Jumping Performance

This study aims to determine whether, within each weight and sex category, higher isometric pull force or greater vertical jump impulse is associated with better final placement in the competition.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of myofascial self-release on muscle mechanical properties, performance, neuromuscular function, and injury risk reduction in young soccer players. The hypothesis is a reduction in the number of injuries in the experimental group, as well as improvements in muscle mechanical properties, performance, and neuromuscular function in young soccer players.The study will be a randomized clinical trial with a convenience sample of approximately 65 male athletes aged between 14 and 18 years, divided into control and experimental groups. Athletes with no history of injury in the three months prior to the study will be included, while those with a history of previous surgery or lower limb fractures in the past five years, or who are undergoing physiotherapy at the time of the study, will be excluded.Muscle mechanical properties (myotonometry), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (Weight Bearing Lunge Test), motor control (Y Balance Test), and the reactive strength index (Myjump App) will be assessed before, immediately after, and at 8 and 16 weeks post-intervention. Myofascial self-release will be performed bilaterally on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves for 2 minutes per region, twice a week, using a structured massage roller. All procedures will be demonstrated beforehand during the study. For the Myoton procedure, the athlete will simply lie in a supine and prone position on the examination table. The athlete will only be asked to remain still in the "face-up" or "face-down" position, feeling only the light contact of the device's probe, which is painless and will be demonstrated beforehand. In the Y Balance Test, athletes will be asked to balance on one foot atop a grid placed on the floor, with their hands on their hips, and reach as far as possible with the non-supporting leg in three marked directions on the floor, without lifting the heel of the supporting leg. For the Ankle Range of Motion - Weight Bearing Lunge Test, the athlete will place the tested foot on a measuring tape positioned on the floor and will be instructed to touch their knee to the wall in front of them without lifting the heel of the tested foot. Three attempts will be allowed, and the longest distance from the big toe to the wall will be recorded. In the Sit-and-Reach Test, the athlete will sit on the floor with bare feet and both legs extended. They will be instructed to keep their hands side by side and try to reach the greatest possible distance on the ruler in front of them by bending forward without bending their legs, holding the position for one second to measure the distance. Three attempts will be allowed, and the greatest distance reached will be recorded. For ground reaction strength, the athlete will be asked to jump off a 40 cm high box, and as soon as their feet touch the ground, they will be encouraged to jump upward as quickly and as high as possible. In myofascial self-release, athletes in the experimental group will be asked to use the myofascial release roller for 2 minutes before training on each of the three muscle groups - anterior and posterior thigh and posterior leg. Athletes will be instructed to roll using as much pressure as possible on the roller. For the anterior thigh, they will roll across the entire front part of the thigh; for the posterior thigh, they will roll from just below the gluteal region to just above the knee; and for the posterior leg, they will roll from just below the knee to just above the heel.

This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of gait and jumping parameters measured with the iSen device in healthy adults. Gait analysis is a valuable tool for assessing general health, cognitive performance, quality of life, and mortality. It is commonly used by clinicians to assess functional limitations resulting from neurological or orthopedic conditions and to guide treatment plans. Traditional gait assessments primarily focus on walking speed, but additional parameters such as step length, step time, and gait symmetry are crucial for a comprehensive analysis. The study will also assess vertical jump performance, which is a surrogate measure of explosive lower limb strength and is commonly used in sports performance and injury prediction. The iSen device, a wearable and affordable sensor, will be compared to the validated BTS G-Walk system to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of its measurements. Participants aged 18-35 with no history of musculoskeletal, neurological, or systemic conditions will be included. The study will be conducted at Gazi University and Kırıkkale University, where participants will undergo assessments of gait and jump performance using both iSen and BTS G-Walk devices. A test-retest reliability protocol will be employed with a seven-day interval between measurements. The results will provide evidence on the suitability of the iSen device for reliable and valid gait and jump measurements in clinical settings