Mental health and vitality predict spinal pain in healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Despite extensive investigation of ergonomic risk factors for spinal pain in healthcare workers, limited knowledge of psychological risk factors exists. AIMS: To assess the prospective association of mental health and vitality with development of spinal pain in healthcare workers. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out involving 1950 healthcare workers from 19 hospitals in Denmark. Assessments were done at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Mental health and vitality were measured using the Short Form-36 Health Survey, while spinal pain intensity was measured using a 0-10 scale in the low-back, upper-back and neck, respectively. Cumulative logistic regressions adjusted for several confounding factors were applied, reporting risk estimates as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Using good mental health as reference, moderate (but not poor) mental health at baseline was associated with increased pain intensity in the low-back (OR: 1.41 [95% CI: 1.21-1.77]), upper-back (OR: 1.63 [95% CI: 1.31-2.02]) and neck (OR: 1.31 [95% CI: 1.07-1.61]) at 1-year follow-up. Likewise, using high vitality as reference, both moderate and low vitality at baseline were associated with increased pain intensity in the low-back (OR: 1.54 [95% CI: 1.22-1.94] and OR: 2.34 [95% CI: 1.75-3.12], respectively), upper-back (OR: 1.72 [95% CI: 1.34-2.23] and OR: 2.46 [95% CI: 1.86-3.25], respectively) and neck (OR: 1.66 [95% CI: 1.34-2.06] and OR: 2.06 [95% CI: 1.61-2.63], respectively) at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to healthcare workers with good mental health and high vitality, those with moderate mental health and low/moderate vitality, respectively, were more likely to increase spinal pain intensity at 1-year follow-up. These components should also be considered in the prevention of spinal pain in healthcare workers.

Regional Hypertrophy: The Effect of Exercises at Long and Short Muscle Lengths in Recreationally Trained Women.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the role of exercises' resistance profile in regional hypertrophy. Thirty-eight healthy women completed a 9-week resistance training program consisting of either 4 sets of 12 repetitions to volitional failure of inclined bicep curls (INC group) or preacher curls (PREA group), three times per week. Pre- and post-intervention muscle thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasound imaging with a linear-array transducer. Scan acquisition sites were determined by measuring 50%, 60% and 70% of the distance between the posterior crest of the acromion and the olecranon. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. No region of the INC group grew when comparing pre- to post-intervention. The 70% region of the PREA group grew significantly (muscle thickness increased from 2.7 ± 0.43 cm to 2.94 ± 0.44 cm). We found no growth differences between regions when analysing per group (p = 0.274), region (p = 0.571) or group*region (p = 0.367). Our results show that the distal region of the arm grows in response to the preacher curl that places the highest amount of strain in the range of motion in which the arm muscles are more elongated.

Intelligent sitting posture classifier for wheelchair users.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in postural monitoring while seated, thus preventing the appearance of ulcers and musculoskeletal problems in the long term. To date, postural control has been carried out by means of subjective questionnaires that do not provide continuous and quantitative information. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out a monitoring that allows to determine not only the postural status of wheelchair users, but also to infer the evolution or anomalies associated with a specific disease. Therefore, this paper proposes an intelligent classifier based on a multilayer neural network for the classification of sitting postures of wheelchair users. The posture database was generated based on data collected by a novel monitoring device composed of force resistive sensors. A training and hyperparameter selection methodology has been used based on the idea of using a stratified K-Fold in weight groups strategy. This allows the neural network to acquire a greater capacity for generalization, thus allowing, unlike other proposed models, to achieve higher success rates not only in familiar subjects but also in subjects with physical complexions outside the standard. In this way, the system can be used to support wheelchair users and healthcare professionals, helping them to automatically monitor their posture, regardless physical complexions.

Effect of Baduanjin on physical functioning and balance in adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Adults with intellectual disabilities often experience mobility limitations. Baduanjin, a mindfulness-based exercise intervention, can exert positive effects on functional mobility and balance. This study examined the impact of Baduanjin on physical functioning and balance of adults with intellectual disabilities. METHOD: Twenty-nine adults with intellectual disabilities participated in the study. Eighteen received a Baduanjin intervention for 9-months; 11 participants did not receive any intervention (comparison group). Physical functioning and balance were assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and stabilometry. RESULTS: Participants in the Baduanjin group experienced significant changes in the SPPB walking test (p = .042), chair stand test (p = .015), and SPPB summary score (p = .010). No significant changes between groups were observed in any of the variables assessed at the end of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Baduanjin practice may cause significant, albeit small, improvements in physical functioning of adults with intellectual disabilities.

Relationship between strength training and shoulder pain in male and female water polo players.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of two different strength-training methods on both male and female water polo players' performance and shoulder pain. The players were randomly allocated to a maximum strength (MS: 14 males, 8 females) or power strength (PS: 13 males, 8 females) training group. Before and after the intervention, we assessed player's anthropometric characteristics, shoulder internal and external rotation strength, hand grip strength, upper body strength, countermovement jump height, throwing velocity, swimming speed, shoulder pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), wellness, and rate of perceived exertion per session. We observed no significant improvement (P<0.05) in specific skills but enhancement in hand grip strength in male players. In female players in the MS group, throwing speed and bench press weight decreased significantly (P<0.05). Shoulder external rotation strength at 240°/sec in male MS group players and shoulder external rotation strength at 60°/sec in female PS group players decreased significantly (P<0.05). In addition, from the first to the last week, shoulder pain increased significantly (P<0.05) in all players. Inverse correlations (P<0.05) were found between VAS and shoulder rotation strength in males in the PS group, and between wellness and shoulder internal rotation strength in men in the MS group and women in the PS group. We found that both MS and PS training did not enhance performance and increased shoulder pain in male and female water polo players.

Use of a passive lumbar back exoskeleton during a repetitive lifting task: effects on physiologic parameters and intersubject variability.

Objectives. This study evaluated the effects of wearing the Laevo v2.56 exoskeleton (Laevo, The Netherlands) on physiological parameters related to working load and metabolic cost (MC) during a lifting task, explored the variability in exoskeleton performance among users and determined whether perceived discomfort negatively correlates with a reduction in MC. Methods. Twenty participants completed a 4-min repetitive lifting task with/without the exoskeleton. Respiratory gases, heart rate, blood lactate and ratings of perceived exertion and experienced discomfort were collected, and MC was calculated. Results. Wearing the exoskeleton significantly reduced MC and oxygen uptake during the lifting task by 4.8 and 3.8%, respectively. Workload reduction occurred in 65% of the participants. Conclusion. The Laevo v2.56 exoskeleton reduced MC and workload in a repetitive lifting task in a subject-dependent manner. Future studies should focus on identifying factors that could cause performance variability such as user-robot interaction forces.

The role of exercise selection in regional Muscle Hypertrophy: A randomized controlled trial.

There is emerging evidence suggesting that muscle growth is not homogeneous through the muscle. The aim of the present study was to analyse the role of exercise selection in regional hypertrophy. Two randomly allocated groups with equal training volume and intensity performed squats in the smith machine (SMTH group) or the leg extension exercise (LEG group). Growth in proximal, central and distal regions of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles, jump height and body composition were analysed. Results show that the three regions of RF grew significantly in the participants of the LEG group (p < 0.05), while only the central region of VL grew significantly in the SMTH group (p < 0.05). In summary, this study confirms that exercise selection plays a role in regional hypertrophy. Whilst there may be still other factors that determine how muscles grow, it seems that the chosen exercises may be responsible of the differences observed in this study.

The effects of exercise variation in muscle thickness, maximal strength and motivation in resistance trained men.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of a traditional resistance training program (fixed exercises and repetition ranges) to a resistance training program where exercises and repetition ranges were randomized on a session-by-session basis on markers of muscular adaptations and intrinsic motivation. METHODS: Twenty-one resistance trained men were randomized to perform an 8-week resistance training program using either a fixed exercise selection (CON) or having exercises randomly varied each session via a computerized app. Both groups performed 3 sets of 6 exercises, with training carried out 4 times per week. RESULTS: Both conditions promoted large, statistically significant increases in the bench press and back-squat 1 repetition maximum without differences between groups. Muscle thickness (MT) measures for the individual quadriceps showed large, statistically significant increases in of the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris for both conditions, with no observed between-group differences. Although no between-group in MT were noted for the vastus intermedius, only the CON displayed significant increases from baseline. Participants in EXP showed a significant, moderate improvement in the intrinsic motivation to training, while participants in the CON group presented non-significant decreases in this variable. CONCLUSIONS: Varying exercise selection had a positive effect on enhancing motivation to train in resistance-trained men, while eliciting similar improvements in muscular adaptations.

Instrumented Crutch Tip for Monitoring Force and Crutch Pitch Angle.

In rehabilitation procedures related to the lower limbs, gait monitoring is an important source of information for the therapist. However, many of the approaches proposed in the literature require the use of uncomfortable and invasive devices. In this work, an instrumented tip is developed and detailed, which can be connected to any crutch. The instrumented tip provides objective data of the crutch motion, which, combined with patient movement data, might be used to monitor the daily activities or assess the recovery status of the patient. For that purpose, the tip integrates a two-axis inclinometer, a tri-axial gyroscope, and a force sensor to measure the force exerted on the crutch. In addition, a novel algorithm to estimate the pitch angle of the crutch is developed. The proposed approach is tested experimentally, obtaining acceptable accuracies and demonstrating the validity of the proposed lightweight, portable solution for gait monitoring.

Muscle Activation Patterns Correlate With Race Walking Economy in Elite Race Walkers: A Waveform Analysis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the association between muscle activation patterns on oxygen cost of transport in elite race walkers over the entire gait waveform. METHODS: A total of 21 Olympic race walkers performed overground walking trials at 14 km·h-1 where muscle activity of the gluteus maximus, adductor magnus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were recorded. Race walking economy was determined by performing an incremental treadmill test ending at 14 km·h-1. RESULTS: This study found that more-economical race walkers exhibit greater gluteus maximus (P = .022, r = .716), biceps femoris (P = .011, r = .801), and medial gastrocnemius (P = .041, r = .662) activation prior to initial contact and weight acceptance. In addition, during the propulsive and the early swing phase, race walkers with higher activation of the rectus femoris (P = .021, r = .798) exhibited better race walking economy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the neuromuscular system is optimally coordinated through varying muscle activation to reduce the metabolic demand of race walking. These findings highlight the importance of proximal posterior muscle activation during initial contact and hip-flexor activation during early swing phase, which are associated with efficient energy transfer. Practically, race walking coaches may find this information useful in the development of specific training strategies on technique.

Anthropometric characteristics of top-class Olympic race walkers.

BACKGROUND: Typical training programmes in elite race walkers involve high training volumes at low and moderate intensities, which have been reported to induce functional and structural adaptations at an anthropometric level. Since anthropometrical variables are closely related to movement efficiency and performance in endurance events, the aim of this study was to describe the anthropometric profile of world-class race walkers. METHODS: Twenty-nine world-class race walkers (21 men and 8 women) participated in this study. Anthropometric characteristics, including height, body mass, eight skinfolds, five girths and four bone breadths were measured. Body composition, somatotype, somatotype dispersion mean, somatotype attitudinal mean and height to weight ratio, as well as skinfolds extremity to trunk ratio were also calculated. RESULTS: Mean height, body mass and body mass index were 177.1±7.1 cm, 66.4±5.8 kg, and 21.2±1.3 kg·m2 for men and 165.6±4.5 cm, 53.6±3.7 kg, and 19.6±1.6 kg· m2 for women, respectively. Women presented greater body fat content (6.7±0.6 vs. 12.2±0.8%; very large effect), less muscle mass (65.6±4.6 vs. 61.6±2.6 kg; large effect), and were more endomorphic (large effect) than men. Men specialists in 20-km showed greater muscle mass (66.7±4.9 vs. 64.4±4.3 kg; moderate effect), and slightly higher skinfolds, girths, body fat content and were more mesomorphic than 50-km specialists (moderate effect). CONCLUSIONS: The present study expands the limited knowledge on the anthropometric characteristics and somatotype elements of elite top-class race walkers. The characterisation of the morphology of elite race walkers provides coaches a reference values to control the training development of the race walker, as well as providing reference values to improve talent identification.

Relative age effect and left-handedness in world class water polo male and female players.

Most studies of the relative age effect (RAE) refer to popular sports. In contrast, we examined to what extent the RAE is present in elite water polo players, as well as the association between handedness and RAE. For these purposes, laterality, anthropometry, month of birth, performance and playing position of participants in the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships (623 women, 622 men) were analised. No RAE was observed in the total sample. However, the proportion of male left-handed field players born in the first quarter (11%) was lower than those born in the second (35.3%) and fourth quarter (29.4%). Regarding the overall laterality, the amount of left handed players was similar to the general population (10%). Nevertheless, there was a larger amount of left-handed wings than expected both in men (23.7%) and women (34.4%). Left-handed male players performed more shots, shots/minute and also scored more goals than right-handed players. Women left-handed players were younger and they performed more shots/minute. There is no RAE in elite male and female water polo players. However, laterality could be a possible moderator of the RAE particularly in left handed players, which should be taken into account in future studies.

Associations of Anthropometric Characteristics, Dietary Habits, and Aerobic Capacity With Cardiovascular Risk Factors of Health-Science Students.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to study the relative importance of dietary habits and aerobic capacity in parameters related to cardiovascular risk in 271 female and 95 male health-science students (mean age = 19.1 ± 1.4 years). In females, fatty-meat consumption predicted triglycerides (ß = .649, p < .001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL; ß = -.242, p = .001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL; ß = .373, p < .001) cholesterol levels. Consumption of nuts, legumes, and complex carbohydrates predicted triglyceride (ß = -.099, p = .074), HDL (ß = .231, p = .001), and LDL (ß = -.155, p = .025) levels, respectively. Aerobic capacity (ß = -.245, p < .001) and fatty-meat intake (ß = .230, p < .001) predicted diastolic blood pressure (BP); body mass index (BMI) predicted systolic BP (ß = .340, p < .001). In males, body fat percentage was the strongest predictor of triglycerides (ß = .348, p = .004), cholesterol (ß = .366, p = .006), HDL (ß = -.378, p = .004), and LDL (ß = .271, p = .043) levels. Aerobic capacity (ß = -.263, p = .013) and fatty-meat consumption (ß = .334, p = .005) independently predicted triglyceride levels. Nut (ß = -.286, p = .013) and fatty-meat intake (ß = .361, p = .002) predicted systolic BP, while BMI predicted diastolic BP (ß = .209, p = .045). As health sciences students, these participants are future health professionals; targeting such populations is important for chronic disease prevention.

Effects of a capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy on physiological and biomechanical parameters in recreational runners: A randomized controlled crossover trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the effects of a capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy (Tecar) and passive rest on physiological and biomechanical parameters in recreational runners when performed shortly after an exhausting training session. DESIGN: Randomized controlled crossover trial. SETTING: University biomechanical research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen trained male runners MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physiological (running economy, oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio, ventilation, heart rate, blood lactate concentration) and biomechanical (step length; stride angle, height, frequency, and contact time; swing time; contact phase; support phase; push-off phase) parameters were measured during two incremental treadmill running tests performed two days apart after an exhaustive training session. RESULTS: When running at 14 km/h and 16 km/h, the Tecar treatment group presented greater increases in stride length (p < 0.001), angle (p < 0.05) and height (p < 0.001) between the first and second tests than the control group and, accordingly, greater decreases in stride frequency (p < 0.05). Physiological parameters were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that a Tecar therapy intervention enhances biomechanical parameters in recreational runners after an exhaustive training session more than passive rest, generating a more efficient running pattern without affecting selected physiological parameters.

Anthropometric Parameters, Age, and Agility as Performance Predictors in Elite Female Basketball Players.

Garcia-Gil, M, Torres-Unda, J, Esain, I, Duñabeitia, I, Gil, SM, Gil, J, and Irazusta, J. Anthropometric parameters, age, and agility as performance predictors in elite female basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1723-1730, 2018-In addition to technical, tactical, and psychological skills, performance in playing basketball depends on anthropometry and physical fitness. However, limited information is available regarding such features in women. We hypothesized that anthropometry and physical fitness are associated with female basketball performance, and consequently, performance could be predicted using the results of certain anthropometric measures and fitness tests. Body parameters (age, height, body mass, skinfold thicknesses, limb perimeters, and lengths) were measured. Physical fitness capacities (jumping, agility with and without the ball, and speed) were measured by specific tests. In addition, game performance was assessed using technical statistics (rebounds, assists, and points) and the performance index rating (PIR). Teams ranked better in the regular season had smaller mean fat skinfold thickness and spent less time in the agility tests (T-Drill). Correlation analyses indicated that players with better PIR were older, taller, and had a longer arm span and greater contracted arm perimeter (CAP). Furthermore, those players had better results in the T-Drill test. Multiple regression analysis indicated that combined age, height, CAP, fat skinfold thickness, and time in T-Drill test yielded a strong predictor of PIR per time played. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that some anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics of female elite basketball teams and players are highly associated with performance-related parameters. In addition, a regression model has been developed to predict the performance of female basketball players.

Race walking gait and its influence on race walking economy in world-class race walkers.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between biomechanical parameters of the gait cycle and race walking economy in world-class Olympic race walkers. METHODS: Twenty-One world-class race walkers possessing the Olympic qualifying standard participated in this study. Participants completed an incremental race walking test starting at 10 km·h-1, where race walking economy (ml·kg-1·km-1) and spatiotemporal gait variables were analysed at different speeds. RESULTS: 20-km race walking performance was related to race walking economy, being the fastest race walkers those displaying reduced oxygen cost at a given speed (R = 0.760, p < 0.001). Longer ground contact times, shorter flight times, longer midstance sub-phase and shorter propulsive sub-phase during stance were related to a better race walking economy (moderate effect, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the fastest race walkers were more economi cal than the lesser performers. Similarly, shorter flight times are associated with a more efficient race walking economy. Coaches and race walkers should avoid modifying their race walking style by increasing flight times, as it may not only impair economy, but also lead to disqualification.

The association between sleep quality, low back pain and disability: A prospective study in routine practice.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between sleep quality (SQ) and improvements in low back pain (LBP) and disability, among patients treated for LBP in routine practice. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 461 subacute and chronic LBP patients treated in 11 specialized centres, 14 primary care centres and eight physical therapy practices across 12 Spanish regions. LBP, leg pain, disability, catastrophizing, depression and SQ were assessed through validated questionnaires upon recruitment and 3 months later. Logistic regression models were developed to assess: (1) the association between the baseline score for SQ and improvements in LBP and disability at 3 months, and (2) the association between improvement in SQ and improvements in LBP and disability during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Seventy-three per cent of patients were subacute. Median scores at baseline were four points for both pain and disability, as assessed with a visual analog scale and the Roland-Morris Questionnaire, respectively. Regression models showed (OR [95% CI]) that baseline SQ was not associated with improvements in LBP (0.99 [0.94; 1.06]) or in disability (0.99 [0.93; 1.05]), although associations existed between 'improvement in SQ' and 'improvement in LBP' (4.34 [2.21; 8.51]), and 'improvement in SQ' and 'improvement in disability' (4.60 [2.29; 9.27]). CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in SQ is associated with improvements in LBP and in disability at 3-month follow-up, suggesting that they may reflect or be influenced by common factors. However, baseline SQ does not predict improvements in pain or disability. SIGNIFICANCE: In clinical practice, sleep quality, low back pain and disability are associated. However, sleep quality at baseline does not predict improvement in pain and disability.

The Feldenkrais Method improves functioning and body balance in people with intellectual disability in supported employment: A randomized clinical trial.

Loss of functioning and age-related health problems tend to appear earlier in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) than in their non-disabled peers. The Feldenkrais method (FM) is a movement-based form of learning that enhances body balance and physical functioning. We carried out an intervention based on Awareness Through Movement, a form of the FM. Thirty-two middle-aged (48.94±6.01years old) adults with ID who were in supported employment were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The EG received 30 Awareness Through Movement classes while the CG did not receive any movement-based intervention. Physical functioning (body balance, gait speed and chair stands) was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and balance by stabilometry. After 30 FM classes, individuals in the EG had significantly improved their chair stand test score (p<0.005) and SPPB total score (p<0.005), and reduced their sway area (p<0.05) in the stabilometric test. These results indicate that the FM could be a good tool for the prevention of loss of functioning and body balance in middle-aged individuals with ID.

Relative age effect and performance in the U16, U18 and U20 European Basketball Championships.

This study sought to determine the association of relative age and performance of young elite basketball players. The distribution of the birth dates, heights, positions, classification and performance of the male and female participants (n = 2395) of the U16, U18 and U20 European Basketball Championships were analysed. We found an over-representation of players born during the initial months of the year in all groups, with the relative age effect being more evident in players of the U16 and U18 groups, than of the U20 teams, particularly in male squads. Nevertheless, in the U20 championships, those teams that had the oldest players performed the best. In all championships, the oldest participants played more minutes. In addition, relatively older male players scored better in total points and in performance index rating when results were normalised to played time. This effect was not found for female players. Regarding playing position, different distributions of birth dates were observed due to each position's physical requirements. Thus, basketball coaches and managers should keep these results in mind when they select players because if not, they might subject players who are born towards the end of the year to a negative selection bias.