The association of concussion history and symptom presentation in combat sport athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the concussion-related symptoms reported among combat sport athletes with and without a history of concussion, and a history of neck injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Data were collected using an online survey instrument. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and nine adult combat sport athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported 12-month concussion history and neck injury history and a 22-item symptom checklist. RESULTS: A history of concussion was reported by 19.1% of athletes, a history of neck injury was reported by 23.0%, and 13.6% reported both injuries. Neck pain was the most frequently reported symptom. Athletes with a history of injury had significantly greater proportions of 'high' total symptoms and symptom severity scores compared with athletes with no history of injury. Athletes with a history of concussion had 2.35 times higher odds of reporting 'high' total symptoms and symptoms severity scores. CONCLUSION: Athletes with a history of concussion or neck injury have greater odds of presenting with higher symptom scores. The presence of high total symptom scores and high symptom severity scores may indicate a need for further investigation into domains commonly associated with concussion.

Vitamin D supplements for trunk muscle morphology in older adults: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of vitamin D supplementation on postural muscles of the trunk is of particular interest because low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels are associated with decreased postural balance and increased risk of falls. Understanding the role of vitamin D supplementation plays in trunk muscle function of older adults is necessary, as this is a potentially modifiable factor to improve postural muscle function and decrease the risk of falling of older adults. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of 12 months of vitamin D supplementation compared with placebo, on morphology and function of the trunk muscles of adults aged 50 to 79 years with low serum 25(OH) D levels. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind clinical trial conducted between June 2010 and December 2013 in Tasmania, Australia. The clinical trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand clinical trial registration agency, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01176344; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN 12610000495022. Participants were aged 50-79 years with ongoing symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and with low serum [25(OH) D] (12.5 to 60 nmol/L, 5.2 to 24 ng/mL). Participants were randomly assigned to either monthly 50 000 IU oral vitamin D3 (n = 104) or an identical placebo (n = 113) for 24 months as per clinical trial protocol. The primary outcomes in this pre-specified secondary analysis were between-group differences in change in size of rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and lumbar multifidus muscles and function (assessed by change in thickness on contraction) of these muscles (excepting rectus abdominis) from baseline to 12 months. Muscle size was assessed using ultrasound imaging. RESULTS: Of 217 participants (mean age 63 years, 48% women), 186 (85.7%) completed the study. There were no significant between-group differences in change in size or function of the abdominal or multifidus muscles after 12 months of vitamin D supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: A monthly dose of 50 000 IU of vitamin D3 alone for 12 months does not affect the size or ability to contract trunk muscles of independent community-dwelling older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and low serum 25(OH) D levels regardless of body mass index status or degree of vitamin D deficiency. An effect of vitamin D supplementation on other aspects of trunk muscle function such as strength, power, or physical function cannot be ruled out.

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging of the abdominal muscles.

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) of the abdominal muscles is increasingly being used in the management of conditions involving musculoskeletal dysfunctions associated with the abdominal muscles, including certain types of low back and pelvic pain. This commentary provides an overview of current concepts and evidence related to RUSI of the abdominal musculature, including issues addressing the potential role of ultrasound imaging in the assessment and training of these muscles. Both quantitative and qualitative aspects associated with clinical and research applications are considered, as are the possible limitations related to the interpretation of measurements made with RUSI. Research to date has utilized a range of methodological approaches, including different transducer placements and imaging techniques. The pros and cons of the various methods are discussed, and guidelines for future investigations are presented. Potential implications and opportunities for clinical use of RUSI to enhance evidence-based practice are outlined, as are suggestions for future research to further clarify the possible role of RUSI in the evaluation and treatment of abdominal muscular morphology and function.

The use of real-time ultrasound imaging for biofeedback of lumbar multifidus muscle contraction in healthy subjects.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the provision of visual biofeedback using real-time ultrasound imaging enhances the ability to activate the multifidus muscle. BACKGROUND: Increasingly clinicians are using real-time ultrasound as a form of biofeedback when re-educating muscle activation. The effectiveness of this form of biofeedback for the multifidus muscle has not been reported. METHODS AND MEASURES: Healthy subjects were randomly divided into groups that received different forms of biofeedback. All subjects received clinical instruction on how to activate the multifidus muscle isometrically prior to testing and verbal feedback regarding the amount of multifidus contraction, which occurred during 10 repetitions (acquisition phase). In addition, 1 group received visual biofeedback (watched the multifidus muscle contract) using real-time ultrasound imaging. All subjects were reassessed a week later (retention phase). RESULTS: Subjects from both groups improved their voluntary contraction of the multifidus muscle in the acquisition phase (P<.001) and the ability to recruit the multifidus muscle differed between groups (P<.05), with subjects in the group that received visual ultrasound biofeedback achieving greater improvements. In addition, the group that received visual ultrasound biofeedback retained their improvement in performance from week 1 to week 2 (P>.90), whereas the performance of the other group decreased (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Real-time ultrasound imaging can be used to provide visual biofeedback and improve performance and retention in the ability to activate the multifidus muscle in healthy subjects.