Borislav Cicović

(1) Background: This study aims to investigate the differences in body composition, muscle strength, and power between young karate athletes from different competitive disciplines. (2) Methods: The study sample consisted of 131 participants (69 boys and 62 girls) aged 10–14 years divided into three groups: kata (n = 48), kumite (n = 40), and athletes competing in both disciplines (n = 43). The set of variables included 1 anthropometric variable, 6 variables for assessing body composition (InBody 270), 8 variables for assessing handgrip strength (handgrip strength test, Fmax, RFD, absolute and relative, both hands), and 3 variables for assessing lower limb muscle power (force plate, CMJ height and power). Of the statistic analysis, MANOVA and ANOVA, along with MANCOVA and ANCOVA were performed. (3) Results: The adjusted results revealed significant general differences between groups (from p = 0.005 to p = 0.009). Regarding body composition, kumite athletes are taller, have greater body mass, body water, proteins, minerals, and muscle mass content than kata athletes and athletes specialized in both disciplines (from p = 0.002 to p = 0.045). The young karate athletes specialized in kumite competition exhibit higher levels of absolute handgrip muscle strength, rate of force development, and absolute lower limb muscle power than kata athletes and athletes specialized in both disciplines (from p = 0.002 to p = 0.041). There were no significant differences in any measured parameters between kata athletes and young karate athletes specialised in both disciplines. (4) Conclusions: The results are associated with higher values of body composition, muscle strength, and power in kumite athletes compared to kata athletes and athletes competing in both disciplines.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine whether different playing positions in football influence muscle asymmetry, which is a common cause of injuries in football. This study aimed to determine the difference in the functional and lateral asymmetry of the knee joint muscles measured using tensiomyography (TMG) between football players of different playing positions. Methods: This study included 52 professional football players (25.1 ± 4.7 years) divided into three groups according to their playing position: defenders—DF (N = 18), midfielders—MF (N = 15), and forwards—FW (N = 19). Functional and lateral symmetry were investigated by applying TMG on the knee joint muscles Rectus femoris, Vastus medialis, Vastus lateralis, Biceps femoris, and Semitendinosus of the right and left leg, and using the algorithm proposed by the manufacturer and previous studies. Results: The results of one and two-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences in functional (F = 0.596, p = 0.555, on average) and lateral asymmetry (F = 0.888, p = 0.497, on average) from the aspect of muscle contraction velocity and muscle stiffness between football players of different playing positions. Conclusions: The study results show that the specificity of the playing position in football does not influence the functional and lateral asymmetry of the knee joint muscles. However, it has been shown that there is a high percentage of players with lateral (n = 14.5, 39.6%, on average) and specifically functional asymmetry (n = 27, 51.9%, on average).

Background: This study aims to investigate the effects of dry-needling treatment on the quality of life in athletes with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Methods: The participants included in the study were 50 athletes (38 males and 12 females) diagnosed with MPS. The treatments were carried out in four sessions, 5/7 days apart on 55 muscles in total. A 36-item health survey (SF-36) was implemented to determine the participants’ quality of life. The chi-square test was used to determine the differences between measurements. Results: Dry-needling treatment has a positive influence on self-perspective of physical functioning (p = 0.011, on average), physical problems (p = 0.001, on average), emotional problems (p = 0.004, on average), social functioning (p = 0.001, on average), pain (p = 0.001, on average), and mental health and vitality (p = 0.001, on average) in athletes with MPS. The only quality-of-life dimension not influenced by the dry-needling treatment is the general health perception (p = 0.340, on average). Conclusions: Dry-needling therapy has positive effects on the perception of quality of life in athletes with MPS.