Transtheoretical Model Is Better Predictor of Physiological Stress than Perceived Stress Scale and Work Ability Index among Office Workers.

Physical activity impacts positively on stress and anxiety. Working conditions affect the quality of life by increasing stress levels, which can affect job performance and work absence. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Work Ability Index (WAI), Transtheoretical Model (TTM), as well as heart rate variability (HRV) have been applied to monitor the state of workers in their job.

A Descriptive Analysis of Body Composition Among Forest Firefighters in Spain.

Objective: To determine the body composition profile of forest firefighters. Data were collected from 701 forest firefighters.

Methods: We have carried out this analysis using a bioimpedance scale BC-601 of the brand Tanita ISO 9001 Certified.

Executive Stress Management: Physiological Load of Stress and Recovery in Executives on Workdays.

: The use of high-performance sports technology to describe the physiological load of stress and the quality of recovery in a population of executives during the workday. : Heart rate variability values were recorded during 48 h from which the relationship between stress/recovery quality (stress balance) was obtained for three differentiated time slots: work, after work, and night in a workday. : We observed a negative stress balance during the 24 h of measurement in the course of a workday, being negative at work and after work, and positive at night.

Echographic and kinetic changes in the shoulder joint after manual wheelchair propulsion under two different workload settings.

Manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a high prevalence of shoulder pain due to the use of the upper extremity for independent mobility, transfers, and other activities of daily living. Indeed, shoulder pain dramatically affects quality of life of these individuals. There is limited evidence obtained through radiographic techniques of a relationship between the forces acting on the shoulder during different propulsion conditions and shoulder pathologies.

Comparative biomechanical analysis of gait in patients with central cord and Brown-Séquard syndrome.

Purpose: This is a pilot study with the aim to highlight the use of kinematic and kinetic analyses as an adjunct to the assessment of individual patients with central cord syndrome (CCS) and hemisection or Brown-Séquard syndrome (BSS) and to discuss their possible consequences for clinical management.

Methods: The sample studied consisted of 17 patients with CCS, 13 with BSS and 20 control subjects (control group (CG)). Data were obtained using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and two force plates.

Physical activity and transcutaneous oxygen pressure in men with spinal cord injury.

This pilot study proposed a method for assessing the status of vascular flow measured by transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) in the area of the ischium in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). In a sample of 38 men (two groups: 12 physically active and 26 sedentary) with thoracic SCI, the distribution of the physiological response of the tissues under load during sitting was assessed through analysis of ischium TcPO2 values obtained by an oximeter. TcPO2 baseline, recovery time of TcPO2 after sitting (Trec), the percentage of TcPO2 (%TcPO2) of maximum pressure TcPO2, and mechanic maximal pressure (Pmax) were evaluated.

Comparative ergonomic assessment of manual wheelchairs by paraplegic users.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to describe and test the reliability of a comprehensive product-centered approach to assessing functional performance and wheelchair user perceptions on device ergonomics and satisfaction of performance. A pilot study was implemented using this approach to evaluate differences among four manual wheelchairs.

Method: Six wheelchair users with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) at the thoracic level and with no previous upper limbs impairment were recruited for this study.

Relation between kinematic analysis of wheelchair propulsion and wheelchair functional basketball classification.

The objective was to conduct a methodological pilot study to analyze wheelchair propulsion upper limb kinematics in standard competitive play considering the functional classification of each athlete. Ten basketball players with a functional classification ranging from 1 to 4 were included in the study. Four camcorders (Kinescan-IBV) and a treadmill for wheelchairs were used.

Gait kinematic analysis in patients with a mild form of central cord syndrome.

Background: Central cord syndrome (CCS) is considered the most common incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Independent ambulation was achieved in 87-97% in young patients with CCS but no gait analysis studies have been reported before in such pathology. The aim of this study was to analyze the gait characteristics of subjects with CCS and to compare the findings with a healthy age, sex and anthropomorphically matched control group (CG), walking both at a self-selected speed and at the same speed.

Wheelchair basketball quantification.

Classification systems are one of the key elements in sports for people with disability, including wheelchair basketball. Further scientific studies to validate classification systems are needed. This article describes the most relevant research, with emphasis on biomechanics.