Criterion-related validity of four clinical tests used to measure hamstring flexibility in professional futsal players

Objective

To examine the criterion related validity of the sit-and-reach test (SR), toe touch test (TT), modified sit-and-reach test (MSR) and back-saver sit-and-reach test (BSSR) for estimating hamstring flexibility measured through the passive straight leg raise test (PSLR) in professional futsal players.

Design

Correlation laboratory study.

Setting

Controlled laboratory environment.

Participants

One hundred and three futsal players (55 males age 26 ± 4 years, 48 females age 23 ± 5 years).

Main outcome measures

Two trials of SR, TT, MSR, BSSR (left and right) and PSLR right and left (hamstring criterion measure) in a randomized order.

Results

Regression analysis was performed to examine the association of SR, TT, MSR and BSSR with PSLR in both males and females separately. In males, only MSR test had moderate association criterion with PSLR (R² = 0.57). In females, SR (R² = 0.86), TT (R² = 0.85), MSR (R² = 0.53) and average BSSR (R² = 0.82) were associated with PSLR.

Conclusions

SR, TT, MSR and BSSR had moderate criterion related validity for estimating hamstring flexibility in female but not male professional futsal players. The authors recommend that researchers, clinicians, and physical therapists adopt one angular test as a measure of hamstring muscle length in futsal players.     

Analysis of acetabular version in the native hip: comparison between 2D axial CT and 3D CT measurements

Objective  

To compare two-dimensional (2D) axial with three-dimensional (3D) computerized tomography (CT) measurements of acetabular version in native hips.     

Utility of diffusion-weighted imaging in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Objectives  

To evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.     

Diagnosis of colorectal endometriosis: contribution of contrast enhanced MR-colonography

Objective  

To investigate the contribution of contrast-enhanced MR-colonography (CE-MR-C) for the diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis.     

Partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee: injury patterns on MR imaging

Purpose  

To describe rupture patterns of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.     

Angiographic Evaluation of Feeding Arteries of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Caudate Lobe of the Liver

Purpose  

To evaluate the origins of feeders of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe (S1).     

Computed tomography angiography of the carotid arteries at low kV settings: a prospective randomised trial assessing radiation dose and diagnostic confidence

Objective  

To assess radiation dose and diagnostic image quality of a low-dose (80 kV) versus a standard-dose (120 kV) protocol for computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the supra-aortic arteries.     

Large-volume multi-tined expandable RF ablation in pig livers: comparison of 2D and volumetric measurements of the ablation zone

Objectives  

To compare two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) measurements of ablation zones (AZs) related to the shaft of two different large-volume monopolar multi-tined expandable electrodes.     

The role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of gluteal muscle contracture

Aim  

To evaluate the use of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of gluteal muscle contracture (GMC) by analysis of its imaging characteristics.     

Imaging findings and management of isolated dissection of the visceral arteries

Purpose  

To describe clinical and computed tomography (CT) findings of isolated dissection of the visceral arteries (IDVA).     

Imaging findings of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia presenting in extremities: correlation with pathological findings

Objective  

To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) findings of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) arising in extremities.     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty for intravertebral cleft: analysis of therapeutic effects and outcome predictors

Objective  

To investigate the short-term therapeutic effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for intravertebral cleft (IVC) and to analyze possible outcome predictors.     

Percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency ablation of colorectal liver metastases

Objectives  

To evaluate the outcome of patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) treated with stereotactic radiofrequency ablation (SRFA).     

Role of contrast enhanced ultrasound in acute scrotal diseases

Objective  

To evaluate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in patients with acute scrotal pain not defined at ultrasound (US) with colour Doppler .     

Ultrasound for the evaluation of femoroacetabular impingement of the cam type. Diagnostic performance of qualitative criteria and alpha angle measurements

Objective  

To develop and assess a technique to evaluate cam type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) using ultrasound (US).     

Diffusion-weighted MR neurography of the sacral plexus with unidirectional motion probing gradients

Background  

This technical note introduces diffusion-weighted (DW) MR neurography (MRN) of the sacral plexus with unidirectional motion probing gradients (MPGs).     

Predictors of abnormal heart rate response to dipyridamole in patients undergoing myocardial perfusion SPECT

Objective  

To identify predictors of abnormal HR response to dipyridamole (DIP) in patients undergoing myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS).     

MR imaging of the brachial plexus: comparison between 1.5-T and 3-T MR imaging: preliminary experience

Objective  

To compare 1.5-T and 3-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brachial plexus.     

Double-bundle ACL reconstruction demonstrated superior clinical stability to single-bundle ACL reconstruction: a matched-pairs analysis of instrumented tests of tibial anterior translation and internal rotation laxity

Purpose  

To compare objective measures of in vivo joint laxity between patients treated with single-bundle (SB) or double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions.     

Influence of coronary artery disease prevalence on predictive values of coronary CT angiography: a meta-regression analysis

Objective  

To evaluate the impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence on the predictive values of coronary CT angiography.