Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Percutaneous Neuromodulation on Vertical Jump

Vertical jump performance is a determinant factor in physical performance, both in sports and in daily life and work activities. The muscular power of the lower limbs and the ability to generate explosive strength directly influence vertical jump performance and athletic success. For this reason, the vertical jump is widely used as a field test to evaluate performance capacity. Different strategies have been used to improve vertical jump performance, such as plyometric training (PT) and electrostimulation (EMS). PT consists of stretch-shortening cycle movements that involve high-intensity eccentric contractions followed by rapid and powerful concentric actions. EMS applies electrical current over muscles or peripheral nerves to generate involuntary muscle contractions. Both methods have shown significant effects in improving vertical jump height. In recent years, new therapeutic techniques have emerged in physiotherapy to improve neuromuscular recruitment and functionality, such as ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (PNM-e). This technique consists of the electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve or a motor point through a needle under ultrasound guidance, for therapeutic purposes. Evidence suggests that PNM-e can improve pain, functionality, balance, and muscle endurance, and increase muscle strength immediately after application. Specifically, low-frequency PNM-e applied to the femoral nerve has been shown to increase maximal quadriceps strength and vertical jump height in athletes. The femoral nerve plays a key role in quadriceps activation, a muscle group essential for knee extension and hip flexion, functions that are indispensable for both daily and sports activities. However, the specific effects of femoral nerve PNM-e on power and biomechanics of the vertical jump have not been sufficiently explored. Therefore, the main objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the femoral nerve on vertical jump performance. The secondary objective was to compare the effects of isolated plyometric training versus its combination with PNM-e to determine whether the combined approach offers additional benefits on jump performance. A randomized experimental study was carried out with healthy athletes who regularly practice sports. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (two plyometric training sessions) or to an experimental group (two plyometric training + PNM-e interventions sessions); in both cases the sessions were separated by 7 days. Vertical jump performance was measured twice using the countermovement jump (CMJ) test (before the first session and after the second one). It is expected that ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the femoral nerve, combined with plyometric training, will produce greater improvements in jump performance due to enhanced quadriceps activation and neuromuscular efficiency.

The Role of Luteolin Supplementation in Cellular Metabolism of Myocytes and Fat Cells, Physical Performance, and Body Composition in Athletes.

A clinical trial is to determine whether Luteolin supplementation can enhance cellular metabolism and improve physical performance in apparently healthy Jordanian male athletes aged 18-35 with continuous training experience. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does 12 weeks of Luteolin supplementation increase the gene expression of MEF2 (a factor promoting muscle development and endurance)? * Does 12 weeks of Luteolin supplementation decrease the gene expression of SREBP-1 (a factor regulating fat storage)? * Does Luteolin supplementation lead to improvements in key performance metrics, such as maximal oxygen consumption VO2 max) and anaerobic power? * Does Luteolin supplementation positively impact body composition, specifically by reducing fat mass and increasing lean muscle mass? Researchers will compare the group receiving the active Luteolin supplement (100 mg daily) to a placebo group receiving a microcrystalline cellulose supplement (a neutral substance) to determine whether the active supplement has the desired effects on metabolism, performance, and body composition. Participants will: * Take one capsule (either Luteolin or placebo) daily for 12 weeks. * Continue their usual diet and exercise regimen but restrict intake of high-Luteolin foods during the study period. * Provide a blood sample for gene expression analysis before and after the 12-week intervention. * Undergo performance assessments, VO2 max and Wingate test, and body composition analysis (BIA) before and after the 12-week intervention.

Effects of Band Exercises Added to the Warm-Up on Shooting and Viscoelastic Properties of Muscles in Handball Players

Today's handball has become a fast and fluid handball that expects superior performance from athletes. The aim of handball is to put the ball into the opponent's goal, so one of the most important parameters of sports performance is shooting performance. Studies show that warm-up programs have a positive effect on sports performance. Warm-up programs are used to prevent possible injuries and to increase sports performance by increasing temperature and flexibility in muscle and connective tissue. Warm-up programs may also cause changes in muscle viscoelastic properties and thus affect performance. Recently, new approaches have begun to be used in warm-up programs. Some of these are warm-ups with a resistance tire, a medicine ball, and a weight vest. When the literature was examined, the effects of the warm-up program with resistance bands on adolescent handball players were generally examined in the lower extremity, but no study was found examining the effects on the upper extremity. For this reason, the study was designed to examine the effect of elastic band exercises applied to the upper extremity in addition to the traditional warm-up program on shooting performance in adolescent female handball players and the change in the viscoelastic properties of the upper extremity muscle groups. 30 female handball players with an age range of 12-18 years will participate in the research. Athletes will be divided into two equal groups as control and experimental groups in a controlled, randomized manner. The control group will be given a traditional warm-up program 6 days a week for 6 weeks. The experimental group will be given a traditional warm-up program under the same training conditions and additional elastic band exercises. In order to examine the effects of the warm-up programs to be applied in the chronic period, goal shooting, Modified Push Up test, Medicine Ball Throwing test, Upper Extremity Y Balance Test will be performed before training and at the 6th week and muscle viscoelastic properties will be evaluated. At the same time, in order to examine the acute effects, the goal shooting and muscle viscoelastic properties will be evaluated after the first warm-up training.The investigators hope that our study will help coaches and physiotherapists working in this field during the training process by ensuring the active use of a warm-up program with elastic bands in handball players.