Part 1: Evaluating Neck-Strengthening Protocols to Reduce the Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury: Traditional vs. Nontraditional Neck-Strengthening Techniques.

ABSTRACT: Schroeder, LH, McDaniel, AT, Wang, Y, Dickens, GM, Pantani, V, and Kubinak, H. Part 1: evaluating neck-strengthening protocols to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury: traditional vs. nontraditional neck-strengthening techniques. J Strength Cond Res 38(1): 21-29, 2024-A common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is the head's kinematic response to rapid movement, which can be reduced with dynamic neck strengthening. This study aimed to determine the most effective neck-strengthening program by comparing a traditional and nontraditional program. Isometric neck strength was assessed in 32 subjects randomly assigned to one of the traditional and nontraditional neck-strengthening programs. The nontraditional program used a novel neck-strengthening device. After weeks 6 and 10 of training, isometric neck strength was reassessed. With the collected data, linear mixed models were established to compare the changes in neck strength between the 2 groups during the 10-week training period. Statistical analysis results suggest that, for both cervical extension (CE) and cervical flexion (CF), subjects in the novel neck-strengthening device group had a significantly higher gain of strength during the 10 weeks than the traditional group. With test statistics of -2.691 and -3.203 and corresponding 2-sided p-value of 0.01289 and 0.003889, respectively, we conclude that there is a statistically significant difference in the linear slopes of increase for both CE and CF between the 2 groups. As to left cervical lateral flexion and right cervical lateral flexion, the novel neck strength group had increased strength gains compared with the traditional group. However, the increase was not enough to demonstrate significant findings. Results were considered significant at p < 0.05. The results of this study show that the novel neck-strengthening device may be an effective mechanism for preventing mild TBIs.

An innovative interprofessional education simulation for athletic training and prelicensure nursing students: Development, implementation, and student perspectives.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a Simulation Interprofessional Education (Sim-IPE) activity for healthcare students from different disciplines (athletic training [AT] and nursing). The objective for the Sim-IPE activity was to engage AT and prelicensure nursing students in a realistic healthcare scenario to enhance knowledge about one another's profession, develop interprofessional skills, collaborate with one another, and communicate effectively as a team as they performed care. METHODS: This mixed methods study employed a one-time posttest design for a convenience sample of AT and prelicensure nursing students following a simulation intervention. Students completed the Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised (SPICE-R) survey and answered open-ended response questions. RESULTS: Thirteen students (N = 13) from Cohort 1 and 12 students (N = 12) from Cohort 2 completed the SPICE-R survey. Most students strongly agreed/agreed for each of the SPICE-R survey questions. Qualitative findings indicated the students positively perceived the Sim-IPE activity as it helped them discover the value of interprofessional patient care. DISCUSSION: The quantitative findings indicated that the students found the Sim-IPE an effective learning methodology to achieve the objectives while the qualitative findings gave further insight into the students' perceptions of interprofessional teamwork and the value of the prebrief session conducted before the simulation. The findings will inform future Sim-IPE activities involving additional groups of healthcare students.

Efficacy of a 6-Week Suspension Training Exercise Program on Fitness Components in Older Adults.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a 6-week suspension training exercise program on fitness components in older adults. Eleven participants (age = 80 ± 5 yrs) completed a 6-week suspension training exercise program. Pre- and post-fitness assessments comprised of body composition, handgrip dynamometer, functional reach, and balance. The 6-week suspension training intervention required individuals to perform suspension training exercises for fifty minutes, twice per week. A paired sample t-test was used to determine differences from pre-and post-assessments. An improvement was observed in functional reach (57.2 ± 6.4 cm vs 68.6 ± 4.3 cm; p = 0.02) and overall balance score (67.5 ± 2.4 vs 72.2 ± 2.2; p = 0.02). A 6-week suspension training exercise program can be adequate to enhance core stability and overall balance amongst older adults. This paradigm should be explored further to determine the effects on fall-risk and fall prevention.

The Quantitative Examination of the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Fit in Athletic Trainers.

CONTEXT: Athletic trainers' (ATs') job satisfaction has been extensively researched, yet little is known about how satisfaction relates to organizational culture. OBJECTIVE: To examine ATs' level of job satisfaction with and organizational-fit perceptions of their employment setting. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Web-based questionnaire. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5704 ATs (full-time employment, nonacademic appointment) were contacted via email; 841 participants began our survey (access rate = 14.7%), and 285 completed it (5.0% response rate; 33.9% completion rate). Demographic characteristics were men = 107 (37.5%), women = 178 (62.5%); age = 34.8 ± 9.9 years; and employment setting = 34.7% (n = 99) from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, 18.9% (n = 54) from Division II, 29.5% (n = 84) from Division III, and 16.9% (n = 48) other. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Participants responded to an online survey consisting of demographic questions, a 36-item Likert-scale Job Satisfaction Survey, and the Cable and Judge revision of the O'Reilly, Chatman, and Caldwell 40-item ranking Organizational Culture Profile survey. Multiple linear regression models for total or subscale job satisfaction were used to analyze the data. All models adjusted for the same demographic measures, and the independent variables of interest were created from the organizational culture survey responses. RESULTS: Coworkers (minimum [min] = 9, maximum [max] = 24, ρ = .79), communications (min = 9, max = 24, ρ = .78), and work itself (min = 4, max = 24, ρ = .71) were most correlated with the total job satisfaction score (min = 96, max = 175). Of the respondents, 54% selected adaptability, stability, and taking individual responsibility as 1 of their 2 most characteristic attributes in the organizational culture profile. In addition, 83% of respondents indicated being aggressive, receiving high pay for good performance, and being distinctive or different from others as their 2 least characteristic traits. CONCLUSIONS: The job satisfaction of these ATs was affected most by organizational factors, such as coworkers and communication, as well as by individual attributes such as adaptability, stability, and taking personal responsibility.

Evaluating the Intra-Rater and Inter-Rater Reliability of Fixed Tension Scale Instrumentation for Determining Isometric Neck Strength.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a fixed tension scale instrumentation, comparing the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability between seating and standing measurement techniques. Instrumentation developed from this study will be utilized to assess isometric neck strength in future studies comparing neck strengthening protocols. METHODS: Isometric neck strength for eight movements (cervical/capital flexion, cervical/capital extension, left/right lateral flexion, left/right cervical rotation) as well as anthropometric measurements were evaluated for thirty-one participants through the use of a novel neck strength assessment protocol. RESULTS: The fixed tension scale instrumentation and methods used in this study demonstrated good to excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC range from 0.78 to 0.97) as well as moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC range from 0.73 to 0.91) for both measurement techniques. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study will provide foundational knowledge for the reliable assessment of neck strength. Additionally, the findings will provide a cost-effective, portable, and reliable instrument for measuring isometric neck strength. CONCLUSIONS: Seated and standing measurement techniques demonstrated similar intra and inter-rater reliability. Inter-rater reliability tended to be lower with motions (capital flexion and extension) that required the participants to face directly towards or away from the instrumentation. This could be due to participant positioning or unfamiliarity with those specific movements. The assessment protocol utilized in this study demonstrated comparable inter-rater reliability to another cost-effective method for evaluating isometric neck strength.