Examining exercise dependence symptomatology from a self-determination perspective

Background: Based on the theoretical propositions of Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985) this study examined whether individuals classified as “nondependent-symptomatic” and “nondependent-asymptomatic” for exercise dependence differed in terms of the level of exercise-related psychological need satisfaction and self-determined versus controlling motivation they reported. Further, we examined if the type of motivational regulations predicting exercise behaviour differed among these groups. Methods: Participants (N = 339), recruited from fitness, community, and retail settings, completed measures of exercise-specific psychological need satisfaction, motivational regulations, exercise behaviour and exercise dependence. Results: Individuals who were nondependent-symptomatic for exercise dependence reported higher levels of competence need satisfaction and all forms of motivational regulation, compared to nondependent-asymptomatic individuals. Introjected regulation approached significance as a positive predictor of strenuous exercise behaviour for symptomatic individuals. Identified regulation was a positive predictor of strenuous exercise for asymptomatic individuals. Conclusions: The findings reinforce the applicability of SDT to understanding engagement in exercise

Anterior Talofibular Ligament Abnormality on Routine Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Ankle

The anterior talo­fibular ligament (ATFL) extends from the anteroinferior border of the ­fibula to the talar neck. Primary restraint to ankle inversion in plantar‑exion. Injury (acute or chronic) can be diagnosed with physical exam, stress X-Rays, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Purpose: MRI abnormalities in asymptomatic individuals known in other areas of orthopaedics (shoulder and spine). Purpose of our study: determine the prevalence of ATFL abnormalities found on MRI in asymptomatic individuals. Asymptomatic individuals - those undergoing MRI for pathology unrelated to lateral ankle trauma, instability, or inversion injuries

Gait and trunk movement patterns of low back pain patients and healthy volunteers during supported and conventional treadmill walking

This study investigates the effects of body weight supported and conventional treadmill walking on gait and trunk motion of asymptomatic people and low back pain (LBP) patients. Forty participants, 19 LBP patients and 21 asymptomatic individuals were recruited. Significant differences were found in gait and trunk kinematic parameters between the two walking conditions, in both participant groups

Comparative cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of the osseous morphology of the temporomandibular joint in temporomandibular dysfunction patients and asymptomatic individuals

We examined the bone components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in asymptomatic individuals and patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Two hundred asymptomatic individuals and 200 patients with TMD were included in this study. Condyle position, eminence height, eminence inclination, condyle shape, and fossa shape were assessed on CBCT images of the 800 temporomandibular joints. The eminence inclination (P < 0.05), eminence height (P < 0.0001), mediolateral width of condyle (P < 0.0001), and anterior joint space (P < 0.0001) were significantly greater in male subjects compared with female subjects in both the asymptomatic group and TMD group. Comparisons of the asymptomatic group and TMD group revealed significant differences in the anterior joint space (P < 0.0001), ratio of anterior joint space to posterior joint space (P < 0.001), posterior joint space (P < 0.05), eminence inclination (P < 0.05), eminence height (P < 0.05), condyle shape (P < 0.0001), and fossa shape (P < 0.05). The present analyses suggest that a steeper articular eminence inclination may be risk factor for TMD. The presence of TMD was associated with the condyle position in the TMJ

Investigating transmission of malaria parasites to Anopheles farauti mosquitoes in Papua New Guinea

Lincoln Timinao investigated the transmission of malaria parasites between Anopheles farauti mosquitoes and symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in Papua New Guinea. He found out that there were variable immune responses from symptomatic individuals to serum replacement experiments and also confirmed that asymptomatic individuals are transmitting malaria within a community

Prognostic Value of Coronary Calcium Score in Asymptomatic Individuals: A Systematic Review

Despite updated guidelines and technological developments that allow for an accurate diagnosis, many asymptomatic individuals have a high risk of developing CAD or cardiac events. The CAC score can estimate a correct risk level for these subjects, which is clinically significant for adequate management of risk factors and obtaining personalized preventive therapy. This systematic review aims to assess the prognostic value of CAC score in asymptomatic individuals. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, a systematic literature search was performed to identify original articles since 2010 that evaluated the prognostic value of CAC score in asymptomatic individuals. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the QUIPS tool. A total of 45 articles were selected. Many of these (25 studies) evaluated the prognostic value of CAC score in asymptomatic subjects. In comparison, others (20 studies) evaluated the association of CAC score with other clinical parameters and imaging modalities or the comparison with computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA). Our findings showed that the CAC score provides valuable prognostic information for predicting CAD risk in asymptomatic individuals

Potential implications of coronary artery calcium testing for guiding aspirin use among asymptomatic individuals with diabetes.

ObjectiveIt is unclear whether coronary artery calcium (CAC) is effective for risk stratifying patients with diabetes in whom treatment decisions are uncertain.Research design and methodsOf 44,052 asymptomatic individuals referred for CAC testing, we studied 2,384 individuals with diabetes. Subjects were followed for a mean of 5.6 ± 2.6 years for the end point of all-cause mortality.ResultsThere were 162 deaths (6.8%) in the population. CAC was a strong predictor of mortality across age-groups (age &lt;50, 50-59, ≥60), sex, and risk factor burden (0 vs. ≥1 additional risk factor). In individuals without a clear indication for aspirin per current guidelines, CAC stratified risk, identifying patients above and below the 10% risk threshold of presumed aspirin benefit.ConclusionsCAC can help risk stratify individuals with diabetes and may aid in selection of patients who may benefit from therapies such as low-dose aspirin for primary prevention

Features of central sensitisation in patients with shoulder pain : A feasibility study

Design. A case-control feasibility study, comparing people with unilateral shoulder pain and pain free controls. Background. Previous studies have suggested that central sensitisation (CS) may be present in people with shoulder pain, mostly based on testing of nociception rather than mechanosensitivity, both of which can change as part of CS. Changes in mechanosensitivity are important for physiotherapy, which often involves non-noxious mechanoreceptor stimulation. Objectives. This study tested sensitivity to arangea range of mechanical stimuli potentially associated with CS in people with and without shoulder pain, compared to asymptomatic individuals. It was hypothesised that if CS was present, the response to mechanoreceptor stimulation would be increased. Methods. Both shoulders in both groups were tested for sensitivity of static and dynamic touch, vibration and punctate stimulation, plus temporal summation and pressure pain threshold (PPT). Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, pain scales, PainDETECT for neuropathic pain, and QuickDASH for upper limb function. Results. PPT was found to be significantly lower in the affected compared to the unaffected shoulders (p<0.003), but no other statistically significant between-group differences were found. Conclusion. This study found a lowered PPT in people with unilateral shoulder pain compared with asymptomatic individuals, but no evidence of a heightened response to other forms of mechanoreceptor stimulation. The study protocol was suitable for future studies and the required participant numbers were established. The variation in findings between studies suggests that a larger longitudinal study may be warranted .Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Peripheral Visual Motion Sensitivity in Previously Concussed, Asymptomatic Individuals

Background: Individuals acquire information about self-motion from the environment which specifies actions necessary to be successful (Fajen & Matthis, 2011). However, concussed individuals demonstrate residual disturbance in execution of postural movement at 30 days post injury, depicting an impaired ability to perceive self-motion in a visually conflicting environment (Slobounov et al. 2006). The objective of this thesis was to investigate the extent to which one’s behaviours on a central field of view task are influenced by the amount and type of peripheral visual movement during a collision avoidance task, as well as to determine the additive effects of changes to balance control through the examination of the behaviours of a previously concussed population. The study utilized the closing doors of a virtual subway train to create an aperture for passage. For the purposes of this study, peripheral visual stimuli was a technique in which objects located within an individual’s peripheral field of view were manipulated to be absent, stationary/relatively stationary (veridical optic flow), or move independent of the participant’s movements (non-veridical optic flow). It was hypothesized that individuals would perform best when the environment provided visual information regarding one’s own self motion. It was expected that a critical point (i.e., when the limits of action are reached and a transition phase into a different action occurs (Warren & Whang, 1987)) would emerge, which would be impacted by the different levels of peripheral visual environment, eliciting a change in critical point. Furthermore, it was anticipated that previously concussed asymptomatic individuals would elicit more variable behaviours (i.e., inconsistent path selection when aperture width remains constant) compared to non-concussed counterparts (Baker & Cinelli, 2014), as a product of the peripheral visual environment. Methods: Previously concussed (3-12 months prior) asymptomatic young adults (N=12) were recruited, along with age and gender matched non-concussed controls (N=12). Participants walked along a 7m virtual path (via HTC Vive) towards a set of subway doors and were instructed to safely board the train without colliding with the doors. When the participants were 2m from the doors, they began to close at a constant rate such that the final door aperture width at the time of crossing ranged from 35-85cm (in 10cm increments). Participants performed aperture crossing trials during one of four peripheral environments: 1) ground plane only; 2) ground plane plus stationary poles in the peripheral environment; 3) ground plane with stationary humanoids in the peripheral environment; or 4) randomly moving humanoids. Participants were exposed to three trials of each aperture width within each environment for a total of 72 walking trials (6 widths x 4 conditions x 3 trials). Kinematic data was collected using a 3D motion capture system (Optotrak, NDI). Results: The results revealed that participants executed significant shoulder rotations regardless of aperture width at time of crossing. It was found that non-concussed control subjects executed slightly larger shoulder rotations for smaller apertures (i.e., 35, 45, and 55cm) compared to the largest aperture (p.05), coefficient of variation of velocity (p\u3e.05), or medial-lateral stability during the approach phase (p\u3e.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that although a significant difference was found between aperture sizes for non-concussed controls, all individuals were found to employ a more conservative approach (i.e., “one solution fits all” strategy) to ensure success within each of the peripheral visual environments. As such, further research is required to assess the contributions of peripheral body information during an aperture crossing task and further the understanding of the behaviours demonstrated by each group. In addition, a more comprehensive sample of previously concussed asymptomatic individuals from various time points since concussion recovery will provide further insight into potential visuomotor deficits within this population