The effects of age and physical activity status on muscle synergies when walking down slopes.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to determine whether gait control (muscle synergies) or gait stability (margin of stability (MoS)) were different between younger and older adults when walking on level or downhill slopes. Further, it sought to determine associations between either age or physical activity with muscle synergy widths.

Methods: Ten healthy younger (28.

Physical activity and associated factors in Australian women during pregnancy: A cross-sectional study.

Issue Addressed: Whilst the benefits of regular physical activity during pregnancy are well known, the few studies conducted in Australian pregnant women suggest that most do not meet recommended exercise guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and associated factors in Australian pregnant women.

Methods: A random sample of pregnant women (N = 780) of (mean [SD]) 31 (5) years of age completed a questionnaire describing weekly physical activity and sedentary behaviours.

"We are not there yet": perceptions, beliefs and experiences of healthcare professionals caring for women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain in Australia.

Background: Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a common condition worldwide. Women report being unprepared about PPGP, and state they receive little recognition and support from healthcare professionals. Situated within the Common-Sense Model and Convergent Care Theory, this study sought to gain a conceptual understanding of the perceptions, beliefs and experiences of healthcare professionals who provide routine care for women with PPGP in Australia.

Transition from upright to greater forward lean posture predicts faster acceleration during the run-to-sprint transition.

Background: Forward body lean and greater horizontal ground reaction force have been associated with being able to accelerate during running. However, kinematic features which may predict acceleration during the run-to-sprint transition have not been determined. The purpose of this study was to determine which kinematic changes occur in recreationally active adults and which kinematic features may predict greater acceleration during the run-to-sprint transition.

A scoping review on the methods of assessment and role of resilience on function and movement-evoked pain when experiencing a musculoskeletal injury.

Background: Resilience refers to an individual's ability to maintain effective functioning, by resisting, withstanding or recovering from stressors or adversity, including pain associated with physical injury (J Clin Psychol Med Settings 28:518-28, 2021). The aim of this scoping review is to determine the role of resilience in the experience of movement-evoked pain (MEP) and return to functional activity following a musculoskeletal injury.

Methods: This review conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews and the scoping review protocol of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).

The use of physical function capacity measures in the management of lower limb tendinopathy: A scoping review of expert recommendations.

Background: Physical function capacity measures are recommended as outcome measures for people with lower limb tendinopathy.

Objective: (i) Explore measures of physical function capacity recommended by experts in lower limb tendinopathy (ii) the context they were used, (ii) identify recommended criteria for exercise progression and return to sport or activity.

Design: Scoping Review.

Agreement between hand therapists and hand surgeons in the management of adults with closed metacarpal fractures.

Background: Hand therapists often work in roles which require an advanced level of experience as Advanced Scope Practitioners (ASP). However, it is not known whether clinical decisions are similar between hand therapists and surgeons when managing simple hand fractures.

Objectives: To determine the level of agreement between (i) a hand therapist and five hand surgeons and (ii) three hand therapists, for the management of adults with closed metacarpal fracture(s).

Application of Caring Life-Course Theory to explore care needs in women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

Aims: To describe the care needs of women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain based on the Caring Life-Course Theory.

Design: A descriptive qualitative research design.

Methods: Data were collected between November 2019 and February 2021 from 20 purposively selected pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain aged between 22 and 39 years in antenatal care at a tertiary hospital in Australia.

"This is hard to cope with": the lived experience and coping strategies adopted amongst Australian women with pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy.

Background: Women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) report diminished ability to perform physical activities and experience higher rates of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, than pregnant women without PPGP. Despite these physical and psychological impacts, little is known about the lived experiences of PPGP amongst Australian women and the ways in which they cope. Situated within biographical disruption and social support theories, this study sought to gain a conceptual understanding of the experience and impact of PPGP on daily life, and how women cope with this condition during pregnancy.

Does attention switching between multiple tasks affect gait stability and task performance differently between younger and older adults?

Gait stability and secondary task performance are affected by the need to share attention when dual-tasking. Further decrements may result from the need to switch attention between multiple secondary tasks. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of attention switching upon gait stability and task performance in healthy younger and older adults.

A comparison of gait stability between younger and older adults while head turning.

Head turning while walking may challenge stability by altering visual and vestibular information. Whether there are age-related changes that affect gait stability while head turning during walking remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to compare gait stability between younger and older adults immediately following a head turn while walking.

Does surface slope affect dual task performance and gait? An exploratory study in younger and older adults.

An increased risk of falling is associated with changes in gait while dual-tasking. The degree to which gait stability is altered during walking is influenced by an individual's cognitive and postural capacity, and the difficulty of the presented tasks. However, it is unknown how greater walking task difficulty affects gait stability in younger and older adults when dual-tasking.

Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Activity during Single-Leg Hopping to Exhaustion.

This study described changes in leg muscle activation characteristics during exhaustive single-leg hopping. Twenty-seven healthy men performed trials (132 hops/min) to exhaustion, without a target height, to a target height with visual feedback and target height with tactile feedback. Mean muscle activation amplitude of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) decreased during the anticipatory period while duration of MG activity was maintained when hopping to a target height and contrasted the changes during hopping without a target height.

Treatment of Asymptomatic Meningioma With Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Long-Term Follow-up With Volumetric Assessment and Clinical Outcome.

Background: Some patients are diagnosed with asymptomatic meningioma(s) after undergoing a screening CT and MRI for minor ailments or postresection.

Objective: To help clinicians in decision making for treatment of asymptomatic meningiomas.

Methods: A single center retrospective cohort study of 117 patients with 122 tumors treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS; Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden).

An International Radiosurgery Research Foundation Multicenter Retrospective Study of Gamma Ventral Capsulotomy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Background: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) across its full spectrum of severity is a psychiatric illness affecting ∼2% to 3% of the general population and results in significant functional impairment. There are few large patient series regarding Gamma ventral capsulotomy (GVC).

Objective: To evaluate clinical outcomes of severe medically refractory OCD treated with GVC.

Does muscle energy technique have an immediate benefit for women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain?

Objective: Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a common and debilitating condition. Muscle energy techniques (METs) are used in the management of PPGP. This study aimed to determine the immediate effectiveness of a MET in the management of pain in women with PPGP within a single session of physiotherapy.

Upfront Gamma Knife radiosurgery for Cushing's disease and acromegaly: a multicenter, international study.

Objective: Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) is typically used after failed resection in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) and acromegaly. Little is known about the upfront role of GKS for patients with CD and acromegaly. In this study, the authors examine the outcome of upfront GKS for patients with these functioning adenomas.

How do Australian women cope with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy? A qualitative study protocol.

Introduction: Pelvic girdle pain is commonly experienced during pregnancy and results in significant physical, psychosocial and work-related challenges. Few studies have investigated the lived experiences of pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain and their coping strategies. There is a need to develop a greater understanding of this prevalent condition among Australian women.

Repeat stereotactic radiosurgery for Cushing's disease: outcomes of an international, multicenter study.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is frequently used for Cushing's disease (CD) after failed pituitary surgery. Management of patients with persistent CD after failed SRS is complex, as the alternative therapeutic options harbor significant risks. The outcomes of repeat pituitary radiosurgery, however, have not been described.