Does Use of Face Masks Influence Pain and Performance in Musicians?

AIMS: To analyze headache and pain in the mandibular region as well as the self-perception of fatigue, difficulty and level of performance during instrumental practice when using a face mask. To analyze their influence in relation to the duration of practice. METHODS: Observational study through the completion of an online questionnaire among students and teachers in public conservatories in Spain. RESULTS: In 552 respondents (435 students, 117 teachers), the incidence of headache was 28.6%, being higher in musicians who used the face mask. Regarding jaw pain, 12.5% indicated that their pain increased since its use. However, the differences of pain in both regions and face mask use were not statistically significant. Nearly 40% of the participants indicated an increase in fatigue, tiredness and lowering of performance than before using the mask. Moreover, this percentage was between 66-74% when we analyzed the musicians who use it when playing, obtaining p<0.001 in all 3 variables. As for the duration of rehearsals, the only difference found is between jaw pain and hours/week of practice (p=0.036). CONCLUSION: The use of the face mask significantly affected the self-perception of fatigue, as well as the difficulty and performance of instrumental practice, but was not related to the occurrence of headache and jaw pain in the musicians.

Musculoskeletal pain in musicians: prevalence and risk factors - a systematic review.

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and regions of the body in which musculoskeletal injuries occur in musicians, as well as to identify risk factors related to their occurrence. Methods. A search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cinahl databases for publications between 2006 and 2020. Observational studies on the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries or their risk factors in musicians aged 18-65 years were eligible for inclusion, and the methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed. Results. In total, 31 studies on multiple instruments and 17 studies on individual instruments were included. Quality was rated as high in 65% of the studies. Lifetime prevalence of injuries ranged from 46 to 90% and current prevalence from 9 to 63%. The most common region of pain was the neck, being present in all instrument families. Being female is a predisposing factor to the appearance of musculoskeletal problems in musicians. Conclusions. Musicians frequently suffer musculoskeletal injuries. The most common regions of the body in which these injuries occur are the neck and shoulders. Numerous risk factors were found to be predisposing to musculoskeletal injuries. We note that there are fewer studies on specific instruments.

Physical activity, sitting time, neck disability and posture in workers using visual display terminals (VDT).

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain represents a major public health problem. Workers who use visual display terminals (VDT) have suffered an increase in neck pain in recent decades. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between physical activity (PA), sitting time, posture, and neck disability in a population of employed adults who use a computer at work. METHODS: In this descriptive-correlational study, 88 workers with a mean age of 48.31 years participated. All of the participants filled out the Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). The postural situation was also assessed with Posture Assessment Software (PAS/SAPO). RESULTS: A significant and inverse relationship was observed between the habit of PA practice and the Body Mass Index (BMI). A total of 59.1% of the participants have a moderate PA index. There was a statistically significant relationship between the NDI and the time that workers spend sitting in a workday. A significance level of p≤0.05 was established for all the statistical analyses. CONCLUSION: The increase in sitting time produces an increase in neck disability among workers and there are no significant differences between the level of PA and the cervical angles analyzed. The promotion of leisure-time PA and the reduction of prolonged uninterrupted sitting time at work could be one of the means to reduce musculoskeletal morbidity in the working population.

Musculoskeletal pain in musicians: does playing more than one instrument have more effect?

Objectives. Repeated instrumental practice represents a risk factor for the appearance of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). This study aimed to compare the prevalence and characteristics of PRMDs based on location, pain characteristics and number of hours of instrumental practice, in musicians who play one or more musical instruments.Methods. An observational study was conducted with music university students in Spain using a questionnaire.Results: A total of 178 musicians (41%) played a second instrument. Musicians who played only one instrument had a slightly lower mean number of pain sites (M 3.25, SD 1.93; M 3.44, SD 2.27). On the contrary, pain intensity (M 2.72, SD 2.03; M 2.23, SD 1.78 points), pain interference on mood, quality of life and instrumental practice (M 3.04, SD 2.29; M 2.80, SD 2.24 points) as well as the number of hours devoted to instrumental practice (M 21.18, SD 10.47; M 20.03, SD 12.54 h/week) is slightly higher in musicians playing a single instrument.Conclusions. Pain intensity is the only variable of those analysed that presents statistically significant differences when comparing musicians who play a single instrument with those who play a second instrument, being higher in mono-instrumental musicians.

Effects of Copenhagen Adduction Exercise on Muscle Architecture and Adductor Flexibility.

Groin injuries are one of the most prevalent in sports, especially due to the hip adductor muscles' weakness, which is considered as a risk factor. The Copenhagen adduction exercise (CAE) has been demonstrated to increase the strength of adductor muscles, but its effects on the architectural characteristics and flexibility of the adductors has been little studied. The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact on the muscular architecture and flexibility of the adductor musculature after 8 weeks of CAE-based training and after 4 weeks of subsequent detraining. A sample of 45 active subjects (26.1 ± 2.8 years old) were randomly divided into a control group with no intervention and an experimental group with an intervention based on 8 weeks of CAE training and 4 weeks of subsequent detraining. The muscle thickness of adductors was measured before and after training and detraining using ultrasound imaging and hip abduction range with goniometry. A significant increase in muscle thickness (left leg: +17.83%, d = 1.77, p < 0.001//right leg: +18.38%, d = 1.82, p < 0.001) and adductor flexibility was found in the experimental group (left leg: +7.3%, d = 0.96, p < 0.05//right leg: +7.15%, d = 0.94, p < 0.05), and after detraining, both variables returned to their initial values. These results could indicate that CAE would be a suitable strategy to modify the architecture of the adductors and thus form part of training protocols designed for the prevention and rehabilitation of muscle injuries.

Impact of High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition and Depressive Symptoms in Adults under Home Confinement.

The home confinement derived from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to drastic changes in people's habits. This situation has influenced their eating, rest, physical activity and socialization patterns, triggering changes in their mental stability. It was demonstrated that physical activity is beneficial for people's physical and mental health. By its moderate volume and requiring little space or material, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) could prove to be a valid alternative in a situation of confinement. The aim of the present study was to observe the impact of an 8-week HIIT protocol on the body composition and the depressive symptoms of adults in strict home confinement. A total of 21 healthy adults, both male and female, (35.4 ± 5.6 years old; 70.50 ± 12.1 kg; 171 ± 10 cm) were divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 11) who carried out an 8-week Tabata protocol, based upon calisthenic exercises with their own weight in their homes, and a control group (CG, n = 10) who did not carry out any systematic physical activity over the same period. Following the intervention, the EG experienced a significant reduction in percentage (t = 3.86, d = 0.57, p < 0.05) and in kg (t = 4.62, d = 0.29, p < 0.05) of body fat mass (BFM) and body fat mass index (BFMI) (t = 4.61, d = 0.31, p < 0.05), as well as a reduction in depressive symptoms (t = 6.48, d = 1.3, p < 0.05). These results indicate that HIIT is a potential public health tool that could possibly be prescribed to the population in case of future situations of home confinement.

Effects of resistance exercise in patients with spasticity: Systematic review / Efectos del ejercicio de fuerza en pacientes con espasticidad: revisión sistemática

Spasticity is a common disorder in neurological patients. It causes an involuntary or sustained activity of the muscles and it is usually accompanied by weakness and loss of function. Resistance training could thus be an interesting therapeutic tool, so the objective of this review was to analyze the current literature on this type of exercise in spasticity, strength and function in this population. For this, a search was carried out in MEDLINE, CINAHL and SCOPUS and a total of 10 randomized controlled trials were obtained to carry out the analysis. In line with other research, it appears that resistance exercise does not worsen spasticity and could also improve the strength and functionality of these patients, so its practice under appropriate professional supervision is strongly recommended.(AU)

Tratamiento y vuelta a la práctica deportiva en jóvenes con diagnóstico de espondilólisis. Revisión sistemática / Tratamento e retorno à prática esportiva em jovens com diagnóstico de espondilólise. Revisão sistemática / Treatment and return to sports practice in young people diagnosed of spondylolysis. Systematic review

Objetivo: Analizar los tratamientos aplicados en pacientes menores de edad con espondilólisis y ver su relación con la vuelta al deporte.Método: Se revisaron los artículos en inglés, español o portugués publicados entre 2015 y 2020 publicados en PubMed, Medline, Cinahl, Scopus, Sport Discuss y Web Of Science, seleccionando aquellos que reflejasen el tratamiento de espondilólisis en menores de 18 años y su vuelta al deporte. Se seleccionaron 10 artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión y fueron analizados.Conclusión: El tratamiento conservador es la primera opción para todos los pacientes con espondilólisis, pero parece ser efectivo en las etapas tempranas y progresivas, siendo la opción ideal para las espondilólisis terminales una intervención mínimamente invasiva. Ambos tratamientos deben constar de un periodo de reposo de la actividad deportiva y una rehabilitación física progresiva antes de retomarla. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the treatments applied in minor patients with spondylolysis and to see its relationship with the return to sport.Method: Articles in English, Spanish or Portuguese published between 2015 and 2020 published in PubMed, Medline, Cinahl, Scopus, Sport Discuss and Web Of Science were reviewed, selecting those that reflect the spondylolysis treatment in children under 18 years and their return to sport. 10 articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and analyzed.Conclusion: Conservative treatment is the first option for all patients with spondylolysis, but it seems to be effective in the early and progressive stages, being the ideal option for terminal spondylolysis a minimally invasive intervention. Both treatments must be consistent with a period of rest from sports activity and progressive physical rehabilitation before resuming it. (AU)

Objetivo: Analisar os tratamentos aplicados em pacientes menores com espondilólise e verificar sua relação com o retorno ao esporte.Método: Se revisaram os artigos em inglês, espanhol ou português publicados entre 2015 e 2020 publicados no PubMed, Medline, Cinahl, Scopus, Sport Discute e Web Of Science, selecionando aqueles que refletem o tratamento da espondilólise em menores de 18 anos e seu retorno a esporte. Foram selecionados e analisados ​​10 artigos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão.Conclusão: O tratamento conservador é a primeira opção para todos os pacientes com espondilólise, mas parece ser eficaz nos estágios inicial e progressivo, sendo a opção ideal para a espondilólise terminal uma intervenção minimamente invasiva. Ambos os tratamentos devem consistir em um período de descanso da atividade esportiva e da reabilitação física progressiva antes de retomar. (AU)

Effects of the Functional Heel Drop Exercise on the Muscle Architecture of the Gastrocnemius.

CONTEXT: The architectural characteristics of a muscle determine its function. OBJECTIVE: To determine the architectural adaptations of the lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles after a functional eccentric strength training protocol consisting of heel drop exercises, followed by a subsequent detraining period. DESIGN: Pretest and posttest. SETTING: Training rooms and laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: The participants (N = 45) who were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 25) and a control group (CG, n = 20). INTERVENTIONS: The 13-week intervention included participants (N = 45) who were randomly divided into an EG (n = 25) and a CG (n = 20). The EG performed a week of control and training, 8 weeks of eccentric training, and 4 weeks of detraining. The CG did not perform any type of muscular training. The architectural characteristics of the LG and MG muscles were evaluated at rest in both groups using 2-D ultrasound before (pretest-week 1) and after (posttest-week 9) the training, and at the end of the detraining period (retest-week 13). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine training-induced changes in each of the variables of the muscle architecture. RESULTS: After the training period, the members of the EG experienced a significant increase in the fascicle length of LG (t = -9.85, d = 2.78, P < .001) and MG (t = -8.98, d = 2.54, P < .001), muscle thickness (t = -6.71, d = 2.86, P < .001) and (t = -7.85, d = 2.22, P < .001), and the pennation angle (t = -10.21, d = 1.88, P < .05) and (t = -1.87, d = 0.53, P < .05), respectively. After the detraining period, fascicle length, muscle thickness, and pennation angle showed a significant decrease. In the CG, no significant changes were observed in any of the variables. CONCLUSIONS: The heel drop exercise seems to generate adaptations in the architectural conditions of LG and MG, which are also reversible after a detraining period. These results may have practical implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation programs.

Especificidad antropométrica y nivel de participación en gimnasia acrobática en función del sexo / Anthropometric specificity and level of participation in acrobatic gymnastics based on sex

Las diferencias de sexo es un aspecto muy presente en el mundo laboral y deportivo. Esto se traduce en la diferenciación de actividades deportivas, determinadas como masculinas o femeninas. De ahí que el objetivo del estudio fue analizar el nivel de participación y características morfológicas en gimnastas de acrobática y ver las diferencias en relación al sexo y rol: portor y ágil. Se analizó la participación en los Campeonatos de España entre 2011 y 2018, y se comparó medidas antropométricas, composición corporal y de proporcionalidad, en función del rol de actuación y sexo. El Comité Autonómico de Ética de Investigación de la Xunta de Galicia (España) aprobó la metodología de trabajo. Los resultados mostraron un porcentaje mucho mayor de participación en función del sexo a favor del sexo femenino en todos los campeonatos analizados. Sin embargo, el peso, índice de masa corporal y el porcentaje muscular no fueron diferentes entre sexos en ninguno de los dos roles. De las 62 variables morfológicas evaluadas, existe un mayor predominio de las diferencias en los portores que en los ágiles en relación al sexo, destacando el porcentaje de grasa.

Sex differences are a very present aspect in the world of work and sports. This translates into the differentiation of sports activities, determined as masculine or feminine. Hence, the aim of the study was to analyze the level of participation and morphological characteristics in acrobatic gymnasts and to see the differences in relation to sex and role: Base and top. Participation in the Spanish Championships between 2011 and 2018 was analyzed, and anthropometric measures, body composition and proportionality were compared, depending on the role of performance and sex. The Autonomous Committee of Research Ethics of the Xunta de Galicia (Spain) approved the work methodology. The results showed a much higher percentage of participation according to sex in favor of the female sex in all the analyzed championships. However, the weight, body mass index and muscle percentage were not different between sexes in either of the two roles. Of the 62 morphological variables evaluated, there is a greater predominance of differences in the bases than in the tops ones in relation to sex, highlighting the percentage of fat.

Anthropometric Profile in Different Event Categories of Acrobatic Gymnastics.

There is a specific anthropometric profile for each sport, which may be differentiated even in relation to the position, role or event category within each sport discipline. However, there are few studies on acrobatic gymnastics, and the goal of this work was to determine the anthropometric profile depending on the event category, as well as factors that predisposed to performance in these categories. The sample consisted of 150 gymnasts from Spain, divided into 8 groups according to the event category and the role played. The kinanthropometric measurements were taken through the procedures established by the International Society for the Advancement of Kineantropometry. The anthropometric characteristics, including body mass index, somatotype, body composition and proportionality using the Phantom stratagem were analyzed, and the results obtained from the different groups were compared. A regression analysis was performed with particular groups of gymnasts. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between groups of female tops or male bases, although differences were found between female group bases and female pair bases. It could be suggested that higher values of body height, sitting height, the minimum abdominal circumference, percentage of fat and low biliocristal breadth predispose female bases to work in pairs rather than in groups. The conclusion is that the anthropometric measurements are not decisive when guiding a gymnast toward choosing one event category or another, except for female bases.

Anthropometric profile of elite acrobatic gymnasts and prediction of role performance.

BACKGROUND: This study is aimed at determining the anthropometric profile of acrobatic gymnasts, differentiating on the basis of their role. METHODS: The sample consisted of 150 gymnasts (129 women and 21 men) from throughout Spain. The anthropometric measurements were taken according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) procedures. Morphological measurements, proportionality and somatotype were analyzed in both groups. A comparative analysis between groups and a prediction model were used to analyze the specific profile of each role. RESULTS: All morphological measurements showed significant differences (P<0.05) between tops and bases, the latter presenting higher values. The endomorphic element of the bases presented higher values than the tops, for whom the ectomorphy scores were higher. Bases have an endo-mesomorphic somatotype and tops present a balanced mesomorphic. There are no mesomorphy differences between the tops and bases. BMI was significantly higher in the bases (BMI=20.28 kg/m2). Proportionality differences between roles are shown. Both roles present negatives values for almost all variables studied except for the trochlear condyle of the humerus, the bicondyle of the femur and the wrist bistyloid breadth in tops and the wrist bistyloid breadth, the upper arm relaxed girths and maximum calf in bases. The best prediction model included thigh girth as the best explanatory covariate of role performance. CONCLUSIONS: Here are differences between both roles, bases being gymnasts of larger size than tops. However, they present no differences in the muscular component, as it might be expected.

Índices de proporcionalidad y composición corporal de la élite de gimnasia acrobática / Proportionality indices and body composition of elite acrobatic gymnasts

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los índices de proporcionalidad y la composición corporal de la Gimnasia Acrobática estableciéndose una diferenciación en función del rol. La muestra fue compuesta por 150 gimnastas de toda España. Se realizó el análisis y la comparación de los diferentes índices de proporcionalidad y la composición corporal en ambos grupos (ágiles y portores). El porcentaje de grasa fue significativamente (p<0,001) superior en los portores (15,1% de grasa), mientras que el porcentaje óseo fue mayor en los ágiles (19,82%). En cuanto a los índices de proporcionalidad no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos roles. Se aprecian diferencias significativas en relación al porcentaje de grasa y óseo entre los ágiles y los portores, siendo el porcentaje graso inferior en los ágiles y el óseo inferior en los portores. Ambos grupos se caracterizan por tener extremidades superiores cortas, siendo las inferiores largas en los ágiles e intermedias en los portores. Ambos roles presentan un tronco intermedio y de forma intermedia.

The study is aimed at determining the proportionality indices and body composition in Acrobatic Gymnastics, establishing a differentiation according to the role to be performed. The sample consisted of 150 gymnasts from throughout Spain. Several proportionality indices and the body composition were analyzed in both groups (tops and bases). A comparative analysis between groups was also carried out. The percentage of body fat was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the bases (15.1% fat), whereas the percentage of bone mass was higher in the tops (19.82%). Regarding the proportionality indices, there were no significant differences between the two roles. However, significant differences were observed with respect to the percentage of body fat and bone mass between the tops and bases, the percentage of body fat being lower in the tops and that of bone mass being lower in the bases. Tops and bases are characterized by short upper limbs; however, tops present long lower limbs, whereas bases have intermediate lower limbs. Both roles present an intermediate trunk, of intermediate shape.