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).

Impact of Indoor Air Quality and Breathing on Back and Neck Pain: A Systematic Review.

Back pain and neck pain are important public health concerns and are among the most common and disabling conditions globally. However, the relationships among indoor air quality (IAQ), breathing parameters (pulmonary function, respiratory disorders), and back pain and neck pain have not been adequately assessed. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature about the impact of IAQ and breathing parameters on back pain and neck pain (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022380515).

Relationship of Healthy Building Determinants With Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Extremities: A Systematic Review.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a substantial societal burden and various factors affect their causation, recovery, and prognosis. Management of MSDs is complex and requires multifaceted interventions. Given the challenges of MSDs and their continued burden, it is possible that additional elements could impact these disorders that have not been fully researched, for example, indoor environmental quality.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nonpharmacological pain management trials in military and veteran healthcare settings: an evaluation informed by implementation science.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted healthcare and clinical research, including a suite of 11 pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs), across clinics within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD). These PCTs were designed to evaluate an array of nonpharmacological treatments and models of care for treatment of patients with pain and co-occurring conditions. The aims of the study are to (a) describe modifications to PCTs and interventions to address the evolving pandemic and (b) describe the application of implementation science methods for evaluation of those PCT modifications.

Relationship of Healthy Building Determinants With Back and Neck Pain: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Back pain and neck pain are very common, costly, and disabling. Healthy building determinants within the built environment have not been adequately assessed as contributors to these conditions. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature on the relationship of healthy building determinants with back and neck pain.

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.

Comprehensive Assessment of Implementation Factors Related to Worksite Exercise in Firefighters.

Objective: This study sought to identify key implementation factors to a 12-month worksite exercise intervention in career firefighters.

Methods: Implementation factors related to the hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial were assessed by exercise adherence, implementation questionnaires, focus groups, and observations from stakeholders.

Results: The primary identified implementation themes spanned intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional factors including: 1.

Economic Evaluation of an Extended Telehealth Worksite Exercise Intervention to Reduce Lost Work Time from Low Back Pain in Career Firefighters.

Purpose Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of lost work time (LWT) in firefighters and is related to poor muscle endurance. Although exercise can improve muscle endurance, it must be continued to sustain benefits, and it is unknown if it can reduce LWT. This study conducted an economic evaluation of an extended worksite exercise intervention in career firefighters.

Comparison of Supervised and Telehealth Delivery of Worksite Exercise for Prevention of Low Back Pain in Firefighters: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Objective: This study assessed worksite exercise delivered by on-site supervision (supervised) or telehealth to reduce lost work time (LWT) related to low back pain (LBP) in firefighters.

Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial assigned 264 career firefighters to supervised (n = 86) or telehealth (n = 95) back and core exercises 2×/week for 12 months, or control (n = 83).

Results: 58.

Evaluating Nutrient Intake of Career Firefighters Compared to Military Dietary Reference Intakes.

The primary goals of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) are to plan and assess nutrient intakes to promote health, reduce chronic disease, and prevent toxicity. Firefighters have unique nutrient needs compared to the public due to their job demands. The military provides the only published guidance for tactical athletes' nutrient needs.

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.

Sacroiliac Joint Hypermobility Biomechanics and What it Means for Health Care Providers and Patients.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is complex with numerous etiologies. Proper stabilization of the sacroiliac joint allows for effective transfer of loads between the trunk and the lower extremities during static and dynamic activities, while maintaining a freely nutating motion. A loss of integrity of the stabilizing soft-tissue structures inhibits the ability to transmit axial loads and creates uneven stresses on the joint and surrounding tissues.

Comparison of the firefighter candidate physical ability test to weight lifting exercises using electromyography.

Background: Muscular strength and endurance are important attributes for structural firefighting. Matching resistance exercises to firefighter job demands is not well-established.

Objective: This study compared the electromyographic (EMG) activity of major muscles during the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and weight lifting exercises in firefighters.

Low back pain in persons with lower extremity amputation: a systematic review of the literature.

Background Context: Lower extremity amputation (LEA) is associated with an elevated risk for development and progression of secondary health conditions. Low back pain (LBP) is one such condition adversely affecting function, independence, and quality of life.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to determine the strength of evidence relating the presence and severity of LBP secondary to LEA, thereby supporting the formulation of empirical evidence statements (EESs) to guide practice and future research.

Effect of Lumbar Progressive Resistance Exercise on Lumbar Muscular Strength and Core Muscular Endurance in Soldiers.

Objectives: Low back pain is common, costly, and disabling for active duty military personnel and veterans. The evidence is unclear on which management approaches are most effective. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of lumbar extensor high-intensity progressive resistance exercise (HIPRE) training versus control on improving lumbar extension muscular strength and core muscular endurance in soldiers.

Ultrasound measurements of lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size in firefighters.

Background: Firefighters have a high incidence of low back pain and injury.

Objective: To describe lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size characteristics in firefighters and to compare these characteristics to normative reference ranges.

Methods: In career firefighters without current low back pain (62 males, 7 females), ultrasonography was used to assess: L4 and L5 lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA), asymmetry, and thicknesses; and external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal thicknesses.

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.

Worksite back and core exercise in firefighters: Effect on development of lumbar multifidus muscle size.

Background: Firefighting is a dangerous occupation with a high incidence of low back pain and injury. Abnormal back muscle function and morphology has been linked to low back pain and poor physical performance. The effect of exercise training on back muscle size and symmetry has not been investigated in firefighters.

Systematic review of core muscle activity during physical fitness exercises.

A consensus has not been reached among strength and conditioning specialists regarding what physical fitness exercises are most effective to stimulate activity of the core muscles. Thus, the purpose of this article was to systematically review the literature on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of 3 core muscles (lumbar multifidus, transverse abdominis, quadratus lumborum) during physical fitness exercises in healthy adults. CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PubMed, SPORTdiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant articles using a search strategy designed by the investigators.

Use of participant focus groups to identify barriers and facilitators to worksite exercise therapy adherence in randomized controlled trials involving firefighters.

Background: Firefighters are at increased risk for back injuries, which may be mitigated through exercise therapy to increase trunk muscle endurance. However, long-term adherence to exercise therapy is generally poor, limiting its potential benefits. Focus groups can be used to identify key barriers and facilitators to exercise adherence among study participants.

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.

Body mass normalisation for ultrasound measurements of lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size.

The purpose of this study was to determine if ratio scaling or allometric scaling is the more appropriate method for normalising ultrasound measurements of lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size to body mass. In a convenience sample of 62 male career firefighters, cross-sectional area and thickness of the lumbar multifidus, as well as, thicknesses of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal muscles were assessed with ultrasonography. Ratio scaling entailed dividing muscle size by body mass, while allometric scaling entailed dividing muscle size by body mass raised to a power.

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.