Reference Values of Functional and Lateral Reach Test Among the Young Saudi Population: Their Psychometric Properties and Correlation with Anthropometric Parameters.

BACKGROUND Due to lack of normal reference values of forward and lateral reach tests for Saudi young adults, this study aimed to formulate normative values of the forward reach test and lateral reach test and to assess the correlation between the demographic variables and the reach test results. MATERIAL AND METHODS We randomly assigned 240 normal young Saudi adults ages 20-23 years to assess reach test scores in forward and lateral directions. All the subjects had been measured for distance reached in forward and lateral direction on graph paper fixed to a white board. RESULTS The mean and standard deviation of forward and lateral reach distances were 25±8.14 cm and 19.78±5.70 cm, respectively. Significant differences were found between males and females for forward reach and lateral reach scores (p<0.001). Forward reach and lateral reach values showed a moderate correlation with height, lower limb length, and upper limb length. The intra-rater reliability assessed by intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.91 and 0.92 for the forward and lateral reach test scores, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study established reference values of forward and lateral reach scores for Saudi young adults ages 20-23 years. Height, upper limb length, and lower limb length were moderately correlated with the reach distances in forward and lateral directions. Males performed longer reach distances than females.

Design and Evaluation of Interprofessional Training Program for Healthcare Students from Collectivistic Culture.

Background: Healthcare is team-based, and with increased mobility of healthcare workers, most of them will work with team members from all over the globe. Interprofessional education (IPE) research has mostly focused on specially designed programs in academic health institutions to prepare students for multidisciplinary work. Few IPE programs aim to integrate students with mixed disciplines from collectivist cultures. Methods: This mixed-methods study was conducted between June and August 2019. Surveys and an e-portfolio were recorded of 33 final-year and graduated health professional students' participation in an 8-week IPE summer program at a medical school in Ireland. Survey results are described, and the content of portfolios was analyzed based on the deductive analysis of qualitative data derived from questions. Results: Students reported the greatest improvement in presentation skills (63.6%), followed by communication (54.5%), team working skills (93.9%), and interprofessional learning (42.4%), respectively. Qualitative findings highlighted challenges for students from a collectivist culture adapting to an IPE: uncomfortable verbally expressing themselves in problem-based learning (PBL) and how to work with other sex. Positive themes about IPE that emerged were enjoyment in sharing ideas and building trust with PBL groups. We learned that the program had to be flexible enough to meet the educational requirements of a target community with mixed English language ability and adaptability to IPE. Conclusion: The authors propose that an international PBL-based summer program is effective in improving healthcare students' attitudes towards IPE. This study provides valuable insights to facilitate the development of further IPE programs to increased collaboration between students across various healthcare disciplines. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-022-01536-7.

The Impact of Body Resistance Training Exercise on Biomedical Profile at High Altitude: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity causes different diseases, eventually. In our study, the results of resistance exercises were examined on selected biochemical markers in Abha City, Saudi Arabia, which is at the height of 2,270 meters above sea level. METHODS: A randomized controlled research was conducted with 60 participants equally divided into three groups, 20 subjects in each group: group 1 was composed of obese people who received resistance training exercise, group 2 was composed of the obese control group who did not receive resistance training exercise, and group 3 was composed of normal individuals who received resistance exercise training. The resistance exercises were done in the 6th and 12th weeks. Biochemical blood tests were done. RESULTS: Comparing to the control group, glucose decreased very little with insulin also showing little difference. It has been seen that TC, TG, and LDL reduced to a reasonable extent after resistance exercise, while HDL was increased (p ≤ 0.01). Plasma urea and creatinine showed no differences. Interleukin-6 and leptin decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01), while there was a significant elevation in adiponectin and testosterone (p ≤ 0.01) once comparing group 1 with group 2 and group 3. CONCLUSION: We have seen that resistance exercise helps in reducing lipid profile which will result in a decrease of the cardiac and related risk factors when conducted in obese patients in high-altitude regions. Also, alterations of the levels of interleukin-6, leptin, adiponectin, and testosterone showed that resistance exercise is of benefit and favourable in obese persons in high-altitude regions, which can also pave the way for added development of drugs related to the above parameters.