ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH05
INTRODUCTION: The literature shows that sports activities improve the overall well-being of the individual, inducing the body to produce endorphins. There is a significant reduction in stress levels and an overall improvement in the perception of ones body image even among people living with disabilities. Freestyle Motocross is a sport activity, born from motocross, in which athletes perform stunts during jumps. In Italy, in 2008, the champion Vanni Odera, with a multidisciplinary team, created the "Freestyle Motocross Therapy" (FMX). An adapted version that allows people living with disabilities to get on a motorcycle with a trained rider, and ride a safe track. FMX has also been carried out with great success in hospitals, but the acute effects on participants functional capabilities have not yet been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of an FMX session on the explosive strength of the upper limbs of a sample of people living with different abilities. METHODS: Twelve people with different abilities (2 female), age 23±10.6, where recruited, received study information, signed an informed consent and completed the Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P) questionnaire, which investigates quality of life. Each person freely choose one of the three motocross events, held in Northern Italy between 15/05/2022 and 15/10/2022 , at the end of which perform the FMX. The posture on the bike was adapted to the abilities of each participant who could sit: on the side, on the tank with the legs crossed or on the passenger seat. To assess the explosive strength of the upper limbs, participants performed the medicine ball throw test (2 kg.) before (T0) and after (T1) the FMX. In both sessions, three throws were done and the best result, misured in meters, was considered. RESULTS: SAT-P shows that the quality-of-life levels of the sample are homogeneous among the participants. In the medicine ball throw, 11 out of 12 participants improved the achieved distance at T1 compared to T0; the result, expressed as mean and standard deviation, (2.62±0.91; 2.10±1.07) is statistically significant (P-Value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Data show that, in acute, the FMX experience improved explosive strength. Since we haven’t done interventions to improve muscle strength, it’s clear that results are due to a nervous system response. Moreover, caregivers reported that for a few days there were improvements in the performance of activities of daily living and mood. Although more studies are needed, it’s possible to hypothesize that FMX may be a good integration of the care pathway of people living with different abilities.
Read CV Pamela PatanèECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH05
INTRODUCTION: Lower limb amputation is known to significantly disturb body’s biomechanics. The preliminary research conducted by the authors of the present study suggests that there is a relationship both between the impact of the impairment and the impact of sitting volleyball (SV) training on the structural and functional changes in player’s body, however there is still lack of research that evaluated this issue in terms of initial playing position lateral lower limb amputation vs. no amputation. The aim of the study was to (1) identify and compare the structural (depth) and functional (ROM) state of the spinal curvatures and pelvis in the sagittal plane of able-bodied SV players and amputee SV players in terms of compensatory mechanism, (2) indicate the dominant location of the compensatory changes and the dominant model of the compensatory mechanisms in each of the analyzed groups of players, (3) identify the prevalence and location of the musculoskeletal pain and its predictors related to body’s compensatory mechanisms. METHODS: 26 elite-level SV players from 6 European countries participated in this study. They were divided into SG1 of lateral amputee SV players, SG2 of able-bodied SV players. A natural experiment method (SV game) was used in the study, followed by acute assessment of the functional changes in the spinal curvatures and theirs ROM assessed by Medi Mouse. Moreover, a Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire from the last 7 days was used to assess the prevalence and location of the musculoskeletal pain. RESULTS: Both groups were characterized by normative thoracic kyphosis, however deeper angle was observed in SG2, that simultaneously was characterized by decreased ROM both in flexion and extension. Moreover, in both groups a decreased depth of the lumbar lordosis angle and pelvis tilt (85%, 77%) were observed the most frequent, including decreased depth of theirs ROM. In SG1 statistically significant relationships were observed between years of SV training and the depth of pelvic tilt (R=(-0.58), p<0.05), while in SG2 years of SV training correlated with the depth of thoracic kyphosis angle (R=0.62, p<0.05). Shoulders pain was reported the most frequent, that was found to correlate with years of SV training (R=0.6, p<0.05) in SG1 and with the depth of pelvic tilt (R=(-0.69), p<0.01) in SG2. Furthermore, in both groups shoulders pain was found to correlate with ROM of the thoracic spine in extension(SG1) or lumbar spine in extension (SG2). CONCLUSION: The impact of the lower limb amputation on the magnitude of the anteroposterior spinal curvatures seems to be suppressed by the impact of SV performance (extrinsic compensation). Pelvic tilt and lumbar spine can be indicated as the most common location of the compensatory changes. Moreover, SV training seems to induce functional adaptations in theirs ROM. Shoulders seems to be the most frequent location of the pain, that may be associated both with sitting position and functional adaptations in the musculoskeletal structures.
Read CV Eliza GawełECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH05
INTRODUCTION: Para athletes present a broad range of sports-related injuries and illnesses, frequently encountering barriers when accessing healthcare services1. Furthermore, their diverse impairments and the specialized equipment used in competitions require individualized approaches to comprehend their overall health2. The Periodic Health Evaluation (PHE) is a valuable tool for continuously monitoring athletes’ health, screening for health conditions, and identifying barriers to athlete’s performance3. Additionally, the PHE assists in the surveillance of health problems by establishing baseline information for each athlete and providing crucial information in case of emergencies. This position statement aims to guide sports healthcare providers in the PHE for para athletes across key impairment categories: intellectual, musculoskeletal, neurological and vision. METHODS: A panel of sixteen international experts, including epidemiologists, physiotherapists, optometrists, and physicians with expertise in para athlete health, convened via videoconferences to discuss the position statement’s purpose, methods, and themes. They formed working groups to address underlying medical condition, cardiorespiratory, neuromusculoskeletal, nutritional status, mental and sleep health, concussion, and female para athlete health assessment considerations. The PHE’s effectiveness lies in its comprehensive approach. RESULTS: Health history review can provide insights into factors impacting para athlete health, inform physical assessments, and help healthcare providers understand each athlete’s needs. During the PHE, considerations should encompass the specific requirements of the sport modality and the impairment itself. The evaluation enable early interventions tailored to the athletes health history. Moreover, the PHE serves as an opportunity to educate para athletes on preventive strategies that can be integrated into their training routines, enhancing their performance and overall health. CONCLUSION: This position statement can potentially enhance clinical practice and improve the healthcare quality for para athletes, ultimately contributing to their overall health and well-being. References 1. Van de Vliet P. Let’s Talk Facts - What Healthcare Providers Really Need to Know about Paralympic Athletes. ASPETAR Sport Med J 2016;5:74–9.https://www.aspetar.com/Journal/upload/PDF/2016310103620.pdf 2. Fagher K, Forsberg A, Jacobsson J, et al. Paralympic athletes’ perceptions of their experiences of sports-related injuries, risk factors and preventive possibilities. Eur J Sport Sci 2016;16:1240–9. doi:10.1080/17461391.2016.1192689 3. Ljungqvist A, Jenoure P, Engebretsen L, et al. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Consensus Statement on periodic health evaluation of elite athletes March 2009. Br J Sports Med 2009;43:631–43. doi:10.1136/BJSM.2009.064394
Read CV Larissa PinheiroECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH05