The effect of the KNEE program for Netball players on the modified Star Excursion Balance Test - a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim was to investigate the effect of the KNEE program on postural control as measured by the modified Star Excursion Balance test (mSEBT) in Australian club level netball players.

Methods: Two netball teams from Netball NSW Premier-League were recruited and randomized to complete either the KNEE program or a traditional warm-up. Cumulative, anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the mSEBT were measured for both limbs at baseline, 8-weeks, and 5-months.

Feasibility of the Archercise biofeedback device to strengthen foot musculature.

Background: Foot muscle weakness can produce foot deformity, pain and disability. Toe flexor and foot arch exercises focused on intrinsic foot muscle strength and functional control may mitigate the progression of foot deformity and disability. Ensuring correct exercise technique is challenging due to the specificity of muscle activation required to complete some foot exercises.

Reliability and correlates of cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis and the medial belly of the flexor hallucis brevis measured by ultrasound.

Background: Weakness of the intrinsic foot muscles is thought to produce deformity, disability and pain. Assessing intrinsic foot muscles in isolation is a challenge; however ultrasound might provide a solution. The aims of this study were to assess the reproducibility of assessing the size of abductor halluces (AbH) and the medial belly of flexor hallucis brevis (FHBM) muscles, and identify their relationship with toe strength, foot morphology and balance.

What are the similarities and differences between healthy people with and without pain?

Background And Aims: Knowledge of pain characteristics among the healthy population or among people with minimal pain-related disability could hold important insights to inform clinical practice and research. This study investigated pain prevalence among healthy individuals and compared psychosocial and physical characteristics between adults with and without pain.

Methods: Data were from 1,000 self-reported healthy participants aged 3-101 years (1,000 Norms Project).

Predictors of recurrent sprains after an index lateral ankle sprain: a longitudinal study.

Objective: To explore and identify the predictors of ankle sprain after an index (first) lateral ankle sprain.

Design: Prospective cohort study, Level of evidence II.

Setting: Musculoskeletal research laboratory at the University of Sydney.

Relationship between physical performance and self-reported function in healthy individuals across the lifespan.

Background: Functional outcome measures in clinical trials of musculoskeletal conditions need to be meaningful to individuals.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between physical performance and self/proxy-reported function in 1000 healthy children and adults.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study (1000 Norms Project).

Reference values and factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in healthy adolescents and adults.

Background: Insufficient attention has been given to individuals who report musculoskeletal symptoms yet experience minimal disability.

Objectives: To examine musculoskeletal symptoms among healthy individuals, and compare demographic, psychological and physical factors between individuals with and without symptoms.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Relationship between foot pain, muscle strength and size: a systematic review.

Background: Foot pain is common and disabling and thought to be associated with muscle weakness. Understanding the relationship between pain and weakness may help identify effective treatment targets.

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the relationship between foot pain and foot muscle weakness, or muscle size as a proxy for weakness.

Correlates of Perceived Ankle Instability in Healthy Individuals Aged 8 to 101 Years.

Objectives: To provide reference data for the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and to investigate the prevalence and correlates of perceived ankle instability in a large healthy population.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting: University laboratory.

Femoral Shaft Torsion in Injured and Uninjured Ballet Dancers and Its Association with Other Hip Measures: A Cross-sectional Study.

Low range femoral torsion, termed "lateral shaft torsion," has been associated with greater range of hip external rotation and turnout in dancers. It is also hypothesized that achieving greater turnout at the hip minimizes torsion at the knee, shank, ankle, and foot, and consequently reduces incidence of lower limb injuries. The primary aims of this study were to investigate: 1.

Using Balance Tests to Discriminate Between Participants With a Recent Index Lateral Ankle Sprain and Healthy Control Participants: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Context: The first step to identifying factors that increase the risk of recurrent ankle sprains is to identify impairments after a first sprain and compare performance with individuals who have never sustained a sprain. Few researchers have restricted recruitment to a homogeneous group of patients with first sprains, thereby introducing the potential for confounding.

Objective: To identify impairments that differ in participants with a recent index lateral ankle sprain versus participants with no history of ankle sprain.

1000 Norms Project: protocol of a cross-sectional study cataloging human variation.

Background: Clinical decision-making regarding diagnosis and management largely depends on comparison with healthy or 'normal' values. Physiotherapists and researchers therefore need access to robust patient-centred outcome measures and appropriate reference values. However there is a lack of high-quality reference data for many clinical measures.

Do exercises used in injury prevention programmes modify cutting task biomechanics? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: Some injury prevention programmes aim to reduce the risk of ACL rupture. Although the most common athletic task leading to ACL rupture is cutting, there is currently no consensus on how injury prevention programmes influence cutting task biomechanics. To systematically review and synthesise the scientific literature regarding the influence of injury prevention programme exercises on cutting task biomechanics.

Reliability and validity of a smartphone app to measure joint range.

In clinical and research settings, objective range of motion measurement is an essential component of lower limb assessment and treatment evaluation. One reliable tool is the digital inclinometer; however, availability and cost preclude its widespread use. Smartphone apps are now widely available, allowing smartphones to be used as an inclinometer.

Systematic review of timed stair tests.

Functional testing is particularly useful in the clinic and for making research translatable; however, finding measures relevant across ages and different conditions can be difficult. A systematic review was conducted to investigate timed stair tests as an objective measure of functional abilities and musculoskeletal integrity. Data were analyzed for their ability to differentiate between controls and patient groups and between different patient groups.

Predictors of chronic ankle instability after an index lateral ankle sprain: a systematic review.

Objectives: To identify the predictors of chronic ankle instability after an index lateral ankle sprain.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: The databases of MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, PEDro, and Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials were searched from the earliest record until May 2013.

Prevalence and impact of chronic musculoskeletal ankle disorders in the community.

Objective: To determine the point prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal ankle disorders in the community.

Design: Cross-sectional stratified (metropolitan vs regional) random sample.

Setting: General community.

Manual testing for ankle instability.

Aim: To assess inter-rater reliability of ankle manual tests. We also correlated the manual tests with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT).

Method: One ankle from each of 60 participants was assessed using four different manual tests (anterior drawer in supine and crook lying, talar tilt, inversion tilt).

Characteristics of people with recurrent ankle sprains: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: To examine whether people with recurrent ankle sprain, have specific physical and sensorimotor deficits.

Design: A systematic review of journal articles in English using electronic databases to September 2009. Included articles compared physical or sensorimotor measures in people with recurrent (≥2) ankle sprains and uninjured controls.

Impaired weight transfer persists at least four months after hip fracture and rehabilitation.

Objective: To determine whether choice stepping reaction time performance is impaired in people after hip fracture and whether different aspects of choice stepping performance improve with rehabilitation.

Design: This study includes a secondary analysis of data obtained from participants in a randomized controlled trial of exercise after hip fracture.

Setting: Data were either collected in a hospital rehabilitation unit, research institute or participant homes.

Inclusion criteria when investigating insufficiencies in chronic ankle instability.

Introduction: The development of chronic ankle instability (CAI) is the primary residual deficit after ankle joint sprain. It has been proposed that CAI is characterized by two entities, namely, mechanical instability and functional instability. Each of these entities in turn is composed of various insufficiencies.

Passive dorsiflexion flexibility after cast immobilization for ankle fracture.

Ankle fracture is frequently managed with cast immobilization, but immobilization may produce ankle contracture (loss of flexibility). We aimed to quantify recovery of ankle dorsiflexion flexibility in people treated with cast immobilization after ankle fracture, and to determine if initial orthopaedic management was associated with recovery. Ankle flexibility was measured in 150 people with plantarflexion contracture who had been referred for outpatient physical therapy following cast immobilization for ankle fracture.

Passive stretching does not enhance outcomes in patients with plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of short- and long-duration passive stretches with a control treatment for the management of plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture.

Design: Assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Hospital physical therapy outpatient departments.