Comparison Between Disability, Physical Performance, and Other Biopsychosocial Factors in Full-Duty Career Firefighters Working With and Without Current Low Back Pain.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent and a top cause of disability-related early retirement in firefighters. Those with a lifetime history of LBP have various deficiencies that are associated with increased injury risk and absenteeism. However, the influence of working with current LBP on disability, physical performance, and other biopsychosocial factors has not been fully characterized in this population.

Work-readiness self report lift capacity test short form.

Background: The Multidimensional Task Ability Profile (MTAP) is a measure of self reported physical work capacity developed for injured workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to determine readiness to return to work.

Objective: This study compared the concurrent validity of a new short form MTAP (MTAP-SF) comprised of 16 lifting and/or carrying items with the MTAP 55-item version. The hypothesis addressed is whether the validity of a version that imposes less respondent burden (MTAP-SF) would be comparable to the more burdensome instrument (MTAP-55).

Electromyographic Analysis of the Lumbar Extensor Muscles during Dynamic Exercise on a Home Exercise Device.

Resistance exercise with devices offering mechanisms to isolate the lumbar spine is effective to improve muscle strength and clinical outcomes. However, previously assessed devices with these mechanisms are not conducive for home exercise programs. The purpose of this study was to assess the surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of the lumbar extensor muscles during dynamic exercise on a home back extension exercise device.

Validity of the Multidimensional Task Ability Profile.

Background The Multidimensional Task Ability Profile (MTAP) is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure that provides a global score linked to the physical demand characteristics of work, but needs to be validated against established measures. Purpose To assess the concurrent validity of the MTAP compared with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and Short Form 12 Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-12) questionnaires. Methods An observational study was conducted in 157 patients undergoing musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Impact of a supervised worksite exercise program on back and core muscular endurance in firefighters.

Purpose: Low back pain is a leading cause of disability in firefighters and is related to poor muscular endurance. This study examined the impact of supervised worksite exercise on back and core muscular endurance in firefighters.

Design: A cluster randomized controlled trial was used for this study.

The impact of obesity on back and core muscular endurance in firefighters.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between obesity and measures of back and core muscular endurance in firefighters. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in career firefighters without low back pain.

Development and reliability testing of Spanish language and english language versions of the multidimensional task ability profile.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the: (1) test-retest reliability of the English and Spanish language versions of the Multidimensional Task Ability Profile (MTAP), (2) cross-cultural adaptation of the Spanish language version of the MTAP, and (3) practicality of both versions in terms of time required for administration. The MTAP is a patient-reported outcome measure of physical function that uses a combination of text and pictorial illustrations.

Methods: An observational study was conducted with a convenience sample of patients with musculoskeletal disorders from three outpatient physical rehabilitation centers.

Continuous low-level heat wrap therapy for the prevention and early phase treatment of delayed-onset muscle soreness of the low back: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of continuous low-level heat wrap therapy for the prevention and early phase treatment (ie, 0-48 h postexercise) of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) of the low back.

Design: Two prospective randomized controlled trials.

Setting: Outpatient medical facility.

Treating acute low back pain with continuous low-level heat wrap therapy and/or exercise: a randomized controlled trial.

Background Context: Restorative exercise and palliative modalities are frequently used together for the treatment of acute low back pain. However, little is known about the effects of combining these treatments.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of combining continuous low-level heat wrap therapy with directional preference-based exercise on the functional ability of patients with acute low back pain.

Electromyographic activity of the trunk extensor muscles: effect of varying hip position and lumbar posture during Roman chair exercise.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hip position and lumbar posture on the surface electromyographic activity of the trunk extensors during Roman chair exercise.

Design: Descriptive, repeated measures.

Setting: University-based musculoskeletal research laboratory.

Back extension endurance and strength: the effect of variable-angle roman chair exercise training.

Study Design: A pre- and postintervention randomized, controlled trial was conducted.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of progressive resistance exercise training using a variable-angle Roman chair on the development of lumbar extensor endurance and strength.

Summary Of Background Data: Progressive resistance exercise for the lumbar extensors has been used successfully for low back pain rehabilitation, but the limitations of currently available back exercise devices have negatively affected its use.