ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH02
INTRODUCTION: Exercise is one of the most effective interventions for low back pain (LBP). However, its effects vary, and not all patients experience improvement. Identifying factors that distinguish responders from non-responders could enhance therapeutic decision-making. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze differences between responders and non-responders to an exercise intervention for LBP addressed to eldercare workers, a population with high LBP prevalence. METHODS: This study analyzed data from the ReViEEW randomized controlled trial, which was effective for reducing LBP (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05050526). Participants from the experimental group and the waiting-list control group were assessed. Inclusion criteria were having ≥2 average LBP intensity at baseline on the numerical rating scale (NRS, 0-10) and completing pre-post assessments after participation in a 12-week videoconference-supervised exercise intervention. The intervention consisted of two weekly 45-minute group sessions including whole-body resistance exercises performed with bodyweight and elastic bands at moderate-high intensity. Response was defined taking into consideration a clinically significant reduction of ≥2 points on the NRS [1]. Responders vs. non-responders were compared based on adherence to the intervention, sociodemographic data, and several baseline measures of muscle performance, psychological health, work-related parameters and musculoskeletal pain (including low back, neck, shoulder and hand/wrist pain). First, between-group comparisons were done with independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests (depending on normality) for continuous variables and chi-squared tests for categorical variables. Later, variables with p<0.05 in these analyses were entered into a binary logistic regression model, with response status as the dependent variable. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 30.0.0. RESULTS: 77 participants were included (39 responders, 38 non-responders). Between-group comparisons showed that responders had higher baseline LBP intensity (4.7±1.8 vs 3.9±1.7 in 0-10 NRS; p=0.045) and lower anxious symptomatology (3.9±2.4 vs 5.1±2.4 in 0-9 Goldberg’s scale; p=0.040). Other comparisons were non-significant (p>0.05). In the logistic regression model, higher LBP intensity (OR 1.37; 95%CI 1.03-1.81) and lower anxious symptomatology (OR 0.79; 95%CI 0.64-0.97) at baseline remained significant predictors of being responders. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that baseline LBP intensity and levels of anxiety are significant predictors of response to a videoconference-supervised exercise intervention for LBP in eldercare workers. These findings suggest that tailoring interventions based on baseline characteristics could improve outcomes and enhance therapeutic decision-making for this high-risk population. References: 1. Suzuki, H., et al. (2020). Clinically significant changes in pain along the Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale in chronic low back pain. PLoS ONE, 15(3), e0229228.
Read CV Ander EspinECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH02
INTRODUCTION: Neck strength has been purported to be a modifiable risk factor in reducing the risk of sports related concussion. However, literature is sparse with most studies focusing on professional male athletes. Concussions are frequent across all playing levels and sports, particularly in adolescent and female cohorts. The neck strength profiles of these athletes are largely unknown. This study aims to describe and compare neck strength in high-school athletes across various sports. METHODS: Male and female athletes participating in rugby, football and basketball academies, were recruited from an elite sports college in England, UK. All athletes completed a standardised warm-up followed by maximal isometric neck strength testing (VALD ForceFrame). In a randomised order, participants completed one submaximal practice attempt followed by three maximal isometric contractions (3 second push with 10 second rest) in a quadrupled position for neck flexion (FLEX), extension (EXT) and side flexion (SFLEX; rugby only), with a minimum of 10 minutes between directions. Absolute peak force values (Newtons (N)) and peak force normalised to body weight (N per kilogram of bodyweight) were gathered. EXT:FLEX and left:right SFLEX ratios were calculated to describe strength for opposing musculature. Significant differences (significance p<0.05) between sexes were analysed using an independent t-test, with a one-way ANOVA used to compare sex-specific sports academies. RESULTS: 174 participants (125 males (81.0 ± 13.6 kg), 49 females (68.0 ± 13.5 kg)) from football (male n=44, female n=20), rugby (male n=49, female n=29) and basketball (male n=32) were included. Absolute and relative EXT values were greater than FLEX for both sexes and sports, with EXT:FLEX ratios of 1.39 ± 0.3N for females and 1.34 ± 0.3N for males. Males had significantly greater absolute force scores for each of the four movements compared to females as well as significantly greater normalised peak force FLEX and EXT scores (p<0.001). Both male and female rugby athletes had significantly stronger FLEX and EXT scores (absolute and normalised) compared to their football counterparts (p<0.001). In males, no differences were observed between basketball athletes and those from rugby or football for any absolute or normalised scores (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Males had significantly stronger neck strength profiles compared to females, both with absolute and normalised force production. Lower neck strength could be one reason female athletes are at increased risk of concussion compared to male counterparts. Footballers had the lowest neck strength values across all sports, especially for neck flexion. This is interesting given football is the only sport with the involvement of intentional head movements through heading a ball, predominately stressing the neck flexors. Further work needs to focus on interventions to improve neck strength to aid performance and reduce concussion risk.
Read CV Barden CraigECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH02
INTRODUCTION: The ability to dress a buttoned shirt is considered an Activity of Daily Living (ADL). These daily basic skills are considered necessary to maintain quality of life which include bathing and eating [1]. When one is unable to perform ADL’s, their quality of life decreases which negatively affects their overall health [2]. The action of dressing oneself with a buttoned shirt requires flexibility and torque of the internal and external rotators of the shoulder joint. Previous research showed that peak torque of shoulder abduction was lower in older adults than compared to younger adults when performing ADLs [3]. However, there have not been studies demonstrating a relationship between internal and external torque of the dominant shoulder rotators and shirt dressing speed in either population. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if dominant internal or external torque had a relationship with shirt dressing speed in college-aged women. METHODS: 15 college-aged females with no history of shoulder injury (age:19.5 ±1.3 years; height: 169.7 ± 8.6 cm; weight: 69.8 ± 16.1 kgs) were selected for this study. The subjects were given a specific protocol on how to dress the button shirt sleeves using both arms without buttoning, starting with both hands on the chest. Two trials were provided for their best time in seconds using a hand-held timer. A Biodex III isokinetic dynamometer was then used to assess internal and external torque of the dominant shoulder in the standing position. Two trials of six maximal repetitions followed by one maximal repetition at 120 degrees/second was assessed. Peak torque for internal and external rotation were recorded for each trial. RESULTS: Mean values of torque were analyzed (internal rotation 29.1 + 12.01 ft-lb; external rotation 15.6 + 6.99 ft-lb.). The average shirt dressing time for all subjects was 2.60 + 0.50 seconds. Pearson correlations between external torque of dominant shoulder and shirt dressing speed was (r = - 0.19; p = 0.58) compared to internal torque of the dominant shoulder (r = -0.3; p = 0.14). CONCLUSION: Our results did not determine a significant relationship between the internal or external rotators and shirt dressing speed, but internal torque values and dressing speed were moderately related. A possible explanation could be due to participants lack of consistent effort, based on the specific shirt dressing protocol that all subjects were adhered to. If subjects were given adequate practice of the shirt dressing protocol, this potentially would have resulted in a stronger significant relationship. Utilizing an older population for future studies could result in consistency of scores. 1. Edemekong PF, Bomgaars DL, Sukumaran S, Schoo C. Activities of Daily Living. 2023 Jun 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat Pearls Publishing;2024 Jan–. PMID: 29261878. 2. Mlinac ME, Feng MC. Assessment of Activities of Daily Living, Self-Care, and Independence. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016 Sep;31(6):506-16. doi: 10.1093/arclin/acw049. Epub 2016 Jul 29. PMID: 27475282. 3. Murgia A, Hortobágyi T, Wijnen A, Bruin L, Diercks R, Dekker R. Effects of age and sex on shoulder biomechanics and relative effort during functional tasks. J Biomech. 2018 Nov 16;81:132-139. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.10.001.
Read CV Andrew ShimECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH02