Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Does Not Confirm Validity of the Craig's Test.

The Craig's test is a clinical assessment used to quantify femoral version. The validity of the Craig's test has been called into question due to instances where the test exhibits relatively poor correlation with three-dimensional imaging. Our study purpose was to use dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to indirectly assess the validity of the Craig's test.

Dual-Sensing Piezoresponsive Foam for Dynamic and Static Loading.

Polymeric foams, embedded with nano-scale conductive particles, have previously been shown to display quasi-piezoelectric (QPE) properties; i.e., they produce a voltage in response to rapid deformation.

Classifying Nonspecific Low Back Pain for Better Clinical Outcomes: Current Challenges and Paths Forward.

Low back pain classification systems are structured assessments used to guide choices of more specific treatments. Classification systems examined in randomized controlled trials have limited effects on pain intensity and disability compared to nonclassified interventions. Potential reasons for the lack of efficacy include (1) failing to assess multidimensional factors that contribute to pain, (2) relying on clinician judgement, (3) low accessibility, and (4) poor classification reliability.

Wearable Nanocomposite Sensor System for Motion Phenotyping Chronic Low Back Pain: A BACPAC Technology Research Site.

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a prevalent and multifactorial ailment. No single treatment has been shown to dramatically improve outcomes for all cLBP patients, and current techniques of linking a patient with their most effective treatment lack validation. It has long been recognized that spinal pathology alters motion.

The influence of bed height as a percentage of participant height on low back forces when boosting a patient up in bed.

Background: Repositioning patients is a frequent task for healthcare workers causing substantial stress to the low back. Patient handling methodologies that reduce low back load should be used. Some studies have observed the effect of bed height on back forces using a limited range of heights.

Assessing safety and treatment efficacy of running on intervertebral discs (ASTEROID) in adults with chronic low back pain: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Poor intervertebral disc (IVD) health is associated with low back pain (LBP). This 12-week parallel randomised controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of a progressive interval running programme on IVD health and other clinical outcomes in adults with chronic LBP. Participants will be randomised to either a digitally delivered progressive interval running programme or waitlist control.

The Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program: Structure, Research Priorities, and Methods.

In 2019, the National Health Interview survey found that nearly 59% of adults reported pain some, most, or every day in the past 3 months, with 39% reporting back pain, making back pain the most prevalent source of pain, and a significant issue among adults. Often, identifying a direct, treatable cause for back pain is challenging, especially as it is often attributed to complex, multifaceted issues involving biological, psychological, and social components. Due to the difficulty in treating the true cause of chronic low back pain (cLBP), an over-reliance on opioid pain medications among cLBP patients has developed, which is associated with increased prevalence of opioid use disorder and increased risk of death.

Lateral abdominal muscles of adults with hypermobility may be partially impaired during contraction.

Background: Muscle function may be impaired in people with generalised hypermobility, yet prior studies have primarily focused on muscles within the extremities. We aimed to examine changes in lateral abdominal muscle (transversus abdominis (TrA) and the external (EO) and internal abdominal obliques (IO)) thickness and length during contraction between participants with and without hypermobility.

Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 12 participants with hypermobility and 12 age-matched, sex-matched, height-matched and weight-matched participants without hypermobility.

Accounting for Viscoelasticity When Interpreting Nano-Composite High-Deflection Strain Gauges.

High-deflection strain gauges show potential as economical and user-friendly sensors for capturing large deformations. The interpretation of these sensors is much more complex than that of conventional strain gauges due to the viscoelastic nature of strain gauges. This research endeavor developed and tested a model for interpreting sensor outputs that includes the time-dependent nature of strain gauges.

Ultrasound imaging measures of vertebral bony landmark distances are weakly to moderately correlated with intervertebral disc height as assessed by MRI.

Objectives: To assess the validity and reliability of ultrasound-derived interbony landmark distances as a proxy for MRI-derived intervertebral disc (IVD) height.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional criterion validity study. Twelve college-aged participants without current low back pain completed both MRI and ultrasound imaging of the lumbar spine in a prone position.

Accurate Prediction of Knee Angles during Open-Chain Rehabilitation Exercises Using a Wearable Array of Nanocomposite Stretch Sensors.

In this work, a knee sleeve is presented for application in physical therapy applications relating to knee rehabilitation. The device is instrumented with sixteen piezoresistive sensors to measure knee angles during exercise, and can support at-home rehabilitation methods. The development of the device is presented.

Internal and External Oblique Muscle Asymmetry in Sprint Hurdlers and Sprinters: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The abdominal muscles are vital in providing core stability for functional movements during most activities. There is a correlation between side asymmetry of these muscles and dysfunction. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare trunk muscle morphology and trunk rotational strength between sprint hurdlers, an asymmetrical sport, and sprinters, a symmetrical sport.

Quality of knee strengthening exercises performed at home deteriorates after one week.

Background: To compare the performance (as determined by lower extremity kinematics) of knee exercises in healthy middle-aged and older individuals immediately after instruction and one week later.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in a laboratory setting. Nineteen healthy volunteers (age [y] 63.

Validity of ultrasound imaging for intrinsic foot muscle cross-sectional area measurements demonstrated by strong agreement with MRI.

Purpose: Intrinsic foot muscles maintain foot structural integrity and contribute to functional movement, posture and balance. Thus, assessing intrinsic foot muscle size and strength are important. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to accurately image the individual muscles but is costly and time consuming.

Healthcare worker choice and low back force between self-chosen and highest bed height when boosting a patient up in bed.

Healthcare workers have a high rate of low back injury due to patient handling tasks. These workers receive training in patient handling methods such as adjusting bed height, but often ignore them. In this study, 35 healthcare workers completed patient boosts at a self-chosen bed height and again with the bed in a higher standardised position.

Positional release therapy and therapeutic massage reduce muscle trigger and tender points.

Objective: To determine if positional release therapy (PRT) or therapeutic massage (TM) was more effective in the treatment of trigger and tender points in the upper trapezius muscle.

Background: Trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle are common and can be painful. Trigger points are commonly treated using TM however, PRT is a novel treatment that deserves further investigation.

Classification Approaches for Treating Low Back Pain Have Small Effects That Are Not Clinically Meaningful: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine whether classification systems improve patient-reported outcomes for people with low back pain (LBP).

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Literature Search: The MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from inception to June 21, 2021.

Extended field-of-view ultrasound imaging is reliable for measuring Transversus Abdominis muscle size at rest and during contraction.

Background: The strength and size of core muscles, including the abdominal muscles, are crucial to proper function in most activities. Therefore, it is important to reliably assess these characteristics. Our primary objective was to determine if the length, thickness and cross-sectional area of the transversus abdominis (TrA) can be visualized independently from the internal and external abdominal oblique muscles using extended field of view ultrasound imaging at rest and with contraction and to establish its intra- and inter-tester reliability.

Preseason Screen Cannot Predict Injury over Three Years of College Football.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate if the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) total score, individual component test scores, or number of asymmetries can predict noncontact injury risk over three consecutive seasons of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football.

Methods: Because football teams comprise individuals with vastly different physical characteristics and playing responsibilities, we divided the subjects into three homogeneous groups based on position (big, combo, and skill). Each FMS score was assessed with regard to the total team score and by individual position groups.

Increased Joint Mobility Is Associated With Impaired Transversus Abdominis Contraction.

Mitchell, UH, Owen, PJ, Rantalainen, T, and Belavý, DL. Increased joint mobility is associated with impaired transversus abdominis contraction. J Strength Cond Res 36(9): 2472-2478, 2022-Increased joint mobility is a risk factor for joint injury, but muscle function may be able to compensate for it.

The Achilles Tendon Response to a Bout of Running is not affected by Triceps Surae Stretch Training in Runners.

An acute bout of distance running decreases Achilles tendon CSA. The purpose of this study was to examine if three-week stretch training of the Achilles tendon alters the Achilles tendon thinning response to running. Thirty-three recreational runners were divided into a control group (n = 17) and an intervention group (n = 16).

Long-term running in middle-aged men and intervertebral disc health, a cross-sectional pilot study.

Purpose: To measure intervertebral disc (IVD) health parameters in middle-aged long-term runners compared to matched non-physically active controls.

Methods: Seventeen males aged 44-62yr were included in the study: 9 runners with a running history of >10yr, averaging >50km/week, and eight matched non-physically active controls, the data from one participant had to be excluded. T2-relaxometry, diffusion weighted imaging, T1- and T2-weighted MR scanning, as well as T2 time mapping were performed.

Examining Bone, Muscle and Fat in Middle-Aged Long-Term Endurance Runners: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aerobic exercise training has many known cardiovascular benefits that may promote healthy aging. It is not known if long-term aerobic exercise training is also associated with structural benefits (e.g.