Objectives: To compare the pre-competition nutrition practices of Lithuanian elite international-level (IL) and national-level (NL) bodybuilders. Methods: Sixteen male bodybuilders (n=8 per group) were enrolled. The IL group comprised individuals achieving 1^st to 4^th place in the World and European Championships organized by the IFBB, whereas the NL group ranked between 1^st and 6^th place in the national championships. Body mass and diet data were obtained via a questionnaire. A repeated-measures ANOVA was performed using time as a within factor and group as a between factor. Results: Both groups experienced a reduction in body mass during the pre-competition phase (p<0.001), which was slower in the IL than in the NL group (p=0.048). Both groups exhibited a reduction in caloric (p<0.001), carbohydrate (p<0.001), and fat (p=0.006) intake relative to body mass, but not in protein intake. Nevertheless, the IL group had a higher intake of calories (p=0.015), protein (p<0.001), but not carbohydrates relative to body mass vs. the NL group. Conclusions: The Lithuanian IL and NL bodybuilders both reduced calories by cutting fat and carbohydrates during pre-competition. The IL group maintained higher calorie and protein intake, resulting in similar body mass loss but at a slower rate than the NL group.

Objective: To establish age and gender-specific paediatric and adult reference data for muscle function parameters assessed using Jumping Mechanography in the Indian population. Methods: 2056 healthy individuals (1068 males), aged 5 to 60 years, performed 2 tests on a force platform (Leonardo Mechanograph, Novotec). Maximum power (Pmax) was assessed by single two-legged jump and maximum force (Fmax) by multiple one-legged hopping. LMS method was used to generate age and gender-specific reference curves for 5–20y group and mean ± SD and median ± IQR are presented for 21–60y group. Results: In 5–20y group, Pmax and Fmax increased with age while in 21–60y group, the parameters declined with age. Females had lower Pmax values than males, consistently through all age groups. In children <15y, there were no intergender differences in Fmax, however, in further age groups, females had lower Fmax (p<0.001). Our participants showed lower Pmax and Fmax when compared with machine reference data based on German population (p<0.001). Conclusion: We present ethnicity-specific reference values for muscle function by Jumping Mechanography. These values are intended to help in clinical assessment of muscle function of Indian population and to identify those at risk of poor muscle function.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a rehabilitation program combined with a home-based vibration-assisted therapy on gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: In a retrospective study, 180 children, 101 boys and 79 girls, (mean age 7.2 ± 3.3 years) with CP at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I and Level II were examined using gait analyses with the Leonardo Mechanograph® Gangway at three measurement points. The measurements were conducted before (M0) and after a six-month rehabilitation period (M6), as well as 12 months after the commencement of rehabilitation (M12). The difference between measurement points M6-M0 (treatment interval) and M12-M6 (follow-up interval) were compared, and significance was determined using the Wilcoxon test. Results: Children with CP at GMFCS Level I and II demonstrated a significant improvement in gait efficiency (pathlength/distance M6-M0: -0.053 (SD 0.25) vs M12-M6: -0.008 (0.36), p=0.038). There were no significant difference in change of mean velocity and average step length between M6-M0 and M12-M6 (p=0.964 and p=0.611). Conclusions: The rehabilitation program seems to enhance gait efficiency in children with CP. German Clinical Trial Registry: DRKS0001131 at www.germanctr.de

Objective: There is little proof to determine the features of the muscles’ motor unit potentials (MUPs) in children with poor posture. Current evaluation could be of value for future studies as a reference. The purpose was to detect the impact of rounded back posture on the characteristics of the MUPs and fascicle length of the shoulder retractors in children. Methods: Participants in this study were 60 children (boys and girls), their ages were from 7 to 10 years old. Children were allocated into healthy children group (A) and rounded back posture group (B). MUPs and fascicle length of middle trapezius were assessed by electromyography and ultrasonography respectively. Results: When compared to the normal group, the rounded back group’s right and left middle trapezius MUPs count and amplitude significantly increased. As regards to the middle trapezius MUPs duration between the two groups, there was no significant difference. Also, the rounded back posture group exhibited significantly lower fascicle length in middle trapezius of both sides than the normal group. Conclusion: Forward shoulder posture is accompanied by atypical middle trapezius MUPs characteristics and also lowered fascicle length. Thus, children with forward-leaning posture could increase the likelihood of developing any of the many shoulder disorders.

Objective: The bench press is a resistance training exercise that targets several upper body muscles, including the pectoralis major (PM), anterior deltoid (AD), and triceps brachii (TB). The purpose of this study was to influence the PM activity pattern during the bench press after a 10-week targeted resistance training intervention. Methods: Sixteen men with significant experience in strength training participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: experimental and control. The experimental group underwent targeted training of PM and bench press, while the control group only did bench press. Electromyography (EMG) was used to assess muscle activity before and after the intervention. Results: The experimental group had a significant increase in PM activity after the intervention (p=0.0002; ES=2.6), while the control group did not show any significant change (p=0.14). The activity of AD and TB remained relatively stable across both groups and time points. Conclusions: These findings indicate that focused resistance training can improve PM involvement in the bench press, potentially optimizing muscle excitation patterns and performance.

Objective: It is known that neuropathic pain frequently accompanies rheumatological diseases. In this study, neuropathic pain in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and its relationship with disease activity were investigated. Methods: Forty patients with AS were included. Laboratory data and disease status parameters were recorded. Neuropathic pain questionnaires were administered. Electrophysiological examination was performed on all patients. The relationship between neuropathic pain and disease activity parameters was investigated. Results: According to the Pain Detect and LANSS questionnaire results, the rate of neuropathic pain was 57.5% and 42.5%. ASQoL, BASDAI, and ASDAS-ESH parameters are statistically significantly higher in the group with neuropathic pain according to the PainDetect (p:0.018, p:0.04, p:0.028). MASES, ASQoL, BASDAI, BASFI, and ASDAS-ESH parameters are statistically significantly higher in the group with neuropathic pain according to the LANSS (p:0.004, p:0.005, p:0.001, p:0.005, p:0.02). Disease activity is higher in patients with neuropathic pain for both scales. Peripheral neuropathy is detected in nine patients. There is a positive correlation between disease activity parameters and neuropathic pain scales. A strong positive correlation was detected between ASQoL and BASDAI parameters and the Pain Detect questionnaire (r:0.533, r:0.606). Conclusions: The majority of patients with AS have a neuropathic pain. This condition is associated with high disease activity and adversely affects the patient's quality of life.

Objectives: To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Danggui Buxue Tang in the treatment of biceps longus tendon lesions, and to preliminarily explore the relevant factors affecting this injury. Methods: Using network pharmacology analysis methods, the potential mechanism of Danggui Buxue Tang in treating key lesions of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle was studied. Results: Model analysis revealed 44 protein-protein interactions associated with long head binding. The distribution of 19 strongly correlated targets is Pharmapper>SEA>Stitch>Swiss. Further discovery revealed 17 immune system and inflammation related KEGG pathways with P values less than 0.01. The TNF and sphingolipid signaling pathways are associated with inflammation, while the MAPK signaling pathway is associated with immunity. Finally, it was found that the FoxO and HIF-1 signaling pathways are directly associated with long head restraint injury in the biceps brachii muscle. Conclusion: Danggui Buxue Tang inhibits related pathways, regulates the immune system, reduces inflammation, and alleviates disease progression. Danggui Buxue Tang can be an effective choice for treating combined lesions of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle.

Objective: This study aims to assess how enhancing upper limb function on the affected side of stroke influences the gait of the lower limb. Methods: Forty eligible stroke patients were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group, with 20 patients in each group. Both groups underwent dynamic evaluation using artificial intelligence and computer vision before treatment. This evaluation focused on analyzing the range of motion of the shoulder and elbow during the gait cycle, as well as various gait parameters (such as step length, step speed, and percentage of stance phase) on the affected side. Following evaluation, the control group received routine rehabilitation treatment. Results: The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the two groups before treatment. However, following treatment, there was a notable improvement in the motion of the shoulder and elbow joints on the affected side among patients in the treatment group (p<0.05), whereas the control group showed only slight improvement, which was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The improvement in upper limb function on the affected side also appears to positively influence gait recovery. However, it’s important to note that the observation period was relatively short. Further studies are needed to confirm whether this effect is sustained over the long term.

Objectives: To compare early outcomes of proximal femoral bionic nail (PFBN), Inter-TAN, proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) for intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients. Methods: Eighty-two elderly patients with intertrochanteric femoral fractures treated at Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital affiliated with Hubei University of Medicine from December 2021 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were categorized into three surgical groups: PFBN (22 cases), Inter-TAN (20 cases), and PFNA (40 cases). Preoperative demographics and fracture characteristics were compared, alongside intraoperative and postoperative metrics like operative time and complication rates. Results: In the PFBN group, operative time, fluoroscopy use, blood loss, and transfusion were higher, but postoperative weight-bearing, healing, and hospital stay were shorter compared to the Inter-TAN and PFNA groups (P<0.05). Inter-TAN had a significantly shorter postoperative weight-bearing time than PFNA (P<0.001). Other compared factors showed no significant differences between groups (P>0.05), including complication rates and scores at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: PFBN, a novel surgical approach for intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients, outperforms Inter-TAN and PFNA by accelerating early weight-bearing and hastening fracture recovery.

Neuromuscular inhibitors have been quickly advanced from being used only for aesthetic purposes to being used as a treatment for musculoskeletal pain and muscle spasticity. This phenomenon stems from the diminished force exerted by muscles, which are essential for bone remodeling. In this context, it is hypothesized that botulinum toxin (BTX) might exert a direct influence on bone resorption. Although such treatments have the potential to provide patients with significant relief, bone loss occurring due to elective muscle paralysis has yet to be examined in clinical trials. The disuse model resulting from spinal cord injury, characterized by the absence of ground reaction and muscle forces, provides an ideal context for exploring the skeletal ramifications of intramuscular BTX injection. This approach enables an investigation into the intricate interplay between muscle and bone, encompassing the impact of spasticity on bone preservation, the potential positive and negative outcomes of BTX on bone metabolism, and the involvement of the autonomic nervous system in bone remodeling regulation. This paper presents a narrative review of research findings on the disturbance of the typical balance between muscles and bones caused by acute muscle paralysis from BTX, resulting in osteopenia and bone resorption.

Leiomyomas and schwannomas are both types of rare benign soft tissue tumours. Leiomyomas are more commonly found in the lower limbs than in the upper extremities, while schwannomas are rare peripheral nerve sheath tumours that can occur in different anatomical regions. However, they rarely occur in the saphenous nerve. This case study presents a 41-year-old female patient with a solitary mass lesion located deep in the soft tissue of the anteromedial lower extremity. The physical examination revealed a palpable, elastic-hard, mobile and non-tender mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an oval-shaped subcutaneous mass on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sections. The initial MRI images suggested a schwannoma, but the tumour was later confirmed to be a leiomyoma after total enucleation. An immunohistochemical study was performed for differential diagnosis. Solitary mass lesions in the lower extremities can be mistaken for various types of tumours and misdiagnosed and require histopathological examination and good radiological imaging for differential diagnosis. Complete surgical excision is usually a safe and effective treatment for leiomyomas.