Test - re-test reliability and concurrent validity of cervical active range of motion in young asymptomatic adults using a new inertial measurement unit device.

OBJECTIVES: Cervical range of motion (CROM) is one of the first things evaluated in cervical disorders. DyCare-Lynx is an inertial measurement unit device that was recently designed to measure CROM. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to test the reliability and validity of the DyCare-Lynx device for active CROM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 36 healthy individuals for the reliability study and 31 individuals for the validity study. Test-retest reliability was examined in three different days, by the same examiner with a 4 ± 1-day interval between them in all cervical movements in random order. For validity, the CROM was tested with the Zebris Motion Analysis system and DyCare-Lynx simultaneously. RESULTS: The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the DyCare-Lynx ranged from 0.54 to 0.90. The standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from 2.12°-7.65°. The smallest detectable change (SDD) ranged from 11.25% to 29.75%. The Pearson's r correlation of DyCare-Lynx with Zebris ranged from 0.655 to 0.957. CONCLUSION: DyCare-Lynx showed moderate to excellent reliability and moderate-to-high validity. Moreover, SEM was low with acceptable SDD values for all movements. Overall, it can be suggested that DyCare-Lynx is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate active CROM.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Greek version of the Knee Outcome Survey--activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS).

The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Greek version of Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS), a self-reported instrument used for patients with various knee pathological conditions including osteoarthritis. Ninety-four patients (57 males and 37 females) with a variety of pathological knee disorders and impairments being referred to physical therapy for evaluation and treatment were included in the study. For the crοss-cultural translation, a back-translation procedure was utilized by 3 bi-lingual translators. To assess test-retest reliability the patients were asked to complete the KOS-ADLS twice at initial visit; before and after physiotherapy treatment. To assess responsiveness, patients completed the KOS-ADLS at the end of all physiotherapy sessions and the score was compared with KOS-ADLS at initial (pre-treatment) visit. Finally, concurrent validity was measured by comparing the responses to the KOS-ADLS scores against the scores obtained from Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Global Rating Scale (GRS). Reliability was found satisfactory (ICC=0.97; SEM=3.03; SDD=23.05; Cronbach's alpha=0.98). Moreover, a gender subgroup analysis showed that women were more reliable than men. Minor floor/ceiling effects were detected. Concerning validity, all correlations were statistically significant, ranging from r=0.315 to r=0.741, however GRS presented higher correlations with KOS-ADLS in comparison with VAS. Finally, Greek KOS-ADLS was able to detect changes over time (standardized effect size=1.31 and standardized response mean=1.64). The Greek version of KOS-ADLS was found to be reliable, valid, responsive and comprehensible to use with patients with knee pathology.

Respiratory dysfunction in chronic neck pain patients. A pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to add weight to a hypothesis according to which patients presenting with chronic neck pain could have a predisposition towards respiratory dysfunction. Twelve patients with chronic neck pain and 12 matched controls participated in this study. Spirometric values, maximal static pressures, forward head posture and functional tests were examined in all subjects. According to the results, chronic neck patients presented with a statistically significant decreased maximal voluntary ventilation (P = 0.042) and respiratory muscle strength (Pimax and Pemax), (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Furthermore, the current study demonstrated a strong association between an increased forward head posture and decreased respiratory muscle strength in neck pateits. The connection of neck pain and respiratory function could be an important consideration in relation to patient assessment, rehabilitation and consumption of pharmacological agents.

Physiological characteristics of elite professional soccer teams of different ranking.

AIM: Few studies have examined the role of physiological characteristics of soccer teams in the finishing position in the league. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether there are differences in anthropometric characteristics, endurance, isokinetic peak torque, vertical jump height among professional soccer teams with different rank in the Greek championship. METHODS: Three soccer teams that participated in the Greek Championship participated voluntarily in the present study. The B (n=19; 26+/-4 years; 180+/-5 cm; 78+/-4.5 kg) team was among the best three teams of the National Greek league, whereas M (n=15; 24+/-4 years; 178+/-4 cm; 74.8+/-4.2 kg) and L (n=20; 23+/-3 years; 179+/-7 cm; 75.3+/-6.4 kg) teams were in the middle and last of the rank, respectively. All teams were evaluated in body fat (%), peak torque of knee extensors at 1.05 rad/s, running velocity at the lactate threshold (LT) and countermovement jump height. RESULTS: The B team, which was deemed among the best three team of the league, presented significantly (P<0.05) lower body fat (%) values, and higher peak torque of knee extensors, running velocity at the LT, and vertical jump height values in comparison to the middle and last team of the league. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that the physiological characteristics may play an important role for high soccer performance, as it is reflected from the rank order placed in the Greek championship. Especially, body fat (%), running velocity at the LT, peak torque of knee extensors and vertical jump ability could be differentiating factors for a soccer performance.

Cervical spine ROM measurements: optimizing the testing protocol by using a 3D ultrasound-based motion analysis system.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability and validity of neck range of motion (ROM) measurements. Thirty-five healthy subjects were assessed in all neck movements from two initial positions, sitting and standing, actively (open and closed eyes) and passively by using a 3D ultrasound-based motion analysis device (Zebris). Three tests were employed to assess intra-examiner reliability and two examiners used for the inter-examiner reliability. X-rays in neck flexion and extension were used to validate the Zebris system. The standing position yielded higher intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values (>0.86) with less error [smallest detectable difference (SDD)<13.8%] than sitting (ICC>0.79, SDD<14%). Passive assessment of neck ROM presented better reproducibility than active assessment with open or closed eyes in both positions. The inter-examiner reliability was moderate (ICC=0.43-0.68). The correlation between the Zebris system and X-rays was high in both flexion and extension movements. The results showed that the most reliable protocol for assessment of neck ROM is a passive measurement in the standing position. The measurements were well validiated against X-rays and the experience of the investigators must be considered before any comparison among studies is employed.