–29.8%). The lumbar erector spinae and multifidus muscles exhibited the highest activation during asymmetric 20% loading in CLBP participants (0.282 and 0.263%MVIC, respectively), indicating compensatory neuromuscular strategies. Conclusion: Asymmetric load carriage creates disproportionately high mechanical and neuromuscular demands, effects that are greatly amplified in individuals with CLBP. These findings support rehabilitation strategies that improve load distribution and restore motor control, thereby reducing compensatory strain and enhancing trunk stability.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Multi-joint isokinetic strength profiling as a predictor of vertical jump performance in elite freestyle wrestlers A cross-sectional principal component analysis
Sever, Ozan; Ceylan, Halil Ibrahim; Dhahbi, Wissem; Yilmaz, Hasan Huseyin; Özdemir, Kubra; Yazici, Ahmet Gokhan; Jalalov, Ferhad; Günay, Ahmet Rahmi; Bayrakdaroglu, Serdar; Stefanica, Valentina
Wrestling requires coordinated lower-limb strength for explosive techniques. While isokinetic testing isolates joint-specific strength and countermovement jumps assess functional power, comprehensive multi-joint assessments with advanced factor analysis remain unexplored in elite wrestlers. Twenty-one national-level male freestyle wrestlers (22.3 +/- 2.8 years; 76.2 +/- 14.7 kg) completed cross-sectional neuromuscular assessments. Isokinetic concentric strength testing at 60 degrees/s evaluated hip, knee, and ankle joint functions bilaterally using an Isomed 2000 dynamometer. Vertical jump power was assessed through countermovement jumps under bilateral and unilateral conditions using the Optojump system. All strength and power variables were normalized to fat-free mass determined via air displacement plethysmography. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations with Benjamini-Hochberg correction, stepwise multiple regression, and principal component analysis. Bilateral jump performance correlated strongly with knee extension (R = 0.798, P <.001) and hip extension strength (R = 0.664, P =.001), with combined predictors explaining 68.8% of variance (F-2,F-18 = 19.8, P <.001). Principal component analysis identified a primary extensor factor (hip and knee extension, 52.6% variance) and an auxiliary factor (ankle plantar flexion and hip adduction, 19.0% variance). Unilateral jump models demonstrated lower explanatory power (dominant: 39.8%, non-dominant: 25.7%). Multi-joint isokinetic strength assessment, particularly hip and knee extension capacity, provides a robust prediction of vertical jump performance in elite wrestlers. The identified primary extensor strength factor represents a fundamental neuromuscular capacity underlying explosive lower-limb function, supporting targeted strength development strategies for wrestling-specific performance enhancement.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Exploring the acute recovery effects of dry cupping therapy and electrical stimulation on anaerobic performance metrics in active individuals: A quasi-experimental crossover study
Can, Ibrahim; Yerlikaya, Gokhan; Yalçin, Seda; Bayrakdaroglu, Serdar; Kayhan, Recep Fatih; Uluç, Ender Ali; Stefanica, Valentina; Ceylan, Halil Ibrahim
Background:This quasi-experimental crossover study aimed to examine the acute effects of dry cupping therapy (DCT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on fatigue and perceived exertion in anaerobic performance among physically active individuals.Methods:Twelve male participants (mean age: 24.1 +/- 2.37 years), all students from the Faculty of Sports Sciences, were recruited to participate voluntarily. Anaerobic performance parameters, including peak power, mean power (MP), and fatigue index (FI), were assessed using a Monark 839E cycling ergometer under 3 distinct conditions: NMES, DCT, and a control condition (no intervention), with each session separated by a 48-hour rest period. Perceived exertion was evaluated immediately following each test session using Borg's rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Both NMES and DCT were administered bilaterally to the hamstring (m. hamstring) and quadriceps femoris (m. quadriceps femoris) muscles for 20 minutes before testing.Results:The results revealed no statistically significant differences in peak power and MP across the conditions. However, significant effects were identified for FI (F(2, 22) = 4.08, P = .031, eta p(2) = 0.27) and RPE (F(2, 22] = 8.88, P = .0015, eta p(2) = 0.45). Post hoc pairwise comparisons indicated that NMES significantly reduced FI compared to the control condition (P = .0311), with a small to medium effect size (Cohen's d = 0.44). In terms of RPE, DCT significantly lowered values compared to both the control (P = .0018) and NMES conditions (P = .0005), demonstrating medium (Cohen's d = 0.74) and small to medium (Cohen's d = 0.37) effect sizes, respectively.Conclusions:While NMES and DCT did not elicit acute improvements in peak or mean anaerobic power, both interventions effectively mitigated fatigue and reduced perceived exertion during maximal anaerobic exercise. These findings suggest that NMES and DCT may serve as valuable recovery modalities for mitigating fatigue in sports characterized by high anaerobic demands. Future research should investigate the chronic effects of these interventions and explore their utility among trained athletes to determine their broader applicability in enhancing athletic performance.