Academic literature on the topic 'Left leg hamstring flexibility'

A 63-year-old woman had development of ascending paresthesias with lancinating and stabbing pain in all extremities. The symptoms began asymmetrically in the left leg and progressed to involve the right leg and both hands. She noticed progressive bilateral leg weakness, gait instability, and new numbness in the left middle back. She had recurrent falls and required the use of a cane and eventually a walker. She had 18.2 kg of weight loss. She had no autonomic symptoms or bladder or bowel dysfunction. Examination 1 year after symptom onset showed an emaciated, ill-appearing woman. On neurologic examination, she had marked gait ataxia with profound proprioceptive loss in all extremities, asymmetrically reduced pinprick sensation distal to the left thigh, right knee, and both forearms, as well as bilateral middle thoracic dermatomes. She had bilateral foot drop and mild weakness in bilateral hamstring and intrinsic hand muscles. Her deep tendon reflexes were globally absent. Toes were mute to plantar stimulation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the entire spine demonstrated subtle increased T2 signal in the posterior columns extending along cervical and thoracic segments and patchy gadolinium enhancement of the cervical and lumbosacral nerve roots. Electrodiagnostic testing demonstrated a length-dependent axonal sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed an increased protein concentration, 9 cerebrospinal fluid-restricted oligoclonal bands, increased immunoglobulin G index and synthesis rate, and normal blood cell count. Paraneoplastic antibody evaluation showed high titers of collapsin-response mediator protein 5-immunoglobulin G autoantibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Whole-body ¹⁸F-fludeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography indicated multiple hypermetabolic mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. Biopsy of a mediastinal lymph node was consistent with small cell lung carcinoma. The patient was diagnosed with collapsin-response mediator protein 5- immunoglobulin G paraneoplastic myeloneuropathy associated with small cell carcinoma of the lung. The patient received a trial of intravenous methylprednisolone followed by chemotherapy, along with chest and prophylactic brain radiotherapy. She achieved a short period of clinical stabilization and mild improvement in gait and limb ataxia. Subsequently, her ataxia and bilateral leg weakness worsened. Her clinical condition rapidly deteriorated, and she became severely malnourished and bedridden, dying 12 weeks later, 2 years after symptom onset. Collapsin-response mediator protein 5- immunoglobulin G antibodies have been associated with asymmetric, painful polyradiculoneuropathy with coexisting myelopathy, often in the setting of thymoma or small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: The main goal of this study is to determine possible differences in the range and quality of movement between senior male and female volleyball players of HAOK Mladost. Methods: Respondents, all right-handed and healthy, were members of the senior volleyball team of HAOK Mladost (female n=24, male n=17). The testing was conducted during the transition period, between the first and second competition period. We used seven tests, all part of standard FMS protocol: Deep Squat (DS), Hurdle Step (HS), In-Line Lunge (ILL), Shoulder Mobility (SM), Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR), Trunk Stability Push-up (TSPU), Rotary Stability (RS), with 12 measured variables (left and right side for five bilateral tests plus DS and TSPU). Educated staff at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb con-ducted the testing. The examination of significance of the differences between senior male and female volleyball players was conducted by using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant difference in three tests: In – Line Lunge Left (ILLL), z= -2,11, p=0,03, with moderate effect size (r=0.33), Active Straight Leg Raise Left (ASLRL), z= -2,58, p=0,01, with moderate to strong effect size (r=0.4) and Stability Push-up (TSPU) z= -3,68, p=0,00, with strong effect size (r=0.58). Conclusion: Statistically significant difference was determined in the range and quality of movement in three measured variables. Male volleyball players achieved better results in two tests: In-Line Lunge Left (ILLL) and Stability Push-up (TSPU). That addresses to a higher ability to keep the balance during lunges (reaction on short balls during reception or defence phase of the game) and considerably higher ability to maintain the stability of the trunk in the transfer of force from the upper extremities to the lower (during block) and vice versa (during spike). It is interesting to note that female volleyball players achieved a significantly better rating in the Active Straight Leg Raise Left (ASLRL) test, suggesting a better flexibility of the left hamstrings and better right hip mobility which enables higher capacity in performing el-ements which require extension, which include almost all volleyball elements (hitting, serve receive and transition into offense, defence and transition into counterattack and blocking, smashing and jump serve).