Background and Aim: Core stability is the ability of the lumbopelvic- hip complex to prevent buckling of the vertebral column and return it to equilibrium following perturbation. It has been demonstrated that trunk muscle activity occurs before the activity of the prime mover of the limb. Core stability is seen as being pivotal for efficient biomechanical function to maximize force generation and minimize joint loads in all types of activities ranging from running to throwing. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between core stability and lower extremity function in female athletes.

 Materials and Methods: Thirty volunteer female athletes with mean age (SD)=23(3.8) years old, participated in this study. They performed two series of tests: core stability tests (hip isometric abduction and lateral rotation, double leg lowering, trunk extension – flexion and left and right lateral flexion endurance, and double leg lowering), and lower extremity function tests (star excursion balance tests in three directions, vertical jump, single and triple hopping, stairs sprinting, 6 m hopping, and shuttle run).

Results: The results of this study showed that the strength of hip isometric abduction with stairs sprinting, 6 m hopping , and with star excursion balance test in three directions had r=-0.430, r=-0.367and r=0.515 respectively and all significant. Also , right lateral flexion endurance with shuttle run (r=0.367) , double leg lowering with vertical jump (r=0.42), trunk extension endurance with vertical jump (r=-0.404) ,were significantly correlated. In the other items there were no relationship between core stability and lower extremity function (p>0.05).

Conclusion: There is a relationship between core stability and lower extremity function but studies have not supported them. However, the data showed that core stability is moderately too weak related to lower extremity function, core stability could not be measured with these tests and they are not good indicators for lower extremity function. Evaluation of the core should be dynamic, and compromise assessment of the specific functions which specialize for athletic groups.

 Background and Aim: The translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons (ASES) were carried out in accordance with published guidelines.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 athletes (25.96±5.81 years), which suffered from different shoulder disorders. When the translation and cultural adaptation of the original questionnaire was carried out on the standardized method, the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire booklet including the DASH, the Short Form General Health Survey (SF-36) and ASES questionnaires. In addition, 30 randomly selected patients were asked to complete the ASES questionnaire 48 hours later for the second time. After data collection the Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software.

Results: The Cronbach's alpha was used to indicate internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for ASES. Test-retest reliability was quantified by use of the intraclass correlation coefficient. It was 0.91 for ASES questionnaire. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used for the questionnaire validation study. The DASH questionnaire showed high correlation of ICC=0.78 with ASES. The ASES showed moderate correlation of 0.48 to 0.62 with those of the various scales of the SF-36.

Conclusion: The Iranian ASES showed good reliability and validity and can be used for shoulder-specific patient self-assessment.

Background and Aim: Scapular muscles stabilization and neuromuscular control are important factors in shoulder function during dynamic activities. The three-dimensional pattern of integrated movement between gleno-humeral and scapula-thoracic joints is known as the scapula-humeral rhythm. More involved rotator cuff and scapular muscles causes more motor units are being recruited, therefore perhaps with loading on scapular muscles, can evaluate muscles role in scapular position more accurately and comprehensively.

Materials and Methods: Thirty male basketball players, aged between 20 to 40 years were recruited for modified lateral scapular slide test. The linear distance between inferior angle of scapula and spinous process of T7-8 was examined in 90 degrees of scaption without load and with 1 kg loading by two examiners in one session using the caliper. One of the examiners repeated the test in next week.

Results: Amount of inter and intra-rater intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for 90 degrees of unloaded scaption was 0.73 and 0.82, respectively and for 1 kg loading position was 0.54 and 0.86, respectively. Amount of standard error of measurement (SEM) in inter and intra-rater measurements for 90 degrees of unloaded scaption was 0.83 and 0.59 cm, respectively and for 1 kg loading position was 0.97 and 0.45 cm, respectively.

Conclusion: 1 kg loading in scaption, did not significantly improve the reliability of the test that shows the amount of load is not appropriate to activate the muscles in the athletes.

Keywords: Loading in scaption, Lateral scapular slide test, Athletes, Reliability .

Background and Aim : Pay attention to high prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women athletes and role of changes in lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt and the type and number of delivery factors on the incidence of Urinary Stress Incontinence also lack of studies in this problem about risk factors (Predisposing factors) in Iranian population, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between changes in lumbar curvature and pelvic tilt with SUI and to determine the type and parity on the incidence of this problem .

Materials and Methods : In this cross - sectional study through easy and available sampling, 17 volleyball player with SUI and 15 healthy volleyball player, aged 20-40 years old. Females after interview and taking demographic information participated in the study. The Persian questionnaire of ICIQ-UISF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form) used to confirm the SUI. A flexible ruler and inclinometer were used to measure lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt .

Results: A statistically significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of the lumbar spine curvature (p< 0.001) and pelvic tilt (p = 0.02) respectively. Based on the findings, the number of delivery was no significant effect on the incidence of Stress Urinary Incontinence but there was significant relationship between type of delivery and SUI .

Conclusion: With significant difference in the lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt in athletic women with and without SUI, also advised to emphasize on the epidemiological and etiological investigation studies of lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt in patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Key words: Stress urinary incontinence, Women athletes, Lumbo-pelvic posture

Background and Aim: Leg stiffness has recognized as a parameter related to sports performance and injury risk. The aim of the present study was to compare of leg stiffness during hopping test between female and male athletes.

Materials and Methods: Thirteen females and 12 males of the best Iranian racket-players participated in this study and<span style="font-family:;" dir="RTL" new="" b="" fa;="" mitra";="" roman";="" "times="" roman";"="" 12pt;=""> performed the bilateral hopping test at a frequency of 2.2 Hz. The subjects' leg stiffness was measured and was normalized through dividing by their body weights. Independent samples t-test was used to compare the mean of research variables between the female and male groups.

Results: Leg stiffness in the females was significantly lower than the males (p< 0.001), however the body mass-normalized leg stiffness was not significantly different between two groups (p = 0.290).

Conclusion: The lower leg stiffness observed in the female athletes may be a factor justifying their weakness in speed-based performances during horizontal movements. Furthermore, non-significant difference in normalized leg stiffness between two groups may indicate using a risky strategy by the females in vertical movement to compensate for the less inherent stiffness of their tendinous and muscular structures. Choosing the proper training programs to change the leg stiffness, may be an effective method to enhance the performance and to decrease the injury risk.

Keywords: Leg stiffness, Female and male athletes, Sports performance, Injury risk