Evaluation and students' perception of a health equity education program in physical therapy: a mixed methods pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Health equity is a common theme discussed in health professions education, yet only some researchers have addressed it in entry-level education. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to serve as an educational intervention pilot to 1) evaluate students' perception of the effectiveness of the DPT program in providing a foundation for health equity education, with or without the benefit of a supplemental resource and 2) establishing priorities for the program related to educating students on health inequities in physical therapy clinical practice. A mixed method design with a focus-group interview was utilized to explore students' perceptions of the DPT program's commitment to advancing health equity. METHODS: A three-staged sequential mixed methods study was conducted. Stage 1 began with quantitative data collection after completing the DEI Bundle utilizing the Tripod DEI survey. Stage 2 involved identifying themes from the Tripod Survey data and creating semi-structured interview questions. Stage 3 consisted of a focus group interview process. RESULTS: A total of 78 students completed the Tripod DEI survey upon completing 70% of the curriculum. Thirty-five students, eight core faculty, 13 associated faculty, and four clinical instructors completed the APTA DEI Bundle Course Series. According to the Tripod DEI Survey results, program stakeholders found the program's commitment to DEI and overall climate to be inclusive, fair, caring, safe, welcoming, and understanding of individuals from different backgrounds, including a sense of student belonging where students feel valued and respected. Three themes emerged from the qualitative focus group interviews, including the value of inclusivity, health equity curricular foundations, and DEI in entry-level DPT education. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the value of incorporating health equity and DEI topics into curricula while fostering an incluse program culture.

Implementing the 27 PRISMA 2020 Statement items for systematic reviews in the sport and exercise medicine, musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports science fields: the PERSiST (implementing Prisma in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport medicine and SporTs science) guidance.

Poor reporting of medical and healthcare systematic reviews is a problem from which the sports and exercise medicine, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and sports science fields are not immune. Transparent, accurate and comprehensive systematic review reporting helps researchers replicate methods, readers understand what was done and why, and clinicians and policy-makers implement results in practice. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement and its accompanying Explanation and Elaboration document provide general reporting examples for systematic reviews of healthcare interventions. However, implementation guidance for sport and exercise medicine, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and sports science does not exist. The Prisma in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport medicine and SporTs science (PERSiST) guidance attempts to address this problem. Nineteen content experts collaborated with three methods experts to identify examples of exemplary reporting in systematic reviews in sport and exercise medicine (including physical activity), musculoskeletal rehabilitation (including physiotherapy), and sports science, for each of the PRISMA 2020 Statement items. PERSiST aims to help: (1) systematic reviewers improve the transparency and reporting of systematic reviews and (2) journal editors and peer reviewers make informed decisions about systematic review reporting quality.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Patient History in the Diagnosis of Hip-Related Pain: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of patient history associated with hip pain. DATA SOURCES: A systematic, computerized search of electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science), a search of the gray literature, and review of the primary author's personal library was performed. Hip-specific search terms were combined with diagnostic accuracy and subjective or self-report history-based search terms using the Boolean operator "AND." STUDY SELECTION: This systematic review was conducted and reported according to the protocol outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria were: (1) patients with hip pain; (2) the statistical association of at least 1 patient history item was reported; (3) study designs appropriate for diagnostic accuracy; (4) adults aged ≥18 years; (5) written in English; and (6) used an acceptable reference standard for diagnosed hip pathology. Titles and abstracts of all database-captured citations were independently screened by at least 2 reviewers. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted information and data regarding author, year, study population, study design, criterion standard, and strength of association statistics associated with the subjective findings. DATA SYNTHESIS: For hip osteoarthritis (OA), a family history of OA (positive likelihood ratio [+LR], 2.13), history of knee OA (+LR, 2.06), report of groin or anterior thigh pain (+LR, 2.51-3.86), self-reported limitation in range of motion of 1 or both hips (+LR, 2.87), constant low back pain or buttock pain (+LR, 6.50), groin pain on the same side (+LR, 3.63), and a screening questionnaire (+LR, 3.87-13.29) were the most significant findings. For intra-articular hip pathology, crepitus (+LR, 3.56) was the most significant finding. CONCLUSIONS: Patient history plays a key role in differential diagnosis of hip pain and in some cases can be superior to objective tests and measures.

Exercise prescription for overhead athletes with shoulder pathology: a systematic review with best evidence synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To produce a best evidence synthesis of exercise prescription used when treating shoulder pathology in the overhead athlete. DESIGN: A systematic review of exercises used in overhead athletes including case studies and clinical commentaries. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL from database inception through July 8, 2016. METHODS: We examined data from randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort (level I-IV evidence) studies that addressed exercise intervention in the rehabilitation of the overhead athlete with shoulder pathology. Case studies and clinical commentaries (level V evidence) were examined to account for expert opinion-based research. Data were combined using best evidence synthesis and graded (A-F) recommendations (Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine). RESULTS: There were 33 unique exercises in six level I-IV studies that met our inclusion criteria. Most exercises were single-plane, upper extremity exercises performed below 90o of elevation. There were 102 unique exercises in 33 level V studies that met our inclusion criteria. These exercises emphasised plyometrics, kinetic chain and sport-specific training. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Overall, evidence for exercise interventions in overhead athletes with shoulder pathology is dominated by expert opinion (grade D). There is great variability between exercise approaches suggested by experts and those investigated in research studies and the overall level of evidence is low. The strongest available evidence (level B) supports the use of single-plane, open chain upper extremity exercises performed below 90° of elevation and closed chain upper extremity exercises. Clinical expert pieces support a more advanced, global treatment approach consistent with the complex, multidimensional nature of sport.

Subacute effects of cervicothoracic spinal thrust/non-thrust in addition to shoulder manual therapy plus exercise intervention in individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome: a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the subacute effects of cervicothoracic spinal thrust/non-thrust in addition to shoulder non-thrust plus exercise in patients with subacromial pathology. METHODS: This was a randomized, single blinded controlled trial pilot study. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01753271) and reported according to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials requirements. Patients were randomly assigned to either shoulder treatment plus cervicothoracic spinal thrust/non-thrust or shoulder treatment-only group. Primary outcomes were average pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) and physical function (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index) at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and patient discharge. RESULTS: 18 patients, mean age 43.1(15.8) years satisfied the eligibility criteria and were analyzed for follow-up data. Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in both pain and function at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and discharge. The between-group differences for changes in pain or physical function were not significant at any time point. DISCUSSION: The addition of cervicothoracic spinal thrust/non-thrust to the shoulder treatment-only group did not significantly alter improvement in pain or function in patients with subacromial pathology. Both approaches appeared to provide an equally notable benefit. Both groups improved on all outcomes and met the criteria for clinical relevance for both pain and function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

Upper-Extremity Physical-Performance Tests in College Athletes.

CONTEXT: Physical-performance tests (PPTs) are commonly used in rehabilitation and injury-prevention settings, yet normative values of upper-extremity PPTs have not been established in high-level athletes. OBJECTIVE: To establish normative data values for the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper-Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) and Upper-Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) in college athletes and compare results between sports and to analyze the relationship between the 2 tests. DESIGN: Observational. SETTING: Laboratory/athletic facility. PARTICIPANTS: 257 (118 male, 139 female) Division I athletes participating in basketball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, volleyball, track and field, and cross-country. INTERVENTION: CKCUEST and UQYBT scores were recorded as part of a comprehensive injury-risk screening battery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Pearson correlations assessed the relationship between all measures of the CKCUEST and UQYBT. A factorial ANOVA and a repeated-measures ANOVA (arm dominance) were used to assess interactions between sex, year in school, and sport for CKCUEST and UQYBT scores. RESULTS: Normative values for the CKCUEST and UQYBT were established for 9 men's and women's college sports. No significant relationships were found between PPT scores. Men scored significantly higher than women for the CKCUEST (P = .002) and UQYBT (P = .010). Baseball players scored significantly higher than athletes from all other sports for the UQYBT (P < .001) but showed nonsignificant trends of lower scores for the CKCUEST than lower-extremity-dominant athletes such as runners (P = .063) and lacrosse players (P = .058). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that average CKCUEST and UQYBT scores in Division I athletes are distinct from those previously reported in recreationally active populations and that performance differences exist between sexes and sports. In addition, the CKCUEST and UQYBT appear to measure different constructs of performance and may complement each other as part of a screening battery.

Risk factors associated with lower extremity stress fractures in runners: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Stress fractures are common overuse injuries with up to 95% occurring in the lower extremities. Among runners, stress fractures account for 15-20% of all musculoskeletal injuries. PURPOSE: We systematically reviewed and critiqued the evidence regarding risk factors associated with increased risk of lower extremity stress fractures in runners. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic, computerised literature search of Medline, Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases (from database inception through 9 January 2014) using keywords related to risk factors and stress fractures. This systematic review with meta-analysis utilised the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for the search and reporting phases of the study. Inverse variance meta-analyses, using a random effects model were used to summarise ORs. RESULTS: 8 articles met the inclusion criteria; 7 were considered low risk. 4 articles qualified for meta-analysis. Results of the meta-analysis identified previous history of stress fracture and female sex as the primary risk factors for future stress fracture with a pooled OR of 4.99 (95% CI 2.91 to 8.56; p<0.001; I(2)=0%) and 2.31 (95% CI 1.24 to 4.29; p<0.01; I(2)=0%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, only previous history of stress fracture and female sex are risk factors for lower extremity stress fractures strongly supported by the data.

Identification of cut-points in commonly used hip osteoarthritis-related outcome measures that define the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS).

To determine patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) estimates in outcome measures commonly used in hip osteoarthritis (OA). Identification of cut-points on commonly used outcome measures associated with patient satisfaction with their current state of health. As part of a randomized controlled trial, 70 patients with a clinical diagnosis of hip OA undergoing a 9-session physiotherapy treatment program completed four physical performance measures and three self-report measures at 9 weeks and 1 year. Upon completion of treatment, patients assessed their current health status according to the PASS question. Cut-points were estimated using receiver operating characteristic curves (anchor-based method), based on the patient's response to the PASS question. At 9 weeks and 1 year, identified cut-points were, respectively, ≤10 and ≤11 for the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale; ≤35 and ≤40 on the WOMAC physical function subscale; ≥+5 and ≥+6 on the global rating of change score; ≤6.05 and ≤5.30 s for the timed-up-and-go; ≤28.3 and ≤24.9 for the 40-m self-paced walk test; ≥11 and ≥12 repetitions for the 30-s chair stand test; and ≥46 repetitions for the 20-cm step test. Initial target cut-points signaling patient satisfaction with their current symptom state following physiotherapy in patients with hip osteoarthritis were determined for seven outcome measures over 1 year.

Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests of the hip: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hip Physical Examination (HPE) tests have long been used to diagnose a myriad of intra-and extra-articular pathologies of the hip joint. Useful clinical utility is necessary to support diagnostic imaging and subsequent surgical decision making. OBJECTIVE: Summarise and evaluate the current research and utility on the diagnostic accuracy of HPE tests for the hip joint germane to sports related injuries and pathology. METHODS: A computer-assisted literature search of MEDLINE, CINHAL and EMBASE databases (January 1966 to January 2012) using keywords related to diagnostic accuracy of the hip joint. This systematic review with meta-analysis utilised the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for the search and reporting phases of the study. Der-Simonian and Laird random effects models were used to summarise sensitivities (SN), specificities (SP), likelihood ratios and diagnostic OR. RESULTS: The employed search strategy revealed 25 potential articles, with 10 demonstrating high quality. Fourteen articles qualified for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated that most tests possess weak diagnostic properties with the exception of the patellar-pubic percussion test, which had excellent pooled SN 95 (95% CI 92 to 97%) and good specificity 86 (95% CI 78 to 92%). CONCLUSION: Several studies have investigated pathology in the hip. Few of the current studies are of substantial quality to dictate clinical decision-making. Currently, only the patellar-pubic percussion test is supported by the data as a stand-alone HPE test. Further studies involving high quality designs are needed to fully assess the value of HPE tests for patients with intra- and extra-articular hip dysfunction.

Diagnostic accuracy of scapular physical examination tests for shoulder disorders: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and critique the evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy of physical examination tests for the scapula in patients with shoulder disorders. METHODS: A systematic, computerised literature search of PubMED, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library databases (from database inception through January 2012) using keywords related to diagnostic accuracy of physical examination tests of the scapula. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was used to critique the quality of each paper. RESULTS: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria; three were considered to be of high quality. Of the three high-quality studies, two were in reference to a 'diagnosis' of shoulder pain. Only one high-quality article referenced specific shoulder pathology of acromioclavicular dislocation with reported sensitivity of 71% and 41% for the scapular dyskinesis and SICK scapula test, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, no physical examination test of the scapula was found to be useful in differentially diagnosing pathologies of the shoulder.

Which physical examination tests provide clinicians with the most value when examining the shoulder? Update of a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual tests.

OBJECTIVE: To update our previously published systematic review and meta-analysis by subjecting the literature on shoulder physical examination (ShPE) to careful analysis in order to determine each tests clinical utility. METHODS: This review is an update of previous work, therefore the terms in the Medline and CINAHL search strategies remained the same with the exception that the search was confined to the dates November, 2006 through to February, 2012. The previous study dates were 1966 - October, 2006. Further, the original search was expanded, without date restrictions, to include two new databases: EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, version 2 (QUADAS 2) tool was used to critique the quality of each new paper. Where appropriate, data from the prior review and this review were combined to perform meta-analysis using the updated hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic and bivariate models. RESULTS: Since the publication of the 2008 review, 32 additional studies were identified and critiqued. For subacromial impingement, the meta-analysis revealed that the pooled sensitivity and specificity for the Neer test was 72% and 60%, respectively, for the Hawkins-Kennedy test was 79% and 59%, respectively, and for the painful arc was 53% and 76%, respectively. Also from the meta-analysis, regarding superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears, the test with the best sensitivity (52%) was the relocation test; the test with the best specificity (95%) was Yergason's test; and the test with the best positive likelihood ratio (2.81) was the compression-rotation test. Regarding new (to this series of reviews) ShPE tests, where meta-analysis was not possible because of lack of sufficient studies or heterogeneity between studies, there are some individual tests that warrant further investigation. A highly specific test (specificity >80%, LR+ ≥ 5.0) from a low bias study is the passive distraction test for a SLAP lesion. This test may rule in a SLAP lesion when positive. A sensitive test (sensitivity >80%, LR- ≤ 0.20) of note is the shoulder shrug sign, for stiffness-related disorders (osteoarthritis and adhesive capsulitis) as well as rotator cuff tendinopathy. There are six additional tests with higher sensitivities, specificities, or both but caution is urged since all of these tests have been studied only once and more than one ShPE test (ie, active compression, biceps load II) has been introduced with great diagnostic statistics only to have further research fail to replicate the results of the original authors. The belly-off and modified belly press tests for subscapularis tendinopathy, bony apprehension test for bony instability, olecranon-manubrium percussion test for bony abnormality, passive compression for a SLAP lesion, and the lateral Jobe test for rotator cuff tear give reason for optimism since they demonstrated both high sensitivities and specificities reported in low bias studies. Finally, one additional test was studied in two separate papers. The dynamic labral shear may be sensitive for SLAP lesions but, when modified, be diagnostic of labral tears generally. CONCLUSION: Based on data from the original 2008 review and this update, the use of any single ShPE test to make a pathognomonic diagnosis cannot be unequivocally recommended. There exist some promising tests but their properties must be confirmed in more than one study. Combinations of ShPE tests provide better accuracy, but marginally so. These findings seem to provide support for stressing a comprehensive clinical examination including history and physical examination. However, there is a great need for large, prospective, well-designed studies that examine the diagnostic accuracy of the many aspects of the clinical examination and what combinations of these aspects are useful in differentially diagnosing pathologies of the shoulder.

Do ACL Injury Risk Reduction Exercises Reflect Common Injury Mechanisms? A Scoping Review of Injury Prevention Programs.

CONTEXT: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk reduction programs have become increasingly popular. As ACL injuries continue to reflect high incidence rates, the continued optimization of current risk reduction programs, and the exercises contained within them, is warranted. The exercises must evolve to align with new etiology data, but there is concern that the exercises do not fully reflect the complexity of ACL injury mechanisms. It was outside the scope of this review to address each possible inciting event, rather the effort was directed at the elements more closely associated with the end point of movement during the injury mechanism. OBJECTIVE: To examine if exercises designed to reduce the risk of ACL injury reflect key injury mechanisms: multiplanar movement, single limb stance, trunk and hip dissociative control, and a flight phase. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was performed using PubMed, Medline, EBSCO (CINAHL), SPORTSDiscus, and PEDro databases. STUDY SELECTION: Eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) randomized controlled trials or prospective cohort studies, (2) male and/or female participants of any age, (3) exercises were targeted interventions to prevent ACL/knee injuries, and (4) individual exercises were listed and adequately detailed and excluded if program was unable to be replicated clinically. STUDY DESIGN: Scoping review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. DATA EXTRACTION: A total of 35 studies were included, and 1019 exercises were extracted for analysis. RESULTS: The average Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template score was 11 (range, 0-14). The majority of exercises involved bilateral weightbearing (n = 418 of 1019; 41.0%), followed by single limb (n = 345 of 1019; 33.9%) and nonweightbearing (n = 256 of 1019; 25.1%). Only 20% of exercises incorporated more than 1 plane of movement, and the majority of exercises had sagittal plane dominance. Although 50% of exercises incorporated a flight phase, only half of these also involved single-leg weightbearing. Just 16% of exercises incorporated trunk and hip dissociation, and these were rarely combined with other key exercise elements. Only 13% of exercises challenged more than 2 key elements, and only 1% incorporated all 4 elements (multiplanar movements, single limb stance, trunk and hip dissociation, flight phase) simultaneously. CONCLUSION: Many risk reduction exercises do not reflect the task-specific elements identified within ACL injury mechanisms. Addressing the underrepresentation of key elements (eg, trunk and hip dissociation, multiplanar movements) may optimize risk reduction in future trials.

A comparison of 3 methodological approaches to defining major clinically important improvement of 4 performance measures in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To establish the major clinically important improvement (MCII) of the timed up-and-go test (TUG), 40-meter self-paced walk test (40-m SPWT), 30-second chair stand (30 CST), and a 20-cm step test in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) undergoing physiotherapy treatment. As a secondary aim, a comparison of methods was employed to evaluate the effect of method on the reported MCII. BACKGROUND: Minimal clinically important difference scores are commonly used by rehabilitation professionals to determine patient response following treatment. A gold standard for calculating MCII has yet to be determined, which has resulted in problems of interpretation due to varied results. METHODS: As part of a randomized controlled trial, 65 patients were randomized into a physiotherapy treatment group for hip OA, in which they completed 4 physical performance measures at baseline and 9 weeks. Upon completion of physiotherapy, patients assessed their response to treatment on a 15-point global rating of change scale (GRCS). MCII was estimated using 3 variations of an anchor-based method, based on the patient's opinion. RESULTS: A comparison of 3 methods resulted in the following change scores being best associated with our definition of MCII: a reduction equal to or greater than 0.8, 1.4, and 1.2 seconds for the TUG; an increase equal to or greater than 0.2, 0.3, and 0.2 m/s for the 40-m SPWT; an increase equal to or greater than 2.0, 2.6, and 2.1 repetitions for the 30 CST; an increase equal to or greater than 5.0, 12.8, and 16.4 steps for the 20-cm step test. CONCLUSION: The variation in methods provided very different results. This illustrates the importance of comparing methodologies and reporting a range of values associated with the MCII, as such values vary, depending upon the methodology chosen.

Are We Able to Determine Differences in Outcomes Between Male and Female Servicemembers Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy? A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Female servicemembers sustain higher rates of lower extremity injuries as compared with their male counterparts. This can include intra-articular pathology in the hip. Female patients are considered to have worse outcomes after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement and for hip labral repair. PURPOSE: To (1) compare published rates of hip arthroscopy between male and female military servicemembers and (2) determine if there are any sex-based differences in outcomes after hip arthroscopy in the military. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: We reviewed the literature published from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2020, to identify studies in which hip arthroscopy was performed in military personnel. Clinical trials and cohort studies were included. The proportion of women within each cohort was identified, and results of any between-sex analyses were reported. RESULTS: Identified were 11 studies that met established criteria. Studies included 2481 patients, 970 (39.1%) of whom were women. Surgery occurred between January 1998 and March 2018. Despite women accounting for approximately 15% of the active-duty military force, they represented 39.1% (range, 25.7%-57.6%) of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. In most cases, there were no differences in self-reported outcomes (pain, disability, and physical function), return to duty, or medical disability status based on sex. CONCLUSION: Women account for approximately 15% of the military, but they made up 40% of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. Outcomes were not different between the sexes; however, definitive conclusions were limited by the heterogeneity of outcomes, missing data, lack of sex-specific subgroup analyses, and zero studies with sex differences as the primary outcome. A proper understanding of sex-specific outcomes after hip arthroscopy will require a paradigm shift in the design and reporting of trials in the military health system.

Do currently prescribed exercises reflect contributing pathomechanics associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome? A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: Research reports limited, mixed evidence on the effectiveness of physiotherapy management in the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. The purpose of this review was to (1) identify what therapeutic exercises are being utilized in the non-surgical management of patients with FAI syndrome; (2) map the extent to which reported exercises reflect contributory pathomechanics associated with FAI syndrome. DESIGN: Scoping Review. METHODS: MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and PEDRO electronic databases were searched for studies that implemented a non-surgical, exercise-based treatment approach in patients with FAI syndrome. Exercises were extracted and analyzed according to elements recognized as contributing to the pathomechanics associated with FAI syndrome. RESULTS: 24 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 453 exercises were extracted. Uniplanar exercises accounted for 338/453 or 74.6% of all reported exercises whereas triplanar exercises accounted for 21/453 or 4.6% of all exercises. Non-weight bearing exercises accounted for 220/453 or 48.6% of all exercises. CONCLUSION: The majority of therapeutic exercises were classified as sagittal, uniplanar exercises, utilizing a concentric exercise approach. These findings highlight that exercises utilizing triplanar, eccentric hip control, in a single limb weightbearing position are considerably underrepresented.

Do exercises for patellofemoral pain reflect common injury mechanisms? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Current best evidence has reported that therapeutic exercise programs that are designed to treat patellofemoral pain (PFP) should include both hip and knee specific exercises. The purpose of this review was to (1) examine the quality/comprehensiveness of exercise reporting in this field; (2) quantify the extent to which individual exercises comprised task-specific elements (single limb stance; eccentric control of the hip; rotational z-axis control) most likely to address key pathomechanics associated with PFP. DESIGN: Systematic review: a systematic survey of RCTs. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and SPORT Discus databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that addressed PFP utilizing a proximal control hip focused rehabilitation paradigm. The therapeutic exercise programs were evaluated, and each individual exercise was extracted for analysis. Quality assessments included the PEDro Scale and the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) was utilized to score the reporting of the interventions. RESULTS: 19 studies were included in the final analysis. 178 total exercises were extracted from the proximal hip and knee rehabilitation programs. The exercises were analyzed for the inclusion of elements that align with reported underlying biomechanical mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of the exercises were sagittal plane, concentric, non-weight bearing exercises, whereas multiplanar exercises, single limb weightbearing, and exercises where loading was directed around the longitudinal z-axis, were considerably under-represented. Current exercises for PFP utilize simplistic frameworks that lack progression into more task specific exercise, and are not reflective of the complex injury etiology.

Effectiveness of shoulder injury prevention programs in an overhead athletic population: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of shoulder injury prevention programs in overhead athletes. DESIGN: Systematic Review. METHODS: CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus electronic databases were searched from database inception through December 2020 for randomized controlled or prospective cohort studies that implemented shoulder injury prevention programs in overhead athletes and reported shoulder injury incidence rates. RESULTS: Seven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two studies reported on odds ratios (OR) that resulted in a reduction of shoulder injuries in overhead athletes following shoulder strengthening and flexibility exercises (OR, 0.72; 95% CI; 0.52, 0.98; OR, 0.22; 95% CI; 0.06, 0.75). One study reported on hazard ratio (HR) that resulted in a reduction of shoulder injuries following stretching of the posterior capsule (HR, 0.36; 95% CI; 0.13, 0.95). CONCLUSION: There is limited research surrounding the effectiveness of shoulder injury prevention programs in overhead athletes specific to injury reduction. Only three studies reported a favorable effect in terms of injury prevention, with only one study at low risk of bias. At present, no conclusions can be made regarding the effectiveness of shoulder injury prevention programs in the overhead athlete.