No abstract

Although many studies have focused on stretching techniques for athletes, no comprehensive studies have investigated the use of the instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) technique in young basketball players. The active properties of muscle and subjective reporting of functional ability were used to identify the effects of IASTM on the calf muscle. Active range of motion (AROM), functional fitness, and isokinetic lower strength in the knees and ankles were measured in 40 healthy young basketball players. They were divided into the IASTM group (n= 20) and a control group (CG, n= 20). Twenty asymptomatic young basketball players were treated with IASTM six times per week for 8 weeks. The remaining 20 participants did not receive a treatment intervention between tests and served as the control. Ankle AROM (two knee positions of 0∘ and 45∘ flexion), functional fitness at the knee and ankle (side-step and vertical jump), and isokinetic peak torque were determined during ankle dorsiflexion (DF) and plantar flexion (PF) and knee extension (EX) and flexion (FX). The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in IASTM and control AROM 0∘ knee flexion (right: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p< 0.001; left: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p= 0.011), AROM 45∘ knee flexion (right: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p= 0.009; left: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p= 0.001), functional fitness (side step; p= 0.001, sit and reach; p= 0.025, vertical jump; p= 0.001), ankle isokinetic strength 30∘/sec (right: DF; p= 0.001 and PF; p= 0.001; left: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p= 0.002), ankle isokinetic strength 120∘/sec (right: DF; p= 0.049 and PF; p= 0.001; left: DF; p= 0.023 and PF; p< 0.001), knee isokinetic strength 60∘/sec (right: EX; p= 0.001, FX; p= 0.001 and hamstring and quadriceps ratio [H/Q]; p= 0.001, left: EX; p= 0.001, FX; p= 0.001 and H/Q; p= 0.001), and knee isokinetic strength 180∘/sec (right: EX; p= 0.001, FX; p= 0.001 and H/Q; p= 0.001; left: EX; p= 0.001, FX; p= 0.010 and H/Q; p= 0.001). These results suggest that IASTM improves functional fitness and lower body muscle strength in young basketball players.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of short-term weight loss on body shape, physical fitness, and blood variables in college ssireum (one of the Korean traditional martial art) athletes. Six college ssireum athletes participated as subjects. The weight loss program includes 50% of limited diet, 5.5 hr of physical and skill training. Body composition such as weight, body fat, muscle mass, and body mass index (BMI) was determined. Fitness test such as shuttle run, sit-up, trunk extension test, grip test, sitting reach test, and side step test was measured. Blood variables such as total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, glucose, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were checked before and after the short-term weight reduction. The results revealed significant decrease in body composition such as weight, body fat, muscle mass, and BMI. Fitness test also showed significant decrease in sit-up, trunk extension test, and grip test. The results demonstrated positive significant change in side step test, shuttle run, and sitting reach test. The results of blood variables showed significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL, glucose and SOD. In contrast, MDA revealed significant increase and no significant change was found in ROS. Finally, it is assumed that a proposal of weight loss without decrease of muscle mass, muscle force, and muscle endurance is necessary because of the negative effects on muscle force and muscle endurance which should be used during actual games.