Sex differences in torque steadiness, accuracy and activation of the shoulder girdle muscles during isometric shoulder scaption.

Females present more neck/shoulder musculoskeletal disorders and have different activation strategies of the shoulder girdle muscles than males. However, the sensorimotor performance and potential sex differences are still largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in torque steadiness and accuracy during isometric shoulder scaption.

Relationship of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Musical Practice Intensity among Musicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Questionnaire Study.

Introduction: As soon as COVID-19 spread around the world, prevention and control measures were taken, such as masking and physical distancing, which changed people's routines, including musical practice among professional and amateur musicians.

Objective: This descriptive questionnaire study was designed to: 1) investigate how the pandemic affected musical practice among musicians; 2) determine how musicians remained motivated in their new routine; 3) identify the presence of pre-COVID musculoskeletal symptoms; and 4) analyze whether musculoskeletal symptoms decreased, maintained, or increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A total of 89 musicians from Brazil participated in an online survey, from August 2020 to January 2021.

Reliability of the Joint Position Sense Error Test for Women With Neck Pain and Asymptomatic Men and Women.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intra-rater between-days reliability of the joint position sense error (JPSE) test in asymptomatic men and women, as well as in women with neck pain.

Methods: Fourteen asymptomatic men and 27 women (14 asymptomatic and 13 with neck pain) participated. The JPSE test was performed during right and left cervical rotation (10 trials for each side) in 2 sessions, with at least 7 days between them.

Serratus anterior sEMG - sensor placement and test position for normalization purposes during maximal and submaximal exertions.

There is great variability regarding serratus anterior sEMG sensor placement and test positions during normalization procedures. We investigated between-trials reliability of serratus anterior sEMG, acquired at two sensor placements and four test positions, during maximal and submaximal isometric contractions. Twenty young healthy women participated.

Sex differences in postures of the upper body during a simulated work task performed above shoulder level.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if there are sex differences in postures of upper arm, upper back, head and neck after muscle fatigue induced by a simulated work task, requiring upper arm movements performed above shoulder level. Nineteen females and 18 males were evaluated. Upper arm elevation, upper back, head and neck forward flexion postures were recorded using digital inclinometers.

Does sEMG normalization change results on sex differences in the activation of the shoulder girdle muscles during a simulated work task?

The aim was to investigate if the method of normalizing surface electromyography (sEMG) can change results on sex differences in the muscular activation of the shoulder girdle muscles during a simulated work task. sEMG was recorded in 36 asymptomatic participants (17 females, 19 males) from four parts of trapezius and from serratus anterior muscles during a simulated work task. Four normalization methods, one involving maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and three involving submaximal voluntary contractions were applied.

Acute Effects of the 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test in COPD.

Background: There are few reports in the literature supporting the understanding of the physiological mechanisms of intolerance in patients with COPD to perform unsupported upper limb activities. The aims of this study were to quantify the electrical activity and oxygenation of inspiratory and upper limb muscles, and to investigate whether electromyographic manifestations of muscle fatigue are related to upper limb function as assessed by the 6-min pegboard and ring test (6PBRT) in subjects with COPD and in healthy subjects.

Methods: Thirty subjects with COPD (FEV 42.

Are there sex differences in muscle coordination of the upper girdle during a sustained motor task?

Purpose: The higher prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among women compared with men could be explained by sex-gender differences related to biological and physiological processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate sex differences in motor coordination during a sustained and repetitive motor task.

Methods: Seventeen healthy females and 21 healthy males participated.

Long-term effect of a practice-based intervention (HAPPY AUDIT) aimed at reducing antibiotic prescribing in patients with respiratory tract infections.

Objectives: Few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of educational interventions on antibiotic prescription and the results are controversial. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of a multifaceted practice-based intervention carried out 6 years earlier on current antibiotic prescription for respiratory tract infections (RTIs).

Methods: The 210 general practitioners (GPs) who completed the first two registrations in 2008 and 2009 were invited to participate in a third registration.

Normalization of the trapezius sEMG signal - a reliability study on women with and without neck-shoulder pain.

Objective: To evaluate within- and between-days reliability of two normalization methods of surface electromyography (sEMG) recordings of the trapezius muscle.

Methods: Nineteen women were allocated into 2 groups (healthy and with neck-shoulder pain). The sEMG was recorded in two sessions with 7 days in between sessions.

Can exposure variation be promoted in the shoulder girdle muscles by modifying work pace and inserting pauses during simulated assembly work?

This study investigated the acute effects of changing the work pace and implementing two pause types during an assembly task. Eighteen healthy women performed a simulated task in four different conditions: 1) slow or 2) fast work pace with 3) passive or 4) active pauses every two minutes. The root mean square (RMS) and exposure variation analysis (EVA) from the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles, as well as the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) from the neck-shoulder region, were observed.

The coordination of shoulder girdle muscles during repetitive arm movements at either slow or fast pace among women with or without neck-shoulder pain.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the coordination of the shoulder girdle muscles among subjects with or without neck-shoulder pain performing repetitive arm movement at either a slow or fast pace.

Methods: Thirty female adults were allocated to one of two groups-healthy controls or cases with neck-shoulder pain. Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals from the clavicular, acromial, middle and lower trapezius portions and the serratus anterior muscles were recorded during a task performed for 20min at a slow pace and 20min at a fast pace.

Effects of active pause pattern of surface electromyographic activity among subjects performing monotonous tasks: A systematic review.

Active pauses have shown potentially beneficial effects to increase the variability of the electrical activation pattern of muscles. However, there is a lack of consensus as to how to design and implement those pauses and the processing methods of surface electromyography (EMG) data when evaluating low-level monotonous tasks. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the evidences regarding the way which active pauses have been applied, and the methods used to investigate the related EMG changes.

Effectiveness of two types of intervention on antibiotic prescribing in respiratory tract infections in Primary Care in Spain. Happy Audit Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of two types of intervention in reducing antibiotic prescribing in respiratory tract infections (RTI).

Design: Before-after audit-based study.

Setting: Primary Care centres in Spain.

[Physicians with access to point-of-care tests significantly reduce the antibiotic prescription for common cold].

Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of two levels of intervention on the antibiotic prescribing in patients with common cold.

Methods: Before and after audit-based study carried out in primary healthcare centres in Spain. General practitioners registered all the episodes of common cold during 15 working days in January and February in 2008 (preintervention).

C-reactive protein testing in patients with acute rhinosinusitis leads to a reduction in antibiotic use.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of C-reactive protein (CRP) testing on the antibiotic prescribing in patients with acute rhinosinusitis.

Methods: Audit-based study carried out in primary care centres in Spain. GPs registered episodes of rhinosinusitis during 3-week period before and after an intervention.

Interventions to reduce antibiotic prescription for lower respiratory tract infections: Happy Audit study.

This before-after study aimed to evaluate the effect of two interventions on lowering the prescription of antibiotics in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in Spain. General practitioners (GPs) registered all cases with LRTIs over 3-week periods before and after an intervention, in 2008 and 2009. Two types of intervention were considered: full-intervention group (FIG), consisting of discussion sessions of the results of the first registry, courses for GPs, guidelines, patient information leaflets, workshops on rapid tests and use of the C-reactive protein (CRP) test; GPs in the partial-intervention group (PIG) underwent all of the above interventions except for the workshop on rapid tests, and they did not have access to CRP.

Effect of two interventions on reducing antibiotic prescription in pharyngitis in primary care.

Objectives: to evaluate the effect of two interventions on reducing antibiotic prescription in pharyngitis.

Methods: a prospective, non-randomized, before-after controlled study was carried out in primary care centres throughout Spain. General practitioners (GPs) registered all cases of pharyngitis during a 3 week period before and after two types of intervention in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

[Antibiotic prescribing in respiratory tract infections and predictive factors for their use].

Objective: Happy Audit project is a European-funded survey aimed at reducing antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTI). The aim of this study is to investigate the antibiotic treatment administered for these RTIs in Spain and to find out which criteria are associated with its use.

Design: Cross-sectional study carried out in January and February 2008.