Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice Competence and Professional Skills Using Infographics as a Pedagogical Strategy in Health Science Students: Insights from the InfoHealth Project.

Infographics have been recognised as effective visual tools for concise and accessible communication of data and information in various higher education disciplines, particularly in medical education. However, there is a lack of research on their impact on professional skills, difficulty levels, motivation, and overall satisfaction in health science students. Thus, the present study aimed to analyse the knowledge and usage of graphical resources among health science students and evaluate their competencies, the level of challenge they encountered, and their motivation and satisfaction after completing an infographic creation activity. The InfoHealth educational innovation project, conducted by five teachers from the Faculty of Medicine, served as the context for this study, with 143 students voluntarily participating. The intervention involved students working in groups of 2-3 and selecting their own topics for the infographics while receiving instruction, online guidance, and feedback from teachers. A questionnaire was administered to assess students' perception of skill development and satisfaction with the activity. The findings revealed that schemes were the most recognized and used graphical summaries, compared to synoptic tables and Venn diagrams. The activity led to an increase in professional skills acquisition, motivation, and satisfaction, positively impacting students' interest in evidence-based practice and reinforcing their knowledge. This study highlights the potential of infographics as a pedagogical tool for competency development and student engagement in health science education, suggesting the need for further research comparing infographics with traditional study methods and involving multidisciplinary teams to promote essential skills for future clinical practice.

Effects of Blood flow Restriction and Load on Mean Propulsive Velocity and Subjective Perceived Exertion During Squat and Bench Press Exercises.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different percentages of blood flow restriction (BFR) and loads on mean propulsive velocity (MPV) and subjective perceived exertion during squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) exercises. HYPOTHESIS: Higher percentages of BFR will positively affect dependent variables, increasing MPV and reducing perceived exertion. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Eight healthy young male athletes took part. Two sets of 6 repetitions at 70% 1-repetition maximum (1RM), 2 sets of 4 repetitions at 80% 1RM, and 2 sets of 2 repetitions at 90% 1RM were performed randomly; 5-minute recoveries were applied in all sets. The varying arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) applied randomly was 0% (Control [CON]), 80%, and 100%. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in MPV were found during the BP exercise at any percentage of BFR at any percentage 1RM. During the SQ exercise, MPV results showed statistically significant increases of 5.46% (P = 0.04; ηp2 = 0.31) between CON and 100% AOP at 90% 1RM. The perceived exertion results for the BP exercise showed statistically significant reductions of -8.66% (P < 0.01; ηp2 = 0.06) between CON and 100% AOP at 90% 1RM. During the SQ exercise, the perceived exertion results showed significant reductions of -10.04% (P = 0.04; ηp2 = 0.40) between CON and 100% AOP at 80% 1RM; -5.47% (P = 0.02; ηp2 = 0.48) between CON and 80% AOP at 90% 1RM; and -11.83% (P < 0.01; ηp2 = 0.66) between CON and 100% AOP at 90% 1RM. CONCLUSION: BFR percentages ~100% AOP at 90% 1RM improved acutely MPV (only in SQ exercises) and reduced acutely perceived exertion (in both exercises). These findings are important to consider when prescribing resistance training for healthy male athletes.

Spanish Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow Score.

CONTEXT: There are no available questionnaires in Spanish that assess the function and performance of shoulder and elbow in overhead sports. The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) score is a reference tool for this purpose. We aimed to cross-culturally adapt and investigate its measurement properties in Spanish overhead athletes. DESIGN: Cross-cultural adaptation followed the steps of direct translation, back translation, comprehensibility analysis, and review by the Committee of Experts. Then, symptomatic and asymptomatic overhead athletes were invited to complete an electronic version of the Spanish adaptation (KJOC-Sp). The structural validity was evaluated through an exploratory factor analysis with principal axis factoring. Hypotheses were tested for known-groups and convergent validity, studying the correlation with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Sports Module questionnaires in symptomatic athletes. Cronbach alpha was calculated for internal consistency and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)2,1 for test-retest reliability. Floor and ceiling effects and time to completion were also calculated. RESULTS: The KJOC-Sp maintained the content of the original version and was adapted to the new population. One hundred participants (41 females and 59 males) with a mean age of 22.4 (5.9) years participated in the study of measurement properties. The factor analysis revealed a 1-factor solution. Symptomatic participants scored significantly lower than asymptomatic, with a large effect size (P < .001; r = .67). Correlations were of -.60 (P < .05) with the Shoulder and Pain Disability Index questionnaire and -0.66 (P < .05) with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Sports Module questionnaire. Cronbach alpha was .98 (95% confidence interval, .97-.98) and the ICC2,1 was .96 (95% confidence interval .93-.98). No floor or ceiling effects were observed among the symptomatic athletes, while mean time to completion was 121 seconds. CONCLUSION: The KJOC-Sp is equivalent to the original score, aside from valid and reliable, without floor or ceiling effects in symptomatic athletes and with a low time consumption.

Influence of a football match on landing biomechanics and jump performance in female football players.

This study aimed to assess the acute effect of a competitive football match on jump performance and kinematic parameters during jump landing in semiprofessional female football players. Twenty-two semiprofessional players (20 ± 3 years) underwent a drop jump task for a posterior video analysis of the landing phase. These measurements were obtained at (1) baseline, (2) after, and (3) 48 h after a competitive football match. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was employed to detect differences over the time. There was a main effect of time for maximal knee flexion angle during drop landing (p = 0.001). In comparison with baseline, maximal knee flexion angle was reduced immediately post-match and was still reduced 48 h after the match (63.4 ± 8.6 vs 57.0 ± 11.7 vs 48.9 ± 19.1, p ≤ 0.038). There was also a main effect of time for drop jump height (p < 0.001). Drop jump height was reduced immediately post-match and remained low 48 h after the match in comparison with baseline (27.3 ± 3.6 vs 24.5 ± 2.8 ~ 25.5 ± 3.0 cm, p ≤ 0.002). There was a main effect of time on hip flexion angle during landing (p = 0.001), but the pairwise comparison revealed that this variable was not affected immediately post-match but was lower 48 h after the match than at baseline (50.1 ± 10.1 ~ 50.8 ± 13.2 vs 38.1 ± 17.8 °, p ≤ 0.005). A competitive football match worsened jump performance and several landing biomechanical parameters in female football players, which were still decreased in comparison with baseline even 48 h after the match.

Psychometric Properties of the Translated Spanish Version of the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire: A Preliminary Work for Validation.

(1) Background: To develop an instrument in Spanish to assess beliefs and feelings about vaginal penetration and assess its psychometric properties. (2) Methods: This study translated and adapted the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire into Spanish, and a total of 225 women who suffered from Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder were included in the study. The psychometric properties, including construct, convergent and discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the translated version were assessed. (3) Results: The Spanish version of the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire is a valid, reliable, and consistent tool to assess beliefs and thoughts about vaginal penetration in women suffering from Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder. The exploratory factor analysis yielded four domains that explained 62.5% of the variance. Convergent and discriminant validity was also confirmed. Test-retest reliability was high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.90, a standard error of measurement of 4.21, and a minimal detectable change of 11.66 points. Every domain also showed good internal consistency levels, with Cronbach's α values ranging from 0.84 to 0.89. (4) Conclusion: The Spanish version of the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire is a valid, reliable, and consistent tool to assess vaginal penetration cognition in women suffering from Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder.

Assessing the outcomes of manual physical therapy and conventional treatment for chronic pediatric constipation: A dataset analysis of quality of life.

The dataset presented in this article was used in a pilot randomized and controlled trial that evaluated the effectiveness of manual physical therapy (MPT) compared to conventional pharmacologic treatment (CPT) for treating chronic pediatric functional constipation (CPC). The pilot trial was carried out at the Central University Hospital of Asturias in Oviedo, Spain, with 47 children between 2 and 12 years old being evaluated by a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. Participants received 9 sessions of MPT which were spaced out weekly for the first two months and bi-weekly for the third month. The Pediatric Quality of Life questionnaire (PedsQLTM) scores were assessed at the start of the trial (Time 1), its end (Time 2), and 5 years later (Time 3). The dataset contains the collected raw data, including participant demographics data and PedsQLTM scores categorized by question group, as well as total scores for each participant at each time point. This dataset can be used to further analyze the results and the study can be potentially replicated.

Validation of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-CLUTS) for Spanish-speaking children.

The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-CLUTS) is a 12-item self-administered tool to screen lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in children. The aim of this study is to translate and validate the ICIQ-CLUTS into Spanish (ICIQ-CLUTS-Sp) and to study its psychometric properties. The cross-cultural adaptation of the ICIQ-CLUTS was performed following international recommendations. The psychometric analysis of the ICIQ-CLUTS-Sp was carried out to determine the reliability, validity, and diagnostic accuracy in a sample of 155 children and parents who completed the Spanish version ICIQ-CLUTS. The reliability indicators for the ICIQ-CLUTS-Sp were excellent (Cronbach's alpha was > 0.8 and ICC > 0.9 both for children's and parents' versions). There was a high Pearson r > 0.6 and a high agreement level between children's and parents' answers (ICC > 0.6), except in 4 items. For parents, the standard error of measurement (SEm) was 0.41, and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was 1.14 points. In children, these results were 0.42 and 1.16 points, respectively. Cut-off points greater than 15 points in the parent version or 16 points in the children version have the highest sensitivity and specificity for detecting LUTS.  Conclusion: The Spanish version of the ICIQ-CLUTS questionnaire is a valid, reliable, and diagnostically accurate instrument to identify cases of children with LUTS. Therefore, it can be used to screen for lower urinary tract symptoms in Spanish speaking children and/or parents, as well as to monitor the effects of interventions. What is Known: • Lower urinary tract symptoms in children should be assessed multimodally using minimally invasive diagnostic procedures. One way to do this is to use the questionnaire to differentiate these cases in paediatric patients. • A cross-cultural adaptation of the ICIQ-CLUTS questionnaire to Spanish has not yet been done. What is New: • Based on a comprehensive validation methodology, this study highlights that the ICIQ-CLUTSSp questionnaire has good psychometric properties.

Blood Flow Restriction Training in Clinical Rehabilitation: Occlusion Pressure Methods Relative to the Limb Occlusion Pressure.

CONTEXT: Resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) has increased in clinical rehabilitation due to the substantial benefits observed in augmenting muscle mass and strength using low loads. However, there is a great variability of training pressures for clinical populations as well as methods to estimate it. The aim of this study was to estimate the percentage of maximal BFR that could result by applying different methodologies based on arbitrary or individual occlusion levels using a cuff width between 9 and 13 cm. DESIGN: A secondary analysis was performed on the combined databases of 2 previous larger studies using BFR training. METHODS: To estimate these percentages, the occlusion values needed to reach complete BFR (100% limb occlusion pressure [LOP]) were estimated by Doppler ultrasound. Seventy-five participants (age 24.32 [4.86] y; weight: 78.51 [14.74] kg; height: 1.77 [0.09] m) were enrolled in the laboratory study for measuring LOP in the thigh, arm, or calf. RESULTS: When arbitrary values of restriction are applied, a supra-occlusive LOP between 120% and 190% LOP may result. Furthermore, the application of 130% resting brachial systolic blood pressure creates a similar occlusive stimulus as 100% LOP. CONCLUSIONS: Methods using 100 mm Hg and the resting brachial systolic blood pressure could represent the safest application prescriptions as they resulted in applied pressures between 60% and 80% LOP. One hundred thirty percent of the resting brachial systolic blood pressure could be used to indirectly estimate 100% LOP at cuff widths between 9 and 13 cm. Finally, methodologies that use standard values of 200 and, 300 mm Hg far exceed LOP and may carry additional risk during BFR exercise.

Association Between COL5a1, COL11a1, and COL11a2 Gene Variations and Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy in Young Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Tendinopathy is a prevalent condition in young athletes and in older nonathletic people. Recent tendinopathy research has shown a growing interest in the role played by genetic factors, basically genes involved in collagen synthesis and regulation, in view of collagen disorganization typically present in tendon pathologies. DESIGN: A case-control, genotype-phenotype association study. SETTING: La Ribera Hospital, Valencia, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: A group of 137 young athletes (49 with rotator cuff tendon pathology and 88 healthy counterparts) who played upper-limb-loading sports were clinically and ultrasound (US) assessed for rotator cuff tendinopathy were included. INTERVENTION: Genetic analysis was performed to determine whether there was a relationship between rotator cuff pathology and the genotype. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We hypothesized that the following single nucleotide polymorphisms: COL5a1 rs12722, COL11a1 rs3753841, COL11a1 rs1676486, and COL11a2 rs1799907 would be associated with rotator cuff tendinopathy. RESULTS: A direct relationship between CC genotype and bilateral US pathological images was statistically significant (χ 2 = 0.0051) and confirmed by the Fisher test, with a correlation coefficient of 0.345 and a Cramer's v of 0.26. CONCLUSION: A significant association was found between COL5a1 rs12722 genotype and rotator cuff pathology, with the CC genotype conferring increased risk of tendon abnormalities and being associated with rotator cuff pathology.

The Impact on the Stress-Associated Autonomic Response of Physiotherapy Students Receiving Interferential Current in an Electrotherapy Training Session.

Electrical currents are didactic contents widely applied in the training of physiotherapy students, but the treatment is considered a stressful situation for both the patient who receives it and the student who applies it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress-associated autonomic response of physiotherapy students receiving interferential current by measuring and analysing heart rate variability. An observational case-control study was conducted. Ninety healthy male volunteers, all physiotherapy degree students, were enrolled while attending laboratory practice during the 2020-2021 academic year. Participants were randomly allocated to a sham electrotherapy group (44 subjects), in which heart rate variability was recorded for 10 min, both at rest and during the application of sham technique on the lower back (10 min), and an electrotherapy group (46 subjects), applying the same procedure with the electrical current flowing. Outcome measures included baseline (seated position) and postintervention (prone position) time domain parameter, diameters of the Poincaré plot 1 and 2, stress score, and sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio. The sham electrotherapy group exhibited significant increases in time domain parameter (p = 0.027) and diameters of the Poincaré plot 1 (p = 0.032), with a small effect size (d ≤ 0.5). The electrotherapy group exhibited significant increases in time domain parameter and diameters of the Poincaré plot 1 and 2 (p < 0.001) and decreases in the stress score and sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio (p < 0.001), with a large effect size (d > 0.8) other than for the time domain parameter (d = 0.42), indicating increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic activity. After interventions, there were significant differences between groups in diameters of the Poincaré plot 2 (p < 0.001), stress score (p = 0.01) and sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio (p = 0.003), with moderate effect size (d > 0.5). The application of the interferential current technique produces stress-associated autonomic response characterized by greater parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic activity. Further studies are needed to determine possible adverse effects.

Dealing with Chronic Pain: Tips to Teach Undergraduate Health Sciences Students.

Chronic pain is a significant and costly problem all over the world that negatively impacts the quality of life of sufferers. There are clear discrepancies between the prevalence of chronic pain in society and the low priority assigned to educating future physicians about the complexities of pain. This condition also occurs in other undergraduate health science students, although research in this area has not been studied as much as in medical schools. Based on the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) Pain Curriculum Outline, a systematic search of the available literature, and the authors' own experiences, we highlight some relevant tips to educate health science trainees in the management of patients with chronic pain. These tips highlight current international recommendations for a comprehensive approach to this prevalent problem in society, which should be learnt during the university training of health professionals.

Association of the ACTN3 rs1815739 Polymorphism with Physical Performance and Injury Incidence in Professional Women Football Players.

The p.R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) in the ACTN3 gene causes individuals with the XX genotype to be deficient in functional α-actinin-3. Previous investigations have found that XX athletes are more prone to suffer non-contact muscle injuries, in comparison with RR and RX athletes who produce a functional α-actinin-3 in their fast-twitch fibers. This investigation aimed to determine the influence of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism on physical performance and injury incidence of players competing in the women's Spanish first division of football (soccer). Using a cross-sectional experiment, football-specific performance and epidemiology of non-contact football-related injuries were recorded in a group of 191 professional football players. ACTN3 R577X genotype was obtained for each player using genomic DNA samples obtained through buccal swabs. A battery of physical tests, including a countermovement jump, a 20 m sprint test, the sit-and-reach test and ankle dorsiflexion, were performed during the preseason. Injury incidence and characteristics of non-contact injuries were obtained according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) statement for one season. From the study sample, 28.3% of players had the RR genotype, 52.9% had the RX genotype, and 18.8% had the XX genotype. Differences among genotypes were identified with one-way analysis of variance (numerical variables) or chi-square tests (categorical variables). Jump height (p = 0.087), sprint time (p = 0.210), sit-and-reach distance (p = 0.361), and dorsiflexion in the right (p = 0.550) and left ankle (p = 0.992) were similar in RR, RX, and XX football players. A total of 356 non-contact injuries were recorded in 144 football players while the remaining 47 did not sustain any non-contact injuries during the season. Injury incidence was 10.4 ± 8.6, 8.2 ± 5.7, and 8.9 ± 5.3 injuries per/1000 h of football exposure, without differences among genotypes (p = 0.222). Injury rates during training (from 3.6 ± 3.7 to 4.8 ± 2.1 injuries per/1000 h of training exposure, p = 0.100) and match (from 47.8 ± 9.5 to 54.1 ± 6.3 injuries per/1000 h of match exposure, p = 0.209) were also similar in RR, RX, and XX football players. The ACTN3 genotype did not affect the mode of onset, the time needed to return to play, the type of injury, or the distribution of body locations of the injuries. In summary, women football players with different genotypes of the p.R577X ACTN3 polymorphism had similar values of football-specific performance and injury incidence. From a practical perspective, the ACTN3 genotyping may not be useful to predict performance or injury incidence in professional women football players.

Review of the Quality of YouTube Videos Recommending Exercises for the COVID-19 Lockdown.

BACKGROUND: The world is experiencing a pandemic caused by COVID-19. Insufficient physical activity can increase the risk of illness. Trying to replicate a normal search that any user/patient could do in YouTube, the objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of YouTube videos related to home exercises during lockdown and their adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. METHODS: A simple search was carried out on YouTube. The first 150 videos were selected. After applying exclusion criteria, 68 videos were analyzed and evaluated. Two statistical analyses based on machine learning techniques were carried out. Videos were classified according to principal component analysis (PCA) models as 'Relevant' and 'Non-Relevant'. Popularity was assessed using the video power index (VPI). Information's quality and accuracy were gauged using the DISCERN scale and global quality score (GQS). Reliability and credibility of information that can be found on health-related websites was assessed using the Health On the Net Code (HONCode). Exercises were evaluated according to WHO recommendations. RESULTS: DISCERN, HONCode, and GQS scored a mean of 2.29, 58.95, and 2.32, respectively. The PCA calculation allowed videos to auto-classify into high- and low-quality videos. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of YouTube videos recommending exercises during lockdown is low and doesn't reflect WHO recommendations. Effective strategies and tools capable of indicating the quality of this information are needed to filter out erroneous or non-rigorous information that may affect people's health. These tools should help any user/viewer to distinguish videos of high and low quality.

The Clinical Benefits of a Dynamic vs. Static Component as Part of a Comprehensive Warm-Up for Recreational Sports Players with Clinical Histories of Hamstring Injuries: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Few previous studies have analyzed the effects of certain specific static and dynamic warm-up components on recreational sports players with a previous hamstring injury. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze changes in some modifiable and external risk factors after (immediately and in a follow-up assessment after 10 min) a static or dynamic warm-up program on recreational sports players with a previous hamstring injury. Methods: A total of 62 participants were randomized into 2 groups: static warm-up (SW) (n = 31) or dynamic warm-up (DW) (n = 31). Range of movement (RoM), perceived pain, the pressure−pain threshold, and joint position sense were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention and 10 min afterwards. The intervention for the SW (hot pack procedures in both hamstring muscles) lasted 20 min. The DW intervention consisted of a running exercise performed on a treadmill for 10 min. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant changes (p ≤ 0.05) in the primary outcomes (perceived pain and the pressure−pain threshold) at the three measurement times (this was also true for RoM for the SW group, with statistically significant differences only between times from the baseline to the 10-min follow-up; p ≤ 0.05, d = 0.23). The intra-group secondary outcome showed no statistically significant changes (p > 0.05) in both groups (except for the period from the baseline−immediately after in the DW group; p ≤ 0.05, d = 0.53). The comparison between groups showed no statistically significant differences for any of the variables analyzed. (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: The present findings suggest that both specific warm-up modalities seem to positively influence perceived pain on stretching and the pressure threshold; however, the significant reduction in the joint repositioning error and the larger effect sizes observed in the DW group suggest that this method has a greater beneficial impact in recreational sports players with clinical histories of hamstring injuries.

Desarrollo de un proceso participativo para el diagnóstico de salud comunitaria en estudiantes de la Universidad Miguel Hernández: Proyecto #beUMHealthy.

Los procesos participativos permiten analizar, comprender, debatir y promover la acción colectiva en asuntos significativos para una comunidad. Estas metodologías activas favorecen la identificación de necesidades y activos en salud para elaborar un diagnóstico de salud comunitaria y promover acciones colectivas. En este sentido, la aplicación de los procesos participativos en el contexto universitario resulta de gran interés para el fortalecimiento de las universidades como comunidades promotoras de la salud. En este trabajo se describe el desarrollo del proceso participativo #beUMHealthy, cuyo objetivo principal fue potenciar el debate sobre la salud y las iniciativas de promoción de la salud en el alumnado de la Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH). El proyecto se desarrolló entre mayo y noviembre del 2019. Se recogieron 22 participaciones mediante WhatsApp y 173 cuestionarios diligenciados en línea. Este proceso permitió identificar necesidades y activos en salud en el alumnado de la UMH y obtener propuestas para su mejora. Esta información se usará para promover acciones futuras que incrementen la salud de la comunidad universitaria.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Victorian institute of sports assessment - Hamstrings (VISA-H) questionnaire for Spanish speaking athletes with proximal hamstring tendinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To cross-culturally adapt and validate the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Hamstrings (VISA-H) scale into Spanish. DESIGN: Clinical measurement study (psychometric analysis). SETTING: Sports clubs and physiotherapy clinics. PARTICIPANTS: The Spanish version of the VISA-H (VISA-H-Sp) scale was administered to 101 subjects: 50 healthy runners and 51 patients with a clinical diagnosis of PHT. MAIN MEASURES: The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Hamstrings. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for the VISA-H-Sp was >0.8. The ICC 2,1 was 0.993 (95%CI 0.991-0.995). In the exploratory factor analysis, a one-factor solution explained 72.1% of the total variance. Athletes with PHT scored significantly lower in the VISA-H-Sp than healthy subjects (P < 0.001). The VISA-H-Sp score results in the PHT group showed significant correlations with SF-36 physical components (Spearman r'>0.6; P < 0.001), and low or non-significant association with psychological dimensions. The standard error of measurement was 1.45 whereas the minimal detectable change was 4.02 points. The responsiveness indicators included an effect size of 2.75, and a standardised response mean of 3.1 at discharge. CONCLUSION: The VISA-H-Sp shows adequate psychometric properties for assessing the severity of symptoms in Spanish-speaking athletes who suffer from PHT.

Comprehensive Lower Extremities Joints Range of Motion Profile in Futsal Players.

The purposes of this study were to describe the lower extremities joints range of motion (ROM) profile using a comprehensive approach in futsal players and to examine potential player position (goalkeepers vs. outfield players), competitive level (first [top] division vs. second division), number of playing years, sex (males vs. females), and bilateral (dominant limb vs. non-dominant limb) differences. A total of 72 male and 67 female elite futsal players from 11 clubs were measured of passive hip (flexion with knee flexed [HF KF ] and extended [HF KE ], extension [HE], abduction [HA], external [HER], and internal [HIR] rotation), knee (flexion [KF]) and ankle (dorsiflexion with knee flexed [ADF KF ] and extended [ADF KE ]) ROMs. Bayesian inferences exploring differences between player position, competitive level, sex and limb were made. A Bayesian correlation analysis was conducted to explore the influence of playing years on joints ROMs. The results showed no significant player position or competitive level related differences in any average ROM score. However, statistically significant sex-related differences were documented whereby female players reported higher hip and knee joints ROM average values than their male counterparts. Especially relevant were the proportions of males (72%) and players from teams engaged in the second division (61%) displaying limited HF KE ROMs. Likewise, around 35% of all players showed restricted ADF KF ROMs. In addition, approximately 21, 18, 22, and 25% of the futsal players were identified as having bilateral asymmetries (≥8°) for HA, HIR, HER, and KF ROMs, respectively. Finally, Bayesian correlation analysis did not report any significant association between years of playing futsal and ROM measures (all r values < 0.34). The implications that these restricted HF KE and ADF KF ROMs and bilateral asymmetries in hip (abduction, internal and external rotation) and knee (flexion) ROMs caused by the practice of futsal may have on physical performance and injury risk warrant future research.

A Field-Based Approach to Determine Soft Tissue Injury Risk in Elite Futsal Using Novel Machine Learning Techniques.

Lower extremity non-contact soft tissue (LE-ST) injuries are prevalent in elite futsal. The purpose of this study was to develop robust screening models based on pre-season measures obtained from questionnaires and field-based tests to prospectively predict LE-ST injuries after having applied a range of supervised Machine Learning techniques. One hundred and thirty-nine elite futsal players underwent a pre-season screening evaluation that included individual characteristics; measures related to sleep quality, athlete burnout, psychological characteristics related to sport performance and self-reported perception of chronic ankle instability. A number of neuromuscular performance measures obtained through three field-based tests [isometric hip strength, dynamic postural control (Y-Balance) and lower extremity joints range of motion (ROM-Sport battery)] were also recorded. Injury incidence was monitored over one competitive season. There were 25 LE-ST injuries. Only those groups of measures from two of the field-based tests (ROM-Sport battery and Y-Balance), as independent data sets, were able to build robust models [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) score ≥0.7] to identify elite futsal players at risk of sustaining a LE-ST injury. Unlike the measures obtained from the five questionnaires selected, the neuromuscular performance measures did build robust prediction models (AUC score ≥0.7). The inclusion in the same data set of the measures recorded from all the questionnaires and field-based tests did not result in models with significantly higher performance scores. The model generated by the UnderBagging technique with a cost-sensitive SMO as the base classifier and using only four ROM measures reported the best prediction performance scores (AUC = 0.767, true positive rate = 65.9% and true negative rate = 62%). The models developed might help coaches, physical trainers and medical practitioners in the decision-making process for injury prevention in futsal.

Assessment of External Load During Matches in Two Consecutive Seasons Using the Mediacoach® Video Analysis System in a Spanish Professional Soccer Team: Implications for Injury Prevention.

(1) Background: Knowledge of competition loads is a relevant aspect of injury prevention. We aimed to describe the training and match injury incidence and physical demand variables observed during a competition using a multi-camera video analysis system (Mediacoach®) (LaLigaTM, Madrid, Spain) in a professional Spanish soccer team during two consecutive seasons. (2) Methods: 30 players (age: 26.07 ± 3.78 years) participated in the study. Physical variables of 74 matches were collected retrospectively. Injury characteristics of both seasons were also collected. Differences in these variables between the two seasons and by player position and correlations between variables were explored. (3) Results: There were statistically significant differences between the two seasons in the total distance traveled and the distance traveled at a high-intensity sprint (p < 0.05). During the two seasons, there was an average of 4.7 ± 2.2 injuries. The total distance traveled was different according to the playing position, and statistically significant correlations were found in the total distance and sprint at a high intensity for certain positions with different injury severity (4) Conclusions: The match performance data recorded by the Mediacoach® system may provide relevant information by player position to technical and medical staff for injury prevention.

The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Scale for Patellar Tendinopathy (VISA-P): A Reliability Generalization Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) is a questionnaire to assess the severity of patellar tendinopathies. Its use requires good reliability indicators: internal consistency, test-retest and parallel forms. Several studies have been published examining this question, but to date the reliability of this questionnaire (meta-analysis) has not been generalized. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to generalize the reliability of the VISA-P. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus. STUDY SELECTION: Studies included were those examining the reliability coefficients of the VISA-P: Cronbach alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and parallel-forms (correlation coefficients compared with other scales). DATA EXTRACTION: All coefficients were extracted and the mean reliability was obtained using fixed- or random-effects models. Sensitivity (leave-one-out analysis) was analyzed. Quality assessment was performed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 364 scientific articles, 12 fulfilled meta-analysis criteria. The summary statistic was 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.92] for Cronbach alpha and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89-0.97) for the ICC. Parallel forms depended on the comparative test used, ranging from -0.83 to 0.68. The sensitivity analysis found an influential study for the parallel-forms reliability in the Blazina score. We were unable to analyze the asymmetry of funnel plots and meta-regression models because of the number of studies. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of VISA-P for assessing the severity of patellar tendinopathies requires greater evaluation with more scientific evidence before it can be implemented in clinical practice.