Relationship between Spinal Range of Motion and Functional Tests in University Students: The Role of Demographic Factors.

Spinal disorders are some of the most prevalent health concerns, especially among students. Based on student demographics, this cross-sectional study evaluated the correlation between functional tests (FTs) and spinal range of motion (ROM). This study included 206 students (age = 19.85 ± 1.80 years) from the Vasile Alecsandri University of Bacau. Participants' assessments were conducted using the following tests: (i) Ott, (ii) Schober, (iii) Stibor, (iv) finger-to-floor distance, (v) lateral flexion of the cervical and lumbar spine, and (vi) flexion of the cervical spine. Correlation analyses were evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficient analysis. The results indicated a very strong relationship between lateral flexion of the lumbar spine on the left (LFLSL) and right (LFLSR) for all departments (r = 0.85 to 0.97, p < 0.05). There was a stronger relationship between FT results and spinal ROM for physical-education-department students compared to students from other departments (n = 17, r = -0.38 to 0.93, p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between FTs and spinal ROM based on age (p > 0.05). The study results provide evidence of the primary risk factors that predispose students to postural deviations. Practitioners and physiotherapists can utilize these values as a reference for potential therapeutic interventions.

Effects of Myofascial Release Techniques on Joint Range of Motion of Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Although myofascial release techniques (MRTs) are commonly used to improve athletes' range of motion (ROM), the effectiveness of MRTs may vary depending on the specific method performed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of MRTs on the ROM performance of athletes. (2) Methods: The electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant articles published up to June 2023. This study utilized the PRISMA guidelines, and four databases were searched. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the certainty of evidence was reported using the GRADE scale. The overall effect size was calculated using the robust variance estimator, and subgroup analyses were conducted using the Hotelling Zhang test. (3) Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall effect size results indicated that the myofascial release intervention had a moderate effect on ROM performance in athletes when compared to the active or passive control groups. (4) Conclusions: Alternative MRTs, such as myofascial trigger point therapy, can further improve the ROM performance of athletes. Gender, duration of intervention, and joint type may have a moderating effect on the effectiveness of MRTs.

The Relationship between Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Functional Tests Assessment in Patients with Lumbar Disk Hernia.

Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are the gold standard for diagnosing herniated discs, there are many limitations to accessing MRI scanning devices in practice. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between functional tests (the visual analog scale (VAS), the SLUMP test, the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index (SBI), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the LASEGUE test and MRI findings (LSA, IVDH L4-L5, IVDH L5-S1, DHS L4-L5, and DHS L5-S1) in patients diagnosed with disc herniation. Seventy-eight patients who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Radiologists and neurologists evaluated patients with disc herniation. After the disc hernia diagnosis, the patients were referred to a physical therapist for conservative management of the disk hernia. The physical therapists assessed the pain level and performed functional tests on patients. All statistical analyses were performed using R (Core Team) software. The correlation between the measured variables was conducted using the Pearson and Spearman tests. The study results indicated statistically significant correlations between DHS L4-L5 vertebral level and functional tests (VAS: r = 0.49, p = 0.00; SBI: r = 0.44, p = 0.00; ODI: r = 0.49, p = 0.00; LASEGUE: r = -0.48, p = 0.00; SLUMP: r = 0.50, p = 0.00). In conclusion, physiotherapists may prefer functional tests to diagnose the herniated disc, and these functional tests may contribute to performing evidence-based assessments.

Validity, Reliability, and Sensitivity of Mobile Applications to Assess Change of Direction Speed.

This study aimed to assess the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of mobile applications for assessing change-of-direction speed (CODS) performance. Thirty college athletes performed two Illinois CODS tests during one session. Assessments were carried out simultaneously using six devices (the CODTimer app, Seconds Count app, StopwatchCamera app, two analog stopwatches, and timing gates). Validity analyses included Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis, a linear regression model, and Bland-Altman plots. Reliability analyses included the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the coefficient of variation (CV%), and the paired-sample t test. Sensitivity analyses included the typical error and smallest worthwhile change (SWC). The results showed that validity, reliability, and sensitivity values were higher for the CODTimer app (r = 0.99, R2 = 0.99, mean bias = -0.03 ± 0.10, CV% = 3.21, ICC = 0.89, SWC rating: good, p = 0.84) and the Seconds Count app (r = 0.99, R2 = 0.99, mean bias = -0.03 ± 0.08, CV% = 3.28, ICC = 0.88, SWC rating: good, p = 0.84) relative to the StopwatchCamera app (r = 0.98, R2 = 0.97, mean bias = -0.11 ± 0.22, CV% = 3.43, ICC = 0.86, SWC rating: marginal, p = 0.10), Analog Stopwatch 1 (r = 0.98, R2 = 0.96, mean bias = -0.09 ± 0.42, CV% = 2.95, ICC = 0.90, SWC rating: good, p = 0.91), and Analog Stopwatch 2 (r = 0.99, R2 = 0.97, mean bias = -0.12 ± 0.88, CV% = 3.51, ICC = 0.87, SWC rating: marginal, p = 0.96). In conclusion, compared to timing gates, the CODTimer app and Seconds Count app provided lower measurement bias and higher sensitivity for assessing CODS performance.